CN213024132U - Folding device and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model provides a folding device and electronic equipment, this folding device rotate piece, first rotation base and second rotation base including first sliding plate, second sliding plate, first rotation piece, second of installing in hinge housing. The first sliding plate is simultaneously in sliding connection with the first rotating part and the first rotating base, the second sliding plate is simultaneously in sliding connection with the second rotating part and the second rotating base, the first rotating part is rotationally connected with the first rotating base, the second rotating part is rotationally connected with the second rotating base, the sliding directions of the first sliding plate relative to the first rotating part and the first rotating base are different, and the sliding directions of the second sliding plate relative to the second rotating part and the second rotating base are different. When the folding device is in a folding state, the first sliding plate and the second sliding plate are away from each other to form a preset space, the space can be used for accommodating folds generated by the flexible display screen, the folding device is closed tightly, and gaps formed between the flexible display screens are reduced.

Description

Folding device and electronic equipment

Technical Field

The utility model belongs to the mechanical structure field especially relates to a folding device and electronic equipment.

Background

With the development and progress of new material technology, the application of the flexible display screen is more and more widely mature, and the flexible display screen can be gradually used in various consumer electronics such as mobile phones, notebook computers and the like.

At present, the most common use mode of the flexible display screen is to fix the flexible display screen on a foldable mechanical structure, so as to be used as a foldable screen electronic device. For the existing folding screen electronic equipment, the folding and unfolding of the flexible display screen are realized at the folding position by adopting a hinge mechanism capable of rotating relatively.

However, the inventor finds that, in the practical application process, for the folding screen electronic device with the flexible display screen folded inwards in half, the flexible display screen may deform at the folding position after being folded to generate wrinkles, so that the folding device of the electronic device cannot be completely closed after being folded, a large gap is formed between two opposite surfaces of the flexible display screen, and therefore, the flexible display screen is easy to intrude with foreign matters such as dust, and the risk of damage to the flexible display screen increases.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

In view of this, the embodiment of the present invention provides a folding device and an electronic apparatus, so as to solve the problem that the folding device in the prior art cannot be completely closed and has a large gap.

According to a first aspect of embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a folding device, comprising a hinge mechanism and a hinge housing, the hinge mechanism being arranged in the hinge housing;

the hinge mechanism comprises a first sliding plate, a second sliding plate, a first rotating piece, a second rotating piece, a first rotating base and a second rotating base; the first sliding plate is simultaneously connected with the first rotating piece and the first rotating base in a sliding mode, the second sliding plate is simultaneously connected with the second rotating piece and the second rotating base in a sliding mode, the first rotating piece is rotationally connected with the first rotating base, and the second rotating piece is rotationally connected with the second rotating base; the sliding directions of the first sliding plate relative to the first rotating piece and the first rotating base are different, and the sliding directions of the second sliding plate relative to the second rotating piece and the second rotating base are different;

under the condition that the first rotating member rotates and moves relative to the first rotating base and the second rotating member rotates and moves relative to the second rotating base, the first sliding plate and the second sliding plate approach or separate from each other, and a space for accommodating folds of the flexible screen is formed after the first sliding plate and the second sliding plate separate from each other.

According to a second aspect of embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device, comprising a first housing, a second housing, a flexible display screen, and a folding apparatus according to the first aspect of embodiments of the present invention;

the first shell is fixedly connected with the first rotating piece, the second shell is fixedly connected with the second rotating piece, and the flexible display screen is fixedly connected with the first shell and the second shell.

The embodiment of the utility model provides a, through providing a folding device, this folding device rotates piece, first rotating base and second rotating base including first sliding plate, second sliding plate, first rotating piece, second installed in the hinge casing. The first sliding plate is simultaneously in sliding connection with the first rotating part and the first rotating base, the second sliding plate is simultaneously in sliding connection with the second rotating part and the second rotating base, the first rotating part is rotationally connected with the first rotating base, the second rotating part is rotationally connected with the second rotating base, the sliding directions of the first sliding plate relative to the first rotating part and the first rotating base are different, and the sliding directions of the second sliding plate relative to the second rotating part and the second rotating base are different. When a user manually folds or unfolds the folding device, external force applied to the folding device by a hand drives the first rotating piece to rotate around the first rotating base, when the external force drives the second rotating piece to rotate around the second rotating base, the first rotating piece applies force to the first sliding plate, the first sliding plate is forced to move relative to the first rotating piece through the sliding connection relationship between the first rotating piece and the second rotating piece, meanwhile, the first sliding plate and the first rotating base translate relative to each other, the second rotating piece applies force to the second sliding plate, the second sliding plate is forced to move relative to the second rotating piece through the sliding connection relationship between the first rotating piece and the second rotating base, and meanwhile, the second sliding plate and the second rotating base translate relative to each other. Therefore, in the folding process of the folding device, the first sliding plate and the second sliding plate are gradually far away from each other, when the folding device is in a folding state, a preset space is formed between the first sliding plate and the second sliding plate, when the folding device is used in the flexible screen folding electronic equipment, the space can be used for accommodating folds generated by deformation of the flexible display screen, the folding device is closed tightly, and a gap formed between two opposite surfaces of the flexible display screen is reduced.

