Bridge flex guiding design

Abstract

A folding device comprising: a first housing comprising first electronic components; a second housing comprising second electronic components; a hinge assembly rotatably connected to the first housing and the second housing; a continuous display connected to and across the first housing and the second housing; a bridge flex comprising one or more electrical connections between the first electronic components and the second electronic components, the bridge flex routed across the hinge assembly; and a guide attached to the bridge flex, wherein the hinge assembly further comprises a track configured to constrain movement of the guide along an axis substantially perpendicular to an apex of the continuous display between a first position and a second position as an angle between the first housing and the second housing changes.

Description

Docket No.: 1333-896WO01 BRIDGE FLEX GUIDING DESIGN BACKGROUND

[0001] Devices that include displays may be referred to as display devices. In general, it may be desirable to increase a size of a display (e.g., the area on which images are displayed) as much as possible. Increasing the size of a display may make the device that includes the display large and unwieldy. For instance, devices with larger displays may not fit in pockets, bags, and the like. One way to increase the size of a display without negatively affecting the portability of the device is to make the device collapsible such that the display can be folded (e.g., in half). SUMMARY

[0002] In general, aspects of this disclosure are directed to constraining the movement of a bridge flex of a folding device. Folding devices may generally include a first housing with a first set of electronic components and a second housing with a second set of electronic components. The two housings may be physically connected via a hinge assembly and a continuous display may span the two housings. Folding devices may include a bridge flex, routed across the hinge assembly, that includes electrical connections between the first set of electronic components and the second set of electronic components. The bridge flex may be fixed to the hinge assembly (i.e., the bridge flex may not move as the folding device opens or closes) or the bridge flex may be floating (i.e., the bridge flex may move freely with little to no constraints as the folding device opens or closes). Such designs may assist in providing electrical connections between the electronic components of the two housings. However, such designs may not be desirable. As one example, the fixed design may result in damage to the continuous display if the folding device is dropped. As another example, the floating design may contribute to noise and / or result in physical damage (e.g., cracking) of the bridge flex due to continued wear.

[0003] In accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure, a folding device may include a guide attached to the bridge flex and a track attached to the hinge assembly that constrains the movement of the bridge flex via the guide. In one example, the track may constrain movement of the guide along an axis substantially perpendicular to an apex of the continuous display. The guide may move between a first position and a second position as the angle between the first housing and the second housing changes (e.g., as the folding device isDocket No.: 1333-896WO01 opened or closed). When the folding device is open the guide may be constrained in the first position adjacent to the hinge assembly and when the folding device is closed the guide may be constrained in the second position adjacent to the continuous display. When the folding device is closed and the guide is constrained in the second position, there is space between the guide and the hinge assembly which may protect the continuous display if the folding device is dropped while closed. Further, the track may provide stability to the bridge flex which may reduce noise and prevent physical damage (e.g., cracking) of the bridge flex due to continued wear. In this way, aspects of this disclosure may reduce noise and prevent damage to the continuous display and the bridge flex.

[0004] In one example, a folding device includes: a first housing comprising first electronic components; a second housing comprising second electronic components; a hinge assembly rotatably connected to the first housing and the second housing; a continuous display connected to and across the first housing and the second housing; a bridge flex comprising one or more electrical connections between the first electronic components and the second electronic components, the bridge flex routed across the hinge assembly; and a guide attached to the bridge flex, wherein the hinge assembly further comprises a track configured to constrain movement of the guide along an axis substantially perpendicular to an apex of the continuous display between a first position and a second position as an angle between the first housing and the second housing changes.

[0005] The details of one or more examples of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIGS.1A and 1B are schematic diagrams illustrating a folding device with a flexible continuous display, in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure.

[0007] FIGS.2A, 2B, and 2C are conceptual diagrams illustrating a cross-sectional view of a folding device with an example bridge flex, guide, and track in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure.

[0008] FIG.3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example guide, in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure.

