Electronic devices with flexible displays

US11961946B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Apple Inc. · US

Inventors

• Chang-Chia Huang · San Jose, US
• Hoon Kim · Ansan-si, KR
• Paul S. Drzaic · Olivehurst, US
• Terry C. Lam · Mountain View, US
• Yasmin F. Afsar · San Jose, US
• Zhichun Shao · Albany, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 30, 2021
• Grant date: Apr 16, 2024
• Expiry date: Jul 30, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H05K2201/10272
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A foldable electronic device may have a foldable housing. The foldable housing may be configured to bend about a bend axis. First and second portions of the housing that rotate relative to each other may be coupled by a hinge that is aligned with the bend axis. A foldable display may be coupled to the foldable housing and may be configured to bend along the bend axis as the foldable housing is folded. The display may have an array of pixels supported by a metal layer. The pixels may be interposed between a display cover layer and the metal layer. The foldable housing may have a support layer. To help support the display for bending about the bend axis while preventing damage to the display when the display is contacted by an external object, a spring layer may be interposed between the metal layer and the support layer.