WO2024099105A1

WO2024099105A1 - Folding mechanism and electronic device

Info

Publication number: WO2024099105A1
Application number: PCT/CN2023/127104
Authority: WO
Inventors: 李豪武; 李勇; 李锡伟
Original assignee: Oppo广东移动通信有限公司
Priority date: 2022-11-08
Filing date: 2023-10-27
Publication date: 2024-05-16

Abstract

A folding mechanism and an electronic device. The folding mechanism comprises a first housing, which has a first magnetic member; and a second housing, which has a second magnetic member and is connected to the first housing in a rotational manner. In a process of switching the folding mechanism from an unfolded state to a folded state, a repulsive force is formed between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member, so as to push the second magnetic member to move, such that an attractive force is formed between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member. The repulsive force can reduce the speed at which the second housing moves towards the first housing.

Description

Folding mechanism and electronic device

This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed on November 8, 2022, with application number 202211393964.8, entitled “FOLDING MECHANISM AND ELECTRONIC APPLICATION” and the Chinese patent application filed on November 8, 2022, with application number 202222988496.0, entitled “FOLDING MECHANISM AND ELECTRONIC APPLICATION”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of electronic technology, and in particular to a folding mechanism and an electronic device.

Background technique

Foldable devices are widely popular among users because they can meet users' demand for large screen size while avoiding the inconvenience of carrying caused by large screen size.

Summary of the invention

The present application provides a folding mechanism and an electronic device. When the folding mechanism moves from an unfolded state to a folded state, the repulsive force formed between the magnetic parts can slow down the speed at which the second shell moves toward the first shell, thereby avoiding the second shell from hitting the first shell due to excessive speed, thereby improving the user experience.

In a first aspect, the present application provides a folding mechanism, comprising:

A first shell is provided with a first magnetic member;

The second shell is rotatably connected to the first shell, and the second shell can be rotated relative to the first shell to switch the folding mechanism between a folded state and an unfolded state. The second shell is provided with a second magnetic member. During the switching process of the folding mechanism from the unfolded state to the folded state, a repulsive force is formed between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member, and the repulsive force drives the second magnetic member to move, so that an attractive force is formed between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member.

In a second aspect, the present application further provides a folding structure, comprising:

A first shell is provided with a first magnetic member;

a second shell, rotatably connected to the first shell, the second shell being rotatable relative to the first shell so that the folding mechanism switches between a folded state and an unfolded state, the second shell being provided with a second magnetic member;

When the folding mechanism is in the unfolded state, the magnetic poles of the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member close to the folding direction side are the same poles. During the switching process of the folding mechanism from the unfolded state to the folded state, the magnetic poles of the second magnetic member close to the folding direction side change, so that when the folding mechanism is in the folded state, the magnetic poles of the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member close to the folding direction side are opposite poles.

In a third aspect, the present application further provides an electronic device, comprising a folding mechanism and a foldable display screen, wherein the foldable display screen is arranged on the folding mechanism, and the folding structure comprises:

A first shell is provided with a first magnetic member;

In a fourth aspect, the present application further provides an electronic device, comprising a folding mechanism and a foldable display screen, wherein the foldable display screen is arranged on the folding mechanism, and the folding structure comprises:

A first shell is provided with a first magnetic member;

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative work.

FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of an electronic device in a folded state provided by an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application switching from an unfolded state to a folded state.

FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of an electronic device in an unfolded state provided in an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the position change between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member during the switching process of the folding mechanism from the unfolded state to the folded state in the embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second magnetic component provided in an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing position changes of the second magnetic member shown in FIG. 5 and the first magnetic member when the folding mechanism switches from an unfolded state to a folded state.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the position relationship among the first magnetic component, the second magnetic component and the third magnetic component when the folding mechanism provided in the embodiment of the present application is in a folded state.

FIG8 is a positional relationship diagram of the first magnetic component, the second magnetic component, and the third magnetic component when the folding mechanism provided in the embodiment of the present application is in an intermediate state.

9 is a diagram showing position changes of the first magnetic member, the second magnetic member and the third magnetic member during the switching process of the folding mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application from a folded state to an unfolded state.

10 is a diagram showing position changes of the first magnetic member, the second magnetic member and the third magnetic member during the switching process of the folding mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application from an unfolded state to a folded state.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the positional relationship among the first magnetic component, the second magnetic component and the third magnetic component when the folding mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application is in a folded state.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of an exploded structure of the folding mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of the first magnetic component, the second magnetic component and the damping structure of the folding mechanism shown in FIG. 12 .

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the structure shown in FIG. 13 .

FIG. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of the second magnetic component and a portion of the damping structure shown in FIG. 14 .

FIG. 16 is a schematic structural diagram of the structure shown in FIG. 15 from another viewing angle.

FIG. 17 is a schematic structural diagram of the structure shown in FIG. 13 from another viewing angle.

FIG18 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the structure shown in FIG17 along the P-P direction.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing a comparison between the angle and angular velocity of rotation of the casing of the folding mechanism in the related art and the angle and angular velocity of rotation of the casing of the folding mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed ways

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application.