[0009] FIG.4A is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example hinge assembly of a folding device with a guide, in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure.Docket No.: 1333-896WO01

[0010] FIGS.4B and 4C are conceptual diagrams illustrating cross-sectional views of an example folding device with a guide and track at varying angles between the first housing and the second housing, in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] In general, this disclosure is directed to folding devices that include foldable continuous displays with a bridge flex to create connectivity between the electronic components of the display. A folding device may include at least two housings (i.e., panels) each with a set of electronic components. Further, the folding device may include a hinge assembly configured to allow the housings to be moved into a collapsed state in which the device is considered closed and an expanded state in which the device is considered open. The bridge flex may transfer signals between the electronic components of the two housings. When the device is in the expanded state, a display may be visible and may cover at least a portion of an inner surface of the housings. As such, the device may be considered to be a continuous display (i.e., because the display continues across or spans a boundary between the housings). By utilizing a bridge flex that is constrained by a track, as opposed to a bridge flex that is fixed or a bridge flex that is floating, damage to the continuous display and the bridge flex may be reduced while also potentially reducing noise. In this way, foldable continuous display devices may be improved.

[0012] FIGS.1A and 1B are schematic diagrams illustrating a folding device 100 with a flexible continuous display 106, in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure. Examples of device 100 include foldable mobile computing devices such as foldable smart phones, foldable tablets, foldable e-readers, foldable gaming systems, or any other foldable portable device that includes a display.

[0013] As shown in FIGS.1A and 1B, device 100 includes first housing 102, second housing 104, bridge flex 112, electrical components 105A and 105B (collectively referred to as, “electrical components 105”), continuous display 106, and hinge assembly 122. Each of first housing 102 and second housing 104 may include an inner surface and an outer surface. When device 100 is closed the outer surface of first housing 102 may be visible when looking down at device 100 in the z-axis and the outer surface of second housing 104 may be visible when looking up at device 100 in the z-axis. The inner surfaces of first housing 102 and second housing 104 may not be externally visible when device 100 is closed. As further shown in FIG.1A, when folding device 100 is fully open, an inner surface of a first housingDocket No.: 1333-896WO01 102 may be coplanar with an inner surface of a second housing 104.

[0014] Continuous display 106 may be capable of rendering data into images viewable by a user of device 100. For example, continuous display 106 may include a matrix of pixels that are individually controllable. Examples of continuous display 106 include, but are not limited to, liquid crystal displays (LCD), light emitting diode (LED) displays, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays, micro light-emitting diode (microLED) displays, or similar monochrome or color displays capable of outputting visible information to a user of device 100. Continuous display 106 may span hinge assembly 122 from first housing 102 to second housing 104. For instance, continuous display 106 may be connected to and across first housing 102 and second housing 104.

[0015] In some examples, device 100 may include one or more displays in addition to continuous display 106. For instance, device 100 may include a first additional display on the outer surface of first housing 102. In some examples, device 100 may further include a second additional display on the outer surface of second housing 104.

[0016] One or more of continuous display 106, the first additional display, and / or the second additional display may be presence-sensitive displays. In some examples, a presence sensitive display may detect an object at and / or near a screen. As one example range, a presence- sensitive display may detect an object, such as a finger or stylus that is within 2 inches of the screen. The presence-sensitive display may determine a location (e.g., an (x,y) coordinate) of a screen at which the object was detected. In another example range, a presence-sensitive display may detect an object within six inches of the screen. Other ranges are also possible. The presence-sensitive display may determine the location of the screen selected by a user’s finger using capacitive, inductive, and / or optical recognition techniques. In some examples, the presence sensitive display also provides output to a user using tactile, audio, or video stimuli.

[0017] Computing and / or electrical components 105 of device 100 may be distributed amongst first housing 102 (e.g., electrical components 105A) and second housing 104 (e.g., electrical components 105B). For example, electrical components 105A may include a main logic board and electrical components 105B may include a battery. This is merely one example arrangement of electrical components 105 amongst first housing 102 and / or second housing 104; other arrangements are possible. For instance, both first housing 102 and second housing 104 may include respective batteries.Docket No.: 1333-896WO01

[0018] In general, folding device 100 may include bridge flex 112 routed across hinge assembly 122. Bridge flex 112 may include electrical connections between electrical components 105A, distributed amongst first housing 102, and electrical components 105B, distributed amongst second housing 104. In some examples, bridge flex 112 may be fixed (i.e., bridge flex 112 may not move as folding device 100 opens or closes) or floating (i.e., bridge flex 112 may move freely with little to no constraints as folding device 100 opens or closes). Such designs may be undesirable. As one example, the fixed design may result in damage to continuous display 106 if folding device 100 is dropped. As another example, the floating design may result in noise and / or eventually cause bridge flex 112 to crack.

