This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a damping mechanism of a rotating shaft in a foldable display terminal and a terminal.
As a foldable display terminal emerges, a requirement for a light and thin size structure of a foldable screen is increasing gradually. A light and thin size of a foldable screen phone brings better user experience. That the foldable screen phone has a folding effect is usually due to a rotating shaft with a damping function in the foldable screen phone. However, an existing rotating shaft damping mechanism has a relatively large structure size. The existing rotating shaft damping mechanism is mounted on the rotating shaft, and consequently the rotating shaft cannot be used in a lighter and thinner foldable machine. In order not to affect a folding hand feel of a user, a damping mechanism with a small size and occupying small space is urgently required.
This application provides a damping mechanism and a terminal, to adapt to a foldable screen phone with a light and thin size, and provide a required unfolding force and closing force.
According to a first aspect, this application provides a damping mechanism, including: an elastic member, where the elastic member includes a first pin and a second pin; a first fixing member, where the first fixing member is rotatably connected to the second pin in a first direction; and a first swinging member, where the first swinging member includes a first fixing portion and a first moving portion, and the first fixing portion is rotatably connected to the first fixing member in the first direction; the first moving portion is rotatably connected to the first pin in the first direction; and when rotation is performed between the first fixing member and the first swinging member, an elastic force generated by the elastic member acts on a center of rotation in which the first moving portion is rotatably connected to the first pin, forming an unfolding force or a closing force.
For example, at least one first swinging member in the damping mechanism in this application is disposed. For example, the elastic member in this application may be a torsion spring, a spring, or the like. For example, a quantity of elastic members is not limited in this embodiment of this application. Based on the foregoing structure, for example, the first fixing member may be an independent structure located between a first housing and a second housing, or the first fixing member may be integrated with the first housing, or the first fixing member may be integrated with the second housing. For example, the first fixing member is the independent structure. For example, there may be a plurality of first swinging members, and the plurality of first swinging members are disposed on a same side of the first fixing member. For example, the plurality of first swinging members are fixedly connected to the first housing. When an included angle between each first swinging member and the first fixing member is 90°-180°, a foldable screen phone may be in an unfolded state. In this case, a torque force generated by a torsion foot of the torsion spring resolves an unfolding force and a folding force, and the unfolding force is greater than the folding force. When an included angle between each first swinging member and the first fixing member is 90°, a torque force generated by the torsion foot of the torsion spring resolves an unfolding force and a folding force that are balanced. When an included angle between each first swinging member and the first fixing member is 0°-90°, a torque force generated by the torsion foot of the torsion spring resolves an unfolding force and a folding force, and the unfolding force is less than the folding force. Therefore, opening and closing between the first swinging member and the first fixing member are implemented, to further drive opening and closing between the first housing and the second housing. In addition, the torsion spring is used to bring a damping effect of the torque force. Due to a small size of the torsion spring, it is easy to mount and remove the torsion spring. In addition, the torsion spring does not need to be directly connected to a rotating shaft, so that there is a low requirement on a structure size of the rotating shaft. For example, shapes and sizes of the first fixing member and the first swinging member are not limited in this application, provided that a rotatable connection to the torsion spring, namely, limiting, can be implemented. In some possible implementations, a center of rotation in which the first fixing member is rotatably connected to the first fixing portion is a first center of rotation, a center of rotation in which the second pin is rotatably connected to the first fixing member is a second center of rotation, and a projection of the first center of rotation on a reference plane does not overlap a projection of the second center of rotation on the reference plane. The reference plane is a plane perpendicular to the first direction. Such arrangement can ensure that the center of rotation in which the first pin is rotatably connected to the first moving portion is not located on an extended line connecting the projection of the first center of rotation on the reference plane and the projection of the second center of rotation on the reference plane, thereby generating an unfolding force or a closing force.
