CN113347293B

CN113347293B - Shell assembly and electronic device

Info

Publication number: CN113347293B
Application number: CN202110659171.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 杨景发; 周友文
Original assignee: Guangdong Oppo Mobile Telecommunications Corp Ltd
Current assignee: Guangdong Oppo Mobile Telecommunications Corp Ltd
Priority date: 2021-06-15
Filing date: 2021-06-15
Publication date: 2023-01-31
Anticipated expiration: 2041-06-15
Also published as: CN113347293A; WO2022262565A1

Abstract

The application discloses a shell assembly and an electronic device, wherein the shell assembly comprises a first shell, a second shell and a guide mechanism, and an accommodating cavity is formed in the first shell; the second shell is connected with the first shell in a sliding mode, and the second shell can slide between a first position and a second position relative to the first shell; the guide mechanism is arranged between the first shell and the second shell, the guide mechanism is located outside the accommodating cavity and connected with the first shell and the second shell, the guide mechanism is used for guiding the second shell to slide, the guide mechanism can be switched between an expansion state and a contraction state, when the second shell is located at the first position, the guide mechanism is located in the contraction state, and when the second shell is located at the second position, the guide mechanism is located in the expansion state. So, guiding mechanism connects first shell and second shell and can be used to guide the second shell and slide steadily relative first shell, and simultaneously, guiding mechanism sets up and can have avoided occupying and cut off the space in holding chamber outside, is favorable to placing and piling up of components such as electronic device's mainboard and battery.

Description

Shell assembly and electronic device

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of electronic technology, and more particularly, to a case assembly and an electronic device.

Background

At present, flexible display screens are widely applied to electronic devices such as mobile phones, and as the flexible display screens are easy to bend, convenient to curl and easy to carry, the design of the display devices capable of curling and the like appears in recent years.

In the related art, during the process of changing the form of the electronic device, a sliding mechanism needs to be designed inside the middle frame to change the form of the electronic device. However, the sliding mechanism occupies the internal space of the electronic device, and the long sliding mechanism may cause the internal space of the middle frame to be blocked, which is not favorable for stacking and arranging components such as circuit boards and batteries.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides a shell assembly and an electronic device.

The shell assembly comprises a first shell, a second shell and a guide mechanism, wherein the first shell is provided with an accommodating cavity; the second shell is connected with the first shell in a sliding mode, and the second shell can slide between a first position and a second position relative to the first shell; the guide mechanism is arranged between the first shell and the second shell, is located outside the accommodating cavity and is connected with the first shell and the second shell, and is used for guiding the sliding of the second shell, and can be switched between an expanded state and a contracted state, the guide mechanism is in the contracted state when the second shell is in the first position, and the guide mechanism is in the expanded state when the second shell is in the second position.

The electronic device comprises a flexible display screen and the shell assembly, wherein the flexible display screen comprises a flat part and an expansion part which are connected, the flat part is exposed out of the shell assembly and is fixedly connected with the first shell, the expansion part can be hidden in the shell assembly, and the second shell can slide relative to the first shell so that the expansion part can be at least partially unfolded out of the shell assembly or retracted into the shell assembly; wherein a display area of the electronic device when the second housing is in the first position is smaller than a display area of the electronic device when the second housing is in the second position.

In the case subassembly and the electron device that this application was implemented, first shell is formed with the holding chamber, the second shell can slide between first position and second position relative first shell, guiding mechanism sets up between first shell and second shell, guiding mechanism is located the holding chamber outside and is connected with first shell and second shell homogeneous phase, guiding mechanism is used for guiding the slip of second shell, guiding mechanism can switch between expansion state and shrink state, when the second shell is in the first position, guiding mechanism is in the shrink state, when the second shell is in the second position, guiding mechanism is in the expansion state. So, guiding mechanism connects first shell and second shell and can be used to guide the relative first shell of second shell and steadily slide, improves second shell and first shell relative gliding stability and reliability, and simultaneously, guiding mechanism sets up and can have avoided occupying and cut off the space in holding chamber outside the holding chamber, is favorable to piling up of other components such as electron device's mainboard and battery.

Additional aspects and advantages of the present application will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the present application.

Drawings

The above and/or additional aspects and advantages of the present application will become apparent and readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 is a schematic structural view of a shell assembly according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 4 is another schematic structural view of a shell assembly according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5 is a further schematic structural view of a shell assembly according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6 is a further structural schematic view of a shell assembly of an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is a schematic view of another structure of the electronic device according to the embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 8 is a schematic structural view of a guide mechanism according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 9 is another schematic structural view of the guide mechanism of the embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged schematic view at X in FIG. 4 of an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 11 is an enlarged schematic view at XI in fig. 4 of the embodiment of the present application.

Description of the main element symbols:

an electronic device 100;

the flexible display panel comprises a shell assembly 10, a first shell 11, an accommodating cavity 111, a first supporting plate 112, a second shell 12, a second supporting plate 121, a flexible display screen 20, a flat part 21, an expansion part 22, a driving part 30, a motor 31, a transmission assembly 32, a guide mechanism 40, a first bracket 41, a sliding groove 411, a second bracket 42, a connecting rod assembly 43, a first connecting rod 431, a second connecting rod 432, a third connecting rod 433, a fourth connecting rod 434, a supporting arm 435, a connecting rod 44, a first limiting part 441, a groove 4411, a supporting structure 442, a supporting rod 4421, an elastic element 4422, a second limiting part 443, a main board 50, a battery 60, a tensioning structure 70 and a guide shaft 80.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present application, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar function throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are illustrative and are only for the purpose of explaining the present application and are not to be construed as limiting the present application.