Please refer to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device in a folded state provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device in an expanded state switched to a folded state provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device in an expanded state provided by an embodiment of the present application. An electronic device such as the electronic device 20 of Figure 1 may be a computing device such as a laptop computer, a computer monitor including an embedded computer, a tablet computer, a cellular phone, a media player, or other handheld or portable electronic devices, smaller devices (such as wristwatch devices, hanging devices) The electronic device 20 may be a portable device such as a cellular phone, a media player, a tablet computer, or other portable computing device. Other configurations may be used for the electronic device 20, if desired. The example of FIG. 1 is exemplary only.

The electronic device 20 such as the above can be configured as a foldable device. The foldable device includes a folding mechanism such as a folding mechanism 200, and the folding mechanism 200 is used to form the outer contour of the foldable device. The folding mechanism 200 may include a plurality of interconnected shells, such as the folding mechanism 200 may include a first shell such as a first shell 210 and a second shell such as a second shell 220, the second shell 220 may be connected to the first shell 210 by a rotating member such as a rotating member 280, and the first shell 210 may be rotated relative to the second shell 220 by the rotating member 280, so that the folding mechanism 200 can switch between a folded state and an unfolded state. When the folding mechanism 200 is in a folded state, the first shell 210 and the second shell 220 are attached to each other (as shown in FIG. 1), so that the space occupied by the electronic device 20 is small, thereby facilitating the carrying and storage of the electronic device 20. When the folding mechanism 200 is in an intermediate state of switching between the folded state and the unfolded state, an angle is formed between the first shell 210 and the second shell 220 (as shown in FIG. 2). When the folding mechanism 200 is in the unfolded state, the first shell 210 and the second shell 220 are away from each other (as shown in FIG. 3 ), so that the electronic device 20 can have a larger display area, thereby facilitating the user to operate and read the electronic device 20 .

It should be noted that the second shell 220 may have one rotation direction, which is the folding direction of the electronic device 20, and the electronic device 20 can be folded in one direction; the second shell 220 may have two rotation directions, which are the folding directions of the electronic device 20, and the electronic device 20 can be folded in two directions.

The first shell 210 and the second shell 220 may be formed of plastic, glass, ceramic, fiber composite material, metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.), other suitable materials, or any combination of two or more of these materials. The first shell 210 and the second shell 220 may be formed using an integrated configuration, in which some or all of the first shell 210 and the second shell 220 are processed or molded into a single structure, or may be formed using multiple structures (e.g., an inner frame structure, one or more structures forming an outer shell surface, etc.). It should be noted that the structures and manufacturing materials of the first shell 210 and the second shell 220 may be the same or different.

In the related art, in order to meet the dust and water resistance requirements after the screen is closed, a foldable electronic device needs to be designed with a larger closing force. The two relatively folded shells will produce a larger impact force and generate a larger noise. In addition, the larger closing force will also cause the risk of pinching hands or foreign objects, resulting in the risk of puncturing the screen.

In order to solve the defects in the related art, the present application embodiment provides a folding mechanism 200, including a first shell 210 and the second shell 220, the first shell 210 is provided with a first magnetic member 230, and the second shell is provided with a second magnetic member 240. During the switching process of the folding mechanism 200 from the unfolded state to the folded state, a repulsive force is formed between the first magnetic member 230 and the second magnetic member 240 (as shown in FIG. 2), and the repulsive force pushes the second magnetic member 240 to move, so that an attractive force is formed between the first magnetic member 230 and the second magnetic member 240 (as shown in FIG. 1). During the process of the folding mechanism 200 from the unfolded state to the folded state, the repulsive force formed between the magnetic members can slow down the speed of the second shell 220 moving toward the first shell 210, avoiding the second shell 220 from hitting the first shell 210 due to excessive speed. The repulsive force can also push the second magnetic member 240 to move, and the repulsive force between the magnetic members is converted into an attractive force, which keeps the folding mechanism 200 in the folded state.

The repulsive force drives the second magnetic member 240 to rotate, so that the magnetic pole of the second magnetic member close to the first magnetic member changes from the same magnetic pole as the magnetic pole of the first magnetic member 230 close to the second magnetic member 240 to the opposite magnetic pole. For example, the first magnetic member 230 includes different first magnetic poles and second magnetic poles, the second magnetic pole is arranged close to the second magnetic member 240, and the second magnetic member 240 includes different third magnetic poles and fourth magnetic poles. The repulsive force drives the second magnetic member 240 to rotate, so that the positions of the third magnetic pole and the fourth magnetic pole change.

Specifically, please refer to FIG. 4 , which is a diagram showing the position change between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member during the switching process of the folding mechanism from the unfolded state to the folded state in the embodiment of the present application.

