This application relates to the field of electronic device technologies, and in particular, to a foldable apparatus and an electronic device.
A foldable electronic device includes a housing, a foldable apparatus, and a flexible display. The housing includes a left housing and a right housing that are disposed separately, a foldable component is located between the left housing and the right housing, and the flexible display is mounted on the left housing and the right housing. When the left housing and the right housing are folded under driving of the foldable component, the flexible display can be driven to fold, so that the electronic device is in a folded state. In the folded state, a size of the electronic device is small, so that the electronic device is easy to accommodate and store. When the left housing and the right housing are unfolded under driving of the foldable component, the flexible display is driven to unfold, so that the electronic device is in an unfolded state. In the unfolded state, the display of the electronic device is large, and user experience can be improved.
Currently, the foldable electronic device can implement two states: unfolded state and folded state, but cannot implement a state of staying between the unfolded state and the folded state. Consequently, performance of the foldable electronic device is poor.
This application provides a foldable apparatus. The foldable apparatus includes: a main shaft; a rotating arm, where the rotating arm includes a first rotating arm and a second rotating arm that are disposed on two sides of the main shaft along a width direction, and the first rotating arm and the second rotating arm are capable of rotating relative to the main shaft, so that the foldable apparatus switches between an unfolded state and a folded state; a synchronization gear assembly, where the synchronization gear assembly is connected to the first rotating arm and the second rotating arm, and the synchronization gear assembly has a concave-convex surface; a force applying assembly, where the force applying assembly includes a cam and an elastic member, the cam has a cam surface, and two ends of the elastic member are elastically connected to the cam along a length direction of the main shaft, to drive the concave-convex surface to be capable of being engaged with the cam surface; a damping assembly, where the damping assembly includes a first friction plate connected to the main shaft, and when the concave-convex surface is engaged with the cam surface, the elastic member is capable of applying pressure to the damping assembly, so that the foldable apparatus is kept in an intermediate state under the action of a friction force between the first friction plate and the rotating arm; and a clutch member, where in a process in which the foldable apparatus switches between the unfolded state and the folded state, the clutch member is capable of fitting the rotating arm and/or the synchronization gear assembly, so that the concave-convex surface is disengaged from the cam surface.
In this embodiment, during rotation of the first rotating arm and the second rotating arm, when the cam surface of the cam is engaged with the concave-convex surface of the synchronization gear assembly, there is pressure between the cam and the synchronization gear assembly engaged with the cam, and the pressure can be transferred between the rotating arm and the first friction plate. In this way, in a process in which the first rotating arm and the second rotating arm rotate relative to the first friction plate, the rotating arm is in direct or indirect contact with the first friction plate, so that there is a friction force between the rotating arm and the first friction plate. Under the action of the friction force, the foldable apparatus can be kept in the intermediate state, performance of the foldable apparatus and an electronic device can be improved, and a use requirement of a user in the intermediate state is met. In addition, the foldable apparatus further includes a clutch member. In a process of switching of the foldable apparatus between the unfolded state and the folded state, the clutch member can fit the rotating arm and/or the synchronization gear assembly, so that the concave-convex surface of the synchronization gear assembly is disengaged from the cam surface of the cam, that is, there is a gap between the concave-convex surface and the cam surface. In this case, an elastic force of the elastic member cannot be applied to the synchronization gear assembly through the cam, so that the elastic force of the elastic member cannot be converted into pressure applied between the rotating arm and the first friction plate. In a process in which the rotating arm rotates relative to the first friction plate, because there is no pressure or the pressure is very small between the rotating arm and the first friction plate, a friction force between the rotating arm and the first friction plate is very small, so that an external force required for switching of the foldable apparatus between the unfolded state and the folded state is relatively small, and the user needs only to provide a relatively small closing force or flattening force to implement self-closing or self-flattening of the foldable apparatus and the electronic device. In addition, an external force required for releasing a closed state or a flattened state is also relatively small, thereby improving operation experience.