In some possible implementations, a center of rotation in which the first pin is rotatably connected to the first moving portion is a third center of rotation; and when the first fixing member and the first swinging member are at a first preset included angle, and a projection of the third center of rotation on the reference plane is located on an extended line connecting the projection of the first center of rotation on the reference plane and the projection of the second center of rotation on the reference plane, there is no unfolding force or closing force on the third center of rotation; or when the first fixing member and the first swinging member are at a second preset angle, the third center of rotation is not located on the extended line connecting the projection of the first center of rotation on the reference plane and the projection of the second center of rotation on the reference plane, for example, the third center of rotation is located above or below the extended line connecting the projection of the first center of rotation on the reference plane and the projection of the second center of rotation on the reference plane, to form an unfolding force or a closing force acting on the third center of rotation, for example, to assist the foldable mobile phone in unfolding or closing.
For example, the first preset angle is not specifically limited in this application. The first preset angle may be 80°, 90°, 100°, 120°, 140°, 160°, or the like.
For example, the second preset angle is not specifically limited in this application. The second preset angle may be 180°, 150°, 60°, 50°, or the like.
In some possible implementations, the damping mechanism further includes a limiting slider assembly, and an accommodating groove used to accommodate the limiting slider assembly is provided on a side surface of the first swinging member in a second direction; the first pin is rotatably connected to the limiting slider assembly in the first direction; the limiting slider assembly is slidably connected to the accommodating groove in the second direction, to drive the first pin to move in the second direction; and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.
Specifically, at some angles, the elastic member is in a free state, and generates no elastic force. For example, the elastic member may be a spring. In a free state, the spring is not compressed or stretched. This is beneficial to a service life of the elastic member (the spring, the torsion spring, or the like).
In some possible implementations, the limiting slider assembly includes a first slider with a first sliding groove and a limiting member that relatively moves in the second direction in the first sliding groove; the limiting member is capable of passing through the accommodating groove and being fixed to the first swinging member; and the first sliding groove includes a closed annular surface, the annular surface includes, in the second direction, a first point and a second point disposed farthest from the first point, and the limiting member moves between the first point and the second point; and when an included angle between the first swinging member and the first fixing member is a third preset included angle, the limiting member abuts against the first point; or when the included angle between the first swinging member and the first fixing member changes from the third preset included angle to a fourth preset included angle, the limiting member moves from the first point to the second point. For example, when the included angle between the first swinging member and the first fixing member is the fourth preset included angle, the limiting member may be in contact with the second point.
For example, the limiting member can move in the first sliding groove, that is, move from the first point to the second point, so that the first slider can slide in the accommodating groove, and the first pin is in a free state, that is, the elastic member is in a free state, which can improve a service life of the elastic member.
For example, the third preset included angle and the fourth preset angle are not limited in this application. For example, the third preset included angle may be the same as or may be different from the first preset angle or the second preset angle. The fourth preset included angle may be the same as or may be different from the first preset angle or the second preset angle.
In some possible implementations, a clamping groove is provided on a surface of the first slider in contact with the torsion spring, and the clamping groove is used to limit a mounting location of a center of rotation of the first pin. The clamping groove used to limit the first pin is provided on the first slider, which can reduce a structural component, and can further implement a connection to the first pin.
In some possible implementations, the clamping groove includes a first inner side wall, an inner top surface, and a second inner side wall that are smoothly connected to each other, the inner top surface is used to limit displacement of the first pin in the second direction, and the first inner side wall and the second inner side wall are used to limit displacement of the first pin in the first direction.
For example, a distance between the first inner side wall and the second inner side wall is adapted to a size of the first pin, so that the first pin does not shift in the second direction or the first direction at this location, thereby ensuring stability of a rotatable connection of the first pin relative to the first slider.
In some possible implementations, the limiting slider assembly further includes a locking member, a locking boss is disposed on the surface of the first slider in contact with the torsion spring, a locking hole adapted to the locking member is provided on the locking boss in the second direction, the locking boss is located above the inner top surface, and a lower edge surface of the locking boss, the inner top surface, and the locking member all are formed to limit displacement of the first pin in the second direction.
For example, the locking boss can be adapted to the clamping groove, and is configured to limit the displacement of the first pin in the second direction and the first direction, to ensure stability of a rotatable connection of the first pin relative to the first slider.
