Google Inc.

Mike Liu

Davis Ou

Han-Wen Yeh

Chun Yang Tseng

Vincent Chien

Eugene Liao

Wen Shian Lin

Chihung Lin

Penyu Liao

Yao Hsu-Hong

Wenli Tan

Max Chuang

Victor Cheng

Hsu An-Szu

Ollie Chen

A foldable device may include a foldable layer and a hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism may include a hinge cover fixedly coupled to a hinge base. A plurality of rotation pivots may be rotatably coupled to the hinge base and the hinge cover. A housing of a computing device may be coupled to the rotation pivots, such that, as the rotation pivots rotate into the hinge base and hinge cover, the computing device is unfolded, and as the rotation pivots rotate out of the hinge base and hinge cover, the computing device is folded. Rotation of the rotation pivots into and out of the hinge base and hinge cover may be restricted by one or more stopping mechanisms, so as to maintain a foldable display of the computing device within allowable bending limits.

2-axis soft hinge mechanism and foldable device having same

A flexible display that can be adjusted by an electromagnetic mechanism to remove a deformation is disclosed. The flexible display is attached to a body that is configurable in a folded configuration or an unfolded configuration by a hinge mechanism. When unfolded the flexible display includes a deformation (i.e., warp) in an area around the hinge mechanism. Accordingly, an electromagnet is included with the hinge mechanism to remove the deformation by attracting a magnetic element is disposed on a back surface of the flexible display.

Flexible display with electromagnetic adjustment

A foldable device includes a housing, a foldable display coupled to the housing, and a hinge mechanism at a bendable section of the foldable display. The hinge mechanism includes hinge track modules movably coupling adjacent pairs of hinge beams. Each hinge track module includes a track member coupled to one of the pair of hinge beams. The track member includes an arcuate slot. First and second hinge shaft members positioned at first and second sides of the track member are coupled to the other of the pair of hinge beams. The first and second hinge shaft members include a hinge shaft slidably coupled in the arcuate slot of the track member. Outer peripheral contours of the hinge shafts correspond to an inner peripheral contour of the arcuate slot to guide movement of the hinge shafts in the arcuate slot and maintain the foldable display within allowable bending limits.

Multi-axis soft hinge mechanism and foldable device having same

In a general aspect, a foldable display device may include 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 disposed on the first housing and the second housing, and a hinge assembly disposed between the first housing and the second housing to rotate the first housing and the second toward each other. The hinge assembly may include a slider and plurality of gears. The slider and the plurality of gears operate to transfer a rotational movement into a translational movement of at least one of the first housing or the second housing.

Hinge mechanism by gear set with slider for foldable display device

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.

Display device including a hinge mechanism with gear-link and slider

An electronic device includes: a processor; a memory; a first body portion; a second body portion coupled to the first body portion by a hinge, the second body portion including a plate; a slider having a slot therein, wherein the plate slidingly engages with the slot to facilitate the slider assuming at least first and second positions relative to the second body portion; and a flexible display attached to the first body portion and the slider, wherein the flexible display has a substantially planar configuration in the first position of the slider and a substantially folded configuration in the second position of the slider.

Electronic device with flexible display

An electronic device includes: a processor; a memory; a first body member; a second body member; a flexible display, wherein a first portion of the flexible display is mounted to the first body member, and wherein a second portion of the flexible display is mounted to the second body member; a shaft mounted to the second body member; a hinge coupled to the first and second body members; a first arm having a first pivot with the first body member; and a threaded coupling between the first arm and the shaft.

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Taipei, Taiwan

Mike Liu