CN112233550A - Bendable device and folding display device - Google Patents

Abstract

The application discloses device and folding display device can bend, device can bend includes first hinge unit, rotates the second hinge unit who connects in first hinge unit, coupling assembling and slider, coupling assembling is including pivot and the locating part of locating first hinge unit, the slider is located on the second hinge unit, device can bend includes first state and second state, first state is one of expansion state and bending state, the second state is another in bending state and the expansion state, in-process from first state deformation to second state can bend the device, the locating part is followed the axial displacement of pivot, and device can bend support when deformation to the second state and hold the slider and spacing to the slider. The limiting structure is simple and low in cost.

Description

Bendable device and folding display device

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to electronic devices, and particularly to a foldable display device.

Background

The flexible screen has a profound influence on the electronic terminal market due to the characteristics of low power consumption and flexibility, and the flexible screen is widely applied along with the continuous penetration of personal intelligent terminals in the future.

Since the flexible screen involves bending, the existing flat plate type supporting structure obviously cannot meet the requirement, and therefore, a hinge device capable of meeting the bending requirement is needed.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides a bendable device and a folding display device.

On one hand, the application provides a bendable device, the bendable device comprises a first hinge unit, a second hinge unit rotatably connected to the first hinge unit, a connecting assembly and a sliding member, the connecting assembly comprises a rotating shaft and a limiting member arranged on the first hinge unit, the sliding member is arranged on the second hinge unit, the bendable device comprises a first state and a second state, the first state is one of an unfolding state and a bending state, the second state is the other one of the folding state and the unfolding state, when the bendable device is deformed from the first state to the second state, the limiting member axially moves along the rotating shaft of the first hinge unit, and the limiting member abuts against the sliding member to limit the sliding member when the bendable device is deformed to the second state.

On the other hand, the application also provides a folding display device, which comprises the bending device, and the folding display device further comprises a flexible display assembly, wherein the bending device supports the flexible display assembly and drives the flexible display assembly to bend or unfold.

The utility model provides a device that can bend rotates through first hinge unit and connects second hinge unit, coupling assembling is including locating part and the pivot of locating first hinge unit, and the locating part can slide with the slider of second hinge unit and support to hold spacingly, so that can bend the in-process that the device is deformed by first state to the second state, the axial displacement of locating part along the pivot, and finally support and hold the slider and spacing to the slider, when realizing the first state or the second state design of device that can bend, utilize the non-rigid butt joint of slider and locating part, make device that can bend have the dropproof in first state or second state, the function of protecting against shock, the security of device that can bend has been guaranteed.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present application, the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments will be briefly described below, and it is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and it is obvious for those skilled in the art that other drawings can be obtained according to the drawings without inventive labor.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a foldable device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in a fully unfolded state;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the bendable device of FIG. 1 in a fully bent state;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a portion III of the collapsible device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial schematic view of the bendable device of FIG. 2 at IV;

FIG. 5 is a partially exploded view of the collapsible device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a first hinge base in the hinge assembly of the bendable apparatus shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the bendable apparatus shown in FIG. 1 further provided with a connecting assembly;

FIG. 8 is a partially omitted schematic view of the collapsible device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the bendable apparatus shown in FIG. 6 further provided with a second lift pin;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the bendable apparatus of FIG. 6 further provided with a second slider;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the bendable apparatus of FIG. 9 further provided with a linkage;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a linkage in the bendable apparatus shown in FIG. 11;

fig. 13 is a foldable display device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 14 is a partial schematic view of the folding display device shown in fig. 13.

Detailed Description

The following is a preferred embodiment of the present application, and it should be noted that, for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of the present application, and these improvements and modifications are also considered as the protection scope of the present application.

Referring to FIG. 1, the present application provides a foldable device including a hinge device 100, a first structure 200, and a second structure 300. The first structural member 200 and the second structural member 300 are respectively disposed at two opposite sides of the hinge connecting device 100, and can be unfolded or folded with each other when the hinge device 100 is in a flattened state or a bent state. The hinge device 100 includes a first hinge unit 10, a second hinge unit 20 rotatably connected to the first hinge unit 10, a connecting member 30, and a slider 90. The connecting assembly 30 includes a first rotating shaft 31 and a limiting member 32 disposed on the first hinge unit 10. The slider 90 is provided on the second hinge unit 20. The bendable device has a first state and a second state, wherein the first state is one of an unfolded state and a bent state, and the second state is the other one of the folded state and the bent state. When the foldable device is deformed from the first state to the second state, the hinge device 100 is deformed, and the limiting member 32 moves along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft 31, and abuts against the sliding member 90 to limit the sliding member 90 when the foldable device is deformed to the second state.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a hinge assembly 100 in a fully extended position with a foldable device in an extended position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The hinge device 100 can be bent, and can be applied to a foldable display device that needs to be bent. Optionally, the folding display device may be a flexible mobile terminal, a flexible tablet, a flexible bracelet, or other terminal equipment. Further, two opposite ends of the hinge device 100 may be connected to the first structural member 200 and the second structural member 300. In other words, the angle between the first structural member 200 and the second structural member 300 of the hinge device 100 is changed. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the hinge device 100 of FIG. 1 in a fully flexed state, wherein the foldable device is in a flexed state. The first structural member 200 and the second structural member 300 can be overlapped with each other under the bending of the hinge device 100, thereby facilitating the storage of the foldable display device. It is understood that the fully flattened state is a state where the bending angle of the individual hinge device 100 is 180 degrees, and the fully bent state is a state where the bending angle of the hinge device 100 is 0 degrees.