In some possible implementations, the first fixing portion includes a protruding sliding rail sub-portion that protrudes downward in a third direction, and a sliding groove sub-portion adapted to the protruding portion is disposed on the first fixing member; and the sliding groove sub-portion is located below the protruding portion, is fixedly disposed relative to the protruding sliding rail sub-portion in the third direction and a second direction, and is rotatably connected to the protruding sliding rail sub-portion in the first direction.
For example, the protruding sliding rail sub-portion in this application is slidably connected to the sliding groove sub-portion. Whether the protruding sliding rail sub-portion is disposed on the first fixing portion is not limited in this application, and whether the sliding groove sub-portion is disposed on the first fixing member is not limited in this application, provided that a slidable connection between the first fixing portion and the first fixing member can be implemented.
In some possible implementations, the first fixing portion includes a protruding sliding rail sub-portion that protrudes downward in a third direction, and a sliding groove sub-portion adapted to the protruding portion is disposed on the first fixing member; and the sliding groove sub-portion is located above the protruding portion, is fixedly disposed relative to the protruding sliding rail sub-portion in the third direction and a second direction, and is rotatably connected to the protruding sliding rail sub-portion in the first direction.
For example, the protruding sliding rail sub-portion in this application is slidably connected to the sliding groove sub-portion. Whether the protruding sliding rail sub-portion is disposed on the first fixing portion is not limited in this application, and whether the sliding groove sub-portion is disposed on the first fixing member is not limited in this application, provided that a slidable connection between the first fixing portion and the first fixing member can be implemented.
In some possible implementations, the first fixing portion includes a protruding sliding rail sub-portion that protrudes upward in a third direction, and a sliding groove sub-portion adapted to the protruding sliding rail sub-portion is disposed on the first fixing member; and the sliding groove sub-portion is located above the protruding portion, is fixedly disposed relative to the protruding sliding rail sub-portion in the third direction and a second direction, and is rotatably connected to the protruding sliding rail sub-portion in the first direction.
For example, the protruding sliding rail sub-portion in this application is slidably connected to the sliding groove sub-portion. Whether the protruding sliding rail sub-portion is disposed on the first fixing portion is not limited in this application, and whether the sliding groove sub-portion is disposed on the first fixing member is not limited in this application, provided that a slidable connection between the first fixing portion and the first fixing member can be implemented.
In some possible implementations, the first fixing portion includes a protruding sliding rail sub-portion that protrudes upward in a third direction, and a sliding groove sub-portion adapted to the protruding sliding rail sub-portion is disposed on the first fixing member; and the sliding groove sub-portion is located below the protruding portion, is fixedly disposed relative to the protruding sliding rail sub-portion in the third direction and a second direction, and is rotatably connected to the protruding sliding rail sub-portion in the first direction.
For example, the protruding sliding rail sub-portion in this application is slidably connected to the sliding groove sub-portion. Whether the protruding sliding rail sub-portion is disposed on the first fixing portion is not limited in this application, and whether the sliding groove sub-portion is disposed on the first fixing member is not limited in this application, provided that a slidable connection between the first fixing portion and the first fixing member can be implemented.
In some possible implementations, the first fixing member includes a base and a cover plate, the cover plate is located above the base, the second pin, and the first fixing portion, and the cover plate is fixedly connected to the base; the base includes the sliding groove sub-portion; and a mounting hole is provided on an edge of the cover plate in the first direction, and the second pin is rotatably connected to the mounting hole.
For example, the first fixing member in this application may include only a base, or may include a base and a cover plate. When the first fixing member includes a base and a cover plate, the base and the cover plate may be an integral structure, or may be detachable structures. When the base and the cover plate are detachable structures, the cover plate may have the foregoing mounting structure, so that the second pin of the torsion spring can be rotatably connected to the cover plate. Therefore, rotation of the torsion spring relative to the base is implemented.
In some possible implementations, the first fixing member includes a base, the base includes the sliding groove sub-portion, a mounting hole is provided on an edge of the base in the first direction, and the second pin is rotatably connected to the mounting hole.