The above description is only an overview of the technical solutions of the present invention, and in order to make the technical means of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention may be implemented according to the content of the description, and in order to make the above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention more obvious and understandable, the following detailed description of the present invention is given.

Drawings

Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. Also, like reference numerals are used to refer to like parts throughout the drawings. In the drawings:

fig. 1 is a schematic view of a folding device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a schematic view of a first hinge mechanism provided by the embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a schematic view of a second hinge mechanism provided by the embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4 is a schematic view of a third hinge mechanism provided in the embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a schematic view of a fourth hinge mechanism provided by the embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6 is a schematic view of a first rotating member according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7 is a schematic view of a first rotating base provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8 is a schematic view of the hinge mechanism provided by the embodiment of the present invention in an unfolded state;

fig. 9 is an internal cross-sectional view of the hinge mechanism provided by an embodiment of the present invention in an extended state;

fig. 10 is a schematic view of the hinge mechanism provided by an embodiment of the present invention in a folded state;

fig. 11 is an internal cross-sectional view of the hinge mechanism provided by an embodiment of the present invention in a folded state;

fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a synchronization assembly provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 13 is a schematic view of a booster assembly provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 14 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Description of reference numerals:

a folding device-10, a hinge housing-11, a hinge mechanism-12, a first sliding plate-121, a second sliding plate-122, a first rotating member-123, a second rotating member-124, a first rotating base-125, a second rotating base-126, a first arc-shaped groove-1231, a first cylinder slide-1211, a first slide-1212, a first slide-1251, a second arc-shaped groove-1241, a second cylinder slide-1221, a second slide-1222, a second slide-1261, a synchronization base-127, a first synchronization gear-128, a second synchronization gear-129, an auxiliary force assembly-130, a first transmission gear-1301, a first cam-1302, a first concave wheel-1304, a first spring base-1305, a second power assisting assembly 131, a first shell-13, a second shell-14 and a flexible display screen-15.

Detailed Description

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. While exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the invention can be embodied in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

As shown in fig. 1, an embodiment of the present invention discloses a folding device 10, which can be used in various flexible screen folding electronic devices, and the electronic devices can be mobile phones, tablet computers, or notebook computers and other various terminal devices. The folding device 10 can be used to implement the folding function of the flexible screen folding electronic device. The folding device 10 can better accommodate the folds generated by the deformation of the flexible display screen after folding. For a specific structure of the folding device 10, refer to the description of the following embodiments.

Referring to fig. 1 to 3, a folding device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, where the folding device 10 includes a hinge housing 11 and a hinge mechanism 12, and the hinge mechanism 12 is disposed in the hinge housing 11;

the hinge mechanism 12 includes a first sliding plate 121, a second sliding plate 122, a first rotating member 123, a second rotating member 124, a first rotating base 125, and a second rotating base 126; the first sliding plate 121 is simultaneously slidably connected to the first rotating member 123 and the first rotating base 125, the second sliding plate 122 is simultaneously slidably connected to the second rotating member 124 and the second rotating base 125, the first rotating member 123 is rotatably connected to the first rotating base 125, and the second rotating member 124 is rotatably connected to the second rotating base 126; wherein, the sliding directions of the first sliding plate 121 with respect to the first rotating member 123 and the first rotating base 125 are different, and the sliding directions of the second sliding plate 122 with respect to the second rotating member 124 and the second rotating base 125 are different;

when the first rotating member 123 rotates relative to the first rotating base 125 and the second rotating member 124 rotates relative to the second rotating base 126, the first sliding plate 121 and the second sliding plate 122 move closer to or away from each other, and a space for accommodating a flexible screen fold is formed after the first sliding plate 121 and the second sliding plate 122 move away from each other.

Particularly, as shown in fig. 1, the embodiment of the present invention discloses a folding device 10, which may include a hinge housing 11 and a hinge mechanism 12, wherein the hinge housing 11 may be a long strip-shaped member having an arc-shaped groove, the hinge mechanism 12 may be installed and disposed in the arc-shaped groove, and along the length direction of the hinge housing 11, the hinge mechanism 12 may be clamped and fixed in the arc-shaped groove by a baffle disposed through the baffle, and meanwhile, the relative movement between the members in the hinge mechanism 12 is not affected.

