CN115150486A

CN115150486A - Folding electronic equipment

Info

Publication number: CN115150486A
Application number: CN202110346053.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 牛林辉; 管城豪; 夏昊阳; 彭蒙蒙
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-03-31
Filing date: 2021-03-31
Publication date: 2022-10-04
Anticipated expiration: 2041-03-31
Also published as: CN115150486B; WO2022206644A1

Abstract

The application provides a folding electronic device, which comprises a first shell, a second shell and a flexible screen; the first shell and the second shell can rotate relatively to unfold or fold, the edge of the first shell and/or the edge of the second shell are/is provided with a frame, and an area surrounded by the frame forms an accommodating groove; the flexible screen comprises a flexible cover plate and a display panel, the flexible cover plate is attached to the display panel, and the edge of the flexible cover plate exceeds the boundary of the display panel; the flexible screen is arranged on the first shell and the second shell, wherein at least part of the display panel is positioned in the accommodating groove, and at least part of the inner surface of the edge of the flexible cover plate is fixedly connected with the frame; the neutral layer of the flexible screen is located in the flexible cover plate. The scheme of this application can promote the waterproof performance of flexible screen.

Description

Folding electronic equipment

Technical Field

The application relates to the field of terminal equipment, in particular to a folding electronic device.

Background

The folding screen mobile phone uses the flexible screen, and the flexible screen has the advantages of being flexible, bendable, light, thin, not fragile and the like. The flexible screen in a folding screen mobile phone needs to be designed with a waterproof design in order to avoid water vapor erosion (for example, sweat on the skin may invade the flexible screen when held by a human hand). However, the flexible screen of the existing folding screen mobile phone has poor waterproof effect, and the service life of the flexible screen is influenced.

Disclosure of Invention

The technical scheme of this application provides a folding electronic equipment, can promote the waterproof performance of flexible screen.

The folding electronic equipment comprises a first shell, a second shell and a flexible screen; the first shell and the second shell can rotate relatively to unfold or fold, the edge of the first shell and/or the edge of the second shell are/is provided with a frame, and an area surrounded by the frame forms an accommodating groove; the flexible screen comprises a flexible cover plate and a display panel, the flexible cover plate is attached to the display panel, and the edge of the flexible cover plate exceeds the boundary of the display panel; the flexible screen is arranged on the first shell and the second shell, wherein at least part of the display panel is positioned in the accommodating groove, and at least part of the inner surface of the edge of the flexible cover plate is fixedly connected with the frame; the neutral layer of the flexible screen is located in the flexible cover sheet.

In the scheme of the application, the first shell and the second shell can rotate relatively and fold, so that the first shell and the second shell are in a folded state, namely the folded electronic equipment is in the folded state; the first housing and the second housing can also rotate relatively and unfold, so that the first housing and the second housing are in an unfolded state, that is, the folding electronic device is in an unfolded state. The border may be distributed only in a local area of the edge. The frame is approximately in a fence-shaped structure. The entire area of the edge of the flexible cover sheet may be beyond the corresponding border of the display panel. The storage groove stores the part of the display panel corresponding to the storage groove. For example, the edge of the first casing and the edge of the second casing both have frames, the receiving slot on the first casing receives a portion of the display panel, and the receiving slot on the second casing receives another portion of the display panel. Or only the first housing has a receiving groove, the receiving groove receives a part of the display panel, and other parts of the display panel are outside the receiving groove. The inner surface of the flexible cover plate faces the display panel, and the outer surface of the flexible cover plate faces away from the display panel. The edge of the flexible cover refers to the part of the flexible cover beyond the display panel. At least one part of the inner surface of the edge of the flexible cover plate is fixedly connected with the top surface of the frame, in particular the inner surface of the part of the flexible cover plate is fixedly connected with the top surface of the frame. The neutral layer of the flexible screen may be located between the inner and outer surfaces of the flexible cover sheet, including the inner and outer surfaces.

In the scheme of this application, surpass display panel's boundary through the boundary that makes flexible apron, design frame and accepting groove structure on first casing and/or second casing, make the edge and the frame fixed connection of flexible apron, can block off the entry of external steam well to extension display panel and external communicating path, make the difficult invasion display panel of steam, thereby promote the waterproof performance of flexible screen. Moreover, the edge of the flexible cover plate is not pressed by the frame, so that the effective display area of the flexible screen is not affected, the frame of the folding electronic equipment is narrow, and the product appearance experience is better.

And, adjust the neutral layer of flexible screen to in the flexible apron for the deformation of flexible apron in the process of buckling reduces, is difficult for taking place permanent deformation. When the flexible screen is in the unfolding state, the flatness of the flexible cover plate can be ensured. When the flatness of the flexible cover plate is better, the light and shadow effect of the reflection of the external environment on the flexible cover plate is more in line with the actual situation, and the light and shadow distortion is not easy to occur. In addition, the transmission of the bending motion of the flexible screen in each layer of the flexible screen in the bending process is considered, the adhesive force of the optical transparent adhesive layer in the flexible screen is enough to resist the slippage between the layers caused by the length change, and the layers are not easy to slip and stagger. Therefore, the design that the neutral layer of the flexible screen is arranged in the flexible cover plate can be adapted to the design that at least part of the periphery of the flexible cover plate is fixedly connected with the shell of the folding device, so that the risk that the flexible screen is staggered in the bending process is reduced, and the reliability of the flexible screen is improved.

In one implementation, the neutral layer is located on a surface of the flexible cover plate facing away from the display panel. In this implementation, the neutral layer is located on the outer surface of the flexible cover plate. The outer surface of the flexible cover plate is the appearance surface of the foldable electronic equipment, so that the neutral layer is positioned on the outer surface, the flatness and the light and shadow effect of the appearance surface of the product can be ensured, and the product quality is improved.

In one implementation mode, the frame comprises a first step and a second step, the first step is connected with the second step, the first step is positioned on the inner periphery of the second step, an accommodating groove is formed in an area surrounded by the first step, and the step surface of the first step is lower than that of the second step; at least one part of the inner surface of the edge of the flexible cover plate is fixedly connected with the step surface of the first step, and the surface of the flexible cover plate, which is far away from the display panel, is not higher than the step surface of the second step. In the implementation mode, the second step of the frame can accommodate and protect the frame, the design can enhance the protection of the shell on the flexible screen, and the reliability of the product is guaranteed.

In one implementation mode, the display panel is spaced from the side surface of the containing groove; and/or the height of the first step is 0.4mm-1.0mm; and/or the width of the first step is 0.6mm-1.2mm. The design that the display panel and the side surface of the containing groove are spaced can reserve size allowance in consideration of manufacturing errors, and accurate matching between the display panel and the containing groove can be guaranteed. This dimensioning of the first step is advantageous for ensuring a reliable fit of the housing with the flexible screen.

In one implementation, at least a portion of the inner surface of the edge of the flexible cover sheet is bonded to the bezel by a waterproof glue. The waterproof performance of the flexible screen can be reliably ensured by using the waterproof glue.

In one implementation, the folding electronic device comprises a hinge, wherein the hinge is used for connecting the first shell and the second shell and generating mechanism movement so that the first shell and the second shell can rotate relatively to unfold or fold; the hinge comprises a first end part stop block and a second end part stop block, and the first end part stop block and the second end part stop block are respectively positioned at two opposite ends of the first shell in the rotating axis direction; the opposite two side edges of the flexible cover plate are respectively provided with a first notch and a second notch, the first end part stop block is positioned in the first notch, and the second end part stop block is positioned in the second notch.

In this implementation, the rotation axis direction of the first housing refers to a rotation axis direction in which the first housing rotates relative to the second housing. The first end part stop block and the second end part stop block can be used as appearance pieces at two ends of the foldable electronic equipment to play a role in decoration and beautification. The first notch and the second notch can avoid the end part stop block (the first end part stop block and the second end part stop block are collectively called).

In one implementation mode, the folding electronic device comprises a hinge, wherein the hinge is used for connecting a first shell and a second shell and generating mechanism movement so that the first shell and the second shell can rotate relatively to unfold or fold; the hinge comprises a main shaft, a first fixing frame, a second fixing frame, a first transmission arm, a first rotating arm, a second transmission arm and a second rotating arm; the first shell and the second shell are respectively positioned on two opposite sides of the main shaft; the first fixing frame is fixed on the first shell, and the second fixing frame is fixed on the second shell; the first transmission arm comprises a sliding end and a rotating end, the sliding end of the first transmission arm is connected with the second fixing frame in a sliding mode, and the rotating end of the first transmission arm is connected with the main shaft in a rotating mode; one end of the first rotating arm is rotatably connected with the rotating end of the first transmission arm, and the other end of the first rotating arm is rotatably connected with the first fixing frame; the second transmission arm comprises a sliding end and a rotating end, the sliding end of the second transmission arm is connected with the first fixing frame in a sliding mode, and the rotating end of the second transmission arm is connected with the main shaft in a rotating mode; one end of the second rotating arm is rotatably connected with the rotating end of the second transmission arm, and the other end of the second rotating arm is rotatably connected with the second fixing frame.

In this implementation manner, because the rotating end of the first transmission arm is rotatably connected to the spindle, the sliding end is slidably connected to the second fixing frame, the second fixing frame is fixed to the second housing, the rotating end of the second transmission arm is rotatably connected to the spindle, the sliding end is slidably connected to the first fixing frame, and the first fixing frame is fixed to the first housing, during the relative rotation of the first housing and the second housing, the first housing drives the first fixing frame to rotate relative to the spindle, the second transmission arm rotates along with the first fixing frame relative to the spindle, and the second transmission arm slides relative to the first fixing frame, the second housing drives the second fixing frame to rotate relative to the spindle, the first transmission arm rotates along with the second fixing frame relative to the spindle, and the first transmission arm slides relative to the second fixing frame, so that the folding device (the first housing, the hinge, and the second housing collectively called the folding device) can be freely switched between the flat state and the closed state, and the first housing and the second housing can be relatively unfolded to the flat state, so that the flexible screen is in a flat state, and large screen display can be realized, and the first housing and the second housing can also be relatively folded to be conveniently stored and carried. In addition, when the first shell and the second shell are relatively folded to a closed state through the hinge, the first shell and the second shell can be completely folded, no gap or small gap is formed between the first shell and the second shell, so that the appearance of the folding device is complete, the appearance is self-shielded, the appearance of the electronic equipment using the folding device is complete, and the reliability of a product and the use experience of a user are improved.

In the process that the first shell and the second shell are relatively unfolded to be in the flattening state, the first transmission arm is switched into the spindle, so that the first rotation arm extends out of the spindle, the first rotation arm pushes the first shell away from the spindle through the first fixing frame, the second transmission arm is switched into the spindle, so that the second rotation arm extends out of the spindle, and the second rotation arm pushes the second shell away from the spindle through the second fixing frame. In the process that the first shell and the second shell are folded to be in the closed state relatively, the first transmission arm rotates out of the spindle, so that the first transmission arm extends into the spindle, the first transmission arm draws the first shell to the spindle through the first fixing frame, the second transmission arm rotates out of the spindle, so that the second transmission arm extends into the spindle, and the second transmission arm draws the second shell to the spindle through the second fixing frame. Therefore, the hinge can enable the first fixing frame to drive the first shell to move towards the direction far away from the main shaft and the second fixing frame to drive the second shell to move towards the direction far away from the main shaft in the process that the first shell and the second shell are relatively unfolded, and enable the first fixing frame to drive the first shell to move towards the direction close to the main shaft and the second fixing frame to drive the second shell to move towards the direction close to the main shaft in the process that the first shell and the second shell are relatively folded. That is, the hinge can realize the pulling motion of folding device in the casing of the in-process that flat state changes to the closed state, and the pushing motion of folding device in the casing of the in-process that the closed state changes to flat state, make folding device expand or folding in-process, can realize using the flexible screen as the deformation motion of neutral plane, thereby reduce the risk of dragging or extrudeing the flexible screen, make the flexible screen keep constant length, in order to protect the flexible screen, improve the reliability of flexible screen, make flexible screen and electronic equipment have longer life.

In one implementation mode, the main shaft comprises a main inner shaft and a main outer shaft fixed on the main inner shaft, and when the first shell and the second shell are in the folded state, the main inner shaft is positioned between the main outer shaft and the first fixing frame and the second fixing frame; the first transmission arm rotates around a first rotation center, the first rotation center is close to the main inner shaft and far away from the main outer shaft, and the first rotation center is close to the second fixing frame and far away from the first fixing frame; the second transmission arm rotates around a second rotation center, the second rotation center is close to the main inner shaft and far away from the main outer shaft, and the second rotation center is close to the first fixing frame and far away from the second fixing frame.

In this implementation manner, by setting the positions of the first rotation center and the second rotation center, the hinge is more likely to realize the pulling motion of the folding device in the case in the process of changing from the flat state to the closed state and the pushing motion of the folding device in the case in the process of changing from the closed state to the flat state, so as to realize the deformation motion using the flexible screen as the neutral plane. In addition, main interior axle and main outer axle all are equipped with a plurality of cubical space structures, through the design to these structures for main interior axle and main outer axle equipment back can form a plurality of activity spaces jointly, and the structure spare movable mounting of hinge is in a plurality of activity spaces of main shaft, thereby realizes being connected with the main shaft. The split design of the main inner shaft and the main outer shaft is beneficial to reducing the manufacturing difficulty of the main shaft and improving the manufacturing precision and the product yield of the main shaft.

