WO2017062437A1

WO2017062437A1 - Foldable apparatus, foldable apparatus kits and methods of customizing a foldable apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2017062437A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/055469
Authority: WO
Inventors: Benedict Osobomen Egboiyi; Joshua Michael JACOBS; Robert Lee SMITH, III; Brian Paul Strines
Original assignee: Corning Incorporated
Priority date: 2015-10-06
Filing date: 2016-10-05
Publication date: 2017-04-13
Also published as: TW201720268A

Abstract

A foldable apparatus comprises a first outer housing member and a second outer housing member pivotably mounted to the first outer housing member. In further examples, methods of customizing a foldable apparatus include selecting a predetermined minimum bend radius for a foldable substrate and changing a depth of at least one of a first cavity of the first outer housing and a second cavity of the second outer housing with a removable insert to achieve the predetermined minimum bend radius. In yet further examples, a foldable apparatus kit for assembling a foldable housing comprises at least three outer housing members with a selected two of the at least three outer housing members being removably pivotably mountable to one another. Different attributes of the foldable housing can be obtained depending on which two outer housing members are selected from the at least three outer housing members.

Description

FOLDABLE APPARATUS, FOLDABLE APPARATUS KITS AND METHODS OF CUSTOMIZING A FOLDABLE APPARATUS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U. S.C. § 119 of U. S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/237731 filed on October 6, 2015, the content of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to foldable apparatus, foldable apparatus kits, and methods of customizing a foldable apparatus and, more particularly, foldable apparatus including a foldable housing configured to receive a foldable substrate mounted with respect to planar interior support surfaces of the foldable housing.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Advances in substrate technology, for example flexible cover glass, has enabled a continuous sheet of glass to be mounted on a foldable housing to provide a foldable electronic device. When not in use, the foldable housing of the foldable electronic device may be pivoted shut, wherein the sheet of glass folds over itself to be housed and protected within the foldable housing. When there is a desire to use the electronic device, it may be set to a fully opened position such that the glass unfolds and extends along a common planar surface.

[0004] Foldable substrates (e.g., flexible cover glass) may be fragile or damaged due to edge imperfections, stresses generated at the folded portion of the glass sheet, dropping of the foldable housing, or other sources of damage. In order to predict the ability of the foldable housing to protect the foldable substrate from damage, there is a desire to provide testing of the foldable housing. Indeed, there is a desire to address any design imperfections that may fail to adequately protect the foldable substrate before the foldable housing is mass produced. For example, there is a desire to ensure the foldable housing is capable of protecting the foldable substrate from unintentionally dropping the foldable electronic device against a rigid surface (e.g., concrete, granite, etc.) or other impact events that may impose a force impact to the foldable electronic device.

[0005] A model foldable housing may be produced to reduce the expense of producing the final product for testing. However, even producing a model foldable housing can be expensive since modifying attributes of the housing to test alternative designs may require reengineering the model foldable housing to include the desired attributes. While the model foldable housings may provide reduced cost relative to producing an actual foldable electronic device with a foldable housing that may be mass produced, varying the model design with multiple alternative housing attributes can take a significant amount of time and expense to fabricate. Furthermore, there is a desire to provide model foldable housings that more accurately predict failure modes of foldable substrates mounted within the model foldable housings during drop tests or other testing environments.

SUMMARY

[0006] There are set forth foldable apparatus, foldable apparatus kits and methods of customizing a foldable apparatus that can quickly modify foldable housing attributes to quickly and inexpensively provide various alternative foldable housing designs without requiring the time and expense of producing a separate alternative design for each desired attribute. Furthermore, techniques of mounting the foldable substrate within the foldable housing are provided that help the foldable housings more accurately predict failure modes of foldable substrates mounted within the foldable housings.

[0007] In a first embodiment, a foldable apparatus includes a first outer housing member including a first planar interior support surface defining a first support footprint. The first outer housing further includes a first sidewall integral with the first planar interior support surface and defining a portion of an outer periphery of the first support footprint. The first planar interior support surface and the first sidewall define a first cavity and the entire first support footprint is unobstructed by the first sidewall in a direction perpendicular to the first planar interior support surface. The foldable apparatus further includes a second outer housing member pivotably mounted to the first outer housing member. The second outer housing member includes a second planar interior support surface defining a second support footprint. The second outer housing member further includes a second sidewall integral with the second planar interior support surface and defining a portion of an outer periphery of the second support footprint. The second planar interior support surface and the second sidewall define a second cavity. The entire second support footprint is unobstructed by the second sidewall in a direction perpendicular to the second planar interior support surface. The first outer housing and the second outer housing are pivotable relative to one another between a fully open position and a fully closed position. The first planar interior support surface and the second planar interior support surface extend along a common plane in the fully open position. [0008] In one example of the first embodiment, the first planar interior support surface and the second planar interior support surface are parallel with one another in the fully closed position.

[0009] In another example of the first embodiment, the first cavity and the second cavity form a combined cavity in the fully open position. The first sidewall and the second sidewall cooperate to completely circumscribe the combined cavity.

[0010] In still another example of the first embodiment, at least one first insert is fixedly mounted with respect to the first planar interior support surface to reduce a depth of the first cavity. In another example, at least one second insert is fixedly mounted with respect to the second planar interior support surface to reduce a depth of the second cavity. In one example, the at least one first insert includes a first interior insert and the at least one second insert includes a second interior insert. The first interior insert includes a first planar interior support surface and the second interior insert includes a second planar interior support surface. The first planar interior support surface of the first interior insert and the second planar interior support surface of the second interior insert extend along a common plane in the fully open position.

