Patent Application
20250155938
This application relates to the field of electronic device technologies, and in particular, to a foldable electronic device and a hinge mechanism thereof.
As flexible display technologies are gradually mature, a display mode of an electronic device is greatly changed. A mobile phone with a foldable flexible display, a tablet computer with a foldable flexible display, a wearable electronic device with a foldable flexible display, and the like are an important evolution direction of future intelligent electronic devices.
A flexible display, as a key component of a foldable electronic device, is characterized by continuity and foldability. As an important component for implementing a folding function of the foldable electronic device, when the foldable electronic device is in a folded state, a hinge mechanism may form display accommodating space for accommodating a bent part of the flexible display, to avoid pulling or squeezing the flexible display. In a current foldable electronic device, to enable a hinge mechanism to form display accommodating space that meets a display accommodating requirement, the hinge mechanism is usually designed symmetrically, so that the electronic device is designed symmetrically. However, this makes a structure of the foldable electronic device complex.
This application provides a foldable electronic device and a hinge mechanism thereof, to simplify a structure of the hinge mechanism, and simplify a structure of the electronic device.
According to a first aspect, this application provides an electronic device. The electronic device is a foldable electronic device, and may include a first housing, a second housing, a hinge mechanism, a flexible display, and an end cover. The first housing and the second housing are respectively disposed on two opposite sides of the hinge mechanism, and the first housing and the second housing can be unfolded and folded relative to each other via the hinge mechanism. The flexible display can continuously cover the first housing, the second housing, and the hinge mechanism, and the flexible display can be fastened to the first housing and the second housing. In this way, in a process in which the first housing and the second housing rotate relative to the hinge mechanism, the flexible display may be bent accordingly, and a bent part of the flexible display is disposed corresponding to the hinge mechanism. In addition, the first housing includes a first appearance surface, and the first appearance surface is a surface that is of the first housing and that is away from the flexible display. The hinge mechanism may include a base, and the base may be provided with a first arc-shaped groove. A surface that is of the end cover and that faces the flexible display is provided with a first accommodating groove, and at least a part of the base may be accommodated in the first accommodating groove, so that the end cover may protect the base. When the electronic device is in the folded state and the unfolded state, the first appearance surface may be in lap joint with a groove surface of the first accommodating groove, so that a complete appearance surface can be provided between the first housing and the end cover in the state. In addition, when the electronic device is switched between the folded state and the unfolded state, at least a part of the first housing may rotate in the first arc-shaped groove. With this design, the first housing may have a simple structure and small weight, so that a structure of the electronic device may be simplified.
In addition, in this application, the second housing is provided with a second appearance surface, and the second appearance surface is located on a side that is of the second housing and that is away from the flexible display. A spacing between the first appearance surface and the flexible display is less than a spacing between the second appearance surface and the flexible display. Such a design can enable the first housing and the second housing to have unequal structures, and a thickness of the first housing to be small, and therefore implement a thinning design of the first housing, simplify a structure of the first housing, and help implement a simplified design of the electronic device.
In the electronic device provided in this application, the second housing may be provided with a second accommodating groove, the end cover is provided with a third appearance surface, and the third appearance surface is a surface that is of the end cover and that is away from the base. When the electronic device is in the folded state and the unfolded state, the third appearance surface may be in lap joint with a groove surface of the second accommodating groove, so that a complete appearance surface can be provided between the second housing and the end cover in the state. Therefore, the electronic device provided in this application has a complete appearance surface in the folded state and the unfolded state. This helps improve appearance aesthetics of the electronic device.
The hinge mechanism is a key component for implementing rotation of the electronic device. During specific disposition, the hinge mechanism may further include a main shaft module. The main shaft module includes a first rotating assembly and a second rotating assembly. The first rotating assembly and the second rotating assembly are respectively disposed on two opposite sides of the base. The first rotating assembly may include a first support plate, the first support plate is rotatably connected to the base, and the first support plate is fastened to the first housing, so that the first housing is rotatably connected to the base through the first support plate. The second rotating assembly may include a first support arm and a housing mounting bracket. The first support arm is rotatably connected to the base, the housing mounting bracket is fastened to the second housing, and the first support arm is slidably connected to the housing mounting bracket, so that the second housing is rotatably connected to the base through the first support plate.
In a possible implementation of this application, the first support plate includes a first plate surface, the first plate surface is configured to support the flexible display, and the flexible display may be bonded to the first plate surface of the first support plate. Specifically, the flexible display may be bonded to a part of an area on the first plate surface. Therefore, when the electronic device is in the unfolded state, the first housing, the second housing, and the first support plate together can smoothly support the flexible display. In a process in which the electronic device changes from the unfolded state to the folded state, the first support plate can drive the flexible display to rotate. This can effectively avoid deformation of the flexible display, to reduce a risk of damage to the flexible display. In addition, when the electronic device is in the folded state, the flexible display may be attached to the first support plate. This can help improve light and shadow of the flexible display.
In addition, in a possible implementation of this application, a first arc-shaped rotating block is disposed at an end that is of the first support plate and that is rotatably connected to the base, to implement a rotatable connection between the first support plate and the base. The first arc-shaped rotating block may be accommodated in the first arc-shaped groove, and may rotate along an arc-shaped surface of the first arc-shaped groove, so that the first support plate is rotatably connected to the base through a virtual shaft. This helps reduce space occupied by the first support plate on the base, facilitates a narrowing design of the hinge mechanism, and helps implement a miniaturization design of the electronic device.
In this application, the first rotating member may further include a first rotating member, the first support plate is provided with a notch, at least a part of the first rotating member may be accommodated in the notch, the first support plate is rotatably connected to the first rotating member through a first rotating shaft, and the first support arm is rotatably connected to the first rotating member. In addition, a rotation center line on which the first support plate is rotatably connected to the base is a first axis, a rotation center line on which the first support plate is rotatably connected to the first rotating member is a second axis, and the first axis and the second axis are spaced apart; and a rotation center line on which the first support arm is rotatably connected to the base is a third axis, a rotation center line on which the first support arm is rotatably connected to the first rotating member is a fourth axis, and the third axis and the fourth axis are spaced apart. In this way, when the first housing and the second housing are folded relative to each other, the first support arm rotates around the base, and the first rotating member moves toward the first support plate, so that the first support plate rotates around the base, and the first support plate and the first support arm rotate toward each other. However, when the first housing and the second housing are unfolded relative to each other, the first support arm rotates around the base, and the first rotating member moves toward the first support arm, so that the first support plate is pulled by the first rotating member to rotate around the base. In addition, the first support plate and the first support arm rotate away from each other, to implement synchronous reverse motion of the first rotating assembly and the second rotating assembly. Therefore, synchronous reverse motion of the first housing and the second housing in a process of unfolding and folding the electronic device can be implemented. This can help improve consistency of forces applied by the first housing and the second housing on the flexible display, thereby effectively reducing a risk of damage to the flexible display.
In a possible implementation of this application, the first rotating assembly may further include a first elastic piece, and the first elastic piece is sleeved on the first rotating shaft. In addition, in an axial direction of the first rotating shaft, the first support plate may be further provided with a first cam surface, and the first rotating member may be provided with a second cam surface. In this way, under the action of the first elastic piece, the first cam surface may abut against the second cam surface, to generate a damping force in a process in which the first support plate and the first rotating member rotate relative to each other. When the hinge mechanism is used in the electronic device, the damping force may make a user feel obvious in a process of folding the electronic device, and user experience may be improved.
To improve motion stability of the second rotating assembly, the second rotating assembly may further include a second support arm. The second support arm is rotatably connected to the base, and the second support arm is slidably connected to the housing mounting bracket, so that the first support arm and the second support arm jointly drive the second housing to rotate. This helps improve motion stability of the second housing.
In this application, the first rotating assembly may further include a second rotating member, and at least a part of the second rotating member may be accommodated in the notch of the first support plate. The second rotating member may be rotatably connected to the first support plate through the first rotating shaft. In this case, the first rotating member, the second rotating member, and the first support plate are rotatably connected through the first rotating shaft, that is, a rotation center line on which the first supporting plate is rotatably connected to the second rotating member coincides with a rotation center line on which the first supporting plate is rotatably connected to the first rotating member. In addition, the second support arm is rotatably connected to the second rotating member. In addition, a rotation center line on which the second support arm is rotatably connected to the base is a fifth axis, a rotation center line on which the second support arm is rotatably connected to the second rotating member is a sixth axis, and the fifth axis and the sixth axis are spaced apart. In this way, when the first housing and the second housing are folded relative to each other, the second support arm rotates around the base, and the second rotating member moves toward the first support plate, so that the first support plate is pushed by the second rotating member to rotate around the base, and the first support plate and the second support arm rotate toward each other. When the first housing and the second housing are unfolded relative to each other, the second support arm rotates around the base, and the second rotating member moves toward the second support arm, so that the first support plate is pulled by the second rotating member to rotate around the base. In addition, the first support plate and the second support arm rotate away from each other, to implement synchronous reverse motion of the first rotating assembly and the second rotating assembly.