In one implementation, the hinge includes a first support plate and a second support plate, the first support plate is fixedly connected with the sliding end of the second transmission arm, and the second support plate is fixedly connected with the sliding end of the first transmission arm; when the first shell and the second shell are in an unfolded state, the first supporting plate is flush with the second supporting plate, the first supporting plate is arranged between the first fixing frame and the spindle in an overlapping mode, and the second supporting plate is arranged between the second fixing frame and the spindle in an overlapping mode; when the first shell and the second shell are in a folded state, the first supporting plate is stacked on one side, deviating from the second fixing frame, of the first fixing frame, and the second supporting plate is stacked on one side, deviating from the first fixing frame, of the second fixing frame.

In this implementation, when the first housing and the second housing are relatively unfolded to the unfolded state, the first supporting plate, the main shaft and the second supporting plate can jointly form a complete plane support for the bending portion of the flexible screen. When the first shell and the second shell are relatively folded to a closed state, the first supporting plate and the second supporting plate can slide and furl relative to the first shell and the second shell respectively, so that the main shaft is exposed to form a complete support for a bending part of the flexible screen. Therefore, when the folding device is in the flat-open state or the closed state, the hinge can fully support the bending part of the flexible screen, so that the flexible screen is not easy to be damaged due to external force touch, the flexible screen is protected, and the use experience of a user is improved.

In one implementation, the spindle has a bearing surface; when the first shell and the second shell are in a folded state, the supporting surface of the main shaft is exposed relative to the first supporting plate and the second supporting plate, and the supporting surface of the main shaft is arc-shaped.

In this implementation, the main shaft can be when first casing and second casing are relatively folding to the closed state, for the portion of bending of flexible screen provides complete semicircle or is close semicircular supporting effect, keeps unanimous with the ideal closed form of the portion of bending of flexible screen to can provide the support of more optimizing to the flexible screen of closed form.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a folded electronic device of the present embodiment in an unfolded state;

fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a folding device in the folding electronic device in fig. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a flexible screen in the folding electronic device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of the flexible screen of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the folding device of FIG. 2;

fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the folding device in the present embodiment in a folded state;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial schematic view of FIG. 5 at A;

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional B-B diagram of the foldable electronic device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial schematic view of FIG. 8 at C;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 8 at D;

fig. 11 is a schematic view of an assembly structure of a flexible screen and a housing in a conventional folding electronic device;

fig. 12 is a perspective view of the foldable electronic device in fig. 1 in an intermediate state;

fig. 13 is a perspective view of the folding electronic device in fig. 1 in a folded state;

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the hinge of the folding device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of a portion of the hinge of FIG. 14;

fig. 16 is a schematic perspective view of a folding device of the folding electronic device in fig. 12 in an intermediate state;

FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the spindle of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a schematic structural view of the main and outer shafts of FIG. 17 from another perspective;

FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view E-E of the spindle shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view F-F of the spindle shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 21 is a schematic sectional view G-G of the spindle of FIG. 15;

FIG. 22 is a schematic cross-sectional view H-H of the spindle shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 23 is a schematic sectional view I-I of the spindle shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 24 is a schematic view of the end connection assembly of FIG. 15 from another perspective;

FIG. 25 is a schematic partially exploded view of the end connection assembly of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is an exploded view of the first position limiting member shown in FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a schematic view of a portion of the hinge of FIG. 5;

fig. 28 is a schematic view of the first support plate of fig. 27 from another perspective;

FIG. 29 is a schematic view of a portion of the structure of the folding device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 30 is a schematic view of a portion of the folding device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 31 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the folding apparatus of FIG. 2 in a position corresponding to the first drive arm;

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of the folding device of FIG. 2 with the corresponding second actuator arm in position;

FIG. 33 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the folding apparatus of FIG. 16 in a position corresponding to the first drive arm;

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of the folding device of FIG. 16 with the corresponding second actuator arm in position;

FIG. 35 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the folding apparatus of FIG. 6 in a position corresponding to the first drive arm;

FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view of the folding device of FIG. 6 with the corresponding second actuator arm in position;

FIG. 37 is a schematic view of a stress-cross sectional position curve of the flexible screen of the present embodiment;

fig. 38 is a schematic diagram of a stress-cross sectional position curve for a flexible screen of a conventional folding electronic device.

Detailed Description

The following embodiments of the present application provide a foldable electronic device, which includes but is not limited to a mobile phone, a tablet computer, an e-reader, and the like.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the folding electronic device 1000 may include a folding device 100 and a flexible screen 200, the flexible screen 200 being fixed to the folding device 100.

The flexible screen 200 is used to display images. The flexible screen 200 includes, but is not limited to, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display screen, an active matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) display screen, a mini light-emitting diode (mini-OLED) display screen, a micro light-emitting diode (micro-OLED) display screen, or a quantum dot light-emitting diode (QLED) display screen.

As shown in fig. 1 and 3, the flexible panel 200 may be divided into a first non-bending region 2001, a bending region 2002, and a second non-bending region 2003, which are sequentially arranged, and the bending region 2002 is connected between the first non-bending region 2001 and the second non-bending region 2003.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the flexible screen 200 may include a flexible cover 201 and a display panel 202, and the flexible cover 201 and the display panel 202 are laminated. The flexible cover 201 serves to protect the display panel 202 and also provides tactile and force feedback to the user when the user touches it. The display panel 202 includes a plurality of pixel units, and can display an image. The flexible cover 201 includes portions distributed in the first non-bending region 2001, the bending region 2002 and the second non-bending region 2003, and the display panel 202 also includes portions distributed in the first non-bending region 2001, the bending region 2002 and the second non-bending region 2003.

As shown in fig. 4, a peripheral edge (e.g., a peripheral edge) of the flexible cover 201 may exceed a boundary of the display panel 202, that is, each boundary of the display panel 202 may be retracted within a corresponding boundary of the flexible cover 201, and an area of the display panel 202 is smaller than an area of the flexible cover 201. The center of the flexible cover 201 may substantially coincide with the center of the display panel 202 (the flexible cover 201 and the display panel 202 are both of a substantially centrosymmetric structure), that is, the distance from each boundary of the flexible cover 201 to the boundary corresponding to the "each boundary" in the display panel 202 may be substantially the same. The spacing between the boundary of the flexible cover 201 and the corresponding boundary of the display panel 202 may be, for example, 0.6mm-1.2mm, e.g., 0.6mm, 1.0mm, 1.2mm. The reason why the periphery of the flexible cover 201 is beyond the boundary of the display panel 202 is to facilitate bonding of the periphery of the flexible cover 201 to a housing in the folding apparatus 100 (to be described later).

As shown in fig. 4, the opposite side edges of the flexible cover 201 may form a first notch 201a and a second notch 201b, respectively. The first notch 201a and the second notch 201b may be located approximately in the middle of the flexible cover 201, and may be distributed in a mirror image. The first notch 201a and the second notch 201b may be substantially identical in shape, e.g., both may be substantially trapezoidal. The first notch 201a and the second notch 201b are used to avoid an end stop (to be described later) in the hinge 20 of the folding device 100. Since the flexible cover 201 at the first notch 201a and the second notch 201b is "cut away" by material, the boundary of the flexible cover 201 at the two places may be spaced from the corresponding boundary of the display panel 202 by a smaller distance (for example, may be smaller than 0.6 mm), and the boundary of the flexible cover 201 at the other places may be spaced from the corresponding boundary of the display panel 202 by a larger distance. In other embodiments, the first notch 201a and/or the second notch 201b may not be provided, depending on the product requirements.

As shown in fig. 2, 5 and 6, the folding device 100 may include a first housing 10, a hinge 20, and a second housing 30, the hinge 20 connecting the first housing 10 and the second housing 30. The hinge 20 can generate a mechanism movement to rotate the first casing 10 relative to the second casing 30 to fold or unfold the first casing 10 and the second casing 30. Illustratively, the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 can be completely folded to be parallel to each other (allowing a slight deviation) as shown in fig. 6. As shown in fig. 2, the angle between the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 when they are fully deployed may be approximately 180 ° (allowing for some deviation, such as 165 °, 177 °, or 185 °). The first housing 10 and the second housing 30 may be collectively referred to as a housing. When the first casing 10 and the second casing 30 are completely folded, the casings are in a folded state, that is, the folded electronic device 1000 is in a folded state; when the first casing 10 and the second casing 30 are completely unfolded, the casings are in an unfolded state, that is, the folding electronic device 1000 is in an unfolded state. In this embodiment, the folding electronic device 1000 can be switched between the unfolded state and the folded state by the mechanical movement of the hinge 20.

The first casing 10 and the second casing 30 may have substantially the same or different outer configurations, and this embodiment is not limited. The first housing 10 will be described in detail below as an example.

As shown in fig. 5, the edge of the first casing 10 has a frame 10a, and the frame 10 may be distributed in a partial area of the periphery of the first casing 10, for example, distributed at the edge of the first casing 10 not connected with the hinge 20, and the frame 10a and the hinge 20 may approximately enclose a rectangle. The frame 10a encloses an open area forming a receiving slot 10b, and the frame 10a protrudes from a bottom surface 10c of the receiving slot 10b, i.e. the frame 10a can be used as a sidewall of the receiving slot 10 b.

Fig. 7 is a partially enlarged schematic view at a in fig. 5. As shown in fig. 7, the frame 10a may have a stepped structure. The frame 10a may include a first step 10d and a second step 10e connected, the first step 10d being located at an inner periphery and the second step 10e being located at an outer side. The first step 10d protrudes from the bottom surface 10c of the housing groove 10 b. The second step 10c protrudes from the step surface 10f of the first step 10d, that is, the step surface 10f of the first step 10d is lower than the step surface 10g of the second step 10e (in the present embodiment, the step surface refers to a surface of the step substantially parallel to the bottom surface 10c of the accommodating groove 10 b). The extension track of the second step 10e can be substantially coincident with the extension track of the first step 10d, and the extension lengths of the two steps can be substantially consistent; alternatively, the extended locus of the second step 10e may coincide with only a partial section of the extended locus of the first step 10d, and the extended length of the second step 10e may be smaller than that of the first step 10 d.

In this embodiment, the height of the first step 10d, that is, the distance between the step surface 10f of the first step 10d and the bottom surface 10c of the accommodating groove 10b, may be 0.4mm to 1.0mm, for example, 0.4mm, 0.8mm, or 1.0mm. The width of the first step 10d, i.e. the distance between the side 10h of the first step 10d and the side 10i of the second step 10e, may be 0.6mm-1.2mm, e.g. 0.6mm, 1.0mm, 1.2mm. In other embodiments, the bezel may not be a stepped structure and the cross-section of the bezel may be substantially rectangular. The frame is similar to the frame 10a of the present embodiment except for the second step 10 e.

As shown in fig. 5, the edge of the second casing 30 may also have a frame 30a, and the structure of the frame 30a may be substantially identical to that of the frame 10a on the first casing 10, or the frame having a substantially rectangular cross section as described above, and will not be described again. The frame 30a of the second housing 30 may form a receiving groove 30b. In the embodiment, in the unfolded state of the foldable electronic device 1000, the frame 10a and the frame 30a are separated by the hinge 20, and the frame 10a and the frame 30a are both separated from the hinge 20, so the receiving slots 10b and the receiving slots 30b do not form a closed slot. In other embodiments, in the unfolded state of the foldable electronic device 1000, the frame 10a and the frame 30a may be spliced and closed, so that the receiving slot 10b and the receiving slot 30b form a closed slot.

In other embodiments, only the first casing 10 or the second casing 30 has a bezel, and not both. Therefore, only the frame on the first casing 10 or the second casing 30 may form the receiving groove, and the first casing 10 and the second casing 30 do not have the receiving groove. Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view B-B of the foldable electronic device 1000 in fig. 1, fig. 9 is a schematic partial enlarged structural view at C in fig. 8, and fig. 10 is a schematic partial enlarged structural view at D in fig. 8.

As shown in fig. 9 and 10, a portion of the display panel 202 located in the first non-bending region 2001 is located in the receiving groove 10b of the first housing 10, and a portion of the display panel 202 located in the second non-bending region 2003 is located in the receiving groove 30b of the second housing 30. As shown in fig. 8, a portion of the display panel 202 located in the bending area 2002 may correspond to the hinge 20, and a portion of the display panel 202 located in the bending area 2002 may be substantially outside the receiving groove 10b and the receiving groove 30b (e.g., mostly in an area between the receiving groove 10b and the receiving groove 30 b). In other embodiments, if the receiving slot 10b and the receiving slot 30b form a closed slot, all areas of the display panel 202 can be located in the slot, that is, all areas of the display panel 202 can be located in the receiving slot 10b and the receiving slot 30b.

As shown in fig. 9 and 10, a space may be provided between the display panel 202 and the side surface of the receiving groove 10b (i.e., the side surface 10h of the first step 10 d) and the side surface 30h of the receiving groove 30b, wherein the space is a dimension margin reserved in consideration of manufacturing errors, and is used for ensuring accurate matching between the display panel 202 and the receiving groove. In other embodiments, the space may not be provided, and the display panel 202 is in zero clearance fit (tolerance) with the side of the receiving slot. In other embodiments, when one of the first casing 10 and the second casing 30 is provided with a receiving groove, a portion of the display panel 202 is received in the receiving groove, and the other portion of the display panel 202 is outside the receiving groove.

