CN112751961B - Folding mechanism and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application discloses a folding mechanism, wherein the first supporting mechanism and the second supporting mechanism are rotatably arranged on opposite sides of the base, the first supporting mechanism includes a first engaging portion, the second supporting mechanism includes a second engaging portion, and the base moves A rack is provided, and by meshing the rack with the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion respectively, and by arranging an elastic member between the rack and the base, the folding mechanism can realize the first supporting mechanism and the second supporting mechanism through the rack. The linkage of the two support mechanisms, and at the same time of linkage, the user can use the driving force generated by the deformation of the elastic member as an assist to save the external force applied by the operation of the folding mechanism, thereby improving the convenience for the user to operate the folding mechanism. This application also discloses a kind of electronic equipment.

Description

Folding mechanism and electronic equipment

technical field

The present application relates to the technical field of communication equipment, in particular to a folding mechanism and electronic equipment.

Background technique

With the development of technology, the development of electronic equipment is also getting faster and faster, and at the same time, the requirements of users for electronic equipment are also getting higher and higher. At present, flexible screens are also widely used in electronic devices, thereby forming foldable electronic devices.

The folding process of current electronic devices is usually realized through manual manipulation by users. In a specific manipulation process, the user usually needs to apply a relatively large operating force, which causes inconvenient use for the user and affects the user experience.

application content

The present application discloses a folding mechanism and electronic equipment to solve the problem of inconvenient operation existing in the folding or unfolding process of current folding electronic equipment.

In order to solve the above problems, the application adopts the following technical solutions:

In a first aspect, the present application discloses a folding mechanism, including a base, a first support mechanism, a second support mechanism, a rack and an elastic member, wherein: the first support mechanism is rotatably connected to the first side, the second supporting mechanism is rotatably connected to the second side of the base, and the first side is opposite to the second side.

The first supporting mechanism includes a first engaging portion, the second supporting mechanism includes a second engaging portion, the rack is movably disposed on the base, and the rack is located between the first engaging portion and the base. between the second engaging parts, and are respectively engaged with the first engaging part and the second engaging part, and the elastic member is disposed between the rack and the base.

During the unfolding process of the folding mechanism, the elastic member can be stretched or compressed with the movement of the rack, and during the folding process of the folding mechanism, the elastic member drives the rack to move or, during the folding process of the folding mechanism, the elastic member can be stretched or compressed with the movement of the rack, and the elastic member drives the The rack moves.

In a second aspect, the present application discloses an electronic device, including a first housing, a second housing, a flexible screen and the folding mechanism, wherein: the first housing is on the same side as the first supporting mechanism set and can rotate following the first supporting mechanism, the second casing is arranged on the same side as the second supporting mechanism, and can rotate following the second supporting mechanism, the flexible screen is connected to the On the first shell and the second shell, when the folding mechanism is in the folded state, the first shell and the second shell are stacked, and the first supporting mechanism and the The second supporting mechanism is stacked, the flexible screen is folded between the first casing and the second casing, when the folding mechanism is in the unfolded state, the flexible screen is flattened, and the flexible At least part of the screen is supported on a third screen supporting surface formed by the first casing and the second casing.

The technical solution adopted in this application can achieve the following beneficial effects:

In the folding mechanism disclosed in the embodiment of the present application, by engaging the rack with the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion respectively, and by providing an elastic member between the rack and the base, the folding mechanism can realize the first folding mechanism through the rack. The linkage between the support mechanism and the second support mechanism, and at the same time of linkage, the user can use the driving force generated by the deformation of the elastic member as an assist to save the external force applied by the operation of the folding mechanism, thereby improving the user's convenience for the operation of the folding mechanism. The folding mechanism disclosed in the embodiment of the application can be applied to an electronic device, thereby realizing the folding or unfolding of the electronic device, and finally achieving the purpose of saving labor when manipulating the folding or unfolding of the electronic device.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a folded state of an electronic device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an unfolded state of an electronic device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is the enlarged view of the I place of Fig. 2 disclosed by the embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a partial structural diagram of the folding mechanism disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view at II of Fig. 4 disclosed by an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a structural diagram of the first strip-shaped support plate disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a structural diagram of a second supporting strip plate disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a structural perspective view of the folding mechanism disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the internal structure of the folding structure disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of III of Fig. 9 disclosed by the embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the internal structure of the folding structure disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 12 is a diagram of the internal structure of the folded electronic device disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged view of IV of Fig. 12 disclosed by the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of reference signs:

A-first axis, B-second axis, C-third axis, D-fourth axis,

a-first distance, b-second distance,

100-base,

110-housing structure part, 111-accommodating space, 112-guiding protrusion, 113-second screen supporting surface,

120 - cover plate,

130-Accommodating clearance,

200-the first supporting mechanism,

210-the first engaging part, 220-the first support member, 221-the first support strip plate, 223-the first strip fitting hole, 230-the second support member, 240-the first connecting shaft,

300-second supporting mechanism,

310-the second engaging part, 320-the third support member, 321-the second support strip plate, 323-the second strip fitting hole, 330-the fourth support member, 340-the second connecting shaft,

400-rack, 410-strip guide hole,

500-elastic parts,

600-first casing, 700-second casing, 800-flexible screen.

Detailed ways

In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present application clearer, the technical solution of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with specific embodiments of the present application and corresponding drawings. Apparently, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of this application, not all of them. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by persons of ordinary skill in the art without making creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of this application.

The technical solutions disclosed in various embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The present application discloses an electronic device as shown in FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 , FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 . The disclosed electronic device includes a first housing 600 , a second housing 700 , a flexible screen 800 and a folding mechanism. The first housing 600 and the second housing 700 are respectively provided on both sides of the folding mechanism. The flexible screen 800 is connected to the first housing 600 and the second housing 700 and covers the folding mechanism. The flexible screen 800 is formed by the first housing 600, the folding mechanism and the second housing 700 form an integral body to achieve support.

In a specific use process, the electronic device can be unfolded when the folding mechanism is unfolded, so that the first casing 600 and the second casing 700 are coplanar with each other, and the electronic device can be folded when the folding mechanism is folded, so that the first The housing 600 and the second housing 700 are stacked on top of each other, and the flexible screen 800 will also unfold or fold along with the movement of the folding mechanism.

Please refer to FIG. 8 to FIG. 10 , the embodiment of the present application discloses a folding mechanism, and the disclosed folding mechanism includes a base 100 , a first supporting mechanism 200 , a second supporting mechanism 300 , a rack 400 and an elastic member 500 .

Wherein: the first support mechanism 200 is rotatably connected to the first side of the base 100, the second support mechanism 300 is rotatably connected to the second side of the base 100, and the first side is opposite to the second side. The first supporting mechanism 200 and the second supporting mechanism 300 are disposed on the top of the folding mechanism.

The first supporting mechanism 200 includes a first engaging portion 210 , the second supporting mechanism 300 includes a second engaging portion 310 , the rack 400 is movably disposed on the base 100 , and the rack 400 is located between the first engaging portion 210 and the second engaging portion 310 between, and engage with the first engaging portion 210 and the second engaging portion 310 respectively, the elastic member 500 is disposed between the rack 400 and the base 100 . Specifically, the first meshing part 210 and the second meshing part 310 can be transmission parts such as gears or pinions, and the two sides of the rack 400 have meshing teeth arranged symmetrically, so that the rack 400 can be connected with the first meshing part 210 and the first meshing part 210 respectively. The second engaging portion 310 is engaged.

During the unfolding process of the folding mechanism, the elastic member 500 can be stretched or compressed with the movement of the rack 400. During the folding process of the folding mechanism, the elastic member 500 drives the rack 400 to move; or, when the folding mechanism is folded During the process, the elastic member 500 can be stretched or compressed with the movement of the rack 400 , and the elastic member 500 drives the rack 400 to move during the unfolding process of the folding mechanism.