As shown in fig. 2, the hinge mechanism 12 may include a first sliding plate 121, a second sliding plate 122, a first rotating member 123, a second rotating member 124, a first rotating base 125, and a second rotating base 126. The first sliding plate 121 is slidably connected to both the first rotating member 123 and the first rotating base 125, and the sliding directions of the first sliding plate 121 and the first rotating member 123 and the sliding directions of the first sliding plate 121 and the first rotating base 125 are different from each other. The first rotating member 123 and the first rotating base 125 are rotatably connected, and the first rotating base 125 can be fastened to the hinge housing 11 by screws, so that when the first rotating member 123 rotates relative to the first rotating base 125, because the first sliding plate 121 and the first rotating member 123 are in a sliding connection relationship, and the sliding direction is different from the sliding direction of the first sliding plate 121 and the first rotating base 125, when the first rotating member 123 moves, a force tangential to the sliding track is generated by the sliding connection relationship between the first sliding plate 121 and the first rotating base 125, and the movement of the first rotating member 123 relative to the first rotating base 125 forces the first sliding plate 121 to move, that is, the first rotating member 123 can provide a moving power to the first sliding plate 121 to move the first sliding plate 121. The first sliding plate 121 is slidably connected to both the first rotating member 123 and the first rotating base 125, and the first rotating member 123 is movable relative to the first rotating base 125, so that the first sliding plate 121 is moved in a translational manner relative to the first rotating base 125 with reference to the first rotating base 125. Similar to the movement of the first sliding plate 121, since the second sliding plate 122 is simultaneously slidably coupled with the second rotating member 124 and the second rotating base 125, the second rotating member 124 and the second rotating base 126 are rotatably coupled. Therefore, when the second rotating member 124 rotates relative to the second rotating base 126, the second rotating member 124 can provide a moving power to the second sliding plate 122 to drive the second sliding plate 122 to move, and the second sliding plate 122 moves in a translational manner relative to the second rotating base 126 by taking the second rotating base 126 as a reference. .

Therefore, the rotation of the first and second rotating members 123 and 124 can be converted into the translational movement of the first and second sliding plates 121 and 122 through the above-described connection relationship. When the folding device 10 is in the unfolded state after the first rotating member 123 and the second rotating member 124 rotate, the first sliding plate 121 and the second sliding plate 122 are close to each other and closely attached to each other. When the folding device 10 is folded after the first rotating member 123 and the second rotating member 124 rotate, the first sliding plate 121 and the second sliding plate 122 are separated from each other to form a gap, and the gap can accommodate a wrinkle generated by the deformation of the flexible display screen, which helps the folding device to close tightly and reduce the gap formed between the two opposite surfaces of the flexible display screen.

The embodiment of the utility model provides a have following advantage at least: when the first rotating member is driven by external force to rotate around the first rotating base and the second rotating member is driven by external force to rotate around the second rotating base, the first rotating member applies force to the first sliding plate to pull the first sliding plate to translate relative to the first rotating base, the second rotating member applies force to the second sliding plate to pull the second sliding plate to translate relative to the second rotating base. Therefore, in the folding device, the first sliding plate and the second sliding plate are gradually separated from each other in the folding process, and a preset space is formed between the first sliding plate and the second sliding plate in the folding state. When the folding device is used in a flexible screen folding electronic device, the space can be used for accommodating folds generated by deformation of the flexible display screen, so that the folding device is closed tightly, and a gap formed between two opposite surfaces of the flexible display screen is reduced.

Alternatively, referring to fig. 3 to 5, the first rotating member 123 is provided with a first arc-shaped groove 1231, the first rotating base 125 is provided with a first sliding groove 1251 perpendicular to the rotation axis of the first rotating member 123, the first sliding plate 121 is provided with a first cylindrical sliding table 1211 and a first sliding rail 1212, the first cylindrical sliding table 1211 is slidably connected with the first arc-shaped groove 1231, and the first sliding rail 1212 is slidably connected with the first sliding groove 1251; wherein, the center of the first arc groove 1231 is offset from the rotation axis of the first rotating member 123;

the second rotating member 124 is provided with a second arc-shaped groove 1241, the second rotating base 126 is provided with a second sliding groove 1261 perpendicular to the rotation axis of the second rotating member 124, the second sliding plate 122 is provided with a second cylindrical sliding table 1221 and a second sliding rail 1222, the second cylindrical sliding table 1221 is slidably connected with the second arc-shaped groove 1241, and the second sliding rail 1222 is slidably connected with the second sliding groove 1261; the center of the second arc-shaped groove 1241 is offset from the rotation axis of the second rotating member 124.

Specifically, with reference to the illustrations of fig. 3 to 5, in one embodiment, a first arc-shaped groove 1231 may be provided on the first rotating member 123, the first arc-shaped groove 1231 is nested with a first cylindrical slide 1211 provided on the first sliding plate 121, and it is understood that the width of the first arc-shaped groove 1231 is the same as the diameter of the first cylindrical slide 1211, and the first cylindrical slide 1211 can slide in the first arc-shaped groove 1231 along the arc-shaped curved direction of the first arc-shaped groove 1231. The first rotating base 125 is provided with a first sliding groove 1251 perpendicular to the rotation axis of the first rotating member 123, the first sliding plate 121 is further provided with a first sliding rail 1212, the first sliding rail 1212 is embedded in the first sliding groove 1251, and the first sliding rail 1212 can slide in the first sliding groove 1251. It can be understood that the cooperation between the first sliding groove 1251 and the first sliding rail 1212 plays a role in guiding the movement of the first sliding plate 121, and regarding the structural shape of the first sliding groove 1251 and the first sliding rail 1212, the cross-sectional shape may be a T shape, a rectangular shape, or a dovetail shape, which is not limited by the embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that the center of the first arc-shaped groove 1231 is offset from the rotation axis of the first rotating member 123, so that when the first rotating member 123 rotates around the rotation axis to different positions, the offset distance between each position in the first arc-shaped groove 1231 and the rotation axis is different, and when the distance increases, the first sliding table 1211 in the first arc-shaped groove 1231 is driven to move in a direction away from the rotation axis, that is, the first sliding plate 121 moves in a direction away from the rotation axis at this time.