In this application, unless expressly stated or limited otherwise, the first feature "on" or "under" the second feature may comprise direct contact of the first and second features, or may comprise contact of the first and second features not directly but through another feature in between. Also, the first feature being "on," "above" and "over" the second feature includes the first feature being directly on and obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicating that the first feature is at a higher level than the second feature. "beneath," "under" and "beneath" a first feature includes the first feature being directly beneath and obliquely beneath the second feature, or simply indicating that the first feature is at a lesser elevation than the second feature.

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples for implementing different features of the application. To simplify the disclosure of the present application, the components and settings of a specific example are described below. Of course, they are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present application. Further, the present application may repeat reference numerals and/or reference letters in the various examples for simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed. In addition, examples of various specific processes and materials are provided herein, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize applications of other processes and/or use of other materials.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, an electronic device 100 according to an embodiment of the present application includes a flexible display 20 and a housing assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present application.

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, a housing assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first housing 11, a second housing 12, and a guide mechanism 40, where the first housing 11 is formed with a receiving cavity 111. The second housing 12 is slidably connected to the first housing 11, and the second housing 12 is slidable between a first position a and a second position B with respect to the first housing 11. The guide mechanism 40 is disposed between the first shell 11 and the second shell 12, the guide mechanism 40 is located outside the accommodating cavity 111 and is connected to both the first shell 11 and the second shell 12, the guide mechanism 40 is used for guiding the sliding of the second shell 12, the guide mechanism 40 can be switched between an expanded state and a contracted state, when the second shell 12 is at the first position a, the guide mechanism 40 is in the contracted state, and when the second shell 12 is at the second position B, the guide mechanism 40 is in the expanded state.

The flexible display 20 includes a flat portion 21 and an extension portion 22 connected, the flat portion 21 is exposed outside the case assembly 10 and fixedly connected to the first case 11, the extension portion 22 can be hidden inside the case assembly 10, and the second case 12 can slide relative to the first case 11 to enable the extension portion 22 to be at least partially extended out of the case assembly 10 or retracted into the case assembly 10. Wherein a display area of the electronic device 100 when the second housing 12 is in the first position a (shown in fig. 1) is smaller than a display area of the electronic device 100 when the second housing 12 is in the second position B (shown in fig. 2).

In the case assembly 10 and the electronic device 100 according to the embodiment of the present application, the first case 11 is formed with the accommodating cavity 111, the second case 12 is slidable between the first position a and the second position B with respect to the first case 11, the guide mechanism 40 is disposed between the first case 11 and the second case 12, the guide mechanism 40 is located outside the accommodating cavity 111 and connects the first case 11 and the second case 12, respectively, the guide mechanism 40 is configured to guide the sliding of the second case 12, the guide mechanism 40 is switchable between the extended state and the retracted state, the guide mechanism 40 is in the retracted state when the second case 12 is in the first position a, and the guide mechanism 40 is in the extended state when the second case 12 is in the second position B. So, guide mechanism 40 connects first shell 11 and second shell 12 and can be used to guide second shell 12 and smoothly slide relatively first shell 11, improves second shell 12 and first shell 11 relative slip's stability and reliability, and simultaneously, guide mechanism 40 sets up and can avoid taking up and cut off the space of holding chamber 111 outside holding chamber 111, is favorable to piling up of other components such as mainboard 50 and battery 60 of electron device 100.

The electronic device 100 in the embodiment of the present application may be a mobile terminal device such as a smart phone or a tablet computer, or may be a device that can be equipped with a display device such as a game device, a vehicle-mounted computer, a notebook computer, or a video player, and is not specifically shown here.

Specifically, referring to fig. 1 to fig. 2, the flexible display 20 may include a flat portion 21 and an extension portion 22 connected to the flat portion 21, the flat portion 21 is fixedly connected to the first shell 11, and the extension portion 22 can be hidden in the housing assembly, that is, one end of the flexible display 20 is connected to the first shell 11, and the other end is hidden in the housing assembly 10. In this way, the second housing 12 can slide relative to the first housing 11 to cause the flexible display screen 20 to be at least partially deployed outside the housing assembly 10 or retracted inside the housing assembly 10, thereby adjusting the display area of the electronic device 100.

Further, the electronic device 100 in the embodiment of the present application may include two forms. The first configuration is a configuration (as shown in fig. 1) in which the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are fitted together, that is, the configuration in which the electronic device 100 is located when the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 approach each other and move to an extreme position (i.e., the first position a), in which the flat portion 21 of the flexible display 20 is exposed outside the housing assembly 10, the extended portion 22 is substantially completely hidden inside the housing assembly 10, and the display area of the electronic device 100 is small and convenient to carry. The second configuration is a configuration in which the second shell 12 moves away from the first shell 11 to drive the extension portion 22 of the flexible display 20 to gradually extend out of the shell assembly 10 (i.e., a configuration in which the second shell 12 is located at the second position B), and in the second configuration, the extension portion 22 of the flexible display 20 at least partially extends out of the shell assembly 10 to form a display portion of the electronic device 100 together with the flat portion 21, so that the display area of the electronic device 100 is larger, and a better display effect is provided for a user.