[0011] In yet another example of the first embodiment, the first insert includes a support plate.

[0012] In still another example of the first embodiment, a foldable substrate is mounted with respect to the first planar interior support surface and the second planar interior support surface. The foldable substrate folds along a fold axis when the first planar interior support surface pivots relative to the second planar interior support surface between the fully open position and the fully closed position. In one example, an outer edge of the foldable substrate is laterally spaced a distance from a corresponding one of the sidewalk, wherein the distance is from 0.1 mm to 3 mm. In another example, a central portion of the foldable substrate is not mounted with respect to at least one of the first planar interior support surface and the second planar interior support surface. In one example, the second outer housing member is pivotably mounted to the first outer housing member at a hinge axis, the central portion of the foldable substrate includes a central length that is perpendicular to a direction of the hinge axis, and the foldable substrate includes an overall length in a direction of the central length, the central length being from 5% to 25% of the overall length. In another example, the second outer housing member is pivotably mounted to the first outer housing member at a hinge axis, the central portion of the foldable substrate includes a central length that is perpendicular to a direction of the hinge axis, and the central length of the central portion of the substrate being from 10 mm to 40 mm.

[0013] The first embodiment may be provided alone or in combination with any one or more of the examples of the first embodiment discussed above.

[0014] In a second embodiment, a method of customizing a foldable apparatus is provided. The foldable apparatus includes a first outer housing member including a first planar interior support surface and a first sidewall circumscribing a portion of the first planar interior support surface. The first planar interior support surface and the first sidewall define a first cavity. The foldable apparatus further includes a second outer housing member including a second planar interior support surface and a second sidewall circumscribing a portion of the second planar interior support surface. The second planar interior support surface and the second sidewall define a second cavity. The first outer housing member is pivotably mounted to the second outer housing member to provide a foldable housing. The method includes the step of selecting a predetermined minimum bend radius for a foldable substrate to be partially received in each of the first cavity and the second cavity while the foldable housing is in a fully closed position. The method further includes the step of changing a depth of at least one of the first cavity and the second cavity with a removable insert to achieve the predetermined minimum bend radius.

[0015] In one example of the second embodiment, the removable insert includes a support plate.

[0016] In another example of the second embodiment, the depth is changed by removably mounting a plurality of removable inserts to at least one of the first interior support surface and the second interior support surface corresponding to the at least one of the first cavity and the second cavity.

[0017] In yet another example of the second embodiment, the depth is changed by adding at least one removable insert to at least one of the first planar interior support surface and the second planar interior support surface corresponding to the at least one of the first cavity and the second cavity.

[0018] The second embodiment may be provided alone or in combination with any one or more of the examples of the second embodiment discussed above.

[0019] In a third embodiment, a foldable apparatus kit for assembling a foldable housing includes at least three outer housing members that each include a planar interior support surface and a sidewall circumscribing a portion of the planar interior support surface. The planar interior support surface and the sidewall of each outer housing member defines a cavity. At least a first outer housing member of the at least three outer housing members includes a different structure than a second outer housing member of the at least three outer housing members. The foldable apparatus kit further includes a selected two of the at least three outer housing members being removably pivotably mountable to one another to pivot between a fully closed position and a fully open position with the planar interior support surfaces of the selected two outer housing members extending along a common plane in the fully open position. Different attributes of the foldable housing can be obtained depending on which two outer housing members are selected.

[0020] In one example of the third embodiment, a structure of the housing members providing the different attributes includes at least one of a weight of the housing member, a stiffness of the housing member and a depth of the cavity of the housing member.

[0021] The third embodiment may be provided alone or in combination with the example of the third embodiment discussed above.

[0022] In a fourth embodiment, a method of assembling a foldable housing with a predetermined attribute from the foldable apparatus kit of the third embodiment is provided. The method includes the steps of selecting an attribute for the foldable housing and selecting two housing members that will provide the foldable housing with the selected attribute. The method further includes the step of pivotably mounting the selected two housing members together to provide the foldable housing with the selected attribute.

[0023] In one example of the fourth embodiment, the attribute of the foldable housing includes at least one of a weight of the foldable housing, a stiffness of the foldable housing and a minimum foldable substrate bend radius provided by the foldable housing.

[0024] The fourth embodiment may be provided alone or in combination with the example of the fourth embodiment discussed above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The above and other features, embodiments and advantages are better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example foldable apparatus including an example foldable housing;

[0027] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional exploded view of the foldable apparatus along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

[0028] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of an example assembled foldable apparatus along line 2-2 of FIG. 1; [0029] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of another example assembled foldable apparatus along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

[0030] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the foldable apparatus in a fully open position with a foldable glass substrate mounted to the foldable housing;

[0031] FIG. 6 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a foldable apparatus with a foldable glass substrate exploded from a foldable housing;

[0032] FIG. 7 is an assembled cross-sectional view of a foldable apparatus of FIG. 6 taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5 with the foldable glass substrate mounted to the foldable housing;

[0033] FIG. 8 is another example assembled cross-sectional view of a foldable apparatus;

[0034] FIG. 9 is the foldable apparatus in a fully closed position;

[0035] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the foldable apparatus of FIGS. 5 and 7 along line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

[0036] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of another foldable apparatus of FIG. 8 along line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

[0037] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a foldable apparatus in a fully open position;

