WO2023142960A1

WO2023142960A1 - Folding mechanism and electronic device

Info

Publication number: WO2023142960A1
Application number: PCT/CN2023/070823
Authority: WO
Inventors: 张宇; 朱明超; 甄海涛
Original assignee: 华为技术有限公司
Priority date: 2022-01-25
Filing date: 2023-01-06
Publication date: 2023-08-03
Also published as: CN116540834A

Abstract

Disclosed in the present application are a folding mechanism and an electronic device. The folding mechanism comprises a middle enclosure, a first support plate and a first connection arm, and a rotation part of the first support plate is rotationally connected to a second rotation part of the middle enclosure. A rotation part of the first connection arm is rotationally connected to a first rotation part of the middle enclosure, and a sliding part of the first connection arm is slidably connected to a sliding part of the first support plate. The middle enclosure, the first support plate and the first connection arm of the present application may form a four-connection-rod structure, so that the folding mechanism is unfolded or folded by means of motion forms of the middle enclosure, the first support plate and the first connection arm. The folding mechanism of the present application has a simple structure and a small number of parts, on one hand, cost investment may be reduced to a large extent, on the other hand, the motion mode is simple, and mass production is easier.

Description

Folding mechanism and electronic equipment

This application claims the priority of the Chinese patent application with the application number 202210088310.8 and the application name "folding mechanism and electronic equipment" submitted to the China Patent Office on January 25, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated in this application by reference.

technical field

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

Background technique

Folding mobile phones are more and more popular among users due to their large display area in the flattened state and miniaturization in the folded state. A traditional folding mobile phone includes a flexible screen, a first casing, a second casing and a folding mechanism. The first shell and the second shell are used to carry the flexible screen. The folding mechanism connects the first casing and the second casing. The folding mechanism is used for unfolding or folding the first shell and the second shell relative to each other, and unfolding or folding the flexible screen. However, the traditional folding mechanism has many parts and complex structure, which leads to high cost of the folding mechanism.

Contents of the invention

The present application provides a folding mechanism and electronic equipment with simple structure and low cost. The folding mechanism can be applied in a folding device of electronic equipment. The electronic device may further include a flexible screen mounted on the folder.

In a first aspect, the present application provides a folding mechanism. The folding mechanism includes a middle shell, a first supporting plate and a first connecting arm, the middle shell includes a first rotating part and a second rotating part arranged at intervals, the first supporting plate includes a rotating part and a sliding part, and the rotating part of the first supporting plate The second rotating portion of the middle shell is rotationally connected, and the sliding portion of the first support plate is located on a side of the second rotating portion away from the first rotating portion. The first connecting arm includes a rotating part and a sliding part, the rotating part of the first connecting arm is rotatably connected to the first rotating part of the middle shell, and the sliding part of the first connecting arm is slidably connected to the sliding part of the first support plate.

Exemplarily, the rotating part of the first support plate may be a rotating shaft structure. The second rotating part of the middle shell may be a second groove. The rotating part of the first support plate is rotatably connected to the second rotating part of the middle case, including that the rotating shaft part of the first support plate rotates in the second groove of the middle case. In other embodiments, the rotating part of the first support plate may also be the second groove. The second rotating part of the middle shell may be a rotating shaft structure.

Exemplarily, the rotating portion of the first connecting arm may be a first rotating shaft. The first rotating part of the middle case may be a first groove. The rotating part of the first connecting arm is rotatably connected to the first rotating part of the middle case, including that the first rotating shaft of the first connecting arm rotates in the first groove of the middle case. In other embodiments, the rotating part of the first connecting arm may be the first groove. The first rotating part of the middle case may be a first rotating shaft.

Exemplarily, the sliding portion of the first support plate may be a first protrusion. The sliding part of the first connecting arm may be a first sliding slot. The sliding part of the first connecting arm is slidably connected to the sliding part of the first supporting plate, including the first protrusion of the first supporting plate sliding in the first slot of the first connecting arm. In other embodiments, the sliding portion of the first support plate may be a first sliding groove. The sliding part of the first connecting arm may be a first protrusion.

It can be understood that the present application arranges the middle shell, the first support plate and the first connecting arm in a four-link structure, so that the movement form of the middle shell, the first support plate and the first connecting arm is used to realize the function of the folding mechanism. Unfolding or folding, and then when the folding mechanism is applied to the electronic device, the electronic device can switch from the self-flattened state to the closed state, or from the closed state to the flattened state. The folding mechanism of the present application has a simple structure and fewer components. On the one hand, the cost input can be reduced to a large extent. On the other hand, the movement mode is relatively simple, and mass production is easier.

In addition, compared with the solution of directly connecting the first support plate and the middle case to the first case of the electronic device, since the first case of the electronic device needs to be assembled with more parts of the electronic device, if the first case Considering the connection relationship with the first support plate and the middle shell, the assembly of the first shell is difficult and difficult to realize. However, in the present application, by additionally providing the first connecting arm, the middle shell and the first support plate can be disengaged during assembly with the first shell. In this way, the middle case and the first support plate of the present application can be assembled with the first connecting arm to form a folding mechanism, and then the folding mechanism is assembled on the electronic device, thereby reducing the difficulty of assembling the electronic device.

In a possible implementation manner, the first connecting arm includes a first connecting arm body, the rotating part of the first connecting arm and the sliding part of the first connecting arm are both arranged on the first connecting arm body, and the first connecting arm body is located at The first end of the middle shell is on the same side as the first end of the first support plate.

It can be understood that, compared with the solution of setting an avoidance area between the middle shell and the first support plate, and setting the first connecting arm in the avoidance area, or the solution of stacking the first connecting arm and the middle shell, or In the scheme of stacking the first connecting arm and the first supporting plate, in this implementation mode, the first connecting arm body is arranged on the same side of the first end of the middle shell and the first end of the first supporting plate, so that When the first supporting plate rotates relative to the middle shell, the first connecting arm is unlikely to affect the rotation of the first supporting plate, that is, the interference between the first connecting arm, the middle shell and the first supporting plate can be largely avoided. In addition, in this implementation mode, by arranging the first connecting arm body on the same side as the first end of the middle case and the first end of the first support plate, the connection between the first connecting arm, the middle case and the first support plate can be achieved. The layout is more compact. In this way, when the folding mechanism is applied to electronic equipment, the folding mechanism occupies less space.

In a possible implementation manner, the first rotating part of the middle shell includes a first groove, the middle shell has a top surface and a first end surface, the first end surface of the middle shell is connected to the top surface of the middle shell, and the first groove The opening is located on the top surface of the middle shell and the first end surface of the middle shell. The rotating part of the first connecting arm includes a first rotating shaft, a part of the first rotating shaft of the first connecting arm is arranged in the first groove, and the first rotating shaft of the first connecting arm rotates in the first groove.

It can be understood that, in this implementation, the connection between the middle case and the first connecting arm is realized through the cooperation between the rotating shaft and the groove, and the connection between the middle case and the first connecting arm is relatively simple. On the other hand, by disposing the opening of the first groove on the first end surface of the middle shell, the first rotating shaft of the first connecting arm can extend into the first groove through the opening of the first end surface. In this way, the assembly of the first connecting arm is relatively simple.

In addition, compared with the scheme in which the middle shell is provided with a rotating shaft structure and the first connecting arm is provided with a first groove, on the one hand, the first groove of this implementation is arranged in the middle shell. Since the structural strength of the middle shell is greater, the first groove has less influence on the structural strength of the middle shell. On the other hand, in this implementation manner, the first rotating shaft is arranged on the first connecting arm, which can greatly increase the structural strength of the first connecting arm.

In a possible implementation manner, the middle case is provided with a receiving groove, the opening of the receiving groove is located on the top surface of the middle case, and the receiving groove communicates with the first groove. The folding mechanism includes a damping element, the damping element is fixed in the receiving groove, the damping element wraps a part of the first rotating shaft of the first connecting arm, and the damping element is used to increase the frictional force received by the first rotating shaft of the first connecting arm during the rotation process .

It can be understood that, by setting the damping member in this implementation, when the folding mechanism is applied to an electronic device, and when the electronic device switches from a flattened state to a closed state, or from a closed state to a flattened state, , the first connecting arm rotates relative to the middle shell, the first rotating shaft of the first connecting arm is subject to a relatively large frictional force, and the first connecting arm rotates relatively slowly to the middle shell. In this way, the rotation speed of the first housing relative to the middle housing is relatively slow. The flexible screen is less likely to be locally damaged by collision due to too fast rotation speed of the first housing and the second housing. Therefore, the flexible screen of this embodiment has high reliability, and the flexible screen has a long service life.

In a possible implementation manner, the second rotating portion of the middle case includes a second groove, the middle case has a first side, the first side of the middle case connects the top surface of the middle case and the first end surface of the middle case, and the second The openings of the two grooves are located on the top surface of the middle casing, the first end surface of the middle casing and the first side surface of the middle casing. The rotating part of the first supporting plate is a rotating shaft structure, at least part of the rotating part of the first supporting plate is arranged in the second groove, and rotates in the second groove.

It can be understood that in this implementation mode, the connection between the middle case and the first support plate is realized through the cooperation between the shaft and the groove, and the connection between the middle case and the first support plate is relatively simple.

In addition, compared with the solution of setting the connecting piece on the first supporting plate and then using the connecting piece to realize the rotational connection between the first supporting plate and the middle shell, this implementation method directly uses the side structure of the first supporting plate to connect with the middle shell. Connection, the folding mechanism of this implementation has a simple structure and fewer components. On the one hand, the cost input can be reduced to a large extent. On the other hand, the movement mode is relatively simple, and it is easier to mass produce.

In a possible implementation manner, the sliding part of the first connecting arm includes a first sliding slot, the sliding part of the first support plate is a first protrusion, and the first protrusion slides in the first sliding slot.

It can be understood that in this implementation, the connection between the first connecting arm and the first support plate is realized through the cooperation relationship between the first protrusion and the sliding groove, and the connection between the first connecting arm and the first support plate is relatively simple.

In a possible implementation manner, the first chute is in the shape of a bar, the first chute includes a first end wall and a second end wall oppositely arranged, and the second end wall of the first chute is opposite to the first end wall of the first chute. The first end wall is close to the rotating part of the first connecting arm.

It can be understood that, by setting the shape of the first chute, the sliding speed between the first connecting arm and the first support plate can be controlled to a certain extent, so that the folding mechanism has better reliability.

In a possible implementation manner, the first connecting arm is provided with a first stop groove, the first stop groove has a first end wall and a second end wall oppositely arranged, the first support plate includes a second protrusion, The second protrusion is disposed in the first stop slot and slides in the first stop slot. When the folding mechanism is in the flattened state, the second protrusion is in contact with the first end wall of the first stop groove, and when the folding mechanism is in the closed state, the second protrusion is in contact with the second end wall of the first stop groove .

It can be understood that, when the folding mechanism is unfolded to the flattened state, the second protrusion of the first support plate may contact the first end wall of the first stop groove of the first connecting arm. In this way, the first end wall of the first stop groove of the first connecting arm can restrict the first support plate from continuing to expand, thereby avoiding the problem of overfolding of the first support plate, that is, accurately controlling the first support plate in a flattened state down position.

When the folding mechanism is folded to the closed state, the second protrusion of the first support plate can be in contact with the second end wall of the first stop slot of the first connecting arm. In this way, the second end wall of the first stop groove of the first connecting arm can restrict the first support plate from continuing to fold, thereby avoiding the problem of overfolding of the first support plate, that is, accurately controlling the first support plate in the closed state s position.

In a possible implementation manner, the folding mechanism includes a second support plate and a second connecting arm, the middle shell includes a third rotating part and a fourth rotating part, and the third rotating part is located between the first rotating part and the fourth rotating part. Between them, the rotating part of the second support plate is rotatably connected to the fourth rotating part of the middle shell, and the sliding part of the second supporting plate is located on the side of the fourth rotating part away from the third rotating part. The second connecting arm includes a rotating part and a sliding part, the rotating part of the second connecting arm is rotatably connected to the third rotating part of the middle shell, and the sliding part of the second connecting arm is slidably connected to the sliding part of the second support plate.

Exemplarily, the rotating part of the second support plate may be a rotating shaft structure. The fourth rotating part of the middle case may be a fourth groove. The rotating part of the second support plate is rotatably connected to the fourth rotating part of the middle case, including the rotating shaft part of the second support plate rotating in the fourth groove of the middle case. In other implementation manners, the rotating part of the second support plate may also be the fourth groove. The fourth rotating part of the middle shell may be a rotating shaft structure.

Exemplarily, the rotating part of the second connecting arm may be a second rotating shaft. The third rotating part of the middle case may be a third groove. The rotating part of the second connecting arm is rotatably connected to the third rotating part of the middle case, including that the second rotating shaft of the second connecting arm rotates in the third groove of the middle case. In other embodiments, the rotating part of the second connecting arm may be a third groove. The third rotating part of the middle case may be the second rotating shaft.

Exemplarily, the sliding portion of the second support plate may be a first protrusion. The sliding part of the second connecting arm may be a second sliding slot. The sliding part of the second connecting arm is slidably connected to the sliding part of the second supporting plate, including the first protrusion of the second supporting plate sliding in the second sliding groove of the second connecting arm. In other embodiments, the sliding portion of the second support plate may be a second slide groove. The sliding part of the second connecting arm may be a first protrusion.

