CN118208480A

CN118208480A - Rotating shaft assembly and foldable electronic equipment

Info

Publication number: CN118208480A
Application number: CN202211637199.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 王岗超; 于晓春; 廖常亮; 牛林辉; 徐正一
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-12-16
Filing date: 2022-12-16
Publication date: 2024-06-18

Abstract

The embodiment of the application provides a rotating shaft assembly and foldable electronic equipment, wherein a main shaft in the rotating shaft assembly is flat towards one side of a flexible display screen, so that the foldable electronic equipment can be abutted with the flexible display screen in a flattened state, and the gap between a first shell and the main shaft and the gap between a second shell and the main shaft are reduced. When a user uses the flexible display screen, the main shaft can provide support for the flexible display screen towards one side of the flexible display screen, and the recess can not be generated between the rotating shaft assembly and the shell due to the pressing of the user. The rotating shaft assembly comprises a main shaft, and one side, facing the flexible display screen of the foldable electronic equipment, of the main shaft comprises a first surface, a second surface and a third surface which are sequentially connected. The first surface and the third surface are curved surfaces, the first virtual circle center corresponding to the first surface is different from the second virtual circle center corresponding to the third surface, and a connecting line between any point on the first virtual circle center and the first surface is not intersected with a connecting line between any point on the second virtual circle center and the third surface.

Description

Rotating shaft assembly and foldable electronic equipment

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present application relate to the field of electronic devices, and more particularly, to a hinge assembly and a foldable electronic device.

Background

The foldable electronic device is switchable between a folded state and an unfolded state. When the foldable electronic device is in a folded state, the occupied space of the foldable electronic device is relatively small; when the foldable electronic device is in the unfolded state, the foldable electronic device may display a relatively large screen to increase the viewable range of the user.

There is a tendency for the flat area of the foldable electronic device to be gradually thinned, however, when the foldable electronic device is in the unfolded state, the gap between the housing of the foldable electronic device and the spindle is large. Because the gap is large, support cannot be provided for the flexible display screen, and when a user uses the flexible display screen, the flexible display screen can be sunken at the gap. Accordingly, there is a need for providing a support plate at the gap, by which a flexible display screen is provided with sufficient support, and which support plate structure is a hindrance to reducing the thickness of the foldable electronic device. .

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides a rotating shaft assembly and foldable electronic equipment, wherein a main shaft in the rotating shaft assembly is flat towards one side of a flexible display screen, so that the foldable electronic equipment can be abutted with the flexible display screen in a flattened state, and the gap between a first shell and the main shaft and the gap between a second shell and the main shaft are reduced. When a user uses the flexible display screen, the main shaft can provide support for the flexible display screen towards one side of the flexible display screen, and the recess can not be generated between the rotating shaft assembly and the shell due to the pressing of the user.

In a first aspect, there is provided a folding electronic device comprising: the display device comprises a flexible display screen, a first shell, a second shell and a rotating shaft assembly, wherein the first shell and the second shell are positioned on two sides of the rotating shaft assembly, and the rotating shaft assembly is respectively and rotatably connected with the first shell and the second shell; the flexible display screen is arranged above the first shell, the second shell and the rotating shaft assembly; the rotating shaft assembly comprises a main shaft, and two sides of the main shaft are spliced with the first shell and the second shell respectively; the side, facing the flexible display screen, of the main shaft comprises a first surface, a second surface and a third surface which are sequentially arranged along a first direction, wherein the first direction is the direction in which the first shell points to the second shell when the foldable electronic equipment is in a flattened state; the first surface and the third surface are curved surfaces, a first virtual circle center corresponding to the first surface is different from a second virtual circle center corresponding to the third surface, and a connecting line between the first virtual circle center and any point on the first surface is not intersected with a connecting line between the second virtual circle center and any point on the third surface.

According to the technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the application, when the foldable electronic equipment is in the flattened state, the second surface of the main shaft can be in contact with the flexible display screen, and the support can be provided for the flexible display screen. When the foldable electronic device 200 is in the flattened state, the second face may abut against the flexible display screen, reducing the gap between the first housing and the spindle and the gap between the second housing and the spindle. The second face may provide support for the flexible display screen when in use by a user without creating a recess between the spindle assembly and the housing due to the user's pressure. Therefore, there is no need to provide a support plate at the gap between the housing and the spindle. When the foldable electronic equipment is in the folded state, as the supporting plate is not arranged between the shell and the main shaft, the thickness of the foldable electronic equipment in the folded state can be not limited by the supporting plate, and when the thickness of the shell is reduced, the thickness of the foldable electronic equipment in the folded state can be correspondingly reduced.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the spindle assembly further includes a connection assembly including a first connection member and a second connection member; the main shaft comprises a first accommodating groove and a second accommodating groove; the first end of the first connecting piece is positioned in the first accommodating groove, the first end of the first connecting piece is rotationally connected with the main shaft through the first accommodating groove, and the second end of the first connecting piece is rotationally connected with the first shell; the first end of the second connecting piece is located in the second accommodating groove, the first end of the second connecting piece is rotationally connected with the main shaft through the second accommodating groove, and the second end of the second connecting piece is rotationally connected with the second shell.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementation manners of the first aspect, the first accommodating groove is an arc-shaped groove, and the first end of the first connecting piece is arc-shaped; the second accommodating groove is an arc-shaped groove, and the first end of the second connecting piece is arc-shaped; when the foldable electronic equipment is folded or unfolded, the first end of the first connecting piece rotates along the first accommodating groove, and the first end of the second connecting piece rotates along the second accommodating groove.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementation manners of the first aspect, during a folding process of the foldable electronic device, a first end of the first connecting member is turned in relation to the first accommodating groove, and a first end of the second connecting member is turned in relation to the second accommodating groove; in the unfolding process of the foldable electronic equipment, the first end of the first connecting piece rotates out relative to the first accommodating groove, and the first end of the second connecting piece rotates out relative to the second accommodating groove.

According to the technical scheme of the embodiment of the application, as the partial structure of the first connecting piece can be accommodated in the main shaft in the outward folding state and the partial structure of the second connecting piece can be accommodated in the main shaft, the first shell and the second shell are spliced with the main shaft, and the space for arranging the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece between the shell and the main shaft is not required to be reserved, the main shaft can be more compact, and the thickness of the foldable electronic equipment is smaller in the outward folding state.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the connection assembly further includes a first rotating member and a second rotating member; the first shell comprises a third accommodating groove, and the second shell comprises a fourth accommodating groove; the first end of the first rotating piece is rotationally connected with the main shaft, and the second end of the first rotating piece is positioned in the third accommodating groove and is in sliding connection with the first shell through the third accommodating groove; the first end of the second rotating piece is rotationally connected with the main shaft, and the second end of the second rotating piece is positioned in the fourth accommodating groove and is in sliding connection with the second shell through the fourth accommodating groove.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, a first axis and a second axis are different, where the first axis is a virtual axis where a first end of the first connecting element is rotationally connected to the spindle, and the second axis is a physical axis where a first end of the first rotating element is rotationally connected to the spindle shaft.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementation manners of the first aspect, when the foldable electronic device is in a flattened state, a distance between the first axis and the flexible display screen in a second direction is smaller than a distance between the second axis and the flexible display screen in the second direction, where the second direction is a direction perpendicular to a plane in which the flexible display screen is located when the foldable electronic device is in the flattened state.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementation manners of the first aspect, when the foldable electronic device is folded or unfolded, the second end of the first rotating member slides along the third accommodating groove, and the second end of the second rotating member slides along the fourth accommodating groove.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementation manners of the first aspect, during a folding process of the foldable electronic device, the second end of the first rotating member slides into the third accommodating groove, and the second end of the second rotating member slides into the fourth accommodating groove; in the unfolding process of the foldable electronic equipment, the second end of the first rotating piece slides out relative to the third accommodating groove, and the second end of the second rotating piece slides out relative to the fourth accommodating groove.

According to the technical scheme of the embodiment of the application, the first rotating piece and the second rotating piece can be respectively used as the guide mechanisms of the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece. For example, when the first housing is connected to the first connecting member only by the first connecting member, the first housing may move in a plurality of directions (e.g., positive or negative directions in the z direction) with respect to the main shaft by the first connecting member. When the first rotating member is disposed between the first housing and the first connecting component, the second end of the first rotating member is disposed in the third accommodating groove, and the first rotating member can only move along the extending direction of the third accommodating groove, so that the first housing can be limited to move only in a single direction (for example, forward rotation along the z direction) by the rotating direction of the first connecting member relative to the main shaft.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementation manners of the first aspect, the first housing includes a first fixing plate, and the third accommodating groove is disposed on the first fixing plate; the second shell comprises a second fixing plate, and the fourth accommodating groove is formed in the second fixing plate; the second end of the first connecting piece is rotationally connected with the first fixed plate; the second end of the second connecting piece is rotationally connected with the second fixing plate.