It is to be understood that fig. 3 is a partial III view of the hinge device 100 shown in fig. 1, as shown in fig. 3. The first hinge unit 10 has a first outer surface 10a and a first side surface 10b connected along a circumferential direction, and the second hinge unit 20 has a second outer surface 20a and a second inner surface 20b disposed opposite to each other. When the second hinge unit 20 is completely unfolded with respect to the first hinge unit 10, the first outer surface 10a of the first hinge unit 10 and the second outer surface 20a of the second hinge unit 20 are smoothly connected to form a bent outer surface close to a flat surface, so as to support a device (e.g., a support plate or a flexible screen) disposed above the hinge device 100; as shown in fig. 4, fig. 4 is a partial view of the IV-th portion of the hinge device 100 shown in fig. 2. When the second hinge unit 20 is completely bent with respect to the first hinge unit 10, the second inner surface 20b of the second hinge unit 20 is attached to the first side surface 10b of the first hinge unit 10, wherein the first outer surface 10a and the second outer surface 20a form a bent outer surface with a large curvature. The hinge device 100 in the present embodiment achieves the change of the arc radius of the bending outer surface of the hinge device 100 in the unfolded/bent to the bent/unfolded state by the cooperation of the respective surfaces in the first hinge unit 10 and the second hinge unit 20.

Alternatively, as shown in fig. 5, the first hinge unit 10 includes two first base plates 11 and a second base plate 12 fixedly coupled between the two first base plates 11. The ends of the two first bottom plates 11 remote from the second bottom plate 12 are configured as first hinge seats 111 in rotational connection with the second hinge unit 20.

The two first base plates 11 may have the same structure, and a description will be given of one first base plate 11 as an example. The first base plate 11 is convexly provided with a first hinge seat 111 facing away from the outer surface thereof, the first hinge seat 111 has two first through holes 1111, and a second hinge unit 20 is rotatably connected to the first through holes 1111 of the first hinge seat 111 by a pin, so that the second hinge unit 20 is rotatably connected to the first hinge unit 10.

The first hinge base 111 has a first portion 111a and a second portion 111b sequentially connected in a thickness direction of the first base plate 11, the first portion 111a is substantially oblong, and two first through holes 1111 are opened in the first portion 111a, respectively. The top surface of the first portion 111a forms said first outer surface 10a, and the side surfaces of the first portion 111a and the second portion 111b form the first side surface 10 b. It can be understood that, referring to fig. 6, the first side surface 10b has a first concave arc section 101b and a first convex arc section 102b connected in sequence, and the first concave arc section 101b can be used for receiving the end portion of the second hinge unit 20 adjacent to the first hinge unit 10 when the hinge device 100 is in the unfolded state. The first convex arc segment 102b may be configured to be attached to the second inner surface 20b of the second hinge unit 20 when the hinge device 100 is in the bent state, so that the first outer surface 10a of the first hinge unit 10 and the second outer surface 20a of the second hinge unit 20 form a bent outer surface with a larger curvature. Of course, in other embodiments, the first side surface 10b of the first hinge base 111 may also be a concave arc surface, in other words, the second inner surface 20b of the second hinge unit 20 is substantially a straight surface. When the hinge device 100 is in the flattened state, the end portion of the second hinge unit 20 close to the first hinge seat 111 is accommodated in the first side surface 10 b; the second inner surface 20b of the second hinge unit 20 is attached to the first side surface 10b when the hinge device 100 is in the bent state.

Alternatively, as shown in fig. 3, the second hinge unit 20 includes a first sub hinge unit 21 and a second sub hinge unit 22, and the second sub hinge unit 22 is rotatably connected between the first sub hinge unit 21 and the first hinge unit 10. In other words, referring to fig. 4, the outer surface and the inner surface of the first sub-hinge unit 21 and the second sub-hinge unit 22 respectively form the second outer surface 20a and the second inner surface 20b, so that the second outer surface 20a and the second inner surface 20b of the second hinge unit 20 are designed in multiple sections, so that when the hinge device 100 is in the fully bent state, the bent outer surface of the substantially semicircular shape formed by the first hinge unit 10 and the second hinge unit 20 is smooth.

In addition, the hinge device 100 is substantially composed of 5 hinge units, and when the hinge device is required to be bent to 0 degree or 180 degrees, each hinge unit is only required to be bent by 45 degrees, which is beneficial to the distribution of the bending angle of each hinge unit, thereby improving the reliability of the bending of the hinge device 100. When the second sub-hinge unit 22 is bent relative to the first hinge unit 10, the second sub-hinge unit 22 drives the first sub-hinge unit 21 to rotate, the end portion of the first sub-hinge unit 21 close to the first hinge unit 10 is rotated out from the first concave section, and the second inner surface 20b formed by the first sub-hinge unit 21 and the second sub-hinge unit 22 is attached to the first side surface 10b of the first hinge unit 10. Of course, in other embodiments, the second hinge unit 20 may also have a structure having only the first sub hinge unit 21 or the second sub hinge unit 22.

Referring to fig. 3 to 5, in the process of bending the hinge device 100 from the fully flattened state to the fully bent state, the end portion of the second hinge unit 20 close to the first hinge seat 111 is gradually rotated out from the first concave arc section 101b and attached to the first concave arc section 101b, and the second inner surface 20b of the second hinge unit 20 is gradually attached to the first convex arc section 102b, so that when the hinge device 100 is in the fully bent state, the first outer surface 10a of the first hinge unit 10 and the second outer surface 20a of the second hinge unit 20 form a substantially semicircular bent outer surface. The position relationship of each surface of the hinge unit in the process of bending the hinge device 100 from the fully bent state to the fully flattened state is opposite to the foregoing description, and is not described herein again.