[0019] In accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure, device 100 may include a guide that is attached to bridge flex 112 and a track that is attached to hinge assembly 122. The track may be configured to constrain movement of the guide, and thereby constrain the movement of bridge flex 112. In one example, the track may constrain movement of the guide along an axis substantially perpendicular to an apex of the continuous display 106. The guide may move between a first position and a second position as the angle between first housing 102 and second housing 104 changes (e.g., as folding device 100 is opened or closed). When folding device 100 is open the guide may be constrained in the first position adjacent to hinge assembly 122. Similarly, when folding device 100 is closed the guide may be constrained in the second position adjacent to continuous display 106. When the guide is constrained in the second position, such constraint may result in there being space between the guide and hinge assembly 122. Such space may protect continuous display 106 if folding device 100 is dropped (e.g., while closed). Further, the track may provide stability to bridge flex 112 which may reduce noise and prevent physical damage (e.g., cracking) of bridge flex 112 due to continued wear. In this way, aspects of this disclosure may reduce noise and prevent damage to continuous display 106 and bridge flex 112.

[0020] FIGS.2A, 2B, and 2C are conceptual diagrams illustrating a cross-sectional view of a folding device (e.g., folding device 100 of FIG.1), in accordance with one or more techniques of this disclosure. As shown in FIGS.2A, 2B, and 2C (collectively, “FIG.2”), folding devices 200A, 200B, and 200C (collectively, “folding device 200”) may be examples of folding device 100. Folding device 200 may include housings 202 and 204, continuous display 206, apex 207, support plates 214, bridge flex 212, hinge assembly 222, track 208, and guide 210. Housings 202 and 204, continuous display 206, and hinge assembly 222 may be examples of housings 102 and 104, continuous display 106, and hinge assembly 122 ofDocket No.: 1333-896WO01 FIG.1. Further, bridge flex 212 may be an example of bridge flex 112 of FIG.1A.

[0021] In some examples, bridge flex 212 may be referred to as “interflex connections.” Bridge flex 212 may be one or more electrical connections (e.g., power and / or data) spanning the boundary between the two housings (e.g., housings 202 and 204) of folding device 200. For instance, bridge flex 212 may include one or more ribbon cables routed between housing 202 and housing 204 across hinge assembly 222. Bridge flex 212 may be located below support plates 214.

[0022] Hinge assembly 222 may be rotatably connected to housings 202 and 204. In general, hinge assembly 222 may include support plates 214 to press bridge flex 212 as the guide moves. Further, support plates 214 may support a backside of continuous display 206. Continuous display 206 may include apex 207, which may represent a location on continuous display 206 that is a peak of a primary fold (e.g., a midpoint) of continuous display 206. As can be seen in FIGS.2A-2C, as folding device 200 is opened and closed, apex 207 may generally move up and down along the y-axis but may not move much (if at all) in the x-axis.

[0023] In one example, guide 210 may be attached to bridge flex 212 via pressure sensitive adhesive. Guide 210 may be attached such that guide 210 is above bridge flex 212 in the y- axis. Guide 210 may move along the y-axis perpendicular to apex 207 of continuous display 206 and / or guide 210 may move along the x-axis parallel to apex 207 of continuous display 206 (e.g., may move up and down in the reference of FIGS.2A-2C). In a first configuration, illustrated by FIG.2B, folding device 200B is open and guide 210 is in the first position adjacent to hinge assembly 222. In a second configuration, illustrated by FIG.2C, folding device 200C is closed and guide 210 is in the second position adjacent to continuous display 206. In a third configuration, illustrated by FIG.2A, folding device 200A is ajar (i.e., between open and closed) and guide 210 may be floating. In one example, folding devices 200A, 200B, and 200C may be the same folding device 200 transitioning between configurations (e.g., closing folding device 200 or opening folding device 200).

[0024] FIG.2C illustrates an example when folding device 200C is in a closed configuration resulting in guide 210 being in a second position adjacent to continuous display 206. If a user were to drop folding device 200C, there may be space between hinge assembly 222 and guide 210. This space may prevent the impact of the drop from traveling to continuous display 206, thus possibly preventing damage to continuous display 206.

