Electronic devices with flexible displays

US10840474B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Apple Inc. · US

Inventors

• Jiang Ai · Cupertino, US
• Erik A. Uttermann · San Francisco, US
• Soyoung Kim · Suwon-si, KR

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 10, 2020
• Grant date: Nov 17, 2020
• Expiry date: Mar 10, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H10K2102/311

Abstract

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.