As shown in fig. 9 and 10, the flexible cover 201 has an outer surface 201c and an inner surface 201d, the inner surface 201d faces the display panel 202, and the outer surface 201c faces away from the display panel 202. A portion of the inner surface 201d of the edge of the flexible cover 201 may be fixedly connected to the step surface 10f of the first step 10d in the frame 10a and the step surface 30f of the first step 30d in the frame 30a, for example, by adhering with waterproof glue. Thereby, the flexible cover 201, the first enclosure 10, and the second enclosure 30 collectively seal the display panel 202. The second step 10e in the frame 10a and the second step 30e of the frame 30a surround the outer circumference of the flexible cover 201, and can provide protection for the flexible cover 201. In other embodiments, when the display panel 202 is in zero-clearance fit with the side surface of the receiving groove, all of the inner surface 201d of the edge of the flexible cover 201 can be fixedly connected with the step surface 10f and the step surface 30 f.

As shown in fig. 9 and 10, the outer surface 201c of the flexible cover 201 is not higher than the step surface 10g of the second step 10e on the first housing 10 and is not higher than the step surface 30g of the second step 30e on the second housing 30, that is, the outer surface 201c of the flexible cover 201 may be flush with the step surfaces 10g and 30g or may be depressed with respect to the step surfaces 10g and 30 g.

Fig. 11 shows an assembly design of a flexible screen 200 'and a housing 10' in a conventional folding electronic device, wherein fig. 11 uses the same representation in partial section as fig. 9. As shown in fig. 11, in the conventional folding electronic device, the flexible cover 201' of the flexible screen 200' is attached to the display panel 202' in an equal area, the display panel 202' is fixed to the housing 10' by bonding, and the flexible cover 201' is not connected to the housing 10 '. To protect the flexible screen 200', the periphery of the housing 10' may form a rim 10a ' having a substantially 7-shaped cross-section, which rim 10a ' presses against the edge of the flexible cover 201 '. An outer surface 201c ' of the flexible cover 201' facing away from the display panel 202' is spaced apart from an inner surface 10m ' of the bezel 10a '. This design causes external moisture to intrude into the display panel 202' from the gap, and reduces the effective display area of the flexible screen 200', which also causes the frame 10a ' of the conventional foldable electronic device to be wider, affecting the appearance of the product.

Compared with the conventional design, the folding electronic device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present application, the boundary of the flexible cover plate 201 exceeds the boundary of the display panel 202, the frame and the accommodating groove structure are designed on the first casing 10 and/or the second casing 30, the edge of the flexible cover plate 201 is fixedly connected with the frame, the entrance of the external water vapor can be blocked well, the communication path between the display panel 202 and the outside is extended, the water vapor is difficult to intrude into the display panel 202, and the waterproof performance of the flexible screen 200 is improved. Moreover, since the edge of the flexible cover 201 is not pressed by the frame, the effective display area of the flexible screen 200 is not affected, and the frame of the foldable electronic device 1000 is narrower, so that the product appearance experience is better.

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 1 and 5, for the assembly of the entire flexible panel 200 with the folding device 100, the first non-bending region 2001 of the flexible panel 200 is fixed to the first housing 10 of the folding device 100, and the second non-bending region 2003 is fixed to the second housing 30. The bending area 2002 may correspond to the hinge 20, and the bending area 2002 is deformed during the process of folding or unfolding the first casing 10 and the second casing 30. As shown in fig. 1, when the first casing 10 and the second casing 30 are in the unfolded state, the flexible screen 200 is in the unfolded state; as shown in fig. 12, when the first casing 10 and the second casing 30 are in the intermediate state, the flexible screen 200 is in the intermediate state between the unfolded state and the folded state; as shown in fig. 13, when the first casing 10 and the second casing 30 are in the folded state, the flexible screen 200 is in the folded configuration. When the foldable electronic device 1000 is in the folded state, the flexible screen 200 is located outside the folding device 100, and the flexible screen 200 may be substantially U-shaped.

There is a concept of a neutral layer in material mechanics. Neutral layer means that during bending the material is stretched in the outer layer and compressed in the inner layer, and that in its cross-section there is a transition layer which is neither in tension nor in compression, the stress on which is almost equal to zero, and which is called the neutral layer of the material.

In the embodiment of the present application, by designing the structure of the hinge 20, the neutral layer of the flexible screen 200 can be disposed in the flexible cover 201. The neutral layer is in the flexible cover 201, meaning that the neutral layer may be located between an inner surface 201d of the flexible cover 201 facing the display panel 202 and an outer surface 201c of the flexible cover 201 facing away from the display panel 202. It can be understood that, by arranging the neutral layer in the flexible cover plate 201, the deformation of the flexible cover plate 201 in the bending process is reduced, and permanent deformation is not easy to occur. When the flexible screen 200 is in the unfolded state, the flatness of the flexible cover 201 can be ensured. When the flatness of the flexible cover plate 201 is good, the light and shadow effect of the inverted shadow of the external environment on the flexible cover plate 201 is more in line with the actual situation, and the light and shadow distortion is not easy to occur. Because the outer surface 201c of the flexible cover plate 201, which is back to the display panel 202, is the appearance surface of the product, the neutral layer can be schematically positioned on the outer surface 201c, so that the flatness and the light and shadow effect of the appearance surface of the product can be ensured, and the product quality is improved.

The structure of the hinge 20 enabling the above-described positional design of the neutral layer will be described in detail below.

As shown in fig. 5, 14 and 15, the hinge 20 may include a main shaft 1, an end connection assembly 20a, a first support plate 21 and a second support plate 22.

Wherein the main shaft 1 is located between the first housing 10 and the second housing 30. The spindle 1 is internally provided with a plurality of movable spaces communicated with the outside of the spindle 1, and the end connecting assembly 20a is movably arranged in the movable spaces to be connected with the spindle 1. The main shaft 1 extends in its axial direction, and the axis of rotation of the hinge 20 as a whole is parallel to the axial direction of the main shaft 1.

The end-joining assembly 20a connects the first housing 10, the spindle 1, and the second housing 30. The number of end connecting assemblies 20a may be two, and the two end connecting assemblies 20a are spaced apart in the axial direction of the main shaft 1, and may be connected to the top and bottom of the main shaft 1, respectively. In this embodiment, the two end connection assemblies 20a may have the same structure, so that the overall structure of the hinge 20 is relatively simple and the processing cost is low.

In other embodiments, the structure of the two end connection assemblies 20a may also be different. In other embodiments, only one end connection assembly 20a may be provided, the end connection assembly 20a connecting the middle of the main shaft 1, the middle of the first housing 10 and the middle of the second housing 30. It is understood that the structure of the hinge 20 can be combined in various ways and modified, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto.

A first support plate 21 and a second support plate 22 are located on the side of the two end connection assemblies 20a facing the flexible screen 200. A first support plate 21 is located on the side of the main shaft 1 close to the first housing 10, and the first support plate 21 connects the two end connection assemblies 20a. A second support plate 22 is located on the side of the main shaft 1 near the second housing 30, the second support plate 22 connecting the two end connection assemblies 20a.

The connection or position design of the respective components in the hinge 20 is described above, and the structure of the components in the hinge 20 will be described in detail below.

As shown in fig. 5, 6, 14 and 16, the spindle 1 has a support surface 11. When the first casing 10 and the second casing 30 are unfolded to be flat, the supporting surface 11 of the spindle 1 is partially exposed with respect to the first supporting plate 21 and the second supporting plate 22. The first support plate 21, the spindle 1 and the second support plate 22 can jointly support the bending portion 2002 of the flexible screen 200, so that the flexible screen 200 is more flat and is not easily damaged due to external force touch, and the reliability of the flexible screen 200 is improved. As shown in fig. 16, when the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 are in the intermediate state, the supporting surface 11 of the spindle 1 is partially exposed relative to the first supporting plate 21 and the second supporting plate 22, the exposed area of the supporting surface 11 of the spindle 1 is larger than the exposed area of the spindle in the flattened state, and the supporting surface 11 of the spindle 1, the first supporting plate 21 and the second supporting plate 22 support the bending portion 2002 of the flexible screen 200 together. As shown in fig. 6, when the first casing 10 and the second casing 30 are folded to the closed state, the support surface 11 of the main shaft 1 is completely exposed with respect to the first support plate 21 and the second support plate 22, and the support surface 11 of the main shaft 1 supports the bent portion 2002 of the flexible panel 200.

As an example, the supporting surface 11 of the main shaft 1 may have an arc shape, which may include two cases: the support surface 11 is a standard arc surface (e.g., a partial surface of a sphere or ellipsoid), or the support surface 11 approximates a standard arc surface. At this time, when the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 are folded relatively to the closed state, the supporting surface 11 of the spindle 1 and the ideal closed form of the bending portion 2002 of the flexible screen 200 are kept consistent, so as to provide a complete semicircle or approximately semicircle supporting effect for the bending portion 2002 of the flexible screen 200, thereby providing a more sufficient and reliable support for the flexible screen 200 in the closed form.

In some embodiments, the support surface 11 of the main shaft 1 is a standard arc-shaped surface, the central angle of which may be in the range of 150 ° to 180 ° to better support the flexible screen 200. In other embodiments, the central region of the support surface 11 of the spindle 1 is planar and the two side regions are arc-planar. At this time, the supporting surface 11 is approximately arc-shaped as a whole, and semicircular or approximately semicircular support can be achieved for the flexible screen 200 in the closed state. The central region of the supporting surface 11 can support the flexible screen 200 in a flat state together with the first and second supporting

plates

21 and 22. In other embodiments, the support surface 11 of the spindle 1 may have other shapes. For example, the support surface 11 of the main shaft 1 is provided in a semi-elliptical shape to reduce the width of the folding device 100 in the closed state, thereby facilitating portability and storage.

Referring to fig. 17 and 18, fig. 17 is an exploded view of the main shaft 1 shown in fig. 15, and fig. 18 is a view illustrating the main shaft 14 of the main shaft 1 shown in fig. 17 from another angle.

As shown in fig. 17 and 18, the main shaft 1 may include a main outer shaft 14 and a main inner shaft 15. The main outer shaft 14 is fixed to one side of the main inner shaft 15. The support surface 11 of the main shaft 1 is the surface of the main outer shaft 14, the support surface 11 facing away from the main inner shaft 15.

The main inner shaft 15 and the main outer shaft 14 are respectively provided with a plurality of three-dimensional space structures, through the design of the structures, after the main inner shaft 15 and the main outer shaft 14 are assembled, a plurality of movable spaces can be formed together, and structural members in the end part assembly 20a are movably arranged in the plurality of movable spaces in the main shaft 1, so that the connection with the main shaft 1 is realized. The split design of the main inner shaft 15 and the main outer shaft 14 is beneficial to reducing the manufacturing difficulty of the main shaft 1 and improving the manufacturing precision and the product yield of the main shaft 1.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 17, the main inner shaft 15 includes a main inner shaft body 151, a plurality of grooves 152, a plurality of bumps 153, and a plurality of fastening holes 155. The main inner shaft body 151 has a substantially plate shape, a plurality of protrusions 153 are formed on the main inner shaft body 151, and a plurality of grooves 152 are formed on the main inner shaft body 151 and/or the plurality of protrusions 153 (in the embodiment of the present application, "a and/or B" includes "a", "B", and "a and B"), the protrusions 153 and the grooves 152 are combined with each other to form a plurality of three-dimensional space structures. A plurality of fastening holes 155 are formed in the main inner shaft body 151. Wherein the numbering of part of the recesses 152, part of the bumps 153 and part of the fastening holes 155 are schematically indicated in fig. 16.

As shown in fig. 18, the main outer axle 14 includes a main outer axle body 141, a plurality of grooves 143, a plurality of projections 144, two end stops 146 (which may be referred to as first and second end stops 146, respectively), and a plurality of fastener holes 145. The main outer shaft body 141 has a substantially arc-shaped plate shape, and both end stoppers 146 are fixed to both ends of the main outer shaft body 141. A plurality of projections 144 are formed on the main outer shaft body 141, a plurality of grooves 143 are formed on the main outer shaft body 141 and/or the plurality of projections 144, and the projections 144 and the grooves 143 are combined with each other to form a plurality of spatial structures. A plurality of fastening holes 145 are formed at the plurality of bosses 144. Wherein the reference numerals of part of the recess 143, part of the projection 144 and part of the fastening hole 145 are schematically indicated in fig. 17.

After the main outer shaft 14 and the main inner shaft 15 are fixed to each other, the main outer shaft body 141, the two end stoppers 146, and the main inner shaft body 151 together surround an inner space of the main shaft 1, the two end stoppers 146 are exposed, the plurality of fastening holes 145 of the main outer shaft 14 are aligned with the plurality of fastening holes 155 of the main inner shaft 15, and the main outer shaft 15 and the main outer shaft 14 are fixed by fasteners (not shown). Fasteners include, but are not limited to, screws, bolts, rivets, pins, and the like. The multiple spatial structures of the main outer shaft 14 and the multiple spatial structures of the main inner shaft 15 together form multiple movable spaces of the main shaft 1. Illustratively, the partial activity spaces of the plurality of activity spaces have the same structure, and the partial activity spaces have different structures. The different structure of the activity space is used for cooperating with different structure spare, make the main shaft 1 with the connection structure of the end assembly 20a more flexible and diversified. The activity space with the same structure is used for being matched with the structural part with the same structure, and the design difficulty and the cost of the main shaft 1 and the end part connecting assembly 20a are favorably reduced.