In the embodiment of the present application, the "display area" refers to an area of a portion of the flexible display 20 exposed outside the case assembly 10 for display.

Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the first housing 11 is slidably connected to the second housing 12, and the extension portion 22 of the flexible display 20 may be disposed inside the housing assembly 10 in a hidden configuration. Referring to fig. 1, in the first configuration, the extended portion 22 of the flexible display screen 20 is not used for display, and only the flat portion 21 is used for display. Upon a movement of the second housing 12 away from the first housing 11 (i.e., from the first position a to the second position B), the flexible display 20 is moved such that the extension portion 22 of the flexible display 20 is at least partially pulled out of the housing assembly 10 to switch to the second configuration. In the second configuration, the extension portion 22 is at least partially pulled out of the housing assembly 10, and the flat portion 21 and the extension portion 22 are simultaneously used for displaying, thereby changing the display area of the electronic device 100.

In addition, in the description of the embodiments of the present application, the terms "first", "second", and the like are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or to implicitly indicate the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the described features. In the description of the embodiments of the present application, "a plurality" means two or more unless specifically defined otherwise.

It should be noted that in the description of the present application, it is to be understood that the terms "central", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner" and "outer" indicate orientations or positional relationships based on those shown in the drawings, and are only for convenience of description and simplicity of description, and do not indicate or imply that the referenced device or element must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and thus, should not be considered as limiting the present application. In addition, it should be noted that, in the description of the present application, it should be noted that, unless explicitly stated or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" are to be interpreted broadly, e.g., as either a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; may be a mechanical connection; either directly or indirectly through intervening media, either internally or in any other relationship. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art as appropriate.

In the embodiment of the present application, the fact that the extension portion 22 can be hidden in the case assembly 10 is understood that the extension portion 22 can be housed in the internal space of the case assembly 10 and is not exposed, or the fact that the extension portion 22 can be hidden in the back surface of the case assembly 10 and is exposed from the back surface is described herein by way of example, the extension portion 22 can be housed in the internal space of the case assembly 10 and is not exposed.

As can be understood from fig. 3 and 4, in some embodiments, the electronic device 100 further includes a driving part 30, the driving part 30 is installed in the accommodating cavity 111 and connected to the second housing 12, and the driving part 30 is configured to drive the second housing 12 to slide relative to the first housing 11.

In this way, the driving component 30 installed in the first casing 11 can automatically drive the second casing 12 to move relative to the first casing 11, so as to realize the conversion of the form of the electronic device 100, and further change the display area of the electronic device 100, so that the user has a better experience.

Specifically, drive member 30 may include a motor 31 and a transmission assembly 32, wherein during switching between the two configurations, motor 31 of drive member 30 is used to provide a driving force, and transmission assembly 32 of drive member 30 is used to transmit the driving force to housing assembly 10, so that second housing 12 moves relative to first housing 11, and extension 22 is at least partially deployed out of housing assembly 10 or retracted into housing assembly 10.

In one possible embodiment, the transmission assembly 32 may be a screw-nut transmission structure, and the screw may include a threaded section, and the nut is disposed on and threadedly coupled to the threaded section. The motor 31 provides driving force and transmits the driving force to the gear set, and the gear set drives the screw rod to rotate at a proper rotating speed. Thus, when the motor 31 drives the lead screw to rotate, the lead screw can drive the nut to move on the lead screw along the axis of the lead screw, so as to drive the second shell 12 to move relative to the first shell 11, and further enable the expansion portion 22 to be at least partially expanded out of the shell assembly 10 or retracted into the shell assembly 10, so as to adjust the display area of the electronic device 100.

Further, in the embodiment of the present application, the guiding mechanism 40 is located outside the accommodating cavity 111 and respectively connects the first shell 11 and the second shell 12, so that the driving force generated by the motor 31 drives the second shell 12 to move through the transmission assembly 32, and at the same time, the guiding mechanism 40 can be switched between the expanded state and the contracted state, and thus, the electronic device 100 can be switched between the two states. When the second housing 12 is in the first position a, the guide mechanism 40 is in a retracted state, and when the second housing 12 is in the second position B, the guide mechanism 40 is in an extended state. In this way, the guiding mechanism 40 can guide the sliding of the second case 12 to improve the stability and reliability of the sliding, and the positioning of the guiding mechanism 40 outside the accommodating cavity 111 and between the first case 11 and the second case 12 can avoid occupying and blocking the space of the accommodating cavity 111, which is beneficial to stacking the main board 50 and the battery 60 of the electronic device 100.

Of course, it should be understood that in the present embodiment, the driving member 30 may also adopt other driving and transmission manners, such as a rack and pinion structure transmission, a pulley transmission mechanism, etc.

In addition, it is also understood that in other embodiments, the electronic device 100 may not be driven by the driving part 30, and only the user needs to cooperate with the push-pull housing assembly 10 with both hands to slide the second housing 12 relative to the first housing 11.

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, in some embodiments, the electronic device 100 further includes a main board 50 and a battery 60, the main board 50 and the battery 60 are both disposed in the accommodating cavity 111, and the main board 50 is electrically connected to the battery 60.

Thus, the guiding mechanism 40 is disposed outside the accommodating cavity 111, so that the guiding mechanism 40 saves the space of the accommodating cavity 111 while ensuring the normal guiding function, and the saved space can be used for placing the motherboard 50 and the battery 60, thereby enhancing the function of the electronic device 100.

