CN113016022A

CN113016022A - Hinge device and flexible device

Info

Publication number: CN113016022A
Application number: CN201880095893.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 王正熙; 陈松亚
Original assignee: Shenzhen Royole Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shenzhen Royole Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-12-21
Filing date: 2018-12-21
Publication date: 2021-06-22
Also published as: WO2020124789A1; WO2020124788A1; CN210223369U; WO2020124605A1; CN112640399A; CN210183680U; CN112639665A

Abstract

A hinge device (100) comprises a first hinge unit (1), a second hinge unit (2) and a first rotating shaft (6) positioned between the first hinge unit (1) and the second hinge unit (2), wherein the first hinge unit (1) is provided with a first engaging part (11), the first engaging part (11) is rotatably connected to the first rotating shaft (6), and the first engaging part (11) is engaged and connected to the second hinge unit (2); the hinge device (100) is characterized in that a first meshing portion (11) is arranged on a first hinge unit (1), the first meshing portion (11) is meshed and connected with a second hinge unit (2) through a first rotating shaft (6) so that the two hinge units are connected compactly, the first meshing portion (11) can rotate relative to the first rotating shaft (6) to enable the first hinge unit (1) to rotate relative to the first rotating shaft (6), and the first hinge unit (1) is linked with the second hinge unit (2) so that the hinge device (6) is bent.

Description

Hinge device and flexible device

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to electronic devices, and particularly to a hinge device and a flexible 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 hinge device and a flexible device.

In one aspect, the present application provides a hinge device, including first articulated unit and second articulated unit, and be located first articulated unit with first pivot between the second articulated unit, first articulated unit is equipped with first meshing portion, first meshing portion rotate connect in first pivot, first meshing portion mesh connect in the second articulated unit.

On the other hand, the application also provides a hinge device, which comprises a first hinge unit, a second hinge unit and a first connecting piece connected between the first hinge unit and the second hinge unit, wherein the first connecting piece is movably connected with the first hinge unit and the second hinge unit so that the second hinge unit can rotate relative to the first hinge unit.

In another aspect, the present application further provides a flexible device, which includes a flexible screen and a hinge device, wherein the flexible screen has a bending region, and the hinge device is aligned with the bending region, so that the bending region of the flexible screen can be bent.

The hinge device that this application provided is through setting up first meshing portion on first articulated unit, and first meshing portion through first pivot meshing connect in the articulated unit of second to make the compact of two articulated units be connected, first meshing portion can make first articulated unit rotate first pivot relatively for first pivot rotation, and first articulated unit linkage second articulated unit, thereby realizes articulated device's buckling.

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 structural view of a hinge device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the hinge assembly of FIG. 1 in a bent state;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the hinge assembly of FIG. 1 in an exploded condition;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a first engagement portion of the hinge assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of another first engagement portion of the hinge assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the hinge assembly of FIG. 1 in another exploded configuration;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the hinge assembly of FIG. 6 in a bent state;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the hinge assembly of FIG. 6 in a further exploded condition;

fig. 9 is a schematic structural view of a second engagement portion in the hinge device of fig. 8;

FIG. 10 is a schematic structural view of the hinge assembly of FIG. 8 further including a third engagement portion and a first transmission member;

FIG. 11 is a schematic structural view of the hinge device of FIG. 8 further provided with a third hinge unit;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of another angular configuration of the hinge assembly of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a schematic structural view of another hinge assembly provided in accordance with the second embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of another angular configuration of the hinge assembly of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of the hinge assembly of FIG. 13 in a bent state;

FIG. 16 is a schematic structural diagram of a flexible device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 17 is a schematic structural diagram of a hinge device according to a third embodiment of the present application.

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 and 2, a hinge device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first hinge unit 1, a second hinge unit 2, and a first rotating shaft 6 located between the first hinge unit 1 and the second hinge unit 2, where the first hinge unit 1 is provided with a first engaging portion 11, the first engaging portion 11 is rotatably connected to the first rotating shaft 6, and the first engaging portion 11 is engaged with the second hinge unit 2.

By arranging the first engaging portion 11 on the first hinge unit 1 and engaging the first engaging portion 11 with the second hinge unit 2 through the first rotating shaft 6, so as to compactly connect the two hinge units, the first engaging portion 11 can rotate relative to the first rotating shaft 6, so that the first hinge unit 1 can rotate relative to the first rotating shaft 6, and the first hinge unit 1 links the second hinge unit 2, thereby realizing bending of the hinge device 100.

As shown in fig. 2, the transmission mechanism between the first hinge unit 1 and the second hinge unit 2 of the hinge device 100 is: when the first hinge unit 1 is forced to rotate relative to the first rotating shaft 6, the first engaging portion 11 is forced to rotate clockwise relative to the first rotating shaft 6, and since the first engaging portion 11 is engaged and connected with the second hinge unit 2, the rotation of the first engaging portion 11 can drive the second hinge unit 2 to rotate in the opposite direction, so that the linkage between the first hinge unit 1 and the second hinge unit 2 is realized.

Referring to fig. 3, the first hinge unit 1 includes a first base plate 12 and a first cover plate 13 covering the first base plate 12, the first cover plate 13 is slidably connected to the first engaging portion 11, and the first cover plate 13 forms a first rack, which is the first engaging portion 131. Specifically, the mutual cover-connection between the first bottom plate 12 and the first cover plate 13 of the first hinge unit 1 can form a space for accommodating the first engaging portion 11.