Referring to fig. 18, 4 and 1, one end stop 146 is positioned in a first notch 201a in the flexible cover 201 and the other end stop is positioned in a second notch 201b in the flexible cover 201. The first notch 201a and the second notch 201b are both able to avoid the end stop 146.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 17, the partial protrusion 153 of the main inner shaft 15 has a limiting groove 1531 for limiting the structural member mounted in the corresponding movable space in the axial direction of the main shaft 1, so as to improve the reliability of the connection structure. A partial stop notch 1531 is schematically indicated in fig. 17. As shown in fig. 18, groove walls of the partial grooves 143 of the main and outer shafts 14 are provided with limit grooves 1431 to limit the structural members mounted to the corresponding moving spaces in the axial direction of the main shaft 1, so as to improve the reliability of the connection structure. A partial stop recess 1431 is schematically indicated in fig. 18. It can be understood that a limiting groove (1531/1431) is arranged in the same moving space, so that the structural member can be limited in the axial direction of the spindle 1. Of course, in some embodiments, two limiting grooves (1531, 1431) may be disposed in the same activity space to increase the stability of the limiting.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 18, a part of the protrusion 144 of the main and outer shafts 14 has a limiting function, and the protrusion 144 is located in the moving space of the main shaft 1 for limiting a structural member in the end assembly 20, and preventing the structural member from being accidentally detached from the main shaft 1, so as to improve the connection reliability and the movement reliability of the end connection assembly 20a and the main shaft 1, and to improve the reliability of the hinge 20 and the folding device 100. It will be appreciated that the spindle 1 may also be provided with a cam for limiting the position on the main inner shaft 15.

Referring to fig. 19 to 23, fig. 19 is a schematic structural view of the spindle 1 shown in fig. 15 taken along line E-E, fig. 20 is a schematic structural view of the spindle 1 shown in fig. 15 taken along line F-F, fig. 21 is a schematic structural view of the spindle 1 shown in fig. 15 taken along line G-G, fig. 22 is a schematic structural view of the spindle 1 shown in fig. 15 taken along line H-H, and fig. 23 is a schematic structural view of the spindle 1 shown in fig. 15 taken along line I-I.

Illustratively, the spindle 1 of the present embodiment defines a plurality of play spaces for cooperation with different structural members of the end coupling assembly 20a.

As shown in fig. 19, the main outer shaft 14 and the main inner shaft 15 jointly enclose to form an arc-shaped groove 131 and a communication hole 134, a circle center of the arc-shaped groove 131 is close to the main inner shaft 15 and is far away from the main outer shaft 14, one end of the arc-shaped groove 131 is communicated with an external space on one side of the main shaft 1, the other end of the arc-shaped groove 131 is communicated to an external space on the other side of the main shaft 1 through the communication hole 134, and the arc-shaped groove 131 and the communication hole 134 jointly form a movable space. In some embodiments, the activity space may further include two limit recesses (1531, 1431) communicating with the arc-shaped slot 131, one of which is formed in the main outer shaft 14 and the other of which is formed in the main inner shaft 15. In some embodiments, the main outer shaft 14 can further include a protrusion 144 having a limiting function, and the protrusion 144 extends into the arc-shaped groove 131 to limit a structural component mounted in the arc-shaped groove 131.

As shown in fig. 20, the main outer shaft 14 and the main inner shaft 15 are enclosed together to form an M-shaped groove 132, two ends of the M-shaped groove 132 are respectively communicated with the external space on two sides of the main shaft 1, two spaced concave grooves 133 are formed on the side wall of the M-shaped groove 132, and the M-shaped groove 132 and the two concave grooves 133 form a movable space.

As shown in fig. 21, the main outer shaft 14 and the main inner shaft 15 jointly enclose to form an arc-shaped groove 131 and a communication hole 134, a circle center of the arc-shaped groove 131 is close to the main inner shaft 15 and is far away from the main outer shaft 14, one end of the arc-shaped groove 131 is communicated with an external space on one side of the main shaft 1, the other end of the arc-shaped groove 131 is communicated to an external space on the other side of the main shaft 1 through the communication hole 134, and the arc-shaped groove 131 and the communication hole 134 jointly form a movable space. In some embodiments, the activity space may further include two limit recesses (1531, 1431) communicating with the arc-shaped slot 131, one of which is formed in the main outer shaft 14 and the other of which is formed in the main inner shaft 15. In some embodiments, the main outer shaft 14 can further include a protrusion 144 having a limiting function, and the protrusion 144 extends into the arc-shaped groove 131 to limit a structural component mounted in the arc-shaped groove 131.

The movable space shown in fig. 19 and the movable space shown in fig. 21 are provided in pairs, and the positions of the arc-shaped groove 131 and the communication hole 134 of the movable space are opposite to the positions of the arc-shaped groove 131 and the communication hole 134 of the movable space.

As shown in fig. 22, the main outer shaft 14 and the main inner shaft 15 together enclose to form an arc-shaped slot 131, and a center of the arc-shaped slot 131 is close to the main outer shaft 14 and far away from the main inner shaft 15 to form a movable space. In some embodiments, the activity space may further include two limit recesses (1531, 1431) communicating with the arc-shaped slot 131, one of which is formed in the main outer shaft 14 and the other of which is formed in the main inner shaft 15. In some embodiments, the main outer shaft 14 can further include a protrusion 144 having a limiting function, and the protrusion 144 extends into the arc-shaped groove 131 to limit a structural component mounted in the arc-shaped groove 131.

As shown in fig. 23, the main outer shaft 14 and the main inner shaft 15 together enclose to form an arc-shaped slot 131, and a center of the arc-shaped slot 131 is close to the main outer shaft 14 and far away from the main inner shaft 15 to form a movable space. In some embodiments, the activity space may further include two limit recesses (1531, 1431) communicating with the arc-shaped slot 131, one of which is formed in the main outer shaft 14 and the other of which is formed in the main inner shaft 15. In some embodiments, the main outer shaft 14 can further include a protrusion 144 having a limiting function, and the protrusion 144 extends into the arc-shaped groove 131 to limit a structural component mounted in the arc-shaped groove 131.

The activity spaces shown in fig. 22 and 23 are arranged in pairs, and the positions of the activity spaces are opposite.

As shown in fig. 19, 21-23, the main outer shaft 14 and the main inner shaft 15 together form a plurality of arc-shaped slots 131. A plurality of arcuate slots 131 are located in different play spaces for mating with different structural members.

It is understood that the spindle 1 in the embodiment of the present application may have other structures, and the present application is not limited thereto.

Referring to fig. 24 and 25 together, fig. 24 is a schematic view of end coupling assembly 20a of fig. 15 at another angle, and fig. 25 is a schematic view of a partially exploded view of end coupling assembly 20a of fig. 24.

In some embodiments, end-coupling assembly 20a of hinge 20 includes a first fixed frame 31, a second fixed frame 32, a first transmission arm 4, a first rotation arm 5, a second transmission arm 6, and a second rotation arm 7. Illustratively, the first transmission arm 4 includes a sliding end 41 and a rotating end 42, the sliding end 41 of the first transmission arm 4 is slidably connected to the second fixing frame 32, one end of the first rotation arm 5 is rotatably connected to the rotating end 42 of the first transmission arm 4, and the other end is rotatably connected to the first fixing frame 31. The second transmission arm 6 comprises a sliding end 61 and a rotating end 62, the sliding end 61 of the second transmission arm 6 is connected with the first fixing frame 31 in a sliding mode, one end of the second rotating arm 7 is connected with the rotating end 62 of the second transmission arm 6 in a rotating mode, and the other end of the second rotating arm is connected with the second fixing frame 32 in a rotating mode.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 24 and 25, the first fixing frame 31 includes a first connecting block 311. The first connection block 311 may have a claw shape, and the first connection block 311 has a rotation hole 3111. The first rotation arm 5 includes a first end 51 having a claw shape, and the first end 51 of the first rotation arm 5 has a rotation hole 511. The first end 51 of the first rotating arm 5 is connected to the first connecting block 311 in a staggered manner, and a rotating shaft (not shown) passes through the rotating hole 3111 of the first connecting block 311 and the rotating hole 5111 of the first end 51 of the first rotating arm 5, so that the first end 51 of the first rotating arm 5 is rotatably connected to the first connecting block 311, thereby rotatably connecting the first rotating arm 5 to the first fixing frame 31. The first end 51 of the first rotating arm 5 is connected to the first connecting block 311 in a staggered manner, so that the first end and the first connecting block can be limited in the axial direction of the spindle 1, and the connection reliability of the hinge 20 is improved. The rotating shaft in the embodiment of the present application may be a pin.

Illustratively, the first connecting block 311 includes a stop block 3112, when the first housing 10 is unfolded to the flat state relative to the second housing 30, an end of the first end 51 of the first rotating arm 5 abuts against the stop block 3112, so that the first rotating arm 5 stays at a predetermined position, and the flexible screen 200 is prevented from being pulled due to the excessive turning of the first housing 10 and the second housing 30, so as to protect the flexible screen 200.

It should be understood that the first connecting block 311 of the first fixing frame 31 and the first end 51 of the first rotating arm 5 may have other structures, and the rotating connection relationship between the two structures may be satisfied, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 24 and 25, the first rotation arm 5 further includes a second end 52 having a claw shape, the second end 52 of the first rotation arm 5 is disposed opposite to the first end 51, and the second end 52 of the first rotation arm 5 has a rotation hole 522. The end of the rotating end 42 of the first transmission arm 4 is formed in a claw shape, and the end of the rotating end 42 of the first transmission arm 4 has a rotating hole 423. The second end 52 of the first rotation arm 5 is connected with the end of the rotation end 42 of the first rotation arm 4 in a staggered manner, and the second end 52 of the first rotation arm 5 is connected with the rotation end 42 of the first rotation arm 4 in a rotating manner by a rotation shaft (not shown in the figure) passing through the rotation hole 522 of the second end 52 of the first rotation arm 5 and the rotation hole 423 of the rotation end 42 of the first rotation arm 4, so that the rotation connection of the first rotation arm 5 and the first rotation arm 4 is realized. The second end 52 of the first rotating arm 5 and the end of the rotating end 42 of the first driving arm 4 are connected in a staggered manner, so that the limit between the two ends can be realized in the axial direction of the main shaft 1, and the connection reliability of the hinge 20 is improved. It should be understood that the second end 52 of the first rotating arm 5 and the rotating end 42 of the first driving arm 4 may have other structures, and the rotating connection relationship between the two structures may be satisfied, which is not strictly limited in the embodiment of the present application.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 25, the rotating end 42 of the first drive arm 4 is arcuate. The rotating end 42 of the first transmission arm 4 may be mounted to one of the arc-shaped slots 131 of the main shaft 1 to rotatably couple the first transmission arm 4 to the main shaft 1. Illustratively, the rotating end 42 of the first transmission arm 4 is mounted on an arc-shaped groove 131 (see fig. 13) of the movable space of the main shaft 1, and the rotating center of the first transmission arm 4 rotating relative to the main shaft 1 is close to the main inner shaft 15 and far away from the main outer shaft 14.

In this embodiment, the first transmission arm 4 is connected to the main shaft 1 through a virtual shaft, and the rotating connection structure is simple, occupies a small space, and is beneficial to reducing the thickness of the hinge 20, so that the folding device 100 and the folding electronic device 1000 are more easily thinned. In other embodiments, the first transmission arm 4 and the main shaft 1 may also be connected through a real shaft, which is not strictly limited in this embodiment of the present application.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 25, the rotating end 42 of the first transmission arm 4 may further include a limit protrusion 422, and the limit protrusion 422 is formed at an end position of the rotating end 42. The limit protrusion 422 is used to cooperate with the protrusion 144 (see fig. 13) of the main shaft 1 for limiting, so as to prevent the first transmission arm 4 from being accidentally detached from the main shaft 1. The rotating end 42 of the first transmission arm 4 may further comprise a stop protrusion 421, the stop protrusion 421 forming an inner position and/or an outer position of the rotating end 42. The limit protrusion 421 is configured to cooperate with the limit groove 1531 and/or the limit groove 1431 (see fig. 13) of the spindle 1, so that the first transmission arm 4 and the spindle 1 are limited in the axial direction of the spindle 1.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 24 and 25, the second fixing frame 32 has a first sliding groove 322. The side wall of the first slide groove 322 may have a recessed guide space 3221. The sliding end 41 of the first transmission arm 4 is mounted on the first sliding slot 322 to slidably connect with the second fixing frame 32. The sliding end 41 of the first drive arm 4 includes a first flange 413 on the circumferential side. The first flange 413 is installed in the guide space 3221 of the first chute 322. In this embodiment, the guiding space 3221 of the first sliding groove 322 is matched with the first flange 413 of the first driving arm 4, so as to guide the sliding end 41 of the first driving arm 4 in the sliding direction of the first sliding groove 322, and thus, the relative sliding motion between the first driving arm 4 and the second fixing frame 32 is easier to achieve and the control precision is higher.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 24 and 25, the hinge 20 may further include a first retaining member 81. The first limiting member 81 is mounted at the sliding end 41 of the first transmission arm 4, and the first limiting member 81 is clamped with the second fixing frame 32. In the embodiment, the first limiting member 81 is used to limit the relative position relationship between the first transmission arm 4 and the second fixing frame 32, so that the first transmission arm 4 and the second fixing frame 32 can maintain a preset relative position relationship when not subjected to a large external force, the hinge 20 can stop at a preset angle, and the folding device 100 can maintain a flat state or a closed state, so as to improve the user experience of the folding device 100 and the folding electronic device 1000.