In addition, in the axial direction of the first rotating shaft, the first support plate may be provided with a third cam surface, the second rotating member may be provided with a fourth cam surface, and the third cam surface may abut against the fourth cam surface, to generate a damping force in a process in which the first support plate and the second rotating member rotate relative to each other. In this way, in a process in which the first support plate rotates around the base, two pairs of damping forces are applied to the first rotating assembly. This can improve user experience in a use process.
The first elastic piece mentioned above in this application may also act on the second rotating member, so that the third cam surface tightly abuts against the fourth cam surface under the elastic force of the first elastic piece, to increase a damping force in a relative rotation process of the first support plate and the second rotating member.
To improve motion consistency between the first support arm and the second support arm, the first support arm and the second support arm may be rotatably connected to the base through the second rotating shaft.
It can be learned from the foregoing description that a damping force may be generated through fitting of the cam surfaces. Based on this, the second rotating assembly may also be appropriately designed, so that a damping force also exists in a rotation process of the second rotating assembly. During specific implementation, in a possible implementation of this application, the base may further include a first cam member, the first cam member may be rotatably connected to the first support arm through the second rotating shaft, and the first cam member may be connected to the base through a third rotating shaft. In this way, there may be no rotation relationship between the first cam member and the base.
In addition, the second rotating member may include a second elastic piece, and the second elastic piece is sleeved on the second rotating shaft. In an axial direction of the second rotating shaft, the first support arm is provided with a fifth cam surface, and the fifth cam surface is disposed facing the second support arm; the first cam member may be provided with a sixth cam surface, and the sixth cam surface is disposed away from the second support arm; and under the elastic force of the second elastic piece, the fifth cam surface may abut against the sixth cam surface. In this way, in a process in which the first support arm rotates relative to the base, a damping force may be generated between the first support arm and the base.
In a possible implementation of this application, the base may further include a second cam member, the second cam member is rotatably connected to the second support arm through the second rotating shaft, and the second cam member may be rotatably connected to the first cam member through the third rotating shaft. In addition, in the axial direction of the second rotating shaft, the second support arm may be provided with a seventh cam surface, and the seventh cam surface is disposed facing the first support arm; and the second cam member may be provided with an eighth cam surface, and the eighth cam surface is disposed away from the first support arm. Therefore, under the action of the second elastic piece, the seventh cam surface may abut against the eighth cam surface. In this way, in a process in which the second support arm rotates relative to the base, a damping force may be generated between the second support arm and the base.
In a possible implementation of this application, the base may further include a first damping support and a second damping support. The first cam member abuts against the first damping support, and the second cam member abuts against the second damping support, to limit the first cam member and the second cam member in the axial direction.
To implement abutting between the first cam member and the first damping support and abutting between the second cam member and the second damping support, the base may further include a third elastic piece, and the third elastic piece may be sleeved on the third rotating shaft. Therefore, under the elastic force of the third elastic piece, the first cam member abuts against the first damping support, and the second cam member abuts against the second damping support.
In this application, a first end of the second rotating shaft may be clamped to the first damping support for limiting, and a second end of the second rotating shaft may be clamped to the second damping support for limiting, to limit the second rotating shaft in the axial direction. Similarly, a first end of the third rotating shaft may be clamped to the first damping support for limiting, and a second end of the third rotating shaft may be clamped to the second damping support for limiting, to limit the third rotating shaft in an axial direction.
In addition, both the first end of the second rotating shaft and the first end of the third rotating shaft may be clamped to a first limiting sheet, and the first limiting sheet abuts against the first damping support, so that the first end of the second rotating shaft and the first end of the third rotating shaft are connected to the first damping support. Similarly, both the second end of the second rotating shaft and the second end of the third rotating shaft may be clamped to a second limiting sheet, and the second limiting sheet abuts against the second damping support, so that the second end of the second rotating shaft and the second end of the third rotating shaft are connected to the second damping support.
In a possible implementation of this application, in the axial direction of the second rotating shaft, the second damping support may be further provided with a ninth cam surface, and the ninth cam surface is disposed facing the second support arm; the second support arm may be further provided with a tenth cam surface, and the tenth cam surface is disposed away from the first support arm; and under the action of the second elastic piece, the ninth cam surface may abut against the tenth cam surface. In this way, in a process in which the second support arm rotates relative to the base, a damping force may be generated between the second support arm and the base.
In a possible implementation of this application, the base may include a bearing surface, and the bearing surface may be configured to support the flexible display. The second rotating assembly includes a second support plate and a swing arm, the second support plate is rotatably connected to the housing mounting bracket, the second support plate includes a second plate surface, and the second plate surface is configured to support the flexible display.
The swing arm may be rotatably connected to the base, and a rotation axis of the first support arm and a rotation axis of the swing arm are parallel and do not coincide. Therefore, phase difference motion effect between the swing arm and the first support arm can be implemented, so that in the rotation process of the hinge mechanism, the second rotating assembly performs a telescopic motion relative to the base, to adapt to a length of the flexible display. This avoids pulling or squeezing the flexible display, reduces a risk of damage to the flexible display, and prolongs a service life of the flexible display.
In addition, in a process in which the first rotating assembly rotates around the base, a relative distance between the first rotating assembly and the base does not extend. In this way, a structure design on a side of the first rotating assembly of the hinge mechanism may be simple, and occupied space is small. This helps reduce a volume of the entire hinge mechanism, and implement a miniaturization and thin design of the electronic device.
In a possible implementation of this application, the swing arm is slidably connected to the housing mounting bracket. The housing mounting bracket may be provided with a first sliding groove extending in a first direction and a third sliding groove extending in a second direction, the first support arm is slidable in the first sliding groove, and the swing arm is slidable in the third sliding groove. In addition, a projection along the first direction in a first cross section is not parallel to a projection along the second direction in the first cross section. The first cross section is a reference plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the first support arm and the rotation axis of the swing arm. In this way, angles at which the first support arm and the swing arm rotate relative to the base are adjusted by appropriately designing providing directions of the first sliding groove and the third sliding groove. For example, neither the rotation angle of the first support arm nor the rotation angle of the swing arm may be greater than 90°. Therefore, the angles at which the first support arm and the swing arm rotate relative to the base can be small, so that another structure on the hinge mechanism can be prevented from avoiding rotation of the swing arm. This can help increase a wall thickness of a local structure of the swing arm, and improve structural reliability of the swing arm. In addition, when being used in the electronic device, the hinge mechanism can effectively avoid a case in which a component in the electronic device is thinned, to avoid rotation of the swing arm. This can improve reliability of an overall structure of the electronic device, and can reduce a risk of squeezing the flexible display of the electronic device due to rotation of the swing arm, reduce the risk of damage to the flexible display, and prolong the service life of the flexible display.
In the foregoing design manner, when the hinge mechanism is in the folded state, an included angle between the first plate surface and the bearing surface may be greater than an included angle between the second plate surface and the bearing surface, to form, among the first plate surface, the second plate surface, and the bearing surface, display accommodating space for accommodating a bendable part of the flexible display. Herein, the folded state of the hinge mechanism definitely indicates that the two rotating assemblies of the hinge mechanism are seamlessly attached to each other, but indicates a state corresponding to the hinge mechanism when the electronic device is in the folded state.
In the hinge mechanism provided in this application, the first rotating assembly and the second rotating assembly are asymmetrically disposed relative to each other or relative to the base. The hinge mechanism can be used to form, among the first support plate, the second support plate, and the base, triangular display accommodating space that tilts toward a side of the first support plate. When the hinge mechanism is used in the electronic device, the bendable part of the flexible display of the electronic device can be accommodated in the display accommodating space, and is in an eccentric water-drop-like form. This can prevent the flexible display from being squeezed, effectively reduce a width of a bent area of the flexible display while reducing a risk of damage to the flexible display, and help improve user experience. In addition, because two sides of the hinge mechanism do not need to be in totally same structures, a structure design on one side of the hinge structure can be simplified, and an overall structure of the hinge mechanism can be simplified based on such a design.
There is a plurality of implementations of the rotatable connection between the second support plate and the housing mounting bracket. In a possible implementation of this application, a rotating slot may be provided on the housing mounting bracket, and a rotating part may be disposed on the first support plate. In this way, the rotating part may be mounted in the rotating slot, and the rotating part may rotate along a slot surface of the rotating slot.
In addition, when the second rotating assembly includes the second support arm, the housing mounting bracket may be further provided with a second sliding groove extending in the first direction, and the second support arm may slide in the second sliding groove. In this way, an angle at which the second support arm rotates relative to the base is adjusted by appropriately designing the providing direction of the second sliding groove. For example, a rotation angle of the second support arm may be not greater than 90°.