According to the technical scheme of the embodiment of the application, the first fixed plate and the first door plate can be fixedly connected in a clamping, gluing, welding, riveting and other modes, and the second fixed plate and the second door plate can be fixedly connected in a clamping, gluing, welding, riveting and other modes, so that the embodiment of the application is not limited. Or in one embodiment, the first fixing plate and the first door plate may be integrally formed, and the second fixing plate and the second door plate may be integrally formed.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the connection assembly further includes a first fixed shaft rotatably connected to the first fixed plate and a second fixed shaft rotatably connected to the second fixed plate; the second end of the first connecting piece is provided with a first hole, the first fixed shaft penetrates through the first hole, and the second end of the first connecting piece is rotationally connected with the first fixed plate through the first hole and the first fixed shaft; the second end of the second connecting piece is provided with a second hole, the second fixed shaft penetrates through the second hole, and the second end of the second connecting piece is rotationally connected with the second fixed plate through the second hole and the second fixed shaft.

According to the technical scheme of the embodiment of the application, the first fixed shaft and the first fixed plate can be rotationally connected through the shaft hole, and the second fixed shaft and the second fixed plate can be rotationally connected through the shaft hole.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the connection assembly further includes a third fixed shaft rotatably connected to the spindle and a fourth fixed shaft rotatably connected to the spindle; a third hole is formed in the first end of the first rotating member, the third fixed shaft penetrates through the third hole, and the first end of the first rotating member is in rotary connection with the main shaft through the third hole and the third fixed shaft; the first end of the second rotating member is provided with a fourth hole, the fourth fixed shaft penetrates through the fourth hole, and the first end of the second rotating member is rotationally connected with the main shaft through the fourth hole and the fourth fixed shaft.

According to the technical scheme of the embodiment of the application, the third fixed shaft and the main shaft can rotate through the shaft hole, and the fourth fixed shaft and the main shaft can rotate through the shaft hole.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the connection assembly further includes a damping assembly; the damping assembly comprises a first spring, a second spring and a damping piece, wherein a fifth hole and a sixth hole are formed in the damping piece, the third fixed shaft penetrates through the first spring and the fifth hole, the fourth fixed shaft penetrates through the second spring and the sixth hole, the first end of the first spring and the first end of the second spring are in butt joint with the main shaft, the second end of the first spring and the second end of the second spring are in butt joint with the damping piece, a first cam structure and a second cam structure are arranged at the first end of the damping piece, a third cam structure is arranged at the first end of the first rotating piece, and a fourth cam structure is arranged at the first end of the second rotating piece; in the length extending direction of the spindle, the first cam structure is abutted with the third cam structure, and the second cam structure is abutted with the fourth cam structure.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementation manners of the first aspect, during folding and unfolding of the foldable electronic device, the first cam structure and the third cam structure cooperate, and the second cam structure and the fourth cam structure cooperate, so that the first spring and the second spring stretch along a length extension direction of the main shaft.

According to the technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the application, the damping sense when the foldable electronic equipment is opened and closed can be improved for a user through the spring and the tangential surface of the protruding part and the corresponding concave part, so that the use experience of the user is improved.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first end of the first rotating member is toothed, the first end of the second rotating member is toothed, and the first end of the first rotating member and the first end of the second rotating member are engaged.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the connection assembly further includes a synchronizing tooth by which the first end of the first rotating member and the first end of the second rotating member are engaged.

According to the technical scheme of the embodiment of the application, the first rotating piece and the second rotating piece can be used as the guide mechanism and also can be used as the synchronous mechanism, so that the integration of the synchronous mechanism and the guide mechanism is realized. Therefore, the synchronous mechanism is not required to be additionally arranged in the rotating shaft assembly, so that the synchronous precision of the first shell and the second shell can be improved, a new assembly is not additionally added, and the complexity of the rotating shaft assembly is reduced.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, a distance between the first virtual center and the second virtual center is greater than or equal to 1.5mm and less than or equal to 3.5mm.

According to the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, when the distance between the first virtual center O1 and the second virtual center O2 is greater than or equal to 1.5mm and less than or equal to 3.5mm, the thickness H3 of the flat main shaft 241 may be reduced compared to the thickness of the circular arc main shaft, so as to reduce the thickness H1 of the foldable electronic device 200 in the flattened state. Meanwhile, the width H4 of the main shaft 241 is also in a reasonable range, so that a proper layout space can be reserved for other structural members in the rotating shaft assembly.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementation manners of the first aspect, when the foldable electronic device is in a folded state, at least part of the first housing and the second housing are accommodated in a space enclosed by the flexible display screen.

According to the technical scheme of the embodiment of the application, the foldable electronic equipment can be outwards folded electronic equipment.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the second face is a plane or a curved face; and if the second surface is a curved surface, the curvature of the second surface is smaller than that of the first surface, and the curvature of the second surface is smaller than that of the third surface.

In a second aspect, a spindle assembly is provided for use in a foldable electronic device; the rotating shaft assembly comprises a main shaft, and a first side of the main shaft comprises a first surface, a second surface and a third surface which are sequentially arranged; the first surface and the third surface are curved surfaces, a first virtual circle center corresponding to the first surface is different from a second virtual circle center corresponding to the second surface, and a connecting line between the first virtual circle center and any point on the first surface is not intersected with a connecting line between the second virtual circle center and any point on the third surface.

With reference to the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the spindle assembly further includes a connection assembly located on a second side of the spindle, the second side being different from the first side, the first connection assembly including a first connection member and a second connection member, the first connection member and the second connection member being rotatably connected on the second side and the spindle; the main shaft comprises a first accommodating groove and a second accommodating groove; the first end of the first connecting piece is positioned in the first accommodating groove, and the first end of the first connecting piece is rotationally connected with the main shaft through the first accommodating groove; the first end of the second connecting piece is located in the second accommodating groove, and the first end of the second connecting piece is rotationally connected with the main shaft through the second accommodating groove.

With reference to the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the first accommodating groove is an arc-shaped groove, and the first end of the first connecting piece is arc-shaped; the second accommodating groove is an arc-shaped groove, and the first end of the second connecting piece is arc-shaped; when the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece rotate, the first end of the first connecting piece rotates along the first accommodating groove, and the first end of the second connecting piece rotates along the second accommodating groove.

With reference to the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, during rotation of the second end of the first connecting member in a first direction, the first end of the first connecting member rotates relative to the first accommodating groove, and the first direction is a direction in which the second side points to the first side; in the process that the second end of the second connecting piece rotates along the first direction, the first end of the second connecting piece rotates relative to the second accommodating groove; in the process that the second end of the first connecting piece rotates along the second direction, the first end of the first connecting piece rotates out relative to the first accommodating groove, and the first direction is the direction that the first side points to the second side; and in the process that the second end of the second connecting piece rotates along the second direction, the first end of the second connecting piece rotates out relative to the second accommodating groove.

With reference to the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the connection assembly further includes a first rotating member and a second rotating member, the first rotating member and the second rotating member being rotatably connected to the spindle at the second side; the first end of the first rotating piece is rotationally connected with the main shaft; the first end of the second rotating piece is rotationally connected with the main shaft.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, a first axis and a second axis are different, where the first axis is a virtual axis where the first end of the first connecting element is rotationally connected to the spindle, and the second axis is a physical axis where the first end of the first rotating element is rotationally connected to the spindle shaft.

With reference to the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, a distance between the first axis and the second face in a first direction is smaller than a distance between the second axis and the flexible display screen in the first direction, where the first direction is a direction in which the second side points to the first side.

With reference to the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the connection assembly further includes a third fixed shaft rotatably connected to the spindle and a fourth fixed shaft rotatably connected to the spindle; a third hole is formed in the first end of the first rotating member, the third fixed shaft penetrates through the third hole, and the first end of the first rotating member is in rotary connection with the main shaft through the third hole and the third fixed shaft; the first end of the second rotating member is provided with a fourth hole, the fourth fixed shaft penetrates through the fourth hole, and the first end of the second rotating member is rotationally connected with the main shaft through the fourth hole and the fourth fixed shaft.

With reference to the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the connection assembly further includes a damping assembly; the damping assembly comprises a first spring, a second spring and a damping piece, wherein a fifth hole and a sixth hole are formed in the damping piece, the third fixed shaft penetrates through the first spring, the third fixed shaft is inserted into the fifth hole, the fourth fixed shaft penetrates through the second spring, the fourth fixed shaft is inserted into the sixth hole, the first end of the first spring and the first end of the second spring are abutted to the main shaft, the second end of the first spring and the second end of the second spring are abutted to the damping piece, a first cam structure and a second cam structure are arranged at the first end of the damping piece, a third cam structure is arranged at the first end of the first rotating piece, and a fourth cam structure is arranged at the first end of the second rotating piece; in the length extending direction of the spindle, the first cam structure is abutted with the third cam structure, and the second cam structure is abutted with the fourth cam structure.

With reference to the second aspect, in certain implementation manners of the second aspect, during rotation of the first rotating member and the second rotating member, the first cam structure and the third cam structure cooperate, and the second cam structure and the fourth cam structure cooperate, so that the first spring and the second spring stretch along a length extending direction of the main shaft.