It can be understood that, by arranging the middle shell, the first supporting plate and the first connecting arm in a four-link structure, and setting the middle shell, the second supporting plate and the second connecting arm in a four-link structure, Therefore, the folding mechanism can be flattened or folded by using the movement form of the middle shell, the first support plate, the second support plate, the first connecting arm and the second connecting arm, and then when the folding mechanism is applied to an electronic device, the electronic device can Realize the transition from the self-flattened state to the closed state, or the transition from the closed state to the flattened state. The folding mechanism of the present application has a simpler structure and fewer components. On the one hand, the cost input can be reduced to a large extent. On the other hand, the movement mode is relatively simple, and mass production is easier.

In addition, in the present application, by additionally providing the second connecting arm, the middle shell and the second support plate can be disengaged during assembly with the second shell. In this way, the middle case and the second support plate of the present application can be assembled with the second connecting arm to form a folding mechanism, and then the folding mechanism is assembled on the electronic device, thereby further reducing the difficulty of assembling the electronic device.

In a possible implementation manner, the second connecting arm includes a second connecting arm body, the rotating part of the second connecting arm and the sliding part of the second connecting arm are both arranged on the second connecting arm body, and the second connecting arm body is located at The first end of the middle shell is on the same side as the first end of the second support plate.

It can be understood that, compared with the solution of setting an avoidance area between the middle shell and the second support plate, and setting the second connecting arm in the avoidance area, or the solution of stacking the second connecting arm and the middle shell, or In the scheme of stacking the second connecting arm and the second supporting plate, in this implementation mode, the second connecting arm body is arranged on the same side of the first end of the middle shell and the first end of the second supporting plate, so that When the second supporting plate rotates relative to the middle shell, the second connecting arm is not likely to affect the rotation of the second supporting plate, that is, the interference between the second connecting arm, the middle shell and the second supporting plate can be largely avoided. In addition, in this implementation mode, by arranging the second connecting arm body on the same side as the first end of the middle case and the first end of the second support plate, the connection between the second connection arm, the middle case and the second support plate can be achieved. The layout is more compact. In this way, when the folding mechanism is applied to electronic equipment, the folding mechanism occupies less space.

In a possible implementation manner, the folding mechanism further includes a fitting, and the fitting includes a fixing part, a first hook part, and a second hook part, and the first hook part and the second hook part are connected to two ends of the fixing part; The first hook is fixed on the middle shell, the first hook is hooked on the first support plate, the second hook is hooked on the second support plate, the first support plate rotates relative to the first hook, and the second support plate rotates relative to the second hook turn.

It can be understood that in this embodiment, the fittings can be used to prevent the first support plate from the middle shell and the second support plate from the middle shell when the first support plate and the second support plate rotate relative to the middle shell. , thereby ensuring the stability of the connection between the first support plate, the second support plate and the middle shell, and ensuring better reliability of the folding mechanism.

In a possible implementation manner, the second connecting arm engages with the first connecting arm. In this way, when the first connecting arm rotates relative to the middle case and the second connecting arm rotates relative to the middle case, the first connecting arm and the second connecting arm can rotate synchronously.

In a possible implementation manner, the folding mechanism further includes a third support plate, and the first support plate connects the middle case and the third support plate. The third supporting board includes a sliding part and a first fixing part, the sliding part of the third supporting board is slidably connected to the first supporting board, and the first fixing part of the third supporting board is rotatably connected to the first connecting arm.

It can be understood that, compared with the solution that the folding mechanism only includes the first support plate and the second support plate. When the folding mechanism of this embodiment is applied to an electronic device, the contact area between the first support plate, the second support plate and the bending portion is increased when the electronic device is in a flattened state by adding the third support plate. In this way, the third support plate, the first support plate and the second support plate can support the bent portion at multiple positions, so as to make the bent portion more flat. At this time, when the user touches the bent part, the third support plate, the first support plate and the second support plate jointly support the bent part, thereby preventing the bent part from collapsing. When the electronic device is in a closed state, the contact area between the first support plate, the second support plate and the bending portion is increased. In this way, the third support plate, the first support plate and the second support plate can support the bent portion at multiple positions, so that the bent portion is roughly in the shape of a "drop". During the rotation of the whole machine, it will also promote the flexible screen to have more contact area, which is also conducive to the support of the intermediate state.

In a possible implementation manner, the sliding portion of the third supporting plate includes a sliding hole, and a part of the first supporting plate is disposed in the sliding hole and slides in the sliding hole.

It can be understood that, in this implementation, the connection between the third support plate and the first support plate and the connection mode between the third support plate and the first support plate are realized by setting the cooperation relationship between a part of the first support plate and the sliding hole. Simpler.

In a possible implementation manner, the first fixing part is a protruding structure, the first connecting arm is provided with a first fixing groove, and the first connecting part of the third support plate rotates in the first fixing groove of the first connecting arm . It can be understood that in this implementation, the connection between the third support plate and the first connecting arm is realized through the cooperation between the protrusion structure and the first fixing groove, and the connection between the third support plate and the first connecting arm is relatively simple. .

In a possible implementation manner, the folding mechanism further includes a fourth support plate, and the second support plate connects the middle case and the fourth support plate. The fourth supporting board includes a sliding part and a first fixing part, the sliding part of the fourth supporting board is slidably connected to the second supporting board, and the first fixing part of the fourth supporting board is rotatably connected to the second connecting arm.

It can be understood that, compared with the solution that the folding mechanism only includes the first support plate and the second support plate. When the folding mechanism of this embodiment is applied to an electronic device, the contact area between the first support plate, the second support plate and the bending portion is increased when the electronic device is in a flattened state by adding the fourth support plate. In this way, the fourth support plate, the first support plate and the second support plate can support the bent portion at multiple positions, so as to make the bent portion more flat. At this time, when the user touches the bent part, the fourth support plate, the first support plate and the second support plate jointly support the bent part, thereby preventing the bent part from collapsing. When the electronic device is in a closed state, the contact area between the first support plate, the second support plate and the bending portion is increased. In this way, the fourth supporting board, the first supporting board and the second supporting board can support the bent part at multiple positions, so that the bent part is roughly in the shape of a "drop". During the rotation of the whole machine, it will also promote the flexible screen to have more contact area, which is also conducive to the support of the intermediate state.

In a second aspect, the present application provides an electronic device. The electronic device includes a first housing, a second housing and the above folding mechanism, the folding mechanism connects the first housing and the second housing, and the folding mechanism is used to make the first housing and the second housing relatively fold or unfold, Wherein, the first connecting arm is fixed to the first housing; the flexible screen includes a first non-bending portion, a bending portion and a second non-bending portion arranged in sequence, the first non-bending portion is fixed to the first housing, The second non-bending portion is fixed to the second casing, and the bending portion is deformed during the relative unfolding or closing process of the first casing and the second casing.

It can be understood that when the folding mechanism is applied to electronic equipment, the electronic equipment has a simple structure and fewer components. On the one hand, the cost input can be greatly reduced. On the other hand, the movement mode is relatively simple, and it is easier to mass-produce.

In a possible implementation manner, the first connecting arm body of the first connecting arm and the flexible screen are staggered. It can be understood that by staggering the main body of the first connecting arm and the flexible screen, when the first connecting arm is rotating, the impact of the first connecting arm on the flexible screen is small.

In a possible implementation manner, the first housing includes a frame and a middle plate, the frame is connected to the middle plate, and the frame surrounds the middle plate. The first non-bending portion fixes the middle plate of the first casing, and the first connecting arm body of the first connecting arm fixes the frame. It can be understood that, by fixing the main body of the first connecting arm to the frame of the first housing, the main body of the first connecting arm is staggered from the flexible screen. In this way, when the first connecting arm is rotating, the first connecting arm has less influence on the flexible screen.

In a possible implementation manner, the second connecting arm body of the second connecting arm and the flexible screen are staggered. It can be understood that by staggering the main body of the second connecting arm and the flexible screen, when the second connecting arm is rotating, the influence of the second connecting arm on the flexible screen is small.

In a possible implementation manner, the second connecting arm body of the second connecting arm fixes the frame. In this way, the main body of the second connecting arm can be set in a staggered manner with the flexible screen. When the second connecting arm is rotating, the second connecting arm has less influence on the flexible screen.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application when it is in a flattened state;

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded schematic diagram of the electronic device shown in FIG. 1;

Fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of the electronic device shown in Fig. 1 in an intermediate state;

Fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of the electronic device shown in Fig. 1 in a closed state;

Fig. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device shown in Fig. 4 at the line A1-A1;

Fig. 6 is a partially exploded schematic view of the folding device shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a partially exploded schematic diagram of the folding mechanism shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a partial structural schematic diagram of the middle shell shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a partial structural diagram of the middle shell shown in Fig. 7 at another angle;

Fig. 10 is a partial structural schematic view of the first support plate shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of cooperation between the middle shell, the first support plate and the second support plate shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the partial folding mechanism shown in Fig. 11 at line A2-A2;

Fig. 13 is a partial sectional view of the partial folding mechanism shown in Fig. 12 in a closed state;

Fig. 14 is a partial sectional view of the partial folding mechanism shown in Fig. 11 at line A3-A3;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged view of the first connecting arm and the second connecting arm shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 16a is a structural schematic diagram of the first connecting arm and the second connecting arm shown in Fig. 15 at another angle;

Fig. 16b is a structural schematic diagram of another embodiment of the first connecting arm and the second connecting arm shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 17 is a partial structural schematic diagram of the folding mechanism shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 18 is a partial sectional view of the partial folding mechanism shown in Fig. 17 at line A4-A4;

Fig. 19 is a partial sectional view of the partial folding mechanism shown in Fig. 17 at line A5-A5;

Fig. 20 is a structural schematic diagram of the partial folding mechanism shown in Fig. 19 in an intermediate state;

Fig. 21 is a schematic structural view of the partial folding mechanism shown in Fig. 19 in a closed state;

Fig. 22 is a schematic structural view of the first housing shown in Fig. 6 at another angle;

Fig. 23 is an enlarged schematic view of the first housing shown in Fig. 22 at B1;

Fig. 24 is a partial structural schematic diagram of the folding device shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 25 is an enlarged schematic view of the folding device shown in Fig. 24 at B2;

Fig. 26 is a partial sectional view of the folding device shown in Fig. 25 at line A6-A6;

Fig. 27 is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the partially folding device and the flexible screen shown in Fig. 25;

Fig. 28 is a partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device shown in Fig. 27 at line A7-A7;

Fig. 29 is a partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device shown in Fig. 28 in a closed state;

Fig. 30 is an exploded schematic diagram of a folding mechanism according to another embodiment of the embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 31 is a partial structural schematic view of the first support plate shown in Fig. 30;

Figure 32 is an enlarged view of the first connecting arm and the second connecting arm shown in Figure 30;

Fig. 33 is a partial structural schematic diagram of the third support plate shown in Fig. 30;

Fig. 34 is a partial assembly diagram of the folding mechanism shown in Fig. 30;

Fig. 35 is a partial sectional view of the partial folding mechanism shown in Fig. 34 at the line A8-A8;

Figure 36 is a partial cross-sectional view of the partial folding mechanism shown in Figure 35 in a closed state;

Fig. 37 is a partial assembly diagram of the folding mechanism shown in Fig. 30;

FIG. 38 is a partial cross-sectional view of the folding mechanism shown in FIG. 30 when it is applied to an electronic device and in a flattened state;

FIG. 39 is a partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device shown in FIG. 38 in a closed state.

Detailed ways

The following embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

In the description of the embodiments of this application, it should be noted that unless otherwise specified and limited, the term "connection" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, "connection" can be a detachable connection or a non-detachable connection. A connection; either direct or indirect through an intermediary. Wherein, "fixed connection" may be connected with each other and the relative position relationship after connection remains unchanged. "Rotational connection" may mean that they are connected to each other and can be rotated relative to each other after being connected. "Sliding connection" may mean that they are connected to each other and can slide relative to each other after being connected. "Rolling" can be a compound motion of rotation and displacement. The orientation terms mentioned in the embodiments of the present application, such as "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., are only referring to the directions of the drawings, therefore, the orientation terms used are for better, To illustrate and understand the embodiments of the present application more clearly, it does not indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have specific orientations, be constructed and operated in specific orientations, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of the present application. "Multiple" means at least two.

Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 . FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an electronic device 1 provided in an embodiment of the present application when it is in a flattened state. FIG. 2 is a partially exploded schematic view of the electronic device 1 shown in FIG. 1 . The electronic device 1 includes a folding device 1000 and a flexible screen 2000 . The flexible screen 2000 is used to display images. The flexible screen 2000 is fixedly connected to the folding device 1000 . The folding device 1000 is used to drive the flexible screen 2000 to move so as to expand or fold the flexible screen 2000 .

It can be understood that when the folding device 1000 is in an open state, the electronic device 1 is in a flat state. At this time, the flexible screen 2000 is unfolded with the folding device 1000 and is in a flattened state.

Please refer to FIG. 3 . FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of the electronic device 1 shown in FIG. 1 in an intermediate state. When the folding device 1000 is in the process of opening or closing, the electronic device 1 is in an intermediate state. At this time, the flexible screen 2000 is unfolded or closed with the folding device 1000 and is in a bent state.