In some embodiments, the first case 11 of the electronic device 100 may serve as a main supporting structure of the electronic device 100, and the driving part 30, the main board 50, the battery 60, and the like may be accommodated inside the first case 11. The guiding mechanism 40 is disposed outside the accommodating cavity 111, so that the guiding rail assembly for guiding in the related art is replaced by the guiding mechanism 40, and the guiding mechanism 40 also saves the space of the accommodating cavity 111, and the saved space can facilitate the placement of the main board 50 and the battery 60, for example, the electronic device 100 can mount the battery 60 with larger capacity or optimize the distribution of the main board 50, so as to enhance the functions of the electronic device 100.

In addition, referring to fig. 5 and 6, in some embodiments, the first shell 11 may include a first support plate 112, the second shell 12 may include a second support plate 121, the flat portion 21 is fixedly connected to the first support plate 112, a plurality of slots 1121 are formed in the first support plate 112 at intervals, a plurality of insertion portions 1211 are formed in the second support plate 121 at intervals and correspond to the slots 1121, and when the second shell 12 and the first shell 11 move relatively, the insertion portions 1211 slide in the slots 1121, and a surface formed with the slots 1121 is flush with a top surface of the insertion portions 1211.

Further, the first support plate 112 and the second support plate 121 may function to support the flexible display 20 and the entire electronic device 100, protecting internal elements of the electronic device 100 from external impact and vibration. In the illustrated embodiment, the insertion portion 1211 slides within the insertion slot 1121, and the surface of the insertion slot 1121 and the top surface of the insertion portion 1211 may be flush, so that a height difference is not formed between the upper surfaces of the second case 12 and the first case 11 when the two cases slide with respect to each other, thereby ensuring flatness of the electronic device 100. It should be noted that, in this document, "flush" may be understood as the same height, or may be understood as the difference in height between the two is within the manufacturing error and the assembling error.

Further, in the embodiment of the present application, in order to realize the expansion and retraction of the expansion portion 22, a reel for winding may be provided on the first case 11 or the second case 12, the tip of the expansion portion 22 may be wound on the reel after being wound around the first case 11, the second case 12 applies a force to the expansion portion 22 so that the reel gradually releases the expansion portion 22 to gradually expand the expansion portion 22 out of the case assembly 10 when the second case 12 moves from the first position a to the second position B, and the reel gradually winds the expansion portion 22 so that the expansion portion 22 is gradually retracted into the case assembly 10 when the second case 12 moves from the second position B to the first position a.

Referring to fig. 6 and 7, it can be understood that in some embodiments, the electronic device 100 may include a tension structure 70 and a guide shaft 80, one end of the expansion portion 22 is connected to the flat portion 21, the other end is connected to the tension structure 70, a middle portion of the expansion portion 22 is wound on the guide shaft 80, and the tension structure 70 is used for tensioning the flexible display screen 20. In this way, the guide shaft 80 and the tension structure 70 can guide the movement of the flexible display 20, and prevent the flexible display 20 from bending abnormally during the switching process between the two modes.

Specifically, the guide shaft 80 is used to guide the movement of the flexible display 20, and the middle portion of the extension portion 22 may be partially bent around the guide shaft 80, so that the guide shaft 80 may guide the extension portion 22 to enable the extension portion 22 to be smoothly extended or retracted when the extension portion 22 moves. The tensioning structure 70 is used to tension the flexible display 20 during the retraction of the flexible display 20. In the present embodiment, the guide shaft 80 may make the extension portion 22 substantially U-shaped, so that the extension portion 22 on both sides of the guide shaft 80 can be kept flat to improve the life of the flexible display 20.

In some embodiments, a steel plate 221 may be disposed at the end of the expansion portion 22, the tensioning mechanism 70 may include a connecting member 71 and a tensioning member 72, the connecting member 71 may be a connecting member such as a pulling rope or a flexible belt, the tensioning member 72 may be a pulley, the end of the expansion portion 22 may be connected to the steel plate 221 after passing through the second shell 12, the tensioning member 72 may be disposed on the second shell 12, and the end of the connecting member 71 may be fixedly connected to the first shell 11 after passing through the tensioning member 72, so that the tensioning member 72 and the guide shaft 80 on the second shell 12 may constitute a movable pulley mechanism, and when the second shell 12 slides from the first position a to the second position B, the end of the expansion portion 22 may slide in a direction in which the second shell 12 slides, so that the expansion portion 22 gradually expands out of the shell assembly 10, and when the second shell 12 slides from the second position B to the first position a, the end of the expansion portion 22 may slide in a direction in the second shell 12, so that the expansion portion 22 gradually retracts into the shell assembly 10.

It is understood that in some embodiments, the electronic device 100 may not include the guide shaft 80, as long as the second housing 12 can move the extension portion 22 to expose the housing assembly 10.

Referring to fig. 3, 4, 8 and 9, in some embodiments, the guide mechanism 40 includes a first bracket 41, a second bracket 42 and a connecting rod assembly 43, the first bracket 41 and the second bracket 42 are spaced apart from each other in parallel, the first bracket 41 is fixedly connected to the first housing 11, the second bracket 42 is fixedly connected to the second housing 12, the connecting rod assembly 43 is located between the first bracket 41 and the second bracket 42, and two ends of the connecting rod assembly 43 are respectively rotatably connected to the first bracket 41 and the second bracket 42.