During the switching process of the folding mechanism from the unfolded state to the folded state, when the second shell body rotates relative to the first shell body to a position, as shown in part a of FIG. 4 , a repulsive force is formed between the first magnetic member 230 and the second magnetic member 240. At this time, the magnetic pole of the first magnetic member 230 close to the second magnetic member 240 is the same as the magnetic pole of the second magnetic member 240 close to the first magnetic member 230, and they are magnetic poles of the same name. For example, the first magnetic member includes different first magnetic poles N and second magnetic poles S, the magnetic pole of the first magnetic member 230 close to the second magnetic member 240 is the second magnetic pole S pole, and the second magnetic member 240 includes different third magnetic poles S and fourth magnetic poles N. At this time, the second magnetic member 240 close to The magnetic pole of the first magnetic member 230 is the third magnetic pole S. The repulsive force formed between the two same-name magnetic poles of the second magnetic pole S and the third magnetic pole S can push the second magnetic member 240 to move, as shown in parts b and c in FIG. 4. After the repulsive force is formed between the second magnetic member 240 and the first magnetic member 230, as the second shell is constantly approaching the first shell, the second magnetic member 240 is constantly approaching the first magnetic member 230. The repulsive force between the second magnetic member 240 and the first magnetic member 230 pushes the second magnetic member 240 to rotate, so that the magnetic pole of the second magnetic member 240 close to the first magnetic member 230 is changed from the same-name magnetic pole as the magnetic pole of the first magnetic member close to the second magnetic member to the opposite-name magnetic pole. For example, after the second magnetic member 240 rotates, the third magnetic pole S close to the first magnetic member 230 is changed to the fourth magnetic pole N, and the second magnetic pole S close to the second magnetic member 240 of the first magnetic member 230 is the opposite-name magnetic pole (as shown in part d in FIG. 4). The repulsive force formed between the two opposite-name magnetic poles is changed to the attractive force, and the attractive force can make the first shell and the second shell buckle and fold, so that the folding mechanism remains in the folded state.

It is understandable that in some other embodiments, in the initial state, the first magnetic member is close to the second magnetic member. The second magnetic pole may be magnetic pole N, and the corresponding first magnetic pole may be magnetic pole S. The third magnetic pole of the second magnetic member close to the first magnetic member may be magnetic pole N, and the corresponding fourth magnetic pole may be magnetic pole S.

In some embodiments, in order to facilitate the rotation of the second magnetic member, the second magnetic member can be a columnar structure. Please continue to refer to Figure 5, which is a schematic diagram of a structure of the second magnetic member provided in an embodiment of the present application. The second magnetic member 240 can be a cylindrical structure, and the repulsive force can cause the cylindrical structure to rotate with the central axis of the cylindrical structure as the rotation axis.

Taking the second magnetic member as an example of a cylindrical structure, please continue to refer to FIG. 6 , which is a diagram showing the position change of the second magnetic member shown in FIG. 5 and the first magnetic member when the folding mechanism switches from the unfolded state to the folded state.

During the switching process of the folding mechanism from the unfolded state to the folded state, when the second shell body rotates relative to the first shell body to a position, as shown in part e of Figure 6, a repulsive force is formed between the first magnetic member 230 and the second magnetic member 240. At this time, the magnetic pole of the first magnetic member 230 close to the second magnetic member 240 is the same as the magnetic pole of the second magnetic member 240 close to the first magnetic member 230, and they are magnetic poles of the same name. For example, the first magnetic member 230 includes different first magnetic poles N and second magnetic poles S, the magnetic pole of the first magnetic member 230 close to the second magnetic member 240 is the second magnetic pole S pole, and the second magnetic member 240 includes different third magnetic poles S and fourth magnetic poles N. At this time, the second magnetic member 240 close to the first magnetic member The magnetic pole of the component 230 is the third magnetic pole S, and the repulsive force formed between the two like-named magnetic poles of the second magnetic pole S and the third magnetic pole S can drive the cylindrical second magnetic component 240 to rotate with the central axis as the rotation axis, as shown in parts f and g in Figure 6. After the repulsive force is formed between the second magnetic component 240 and the first magnetic component 230, as the second shell continues to approach the first shell, the second magnetic component 240 continues to approach the first magnetic component 230, and the repulsive force between the second magnetic component 240 and the first magnetic component 230 drives the second magnetic component 240 to rotate, so that the magnetic pole of the second magnetic component 240 close to the first magnetic component 230 changes from the same-name magnetic pole as the magnetic pole of the first magnetic component close to the second magnetic component to the opposite-name magnetic pole. For example, after the second magnetic member 240 rotates, the third magnetic pole S close to the first magnetic member 230 is transformed into the fourth magnetic pole N, which is an opposite magnetic pole to the second magnetic pole S of the first magnetic member 230 close to the second magnetic member 240 (as shown in part h in Figure 6). The repulsive force formed between the two opposite magnetic poles is transformed into an attractive force, which can make the first shell and the second shell snap together and fold, so that the folding mechanism remains in a folded state.