The first cover plate 13 is a substantially rectangular block having a large wall thickness. The first cover plate 13 has adjacent first and

second wall sections

131, 132, the first and

second wall sections

131, 132 forming a generally L-shape. The first wall section 131 is an arc-shaped plate, the first wall section 131 is provided with a first rack and a first recess 1312, the first rack can be engaged with the engaging portion on the adjacent hinge unit, and the first recess 1312 provides a space for avoiding when the adjacent hinge unit is engaged with the first engaging portion 11, so that the first hinge unit 1 and the second hinge unit 2 can be connected more compactly. The second wall segment 132 is an elongated rectangular block. A plurality of first connection holes 1321 are opened on an end surface of the second wall section 132 away from the first wall section 131.

The first bottom plate 12 is a substantially long rectangular thin plate, the first bottom plate 12 is provided with a plurality of second connection holes 121, the first bottom plate 12 is detachably connected to the first wall section 131 by screws sequentially passing through the second connection holes 121 and the first connection holes 1321, and the first bottom plate 12 and the first wall section 131 have a space therebetween, so as to form a space for accommodating the first engaging portion 11. In other words, the structure in which the first bottom plate 12 is connected to the first cover plate 13 forms a partially closed housing structure, the first engaging portion 11 can be projected from the side opposite to the second wall section 132 to be engaged with the second hinge unit 2, and the first hinge unit 1 has the second wall section 132 provided to form a closed end on the side of the second wall section 132.

It can be understood that, one side of the first base plate 12 is convexly provided with the first protruding portion 122, the first protruding portion 122 is disposed close to the first engaging portion 11, when the first engaging portion 11 rotates to a certain angle relative to the first rotating shaft 6, the first engaging portion 11 stops rotating due to interference with the first protruding portion 122, in other words, the first protruding portion 122 on the first base plate 12 can prevent the hinge device 100 from being bent excessively, and the reliability of the hinge device 100 in use is further improved. Of course, in other embodiments, the first bottom plate 12 and the first cover plate 13 may be integrally connected.

The first hinge unit 1 is constructed such that the first hinge unit 1 is a partially closed structure, facilitating the first hinge unit 1 to be coupled to other structural members, such as the flexible screen 301. In other words, the first hinge unit 1 is generally located at an end (head end or tail end) of the hinge device 100. It can be understood that the first hinge unit 1 further includes a first fixing block 14, the first fixing block 14 is disposed on a side of the first cover plate 13 away from the second hinge unit 2, and the first fixing block 14 is configured to be slidably connected to a structural member. In particular, the first fixing block 14 is integrally connected to the second wall section 132 of the first hinge unit 1, and the first fixing block 14 has a substantially rectangular structure, which is mainly used for being inserted into a housing of a mobile terminal. The first fixing block 14 is disposed to tightly connect the hinge device 100 in this embodiment with the structural member of the flexible device 300, and to make the bending force required for bending the flexible device 300 smaller, so that the bending process of the flexible device 300 is faster and simpler.

The first engaging portion 11 is disposed in the inner cavity of the first hinge unit 1, and the first engaging portion 11 partially extends out of the first hinge unit 1 to rotatably connect the first rotating shaft 6. Specifically, the portion of the first engaging portion 11 connected to the first rotating shaft 6 is provided with a plurality of racks for engaging with the second hinge unit 2. It is understood that the structure of the first engaging portion 11 includes, but is not limited to, the following embodiments:

in one embodiment, referring to fig. 4, the first engaging portion 11 includes a first end 111 at one side of the first hinge unit 1 for slidably connecting to the first hinge unit 1 and a second end 112 extending to one side of the second hinge unit 2; the second hinge unit 2 further includes a second engagement fitting portion 231; the first engaging portion 11 is engaged with the second engagement fitting portion 231. Specifically, the second end 112 is a cylinder, and a plurality of racks are disposed on a circumferential surface of the cylinder, and the plurality of racks are located on a local portion of the circumferential surface of the cylinder. In other words, the second end 112 is a partial gear for rotatably connecting the first rotating shaft 6 and the second hinge unit 2. The first end 111 of the first engaging portion 11 is slidably connected to the first bottom plate 12 of the first hinge unit 1, so that the first end 111 of the first engaging portion 11 can slide on the first bottom plate 12 when the first hinge unit 1 is subjected to an external force. Specifically, the first end 111 has at least one straight portion, a section of the straight portion is provided with a plurality of racks, and the first end 111 is substantially a rectangular parallelepiped block-shaped structure. It is understood that the first end 111 in the embodiment of the present application has two first flat portions 111a and two second flat portions 111b arranged at intervals, and both of the two flat portions are located at one side of the second end 112.

When the second end 112 is rotated in a clockwise direction with respect to the first rotation axis 6, the first end 111 can slide on the first base plate 12 in a direction in which the first hinge unit 1 extends to the second hinge unit 2. It is understood that the second end 112 of the first engaging portion 11 further has a first through hole 112a, and the first rotating shaft 6 is disposed through the first through hole 112 a. The first engaging portion 11 of the structure enables the first hinge unit 1 to slide on the first cover plate 13 through the first end 111 of the first engaging portion 11 when the first hinge unit 1 is subjected to an external force, i.e., a compensation space required for bending the hinge device 100 is provided on the first cover plate 13 of the first hinge unit 1, so that the space utilization rate of the hinge device 100 is improved, a larger stacking space is provided for other hardware, and the performance of the hinge device 100 is improved.