Further, as shown in fig. 7 and 8, fig. 8 is a partially omitted schematic view of the hinge device 100 shown in fig. 7. The hinge device 100 further includes at least one connecting assembly 30, and the connecting assembly 30 includes a first rotating shaft 31 and a limiting member 32. The first rotating shaft 31 is disposed on the first hinge unit 10, one end of the limiting member 32 is limited between the first limiting wall 10c and the second limiting wall 10d on the first hinge unit 10, the other end of the limiting member 32 is disposed with a first top rod 33, the first top rod 33 extends toward the second hinge unit 20, so that the first top rod 33 slidably abuts against the sliding member 90 of the second hinge unit 20. The first top rod 33 is limited on the second hinge unit 20, so that when the second hinge unit 20 rotates relative to the first hinge unit 10, the second hinge unit 20 drives the first top rod 33 to rotate, so that the limiting member 32 rotates on the first hinge unit 10, and when the first hinge unit 10 and the second hinge unit 20 are completely unfolded, the limiting member 32 abuts against the first limiting wall 10 c; when the first hinge unit 10 and the second hinge unit 20 are completely bent, the limiting member 32 abuts against the second limiting wall 10 d. The maximum angle and the minimum angle of the second hinge unit 20 relative to the first hinge unit 10 can be defined by defining the position relationship of the limiting member 32 to the first hinge unit 10. For example, when the hinge device 100 is in the completely flattened state (the angle between the bent inner side surfaces of the hinge device 100 is 180 degrees), the limiting member 32 abuts against the first limiting wall 10 c. In other words, if the hinge device 100 is unfolded beyond 180 degrees, the limiting member 32 abuts against the first limiting wall 10c and cannot be unfolded continuously, so that the hinge device 100 is not unfolded excessively to damage the hinge device 100 or the flexible screen attached to the hinge device 100. Similarly, when the hinge device 100 is in the completely bent state (the included angle of the bent inner side surface of the hinge device 100 is close to 0 degree), the limiting member 32 abuts against the second limiting wall 10 d. The hinge device 100 is not bent excessively due to the abutting relationship of the stopper 32 and the second stopper wall 10 d. In the present embodiment, the hinge device 100 drives the limiting member 32 to rotate on the first hinge unit 10 through the first top rod 33, and then the bending degree of the hinge device 100 is enabled by the structures of the first limiting wall 10c and the second limiting wall 10d on the first hinge unit 10, which is simple and reliable in limiting structure.

In an alternative embodiment, a first limiting wall 10c and a second limiting wall 10d are disposed on a surface of the first rotating shaft 31 of the first hinge unit 10, and the first limiting wall 10c and the second limiting wall 10d enclose a limiting groove. Specifically, the first base plate 11 is provided with two first rotating shafts 31. The connection structure of the two first rotating shafts 31 on the first hinge unit 10 is the same, and here, one first rotating shaft 31 is taken as an example for description. The first hinge unit 10 is fixedly provided with a first fixing seat 13 and a second fixing seat 14 which are oppositely arranged, wherein the first fixing seat 13 is convexly arranged on the first hinge seat 111 of the first base plate 11, in other words, the first fixing seat 13 and the first hinge seat 111 are integrally constructed. The second fixing seat 14 is convexly arranged on the second bottom plate 12. Two ends of the first rotating shaft 31 are rotatably connected to the first fixed seat 13 and the second fixed seat 14, respectively.

It can be understood that, the third fixing seat 15 is further fixedly disposed on the first bottom plate 11, the third fixing seat 15 is located between the first fixing seat 13 and the second fixing seat 14, and the first rotating shaft 31 also passes through the third fixing seat 15. The first rotation shaft 31 can be provided on the first base plate 11 and can rotate in its own axial direction with respect to the first base plate 11. Furthermore, a first limiting wall 10c and a second limiting wall 10d are respectively formed on the opposite end surfaces of the first fixing seat 13 and the third fixing seat 15, and a limiting groove is defined by the first limiting wall 10c and the second limiting wall 10 d. In this embodiment, the first rotating shaft 31 is rotatably connected to the first bottom plate 11 through three fixing seats, and meanwhile, the spacing groove is formed by using the space between the first fixing seat 13 and the third fixing seat 15, so that multiple functions of one structure are realized, in other words, the first rotating shaft 31 cannot be separated from the first bottom plate 11, and a spacing groove for spacing the spacing member 32 can be formed, thereby optimizing the structure of the hinge device 100. Of course, in other embodiments, the first fixed seat 13 may be disposed independently from the first hinge seat 111.

It can be understood that, a fourth fixing seat 16 is further disposed on the first bottom plate 11, and the fourth fixing seat 16 is located between the third fixing seat 15 and the second fixing seat 14. Correspondingly, one end of the first rotating shaft 31 is rotatably connected to the first fixing seat 13, and the other end of the first rotating shaft 31 sequentially passes through the third fixing seat 15 and the fourth fixing seat 16 until being rotatably connected to the second fixing seat 14. The first hinge unit 10 limits the first rotating shaft 31 through four fixing seats, so as to ensure the stability of the rotation of the first rotating shaft 31 on the first hinge unit 10, thereby further improving the bending reliability of the hinge device 100. In other words, the first rotation shaft 31 is less shaken in the first hinge unit 10.

It can be understood that the axial directions of the two first rotating shafts 31 are arranged in parallel with the length direction of the first base plate 11, and the two first rotating shafts 31 are arranged side by side symmetrically in the width direction of the first base plate 11. Further, the two first rotating shafts 31 may be connected by a damping member 17 and define the relative position therebetween. The damping member 17 is located between the fourth holder 16 and the second holder 14. The damping member 17 has two annular sleeves, a first shaft 31 being located within one annular sleeve. The first rotating shaft 31 has a large friction force with the inner wall surface of the annular sleeve, so that the first rotating shaft 31 has damping when rotating relative to the annular sleeve. In this embodiment, the damping member 17 is connected to the two first rotating shafts 31 at the same time, so as to facilitate the control of the distance between the two first rotating shafts 31 and the assembly of the two first rotating shafts 31 on the first hinge unit 10, and in addition, the first rotating shafts 31 have damping effect when rotating relative to the annular sleeve, so as to facilitate the adjustment of the bending angle of the hinge device 100 and maintain the hinge device 100 at any bending angle.

The position-limiting member 32 is limited in the position-limiting groove. It is understood that the position-limiting member 32 is rotatably and slidably connected to the first rotating shaft 31 and located between the first position-limiting wall 10c and the second position-limiting wall 10 d. The fitting relationship with the first rotating shaft 31 may be a clearance fit. The connection relationship between the limiting member 32 and the first rotating shaft 31 in this embodiment ensures that the limiting member 32 can be better connected to the first hinge unit 10 through the first rotating shaft 31.