The embodiment of the present application provides a folding structure 200, including a first shell 210 and a second shell 220, wherein the first shell 210 is provided with a first magnetic member 230, and the second shell 220 is provided with a second magnetic member 240. When the folding mechanism 200 is in the unfolded state, the magnetic poles of the first magnetic member 230 and the second magnetic member 240 close to the folding direction side are the same magnetic poles. During the switching process of the folding mechanism 200 from the unfolded state to the folded state, the magnetic poles of the second magnetic member 240 close to the folding direction side change, for example, the second magnetic member 240 rotates, so that when the folding mechanism 200 is in the folded state, the magnetic poles of the first magnetic member 230 and the second magnetic member 240 close to the folding direction side are opposite magnetic poles. Specifically, during the process of the folding mechanism from the unfolded state to the folded state, when the second shell 220 rotates to a position close to a certain position, the mutual repulsion between the same magnetic poles of the second shell 220 and the first magnetic member 230 can slow down the speed of the second shell 220 moving toward the first shell 210, thereby avoiding the second shell 220 from moving due to excessive speed. The second shell 220 hits the first shell 210. Since the first magnetic member 230 and the second magnetic member 240 repel each other, the second magnetic member 240 can be moved, and the magnetic pole of the second magnetic member 240 close to the folding direction side is changed, so that the mutual repulsion between the first magnetic member 230 and the second magnetic member 240 is transformed from the mutual attraction between the poles of the same name to the poles of the opposite name. At this time, the folding structure 200 is in a folded state. In some embodiments, in order to allow the second magnetic member to reset during the switching process from the folded state to the unfolded state of the folding mechanism, the second shell is also provided with a third magnetic member. Please continue to refer to Figures 7 to 8. Figure 7 is a position relationship diagram of the first magnetic member, the second magnetic member and the third magnetic member when the folding mechanism provided in the embodiment of the present application is in the folded state. Figure 8 is a position relationship diagram of the first magnetic member, the second magnetic member and the third magnetic member when the folding mechanism provided in the embodiment of the present application is in an intermediate state.

The second shell 220 is also provided with a third magnetic component 250, and the third magnetic component 250 is arranged adjacent to the second magnetic component 240. A reset force can be formed between the third magnetic component 250 and the second magnetic component 240. During the switching process of the folding mechanism 200 from the folded state to the unfolded state, the reset force is used to push the second magnetic component 240 to move so as to reset the second magnetic component.

Specifically, please refer to FIG9, which is a diagram showing the position change of the first magnetic member, the second magnetic member, and the third magnetic member during the switching process of the folding mechanism shown in FIG8 from the folded state to the unfolded state. The first shell 210 and the second shell 220 in FIG9 are only partially shown as an explanation for the convenience of understanding the position change of the first shell 210 and the second shell 220, wherein the right side of the first shell 210 and the second shell 220 is one side of the connection end of the first shell 210 and the second shell 220 of the folding mechanism shown in FIG8. When the folding mechanism 200 is in a folded state (as shown in part i of FIG. 9 ), the attraction force between the first magnetic member 230 and the second magnetic member 240 is greater than the repulsion force between the second magnetic member 240 and the third magnetic member 250. Therefore, the repulsion force between the second magnetic member 240 and the third magnetic member 250 cannot reset the second magnetic member 240. Therefore, the folding mechanism 200 can be kept in a folded state. When the user needs to switch the folding mechanism 200 from a folded state to an unfolded state, the external force that separates the first shell 210 and the second shell 220 is greater than the attraction force between the first magnetic member 230 and the second magnetic member 240, so that the first shell 210 and the second shell 220 are unfolded. The external force can be the force applied to the folding mechanism by the user or the driving force of a driving device arranged in the folding mechanism 200. When the second shell 220 is unfolded relative to the first shell 210, and one end of the second shell 220 gradually moves away from one end of the first shell 210 (as shown in part j of FIG. 9), since the attraction between the first magnetic member 230 and the second magnetic member 240 gradually decreases, when the repulsive force between the third magnetic member 250 and the second magnetic member 240 is greater than the attraction between the first magnetic member 230 and the second magnetic member 240, the repulsive force between the third magnetic member 250 and the second magnetic member 240 can be used as a reset force to drive the second magnetic member 240 to rotate. To reset the second magnetic member 240 (as shown in part k of FIG. 9), prepare for the repulsive force to be formed between the first magnetic member 230 and the second magnetic member 240 when the folding mechanism 200 switches from the unfolded state to the folded state next time.

To illustrate the positional relationship among the first magnetic member, the second magnetic member, and the third magnetic member when the folding mechanism switches from the unfolded state to the folded state, please continue to refer to FIG. 10 , which is a diagram of the folding mechanism shown in FIG. 8 switching from the unfolded state to the folded state. The first shell 210 and the second shell 220 in FIG10 are only partially shown as an illustration to facilitate understanding of the position change of the first shell 210 and the second shell 220, wherein the right side of the first shell 210 and the second shell 220 is one side of the connection end of the first shell 210 and the second shell 220 of the folding mechanism shown in FIG8.