In a specific embodiment, when an included angle between the first rotating arm and the second rotating arm is 160° to 180°, or an included angle between the first rotating arm and the second rotating arm is 0° to 20°, the clutch member fits the synchronization gear assembly or the rotating arm, so that the concave-convex surface is disengaged from the cam surface.
In this embodiment, when the included angle between the first rotating arm and the second rotating arm is 160° to 180°, that is, when an included angle between the first housing and the second housing in the electronic device is 160° to 180°, the foldable apparatus is in a near-flattened state. In this case, under the action of the clutch member, the concave-convex surface of the synchronization gear assembly is disengaged from the cam surface of the cam, and the elastic force of the elastic member cannot be transferred to the synchronization gear assembly through the cam, and therefore cannot be transferred between the rotating arm and the first friction plate, so that the friction force between the rotating arm and the first friction plate is eliminated or reduced, and the foldable apparatus can be automatically flattened. Similarly, when the included angle between the first rotating arm and the second rotating arm is 0° to 20°, that is, when an included angle between the first housing and the second housing in the electronic device is 0° to 20°, the foldable apparatus is in a near-folded state. In this case, under the action of the clutch member, the concave-convex surface of the synchronization gear assembly is disengaged from the cam surface of the cam, and the elastic force of the elastic member cannot be transferred to the synchronization gear assembly through the cam, and therefore cannot be transferred between the rotating arm and the first friction plate, so that the friction force between the rotating arm and the first friction plate is eliminated or reduced, and the foldable apparatus can be automatically folded. Therefore, the clutch member in embodiments of this application can improve operation experience of the foldable apparatus and the electronic device in the near-flattened state and the near-folded state.
In a specific embodiment, the clutch member includes a driving portion, and in the process in which the foldable apparatus switches between the unfolded state and the folded state, the driving portion is capable of fitting the synchronization gear assembly to push the synchronization gear assembly to move away from the cam along the length direction of the main shaft, so that the concave-convex surface is disengaged from the cam surface. In this embodiment, when the foldable apparatus is in the near-flattened state or the near-folded state, the clutch member can push the synchronization gear assembly, so that the synchronization gear assembly moves away from the cam along the length direction, and a gap t exists between the concave-convex surface of the synchronization gear assembly and the cam surface of the cam. In this case, the elastic force of the elastic member acts on the cam. Because of the gap t, the elastic force cannot act on the synchronization gear assembly, and cannot act on the first rotating arm and the second rotating arm that are connected to the synchronization gear assembly.
In a specific embodiment, the driving portion is disposed on the damping assembly, the synchronization gear assembly is provided with a fitting portion, and the driving portion is capable of fitting the fitting portion to push the synchronization gear assembly to move away from the cam along the length direction of the main shaft; and along the length direction of the main shaft, the fitting portion and the concave-convex surface are disposed at two ends of the synchronization gear assembly.
In this embodiment, when the foldable apparatus is in the near-flattened state or the near-folded state, the driving portion of the damping assembly fits the fitting portion of the synchronization gear assembly to push the synchronization gear assembly away from the cam, so that the elastic force of the elastic member cannot be transferred to the rotating arm through the cam. There is no friction force or the friction force is relatively small between the first friction plate and the second friction plate, operation resistance of the foldable apparatus in the near-flattened state or the near-folded state can be reduced, and this helps implement self-flattening and self-folding of the foldable apparatus. When the foldable apparatus is in another position (for example, the included angle between the first rotating arm and the second rotating arm is 20° to 160°), the driving portion does not fit the fitting portion. In this case, the concave-convex surface of the synchronization gear assembly is engaged with the cam surface of the cam, and the elastic force of the elastic member in the compressed state can be applied to the synchronization gear assembly through the cam, and transferred between the second friction plate and the first friction plate. A friction force of the second friction plate and the first friction plate provides resistance for rotation of the rotating arm, so that the foldable apparatus is kept in the intermediate state.