In an alternative embodiment, the position-limiting member 32 is connected to the position-limiting groove in a screw driving manner. In other words, the stopper 32 can slide in the axial direction of the first rotating shaft 31 in the stopper groove, thereby changing the axial position of the stopper 32 relative to the first rotating shaft 31. In other words, the dimension of the limiting member 32 in the axial direction of the first rotating shaft 31 is smaller than the dimension of the first limiting wall 10c and the second limiting wall in the axial direction of the first rotating shaft 31. The stopper 32 abuts against the first stopper wall 10c or the second stopper wall 10d by changing its position in the axial direction with respect to the first shaft 31. When the bendable apparatus is deformed from the first state to the second state, the limiting member 32 moves along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft 31, and when the bendable apparatus is deformed to the second state, a part of the limiting member 32 abuts against the first limiting wall 10c or the second limiting wall 10d, and the other part of the limiting member 32 is provided with the first push rod 33, and the first push rod 33 abuts against the sliding member 90 to limit the sliding member 90. The limiting member 32 in the embodiment of the present application is abutted to the first limiting wall 10c or the second limiting wall 10d by moving along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft 31, so as to realize the limiting function to limit the bending angle of the hinge device 100, and at the same time, the position of the first push rod 33, which is disposed at the position of the limiting member 32 away from the first rotating shaft 31, along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft 31 can be changed, thereby facilitating the first push rod 33 to cooperate with other components of the hinge device 100, such as the first slider 25, to realize the sliding compensation of the hinge device 100. Of course, in other embodiments, the limiting member 32 may also be sleeved on the first rotating shaft 31, and the limiting member 32 is provided with a protrusion, which abuts against the first limiting wall 10c and the second limiting wall 10d on the first hinge unit 10 to limit the bending angle of the hinge device 100, so as to prevent the hinge device 100 from being bent excessively.

It will be appreciated that the limiting groove is a helical groove and the limiting member 32 is a helical member matching the shape of the limiting groove. Specifically, the end surface of the first fixing base 13 facing the limiting member 32 is a first spiral surface, the end surface of the limiting member 32 facing the first fixing base 13 is a second spiral surface corresponding to the spiral track of the first spiral surface, and when the limiting member 32 abuts against the first limiting wall 10c, the second spiral surface of the limiting member 32 is attached to the first spiral surface. The first spiral surface is an inclined surface that is arranged spirally around the axis of the first rotating shaft 31. The second spiral surface has the same structure as the first spiral surface and can be separated from or abutted against the first spiral surface. When the second spiral surface of the limiting member 32 is matched with the first spiral surface and gradually staggered from each other until finally separated, the limiting member 32 is limited by a portion of the first limiting wall 10c and the second limiting wall 10d to rotate around the axis of the first rotating shaft 31. That is, when the foldable device is transformed from the first state to the second state, the limiting member 32 is limited to a portion of the first limiting wall 10c and the second limiting wall 10d to move axially along the first rotating shaft 31 and rotate around the axis of the first rotating shaft 31.

It can be understood that, in the process of bending the second hinge unit 20 to the completely bent state relative to the first hinge unit 10, the first top rod 33 drives the limiting member 32 to rotate around the first rotating shaft 31 in the limiting groove, and since the first spiral surface is inclined, the first spiral surface can push the limiting member 32 to gradually approach the second limiting wall 10d until the limiting member abuts against the second limiting wall 10 d. Similarly, the end surface of the third fixing seat 15 facing the limiting member 32 is a third spiral surface, the end surface of the limiting member 32 facing the third fixing seat 15 is a fourth spiral surface corresponding to the spiral track of the third spiral surface, and when the limiting member 32 abuts against the second limiting wall 10d, the fourth spiral surface of the limiting member 32 is attached to the third spiral surface.

The structure of the limiting member 32 and the limiting groove in this embodiment enables the limiting member 32 to rotate in the limiting groove only by the axial rotating force around the first rotating shaft 31, in other words, only when the second hinge unit 20 rotates relative to the first hinge unit 10, the limiting member 32 can be separated from the first limiting wall 10c or the second limiting wall 10d, so as to relieve the limitation of the limiting member 32, further improve the reliability of the limitation of the limiting member 32, and also prevent the forced pressure of the non-axial external force from causing the limitation failure, so that the sliders approach each other, and further cause the arching of the screen. Therefore, the screen is also protected.

Optionally, the included angle between the first limiting wall 10c and the second limiting wall 10d of each of the two limiting grooves is 90 degrees, so that the hinge device 100 can be bent by 180 degrees. In other words, when the second hinge unit 20 rotates 90 degrees counterclockwise relative to the first hinge unit 10, the first top rod 33 drives the limiting member 32 to rotate 90 degrees relative to the limiting groove, and the limiting member 32 abuts against the second limiting wall 10d, and at this time, the second hinge unit 20 is in a completely bent state relative to the first hinge unit 10. When the second hinge unit 20 is rotated 90 degrees clockwise relative to the first hinge unit 10 from the fully bent state to the fully flattened state, the first top rod 33 drives the limiting member 32 to rotate relative to the limiting groove to drive the limiting member 32 to abut against the first limiting wall 10c when the limiting member 32 is rotated 90 degrees.

It can be understood that, as shown in fig. 8, the second hinge unit 20 further includes a baffle 23, and when the second hinge unit 20 is unfolded, the first top rod 33 is subjected to the limiting force of the baffle 23 and rotates around the first rotating shaft 31 together with the baffle 23, and drives the limiting member 32 to rotate in the limiting groove. That is, when the foldable device is transformed from the first state to the second state, the first rod 33 of the limiting member 32 moves along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft 31 and simultaneously rotates around the first rotating shaft 31. Specifically, the baffle 23 is fixedly connected to the second sub-hinge unit 22, and forms a receiving cavity with the second sub-hinge unit 22, and the end of the first push rod 33 away from the limiting member 32 extends toward the second sub-hinge unit 22 and extends into the receiving cavity. The first push rod 33 is constrained by the baffle 23 in the second hinge unit 20, and can slide on the second hinge unit 20 when the limiting member 32 slides along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft 31, and cannot fall off from the second hinge unit 20. In the embodiment, the baffle plate 23 is used for limiting the first ejector rod 33 on the second hinge unit 20, so that the structure is simple and the assembly is facilitated. Of course, in other embodiments, the second hinge unit 20 may further include a strip-shaped groove along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft 31, and the top rod is correspondingly provided with a guide post, and the guide post of the top rod is limited to be connected in the strip-shaped groove. When the second hinge unit 20 is unfolded, the first top rod 33 is rotated by the force of the baffle 23, and drives the limiting member 32 to rotate in the limiting groove. When the limiting member 32 slides along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft 31, the first push rod 33 can slide in the strip-shaped groove.