By providing the first protruding portion 122 on the first base plate 12 of the first hinge unit 1, when the first hinge unit 1 is bent to the limit, the first engaging portion 11 stops rotating due to interference with the first protruding portion 122 to stop the first hinge unit 1 from being bent further, thereby preventing excessive bending of the hinge device 100 and further improving reliability of the hinge device 100 in use; in addition, in the present embodiment, the first recess 1312 is disposed on the first cover 13, and the first recess 1312 provides a space for avoiding when the adjacent hinge unit is engaged with the first engaging portion 11, so that the first hinge unit 1 and the second hinge unit 2 can be connected more compactly, in other words, in the present embodiment, only a small additional compensation space is required to realize the linkage between the first hinge unit 1 and the second hinge unit 2, and the saving of the compensation space can provide a larger stacking space for hardware such as batteries, thereby improving the performance of the hinge device 100.

It can be understood that, as shown in fig. 3, in combination with the thicker wall thickness of the second wall section 132, a U-shaped slot 1322 is formed in the second wall section 132 of the first cover plate 13, the first straight portion 111a and the second straight portion 111b are located in the U-shaped slot 1322, and the U-shaped slot 1322 provides a guiding function for the sliding of the first straight portion 111a and the second straight portion 111b, thereby further improving the reliability of the hinge device 100 in use.

In another embodiment, referring to fig. 5, the first engaging portion 11 includes a first rotating section 1101, a first sliding section 1102 and a first fixing section 1103. The first rotation section 1101 is rotatably connected to the first rotation shaft 6 for engagement with the second hinge unit 2. The first rotating section 1101 is a cylinder, a plurality of racks are arranged on the circumferential surface of the cylinder, the plurality of racks are located on a part of the circumferential surface of the cylinder, the first sliding section 1102 is fixedly connected to the first rotating section 1101, a strip-shaped sliding groove 1104 is arranged on the first sliding section 1102, one end of the first fixing section 1103 is slidably connected to the strip-shaped sliding groove 1104 of the first sliding section 1102, and the other end of the first fixing section 1103 is fixed on the first base plate 12. When the first rotating section 1101 rotates clockwise relative to the first rotating shaft 6, the first fixing section 1103 slides relative to the first sliding section 1102 to provide length compensation for bending of the hinge device 100, so as to prevent the first hinge unit 1 from being jammed relative to the second hinge unit 2, thereby further improving the reliability of the hinge device 100 in use.

As shown in fig. 3, a second engaging portion 231 is disposed on the second hinge unit 2 opposite to the first engaging portion 11, specifically, the first engaging portion 131 may be a plurality of racks to engage with the second end 112 of the first engaging portion 11 in a matching manner, and when the first engaging portion 11 rotates clockwise relative to the first rotating shaft 6, the first engaging portion 11 can engage with the second engaging portion 231 to drive the second hinge unit 2 to rotate in the same direction, so as to realize the linkage between the first hinge unit 1 and the second hinge unit 2.

Referring to fig. 6 to 8, the second hinge unit 2 includes a second bottom plate 22 and a second cover plate 23 covering the second bottom plate 22, the second cover plate 23 forms a second rack and a fourth rack which are opposite to each other, the second rack is the second engaging portion 231, and the fourth rack is the fourth engaging portion 232. Specifically, the mutual covering of the second bottom plate 22 and the second cover plate 23 on the second hinge unit 2 can form a space for accommodating the second engaging portion 21. Specifically, the second base plate 22 has a substantially rectangular sheet-like configuration. The second cover plate 23 is a substantially rectangular block having a large wall thickness. The second cover plate 23 has a first outer surface 23a and a first inner surface 23b which are opposite to each other, the first outer surface 23a is a curved surface which forms a part of the entire outer surface of the hinge device 100, the first inner surface 23b is a substantially straight surface, and one side of the first inner surface 23b is provided with a second engagement mating portion 231. When the first hinge unit 1 and the second hinge unit 2 are coupled together, the second engagement mating part 231 of the second hinge unit 2 extends into the first recess 1312 of the first hinge unit 1 and then engages with the second end 112 of the first engagement part 11. When the first engaging portion 11 rotates in the clockwise direction relative to the first rotating shaft 6, the first engaging portion 11 can engage with the second engaging portion 231 to drive the second hinge unit 2 to rotate in the clockwise direction, so as to realize the linkage between the first hinge unit 1 and the second hinge unit 2. The first engaging portion 131 may be configured as a plurality of racks to engage with the second end 112 of the first engaging portion 11. The first inner surface 23b of the second cover plate 23 is further provided with a plurality of first studs 233 protruding in parallel along the longitudinal extension direction of the second cover plate 23.

The second bottom plate 22 is a substantially long rectangular thin plate, and the second bottom plate 22 is provided with a plurality of third connecting holes 22a, and the second bottom plate 22 is detachably connected to the second cover plate 23 by screws sequentially passing through the third connecting holes 22a and the first studs 233. The space between the second bottom plate 22 and the second cover plate 23 due to the spacing of the first studs 233 forms a space for accommodating other engaging parts, such as the second engaging part 21. In other words, the second bottom plate 22 and the second cover plate 23 are connected so that the engaging portions provided on the second hinge unit 2 can protrude from both sides of the first hinge unit 1 to be engaged with the adjacent hinge units. Of course, in other embodiments, the second bottom plate 22 and the second cover plate 23 may be integrally connected.

