U.S. patent application number 17/546042 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-09 for foldable display device with ratchet mechanisms.
The applicant listed for this patent is Lepton Computing LLC. Invention is credited to Stephen E. Delaporte.
Application Number | 20220179460 17/546042 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220179460 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Delaporte; Stephen E. |
June 9, 2022 |
Foldable Display Device With Ratchet Mechanisms
Abstract
A foldable touch screen display device made up of flexible
segments that can be folded from a compact state to an expanded
state which also includes ratchet mechanisms is disclosed. The form
factor of the compact state is roughly the size of a typical
handheld phone or smaller. The form factor of the expanded state is
roughly the size of a larger phone or tablet computer, which may
also have the size and mechanical functionality of a laptop. The
device form factor may also be a flip phone configuration. Both
folded states may include an integrated speaker and microphone. The
ratchet mechanisms are utilized to ease the folding action of the
device and can also be used to stabilize the folded angle of the
device's display segments relative to each other. The device may
further include sensors to indicate the position of each display
segment. In one embodiment, a module attached to, situated within,
or otherwise associated with at least one segment of the flexible
display or rigid display may contain all or substantially all
processing and memory, along with a communications system, which
may be used in any folded state.
Inventors: |
Delaporte; Stephen E.; (New
York, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lepton Computing LLC |
Brooklyn |
NY |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/546042 |
Filed: |
December 8, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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63122602 |
Dec 8, 2020 |
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International
Class: |
G06F 1/16 20060101
G06F001/16; G06F 3/041 20060101 G06F003/041 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: (a) a flexible touch-sensitive display
composed of a first flexible touch-sensitive display portion and a
second flexible touch-sensitive display portion; wherein: (1) the
first flexible touch-sensitive display portion is attached to a
first structural support segment; (2) the second flexible
touch-sensitive display portion is attached to a second structural
support segment; (3) the flexible touch-sensitive display further
comprises having a fully folded state; (4) the flexible
touch-sensitive display further comprises having a partially
expanded state; (5) the flexible touch-sensitive display further
comprises having a fully expanded state; (b) A ratchet mechanism
configured and attached to at least one flexible touch-sensitive
display structural support segment such that as the apparatus is
folded, the folding motion of the apparatus activates the
rotational motion of the ratchet mechanism.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the ratchet mechanism includes
a ratchet gear and a pawl.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the first structural support
segment and the second structural support segment are connected by
a hinge and a sleeve structure that houses the hinge.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: the ratchet gear is
mechanically connected to at least one structural support segment;
and the pawl is mechanically connected to the hinge sleeve
structure.
5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: the ratchet gear is
mechanically connected to a spur gear and the spur gear is
mechanically connected to at least one structural support segment;
and the pawl is mechanically connected to the hinge sleeve
structure.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the ratchet mechanism includes
a spring.
7. An apparatus comprising: (a) a rigid touch-sensitive display;
(b) a flexible touch-sensitive display composed of a first flexible
touch-sensitive display portion and a second flexible
touch-sensitive display portion; wherein: (1) the first flexible
touch-sensitive display portion is attached to a first structural
support segment; (2) the second flexible touch-sensitive display
portion is attached to a second structural support segment; (3) the
flexible touch-sensitive display further comprises having a fully
folded state; (4) the flexible touch-sensitive display further
comprises having a partially expanded state; (5) the flexible
touch-sensitive display further comprises having a fully expanded
state; (b) A ratchet mechanism configured and attached to at least
one flexible touch-sensitive display structural support segment
such that as the apparatus is folded, the folding motion of the
apparatus activates the rotational motion of the ratchet
mechanism.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the ratchet mechanism includes
a ratchet gear and a pawl.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the first structural support
segment and the second structural support segment are connected by
a hinge and a sleeve structure that houses the hinge.
10. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: the ratchet gear is
mechanically connected to at least one structural support segment;
and the pawl is mechanically connected to the hinge sleeve
structure.
11. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: the ratchet gear is
mechanically connected to a spur gear and the spur gear is
mechanically connected to at least one structural support segment;
and the pawl is mechanically connected to the hinge sleeve
structure.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the ratchet mechanism
includes a spring.
13. An apparatus comprising: (a) a first touch-sensitive display
and a second touch-sensitive display; wherein: (1) the first
touch-sensitive display is attached to a first structural support
segment; (2) the second touch-sensitive display is attached to a
second structural support segment; (3) the touch-sensitive displays
further comprise having a fully folded state; (4) the
touch-sensitive displays further comprise having a partially
expanded state; (b) A ratchet mechanism configured and attached to
at least one touch-sensitive display structural support segment
such that as the apparatus is folded, the folding motion of the
apparatus activates the rotational motion of the ratchet
mechanism.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the ratchet mechanism
includes a ratchet gear and a pawl.
15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the first structural support
segment and the second structural support segment are connected by
a hinge and a sleeve structure that houses the hinge.
16. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: the ratchet gear is
mechanically connected to at least one structural support segment;
and the pawl is mechanically connected to the hinge sleeve
structure.
17. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: the ratchet gear is
mechanically connected to a spur gear and the spur gear is
mechanically connected to at least one structural support segment;
and the pawl is mechanically connected to the hinge sleeve
structure.
18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the ratchet mechanism
includes a spring.
Description
[0001] One of the great difficulties in using a small-scale touch
screen device, however, is in the fact that it can often be
cumbersome to physically interact with. This is especially apparent
when selecting and manipulating features and inputting text, which
can sometimes be imprecise for a user. In such handheld computing
devices as a touch screen mobile phone, the limited size of the
display can also significantly reduce the viewing capacity while
watching videos, using graphic-intensive applications, and reading
text. The rigid nature of a standard touch screen display can also
limit the portability of a device when its form factor is in the
larger size range for a phone, or at the scale of a tablet, which
makes folding a desirable feature. Additionally, because a foldable
device fundamentally has a hinge mechanism built in that requires
constant force input to open and close the device, this mechanical
energy could be translated and utilized for other mechanical and
hardware functions.
[0002] There is therefore a need for touch screen display devices
that can be adjusted in size without sacrificing the convenience of
being compact or handheld. There is also a need for ratchet
mechanisms to ease the folding action of a foldable device where
the compressive strength is high and the device is more difficult
to fold such as in the case of a display that is being folded where
the back sides of its segments are facing each other in the folded
state. As flexible glass becomes more viable along with other
materials that can protect a flexible display while also having the
ability to fold, the compressive strength may be higher than
present materials that are being used today which can scratch more
easily. Having the ability to stabilize the angle of a foldable
device using ratchets is also desirable to optimize viewing by the
user along with other applications where a fixed angle of the
display segments relative to each other is desired.
SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A foldable touch screen display device made up of flexible
segments that can be folded from a compact state to an expanded
state which also includes ratchet mechanisms. The form factor of
the compact state is roughly the size of a typical handheld phone
or smaller. The form factor of the expanded state is roughly the
size of a larger phone or tablet computer, which may also have the
size and mechanical functionality of a laptop. The device form
factor may also be a flip phone configuration. Both folded states
may include an integrated speaker and microphone. The ratchet
mechanisms are utilized to ease the folding action of the device
and can also be used to stabilize the folded angle of the device's
display segments relative to each other. The device may further
include sensors to indicate the position of each display segment.
In one embodiment, a module attached to, situated within, or
otherwise associated with at least one segment of the flexible
display or rigid display may contain all or substantially all
processing and memory, along with a communications system, which
may be used in any folded state.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly
pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the
specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and
method of operation, together with objects, features, and
advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the
following detailed description when read with the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hinge shown in section
for a foldable computing device that is illustrated in three
separate positions; the first position shows the two display
segments in an open state, the second position shows the two
display segments being closed, and the third position shows the
device in a fully folded closed state.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a detailed side view of the hinge section for the
foldable computing device from FIG. 1, which is shown in two
separate positions; the first position shows the two display
segments being closed about the hinge to a folded state with the
ratchet mechanisms being locked with pawls, while the second
position shows the two display segments being opened about the
hinge to an expanded state with the pawls released from the
ratchets.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a foldable device with
ratchet mechanisms integrated at each end of the device's
hinge.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In the following detailed description, numerous specific
details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding
of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled
in the art that the present invention may be practiced without
these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods,
procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as
not to obscure the present invention.
[0009] Although embodiments of the invention are not limited in
this regard, discussions utilizing terms such as, for example,
"processing," "computing," "calculating," "determining,"
"establishing", "analyzing", "checking", or the like, may refer to
operation(s) and/or process(es) of a computer, a computing
platform, a computing system, or other electronic computing device,
that manipulates and/or transforms data represented as physical
(e.g., electronic) quantities within the computer's registers
and/or memories into other data similarly represented as physical
quantities within the computer's registers and/or memories or other
information non-transitory storage medium that may store
instructions to perform operations and/or processes. Although
embodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard, the
terms "plurality" and "a plurality" as used herein may include, for
example, "multiple" or "two or more". The terms "plurality" or "a
plurality" may be used throughout the specification to describe two
or more components, devices, elements, units, parameters, or the
like. Unless explicitly stated, the method embodiments described
herein are not constrained to a particular order or sequence.
Additionally, some of the described method embodiments or elements
thereof can occur or be performed simultaneously, at the same point
in time, or concurrently.