For example, the first fixing member in this application may include only a structure of a base, and the sliding groove sub-portion is disposed on the base, to be slidably connected to the first swinging member. In addition, the base may be rotatably connected to the second pin through shaft hole cooperation.
In some possible implementations, the elastic member includes a flexible elastic member such as a torsion spring or a spring. A type of the elastic member is not limited in this embodiment of this application.
For example, the elastic member in this application may be a torsion spring, or may be a spring, and provided that a pull force or a compression force can be formed between two ends of the elastic member, a damping effect on the rotating shaft can be implemented.
According to a second aspect, this application provides a terminal, including the foregoing damping mechanism.
In some possible implementations, the terminal provided in this application further includes a first housing, a second housing, and a rotating shaft assembly located between the first housing and the second housing. The terminal further includes the foregoing damping mechanism, the damping mechanism is located on the outer side of the rotating shaft assembly, and at least one damping mechanism is disposed. The first swinging member is fixedly connected to the first housing, or the first swinging member is fixedly connected to the second housing. The first fixing member is located between the first housing and the second housing; or the first fixing member and the first housing are an integral structure; or the first fixing member and the second housing are an integral structure. This can implement all effects of the foregoing damping mechanism.
For example, the first swinging member may be fixed to a housing (the first housing or the second housing), or may be movably connected. A first pin may be connected to the first swinging member, or may be connected to a housing (the first housing or the second housing).
To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following clearly describes the technical solutions in this application with reference to the accompanying drawings in this application. It is clear that the described embodiments are merely some rather than all of embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of this application.
Terms such as “first” and “second” in the specification embodiments, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are merely used for distinguishing descriptions, and cannot be understood as an indication or implication of relative importance, or an indication or implication of a sequence. The term “and/or” is used for describing an association between associated objects and representing that three associations may exist. For example, “A and/or B” may indicate that only A exists, only B exists, and both A and B exist, where A and B may be singular or plural. The character “/” usually indicates an “or” relationship between associated objects. Terms such as “mount”, “connection”, and “connected to” should be comprehended in a broad sense. For example, the connection may be comprehended as being fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally connected; or directly connected or indirectly connected by using an intermediate medium, or in an internal communication between two elements. In addition, the terms “include”, “have”, and any variation thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a method, a system, a product, or a device that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are clearly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or are inherent to the process, method, product, or device. Terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “left”, and “right” are used only relative to orientations of components in the accompanying drawings. These directional terms are relative concepts, are used in relative description and clarification, and may correspondingly change based on changes in the placed orientations of the components in the accompanying drawings.
An embodiment of this application provides a terminal. The terminal may be an electronic device with a foldable-screen effect, such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, or a notebook computer. The folding effect is mainly based on a rotating shaft and a damping mechanism. For example, the damping mechanism provided in this embodiment of this application is also applicable to a support device with a folding function. For example, a specific form of the foregoing electronic device or the support device is not specifically limited in this embodiment of this application. For ease of describing solutions of the damping mechanism, the following uses an example in which the terminal is a foldable screen phone for description.
For better description, a first direction is defined as an axial direction of a rotating shaft in the foldable screen phone (where a dashed-line area in which a serial number 13 in
Referring to
To solve the foregoing problem, an auxiliary damping mechanism 2 is introduced in this solution to provide a corresponding unfolding force and closing force, so that a bending hand feel of the foldable machine meets a requirement. For example, the auxiliary damping mechanism 2 in this solution may also be used as a main damping mechanism 2 to provide a corresponding unfolding force and closing force.
To further adapt to requirements of foldable screen phones 1 with a plurality of structure sizes, a damping mechanism 2 for providing auxiliary torque acting on the outer side of the rotating shaft 13 is used as an example. That is, the damping mechanism 2 in this application is added on a basis of the existing cam spring damping mechanism. For the cam spring damping mechanism, reference may be made to the conventional technology. Details are not described herein. The following further describes a specific solution of the auxiliary damping mechanism in this application.