[0025] As illustrated by FIG.2, track 208 is attached to hinge assembly 222 and is configured to constrain the movement of guide 210, and thereby constrain the movement of bridge flexDocket No.: 1333-896WO01 212. In one example, track 208 may be attached to hinge assembly 222 via glue, snap fits, fasteners, or any other suitable technique. In some examples, track 208 may be configured to constrain movement of guide 210 along an axis substantially perpendicular to apex 207 of continuous display 206 between the first position and the second position as an angle between housings 202 and 204 changes. In another example, track 208 may be configured to constrain movement of guide 210 along an axis substantially parallel to apex 207 of continuous display 206 between the first position and the second position as an angle between housings 202 and 204 changes.

[0026] In one example, track 208 may be formed of plastic. Track 208 may include a first boundary 208A that is substantially parallel to guide 210 and a second boundary 208B that is substantially perpendicular to guide 210. In one example, first boundary 208A may constrain the movement of guide 210 along the y-axis (i.e., along an axis substantially perpendicular to apex 207 of continuous display 206). In another example, second boundary 208B may constrain movement of guide 210 along the x-axis (i.e., along an axis substantially parallel to apex 207 of continuous display 206).

[0027] In some examples, perpendicular may be considered to mean that the angle between two object is ninety degrees. For example, the angle between second boundary 208B and guide 210 may be ninety degrees. Substantially perpendicular may be considered to mean that the angle between two objects is ± five degrees from ninety degrees (i.e., any angle between eighty-five degrees and ninety-five degrees may be considered substantially perpendicular). In some examples, parallel may be considered to mean that the angle between at least two objects is zero. For example, the angle between first boundary 208A and guide 210 may be zero degrees. Substantially parallel may be considered to mean that the angle between two objects is ± five degrees from 0 degrees (i.e., any angle between negative five degrees and five degrees may be considered substantially parallel).

[0028] As folding device 200 is opened or closed, bridge flex 212 may be pressed or pulled such that guide 210 moves within track 208. In one example, folding device 200 may be open (e.g., folding device 200B of FIG.2B). A user may decide to close folding device 200 (i.e., the user may desire to transition folding device 200 from the open configuration illustrated in FIG.2B to the closed configuration illustrated in FIG.2C). As folding device 200 is closed, bridge flex 212 is pulled such that guide 210 may move within track 208, along the y-axis, towards first boundary 208A (e.g., as illustrated by FIG.2A). Guide 210 may continue to move, along the y-axis, towards first boundary 208A until guide 210 is constrained by firstDocket No.: 1333-896WO01 boundary 208A (e.g., guide 210 physically contacts first boundary 208A). In such an example, movement of guide 210 may be constrained by first boundary 208A when folding device 200 is closed (e.g., as illustrated by FIG.2C).

[0029] In another example, folding device 200 may be closed (e.g., folding device 200C of FIG.2C). A user may decide to open folding device 200 (i.e., the user may desire to transition folding device 200 from the closed configuration illustrated in FIG.2C to the open configuration illustrated in FIG.2B). As folding device 200 is opened, bridge flex 212 may be pressed such that guide 210 may move along the y-axis towards hinge assembly 222. For example, support plates 214 may press “slack” in bridge flex 212 as guide 210 moves from the second position to the first position. Guide 210 may continue to move along the y-axis until guide 210 physically contacts hinge assembly 222. In such an example, guide 210 may make physical contact with hinge assembly 222 when folding device 200 is open (e.g., as illustrated by FIG.2B).

[0030] Further, in any of the previous examples, as folding device 200 is opened or closed, guide 210 may move along the x-axis, towards second boundary 208B. Guide 210 may move along the x-axis toward second boundary 208B until guide 210 is constrained by second boundary 208B (e.g., guide 210 physically contacts second boundary 208B). In one example, a user may desire to open or close folding device 200. As folding device 200 is open or closed a user may tilt folding device 200 along the x-axis such that guide 210 moves until guide 210 is constrained by second boundary 208B. In another example, a user may unevenly open or close folding device 200 such that one housing is closed before the other which may cause guide 210 to move along the x-axis until guide 210 is constrained by second boundary 208B.

