Synchronous mechanism, folding display device and communication equipment

Abstract

A synchronization mechanism comprises a first and a second folding plate, a back cover, a gear rack fixed on the back cover, a fixing seat fixed on the first and the second folding plates, a slider limited between the fixing seat and the folding plates, and a gear group limited on the gear rack, wherein the gear group comprises at least two first gear assemblies which mesh with each other, each first gear assembly comprises a first gear, a hinged end extending from the first gear and rotatably hinged to the slider, and a rotating shaft limited in the gear rack, the hinged ends of the two first gear assemblies are respectively hinged to the sliders on the first and the second folding plates, and when the first and the second folding plates are actuated, the first gears of the two first gear assemblies mesh with each other and rotate, thereby controlling the rotation speed of the first and the second folding plates to be consistent; the application also provides a folding display device and a communication device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication electronics, and in particular to a synchronization mechanism, a folding display device and a communication device. Background Art

[0002] With the development of folding screen technology, folding screen mobile phones have become a hot technology. Although the folding screen can be bent, it still cannot be bent 180 degrees. The bent part still needs to maintain a certain R angle, otherwise the screen will be damaged. The existing folding methods are divided into inward folding and outward folding, that is, the screen is on the inside or outside after folding. For example, the Mate X released by Huawei is outward folding, but the problem with outward folding is that the screen is exposed and easily scratched by hard objects, and the folding screen is relatively fragile.

[0003] Regardless of whether it is folded outward or inward, the problem that needs to be solved is how to ensure that the bending mechanism adapts to the R angle required by the bending part of the screen when the folding screen is bent. At this time, the inner side of the folding part of the folding screen will be slightly shortened, while the outer side of the folding screen will be slightly extended. At this time, the components close to the folding screen must keep changing synchronously, otherwise the screen will be squeezed and damaged. And ensure that there is support on the back of the folding screen, otherwise the suspended screen will be damaged when pressed by fingers. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of this, it is necessary to provide a synchronization mechanism, a folding display device and a communication device, wherein the synchronization mechanism can enable the two folding surfaces of the folding display device to fold at a relatively consistent speed to protect the relatively fragile folding screen.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present application provides a synchronization mechanism, including a first and a second folding plate, a back cover, a gear rack fixed on the back cover, a fixed seat fixed on the first and the second folding plates, a slider limited between the fixed seat and the folding plates, and a gear group limited on the gear rack, the gear group includes at least two first gear assemblies that are meshed with each other, each first gear assembly includes a first gear, a hinged end extending from the first gear and rotatably hinged to the slider, and a rotating shaft limited in the gear rack, the hinged ends of the two first gear assemblies are respectively hinged to the sliders on the first and the second folding plates, when the first and the second folding plates are actuated, the first gears of the two first gear assemblies mesh with each other and rotate, thereby controlling the rotation speed of the first and the second folding plates to be consistent.

[0006] Preferably, the fixing seat comprises a base fixed on the first or second folding plate, a limiting portion provided on a side surface of the base, and a limiting groove located on the side surface of the base and below the limiting portion.

[0007] Preferably, the slider includes a slider body, a limit block extending laterally outward from the bottom surface of the slider body, and a hinge portion arranged on the side of the slider body facing the gear assembly, and the limit block is limited in the limit groove, that is, limited between the limit portion and the first or second folding plate.

[0008] Preferably, the slider also includes a mounting hole that transversely passes through the slider body, and damping blocks are respectively installed at the two open ends of the mounting hole. A spring is provided between the two damping blocks, and at least two grooves are provided on the side of the limiting portion. The damping block cooperates with the grooves to correspond to the positions in the expanded and closed states respectively.

[0009] Preferably, the gear racks include two, each gear rack includes a main body fixed on the back cover, at least two first axial holes formed in sequence and laterally penetrating the main body in the length direction of the main body, and a rotating shaft fixed with the first gear is passed through a corresponding pair of first axial holes on the two gear racks.

[0010] Preferably, the gear assembly further includes two second gear assemblies meshing with each other and located between the two first gear assemblies, and the second gear assembly includes two second gears located between the first gears and meshing with each other, and the two second gears respectively mesh with adjacent first gears.