Illustratively, the second fixing frame 32 further includes a first concave area 323 and a second concave area 324, and the first concave area 323 and the second concave area 324 are both connected to the first sliding slot 322. In combination with fig. 8, the first concave area 323 is located on a side of the second concave area 324 close to the first fixing frame 31, that is, the first concave area 323 is located between the spindle 1 and the second concave area 324. When the first casing 10 and the second casing 30 are relatively unfolded to the flat state, the first limiting member 81 is partially inserted into the first recessed area 323; when the first casing 10 and the second casing 30 are relatively folded to the closed state, the first limiting member 81 is partially inserted into the second recessed area 324.

Referring to fig. 24 to 26, fig. 26 is an exploded schematic view of the first limiting element 81 shown in fig. 25.

In some embodiments, the first limiting member 81 includes a first bracket 811 and a first elastic member 812. The first bracket 811 is a rigid structure and is not easily deformed by an external force. The first bracket 811 includes a control portion 8111 and a holding portion 8112. The supporting portion 8112 is used for supporting the external structural component so as to limit the structural component. The control portion 8111 is used for controlling the position of the holding portion 8112. Illustratively, the control portion 8111 includes a substrate 8113 and a plurality of guide pillars 8114, and the plurality of guide pillars 8114 are fixed to one side of the substrate 8113 with a space therebetween. The abutting portion 8112 is fixed to the other side of the substrate 8113. The first elastic member 812 has an elastic structure and is easily deformed by an external force. One end of the first elastic member 812 is attached to the control portion 8111 of the first bracket 811. Illustratively, the first elastic element 812 may include a plurality of springs 8121, and the plurality of springs 8121 are sleeved on the plurality of guide posts 8114 in a one-to-one correspondence.

One end of the first elastic member 812 is mounted to the control portion 8111 of the first bracket 811. The sliding end 41 of the first transmission arm 4 has a first mounting groove 414, and the first limiting member 81 is mounted in the first mounting groove 414. The other end of the first elastic element 812 (i.e., the end away from the control portion 8111) abuts against the wall of the first mounting groove 414, and the first elastic element 812 is in a compressed state. The supporting portion 8112 of the first bracket 811 partially extends out of the first mounting groove 414 and is engaged with the second fixing frame 32. Because the first elastic member 812 of the first limiting member 81 can deform under the action of an external force, the first limiting member 81 can smoothly move between the first concave area 323 and the second concave area 324 relative to the second fixing frame 32, thereby improving the limiting reliability between the first transmission arm 4 and the second fixing frame 32.

As shown in fig. 26, in some embodiments, the first limiting member 81 may further include a first buffering member 813, and the first buffering member 813 is mounted on the abutting portion 8112 of the first bracket 811. The first buffer member 813 may be made of a material with low rigidity (e.g., rubber), so as to absorb the impact force through deformation when an external force is applied, thereby achieving buffering. The first limiting member 81 is provided with the first buffering member 813, so that stress between the abutting portion 8112 and the structural member (i.e., the second fixing frame 32) can be buffered, and reliability of the limiting structure can be improved.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 24 and 25, the second holder 32 includes a second connecting block 321. The second connecting block 321 may have a claw shape, and the second connecting block 321 has a rotation hole 3211. The second rotating arm 7 includes a first end 71 having a claw shape, and the first end 71 of the second rotating arm 7 has a rotating hole 711. The first end 71 of the second rotating arm 7 is connected to the second connecting block 321 in an interlaced manner, and a rotating shaft (not shown) passes through the rotating hole 3211 of the second connecting block 321 and the rotating hole 711 of the first end 71 of the second rotating arm 7, so that the first end 71 of the second rotating arm 7 is rotatably connected to the second connecting block 321, and the second rotating arm 7 is rotatably connected to the second fixing frame 32. The first ends 71 of the second rotating arms 7 are connected with the second connecting blocks 321 in a staggered manner, so that the mutual limiting can be realized in the axial direction of the spindle 1, and the connection reliability of the hinge 20 is improved.

Illustratively, the second connecting block 321 includes a stop block 3212, and when the first housing 10 is unfolded to the flat state relative to the second housing 30, the end of the first end 71 of the second rotating arm 7 abuts against the stop block 3212, so that the second rotating arm 7 stays at a predetermined position, and the flexible screen 200 is prevented from being pulled due to the over-turning of the first housing 10 and the second housing 30, so as to protect the flexible screen 200.

It should be understood that the second connecting block 321 of the second fixing frame 32 and the first end 71 of the second rotating arm 7 may have other structures, which can satisfy the rotating connection relationship therebetween, and this is not strictly limited in this embodiment of the application.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 24 and 25, the second rotating arm 7 further includes a second end 72 having a claw shape, the second end 72 of the second rotating arm 7 is disposed opposite to the first end 51, and the second end 72 of the second rotating arm 7 has a rotating hole 721. The end of the rotating end 62 of the second transmission arm 6 is formed in a claw shape, and the end of the rotating end 62 of the second transmission arm 6 has a rotating hole 623. The second end 72 of the second rotating arm 7 is connected with the end of the rotating end 62 of the second transmission arm 6 in a staggered manner, and the second end 72 of the second rotating arm 7 is connected with the rotating end 62 of the second transmission arm 6 in a rotating manner through a rotating shaft (not shown in the figure) passing through the rotating hole 721 of the second end 72 of the second rotating arm 7 and the rotating hole 623 of the rotating end 62 of the second transmission arm 6, so that the second end 72 of the second rotating arm 7 is connected with the rotating end 62 of the second transmission arm 6 in a rotating manner, and the rotating connection of the second rotating arm 7 and the second transmission arm 6 is realized. The second end 72 of the second rotating arm 7 is connected with the end of the rotating end 62 of the second transmission arm 6 in a staggered manner, so that the mutual limiting in the axial direction of the spindle 1 can be realized, and the connection reliability of the hinge 20 is improved. It should be understood that the second end 72 of the second rotating arm 7 and the rotating end 62 of the second transmission arm 6 may have other structures, which can satisfy the rotating connection relationship therebetween, and this is not limited in this embodiment of the application.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 25, the rotating end 62 of the second actuator arm 6 is arcuate. The rotating end 62 of the second driving arm 6 can be mounted on one of the arc-shaped slots 131 of the main shaft 1 so that the second driving arm 6 is rotatably connected with the main shaft 1. Illustratively, the rotating end 62 of the second transmission arm 6 is mounted on an arc-shaped slot 131 (see fig. 21) of the movable space of the main shaft 1, and the rotating center of the second transmission arm 6 relative to the main shaft 1 is close to the main inner shaft 15 and far away from the main outer shaft 14.

In this embodiment, the second transmission arm 6 is connected to the main shaft 1 through a virtual shaft, so that the rotating connection structure is simple, the occupied space is small, and the thickness of the hinge 20 is reduced, so that the folding device 100 and the folding electronic device 1000 are more easily thinned. In other embodiments, the second transmission arm 6 and the main shaft 1 may be connected by a real shaft, which is not strictly limited in the embodiments of the present application.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 25, the rotating end 62 of the second transmission arm 6 may further include a limiting protrusion 622, and the limiting protrusion 622 is formed at an end position of the rotating end 62. The limit protrusion 622 is used to cooperate with the protrusion 144 (see fig. 21) of the spindle 1, which has a limiting function, to prevent the second transmission arm 6 from being accidentally detached from the spindle 1. The rotating end 62 of the second transmission arm 6 may further comprise a limiting protrusion 621, the limiting protrusion 621 forming an inner position and/or an outer position of the rotating end 62. The limit protrusion 421 is configured to cooperate with the limit groove 1431 and/or the limit groove 1531 (see fig. 21) of the spindle 1, so that the second transmission arm 6 and the spindle 1 are limited in the axial direction of the spindle 1.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 24 and 25, the first fixing frame 31 has a second sliding groove 312. The side wall of the second sliding chute 312 may have a recessed guide space 3121. The sliding end 61 of the second transmission arm 6 is mounted on the second sliding slot 312 to slidably connect with the first fixing frame 31. The sliding end 61 of the second transmission arm 6 includes a second flange 613 on the circumferential side. The second flange 613 is mounted to the guide space 3121 of the second chute 312. In this embodiment, the guiding space 3121 of the second sliding slot 312 is matched with the second flange 613 of the second transmission arm 6, so that the sliding end 61 of the second transmission arm 6 can be guided in the sliding direction of the second sliding slot 312, and the relative sliding motion between the second transmission arm 6 and the first fixing frame 31 is easier to achieve and the control precision is higher.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 18 and 19, the hinge 20 may further include a second retaining member 82. The second limiting member 82 is mounted at the sliding end 61 of the second transmission arm 6, and the second limiting member 82 is clamped with the first fixing frame 31. In this embodiment, the second limiting element 82 is used to limit a relative position relationship between the second transmission arm 6 and the first fixing frame 31, so that the second transmission arm 6 and the first fixing frame 31 can maintain a preset relative position relationship when not subjected to a large external force, the hinge 20 can stop at a preset angle, and the folding device 100 can maintain a flat state or a closed state, so as to improve user experience of the folding device 100 and the folding electronic device 1000.

Illustratively, the first fixing frame 31 further includes a third recessed area 313 and a fourth recessed area 314, and both the third recessed area 313 and the fourth recessed area 314 are communicated with the second sliding slot 312. In combination with fig. 8, the third recessed area 313 is located on a side of the fourth recessed area 314 close to the second fixing frame 32, that is, the third recessed area 313 is located between the spindle 1 and the fourth recessed area 314. When the first casing 10 and the second casing 30 are relatively unfolded to the flat state, the second limiting member 82 is partially clamped into the third recessed area 313; when the first casing 10 and the second casing 30 are relatively folded to the closed state, the second limiting member 82 is partially inserted into the fourth recessed area 314.

Illustratively, the structure of the second position-limiting member 82 is the same as that of the first position-limiting member 81, so as to simplify the material type of the hinge 20 and reduce the design difficulty and cost of the hinge 20. The specific structure of the second limiting member 82 is not described in detail in this embodiment of the application. In other embodiments, the structure of the second limiting member 82 may also be different from the structure of the first limiting member 81.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 18 and 19, the hinge 20 may further include a first synchronization swing arm 91 and a second synchronization swing arm 92. The first synchronization swing arm 91 includes a rotating end 911 and a movable end 912. The rotating end 911 of the first synchronization swing arm 91 is rotatably connected to the main shaft 1, the movable end 912 of the first synchronization swing arm 91 is movably connected to the first fixing frame 31, and the movable end 912 of the first synchronization swing arm 91 slides and rotates relative to the first fixing frame 31 in the process of relatively folding or unfolding the first shell 10 and the second shell 30.

Illustratively, the rotating end 911 of the first synchronizing swing arm 91 includes a first rotating body 9111, a first rotating shaft 9112, and a first gear 9113. The first rotating body 9111 includes a front surface, a back surface, and a peripheral side surface connected between the front surface and the back surface, which are disposed opposite to each other. The first gear 9113 is fixed to a peripheral side surface of the first rotating body 9111. The first rotating shaft 9112 is fixed to the front and/or rear surface of the first rotating body 9111. In some embodiments, the first rotating shaft 9112 includes two portions, which are respectively fixed on the front and back of the first rotating body 9111, so that the first synchronous swing arm 91 has better balance and stability when being rotatably connected to other structures through the first rotating shaft 9112. In other embodiments, the first rotating shaft 9112 includes a portion, and the first rotating shaft 9112 is fixed to the front or rear surface of the first rotating body 9111 to reduce the installation space requirement of the first synchronizing swing arm 91. The first rotating shaft 9112 is used for rotatably connecting the main shaft 1. The first synchronous swing arm 91 may be installed at the active space of the main shaft 1 (as shown in fig. 14), and the first rotating shaft 9112 is installed at the recess groove 133 of the M-shaped groove 132. In the present embodiment, the rotation end 911 of the first synchronization swing arm 91 is rotatably connected to the main shaft 1 through a real shaft. In other embodiments, the rotating end 911 of the first synchronization swing arm 91 and the main shaft 1 may also be rotationally connected through a virtual shaft, which is not strictly limited in this embodiment of the present application.

Illustratively, the movable end 912 of the first synchronization swing arm 91 includes a third rotating body 9121 and a third rotating shaft 9122, and the third rotating shaft 9122 is fixed to the front and/or the back of the third rotating body 9121. The first fixing frame 31 further has a third sliding groove 316, and a groove wall of the third sliding groove 316 has a recessed guide space 3161. Wherein the guiding direction of the guiding space 3161 of the third sliding chute 316 is the same as the guiding direction of the guiding space 3121 of the second sliding chute 312. The movable end 912 of the first synchronization swing arm 91 may be mounted to the third sliding groove 316 of the first fixed frame 31, and the third rotating shaft 9122 may be mounted to the guide space 3161 of the third sliding groove 316. The movable end 912 of the first synchronization swing arm 91 can slide and rotate relative to the first fixed frame 31.