When the folding mechanism 200 is in the unfolded state and switches to a position from the folded state (as shown in part l of FIG. 10), the repulsive force between the first magnetic member 230 and the second magnetic member 240 is greater than the attractive force between the second magnetic member 240 and the third magnetic member 250. Therefore, the repulsive force between the first magnetic member 230 and the second magnetic member 240 can drive the second magnetic member 240 to rotate (as shown in part m of FIG. 10). The repulsive force between the first magnetic member 230 and the second magnetic member 240 can slow down the speed at which the second shell 220 moves toward the first shell 210, thereby avoiding the problem that the second shell 220 hits the first shell 210 due to the fast movement speed of the second shell 220 toward the first shell 210. The rotation of the second magnetic member 240 can change the magnetic pole position of the second magnetic member. The magnetic pole of the second magnetic member 240 close to the first magnetic member 230 changes from the same magnetic pole as the first magnetic member 230 close to the second magnetic member 240 to the opposite magnetic pole (as shown in part o of FIG. 10). An attractive force is formed between the first magnetic member 230 and the second magnetic member 240, so that the folding mechanism can be maintained in the folded state.

It can be understood that the magnetic force and position design of the first magnetic part 230, the second magnetic part 240 and the third magnetic part 250 can meet the requirements of slowing down the movement speed of the second shell toward the first shell when the folding mechanism is in the unfolded state to the folded state and resetting the second magnetic part when the folding mechanism is in the unfolded state to the folded state.

In some embodiments, please continue to refer to FIG. 11, which is a positional relationship diagram between the first magnetic member, the second magnetic member, and the third magnetic member when the folding mechanism shown in FIG. 10 is in the folded state. In order to improve the rotation efficiency of the second magnetic member, when the folding mechanism is in the folded state, the first magnetic member 230 is aligned with the second magnetic member 240, and the third magnetic member 250 is offset from the second magnetic member 240. For example, the distance between the center line L1 of the first magnetic member 230 and the center line L2 of the second magnetic member 240 is smaller than the distance between the center line L3 of the third magnetic member 250 and the center line L2 of the second magnetic member 240.

Please refer to Figures 9 to 11. During the process of the folding mechanism switching from the unfolded state to the folded state (as shown in Figure 10), when the second shell 220 moves toward the first shell 210, since the distance between the portion of the second magnetic member 240 close to the connecting end of the first shell 210 and the second shell 220 and the first magnetic member 230 is smaller than the distance between the portion of the second magnetic member 240 far from the connecting end of the first shell 210 and the second shell 220 and the first magnetic member 230, the repulsive force exerted on the portion of the second magnetic member 240 close to the connecting end of the first shell 210 and the second shell 220 is greater than the repulsive force exerted on the portion of the second magnetic member 240 far from the connecting end of the first shell 240 and the second shell 220. Since the second magnetic member 240 is subjected to uneven repulsive force as a whole and the portion of the second magnetic member 240 close to the connecting end of the first shell 210 and the second shell 220 is subjected to greater force, the second magnetic member 240 rotates counterclockwise, and the attraction between the offset third magnetic member 250 and the second magnetic member 240 can assist the second magnetic member 240 to rotate counterclockwise.

During the process of the folding mechanism switching from the folded state to the unfolded state (as shown in Figure 9), when the second shell 220 moves away from the first shell 210, the distance between the part of the second magnetic member 240 close to the connecting end of the first shell 210 and the second shell 220 and the first magnetic member 230 is smaller than the distance between the part of the second magnetic member 240 away from the connecting end of the first shell 210 and the second shell 220 and the first magnetic member 230. The attraction of the second magnetic member 240 close to the connecting end of the first shell 210 and the second shell 220 by the first magnetic member 230 is greater than the attraction of the second magnetic member 240 away from the connecting end of the first shell 210 and the second shell 220 by the first magnetic member 230. Therefore, the second magnetic member 240 rotates clockwise, and the repulsive force between the offset third magnetic member 250 and the second magnetic member 240 can assist the second magnetic member 240 to rotate clockwise.

In some embodiments, in order to improve the stability of the rotation of the second magnetic member, the folding mechanism further includes a damping structure, please refer to 12 , which is a schematic diagram of an exploded structure of the folding mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application.

The second shell 220 is also provided with a damping structure 260, and the damping structure 260 is used to make the rotation speed of the second magnetic part (not shown in the figure) provided in the damping structure 260 different from the rotation speed of the second magnetic part in the process of switching the folding mechanism 200 from the unfolded state to the folded state. Specifically, please refer to Figures 13 to 18. Figure 13 is a structural schematic diagram of the first magnetic part, the second magnetic part and the damping structure of the folding mechanism shown in Figure 12. Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the structure shown in Figure 13. Figure 15 is a structural schematic diagram of the second magnetic part and part of the damping structure shown in Figure 14. Figure 16 is a structural schematic diagram of the structure shown in Figure 15 from another perspective. Figure 17 is a structural schematic diagram of the structure shown in Figure 13 from another perspective. Figure 18 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the structure shown in Figure 17 along the P-P direction.

