# US 2017/0290179 A1 · Deformable surface apparatus, electronic device, and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0290179 A1 - Document ID: US20170290179A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/476,756 - Filed: 2017-03-31 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-31 - Assignees: Lenovo (Beijing) Limited - Applicants: Lenovo (Beijing) Limited - Inventors: Ran Zhang - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170290179A1 ## CPC - G06F 1/1652: {the display being flexible, e.g. mimicking a sheet of paper, or rollable} - G06F 1/1681: {Details related solely to hinges (hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683)} - H05K 5/0217: {Mechanical details of casings (covers, lids, hoods or members for covering apertures H05K5/03)} - H05K 5/0226: {Hinges} - G02F 1/133305: {Flexible substrates, e.g. plastics, organic film} - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - G02F: OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS ## Abstract An apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may include at least two rotation shafts arranged substantially parallel to one another. The apparatus may include at least two fixing members. At least one fixing member of the at least two fixing members may be disposed at each side of the at least two rotating shafts. The apparatus may include at least two sliding members. A least one sliding member of the at least two sliding members may connect at least one rotating shaft to at least one fixing member. Each of the at least two sliding members may be disposed on opposite sides of the at least two rotating shafts. In response to the at least two rotation shafts rotating, a distance between the two or more rotating shafts and the at least two fixing members changes in a lengthwise direction. An electronic device and method are disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus comprising: at least two rotation shafts arranged substantially parallel to one another; at least two fixing members, wherein at least one fixing member is disposed at each side of the at least two rotating shafts; and at least two sliding members, wherein a least one sliding member connects at least one rotating shaft to at least one fixing member, wherein each of the at least two sliding members are disposed on opposite sides of the at least two rotating shafts, wherein in response to the at least two rotation shafts rotating, a distance between the two or more rotating shafts and the at least two fixing members changes in a lengthwise direction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a sliding member of the at least two sliding members is connected to the rotating shaft located at the outermost side of the at least two rotating shafts. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein, a first end of the sliding member is fixedly connected to the rotation shaft, and a second end is slidably connected to the fixing member, wherein in response to the at least two rotation shafts rotating, the sliding member moves in relation to the fixing member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the fixing member comprising an elastic member, wherein the elastic member comprises a first end connected to the sliding member and a second end connected to the fixing member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the sliding member comprises a stop, and the fixing member comprises a surface, wherein the stop is configured to engage with the surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cover plate, wherein the cover plate is disposed on the at least two rotating shafts and is configured to bend with the rotating shaft set, and wherein the at least two rotating shafts are configured to be movable on a surface of the cover plate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the cover plate is connected to the at least two fixing members. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claims 1, wherein, at least one sliding member of the at least two sliding members is disposed on a first side of the at least two rotating shafts and at least one sliding member of the at least two sliding members is disposed on a second side of the at least two rotating shafts. ### Claim 9 An electronic device comprising: a deformable surface apparatus comprising, at least two rotation shafts arranged substantially parallel to one another; at least two fixing members, wherein at least one fixing member is disposed at each side of the at least two rotating shafts; and at least two sliding members, wherein a least one sliding member connects at least one rotating shaft to at least one fixing member, wherein each of the at least two sliding members are disposed on opposite sides of the at least two rotating shafts, wherein in response to the at least two rotation shafts rotating, a distance between the two or more rotating shafts and the at least two fixing members changes in a lengthwise direction; and a flexible screen, wherein the flexible screen is disposed on a surface of the at least two rotation shafts. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The electronic device of claim 9, wherein, a cover plate is disposed between the flexible screen and the at least two rotation shafts. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the flexible screen is disposed on a surface of the at least two fixing members. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The electronic device of claim 9, wherein a sliding member of the at least two sliding members is connected to the rotating shaft located at an outermost side of the at least two rotating shafts. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The electronic device of claim 12, wherein, a first end of the sliding member is fixedly connected to the rotation shaft, and a second end is slidably connected to the fixing member, wherein in response to the at least two rotation shafts rotating, the sliding member moves in relation to the fixing member. ### Claim 14 A method comprising: providing at least two rotation shafts; providing at least two fixing members, wherein at least one fixing member is disposed at each side of the at least two rotating shafts; providing at least two sliding members, wherein a least one sliding member connects at least one rotating shaft to at least one fixing member, wherein each of the at least two sliding members are disposed on opposite sides of the at least two rotating shafts; rotating the at least two rotation shafts; and in response to the rotating the at least two rotation shafts, maintaining constant a length of the at least two rotation shafts, at least two fixing members, and at least two sliding members. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein rotating the at least two rotation shafts comprises rotating the at least two rotation shafts into an arc shape. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein comprises rotating the at least two rotation shafts the two sliding members moving into the at least two fixing members. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein maintaining constant the length of the at least two rotation shafts, at least two fixing members, and at least two sliding members comprises moving the at least two sliding members into the at least two fixing members a length substantially equal to an increase in length of the at least two rotation shafts from a tangential straight line to a tangential arc. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein rotating the at least two rotation shafts comprises rotating the at least two rotation shafts into a substantially flat plane. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein rotating the at least two rotation shafts comprises the two sliding members moving away from the at least two fixing members. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein maintaining constant the length of the at least two rotation shafts, at least two fixing members, and at least two sliding members comprises moving the at least two sliding members away from the at least two fixing members a length substantially equal to a decrease in length of the at least two rotation shafts from a tangential arc to a tangential straight line.