[0011] Preferably, the gear rack is provided with a pair of second axial holes between the first axial holes, and the second gear is limited between the second axial holes by a second rotating shaft.

[0012] Preferably, both transverse ends of the main body of the gear rack protrude upward to form protrusions, the first axial hole is opened on the protrusions, the second axial hole is arranged on the main body, the first axial hole and the second axial hole are not on the same horizontal plane, and the second axial hole is closer to the back cover.

[0013] Preferably, the gear rack also includes a protective portion extending from the inner side of the main body, the protective portion includes a first protective portion located below the second axial hole and a second protective portion located below the first axial hole, and the first protective portion and the second protective portion of each gear rack respectively protect a first gear and a second gear.

[0014] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present application provides a folding display device, including the aforementioned synchronization mechanism, a folding screen mounted on the side of the folding plate away from the back cover, and a folding path control mechanism.

[0015] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present application provides a communication device, including the above synchronization mechanism.

[0016] The synchronization mechanism of the present application controls the first and second folding plates to fold at the same speed, that is, synchronizes the running speeds of the first and second folding plates, thereby achieving accurate folding and unfolding operations of the folding display device without causing damage to the mechanism due to different running states of the first and second folding plates. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The drawings described herein are used to provide further understanding of the present application and constitute a part of the present application. The illustrative embodiments of the present application and their descriptions are used to explain the present application and do not constitute improper limitations on the present application.

[0018] Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of the foldable display device of the present application;

[0019] Figure 2 A three-dimensional diagram of the foldable display device of the present application;

[0020] Figure 3 A three-dimensional image of the foldable display device of the present application with the back cover removed and a partial enlarged image thereof;

[0021] Figure 4 A three-dimensional diagram of the back cover of the foldable display device of the present application;

[0022] Figure 5 A three-dimensional diagram of the folding path control mechanism of the present application;

[0023] Figure 6 For along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view taken along the dashed line AA shown;

[0024] Figure 7 A three-dimensional diagram of a support base of the folding path control mechanism of the present application;

[0025] Figure 8 A three-dimensional diagram of a sliding seat body of the folding path control mechanism of the present application;

[0026] Fig. 9 A three-dimensional diagram of the synchronization mechanism of this application;

[0027] Fig.10 A three-dimensional diagram of the limit seat body of the synchronization mechanism of the present application;

[0028] Fig.11 This is a partial three-dimensional exploded view of the synchronization mechanism of this application;

[0029] Fig.12 A three-dimensional diagram of a fixed seat body of the synchronization mechanism of the present application;

[0030] Fig.13 This is a three-dimensional diagram of the foldable display device of the present application in a closed state and a partial enlarged diagram thereof. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present application clearer, the technical solution of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in combination with the specific embodiments of the present application and the corresponding drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0032] Key References Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the folding display device of the present application includes a folding plate 10, a back cover 20, a folding path control mechanism 40 and synchronization mechanisms 50, 60 respectively fixed between the folding plate 10 and the back cover 20. A folding screen (not shown) is attached to the side of the folding plate 10 away from the back cover 20.

[0033] The folding plate 10 includes a first folding plate 11 and a second folding plate 12 matched with the first folding plate 11. The matching parts of the first and second folding plates 11, 12 respectively include a notch (not numbered) and a protruding piece 112, 122, and a plurality of fixing holes 111, 121 are provided at the lateral position of the protruding piece 112, 122. The protruding piece 112 of the first folding plate 11 is matched in the notch of the second folding plate 12, and the protruding piece 122 of the second folding plate 12 is matched in the notch of the first folding plate 11.

[0034] Please continue reading Figure 4 As shown, the back cover 20 comprises a back cover shell 21, a back cover cavity 22 opened in the back cover shell 21, and a fixing structure 23 disposed at the bottom of the back cover cavity 22. The back cover cavity 22 is an arc structure.

[0035] Please continue reading Figures 5 to 8 As shown, the folding path control mechanism 40 includes a seat body 30, a sliding seat 41 rotatable on the seat body 30, a rotating shaft 42 passing through the seat body 30, and gears 43 disposed at both ends of the rotating shaft 42 and driving the sliding seat 41 respectively.

