Electronic devices with translating flexible display and corresponding methods
An electronic device includes a flexible display and a device housing that defines a translation surface for the flexible display. A blade assembly is positioned between the flexible display and the translation surface. A rotor is positioned within a curvilinear section of the blade assembly and flexible display. A translation mechanism translates the blade assembly and flexible display between an extended position, a retracted position, and a peek position revealing an image capture device. A flexible substrate couples electronic circuit components in the device housing to other electronic circuit components carried by the blade assembly. A reverse-S-shaped bend of the flexible substrate expands when the blade assembly slides toward the extended position and contracts when the blade assembly slides toward the retracted position.
1. An electronic device, comprising:
a single device housing;
a blade assembly slidably coupled to the single device housing and slidable between an extended position, a retracted position, and a peek position;
a flexible display coupled to the blade assembly;
electronic circuit components situated in the single device housing; and
a flexible substrate coupled to the electronic circuit components;
the flexible substrate defining a central region situated between a first region and a second region; and
the central region comprising a single-layer region, the first region and second region each defining multi-layer regions.
2. The electronic device of claim 1 , further comprising a silicone border over-molded on the blade assembly, surrounding three sides of the flexible display, and defining a receiving recess extending beyond a side of the flexible display.
3. The electronic device of claim 2 , further comprising other electronic circuit components operable to control an image producing portion of the flexible display, situated within the receiving recess, and coupled to the flexible substrate.
4. The electronic device of claim 3 , the flexible substrate electrically coupling the electronic circuit components to the other electronic circuit components.
5. The electronic device of claim 4 , the central region facilitating smaller bending radii along a dynamic region than the first region and the second region.
6. The electronic device of claim 5 , the multi-layer regions comprising multiple layers of conductors.
7. The electronic device of claim 1 , the first region defining an L-shape in plan view.
8. The electronic device of claim 1 , the second region defining an L-shape in plan view.
9. The electronic device of claim 1 , the central region defining a rectangle in plan view.
10. The electronic device of claim 1 , the central region folded in an S-shaped bend.
11. The electronic device of claim 10 , the S-shaped bend defining an upper portion, a first curve, a central portion, a second curve, and a lower portion.
12. The electronic device of claim 11 , further comprising a first electrical connector coupled to the first region and a second electrical connector coupled to the second region.
13. The electronic device of claim 12 , the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector coupled to opposite sides of the flexible substrate.
14. An electronic device, comprising:
a device housing;
a blade assembly carrying a blade and slidably coupled to the device housing;
wherein the blade assembly is operable to slidably transition between:
an extended position where the blade extends beyond an edge of the device housing; and
a retracted position where a major surface of the blade abuts a major surface of the device housing; and
a flexible substrate folded in a S-shape;
the flexible substrate defining a central region comprising a single-layer region situated between a first region and a second region, each defining multi-layer regions.
15. The electronic device of claim 14 , further comprising electronic circuit components situated in the device housing and other electronic circuit components carried by the blade assembly, wherein the flexible substrate electrically couples the electronic circuit components and the other electronic circuit components.
16. The electronic device of claim 15 , wherein an upper portion of the S-shape and a middle portion of the S-shape inversely get longer and shorter as the blade assembly slides between the extended position and the retracted position.
17. The electronic device of claim 14 , wherein the single-layer region comprises only one layer of copper conductors situated between an upper and lower layer of insulating material, while the multi-layer regions comprise multiple layers of copper conductors situated atop each other.
18. An electronic device comprising:
a device housing;
electronic circuit components situated in the device housing;
a blade assembly carrying a blade and other electronic circuit components and slidably coupled to the device housing; and
a flexible substrate electrically coupling the electronic circuit components and the other electronic circuit components;
wherein the blade assembly is operable to slidably transition between:
an extended position where the blade extends beyond an edge of the device housing; and
a retracted position where a major surface of the blade abuts a major surface of the device housing;
the flexible substrate defining a central region comprising a single-layer region situated between a first region and a second region, each defining multi-layer regions.
19. The electronic device of claim 18 , wherein the flexible substrate is folded in a S-shaped bend that expands when the blade assembly slides toward the extended position and contracts when the blade assembly slides toward the retracted position.
20. The electronic device of claim 18 , wherein the flexible substrate remains concealed as the blade assembly slides between the extended position and the retracted position.