Similar to the first rotating member 123 and the first sliding plate 121, a second arc-shaped groove 1241 may be disposed on the second rotating member 124, and the second arc-shaped groove 1241 is nested with a second cylindrical sliding table 1221 disposed on the second sliding plate 122, it can be understood that the width of the second arc-shaped groove 1241 is the same as the diameter of the second cylindrical sliding table 1221, and the second cylindrical sliding table 1221 can slide in the second arc-shaped groove 1241 along the arc-shaped curve direction of the second arc-shaped groove 1241. The second rotating base 126 is provided with a second sliding groove 1261 perpendicular to the rotation axis of the second rotating member 124, the second sliding member 122 is further provided with a second sliding rail 1222, the second sliding rail 1222 is embedded in the second sliding groove 1261, and the second sliding rail 1222 can slide in the second sliding groove 1261. It is understood that the cooperation between the second sliding groove 1261 and the second sliding rail 1222 guides the movement of the second sliding plate 122, and the cross-sectional shape of the second sliding groove 1261 and the second sliding rail 1222 may be T-shaped, rectangular or dovetail-shaped, which is not limited by the embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that the center of the second arc-shaped groove 1241 is offset from the rotation axis of the second rotating member 124, so that when the second rotating member 124 rotates around the rotation axis to different positions, the offset distance between each position in the second arc-shaped groove 1241 and the rotation axis is different, and when the distance increases, the second sliding table 1221 in the second arc-shaped groove 1241 is driven to move in a direction away from the rotation axis, that is, the second sliding plate 122 moves in a direction away from the rotation axis at this time. Fig. 6 also exemplarily shows a structural schematic of the first rotating member 123, and the structure of the second rotating member 124 is the same as that of the first rotating member 123. Fig. 7 also exemplarily shows a structural schematic of the first rotating base 125, and the structure of the second rotating base 126 is the same as that of the first rotating base 125.

In addition, it can be understood that the first arc-shaped groove 1231 for driving the first sliding plate 121 to move and the second arc-shaped groove 1241 for driving the second sliding plate 122 to move can also be designed as a linear-shaped groove according to structural requirements, and distances between positions of the linear-shaped groove and the rotation axis are different, and the linear-shaped groove can also play a role in driving the first sliding plate 121 or the second sliding plate 122 to move.

Therefore, based on the above connection manner, when the first rotating member 123 and the second rotating member 124 rotate simultaneously to realize the folding of the folding device 10, the first sliding plate 121 and the second sliding plate 122 can be driven to move away from each other, and a space to be avoided is formed between the first sliding plate 121 and the second sliding plate 122. As shown in fig. 8, the first sliding plate 121 and the second sliding plate 122 are close to each other when the folding apparatus 10 is in the unfolded state, and the relative position relationship between the first cylindrical sliding table 1211 and the first arc-shaped groove 1231 in the unfolded state is shown in fig. 9.

As shown in fig. 10, the first sliding plate 121 and the second sliding plate 122 are away from each other when the folding apparatus 10 is in the folded state, and the relative position relationship between the first cylindrical sliding table 1211 and the first arc-shaped groove 1231 in the folded state is shown in fig. 11, it can be seen that a clearance space is formed between the first sliding plate 121 and the second sliding plate 122, and the deformed flexible display screen can be accommodated.

Optionally, referring to fig. 12, the hinge mechanism 12 further includes a synchronizing base 127, a first synchronizing gear 128, and a second synchronizing gear 129;

the synchronizing base 127 is fixedly connected with the hinge housing 11, and the first synchronizing gear 128 and the second synchronizing gear 129 are both rotationally connected with the synchronizing base 127;