In this manner, the first bracket 41 is fixedly connected to the first shell 11, the second bracket 42 is fixedly connected to the second shell 12, and the link assembly 43 connects the first bracket 41 and the second bracket 42, so that the guide mechanism 40 can play a role in guiding and maintaining stability during sliding of the second shell 12 relative to the first shell 11.

Specifically, the first bracket 41 is fixedly coupled to the first case 11 to move together with the first case 11, the second bracket 42 is fixedly coupled to the second case 12 to move together with the second case 12, and the link assembly 43 is located between the first bracket 41 and the second bracket 42. Thus, during the sliding of the second housing 12 relative to the first housing 11, the second bracket 42 will also move relative to the first bracket 41. In one example, the drive member 30 drives the second bracket 42 away from the first bracket 41, both brackets push the second shell 12 away relative to the first shell 11, and the linkage assembly 43 gradually deploys. In another example, the driving member 30 drives the second bracket 42 close to the first bracket 41, both brackets push the second shell 12 close relative to the first shell 11, and the linkage assembly 43 gradually contracts. The connecting rod assembly 43 can connect the first bracket 41 and the second bracket 42, and avoid the first bracket 41 and the second bracket 42 from being disconnected and damaged.

It will be appreciated that in the present embodiment, the guide mechanism 40 may be a separate component and attached to the shell assembly 10 by means of bolts and nuts, or snap glue, etc. Specifically, one side of the second housing 12 close to the accommodating cavity 111 is provided with an installation space for installing the second bracket 42, the second bracket 42 is installed in the installation space, and the first bracket 41 is fixedly connected to the first housing 11, so that the installation space can limit the second bracket 42 from both ends, and the first housing 11 can also limit the first bracket 41 from both sides of the first bracket 41. For example, the unilateral gap between the installation space and the second bracket 42 is 0.05mm, and the unilateral gap between the first shell 11 and the first bracket 41 is also 0.05mm, so that when the second bracket 42 moves relative to the first bracket 41, the second bracket 42 and the first bracket 41 always keep parallel, thereby avoiding the problem of skew and shaking when the first bracket 41 moves relative to the second bracket 42, and also avoiding the angle difference existing when the connecting rod assembly 43 moves, thereby ensuring the stability of the first shell 11 moving relative to the second shell 12.

In addition, in some embodiments, the first bracket 41 may be integrally formed with the first case 11, the second bracket 42 may be integrally formed with the second case 12, and the link assembly 43 may be coupled to the first bracket 41 and the second bracket 42 when the first case 11 and the second case 12 are assembled together. In this way, assembly errors that may occur in the first and

second cases

11 and 41 and the second and

third cases

12 and 42 may be eliminated, so that the first and

second holders

41 and 42 and the first and

second cases

11 and 12 are more closely fitted.

Referring to fig. 8 and 9, in some embodiments, the link assembly 43 includes a first link 431 and a second link 432, the first link 431 and the second link 432 are rotatably connected, an end of the first link 431 away from the second link 432 is rotatably connected to the first bracket 41, and an end of the second link 432 away from the first link 431 is rotatably connected to the second bracket 42.

In this way, the first link 431 and the second link 432 are respectively rotatably connected with the first bracket 41 and the second bracket 42, and the first link 431 and the second link 432 are rotatably connected together, so that the link assembly 43 can realize the switching of the contraction and expansion during the sliding process of the second shell 12 relative to the first shell 11, and further the relative movement of the first bracket 41 and the second bracket 42 is realized.

Specifically, the first link 431 and the second link 432 are rotatably connected, and the link and the bracket are also rotatably connected, so that the link assembly 43 can be expanded or contracted to generate a corresponding stroke, and the function of moving the first link 431 and the second link 432 away from or close to each other is realized. During the contraction of the link assembly 43, the included angle α between the first link 431 and the second link 432 gradually decreases and the first link 431 and the second link 432 gradually approach parallel to make the first bracket 41 and the second bracket 42 approach each other. During the unfolding of the link assembly 43, the included angle α between the first link 431 and the second link 432 is gradually increased, so that the first bracket 41 and the second bracket 42 are far away.

It should be noted that "the first link 431 and the second link 432 are rotatably connected" may be understood as that the first link 431 and the second link 432 are directly hinged together, and may also be understood as being connected through an intermediate member (such as the arm 435 hereinafter), and the first link 431 and the second link 432 are both rotatably connected with the intermediate member so as to realize the rotatable connection of the first link 431 and the second link 432.

Further, referring to fig. 8 and 9, in some embodiments, the link assembly 43 further includes a third link 433, a fourth link 434, and a support arm 435, wherein the support arm 435 is disposed between the first bracket 41 and the second bracket 42 and is parallel to the first bracket 41 and the second bracket 42. The first connecting rod 431 and the second connecting rod 432 are respectively arranged at two sides of the support arm 435, the third connecting rod 433 is parallel to the first connecting rod 431 in the rotating process, two ends of the first connecting rod 431 are respectively and rotatably connected with the support arm 435 and the first support 41, and two ends of the second connecting rod 432 are respectively and rotatably connected with the support arm 435 and the second support 42; the third link 433 and the fourth link 434 are respectively disposed at two sides of the arm 435, two ends of the third link 433 are also respectively rotatably connected to the arm 435 and the first bracket 41, the fourth link 434 and the second link 432 are kept parallel during rotation, and two ends of the fourth link 434 are also respectively rotatably connected to the arm 435 and the second bracket 42.