[0038] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the foldable apparatus of FIG. 12 in a fully closed position; and

[0039] FIG. 14 is a perspective partially exploded view of the foldable apparatus of FIG. 13

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which example embodiments are shown. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. However, the claims may encompass many different aspects of various embodiments and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0041] Throughout the application, foldable apparatus can include a foldable housing either alone or in combination with a foldable substrate. Foldable substrates can comprise glass, plastic, glass-ceramic, composites or other materials configured as a substrate having sufficient flexibility to allow the substrates to fold to some degree without catastrophic damage to the substrate. Thin glass substrates of example foldable apparatus of the disclosure can have a wide range of applications including applications where the thin glass substrates have high quality optical characteristics for use in liquid crystal displays "LCDs," electrophoretic displays "EPD," organic light emitting diode displays "OLEDs," plasma display panels "PDPs" or other devices. The thin glass substrates may be used as part of the display panel itself, as a color filter, as a touch sensor substrate, or as a cover glass, for example.

[0042] As may be appreciated, foldable substrates, for example foldable glass substrates, according to various embodiments may comprise one or more edges. For example, foldable glass substrates may be unfolded and extended along a common plane with four edges and a generally square, rectangular, trapezoidal, parallelogram or other shape. Optionally, a round, oblong, or elliptical glass sheet may be provided that has one continuous edge. Other foldable glass substrates may be unfolded along a common plane and have two, three, five, etc. edges. Foldable substrates (e.g., foldable glass substrates) may include various sizes, including varying lengths, widths, and thicknesses. In some examples, a nominal thickness of a central portion of the foldable substrates (e.g., foldable glass substrates) can be less than or equal to about 200 μιτι, for example 40 μιτι to about 200 μιτι, for example from about 40 μιτι to about 180 μιτι, for example from about 40 μιτι to about 160 μιτι, for example from about 40 μιη to about 140 μιτι, for example from about 40 μιτι to about 120 μιτι, for example from about 40 μιτι to about 100 μιτι, for example from about 40 μιτι to about 80 μιτι, for example from about 40 μιτι to about 60 μιτι, for example from about 60 μιτι to about 200 μιτι, for example from about 60 μιτι to about 180 μιη, for example from about 60 μιτι to about 160 μιτι, for example from about 60 μιτι to about 140 μιτι, for example from about 60 μιτι to about 120 μιτι, for example from about 60 μιτι to about 100 μιτι, for example from about 60 μιτι to about 80 μιτι, for example from about 80 μιτι to about 200 μιη, for example from about 80 μιτι to about 180 μιτι, for example from about 80 μιτι to about 160 μιτι, for example from about 80 μιη to about 140 μιτι, for example from about 80 μιτι to about 120 μιτι, for example from about 80 μιτι to about 100 μιτι, for example from about 100 μιτι to about 200 μιτι, for example from about 100 μιτι to about 180 μιτι, for example from about 100 μιτι to about 160 μιτι, for example from about 100 μιτι to about 140 μιτι, for example from about 100 μιτι to about 120 μιτι, for example from about 120 μιτι to about 200 μιτι, for example from about 120 μιτι to about 180 μιτι, for example from about 120 μιτι to about 160 μιη, for example from about 120 μιτι to about 140 μιτι, for example from about 140 μιτι to about 200 μιτι, for example from about 140 μιτι to about 180 μιτι, for example from about 140 μιτι to about 160 μιτι, for example from about 160 μιτι to about 200 μιτι, for example from about 160 μηι to about 180 μηι, for example from about 180 μηι to about 200 μιτι, and all subranges of thicknesses therebetween.

[0043] Foldable apparatus of the present disclosure may be used to simulate a foldable electronic device supporting a foldable substrate, for example a foldable glass substrate. The foldable apparatus may have various attributes that may be relatively quickly modified without the need to completely reengineer and refabricate a new foldable apparatus for every simulation. The foldable apparatus is designed to help test the ability of the foldable substrate mounted within the foldable apparatus to survive impact events, for example, a drop from a certain distance above a rigid structure positioned a distance underneath the foldable substrate. For example, a test may be performed wherein the foldable apparatus is dropped and allowed to free fall under the force of gravity a certain distance until impacting a relatively rigid surface (e.g., a block of granite, concrete, or other rigid structure). After the foldable apparatus has impacted the rigid surface, the foldable apparatus can be opened to determine if the foldable substrate survived the test. Depending on the outcome of the test, the foldable apparatus may be quickly modified to vary a design attribute of the foldable apparatus to perform a new test. Alternatively, the glass may be examined for failure mode and the glass improved to withstand the impact.

[0044] In one example, as shown in FIG. 1, the foldable apparatus 100 can include a first outer housing member 110a and a second outer housing member 110b pivotably mounted to the first outer housing member 110a along a pivot axis 122. Indeed, in one example, the first housing member 110a includes a pair of hinge portions 112a, 112b that are respectively pivotally connected to a pair of hinge portions 114a, 114b of the second housing member 110b. The hinge portions can include incremental adjustment capabilities to allow the housing members to achieve predetermined angular orientations relative to one another. In further examples, as shown, the hinge portions allow for uninhibited angular adjustment between the fully opened position (see FIG. 1) and the fully closed position (see FIG. 9). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a first planar interior support surface 120a and a second planar interior support surface 120b extend along a common plane in the fully open position. As such, a foldable substrate, for example a foldable glass substrate may be supported in a substantially planar overall orientation with the foldable glass substrate being supported by both the first planar interior support surface 120a and the second planar interior support surface 120b when the foldable apparatus 100 is in the fully opened position.