When the first hinge unit 1 and the second hinge unit 2 are coupled together, the second engagement mating part 231 of the second hinge unit 2 extends into the first recess 1312 of the first hinge unit 1 and then engages with the second end 112 of the first engagement part 11. When the first hinge unit 1 is subjected to an external force, the second end 112 of the first engaging portion 11 rotates clockwise relative to the first rotating shaft 6, the first engaging portion 11 drives the second engaging portion 231 to move, and further drives the second hinge unit 2 to rotate along the direction, so that the first hinge unit 1 and the second hinge unit 2 are linked. Meanwhile, when the first hinge unit 1 rotates relative to the rotation shaft, the second end 112 of the first engagement portion 11 slides relative to the first base plate 12. In addition, after the second end 112 is bent to abut against the first protrusion 122 of the first base plate 12, the first hinge unit 1 rotates to a maximum angle.

Further, as shown in fig. 8, the second hinge unit 2 is provided with a second engaging portion 21, the second engaging portion 21 is rotatably connected to the first rotating shaft 6, and the second engaging portion 21 is connected to the first hinge unit 1. The second engaging part 21 is added to the second hinge unit 2, so that the first hinge unit 1 and the second hinge unit 2 can be connected in a staggered manner, and the connection of the two hinge units is further compact and reliable.

Specifically, the second engaging portion 21 is disposed in the inner cavity of the second hinge unit 2, and the second engaging portion 21 partially extends out of the second hinge unit 2 to rotatably connect the first rotating shaft 6. Wherein, the part of the second engaging part 21 connected with the first rotating shaft 6 is provided with a rack for engaging and connecting the first hinge unit 1. It is understood that the structure of the second engaging portion 21 includes, but is not limited to, the following embodiments:

in an embodiment, referring to fig. 9 to 10, the second engaging portion 21 includes a third end 211 slidably connected to the second hinge unit 2 and a fourth end 212 extending to a side of the first hinge unit 1, the fourth end 212 is rotatably connected to the first rotating shaft 6, and the fourth end 212 slides in a first direction when the first hinge unit 1 is forced to rotate around the first rotating shaft 6, and drives the third end 211 to slide in the first direction; the first hinge unit 1 further includes a first engagement fitting portion 131; the fourth end 212 is engaged and connected to the first engagement fitting portion 131 of the first hinge unit 1. Specifically, the fourth end 212 is a cylinder, and a plurality of racks are disposed on a circumferential surface of the cylinder, and the plurality of racks may be located on a part of the circumferential surface of the cylinder, in other words, the fourth end 212 may be an incomplete gear for rotatably connecting the first rotating shaft 6 and engaging with the first hinge unit 1. The third end 211 of the second engaging portion 21 is slidably coupled to the second base plate 22 of the second hinge unit 2. When the first hinge unit 1 is rotated relative to the first rotating shaft 6 by an external force, since the first hinge unit 1 is engaged with the fourth end 212 of the second engaging portion 21, the first hinge unit 1 can press the fourth end 212, so that the third end 211 connected to the fourth end 212 slides on the second bottom plate 22. The third end 211 has at least one straight portion, and one end of the straight portion is provided with a plurality of racks. Optionally, the third end 211 has a flat portion. When the fourth end 212 is pressed by the first hinge unit 1 to move in a direction approaching the second hinge unit 2, the third end 211 can slide on the second base plate 22 in the same direction as the fourth end 212.

It can be understood that, as shown in fig. 8, a first engaging portion 131 is disposed on the first hinge unit 1 at a position opposite to the second engaging portion 21, specifically, the first engaging portion 131 may be a plurality of racks to match with a fourth end 212 engaged with the second engaging portion 21, and when the second engaging portion 21 is pressed by the first engaging portion 131 of the first hinge unit 1, the fourth end 212 slides along the pressing force of the engaging portion 11 under the pressing force of the first engaging portion 131, and further drives the third end 211 to slide on the second base plate 22. It can be understood that the second cover plate 23 is provided with a second recessed portion 235 corresponding to the first engagement mating portion 131 of the first hinge unit 1, and the second recessed portion 235 provides a space for the adjacent hinge unit to escape when engaged with the second engagement portion 21, so that the first hinge unit 1 and the second hinge unit 2 can be more compactly connected. When the first hinge unit 1 is connected to the second hinge unit 2, the first engaging portion 131 of the first hinge unit 1 extends into the second recess 235 of the second hinge unit 2 and then engages with the fourth end 212 of the second engaging portion 21.

It is understood that, as shown in fig. 10, a guide groove 234 is formed between two first studs 233 of the second cover plate 23, and the third end 211 can slide in the guide groove 234. When the second engaging portion 21 is pressed by the first hinge unit 1, the third end 211 of the second engaging portion 21 can slide in the length direction of the guide groove 234, so that the accuracy of the sliding direction of the second engaging portion 21 is ensured.

It is understood that the second bottom plate 22 may be provided with a second protrusion 221 corresponding to the position of the second engagement portion 21. When the second engaging portion 21 rotates to a certain angle with respect to the first rotating shaft 6, the second engaging portion 21 stops rotating due to interference with the second protruding portion 221, in other words, the second protruding portion 221 on the second base plate 22 can prevent the hinge device 100 from being bent excessively, further improving the reliability of the hinge device 100 in use.