Thus, the third and fourth struts and the first and second connecting

rods

431 and 432 are simultaneously arranged between the first and

second brackets

41 and 42, the action is similar, and the support arm 435 connects the four struts together to ensure that the third and fourth struts and the first and second connecting

rods

431 and 432 move together, so as to avoid the occurrence of the blockage caused by the dislocation.

Specifically, the third link 433 and the fourth link 434 may be arranged in a similar manner to the first link 431 and the second link 432, and the third link 433 and the fourth link 434 and the first link 431 and the second link 432 are rotatably connected together by a support arm 435. Thus, the arm 435 may pull the third and

fourth links

433 and 434 to move in cooperation with the first and

second links

431 and 432 while contracting and while expanding to enhance the stability of the link assembly 43.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the third link 433 and the fourth link 434 may have the same or different types from those of the first link 431 and the second link 432. For example, the third and

fourth links

433 and 434 in fig. 8 and 9 have different types from the first and

second links

431 and 432 to avoid the arm 435 and ensure the normal operation of the link assembly 43.

Referring to fig. 9, in some embodiments, the first link 431 and the second link 432 may be symmetrically disposed on two sides of the arm 435, and the third link 433 and the fourth link 434 may also be symmetrically disposed on two sides of the arm 435. Of course, it is understood that in other embodiments, the first link 431 and the second link 432 may not be symmetrically disposed, but may be offset from each other, for example, a connection point of the first link 431 and the arm 435 is located at an end of the arm 435, and a connection point of the second link 432 and the arm 435 is located at a middle position of the arm 435, and similarly, the third link 433 and the fourth link 434 may not be symmetrically disposed, which is not limited in this respect.

Referring to fig. 3, 8 and 9, in some embodiments, in the unfolded state, the first link 431 is parallel to the third link 433, the second link 432 is parallel to the fourth link 434, an included angle α between the first link 431 and the second link 432 is less than 180 °, and an included angle β between the third link 433 and the fourth link 434 is also less than 180 °.

Thus, in the retracted state, the included angle α between the first link 431 and the second link 432 becomes smaller, and the included angle β between the third link 433 and the fourth link 434 also becomes smaller, so as to shorten the distance between the first bracket 41 and the second bracket 42, thereby realizing the conversion of the electronic device 100 to the first form; in the unfolded state, the first link 431 and the second link 432 are away from each other, and the third link 433 and the fourth link 434 are also away from each other to push the distance between the first bracket 41 and the second bracket 42, so as to realize the conversion of the electronic device 100 to the second configuration. Meanwhile, in the unfolded state, an included angle α between the first link 431 and the second link 432 is smaller than 180 °, and an included angle β between the third link 433 and the fourth link 434 is also smaller than 180 °, so that the damage to the whole guide mechanism 40 due to the reverse motion between the first link 431 and the second link 432 and between the third link 433 and the fourth link 434 is avoided.

It is understood that in the contracted state, the first and

second links

431 and 432 and the third and

fourth links

433 and 434 are as close together as possible and have as small an included angle as possible. When the first link 431 is parallel to the second link 432 and the third link 433 is parallel to the fourth link 434, the space occupied by the link assembly 43 is small, so that the space occupied by the guiding mechanism 40 is small, and the guiding mechanism 40 is prevented from occupying the space of the accommodating cavity 111. It is understood that in some embodiments, in the contracted state, the first link 431 and the second link 432 and the third link 433 and the fourth link 434 may not be parallel, and the included angles α and β may be smaller. Further, it is understood that the angle between the first link 431 and the second link 432 in the contracted state is smaller than the angle between the first link 431 and the second link 432 in the expanded state, and likewise the angle between the third link 433 and the fourth link 434.

In the unfolded state, the first link 431 and the second link 432, and the third link 433 and the fourth link 434 are as far apart as possible, and the included angle is as large as possible, so that the display area of the electronic device 100 can be as large as possible when the electronic device is unfolded in the second configuration. However, it should be noted that, in the unfolded state, the included angle α between the first link 431 and the second link 432 is smaller than 180 °, and the included angle β between the third link 433 and the fourth link 434 is also smaller than 180 °, so that when the two links retract on the same straight line, the two links rotate in opposite directions, which causes damage to the link assembly 43.

For example, referring to fig. 9, an included angle between the first link 431 and the second link 432 is α, the included angle is significantly smaller than 180 °, the extended line of the arm 435 can bisect the included angle α, the included angle β between the third link 433 and the fourth link 434 is also bisected by the extended line of the arm 435, and the two included angles are equal to each other, so as to ensure the stability of the movement.

Referring to fig. 8 and 9, in some embodiments, the second bracket 42 is provided with a connecting rod 44, the connecting rod 44 is slidably connected to the first bracket 41, the number of the connecting rod assemblies 43 is two, and the two connecting rod assemblies 43 are symmetrically arranged about the connecting rod 44.

Therefore, the transmission stability of the connecting rod assemblies 43 is ensured, and the two connecting rod assemblies 43 can play a role in guiding and keeping stable when the second shell 12 slides relative to the first shell 11.

Referring to fig. 3 and 10, in some embodiments, the second bracket 42 is provided with a connecting rod 44, the connecting rod 44 is located above the supporting arm 435, one of the connecting rod 44 and the supporting arm 435 forms a first position-limiting portion 441, and the other is provided with a supporting structure 442, and when the guiding mechanism 40 is in the unfolded state, the supporting structure 442 supports the first position-limiting portion 441 to limit the relative position between the connecting rod 44 and the supporting arm 435.