The damping structure 260 includes a shell 261 and a damping member 262. The shell 261 forms a closed space 2611, and the closed space 2611 is filled with a damping fluid, such as damping oil. The damping member 262 is fixedly connected to the second magnetic member 240 and is disposed together with the second magnetic member 240 in the closed space 2611. When the second magnetic member 240 rotates, the damping member 262 and the damping fluid work together to limit the rotation speed of the second magnetic member 240. This is to meet the requirements of the second magnetic member 240 rotating to decelerate the second shell 220 when the second shell 220 moves toward the first shell 210, and the second magnetic member 240 rotating at a faster speed to achieve reset when the second shell 220 moves away from the first shell 210.

The damping member 262 includes a metal member 2621 and a deformable member 2622. The metal member 2621 is fixedly disposed at the end 2401 of the second magnetic member 240. The metal member 2621 includes a first portion 6211 and a second portion 6212. The first portion 6211 is provided with an opening 6213. The deformable member 2622 includes a fixed portion 6221 fixedly connected to the second portion 6212 and a deformable portion 6222 disposed adjacent to the opening 6213. When the second magnetic member 240 rotates toward the first direction (clockwise), the damping fluid pushes the deformable portion 6222 through the opening to deform the deformable portion. When the second magnetic member rotates toward the second direction (counterclockwise), the first portion 6211 of the metal member 2621 blocks the deformable portion 6222 from deforming. The speed at which the second magnetic member 240 rotates toward the first direction is greater than the speed at which the second magnetic member rotates toward the second direction. In actual application scenarios In the process of switching the folding mechanism 200 from the folded state to the unfolded state, the second magnetic member 240 rotates toward the first direction, and the second magnetic member 240 rotates toward the second direction when the folding mechanism 200 rotates from the unfolded state to the folded state. The deformable member 2622 may be a deformable structure such as a rubber sheet, a plastic sheet, or a spring sheet.

Specifically, when the second magnetic member 240 rotates toward the first direction during the switching process of the folding mechanism 200 from the unfolded state to the folded state, the metal member 2621 fixed to the second magnetic member 240 rotates toward the first direction driven by the second magnetic member 240. At this time, since the deformable member 2622 is located on the side of the rotation direction of the metal member 2621, the first part 6211 of the metal member 2621 blocks the deformation of the deformable portion 6222. Under the action of the damping fluid, the second magnetic member 240 rotates at a slower speed. When the second magnetic member 240 rotates toward the second direction during the switching process of the folding mechanism 200 from the folded state to the unfolded state, the metal member 2621 fixed to the second magnetic member 240 rotates toward the second direction driven by the second magnetic member 240. At this time, since the deformable member 2622 is located on the opposite side of the rotation direction of the metal member 2621, the damping fluid pushes the deformable portion 6222 through the opening to deform the deformable portion 6222. After the deformable portion 6222 is opened, the blocking effect on the damping fluid becomes smaller. Under the action of the damping fluid, the second magnetic member 240 rotates at a faster speed, so that the second magnetic member 240 can be quickly reset.

In some embodiments, the two metal parts are respectively arranged at two opposite ends of the second magnetic part 240 along the central axis of the second magnetic part 240, and each metal part is correspondingly provided with one deformable part, so as to improve the stability of the damping effect of the second magnetic part 240.

In some embodiments, the third magnetic component 250 can be arranged on the shell 261. For example, a receiving groove 2612 is arranged on the outside of the shell 261, and the third magnetic component 250 is arranged in the receiving groove 2612. The third magnetic component 250 can be offset from the second magnetic component 240. For example, the receiving groove 2612 can be arranged on the edge of the shell 261, so that the third magnetic component 250 and the second magnetic component 240 are offset, thereby improving the rotation efficiency of the second magnetic component 240.

In some embodiments, in order to prevent the shell 261 from affecting the magnetism of the third magnetic component 250 and the second magnetic component 240 , the shell 261 may be demagnetized, for example, by using metal powder injection molding technology to manufacture the demagnetized shell 261 .

In order to improve the stability of folding and unfolding of the folding mechanism, the second magnetic member, the third magnetic member and the damping structure can be arranged at the end of the second shell away from the connection with the first shell, and correspondingly, the first magnetic member can be arranged at the end of the first shell away from the connection with the second shell. For example, please refer to FIG. 3, the first shell 210 includes a first end 211 rotatably connected to the second shell 220 and a second end 212 away from the first end 211, the first magnetic member 230 is arranged at the second end 212, the second shell 220 includes a third end 221 connected to the first shell 210 and a fourth end 222 away from the third end 221, and the second magnetic member 240 is arranged at the fourth end 222. Correspondingly, the third magnetic member 250 and the damping structure 260 matched with the second magnetic member 240 are also arranged at the fourth end 222.

In some embodiments, the second end 212 of the first shell 210 can be provided with two or more first magnetic parts, and correspondingly, the fourth end 222 of the second shell 220 can be provided with two or more second magnetic parts, a third magnetic part and a damping structure corresponding to the first magnetic parts. The number and position of the first magnetic parts, the second magnetic parts, the third magnetic parts and the damping structure can be set according to actual needs.