Further, referring to fig. 11, the second hinge unit 2 further includes a third engaging portion 24 and a first transmission member 25, and the third end 211 and the third engaging portion 24 are connected through the first transmission member 25, so that the second engaging portion 21 drives the third end 211 to move. It is understood that the third engaging portion 24 includes a fifth end 241 and a sixth end 242 at one side of the second hinge unit 2 for slidably connecting to the second hinge unit 2. Specifically, the shape of the third engaging portion 24 is substantially the same as the shape of the first engaging portion 11. In other words, the structure of the fifth end 241 is the same as the structure of the first end 111 of the first engagement portion 11; the structure of the sixth end 242 is the same as the structure of the second end 112 of the first engaging portion 11, and is not described in detail herein. The third engaging portion 24 and the first engaging portion 11 have the same structure, so that the hinge device 100 can use the same parts, and the mold opening cost for the module of the parts is reduced. The fifth end 241 of the third engagement portion 24 is capable of sliding in the guide groove 234. The fifth end 241 is engaged with the first transmission member 25, and the first transmission member 25 is engaged with the third end 211 of the second engaging portion 21. In this way, by providing the first transmission member 25 between the second engaging portion 21 and the third engaging portion 24, the force on the second engaging portion 21 can be transmitted to the fifth end 241 of the third engaging portion 24 through the first transmission member 25, wherein the sixth end 242 can move the hinge unit engaged with itself after the force on the second engaging portion 21 is transmitted to the fifth end 241 of the third engaging portion 24 through the first transmission member 25 because the sixth end 242 of the third engaging portion 24 can be engaged with other hinge units. In other words, the second engaging portion 21, the first transmission member 25 and the third engaging portion 24 can transmit the force on the first hinge unit 1 to the hinge unit spaced from the first hinge unit 1, so that the hinge unit spaced from the first hinge unit 1 can be stressed to bend when the first hinge unit 1 rotates relative to the first rotating shaft 6.

It is understood that the second base plate 22 is provided with a third protrusion 222 corresponding to the third engaging portion 24 to prevent excessive bending of the hinge device 100.

The structure of the first transmission piece 25 includes, but is not limited to, the following embodiments:

in one embodiment, as shown in fig. 10, the first transmission member 25 is a substantially hollow cylinder, and the circumference of the cylinder is provided with a plurality of racks, and the plurality of racks are disposed on the entire circumference of the cylinder, it can be understood that the hollow portion in the middle of the cylinder can be fixedly connected to the second cover plate 23 by a fixing member, so as to realize the rotational connection between the second engaging portion 21 and the third engaging portion 24.

Further, referring to fig. 11 and 12, the hinge device 100 further includes a third hinge unit 3 and a second rotating shaft 7, wherein the third hinge unit 3 is located on a side of the second hinge unit 2 opposite to the first hinge unit 1; the third engaging part 24 is rotatably connected with the second rotating shaft 7; when the third end 211 of the second engaging portion 21 and the third engaging portion 24 are in transmission connection via the first transmission member 25, the second engaging portion 21 and the third engaging portion 24 are linked; the third engaging portion 24 is engaged and connected to the third hinge unit 3. It is understood that the third hinge unit 3 includes a third bottom plate 32 and a third cover plate 33 covering the third bottom plate 32, the third cover plate 33 forms a third rack, and the third rack is the third mating portion 331. Specifically, the third hinge unit 3 has substantially the same structure as the first hinge unit 1. The structure of the third bottom plate 32 is substantially the same as that of the first bottom plate 12, and the structure of the third cover plate 33 is substantially the same as that of the first cover plate 13, which will not be described again.

Further, the third hinge unit 3 further includes a second fixing block 34, the second fixing block 34 is disposed on a side of the second cover plate 23 away from the second hinge unit 2, and the second fixing block 34 is configured to be slidably connected to a structural member. Specifically, the second fixing block 34 has substantially the same shape as the first fixing block 14, and the second fixing block 34 is integrally connected to the fourth wall section of the third hinge unit 3.

Further, the third hinge unit 3 is provided with a fourth engaging portion 31, both the fourth engaging portion 31 and the third engaging portion 24 are rotatably connected to the second rotating shaft 7, and the fourth engaging portion 31 is engaged with the second hinge unit 2; the fourth engaging portion 31 includes a seventh end 311 on the side of the third hinge unit 3 for slidably connecting to the third hinge unit 3 and an eighth end 312 extending to the side of the second hinge unit 2; the second hinge unit 2 further includes a fourth engagement fitting portion 232, and the eighth end 312 is engaged and connected to the fourth engagement fitting portion 232 of the second hinge unit 2. Specifically, the shape and structure of the fourth engaging portion 31 are substantially the same as those of the second engaging portion 21, and it is understood that the seventh end 311 of the fourth engaging portion 31 is slidably connected to the third hinge unit 3, and it is understood that the third hinge unit 3 is provided with a U-shaped groove so that the seventh end 311 of the fourth engaging portion 31 can slide on the third hinge unit 3. The eighth end 312 of the fourth engaging portion 31 is engaged with the fourth engagement mating portion 232 of the second hinge unit 2.