With reference to the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the first end of the first rotating member is toothed, the first end of the second rotating member is toothed, and the first end of the first rotating member and the first end of the second rotating member are engaged.

With reference to the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the connection assembly further includes a synchronizing tooth, and the first end of the first rotating member and the first end of the second rotating member are engaged by the synchronizing tooth.

With reference to the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the rotation assembly further includes a synchronization structure by which the first rotation member and the second rotation member rotate synchronously.

With reference to the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, a distance between the first virtual center and the second virtual center is greater than or equal to 1.5mm and less than or equal to 3.5mm.

With reference to the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the second face is a plane or a curved face; and if the second surface is a curved surface, the curvature of the second surface is smaller than that of the first surface, and the curvature of the second surface is smaller than that of the third surface.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a foldable electronic device 100 provided in an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 2 is a schematic structural view of the foldable electronic device 100 in an folded-out state.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional structural view of the foldable electronic device 100 in a flattened state and in an outwardly folded state.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional structural view of the foldable electronic device 100 in a flattened state and an outwardly folded state.

Fig. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a foldable electronic device 200 provided in an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional structural view of the foldable electronic device 200 in a flattened state.

Fig. 7 is a sectional structural view of the foldable electronic device 200 in an folded-out state.

Fig. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a spindle assembly 240 according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a first connection assembly 243 provided in an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional structural view of the foldable electronic device 200 at the second connector in the flattened state.

Fig. 11 is a sectional structural view of the foldable electronic device 200 at the second connector in the folded-out state.

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional structural view of the foldable electronic device 200 during folding and unfolding.

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional structural view of the foldable electronic device 200 at the first rotation member in the flattened state.

Fig. 14 is a sectional structural view of the foldable electronic device 200 at the first rotating member in the folded-out state.

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional structural view of the foldable electronic device 200 during folding and unfolding.

Fig. 16 is a schematic block diagram of a damping assembly 2435 provided by an embodiment of the application.

Fig. 17 is a schematic structural view of a damping member 2436 and a damping member provided by an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 18 is a schematic block diagram of a damping assembly 2435 provided by an embodiment of the application.

Fig. 19 is a schematic block diagram of a damping assembly 2435 provided by an embodiment of the application.

Fig. 20 is a schematic block diagram of a damping assembly 2435 provided by an embodiment of the application.

Detailed Description

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

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a foldable electronic device 100 according to an embodiment of the present application. The foldable electronic device 100 may be an electronic device with a folding function such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a watch, an electronic reader, a notebook computer, a wearable device, etc. The embodiment shown in fig. 1 is illustrated by way of example as a foldable cellular phone.

Referring to fig. 1, the foldable electronic device 100 may include a flexible display screen 110, a first side frame 121, a first cover 122, a second side frame 123, a second cover 124, and a hinge assembly 125. In some embodiments, the first side frame 121, the first cover 122, the second side frame 123, and the second cover 124 may form a first housing 126 and a second housing 127 supporting the flexible display screen 110. In other embodiments, at least one of the first cover 122 and the second cover 124 may be provided with a display screen.

The filling of the dot matrix pattern in fig. 1 may schematically represent the flexible display 110. The flexible display 110 may have the characteristics of being flexible and bendable, and may provide a new way for the user to interact based on the bendable characteristics. The display panel of the flexible display 110 may be any one of, for example, a liquid crystal flexible display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), an active-matrix organic LIGHT EMITTING diode (AMOLED), a flexible light-emitting diode (flex), a quantum dot LIGHT EMITTING diodes (QLED), etc., which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

The flexible display 110 may include a first display portion 111 corresponding to the first housing 126, a second display portion 112 corresponding to the second housing 127, and a foldable display portion 113 corresponding to the hinge assembly 125. The foldable display portion 113 may be connected between the first display portion 111 and the second display portion 112.

The first side frame 121 may surround the outer circumference of the first cover 122 and surround the outer circumference of the first display part 111. The first display portion 111 may be disposed parallel to the first cover 122 at a distance, and the first display portion 111 and the first cover 122 may be located at two sides of the first side frame 121. The space between the first display part 111 and the first cover 122 may be used to provide devices of the foldable electronic device 100, such as an antenna, a circuit board assembly, and the like.

The second side frame 123 may surround the outer periphery of the second cover 124 and surround the outer periphery of the second display portion 112. The second display portion 112 may be disposed parallel to the second cover 124 at a distance, and the second display portion 112 and the second cover 124 may be located at two sides of the second side frame 123. The space between the second display 112 and the second cover 124 may be used to provide devices of the foldable electronic device 100, such as an antenna, a circuit board assembly, and the like.

In an embodiment of the present application, the cover and the side frame may be two parts of the housing of the foldable electronic device 100, and the cover and the side frame may be connected, and the connection may not be an assembly manner such as clamping, bonding, welding, riveting, clearance fit, or the like. The connection between the cover and the side frame is often difficult to separate. In another embodiment provided by the application, the cover and the side frame can be two different components. By assembling the cover body with the side frames, a housing of the foldable electronic device 100 can be formed.

The shaft assembly 125 may be connected between the first housing 126 and the second housing 127. The foldable display portion 113 of the flexible display screen 110 may abut against a surface of the hinge assembly 125. When the foldable electronic device 100 is in the unfolded state, the foldable display portion 113 of the flexible display screen 110 and the hinge assembly 125 are stacked. The first housing 126 and the second housing 127 may be moved toward or away from each other by the rotation shaft assembly 125. Accordingly, the first display portion 111 of the flexible display screen 110 and the second display portion 112 of the flexible display screen 110 may be close to or far from each other, so that the flexible display screen 110 may be folded or unfolded.

In one example, the spindle assembly 125 may include, for example, a spindle assembly, a first connection assembly, a second connection assembly. The first connecting assembly may be fixed to the first cover 122, the second connecting assembly may be fixed to the second cover 124, and the first connecting assembly and the second connecting assembly may rotate relative to the spindle assembly. The first connecting component and the second connecting component can drive the first shell 126 and the second shell 127 to move mutually, so as to realize the opening and closing functions of the foldable electronic device 100.

The foldable electronic device 100 shown in fig. 1 is currently in an unfolded state (flattened state). In the unfolded state, the angle between the first housing 126 and the second housing 127 may be about 180 °. The flexible display 110 may be in an expanded state as shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 2 shows one possible folded state of the foldable electronic device 100. Wherein fig. 2 shows an outwardly folded state of the foldable electronic device 100 (the outwardly folded state may be simply referred to as an outwardly folded state). The folded-out state shown in fig. 2 may be, for example, a left-right folded-out state or a top-bottom folded-out state. One possible folded state of the foldable electronic device 100 is described below in connection with fig. 1 and 2.

In the present application, the foldable electronic device 100 being in the folded state may mean that the foldable electronic device 100 is currently bent, and the bending degree of the foldable electronic device 100 is maximized. At this time, the first cover 122 and the second cover 124 may be parallel to each other, spaced apart from each other, and face to face, and the spacing distance between the first cover 122 and the second cover 124 is the smallest, and at least part of the first casing 126 and the second casing 127 are accommodated in the space enclosed by the flexible display 110; the first display unit 111, the first housing 126, the second housing 127, and the second display unit 112 are stacked in this order. Similarly, the first display portion 111 and the second display portion 112 may be disposed parallel to each other, spaced apart from each other, and face-to-face (the spaced distance between the first cover 122 and the second cover 124 is smaller than the spaced distance between the first display portion 111 and the second display portion 112). At this time, the first display portion 111 and the second display portion 112 may be regarded as being located on different planes.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, when the foldable electronic device 100 is in the folded-out state, the first cover 122 and the second cover 124 may be close to each other, and the first display 111 and the second display 112 may be close to each other. The first display part 111, the second display part 112, and the foldable display part 123 may form a housing area for accommodating the first cover 122, the second cover 124, and the hinge assembly 125. That is, the first cover 122, the second cover 124, and the rotation shaft assembly 125 may be accommodated in a space between the first display part 111 and the second display part 112.

Fig. 3 and 4 show cross-sectional structural views of the foldable electronic device 100 in an unfolded state and in an unfolded state at the hinge assembly 125.

Referring to (a) of fig. 3, the rotation shaft assembly 125 may include a main shaft 1251, and a surface of the main shaft 1251 facing the side of the flexible display screen 110 is an arc surface. When the foldable electronic device 100 is in the unfolded state, the gap between the first housing 126 and the main shaft 1251, and the gap between the second housing 127 and the main shaft 1251 are large. Because the gap is large, support for the flexible display 110 is not provided, and the flexible display 110 may be recessed at the gap when used by a user. Accordingly, it is necessary to provide a support plate 128 at the gap, and sufficient support is provided for the flexible display screen 110 by the support plate 128.

Referring to fig. 3 (a), a support plate 128 may be disposed between the rotation shaft assembly 125 and the flexible display screen 110, and the support plate 128 may be attached to a surface of the flexible display screen 110 facing the rotation shaft assembly 125. With this structure, when the foldable electronic device 100 is in the unfolded state, the thickness H1 of the foldable electronic device 100 increases. When the foldable electronic device 100 is in the folded-out state, as shown in (b) of fig. 4, the support plate is attached to the edge of the main shaft.