[0045] The first outer housing member 110a and the second outer housing member 110b may be fabricated from a wide range of materials. For instance, the outer housing members may be fabricated from aluminum, steel, plastic, resin, composites, wood, or other materials. In some examples, the first outer housing member 110a and the second outer housing member 110b may be fabricated from the same material although different materials may be provided in further examples. The materials may be selected to provide desirable attributes such as a desired rigidity and/or weight of the foldable apparatus. As such, the different materials can help provide a more realistic simulation of a proposed foldable electronic design. For example, if a relatively light proposed foldable electronic design is contemplated, the simulated foldable apparatus may be fabricated from a material having a lower density (for example aluminum rather than steel).

[0046] The first planar interior support surface 120a defines a first support footprint 130a and the second planar interior support surface 120b defines a second support footprint 130b. For purposes of the disclosure, planar support surface is intended to mean a continuous or discontinuous surface that extends along a generally flat plane. For example, as shown, both the first planar interior support surface 120a and the second planar interior support surface 120b are illustrated to comprise a continuous planar support surface that continuously extends along the entire support footprint 130a, 130b. Although not shown, a discontinuous support surface may be provided, for example a support lattice or other structure. A discontinuous support surface may be desired to help further reduce the weight of the foldable apparatus to help simulate foldable electronic designs that are relatively light.

[0047] The support footprint 130a, 130b, throughout the disclosure, is intended to mean the entire support area of the planar interior support surfaces 120a, 120b that are available to support a foldable substrate along the plane of the respective support surfaces 120a, 120b. A portion of an outer periphery 150a of the first support footprint 130a can be defined by a first sidewall 140a that is integral with the first planar interior support surface 120a. Likewise, a portion of an outer periphery 150b of the second support footprint 130b can be defined by a second sidewall 140b that is integral with the second planar interior support surface 120b.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 2, the first sidewall 140a can include an interior surface 210a and the second sidewall 140b can also include an interior surface 210b. In the illustrated examples, the interior surfaces are perpendicular with respect to the corresponding first and second planar interior support surfaces 120a, 120b. In further examples, the interior surfaces 210a, 210b may taper outwardly in a direction away from the first and second planar interior support surfaces 120a, 120b. As such, whether or not the interior surfaces are perpendicular to the respective planar interior support surfaces or taper outwardly away from the planar interior support surfaces, the interior support surface and corresponding sidewall can define a cavity that is unobstructed in a direction 170 perpendicular to the planar interior support surface. Indeed, in one example, the first planar interior support surface 120a and the first sidewall 140a define a first cavity 160a and the entire first support footprint 130a is unobstructed by the first sidewall 140a in a direction 170 perpendicular to the first planar interior support surface 120a. Likewise, the second planar interior support surface 120b and the second sidewall 140b can define a second cavity 160b and the entire second support footprint 130b is unobstructed by the second sidewall 140b in the direction 170 that is also perpendicular to the second planar interior support 120b surface. Providing the entire support footprint that is unobstructed by the corresponding sidewall can benefit the foldable apparatus 100, for example, since there would be reduced complications when mounting the foldable substrate to the support surface. Indeed, with an obstructed footprint (e.g., where the upper portion of the sidewall includes an inwardly protruding lip) would possibly damage the foldable substrate. Preventing obstruction of the footprint can allow a glass substrate to be dropped in place without possibly damaging the edges of the glass substrate that might otherwise occur with inwardly protruding lips of the sidewall or other obstructions. Moreover, mounting of the inserts discussed below may also be simplified since the inserts may be simply dropped vertically in place.

[0049] As mentioned previously, and as shown in FIGS. 1-4 the first outer housing 110a and the second outer housing 110b are pivotable relative to one another to the illustrated fully open position wherein the first planar interior support surface 120a and the second planar interior support surface 120b extend along a common plane. As shown in FIG. 2, in some embodiments, an outer edge 212a of the first outer housing member 110a can abut an outer edge 212b of the second outer housing member to provide an abutment seam 301 (shown in FIG. 3). In the illustrated example the abutment seam 301 provides limited, if any, space between the outer edges 212a, 212b in that the outer edges abut one another. As such, the first planar interior support surface 120a and the second planar interior support surface 120b can cooperate with one another in the fully open position to provide an overall combined planar support surface. In some examples, the overall combined planar support surface can provide a continuous support surface in that continuity of the overall combined planar support surface may only be interrupted, if at all, by the abutment seam 301. As shown in FIG. 5, the continuous support surface of the overall combined planar support surface can help fully support a foldable substrate, for example the illustrated foldable glass substrate 501 in a flat orientation wherein the outer major surface 503 of the foldable glass substrate 501 is substantially flat.