In this embodiment, the guiding space 3161 of the third sliding groove 316 is matched with the first rotating shaft 9112 of the first synchronization swinging arm 91, so as to guide the sliding direction of the movable end 912 of the first synchronization swinging arm 91 in the third sliding groove 316, and thus the relative movement between the first synchronization swinging arm 91 and the first fixing frame 31 is easier to realize and the control precision is higher.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 24 and 25, the second synchronization swing arm 92 includes a rotating end 921 and a movable end 922, the rotating end 921 of the second synchronization swing arm 92 is rotatably connected to the spindle 1, the rotating end 921 of the second synchronization swing arm 92 engages with the rotating end 911 of the first synchronization swing arm 91, the movable end 922 of the second synchronization swing arm 92 is movably connected to the second fixed frame 32, and the movable end 922 of the second synchronization swing arm 92 slides and rotates relative to the second fixed frame 32 during the relative folding or unfolding of the first casing 10 and the second casing 30.

In this embodiment, because the rotating end 911 of the first synchronizing swing arm 91 is engaged with the rotating end 921 of the second synchronizing swing arm 92, both the rotating end 911 of the first synchronizing swing arm 91 and the rotating end 921 of the second synchronizing swing arm 92 are rotatably connected to the spindle 1, the movable end 912 of the first synchronizing swing arm 91 is movably connected to the first fixing frame 31, and the movable end 922 of the second synchronizing swing arm 92 is movably connected to the second fixing frame 32, during the relative unfolding or relative folding process of the first fixing frame 31 and the second fixing frame 32, the first synchronizing swing arm 91 and the second synchronizing swing arm 92 can control the rotating angles of the first fixing frame 31 and the second fixing frame 32 relative to the spindle 1 to be consistent, so that the rotating actions of the first fixing frame 31 and the second fixing frame 32 have synchronization and consistency, the folding action and the unfolding action of the hinge 20 have better symmetry, and the use experience of a user can be improved.

Wherein, the first synchronous swing arm 91 is rotatably connected with the main shaft 1, slidably connected with and rotatably connected with the first fixing frame 31, i.e. forming a connecting rod slider structure. The second synchronous swing arm 92 is rotatably connected with the main shaft 1, slidably connected with and rotatably connected with the second fixing frame 32, i.e. a connecting rod and slider structure is formed. The two intermeshing link slider structures provide good control of the synchronization and consistency of the rotational motion of the first housing 10 and the second housing 30.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 24 and 25, the rotating end 921 of the second synchronizing swing arm 92 includes a second rotating main body 9211, a second rotating shaft 9212, and a second gear 9213, the second rotating shaft 9212 is fixed to the front and/or back surface of the second rotating main body 9211, and the second gear 9213 is fixed to the circumferential side surface of the second rotating main body 9211. The rotating end 921 of the second synchronizing swing arm 92 may be installed at the moving space of the main shaft 1 (as shown in fig. 20), and the second rotating shaft 9212 is installed at the other recessed groove 133 of the M-shaped groove 132. The second rotating shaft 9212 is rotatably connected with the main shaft 1, and the second gear 9213 is meshed with the first gear 9113.

In this embodiment, since the rotation end 911 of the first synchronization swing arm 91 and the rotation end 921 of the second synchronization swing arm 92 are directly engaged with the second gear 9213 through the first gear 9113, the synchronization assembly formed by the first synchronization swing arm 91 and the second synchronization swing arm 92 together has a simple structure, easily controlled movement process, and high accuracy.

Illustratively, the movable end 922 of the second synchronization swing arm 92 includes a fourth rotating body 9222 and a fourth rotating shaft 9221, and the fourth rotating shaft 9221 is fixed on the front and/or back of the fourth rotating body 9222. The second fixing frame 32 further has a fourth sliding slot 326, and a groove wall of the fourth sliding slot 326 has a recessed guide space 3261. The guiding direction of the guiding space 3261 of the fourth sliding slot 326 is the same as the guiding direction of the guiding space 3221 of the first sliding slot 322. The second synchronizing swing arm 92 is installed at the fourth sliding groove 326, and the fourth rotating shaft 9221 is installed at the guide space 3261 of the fourth sliding groove 326. Through the cooperation of the guide space 3261 of the fourth sliding groove 326 and the fourth rotating shaft 9221 of the second synchronizing swing arm 92, the movable end 922 of the second synchronizing swing arm 92 can be guided in the sliding direction of the fourth sliding groove 326, so that the relative movement between the second synchronizing swing arm 92 and the second fixing frame 32 is easier to realize, and the control precision is higher.

For example, the structure of the second synchronous swing arm 92 may be substantially the same as that of the first synchronous swing arm 91, so as to simplify the material type of the hinge 20 and reduce the design difficulty and cost of the hinge 20. The second synchronous swing arm 92 and the first synchronous swing arm 91 are different in structure in that the first gear 9113 and the second gear 9213 are arranged at different angles so as to be engaged with each other conveniently.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 24 and 25, the hinge 20 may further include a first adaptor 93 and a second adaptor 94. The first adaptor 93 is slidably mounted on the first fixing frame 31, the movable end 912 of the first synchronous swing arm 91 is rotatably connected with the first adaptor 93, the second adaptor 94 is slidably mounted on the second fixing frame 32, and the movable end 922 of the second synchronous swing arm 92 is rotatably connected with the second adaptor 94. The structure of the second adaptor 94 may be the same as that of the first adaptor 93, so as to simplify the material type of the hinge 20 and reduce the design difficulty and cost of the hinge 20.

It can be understood that, as shown in fig. 25, in the present embodiment, the first fixing frame 31 is an integrally formed structural member, and includes a first connecting block 311, a second sliding slot 312 and a third sliding slot 316. In some embodiments, the first fixing frame 31 may include a plurality of structural members, and the first connecting block 311, the second sliding groove 312 and the third sliding groove 316 are formed on different structural members, which is not limited in this application. As shown in fig. 25, in the present embodiment, the second fixing frame 32 is an integrally formed structural member, and includes a second connecting block 321, a first sliding groove 322, and a fourth sliding groove 326. In some embodiments, the second fixing frame 32 may include a plurality of structural members, and the second connecting block 321, the first sliding groove 322 and the fourth sliding groove 326 are formed on different structural members, which is not limited in this application.

As shown in fig. 25, in some embodiments, the first fixing frame 31 has a plurality of fastening holes 317, and the hinge 20 may fix the first fixing frame 31 to the first housing 10 by a plurality of fastening members. The second fixing frame 32 has a plurality of fastening holes 327, and the hinge 20 may fix the second fixing frame 32 to the second housing 30 by a plurality of fastening members.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 15, the first transmission arm 4 rotates around the first rotation center 4C, that is, the first transmission arm 4 and the main shaft 1 rotate around the first rotation center 4C. The second transmission arm 6 rotates around the second rotation center 6C, that is, the second transmission arm 6 and the main shaft 1 rotate around the second rotation center 6C.

Referring to fig. 27, fig. 27 is a partial structural view of the hinge 20 shown in fig. 5.

In some embodiments, first support plate 21 is fixedly connected to sliding end 61 of second transmission arm 6, and second support plate 22 is fixedly connected to sliding end 41 of first transmission arm 4.

In this embodiment, the first support plate 21 and the second transmission arm 6 are assembled into a component, and the second support plate 22 and the first transmission arm 4 are assembled into a component, so that the second transmission arm 6 can directly control the movement track of the first support plate 21, and the first transmission arm 4 can directly control the movement track of the second support plate 22, so that the control precision of the movement process of the first support plate 21 and the second support plate 22 is high, and the return difference is small, thereby accurately achieving the stretching and retracting in the rotation process of the folding device 100, and meeting the support requirement of the flexible screen 200 and the self-shielding requirement of the hinge 20.

Illustratively, the first support plate 21 is fixed with the second transmission arms 6 of both end connection assemblies 20 a; the second support plate 22 is fixed to the first transmission arm 4 of both end connection assemblies 20a. At this time, the two end connecting assemblies 20a can drive the first supporting plate 21 and the second supporting plate 22 to move together, so as to reduce the difficulty of motion control and improve the precision of motion control.

In some embodiments, the sliding ends of the plurality of actuator arms can be lockingly secured to the support plate by fasteners. Fasteners include, but are not limited to, screws, bolts, rivets, pins, and the like. Concave-convex matching structures can be arranged between the sliding ends of the transmission arms and the supporting plates, so that the assembling precision and reliability are improved.

For example, referring to fig. 28, fig. 28 is a schematic structural diagram of the first support plate 21 shown in fig. 27 at another view angle.

As shown in fig. 28, the first support plate 21 includes a plate body 211 and a plurality of first protrusions 212 fixed to the plate body 211, and the plurality of first protrusions 212 are disposed at intervals from each other. The first protrusions 212 are adapted to engage the sliding ends 61 of the second drive arms 6 of the two end coupling assemblies 20a, respectively. The first support plate 21 may be an integrally formed structural member.

As shown in fig. 28, the first supporting plate 21 may further include a sliding member 214 fixed to the plate body 211, and the sliding member 214 is configured to be slidably connected to the first fixing frame 31 of the end connecting assembly 20a, so that the first supporting plate 21 can better slide with the second driving arm 6 relative to the first fixing frame 31, thereby improving the mechanical reliability of the hinge 20. Illustratively, the number of the first sliding members 214 is two, and the two first sliding members 214 are slidably connected to the two first fixing frames 31, respectively.

In this embodiment, the structure of the second supporting plate 22 may be the same as that of the first supporting plate 21, so as to simplify the material type of the hinge 20 and reduce the design difficulty and cost of the hinge 20. The specific structure of the second supporting plate 22 is not described in detail in the embodiment of the present application.

Referring to fig. 5 and 29 together, fig. 29 is a schematic view of a part of the folding device 100 shown in fig. 2. The structure shown in fig. 29 includes a first housing 10 and a first fixing frame 31 of two end-connecting assemblies 20a.

In some embodiments, a side of the first housing 10 close to the hinge 20 has a first fixing groove 102, the first housing 10 includes a first positioning plate 103 located at the first fixing groove 102, the first positioning plate 103 is spaced apart from a bottom wall of the first fixing groove 102, and the first fixing frame 31 is located between the first positioning plate 103 and the bottom wall of the first fixing groove 102 and is fixedly connected to the first positioning plate 103. In the present embodiment, since the first fixing frame 31 and the first housing 10 are fixed to each other, the first housing 10 and the first fixing frame 31 move synchronously, and the constraint of the hinge 20 on the movement track of the first fixing frame 31 during the movement also forms the constraint on the movement track of the first housing 10.

In some embodiments, the first positioning plate 103 sinks relative to the bottom surface 10c of the receiving cavity 10b to form the first receiving cavity 104. The first receiving groove 104 can provide a receiving and moving space for the first supporting plate 21, and the position of the first receiving groove 104 is set such that the supporting surface of the first supporting plate 21 mounted on the first receiving groove 104 can be flush with the bottom surface 10c of the receiving groove 10b of the first housing 10, so that the first supporting plate 21 can better support the flexible screen 200. Wherein, the degree of depth of first holding tank 104 is less, and the non-display side of flexible screen 200 is equipped with the higher support backplate of hardness, consequently when first backup pad 21 part stretches out first holding tank 104, the part of flexible screen 200 towards first holding tank 104 can not take place obvious deformation under user's the pressure, also is favorable to guaranteeing the reliability of flexible screen 200.

For example, the first positioning plate 103 may include a plurality of structures arranged at intervals, or may be a continuous structure, which is not strictly limited in this application. The first fixing frame 31 may be fastened to the first positioning plate 103 by a fastener, which may be, but not limited to, a screw, a bolt, a rivet, or the like. In other embodiments, other connection structures may be formed between the first fixing frame 31 and the first casing 10, which is not strictly limited in this application.

Referring to fig. 5 and 30, fig. 30 is a schematic view of a part of the folding device 100 shown in fig. 2. The structure shown in fig. 30 includes a second housing 30 and a second fixing frame 32 of the two end-coupling assemblies 20a.

In some embodiments, the second housing 30 has a second fixing groove 302 on a side thereof close to the hinge 20, the second housing 30 includes a second positioning plate 303 located at the second fixing groove 302, the second positioning plate 303 is spaced apart from a bottom wall of the second fixing groove 302, and the second fixing frame 32 is located between the second positioning plate 303 and the bottom wall of the second fixing groove 302 and is fixedly connected to the second positioning plate 303. In the embodiment, since the second fixing frame 32 and the second housing 30 are fixed to each other, the second housing 30 moves along with the second fixing frame 32, and the hinge 20 can control the movement track of the second housing 30 by controlling the movement track of the second fixing frame 32.

In some embodiments, the second positioning plate 303 is sunk relative to the bottom surface 30c of the receiving cavity 30b to form a second receiving cavity 304. The second receiving groove 304 can provide a receiving and moving space for the second support plate 22, and the second receiving groove 304 is positioned such that a supporting surface of the second support plate 22 mounted to the second receiving groove 304 can be flush with the bottom surface 30c of the receiving groove 30b of the second housing 30, so that the second support plate 22 can better support the flexible screen 200. The depth of the second receiving groove 304 is shallow, and the non-display side of the flexible screen 200 is provided with a supporting backboard with higher hardness, so that when the second supporting plate 22 partially extends out of the second receiving groove 304, the part of the flexible screen 200 facing the second receiving groove 304 is not significantly deformed under the pressing of a user, which is also beneficial to ensuring the reliability of the flexible screen 200.

