18488911. Electronic Devices With Flexible Displays simplified abstract (Apple Inc.)
Contents
Electronic Devices With Flexible Displays
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Erik A. Uttermann of San Francisco CA (US)
Soyoung Kim of Redwood City CA (US)
Electronic Devices With Flexible Displays - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18488911 titled 'Electronic Devices With Flexible Displays
Simplified Explanation
The abstract describes an electronic device with a flexible hinge that allows the device to be bent along a specific axis. The device includes a display that spans the bend axis and has layers, including a display cover layer with grooves or recesses that create a flexible portion in the display layer. The display layer is made of transparent materials like glass and can contain elastomeric material, fluids, or other substances placed in the recesses. The material in the display layer has a matching index of refraction to the display layer itself. The device also includes a hinge formed between rigid planar layers separated by a gap, with flexible layers flush with the opposing surfaces of the rigid planar layers to bridge the gap.
- The electronic device has a hinge that allows it to be flexed along a bend axis.
- The display of the device spans the bend axis.
- The display layer has grooves or recesses that create a flexible portion.
- The display layer is made of transparent materials like glass.
- Elastomeric material, fluids, or other substances can be placed in the recesses.
- The material in the display layer has a matching index of refraction to the display layer.
- The device includes a hinge formed between rigid planar layers separated by a gap.
- Flexible layers are used to span the gap and lie flush with the rigid planar layers.
Potential Applications
- Flexible electronic devices
- Bendable displays
- Wearable technology
- Foldable smartphones and tablets
Problems Solved
- Limited flexibility of electronic devices
- Fragility of displays in bendable devices
- Difficulty in creating hinges for flexible devices
Benefits
- Increased flexibility and durability of electronic devices
- Enhanced user experience with bendable displays
- Improved portability and convenience with foldable devices
Original Abstract Submitted
An electronic device may have a hinge that allows the device to be flexed about a bend axis. A display may span the bend axis. To facilitate bending about the bend axis, the display may have layers such as a display cover layer with grooves or other recesses. The recesses form a flexible portion in the display layer. The display layer may be formed from glass or other materials that are transparent. Elastomeric material, fluids, and other materials may be placed in the recesses in the display layer. The material in the display layer may have an index of refraction that is matched to the index of refraction of the display layer. A hinge may be formed between rigid planar layers that are separated by a gap. Flexible layers that lie flush with opposing surfaces of the rigid planar layers may be used to span the gap.