Referring to fig. 4 (a), a hard support plate 128 may be provided between the main shaft 1251 and each of the first and second housings 126 and 127, and the support plate 128 is fixedly coupled to the coupling assembly. Since the support plate 128 is made of a hard material and cannot be folded, the support plate 128 is located on both sides of the main shaft and cannot be accommodated in the main shaft 1251 when the foldable electronic device 100 is in the folded-out state shown in fig. 4 (b). In addition, since the main shaft 1251 further includes other structural members, the support plate needs to be disposed on the outer sides of the other structural members, so that the influence on the operation of the other structural members is avoided. Thus, the support plate increases the width H4 of the shaft assembly in the folded-out state. Also, since the support plate 128 cannot be accommodated in the main shaft 1251, the width of the hinge assembly cannot be further reduced, and when the thickness of the first and second cases 126 and 127 is reduced, it is limited by the external support plate 128, and the thickness H2 of the foldable electronic device 100 in the folded-out state cannot be reduced.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a foldable electronic device 200 according to an embodiment of the present application.

As shown in fig. 5, the foldable electronic device 200 includes a first housing 220, a second housing 230, and a hinge assembly 240.

The first housing 220 and the second housing 230 are located at two sides of the rotating shaft assembly 240, and the rotating shaft assembly 240 is rotatably connected with the first housing 220 and the second housing 230, so that the first housing 220 and the second housing 230 can rotate along the rotating shaft assembly 240, for example, from a flattened state shown in fig. 6 to an folded state shown in fig. 7.

As shown in fig. 6, the foldable electronic device 200 may further include a flexible display screen 210, the flexible display screen 210 being disposed above the first housing 220, the second housing 230, and the hinge assembly 240, the first housing 220, the second housing 230, and the hinge assembly 240 being operable to support the flexible display screen 210.

The rotating shaft assembly 240 may include a main shaft 241, and two sides of the main shaft 241 are respectively spliced with the first housing 220 and the second housing 230. The splicing may be understood as a nearly seamless or small gap between the main shaft 241 and the first housing 220 and between the main shaft 241 and the second housing 230, without requiring additional structural members to block the gap formed therebetween. Gaps between the main shaft 241 and the first housing 220 and between the main shaft 241 and the second housing 230 are small, including: a gap is formed between the main shaft 241 and the first housing 220 due to structural design tolerance or manufacturing tolerance, and a gap is formed between the main shaft 241 and the second housing 230; also include: or a gap is reserved between the main shaft 241 and the first housing 220 for moving the structural member of the electronic device, and a gap is reserved between the main shaft 241 and the second housing 230.

A first side of the main shaft 241 (a side facing the flexible display screen 210) includes a first face 2411, a second face 2412, and a third face 2413 that are sequentially arranged along a first direction, which is a direction in which the first housing 220 points toward the second housing 230 when the foldable electronic device 200 is in the flattened state, e.g., a y-direction. The first surface 2411 and the third surface 2413 are curved surfaces, and a distance between a first virtual center O1 corresponding to the first surface 2411 and a second virtual center O2 corresponding to the third surface 2413 is greater than zero.

It should be understood that the virtual center corresponding to the curved surface may be understood as the center corresponding to the virtual circumference where the curved surface is located in a plane (e.g., yoz plane) perpendicular to the extending direction (e.g., x direction) of the main shaft 241. A distance between the first virtual center O1 corresponding to the first face 2411 and the second virtual center O2 corresponding to the third face 2413 being greater than zero may be understood as being different between the first virtual center O1 and the second virtual center O2 in a plane (e.g., yoz faces) perpendicular to the extending direction (e.g., x direction) of the main shaft 241, and a line connecting the first virtual center O1 and any point on the first face 2411 and a line connecting the second virtual center O2 and any point on the second face 2412 in the plane are not intersected. When a line connecting the first virtual center O1 and any point on the first face 2411 and a line connecting the second virtual center O2 and any point on the second face 2412 in the plane intersect, it may be considered that a distance between the first virtual center O1 and the second virtual center O2 is less than zero. In one embodiment, the distance between the first virtual center O1 and the first housing 220 is less than the distance between the second virtual center O2 and the first housing 220. Correspondingly, the distance between the first virtual center O1 and the second housing 230 is greater than the distance between the second virtual center O2 and the second housing 230.

In the technical solution provided in the present embodiment, when the distance between the first virtual center O1 corresponding to the first surface 2411 and the second virtual center O2 corresponding to the third surface 2413 is greater than zero, the main shaft 241 in the rotating shaft assembly 240 is flat toward the side of the flexible display screen 210. The second face 2412 of the spindle 241 may contact the flexible display 210 when the foldable electronic device 200 is in the flattened state, and may provide support for the flexible display 210. Compared to the spindle assembly 125 shown in fig. 3 and 4, the spindle assembly 240 shown in fig. 6 changes from a circular arc shape to a flat shape from the spindle 241 toward the flexible display screen 210, and when the foldable electronic device 200 is in the flattened state, the second surface 2412 may abut against the flexible display screen 210, so that the gap between the first housing 220 and the spindle 241 and the gap between the second housing 230 and the spindle 241 are reduced. The second face 2312 may provide support for the flexible display screen 210 when in use by a user without creating a depression between the spindle assembly 240 and the housing due to the user's pressure. Therefore, there is no need to provide a support plate at the gap between the housing and the spindle. When the foldable electronic device 200 is in the folded-out state, as shown in fig. 7, since the support plate is not provided between the housing and the spindle, the thickness H2 of the foldable electronic device 200 in the folded-out state may not be limited by the support plate, and when the thickness of the housing is reduced, the thickness H2 of the foldable electronic device in the folded-out state may be reduced accordingly.

Meanwhile, since the main shaft 241 is flat toward the flexible display screen 210 side, the thickness H3 (length in the z direction) of the main shaft 241 decreases, and correspondingly, the thickness H1 of the foldable electronic device 200 decreases in the flattened state. Compared to the foldable electronic device shown in fig. 3, since the thickness H3 of the main shaft 241 is reduced and the gap between the main shaft 241 and the first housing 220 and between the main shaft 241 and the second housing 230 is nearly seamless or small, when the first housing 220 and the second housing 230 are rotated (for example, rotated from the flattened state shown in fig. 6 to the folded-out state shown in fig. 7), the rotational distance of the first housing 220 and the second housing 230 is correspondingly reduced, and the length of the connection assembly between the housing and the main shaft is shortened. Since at least a portion of the connection assembly is accommodated in the main shaft 241, when the length of the connection assembly is reduced, the width H4 of the main shaft 241 is also reduced, and correspondingly, the thickness H2 of the foldable electronic device 200 in the folded-out state is also reduced. When the foldable electronic device 200 is in the folded-out state, the thickness is reduced, and the light and thin feeling is improved when the user holds the foldable electronic device 200.

In one embodiment, the second face 2412 may be planar or curved. When the second face 2412 is curved, the curvature of the second face 2412 is less than the curvature of the first face 2411, and the curvature of the second face 2412 is less than the curvature of the third face 2413.

In one embodiment, the distance between the first virtual center O1 and the second virtual center O2 is greater than or equal to 1.5mm and less than or equal to 3.5mm.

It should be appreciated that when the distance between the first virtual center O1 and the second virtual center O2 is greater than or equal to 1.5mm and less than or equal to 3.5mm, the thickness H3 of the flat main shaft 241 may be reduced compared to the thickness of the circular arc main shaft to reduce the thickness H1 of the foldable electronic device 200 in the flattened state. Meanwhile, the width H4 of the main shaft 241 is also in a reasonable range, so that a proper layout space can be reserved for other structural members in the rotating shaft assembly. When the distance between the first virtual center O1 and the second virtual center O2 is smaller than 1.5mm, the width H4 of the main shaft 241 is too small to allow more of the other structural members (e.g., the connection members) in the rotation shaft assembly to be accommodated in the main shaft 241 while keeping the curved shapes of the first surface 2411 and the third surface 2413 unchanged. When the distance between the first virtual center O1 and the second virtual center O2 is less than 1.5mm, the curvature of the curved surfaces of the first surface 2411 and the third surface 2413 increases while maintaining the width H4 of the main shaft 241, so that gaps between the main shaft 241 and the first housing 220 and between the main shaft 241 and the second housing 230 become large, and a depression may be generated when the user presses the flexible display screen. When the distance between the first virtual center O1 and the second virtual center O2 is greater than 3.5mm, the width H4 of the main shaft 241 increases while maintaining the curved surface shapes of the first face 2411 and the third face 2413 unchanged, and the thickness of the foldable electronic device 200 is greater in the folded-out state. When the distance between the first virtual center O1 and the second virtual center O2 is greater than 3.5mm, the curvatures of the first surface 2411 and the third surface 2413 decrease while the width H4 of the main shaft 241 is kept unchanged, and when the foldable electronic device 200 is in the folded-out state, the flexible display screen abuts against the first surface 2411 and the third surface 2413, and the bending angle of the flexible display screen is too large due to the too small curvatures of the first surface 2411 and the third surface 2413.

