US Patent 11181947 Hinge mechanism with integrated slider and foldable device having same

A foldable device may include a foldable layer and a hinge mechanism that supports and guides the folding and unfolding of the foldable device including the foldable layer. The hinge mechanism may include a spring stiffener made of a high yield strength material to support the folding and the unfolding of the foldable device. The spring stiffener may have a first end thereof fixed to a first portion of a housing of the computing device, and a second end thereof that is slidable relative to a second portion of the housing. The sliding of the second end of the spring stiffener may accommodate the bending of a bendable section of the foldable layer.