For example, referring to
Referring to
For example, the base 22 in this application may be a detachable structure, and the base 22 is a structure separated from the two housings, as described in the foregoing solution. Alternatively, for example, the base 22 in this application may be a structure integrated with a housing on a corresponding side. For example, when the base 22 and the first housing 11 are an integral structure, the first housing 11 may include a first portion and a second portion, the first portion is rotatably connected to the first fixing portion 211, and the first moving portion 212 drives the second portion to move accordingly.
In conclusion, regardless of whether the base 22 and the housing on either side are an integral structure, the first moving portion 212 on the first swing arm 21 can drive the first housing 11 to move accordingly.
The damping mechanism 2 in this application may further include a limiting slider assembly 23. Further referring to
Further, referring to
Specifically, the clamping groove 2312 is disposed on a side of the first slider 231 on which the torsion spring 24 is mounted. The first pin 241 or the second pin 242 in the torsion spring 24 may be clamped to the clamping groove 2312. The locking hole 2313 is further disposed above the clamping groove 2312. In addition, a locking member 233 is further included, and the locking member 233 is fixed to the locking hole 2313 through shaft hole cooperation, so that the locking member 233 and the clamping groove 2312 can together limit offset of the first pin 241 or the second pin 242 in the torsion spring 24 in a rotation process.
Alternatively, for example, the damping mechanism 2 in this application may further include a cover plate 25, and the cover plate 25 plays a fixing role. For example, the first fixing member may include the cover plate 25 and the base 22. Specifically, a long groove hole (namely, a mounting hole) is provided at a location on the cover plate 25 corresponding to the second pin 242, and the second pin 242 matches a structure size of the long groove hole. In addition, a protection structure is disposed at a location on the cover plate 25 corresponding to the first fixing portion 211. Referring to
It should be noted that the cover plate 25 and the base 22 in this application may be independent structures, or the cover plate 25 and the base 22 in this application may be an integral structure. For a specific structure, refer to the foregoing solution. This is not limited herein.
Specifically, a connection form of the torsion spring 24 is not limited in this application, provided that the torsion spring 24 can have a damping effect on the rotating shaft and provide an unfolding force and a folding force. In addition, a quantity of torsion springs 24 is not limited in this application, and may be set according to an actual use requirement. In addition, the rotatable connection mentioned in this application may be implemented by using a perforated structure or a shaft-hole cooperative structure. A form of the rotatable connection is not limited in this application, provided that the swing arm can rotate and a pin connection of the torsion spring 24 can be rotated. In addition, for example, a fixed location of the torsion spring 24 in this application is not limited to the base 22 and the first swing arm 21, or may be another location, provided that a pressure and an angle can be provided, so that the swing arm can generate a force for unfolding and folding.
Alternatively, for example, three or more damping mechanisms 2 may be disposed on the foldable screen phone 1, and pin arrangement manners of torsion springs 24 of the damping mechanisms 2 are combined arbitrarily. This is not limited in this application.
For example, the limiting member 232 may be a dowel pin. The dowel pin can cooperate with the first sliding groove 2311 to play a limiting role. For a specific solution, refer to the foregoing structure.
A rotation angle between the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 may be set according to an actual requirement. Therefore, to better exert a force of the torsion spring 24, the first sliding groove 2311 is provided on the first slider 231. The limiting member 232 is fixedly connected to the first housing 11, the first swing arm 21 can rotate relative to the base 22, and the first swing arm 21 is connected to the base 22 by using the first slider 231 and the torsion spring 24. Therefore, when the first housing 11 rotates relative to the base 22 following the first swing arm 21, the limiting member 232 fixed to the first housing 11 can relatively move in the first sliding groove 2311. When the first housing 11 rotates to a preset angle, the torsion spring 24 is in a free state. When the first housing 11 rotates, due to existence of the first sliding groove 2311, the torsion spring 24 in a free state enables the limiting member 232 to move between the first point A1 and the second point A2. That is, a side wall of the first sliding groove 2311 does not squeeze the limiting member 232. Correspondingly, the limiting member 232 does not exert force on the first sliding groove 2311, so that when the first housing 11 rotates between some angles, the torsion spring 24 is always in the free state. Therefore, the torsion spring 24 is not always pulled, thereby increasing a service life of the torsion spring 24.