The transmission mechanism of the hinge device 100 is as follows: when the third end 211 of the second engaging portion 21 slides in the first direction, the first transmission member 25 transmits the force on the third end 211 to the third engaging portion 24; when the first transmission member 25 transmits the direction of the third end 211 to the third engaging portion 24, the third engaging portion 24 slides in the direction opposite to the first direction, so that the third hinge unit 3 is forced to rotate around the second rotating shaft 7, and the third hinge unit 3 and the first hinge unit 1 are bent in the same direction. Specifically, when the first hinge unit 1 is forced to rotate relative to the first rotating shaft 6, the first engaging and cooperating portion 131 of the first hinge unit 1 presses the fourth end 212 of the second engaging portion 21, so as to drive the third end 211 of the second engaging portion 21 to slide on the guide groove 234 of the second cover plate 23, the first transmission member 25 reversely transmits the force of the third end 211 to the fifth end 241 of the third engaging portion 24, so that the fifth end 241 slides on the second bottom plate 22 in a direction away from the third hinge unit 3, and further drives the sixth end 242 to move the third engaging and cooperating portion 331 of the third hinge unit 3 engaged with itself, in other words, the force applied to the first hinge unit 1 is transmitted to the third hinge unit 3 through the second engaging portion 21, the first transmission member 25 and the third engaging portion 24, so that the first hinge unit 1 drives the third hinge unit 3 to bend.

When the first hinge unit 1 is forced to rotate relative to the first rotating shaft 6, the first end 111 of the first engaging portion 11 slides in the U-shaped slot 1322 of the first cover plate 13, and then the second end 112 rotates relative to the first rotating shaft 6 to drive the second engaging portion 231 engaged with the second end 112 to move, in other words, the force applied to the first hinge unit 1 is transmitted to the second hinge unit 2 through the first engaging portion, so that the first hinge unit 1 drives the second hinge unit 2 to bend.

The hinge device 100 provided by the present embodiment is configured such that the first engaging portion 11 is disposed on the first hinge unit 1, and the first engaging portion 11 is engaged with the second hinge unit 2 through the first rotating shaft 6, so as to compactly connect the two hinge units, the first engaging portion 11 can rotate relative to the first rotating shaft 6, so that the first hinge unit 1 can rotate relative to the first rotating shaft 6, and the first hinge unit 1 links the second hinge unit 2, thereby achieving bending of the hinge device 100.

Referring to fig. 13 to 15, a hinge device 200 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure has substantially the same structure as the hinge device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, and the difference is mainly that: the hinge device 200 further comprises a fourth hinge unit 4 and a fifth hinge unit 5, wherein the fourth hinge unit 4 and the fifth hinge unit 5 are the same as the second hinge unit 2 and are positioned between the first hinge unit 1 and the third hinge unit 3; or between the second hinging unit 2 and the third hinging unit 3. Specifically, the fourth hinge unit 4 and the fifth hinge unit 5 have the same structure as the second hinge unit 2. In other words, the hinge device 200 has three second hinge units 2, and the three second hinge units 2 are located between the first hinge unit 1 and the third hinge unit 3.

In the hinge device 200 provided in the second embodiment, the three second hinge units 2 are disposed between the first hinge unit 1 and the third hinge unit 3 to increase the length of the hinge device 200, similarly, the hinge device 200 at least includes one engaging portion disposed on the hinge units, and the first transmission member 25 is disposed on the second hinge unit 2 to realize the linkage between the first hinge unit 1, the second hinge unit 2 and the third hinge unit 3, during the linkage, because the length of the hinge device 200 is increased, the degree of bending of the hinge device 200 can be increased, and the user experience can be improved.

Referring to fig. 17, a hinge device 400 provided in the third embodiment of the present application includes a first hinge unit 6, a second hinge unit 7, and a first connecting member 61 connected between the first hinge unit 6 and the second hinge unit 7, wherein the first connecting member 61 movably connects the first hinge unit 6 and the second hinge unit 7 so that the second hinge unit 7 can rotate relative to the first hinge unit 6. Specifically, the first hinge unit 6 is substantially the second hinge unit 2 in the first embodiment, the second hinge unit 7 is substantially the third hinge unit 3 in the first embodiment, and the third hinge unit 8 is substantially the first hinge unit 1 in the first embodiment. The structure of the first connecting member 61 is the same as that of the third engaging portion 24 in the second hinge unit 7 in the first embodiment, and the detailed structure is not described herein.

It will be appreciated that the first connecting member 61, when subjected to a force, drives the second hinge unit 7 to rotate relative to the first hinge unit 6. Specifically, when the first connecting member 61 is acted by an external force, the first connecting member 61 drives the second hinge unit 7 to rotate relative to the first hinge unit 6. The first connecting member 61 is a first-stage transmission member, and the first connecting member 61 is configured to convert a sliding displacement into a rotation angle to drive the second hinge unit 7 to rotate relative to the first hinge unit 6. In other words, when the first connecting part 61 is acted by external force, the first connecting part 61 can rotate relative to the second hinge unit 7, and then the second hinge unit 7 connected with the first connecting part is driven to rotate relative to the first hinge unit 6, so that the first hinge unit 6 and the second hinge unit 7 are linked.

It will be understood that the first connecting member 61 slides relative to the first hinge unit 6 when a force is applied, and thus the second hinge unit 7 is rotated relative to the first hinge unit 6. In other words, when the first connecting member 61 is acted by external force, the first connecting member 61 can slide relative to the first hinge unit 6 and then rotate relative to the second hinge unit 7, so that the second hinge unit 7 connected with the first connecting member is driven to rotate relative to the first hinge unit 6, and the linkage of the first hinge unit 6 and the second hinge unit 7 is realized. In other words, the first connecting member 61 can both slide and rotate when subjected to an external force. In this embodiment, one end of the first connecting member 61 is slidably connected to the first hinge unit 6, and the other opposite end is rotatably engaged with the second hinge unit 7. The structure of one end of the first connecting element 61 may refer to the structure of the fifth end 241 of the third engaging portion 24 in the first embodiment, and the structure of the sixth end 242 of the third engaging portion 24 in the first embodiment may refer to the opposite end of the second connecting element 71, which is not described herein again.