in the axial direction of the first synchronizing gear 128 or the second synchronizing gear 129, the first synchronizing gear 128 is partially meshed with the second synchronizing gear 129, the first rotating member 123 is partially meshed with the first synchronizing gear 128, and the second rotating member 124 is partially meshed with the second synchronizing gear 129.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 12, in one embodiment, the synchronous rotation of the first rotating member 123 and the second rotating member 124 can also be realized by composing a synchronous assembly using a gear meshing relationship. The synchronizing assembly may include a synchronizing base 127, a first synchronizing gear 128 and a second synchronizing gear 129. The synchronizing base 127 is a mounting base for the first synchronizing gear 128 and the second synchronizing gear 129, and the synchronizing base 127 may be fastened to the hinge housing 11 by screws and kept stationary. The synchronizing base 127 may be provided with two gear slots communicating with each other for mounting the first synchronizing gear 128 and the second synchronizing gear 129, respectively. The first synchronizing gear 128 is fixed in a gear groove by a pin shaft, and the first synchronizing gear 128 can rotate relative to the synchronizing base 127. The second synchronizing gear 129 is fixed in another gear groove by a pin shaft, and the second synchronizing gear 129 can rotate relative to the synchronizing base 127. Further, along the rotation axis direction of the first synchronizing gear 128 or the second synchronizing gear 129, that is, the width direction of the gears, the first synchronizing gear 128 and the second synchronizing gear 129 are partially overlapped and engaged by the portions where the two gear grooves communicate with each other, and when the first synchronizing gear 128 rotates, the second synchronizing gear 129 is driven to rotate in the opposite direction.

After the first and second synchronizing gears 128 and 129 are partially engaged, there remains a section of each of them that is not engaged with each other. The first synchronizing gear 128 meshes with the first rotating member 123 in addition to the second synchronizing gear 129, that is, a part meshes with the first rotating member 123 and another part meshes with the second synchronizing gear 129 in the width direction of the first synchronizing gear 128. Similarly, in the width direction of the second synchronizing gear 129, one portion is meshed with the second rotating member 124, and the other portion is meshed with the first synchronizing gear 128. Thus, when any one of the first rotating member 123 and the second rotating member 124 rotates, the other rotates in the opposite direction synchronously through the gear transmission relationship. For example, as shown in fig. 12, when the first rotating member 123 rotates about its own axis of rotation in the direction indicated by the arrow M, the first synchronizing gear 128 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow N with respect to the synchronizing base 127, the second synchronizing gear 129 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow P with respect to the synchronizing base 127, and the second rotating member 124 rotates about its own axis of rotation in the direction indicated by the arrow Q.

Therefore, when the user uses the folding device 10, the user only needs to apply a force to any one of the first rotating member 123 and the second rotating member 124 to drive the other rotating member to move in the opposite direction, so that the folding or unfolding of the folding device 10 can be easily and conveniently realized.

Optionally, referring to fig. 2, the hinge mechanism 12 further comprises a first power assist assembly 130 and a second power assist assembly 131;

a first end of the first rotating member 123 is engaged with the first power assisting assembly 130, and the first power assisting assembly 130 is used for applying a driving force to the first rotating member 123;

a first end of the second rotating member 124 is engaged with the second assisting element 131, and the second assisting element 131 is used for applying a driving force to the second rotating member 124;

the first end of the first rotating member 123 is an end close to the first rotating base 125, and the first end of the second rotating member 124 is an end close to the second rotating base 126.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 2, in one embodiment, a power assisting assembly may be further connected to each of the first end of the first rotating member 123 and the first end of the second rotating member 124. The first end of the first rotating member 123 is engaged with the first power assisting assembly 130, and the first end of the second rotating member 124 is engaged with the second power assisting assembly 131, since the first rotating member 123 and the second rotating member 124 are connected with the synchronizing base 127 for realizing synchronous transmission. Therefore, the two boosting assemblies are respectively connected to the ends of the first rotating member 123 and the second rotating member 124 away from the synchronous base 127. The first rotating member 123 and the second rotating member 124 can be applied with torque around the rotation axis by the power assisting assembly, so that the folding or unfolding of the folding device 10 is more convenient and labor-saving.

Optionally, referring to fig. 13, the first assister assembly 130 includes a first transmission gear 1301, a first cam 1302, a first concave wheel 1303, a first spring 1304, and a first spring base 1305;

the first spring base 1305 is fixedly connected to the hinge housing 11, the first spring 1304 is embedded between the first concave wheel 1303 and the first spring base 1304, the first cam 1302 and the first concave wheel 1303 are in concave-convex fit, the first transmission gear 1301 is fixedly connected to the first cam 1302, the first transmission gear 1301 is rotatably connected to the first rotating base 125, and the first transmission gear 1301 is engaged with the first rotating member 123.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 13, in one embodiment, the first power assist assembly 130 may include a first transmission gear 1301, a first cam 1302, a first concave wheel 1303, a first spring 1304, and a first spring base 1305. A gear groove may be formed in the first rotation base 125 to rotatably connect the first transmission gear 1301 and the first rotation base 125. The first transmission gear 1301 and the first cam 1302 are fixedly connected into a whole, and the first transmission gear 1301 can drive the first cam 1302 to rotate synchronously. It is understood that, as shown in fig. 13, the first cam 1302 may be a rod with a stepped shaft shape, the first cam 1302 may include a connecting portion with a smaller diameter and a cam portion with a larger diameter, the connecting portion is matched with the mounting hole of the first transmission gear 1301, and it should be noted that the connecting portion and the mounting hole are both non-circular, so as to play a role in restriction and achieve synchronous rotation. The end face of the cam part is a concave-convex curved surface processed according to a designed cam curve. The first concave wheel 1303 is a component matched with the first cam 1302, the first concave wheel 1303 can comprise a connecting part with a thin diameter and a concave wheel part with a thick diameter, and the end face of the cam part is a concave-convex curved surface processed according to a designed concave wheel curve, and the curved surface is matched with the curve of the end face of the cam part. A spring hole can be formed in the first spring base 1305, the first spring 1304 can be sleeved on the connecting portion of the first concave wheel 1303 in a penetrating mode, the connecting portions of the first spring 1304 and the first concave wheel 1303 are inserted into the spring hole, one end of the first spring 1304 abuts against the bottom of the spring hole, and the other end of the first spring 1304 abuts against the concave wheel portion. It should be noted that the cross-sectional shape of the spring hole and the concave portion is also not a perfect circle, so that the first concave wheel 1303 is prevented from rotating after being installed and matched.