In a specific usage scenario, when a user needs to fold an electronic device including the above-mentioned folding mechanism (such as a folding-screen mobile phone), the user can manually or electrically bring the first shell and the second shell closer together to achieve folding of the first shell and the second shell. When the second shell approaches the first shell to a position, the repulsive force between the second magnetic part on the second shell and the first magnetic part on the first shell slows down the speed at which the second shell moves toward the first shell. The repulsive force between the second magnetic part and the first magnetic part can push the second magnetic part to rotate. Under the action of the damping structure, the second magnetic part rotates counterclockwise at a slower speed, and the repulsive force between the first magnetic part and the second magnetic part gradually decreases, and the repulsive force between the second magnetic part and the first magnetic part gradually turns into an attractive force. Since the attractive force formed between the first magnetic part and the second magnetic part is greater than the repulsive force formed between the second magnetic part and the third magnetic part, the first shell and the second shell can be maintained in a tightly fitted folded state, and the screen of the first shell fits tightly with the screen of the second shell, so that the folding screen can be waterproof and dustproof.

To illustrate the effect of the folding device provided in the embodiment of the present application, please refer to Figure 19, which is a schematic diagram comparing the rotation angle and angular velocity of the casing of the folding mechanism in the related art with the rotation angle and angular velocity of the casing of the folding mechanism provided in the embodiment of the present application.

As can be seen from the figure, in the process of the folding mechanism switching from the unfolded state to the folded state in the related art, the angular velocity of the rotation is increasing as the angle between the casings decreases, until the angular velocity reaches a peak when it is close to 0°, and the casing is prone to a large collision. In the process of the folding mechanism switching from the unfolded state to the folded state provided by the embodiment of the present application, as the angle between the casings decreases, the angular velocity increases and then gradually decreases. When the angle between the casings is about 10 degrees, due to the action of the magnetic parts and the damping structure, the angular velocity of the casing gradually decreases, which can not only reduce the noise generated by a large collision when the casing is folded, but also avoid pinching of hands and damage to the screen due to casing collision.

Please continue to refer to FIG. 1 . The electronic device 20 may also include a foldable display screen such as a foldable display screen 400. The foldable display screen 400 may be a flexible OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display screen, a flexible liquid crystal display screen (LCD), or other types of foldable display screens. The foldable display screen 400 is used to display images. The foldable display screen 400 may be a regular shape, such as a rectangular parallelepiped structure or a rounded rectangular structure. The foldable display screen 400 may also be an irregular shape.

It should be noted that when the first shell 210 and the second shell 220 are in a closed state, the foldable display screen 400 can be outside the first shell 210 and the second shell 220 , or can be hidden inside the first shell 210 and the second shell 220 .

In some embodiments, the electronic device 20 may include two foldable displays, one foldable display 400 is arranged on one side of the first shell and the second shell, and the other foldable display 400 is arranged on the other side of the first shell and the second shell, that is, the two foldable displays are arranged on opposite sides of the electronic device, and the two foldable displays are arranged relative to each other. In this case, the electronic device can be a bidirectional foldable electronic device.

The folding mechanism and electronic device provided in the embodiments of the present application are described in detail above. Specific examples are used herein to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present application. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the present application. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, according to the idea of the present application, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. In summary, the content of this specification should not be understood as limiting the present application.

Claims

A folding mechanism, comprising:

A first shell is provided with a first magnetic member;

