US 12,481,326 B2
Pivotable support apparatus and display apparatus
Xinyu Wang, Beijing (CN); Yonghong Zhou, Beijing (CN); and Shangchieh Chu, Beijing (CN)
Assigned to Beijing BOE Technology Development Co., Ltd., Beijing (CN)
Appl. No. 17/788,589
Filed by BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd., Beijing (CN)
PCT Filed Sep. 24, 2021, PCT No. PCT/CN2021/120301
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Mar. 30, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2023/044750, PCT Pub. Date Mar. 30, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0176395 A1, May 30, 2024
Int. Cl. G06F 1/16 (2006.01)
CPC G06F 1/1656 (2013.01) [G06F 1/1616 (2013.01); G06F 1/1681 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A pivotable support apparatus for supporting a foldable display panel, comprising:
a hinge structure comprising a first shaft and a second shaft respectively providing a first rotational axis and a second rotational axis parallel to each other;
a joint structure comprising at least one row of joints, a respective row of joints comprising a plurality of joints connected to each other;
a first rotating plate; and
a second rotating plate;
wherein, in a folded state of the pivotable support apparatus, the respective row of joints curves around the hinge structure; and
wherein, a respective joint of the plurality of joints comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being on a side of the lower portion away from the hinge structure;
the upper portion comprises an upper surface, a first upper side surface, and a second upper side surface; and
contacts respectively between respective first upper side surfaces of respective upper portions of respective first adjacent joints of the plurality of joints and respective second upper side surfaces of respective upper portions of respective second adjacent joints of the plurality of joints define a limit to which the pivotable support apparatus can be unfolded;
wherein the first shaft is configured to rotate as the first rotating plate rotates, the second shaft is configured to rotate as the second rotating plate rotates; and
wherein, in the folded state of the pivotable support apparatus, the first rotating plate and the second rotating plate are cooperatively configured to form a curved surface, the respective row of joints is configured to be at least partially supported by the curved surface;
wherein the first rotating plate comprises a first main body and a first connecting disc protruding from a first side surface of the first main body;
the second rotating plate comprises a second main body and a second connecting disc protruding from a second side surface of the second main body;
the first rotating plate comprises a first hole extending through the first connecting disc, the first shaft extending through the first hole to connect the first rotating plate with the first shaft; and
the second rotating plate comprises a second hole extending through the second connecting disc, the second shaft extending through the second hole to connect the second rotating plate with the second shaft.