[0050] As still further illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the first cavity 160a and the second cavity 160b form a combined cavity 160 in the fully open position. In some examples, the first sidewall 140a and the second sidewall 140b cooperate to provide a combined sidewall 140 that completely circumscribes the combined cavity 160 in the fully open position. As such, as shown in FIG. 5, the combined sidewall 140 and integrated hinge portions can fully laterally protect all edges 505 of the foldable substrate (e.g., the illustrated foldable glass substrate 501) in the fully open position. As further illustrated, the foldable substrate may be mounted such that the edges 505 of the foldable substrate are laterally spaced a distance "D" from the interior surfaces 210a, 210b of the first and second sidewalls 140a, 140b. In some examples the distance "D" can be from 0.1 mm to 3 mm although other distances may be provided to prevent movement, for example temporary movement, between the foldable substrate and the first and second outer housing 110a, 110b during an impact event (e.g., by a drop test) applied to the foldable housing. For example, D can be from 0.1 to 2.75 mm, or from 0.1 to 2.5 mm, or from 0.1 to 2.25 mm, or from 0.1 to 2.0 mm, or from 0.1 to 1.75 mm, or from 0.1 to 1.50 mm, or from 0.1 to 1.25 mm, or from 0.1 to 1.0 mm, or from 0.1 to 0.75 mm, or from 0.1 to 0.5 mm, or from 0.5 to 0.75 mm, or from 0.5 to 1.0 mm, or from 0.5 to 1.25 mm, or from 0.5 to 1.5 mm, or from 0.5 to 1.75 mm, or from 0.5 to 2.0 mm, or from 0.5 to 2.25 mm, or from 0.5 to 2.5 mm, or from 0.75 to 2.5 mm, or from 0.75 to 2.25 mm, or from 0.75 to 2.0 mm or from 0.75 to 1.75 mm, or from 0.75 to 1.5 mm, or from 0.75 to 1.25 mm, or from 0.75 to 1.0 mm, or from 1.0 to 2.0 mm, or from 1.0 to 1.75 mm, or from 1.0 to 1.5 mm, or from 1.0 to 1.25 mm. In further examples, a cushioning material may be provided in the distance "D" between the edges 505 and the interior surface 210a, 210b of the first and second sidewalls 140a, 140b. Preventing the edges of the foldable substrate, for example a foldable glass substrate, from contacting the sidewalls can prevent damage to the edges of the foldable substrate that may result in an unexpected failure during a drop test. For instance, if a foldable glass substrate was expected to survive a drop test, even if the foldable glass substrate should have survived the test, a false failure mode may be introduced due to an unexpected collision between the edges of the foldable substrate and the sidewall. Consequently, there may be a benefit in spacing the edges of the foldable substrate from the sidewalls to avoid false failures from occurring during a testing procedure.

[0051] The foldable substrate may be mounted with respect to the first planar interior support surface 120a and the second planar interior support surface 120b. Once mounted, the foldable substrate may be folded along a fold axis when the first planar interior support surface 120a pivots relative to the second planar interior support surface 120b between the fully open position (see FIG. 1) and the fully closed position (see FIG. 9). As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in the fully closed position, the first planar interior support surface 120a and the second planar interior support surface 120b may optionally be parallel with one another in the fully closed position. Alternatively, although not shown, the interior support surfaces 120a, 120b may be angled relative to one another in the fully closed position. For instance, the interior support surfaces 120a, 120b may taper together in a direction away from the pivot axis 122.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 10, the foldable substrate may be mounted with respect to the planar interior support surfaces by being directly mounted to the planar interior support surfaces. For example, referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a first portion 501a of the foldable glass substrate 501 may be directly mounted to at least a portion of the first planar interior support surface 120a with a first adhesive layer 601a. Likewise, a second portion 501b of the foldable glass substrate 501 may be directly mounted to at least a portion of the second planar interior support surface 120b with a second adhesive layer 601b. Various adhesives may be used in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure such as adhesive films, liquids, coatings for example pressure sensitive adhesives or other adhesives. Furthermore, the adhesives may optionally comprise optically clear adhesives. In some examples, the adhesives may be removable to allow quick removal of the foldable substrate from the foldable housing.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 7, optionally, a central portion 501c of the foldable substrate 501 may not be mounted with respect to the first planar interior support surface 120a and the second planar interior support surface 120b. For example, referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the central portion 501c of the foldable substrate 501 includes a central length LI that, optionally, is not mounted with respect to the first planar interior support surface 120a and the second planar interior support surface 120b. The central length LI is perpendicular to a direction 123 (see FIG. 1) of the pivot axis 122, and the foldable substrate includes an overall length L2 in the direction of the central length LI. In some examples, the central length LI can be from 5% to 25% of the overall length L2. In addition or alternatively, the central length LI can be from 10 mm to 40 mm or other lengths depending on the overall length of the foldable substrate. For example, the central length LI can be from 5 to 20% of the overall length L2, or from 5 to 15% of the overall length L2, or from 5 to 10% of the overall length L2, or from 10 to 25% of the overall length L2, or from 10 to 20% of the overall length L2, or from 10 to 15% of the overall length L2, or from 15 to 25% of the overall length L2, or from 15 to 20% of the overall length L2, or from 20 to 25% of the overall length L2. In addition or alternatively, the central length LI can be from 10 mm to 35 mm, or from 10 to 30 mm, or from 10 to 25 mm, or from 10 to 20 mm, or from 10 to 15 mm, or from 15 to 40 mm, or from 15 to 35 mm, or from 15 to 30 mm, or from 15 to 25 mm, or from 15 to 20 mm, or from 20 to 40 mm, or from 20 to 35 mm, or from 20 to 30 mm, or from 20 to 25 mm, or from 25 to 40 mm, or from 25 to 35 mm, or from 25 to 30 mm, or from 30 to 40 mm, or from 30 to 35 mm. As shown, in some examples, the central length LI can be centered at the abutment seam 301 such that an abutting end portion of the first outer housing member 110a and a corresponding abutting end portion of the second outer housing member 110b are not mounted to the flexible substrate 501. In other examples, the central length LI need not be centered at the abutment seam 301. Providing the central portion 501c that is not mounted relative to the interior support surfaces 120a, 120b can allow pivoting of the first outer housing member 110a and second outer housing member 110b without generating substantial shear forces between the foldable substrate 501 and the first and second outer housing members 110a, 110b. Referring to FIG. 7, the pivot height 701 between the pivot axis 122 and the major surface 503 of the foldable substrate can be a factor in determining the appropriate central length LI, wherein a larger pivot height may be associated by a central length LI that is larger than a central length of an assembly with a lower pivot height.