In a specific embodiment, the driving portion protrudes relative to the damping assembly along the length direction of the main shaft, the driving portion includes a first convex surface and a first concave surface, the fitting portion includes a second convex surface and a second concave surface, and when the first convex surface fits the second convex surface, the synchronization gear assembly is capable of being pushed to move away from the cam along the length direction of the main shaft. In this embodiment, the driving portion and the fitting portion are also of a concave-convex structure. In a process in which the rotating arm rotates relative to the main shaft, a position in which the driving portion fits the fitting portion can be changed, so that when the first convex surface of the driving portion fits the second convex surface of the fitting portion, the synchronization gear assembly is pushed away from the cam. When surfaces other than the first convex surface and the second convex surface fit, the driving portion does not push the synchronization gear assembly away from the cam. Therefore, the concave-convex structure of the driving portion and the fitting portion facilitates clutching of the synchronization gear assembly and the cam, and the structure is simple.
In a specific embodiment, the damping assembly includes a support fastened to the main shaft, and the first friction plate is mounted on the support; and the driving portion is disposed on the support. The support and the first gear and the second gear that are of the synchronization gear assembly are distributed along the length direction of the main shaft. In this case, the driving portion is disposed at two ends of the support along the length direction, to facilitate fitting with the fitting portion disposed on the synchronization gear assembly.
In a specific embodiment, the synchronization gear assembly includes a first gear and a second gear that are disposed along the width direction of the main shaft, the first gear is engaged with the second gear, the first rotating arm has a first tooth portion, the second rotating arm has a second tooth portion, the first gear is engaged with the first tooth portion, and the second gear is engaged with the second tooth portion; and the fitting portion is disposed on the first gear and/or the second gear.
In a specific embodiment, the clutch member includes a first limiting portion, a second limiting portion is disposed on the rotating arm and/or the synchronization gear assembly, and in the process in which the foldable apparatus switches between the unfolded state and the folded state, the first limiting portion is capable of fitting the second limiting portion, to limit the synchronization gear assembly from moving toward the cam.
In this embodiment, when the foldable apparatus is in the near-flattened state or the near-folded state, the clutch member can limit the synchronization gear assembly and/or the rotating arm from moving toward the cam, so that a gap t exists between the concave-convex surface of the synchronization gear assembly and the cam surface of the cam. In this case, the elastic force of the elastic member acts on the cam. Because of the gap t, the elastic force cannot act on the synchronization gear assembly, and cannot act on the first rotating arm and the second rotating arm that are connected to the synchronization gear assembly. There is no friction force or the friction force is relatively small between the first friction plate and the second friction plate, so that operating resistance of the foldable apparatus in the near-flattened state or the near-folded state can be reduced, and this helps implement self-flattening and self-folding of the foldable apparatus. When the foldable apparatus is in another position (for example, the included angle between the first rotating arm and the second rotating arm is 20° to 160°), the driving portion does not fit the fitting portion. In this case, the concave-convex surface of the synchronization gear assembly is engaged with the cam surface of the cam, and the elastic force of the elastic member in the compressed state can be applied to the synchronization gear assembly through the cam, and transferred between the second friction plate and the first friction plate. A friction force of the second friction plate and the first friction plate provides resistance for rotation of the rotating arm, so that the foldable apparatus is kept in the intermediate state.
In a specific embodiment, the main shaft includes a plurality of pin shafts distributed along the width direction of the main shaft, the rotating arm and the synchronization gear assembly each are provided with a pin shaft hole, the pin shafts respectively pass through corresponding pin shaft holes, and the first limiting portion is provided on at least a part of the pin shafts.
In a specific embodiment, the first limiting portion protrudes outward along a radial direction relative to the pin shaft, a limiting step is disposed in at least a part of the pin shaft holes, and the limiting step is the second limiting portion.