As shown in fig. 7 and 8, the movement process of each component in the process of bending the hinge device 100 from the fully flattened state to the fully bent state according to the embodiment of the present application is as follows: a first external force is applied to the second hinge unit 20, so that the second hinge unit 20 rotates relative to the first hinge unit 10, at this time, the first top rod 33 also rotates around the axial direction of the first rotating shaft 31, the limiting member 32 rotates in the limiting groove, and thus the hinge device 100 moves along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft 31 under the action of the first limiting wall 10c until the hinge device is attached to the second limiting wall 10d, and at this time, the hinge device 100 is in a completely bent state. The first top bar 33 also slides relative to the second hinge unit 20 and is in limit fit with the sliding member 90 of the second hinge unit 20.

The movement process of each component in the process from the completely bent state to the completely flattened state of the hinge device 100 provided by the embodiment of the present application is: a second external force opposite to the first external force is applied to the second hinge unit 20, so that the second hinge unit 20 rotates relative to the first hinge unit 10, at this time, the first top rod 33 is acted by the force of the baffle 23 and also rotates around the axial direction of the first rotating shaft 31, the limiting member 32 rotates in the limiting groove, and thus the hinge device 100 moves along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft 31 under the action of the second limiting wall 10d until the hinge device is attached to the first limiting wall 10c, and at this time, the hinge device is in a completely flattened state.

Further, as shown in fig. 9, the sliding member 90 is provided with a second carrier rod 24; when the first hinge unit 10 and the second hinge unit 20 are fully deployed, the first top bar 33 abuts against the second top bar 24. Specifically, the first top rod 33 moves along with the movement of the limiting member 32 along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft 31 in the limiting groove, in other words, when the hinge device 100 is in the fully bent and unfolded state, i.e. when the bendable device is in the first state or the second state, the axial positions of the first top rod 33 relative to the second hinge unit 20 along the first rotating shaft 31 are different.

For convenience of description, the first position of the first top rod 33 on the second hinge unit 20 when the hinge device 100 is in the fully unfolded state is defined as the first position, and the position-limiting member 32 can be considered to abut against the first position of the sliding member 90 when the bendable device is in the first state. The position of the first top bar 33 on the second hinge unit 20 when the hinge device 100 is in the fully bent state is defined as the second position, and it can be considered that the position-limiting member 32 abuts against the second position of the sliding member 90 when the bendable device is in the second state. The second top bar 24 is arranged at the first position of the second hinge unit 20, so that when the hinge device 100 is in the completely unfolded state, the first top bar 33 is located at the first position and abuts against the second top bar 24 due to the arrangement of the second top bar 24, so that when the hinge device 100 is in the completely unfolded state, the hinge device 100 can also prevent the hinge device 100 from collapsing when the hinge device 100 falls in the state due to the abutment of the first top bar 33 and the second top bar 24, that is, the bendable device is limited in the first state. In the embodiment, the second push rod 24 is disposed on the second hinge unit 20, and the first push rod 33 is driven by the limiting member 32 to slide and change the position in the bending process of the hinge device 100, so that the first push rod 33 and the second push rod 24 are abutted to each other to protect the hinge device 100 from falling when the hinge device 100 is in a completely flattened state, and the reliability of the hinge device 100 is further improved.

In an alternative embodiment, the end surfaces of the first top bar 33 and the second top bar 24, which are connected to each other, are inclined surfaces that are matched with each other. One end of the second top bar 24 is provided with a first inclined surface 241, and one end of the first top bar 33 is provided with a matching inclined surface 331 which can match with the first inclined surface. When the first hinge unit 10 and the second hinge unit 20 are completely unfolded, the two inclined surfaces are completely overlapped, that is, the limiting member 32 moves to the first position, and the bendable apparatus is in the first state. The first position is disposed on the first slope 241. When the first hinge unit 10 and the second hinge unit 20 are relatively bent to a first angle, the first top bar 33 and the second top bar 24 are completely separated; the relative deployment of the second hinge unit 20 and the first hinge unit 10 represents between 180 degrees and a first angle. In this embodiment, the inclination angle of the inclined plane is 45 degrees. Specifically, when the first hinge unit 10 and the second hinge unit 20 are completely unfolded, the limiting member 32 abuts against the first limiting wall 10c, and the matching inclined surface 331 of the first top bar 33, which faces away from the second limiting wall 10d, abuts against the first inclined surface 241 of the second top bar 24. In other words, the first inclined surface 241 of the second push rod 24 facing the second stopper wall 10d and the mating inclined surface 331 of the first push rod 33 facing away from the second stopper wall 10d are completely overlapped. In this embodiment, the first push rod 33 and the second push rod 24 are matched through an inclined plane, so that the first push rod 33 and the second push rod 24 can be separated in a sliding manner, and can move relatively in the direction of the rotating shaft in the separation process, so that the sliding block 25 can be driven to move relatively, and the falling prevention and the sliding compensation can be realized through good matching. Of course, in other embodiments, the abutting end surfaces of the first post rod 33 and the second post rod 24 can have other structures, such as a straight surface parallel to the first rotating shaft 31.

In an optional embodiment, the sliding member 90 is further provided with a first sliding block 25, and the second push rod 24 is fixed on the first sliding block 25; during the relative bending process of the first hinge unit 10 and the second hinge unit 20, the first slider 25 is subjected to the elastic force and slides towards the first hinge unit 10; during the relative expansion of the first hinge unit 10 and the second hinge unit 20, the first sliding block 25 slides back to the first hinge unit 10 against the elastic force due to the abutting force of the first top bar 33 and the second top bar 24. Specifically, the second carrier rod 24 is integrally constructed with the first slider 25. In other words, in the process of bending the hinge device 100 from the completely flattened state to the completely bent state, the limiting member 32 drives the first push rod 33 to gradually separate from the second push rod 24, wherein the first push rod 33 gradually approaches the first slider 25, and finally the first push rod 33 abuts against the first slider 25, that is, the second position of the second hinge unit 20 is disposed on the first slider 25, so that when the hinge device 100 is in the bent state, the first push rod 33 is located at the second position and abuts against the first slider 25 due to the arrangement of the first slider 25, thereby preventing the hinge device 100 from suddenly unfolding in the bent state, that is, limiting the bendable device in the second state. Obviously, the first position and the second position of the sliding member 90 are respectively arranged on the second carrier rod 24 and the first sliding block 25, i.e. the first position is different from the second position, and the first position and the second position are on different planes.