[0031] Folding device 200 may be in a stationary configuration where the angle between the two housings (e.g., housing 202 and 204) stays substantially the same for a period of time. In any stationary configuration, guide 210 may still be constrained by track 208. For instance, if folding device 200B is in a stationary open configuration with continuous display 206 oriented above hinge assembly 222, as illustrated by FIG.2B, and a user flips folding device 200B such that the continuous display 206 is now oriented below hinge assembly 222, guide 210 may be constrained by first boundary 208A of track 208. In another instance, if folding device 200A is in a stationary configuration between open and closed, as illustrated by FIG. 2A, and a user shakes folding device 200A, guide 210 may be constrained by first boundary 208A and second boundary 208B of track 208.Docket No.: 1333-896WO01

[0032] In some examples, as the angle between two housings (e.g., housing 202 and housing 204) changes or stays the same, guide 210 may move along the x-axis and / or y-axis and may be constrained by first boundary 208A and / or second boundary 208B of track 208. Guide 210 may be constrained by first boundary 208A and second boundary 208B simultaneously. Guide 210 may be constrained only by first boundary 208A or only by second boundary 208B. Guide 210 may be constrained by track 208 without being constrained by first boundary 208A or second boundary 208B (i.e., without guide 210 making physical contact with first boundary 208A or second boundary 208B). For instance, as illustrated by FIG.2A or FIG.2B, guide 210 may be constrained by track 208 because guide 210 can only move within track 208.

[0033] FIG.3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example guide 310, in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure. FIG.3 is an angled perspective of guide 310. Guide 310 may be an example of guide 210 of FIGS.2A, 2B, and 2C. As shown in FIG.3, guide 310 may include overhangs 326A and 326B (collectively, “overhangs 326”), overhangs 327A and 327B (collectively, “overhangs 327”), and assembly geometry 328.

[0034] Guide 310 may be formed of stainless steel. Guide 310 may overhang bridge flex 212. Specifically, guide 310 may have overhangs 326 and 327 at opposing ends of guide 310. In one example, track 208 may constrain guide 310 via overhangs 326 and 327. For instance, track 208 may be configured such that first boundary 208A and second boundary 208B only make substantial physical contact with overhangs 326 and 327.

[0035] For example, as folding device 200 is opened or closed, bridge flex 212 may be pressed or pulled such that guide 310 moves within track 208. In one example, folding device 200 may be open (e.g., folding device 200B of FIG.2B). A user may decide to close folding device 200 (i.e., the user may desire to transition folding device 200 from the open configuration illustrated in FIG.2B to the closed configuration illustrated in FIG.2C). As folding device 200 is closed, bridge flex 212 is pulled such that guide 310 may move within track 208, along the y-axis, towards first boundary 208A (e.g., as illustrated by FIG.2A). Guide 310 may continue to move, along the y-axis, towards first boundary 208A until guide 310 is constrained by first boundary 208A. Specifically, overhangs 326 and / or 327 of guide 310 may make physical contact with first boundary 208A. Such that, first boundary 208A constrains guide 310, via overhangs 326 and 327, so that guide 310 may not move any further up along the y-axis. In such an example, movement of guide 310 may be constrained by first boundary 208A when folding device 200 is closed (e.g., as illustrated by FIG.2C).Docket No.: 1333-896WO01

[0036] Further, as folding device 200 is opened or closed, guide 310 may move along the x- axis, towards second boundary 208B. Guide 310 may move along the x-axis toward second boundary 208B until guide 310 is constrained by second boundary 208B. Specifically, overhangs 326 and / or 327 of guide 310 may make physical contact with second boundary 208B. Such that, second boundary 208B constrains guide 310, via overhangs 326 and 327, so that guide 310 may not move any further along the x-axis. In one example, (illustrated by FIG.2) guide 310 may be moving to the right along the x-axis. Guide 310 may be constrained by second boundary 208B when overhang 326A and / or overhang 327A makes physical contact with second boundary 208B. In another example, (illustrated by FIG.2) guide 310 may be moving to the left along the x-axis. Guide 310 may be constrained by second boundary 208B when overhang 326B and / or overhang 327B makes physical contact with second boundary 208B.

[0037] Assembly geometry 328 may be a circular void. A void may be an absence of a portion of guide 310. In some examples, assembly geometry 328 may be used to assemble guide 310 to hinge assembly 222.

[0038] FIG.4A is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example hinge assembly 422 of a folding device (e.g., folding device 200 of FIG.2) with a guide 410, in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure. FIG.4A is a direct perspective of hinge assembly 422, viewed from a similar angle as the illustration of FIG.1A. Hinge assembly 422 may be an example of hinge assembly 222 of FIG.2. As shown in FIG.4A, hinge assembly 422 may include housings 402 and 404, guide 410, track 408, bridge flex 412, overhangs 426A and 426B (collectively, “overhangs 426”), overhangs 427A and 427B (collectively, “overhangs 427”), and assembly geometry 428. Housings 402 and 404, track 408, and bridge flex 412, may be examples of housings 202 and 204, track 208, and bridge flex 212 of FIG.2. Guide 410, overhangs 426 and 427, and assembly geometry 428 may be examples of guide 310, overhangs 326 and 327, and assembly geometry 328 of FIG.3.