In a specific embodiment, the damping assembly further includes a second friction plate, an end of the second friction plate is connected to the rotating arm, another end of the second friction plate is connected to the first friction plate, and the second friction plate is capable of rotating relative to the first friction plate under driving of the rotating arm; and when the concave-convex surface is engaged with the cam surface, the elastic member is capable of applying pressure to the damping assembly. Under the action of the friction force between the first friction plate and the second friction plate, rotation of the second friction plate can be prevented, thereby preventing rotation of the first rotating arm and the second rotating arm, so that the foldable apparatus is kept in the intermediate state. In addition, during rotation of the first rotating arm and the second rotating arm, the first friction plate is always in contact with the second friction plate. When the cam surface of the cam is engaged with the concave-convex surface of the synchronization gear assembly, a friction force always exists between the first friction plate and the second friction plate, so that the foldable apparatus can be kept in an intermediate state at any angle.
In this embodiment, the friction force between the first friction plate and the second friction plate prevents the second friction plate from moving, thereby preventing rotation of the first rotating arm and the second rotating arm, to keep the foldable apparatus in the intermediate state. In this case, the first friction plate does not need to be in direct contact with the first rotating arm and the second rotating arm, so that a size of the first friction plate can be reduced, the first friction plate is easy to arrange, and space of the foldable apparatus occupied by the first friction plate is reduced.
In a specific embodiment, the damping assembly further includes a guide shaft extending along the length direction of the main shaft, the rotating arm has a guide hole, and the guide shaft passes through the guide hole, so that the rotating arm is capable of moving along the guide shaft. The guide shaft is configured to guide movement of the first rotating arm and the second rotating arm along the length direction of the main shaft, thereby improving reliability and stability of movement of the first rotating arm and the second rotating arm along the length direction of the main shaft.
A second aspect of embodiments of this application provides an electronic device. The electronic device includes a screen and the foregoing foldable apparatus.
It should be understood that the foregoing general descriptions and the following detailed descriptions are merely used as an example, and should not limit this application.
The accompanying drawings herein are incorporated into this specification and constitute a part of this specification, to show embodiments in accordance with this application, and are used together with this specification to explain the principle of this application.
To better understand the technical solutions of this application, the following describes embodiments of this application in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In a specific embodiment, the following further describes this application in detail with reference to specific embodiments and the accompanying drawings.
An embodiment of this application provides an electronic device. An embodiment of this application provides an electronic device shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In a process of using the electronic device, the foldable apparatus 10 includes at least an unfolded state shown in
A person skilled in the art may understand that the structure shown in embodiments of this application does not constitute a specific limitation on the electronic device. In some other possible implementations of this application, the electronic device may include more or fewer components than those shown in the figure, or combine some components, or split some components, or have different component arrangements.
In addition to the unfolded state shown in
Specifically, as shown in
As shown in
The damping assembly 3 includes a first friction plate 31 connected to the main shaft 1. During rotation of the first rotating arm 21 and the second rotating arm 22, when the cam surface of the cam 52 is engaged with the concave-convex surface of the synchronization gear assembly 4, there is pressure between the cam 52 and the synchronization gear assembly 4 engaged with the cam 52, and the pressure can be transferred between the rotating arm and the first friction plate 31. In this way, in a process in which the first rotating arm 21 and the second rotating arm 22 rotate relative to the first friction plate 31, the rotating arm is in direct or indirect contact with the first friction plate 31, so that there is a friction force between the rotating arm and the first friction plate 31. Under the action of the friction force, the foldable apparatus 10 can be kept in the intermediate state, performance of the foldable apparatus 10 and the electronic device can be improved, and a use requirement of the user in the intermediate state is met.
In addition, the foldable apparatus 10 further includes a clutch member. In a process of switching of the foldable apparatus 10 between the unfolded state and the folded state, the clutch member can fit the rotating arm and/or the synchronization gear assembly 4, so that the concave-convex surface of the synchronization gear assembly 4 is disengaged from the cam surface of the cam 52, that is, there is a gap between the concave-convex surface and the cam surface. In this case, an elastic force of the elastic member 51 cannot be applied to the synchronization gear assembly 4 through the cam 52, so that the elastic force of the elastic member 51 cannot be converted into pressure applied between the rotating arm and the first friction plate 31. In a process in which the rotating arm rotates relative to the first friction plate 31, because there is no pressure or the pressure is very small between the rotating arm and the first friction plate 31, a friction force between the rotating arm and the first friction plate 31 is very small, so that an external force required for switching of the foldable apparatus 10 between the unfolded state and the folded state is relatively small, and the user needs only to provide a relatively small closing force or flattening force to implement self-closing or self-flattening of the foldable apparatus 10 and the electronic device. In addition, an external force required for releasing a closed state or a flattened state is also relatively small, thereby improving operation experience.