Please refer to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 . FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of the electronic device 1 shown in FIG. 1 in a closed state. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device 1 shown in FIG. 4 at the line A1-A1. When the folding device 1000 is in the closed state, the electronic device 1 is in the closed state. At this time, the flexible screen 2000 is closed with the folding device 1000 and is in a folded state.

It can be understood that the intermediate state of the electronic device 1 is any state between the flattened state and the closed state. For convenience of description, FIG. 3 only shows an intermediate state of the electronic device 1 .

When the electronic device 1 is in the flattened state, the electronic device 1 has a larger display area, and the viewing experience of the user is better. When the electronic device 1 is in the closed state, the planar size of the electronic device 1 is small, which is convenient for the user to carry. Wherein, the electronic device 1 may be a foldable electronic product such as a notebook computer, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, and a personal computer. The electronic device 1 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described by taking a notebook computer as an example.

For the convenience of description, for example, the extension direction of the rotation axis of the electronic device 1 is defined as the Y-axis direction. The thickness direction of the electronic device 1 is the Z-axis direction. The X-axis direction is perpendicular to the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. It can be understood that the coordinate system of the electronic device 1 can also be flexibly set according to specific requirements. In this embodiment, when the direction of the rotation axis of the electronic device 1 is the Y-axis direction, the folding device 1000 can relatively unfold or fold the flexible screen 2000 along the Y-axis direction. In this way, when the electronic device 1 is in the closed state, the size of the electronic device 1 in the X-axis direction becomes smaller.

Please refer to FIG. 6 . FIG. 6 is a partially exploded schematic diagram of the folding device 1000 shown in FIG. 2 . The folding device 1000 includes a folding mechanism 100 , a first housing 200 and a second housing 300 . The folding mechanism 100 connects the first casing 200 and the second casing 300. The folding mechanism 100 is used for unfolding or folding the first casing 200 and the second casing 300 relative to each other.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , when the first housing 200 and the second housing 300 are unfolded to the open state, the electronic device 1 is in a flattened state, and the first housing 200 and the second housing 300 can form an angle of 180°. . In other embodiments, the first housing 200 and the second housing 300 may also have a slight deviation relative to 180°, such as 165°, 177° or 185°.

As shown in FIG. 3 , when the first housing 200 and the second housing 300 are in the process of being opened or folded, the electronic device 1 is in an intermediate state, and the first housing 200 and the second housing 300 are arranged at a certain angle. . For example, the angle between the first housing 200 and the second housing 300 may be 30°, 90°, 100° or 120°.

As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 , when the first housing 200 and the second housing 300 are folded to the closed state, the electronic device 1 is in the closed state, and the first housing 200 and the second housing 300 can be folded together. The first housing 200 is opposite to the second housing 300 . In this way, the appearance experience of the electronic device 1 is better, and the performance of waterproof, dustproof, and foreign matter is better. The situation that the first casing 200 and the second casing 300 are closed includes the situation that the first casing 200 and the second casing 300 are in contact with each other (that is, there is no gap), and it can also include the gap between the two according to the reliability of the screen. Requirements can also be designed to be the case with smaller gaps. When there is a small gap between the first casing 200 and the second casing 300 , some foreign matter outside the electronic device 1 will not enter between the first casing 200 and the second casing 300 through the gap.

Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 again, the flexible screen 2000 includes a first non-bending portion 2100 , a bending portion 2200 and a second non-bending portion 2300 . The bent portion 2200 is connected between the first non-bent portion 2100 and the second non-bent portion 2300 . Both FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 simply and schematically distinguish the first non-bending portion 2100 , the bending portion 2200 and the second non-bending portion 2300 with dotted lines. The first non-bending portion 2100 of the flexible screen 2000 is fixedly connected to the first casing 200 . The second non-bending portion 2300 is fixedly connected to the second housing 300 . When the first shell 200 and the second shell 300 are relatively opened or closed, the first shell 200 can drive the first non-bending portion 2100 to move, and the second shell 300 can drive the second non-bending portion 2300 During the movement, when the first non-bending part 2100 and the second non-bending part 2300 are relatively unfolded or closed, the bending part 2200 can be deformed.

Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 again. When the first housing 200 and the second housing 300 are in the open state (that is, the electronic device 1 is in the flattened state), the first non-bending part 2100 of the flexible screen 2000, the bending The folded portion 2200 and the second non-bent portion 2300 may be arranged in a plane. In other embodiments, when the first housing 200 and the second housing 300 are in an open state, the first non-bending portion 2100 , the bending portion 2200 and the second non-bending portion 2300 may not be absolutely flat. For example, a small portion of the flexible screen 2000 is curved.

Please refer to FIG. 3 again. When the first casing 200 and the second casing 300 are in the process of opening or closing (that is, the electronic device 1 is in an intermediate state), the first non-bending portion 2100 and the second The two non-bending portions 2300 may be arranged at an included angle. For example, the included angle between the first non-bending portion 2100 and the second non-bending portion 2300 may be 30°, 90°, 100° or 120° and so on.

4 and 5, when the first housing 200 and the second housing 300 are in the closed state (that is, the electronic device 1 is in the closed state), the flexible screen 2000 is located between the first housing 200 and the second housing 300. between. Wherein, the first non-bending portion 2100 and the second non-bending portion 2300 may be arranged in parallel and close to each other. The bent portion 2200 may be bent. Exemplarily, the flexible screen 2000 is roughly in the shape of a "drop".

Please refer to FIG. 7 , combined with FIG. 6 , FIG. 7 is a partially exploded schematic diagram of the folding mechanism 100 shown in FIG. 6 . The folding mechanism 100 includes a middle shell 10 , a first support plate 20 , a second support plate 30 , a first connecting arm 40 , a second connecting arm 50 , a fitting part 60 and a damping part 70 . In this embodiment, the extension direction of the length of the middle case 10 , the extension direction of the length of the first support plate 20 , and the extension direction of the length of the second support plate 30 are all in the Y-axis direction. In other embodiments, the extending direction of the length of the middle case 10 , the extending direction of the length of the first supporting plate 20 , and the extending direction of the length of the second supporting plate 30 are not specifically limited.

Wherein, the first connecting arm 40 , the second connecting arm 50 and the damping member 70 may jointly constitute the first connecting assembly 100 a. Exemplarily, the first connection component 100a can serve as the bottom connection component of the folding mechanism 100. The folding mechanism 100 may also include a second connection assembly 100b. The second connection component 100b can serve as the top connection component of the folding mechanism 100 . Both the first connection assembly 100 a and the second connection assembly 100 b are connected to the middle shell 10 , the first support plate 20 , and the second support plate 30 .

Exemplarily, the second connection component 100b and the first connection component 100a may have the same or similar structures, symmetrical or partially symmetrical structures, or different structures. In some embodiments, the second connection assembly 100b and the first connection assembly 100a have a symmetrical structure, the basic design of the component structure of the second connection assembly 100b, the design of the connection relationship between components, and the design of other structures other than components and components For the design of the connection relationship, refer to the relevant scheme of the first connection component 100a, and at the same time allow the second connection component 100b to be slightly different from the first connection component 100a in the detailed structure or position arrangement of the components.

Exemplarily, the second connection assembly 100b may include a first connection arm 40b, a second connection arm 50b and a damper 70b. For the structure of each component of the second connection assembly 100b, and the connection relationship between each component and the middle shell 10, the first support plate 20, and the second support plate 30, reference may be made to the relevant description of the first connection assembly 100a. The embodiments of this application will not be described in detail.

In other implementations, the folding mechanism 100 may not include the damping member 70 . At this time, the first connection assembly 100a does not include the damper 70 .

Please refer to FIG. 7 again, the matching member 60 is located between the first connecting component 100a and the second connecting component 100b. The fitting 60 can be connected with the middle shell 10 , the first support plate 20 , and the second support plate 30 . It should be noted that, in FIG. 7 , the fitting part 60 is surrounded by a dotted line frame to schematically show the fitting part 60 . The number of fittings 60 is not limited to seven as illustrated in FIG. 7 . The number of fitting parts 60 is not specifically limited. In addition, in order to ensure the neatness of the drawings, only one fitting 60 is numbered in FIG. 7 . In other implementations, the folding mechanism 100 may not include the fitting 60 .

Please refer to FIG. 7 again, the second support plate 30 and the first support plate 20 may have the same or similar structures, symmetrical or partially symmetrical structures, or different structures. In some embodiments, the second support plate 30 and the first support plate 20 have a symmetrical structure, the basic design of the component structure of the second support plate 30, the design of the connection relationship between components, and the design of other structures other than components and assemblies For the design of the connection relationship, refer to the relevant scheme of the first support plate 20 , and at the same time, the second support plate 30 is allowed to be slightly different from the first support plate 20 in the detailed structure or position arrangement of the components. The following will take the first support plate 20 as an example for description.

Please refer to FIG. 8 , combined with FIG. 7 , FIG. 8 is a partial structural diagram of the middle shell 10 shown in FIG. 7 . The middle shell 10 includes a base 11 , a first end plate 12 and a second end plate 13 . The first end plate 12 and the second end plate 13 are respectively connected to two ends of the base 11 . It can be understood that the middle shell 10 may be an integral structural member, that is, the base 11 , the first end plate 12 and the second end plate 13 are integrally formed structural members. The middle shell 10 can also be a spliced structure. For example, the base 11 , the first end plate 12 and the second end plate 13 can be spliced (such as mortise and tenon process) or fixed (such as welding, bonding, etc.) to form an integral structural member. Specifically, this application does not make a limitation.

It can be understood that the first end plate 12 and part of the base 11 may form the first end 10 a of the middle shell 10 . The second end plate 13 and part of the base 11 can form the second end 10 b of the middle shell 10 . Part of the base 11 may constitute the middle portion 10c of the middle case 10 . The first end 10a of the middle shell 10 can be used to connect with the first connecting component 100a. The second end 10b of the middle case 10 can be used to connect with the second connecting component 100b. The middle part of the middle shell 10 can be used for connecting with the matching part 60 .

Exemplarily, the first end portion 10a of the middle case 10 and the second end portion 10b of the middle case 10 may have the same or similar structures, symmetrical or partially symmetrical structures, or different structures. In some embodiments, the first end portion 10a of the middle case 10 and the second end portion 10b of the middle case 10 have a symmetrical structure. In this way, the overall structure of the middle shell 10 is relatively simple, and the processing cost is low. The first end portion 10a of the middle case 10 is taken as an example for description below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Please refer to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 . FIG. 9 is a partial structural diagram of the middle case 10 shown in FIG. 7 at another angle. The base 11 includes a top surface 111 and a bottom surface 112 facing away from each other, and a first side 113 and a second side 114 facing away from each other. The first side 113 and the second side 114 are connected between the top surface 111 and the bottom surface 112 . The first end plate 12 includes a first end surface 121 .

In this embodiment, the middle case 10 is provided with a receiving groove 115 . An opening of the receiving slot 115 is located on the top surface 111 of the base 11 . The middle shell 10 is also provided with a first groove 116 and a second groove 117 arranged at intervals. Openings of the first groove 116 are located on the top surface 111 of the base 11 and the first end surface 121 of the first end plate 12 . The first groove 116 communicates with the receiving groove 115 . Openings of the second groove 117 are located on the top surface 111 of the base 11 , the first side surface 113 of the base 11 and the first end surface 121 of the first end plate 12 . It can be understood that the first groove 116 and part of the receiving groove 115 in this embodiment may constitute the first rotating portion 101 of the middle case 10 . The second groove 117 may constitute the second rotating part 102 of the middle case 10 . In other embodiments, the first rotating part 101 of the middle housing 10 may also adopt other structures (such as a rotating shaft structure). The second rotating part 102 of the middle housing 10 may also adopt other structures (such as a rotating shaft structure). Specifically, this application does not make a limitation.

In this embodiment, the middle case 10 is further provided with a third groove 118 and a fourth groove 119 arranged at intervals. The third groove 118 may be located between the first groove 116 and the fourth groove 119 and be spaced apart from each other. The receiving groove 115 may be located between the third groove 118 and the fourth groove 119 and be spaced apart from each other. Wherein, the arrangement manner of the third groove 118 may refer to the arrangement manner of the first groove 116 . The arrangement of the fourth groove 119 can refer to the arrangement of the second groove 117 .

It can be understood that the third groove 118 and part of the receiving groove 115 in this embodiment may constitute the third rotating portion 103 of the middle case 10 . The fourth groove 119 constitutes the fourth rotating portion 104 of the middle case 10 .

In this embodiment, the receiving groove 115 , the first groove 116 , the second groove 117 , the third groove 118 and the fourth groove 119 are all located at the first end 10 a of the middle shell 10 . In other embodiments, the receiving groove 115 , the first groove 116 , the second groove 117 , the third groove 118 and the fourth groove 119 can also be located at other positions of the middle shell 10 .

Please refer to FIG. 8 again, and as shown in FIG. 7 , the base 11 is further provided with a limiting groove 110 . Openings of the limiting groove 110 can be located on the top surface 111 , the first side 113 (refer to FIG. 9 ) and the second side 114 of the base 11 . The number of limiting slots 110 may be the same as the number of matching parts 60 (refer to FIG. 7 ).

Please refer to FIG. 10 . FIG. 10 is a partial structural diagram of the first support plate 20 shown in FIG. 7 . The first supporting board 20 includes a board body 21 , a first protrusion 22 , a second protrusion 23 , a third protrusion 24 and a fourth protrusion 25 .