It may be understood that a distance between the first point A1 and the second point A2 in the second direction may be changed. A distance of a stroke of the torsion spring 24 is controlled by changing the distance between the first point A1 and the second point A2 (namely, a length of the first sliding groove 2311), to determine a magnitude of an unfolding force or a closing force.
With reference to the foregoing structure, the following describes working principles of the foldable screen phone 1 in different use statuses.
It should be noted that the following angles are merely example descriptions, and do not constitute a limitation on this application.
Referring to
Referring to
Further, referring to
When the foldable screen phone 1 switches from the intermediate state to the closed state, for example, in a process in which an included angle between the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 ranges from 90° to 0°, the first swing arm 21 continues to move upward, and when a pressure of the torsion spring 24 returns to a free state as an upward moving distance increases, no pressure is provided. Therefore, there is no upward (closing) or downward (unfolding) component force, and there is no unfolding force or closing force, protecting a stroke of the torsion spring 24 from being overloaded.
It should be noted that a center of rotation in which the first fixing member is rotatably connected to the first fixing portion 211 is the first center of rotation O3, a center of rotation in which the second pin 242 is rotatably connected to the first fixing member is the second center of rotation O2, and a projection of the first center of rotation O3 on the reference plane does not overlap a projection of the second center of rotation O2 on the reference plane. The reference plane is a plane perpendicular to the first direction. The reference plane is the foregoing projection reference plane. It is assumed that vertical projections of the two centers of rotation relative to the projection reference plane do not overlap, which can implement changing of an unfolding force or a closing force relative to the housing in a rotation process of the torsion spring (the spring).
When being required from the intermediate state to the closed state, a closing force or a specific range of closing forces may be implemented by using the first slider 231 and the dowel pin. That is, a force process from the unfolded state to the intermediate state is the same as the foregoing descriptions. Details are not described herein again. When the intermediate state changes to the folded state, because the first sliding groove 2311 is provided in the middle of the first slider 231, the dowel pin passes through the first sliding groove 2311 of the first slider 231, and two upper and lower ends of the dowel pin are fixed to the first swing arm 21, or two upper and lower ends of the dowel pin are fixed to the first housing 11. When the first slider 231 slides, a relative movement occurs between the dowel pin located in the first sliding groove 2311 and the first sliding groove 2311. Because the first sliding groove 2311 has a closed annular surface, when the dowel pin is in contact with the first point A1 and the second point A2, the relative displacement between the dowel pin and the first sliding groove 2311 does not continue to move. In this way, the first slider 231 can be limited by the dowel pin. A stroke distance of the torsion spring 24 is controlled by adjusting a grooving length of the first slider 231 to determine a magnitude and an angle of an unfolding force or a closing force.
In conclusion, in this application, the structure of the torsion spring 24 is used, and the torsion spring 24 is disposed on a structure outside the shaft, so that no space inside the shaft is occupied. When the foldable machine is designed to be lighter and thinner, and a damping system cannot implement an enough unfolding force due to small space, a corresponding unfolding force and closing force are provided by the main damping mechanism 2 or the auxiliary damping mechanism 2, so that a bending hand feel of the foldable machine meets a requirement.
For example, if the damping mechanism 2 in this application is used as the main damping mechanism 2 of the rotating shaft, a plurality of damping mechanisms 2 in this application may be disposed, and the plurality of damping mechanisms 2 may be disposed in a plurality of locations on the outer side of the shaft. For a specific arrangement manner, refer to the foregoing solution.
The embodiments of this application are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the foregoing specific implementations. The foregoing specific implementations are merely examples, but are not restrictive. Many forms made by a person of ordinary skill in the art under inspiration of this application and without departing from the objectives and the protection scope of the claims of this application shall fall within the protection scope of this application.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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202210815943.4 | Jul 2022 | CN | national |
This application is a national stage of International Application No. PCT/CN2023/091145 filed on Apr. 27, 2023, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202210815943.4 filed on Jul. 12, 2022. The disclosures of both of the aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/CN2023/091145 | 4/27/2023 | WO |