In one embodiment, the spindle assembly 240 may further include a first connection assembly 243, as shown in fig. 8. The first connection assembly 243 may be a second side of the main shaft 241, which is a different side from the first side. The first link 243 may be used to connect with the first and second housings so that the first and second housings may rotate along the main shaft 241.

In one embodiment, the spindle assembly 240 may further include a second connection assembly 244. In one embodiment, the first and second connection assemblies 243 and 244 may be located at the first and second ends of the main shaft 241, respectively.

It should be understood that the number of the connection assemblies is not limited in the embodiment of the present application, and may be selected according to the internal layout of the actual foldable electronic device, for example, the rotation shaft assembly may include three connection assemblies respectively located at two ends and a central area of the spindle.

In one embodiment, first connection assembly 243 may include first connection 2431 and second connection 2432, as shown in fig. 9. First and second connectors 2431 and 2432 rotate within the second side of main shaft 241. The main shaft 241 may include a first receiving groove 2411 and a second receiving groove 2412. The first end of the first connecting member 2431 is positioned in the first accommodating groove 2411 and is rotatably connected with the main shaft 241, and the second end of the first connecting member 2431 is rotatably connected with the first housing 220, as shown in fig. 10. The first end of the second connecting member 2432 is positioned in the second accommodating groove 2412 and is rotatably connected with the main shaft 241, and the second end of the second connecting member 2432 is rotatably connected with the second housing 230, as shown in fig. 10. The first end of the first connecting member 2431 is rotatably connected with the main shaft 241, which can be understood that the first end of the first connecting member 2431 can be rotatably connected with the main shaft 241 through a connection manner of a virtual shaft, and when the first end of the first connecting member 2431 slides along the first accommodating groove 2411, the virtual shaft can equivalently rotate along the main shaft 241. The first end of second connector 2432 can be rotatably coupled to main shaft 241 as will be appreciated.

In one embodiment, first receiving groove 2411 is an arcuate groove and a first end of first connector 2431 is arcuate. The second receiving groove 2412 is an arc-shaped groove, and a first end of the second connecting member 2432 is an arc-shaped. When the foldable electronic device 200 is folded from the flattened state shown in fig. 10 to the folded-out state shown in fig. 11 (or unfolded from the folded-out state shown in fig. 11 to the flattened state shown in fig. 10), the first end of the first connecting member 2431 rotates along the first receiving groove 2411, and the first end of the second connecting member 2432 rotates along the second receiving groove 2412.

It should be appreciated that when the foldable electronic device 200 is in the flattened state, as shown in fig. 12 (a), the first end of the first connector 2431 is located at the first position of the first receiving groove 2411 and the first end of the second connector 2432 is located at the first position of the second receiving groove 2412. When the foldable electronic device 200 is folded, the first housing 220 and the second housing 230 rotate relative to the main shaft 241, the foldable electronic device 200 changes from the flattened state shown in fig. 12 (a) to the state shown in fig. 12 (b), the first end of the first connector 2431 rotates relative to the first accommodating groove 2411, and the first end of the first connector 2431 rotates from the first position of the first accommodating groove 2411 to the second position of the first accommodating groove 2411, so that the portion of the first connector 2431 accommodated in the first accommodating groove 2411 increases. The first end of the second connecting member 2432 rotates relative to the second accommodating groove 2412, and the first end of the second connecting member 2432 rotates from the first position of the second accommodating groove 2412 to the second position of the second accommodating groove 2412, so that the portion of the second connecting member 2432 accommodated in the second accommodating groove 2412 increases. The rotation is understood to mean that the number of parts of the connecting element located in the receiving groove increases. The distance (distance in the z direction) between the second position of the accommodation groove and the second face of the main shaft 241 is smaller than the distance between the first position of the accommodation groove and the second face of the main shaft 241.

When the foldable electronic device 200 is converted from the flattened state to the folded state, the first end of the first connector 2431 is rotated with respect to the first receiving groove 2411 and when the foldable electronic device 200 is converted to the folded state, the first end of the first connector 2431 is rotated to the third position of the first receiving groove 2411, during the conversion of the state of the foldable electronic device 200 from the flattened state shown in fig. 12 (b) to the folded state shown in fig. 12 (c). Correspondingly, the first end of the second connecting piece is turned relative to the second accommodating groove, and when the foldable electronic device 200 is converted into the folded state, the first end of the second connecting piece is turned to a third position of the second accommodating groove. Wherein, the distance (the distance in the z direction) between the third position of the accommodating groove and the second surface of the main shaft 241 is smaller than the distance between the second position of the accommodating groove and the second surface of the main shaft 241.

Because the part of the first connecting member 2431 can be accommodated in the main shaft 241 and the part of the second connecting member 2432 can be accommodated in the main shaft 241 in the folded state, the first casing 220 and the second casing 230 are spliced with the main shaft 241, and the space between the casing and the main shaft for arranging the first connecting member 2431 and the second connecting member 2432 is not required to be reserved, so that the main shaft 241 and the first casing 220 and the second casing 230 can be more compact, and the thickness of the foldable electronic device 200 is smaller in the folded state.

It should be understood that, in the above embodiment, taking the foldable electronic device 200 as an example during the folding process, when the foldable electronic device 200 is unfolded (the foldable electronic device 200 is unfolded from the folded-out state in fig. 12 (c) to the flattened state in fig. 12 (a)) the first end of the first connecting member 2431 rotates out relative to the first accommodating groove 2411, and the first end of the first connecting member 2431 rotates from the third position of the first accommodating groove 2411 to the first position of the first accommodating groove 2411 via the second position of the first accommodating groove 2411. Correspondingly, the first end of the second connecting member 2432 rotates out of the second accommodating groove 2412, and the first end of the second connecting member 2432 rotates from the third position of the second accommodating groove 2412 to the first position of the second accommodating groove 2412 via the second position of the second accommodating groove 2412. Wherein turning out is understood to mean that the part of the connecting element located in the receiving groove is reduced.

In one embodiment, the first housing 220 may include a first fixing plate 221 and a first door panel 222, and the first fixing plate 221 and the first door panel 222 are fixedly coupled as shown in fig. 10. Wherein, the first fixing plate 221 may be used for rotational connection with the first connector 2431. In one embodiment, the first door panel 222 may include a first side frame and a first cover.

In one embodiment, the second housing 230 may include a second fixing plate 231 and a second door panel 232, and the second fixing plate 231 and the second door panel 232 are fixedly coupled. Wherein, second fixing plate 231 may be used for rotational connection with second connecting member 2432. In one embodiment, the second door 232 may include a second side frame and two covers.

In one embodiment, the first fixing plate 221 and the first door panel 222 may be fixedly connected by clamping, gluing, welding, riveting, etc., and the second fixing plate 231 and the second door panel 232 may be fixedly connected by clamping, gluing, welding, riveting, etc., which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application. Alternatively, in one embodiment, the first fixing plate 221 and the first door panel 222 may be integrally formed, and the second fixing plate 231 and the second door panel 232 may be integrally formed.

In one embodiment, the first connection assembly 243 may further include a first fixed shaft 251 and a second fixed shaft 252, as shown in fig. 9. The first fixing shaft 251 and the first fixing plate 221 may be rotatably coupled through a shaft hole, and the second fixing shaft 252 and the second fixing plate 231 may be rotatably coupled through a shaft hole. The second end of the first connecting member 2431 is provided with a first hole 261, and the first fixing shaft 251 passes through the first hole 261, so that the second end of the first connecting member 2431 is rotatably connected with the first housing. A second hole 262 is formed at a second end of the second connecting member 2432, and the second fixing shaft 251 passes through the second hole 262 to rotatably connect the second end of the second connecting member 2432 with the second housing.

It should be understood that, in the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application, the number of the connection elements in the connection assembly is not limited, and may be determined according to the internal layout of the actual foldable electronic device. In one embodiment, each of the first connection assembly 243 and the second connection assembly 244 may include 3 connectors therein. 2 of the 3 connectors in the first connection assembly 243 may be used for rotational connection with the first housing and 1 may be used for rotational connection with the second housing. 1 out of 3 connectors in the second connection assembly 244 may be used for rotational connection with the first housing and 2 may be used for rotational connection with the second housing.

In one embodiment, the first connection assembly 243 may include a first rotational member 2433 and a second rotational member 2434, as shown in fig. 9. First and second rotating members 2433 and 2434 rotate within the second side of main shaft 241. The first housing 220 may include a third receiving groove 2211, and the second housing 230 may include a fourth receiving groove 2311, as shown in fig. 13. The first end of the first rotating member 2433 is rotatably connected to the main shaft 241, and the second end of the first rotating member 2433 is located in the third accommodating groove 2211 and is slidably connected to the first housing 220. The first end of the second rotating member 2434 is rotatably connected to the main shaft 241, and the second end of the second rotating member 2434 is located in the fourth receiving groove 2311 and slidably connected to the second housing 230.