Therefore, when a user applies force to the first rotating member 123 to rotate the first rotating member, the first transmission gear 1301 rotates under the action of the meshing relationship to drive the first cam 1302 to rotate synchronously, and during the rotation of the first cam 1302, along with the dynamic change of the contact relationship between the cam portion and the concave wheel portion, when the cam portion and the concave wheel portion contact with each other at the convex portion, the first concave wheel 1303 moves along the axial direction of the spring hole to compress the first spring 1304, so that the first spring 1304 accumulates elastic potential energy. When the elastic potential energy is released, the first concave wheel 1303 is forced to move axially and pop out of the spring hole, and under the matching action of the cam portion and the curved surface of the concave wheel portion, the first cam 1302 and the first transmission gear 1301 are driven to rotate continuously, so that the folding or unfolding action is completed. That is, when the folding device 10 needs to be unfolded, the user only needs to rotate the first rotating member 123 by a certain angle, and the rest process can be self-driven by the first transmission gear 1301, the first cam 1302, the first concave wheel 1303, the first spring 1304 and the first spring base 1305, so as to achieve the effect of semi-automatic unfolding. The folding process of the folding device 10 is similar in principle, but in the opposite direction, and is not described in detail here.

Optionally, the second power assisting assembly 131 comprises a second transmission gear, a second cam, a second concave wheel, a second spring and a second spring base;

the second spring base with 11 fixed connection of hinge housing, the second spring inlays to be located the second concave round with between the second spring base, the second cam with unsmooth cooperation between the second concave round, second drive gear with second cam fixed connection, second drive gear with the second rotates the base and rotates the connection, just second drive gear with the second rotates the piece meshing.

Specifically, in one embodiment, the second boosting assembly 131 may include a second transmission gear, a second cam, a second concave wheel, a second spring, and a second spring seat. Similar to the first transmission gear 1301, the first cam 1302, the first concave wheel 1303, the first spring 1304 and the first spring base 1305 shown in fig. 11, the second transmission gear, the second cam, the second concave wheel, the second spring and the second spring base are disposed on the side of the second rotation member 124 away from the second rotation base 126. Regarding the configuration and the movement process of the second transmission gear, the second cam, the second concave wheel, the second spring and the second spring base, reference may be made to the first transmission gear 1301, the first cam 1302, the first concave wheel 1303, the first spring 1304 and the first spring base 1305 illustrated in fig. 13, and details thereof are not repeated.

The embodiment of the utility model provides an in, divide through the both sides at first rotation piece 123 and second rotation piece 124 and be set up a set of helping hand subassembly for the user need not to consider to which rotation piece example can be lighter when using folding device, because two rotation pieces all can accomplish semi-automatic folding or expansion process through the helping hand subassembly, and is more simple and convenient when the user uses.

Optionally, referring to fig. 6, the first rotating member 123 and the second rotating member 124 are both shells with semicircular cross sections, and at two ends of the shell in the axial direction, a first ring gear and a second ring gear are respectively disposed on concave side walls of the shells;

the first ring gear of the first rotating member 123 is engaged with the first synchronizing gear 128, and the second ring gear of the first rotating member 123 is engaged with the first transmission gear 1301;

the first ring gear of the second rotating member 124 is engaged with the second synchronizing gear 129, and the second ring gear of the second rotating member 124 is engaged with the second transmission gear 1306.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 6, in one embodiment, the first rotating member 123 and the second rotating member 124 may be semi-circular shells formed by numerical control machining of a metal material, or semi-circular shells formed by injection molding of plastic in a mold through an injection molding process. The housing has a semi-circular curved recess. And a first inner gear ring and a second inner gear ring are respectively arranged on the concave side wall of the shell along the two ends of the axis direction of the shell. It should be noted that the first rotating member 123 and the second rotating member 124 can be manufactured by using the same mold, that is, the first rotating member 123 and the second rotating member 124 are identical in shape and structure, and when the first rotating member 123 and the second rotating member 124 are simultaneously connected to the synchronization base 127, the first rotating member 123 and the second rotating member 124 are symmetrical with respect to the geometric center of the synchronization base 127.