Thus, in the process of the unfolded state of the guiding mechanism 40, the connecting rod 44 and the supporting arm 435 move relatively, so that the abutting structure 442 can abut against the first limiting portion 441, so that the guiding mechanism 40 is maintained in the unfolded state, and the electronic device 100 is maintained in the second configuration.

Specifically, the second bracket 42 is fixedly connected to a connecting rod 44, and the connecting rod 44 is further connected to the transmission assembly 32, for example, fixedly connected to a nut of a screw-nut transmission structure, and the driving force generated by the motor 31 can be transmitted to the connecting rod 44, so that the connecting rod 44 can drive the second bracket 42 to slide relative to the first bracket 41, and further, the first shell 11 can move away from or close to the first shell 11. When the abutting structure 442 abuts against the first limiting portion 441, the movement of the connecting rod 44 and the supporting arm 435 can be limited, the connecting rod 44 cannot move continuously, so that the second bracket 42 is fixed relative to the first bracket 41, and the whole guiding mechanism 40 is fixed in a state, i.e., an unfolded state, to limit the relative position of the second shell 12 relative to the first shell 11, and to ensure that the electronic device 100 is maintained in the second state.

In the embodiment of the present application, the connecting rod 44 may have a first position-limiting portion 441 formed thereon, and the supporting arm 435 has a corresponding abutting structure 442 formed thereon, so that when the second housing 12 is separated from the first housing 11, the guiding mechanism 40 is switched from the retracted state to the extended state, and the connecting rod 44 and the supporting arm 435 will move relatively. During the relative movement between the connecting rod 44 and the supporting arm 435, the supporting structure 442 on the supporting arm 435 can support the first limiting portion 441 to limit the relative position between the connecting rod 44 and the supporting arm 435, so as to clamp the guiding mechanism 40 and prevent the second shell 12 from moving beyond the stroke relative to the first shell 11.

In other embodiments, the connecting rod 44 may further have a supporting structure 442 formed thereon, and the supporting arm 435 may also have a corresponding first position-limiting portion 441 formed thereon, which can also limit the position of the electronic device 100 to maintain the shape thereof.

Further, referring to fig. 3 and 10, in some embodiments, the first position-limiting portion 441 includes a groove 4411, the supporting structure 442 includes a supporting rod 4421 and an elastic member 4422, the elastic member 4422 is connected to the supporting rod 4421, and when the guiding mechanism 40 is in the unfolded state, the elastic member 4422 applies a force to the supporting rod 4421 to engage the supporting rod 4421 with the groove 4411.

Thus, when the guiding mechanism 40 is in the unfolded state, the elastic member 4422 applies an elastic force to the holding rod 4421 to engage the holding rod 4421 with the groove 4411, so as to limit the position and ensure that the guiding mechanism 40 is maintained in the unfolded state, and further maintain the electronic device 100 in the second form.

Specifically, a groove 4411 may be formed on the connecting rod 44, and a corresponding support rod 4421 and elastic member 4422 may be formed on the support arm 435, so that the connecting rod 44 and the support arm 435 move relatively when the guide mechanism 40 is switched from the retracted state to the extended state during the process of moving the second housing 12 away from the first housing 11. When the second shell 12 moves to the second position B, the supporting rod 4421 of the supporting arm 435 can be engaged with the groove 4411 to form a limit position under the action of the elastic member 4422, so as to clamp the guiding mechanism 40, and prevent the second shell 12 from moving beyond the stroke relative to the first shell 11. It should be noted that, in order to avoid the interference of the movement of the arm 435 with the movement of the connecting rod 44 and the second bracket 42, the arm 435 may be designed below the connecting rod 44, the groove 4411 may be opened downward, the supporting rod 4421 may be disposed upward, and the elastic member 4422 may be disposed upward to the elastic force of the supporting rod 4421, so as to ensure that the supporting rod 4421 can be engaged with the groove 4411.

In other embodiments, the connecting rod 44 may further include a supporting rod 4421 and an elastic member 4422, and the supporting arm 435 may further include a corresponding groove 4411, which may also form a limit position to ensure that the electronic device 100 maintains its shape. At this time, the elastic force of the elastic member 4422 on the abutting lever 4421 is downward to ensure that the abutting lever 4421 can be engaged with the groove 4411.

Referring to fig. 11, in some embodiments, a sliding slot 411 is formed on the first bracket 41, the connecting rod 44 is disposed in the sliding slot 411, a second position-limiting portion 443 is formed on the connecting rod 44, and when the second shell 12 is at the second position B, the second position-limiting portion 443 abuts against the first bracket 41.

Thus, in the process of changing the form of the electronic device 100, the connecting rod 44 can slide in the sliding slot 411 to assist the sliding of the second housing 12 relative to the first housing 11, and the second limiting portion 443 can abut against the first bracket 41 to prevent the moving speed from exceeding the second position B too fast, which may cause damage to components.