[0054] Various aspects of the foldable apparatus 100 can be easily modified to provide different mounting features for the foldable substrate. For instance, a minimum bend radius of the foldable substrate may be easily adjusted with the foldable apparatus. For example, when the foldable substrate 501 is directly mounted to the first and second planar interior support surfaces, as shown in FIG. 10, the foldable substrate 501 may be folded about a fold axis 1003 to a minimum bend radius Rl. In an alternative example, as shown in FIG. 11, inserts may be provided to allow the foldable substrate 501 to be folded about a fold axis 1103 to a minimum bend radius R2 that is less than Rl. Adjusting the bend radius can allow the foldable apparatus 100 to be modified to test (e.g. , drop test) foldable substrates that have different fold radii. For example, a flexible glass substrate inevitably undergoes stress at the folded portion when folding the glass substrate. Furthermore, the stress increases as the bend radius becomes smaller. Consequently, a relatively large fold radius can reduce stresses at the fold axis and therefore reduce the probability of failure where stress inevitably occurs when bending the foldable glass substrate. However, there is still a desire to provide, if possible, a reduced fold radius to provide a more compact arrangement when the foldable apparatus is in the fully closed position. In some examples, multiple tests at a different bend radiuses may be performed to help determine an optimum minimum bend radius that provides a compact folded design while minimizing the probability of stress failure during typical impact events (e.g., dropping the folded electronic device).

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 2-4, inserts may be fixedly mounted with respect to the planar support surfaces to help adjust the depth of the respective cavities 160a, 160b to result in a change in the minimum bend radius of the foldable substrate when the foldable apparatus 100 is in the fully closed position. As shown in FIG. 2, inserts, for example insert plates 214, may be mounted with adhesive layers 216. The adhesive layers 216 may comprise an adhesive layer that is similar or identical to the layers 601a, 601b used to mount the foldable substrate directly to the first and second planar interior support surfaces. The insert plates can comprise a planar major surfaces 214a, 214b. For purposes of the disclosure, planar major surface is intended to mean a continuous or discontinuous major surface that extends along a flat plane. For example, as shown, each of the first major planar surface 214a and the second major planar surface 214b is illustrated to comprise a continuous planar major surface of a support plate that continuously extends along the entire corresponding support footprint 130a, 130b. Although not shown, a discontinuous major surface may be provided, for example a support lattice or other structure. A discontinuous major surface may be desired to help further reduce the weight of the foldable apparatus to help simulate foldable electronic designs that are relatively light, or to simulate different configurations of the actual display device itself or components thereof.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 3, a single insert 214 is fixedly mounted with respect to the first planar interior support surface 120a by an adhesive layer 216 and a single insert 214 can also be fixedly mounted with respect to the second planar interior support surface 120b by an adhesive layer 216. Consequently, the major surface 214b of the two adjacent inserts 214 can act as a flat support surface that extends along a common plane much in the way that the first and second planar interior support surfaces 120a, 120b can extend along a common plane in the fully open orientation to provide a support surface for the foldable substrate. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the depth "HI" of the cavities 160a, 160b without the inserts is greater than the depth Ή2" of the cavities 160a, 160b with the single insert on each side as shown in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 8, the foldable substrate 501 may be mounted with respect to the first planar interior support surface 120a and the second planar interior support surface 120b indirectly by directly mounting the foldable substrate 501 to the adjacent inserts 214 that are in turn fixedly mounted to the first and second interior planar support surfaces 120a, 120b. The foldable substrate 501 can be directly mounted to the inserts in a manner similar or identical to how the foldable substrate 501 was mounted to the first and second planar interior support surfaces 120a, 120b.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 4, additional inserts 214 may be stacked on one another with adhesive layers 216 in between such that the depth of the cavities 160a, 160b is reduced from the depth "H2" (with a single insert on each side) to a depth "H3" that is less than the depth Ή2". Reducing the depth of the cavity consequently reduces the pivot height 701 and therefore reduces the minimum bend radius. Indeed, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the minimum bend radius Rl can be reduced to a minimum bend radius R2 by adding inserts. While two stacked inserts are shown, any number of inserts may be provided with different thicknesses to fine tune the desired minimum bend radius.

[0058] Methods of customizing the foldable apparatus 100 can include the step of selecting a predetermined minimum bend radius for a foldable substrate 501 to be partially received in each of the first cavity 160a and the second cavity 160b while the foldable housing is in a fully closed position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 9). The selected predetermined minimum bend radius can correspond to a proposed folded arrangement for a foldable substrate that depends, for example, on the compact nature of the foldable housing or other characteristics. The selection of the predetermined minimum bend radius is also based on a desire to test that particular bend radius with the foldable housing against external impact (e.g., dropping).