In other words, the first sliding block 25 slides relative to the first hinge unit 10, and the first sliding block 25 is fixed to the second hinge unit 20, and the corresponding first sliding block 25 drives the second hinge unit 20 to slide relative to the first hinge unit 10. Wherein a flexible display component, such as a flexible screen, is disposed on the bent outer side of the hinge device 100, the first structural member 200 and the second structural member 300. The first structural member 200 and the second structural member 300 are fixedly connected to the second hinge unit 20, so that the flexible assembly drives the first sliding block 25 to slide relative to the first hinge unit 10, thereby compensating for the length of the flexible screen during the unfolding process or the folding process. Since the flexible assembly can slide through the first sliding block when being bent, the situation that the flexible assembly is pulled by the first hinge unit 10 and the second hinge unit 20 with a large force due to the difference between the bending radii of the first hinge unit 10 and the second hinge unit 20 and the flexible assembly when being bent can be avoided.

The second push rod 24 arranged on the first slider 25 in this embodiment can not only realize the falling prevention protection of the hinge device 100 in the completely flattened state, but also perform the sliding compensation of the flexible display assembly attached to the hinge device when the flexible display assembly is bent, so that fewer parts realize more functions and the structure is compact. Of course, in other embodiments, the second carrier rod 24 can also be fixed to the second hinge unit 20, independently of the first slider 25.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in fig. 9, the second hinge unit 20 has a sliding slot 20c, and the first sliding block 25 is constrained to be connected to the sliding slot 20c and fixed to the second hinge unit 20 by the first elastic member 26. Optionally, the first elastic element 26 has a first fixing portion 261 and a second fixing portion 262 oppositely disposed along the extending direction of the first push rod 33, the first fixing portion 261 abuts against the first slider 25, and the number of the second fixing portions 262 is two, and the two fixing portions are fixed on the second hinge unit 20. When the hinge device 100 is in the completely flattened state, the first elastic member 26 has an elastic force facing away from the first hinge unit 10, so that when a flexible display component, such as a flexible screen, is attached to the bent outer surface of the hinge device 100, the flexible display screen has an elastic force facing away from the first hinge unit 10, so that the flexible display screen is stretched to have a better flat surface when the hinge device 100 is in the completely flattened state, thereby further improving the reliability of the hinge device 100 in application to a foldable display device.

In an alternative embodiment, with reference to fig. 9, the first sliding block 25 includes a bearing groove mutually engaged with the engaging inclined surface 331 of the first push rod 33, and a side wall of the bearing groove is the second inclined surface 20 d. When the first hinge unit 10 and the second hinge unit 20 are bent relatively, the matching inclined surface of the first top bar 33 abuts against the second inclined surface 20d, that is, the limiting member 32 moves to the second position, and the foldable device is in the second state. The second position of the slider 90 is disposed on the second slope 20 d. Specifically, in the process of bending the hinge device 100 from the completely flattened state to the completely bent state, the limiting member 32 drives the first push rod 33 to gradually separate from the second push rod 24, wherein the matching inclined surface 331 of the first push rod 33 gradually approaches the first slider 25 until abutting against the second inclined surface 20d of the bearing groove, at this time, the hinge device 100 is in the completely bent state, that is, the limiting member 32 moves to the second position, and the bendable device is in the second state. In other words, the second inclined surface 20d is disposed at the second position of the second hinge unit 20, so that when the hinge device 100 is in the fully bent state, the engagement inclined surface 331 of the first push rod 33 abuts against the second inclined surface 20d, and since the engagement inclined surface 331 of the first push rod 33 abuts against the second inclined surface 20d, the hinge device 100 can prevent the hinge device 100 from collapsing when the hinge device 100 falls in the state. In the embodiment, the second hinge unit 20 is provided with a bearing groove for abutting against and accommodating the first top rod 33 when the hinge device 100 is bent; the bearing groove has a second inclined surface 20d, and the first ejector rod 33 is driven by the limiting member 32 to slide and change position in the bending process of the hinge device 100, so that the first ejector rod 33 is abutted against the second inclined surface 20d to protect the hinge device 100 from falling when the hinge device 100 is in a completely bent state, and the reliability of the hinge device 100 is further improved.

In this embodiment, when the rotation angle of the first hinge unit 10 relative to the second hinge unit 20 is a second angle, the inclined surface of the first push rod 33 contacts the inclined surface of the second push rod 24; when the first hinge unit 10 and the second hinge unit 20 are completely bent, the inclined surface of the first top bar 33 completely overlaps with the second inclined surface 20 d; the relative bending of the second hinge unit and the first hinge unit represents that the second angle is between 0 degrees.

The matching inclined surface 331 of the first push rod 33, the first inclined surface 241 of the second push rod 24, and the second inclined surface 20d are kept parallel during the unfolding and folding processes, and the distance between the inclined surface of the second push rod 24 and the second inclined surface 20d in the direction from the second hinge unit 20 to the first hinge unit 10 is half of the required sliding compensation distance, so that the hinge device 100 can avoid the situation that the flexible screen is pulled by the bendable part with a large force due to the bending radius difference between the first hinge unit 10 and the second hinge unit 20, and the flexible screen during the folding process while realizing the fall protection in the completely flattened state and the completely folded state. Obviously, the first inclined surface 241 is disposed at an end of the second plunger 24 away from the first slider 25, an end of the second plunger 24 away from the first slider 25 is closer to the first hinge unit 10 than the first slider 25, and the second inclined surface 20d is disposed at a side of the first slider 25 connected to the second plunger 24, that is, the second inclined surface 20d is further away from the first hinge unit 10 than the first inclined surface 241, that is, the second position of the slider 90 is further away from the first hinge unit than the first position. The first inclined surface 241 is spaced apart from the second inclined surface 20d, that is, the first position and the second position are spaced apart, so that the two spaced apart positions of the sliding member 90 limit the position-limiting member 32, so as to effectively limit the position-limiting member 32, and thus the bendable apparatus is stable in the first state and the second state. The first inclined surface 241 and the second inclined surface 20d are respectively disposed on the second push rod 24 and the first slider 25, and the first inclined surface 241 and the second inclined surface 20d are different from each other, so that a state where the first push rod 33 abuts against the first inclined surface 241 is different from a state where the first push rod 33 abuts against the second inclined surface 20 d.