In another possible implementation of this application, the swing arm may be rotatably connected to the housing mounting bracket. In this solution, a connecting rod-sliding block mechanism is formed between the first support arm and the swing arm. In a process in which the electronic device changes from the folded state to an unfolded state, a rotation angle of the first support arm may be 90°, but a rotation angle of the swing arm needs to be greater than 90°.
According to a second aspect, this application further provides a hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism may be used in a foldable electronic device, the hinge mechanism is disposed corresponding to a bendable part of a flexible display of the electronic device, and the electronic device is unfolded or folded via the hinge mechanism. When the hinge mechanism is specifically disposed, the hinge mechanism may include a base and a main shaft module. The main shaft module includes a first rotating assembly and a second rotating assembly, and the first rotating assembly and the second rotating assembly are respectively located on two opposite sides of the base. The first rotating assembly may include a first support plate and a first rotating member, the first support plate is provided with a notch, at least a part of the first rotating member may be accommodated in the notch, and the first support plate is rotatably connected to the first rotating member through a first rotating shaft. The second rotating assembly may include a first support arm, the first support arm is rotatably connected to the base, and the first support arm is rotatably connected to the first rotating member. In addition, a rotation center line on which the first support plate is rotatably connected to the base is a first axis, a rotation center line on which the first support plate is rotatably connected to the first rotating member is a second axis, and the first axis and the second axis are spaced apart; and a rotation center line on which the first support arm is rotatably connected to the base is a third axis, a rotation center line on which the first support arm is rotatably connected to the first rotating member is a fourth axis, and the third axis and the fourth axis are spaced apart. In this way, when the first rotating assembly and the second rotating assembly are folded relative to each other, the first support arm rotates around the base, and the first rotating member moves toward the first support plate, so that the first support plate is pushed by the first rotating member to rotate around the base, and the first support plate and the first support arm rotate toward each other. In addition, when the first rotating assembly and the second rotating assembly are unfolded relative to each other, the first support arm rotates around the base, and the first rotating member moves toward the first support arm, so that the first support plate is pulled by the first rotating member to rotate around the base. In addition, the first support plate and the first support arm rotate away from each other, to implement synchronous reverse motion of the first rotating assembly and the second rotating assembly.
In a possible implementation of this application, the base may be provided with a first arc-shaped groove, and a first arc-shaped rotating block is disposed at an end that is of the first support plate and that is rotatably connected to the base, to implement a rotatable connection between the first support plate and the base. The first arc-shaped rotating block may be accommodated in the first arc-shaped groove, and may rotate along an arc-shaped surface of the first arc-shaped groove, so that the first support plate is rotatably connected to the base through a virtual shaft. This helps reduce space occupied by the first support plate on the base, facilitates a narrowing design of the hinge mechanism, and helps implement a miniaturization design of the electronic device.
In a possible implementation of this application, the first rotating assembly may further include a first elastic piece, and the first elastic piece is sleeved on the first rotating shaft. In addition, in an axial direction of the first rotating shaft, the first support plate may be further provided with a first cam surface, and the first rotating member may be provided with a second cam surface. In this way, under the action of the first elastic piece, the first cam surface may abut against the second cam surface, to generate a damping force in a process in which the first support plate and the first rotating member rotate relative to each other. When the hinge mechanism is used in the electronic device, the damping force may make a user feel obvious in a process of folding the electronic device, and user experience may be improved.
To improve motion stability of the second rotating assembly, the second rotating assembly may further include a second support arm. The second support arm is rotatably connected to the base, and the first support arm and the second support arm jointly drive one housing of the electronic device to rotate. This helps improve motion stability of the housing.
In this application, the first rotating assembly may further include a second rotating member, and at least a part of the second rotating member may be accommodated in the notch of the first support plate. The second rotating member may be rotatably connected to the first support plate through the first rotating shaft. In this case, the first rotating member, the second rotating member, and the first support plate are rotatably connected through the first rotating shaft, that is, a center line on which the first supporting plate is rotatably connected to the second rotating member coincides with a center line on which the first supporting plate is rotatably connected to the first rotating member. In addition, the second support arm is rotatably connected to the second rotating member. In addition, a rotation center line on which the second support arm is rotatably connected to the base is a fifth axis, a rotation center line on which the second support arm is rotatably connected to the second rotating member is a sixth axis, and the fifth axis and the sixth axis are spaced apart. In this way, when the first rotating assembly and the second rotating assembly are folded relative to each other, the second support arm rotates around the base, and the second rotating member moves toward the first support plate, so that the first support plate is pushed by the second rotating member to rotate around the base, and the first support plate and the second support arm rotate toward each other. In addition, when the first rotating assembly and the second rotating assembly are unfolded relative to each other, the second support arm rotates around the base, and the second rotating member moves toward the second support arm, so that the first support plate is pulled by the second rotating member to rotate around the base. In addition, the first support plate and the second support arm rotate away from each other, to implement synchronous reverse motion of the first rotating assembly and the second rotating assembly.
In addition, in the axial direction of the first rotating shaft, the first support plate may be provided with a third cam surface, the second rotating member may be provided with a fourth cam surface, and the third cam surface may abut against the fourth cam surface, to generate a damping force in a process in which the first support plate and the second rotating member rotate relative to each other. In this way, in a process in which the first support plate rotates around the base, two pairs of damping forces are applied to the first rotating assembly. This can improve user experience in a use process.
The first elastic piece mentioned above in this application may also act on the second rotating member, so that the third cam surface is in tight fitting to the fourth cam surface under the elastic force of the first elastic piece, to increase a damping force in a relative rotation process of the first support plate and the second rotating member.
To improve motion consistency between the first support arm and the second support arm, the first support arm and the second support arm may be rotatably connected to the base through the second rotating shaft.
It can be learned from the foregoing description that a damping force may be generated through fitting of the cam surfaces. Based on this, the second rotating assembly may also be appropriately designed, so that a damping force also exists in a rotation process of the second rotating assembly. During specific implementation, in a possible implementation of this application, the base may further include a first cam member, the first cam member may be rotatably connected to the first support arm through the second rotating shaft, and the first cam member may be connected to the base through a third rotating shaft. In this way, there may be no rotation relationship between the first cam member and the base.
In addition, the second rotating member may include a second elastic piece, and the second elastic piece is sleeved on the second rotating shaft. In an axial direction of the second rotating shaft, the first support arm is provided with a fifth cam surface, and the fifth cam surface is disposed facing the second support arm. The first cam member may be provided with a sixth cam surface, and the sixth cam surface is disposed away from the second support arm. Under the elastic force of the second elastic piece, the fifth cam surface may abut against the sixth cam surface. In this way, in a process in which the first support arm rotates relative to the base, a damping force may be generated between the first support arm and the base.
In a possible implementation of this application, the base may further include a second cam member, the second cam member may be rotatably connected to the first cam member through the third rotating shaft, and the second cam member is rotatably connected to the second support arm through the second rotating shaft. In addition, in the axial direction of the second rotating shaft, the second support arm may be provided with a seventh cam surface, and the seventh cam surface is disposed facing the first support arm. The second cam member may be provided with an eighth cam surface, and the eighth cam surface is disposed away from the first support arm. Under the elastic force of the second elastic piece, the seventh cam surface may abut against the eighth cam surface. In this way, in a process in which the second support arm rotates relative to the base, a damping force may be generated between the second support arm and the base.
In a possible implementation of this application, the base may further include a first damping support and a second damping support. The first cam member abuts against the first damping support, and the second cam member abuts against the second damping support, to limit the first cam member and the second cam member in the axial direction.
To implement abutting between the first cam member and the first damping support and abutting between the second cam member and the second damping support, the base may further include a third elastic piece, and the third elastic piece may be sleeved on the third rotating shaft. Therefore, under the elastic force of the third elastic piece, the first cam member abuts against the first damping support, and the second cam member abuts against the second damping support.
In this application, a first end of the second rotating shaft may be clamped to the first damping support for limiting, and a second end of the second rotating shaft may be clamped to the second damping support for limiting, to limit the second rotating shaft in the axial direction. Similarly, a first end of the third rotating shaft may be clamped to the first damping support for limiting, and a second end of the third rotating shaft may be clamped to the second damping support for limiting, to limit the third rotating shaft in an axial direction.
In addition, both the first end of the second rotating shaft and the first end of the third rotating shaft may be clamped to a first limiting sheet, and the first limiting sheet abuts against the first damping support, so that the first end of the second rotating shaft and the first end of the third rotating shaft are connected to the first damping support. Similarly, both the second end of the second rotating shaft and the second end of the third rotating shaft may be clamped to a second limiting sheet, and the second limiting sheet abuts against the second damping support, so that the second end of the second rotating shaft and the second end of the third rotating shaft are connected to the second damping support.