The second shell is rotatably connected to the first shell, and the second shell can be rotated relative to the first shell to switch the folding mechanism between a folded state and an unfolded state. The second shell is provided with a second magnetic member. During the switching process of the folding mechanism from the unfolded state to the folded state, a repulsive force is formed between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member, and the repulsive force drives the second magnetic member to move, so that an attractive force is formed between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member.
The folding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the repulsive force pushes the second magnetic member to rotate so that the magnetic pole of the second magnetic member close to the first magnetic member changes from the same magnetic pole as the magnetic pole of the first magnetic member close to the second magnetic member to the opposite magnetic pole.
The folding mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the first magnetic member includes different first magnetic poles and second magnetic poles, the second magnetic pole is arranged close to the second magnetic member, the second magnetic member includes different third magnetic poles and fourth magnetic poles, and the repulsive force drives the second magnetic member to rotate so that the positions of the third magnetic pole and the fourth magnetic pole change.
According to the folding mechanism of claim 3, wherein the second magnetic member is a cylindrical structure, and the repulsive force can cause the cylindrical structure to rotate with the central axis of the cylindrical structure as the rotation axis.
According to the folding mechanism according to claim 1, the second shell is also provided with a third magnetic member, and the third magnetic member is arranged adjacent to the second magnetic member. During the switching process of the folding mechanism from the folded state to the unfolded state, a reset force can be formed between the third magnetic member and the second magnetic member, and the reset force is used to push the second magnetic member to move so as to reset the second magnetic member.
The folding mechanism according to claim 5, wherein, when the folding mechanism is in a folded state, the first magnetic member is aligned with the second magnetic member, and the third magnetic member is offset from the second magnetic member.
The folding mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the distance between the center line of the first magnetic member and the center line of the second magnetic member is smaller than the distance between the center line of the third magnetic member and the center line of the second magnetic member.
According to the folding mechanism according to claim 5, the second shell is also provided with a damping structure, and the damping structure is used to make the rotation speed of the second magnetic part during the switching process of the folding mechanism from the unfolded state to the folded state different from the rotation speed of the second magnetic part during the switching process of the folding mechanism from the unfolded state to the folded state.
The folding mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the damping structure comprises a shell and a damping member, the shell forms a closed space, the closed space is filled with a damping fluid, the damping member is fixed to the second magnetic member The damping fluid is fixedly connected to the second magnetic member and is disposed together with the second magnetic member in the enclosed space. When the second magnetic member rotates, the damping fluid and the damping member work together to limit the rotation speed of the second magnetic member.
According to the folding mechanism according to claim 9, wherein the damping member includes a metal member and a deformable member, the metal member is fixedly arranged at the end of the second magnetic member, the metal member includes a first part and a second part, the first part is provided with an opening, the deformable member includes a fixed part fixedly connected to the second part and a deformable part arranged adjacent to the opening, when the second magnetic member rotates toward the first direction, the damping fluid pushes the deformable part through the opening to deform the deformable part, when the second magnetic member rotates toward the second direction, the metal member blocks the deformable part from deforming, and the speed at which the second magnetic member rotates toward the first direction is greater than the speed at which the second magnetic member rotates toward the second direction.
The folding mechanism according to claim 10, wherein the second magnetic member rotates toward the first direction when the folding mechanism switches from a folded state to an unfolded state, and the second magnetic member rotates toward the second direction when the folding mechanism rotates from an unfolded state to a folded state.
According to the folding mechanism according to claim 10, wherein the damping member comprises two metal members and two deformable members, the two metal members are respectively arranged at two opposite ends of the second magnetic member along the central axis of the second magnetic member, and each of the metal members is correspondingly provided with one deformable member.
The folding mechanism according to claim 9, wherein a receiving groove is provided on the outer side of the shell, and the third magnetic member is provided in the receiving groove.
The folding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first shell includes a first end rotatably connected to the second shell and a second end away from the first end, the first magnetic member is arranged at the second end, the second shell includes a third end connected to the first shell and a fourth end away from the third end, and the second magnetic member is arranged at the fourth end.
A folding mechanism, comprising:

A first shell is provided with a first magnetic member;

a second shell, rotatably connected to the first shell, the second shell being rotatable relative to the first shell so that the folding mechanism switches between a folded state and an unfolded state, the second shell being provided with a second magnetic member;

When the folding mechanism is in the unfolded state, the magnetic poles of the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member close to the folding direction side are the same poles. During the switching process of the folding mechanism from the unfolded state to the folded state, the magnetic poles of the second magnetic member close to the folding direction side change, so that when the folding mechanism is in the folded state, the magnetic poles of the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member close to the folding direction side are opposite poles.
The folding mechanism according to claim 15, wherein when the folding mechanism is changed from the unfolded state to the folded state During the switching process, a repulsive force is formed between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member, and the repulsive force pushes the second magnetic member to move, so that the magnetic pole of the second magnetic member close to the folding direction side changes, so that when the folding mechanism is in a folded state, the magnetic poles of the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member close to the folding direction side are opposite magnetic poles.
An electronic device includes a folding mechanism and a foldable display screen, wherein the foldable display screen is arranged on the folding mechanism, and the folding structure includes:

A first shell is provided with a first magnetic member;

The second shell is rotatably connected to the first shell, and the second shell can be rotated relative to the first shell to switch the folding mechanism between a folded state and an unfolded state. The second shell is provided with a second magnetic member. During the switching process of the folding mechanism from the unfolded state to the folded state, a repulsive force is formed between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member, and the repulsive force drives the second magnetic member to move, so that an attractive force is formed between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member.
The electronic device according to claim 17, wherein the foldable display screen is provided as one, and the one foldable display screen is provided on one side of the first shell and the second shell.
The electronic device according to claim 17, wherein the number of the foldable display screens is two, and the two foldable display screens are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the first shell and the second shell.
An electronic device includes a folding mechanism and a foldable display screen, wherein the foldable display screen is arranged on the folding mechanism, and the folding structure includes:

A first shell is provided with a first magnetic member;

a second shell, rotatably connected to the first shell, the second shell being rotatable relative to the first shell so that the folding mechanism switches between a folded state and an unfolded state, the second shell being provided with a second magnetic member;

When the folding mechanism is in the unfolded state, the magnetic poles of the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member close to the folding direction side are the same poles. During the switching process of the folding mechanism from the unfolded state to the folded state, the magnetic poles of the second magnetic member close to the folding direction side change, so that when the folding mechanism is in the folded state, the magnetic poles of the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member close to the folding direction side are opposite poles.