[0036] The base 30 includes a fixed base fixed in the back cover cavity 22, a pair of first arc grooves 32 opened on the surface of the fixed base in a first transverse direction, a pair of second arc grooves 35 opened on the surface of the fixed base in a second direction opposite to the first direction, a first partition wall 33 located between the pair of first arc grooves 32, and a second partition wall 36 located between the pair of second arc grooves 35. The inner arc surfaces of the first and second arc grooves 32, 35 simulate the folding track that the folding display device should maintain when folding or unfolding. The two transverse ends of the pair of first arc grooves 32 respectively form a closed end 321 and an open end 322, and the two transverse ends of the pair of second arc grooves 35 respectively form a closed end 351 and an open end 352. The closed end 321 and the open end 322 of the first arc groove 32 are located on the same side as the open end 352 and the closed end 351 of the second arc groove 35. The first and second isolation walls 33 , 36 are located at one end of the opening ends 322 , 352 and are formed with first and second axial holes 34 , 37 .

[0037] The back cover 20 is made of aluminum alloy by CNC processing, and the base body 30 is made of stainless steel by powder metallurgy process.

[0038] In a specific implementation, the seat body 30 can be integrated with the back cover 20 and made of the same material, such as stainless steel. However, it is difficult to perform surface treatment on stainless steel as an appearance material, so the solution of this application uses a split design for the back cover 20 and the seat body 30. However, this application still includes an integrated design structure.

[0039] The sliding seat 41 includes a base portion 412 fixed to the first or second folding plate 11, 12, an arcuate convex surface 411 matched with the arcuate surface of the first or second arcuate groove 32, 35, a toothing space 413 opened on a side of the sliding seat 41, a plurality of tooth structures 414 provided in the toothing space 413 on one side of the arcuate convex surface 411, and an arcuate convex hull 415 close to one side of the base portion 412. The arcuate convex hull 415 and the arcuate convex surface 411 are cocentric.

[0040] In a specific implementation, one of the two pairs of sliding seats 41 is installed in the first arc groove 32, and the other pair is installed in the second arc groove 35. The base portion 412 of the sliding seat 41 is partially fixed on the protruding pieces 112, 122 of the first or second folding plate 11, 12, that is, the sliding seat 41 fixed on the first folding plate 11 will extend to the protruding piece 112 at the notch of the second folding plate 12; the sliding seat 41 fixed on the second folding plate 12 will extend to the protruding piece 122 at the notch of the first folding plate 11.

[0041] During assembly, the two rotating shafts 42 are respectively inserted into the shaft holes 34 and 37 of the first and second isolation walls 33 and 36. The gears 43 fixed at both ends of the rotating shaft 42 are respectively engaged with the tooth structures 414 in the toothing spaces 413 of the two sliding seats 41 on both sides of the first or second isolation wall 33 and 36.

[0042] When the first and second folding plates 11, 12 are folded or unfolded, the sliding seat 41 is driven to rotate around the first and second arc grooves 32, 35. At the same time, the two gears 43 at both ends of a rotating shaft 42 respectively engage and rotate with the tooth structure 414 in the toothing space 413, and the seat body 30 is respectively provided with two pairs of sliding seats 41 fixed to the first and second folding plates 11, 12 on both lateral sides. The rotation of the two pairs of sliding seats 41 relative to the first and second arc grooves 32, 35 is completely consistent and symmetrical. In this way, the first and second folding plates 11, 12 can be kept in a consistent rotation trajectory on both sides when rotating, and can be folded according to the curvature required by the folding screen to avoid damage to the folding screen.

[0043] The folding path control mechanism 40 of the present application is achieved by respectively setting first and second arc grooves 32, 35 corresponding to the first and second folding plates 11, 12 on opposite sides of the seat body 30, and then assembling two pairs of sliding seats 41 with arc convex surfaces 411 in the first and second arc grooves 32, 35 and respectively fixed to the first and second folding plates 11, 12. Through the cooperation between the arc grooves 32, 35 and the arc convex surfaces 411, the folding plate 10 is rotated according to a predetermined trajectory to avoid damage to the folding screen.

[0044] Please continue reading Figure 3 , Figures 9 to 12 As shown, the synchronization mechanism includes a gear rack 50, a fixed seat 61 fixed on the folding plate 10, a slider 62 limited between the fixed seat 61 and the folding plate 10, a damping block 63 installed on both lateral sides of the slider 62, and a gear set 64, 65 fixed on the gear rack 50.