In a possible implementation of this application, in the axial direction of the second rotating shaft, the second damping support may be further provided with a ninth cam surface, and the second support arm may be further provided with a tenth cam surface. Therefore, under the action of the second elastic piece, the ninth cam surface may abut against the tenth cam surface. In this way, in a process in which the second support arm rotates relative to the base, a damping force may be generated between the second support arm and the base.
In a possible implementation of this application, the base may include a bearing surface, and the bearing surface may be configured to support the flexible display. The first support plate may include a first plate surface, and the first plate surface is configured to support the flexible display. In addition, the second rotating assembly includes a second support plate, a housing mounting bracket, and a swing arm. The second support plate is rotatably connected to the housing mounting bracket, the second support plate includes a second plate surface, and the second plate surface is configured to support the flexible display.
The swing arm may be rotatably connected to the base, and a rotation axis of the first support arm and a rotation axis of the swing arm are parallel and do not coincide. Therefore, phase difference motion effect between the swing arm and the first support arm can be implemented, so that in the rotation process of the hinge mechanism, the second rotating assembly performs a telescopic motion relative to the base, to adapt to a length of the flexible display. This avoids pulling or squeezing the flexible display, reduces a risk of damage to the flexible display, and prolongs a service life of the flexible display.
In addition, in a process in which the first rotating assembly rotates around the base, a relative distance between the first rotating assembly and the base does not extend. In this way, a structure design on a side of the first rotating assembly of the hinge mechanism may be simple, and occupied space is small. This helps reduce a volume of the entire hinge mechanism, and implement a miniaturization and thin design of the electronic device.
In a possible implementation of this application, the first support arm is slidably connected to the housing mounting bracket, and the swing arm is slidably connected to the housing mounting bracket. The housing mounting bracket may be provided with a first sliding groove extending in a first direction and a third sliding groove extending in a second direction, the first support arm is slidable in the first sliding groove, and the swing arm is slidable in the third sliding groove. In addition, a projection along the first direction in a first cross section is not parallel to a projection along the second direction in the first cross section. The first cross section is a reference plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the first support arm and the rotation axis of the swing arm. In this way, angles at which the first support arm and the swing arm rotate relative to the base are adjusted by appropriately designing providing directions of the first sliding groove and the third sliding groove. For example, neither the rotation angle of the first support arm nor the rotation angle of the swing arm may be greater than 90°. Therefore, the angles at which the first support arm and the swing arm rotate relative to the base can be small, so that another structure on the hinge mechanism can be prevented from avoiding rotation of the swing arm. This can help increase a wall thickness of a local structure of the swing arm, and improve structural reliability of the swing arm. In addition, when being used in the electronic device, the hinge mechanism can effectively avoid a case in which a component in the electronic device is thinned, to avoid rotation of the swing arm. This can improve reliability of an overall structure of the electronic device, and can reduce a risk of squeezing the flexible display of the electronic device due to rotation of the swing arm, reduce the risk of damage to the flexible display, and prolong the service life of the flexible display.
In the foregoing design manner, when the hinge mechanism is in the folded state, an included angle between the first plate surface and the bearing surface may be greater than an included angle between the second plate surface and the bearing surface, to form, among the first plate surface, the second plate surface, and the bearing surface, display accommodating space for accommodating a bendable part of the flexible display. Herein, the folded state of the hinge mechanism definitely indicates that the two rotating assemblies of the hinge mechanism are seamlessly attached to each other, but indicates a state corresponding to the hinge mechanism when the electronic device is in the folded state.
In the hinge mechanism provided in this application, the first rotating assembly and the second rotating assembly are asymmetrically disposed relative to each other or relative to the base. The hinge mechanism can be used to form, among the first support plate, the second support plate, and the base, triangular display accommodating space that tilts toward a side of the first support plate. When the hinge mechanism is used in the electronic device, the bendable part of the flexible display of the electronic device can be accommodated in the display accommodating space, and is in an eccentric water-drop-like form. This can prevent the flexible display from being squeezed, effectively reduce a width of a bent area of the flexible display while reducing a risk of damage to the flexible display, and help improve user experience. In addition, because two sides of the hinge mechanism do not need to be in totally same structures, a structure design on one side of the hinge structure can be simplified, and an overall structure of the hinge mechanism can be simplified based on such a design.
There are a plurality of implementations of the rotatable connection between the second support plate and the housing mounting bracket. In a possible implementation of this application, a rotating slot may be provided on the housing mounting bracket, and a rotating part may be disposed on the first support plate. In this way, the rotating part may be mounted in the rotating slot, and the rotating part may rotate along a slot surface of the rotating slot.
In addition, when the second rotating assembly includes the second support arm, the housing mounting bracket may be further provided a second sliding groove extending in the first direction, and the second support arm may slide in the second sliding groove. In this way, an angle at which the second support arm rotates relative to the base is adjusted by appropriately designing the providing direction of the second sliding groove. For example, a rotation angle of the second support arm may be not greater than 90°.
In another possible implementation of this application, the swing arm may be rotatably connected to the housing mounting bracket. In this solution, a connecting rod-sliding block mechanism is formed between the first support arm and the swing arm. In a process in which the electronic device changes from the folded state to an unfolded state, a rotation angle of the first support arm may be 90°, but a rotation angle of the swing arm needs to be greater than 90°.
To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following further describes this application in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
For ease of understanding a hinge mechanism provided in embodiments of this application, the following first describes an application scenario of the hinge mechanism. Use of the hinge mechanism may be in, but is not limited to, a foldable electronic device like a mobile phone, a palmtop computer (personal digital assistant (PDA)), a notebook computer, or a tablet computer. When the hinge mechanism provided in embodiments of this application is used in an electronic device, refer to
In addition,
The flexible display 4 may continuously cover the first support surface 202 of the first housing 2, the second support surface 302 of the second housing 3, and the hinge mechanism 1. The hinge mechanism 1 is disposed corresponding to a bendable part of the flexible display 4. In addition, the flexible display 4 may be fastened to the first support surface 202 of the first housing 2 and the second support surface 302 of the second housing 3, and a connection manner may be but is not limited to bonding. Therefore, when the electronic device is in the unfolded state shown in
In a process in which the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 rotate from the unfolded state shown in
It may be understood that a process of the electronic device from the unfolded state shown in
For example, when the electronic device is in the folded state shown in
Currently, when being specifically disposed, the existing hinge mechanism may include a base and two rotating assemblies, and the two rotating assemblies are symmetrically disposed relative to the base. Each rotating assembly may include a support arm, a swing arm, and a housing mounting bracket. Both the support arm and the swing arm may be rotatably connected to the base, the support arm may be slidably connected to the housing mounting bracket, the swing arm may be rotatably connected to the housing mounting bracket, and the housing mounting bracket may be fastened to a housing of the electronic device. For each rotating assembly, in a process in which the support arm and the swing arm rotate around the base, because a rotation axis of the support arm and a rotation axis of the swing arm do not coincide, a phase difference motion exists in the process in which the support arm and the swing arm rotate around the base, so that, in the process in which the hinge mechanism changes from the folded state shown in
Because the current hinge mechanism is in a symmetric design manner, when the electronic device with the hinge mechanism is in the folded state, display accommodating space 107 that is formed at the hinge mechanism and that is used to accommodate the flexible display 4 is symmetric space shown in
The hinge mechanism provided in this application is intended to resolve the foregoing problem, and to reduce a width of the hinge mechanism, simplify a structure of the hinge mechanism, reduce a weight of the hinge mechanism, reduce space occupied by the hinge mechanism in an entire electronic device, reserve more space for disposing other components, help improve performance of the electronic device, and help implement a miniaturization design of the electronic device. In addition, when the structure of the hinge mechanism is simplified, the two housings of the electronic device are designed as structures with unequal-thickness thicknesses, so that the structure of the electronic device can be further simplified, and a thickness of the electronic device in the folded state is small. In addition, the hinge mechanism can form asymmetric display accommodating space to meet a bending requirement of a flexible display. This helps reduce a width of a bent area of the flexible display, avoids deformation of the flexible display, reduces squeezing or pulling stress on the flexible display, prolongs a service life of the flexible display, improves reliability of the electronic device, and improves user experience. To facilitate understanding of the hinge mechanism provided in embodiments of this application, the following describes a specific structure of the hinge mechanism in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
It should be noted that terms used in the following embodiments are merely intended to describe specific embodiments, but are not intended to limit this application. Terms “one”, “a”, “the”, “the foregoing”, “this”, and “the one” of singular forms used in this specification and the appended claims of this application are also intended to include forms like “one or more”, unless otherwise specified in the context clearly.