For example, the second positioning plate 303 may include a plurality of structures arranged at intervals, or may be a continuous structure, which is not strictly limited in this application. The second fixing frame 32 and the fourth fixing frame 34 can be fastened to the second positioning plate 303 by fasteners, which can be, but are not limited to, screws, bolts, rivets, and the like. In other embodiments, other connecting structures may be formed between the second fixing frame 32 and the second casing 30, which is not limited in this application.

The structure of the folding apparatus 100 will be described below with reference to a plurality of internal structural views of the folding apparatus 100 in the flat state, the intermediate state, and the closed state, respectively.

Referring to fig. 31 to 36 together, fig. 31 is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of the folding device 100 shown in fig. 2 corresponding to the position of the first transmission arm 4, fig. 32 is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of the folding device 100 shown in fig. 2 corresponding to the position of the second transmission arm 6, fig. 33 is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of the folding device 100 shown in fig. 16 corresponding to the position of the first transmission arm 4, fig. 34 is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of the folding device 100 shown in fig. 16 corresponding to the position of the second transmission arm 6, fig. 35 is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of the folding device 100 shown in fig. 6 corresponding to the position of the first transmission arm 4, and fig. 36 is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of the folding device 100 shown in fig. 6 corresponding to the position of the second transmission arm 6. Fig. 31 to 36 illustrate the change in the positions of the first and

second transmission arms

4 and 6 during the transition of the folding device 100 from the unfolded state to the closed state.

As shown in fig. 31, when the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 are relatively unfolded to be in the flat state, the first transmission arm 4 is substantially parallel to the main shaft 1, the rotating end 42 of the first transmission arm 4 is located at a turning position relative to the main shaft 1, the sliding end 41 of the first transmission arm 4 is located at a sliding position relative to the second fixing frame 32, the first transmission arm 4 is far away from the second fixing frame 32 and the second housing 30, and the second fixing frame 32 and the second housing 20 are far away from the main shaft 1; the first rotating arm 5 is linked with the first transmission arm 4, the first rotating arm 5 is in an extending position relative to the main shaft 1, and the first rotating arm 5 pushes the first fixing frame 31 and the first shell 10 away from the main shaft 1.

As shown in fig. 32, when the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 are relatively unfolded to be in the flat state, the second transmission arm 6 is substantially parallel to the main shaft 1, the rotating end 62 of the second transmission arm 6 is located at the turning-in position relative to the main shaft 1, the sliding end 61 of the second transmission arm 6 is located at the sliding-out position relative to the first fixing frame 31, the second transmission arm 6 is far away from the first fixing frame 31 and the first housing 10, and the first fixing frame 31 and the first housing 10 are far away from the main shaft 1; the second rotating arm 7 is linked with the second transmission arm 6, the second rotating arm 7 is located at an extending position relative to the spindle 1, and the second rotating arm 7 pushes the second fixing frame 32 and the second housing 30 away from the spindle 1.

That is, when the first casing 10 and the second casing 30 are relatively unfolded to be in the flattened state, the first transmission arm 4 and the second transmission arm 6 are in the rotated position with respect to the main shaft 1, the first rotation arm 5 and the second rotation arm 7 are in the extended position with respect to the main shaft 1, and the first casing 10 and the second casing 30 are pushed away from the main shaft 1.

As shown in fig. 33, when the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 are in the intermediate state, the first transmission arm 4 is inclined with respect to the main shaft 1, the rotating end 42 of the first transmission arm 4 is in a partial rotating-out/partial rotating-in position with respect to the main shaft 1, the sliding end 41 of the first transmission arm 4 is in a partial sliding-in/partial sliding-out position with respect to the second fixing frame 32, the first transmission arm 4 gradually approaches the second fixing frame 32 and the second housing 30, and the second fixing frame 32 and the second housing 30 gradually approach the main shaft 1; the first rotating arm 5 is linked with the first transmission arm 4, the first rotating arm 5 is in a partial extending position relative to the main shaft 1, and the first rotating arm 5 drives the first fixing frame 31 and the first shell 10 to gradually approach the main shaft 1.

As shown in fig. 34, when the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 are in the intermediate state, the second transmission arm 6 is tilted with respect to the main shaft 1, the rotating end 62 of the second transmission arm 6 is located at a partial rotation-out/partial rotation-in position with respect to the main shaft 1, the sliding end 61 of the second transmission arm 6 is located at a partial sliding-in/partial sliding-out position with respect to the first fixing frame 31, the second transmission arm 6 gradually approaches the first fixing frame 31 and the first housing 10, and the first fixing frame 31 and the first housing 10 gradually approach the main shaft 1; the second rotating arm 7 is linked with the second transmission arm 6, the second rotating arm 7 is located at a partial extending position relative to the main shaft 1, and the second rotating arm 7 drives the second fixing frame 32 and the second shell 30 to gradually approach the main shaft 1.

That is, when the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 are in the intermediate state, the first transmission arm 4 and the second transmission arm 6 are in the partial rotation-out/partial rotation-in position with respect to the main shaft 1, and the first rotation arm 5 and the second rotation arm 7 are in the partial extension position with respect to the main shaft 1, and drive the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 to gradually approach the main shaft 1.

As shown in fig. 35, when the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 are folded to the closed state, the first transmission arm 4 is approximately perpendicular to the main shaft 1, the rotating end 42 of the first transmission arm 4 is located at the rotating-out position relative to the main shaft 1, the sliding end 41 of the first transmission arm 4 is located at the sliding-in position relative to the second fixing frame 32, the first transmission arm 4 is close to the second fixing frame 32 and the second housing 30, and the second fixing frame 32 and the second housing 30 are close to the main shaft 1; the first rotating arm 5 is in an extended position relative to the main shaft 1, and the first rotating arm 5 pulls the first fixing frame 31 and the first housing 10 close to the main shaft 1.

As shown in fig. 36, when the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 are folded relatively to a closed state, the second transmission arm 6 is substantially perpendicular to the main shaft 1, the rotating end 62 of the second transmission arm 6 is located at an out position relative to the main shaft 1, the sliding end 61 of the second transmission arm 6 is located at a sliding position relative to the first fixing frame 31, the second transmission arm 6 is close to the first fixing frame 31 and the first housing 10, and the first fixing frame 31 and the first housing 10 are close to the main shaft 1; the second rotating arm 7 is in an extending position relative to the main shaft 1, and the second rotating arm 7 pulls the second fixing frame 32 and the second housing 30 close to the main shaft 1.

That is, when the first casing 10 and the second casing 30 are folded to the closed state, the first transmission arm 4 and the second transmission arm 6 are in the rotated-out position with respect to the main shaft 1, the first rotation arm 5 and the second rotation arm 7 are in the extended position with respect to the main shaft 1, and the first casing 10 and the second casing 30 are drawn toward the main shaft 1.

In the embodiment of the present application, as shown in fig. 31 to fig. 36, since the rotating end 42 of the first transmission arm 4 is rotatably connected to the spindle 1, the sliding end 41 is slidably connected to the second fixing frame 32, the second fixing frame 32 is fixed to the second housing 30, the rotating end 62 of the second transmission arm 6 is rotatably connected to the spindle 1, the sliding end 61 is slidably connected to the first fixing frame 31, and the first fixing frame 31 is fixed to the first housing 10, during the relative rotation of the first housing 10 and the second housing 30, the first housing 10 drives the first fixing frame 31 to rotate relative to the spindle 1, the second transmission arm 6 drives the first fixing frame 31 to rotate relative to the spindle 1, the second housing 30 drives the second fixing frame 32 to rotate relative to the spindle 1, and the first transmission arm 4 slides relative to the second fixing frame 32, so that the folding device 100 can be freely switched between the flat state and the closed state, the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 can be in the flat state to enable the flexible display screen to be unfolded and the flexible display screen can be carried about the flat state and the folded electronic screen 1000. In addition, when the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 are folded to the closed state relatively through the hinge 20, they can be completely folded, and no gap or small gap is formed between them, so that the appearance of the folding device 100 is relatively complete, and the appearance is self-shielded, and the appearance of the folding electronic device 1000 using the folding device 100 is relatively complete, which is beneficial to improving the reliability of the product and the user experience.

As shown in fig. 35, when the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 are folded to the closed state, the main inner shaft 15 of the main shaft 1 is located between the main outer shaft 14 and the first and second fixing

brackets

31 and 32. As shown in fig. 31, the first transmission arm 4 rotates about the first rotation center 4C. Illustratively, the first rotation center 4C is a center of an arc-shaped groove 131 of the main shaft 1 corresponding to the rotation end 42 of the first transmission arm 4. The first rotation center 4C of the first transmission arm 4 relative to the main shaft 1 is close to the main inner shaft 15 and far away from the main outer shaft 14, and close to the second fixing frame 32 and far away from the first fixing frame 31. As shown in fig. 35, the second transmission arm 6 rotates about the second rotation center 6C. Illustratively, the second rotation center 6C is a center of the arc-shaped slot 131 of the spindle 1 corresponding to the rotation end 62 of the second transmission arm 6. The second rotation center 6C of the second transmission arm 6 relative to the main shaft 1 is close to the main inner shaft 15 and away from the main outer shaft 14, and is close to the first fixing frame 31 and away from the second fixing frame 32.

In the present embodiment, by setting the positions of the first rotation center 4C and the second rotation center 6C, the hinge 20 is made easier to realize the pulling movement of the housing in the process of changing the folding device 100 from the flat state to the closed state and the pushing movement of the housing in the process of changing the folding device 100 from the closed state to the flat state, and is convenient to realize the deformation movement of disposing the neutral layer of the flexible screen 200 in the flexible cover 201.

As shown in fig. 31, since the first end 51 of the first rotating arm 5 is rotatably connected to the first fixing frame 31, and the second end 52 is rotatably connected to the rotating end 42 of the first rotating arm 4, during the relative rotation of the first housing 10 and the second housing 30, the rotating end 42 of the first rotating arm 4 drives the second end 52 of the first rotating arm 5 to rotate around the first rotation center 4C, so as to form a first-stage link movement, and at the same time, the first end 51 of the first rotating arm 5 rotates around the second end 52 of the first rotating arm 5, so as to form a second-stage link movement, so that the link movement of the first rotating arm 5 is equivalent to a second-stage link movement. Since the second end 52 of the first rotation arm 5 is rotatably connected to the rotation end 42 of the first transmission arm 4, and the second end 52 of the first rotation arm 5 rotates around a fixed point in synchronization with the rotation end 42 of the first transmission arm 4, the rotation angle of the first-stage link motion of the first rotation arm 5 is equal to and opposite to the rotation angle of the first transmission arm 4. Therefore, the first rotating arm 5 and the first transmission arm 4 form an interlocking structure, the first rotating arm 5 and the first transmission arm 4 form a primary hinge between the first fixing frame 31 and the second fixing frame 32, and the freedom of movement of the first rotating arm 5 is reduced to 1, so that the first rotating arm 5 and the first transmission arm 4 have no virtual position and do not move in the movement process of the hinge 20, and the tensile strength and reliability of the hinge 20 are improved.

As shown in fig. 35, since the first end 71 of the second rotating arm 7 is rotatably connected to the second fixing frame 32, and the second end is rotatably connected to the rotating end 62 of the second transmission arm 6, in the process of relative rotation of the first casing 10 and the second casing 30, the rotating end 62 of the second transmission arm 6 drives the second end 72 of the second rotating arm 7 to rotate around the second rotation center 6C, so as to form a first-stage link motion, and meanwhile, the first end 71 of the second rotating arm 7 rotates around the second end 72 of the second rotating arm 7, so as to form a second-stage link motion, so that the link motion of the second rotating arm 7 is equivalent to a second link motion. Since the second end 72 of the second rotating arm 7 is rotatably connected to the rotating end 62 of the second transmission arm 6, and the second end 72 of the second rotating arm 7 and the rotating end 62 of the second transmission arm 6 rotate around a fixed point synchronously, the rotating angle of the first-stage link motion of the second rotating arm 7 is equal to and opposite to the rotating angle of the second transmission arm 6. Therefore, the second rotating arm 7 and the second transmission arm 6 form an interlocking structure, the second rotating arm 7 and the second transmission arm 6 form a first-stage hinge between the first fixing frame 31 and the second fixing frame 32, and the freedom of movement of the second rotating arm 7 is reduced to 1, so that the second rotating arm 7 and the second transmission arm 6 do not have a virtual position and play in the movement process of the hinge 20, and the tensile strength and reliability of the hinge 20 are improved.

As shown in fig. 31 to 36, in the process that the first casing 10 and the second casing 30 are relatively unfolded to the flat state, the first transmission arm 4 is turned into the spindle 1, so that the first transmission arm 5 extends out of the spindle 1, the first casing 10 is pushed away from the spindle 1 by the first fixing frame 31 through the first transmission arm 5, the second transmission arm 6 is turned into the spindle 1, so that the second transmission arm 7 extends out of the spindle 1, and the second casing 30 is pushed away from the spindle 1 by the second transmission arm 7 through the second fixing frame 32.