In one embodiment, the first connection assembly 243 may further include a third fixed shaft 253 and a fourth fixed shaft 254, as shown in fig. 9. The third fixing shaft 253 and the main shaft 241 may be rotated through the shaft hole, and the fourth fixing shaft 254 and the main shaft 241 may be rotated through the shaft hole. The first end of the first rotating member 2433 is provided with a third hole 263, and the third fixed shaft 253 passes through the third hole 263, so that the first end of the first rotating member 2433 is rotatably connected with the main shaft 241 through the third hole 263 and the third fixed shaft 253. A fourth hole 264 is formed at a second end of the first end of the second rotating member 2434, and the fourth fixed shaft 254 passes through the fourth hole 264, so that the first end of the second rotating member 2434 is rotatably connected with the main shaft 241 through the fourth hole 264 and the fourth fixed shaft 254.

In one embodiment, the first end of the first connecting member 2431 is rotatably connected to the main shaft 241 through a virtual shaft and rotates along a first axis, and the first end of the first rotating member 2433 is rotatably connected to the main shaft through the third fixed shaft 253 and rotates along a second axis, which is different.

In one embodiment, the distance between the first axis and the flexible display screen (the second face of the main shaft 241) in the second direction when the foldable electronic device 200 is in the flattened state is smaller than the distance between the second axis and the flexible display screen (the second face of the main shaft 241) in the second direction, which is a direction (e.g., z-direction) perpendicular to the plane in which the flexible display screen lies when the foldable electronic device 200 is in the flattened state.

In one embodiment, when the foldable electronic device 200 is folded from the flattened state shown in fig. 13 to the folded-out state shown in fig. 14 (or unfolded from the folded-out state shown in fig. 14 to the flattened state shown in fig. 13), the second end of the first rotating member 2433 slides along the third receiving groove 2211, and the second end of the second rotating member 2434 slides along the fourth receiving groove 2311.

In one embodiment, the third receiving groove 2211 may be disposed in the first fixing plate 221, and the fourth receiving groove 2311 may be disposed in the second fixing plate 231.

It should be appreciated that when the foldable electronic device 200 is in the flattened state, as shown in fig. 15 (a), the second end of the first rotating member 2433 is located at the first position of the third receiving groove 2211, and the second end of the second rotating member 2434 is located at the first position of the fourth receiving groove 2311. When the foldable electronic device 200 is folded, the first fixing plate 221 (first housing) and the second fixing plate 231 (second housing) rotate relative to the main shaft 241, so that the foldable electronic device 200 is changed from the flattened state shown in fig. 15 (a) to the state shown in fig. 15 (b), the second end of the first rotating member 2433 slides into the third receiving groove 2211 to the second position of the third receiving groove 2211, and the portion of the first rotating member 2433 received in the third receiving groove 2211 increases during the sliding of the second end of the first rotating member 2433 into the third receiving groove 2211. The second end of the second rotating member 2434 slides into the fourth receiving groove 2311 to a second position of the fourth receiving groove 2311, and during the sliding of the second end of the second rotating member 2434 into the fourth receiving groove 2311, the portion of the second rotating member 2434 received in the fourth receiving groove 2311 increases. The sliding-in is understood to mean that the portion of the rotating member located in the accommodating groove increases. When the foldable electronic device 200 is in the flattened state, a distance (a distance in the z-direction) between the second position of the accommodating groove and the flexible display screen is greater than a distance between the first position of the accommodating groove and the flexible display screen.

When the foldable electronic device 200 is converted from the flattened state to the folded state, the hinge assembly is converted from the state shown in fig. 15 (b) to the folded state shown in fig. 15 (c), and during the conversion of the foldable electronic device 200 from the flattened state to the folded state, the second end of the first rotating member 2433 slides into the third receiving groove 2211, and when the foldable electronic device is converted to the folded state, the second end of the first rotating member 2433 slides into the third position of the third receiving groove 2211. Correspondingly, the second end of the second rotating member 2434 slides into the fourth accommodating groove 2311, and when the foldable electronic device is converted into the folded state, the second end of the second rotating member 2434 slides into the third position of the fourth accommodating groove 2311. Wherein, the distance (the distance in the z direction) between the third position of the accommodating groove and the flexible display screen is greater than the distance between the second position of the accommodating groove and the flexible display screen.

It should be understood that, in the above-described embodiment, taking the foldable electronic device 200 as an example during folding, when the foldable electronic device 200 is unfolded (the foldable electronic device 200 is unfolded from the folded-out state in fig. 15 (c) to the flattened state in fig. 15 (a)) the second end of the first rotating member 2433 slides out relative to the third receiving groove 2211, and the second end of the first rotating member 2433 slides from the third position of the third receiving groove 2211 to the first position of the third receiving groove 2211 via the second position of the third receiving groove 2211. Correspondingly, the second end of the second rotating member 2434 slides out of the fourth accommodating groove 2311, and the second end of the second rotating member 2434 slides from the third position of the fourth accommodating groove 2311 to the first position of the fourth accommodating groove 2311 through the second position of the fourth accommodating groove 2311. The sliding out is understood to mean that the portion of the rotating member located in the accommodating groove is reduced.

The first and second rotating members 2433 and 2434 can serve as guide mechanisms for the first and second connecting members 2431 and 2432, respectively. For example, when the first housing 220 is coupled to the first coupling assembly only by the first coupling member, the first housing 220 may move in multiple directions (e.g., positive or negative in the z-direction) with respect to the main shaft 241 by the first coupling member. When the first rotating member 2433 is disposed between the first housing 220 and the first connection assembly, since the second end of the first rotating member 2433 is disposed in the third receiving groove 2211, the first rotating member 2433 can only move along the extending direction of the third receiving groove 2211, and thus the first housing 220 can be restricted from moving only in a single direction (e.g., forward rotation in the z direction) by the rotating direction of the first connection member relative to the main shaft 241.

In one embodiment, the first end of first rotating member 2433 is toothed and the first end of second rotating member 2434 is toothed, with the first end of first rotating member 2433 and the first end of second rotating member 2434 engaging.

In one embodiment, the foldable electronic device 200 may include a synchronizing structure by which the first housing 220 and the second housing 230 are rotated in synchronization. It should be understood that the synchronous rotation may be understood that the second housing 230 is rotated counterclockwise when the first housing 220 is rotated clockwise, or that the second housing 230 is rotated clockwise when the first housing 220 is rotated counterclockwise. And the first housing 220 and the second housing 230 are rotated by the same angle during rotation.

In some embodiments, the synchronizing structure may include a synchronizing gear. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the synchronizing structure is not limited to a synchronizing gear, but may be other structures, such as a crank-link structure, etc.

In one embodiment, the synchronization structure may be provided to at least one of the first connection assembly 243 or the second connection assembly 244. The first connection assembly 243 may include at least one synchronizing tooth by which the first end of the first rotating member 2433 and the first end of the second rotating member 2434 are directly or indirectly engaged. It should be appreciated that when the first housing 220 rotates relative to the main shaft 241, the second end of the first rotating member 2433 slides within the third receiving groove 2211, and the first end of the first rotating member 2433 correspondingly rotates. Because the first end of the first rotating member 2433 is meshed with the first end of the second rotating member 2434, the first end of the second rotating member 2434 synchronously rotates with the first end of the first rotating member 2433 through the synchronous teeth, so that the second end of the second rotating member 2434 slides in the fourth accommodating groove 2311 to drive the second housing 230 to synchronously rotate with the first housing 220. Thus, the first and second rotating members 2433 and 2434 can act as a synchronizing mechanism between the first and second housings 220 and 230.

The first rotating member 2433 and the second rotating member 2434 can be used as a guide mechanism and a synchronization mechanism, so that the synchronization mechanism and the guide mechanism are integrated. Therefore, no additional synchronization mechanism is needed in the rotating shaft assembly, so that the synchronization precision of the first shell 220 and the second shell 230 is improved, a new assembly is not additionally added, and the complexity of the rotating shaft assembly is reduced.

In one embodiment, the first end of first rotating member 2433 and the first end of second rotating member 2434 can be non-toothed. The first connection assembly 243 may include a first synchronizing tooth that may be directly or indirectly fixedly connected with the first end of the first rotating member 2433 in a third direction, and a second synchronizing tooth that may be directly or indirectly fixedly connected with the first end of the second rotating member 2434 in the third direction, which is a length extending direction (e.g., x-direction) of the main shaft 241. The first and second rotating members 2433 and 2434 may be engaged by at least the first and second synchronizing teeth to achieve synchronous rotation of the first and second housings 220 and 230. In one embodiment, the first connection assembly 243 may include at least one third synchronizing tooth, with which the first synchronizing tooth and the second synchronizing tooth are engaged.

It should be understood that, in the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application, the number of rotating members in the connection assembly is not limited, and may be determined according to the internal layout of the actual foldable electronic device. In one embodiment, each of the first connection assembly 243 and the second connection assembly 244 may include 4 rotational members therein.