Reference to “an embodiment”, “some embodiments”, or the like described in this specification indicates that one or more embodiments of this application include a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described with reference to embodiments. Therefore, statements such as “in an embodiment”, “in some embodiments”, “in some other embodiments”, and “in other embodiments” that appear at different places in this specification do not necessarily mean referring to a same embodiment. Instead, the statements mean “one or more but not all of embodiments”, unless otherwise specifically emphasized in another manner. The terms “include”, “have”, and their variants all mean “include but are not limited to”, unless otherwise specifically emphasized in another manner.
In addition, still refer to
It should be noted that, in a possible embodiment of this application, when there is a plurality of main shaft modules 101, the first rotating assemblies 1011 and the second rotating assemblies 1012 of the plurality of main shaft modules 101 may all use the same base 102 as the bearing component. This improves an integration degree of the hinge mechanism 1. In some other possible embodiments of this application, the hinge mechanism 1 may be provided with one base 102 corresponding to each main shaft module 101, so that the first rotating assembly 1011 and the second rotating assembly 1012 of each main shaft module 101 use the corresponding base 102 as the bearing component.
The hinge mechanism 1 in
Such a mechanism design can greatly simplify a structure design on one side of the first rotating assembly 1011, allow a thinning design of the first housing 2, and implement unequal thickness of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3. Further, to implement thinning of the first housing 2, a partial structure of the first housing 2 may extend into the base 102 instead of being outside the base 102. Based on this, space used to accommodate the synchronization mechanism and the damping mechanism in the base 102 needs to be greatly compressed. However, the synchronization mechanism and the damping mechanism in this application are designed in a simplified manner, and can be accommodated in such small space, to provide accommodating space for the first housing 2. Certainly, it may be understood that the hinge mechanism 1 in this application is applicable to the foregoing scenario, and may be used as long as an electronic device is configured to implement folding and synchronous motion of housings on two sides and is configured to provide a damping force for the housings on the two sides.
The following describes the hinge mechanism 1 in detail.
The first rotating assembly 1011 may further include a first rotating member 10112, and at least a part of the first rotating member 10112 is accommodated in the notch 101111 of the first support plate 10111.
In this application, a rotation center line on which the first support plate 10111 is rotatably connected to the base 102 may be referred to as a first axis 501 (in
Referring to
In this case, in the hinge mechanism 1 provided in this application, when the first support arm 10121 rotates around the base 102, the first rotating member 10112 may be driven to move. For example, in a process in which the first rotating assembly 1011 and the second rotating assembly 1012 are folded relative to each other, the first support arm 10121 rotates around the base 102, so that the first rotating member 10112 may move toward the first support plate 10111, the first support plate 10111 is pushed by the first rotating member 10112 to rotate around the base, and the first support plate 10111 and the first support arm 10121 rotate toward each other. However, in a process in which the first rotating assembly 1011 and the second rotating assembly 1012 are unfolded relative to each other, the first support arm 10121 rotates around the base 102, so that the first rotating member 10112 may move toward the first support arm 10121, the first support plate 10111 is pulled by the first rotating member 10112 to rotate around the base 102, and the first support plate 10111 and the first support arm 10121 rotate away from each other. Therefore, in a process of folding and unfolding the hinge mechanism 1, the first rotating assembly 1011 and the second rotating assembly 1012 can rotate reversely and synchronously, that is, a synchronous mechanism for implementing synchronous motion is provided.
In addition, referring to
It should be noted that, in this application, a cam surface may include a plurality of protrusion parts and recessed parts. When slopes of protrusion parts of two cam surfaces are in contact with each other, a damping force that prevents the two cam surfaces from continuing to rotate relative to each other may be generated between the two cam surfaces.
In this case, the first rotating member 10112 abuts against the first support plate 10111 through the first cam surface 101112 and the second cam surface 101121, so that when the hinge mechanism 1 is used in the electronic device, a user can have an obvious feeling in a process of unfolding or folding the electronic device. This helps improve user experience.
To improve tightness of fitting between the first cam surface 101112 and the second cam surface 101121, the first rotating assembly 1011 may further include a first elastic piece 10114, and the first elastic piece 10114 may be, for example, a spring. In addition, the first elastic piece 10114 may be sleeved on the first rotating shaft 10113, and the first rotating member 10112 is pressed on the first support plate 10111, so that the first cam surface 101112 abuts against the second cam surface 101121 under the elastic force of the first elastic piece 10114.
Referring to
In addition, in an axial direction of the first rotating shaft 10113, the first support plate 10111 may be further provided with a third cam surface 101113. The third cam surface 101113 may be another wall surface of the notch 101111. For example, the first cam surface 101112 and the third cam surface 101113 may be two wall surfaces that are disposed opposite to the notch 101111.
Referring to
In addition, the second support arm 10123 may be rotatably connected to the second rotating member 10115. A specific connection manner of the second support arm 10123 and the second rotating member 10115 is not limited in this application. For example, the second support arm 10123 may be rotatably connected to the second rotating member 10115 through the second pin shaft 10125. However, it is a common connection manner in this field to rotatably connect two components through a pin shaft. Details are not described herein again. In this application, a rotation center line on which the second support arm 10123 is rotatably connected to the second rotating member 10115 may be referred to as a sixth axis 506. It can be learned from
In this way, in a process in which the first rotating assembly 1011 and the second rotating assembly 1012 are folded relative to each other, the second support arm 10123 rotates around the base 102, so that the second rotating member 10115 may move toward the first support plate 10111, the first support plate 10111 is pushed by the second rotating member 10115 to rotate around the base, and the first support plate 10111 and the second support arm 10123 rotate toward each other. However, in a process in which the first rotating assembly 1011 and the second rotating assembly 1012 are unfolded relative to each other, the second support arm 10123 rotates around the base 102, so that the second rotating member 10115 may move toward the second support arm 10123, the first support plate 10111 is pulled by the second rotating member 10115 to rotate around the base 102, and the first support plate 10111 and the first support arm 10121 rotate away from each other. Therefore, in a process of folding and unfolding the hinge mechanism 1, the first support arm 10121 and the second support arm 10123 may respectively drive the first rotating member 10112 and the second rotating member 10115 to rotate, to implement synchronous reverse rotation of the first rotating assembly 1011 and the second rotating assembly 1012. In addition, the first support plate 10111 rotates under the damping force generated by relative rotation of two pairs of cam surfaces that abut against each other, so that rotation stability of the first support plate 10111 can be effectively improved.
Referring to
To improve tightness of fitting between the fifth cam surface 101212 and the sixth cam surface 1031, the second rotating assembly 1012 may further include a second elastic piece 10126, and the second elastic piece 10126 may be, for example, a spring. In addition, the second elastic piece 10126 may be sleeved on the second rotating shaft 10124, and the first cam member 103 is pressed on the first support arm 10121, so that the fifth cam surface 101212 abuts against the sixth cam surface 1031 under the elastic force of the second elastic piece 10126.
In addition, the hinge mechanism 1 may further include a second cam member 104, and the second cam member 104 is rotatably connected to the second support arm 10123 through the second rotating shaft 10124. The second support arm 10123 may be provided with a seventh cam surface 101231, and the seventh cam surface 101231 may be disposed facing the first support arm 10121. The second cam member 104 is provided with an eighth cam surface 1041, the eighth cam surface 1041 is disposed away from the first support arm 10121, and the seventh cam surface 101231 abuts against the eighth cam surface 1041. The second elastic piece 10126 may also act on the second cam member 104, to press the second cam member 104 toward the second support arm 10123, so that the seventh cam surface 101231 tightly fits the eighth cam surface 1041.
Referring to
In addition, the base 102 may include a first damping support 1021 and a second damping support 1022. The first cam member 103 abuts against the first damping support 1021, and the second cam member 104 abuts against the second damping support 1022. To implement abutting between the first cam member 103 and the first damping support 1021 and abutting between the second cam member 104 and the second damping support 1022, the base 102 may further include a third elastic piece 1027, and the third elastic piece 1027 may be sleeved on the third rotating shaft 1023. Therefore, under the elastic force of the third elastic piece 1027, the first cam member 103 abuts against the first damping support 1021, and the second cam member 104 abuts against the second damping support 1022. In addition, a first end 10124a of the second rotating shaft 10124 and a first end 1023a of the third rotating shaft 1023 may be clamped to the first damping support 1021, and a second end 10124b of the second rotating shaft 10124 and a second end 1023b of the third rotating shaft 1023 may be clamped to the second damping support 1022, to limit axial directions of the second rotating shaft 10124 and the third rotating shaft 1023.