Further, referring to fig. 10, the second hinge unit 20 further includes a second sliding block 26, and the second sliding block 26 is disposed in the sliding slot 20c of the second hinge unit 20 and connected to the steel plate 19 slidably connected to the first hinge unit 10. The hinge device 100 can adjust the length of the hinge device 100 by adjusting the position of the second slider 26 with respect to the first hinge unit 10. In other words, length compensation of the hinge device 100 during bending from the fully flattened state to the fully bent state is achieved by adjusting the position of the second slider 26 with respect to the first hinge unit 10. It can be understood that the arc length of the bending outer side surface formed by the first hinge unit 10 and the second hinge unit 20 when the hinge device 100 is in the complete bending state is greater than the arc length of the bending outer side surface formed by the first hinge unit 10 and the second hinge unit 20 when the hinge device 100 is in the complete flattening state, so that the length of the steel plate 19 switched to the bending process in the unfolding process needs to be compensated by adjusting the distance between the second sliding block 26 and the first hinge unit 10 and driving the second sliding block to slide relative to the first hinge unit 10 through the steel plate 19, and the steel plate 19 is prevented from being stretched. Wherein the second slider 26 is stacked with the first slider 25 between the first slider 25 and the steel plate 19. The second slider 26 and the first slider 25 are simultaneously accommodated in one of the slide grooves 20c, so that the internal components of the hinge device 100 are compactly arranged.

Further, as shown in fig. 11, the hinge device 100 further includes a link 40, where the link 40 is disposed between the two first rotating shafts 31, and the link 40 is configured to enable the two first rotating shafts 31 to synchronously rotate in opposite directions, so that when one second hinge unit 20 rotates relative to the first hinge unit 10, the other second hinge unit 20 also rotates relative to the first hinge unit 10 under the driving of the corresponding rotating member. Specifically, when the first rotating shaft 31 rotates, the link 40 can drive the other first rotating shaft 31 to rotate in the opposite direction synchronously. Alternatively, the two first rotating shafts 31 rotate in opposite directions, so that the device which is correspondingly rotated by the first rotating shafts 31 can rotate symmetrically in opposite directions. Optionally, the first rotating shaft 31 is fixedly connected with a connecting plate 50 extending to the second hinge unit 20, when the second hinge unit 20 bends relative to the first hinge unit 10, the second hinge unit 20 drives the connecting plate 50 to rotate, and then the connecting plate 50 drives the first rotating shaft 31 to rotate. In other words, the second hinge unit 20 is connected to the first rotating shaft 31 through the connecting plate 50, wherein the connecting plate 50 is fixedly connected to the second hinge unit 20 and the first rotating shaft 31, respectively, so that when the second hinge unit 20 rotates relative to the first hinge unit 10, the connecting plate 50 can rotate the first rotating shaft 31. Correspondingly, the other first rotating shaft 31 rotates reversely under the action of the linkage 40, so that the connecting plate 50 fixedly connected to the other first rotating shaft 31 also rotates reversely, and then the second hinge unit 20 fixedly connected to the connecting plate 50 is driven to rotate relative to the first hinge unit 10, thereby enabling the two second hinge units 20 to approach each other until the hinge device 100 is in a completely bent state. In the present embodiment, the link 40 is provided, so that rotating one second hinge unit 20 can drive the other hinge unit to move synchronously, which is beneficial to bending the hinge device 100. It will be appreciated that the number of the connecting plates 50 is the same as the number of the first rotating shafts 31, and fig. 10 shows only one side of the connecting plates 50 for the convenience of view.

It will be appreciated that the rotation of the first shaft 31 is synchronized with the rotation of the limiting member 32. In other words, the limiting member 32 is stationary with respect to the first rotating shaft 31. Thereby effectively ensuring that the hinge device 100 simultaneously realizes the functions of limiting and linkage.

In an alternative embodiment, the linking member 40 is threadedly transmitted to the two first rotating shafts 31, and the rotating directions of the two first rotating shafts 31 are opposite. It will be appreciated that one of said first shafts 31 has one helical track 31a, and that the helical tracks 31a on both of said first shafts 31 are mirror images. Referring to fig. 10, the link 40 has two balls 41 disposed opposite to each other, one of the balls 41 is spirally transmitted on the corresponding spiral track 31a, when one of the second hinge units 20 rotates relative to the first hinge unit 10, the second hinge unit 20 drives the corresponding first rotating shaft 31 to rotate, one of the balls 41 makes the link 40 axially slide, and the other ball 41 drives the corresponding rotating member to rotate, so that the other second hinge unit 20 rotates relative to the first hinge unit 10. Specifically, the linkage member 40 has a main body 42, two arc-shaped grooves 42a are respectively formed on two surfaces of the main body 42, which are opposite to each other, one of the arc-shaped groove walls is provided with one of the spheres 41, one of the arc-shaped grooves 42a is correspondingly attached to one of the first rotating shafts 31, and the sphere 41 of the arc-shaped groove 42a is spirally driven on the spiral track 31 a. Specifically, the arc-shaped slot 42a is attached to the first rotating shaft 31, so that the linkage member 40 is compactly disposed between the two first rotating shafts 31, and the linkage between the two first rotating shafts 31 is effectively ensured, thereby further ensuring the synchronous movement of one second hinge unit 20 and the other second hinge unit 20. The spiral track 31a is located between the third connecting seat and the damping member 17, which is more beneficial to the smooth rotation of the two rotating shafts.