The first ring gear of the first rotating member 123 is engaged with the first synchronizing gear 128, the second ring gear of the first rotating member 123 is engaged with the first transmission gear 1301, the first ring gear of the second rotating member 124 is engaged with the second synchronizing gear 129, and the second ring gear of the second rotating member 124 is engaged with the second transmission gear. Therefore, a continuous transmission route is formed between the first transmission gear 1301 and the second transmission gear, no matter which rotating part applies force, a power assisting effect can be generated, meanwhile, the other rotating part can be driven to rotate, transmission can be achieved by utilizing a simple gear meshing relation, the structure is simple, the occupied space is small, and the installation is convenient.

Alternatively, referring to fig. 9, the opposite side walls of the first sliding plate 121 and the second sliding plate 122 are provided with chamfers or fillets, a flared opening is formed between two chamfers or two fillets, and the narrower side of the flared opening is close to the hinge housing 11.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 9, in one embodiment, in order to make the accommodating space between the first sliding plate 121 and the second sliding plate 122 more accessible for the flexible display. Can all set up chamfer or fillet at the relative lateral wall of first sliding plate 121 and second sliding plate 122 to, two chamfers or fillets can form the horn-shaped opening in this position, and the narrower one side of opening is close to hinge housing 11, that is to say, the one side of opening broad can be more close to flexible display screen, if flexible display screen received extrusion deformation and produced the fold, the part that is extrudeed gets into accommodation space under the guide effect of chamfer or fillet more easily, and can not pile up in accommodation space's outside.

Alternatively, referring to fig. 1, two hinge mechanisms 12 are symmetrically disposed along the length direction of the hinge housing 11.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 1, in one embodiment, when the length of the hinge housing 11 is sufficiently long, two hinge mechanisms 12 may be symmetrically disposed along the length direction of the hinge housing 11. Therefore, the flexible display screen fixing device is suitable for installing and fixing the flexible display screen with larger size, and provides more balanced and stable connection mode and folding operation.

Referring to fig. 14, the embodiment of the present invention further discloses an electronic device, which includes a first housing 13, a second housing 14, a flexible display screen 15 and any one of the folding devices 10;

the first casing 13 is fixedly connected to the first rotating member 123, the second casing 14 is fixedly connected to the second rotating member 124, and the flexible display screen 15 is fixedly connected to the first casing 13 and the second casing 14.

Particularly, as shown in fig. 14, the electronic device disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention is an electronic device installed with a flexible display screen 15, for example, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook, or an intelligent wearable device with a flexible screen. The flexible display screen 15 may be a flexible OLED (organic light-Emitting Diode) or a flexible AMOLED (Active-matrix organic light-Emitting Diode), and the thickness of the flexible AMOLED display screen can be 0.01 mm. The electronic device has two housings, namely a first housing 13 and a second housing 14, the folding device 10 is disposed between the first housing 13 and the second housing 14, and the first housing 13 and the first rotating member 123 can be fixedly connected by screws, and the second housing 14 and the second rotating member 124 can be fixedly connected by screws, so that the two housings can be folded or unfolded relatively. The flexible display panel 15 may be fixed to the first and second housings 13 and 14 by adhesive-backed bonding or the like, and the flexible display panel 15 is located on the side of the first and second slide plates 121 and 122 away from the hinge housing 11.

Compare in traditional folding screen electronic equipment, the embodiment of the utility model discloses this kind of electronic equipment through using above-mentioned folding device, when realizing folding function, can form accommodation space between first sliding plate 121 and the second sliding plate 122 and be used for holding flexible display screen, can improve folding back, produces the fold between the screen and leads to the unable complete closure of folding device, has the problem in great clearance. Moreover, the folding device has a simple structure, the first sliding plate 121 and the second sliding plate 122 do not intrude into the groove of the hinge housing during the movement process, and do not occupy the space inside the groove of the hinge housing, which is more beneficial to the layout of cables and other devices in electronic equipment.

The embodiments in the present specification are described in a progressive manner, each embodiment focuses on differences from other embodiments, and the same and similar parts among the embodiments are referred to each other.

As is readily imaginable to the person skilled in the art: any combination of the above embodiments is possible, and thus any combination of the above embodiments is an embodiment of the present invention, but the present disclosure is not necessarily detailed herein due to space limitations.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. It is understood, however, that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the foregoing description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. However, the disclosed method should not be interpreted as reflecting an intention that: rather, the invention as claimed requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the modules in the device in an embodiment may be adaptively changed and disposed in one or more devices different from the embodiment. The modules or units or components of the embodiments may be combined into one module or unit or component, and furthermore they may be divided into a plurality of sub-modules or sub-units or sub-components. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and all of the processes or elements of any method or apparatus so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or processes or elements are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise.

Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that while some embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments, rather than other features, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention and form different embodiments. For example, in the claims, any of the claimed embodiments may be used in any combination.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps not listed in a claim. The word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention can be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the unit claims enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The usage of the words first, second and third, etcetera do not indicate any ordering. These words may be interpreted as names.