In this application, the hinge mechanism 1 may further include a first limiting sheet 105, and the first end 10124a of the second rotating shaft 10124 and the first end 1023a of the third rotating shaft 1023 may be separately clamped to the first limiting sheet 105, to prevent components, such as the first cam member 103 and the first support arm 10121, disposed on the second rotating shaft 10124 and the third rotating shaft 1023 from falling off from corresponding rotating shafts, and improve reliability of the hinge mechanism 1. Similarly, the hinge mechanism 1 may further include a second limiting sheet 106, and the second end 10124b of the second rotating shaft 10124 and the second end 1023b of the third rotating shaft 1023 may be separately clamped to the second limiting sheet 106, to prevent components, such as the second cam member 104 and the second support arm 10123, disposed on the second rotating shaft 10124 and the third rotating shaft 1023 from falling off from corresponding rotating shafts, and improve reliability of the hinge mechanism 1.
In addition, in an axial direction of the second rotating shaft 10124, the second damping support 1022 is provided with a ninth cam surface 10221, and the ninth cam surface 10221 is disposed facing the second support arm 10123. The second support arm 10123 is further provided with a tenth cam surface 101232, and the tenth cam surface 101232 is disposed away from the first support arm 10121, that is, the tenth cam surface 101232 and the seventh cam surface 101231 may be two surfaces that are of the second support arm 10123 and that are disposed away from each other. The ninth cam surface 10221 abuts against the tenth cam surface 101232. In addition, when the second elastic piece 10126 is further sleeved on the second rotating shaft 10124, the ninth cam surface 10221 and the tenth cam surface 101232 may be in tighter fitting under the elastic force of the second elastic piece 10126.
It can be learned from the foregoing that, five pairs of cam surfaces that abut against each other are disposed between the first rotating assembly 1011 and the second rotating assembly 1012, so that stability of synchronous rotation of the first rotating assembly 1011 and the second rotating assembly 1012 can be effectively improved, and a large damping force can be generated between the two rotating assemblies. In this way, when the hinge mechanism 1 is used in the electronic device, the user may have an obvious feeling in a process of unfolding or folding the electronic device. This helps improve user experience, that is, a damping mechanism that provides a damping hand feeling is provided.
It may be understood that, based on the foregoing description of the manner of disposing the cam surfaces that are disposed between the first rotating assembly 1011 and the second rotating assembly 1012 and that abut against each other, other surfaces that are disposed between the first rotating assembly 1011 and the second rotating assembly 1012 and that abut against each other may be further disposed as cam surfaces based on a specific application scenario, to increase a damping force generated between the first rotating assembly 1011 and the second rotating assembly 1012. It should be understood that the foregoing falls within the protection scope of this application. Details are not described herein again.
Referring to
To enable the hinge mechanism 1 to form the display accommodating space 107, a structure of the second rotating assembly 1012 may be designed in a related manner.
When the housing mounting bracket 10128 is specifically disposed, refer to
In addition, when the second rotating assembly 1012 further includes the second support arm 10123, the housing mounting bracket 10128 may be further provided with a second sliding groove 101282. Refer to
In this application, the second rotating assembly 1012 may further include a swing arm (not shown in
Referring to
In this application, the swing arm 10129 may be rotatably connected to the base 102. In a possible embodiment of this application, the swing arm 10129 may be rotatably connected to the base 102 through a virtual shaft. The virtual shaft refers to an axis center of a circular arc-shaped structure. Two components that are rotatably connected are rotatable relative to the virtual shaft, and a location of the virtual shaft is fixed as the two components that are rotatably connected rotate relative to each other.
The swing arm 10129 may be rotatably connected to the base 102 through the virtual shaft. This can help reduce space occupied by the swing arm 10129 on the base 102, help reduce a volume of the main shaft module 101, and implement a miniaturization design of the hinge mechanism 1. During specific implementation, still refer to
In addition,
In the embodiment shown in
In some other possible embodiments, the second arc-shaped groove 1025 may alternatively include two structures that abut against each other. For example, the main shaft module 101 may include a cover plate, and the cover plate may cover the base 102, to form accommodating space between the cover plate and the base 102. In addition, an arc-shaped protrusion may be disposed on a part that is of the cover plate and that covers the second arc-shaped groove 1025, and the second arc-shaped rotating block 101292 of the swing arm 10129 shown in
The swing arm 10129 and the base 102 may be rotatably connected through a virtual shaft. In other embodiments of this application, the two may alternatively be rotatably connected through a physical shaft. For example, the swing arm 10129 may be rotatably connected to the base 102 through one pin shaft. In this way, when the hinge mechanism 1 includes a plurality of main shaft modules 101, the swing arm 10129 of at least one main shaft module 101 of the plurality of main shaft modules 101 may be rotatably connected to the base 102 through a virtual shaft, and the swing arm 10129 of at least one main shaft module 101 may be rotatably connected to the base 102 through a physical shaft. In this case, the swing arm 10129 of the main shaft assembly that is disposed opposite to the flexible display 4 of the electronic device may be rotatably connected to the base 102 through a virtual shaft, and the swing arm 10129 of the main shaft assembly that is located at the two end parts in the length direction of the hinge mechanism 1 may be rotatably connected to the base 102 through a physical shaft.
After a connection relationship between the first support arm 10121 and the swing arm 10129, the base 102, and the housing mounting bracket 10128 provided in the foregoing embodiments of this application is understood, the following describes motions of the first support arm 10121 and the swing arm 10129 relative to the housing mounting bracket 10128.
It can be learned from the description of the foregoing embodiments that, when the hinge mechanism 1 rotates from the unfolded state to a folded state, the first support arm 10121 may slide in the first sliding groove 101281 in the first direction, and the swing arm 10129 may slide in the third sliding groove 101283 in the second direction. In
In addition,
It may be understood that when the electronic device rotates from the folded state shown in
In addition, referring to
A connection manner of the second support arm 10123 and the housing mounting bracket 10128 is the same as a connection manner of the first support arm 10121 and the housing mounting bracket 10128. Therefore, in a motion process of the hinge mechanism 1, motion of the second support arm 10123 relative to the housing mounting bracket 10128 is similar to motion of the first support arm 10121 relative to the housing mounting bracket 10128. Details are not described herein again.
In this application, the third sliding block 101291 of the swing arm 10129 may use a straight-line structure shown in
In addition to the foregoing straight-line structure, the third sliding block 101291 of the swing arm 10129 may alternatively be designed as a structure of another possible shape. For example, the second sliding block of the swing arm 10129 may alternatively be designed as an arc-shaped sliding block, and the arc-shaped sliding block may be, for example, a circular arc-shaped sliding block. In addition, to enable the arc-shaped sliding block of the swing arm 10129 to slide in the third sliding rail 1012831 of the third sliding groove 101283 of the housing mounting bracket 10128, the third sliding rail 1012831 may be adaptively designed as an arc-shaped sliding rail, and the arc-shaped sliding rail may be, for example, a circular arc-shaped sliding rail. When the hinge mechanism 1 is in the unfolded state, an axis center of the arc-shaped sliding rail is located on a side away from the base 102 of the arc-shaped sliding rail. This can help improve smoothness of sliding the third sliding block 101291 along the third sliding rail 1012831, enable the angle at which the swing arm 10129 rotates relative to the base 102 to be 90°, effectively reduce interference of another structure on the hinge mechanism 1 on motion of the swing arm 10129, and help increase the wall thickness of the swing arm 10129.
In this way, in this embodiment, sliding of the swing arm 10129 in the third sliding groove 101283 is sliding of the arc-shaped sliding block in the arc-shaped sliding rail. In this case, in the motion process of the hinge mechanism 1 from the unfolded state to the folded state, or from the folded state to the unfolded state, for motion of the first support arm 10121 and the swing arm 10129 relative to the housing mounting bracket 10128, refer to
In some other possible embodiments of this application, when the hinge mechanism 1 is in the unfolded state, an axis center of the arc-shaped sliding rail may alternatively be located on a side that is of the arc-shaped sliding rail and that faces the base 102. In this way, in the process in which the hinge mechanism 1 rotates from the unfolded state to the folded state, the second sliding block of the swing arm 10129 slides in the second sliding rail 1012821 from the second surface 101285 of the first housing mounting bracket 10128 in a direction toward the first surface 101284. However, in the process in which the hinge mechanism 1 rotates from the folded state to the unfolded state, the third sliding block 101291 of the swing arm 10129 slides in the third sliding rail 1012831 from the first surface 101284 of the first housing mounting bracket 10128 in a direction toward the second surface 101285.
It should be noted that, in this application, when the third sliding rail 1012831 is an arc-shaped sliding rail, the third sliding block 101291 herein may alternatively be in another shape that adapts to the arc-shaped sliding rail, for example, may be a sliding block in an overall arc-shaped form with a hollow and spacing design in a middle part, or may be a special-shaped sliding block, as long as the sliding block can fit the arc-shaped sliding rail in form for sliding. In addition, when the third sliding rail 1012831 is a circular arc-shaped sliding rail, sliding of the third sliding block 101291 in the third sliding rail 1012831 may alternatively be understood as rotation of the third sliding block 101291 around the first housing mounting bracket 10128.
