# US 12,595,820 B2 · Folding portable display device

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- Number: US 12,595,820 B2
- Document ID: US12595820B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/553,639
- Filed: 2021-09-07
- Published: 2024-06-06
- Granted: 2026-04-07
- Earliest claimed: 2021-09-07
- Assignees: Google Inc.
- Applicants: Google LLC
- Inventors: Lee Ying-Hsing; Minghan Chan; Peisen Yin; Yao-Ming Chan; Liu Jen Hsiang
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12595820B2

## CPC

- F16C 11/04: Pivotal connections (hinges for doors, windows or wings E05D)
- G06F 1/1652: {the display being flexible, e.g. mimicking a sheet of paper, or rollable}
- G06F 1/1641: {the display being formed by a plurality of foldable display components (G06F1/1647 takes precedence)}
- G06F 1/1681: {Details related solely to hinges (hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683)}
- H04M 1/022: {The hinge comprising two parallel pivoting axes}
- H05K 5/0226: {Hinges}
- H04M 1/0268: {including a flexible display panel}
- F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08)
- H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS

## Abstract

An example a folding device includes a hinge assembly defining a first axis and a second axis; a first assembly that includes a first shaft rotatably connected to the hinge assembly about the first axis; a second assembly 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 member on the first shaft; a second member on the second shaft, wherein the first member and the second member are collectively configured to increase an amount of force needed to rotate the first assembly and the second assembly; and a display spanning the first assembly and the second assembly.

## Claims

### Claim 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.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

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.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

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.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

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.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

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.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

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.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

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.