[0045] The fixing seat 61 comprises a base 611 fixed on the first or second folding plate 11, 12, a limiting portion 613 disposed on one side of the base 611, and a limiting groove 612 disposed on the side of the base 611 and below the limiting portion 613. The outer side of the limiting portion 613 is provided with a plurality of grooves 614.

[0046] The gear rack 50 is a pair of gear racks that cooperate with each other. Each gear rack 50 includes a main body 51, a fixing ear 52 extending from the longitudinal outer side of the main body 51, an arc-shaped surface 53 provided at the top of the main body 51 and cooperating with the arc-shaped cavity of the back cover cavity 22, a protruding portion 54 protruding from both ends of the main body 51, a protective portion 56 extending from the longitudinal inner side of the main body 51, a pair of second axial holes 55 formed in the longitudinal direction through the main body 51, and a pair of first axial holes 541 formed in the longitudinal direction through the protruding portion 54. The protruding portion 54 can also be a part of the main body 51, and the second axial hole 55 and the first axial hole 541 are not on the same horizontal plane. The protective portion 56 includes a first protective portion 561 located below the second axial hole 55 and a second protective portion 562 located below the first axial hole 541, and the protective portion 562 corresponds to only one second axial hole 55 and one first axial hole 541.

[0047] The slider 62 includes a slider body 621, a limit block 622 extending from the bottom surface of the slider body 621 to the lateral outside, a mounting hole 623 opened on the lateral outer surface of the slider body 621, and a hinge part 624 arranged on the side of the slider body 621 facing the gear assembly 64, 65.

[0048] The damping block 63 is installed in the mounting hole 623. The damping block 63 includes an insertion portion 631 inserted into the mounting hole 623 and a damping portion 632 protruding from the lateral outer side of the insertion portion 631. The mounting hole 623 penetrates in the lateral direction. A damping block 63 is installed on both lateral outer sides of the mounting hole 623. An elastic member (not shown), such as a spring, is arranged between the two damping blocks 63 to provide elastic force between the two damping blocks 63. The limiting block 622 of the slider 62 is limited in the limiting groove 612 of the fixing seat 61, that is, it is pressed in the limiting groove 612 by the limiting portion 613. The damping block 63 cooperates with the groove 614 on the outer side of the limiting portion 613 of the fixing seat 61 to provide interference force when the slider 62 moves.

[0049] The gear assembly includes two first gear assemblies 64 respectively hinged to the hinged portion 624 of the slider 62, and two second gear assembly assemblies 65 located between the two first gear assemblies 64. The first gear assembly 64 includes a first gear 642, a hinged end 643 extending from the outside of the first gear 642 and hinged to the hinged portion 624 through a rotating shaft, and a rotating shaft 641 that fixes the first gear 642 and whose two ends are respectively rotatably fixed in the first shaft holes 541 of the pair of fixing seats 61. The second gear assembly 65 includes a second gear 652 meshed with the first gear 642 and a second rotating shaft 651 that fixes the second gear 652 and whose two ends are rotatably fixed in the second shaft holes 55. The first and second gears 642, 652 of the gear assembly include at least four, namely, a first gear 642 hinged to the hinge part 624 of the slider 61, a second gear 652 meshed with the first gear 642, another second gear 652 meshed with the second gear 652, and another first gear 642 meshed with the other second gear 652 and hinged to the hinge part 624 of the slider 61 on the other side.

[0050] The arrangement of four gears can reduce the radius of each gear and the thickness of the synchronous mechanism when the synchronous mechanism is relatively wide. Of course, the gear assembly can also be arranged to be six or eight to further reduce the thickness of the synchronous mechanism.

[0051] The gear rack 50 is fixed to the back cover cavity 22 of the back cover 20 through the fixing ear 52, the fixing seat 61 is fixed to the folding plate 10, and the slider 62 is limited in the fixing seat 61 and can slide in the limiting groove 612 of the fixing seat 61. The gear assembly is fixed to the back cover 20 along with the gear rack 50 and is rotatably hinged with the slider 62. When the first and second folding plates 11, 12 are folded or unfolded, the first gear assembly 64 is driven to rotate, and the second gear assembly 65 cooperates with the first gear assembly 64 to rotate. During the rotation process, the slider 62 slides relative to the fixing seat 61, and the damping portion 632 of the damping block 63 enters the second groove 614 from the first groove 614 on the limiting portion 613, so as to generate a strong holding force when the folding plate 10 starts to actuate and the actuation is completed.