In the process that the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 are folded relatively to a closed state, the first transmission arm 4 rotates out of the spindle 1, so that the first transmission arm 5 extends into the spindle 1, the first transmission arm 5 pulls the first housing 10 close to the spindle 1 through the first fixing frame 31, the second transmission arm 6 rotates out of the spindle 1, so that the second transmission arm 7 extends into the spindle 1, and the second transmission arm 7 pulls the second housing 30 close to the spindle 1 through the second fixing frame 32.

Therefore, in the process that the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 are relatively unfolded, the hinge 20 can make the first fixing frame 31 drive the first housing 10 to move in the direction away from the main shaft 1, and the second fixing frame 32 drive the second housing 30 to move in the direction away from the main shaft 1. In the process of relatively folding the first housing 10 and the second housing 30, the first fixing frame 31 drives the first housing 10 to move toward the spindle 1, and the second fixing frame 32 drives the second housing 30 to move toward the spindle 1. That is, the hinge 20 can realize the in-housing pulling motion of the folding device 100 during the change from the unfolded state to the closed state and the in-housing pushing motion of the folding device 100 during the change from the closed state to the unfolded state, so that the folding device 100 can realize the deformation motion with the flexible cover plate 201 of the flexible screen 200 as a neutral layer during the unfolding or folding process. This can reduce the risk of pulling or squeezing the flexible screen 200, improving the reliability of the flexible screen 200, resulting in a longer lifetime of the flexible screen 200 and the foldable electronic device 1000.

As shown in fig. 31, when the first casing 10 and the second casing 30 are relatively unfolded to the flat state, the first support plate 21 is flush with the second support plate 22, the first support plate 21 is erected between the first fixing frame 31 and the spindle 1, the second support plate 22 is erected between the second fixing frame 32 and the spindle 1, and the first support plate 21, the spindle 1 and the second support plate 22 can jointly form a complete plane support for the bending portion 2002 of the flexible screen 200. As shown in fig. 35, when the first casing 10 and the second casing 30 are folded relatively to a closed state, the first support plate 21 is stacked on a side of the first fixing frame 31 away from the second fixing frame 32, the second support plate 22 is stacked on a side of the second fixing frame 32 away from the first fixing frame 31, and the first support plate 21 and the second support plate 22 can slide and close relative to the first casing 10 and the second casing 30, respectively, so that the main shaft 1 is exposed to form a complete support for the bending portion 2002 of the flexible screen 200. In other words, when the folding device 100 is in the flat state or the closed state, the hinge 20 can fully support the bending portion 2002 of the flexible screen 200, thereby being beneficial to protecting the flexible screen 200 and improving the user experience.

Since the first support plate 21 is fixed to the sliding end 41 of the first transmission arm 4 and the second support plate 22 is fixed to the sliding end 61 of the second transmission arm 6, the first transmission arm 4 and the second transmission arm 6 control the rotation operation of the first housing 10 and the second housing 30 and also control the extension and contraction operation of the first support plate 21 and the second support plate 22, so that the hinge 20 is integrated with a high degree, the connection relationship is simple, and the mechanism reliability is high.

In the embodiment of the present application, the folding device 100 can realize a pulling motion in the housing during the process of changing from the flat state to the closed state, and realize an pushing motion in the housing during the process of changing from the closed state to the flat state, so that during the process of unfolding or folding, a deformation motion with the flexible cover plate 201 of the flexible screen 200 as a neutral layer is realized, so as to reduce the risk of pulling or squeezing the flexible screen 200, protect the flexible screen 200, make the reliability of the flexible screen 200 higher, and make the flexible screen 200 and the folding electronic device 1000 have a longer service life.

Moreover, the design of arranging the neutral layer of the flexible screen 200 in the flexible cover plate 201 can be adapted to the design of fixedly connecting the periphery of the flexible cover plate 201 with the housing of the folding device 100, so that the risk of layer staggering of the flexible screen 200 in the bending process is reduced, and the reliability of the flexible screen 200 is improved. The principle will be explained below.

Fig. 37 shows a schematic diagram of a stress-cross-sectional position curve of the flexible screen 200 during bending when the neutral layer is disposed in the flexible cover 201 of the flexible screen 200 according to the embodiment of the present application, which can be obtained by simulation, for example. Wherein the stress axis represents the stress value and 0 on the stress axis represents the stress value as zero. The stress can be divided into tensile stress and compressive stress, the farther from 0 on the stress axis. The greater the stress value; conversely, the closer to 0 on the stress axis, the smaller the stress value. The cross-sectional position axes represent different positions in the cross-sectional layer structure of the flexible screen 200, wherein the flexible cover plate 201 is located at the lower end of the cross-sectional position axes. The display panel 202 of the flexible screen 200 may include a plurality of layer structures (e.g., may include a substrate layer, a light emitting device layer, and an optically transparent adhesive layer connecting the layers), represented by a plurality of wire frames in fig. 37.

As shown in fig. 37, since the neutral layer is located in the flexible cover 201 (e.g., substantially at the outer surface 201c of the flexible cover 201 facing away from the display panel 202), the stress on the neutral layer is substantially zero. During bending of the flexible screen 200, the cross-sectional locations above the neutral layer (the "above" being taken as an example from the perspective of fig. 37) are all compressed and thus subject to compressive stress. The farther the cross-sectional location is from the neutral layer, the greater the compressive stress. The stress-profile position curve shown in fig. 37 is steeper and the stress difference between the layers of the flexible screen 200 is smaller.

In the embodiment of the present application, when at least a portion of the periphery of the flexible cover 201 is fixedly connected to the frame 10a on the first casing 10 and the frame 30a on the second casing 30, when the first casing 10 and the second casing 30 are folded or unfolded, the first casing 10 and the second casing 30 directly drive the portion of the flexible cover 201 fixed to the frame to bend, and the bending motion is sequentially transmitted from the flexible cover 201 to each layer structure of the display panel 202. Since the flexible screen 200 of this embodiment has the stress-cross-sectional position curve characteristic shown in fig. 37, and the stress difference between the layers of the flexible screen 200 is small, when the bending movement layer by layer is transmitted, the adhesive force of the optical transparent adhesive layer in the flexible screen 200 is sufficient to resist the slippage between the layers due to the length change, so that the slippage and the staggering between the layers are not easy to occur. Therefore, the design of disposing the neutral layer of the flexible screen 200 in the flexible cover 201 can be adapted to the design of fixedly connecting at least part of the periphery of the flexible cover 201 with the housing of the folding device 100, so as to reduce the risk of layer dislocation of the flexible screen 200 during bending and improve the reliability of the flexible screen 200.

In contrast, fig. 38 shows a stress-cross-sectional position curve of a flexible panel 200' of a conventional folding electronic device during bending. In this conventional folding electronic device, the neutral layer is provided in the display panel 202' of the flexible screen 200', and the surface 202c ' of the display panel 202' facing away from the flexible cover 201' is fixedly connected to the housing. As can be seen from fig. 38, the stress-sectional position curve of the flexible panel 200 'is relatively flat, and the stress difference between the layers of the flexible panel 200' is relatively large. When the housing is folded or unfolded, the housing directly drives the display panel 202' to bend, and the bending motion is transferred from the surface 202c ' of the display panel 202' to the respective layer structures. Because the stress difference between the layers of the flexible screen 200 'is large, when the bending movement layer is transmitted layer by layer, the adhesive force of the optical transparent adhesive layer in the flexible screen 200' is often insufficient to resist the slippage between the layers caused by the length change, so that the layers are easy to slip and stagger.

When the folding device drives the flexible screen to deform, the flexible screen can generate rebound force due to the structure and material properties of the flexible screen, the rebound force can block the folding action when the folding device is folded, and the unfolding action can be accelerated when the folding device is unfolded. To ensure the product experience, the bounce force needs to be controlled. For flexible screens, the stress in the flexible cover plate contributes most to this spring force.

As shown in comparison with fig. 37 and 38, since the stress in the flexible cover 201 of the first embodiment is small and the stress in the conventional flexible cover 201 'is large, the bounce force of the flexible screen 200 of the first embodiment is small and the bounce force of the conventional flexible screen 200' is large. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the neutral layer of the flexible screen 200 is disposed in the flexible cover plate 201, so that the bounce force can be reduced, and the product experience can be guaranteed.

The above description is only for the specific embodiments of the present application, but the scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can easily think of the changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present application, and shall be covered by the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A foldable electronic device, characterized in that,

the flexible screen comprises a first shell, a second shell and a flexible screen;

the first shell and the second shell can rotate relatively to unfold or fold, the edge of the first shell and/or the edge of the second shell are/is provided with a frame, and an area surrounded by the frame forms an accommodating groove;

the flexible screen comprises a flexible cover plate and a display panel, the flexible cover plate is attached to the display panel, and the edge of the flexible cover plate exceeds the boundary of the display panel; the flexible screen is mounted on the first shell and the second shell, wherein at least part of the display panel is located in the accommodating groove, and at least part of the inner surface of the edge of the flexible cover plate is fixedly connected with the frame; the neutral layer of the flexible screen is located in the flexible cover plate.

2. Folding electronic device according to claim 1,

the neutral layer is positioned on the surface of the flexible cover plate facing away from the display panel.

3. Folding electronic device according to claim 1 or 2,

the frame comprises a first step and a second step, the first step is connected with the second step, the first step is positioned on the inner periphery of the second step, the area surrounded by the first step forms the accommodating groove, and the step surface of the first step is lower than that of the second step; at least one part of the inner surface of the edge of the flexible cover plate is fixedly connected with the step surface of the first step, and the surface of the flexible cover plate, which is far away from the display panel, is not higher than the step surface of the second step.

4. Folding electronic device according to claim 3,

the display panel is spaced from the side surface of the containing groove; and/or the presence of a gas in the gas,

the height of the first step is 0.4mm-1.0mm; and/or the presence of a gas in the atmosphere,

the width of the first step is 0.6mm-1.2mm.

5. Folding electronic device according to one of claims 1 to 4,

at least one part of the inner surface of the edge of the flexible cover plate is bonded with the frame through waterproof glue.

6. Folding electronic device according to claim 5,

the folding electronic device comprises a hinge, wherein the hinge is used for connecting the first shell and the second shell and generating mechanism motion so that the first shell and the second shell can relatively rotate to unfold or fold; the hinge comprises a first end part stop block and a second end part stop block, and the first end part stop block and the second end part stop block are respectively positioned at two opposite ends of the first shell in the direction of the rotation axis;

the flexible cover plate is characterized in that the edges of two opposite sides of the flexible cover plate are respectively provided with a first notch and a second notch, the first end part stop dog is positioned in the first notch, and the second end part stop dog is positioned in the second notch.

7. Folding electronic device according to one of claims 1 to 6,

the folding electronic device comprises a hinge, wherein the hinge is used for connecting the first shell and the second shell and generating mechanism movement so that the first shell and the second shell can rotate relatively to unfold or fold; the hinge comprises a main shaft, a first fixing frame, a second fixing frame, a first transmission arm, a first rotating arm, a second transmission arm and a second rotating arm;

the first shell and the second shell are respectively positioned at two opposite sides of the main shaft;

the first fixing frame is fixed on the first shell, and the second fixing frame is fixed on the second shell;

the first transmission arm comprises a sliding end and a rotating end, the sliding end of the first transmission arm is connected with the second fixing frame in a sliding mode, and the rotating end of the first transmission arm is connected with the main shaft in a rotating mode; one end of the first rotating arm is rotatably connected with the rotating end of the first transmission arm, and the other end of the first rotating arm is rotatably connected with the first fixing frame;

the second transmission arm comprises a sliding end and a rotating end, the sliding end of the second transmission arm is connected with the first fixing frame in a sliding mode, and the rotating end of the second transmission arm is connected with the main shaft in a rotating mode; one end of the second rotating arm is rotatably connected with the rotating end of the second transmission arm, and the other end of the second rotating arm is rotatably connected with the second fixing frame.

8. Folding electronic device according to claim 7,

the main shaft comprises a main inner shaft and a main outer shaft fixed on the main inner shaft, and when the first shell and the second shell are in folded states, the main inner shaft is located between the main outer shaft and the first fixing frame and the second fixing frame;

the first transmission arm rotates around a first rotation center, the first rotation center is close to the main inner shaft and far away from the main outer shaft, and the first rotation center is close to the second fixing frame and far away from the first fixing frame;

the second transmission arm rotates around a second rotation center, the second rotation center is close to the main inner shaft and far away from the main outer shaft, and the second rotation center is close to the first fixing frame and far away from the second fixing frame.

9. Folding electronic device according to claim 7 or 8,

the hinge comprises a first supporting plate and a second supporting plate, the first supporting plate is fixedly connected with the sliding end of the second transmission arm, and the second supporting plate is fixedly connected with the sliding end of the first transmission arm;

when the first shell and the second shell are in an unfolded state, the first supporting plate is flush with the second supporting plate, the first supporting plate is erected between the first fixing frame and the spindle, and the second supporting plate is erected between the second fixing frame and the spindle;

when the first shell and the second shell are in a folded state, the first supporting plate is stacked on one side, deviating from the second fixing frame, of the first fixing frame, and the second supporting plate is stacked on one side, deviating from the first fixing frame, of the second fixing frame.

10. Folding electronic device according to claim 9,

the main shaft is provided with a supporting surface; first casing with when the second casing is in fold condition, the holding surface of main shaft is relative first backup pad reaches the second backup pad exposes, the arc is personally submitted to the support of main shaft.