In this embodiment, the plate body 21 includes a top surface 211 and a bottom surface 212 facing away, a first end surface 213 and a second end surface 214 facing away, and a first side 215 and a second side 216 facing away. The first end surface 213 and the second end surface 214 are connected between the top surface 211 and the bottom surface 212 . The first side surface 215 and the second side surface 216 are connected between the top surface 211 and the bottom surface 212 , and are connected between the first end surface 213 and the second end surface 214 . In other embodiments, the plate body 21 may also adopt other shapes.

In this embodiment, the first side surface 215 of the first support plate 20 may be an arc surface. In this way, the first side portion 20d where the first side surface 215 of the first support plate 20 is located is substantially in the shape of a rotating shaft. At this time, the first side portion 20 d of the first support plate 20 constitutes the rotating portion 201 of the first support plate 20 . In other embodiments, the rotating portion 201 of the first support plate 20 may also adopt other structures (such as a groove structure).

In this embodiment, the first protrusion 22 and the second protrusion 23 may be connected to the first end surface 213 of the plate body 21 . The first protrusions 22 and the second protrusions 23 are arranged at intervals. The third protrusion 24 and the fourth protrusion 25 can be connected to the second end surface 214 of the plate body 21 . The third protrusion 24 and the fourth protrusion 25 are arranged at intervals. It can be understood that the first support plate 20 may be an integral structural member, that is, the plate body 21, the first protrusion 22, the second protrusion 23, the third protrusion 24 and the fourth protrusion 25 are integrally formed. Structure. The first support plate 20 can also be a spliced structure. For example, the plate body 21, the first protrusion 22, the second protrusion 23, the third protrusion 24 and the fourth protrusion 25 can be spliced (such as mortise and tenon process) or fixed (such as welding, bonding, etc.) process) to form an integral structural member. Specifically, this application does not make a limitation. Exemplarily, the first protrusion 22 , the second protrusion 23 , the third protrusion 24 and the fourth protrusion 25 are all cylindrical.

It can be understood that, both the first protrusion 22 and the third protrusion 24 in this embodiment can constitute the sliding portion 202 of the first support plate 20 . In other embodiments, the sliding portion 202 of the first support plate 20 may also adopt other structures (such as a chute structure).

It should be noted that the first protrusion 22 , the second protrusion 23 and part of the plate body 21 constitute the first end portion 20 a of the first support plate 20 . The third protrusion 24 , the fourth protrusion 25 and part of the plate body 21 constitute the second end portion 20 b of the first support plate 20 . The partial plate body 21 constitutes the middle portion 20 c of the first supporting plate 20 . The first end 20a of the first support plate 20 can be used to connect with the first connection assembly 100a (see FIG. 7 ), and connect with the first end 10a (see FIG. 8 ) of the middle shell 10 (see FIG. 8 ). )connect. The middle portion 20c of the first support plate 20 can be used to connect with the fitting 60 (see FIG. 7 ), and connect with the middle portion 10c (see FIG. 8 ) of the middle shell 10 (see FIG. 8 ). The second end 20b of the first support plate 20 can be used to connect with the second connection assembly 100b (see FIG. 7 ), and the second end 10b (see FIG. 8 ) of the middle shell 10 (see FIG. 8 ) connect.

Exemplarily, the first end of the first support plate 20 and the second end of the first support plate 20 may have the same or similar structures, symmetrical or partially symmetrical structures, or different structures. In some embodiments, the first end of the first support plate 20 and the second end of the first support plate 20 have a symmetrical structure. In this way, the overall structure of the first support plate 20 is relatively simple, and the processing cost is low.

Please refer to FIG. 10 again, the first support plate 20 is provided with first escape spaces 26 arranged at intervals. Openings of the first escape space 26 are located on the top surface 211 , the bottom surface 212 and the first side surface 215 of the first support plate 20 . The first support plate 20 also has a first connecting shaft 27 . The first connecting shaft 27 is connected to the board body 21 . The first connecting shaft 27 is located in the first escape space 26 . Exemplarily, the first connecting shaft 27 is cylindrical. It can be understood that the first connecting shaft 27 and the plate body 21 can be integrally formed. The first connecting shaft 27 may also be connected to the plate body 21 by means of splicing or fixing. In addition, the first avoidance space 26 in this embodiment may divide the rotating portion 201 of the first support plate 20 into a plurality of parts. In other embodiments, the first support plate 20 may not be provided with the first escape space 26 and the first connecting shaft 27 .

Please refer to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 . FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of cooperation between the middle shell 10 , the first support plate 20 and the second support plate 30 shown in FIG. 7 . FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the partial folding mechanism 100 shown in FIG. 11 at line A2-A2. The rotating portion 201 of the first support plate 20 is rotatably connected to the second rotating portion 102 of the middle housing 10 .

In this embodiment, the rotating portion 201 of the first support plate 20 is disposed in the second groove 117 of the middle shell 10 (Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 also illustrate the second groove 117 at different angles). The rotating part 201 of the first support plate 20 can rotate in the second groove 117 of the middle shell 10 . In other embodiments, other structures may also be adopted for the rotation manners of the rotating portion 201 of the first support plate 20 and the second rotating portion 102 of the middle housing 10 . For example, the structure of the rotating part 201 of the first support plate 20 and the structure of the second rotating part 102 of the middle case 10 in this embodiment are reversed. Exemplarily, the rotating portion 201 of the first support plate 20 may be the second groove 117 . The second rotating part 102 of the middle shell 10 is a rotating shaft structure.

Please refer to FIG. 11 again, the first protrusion 22 of the first support plate 20 can pass through the first end plate 12 through the opening of the second groove 117 on the first end plate 12 .

It can be understood that the rotating portion 301 of the second support plate 30 is rotatably connected to the fourth rotating portion 104 of the middle shell 10 . For the connection method between the second support board 30 and the middle case 10 , please refer to the connection method between the first support board 20 and the middle case 10 . Specifically, it will not be repeated here.

Please refer to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 again, when the folding mechanism 100 is in the unfolded state, the top surface 211 of the first support plate 20 , the top surface 311 of the second support plate 30 and the top surface 111 of the middle shell 10 face to the same side. The first supporting board 20 , the middle case 10 and the second supporting board 30 may be arranged side by side. Wherein, the top surface 211 of the first support plate 20 and the top surface 311 of the second support plate 30 may be arranged at an angle of 180°. In other embodiments, the angle between the top surface 211 of the first support plate 20 and the top surface 311 of the second support plate 30 may also have a slight deviation from 180°, such as 165°, 177° or 185°.

In one embodiment, the top surface 211 of the first support plate 20 , the top surface 311 of the second support plate 30 and the top surface 111 of the middle case 10 may be on the same plane.

Please refer to FIG. 13 . FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of the partially folding mechanism 100 shown in FIG. 12 in a closed state. When the folding mechanism 100 is in the closed state, the first support plate 20 and the second support plate 30 can be arranged to be folded together. The top surface 211 of the first support plate 20 is opposite to the top surface 311 of the second support plate 30. The first supporting board 20 , the middle shell 10 and the second supporting board 30 enclose a space.

Please refer to FIG. 11 to FIG. 13 together. When the folding mechanism 100 is folded from the flat state to the closed state, the rotating part 201 of the first supporting plate 20 can rotate relative to the second rotating part 102 of the middle shell 10, and the second supporting plate The rotating part 301 of 30 can rotate relative to the fourth rotating part 104 of the middle shell 10, and the first support plate 20 and the second support plate 30 can be converted from a side-by-side state to an opposite state. When the folding mechanism 100 unfolds from the closed state to the unfolded state, the rotating part 201 of the first supporting plate 20 can rotate relative to the second rotating part 102 of the middle shell 10, and the rotating part 301 of the second supporting plate 30 can rotate relative to the middle shell 10. The fourth rotating part 104 rotates, and the first support plate 20 and the second support plate 30 can be converted from the state of being opposite to each other to the state of being arranged side by side.

Please refer to FIG. 14 . FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of the partial folding mechanism 100 shown in FIG. 11 at line A3-A3. The fitting part 60 includes a fixing part 61 , a first hook part 62 and a second hook part 63 . The first hook portion 62 and the second hook portion 63 are connected to two ends of the fixing portion 61 . In one embodiment, both the first hook portion 62 and the second hook portion 63 are arc-shaped.

Please refer to FIG. 14 , the fixing portion 61 of the fitting 60 is fixed on the base 11 of the middle case 10 . Exemplarily, the fixing portion 61 of the fitting 60 can be fixed in the limiting groove 110 of the base 11 by means of glue or the like (Fig. 8 also shows the limiting groove 110 at different angles). By setting the limit groove 110 on the base 11 , on the one hand, the height of the middle shell 10 can be avoided due to the stacking of the fittings 60 on the middle shell 10 ;

In one embodiment, the surface of the fixing portion 61 of the fitting 60 may be flush with the top surface 111 of the middle shell 10 .

In addition, the first hook portion 62 of the matching member 60 is hooked on the first connecting shaft 27 of the first support plate 20 (FIG. 10 also shows the first connecting shaft 27 at different angles). The second hook portion 63 of the matching component 60 is hooked on the first connecting shaft 37 of the second support plate 30 . It can be understood that when the first support plate 20 and the second support plate 30 rotate relative to the middle shell 10, the first hook portion 62 of the fitting 60 can rotate relative to the first connecting shaft 27 of the first support plate 20, and the fitting The second hook portion 63 of 60 can rotate relative to the connecting shaft 37 of the second support plate 30 .

Please refer to FIG. 14 again, and as shown in FIG. 11 , in this embodiment, the fitting 60 can be used to prevent the rotation of the first support plate 20 when the first support plate 20 and the second support plate 30 rotate relative to the middle shell 10 Part 201 turns out of the second groove 117 of the middle shell 10, and the rotating part 301 of the second support plate 30 turns out of the fourth groove 119 of the middle shell 10, thereby ensuring that the first support plate 20, the second support plate 30 and the middle The connection stability of the case 10 ensures better reliability of the folding mechanism 100 .

In other embodiments, when the folding mechanism 100 does not include the fitting 60, other limiting mechanisms may be provided on the base 11 of the middle case 10 or the local structure of the base 11 may be changed, so as to avoid the rotation of the first support plate 20. 201 turns out of the second groove 117 of the middle case 10 , and the rotating part of the second support plate 30 turns out of the fourth groove 119 of the middle case 10 .

Please refer to FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 a . FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the first connecting arm 40 and the second connecting arm 50 shown in FIG. 7 . FIG. 16a is a schematic structural view of the first connecting arm 40 and the second connecting arm 50 shown in FIG. 15 at another angle. The first connecting arm 40 includes a first connecting arm main body 41 and a first rotating shaft 42 . The first rotating shaft 42 is connected to the first connecting arm main body 41 . The first rotating shaft 42 can be integrally formed with the first connecting arm main body 41 , and can also be connected to each other by a fixed method (eg, welding, bonding, etc.). In this embodiment, the first rotating shaft 42 and a part of the first connecting arm main body 41 may constitute the rotating portion 401 of the first connecting arm 40 .

The first connecting arm body 41 includes a top surface 411 and a bottom surface 412 facing away from each other, and a first side 413 and a second side 414 facing away from each other. The first side 413 and the second side 414 are connected between the top surface 411 and the bottom surface 412 . Wherein, the first rotating shaft 42 is connected to the first side surface 413 of the first connecting arm body 41 .

In one embodiment, the first connecting arm body 41 includes a first slide slot 415 . The opening of the first slide slot 415 is located at the first side 413 . The first sliding slot 415 includes a first end wall 4151 and a second end wall 4152 oppositely disposed. The first end wall 4151 can be disposed close to the top surface 411 . The second end wall 4152 can be disposed adjacent to the bottom surface 412 . It should be understood that the shape of the first chute 415 is not limited to the bar shape shown in Fig. 16a. For example, please refer to FIG. 16 b , which is a schematic structural diagram of another embodiment of the first connecting arm 40 and the second connecting arm 50 shown in FIG. 7 . The shape of the first chute 415 can also be an arc shape.

In this embodiment, the first sliding groove 415 can constitute the sliding portion 402 of the first connecting arm 40 . In other embodiments, the sliding portion 402 of the first connecting arm 40 may also adopt other structures, such as a protrusion structure (refer to the structure of the first protrusion 22 of the first support plate 20 in FIG. 10 ).

In one embodiment, the first connecting arm main body 41 includes a first stop groove 416 . The opening of the first stop slot 416 is also located on the first side 413 . The first stop slot 416 can be located between the first sliding slot 415 and the first rotating shaft 42 and spaced apart from each other. The first stop slot 416 may be arc-shaped. The arc center of the first stop slot 416 may coincide with the position of the first rotating shaft 42 . The first stop groove 416 includes a first end wall 4161 and a second end wall 4162 opposite to each other. The first end wall 4161 can be disposed close to the top surface 411 . The second end wall 4162 can be disposed proximate to the bottom surface 412 .

In one embodiment, the rotating part 401 of the first connecting arm main body 41 is in the shape of a gear.

In one embodiment, the first connecting arm main body 41 is provided with a fastening hole 417 . The opening of the fastening hole 417 is located on the top surface 411 of the first connecting arm body 41 . It should be understood that the number of fastening holes 417 is not limited to only two as shown in Fig. 15 and Fig. 16a.