The main shaft 1 is fastened relative to the first housing 30 and the second housing 40 of the electronic device, and the foldable apparatus 10 is folded or unfolded around the main shaft 1. An extension direction of the main shaft 1 is defined as the length direction X of the main shaft 1. In the electronic device in the unfolded state (referring to
In embodiments of this application, the first friction plate 31 may be in direct or indirect contact with the first rotating arm 21, and the first friction plate 31 may be in direct or indirect contact with the second rotating arm 22. When the first friction plate 31 is in direct contact with the first rotating arm 21 and the second rotating arm 22, two ends of the first friction plate 31 extend toward the first rotating arm 21 and the second rotating arm 22. When the first friction plate 31 is in indirect contact with the first rotating arm 21 and the second rotating arm 22, the first friction plate 31 may be in contact with a component fastened to the first rotating arm 21, and the first friction plate 31 may be in contact with a component fastened to the second rotating arm 22.
Specifically, as shown in
In this embodiment, the friction force between the first friction plate 31 and the second friction plate 32 prevents the second friction plate 32 from moving, thereby preventing rotation of the first rotating arm 21 and the second rotating arm 22, to keep the foldable apparatus 10 in the intermediate state. In this case, the first friction plate 31 does not need to be in direct contact with the first rotating arm 21 and the second rotating arm 22, so that a size of the first friction plate 31 can be reduced, the first friction plate 31 is easy to arrange, and space of the foldable apparatus 10 occupied by the first friction plate 31 is reduced.
More specifically, as shown in
In some specific embodiments, a quantity of first friction plates 31 and a quantity of second friction plates 32 in the damping assembly 3 may be changed to change a magnitude of the damping force acting on the first rotating arm 21 and the second rotating arm 22. In some other embodiments, a status (for example, a friction coefficient) of a friction surface between the first friction plate 31 and the second friction plate 32 in the damping assembly 3 may be changed to change a magnitude of the damping force acting on the first rotating arm 21 and the second rotating arm 22. For example, roughness of the first friction plate 31 and/or roughness of the second friction plate 32 may be increased, to increase the friction coefficient between the first friction plate 31 and the second friction plate 32, so as to increase the friction force acting on the first rotating arm 21 and the second rotating arm 22. Alternatively, hardness of a surface of at least one of the second friction plate 32 and the first friction plate 31 may be increased or reduced, or an oil tank configured to store lubricating oil may be disposed on the first friction plate 31 and/or the second friction plate 32, to lubricate the friction surface between the first friction plate 31 and the second friction plate 32, and avoid that the first rotating arm 21 and the second rotating arm 22 cannot continue to rotate because the first friction plate 31 and the second friction plate 32 are stuck due to an excessively large friction force, so that the foldable apparatus 10 can work normally.
As shown in
In this embodiment, as shown in
Certainly, when the foldable apparatus 10 is in the near-flattened state, the included angle between the first rotating arm 21 and the second rotating arm 22 is not necessarily 160° to 180°, and may be another value. When the foldable apparatus 10 is in the near-folded state, the included angle between the first rotating arm 21 and the second rotating arm 22 is not necessarily 0° to 20°, and may be another value. The included angle between the first rotating arm 21 and the second rotating arm 22 in the near-flattened state or the near-folded state is not limited in this application.