[0039] In some examples, 422A may represent a first end of hinge assembly 422 and 422B may represent a second end of hinge assembly 422. In one example, track 408 may be at (i.e., proximate to) first end 422A and at (i.e., proximate to) second end 422B of hinge assembly 422. There may be a portion of hinge assembly 422, between first end 422A and second end 422B that does not include track 408.

[0040] In another example, track 408 may be attached to hinge assembly 422 along at least one of line A-A or line B-B (i.e., opposing ends of hinge assembly 422). The track may notDocket No.: 1333-896WO01 span across guide 410. Instead, the track may only be present at the top and / or bottom of guide 410. For instance, 410A identifies a portion of guide 410 that is not within a track. In other words, only the sections of guide 410 that correspond to overhangs 426 and / or 427 may be within a track.

[0041] In some examples, bridge flex 412 may be attached to the portion of the guide 410 that is not within the track. For instance, bridge flex 412 may be attached to the 410A portion of guide 410. As shown in FIG.4A, bridge flex 412 may not be present at cross sections taken at line A-A or line B-B, but bridge flex 412 may be present at a cross section taken at line C-C (i.e., a cross section taken at a line within a portion (e.g., 410A) of guide 410 that is not within track 408).

[0042] FIGS.4B and 4C are conceptual diagrams illustrating cross-sectional views of an example folding device (e.g., folding device 200 of FIG.2) with a guide 410 and track 408 at varying angles between first housing 402 and second housing 404, in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure. As shown in FIGS.4B and 4C, folding devices 400A, 400B, and 400C (collectively, “folding device 400”) may be examples of folding devices 200A, 200B, and 200C of FIG.2, respectively. Folding device 400 may include housings 402 and 404, guide 410, track 408, bridge flex 412, and support plates 414. Housings 402 and 404, guide 410, track 408, bridge flex 412, and support plates 414 may be examples of housings 202 and 204, guide 210, track 208, bridge flex 212, and support plates 214 of FIG.2.

[0043] Similar to FIG.2, folding device 400B is in the first configuration (open), folding device 400C is in the second configuration (closed), and folding device 400A is in the third configuration (ajar). In the second configuration (closed), the angle between housings 402 and 404 of folding device 400C may be zero degrees. In the first configuration (open), the angle between housings 402 and 404 of folding device 400B may be one hundred and eighty degrees. In the third configuration (ajar), the angle between housings 402 and 404 of folding device 400A may be any angle between zero degrees and one hundred and eighty degrees. In some examples of the third configuration (ajar), illustrated by FIGS.4B and 4C, the angle between housings 402 and 404 of folding device 400A may be sixty degrees or one hundred and twenty degrees. In some examples, folding devices 400A, 400B, and 400C may be the same folding device 400 transitioning between configurations (e.g., closing the folding device 400 or opening the folding device 400).

[0044] The cross-sectional view of FIG.4B is along line A-A or line B-B of FIG.4A. Due to the cross-sectional view being along line A-A or line B-B (i.e., the top or bottom of hingeDocket No.: 1333-896WO01 assembly 422), FIG.4B illustrates folding device 400 with guide 410, track 408 and no bridge flex 412. In contrast, the cross-sectional view of FIG.4C is along line C-C of FIG.4A. Due to the cross-sectional view being along line C-C (i.e., the center of hinge assembly 422), FIG.4C illustrates folding device 400 with guide 410, bridge flex 412, and no track 408.

[0045] While described herein with respect to a folding device having two “halves” or housings connected by a single hinge, this disclosure is not so limited. For instance, a foldable device having three housings connected in series by two hinges may include the bridge flex guiding mechanism of this disclosure in one or both of its hinges. Similar for devices with four or more housings.

[0046] Aspects of this disclosure include the following examples.