[0059] The method of customizing the foldable apparatus 100 can further include the step of changing the depth of at least one of the first cavity 160a and the second cavity 160b with a removable insert 214, for example the illustrated removable plates to achieve the predetermined minimum bend radius. For example, if a minimum bend radius "R2" is desired (see FIG. 11) the depth of the cavities 160a, 160b may be changed by mounting a single removable insert 214 within each cavity to reduce the depth of the cavity to Ή2". In another example, if a stack of a plurality of inserts are provided, one or more inserts from each side may be removed. For example, referring to FIG. 4, the depth of the cavities 160a, 160b may be changed from "H3" to "H2" by removing one of the inserts from each side from the stacks of inserts.

[0060] Furthermore, as discussed above, the depth of the cavity may be changed by removably mounting a plurality of removable inserts 214 to at least one of the first interior support surface 120a and the second interior support surface 120b corresponding to the at least one of the first cavity 160a and the second cavity 160b. As such, for example, a depth "H3" of the cavity can be achieved by stacking a two removable inserts 214 to each of the first interior support surface and the second interior support surface. Although the depth of the first cavity 160a and the second cavity 160b has been described as being the same, in further examples such need not be the case.

[0061] Once the foldable housing is in the fully closed position (see FIG. 9) with the foldable substrate with the desired minimum bend radius, the foldable housing may be held shut, for example, by threading screws through bores 901. Alternatively, various other devices for holding the housing closed may be used to help replicate an actual foldable electronic device. Such closure devices may comprise clasps, clips, snaps, magnets, springs or other closure mechanisms.

[0062] FIGS. 12-14 illustrate another foldable apparatus kit 1200. Unless otherwise, noted, the foldable apparatus can have similar or identical features discussed with respect to the foldable apparatus 100 of FIGS. 1-11 above. For example, although not shown, the foldable apparatus may include inserts (e.g., insert plates) that may adjust the depth and therefore the minimum bend radius of the foldable substrate mounted within the foldable housing member. As shown, the foldable apparatus kit 1200 is designed for modular construction where the apparatus can be quickly broken down and pieces of the foldable apparatus can be substituted with alternative parts to provide a foldable apparatus that can simulate an actual foldable electronic device.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 12, the foldable apparatus kit 1200 in some examples, may provide the hinge as separate from the sidewall rather than integrated with the sidewalk Indeed, as shown in FIG. 12, a first side hinge 1202 can include a first portion 1202a and a second portion 1202b pivotably connected together along a pivot axis 122. Likewise, a second side hinge 1204 can include a first portion 1204a and a second portion 1204b pivotably connected together along the same pivot axis 122. Each hinge can be removably attached to the first outer housing 110a and the second outer housing 110b. In the illustrated example, a dovetail joint may be provided with one of the hinge and the outer housing including a tongue received within a groove of the other of the hinge and the outer housing. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, each outer housing can include outer dovetail joints 1204a, 1204b that may include a tongue 1206 of the sidewall received within a groove 1208 of the hinge. Fasteners may be inserted into bores 1210 to removably rigidly connect the hinges to the outer housings 110a, 110b.

[0064] The sidewalls 140a, 140b of the foldable apparatus kit 1200 can optionally include one or more reception areas 1212 that may receive altemative fastening devices for example the magnet 1213 or the snaps 1214. The reception areas 1212 allow various alternative fastening mechanisms to be used to help replicate actual conditions of an electronic foldable housing during testing conditions.

[0065] Once the foldable apparatus kit 1200 is assembled, it can be moved between the fully open position shown in FIG. 12, wherein the planar interior support surfaces 120a, 120b extend along a common plane, to a fully closed position shown in FIG. 13.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 14, the foldable apparatus kit 1200 can include at least three outer housing members 110a, 110b, 110c that each comprise a planar interior support surface 120a, 120b, 120c and a sidewall 140a, 140b, 140c circumscribing a portion of the planar interior support surface. As discussed previously, the planar interior support surface 120a, 120b, 120c and the sidewall 140a, 140b, 140c define a cavity 160a, 160b, 160c. A first outer housing member of the at least three outer housing members including a different structure than a second outer housing member of the at least three outer housing members. For example, the second housing member 110b and the third housing member 110c may be fabricated from different materials (e.g., one from steel and the other from aluminum) to provide alternative weight arrangements for the foldable housing. In further examples, the outer housing members may have a different stiffness or cavity depth. As such, depending on which two outer housing members are selected to be pivotally connected together, different attributes of the housing member can be achieved for example the weight, stiffness and/or cavity depth of the housing member.

[0067] Methods of assembling a foldable housing with a predetermined attribute from the foldable apparatus kit 1200 can include selecting an attribute for the foldable housing. For example, the selected attribute can comprise at least one of a weight of the foldable housing, a stiffness of the foldable housing and a minimum foldable substrate bend radius provided by the foldable housing. The method can then include the step of selecting two outer housing members from at least three outer housing members that will provide the foldable housing with the selected attribute. The method can then include the step of pivotably mounting the selected two housing members together to provide the foldable housing with the selected attribute or attributes.