In the actual operation process, whether an external force is applied to the first support mechanism 200 or the second support mechanism 300, the first support mechanism 200 and the second support mechanism 300 can be linked through the gear rack 400 to achieve linkage, thereby realizing The folding or unfolding of the folding mechanism is relatively stable, which increases the convenience of operating the folding structure, thereby making the electronic equipment installed with the folding mechanism more operable.

The specific setting position of the elastic member 500 can be shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 13 , which is located in the rack 400 near the bottom of the folding mechanism. And it can be set that when the folding mechanism is folded, the elastic member 500 is in a compressed state, and when the folding mechanism is unfolded, the elastic member 500 is in a stretched state.

From the cross-section shown in FIG. 11 , when the folding mechanism is in the unfolded state, if an external force is applied to make the folding mechanism start to fold, the stretching deformation of the elastic member 500 at this time can be used as an assist to assist in driving the rack 400 Move Downward. In this way, the elastic member 500 will provide the first support mechanism 200 and the second support mechanism 300 with part of the driving force required for rotation through the rack 400, thereby saving the effort of the folding mechanism at the initial stage of switching from the unfolded state to the folded state.

From the cross-section shown in Figure 13, when the folding mechanism is in the folded state, if an external force is applied to make the folding mechanism start to unfold, the compression deformation of the elastic member 500 at this time can be used as an assist to help drive the rack 400 to move upward . In this way, the elastic member 500 will provide the first support mechanism 200 and the second support mechanism 300 with part of the driving force required for rotation through the rack 400, thereby saving the effort of the folding mechanism at the initial stage of switching from the folded state to the stretched state.

It can be known from physical common sense that the folding mechanism will be in a balanced state when no external force is applied, for example, the folding mechanism maintains a folded state or an unfolded state. If the state of the folding mechanism is to be switched, it is necessary to provide the folding mechanism with an external force greater than a certain critical value to break the original equilibrium state of the folding mechanism. The critical value here is usually expressed as static friction or locking force on the object. Denote this critical value as Fmax. Once the balance is broken, in the process of switching the folding mechanism to another state, the resistance to be overcome will decrease because it keeps moving. The resistance here is usually the dynamic friction of the object, and the resistance during this movement is recorded as F. where Fmax>F. The purpose of the design of the elastic member 500 is to enable the user to switch the state of the folding mechanism by applying a smaller force.

Assuming that when the folding mechanism is in the folded state or unfolded state, the driving force generated by the elastic member 500 due to deformation is t, so if the state switching of the folding mechanism is to be performed, the driving force t is the assist force that the user can obtain at this time, then the user applied The initial external force F0>Fmax-t is enough, that is, through the setting of the elastic member 500, the user can apply a small force to break the equilibrium state of the folding mechanism, making it easier for the folding mechanism to achieve state switching, and increasing the operation convenience of the device.

To sum up, the folding mechanism can realize the linkage between the first support mechanism 200 and the second support mechanism 300 through the rack 400, and at the same time of linkage, the user can use the elastic member 500 to generate power, so as to save the need to apply when switching the state of the folding mechanism. external force, thereby improving the user's convenience for the operation of the folding mechanism

In an alternative, the elastic member 500 can also be arranged at one end of the rack 400 near the top of the folding mechanism, so that when the folding mechanism is in the folded state, the elastic member 500 is in a stretched state; and when the folding mechanism is in an unfolded state, The above effects can also be achieved when the elastic member 500 is in a compressed state, which will not be described in detail here.

As another alternative, the elastic member 500 can also be respectively provided at the end of the rack 400 close to the top of the folding mechanism, and the end of the rack 400 away from the top of the folding mechanism, which can also achieve the above effect, and will not be described in detail here.

