Google Inc.

Chihung Lin

Davis Ou

Mike Liu

Han-Wen Yeh

Wen Shian Lin

A foldable device may include a foldable layer and a support device that is fixed to a foldable portion, or bendable section, of the foldable layer. The support device may include a plurality of links, or segments. Each of the plurality of links may be individually fixed to a surface of the foldable portion of the foldable layer. Each of the plurality of links may be movably coupled to an adjacent link of the plurality of links, such that the plurality of links move relative to each other, while remaining fixed to the foldable layer, in response to a folding movement of the foldable layer and an unfolding movement of the foldable layer.

Support device and foldable device having same

In a general aspect, a foldable display device may include a processor, a memory, a first housing having a first end portion and a second end portion, a first length extending between the first end portion and the second end portion of the first housing, a second housing having a first end portion and a second end portion, a second length extending between the first end portion and the second end portion of the second housing, the second length being different than the first length, a flexible display coupled to the first housing and the second housing, and a hinge assembly coupled to the first housing and the second housing for relative rotation of the first housing and the second housing. The hinge assembly may include a slider, a lever attached to the slider, a set of gears disposed on the slider, and a linkage member connecting the lever and the set of gears together. Upon the relative rotation occurring in a first direction by the second housing, the set of gears rotates and causes the lever to move translationally move the first housing in a first linear direction, and upon the relative rotation occurring in a second direction by the second housing, the set of gears rotates and causes the lever to move translationally move in a second linear direction, the second linear direction being opposite to the first linear direction.

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Taipei, Taiwan

Chihung Lin