In this application, the projection along the second direction in the first cross section and the projection along the first direction in the first cross section are not parallel. In addition to intersection, the second direction and the first direction may be further in a tangent relationship or a separation relationship. This is not specifically limited in this application. For example, when the third sliding block 101291 of the swing arm 10129 is designed as an arc-shaped sliding block, in a process in which the hinge mechanism 1 rotates, a sliding track of the third sliding block 101291 of the swing arm 10129 is arc-shaped, for example, may be circular arc-shaped; and a sliding track of the first support arm 10121 is still straight-line-shaped. In this case, the sliding track of the third sliding block 101291 and the sliding track of the first support arm 10121 may intersect, be tangent, or be separated.
In the foregoing embodiments of this application, to improve consistency and smoothness of motion of the first support arm 10121 and the swing arm 10129, and a combination degree between the first support arm 10121 and the swing arm 10129 and corresponding sliding grooves, refer to
The drive connecting rod 10130 is disposed between the first support arm 10121 and the swing arm 10129, so that when the hinge mechanism 1 is in the folded state, the first support arm 10121, the swing arm 10129, and the drive connecting rod 10130 can jointly support the housing mounting bracket 10128. This stops the housing mounting bracket 10128 while effectively improving a motion combination degree between the first support arm 10121 and the swing arm 10129 and the housing mounting bracket 10128. In this way, even if the electronic device in which the hinge mechanism 1 is used falls off in the folded state, the hinge mechanism can effectively reduce a risk of generating a large instantaneous displacement of the housing mounting bracket 10128 relative to the hinge mechanism 1 in this state, and ensure reliability of the overall structure of the electronic device.
To avoid over-constraint on motion of the first support arm 10121 and the swing arm 10129 due to disposition of the drive connecting rod 10130, the third sliding block 101291 of the swing arm 10129 may be further thinned, so that the third sliding block 101291 of the swing arm 10129 and the third sliding rail 1012831 of the housing mounting bracket 10128 may be in clearance fit. During specific implementation, a thickness of the third sliding block 101291 of the swing arm 10129 may be reduced, so that a gap exists between the third sliding block 101291 and a side wall of the third sliding rail 1012831. In this case, a shape of the third sliding block 101291 may match a shape of the third sliding rail 1012831, for example, when the third sliding rail 1012831 is a rectangular sliding rail, the third sliding block 101291 may be set as a rectangular sliding block. Alternatively, the third sliding block 101291 may also be set as a pin shaft, so that the third sliding block 101291 may also rotate relative to the third sliding rail 1012831 while sliding in the third sliding rail 1012831. Therefore, in a process in which the third sliding block 101291 slides along the third sliding rail 1012831, a degree of freedom of motion of the swing arm 10129 may be increased, and reliability of cooperation between the swing arm 10129 and the third sliding groove 101283 of the housing mounting bracket 10128 may be considered.
It should be noted that, in the foregoing embodiment, the drive connecting rod 10130 is rotatably connected to the first support arm 10121 through the first connecting rod 101303, and is rotatably connected to the swing arm 10129 through the second connecting rod 101304. In this way, the first support arm 10121, the first connecting rod 101303, the swing arm 10129, and the second connecting rod 101304 may form a four-link mechanism. It may be understood that, rod lengths between structures on the four-link mechanism are adjusted, so that the formed four-link structure can be in a parallel quadrilateral or non-parallel quadrilateral shape.
In addition, in addition to the disposing manner provided in the foregoing embodiment, the drive connecting rod 10130 may further use another possible disposing manner. For example, structures of the drive connecting rod 10130, the swing arm 10129, and the first support arm 10121 are appropriately designed, so that the first connection part 101301 of the drive connecting rod 10130 may be slidably connected to the swing arm 10129 through the first connecting rod 101303, and the second connection part 101302 is fastened to the first support arm 10121. For example, a guiding slot may be provided at an end that is of the swing arm 10129 and that faces the first support arm 10121. In this case, the first connecting rod 101303 may be inserted into the guiding slot, and may slide along a slot surface of the guiding slot, to implement a slidable connection between the first connecting rod 101303 and the swing arm 10129. In addition, the second connection part 101302 of the drive connecting rod 10130 may be fastened to the first support arm 10121 in a manner of bonding, threaded connection, or the like. In some other possible embodiments of this application, the drive connecting rod 10130 and the first support arm 10121 may be an integrated structure.
It may be understood that, in some possible embodiments of this application, the drive connecting rod 10130 may alternatively be slidably connected to the first support arm 10121, and fastened to the swing arm 10129. A specific disposing manner is similar to that in the embodiment in which the drive connecting rod 10130 is slidably connected to the swing arm 10129 and fastened to the first support arm 10121. Details are not described herein again.
In the disposing manner, the guiding slot can be appropriately designed for the drive connecting rod 10130, to improve a combination degree between the first support arm 10121 and the swing arm 10129 and the corresponding sliding grooves, improve motion consistency between the first support arm 10121 and the swing arm 10129, and enable motion of the first support arm 10121 and the swing arm 10129 smoother. In addition, when the electronic device in which the hinge mechanism 1 is used falls off in the folded state, the first support arm 10121, the swing arm 10129, and the drive connecting rod 10130 can jointly support a housing of the electronic device. This can avoid causing a large instantaneous displacement of the housing relative to the hinge mechanism 1, and improve reliability of the overall structure of the electronic device.
In addition, in this embodiment, to avoid over-constraint on motion of the first support arm 10121 and the swing arm 10129 due to disposition of the drive connecting rod 10130, the third sliding block 101291 of the swing arm 10129 may also be thinned, so that the third sliding block 101291 of the swing arm 10129 and the third sliding rail 1012831 of the first housing mounting bracket 10128 are in clearance fit. For a specific disposing manner, refer to the foregoing embodiment. Details are not described herein.
In this application, to form the display accommodating space among the first support plate 10111, the second support plate 10127, and the base 102, the second support plate 10127 may be rotatably connected to the housing mounting bracket 10128. It should be noted that the second support plate 10127 may be rotatably connected to a plurality of housing mounting brackets 10128 located on a same side of the base 102. This helps simplify the structure of the hinge mechanism 1, and can improve structural reliability of the hinge mechanism 1. In addition, when the hinge mechanism 1 provided in this application is used in the electronic device, the first support plate 10111 may be fastened to one housing of the electronic device, or the first support plate 10111 is a part of one housing of the electronic device.
Specifically, when the second support plate 10127 is rotatably connected to the housing mounting bracket 10128, refer to the housing mounting bracket 10128 shown in
In another possible embodiment of this application, the first support arm 10121 may further drive the second support plate 10127 to rotate around the housing mounting bracket 10128. During specific implementation, the first guiding part 101274 may be disposed on the fourth plate surface 101272 of the second support plate 10127, and the first track slot 1012741 may be provided on the first guiding part 101274. In addition, a first guiding structure 101293 may be disposed on the first support arm 10121. The first guiding structure 101293 may be but is not limited to a columnar structure, and the first guiding structure 101293 may be inserted into the first track slot 1012741 of the first guiding part 101274 of the second support plate 10127, and may slide along the first track slot 1012741. In this way, in a process in which the first support arm 10121 rotates around the base 102, the first guiding structure 101293 may slide in the first track slot 1012741, to drive the second support plate 10127 to rotate around the housing mounting bracket 10128. In some possible embodiments of this application, the second support plate 10127 may alternatively be slidably connected to both the first support arm 10121 and the swing arm 10129. For a slidable connection manner, refer to the foregoing embodiments. Details are not described herein again. Therefore, the first support arm 10121 and the swing arm 10129 rotate around the base 102, to drive the second support plate 10127 to rotate around the housing mounting bracket 10128.
In this way, in a possible embodiment of this application, when the hinge mechanism 1 includes a plurality of main shaft assemblies, first support plates 10111 of the main shaft assemblies disposed opposite to the flexible display 4 of the electronic device may be rotatably connected to the base 102 through a virtual shaft, and first support plates 10111 of the main shaft assemblies located at two end parts in the length direction of the hinge mechanism 1 may be rotatably connected to the base 102 through a solid shaft.
It can be learned from the foregoing that when the first rotating assembly 1011 and the second rotating assembly 1012 rotate toward each other, the first support arm 10121 or the swing arm 10129 may drive an end that is of the second support plate 10127 and that is close to the base 102 to move in a direction away from the base 102.