[0068] It should be understood that while various embodiments have been described in detail with respect to certain illustrative and specific examples thereof, the present disclosure should not be considered limited to such, as numerous modifications and combinations of the disclosed features are possible without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A foldable apparatus comprising:

a first outer housing member including a first planar interior support surface defining a first support footprint and a first sidewall integral with the first planar interior support surface and defining a portion of an outer periphery of the first support footprint, wherein the first planar interior support surface and the first sidewall define a first cavity and the entire first support footprint is unobstructed by the first sidewall in a direction perpendicular to the first planar interior support surface; and

a second outer housing member pivotably mounted to the first outer housing member, the second outer housing member including a second planar interior support surface defining a second support footprint and a second sidewall integral with the second planar interior support surface and defining a portion of an outer periphery of the second support footprint, wherein the second planar interior support surface and the second sidewall define a second cavity and the entire second support footprint is unobstructed by the second sidewall in a direction perpendicular to the second planar interior support surface, and the first outer housing and the second outer housing are pivotable relative to one another between a fully open position and a fully closed position, the first planar interior support surface and the second planar interior support surface extending along a common plane in the fully open position.

2. The foldable apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first planar interior support surface and the second planar interior support surface are parallel with one another in the fully closed position.

3. The foldable apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first cavity and the second cavity form a combined cavity in the fully open position, and the first sidewall and the second sidewall cooperate to completely circumscribe the combined cavity.

4. The foldable apparatus of any one of claims 1 -3, further comprising at least one first insert fixedly mounted with respect to the first planar interior support surface to reduce a depth of the first cavity.

5. The foldable apparatus of claim 4, further comprising at least one second insert fixedly mounted with respect to the second planar interior support surface to reduce a depth of the second cavity.

6. The foldable apparatus of claim 5, wherein the at least one first insert includes a first interior insert and the at least one second insert includes a second interior insert, the first interior insert including a first planar interior support surface and the second interior insert including a second planar interior support surface, and the first planar interior support surface of the first interior insert and the second planar interior support surface of the second interior insert extending along a common plane in the fully open position.

7. The foldable apparatus of any one of claims 4-6, wherein the first insert comprises a support plate.

8. The foldable apparatus of any one of claims 1-7, further comprising a foldable substrate mounted with respect to the first planar interior support surface and the second planar interior support surface, wherein the foldable substrate folds along a fold axis when the first planar interior support surface pivots relative to the second planar interior support surface between the fully open position and the fully closed position.

9. The foldable apparatus of claim 8, wherein an outer edge of the foldable substrate is laterally spaced a distance from a corresponding one of the sidewalls, wherein the distance is from 0.1 mm to 3 mm.

10. The foldable apparatus of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein a central portion of the foldable substrate is not mounted with respect to at least one of the first planar interior support surface and the second planar interior support surface.

11. The foldable apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second outer housing member is pivotably mounted to the first outer housing member at a hinge axis, the central portion of the foldable substrate includes a central length that is perpendicular to a direction of the hinge axis, and the foldable substrate includes an overall length in a direction of the central length, the central length being from 5% to 25% of the overall length.

12. The foldable apparatus of claim 10 or 1 1 , wherein the second outer housing member is pivotably mounted to the first outer housing member at a hinge axis, the central portion of the foldable substrate includes a central length that is perpendicular to a direction of the hinge axis, and the central length of the central portion of the substrate being from 10 mm to 40 mm.

13. A method of customizing a foldable apparatus comprising a first outer housing member including a first planar interior support surface and a first sidewall circumscribing a portion of the first planar interior support surface, the first planar interior support surface and the first sidewall define a first cavity, the foldable apparatus further including a second outer housing member including a second planar interior support surface and a second sidewall circumscribing a portion of the second planar interior support surface, and the second planar interior support surface and the second sidewall define a second cavity, and the first outer housing member is pivotably mounted to the second outer housing member to provide a foldable housing, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting a predetermined minimum bend radius for a foldable substrate to be partially received in each of the first cavity and the second cavity while the foldable housing is in a fully closed position; and

changing a depth of at least one of the first cavity and the second cavity with a removable insert to achieve the predetermined minimum bend radius.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the removable insert comprises a support plate.

15. The method of claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the depth is changed by removably mounting a plurality of removable inserts to at least one of the first interior support surface and the second interior support surface corresponding to the at least one of the first cavity and the second cavity.

16. The method of claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the depth is changed by adding at least one removable insert to at least one of the first planar interior support surface and the second planar interior support surface corresponding to the at least one of the first cavity and the second cavity.

17. A foldable apparatus kit for assembling a foldable housing comprising: at least three outer housing members that each comprise a planar interior support surface and a sidewall circumscribing a portion of the planar interior support surface, wherein the planar interior support surface and the sidewall define a cavity, at least a first outer housing member of the at least three outer housing members including a different structure than a second outer housing member of the at least three outer housing members; and

a selected two of the at least three outer housing members being removably pivotably mountable to one another to pivot between a fully closed position and a fully open position with the planar interior support surfaces of the selected two outer housing members extending along a common plane in the fully open position, and different attributes of the foldable housing can be obtained depending on which two outer housing members are selected from the at least three outer housing members.

18. The foldable apparatus kit of claim 17, wherein a structure of the housing members providing the different attributes comprises at least one of a weight of the housing member, a stiffness of the housing member and a depth of the cavity of the housing member.

19. A method of assembling a foldable housing with a predetermined attribute from the foldable apparatus kit of claim 17 or claim 18, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting an attribute for the foldable housing;

selecting two housing members from the at least three housing members that will provide the foldable housing with the selected attribute; and

pivotably mounting the selected two housing members together to provide the foldable housing with the selected attribute.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the attribute of the foldable housing comprises at least one of a weight of the foldable housing, a stiffness of the foldable housing and a minimum foldable substrate bend radius provided by the foldable housing.