Moveable display supports, computing devices using same, and methods of use
A computing device is disclosed that includes an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display. The OLED display has a front surface and a back surface. The computing device includes a moveable display support connected to the back surface of the display. In some implementations, the moveable display support is configured to limit bending in one direction to a first bend radius and to limit bending in another direction to a second bend radius. In some implementations, the moveable display support is formed by a plurality of unit cells.
1. A computing device, comprising:
a flexible display including a thin film transistor matrix having a front surface and a back surface; and
a moveable display support connected to the back surface of the display at a plurality of attachment points that are spaced about the back surface of the flexible display including a bending portion of the flexible display and the moveable display support configured to limit bending in one direction to a first bend radius while maintaining strain on the thin film transistor matrix below a predetermined amount of strain by elongating the moveable display support during bending, the moveable display support elongating by creating a first distance between a first attachment point of the plurality of attachment points and a second adjacent attachment point of the plurality of attachment points and by creating a second distance between the second attachment point of the plurality of attachment points and a third adjacent attachment point of the plurality of attachment points in a bent configuration, wherein the first distance is larger in the bent configuration than in a planar configuration and the second distance is larger in the bent configuration than in the planar configuration.
2. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the moveable display support includes a plurality of interlocking elements.
3. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the moveable display support extends between a first edge of the flexible display and a second edge of the flexible display.
4. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible display has a dimension from a first edge to a second edge and wherein the moveable display support extends from within five percent of the dimension of the first edge of the flexible display to within five percent of the dimension of the second edge of the flexible display.
5. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the moveable display support extends from a first edge of the flexible display to a second edge of the flexible display.
6. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the moveable display support is attached to the back surface of the flexible display.
7. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the flexible display includes a layer adjacent one or more front layers, and one or more back layers, to form a stack.
8. The computing device of claim 7 , wherein the stack is foldable between infinite radius to a radius of 2 mm without additional support.
9. The computing device of claim 8 , wherein the moveable display support and the flexible display cooperate to reduce the radius to which the stack is foldable by 1 mm.
10. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the moveable display support is formed of a material having sufficient hardness to prevent strain above 0.5% of the predetermined amount of strain.
11. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the moveable display support is formed by additive manufacturing.
12. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the first attachment point, the second attachment point, and the third attachment point are in a row.
13. A computing device, comprising:
a flexible display having a front surface and a back surface; and
a moveable display support connected to the back surface of the display at a plurality of attachment points that are spaced about the back surface of the flexible display including a bending portion of the flexible display, the moveable display support formed by a plurality of unit cells, wherein a first unit cell of the plurality of unit cells and an adjacent second unit cell of the plurality of unit cells in a row are linked, each unit cell attached to the flexible display.
14. The computing device of claim 13 , wherein the moveable display support includes a second unit cell.
15. The computing device of claim 14 , wherein the second unit cell is connected to the first unit cell.
16. The computing device of claim 13 , the plurality of unit cells extends in rows and columns.
17. The computing device of claim 16 , wherein a third row of unit cells of the plurality of unit cells and the second row of unit cells of the plurality of unit cells are interconnected.
18. The computing device of claim 16 , wherein a third row of unit cells of the plurality of unit cells and the second row of unit cells of the plurality of unit cells are linked.
19. The computing device of claim 16 , wherein a third row of unit cells of the plurality of unit cells and the second row of unit cells of the plurality of unit cells are pinned.
20. The computing device of claim 16 , wherein a third row of unit cells of the plurality of unit cells and the second row of unit cells of the plurality of unit cells are directly connected.
21. The computing device of claim 13 , wherein each unit cell is attached to the flexible display at a single attachment point.
22. A computing device, comprising:
an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display including a thin film transistor matrix having a front surface and a back surface; and
a moveable display support connected to the back surface of the display and configured to limit bending in one direction to a first bend radius and to limit bending in another direction to a second bend radius, the moveable display support formed by a plurality of unit cells, the moveable display support including a plurality of interlocking elements, wherein the OLED display has a dimension from a first edge to a second edge and wherein the moveable display support extends from within five percent of the dimension of the first edge of the OLED display to within five percent of the dimension of the second edge of the OLED display, wherein the moveable display support is attached to the back surface of the OLED display at a plurality of attachment points that are spaced about the back surface of the OLED display including a bending portion of the OLED display, the moveable display support elongating by creating a first distance between a first attachment point of the plurality of attachment points and a second adjacent attachment point of the plurality of attachment points and by creating a second distance between the second attachment point of the plurality of attachment points and a third adjacent attachment point of the plurality of attachment points in a bent configuration, wherein the first distance is larger in the bent configuration than in a planar configuration.