Please refer to FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 a again, the second connecting arm 50 includes a second connecting arm main body 51 and a second rotating shaft 52 . The second rotating shaft 52 is connected to the second connecting arm main body 51 . The second rotating shaft 52 can be integrally formed with the second connecting arm main body 51 , and can also be connected to each other by a fixed method (eg, welding, bonding, etc.). In this embodiment, the second rotating shaft 52 and a part of the second connecting arm main body 51 may form the rotating portion 501 of the second connecting arm 50 .

The second connecting arm main body 51 includes a top surface 511 and a bottom surface 512 facing away from each other, and a first side 513 and a second side 514 facing away from each other. The first side 513 and the second side 514 are connected between the top surface 511 and the bottom surface 512 . Wherein, the second rotating shaft 52 can be connected to the first side surface 513 of the second connecting arm main body 51 .

In one embodiment, the second connecting arm main body 51 includes a second slide slot 515 . The opening of the second sliding slot 515 is located on the first side 513 . The second sliding slot 515 includes a first end wall 5151 and a second end wall 5152 oppositely disposed. The first end wall 5151 can be disposed close to the top surface 511 . The second end wall 5152 can be disposed adjacent to the bottom surface 512 . It should be understood that the shape of the second slide groove 515 is not limited to the bar shape shown in FIG. 16a. For example, please refer to FIG. 16b, the shape of the second slide groove 515 can also be an arc shape.

In this embodiment, the second sliding groove 515 can constitute the sliding portion 502 of the second connecting arm 50 . In other embodiments, the sliding portion 502 of the second connecting arm 50 may also adopt other structures, such as a protrusion structure (refer to the structure of the first protrusion 22 of the first support plate 20 in FIG. 10 ).

In one embodiment, the second connecting arm main body 51 includes a second stop groove 516 . The opening of the second stop groove 516 is also located on the first side 513 . The second stop slot 516 can be located between the second sliding slot 515 and the second rotating shaft 52 and spaced apart from each other. The second stop groove 516 may be arc-shaped. The arc center of the second stop groove 516 may coincide with the position of the second rotating shaft 52 . The second stop groove 516 includes a second end wall 5161 and a second end wall 5162 opposite to each other. The second end wall 5161 can be disposed close to the top surface 511 . The second end wall 5162 can be disposed proximate to the bottom surface 512 .

In one embodiment, the rotating part 501 of the second connecting arm main body 51 is in the shape of a gear.

In one embodiment, the second connecting arm main body 51 is provided with a fastening hole 517 . The opening of the fastening hole 517 is located on the top surface 511 of the second connecting arm body 51 . It should be understood that the number of fastening holes 517 is not limited to only two as shown in Fig. 15 and Fig. 16a.

It can be understood that the second connecting arm 50 and the first connecting arm 40 may have the same structure, a mirror symmetrical structure, a partially mirror symmetrical structure, a centrally symmetrical structure, a partially centrally symmetrical structure or different structures, which are not strictly limited in the present application. In some embodiments, the second connecting arm 50 and the first connecting arm 40 have a symmetrical structure. For the basic design of the component structure of the second connecting arm 50, the design of the connection relationship between the components, and the design of the connection relationship between the components and other structures other than the assembly, all can refer to the relevant scheme of the first connecting arm 40, while allowing the second The connecting arm 50 is slightly different from the first connecting arm 40 in detail structure or position arrangement of components.

Please refer to FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 . FIG. 17 is a partial structural diagram of the folding mechanism 100 shown in FIG. 6 . FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional view of the partial folding mechanism 100 shown in FIG. 17 at line A4-A4. The first connecting arm main body 41 of the first connecting arm 40 is located on the side of the first end plate 12 of the middle shell 10 away from the base 11 , that is, the first connecting arm main body 41 is located near the first end 10 a of the middle shell 10 . side.

The rotating portion 401 of the first connecting arm 40 is rotatably connected to the first rotating portion 101 of the middle housing 10 . In this embodiment, a part of the first rotating shaft 42 of the first connecting arm 40 is set in the first groove 116 of the middle shell 10 (Fig. 8 shows the first groove 116 at different angles), and a part is set in the middle The receiving groove 115 of the case 10 (FIG. 8 illustrates the receiving groove 115 at different angles). The first rotating shaft 42 can rotate relative to the groove wall of the first groove 116 and the groove wall of the receiving groove 115 .

In other embodiments, when the base 11 is not disposed in the receiving groove 115 , the first rotating shaft 42 of the first connecting arm 40 can rotate in the first groove 116 .

In other embodiments, other structures may also be adopted for the rotation manner of the rotating portion 401 of the first connecting arm 40 and the first rotating portion 101 of the middle housing 10 . For example, the structure of the rotating part 401 of the first connecting arm 40 and the structure of the first rotating part 101 of the middle case 10 in this embodiment are reversed. The rotating portion 401 of the first connecting arm 40 may be the first groove 116 . The first rotating part 101 of the middle housing 10 may be the first rotating shaft 42 .

Please refer to FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 again. The second connecting arm body 51 of the second connecting arm 50 is located on the side of the first end plate 12 of the middle shell 10 away from the base 11 of the middle shell 10, that is, on the side of the second connecting arm 50. The second connecting arm body 51 is located on a side close to the first end 10 a of the middle shell 10 .

The rotating portion 501 of the second connecting arm 50 is rotatably connected to the third rotating portion 103 of the middle housing 10 . In this embodiment, a part of the second rotating shaft 52 of the second connecting arm 50 is set in the third groove 118 of the middle shell 10 (Fig. 8 shows the second groove 117 at different angles), and a part is set in the middle The receiving groove 115 of the case 10 . The second rotating shaft 52 can rotate relative to the groove wall of the third groove 118 and the groove wall of the receiving groove 115 .

In other embodiments, when the base 11 is not disposed in the receiving groove 115 , the second rotating shaft 52 of the second connecting arm 50 can rotate in the third groove 118 .

Please refer to FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 again, the damping member 70 is provided with a first clamping groove 71 and a second clamping groove 72 arranged at intervals. In one embodiment, the material of the damping element 70 may be stainless steel, powdered diamond, or the like.

The damping element 70 is fixed on the base 11, and the damping element 70 is disposed in the receiving groove 115 (Fig. 8 shows the receiving groove 115 from different angles). Exemplarily, the damping member 70 may be fixed to the groove wall of the receiving groove 115 by glue.

In addition, a part of the first rotating shaft 42 of the first connecting arm 40 is disposed in the first clamping groove 71 of the damper 70 . The first rotating shaft 42 of the first connecting arm 40 can rotate relative to the groove wall of the first clamping groove 71 . Exemplarily, the first rotating shaft 42 of the first connecting arm 40 may be in an interference fit with the groove wall of the first clamping groove 71, so that the first rotating shaft 42 of the first connecting arm 40 receives less frictional force during rotation. big. A part of the second shaft 52 of the second connecting arm 50 is disposed in the second clamping groove 72 of the damper 70 . The second rotating shaft 52 of the second connecting arm 50 can be interference-fitted with the groove wall of the second clamping groove 72 , so that the second rotating shaft 52 of the second connecting arm 50 receives relatively large frictional force during rotation. It can be understood that when the first rotating shaft 42 of the first connecting arm 40 rotates relative to the middle case 10 and the second rotating shaft 52 of the second connecting arm 50 rotates relative to the middle case 10, the first rotating shaft 42 of the first connecting arm 40 and the The second rotating shaft 52 of the second connecting arm 50 is subjected to relatively large frictional force, the first connecting arm 40 rotates relatively slowly relative to the middle housing 10 , and the second connecting arm 50 rotates relatively slowly relative to the middle housing 10 .

Please refer to FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 again, the rotating portion 401 of the first connecting arm 40 is engaged with the rotating portion 501 of the second connecting arm 50 . In this way, when the first connecting arm 40 rotates relative to the middle case 10 and the second connecting arm 50 rotates relative to the middle case 10 , the first connecting arm 40 and the second connecting arm 50 can rotate synchronously.

The connection relationship between the first connecting arm 40 and the middle shell 10 and the connection relationship between the second connecting arm 50 and the middle shell 10 have been specifically introduced above in conjunction with the relevant drawings. A connection relationship between the support plate 20 and a connection relationship between the second connecting arm 50 and the second support plate 30 .

Please refer to FIG. 19 , combined with FIG. 17 , FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view of the partial folding mechanism 100 shown in FIG. 17 at the line A5-A5. The sliding portion 402 of the first connecting arm 40 is slidably connected to the sliding portion 202 of the first supporting board 20 .

In one embodiment, the first protrusion 22 of the first support plate 20 (Fig. 10 shows the first protrusion 22 at different angles) is arranged in the first sliding groove 415 of the first connecting arm 40 (Fig. 16a The first runner 415 is illustrated at different angles). The first protrusion 22 of the first support plate 20 can slide in the first slide groove 415 .

In other embodiments, the sliding manner of the sliding portion 402 of the first connecting arm 40 and the sliding portion 202 of the first support plate 20 may also adopt other structures. For example, the structure of the sliding portion 402 of the first connecting arm 40 and the structure of the sliding portion 202 of the first support plate 20 in this embodiment are reversed. Exemplarily, the sliding portion 402 of the first connecting arm 40 may be the first protrusion 22 . The sliding portion 202 of the first support plate 20 may be a first sliding slot 415 .

Please refer to FIG. 19 again, the sliding portion 502 of the second connecting arm 50 is slidably connected to the sliding portion 302 of the second support plate 30 . Wherein, the connection manner between the sliding portion 502 of the second connecting arm 50 and the sliding portion 302 of the second support plate 30 can refer to the connection manner between the sliding portion 402 of the first connecting arm 40 and the sliding portion 202 of the first support plate 20 . Specifically, it will not be repeated here.

Please refer to FIG. 19 again, when the folding mechanism 100 is in the flattened state, the first protrusion 22 of the first support plate 20 is disposed close to the first end wall 4151 of the first slide groove 415 . In the first implementation manner, the first protrusion 22 can contact the first end wall 4151 of the first slide groove 415 .

Please refer to FIG. 20 . FIG. 20 is a structural schematic diagram of the partial folding mechanism 100 shown in FIG. 19 in an intermediate state. When the folding mechanism 100 is in the middle state, the first protrusion 22 of the first support plate 20 is located between the first end wall 4151 and the second end wall 4152 of the first sliding groove 415 of the first connecting arm 40 .

Please refer to FIG. 21 . FIG. 21 is a schematic structural diagram of the partial folding mechanism 100 shown in FIG. 19 in a closed state. When the folding mechanism 100 is in the closed state, the first protrusion 22 of the first support plate 20 is disposed close to the second end wall 4152 of the first sliding slot 415 of the first connecting arm 40 . In the first embodiment, the first protrusion 22 of the first support plate 20 can contact the second end wall 4152 of the first sliding slot 415 of the first connecting arm 40 .

Please refer to FIGS. 19 to 21 together. When the folding mechanism 100 transitions from the flattened state to the closed state, the first protrusion 22 of the first support plate 20 slides from the first chute 415 close to the first connecting arm 40 . The position of one end wall 4151 is slid to a position close to the second end wall 4152 of the first sliding groove 415 of the first connecting arm 40 . It should be understood that the transition process of the folding mechanism 100 from the closed state to the unfolded state is opposite to the transition process of the folding mechanism 100 from the unfolded state to the closed state. I won't go into details here. In addition, the movement process of the second support plate 30 and the second connecting arm 50 can refer to the movement process of the first support plate 20 and the first connecting arm 40 . Specifically, it will not be repeated here.

Please refer to FIG. 19 to FIG. 21 together. Since the first support plate 20 is rotatably connected to the middle case 10 , the first connecting arm 40 is rotatably connected to the middle case 10 , and the first connecting arm 40 is slidably connected to the first support plate 20 , the middle case 10 , The first support plate 20 and the first connecting arm 40 may form a four-bar linkage structure. In addition, since the second supporting plate 30 is rotatably connected to the middle case 10, the second connecting arm 50 is rotatably connected to the middle case 10, and the second connecting arm 50 is slidably connected to the second supporting plate 30, the middle case 10, the second supporting plate 30 and the second The connecting arm 50 can also form a four-link structure. In this way, when the folding mechanism 100 is folded from the flattened state to the closed state, both the first connecting arm 40 and the second connecting arm 50 rotate relative to the middle shell 10, and the first connecting arm 40 can drive the first support plate 20 to move relative to the middle shell 10 By turning, the second connecting arm 50 can drive the second support plate 30 to rotate relative to the middle shell 10 , and the first support plate 20 and the second support plate 30 can be folded from a state where they are arranged side by side to a state where they are arranged opposite to each other.

Please refer to Fig. 19 again, the second protrusion 23 of the first support plate 20 (Fig. 10 shows the second protrusion 23 under different angles) is also arranged in the first stop groove 416 of the first connecting arm 40 (Fig. 16a shows the inside of the first stop groove 416) at different angles. The second protrusion 23 of the first support plate 20 can slide in the first stop groove 416 of the first connecting arm 40 . The second protrusion 33 of the second support plate 30 is also disposed in the second stop groove 516 of the second connecting arm 50 (Fig. 16a shows the second stop groove 516 at different angles). The second protrusion 33 of the second support plate 30 can slide in the second stop groove 516 of the second connecting arm 50 .