[0010] In accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1,
a foldable computing device 11 having two display segments 17 and
19 that fold about hinge 18, are shown in three separate positions
51, 52, and 53. The first position 51 shows the flexible display 39
with its two flexible display segments 17 and 19 in an open state
with hinge 18 situated between segments 17 and 19. A ratchet gear
33 is also connected to display segment 17 which is synched through
spur gear 31 to an adjacent spur gear and ratchet gear mechanism
assembly connected to the opposite display segment 19. The ratchet
gear 33 is able to lock the connected display segment 17 in place
with a pawl 35 while an additional pawl is used to lock the synched
and adjacent ratchet assembly connected to display segment 19. The
second position 52 shows the two display segments 17 and 19 being
closed about hinge 18 to a folded state with its ratchet gear 33
and pawl 31 engaged in such a way to prevent the device from
springing back to an open state. Similar to position 51, the
ratchet gear 33 is also synched through spur gear 31 to an adjacent
spur gear and ratchet gear mechanism assembly connected to the
opposite display segment 19. Ratchet gear 33 is shown being locked
with pawl 35 as ratchet gear 33 rotates in conjunction with both
display segment 17 and display segment 19 such that they are shown
at an acute angle to each other. The two synched ratchet assemblies
ultimately are held in position when each pawl engages with the
ratchet gear tooth that relates to the angle the device is
positioned in.
[0011] The ratchet mechanism plays an important role in easing the
folding action of the device, especially in the instance where
there is high compressive force from the flexible display backing
or cover. As flexible glass material becomes more viable and strong
enough to prevent scratches on its surface, greater compressive
force may be present as compared with current materials used to
protect the flexible displays implemented with foldable devices
today. Having a flexible sheet of metal to provide a backing for a
flexible display can also lead to greater inherent compressive
force, which ultimately can make the device harder to fold as it
will tend to spring back open. Having a ratchet mechanism, as it is
disclosed in this patent, can prevent the device from springing
back to an unfolded state and also allow it to be locked at an
angle when there is an inherent compressive force present within
the device assembly. This can more commonly occur with devices that
fold in such a way that their back sides fold against each other as
the device is folded to a compact state.
[0012] The third position 53 from FIG. 1 shows the two display
segments 17 and 19 being closed about hinge 18 to a folded state
with pawl 35 and its mirrored pawl released from their respective
ratchets which includes ratchet gear 33 and its mirrored adjacent
ratchet. The pawl may also have a continuous force applied to it
through a spring component such that it is constantly applying a
force against the ratchet gear tooth that it is engaging with. The
spring component may also be a compression spring or an extension
spring. It is also important to note that while the embodiments
show a single flexible display with two display segments, a rigid
cover display may also be included with the device, and two rigid
tiled display segments may also be integrated instead of having a
flexible display.
[0013] In accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2,
a foldable computing device 11 having two display segments 17 and
19 that fold about hinge 18, are shown in two separate positions 53
and 51 which correspond with FIG. 1 but from a side view. The first
position 53 shows the two display segments 17 and 19 being closed
about hinge 18 to a folded state with its ratchet gear 33, which is
also synched through spur gear 31 to an adjacent spur gear and
ratchet gear mechanism assembly connected to the opposite display
segment 19, where ratchet gear 33 is being locked with pawl 35 and
an additional pawl is used to lock the synched and adjacent ratchet
assembly connected to display segment 17. The second position 51
from FIG. 2 shows the two display segments 17 and 19 being opened
about hinge 18 to an expanded state with pawl 35 and its mirrored
pawl released from their respective ratchets through release
mechanism 37, which includes ratchet gear 33 and its mirrored
adjacent ratchet. The pawls in these embodiments are shown attached
to the sleeve structure of hinge 18, but they could also be
attached at other points within foldable computing device 11. The
pawls and the gear teeth that are shown in FIG. 2 may also be
configured to engage in the opposite direction that they are shown
in. This may be advantageous if locking was desired for opening or
closing the device where a first ratchet gear could be configured
to lock the device in one direction while a second synched ratchet
gear could be configured to lock the device in the opposite
direction. A release mechanism in this case would have to be
utilized to release the pawl related to one rotational direction,
and then the same release mechanism or a second one would have to
be utilized to release a second pawl for the opposite rotational
direction.
[0014] Shown in FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a foldable device
11 with ratchet gear 33 and its respective spur gear 31 which
highlights how a ratchet assembly can be integrated at each end of
the device's hinge to provide uniform stability throughout the
device. The hinge connecting structure 30 is shown stretched across
the device from one end where one set of ratchet mechanisms sits to
the other where a second set of ratchet mechanisms sit. Compressive
force 55 shows the inherent force that can counter the locking
force of the ratchet mechanism and the manual force 57 applied to
it by a user to fold the device to a compact folded state. It is
important to note that flexible display 39 which is integrated on
the top side of foldable device 11 such that it can be closed shut
like a book where both display segments 17 and 19 fold against each
other, may also be integrated on the opposite side of the device
(or the underside of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3) with the same
folding mechanics such that the flexible display segments are
facing outward opposite of each other when the device is in a
folded state. It is also important to note that while the
embodiments show a single flexible display with two display
segments, a rigid cover display may also be included with the
device, and two rigid tiled display segments may also be integrated
instead of having a flexible display. The device may also have
different display aspect ratios such that it takes on the flip
phone form factor.
[0015] While certain features of the invention have been
illustrated and described herein, many modifications,
substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of
ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that
the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications
and changes that fail within the true spirit of the invention.
* * * * *