In addition,
In addition, because the first support arm 10121 may slide along the first sliding groove 101281 of the housing mounting bracket 10128, in the process in which the first support arm 10121 rotates around the base 102, the housing mounting bracket 10128 may be driven to rotate at the same angle. In addition, because the housing mounting bracket 10128 may be fastened to one housing of the electronic device, the housing of the electronic device may rotate at the same angle as the first support arm 10121. In addition, in this application, the first support plate 10111 may be fastened to the other housing of the electronic device. In this case, in the process in which the first support arm 10121 rotates around the base 102, the first support plate 10111 may be driven to rotate at the same angle, so that the other housing of the electronic device can rotate at the same angle as the first support plate 10111. In this way, synchronous reverse rotation of the first rotating assembly 1011 and the second rotating assembly 1012 can implement synchronous reverse rotation of the two housings of the electronic device. This can avoid applying an instantaneous action force to the flexible display 4 fastened to the two housings, and help improve reliability of the flexible display 4.
In addition, the housing mounting bracket 10128 is provided with the first sliding groove 101281, the second sliding groove 101282, and the third sliding groove 101283, and in a process in which the housing mounting bracket 10128 rotates around the base 102, the first support arm 10121 slides in the first sliding groove 101281 in the first direction, the second support arm 10123 slides in the second sliding groove 101282 in the first direction, and the swing arm 10129 slides in the third sliding groove 101283 in the second direction. In addition, a projection along the first direction in the first cross section may intersect a projection along the second direction in the first cross section, where the first cross section may be a reference plane that is perpendicular to the rotation axis of the first support arm 10121 and the rotation axis of the swing arm 10129. Therefore, when the first support arm 10121 and the swing arm 10129, and the second support arm 10123 and the swing arm 10129 rotate around the base 102, rotation axis centers of the first support arm 10121 and the swing arm 10129, and the second support arm 10123 and the swing arm 10129 do not coincide. In this way, a phase difference motion between axis centers of the first support arm 10121 and the swing arm 10129, and a phase difference motion between axis centers of the second support arm 10123 and the swing arm 10129 can be implemented. In addition, providing directions of the first sliding groove 101281, the second sliding groove 101282, and the third sliding groove 101283 are appropriately designed, so that rotation angles of the first support arm 10121, the second support arm 10123, and the swing arm 10129 relative to the base 102 are all 90°, or even less than 90°. For example, in the hinge mechanism 1 provided in this application, a rotation angle of the swing arm 10129 may be adjusted by adjusting the first track slot 1012741 of the second support plate 10127, so that a maximum rotation angle of the swing arm 10129 is less than or equal to 90°. Refer to
In addition, the first support plate 10111 is always connected to the base 102 through the first arc-shaped rotating block 101116, so that when the electronic device is in the folded state, the display accommodating space 107 formed by the hinge mechanism 1 can be a tilted triangular interval. This can enable the bent part of the flexible display 4 accommodated in the display accommodating space 107 to be in the eccentric water-drop-like form, helps reduce the width of the bent area of the flexible display 4, improve light and shadow of the flexible display 4, and helps improve user experience.
It should be noted that, refer to
In the hinge mechanism 1 provided in this application, in addition to the slidable connection manner provided in the foregoing embodiments between the swing arm 10129 of the second rotating assembly 1012 and the housing mounting bracket 10128, in some possible embodiments, the swing arm 10129 may be connected to the housing mounting bracket 10128 in another possible manner.
For example, the swing arm 10129 may be rotatably connected to the housing mounting bracket 10128.
In addition,
In this embodiment of this application, for a manner of connecting the swing arm 10129 to the base 102 and a manner of connecting the first support arm 10121 to the housing mounting bracket 10128, refer to any one of the foregoing embodiments. For example, the swing arm 10129 may be rotatably connected to the second arc-shaped groove 1025 of the base 102 through the second arc-shaped rotating block 101292, and the first support arm 10121 may slide along the first sliding groove 101281 of the housing mounting bracket 10128. Alternatively, the second rotating assembly 1012 further includes a second support arm 10123, and the second support arm 10123 may slide along the second sliding groove 101282 of the housing mounting bracket 10128. Details are not described herein.
The hinge mechanism 1 provided in the foregoing embodiments of this application may be used in, for example, the electronic device shown in
In this application, when the electronic device is in the unfolded state shown in
In addition, to ensure integrity of an appearance surface of the electronic device, the electronic device may further include an end cover 108. In addition to being used as an appearance part of the electronic device, the end cover 108 may further protect a structure in the hinge mechanism 1.
It should be noted that, in a possible embodiment of this application, the first housing 2 may be of an integrated structure, and an appearance surface of the first housing 2 is an appearance surface of the integrated structure. In some other possible embodiments of this application, the first housing 2 may alternatively be an assembled part, for example, an assembled part of a middle frame and a cover plate disposed on the middle frame. In this case, the cover plate may be located on a side that is of the middle frame and that is away from the flexible display, and the appearance surface of the first housing 2 is a surface that is of the cover plate and that is away from the flexible display.
Based on this, when the electronic device is in the unfolded state shown in
In a possible embodiment of this application, similar to the first housing 2, the second housing 3 may be of an integrated structure, and an appearance surface of the second housing 3 is an appearance surface of the integrated structure. In some other possible embodiments of this application, the second housing 3 may alternatively be an assembled part. For example, the second housing 3 may be an assembled part of a middle frame and a cover plate disposed on the middle frame. In this case, the cover plate may be located on a side that is of the middle frame and that is away from the flexible display, and the appearance surface of the second housing 3 is a surface that is of the cover plate and that is away from the flexible display.
In addition, refer to
In this application, the first arc-shaped groove 1026 of the base 102 may be of an entire hollowed-out structure. Refer to
Referring to
In a process in which the electronic device moves from the unfolded state to the folded state shown in
Therefore, when the electronic device is in the unfolded state shown in
It may be understood that a process of changing the electronic device from the folded state to the unfolded state is a process from
It should be noted that, in this application, when the electronic device is in the folded state, the first plate surface 101114 and the first support surface 202 may be located in a same plane, and may support the flexible display 4 when the electronic device is in the unfolded state. This helps implement smooth support for the flexible display 4, simplifies a mechanism design, and reduces difficulty of bonding the flexible display 4, to improve structural reliability of the flexible display 4.
When the electronic device in this application is in the folded state, an included angle between the first plate surface 101114 and the first support surface 202 may be less than an included angle between the third plate surface 101271 and the second support surface 302, to form the display accommodating space 107 among the first plate surface 101114, the third plate surface 101271, and the bearing surface 1024. It can be learned from the foregoing description of the hinge mechanism 1 that, the display accommodating space 107 is a tilted triangular interval. This can help reduce the volume and the weight of the hinge mechanism 1, enable the electronic device to reserve sufficient space for disposing other components. This helps improve performance of the electronic device. In addition, the bent part that is of the flexible display 4 and that is accommodated in the display accommodating space 107 is in the eccentric water-drop-like form. This helps reduce the width of bent part of the flexible display 4, and improve user experience.
It should be understood that, to implement the form of the electronic device, this application is not limited to embodiments of the hinge mechanisms 1 mentioned above, provided that the hinge mechanisms 1 in the following states can be implemented.
When the electronic device is in the folded state and the unfolded state, the first appearance surface 201 is in lap joint with a groove surface of the first accommodating groove 1081, and the third appearance surface 1082 is in lap joint with a groove surface of the second accommodating groove 303, to implement a thinning design on a side of the first housing 2 of the electronic device. This simplifies a structure of the electronic device, reduces a weight, and reduces a thickness of the electronic device in the folded state. In addition, when the electronic device is in the folded state, an included angle between the first plate surface 101114 and the first support surface 202 is less than an included angle between the third plate surface 101271 and the second support surface 302, to form the display accommodating space 107 among the first plate surface 101114, the third plate surface 101271, and the bearing surface 1024. Alternatively, when the electronic device is in the folded state, an included angle between the first plate surface 101114 of the first support plate 10111 and the bearing surface 1024 is greater than an included angle between the third plate surface 101271 of the second support plate 10127 and the bearing surface 1024, so that triangular display accommodating space 107 that tilts towards a side of the first support plate 10111 may be formed between the first plate surface 101114, the second plate surface 101115, and the bearing surface 1024.
In addition, in this application, the first track slot 1012741 of the second support plate 10127 can be appropriately designed, so that when the electronic device is in the folded state, enough accommodating space is formed between the two support plates and the base 102 to accommodate the bent part of the flexible display 4. This can avoid the gap at the hinge mechanism 1 of the electronic device, and ensure that the form of the electronic device in the folded state is complete, and can avoid damage to the flexible display 4 caused by a foreign matter inserted into the electronic device at the hinge mechanism 1, and implement the thinning design of the overall thickness of the electronic device.
The foregoing descriptions are merely specific implementations of this application, but are not intended to limit the protection scope of this application. Any variation or replacement readily figured out by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application shall fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 202211268966.4 | Oct 2022 | CN | national |
This is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2023/108724 filed on Jul. 21, 2023, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202211268966.4 filed on Oct. 17, 2022, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/CN2023/108724 | Jul 2023 | WO |
| Child | 19025301 | US |