More specifically, the folding mechanism can maintain the unfolded or folded state when no external force is applied by adding a locking device, such as adding a damping device, a magnetic attraction device, etc., which will not be described in detail here.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 , the base 100 is provided with a guide protrusion 112 , and the rack 400 is provided with a bar-shaped guide hole 410 . The guide protrusion 112 is slidingly fitted with the strip guide hole 410, and the sliding fit is along the moving direction of the rack 400, so that the sliding fit can constrain the movement path of the rack 400, specifically from the cross-sections of Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 Seen from above, the rack 400 can only move up and down along the thickness direction of the folding mechanism to avoid deflection or displacement. At the same time, the sliding fit can also limit the travel of the rack 400 to prevent excessive movement, and then control the rotation angle of the folding mechanism.

More specifically, the strip guide hole 410 is a waist-shaped hole, the guide protrusion 112 is a waist-shaped convex strip, the two ends of the waist-shaped hole are arc-shaped, and the two ends of the waist-shaped convex strip are also arc-shaped, so that the rack 400 moves When reaching the end of its own stroke, the contact between the arcs is relatively smooth, which can prevent the strip-shaped guide hole 410 and the guide protrusion 112 from colliding with each other and being scratched.

In an optional embodiment, the strip-shaped guide hole 410 can also be set on the base 100, and the guide protrusion 112 can be set on the rack 400, so that the gap between the strip-shaped guide hole 410 and the guide protrusion 112 can also be realized. slip fit.

At the same time, the strip-shaped guide hole 410 can also be replaced by a guide groove, through the sliding fit between the guide groove and the guide protrusion 112 , the movement guide of the rack 400 can also be realized.

In a further embodiment, the elastic member 500 may be a telescopic spring, and the force-saving operation of the folding mechanism can be achieved through deformation of the telescopic spring. Of course, the elastic member 500 can also be an elastic pad, an elastic strip, etc., which can also achieve the effect of a telescopic spring.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 , the first support mechanism 200 includes a first support member 220 and a second support member 230 , and the second support mechanism 300 includes a third support member 320 and a fourth support member 330 , the first supporting member 220 is provided with a first engaging portion 210 , and the third supporting member 320 is provided with a second engaging portion 310 .

Wherein, the first supporting member 220 and the base 100 are rotatably matched with the first axis A as the rotation center. The second supporting member 230 is rotatably matched with the first supporting member 220 around the second axis B as the rotation center. The third supporting member 320 is rotatably engaged with the base 100 around the third axis C as a rotation center. The fourth supporting member 330 and the third supporting member 320 are rotatably matched with the fourth axis D as the rotation center.

Meanwhile, the second axis B is located on a side of the first axis A away from the base 100 , and the fourth axis D is located on a side of the third axis C away from the base 100 . In this way, non-concentric rotation is performed between the second support member 230 and the first support member 220, that is, the first support member 220 rotates around the first axis A, and the second support member 230 can rotate around the second axis A along with the first support member 220. Rotation of axis B. The third supporting member 320 and the fourth supporting member 330 also rotate non-concentrically, that is, the third supporting member 320 rotates around the third axis C, and the fourth supporting member 330 can rotate around the third axis C along with the third supporting member 320 . The rotation of the four axes D.

The folding mechanism has a folded state and an unfolded state. During the folding process of the folding mechanism, the first support mechanism 200 rotates relative to the base 100 , and the second support mechanism 300 rotates relative to the base 100 . Specifically, the first support 220 and the third support 320 rotate relative to the base 100, while the second support 230 and the fourth support 330 follow the rotation of the first support 220 and the third support 320 respectively, Can be further rotated relative to the first support 220 and the third support 320 respectively, since the second axis B is located on the side of the first axis A away from the base 100 , and the fourth axis D is located on the side of the third axis C away from the base 100 , so after the folding is completed, a relatively large redundant space is formed between the second support member 230 and the fourth support member 330 and the base 100, and the bend of the flexible screen 800 in the process of following the folding process will be better accommodated in the In the redundant space, the damage of the flexible screen 800 due to stacking and extrusion can be avoided, thereby improving the service life of the flexible screen of the electronic device.