Please refer to FIG. 19 again, when the folding mechanism 100 is unfolded to the flat state, the second protrusion 23 of the first support plate 20 can contact the first end wall 4161 of the first stop groove 416 of the first connecting arm 40, The second protrusion 33 of the second support plate 30 can contact the first end wall 5161 of the second stop groove 516 of the second connecting arm 50 . In this way, the first end wall 4161 of the first stop groove 416 of the first connecting arm 40 can restrict the first support plate 20 from continuing to expand, and the first end wall 5161 of the second stop groove 516 of the second connecting arm 50 can restrict The second support plate 30 continues to unfold, thereby avoiding the problem of overfolding of the first support plate 20 and the second support plate 30 , that is, accurately controlling the positions of the first support plate 20 and the second support plate 30 in the flattened state.

Please refer to FIG. 21 again. When the folding mechanism 100 is folded to the closed state, the second protrusion 23 of the first support plate 20 can contact the second end wall 4162 of the first stop groove 416 of the first connecting arm 40 . The second protrusion 33 of the second support plate 30 can contact the second end wall 5162 of the second stop groove 516 of the second connecting arm 50 . In this way, the second end wall 4162 of the first stop groove 416 of the first connecting arm 40 can restrict the first support plate 20 from continuing to fold, and the second end wall 5162 of the second stop groove 516 of the second connecting arm 50 can restrict The second support plate 30 continues to fold, so as to avoid the problem of overfolding of the first support plate 20 and the second support plate 30 , that is, accurately control the positions of the first support plate 20 and the second support plate 30 in the closed state.

Please refer to FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 . FIG. 22 is a schematic structural diagram of the first casing 200 shown in FIG. 6 at another angle. FIG. 23 is an enlarged schematic view at B1 of the first housing 200 shown in FIG. 22 . The first housing 200 includes a frame 210 and a middle plate 220 . The middle board 220 is connected to the inner surface of the frame 210 , and the frame 210 is disposed around a part of the middle board 220 . Exemplarily, the frame 210 is roughly "U" shaped. In this embodiment, the first housing 200 is an integral structural member, that is, the first housing 200 can be integrally formed by injection molding or other processes. In other implementation manners, the frame 210 and the middle plate 220 of the first housing 200 may also be formed by processes such as welding or bonding. It should be noted that, in FIG. 23 , the frame 210 and the middle plate 220 are schematically distinguished by dotted lines.

In an implementation manner, the material of the first housing 200 may be stainless steel, magnesium-aluminum alloy, aluminum alloy or the like.

In one embodiment, the middle plate 220 includes a first portion 2201 and a second portion 2202 . The second part 2202 is connected to one side of the first part 2201 . In the Z-axis direction, the height of the first portion 2201 is greater than the height of the second portion 2202 . At this time, the middle plate 220 is roughly in a stepped shape.

In one embodiment, the frame 210 includes a frame portion 2101 and a connection portion 2102 . The connecting portion 2102 connects the frame portion 2101 and the middle plate 220 . For example, in the Z-axis direction, the height of the frame part 2101 may be smaller than the height of the connection part 2102 .

In one embodiment, the connecting portion 2102 includes a first end portion 2103 and a second end portion 2104 . The first end 2103 and the second end 2104 of the connecting portion 2102 are respectively located on two sides of the middle plate 220 . Exemplarily, the first end portion 2103 of the connecting portion 2102 and the second end portion 2104 of the connecting portion 2102 may have the same or similar structures, symmetrical or partially symmetrical structures, or different structures. In some embodiments, the first end 2103 of the connecting part 2102 and the second end 2104 of the connecting part 2102 are symmetrical structures. This embodiment is described by taking the first end portion 2103 of the connecting portion 2102 as an example.

Please refer to FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 again, the first end portion 2103 of the connecting portion 2102 is provided with an escape space 2105 . In addition, the first end portion 2103 of the connecting portion 2102 is further provided with a fastening hole 2106 . The fastening hole 2106 communicates with the escape space 2105 . It should be understood that the number of fastening holes 2106 is not limited to two as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 .

Exemplarily, the second housing 300 (see FIG. 6 ) and the first housing 200 may have the same or similar structure, a symmetrical or partially symmetrical structure, or a different structure. In some embodiments, the second housing 300 and the first housing 200 have a symmetrical structure, the basic design of the component structure of the second housing 300, the design of the connection relationship between components, and the design of other structures other than components and assemblies For the design of the connection relationship, refer to the relevant scheme of the first housing 200 , and at the same time, the second housing 300 and the first housing 200 are allowed to be slightly different in the detailed structure or position arrangement of the components.

Please refer to FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 . FIG. 24 is a partial structural diagram of the folding device 1000 shown in FIG. 2 . FIG. 25 is an enlarged schematic view at B2 of the folding device 1000 shown in FIG. 24 . The first connecting arm 40 is fixed on the first housing 200 . The second connecting arm 50 is fixed on the second housing 300 . In this way, the folding mechanism 100 connects the first case 200 and the second case 300 .

In this embodiment, the first connecting arm main body 41 of the first connecting arm 40 is fixed to the connecting portion 2102 of the frame 210 of the first casing 200 . At this time, on the X-Y plane, the first connecting arm main body 41 and the middle plate 220 of the first housing 200 are arranged in a staggered manner. In addition, the first rotating shaft 42 of the first connecting arm 40 may be disposed opposite to the second portion 2202 of the middle plate 220 . In addition, the first support plate 20 may also be disposed opposite to the middle plate 220 . In other embodiments, the positions of the first connecting arm 40 and the second support plate 20 are not specifically limited.

In addition, the folding device 1000 may further include an end cover (not shown). The end cover can be fixed to the connecting portion 2102 of the frame 210 of the first housing 200 . The end cover can cover the first connecting arm 40 to prevent the first connecting arm 40 from being exposed relative to the first housing 200 . It can be understood that, by being arranged in the Z-axis direction, the height of the frame part 2101 can be smaller than the height of the connection part 2102, so that when the end cover is fixed on the connection part 2102, the height of the end cover is not easy to exceed in the Z-axis direction. The height of the frame portion 2101 ensures that the frame 210 has a better appearance. In other embodiments, the folding device 1000 may not include an end cover. At this time, the folding device 1000 may cover the first connecting arm main body 41 through other schemes.

It should be understood that the connecting portion 3102 of the frame 310 of the second housing 300 may also be fixedly connected to the end cover. The end cover is used to cover the second connecting arm 50 to prevent the second connecting arm 50 from being exposed relative to the second housing 300 .

Please refer to FIG. 26 , combined with FIG. 25 , FIG. 26 is a partial cross-sectional view of the folding device 1000 shown in FIG. 25 at line A6-A6. The first connecting arm main body 41 of the first connecting arm 40 is located in the escape space 2105 of the connecting portion 2102 of the frame 210 (Fig. 23 shows the escape space 2105 from different angles). In one embodiment, the shape of the avoidance space 2105 and the shape of the first connecting arm 40 may be approximately the same, so that when the first connecting arm 40 is fixed to the connecting portion 2102, the first connecting arm 40 and the connecting portion 2102 form a Overall better.

In addition, the plurality of fastening holes 417 of the first connecting arm main body 41 and the plurality of fastening holes 2106 of the connecting portion 2102 are provided in a one-to-one correspondence. Exemplarily, by locking a fastener (not shown) in the fastening hole 417 of the first connecting arm main body 41 and the fastening hole 2106 of the connecting portion 2102 . Fasteners can be screws, screws or rivets. It should be understood that the connection relationship between the second connecting arm 50 and the second housing 300 may refer to the connection relationship between the first connecting arm 40 and the first housing 200 , which will not be repeated here.

Please refer to FIG. 27 , combined with FIG. 25 , FIG. 27 is an assembly diagram of the partially folding device 1000 and the flexible screen 2000 shown in FIG. 25 . The first non-bending portion 2100 of the flexible screen 2000 is fixed on the middle plate 220 of the first casing 200 (see FIG. 25 mainly). The second non-bending portion 2300 of the flexible screen 2000 is fixed on the middle plate 320 of the second casing 300 (mainly refer to FIG. 25 ).

In this embodiment, on the X-Y plane, the flexible screen 2000 and the frame 210 of the first housing 200 and the frame 310 of the second housing 300 are arranged staggered, that is, on the X-Y plane, the frame 210 of the first housing 200 , the frame 310 of the second casing 300 is not overlapped with the flexible screen 2000 . It can be understood that since the first connecting arm main body 41 is fixedly connected to the frame 210 of the first housing 200, and the second connecting arm main body 51 is fixedly connected to the frame 310 of the second housing 300, so that on the X-Y plane, the first connecting arm The main body 41 and the second connecting arm main body 51 are also staggered from the flexible screen 2000 . In this way, when the first connecting arm 40 and the second connecting arm 50 are rotating, the influence of the first connecting arm 40 and the second connecting arm 50 on the flexible screen 2000 is relatively small.

Please refer to FIG. 28 . FIG. 28 is a partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device 1 shown in FIG. 27 at the line A7-A7. The first non-bending portion 2100 of the flexible screen 2000 is fixed to the first portion 2201 of the middle plate 220 of the first casing 200 . The second non-bending portion 2300 of the flexible screen 2000 is fixed to the first portion 3201 of the middle plate 320 of the second casing 300 . The first support plate 20 is spaced from and opposite to the second portion 2202 of the middle plate 220 of the first casing 200 . The second support plate 30 is spaced from and opposite to the second portion 3202 of the middle plate 320 of the second casing 300 . In other embodiments, when the middle board 220 adopts other structures, the first non-bending portion 2100 of the flexible screen 2000 may also be fixed at other positions of the middle board 220 .

Please refer to FIG. 28 again. When the electronic device 1 is in the flattened state, the first support plate 20, the middle case 10 and the second support plate 30 jointly support the bending part 2200 of the flexible screen 2000, so that when the bending part 2200 is touched , the bending portion 2200 is less likely to be damaged or have pits due to external force touch, thereby improving the reliability of the flexible screen 2000 . At this time, the first support plate 20 is spaced apart from the second portion 2202 of the middle plate 220 of the first housing 200 , and the first support plate 20 is far away from the second portion 2202 of the middle plate 220 of the first housing 200 . The second support plate 30 is spaced apart from the second portion 3202 of the middle plate 320 of the second housing 300 , and the second support plate 30 is away from the second portion 3202 of the middle plate 320 of the second housing 300 .

Exemplarily, when the electronic device 1 is in a flattened state, the top surface 211 of the first support plate 20 , the top surface 111 of the middle case 10 and the top surface 311 of the second support plate 30 are flush. At this time, the flatness of the bending portion 2200 of the flexible screen 2000 is better, and the user experience is higher.

Please refer to FIG. 29 , which is a partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device 1 shown in FIG. 28 in a closed state. When the electronic device 1 is in the closed state, the first support plate 20 and the second support plate 30 are located between the first housing 200 and the second housing 300, and the bending portion 2200 of the flexible screen 2000 is located between the first support plate 20, In the space enclosed by the middle shell 10 and the second support plate 30 . The bending portion 2200 of the flexible screen 2000 is roughly in the shape of a "drop". In addition, the first support plate 20 is disposed close to the second portion 2202 of the middle plate 220 of the first housing 200 , and the second support plate 30 is disposed close to the second portion 3202 of the middle plate 320 of the second housing 300 .

In one embodiment, when the electronic device 1 is in a closed state, the first support plate 20 can be arranged in contact with the second portion 2202 of the middle plate 220 of the first casing 200, and the second support plate 30 can be arranged in contact with the second portion of the second casing 200. The second portion 3202 of the middle plate 320 of 300 is disposed in contact.

Please refer to FIG. 28 and FIG. 29 together. When the electronic device 1 transitions from the flat state to the closed state, the first support plate 20 is close to the second part 2202 of the middle plate 220 of the first housing 200, and the second support The plate 30 is close to the second portion 3202 of the middle plate 320 of the second housing 300 . When the electronic device 1 transitions from the closed state to the unfolded state, the first support plate 20 is away from the second part 2202 of the middle plate 220 of the first housing 200 , and the second support plate 30 is away from the center of the second housing 300 . The second portion 3202 of the plate 320 . It can be understood that, by setting the middle plate 220 of the first housing 200 in a stepped shape and the middle plate 320 of the second housing 300 in a stepped shape, when the electronic device 1 transitions from the flattened state to the closed state, Or when switching from the closed state to the flattened state, the first support plate 20 and the second support plate 30 have a movable space.

Please refer to FIG. 28 and FIG. 29 , and as shown in FIG. 18 , in this embodiment, a damping member 70 is provided in the folding mechanism 100, so that when the electronic device 1 switches from the flattened state to the closed state, or the self-closed state When switching between the flattened states, the first connecting arm 40 rotates relative to the middle shell 10, and when the second connecting arm 50 rotates relative to the middle shell 10, the first rotating shaft 42 of the first connecting arm 40 and the second rotating shaft of the second connecting arm 50 The second rotating shaft 52 is subjected to relatively large frictional force, the first connecting arm 40 rotates relatively slowly relative to the middle housing 10 , and the second connecting arm 50 rotates relatively slowly relative to the middle housing 10 . In this way, the first casing 200 rotates at a slower speed relative to the middle casing 10 , and the second casing 300 rotates at a slower speed relative to the middle casing 10 . The flexible screen 2000 is less likely to be locally damaged due to collisions between the first casing 200 and the second casing 300 due to the fast rotation speed of the flexible screen 2000 . Therefore, the flexible screen 2000 of this embodiment has high reliability, and the flexible screen 2000 has a long service life.

