Granted Patent B2

US 12,595,820 · App. 18/553,639 · Granted Apr 7, 2026

Inventors: Lee Ying-Hsing (Taipei City, TW); Minghan Chan (Taipei City, TW); Peisen Yin (Taipei City, TW); Yao-Ming Chan (Taipei City, TW); Liu Jen Hsiang (Taipei City, TW)

Assignee: Google LLC

F16C11/04H05K5/0226

Abstract

Claims (23)

1 . A folding device comprising:

a hinge assembly defining a first axis and a second axis;

a first assembly comprising a first hinge arm that includes a first shaft rotatably connected to the hinge assembly about the first axis;

a second assembly comprising a second hinge arm that includes a second shaft rotatably connected to the hinge assembly about the second axis;

a first gear mounted on the first shaft;

a second gear mounted on the second shaft, wherein the first gear is configured to mesh with the second gear to synchronize movement of the first assembly and the second assembly;

a first disk spring mounted on the first shaft;

a second disk spring mounted on the second shaft, wherein the first disk spring and the second disk spring are collectively configured to increase an amount of force needed to rotate the first assembly and the second assembly, wherein:

an outer surface of the first disk spring engages an inner surface of the first gear;

an inner surface of the first disk spring engages an outer surface of the first shaft;

an outer surface of the second disk spring engages an inner surface of the second gear; and

an inner surface of the second disk spring engages an outer surface of the second shaft; and

a continuous display spanning an inner surface of the first assembly and an inner surface of the second assembly.

2 . The folding device of claim 1 , wherein the folding device further comprises:

a first retaining member configured to secure the first shaft to the hinge assembly; and

a second retaining member configured to secure the second shaft to the hinge assembly.

3 . The folding device of claim 2 , wherein the first shaft comprises a first threaded section, wherein the second shaft comprises a second threaded section, wherein the first retaining member comprises a first nut configured to screw onto the first threaded section; and wherein the second retaining member comprises a second nut configured to screw onto the second threaded section.

4 . The folding device of claim 1 , wherein the first gear and the second gear are configured to frictionally engage an inner surface of the hinge assembly.

5 . The folding device of claim 1 , wherein, when the folding device is fully opened about the hinge assembly, an inner surface of the first assembly is coplanar with an inner surface of the second assembly, the folding device further comprising:

a first collapsible support platform attached to the first assembly and configured to articulate against a first edge of the hinge assembly to support the primary flexible segment when the folding device is fully opened; and

a second collapsible support platform attached to the second assembly and configured to articulate against a second edge of the hinge assembly to support at least the primary flexible segment when the folding device is fully opened.

6 . The folding device of claim 5 , wherein, when the folding device is fully opened, the first collapsible support platform is in contact with at least half of a length of the first edge and the second collapsible support platform is in contact with at least half of a length of the second edge.

7 . The folding device of claim 1 , wherein the display continuous comprises an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display or a micro light emitting diode display.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (1)

References Cited (66)