It is understood that the hinge device 400 further includes a second link 71 connected between the first hinge unit 6 and the second hinge unit 7. Specifically, the first hinge unit 6 and the second hinge unit 7 are alternately connected together by the first connection member 61 and the second connection member 71. The second connecting member 71 can refer to the fourth engaging portion 31 of the hinge device 100 provided in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the second connecting member 71 and the first connecting member 61 are coaxially disposed and can rotate relative to each other.

It will be appreciated that when the second hinge unit 7 rotates relative to the first hinge unit 6, the second link 71 is driven by the first hinge unit 6 to slide relative to the second hinge unit 7. Specifically, when the first hinge unit 6 rotates relative to the second hinge unit 7, the second link 71 is pressed by the first hinge unit 6 to slide relative to the second hinge unit 7. In other words, the second connecting member 71 is a second-stage transmission member, and the second connecting member 71 is used for converting the rotation angle of the second hinge unit 7 into the sliding displacement with respect to the first hinge unit 6.

It will be appreciated that said second connecting element 71 has one end rotatably engaged with said first articulation unit 6 and the opposite end slidably connected to said second articulation unit 7. Specifically, the structure of one end of the second connecting member 71 is the same as the structure of the eighth end 312 of the fourth engaging portion 31 of the hinge device 100 provided in the first embodiment, and the structure of the other end, opposite to the second connecting member 71, of the seventh end 311 of the fourth engaging portion 31 of the hinge device 100 provided in the first embodiment is the same, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted. The other end of the second link 71 is slidable on the second hinge unit 7. When the first hinge unit 6 rotates relative to the second hinge unit 7, the second link 71 is pressed by the first hinge unit 6, and the other end of the second link 71 slides relative to the second hinge unit 7.

It will be appreciated that the hinge device 400 further comprises a third connecting member 62, wherein the third connecting member 62 is slidably connected to the first hinge unit 6. Specifically, the third connecting element 62 is substantially the second engaging portion 21, and is not described in detail herein. The third connecting member 62 is arranged coaxially with the first connecting member 61. In other words, the third connecting member 62 and the first connecting member 61 are respectively located at both sides of the first hinge unit 6.

It will be appreciated that the force of the first link 61 is generated and transmitted to the third link 62. In this embodiment, a transmission member 9 is disposed between the first connecting member 61 and the third connecting member 62, and the sliding of the third connecting member 62 relative to the first hinge unit 6 is transmitted to the first connecting member 61 through the transmission member 9 to drive the first connecting member 61 to slide relative to the first hinge unit 6. It is to be understood that the third connecting member 62 is a primary transmission member, and the third connecting member 62 is used for converting the rotation angle of the third hinge unit 8 adjacent to the first hinge unit 6 relative to the first hinge unit 6 into the sliding displacement and inputting the sliding displacement into the first connecting member 61. In other words, when the third hinge unit 8 rotates relative to the first hinge unit 6, the third connecting member 62 is squeezed by an external force and slides on the first hinge unit 6, the external force on the third connecting member 62 can be transmitted to the first connecting member 61 through the transmission member 9 to drive the first connecting member 61 to slide in the reverse direction on the first hinge unit 6, the first connecting member 61 drives the second hinge unit 7 to rotate relative to the first hinge unit 6, and the third hinge unit 8 can drive the second hinge unit 7 separated from itself to rotate relative to the first hinge unit 6 when the third hinge unit 8 is forced to rotate relative to the first hinge unit 6 through the transmission of the force among the third connecting member 62, the transmission member 9 and the first connecting member 61.

It should be understood that the structure of the transmission member 9 refers to the structure of the first transmission member 25 provided in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

Referring to fig. 16, a flexible device 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a flexible screen 301 and the hinge device 100 according to the first embodiment or the second embodiment. It is understood that the flexible device 300 comprises a first housing 302 and a second housing 303 arranged at an interval, and the flexible screen 301 is arranged on the first housing 302 and the second housing 303, wherein the overlapping part of the flexible screen 301 and the first housing 302 forms the flat part of the flexible screen 301, and the overlapping part of the flexible screen 301 and the second housing 303 forms the flat part of the flexible screen 301. The flexible screen 301 forms a bending part at the part facing the spacing area, the first fixing block 14 of the first hinge unit 1 of the hinge device 100 is slidably connected in the first housing 302, and the second fixing block 34 of the third hinge unit 3 is slidably connected in the second housing 303.