It can be understood that, in the present application, the middle shell 10, the first support plate 20 and the first connecting arm 40 are arranged in a four-link structure, and the middle shell 10, the second support plate 30 and the second connecting arm 50 are also arranged into a four-link structure, so that the movement form of the first connecting arm 40, the second connecting arm 50, the first supporting plate 20, and the second supporting plate 30 can be used to realize the flattening or folding of the folding device 1000, and then realize the self-folding of the electronic device 1. Transition from the flattened state to the closed state, or from the closed state to the flattened state. The folding device 1000 of the present application has a simple structure and fewer components. On the one hand, the cost input can be greatly reduced. On the other hand, the movement method is relatively simple, and it is easier to mass produce.

A folding mechanism 100 has been specifically introduced above in conjunction with related drawings, and a further folding mechanism 100 will be introduced below in conjunction with related drawings.

Second embodiment: please refer to FIG. 30 , which is an exploded schematic diagram of a folding mechanism 100 according to another embodiment of the embodiment of the present application. The folding mechanism 100 includes a middle shell 10, a first support plate 20, a second support plate 30, a third support plate 80, a fourth support plate 90, a first connecting arm 40, a second connecting arm 50, a matching part 60 and a damping part 70. Compared with the folding mechanism 100 of the first embodiment, the folding mechanism 100 of this embodiment further includes a third support plate 80 and a fourth support plate 90 . For the arrangement of the middle case 10 , the matching member 60 and the damping member 70 in this embodiment, reference may be made to the arrangement of the middle case 10 , the fitting 60 and the damping member 70 in the first embodiment. Specifically, it will not be repeated here.

It can be understood that the first connecting arm 40 , the second connecting arm 50 and the damping member 70 can jointly constitute the first connecting assembly 100 a of the folding mechanism 100 . Exemplarily, the first connecting component 100 a can serve as a bottom connecting component of the folding mechanism 100 . The folding mechanism 100 may also include a second connection assembly 100b. The second connection component 100b can serve as the top connection component of the folding mechanism 100 . The second connection assembly 100b may include a first connection arm 40b, a second connection arm 50b and a damper 70b.

It can be understood that when the folding mechanism 100 of this embodiment includes the third support plate 80 and the fourth support plate 90 , the first support plate 20 , the second support plate 30 , the first connecting arm 40 and the second support plate of this embodiment The structure of the two connecting arms 50 has also made some different settings. In this embodiment, the same technical content as the arrangement of the first support plate 20, the second support plate 30, the first connecting arm 40 and the second connecting arm 50 in the first embodiment will not be repeated below. .

Please refer to FIG. 31 . FIG. 31 is a partial structural schematic diagram of the first support plate 20 shown in FIG. 30 . The plate body 21 of the first support plate 20 is further provided with second avoidance spaces 28 arranged at intervals. Openings of the second escape space 28 are located on the top surface 211 , the bottom surface 212 and the second side surface 216 of the first support plate 20 . The second escape space 28 is spaced apart from the first escape space 26 . The first support plate 20 also has a second connecting shaft 29 . The second connecting shaft 29 is connected to the board body 21 . The second connecting shaft 29 is located in the second escape space 28 . Exemplarily, the second connecting shaft 29 is cylindrical. It can be understood that the second connecting shaft 29 and the plate body 21 can be integrally formed. The second connecting shaft 29 may also be connected to the plate body 21 by means of splicing or fixing.

It can be understood that the basic design of the component structure of the second support plate 30 can refer to the related solutions of the first support plate 20, and at the same time, it is allowed that the second support plate 30 and the first support plate 20 can be adjusted in terms of the detailed structure or position arrangement of the components. A little bit different.

Please refer to FIG. 32 , which is an enlarged view of the first connecting arm 40 and the second connecting arm 50 shown in FIG. 30 . The first connecting arm main body 41 of the first connecting arm 40 also defines a first fixing slot 418 . An opening of the first fixing slot 418 is located on the first side 413 of the first connecting arm body 41 . The first fixing slot 418 may be located on a side of the first slide slot 415 away from the first stop slot 416 . In addition, the second connecting arm main body 51 of the second connecting arm 50 is further provided with a second fixing slot 518 . An opening of the second fixing slot 518 is located on the first side 513 of the second connecting arm body 51 . The second fixing slot 518 may be located on a side of the second slide slot 515 away from the second stop slot 516 .

Please refer to FIG. 33 . FIG. 33 is a partial structural diagram of the third support plate 80 shown in FIG. 30 . The third supporting plate 80 includes a main body portion 81 , a sliding portion 82 , a first connecting portion 83 and a second connecting portion 84 . In this embodiment, the number of sliding parts 82 is eight (see FIG. 30 for details). In other embodiments, the number of sliding parts 82 is not specifically limited.

In this embodiment, the main body 81 includes a top surface 811 and a bottom surface 812 facing away, a first end surface 813 and a second end surface 814 facing away, and a first side 815 and a second side 816 facing away. The first end surface 813 and the second end surface 814 are connected between the top surface 811 and the bottom surface 812 . The first side surface 815 and the second side surface 816 are connected between the top surface 811 and the bottom surface 812 , and are connected between the first end surface 813 and the second end surface 814 . In other embodiments, the main body portion 81 may also adopt other shapes.

In this embodiment, the sliding part 82 can be connected to the first side 815 of the main body 81 . The first connection portion 83 can be connected to the first end surface 813 of the main body portion 81 . The second connecting portion 84 can be connected to the second end surface 814 of the main body portion 81 . It can be understood that the third support plate 80 can be an integral structural member, that is, the main body portion 81, the first connecting portion 83, the second connecting portion 84 and the sliding portion 82 are integrally formed structural members. The third support plate 80 may also be a spliced structural member. For example, the body part 81 , the sliding part 82 , the first connecting part 83 and the second connecting part 84 can be spliced (such as mortise and tenon process) or fixed (such as welding, bonding and other processes) to form an integral structural member. Specifically, this application does not make a limitation.

Exemplarily, both the first connecting portion 83 and the second connecting portion 84 may be cylindrical.

In this embodiment, each sliding portion 82 includes a sliding hole 821 . The sliding hole 821 includes a first end wall 8211 and a second end wall 8212 opposite to each other. The first end wall 8211 can be disposed close to the first side 815 . The second end wall 8212 may be disposed away from the first side 815 . Exemplarily, the sliding hole 821 may be in the shape of a bar.

It should be noted that the first connecting portion 83 , one of the sliding portions 82 and part of the main body portion 81 constitute the first end portion 80 a of the third support plate 80 . The second connecting portion 84 , one of the sliding portions 82 and part of the main body portion 81 form a second end portion 80 b of the third support plate 80 . Part of the main body portion 81 and the remaining six sliding portions 82 constitute a middle portion 80 c of the third support plate 80 . The first end 80a of the third support plate 80 can be used to connect with the first connection assembly 100a (see FIG. 30 ), and the first end 20a (see Figure 30) Connections. The middle portion 80c of the third support plate 80 can be used to connect with the middle portion 20c of the first support plate 20 (see FIG. 30 ). The second end 80b of the third support plate 80 can be used to connect with the second connection assembly 100b (see FIG. 30 ), and connect with the second end 20b (see Figure 30) Connections.

Exemplarily, the first end portion 80a of the third support plate 80 and the second end portion 80b of the third support plate 80 may have the same or similar structures, symmetrical or partially symmetrical structures, or different structures. In some embodiments, the first end portion 80a of the third support plate 80 and the second end portion 80b of the third support plate 80 have a symmetrical structure. In this way, the overall structure of the third support plate 80 is relatively simple, and the processing cost is low.

It can be understood that the fourth support plate 90 and the third support plate 80 may have the same or similar structure, symmetrical or partially symmetrical structure, or different structures. In some embodiments, the fourth support plate 90 and the third support plate 80 have a symmetrical structure, the basic design of the component structure of the fourth support plate 90, the design of the connection relationship between components, and the design of other structures other than components and assemblies For the design of the connection relationship, refer to the relevant scheme of the third support plate 80 , and at the same time, the fourth support plate 90 and the third support plate 80 are allowed to be slightly different in the detailed structure or position arrangement of the components.

Please refer to FIG. 34 , which is a partial assembly diagram of the folding mechanism 100 shown in FIG. 30 . Both the first support plate 20 and the second support plate 30 are rotatably connected to the middle shell 10 . Wherein, the connection method between the first support plate 20 and the middle case 10 can refer to the connection method between the first support plate 20 and the middle case 10 in the first embodiment (refer to FIG. 11 to FIG. 14 ). The connection method between the second support plate 30 and the middle case 10 can refer to the connection method between the second support plate 30 and the middle case 10 in the first embodiment (refer to FIG. 11 to FIG. 14 ). Specifically, it will not be repeated here.

In addition, the main body portion 81 of the third support plate 80 is located on a side of the first support plate 20 away from the middle shell 10 . The main body portion 91 of the fourth support plate 90 is located on a side of the second support plate 30 away from the middle shell 10 .

Please refer to FIG. 34 again, and as shown in FIG. 31 and FIG. 33 , the sliding portion 82 of the third support plate 80 is slidably connected to the first support plate 20 . The first protrusion 22 of the first supporting board 20 passes through a sliding hole 821 of the sliding portion 82 of the third supporting board 80 . The first protrusion 22 of the first supporting plate 20 can slide in the sliding hole 821 of the sliding portion 82 of the third supporting plate 80 .

Please refer to FIG. 35 , combined with FIG. 34 , FIG. 35 is a partial cross-sectional view of the partial folding mechanism 100 shown in FIG. 34 at line A8-A8. The sliding portion 82 of the third support plate 80 is located in the second avoidance space 28 of the first support plate 20 ( FIG. 31 shows the second avoidance space 28 at different angles). The second connecting shaft 29 of the first supporting board 20 passes through the sliding hole 821 of the sliding portion 82 of the third supporting board 80 . The second connecting shaft 29 of the first supporting plate 20 can slide in the sliding hole 821 of the sliding portion 82 of the third supporting plate 80 .

It can be understood that, the connection relationship between the second support plate 30 and the fourth support plate 90 can refer to the connection relationship between the first support plate 20 and the third support plate 80 . Specifically, it will not be repeated here.

Please refer to FIG. 34 and FIG. 35 again. When the folding mechanism 100 is in the flattened state, the third support plate 80, the first support plate 20, the middle shell 10, the second support plate 30 and the fourth support plate 90 are arranged side by side. The top surface 811 of the third support plate 80, the top surface 211 of the first support plate 20, the top surface 111 of the middle shell 10, the top surface 311 of the second support plate 30 and the top surface 911 of the fourth support plate 90 all face the same side . In one embodiment, the top surface 811 of the third support plate 80 , the top surface 211 of the first support plate 20 , the top surface 111 of the middle shell 10 , the top surface 311 of the second support plate 30 and the fourth support plate 90 The top surface 911 of can be in the same plane.

For example, when the folding mechanism 100 is in the unfolded state, the first protrusion 22 of the first support plate 20 can be arranged in contact with the first end wall 8211 of the sliding hole 821 of the third support plate 80 . The second connecting shaft 29 of the first support plate 20 can be arranged in contact with the first end wall 8211 of the sliding hole 821 of the third support plate 80 . The positional relationship between the second support plate 30 and the fourth support plate 90 can refer to the positional relationship between the first support plate 20 and the third support plate 80 . Specifically, it will not be repeated here.

Please refer to FIG. 36 , which is a partial cross-sectional view of the partially folding mechanism 100 shown in FIG. 35 in a closed state. When the folding mechanism 100 is in the closed state, the first support plate 20 and the second support plate 30 can be arranged to be folded together. The first supporting board 20 and the second supporting board 30 may be disposed opposite to each other. The third support plate 80 and the fourth support plate 90 can be arranged to be closed to each other. The third support plate 80 and the fourth support plate 90 may be disposed opposite to each other. A space is enclosed by the third support plate 80 , the first support plate 20 , the middle shell 10 , the second support plate 30 and the fourth support plate 90 .

Please refer to FIG. 35 and FIG. 36 together. When the folding mechanism 100 is in the closed state, the first protrusion 22 of the first support plate 20 can be arranged in contact with the second end wall 8212 of the sliding hole 821 of the third support plate 80 . The second connecting shaft 29 (mainly in FIG. 35 ) of the first support plate 20 can be in contact with the second end wall 8212 (mainly in FIG. 35 ) of the sliding hole 821 (mainly in FIG. 35 ) of the third support plate 80 set up. The positional relationship between the second support plate 30 and the fourth support plate 90 can refer to the positional relationship between the first support plate 20 and the third support plate 80 . Specifically, it will not be repeated here.

Please refer to FIG. 34 to FIG. 36 together. When the folding mechanism 100 is folded from the flat state to the closed state, both the first support plate 20 and the second support plate 30 can rotate relative to the middle shell 10, and the third support plate 80, the second support plate A support plate 20, the middle shell 10, the second support plate 30 and the fourth support plate 90 can be switched from the state of being arranged side by side to the third support plate 80 and the fourth support plate 90 being oppositely arranged, and the first support plate 20 and the fourth support plate The state where the two support plates 30 are arranged opposite to each other. In addition, the second connecting shaft 29 of the first support plate 20 can move from a position in contact with the first end wall 8211 of the slide hole 821 of the third support plate 80 to the second end wall 8211 of the slide hole 821 of the third support plate 80 . The location where the end wall 8212 contacts. The first protrusion 22 of the first support plate 20 can move from the position in contact with the first end wall 8211 of the slide hole 821 of the third support plate 80 to the second end wall of the slide hole 821 of the third support plate 80 8212 contact position.