Claims (10)

1. A folding apparatus, comprising a hinge mechanism and a hinge housing, the hinge mechanism being disposed in the hinge housing;

the hinge mechanism comprises a first sliding plate, a second sliding plate, a first rotating piece, a second rotating piece, a first rotating base and a second rotating base; the first sliding plate is simultaneously connected with the first rotating piece and the first rotating base in a sliding mode, the second sliding plate is simultaneously connected with the second rotating piece and the second rotating base in a sliding mode, the first rotating piece is rotationally connected with the first rotating base, and the second rotating piece is rotationally connected with the second rotating base; the sliding directions of the first sliding plate relative to the first rotating piece and the first rotating base are different, and the sliding directions of the second sliding plate relative to the second rotating piece and the second rotating base are different; under the condition that the first rotating member rotates and moves relative to the first rotating base and the second rotating member rotates and moves relative to the second rotating base, the first sliding plate and the second sliding plate approach or separate from each other, and a space for accommodating folds of the flexible screen is formed after the first sliding plate and the second sliding plate separate from each other.

2. The folding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first rotating member is provided with a first arc-shaped groove, the first rotating base is provided with a first sliding groove perpendicular to the rotation axis of the first rotating member, the first sliding plate is provided with a first cylindrical sliding table and a first sliding rail, the first cylindrical sliding table is slidably connected with the first arc-shaped groove, and the first sliding rail is slidably connected with the first sliding groove; the center of the first arc-shaped groove is offset from the rotation axis of the first rotating piece;

the second rotating part is provided with a second arc-shaped groove, the second rotating base is provided with a second sliding groove perpendicular to the rotation axis of the second rotating part, the second sliding plate is provided with a second cylindrical sliding table and a second sliding rail, the second cylindrical sliding table is connected with the second arc-shaped groove in a sliding mode, and the second sliding rail is connected with the second sliding groove in a sliding mode; wherein a center of the second arc-shaped groove is offset from a rotation axis of the second rotating member.

3. The folding device of claim 1, wherein said hinge mechanism further comprises a synchronizing base, a first synchronizing gear and a second synchronizing gear;

the synchronous base is fixedly connected with the hinge shell, and the first synchronous gear and the second synchronous gear are rotationally connected with the synchronous base;

the first synchronizing gear is partially meshed with the second synchronizing gear along the axial direction of the first synchronizing gear or the second synchronizing gear, the first rotating member is partially meshed with the first synchronizing gear, and the second rotating member is partially meshed with the second synchronizing gear.

4. The folding device of claim 3, wherein the hinge mechanism further comprises a first assist assembly and a second assist assembly;

the first end of the first rotating member is engaged with the first power assisting assembly, and the first power assisting assembly is used for applying driving force to the first rotating member;

the first end of the second rotating part is meshed with the second boosting assembly, and the second boosting assembly is used for applying driving force to the second rotating part;

the first end of the first rotating part is one end close to the first rotating base, and the first end of the second rotating part is one end close to the second rotating base.

5. The folding apparatus of claim 4 wherein said first assist assembly includes a first transfer gear, a first cam, a first notch wheel, a first spring, and a first spring base;

first spring base with hinge housing fixed connection, first spring inlays to be located first concave wheel with between the first spring base, first cam with unsmooth cooperation between the first concave wheel, first transmission gear with first cam fixed connection, first transmission gear with first rotation base rotates to be connected, just first transmission gear with first rotation piece meshing.

6. The folding apparatus of claim 5 wherein said second assist assembly comprises a second drive gear, a second cam, a second geneva wheel, a second spring, and a second spring base;

the second spring base with hinge housing fixed connection, the second spring inlays to be located the second concave round with between the second spring base, the second cam with unsmooth cooperation between the second concave round, second drive gear with second cam fixed connection, second drive gear with the second rotates the base and rotates the connection, just second drive gear with the second rotates the piece meshing.

7. The folding device according to claim 6, wherein the first rotating member and the second rotating member are both a shell with a semicircular ring-shaped cross section, and a first inner gear ring and a second inner gear ring are respectively arranged on the concave side wall of the shell along both ends of the axial direction of the shell;

the first inner gear ring of the first rotating member is meshed with the first synchronous gear, and the second inner gear ring of the first rotating member is meshed with the first transmission gear;

the first inner gear ring of the second rotating part is meshed with the second synchronous gear, and the second inner gear ring of the second rotating part is meshed with the second transmission gear.

8. The folding apparatus of claim 1 wherein the opposing side walls of the first slider plate and the second slider plate are each provided with a chamfer or fillet, and a flared opening is formed between two chamfers or fillets, the narrower side of the flared opening being adjacent the hinge housing.

9. The folding device of claim 1, wherein two of said hinge mechanisms are symmetrically disposed along a length direction of said hinge housing.

10. An electronic device, characterized in that the electronic device comprises a first housing, a second housing, a flexible display screen, and the folding apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 9;

the first shell is fixedly connected with the first rotating piece, the second shell is fixedly connected with the second rotating piece, and the flexible display screen is fixedly connected with the first shell and the second shell.

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