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

The hinge device is characterized by comprising a first hinge unit, a second hinge unit and a first rotating shaft between the first hinge unit and the second hinge unit, wherein the first hinge unit is provided with a first meshing part, the first meshing part is rotatably connected to the first rotating shaft, and the first meshing part is meshed with the second hinge unit.
The hinge device according to claim 1, wherein the first engaging portion includes a first end located on a side of the first hinge unit for slidably connecting to the first hinge unit and a second end extending to a side of the second hinge unit; the second hinge unit further comprises a second engagement mating portion; the first engaging portion is engaged with the second engagement fitting portion.
The hinge device according to claim 1, wherein the first engaging portion further has a first through hole, and the first rotating shaft is inserted into the first through hole.
The hinge apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein when the first hinge unit is bent, the first end of the first engaging portion slides and drives the second end of the first engaging portion to rotate relative to the first rotation shaft, and the second end drives the second engaging portion to move.
The hinge device according to claim 1, wherein the second hinge unit is provided with a second engaging portion rotatably connected to the first rotating shaft, the second engaging portion being engaged with the first hinge unit.
The hinge device according to claim 5, wherein the second engaging portion comprises a third end for slidably connecting to the second hinge unit and a fourth end extending to a side of the first hinge unit, the fourth end is rotatably connected to the first rotating shaft, and the fourth end slides in a first direction when the first hinge unit is forced to rotate around the first rotating shaft, and drives the third end to slide in the first direction; the first hinge unit further comprises a first engagement fitting; the fourth end is engaged and connected with the first engagement matching part of the first hinge unit.
The hinge device according to claim 6, wherein the second hinge unit is further provided with a third engaging portion and a first transmission member, and the third end and the third engaging portion are connected via the first transmission member.
The hinge device according to claim 7, wherein the hinge device further comprises a third hinge unit and a second rotating shaft, the third hinge unit being located on an opposite side of the second hinge unit from the first hinge unit; the third meshing part is rotationally connected with the second rotating shaft; the second meshing part is linked with the third meshing part through a first transmission piece; the third engaging portion is engaged with and connected to the third hinge unit.
The hinge device according to claim 8, wherein the third engaging portion includes a fifth end on a side of the second hinge unit for slidably connecting to the second hinge unit and a sixth end extending to a side of the third hinge unit; the third hinge unit further includes a third engagement fitting portion, and the sixth end is engaged with the third engagement fitting portion.
The hinge assembly of claim 8, wherein the first transmission member transmits a force on the third end of the second engagement portion to the third engagement portion when the third end is slid in the first direction.
The hinge apparatus according to claim 10, wherein when the first transmission member transmits the direction on the third end to the third engaging portion, the third engaging portion slides in a direction opposite to the first direction, so that the third hinge unit is forced to rotate about the second rotation axis.
The hinge device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the third hinge unit is provided with a fourth engaging portion, the fourth engaging portion and the third engaging portion are both rotatably connected to the second rotating shaft, and the fourth engaging portion is engaged with the second hinge unit.
The hinge device according to claim 12, wherein the fourth engaging portion includes a seventh end located on the side of the third hinge unit for slidably connecting to the third hinge unit and an eighth end extending to the side of the second hinge unit; the second hinge unit further comprises a fourth engagement mating part, and the eighth end is in engagement connection with the fourth engagement mating part of the second hinge unit.
The hinge device according to claim 1, wherein the first hinge unit includes a first cover plate that forms a first rack gear that is a first meshing engagement portion.
The hinge assembly of claim 14, wherein the first hinge assembly further comprises a first retaining block disposed on a side of the first cover plate away from the second hinge assembly, the first retaining block configured to slidably engage a structural member.
A flexible device comprising a flexible screen having a bending zone and a hinge device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 aligned with the bending zone to enable bending of the bending zone of the flexible screen.
A hinge device is characterized by comprising a first hinge unit, a second hinge unit and a first connecting piece connected between the first hinge unit and the second hinge unit, wherein the first connecting piece is movably connected with the first hinge unit and the second hinge unit so that the second hinge unit can rotate relative to the first hinge unit.
The hinge assembly of claim 17, wherein the first link drives the second hinge member to rotate relative to the first hinge member when the first link is under a force.
The hinge assembly of claim 17, wherein the first coupling member is a primary transmission member for converting a sliding displacement into a rotational angle to drive the second hinge unit to rotate relative to the first hinge unit.
The hinge assembly of claim 18, wherein the first link slides relative to the first hinge member when the force is applied to the first link, thereby causing the second hinge member to rotate relative to the first hinge member.
The hinge assembly of claim 20, wherein the first link member has one end slidably connected to the first hinge member and an opposite end rotatably engaged with the second hinge member.
The hinge assembly of claim 17, further comprising a second link coupled between the first hinge member and the second hinge member.
The hinge assembly of claim 22, wherein the second link is coaxially disposed with the first link and is rotatable relative to each other.
The hinge assembly of claim 22, wherein the second link is driven by the first hinge unit to slide relative to the second hinge unit when the second hinge unit rotates relative to the first hinge unit.
The hinge assembly of claim 22, wherein the second connecting member is a second stage transmission member for converting rotational angle of the second hinge unit into sliding displacement relative to the first hinge unit.
The hinge assembly of claim 22, wherein the second link member has one end rotatably engaged with the first hinge member and an opposite end slidably coupled to the second hinge member.
The hinge assembly of claim 18, further comprising a third link slidably coupled to the first hinge member.
The hinge assembly of claim 27, wherein the force applied to the first link is transmitted to and generated by the third link.
The hinge assembly as claimed in claim 27, wherein a transmission member is provided between the first connecting member and the third connecting member, and wherein sliding movement of the third connecting member relative to the first hinge unit 6 is transmitted to the first connecting member via the transmission member to drive the first connecting member to slide relative to the first hinge unit.
The hinge device according to claim 27, wherein the third connecting member is a primary transmission member for converting a rotational angle of a third hinge unit adjacent to the first hinge unit with respect to the first hinge unit into a sliding displacement to be inputted to the first connecting member.
The hinge assembly of claim 27, wherein the third connector is disposed off-axis from the first connector.