In a more specific embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , for an electronic device equipped with a folding mechanism, the first housing 600 is set on the same side as the first supporting mechanism 200 and connected to the first supporting mechanism 200 . The side of the mechanism 200 away from the base 100 , specifically the first housing 600 is kept connected with the first support member 220 , so that the first housing 600 can rotate around the first axis A following the first support mechanism 200 .

The second housing 700 is set on the same side as the second support mechanism 300, and is connected to the side of the second support mechanism 300 away from the base 100, specifically, the second housing 700 is kept connected with the third support member 320, so that the second housing 700 The body 700 can rotate around the third axis C along with the second supporting mechanism 300 .

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 , in the unfolded state of the folding mechanism, the first housing 600 and the second support 230 both follow the rotation of the first support 220 , and the second housing 700 and the fourth support 330 follow the rotation of the second support. The three supports 320 rotate. There is a third screen support surface between the first housing 600 and the second housing 700, the flexible screen 800 is flattened, and at least part of the flexible screen 800 is supported by the third screen formed by the first housing 600 and the second housing 700. Screen support surface. Wherein, the second supporting member 230 and the fourth supporting member 330 can form a first screen supporting surface, the first screen supporting surface is parallel to the third screen supporting surface, and the first screen supporting surface is at the center of the folding mechanism. In this way, the first screen support surface cooperates with the third screen support surface to support the flexible screen 800 while unfolding the flexible screen 800, preventing the flexible screen 800 from collapsing at the center of the folding mechanism.

As shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 , in the folded state, the first supporting member 220 and the third supporting member 320 are stacked. At the same time, the first shell 600 and the second shell are realized by rotating the first shell 600 around the first axis A with the first support 220, and by rotating the second shell 700 around the third axis C with the third support 320. The bodies 700 are stacked.

By the second support 230 being rotatable relative to the first support 220 around the second axis B, and the fourth support 330 being rotatable relative to the third support 320 around the fourth axis D, the first support 220 and the third The supports 320 are opposed to each other.

The flexible screen 800 is folded between the first housing 600 and the second housing 700, and the second support 230 and the fourth support 330, so that the folding mechanism can fold the flexible screen 800 inside, so as to realize the flexible screen 800 protective effect.

In a more preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11 , the base 100 includes a second screen support surface 113, and in the unfolded state, the second screen support surface 113, the first screen support surface and the third screen support surface are coplanar . In this way, the second screen support surface 113 cooperates with the first screen support surface to have a better central support effect on the flexible screen 800 and prevent the flexible screen 800 from collapsing at the center of the folding mechanism when it is unfolded.

In a further embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 11 , the first support member 220 includes two first support strips 221 located on the first side of the base 100, and the two first support strips 221 Connected to both ends of the base 100 respectively, the two first support strips 221 are rotatably matched with the base 100 around the first axis A as the rotation center.

The third support 320 includes two second support strips 321 located on the second side of the base 100, the two second support strips 321 are respectively connected to the two ends of the base 100, the two second support strips 321 rotates with the base 100 around the third axis C as the rotation center.

The two first support strips 221 are matched with the two second support strips 321 one by one, and the first support strips 221 and the second support strips 321 connected at the same end of the base 100 pass through the corresponding first support strips. The engaging portion 210 is engaged with the second engaging portion 310 .

In this way, by pairing the first support strip plate 221 and the second support strip plate 321, the first housing 600 and the second housing 700 connected on it can be more stable, increasing the stability of the folding mechanism. operability, thereby making the experience of the electronic device installed with the folding mechanism better.