In one embodiment, the first connection assembly 243 may include a damping assembly 2435, and the damping assembly 2435 may include a damping member 2436, a first spring 271, and a second spring 272, as shown in fig. 16. The damping member 2436 is provided with a fifth hole 265 and a sixth hole 266, as shown in (a) of fig. 17. The third fixed shaft 253 passes through the first spring 271 and the fifth hole 265, and the fourth fixed shaft 254 passes through the second spring 272 and the sixth hole 266. In one embodiment, the first end of the first spring 271 and the first end of the second spring 272 are in abutment with the main shaft 241, and the second end of the first spring 271 and the second end of the second spring 272 are in abutment with the damping member 2436.

In one embodiment, the damping assembly 2435 can further include a retainer ring 291 and a clamp spring 292, as shown in FIG. 18. The collar 291 may be provided with a seventh aperture 267 and an eighth aperture 268. The second end of the third fixed shaft 253 may be provided with a first groove 293, the second end of the fourth fixed shaft 254 may be provided with a second groove 294, and the clamp spring 292 is clamped with the third fixed shaft 253 and the fourth fixed shaft 254 through the first groove 293 and the second groove 294. The third fixed shaft 253 passes through the first spring 271 and the seventh hole 267, and abuts the first end of the first spring 271 with the collar 291. The fourth stationary shaft 254 passes through the second spring 272 and the eighth hole 268 such that the first end of the second spring 272 abuts the collar 291. The retainer ring 291 abuts the retainer spring 292, and the retainer spring 292 may be used to limit the position of the retainer ring 291 on the third and fourth fixed shafts 253, 254, thereby limiting the position of the first end of the first spring 271 and the first end of the second spring 272 on the third and fourth fixed shafts 253, 254.

It should be appreciated that embodiments of the present application are not limited to the first ends of the first and second springs 271, 272 abutting the spindle 241 or other component (e.g., the collar 291), and may be selected based on the actual spindle assembly layout.

In one embodiment, the first end of the damping member 2436 is provided with a first cam structure 281 and a second cam structure 282, as shown in (a) of fig. 17. The first end of the first rotating member 2433 is provided with a third cam structure 283 and the first end of the second rotating member 2434 is provided with a fourth cam structure 284, as shown in (b) of fig. 17. The third fixing shaft 253 passes through the fifth hole 265 of the damping member 2436 and the third hole 263 of the first end of the first rotating member 2433, so that the first cam structure 281 and the third cam structure 283 abut against each other in the length extension direction of the main shaft 241. The fourth fixed shaft 254 passes through the sixth hole 266 of the damping member 2436 and the fourth hole 264 of the first end of the second rotating member 2434, so that the second cam structure 282 and the fourth cam structure 284 abut against each other in the length extending direction of the main shaft 241.

It should be appreciated that when the foldable electronic device is in the folded state or the flattened state, the first rotating member 2433 and the second rotating member 2434 are not rotated, the convex portion of the first cam structure 281 abuts the concave portion of the third cam structure 283, and the convex portion of the second cam structure 282 abuts the concave portion of the fourth cam structure 284, as shown in (a) of fig. 19. When the first rotating member 2433 and the second rotating member 2434 rotate during folding and unfolding of the foldable electronic device, the protruding portion of the first cam structure 281 rotates relative to the recessed portion of the third cam structure 283, and the protruding portion of the second cam structure 282 rotates relative to the recessed portion of the fourth cam structure 284, so that the damping member 2436 moves in the length extension direction (x direction) of the main shaft 241, compressing the first spring 271 and the second spring 272, and contracting the first spring 271 and the second spring 272, as shown in (b) of fig. 19. As the first rotating member 2433 and the second rotating member 2434 continue to rotate, the convex portion of the first cam structure 281 and the concave portion of the third cam structure 283, and the convex portion of the second cam structure 282 and the concave portion of the fourth cam structure 284 return to the relative position shown in (a) of fig. 19 from the relative position shown in (b) of fig. 19, and the first spring 271 and the second spring 272 are stretched.

Therefore, when the user rotates the first and second housings, the first and second housings rotate the first and second rotating members 2433 and 2434, the protruding portion of the first cam structure 281 and the recessed portion of the third cam structure 283, and the protruding portion of the second cam structure 282 and the recessed portion of the fourth cam structure 284 rotate relatively, so that the first and second springs 271 and 272 expand and contract in the length extension direction (x direction) of the main shaft 241. The elastic force generated by the expansion and contraction of the first spring 271 and the second spring 272 can serve as a resistance against the user's rotation of the foldable electronic device.

Meanwhile, as shown in fig. 20, in the process of rotating the first rotating member 2433 and the second rotating member 2434, at the abutting position, the resistance generated by the surface of the protruding portion of the cam structure of the damping member 2436 tangential to the recessed portion of the cam structure of the corresponding rotating member can also be used as the resistance for the user to rotate the foldable electronic device. It will be appreciated that the smaller the angle β of the tangential surface to the length extension of the spindle (e.g., the x-direction), the greater the resistance during rotation of the first and second rotational members 2433, 2434.

It should be appreciated that in the above technical scheme, the damping sense when the foldable electronic device is opened and closed can be improved for a user through the spring and the tangential surface of the protruding portion and the corresponding concave portion, so that the use experience of the user is improved.

It should be understood that, in the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application, the number of damping assemblies in the connection assembly is not limited, and may be determined according to the internal layout of the actual foldable electronic device. In one embodiment, a damping assembly may be included in the first connection assembly 243 and not included in the second connection assembly 244 when the damping assembly provides sufficient resistance.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of the present application, and the present application is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art will readily recognize that variations or substitutions are within the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A foldable electronic device, comprising: the display device comprises a flexible display screen, a first shell, a second shell and a rotating shaft assembly, wherein the first shell and the second shell are positioned on two sides of the rotating shaft assembly, and the rotating shaft assembly is respectively and rotatably connected with the first shell and the second shell;

the flexible display screen is arranged above the first shell, the second shell and the rotating shaft assembly;

the rotating shaft assembly comprises a main shaft, and two sides of the main shaft are spliced with the first shell and the second shell respectively;

The side, facing the flexible display screen, of the main shaft comprises a first surface, a second surface and a third surface which are sequentially arranged along a first direction, wherein the first direction is the direction in which the first shell points to the second shell when the foldable electronic equipment is in a flattened state;

The first surface and the third surface are curved surfaces, a first virtual circle center corresponding to the first surface is different from a second virtual circle center corresponding to the third surface, and a connecting line between the first virtual circle center and any point on the first surface is not intersected with a connecting line between the second virtual circle center and any point on the third surface.

2. The foldable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the foldable electronic device comprises,

The rotating shaft assembly further comprises a connecting assembly, and the connecting assembly comprises a first connecting piece and a second connecting piece;

the main shaft comprises a first accommodating groove and a second accommodating groove;

The first end of the first connecting piece is positioned in the first accommodating groove, the first end of the first connecting piece is rotationally connected with the main shaft through the first accommodating groove, and the second end of the first connecting piece is rotationally connected with the first shell;

the first end of the second connecting piece is located in the second accommodating groove, the first end of the second connecting piece is rotationally connected with the main shaft through the second accommodating groove, and the second end of the second connecting piece is rotationally connected with the second shell.

3. The foldable electronic device of claim 2, wherein the foldable electronic device comprises,

The first accommodating groove is an arc-shaped groove, and the first end of the first connecting piece is arc-shaped;

the second accommodating groove is an arc-shaped groove, and the first end of the second connecting piece is arc-shaped;

when the foldable electronic equipment is folded or unfolded, the first end of the first connecting piece rotates along the first accommodating groove, and the first end of the second connecting piece rotates along the second accommodating groove.

4. A foldable electronic device according to claim 3, wherein,

In the folding process of the foldable electronic equipment, the first end of the first connecting piece is turned into the first accommodating groove, and the first end of the second connecting piece is turned into the second accommodating groove;

In the unfolding process of the foldable electronic equipment, the first end of the first connecting piece rotates out relative to the first accommodating groove, and the first end of the second connecting piece rotates out relative to the second accommodating groove.

5. The foldable electronic device of any of claims 2-4, wherein the foldable electronic device comprises a foldable electronic device,

The connecting assembly further comprises a first rotating piece and a second rotating piece;

The first shell comprises a third accommodating groove, and the second shell comprises a fourth accommodating groove;

The first end of the first rotating piece is rotationally connected with the main shaft, and the second end of the first rotating piece is positioned in the third accommodating groove and is in sliding connection with the first shell through the third accommodating groove;

The first end of the second rotating piece is rotationally connected with the main shaft, and the second end of the second rotating piece is positioned in the fourth accommodating groove and is in sliding connection with the second shell through the fourth accommodating groove.

6. The foldable electronic device of claim 5, wherein the foldable electronic device comprises,

The first axle center is a virtual axle center in which the first end of the first connecting piece is rotationally connected with the spindle, and the second axle center is a physical axle center in which the first end of the first rotating piece is rotationally connected with the spindle rotating shaft.

7. The foldable electronic device of claim 5 or 6, wherein the foldable electronic device comprises a display unit,

When the foldable electronic equipment is in a flattened state, the distance between the first axis and the flexible display screen in a second direction is smaller than the distance between the second axis and the flexible display screen in the second direction, and the second direction is a direction perpendicular to the plane where the flexible display screen is located when the foldable electronic equipment is in the flattened state.