It will be appreciated that during the distancing of the second housing 12 with respect to the first housing 11, it is desirable to avoid the second housing 12 exceeding the second position B, i.e. to limit the movement of the second housing 12 with respect to the first housing 11 when the second housing 12 is in the second position B. Therefore, the connecting rod 44 is formed with a second limiting portion 443, when the second shell 12 is located at the second position B, the second limiting portion 443 abuts against the first bracket 41, so as to further limit the position of the second shell 12 relative to the first shell 11 and avoid the second shell 12 from moving beyond the stroke relative to the first shell 11.

In the embodiment of the present application, the second shell 12 is in sliding fit with the first shell 11 and the first bracket 41, in order to ensure stability of sliding to prevent the link assembly 43 from being jammed due to movement deviation during a movement process, the second shell 12 and the first shell 11 or the first bracket 41 may form a positioning constraint, and a gap between two ends of the second shell 12 and the first shell 11 or the first bracket 41, respectively, may be set to be small, for example, a single-side gap may be 0.05mm, so that it may be avoided that the link assembly 43 cannot achieve a telescopic function due to large deviation of the second shell 12 during the movement process.

In the description herein, references to the description of the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "an illustrative embodiment," "an example," "a specific example," or "some examples" or the like mean that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In this specification, schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

Although embodiments of the present application have been shown and described above, it is to be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and not to be construed as limiting the present application, and that changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to the above embodiments by those of ordinary skill in the art within the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A shell assembly, comprising:

a first housing formed with an accommodating chamber;

a second housing slidably coupled to the first housing, the second housing being slidable relative to the first housing between a first position and a second position;

a guide mechanism disposed between the first housing and the second housing, the guide mechanism being located outside the accommodation chamber and connected to both the first housing and the second housing, the guide mechanism being configured to guide sliding movement of the second housing, the guide mechanism being switchable between an expanded state and a contracted state, the guide mechanism being in the contracted state when the second housing is in the first position, and the guide mechanism being in the expanded state when the second housing is in the second position;

the guide mechanism comprises a first bracket, a second bracket and a connecting rod assembly, the first bracket and the second bracket are arranged in parallel at intervals, the first bracket is fixedly connected to the first shell, the second bracket is fixedly connected to the second shell, the connecting rod assembly is positioned between the first bracket and the second bracket, and two ends of the connecting rod assembly are respectively rotatably connected with the first bracket and the second bracket;

the connecting rod assembly comprises a first connecting rod and a second connecting rod, the first connecting rod is rotationally connected with the second connecting rod, one end of the first connecting rod, far away from the second connecting rod, is rotationally connected with the first support, and one end of the second connecting rod, far away from the first connecting rod, is rotationally connected with the second support;

the connecting rod assembly further comprises a third connecting rod, a fourth connecting rod and a support arm, and the support arm is arranged between the first support and the second support and is parallel to the first support and the second support;

the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod are respectively arranged at two sides of the support arm, the third connecting rod and the first connecting rod are kept parallel in the rotating process, two ends of the first connecting rod are respectively and rotatably connected with the support arm and the first support, and two ends of the second connecting rod are respectively and rotatably connected with the support arm and the second support;

the third connecting rod and the fourth connecting rod are respectively arranged at two sides of the support arm, two ends of the third connecting rod are respectively and rotatably connected with the support arm and the first support, the fourth connecting rod and the second connecting rod are kept parallel in the rotating process, and two ends of the fourth connecting rod are respectively and rotatably connected with the support arm and the second support;

the second bracket is provided with a connecting rod which is positioned above the support arm, one of the connecting rod and the support arm is provided with a first limiting part, the other one of the connecting rod and the support arm is provided with a propping structure, and when the guide mechanism is in the unfolding state, the propping structure props against the first limiting part to limit the relative position of the connecting rod and the support arm;

the first limiting portion comprises a groove, the abutting structure comprises an abutting rod and an elastic piece, the elastic piece is connected with the abutting rod, and when the guide mechanism is in the unfolding state, the elastic piece applies acting force to the abutting rod to enable the abutting rod to be clamped with the groove.

2. The housing assembly of claim 1, wherein in the deployed state, the first link is parallel to the third link, the second link is parallel to the fourth link, an angle between the first link and the second link is less than 180 °, and an angle between the third link and the fourth link is also less than 180 °.

3. The shell assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the second bracket is provided with connecting rods, the connecting rods are slidably connected with the first bracket, the number of the connecting rod assemblies is two, and the two connecting rod assemblies are symmetrically arranged around the connecting rods.

4. The shell assembly of claim 1, wherein a connecting rod is disposed on the second bracket, a sliding slot is formed on the first bracket, the connecting rod is disposed in the sliding slot, a second limiting portion is formed on the connecting rod, and the second limiting portion abuts against the first bracket when the second shell is in the second position.

5. An electronic device, comprising:

a flexible display screen comprising a connected flat portion and an extended portion; and

the shell assembly of any one of claims 1-4, the flat portion being exposed outside the shell assembly and fixedly attached to the first shell, the extension being concealable within the shell assembly, the second shell being slidable relative to the first shell to enable the extension to be at least partially deployed outside the shell assembly or retracted within the shell assembly;

wherein a display area of the electronic device when the second housing is in the first position is smaller than a display area of the electronic device when the second housing is in the second position.

6. The electronic device according to claim 5, further comprising a driving member installed in the accommodating cavity and connected to the second housing, wherein the driving member is configured to drive the second housing to slide relative to the first housing.

7. The electronic device of claim 5, further comprising a motherboard and a battery, wherein the motherboard and the battery are both disposed in the receiving cavity, and the motherboard and the battery are electrically connected.