In a more preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8 , the folding mechanism is in an "I" beam structure when it is unfolded, and has cross beams, vertical beams and wing plates. Wherein, cross beams are arranged at both ends of the vertical beams, and the wing plates are symmetrical to both sides of the vertical beams and are located between the two cross beams. The cross beams can rotate relative to the vertical beams, and the wing plates can rotate with the cross beams and relative to the vertical beams. The first support 220 and the third support 320 form a beam, the base 100 forms a vertical beam, and the second support 230 and the fourth support 330 form a wing. In this way, the first housing 600 and the second housing 700 are respectively connected through the beam, and the flexible screen 800 is centrally supported through the wing plate and the vertical beam, so as to increase the user's operability and experience of the electronic device.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 , there are two first engaging portions 210 located at two ends of the base portion 100 respectively, and the two first engaging portions 210 are connected by a first connecting shaft 240 . There are two second engaging parts 310 located at two ends of the base part 100 respectively, and the two second engaging parts 310 are connected by a second connecting shaft 340 . There are two racks 400 , and the two racks 400 are respectively located at two ends of the base 100 , and the racks 400 are engaged with the first engaging portion 210 and the second engaging portion 310 located at the same end of the base 100 .

In this way, the two first support strips 221 can be linked through the first connecting shaft 240 , and the two second engaging parts 310 can be linked through the second connecting shaft 340 , which further increases the operability of the folding mechanism.

It should be noted here that the connection between the first engaging part 210 and the first connecting shaft 240, as well as between the second engaging part 310 and the second connecting shaft 340, can be achieved through a key connection, and of course other forms of shaft-hub connections are also possible. At the same time, the gear shaft structure can also be formed integrally, which will not be described in detail here.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 , the base 100 includes a housing structure part 110, the housing structure part 110 has an accommodating space 111, the first engaging part 210, the second engaging part 310, the rack 400 and The elastic member 500 is disposed inside the receiving space 111 , and the first supporting member 220 and the third supporting member 320 are both located outside the receiving space 111 .

In this way, the housing structure part 110 can realize the protection of the transmission parts, such as dustproof, waterproof and bumpproof. As for the specific structure of the shell structure part 110 , it may be an integrally provided shell structure, or may be a shell structure formed by buckling up and down of two mutually adapted shells.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 10 , the base 100 further includes two cover plates 120 respectively located at two ends of the base 100 . An accommodation gap 130 is formed between the cover plate 120 and the housing structure part 110 . Ends of the first support 220 and the third support 320 are located in the receiving gap 130 , and the cover plate 120 covers the ends of the first support 220 and the third support 320 .

In this way, through the design of the cover plate 120, the axial limit and stop of the first support member 220 and the third support member 320 can be realized, preventing the first support member 220 and the third support member 320 from moving along the first axis A and the The third axis, C, carries out the separation from the folding mechanism. At the same time, the mask protection can be realized, and the overall aesthetics of the folding mechanism and the electronic equipment installed with the folding mechanism can be improved.

It should be noted here that the cover plate 120 and the shell structure part 110 can be integrally formed, and the 130 is formed by transverse slotting; the cover plate 120 and the shell structure part 110 can also be connected by four revolving pins, And the axes of the four rotating pins respectively form the first axis A, the second axis B, the third axis C and the fourth axis D, which will not be described in detail here.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 , the first end of the second support 230 is close to the first axis A, and the first end of the second support 230 is aligned with the first support 220 along the second axis. B is the rotational fit of the rotational center.

The first end of the fourth supporting member 330 is close to the third axis C, and the first end of the fourth supporting member 330 is rotatably matched with the third supporting member 320 around the fourth axis D as the rotation center.

In the folded state of the electronic device, the distance between the first end of the second support 230 and the first end of the fourth support 330 is the first distance a, and the distance between the second end of the second support 230 and the fourth support The distance between the second ends of the pieces 330 is a second distance b, and the first distance a is greater than the second distance b.

In this way, the second support member 230 and the fourth support member 330 will face each other and be inclined to each other, so that the cross-section of the redundant space formed in this way will present a tapered shape, and the diameter of the redundant space will gradually increase toward the rack 400 , such a design allows the folding structure to be installed on the electronic device, and the flexible screen 800 can form a bend at the center of itself along with the folding of the electronic device, and the bend is accommodated in the redundant space and utilizes the redundant space The tapered configuration can control the curvature radius of the bending part of the flexible screen 800 to prevent excessive folding and damage. To sum up, the redundant design formed by the redundant space can better protect the flexible screen 800 .