8. The foldable electronic device of any of claims 5-7, wherein the foldable electronic device comprises a foldable electronic device,

When the foldable electronic device is folded or unfolded, the second end of the first rotating member slides along the third accommodating groove, and the second end of the second rotating member slides along the fourth accommodating groove.

9. The foldable electronic device of claim 8, wherein the foldable electronic device comprises a plurality of foldable electronic units,

During the folding process of the foldable electronic equipment, the second end of the first rotating piece slides in relative to the third accommodating groove, and the second end of the second rotating piece slides in relative to the fourth accommodating groove;

In the unfolding process of the foldable electronic equipment, the second end of the first rotating piece slides out relative to the third accommodating groove, and the second end of the second rotating piece slides out relative to the fourth accommodating groove.

10. The foldable electronic device of any of claims 5-9, wherein the foldable electronic device comprises a foldable electronic device,

The first shell comprises a first fixing plate, and the third accommodating groove is formed in the first fixing plate;

the second shell comprises a second fixing plate, and the fourth accommodating groove is formed in the second fixing plate;

The second end of the first connecting piece is rotationally connected with the first fixed plate;

the second end of the second connecting piece is rotationally connected with the second fixing plate.

11. The foldable electronic device of claim 10, wherein the foldable electronic device comprises,

The connecting assembly further comprises a first fixed shaft and a second fixed shaft, the first fixed shaft is rotationally connected with the first fixed plate, and the second fixed shaft is rotationally connected with the second fixed plate;

The second end of the first connecting piece is provided with a first hole, the first fixed shaft penetrates through the first hole, and the second end of the first connecting piece is rotationally connected with the first fixed plate through the first hole and the first fixed shaft;

the second end of the second connecting piece is provided with a second hole, the second fixed shaft penetrates through the second hole, and the second end of the second connecting piece is rotationally connected with the second fixed plate through the second hole and the second fixed shaft.

12. The foldable electronic device of any of claims 5-10, wherein the foldable electronic device comprises a foldable electronic device,

The connecting assembly further comprises a third fixed shaft and a fourth fixed shaft, the third fixed shaft is rotationally connected with the main shaft, and the fourth fixed shaft is rotationally connected with the main shaft;

a third hole is formed in the first end of the first rotating member, the third fixed shaft penetrates through the third hole, and the first end of the first rotating member is in rotary connection with the main shaft through the third hole and the third fixed shaft;

the first end of the second rotating member is provided with a fourth hole, the fourth fixed shaft penetrates through the fourth hole, and the first end of the second rotating member is rotationally connected with the main shaft through the fourth hole and the fourth fixed shaft.

13. The foldable electronic device of claim 12, wherein the foldable electronic device comprises,

The connection assembly further comprises a damping assembly;

The damping component comprises a first spring, a second spring and a damping piece, wherein the damping piece is provided with a fifth hole and a sixth hole, the third fixed shaft penetrates through the first spring and the fifth hole, the fourth fixed shaft penetrates through the second spring and the sixth hole, the first end of the first spring and the first end of the second spring are abutted with the main shaft, the second end of the first spring and the second end of the second spring are abutted with the damping piece,

The first end of the damping piece is provided with a first cam structure and a second cam structure, the first end of the first rotating piece is provided with a third cam structure, and the first end of the second rotating piece is provided with a fourth cam structure;

In the length extending direction of the spindle, the first cam structure is abutted with the third cam structure, and the second cam structure is abutted with the fourth cam structure.

14. The foldable electronic device of claim 13, wherein the foldable electronic device comprises,

In the folding and unfolding process of the foldable electronic device, the first cam structure is matched with the third cam structure, and the second cam structure is matched with the fourth cam structure, so that the first spring and the second spring stretch along the length extending direction of the main shaft.

15. The foldable electronic device of any one of claims 5-14, wherein the foldable electronic device comprises a foldable electronic device,

The first end of the first rotating member is toothed, the first end of the second rotating member is toothed, and the first end of the first rotating member is meshed with the first end of the second rotating member.

16. The foldable electronic device of claim 15, wherein the foldable electronic device comprises,

The connection assembly further includes a synchronizing tooth through which the first end of the first rotating member and the first end of the second rotating member are engaged.

17. The foldable electronic device of any one of claims 1-16, wherein a distance between the first virtual center and the second virtual center is greater than or equal to 1.5mm and less than or equal to 3.5mm.

18. The foldable electronic device of any one of claims 1-17, wherein at least a portion of the first housing and the second housing are housed within a space enclosed by the flexible display screen when the foldable electronic device is in a folded state.

19. The foldable electronic device of any one of claims 1-18, wherein the foldable electronic device comprises a foldable electronic device,

The second surface is a plane or a curved surface;

And if the second surface is a curved surface, the curvature of the second surface is smaller than that of the first surface, and the curvature of the second surface is smaller than that of the third surface.

20. A spindle assembly, characterized by being applied to a foldable electronic device;

The rotating shaft assembly comprises a main shaft, and a first side of the main shaft comprises a first surface, a second surface and a third surface which are sequentially arranged;

The first surface and the third surface are curved surfaces, a first virtual circle center corresponding to the first surface is different from a second virtual circle center corresponding to the second surface, and a connecting line between the first virtual circle center and any point on the first surface is not intersected with a connecting line between the second virtual circle center and any point on the third surface.

21. The spindle assembly of claim 20 wherein the spindle assembly comprises,

The rotating shaft assembly further comprises a connecting assembly, the connecting assembly is located on a second side of the main shaft, the second side is different from the first side, the first connecting assembly comprises a first connecting piece and a second connecting piece, and the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece are rotatably connected with the main shaft on the second side;

The first end of the first connecting piece is positioned in the first accommodating groove, and the first end of the first connecting piece is rotationally connected with the main shaft through the first accommodating groove;

The first end of the second connecting piece is located in the second accommodating groove, and the first end of the second connecting piece is rotationally connected with the main shaft through the second accommodating groove.

22. The spindle assembly of claim 21 wherein the spindle assembly comprises,

When the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece rotate, the first end of the first connecting piece rotates along the first accommodating groove, and the first end of the second connecting piece rotates along the second accommodating groove.

23. The spindle assembly of claim 22 wherein the spindle assembly comprises,

In the process that the second end of the first connecting piece rotates along a first direction, the first end of the first connecting piece rotates relative to the first accommodating groove, and the first direction is the direction that the second side points to the first side;

in the process that the second end of the second connecting piece rotates along the first direction, the first end of the second connecting piece rotates relative to the second accommodating groove;

In the process that the second end of the first connecting piece rotates along the second direction, the first end of the first connecting piece rotates out relative to the first accommodating groove, and the first direction is the direction that the first side points to the second side;

And in the process that the second end of the second connecting piece rotates along the second direction, the first end of the second connecting piece rotates out relative to the second accommodating groove.

24. The spindle assembly of any one of claims 20 to 23,

The connecting assembly further comprises a first rotating piece and a second rotating piece, and the first rotating piece and the second rotating piece are rotatably connected with the main shaft at the second side;

The first end of the first rotating piece is rotationally connected with the main shaft;

the first end of the second rotating piece is rotationally connected with the main shaft.

25. The spindle assembly of claim 24 wherein the spindle assembly comprises,

26. The spindle assembly of claim 24 or 25 wherein,

The distance between the first axis and the second face in the first direction is smaller than the distance between the second axis and the flexible display screen in the first direction, and the first direction is the direction that the second side points to the first side.

27. The spindle assembly of any one of claims 24 to 26,

28. The spindle assembly of claim 27 wherein the spindle assembly comprises,

The connection assembly further comprises a damping assembly;

The damping component comprises a first spring, a second spring and a damping piece, wherein the damping piece is provided with a fifth hole and a sixth hole, the third fixed shaft penetrates through the first spring, the third fixed shaft is inserted into the fifth hole, the fourth fixed shaft penetrates through the second spring, the fourth fixed shaft is inserted into the sixth hole, the first end of the first spring and the first end of the second spring are abutted with the main shaft, the second end of the first spring and the second end of the second spring are abutted with the damping piece,

29. The spindle assembly of claim 28 wherein,

In the rotation process of the first rotating member and the second rotating member, the first cam structure is matched with the third cam structure, and the second cam structure is matched with the fourth cam structure, so that the first spring and the second spring stretch along the length extending direction of the main shaft.

30. The spindle assembly of any one of claims 24 to 29,

31. The spindle assembly of claim 30 wherein,

32. The spindle assembly of any one of claims 24 to 29, wherein the rotating assembly further comprises a synchronizing structure by which the first rotating member and the second rotating member rotate in synchronization.

33. The spindle assembly of any one of claims 20 to 32, wherein a distance between the first virtual center and the second virtual center is greater than or equal to 1.5mm and less than or equal to 3.5mm.

34. The spindle assembly of any one of claims 20 to 33,

The second surface is a plane or a curved surface;