In a specific embodiment, as shown in
Specifically, as shown in
In this embodiment, when the foldable apparatus 10 is in the near-flattened state or the near-folded state, the driving portion 331 of the damping assembly 3 fits the fitting portion of the synchronization gear assembly 4 to push the synchronization gear assembly 4 away from the cam 52, so that the elastic force of the elastic member 51 cannot be transferred to the rotating arm through the cam 52. There is no friction force or the friction force is relatively small between the first friction plate 31 and the second friction plate 32, operation resistance of the foldable apparatus 10 in the near-flattened state or the near-folded state can be reduced, and this helps implement self-flattening and self-folding of the foldable apparatus 10. When the foldable apparatus 10 is in another position (for example, the included angle between the first rotating arm 21 and the second rotating arm 22 is 20° to) 160°, the driving portion 331 does not fit the fitting portion. In this case, the concave-convex surface of the synchronization gear assembly 4 is engaged with the cam surface of the cam 52, and the elastic force of the elastic member 51 in the compressed state can be applied to the synchronization gear assembly 4 through the cam 52, and transferred between the second friction plate 32 and the first friction plate 31. A friction force of the second friction plate 32 and the first friction plate 31 provides resistance for rotation of the rotating arm, so that the foldable apparatus 10 is kept in the intermediate state.
As shown in
In the embodiment shown in
More specifically, as shown in
In this embodiment, the driving portion 331 and the fitting portion are also of a concave-convex structure. In a process in which the rotating arm rotates relative to the main shaft 1, a position in which the driving portion 331 fits the fitting portion can be changed, so that when the first convex surface of the driving portion 331 fits the second convex surface of the fitting portion, the synchronization gear assembly 4 is pushed away from the cam 52. When surfaces other than the first convex surface and the second convex surface fit, the driving portion 331 does not push the synchronization gear assembly 4 away from the cam 52. Therefore, the concave-convex structure of the driving portion 331 and the fitting portion facilitates clutching of the synchronization gear assembly 4 and the cam 52, and the structure is simple.
In a specific embodiment, as shown in
As shown in
In another specific embodiment, as shown in
Therefore, in this embodiment, when the foldable apparatus 10 is in the near-flattened state or the near-folded state, the clutch member can limit the synchronization gear assembly 4 and/or the rotating arm from moving toward the cam 52, so that a gap t exists between the concave-convex surface of the synchronization gear assembly 4 and the cam surface of the cam 52, as shown in
Specifically, as shown in
In this embodiment, the first limiting portion 111 is disposed on at least a part of the pin shafts 11, and the first limiting portion 111 protrudes outward in a radial direction relative to the pin shaft 11. A limiting step is disposed in at least a part of the pin shaft holes, and the limiting step is the second limiting portion.
In the embodiment shown in
In the foregoing embodiments, as shown in
When the foldable apparatus 10 is in a state other than the near-flattened state and the near-folded state, the cam surface of the cam 52 is engaged with the concave-convex surface of the synchronization gear assembly 4. Specifically, the first concave-convex surface 211a is engaged with the first cam surface 521, the second concave-convex surface 221a is engaged with the fourth cam surface 524, the third concave-convex surface 411 is engaged with the second cam surface 522, and the fourth concave-convex surface 421 is engaged with the third cam surface 523.
In addition, in embodiments of this application, during rotation, the first rotating arm 21 and the second rotating arm 22 further move in the length direction X of the main shaft 1. As shown in
In addition, the second friction plate 32 is further provided with a fifth pin shaft hole 321, the first friction plate 31 is provided with a sixth pin shaft hole 311, and the pin shaft 11 passes through the fifth pin shaft hole 321 and the sixth pin shaft hole 311, so that the second friction plate 32 can rotate around the pin shaft 11 that passes through the fifth pin shaft hole 321.
In addition, as shown in
In a specific embodiment, as shown in
The foregoing descriptions are only specific implementations of embodiments of this application, but are not intended to limit the protection scope of embodiments of this application. Any variation or replacement within the technical scope disclosed in embodiments of this application shall fall within the protection scope of embodiments of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of embodiments of this application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
202211738027.1 | Dec 2022 | CN | national |
This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/CN2023/118285, filed on Sep. 12, 2023, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202211738027.1, filed on Dec. 30, 2022. The disclosures of the aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | PCT/CN2023/118285 | Sep 2023 | WO |
Child | 19085424 | US |