Further, as shown in FIG. 6 , FIG. 7 and FIG. 11 , the first supporting member 220 is provided with a first strip-shaped fitting hole 223 , and the third supporting member 320 is provided with a second strip-shaped fitting hole 323 . The second end of the second support member 230 is rotatably engaged with the first strip-shaped fitting hole 223, and can slide along the first strip-shaped fitting hole 223, and the second end of the fourth support member 330 is rotated with the second strip-shaped fitting hole 323. fit, and can slide along the second strip-shaped fitting hole 323 .

This design is to consider the non-concentric rotation between the first support 220 and the second support 230 (respectively around the first axis A and the second axis B), while the third support 320 and the fourth support 330 There are also non-concentric rotations (rotating around the third axis C and the fourth axis D respectively).

When the second support 230 rotates with the first support 220 like this, the first end of the second support 230 will remain fixed to the first support 220, and the second end of the second support 230 will be relative to the first support. Part 220 moves, so the first strip-shaped matching hole 223 is provided, and through the rotation and cooperation of the two, it avoids interference with the movement of the second end of the second support part 230 and prevents abnormalities such as jamming of the folding mechanism. The first strip-shaped matching hole 223 can also guide the movement of the second end of the second supporting member 230 .

Similarly, when the third support member 320 and the fourth support member 330 rotate, the first end of the fourth support member 330 will remain fixed to the third support member 320, while the second end of the fourth support member 330 will be relative to the first end. The three support members 320 move, so the second strip-shaped matching hole 323 is provided, and through the rotation and cooperation of the two, it avoids interfering with the movement of the second end of the third support member 320 and prevents abnormalities such as jamming of the folding mechanism. The second strip-shaped matching hole 323 can also guide the movement of the second end of the third supporting member 320

The electronic devices disclosed in the embodiments of the present application may be devices such as mobile phones, tablet computers, e-book readers, and game consoles, and of course other types of devices. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific types of electronic devices.

The above-mentioned embodiments of this application focus on the differences between the various embodiments. As long as the different optimization features of the various embodiments are not contradictory, they can be combined to form a better embodiment. Considering the simplicity of the text, here No longer.

The above are only examples of the present application, and are not intended to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, various modifications and changes may occur in this application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included within the scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims (12)

1. A folding mechanism comprising a base, a first support mechanism, a second support mechanism, a rack, and a resilient member, wherein:

the first support mechanism is rotatably connected to a first side of the base, the second support mechanism is rotatably connected to a second side of the base, the first side is opposite to the second side,

the first supporting mechanism comprises a first meshing part, the second supporting mechanism comprises a second meshing part, the rack is movably arranged on the base part, the rack is positioned between the first meshing part and the second meshing part and respectively meshed with the first meshing part and the second meshing part, the elastic part is arranged between the rack and the base part,

the elastic piece can be stretched or compressed along with the movement of the rack in the process of unfolding the folding mechanism, and the elastic piece drives the rack to move in the process of folding the folding mechanism; or,

the elastic piece can be stretched or compressed along with the movement of the rack in the folding process of the folding mechanism, and drives the rack to move in the unfolding process of the folding mechanism.

2. The folding mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the base and the rack is provided with a strip-like guide hole or guide groove, and the other is provided with a guide projection which is slidably fitted with the strip-like guide hole or guide groove in a moving direction of the rack.

3. The folding mechanism of claim 1 wherein said resilient member is a telescoping spring.

4. The folding mechanism of claim 1 wherein said first support mechanism includes a first support member and a second support member, said second support mechanism includes a third support member and a fourth support member, said first support member being provided with said first engagement portion, said third support member being provided with said second engagement portion, wherein:

the first supporting piece and the base are in rotating fit by taking a first axis as a rotating center, the second supporting piece and the first supporting piece are in rotating fit by taking a second axis as a rotating center,

the third support piece and the base are in rotating fit by taking a third axis as a rotating center, and the fourth support piece and the third support piece are in rotating fit by taking a fourth axis as a rotating center;

the second axis is located on a side of the first axis away from the base, and the fourth axis is located on a side of the third axis away from the base;

the folding mechanism has a folded state and an unfolded state;

in the unfolded state, the second support piece and the fourth support piece rotate along with the first support piece and the third support piece respectively, and the second support piece and the fourth support piece form a first screen supporting surface;

in the folded state, the first support and the third support overlap, the second support is rotatable relative to the first support about the second axis, and the fourth support is rotatable relative to the third support about the fourth axis.