[0047] Example 1. A folding device comprising: a first housing comprising first electronic components; a second housing comprising second electronic components; a hinge assembly rotatably connected to the first housing and the second housing; a continuous display connected to and across the first housing and the second housing; a bridge flex comprising one or more electrical connections between the first electronic components and the second electronic components, the bridge flex routed across the hinge assembly; and a guide attached to the bridge flex, wherein the hinge assembly further comprises a track configured to constrain movement of the guide along an axis substantially perpendicular to an apex of the continuous display between a first position and a second position as an angle between the first housing and the second housing changes.

[0048] Example 2. The folding device of example 1, wherein the track is further configured to constrain movement of the guide along an axis substantially parallel to the apex of the continuous display between the first position and the second position as an angle between the first housing and the second housing changes.

[0049] Example 3. The folding device of example 1 or example 2, wherein the track comprises a first boundary substantially parallel to the guide and a second boundary substantially perpendicular to the guide.

[0050] Example 4. The folding device of example 3, wherein the first boundary constrains movement of the guide along the axis substantially perpendicular to the apex of the continuous display, and wherein the second boundary constrains movement of the guide along the axis substantially parallel to the apex of the continuous display.

[0051] Example 5. The folding device of any of examples 1-4, wherein the hinge assembly comprises the track at a first end of the hinge assembly and at a second end of theDocket No.: 1333-896WO01 hinge assembly, and wherein a portion of the hinge assembly between the first end and the second end does not include the track.

[0052] Example 6. The folding device of any of examples 1-5, wherein the guide further comprises overhangs at opposing ends, and wherein the track constrains movement of the guide via the overhangs.

[0053] Example 7. The folding device of example 1, further comprising, a support plate above the bridge flex configured to press the bridge flex as the guide moves from the second position to the first position.

[0054] Example 8. The folding device of example 1 or example 2, wherein when the guide is in the first position the guide is adjacent to the hinge assembly.

[0055] Example 9. The folding device of example 1 or example 2, wherein when the guide is in the second position the guide is adjacent to the continuous display.

[0056] Example 10. The folding device of any of examples 1-9, wherein the guide is attached to the bridge flex via pressure sensitive adhesive.

[0057] Example 11. The folding device of any of example 1-6, wherein the track is formed of plastic.

[0058] Example 12. The folding device of any of examples 1-10, wherein the guide is formed of stainless steel.

[0059] Various examples of the disclosure have been described. Any combination of the described systems, operations, or functions is contemplated. These and other examples are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

Attorney Docket No. 1333-896WO01 CLAIMS:

1. A folding device comprising: a first housing comprising first electronic components; a second housing comprising second electronic components; a hinge assembly rotatably connected to the first housing and the second housing; a continuous display connected to and across the first housing and the second housing; a bridge flex comprising one or more electrical connections between the first electronic components and the second electronic components, the bridge flex routed across the hinge assembly; and a guide attached to the bridge flex, wherein the hinge assembly further comprises a track configured to constrain movement of the guide along an axis substantially perpendicular to an apex of the continuous display between a first position and a second position as an angle between the first housing and the second housing changes.

2. The folding device of claim 1, wherein the track is further configured to constrain movement of the guide along an axis substantially parallel to the apex of the continuous display between the first position and the second position as an angle between the first housing and the second housing changes.

3. The folding device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the track comprises a first boundary substantially parallel to the guide and a second boundary substantially perpendicular to the guide.

4. The folding device of claim 3, wherein the first boundary constrains movement of the guide along the axis substantially perpendicular to the apex of the continuous display, and wherein the second boundary constrains movement of the guide along the axis substantially parallel to the apex of the continuous display.

5. The folding device of any of claims 1-4, wherein the hinge assembly comprises the track at a first end of the hinge assembly and at a second end of the hinge assembly, and wherein a portion of the hinge assembly between the first end and the second end does not include the track.Attorney Docket No. 1333-896WO01 6. The folding device of any of claims 1-5, wherein the guide further comprises overhangs at opposing ends, and wherein the track constrains movement of the guide via the overhangs.

7. The folding device of claim 1, further comprising, a support plate above the bridge flex configured to press the bridge flex as the guide moves from the second position to the first position.

8. The folding device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein when the guide is in the first position the guide is adjacent to the hinge assembly.

9. The folding device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein when the guide is in the second position the guide is adjacent to the continuous display.

10. The folding device of any of claims 1-9, wherein the guide is attached to the bridge flex via pressure sensitive adhesive.

11. The folding device of any of claims 1-6, wherein the track is formed of plastic.

12. The folding device of any of claims 1-10, wherein the guide is formed of stainless steel.

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