Referring to fig. 1 to 12, when the hinge device 100 provided in the embodiment of the present application needs to be bent from the completely flattened state to the completely bent state, a first external force is first applied to the second hinge unit 20, so that the second hinge unit 20 rotates relative to the first hinge unit 10, at this time, the first top rod 33 also rotates along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft 31, the limiting member 32 rotates in the limiting groove, and thus the hinge device 100 moves along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft 31 until the hinge device is attached to the second limiting wall 10d under the action of the first limiting wall 10c, and at this time, the hinge device 100 is in the completely bent state. Meanwhile, in this process, the connecting plate 50 drives one first rotating shaft 31 to rotate, and the other second rotating shaft rotates in reverse symmetry in the link 40 of the link 40, so as to drive the second hinge unit 20 fixedly connected to the one second rotating shaft to bend towards the direction close to the first hinge unit 10, thereby enabling the hinge device 100 to be in the completely bent state.

When the hinge device 100 is in the completely bent state, the first push rod 33 slides to completely overlap with the second inclined surface 20d of the first slider 25, so that the hinge device 100 can be prevented from collapsing even when the hinge device 100 falls in the state because the first push rod 33 is in contact with the second inclined surface 20 d. In this process, the first push rod 33 gradually approaches the first slider 25, in other words, the first slider 25 slides relative to the first hinge unit 10, so that the surface of the flexible display assembly facing the bent outer side of the hinge device 100 is driven by the first slider 25 to slide toward the first hinge unit 10.

Wherein, when the hinge device 100 is in the completely flattened state, the first push rod 33 completely overlaps with the inclined surface of the second push rod 24 of the first slide block 25, so as to protect the hinge device 100 from falling when in the completely flattened state. In this state, the first slider 25 has an elastic force facing away from the first hinge unit 10, so that when a flexible display component such as a flexible screen is attached to the bent outer surface of the hinge device 100, the flexible display screen has an elastic force facing away from the first hinge unit 10, so that the flexible display screen is stretched to have a preferable flat surface when the hinge device 100 is in a completely flattened state.

Referring to fig. 13, the present embodiment further provides a foldable display device 1000 including a flexible display assembly 400 and a bendable device. The first structural member 200, the hinge device 100 and the second structural member 300 of the foldable device support the flexible display module 400 together and can drive the flexible display module 400 to bend or unfold. The flexible display module 400 is fixedly connected to the two first sliding blocks 25, respectively, so that the length between the two first sliding blocks 25 is kept to match the length of the flexible display module 400 during the bending and unfolding processes of the hinge device 100. In other words, the length B of the flexible display module 400 at the angle a is also B or close to B, and on the premise that the flexible display module 400 can bear the tension caused by the two sliders 25, it should be noted that since the flexible display module 400 itself has a certain thickness, the length of the side of the flexible display module 400 facing the sliders 25 changes during the bending and unfolding processes. In case of omitting the flexible display assembly 400, the length between the two first sliders 25 can be maintained during the folding and unfolding of the hinge device 100. The flexible assembly 400 includes a flexible screen, which is a flexible OLED having low power consumption and flexible characteristics. In other words, when the flexible screen is not disposed on the rigid structural member, each portion of the flexible screen may be bent. The hinge device 100 is used to support and bend the flexible display assembly 400. It is understood that, as shown in fig. 14, the side 100a of the hinge device 100 facing the side of the screen of the flexible display assembly 400 protrudes from the screen. Specifically, as shown in fig. 1, the hinge device 100, the first structural member 200, and the second structural member 300 protrude from the screen toward the side of the screen of the flexible display assembly 200, so that when the side of the screen of the foldable display device 1000 falls, the flexible display assembly 400 can be protected, and the reliability of the foldable display device 1000 is further improved.

It is understood that the connection relationship between the flexible display module of the foldable display device 1000 and the hinge device 100 can be referred to the contents described in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be described herein again.

It is to be understood that the above-referenced second hinge unit 20 is generally denoted as a second sub hinge unit 22, as it is not specifically described.

The foregoing detailed description has provided for the embodiments of the present application, and the principles and embodiments of the present application have been presented herein for purposes of illustration and description only and to facilitate understanding of the methods and their core concepts; meanwhile, for a person skilled in the art, according to the idea of the present application, there may be variations in the specific embodiments and the application scope, and in summary, the content of the present specification should not be construed as a limitation to the present application.

Claims (11)

1. A bendable device is characterized by comprising a first hinge unit, a second hinge unit, a connecting assembly and a sliding piece, wherein the second hinge unit is rotatably connected to the first hinge unit, the connecting assembly comprises a rotating shaft and a limiting piece, the rotating shaft is arranged on the first hinge unit, the sliding piece is arranged on the second hinge unit, the bendable device comprises a first state and a second state, the first state is one of an unfolding state and a bending state, the second state is the other one of the bending state and the unfolding state, and when the bendable device is deformed from the first state to the second state, the limiting piece moves along the axial direction of the rotating shaft and abuts against the sliding piece to limit the sliding piece when the bendable device is deformed to the second state.

2. The bendable apparatus according to claim 1, wherein during the deformation of the bendable apparatus from the first state to the second state, a portion of the position-limiting member away from the second hinge unit also rotates around the axis of the rotation shaft.

3. The bendable apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a part of the stopper is sleeved on the rotation shaft of the first hinge unit.

4. A bendable apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the end of the stopper connected to the second hinge unit is also rotated around the rotation axis during the deformation of the bendable apparatus from the first state to the second state.

5. A bendable device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the retaining member abuts against a first position of the sliding member when the bendable device is in a first state, and abuts against a second position of the sliding member when the bendable device is in a second state, the second position being different from the first position.

6. The bendable apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first position and the second position are in different planes.

7. The bendable device of claim 5, wherein the second position is further from the first hinge unit than the first position.

8. The bendable apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first position is spaced apart from the second position.

9. The bendable apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first position and the second position are at a first slope and a second slope, respectively.

10. The bendable apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first and second bevels are disposed divergently.

11. A foldable display device, comprising the foldable device of any one of claims 1 to 10, and further comprising a flexible display component, wherein the foldable device supports the flexible display component and drives the flexible display component to bend or unfold.

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