5. The folding mechanism of claim 4 wherein said base includes a second screen support surface, said first screen support surface being coplanar with said second screen support surface in said unfolded state.

6. The folding mechanism of claim 4 wherein said first support includes two first support stay plates on a first side of said base, said two first support stay plates being connected to respective ends of said base, said two first support stay plates being rotationally engaged with said base about said first axis;

the third support piece comprises two second support strip-shaped plates positioned on the second side of the base part, the two second support strip-shaped plates are respectively connected to two ends of the base part, and the two second support strip-shaped plates are in rotating fit with the base part by taking the third axis as a rotating center;

the two first supporting strip-shaped plates and the two second supporting strip-shaped plates are matched in a one-to-one correspondence mode and connected to the same end of the base portion, and the first supporting strip-shaped plates and the second supporting strip-shaped plates are meshed through the corresponding first meshing portions and the second meshing portions.

7. The folding mechanism of claim 6 wherein said first engaging portions are two and located at each end of said base portion, said two first engaging portions being connected by a first connecting shaft,

the two second meshing parts are respectively positioned at two ends of the base part and connected through a second connecting shaft,

the two racks are respectively positioned at two ends of the base part, and the racks are meshed with the first meshing part and the second meshing part which are positioned at the same end of the base part.

8. The folding mechanism of claim 4 wherein said base portion includes a housing structure portion having an accommodating space, said first engagement portion, said second engagement portion, said rack gear and said resilient member being disposed within said accommodating space, said first support member and said third support member being disposed outside of said accommodating space.

9. The folding mechanism of claim 8 wherein the base further includes two cover plates at each end of the base, the cover plates forming a receiving gap with the housing structure portion, the ends of the first and third supports being located in the receiving gap, and the cover plates covering the ends of the first and third supports.

10. The folding mechanism of claim 4 wherein said first end of said second support member is proximate to said first axis and said first end of said second support member is rotatably engaged with said first support member about said second axis,

the first end of the fourth supporting piece is close to the third axis, and the first end of the fourth supporting piece is in rotating fit with the third supporting piece by taking the fourth axis as a rotating center;

in the folded state, a distance between a first end of the second support member and a first end of the fourth support member is a first distance, a distance between a second end of the second support member and a second end of the fourth support member is a second distance, and the first distance is greater than the second distance.

11. The folding mechanism of claim 10, wherein the first supporting member defines a first strip-shaped hole, the third supporting member defines a second strip-shaped hole, the second end of the second supporting member is rotatably engaged with the first strip-shaped hole and can slide along the first strip-shaped hole, and the second end of the fourth supporting member is rotatably engaged with the second strip-shaped hole and can slide along the second strip-shaped hole.

12. An electronic device comprising a first housing, a second housing, a flexible screen, and the folding mechanism of any of claims 1-11, wherein:

the first shell and the first supporting mechanism are arranged at the same side and can rotate along with the first supporting mechanism,

the second shell and the second supporting mechanism are arranged at the same side and can rotate along with the second supporting mechanism,

the flexible screen is connected to the first housing and the second housing,

the first and second housings are superposed when the folding mechanism is in a folded state, and

the first supporting mechanism and the second supporting mechanism are superposed, the flexible screen is folded between the first shell and the second shell,

when the folding mechanism is in an unfolded state, the flexible screen is unfolded, and at least part of the flexible screen is supported on a third screen supporting surface formed by the first shell and the second shell.

Images