IP Library Granted Patent US 10,201,089
Granted Patent B2
US 10,201,089 · App. 15/192,249 · Granted Feb 5, 2019

Support structures for a flexible electronic component

Inventors: Hjalmar Edzer Ayco Huitema (Belmont, CA); Philippe Inagaki (Skokie, IL); Kwok Wah Mok (Valkenswaard, NL); Johannes Cornelis Adriaan Hamers (Breugel, NL)
Assignee: FLEXTERRA, INC.
H05K1/189G06F1/163G06F1/1652G09F9/301G09F21/02H05K1/0281H05K1/183H05K5/0017H05K5/0086H05K2201/051
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,201,089
App. No.
15/192,249
Granted
Feb 5, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A dynamically flexible article or device, such as a wristband, an armband, a rollable e-reader, or a belt, includes a flexible electronic component (e.g., a flexible display) and a support structure coupled to the flexible electronic component. The support structure is configured to limit bending of the flexible electronic component to a range within a bending tolerance of the flexible electronic component.

Claims (15)

1. An article, comprising: a flexible electronic component comprising one or more flexible optoelectronic components configured to at least one of emit, reflect, or transflect light; and a support structure coupled to the flexible electronic component, the support structure comprising a first substrate and a second substrate movably connected to the first substrate, a plurality of slots being formed in the first substrate and a plurality of projections being formed on the second substrate, wherein each of the plurality of projections is movably disposed within a corresponding one of the plurality of slots, the plurality of slots configured to limit bending of the article and configured to limit torsion applied to the article to a range within a torsion tolerance of the flexible electronic component; and the plurality of slots comprises a first subset of slots and a second subset of slots formed across from the first subset, each of the first subset of slots having a different length, and each of the second subset of slots having a different length, and wherein the plurality of projections comprises a first subset of projections and a second subset of projections formed across from the first subset, each of the first subset of projections having a different length, and each of the second subset of projections having a different length, the lengths defined such that the article has a desired shape.

2. The article of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of slots are formed proximate to or in a perimeter edge of the first substrate, and wherein the plurality of projections are formed proximate to or in a perimeter edge of the second substrate.

3. The article of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the first substrate is locally fixedly attached to a portion of the second substrate at a fixation point.

4. The article of claim 1 , wherein each slot defines a first stop surface and a second stop surface opposite the first stop surface, each first stop surface arranged to limit bending of the flexible electronic component when the article is in a first stable position, and each second stop surface arranged to limit bending of the flexible electronic component when the article is in a second stable position.

5. An article, comprising:

a flexible electronic component; and

a support structure coupled to the flexible electronic component, the support structure comprising a first substrate and a second substrate movably connected to the first substrate, a plurality of slots being formed in the first substrate and a plurality of projections being formed on the second substrate, wherein each of the plurality of projections is movably disposed within a corresponding one of the plurality of slots, the plurality of slots configured to limit bending of the article and configured to limit torsion applied to the article to a range within a torsion tolerance of the flexible electronic component,

wherein the plurality of slots comprises a first subset of slots and a second subset of slots formed across from the first subset, each of the first subset of slots having a different length, and each of the second subset of slots having a different length, and wherein the plurality of projections comprises a first subset of projections and a second subset of projections formed across from the first subset, each of the first subset of projections having a different length, and each of the second subset of projections having a different length, the lengths defined such that the article has a desired shape.

6. The article of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of slots are formed proximate to or in a perimeter edge of the first substrate, and wherein the plurality of projections are formed proximate to or in a perimeter edge of the second substrate.

7. The article of claim 5 , wherein a portion of the first substrate is locally fixedly attached to a portion of the second substrate at a fixation point.

8. The article of claim 5 , wherein each slot defines a first stop surface and a second stop surface opposite the first stop surface, each first stop surface arranged to limit bending of the flexible electronic component when the article is in a first stable position, and each second stop surface arranged to limit bending of the flexible electronic component when the article is in a second stable position.

9. An article, comprising: a flexible electronic component; and a support structure coupled to the flexible electronic component, the support structure comprising a first substrate and a second substrate movably connected to the first substrate, a plurality of slots being formed in the first substrate and a plurality of projections being formed on the second substrate, wherein each of the plurality of projections is movably disposed within a corresponding one of the plurality of slots, the plurality of slots configured to limit bending of the article and configured to limit torsion applied to the article to a range within a torsion tolerance of the flexible electronic component, wherein the flexible electronic component is flexible between a substantially flat position and a curved position prior to being coupled to the support structure; and the plurality of slots comprises a first subset of slots and a second subset of slots formed across from the first subset, each of the first subset of slots having a different length, and each of the second subset of slots having a different length, and wherein the plurality of projections comprises a first subset of projections and a second subset of projections formed across from the first subset, each of the first subset of projections having a different length, and each of the second subset of projections having a different length, the lengths defined such that the article has a desired shape.

10. The article of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of slots are formed proximate to or in a perimeter edge of the first substrate, and wherein the plurality of projections are formed proximate to or in a perimeter edge of the second substrate.

11. The article of claim 9 , wherein a portion of the first substrate is locally fixedly attached to a portion of the second substrate at a fixation point.

12. The article of claim 9 , wherein each slot defines a first stop surface and a second stop surface opposite the first stop surface, each first stop surface arranged to limit bending of the flexible electronic component when the article is in a first stable position, and each second stop surface arranged to limit bending of the flexible electronic component when the article is in a second stable position.

Assignments (4)
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 13, 2025
From: FLEXTERRA, INC.; FLEXTERRA TAIWAN CORPORATION LIMITED
To: USINVEST, LLC
Reel/Frame 073948/0751 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2025
From: FLEXTERRA, INC.
To: USINVEST LLC
Reel/Frame 073464/0376 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2016
From: HUITEMA, HJALMAR EDZER AYCO; INAGAKI, PHILIPPE; MOK, KWOK WAH; HAMERS, JOHANNES CORNELIS ADRIAAN
To: POLYERA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 040741/0014 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2016
From: POLYERA CORPORATION
To: FLEXTERRA, INC.
Reel/Frame 041173/0372 →
Continuity (6)
Continuation PCTUS2014072313 · Dec 24, 2014
Provisional Application 61979668 · Apr 15, 2014
Provisional Application 61920705 · Dec 24, 2013
Provisional Application 61969531 · Mar 24, 2014
Provisional Application 62003549 · May 28, 2014
Related Publication 20170034918A1 · Feb 2, 2017
Cited By (1)
US 12,222,514