Please refer to FIG. 37 , which is a partial assembly diagram of the folding mechanism 100 shown in FIG. 30 . The first connecting portion 83 of the third support plate 80 is rotatably connected to the first connecting arm 40 . Exemplarily, the first connecting portion 83 of the third support plate 80 is inserted into the first fixing slot 418 of the first connecting arm 40 . The first connecting portion 83 of the third support plate 80 can rotate relative to the groove wall of the first fixing groove 418 of the first connecting arm 40 . In addition, the connection manner between the fourth support plate 90 and the second connecting arm 50 can refer to the connection manner between the third support plate 80 and the first connecting arm 40 . Specifically, it will not be repeated here.

In this way, when the folding mechanism 100 is folded from the flattened state to the closed state, the first connecting arm 40 and the second connecting arm 50 rotate relative to the middle shell 10 , and the first connecting arm 40 can not only drive the first support plate 20 to move relative to the middle shell 10 The rotation can also drive the third support plate 80 to rotate relative to the middle shell 10 , and the second connecting arm 50 can not only drive the second support plate 30 to rotate relative to the middle shell 10 , but also drive the fourth support plate 90 to rotate relative to the middle shell 10 . Wherein, the rotation of the first support plate 20 and the second support plate 30 relative to the middle shell 10 has been described above in conjunction with FIG. 36 to FIG. 38 .

Please refer to FIG. 38 , which is a partial cross-sectional view of the folding mechanism 100 shown in FIG. 30 when it is applied to the electronic device 1 and is in a flattened state. When the electronic device 1 is in the flattened state, the third support plate 80 is away from the second portion 2202 of the middle plate 220 of the first casing 200 , and the fourth support plate 90 is far away from the second portion of the middle plate 320 of the second casing 300 3202. The third support plate 80 , the first support plate 20 , the middle case 10 , the second support plate 30 and the fourth support plate 90 can be jointly used to support the bending portion 2200 of the flexible screen 2000 . It can be understood that, compared with the electronic device 1 shown in FIG. 28 , in this embodiment, the third support plate 80 and the fourth support plate 90 are added to improve the first support when the electronic device 1 is in a flattened state. The contact area of the plate 20 , the second supporting plate 30 and the bending portion 2200 . In this way, the third support plate 80 , the first support plate 20 , the second support plate 30 and the fourth support plate 90 can support the bent portion 2200 at multiple positions, so as to make the bent portion 2200 more flat. At this time, when the user touches the bending portion 2200, the third supporting plate 80, the first supporting plate 20, the second supporting plate 30 and the fourth supporting plate 90 support the bending portion 2200 together, thereby preventing the bending portion 2200 from occurring. collapse.

Please refer to FIG. 39 , which is a partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device 1 shown in FIG. 38 in a closed state. When the electronic device 1 is in the closed state, the third support plate 80 is close to the second portion 2202 of the middle plate 220 of the first casing 200 , and the fourth support plate 90 is close to the second portion 3202 of the middle plate 320 of the second casing 300 . The bending portion 2200 of the flexible screen 2000 is located in the space enclosed by the third support plate 80 , the first support plate 20 , the middle case 10 , the second support plate 30 and the fourth support plate 90 . In addition, the third support plate 80 , the first support plate 20 , the second support plate 30 and the fourth support plate 90 can be used to jointly support the bending part 2200 so that the bending part 2200 is roughly in the shape of a "drop". It can be understood that, compared with the electronic device 1 shown in FIG. 29 , in this embodiment, the third support plate 80 and the fourth support plate 90 are added to increase the height of the first support plate when the electronic device 1 is in a closed state. 20. The contact area between the second support plate 30 and the bending portion 2200 . In this way, the third support plate 80 , the first support plate 20 , the second support plate 30 and the fourth support plate 90 can support the bending part 2200 at multiple positions, so that the bending part 2200 is roughly in the shape of a "drop". During the rotation of the whole machine, it will also promote the flexible screen to have more contact area, which is also conducive to the support of the intermediate state.

Please refer to FIG. 38 and FIG. 39 together. When the electronic device 1 transitions from the flat state to the closed state, the third support plate 80 is close to the second part 2202 of the middle plate 220 of the first casing 200, and the fourth support plate 80 The plate 90 is close to the second portion 3202 of the middle plate 320 of the second housing 300 . When the electronic device 1 transitions from the closed state to the unfolded state, the third support plate 80 is away from the second part 2202 of the middle plate 220 of the first housing 200 , and the fourth support plate 90 is away from the center of the second housing 300 . The second portion 3202 of the plate 320 . It can be understood that, by setting the middle plate 220 of the first housing 200 in a stepped shape and the middle plate 320 of the second housing 300 in a stepped shape, when the electronic device 1 transitions from the flattened state to the closed state, Or when switching from the closed state to the flattened state, the third support plate 80 and the fourth support plate 90 have a movable space.

In other embodiments, the folding mechanism 100 may also include one of the third support plate 80 or the fourth support plate 90 .

In other implementation manners, the folding structure 100 may further include a fifth support plate, a sixth support plate, . . . a Pth support plate. P is an integer greater than 4. Wherein, the arrangement manner of the (2S+1)th support plate may refer to the arrangement manner of the third support plate 80 . For the setting method of the 2S supporting plate, please refer to the setting method of the fourth supporting plate 90 . Specifically, it will not be repeated here.

The above is only the specific implementation of the application, but the scope of protection of the application is not limited thereto. Anyone familiar with the technical field can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in the application, and should cover Within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

A folding mechanism (100), characterized in that it comprises a middle case (10), a first support plate (20) and a first connecting arm (40), and the middle case (10) includes first rotating parts arranged at intervals (101) and a second rotating part (102), the first supporting plate (20) includes a rotating part (201) and a sliding part (202), and the rotating part (201) of the first supporting plate (20) rotates The second rotating part (102) of the middle shell (10) is connected, and the sliding part (202) of the first support plate (20) is located on the second rotating part (102) away from the first rotating part one side of (101);

The first connecting arm (40) includes a rotating part (401) and a sliding part (402), and the rotating part (401) of the first connecting arm (40) is connected to the first rotating part of the middle shell (10). part (101), the sliding part (402) of the first connecting arm (40) is slidably connected to the sliding part (202) of the first support plate (20).
The folding mechanism (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, the first connecting arm (40) comprises a first connecting arm body (41), and the rotating part (401 of the first connecting arm (40) ) and the sliding part (402) of the first connecting arm (40) are both arranged on the first connecting arm body (41), and the first connecting arm body (41) is located at the middle shell (10) The first end portion (10a) is on the same side as the first end portion (20a) of the first support plate (20).
The folding mechanism (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the first rotating part (101) of the middle case (10) includes a first groove (116), and the middle case (10) It has a top surface (111) and a first end surface (121), the first end surface (121) of the middle shell (10) is connected to the top surface (111) of the middle shell (10), and the first groove ( 116) the opening is located on the top surface (111) of the middle shell (10) and the first end surface (121) of the middle shell (10);

The rotating part (401) of the first connecting arm (40) includes a first rotating shaft (42), and a part of the first rotating shaft (42) of the first connecting arm (40) is arranged in the first groove ( 116), the first rotating shaft (42) of the first connecting arm (40) rotates in the first groove (116).
The folding mechanism (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that, the middle case (10) is provided with a receiving groove (115), and the opening of the receiving groove (115) is located in the middle case (10) On the top surface (111), the receiving groove (115) communicates with the first groove (116);

The folding mechanism (100) includes a damping element (70), the damping element (70) is fixed in the receiving groove (115), and the damping element (70) wraps the first connecting arm (40) A part of the first rotating shaft (42), the damping member (70) is used to increase the frictional force received by the first rotating shaft (42) of the first connecting arm (40) during rotation.
The folding mechanism (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that, the second rotating part (102) of the middle case (10) includes a second groove (117), and the middle case (10) has a first a side (113), the first side (113) of the middle shell (10) connects the top surface (111) of the middle shell (10) and the first end surface (121) of the middle shell (10), The opening of the second groove (117) is located on the top surface (111) of the middle shell (10), the first end surface (121) of the middle shell (10) and the second end surface (121) of the middle shell (10). one side (113);

The rotating part (201) of the first supporting plate (20) is a rotating shaft structure, at least part of the rotating part (201) of the first supporting plate (20) is arranged in the second groove (117), And rotate in the second groove (117).
The folding mechanism (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, the sliding part (402) of the first connecting arm (40) includes a first sliding slot (415), and the first The sliding part (202) of a support plate (20) is a first protrusion (22), and the first protrusion (22) slides in the first slide groove (415).
The folding mechanism (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that, the first chute (415) is in the shape of a bar, and the first chute (415) includes opposite first end walls (4151) and the second end wall (4152), the second end wall (4152) of the first chute (415) is relatively close to the first connection with the first end wall (4151) of the first chute (415) The rotating part (401) of the arm (40).
The folding mechanism (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, the first connecting arm (40) is provided with a first stop groove (416), and the first stop groove (416) has a first end wall (4161) and a second end wall (4162) arranged oppositely, the first support plate (20) includes a second protrusion (23), and the second protrusion (23) set in the first stop groove (416), and slide in the first stop groove (416);

When the folding mechanism (100) is in the flattened state, the second protrusion (23) is in contact with the first end wall (4161) of the first stop groove (416), and when the folding mechanism ( 100) in the closed state, the second protrusion (23) is in contact with the second end wall (4162) of the first stop groove (416).
The folding mechanism (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, the folding mechanism (100) comprises a second support plate (30) and a second connecting arm (50), the middle The shell (10) includes a third rotating part (103) and a fourth rotating part (104), the third rotating part (103) is located between the first rotating part (101) and the fourth rotating part (104) Between, the rotating part (301) of the second supporting plate (30) is rotatably connected with the fourth rotating part (104) of the middle shell (10), and the sliding part (302) of the second supporting plate (30) ) is located on a side of the fourth rotating portion (104) away from the third rotating portion (103);

The second connecting arm (50) includes a rotating part (501) and a sliding part (502), and the rotating part (501) of the second connecting arm (50) is connected to the third rotating part of the middle shell (10). part (103), the sliding part (502) of the second connecting arm (50) is slidably connected to the sliding part (302) of the second support plate (30).
The folding mechanism (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that, the folding mechanism (100) further comprises a fitting (60), and the fitting (60) includes a fixing part (61), a first hook part (62) and a second hook portion (63), the first hook portion (62) and the second hook portion (63) are connected to both ends of the fixing portion (61);

The fixing part (61) is fixed on the middle shell (10), the first hook part (62) is hooked on the first support plate (20), and the second hook part (63) is hooked on On the second support plate (30), the first support plate (20) rotates relative to the first hook (62), and the second support plate (30) rotates relative to the second hook (63) .
The folding mechanism (100) according to Claim 9, characterized in that, the second connecting arm (50) is engaged with the first connecting arm (40).
The folding mechanism (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, the folding mechanism (100) further comprises a third support plate (80), and the first support plate (20) is connected to The middle shell (10) and the third support plate (80);

The third support plate (80) includes a sliding part (82) and a first fixing part (83), and the sliding part (82) of the third support plate (80) is slidably connected to the first support plate (20) , the first fixing portion (83) of the third support plate (80) is rotatably connected to the first connecting arm (40).
The folding mechanism (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that, the sliding part (82) of the third supporting plate (80) includes a sliding hole (821), and a part of the first supporting plate (20) It is arranged in the sliding hole (821) and slides in the sliding hole (821).
The folding mechanism (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that, the first fixing part (83) is a protruding structure, and the first connecting arm (40) is provided with a first fixing groove (418), The first connecting portion (83) of the third support plate (80) rotates in the first fixing slot (418) of the first connecting arm (40).
An electronic device (1), characterized by comprising a first housing (200), a second housing (300) and the folding mechanism (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, the The folding mechanism (100) connects the first casing (200) and the second casing (300), and the folding mechanism (100) is used to make the first casing (200) and the second casing The housing (300) is relatively folded or unfolded, wherein the first connecting arm (40) is fixed to the first housing (200);

The flexible screen (2000) includes a first non-bending part (2100), a bending part (2200) and a second non-bending part (2300) arranged in sequence, and the first non-bending part (2100) is fixed In the first shell (200), the second non-bending portion (2300) is fixed to the second shell (300), and between the first shell (200) and the second shell During the relative unfolding or closing process of the body (300), the bending part (2200) is deformed.
The electronic device (1) according to Claim 15, characterized in that, the first connecting arm body (41) of the first connecting arm (40) and the flexible screen (2000) are arranged in a staggered manner.
The electronic device (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that, the first housing (200) comprises a frame (210) and a middle board (220), and the frame (210) is connected to the middle board ( 220), and the frame (210) surrounds the middle plate (220);

The first non-bending part (2100) fixes the middle plate (220) of the first casing (200), and the first connecting arm body (41) of the first connecting arm (40) fixes the frame (210).