US 12,455,599 B2
Supporting apparatus and foldable electronic device having the same
Chun-Han Lin, New Taipei (TW); and Yung-Chih Tseng, New Taipei (TW)
Assigned to FOSITEK CORPORATION, New Taipei (TW)
Filed by FOSITEK CORPORATION, New Taipei (TW)
Filed on Feb. 8, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/436,601.
Claims priority of application No. 112145111 (TW), filed on Nov. 22, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2025/0165034 A1, May 22, 2025
Int. Cl. G06F 1/16 (2006.01)
CPC G06F 1/1656 (2013.01) [G06F 1/1616 (2013.01); G06F 1/1652 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A supporting device adapted to be connected to a flexible display that is operable to convert between an open state, in which the flexible display lies on an imaginary plane that is perpendicular to a first direction, and a folded state, in which the flexible display is folded along a folding axis that extends in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the supporting device comprising:
a flexible first supporting plate adapted to be attached to a surface of the flexible display;
a flexible second supporting plate located at one side of the first supporting plate opposite to the flexible display, and spaced apart from the first supporting plate; and
a plurality of supporting members located between the first supporting plate and the second supporting plate, and spaced apart from each other in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, each of the supporting members having a first end portion that is connected to the first supporting plate, a second end portion that is connected to the second supporting plate, and a main body portion that has two opposite sides respectively connected to the first end portion and the second end portion;
wherein the supporting device is operable to convert between a first state, in which two opposite sides of the supporting device are distal from each other, and a second state, in which the supporting device is folded along the folding axis such that the opposite sides of the supporting device are proximate to each other, during conversion of the supporting device from the first state to the second state, the flexible display being converted to the folded state, and the first supporting plate and the second supporting plate being bent such that the first end portion and the second end portion of at least one of the supporting members are deformed and that an inclining angle of the main body portion of the at least one of the supporting members relative to the first supporting plate and the second supporting plate changes.