Timing mechanism for foldable computing device
A foldable computing device comprises a first portion, a second portion, a hinge assembly rotatably coupling the first portion to the second portion, and a flexible display. The hinge assembly includes a hinge core, a timing element, a first linkage component rotatably coupling the hinge core to the first portion, a first hinge guide rotatably coupling the hinge core to the first portion, a second linkage component rotatably coupling the hinge core to the second portion, and a second hinge guide rotatably coupling the hinge core to the second portion. The first linkage component defines one or more helical surfaces that interface with the timing element, and the second linkage component defines one or more helical surfaces that interface with the timing element. The timing element coordinates rotation of the first linkage component with rotation of the second linkage component.
1. A foldable computing device, comprising:
a first portion;
a second portion;
a hinge assembly rotatably coupling the first portion to the second portion; and
a flexible display extending at least partially across the first portion, at least partially across the second portion, and spanning the hinge assembly between the first portion and the second portion;
the hinge assembly including:
a hinge core;
a helical timing element defining a first set of one or more helical surfaces and a second set of one or more helical surfaces, wherein the helical timing element forms a portion of a backing support for the flexible display;
a first linkage component rotatably coupling the hinge core to the first portion, the first linkage component defining one or more helical surfaces that interface with the first set of helical surfaces of the helical timing element, wherein the first linkage component forms another portion of the backing support for the flexible display;
a first hinge guide rotatably coupling the hinge core to the first portion;
a second linkage component rotatably coupling the hinge core to the second portion, the second linkage component defining one or more helical surfaces that interface with the second set of helical surfaces of the helical timing element, wherein the second linkage component forms another portion of the backing support for the flexible display; and
a second hinge guide rotatably coupling the hinge core to the second portion, wherein
a backing support surface of the first linkage component for the flexible display is angled relative to a backing support surface of the first portion for the flexible display in a folded configuration of the foldable computing device, and is coplanar with the backing support surface of the first portion in an unfolded configuration of the foldable computing device; and wherein
a backing support surface of the second linkage component for the flexible display is angled relative to a backing support surface of the second portion for the flexible display in the folded configuration of the foldable computing device, and is coplanar with the backing support surface of the second portion in the unfolded configuration of the foldable computing device.
2. The foldable computing device of claim 1 , wherein a first four-bar linkage is formed by the first portion, the hinge core, the first linkage component, and the first hinge guide; and
wherein a second four-bar linkage is formed by the second portion, the hinge core, the second linkage component, and the second hinge guide.
3. The foldable computing device of claim 1 , wherein the helical timing element coordinates rotation of the first portion relative to the hinge core via the first linkage component with rotation of the second portion relative to the hinge core via the second linkage component.
4. The foldable computing device of claim 1 , wherein rotation of the first linkage component relative to the second linkage component induces translation of the helical timing element relative to the hinge core in a first dimension along a spine of the foldable computing device and translation of the helical element in a second dimension relative to the flexible display that is orthogonal to the first dimension.
5. The foldable computing device of claim 1 , wherein the helical timing element defines a planar surface that forms the portion of the backing support for the flexible display.
6. The foldable computing device of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the flexible display has a curved, teardrop shape in the folded configuration of the foldable computing device.
7. A foldable computing device, comprising:
a first portion;
a second portion;
a hinge assembly rotatably coupling the first portion to the second portion; and
a flexible display extending at least partially across the first portion, at least partially across the second portion, and spanning the hinge assembly between the first portion and the second portion;
the hinge assembly including:
a hinge core;
a first linkage component rotatably coupling the hinge core to the first portion, wherein the first linkage component forms a portion of a backing support for the flexible display;
a first hinge guide rotatably coupling the hinge core to the first portion, the first hinge guide defining a first helical channel;
a second linkage component rotatably coupling the hinge core to the second portion, wherein the second linkage component forms another portion of the backing support for the flexible display;
a second hinge guide rotatably coupling the hinge core to the second portion, the second hinge guide defining a second helical channel; and
a timing element defining a first protrusion that interfaces with the first helical channel of the first hinge guide, and a second protrusion that interfaces with the second helical channel of the second hinge guide, wherein the timing element forms another portion of the backing support for the flexible display,
wherein a backing support surface of the first linkage component for the flexible display is angled relative to a backing support surface of the first portion for the flexible display in a folded configuration of the foldable computing device, and is coplanar with the backing support surface of the first portion in an unfolded configuration of the foldable computing device; and
wherein a backing support surface of the second linkage component for the flexible display is angled relative to a backing support surface of the second portion for the flexible display in the folded configuration of the foldable computing device, and is coplanar with the backing support surface of the second portion in the unfolded configuration of the foldable computing device.
8. The foldable computing device of claim 7 , wherein a first four-bar linkage is formed by the first portion, the hinge core, the first linkage component, and the first hinge guide; and
wherein a second four-bar linkage is formed by the second portion, the hinge core, the second linkage component, and the second hinge guide.
9. The foldable computing device of claim 7 , wherein the timing element coordinates rotation of the first portion relative to the hinge core via the first hinge guide with rotation of the second portion relative to the hinge core via the second hinge guide.
10. The foldable computing device of claim 7 , further comprising:
a carrier shaft mounted to the hinge core;
wherein the carrier shaft passes through an opening formed in the timing element; and
wherein rotation of the first hinge guide relative to the second hinge guide induces translation of the helical timing element relative to the carrier shaft and along a spine of the foldable computing device.
11. The foldable computing device of claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the flexible display has a curved, teardrop shape in the folded configuration of the foldable computing device.
12. A foldable computing device, comprising:
a first portion;
a second portion;
a hinge assembly rotatably coupling the first portion to the second portion; and
a flexible display extending at least partially across the first portion, at least partially across the second portion, and spanning the hinge assembly between the first portion and the second portion;
the hinge assembly including:
a hinge core;
a first rocker linkage rotatably coupling the hinge core to the first portion, the first rocker linkage defining a set of one or more helical threads;
a second rocker linkage rotatably coupling the hinge core to the first portion;
a third rocker linkage rotatably coupling the hinge core to the second portion, the third rocker linkage defining a set of one or more helical threads;
a fourth rocker linkage rotatably coupling the hinge core to the second portion; and
a timing element defining a first set of one or more helical threads that interface with the set of one or more helical threads of the first rocker linkage, and a second set of one or more helical threads that interface with the set of one or more helical threads of the fourth rocker linkage;
wherein the timing element coordinates rotation of the first portion relative to the hinge core via the first rocker linkage with rotation of the second portion relative to the hinge core via the second rocker linkage.
13. The foldable computing device of claim 12 , wherein the first rocker linkage rotatably couples the first portion to the hinge core via a joint that rotatably couples the first rocker linkage and the second rocker linkage; and
wherein the third rocker linkage rotatably couples the second portion to the hinge core via a joint that rotatably couples the third rocker linkage and the fourth rocker linkage.
14. The foldable computing device of claim 12 , further comprising:
a first display backing linkage that forms a portion of a backing support for the flexible display;
a first coupler linkage rotatably coupling the first display backing linkage to the first rocker linkage;
a second display backing linkage that forms another portion of the backing support for the flexible display; and
a second coupler linkage rotatably coupling the second display backing linkage to the third rocker linkage.