[0052] Please continue to refer to FIG13. When the folding display device is in the folded state, the two pairs of sliding seats 41 of the folding path control mechanism 40 slide out of the first and second arc grooves 32, 35 in opposite directions until the gear 43 engages from the first end to the second end along the meshing space 413 of the sliding seat 41. The folding path control mechanism 40 controls the folding trajectory of the first and second folding plates 11, 12 to meet the folding performance of the folding screen by cooperating with the first and second arc grooves 32, 35 and the arc convex surface 411 of the sliding seat 41. The synchronization mechanism 50, 60 controls the first and second folding plates 11, 12 to fold at the same speed, that is, synchronizes the running speed of the first and second folding plates 11, 12. Thereby, the precise folding and unfolding operation of the folding display device is realized, and the mechanism damage caused by the different running states of the first and second folding plates 11, 12 will not occur.

[0053] The above is only an embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, the present application may have various changes and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application should be included in the scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A foldable display device, characterized in that: It includes a synchronization mechanism, a folding screen mounted on the side of the folding plate away from the back cover, and a folding path control mechanism; The synchronization mechanism includes a first and a second folding plate, a back cover, a gear frame fixed on the back cover, a fixed seat fixed on the first and the second folding plates, a slider limited between the fixed seat and the folding plate, and a gear set limited on the gear frame, the gear set includes at least two first gear assemblies meshing with each other, each first gear assembly includes a first gear, a hinged end extending from the first gear and rotatably hinged with the slider, and a rotating shaft limited in the gear frame, the hinged ends of the two first gear assemblies are respectively hinged with the sliders on the first and the second folding plates, when the first and the second folding plates are actuated, the first gears of the two first gear assemblies mesh with each other and rotate, so as to control the rotation speed of the first and the second folding plates to be consistent; The folding path control mechanism comprises a seat body fixed to the back cover, two pairs of sliding seats connected to the lateral sides of the seat body, a rotating shaft penetrating the seat body and corresponding to each pair of sliding seats, and gears respectively arranged at both ends of the rotating shaft, the two pairs of sliding seats are respectively a pair of sliding seats fixed to the first folding plate and a pair of sliding seats fixed to the second folding plate, the seat body has an arc groove respectively arranged corresponding to each of the sliding seats, each of the sliding seats has an arc convex surface slidably matched with the groove wall of the arc groove, and the gears are arranged one by one corresponding to the sliding seats, and each of the gears is respectively meshed in the corresponding sliding seat; When the first folding plate and the second folding plate are folded or unfolded, a pair of sliding seats fixed to the first folding plate and a pair of sliding seats fixed to the second folding plate can rotate independently and symmetrically relative to the seat body.

2. The foldable display device according to claim 1, wherein: The fixing seat comprises a seat base fixed on the first or second folding plate, a limiting portion arranged on a side surface of the seat base, and a limiting groove located on the side surface of the seat base and below the limiting portion.

3. The foldable display device according to claim 2, wherein: The slider includes a slider body, a limit block extending laterally outward from the bottom surface of the slider body, and a hinge portion arranged on the side of the slider body facing the gear assembly, and the limit block is limited in the limit groove, that is, limited between the limit portion and the first or second folding plate.

4. The foldable display device according to claim 3, wherein: The slider also includes a mounting hole that passes through the slider body transversely, and damping blocks are respectively installed at the two open ends of the mounting hole. A spring is provided between the two damping blocks. At least two grooves are provided on the side of the limiting portion, and the damping blocks cooperate with the grooves to correspond to the positions in the expanded and closed states respectively.

5. The foldable display device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The gear racks include two, each of which includes a main body fixed on the back cover, at least two first axial holes formed in sequence and laterally penetrating the main body in the length direction of the main body, and a rotating shaft with the first gear fixed thereon is passed through a corresponding pair of first axial holes on the two gear racks.

6. The foldable display device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The gear assembly also includes two second gear assemblies meshing with each other and located between the two first gear assemblies. The second gear assembly includes two second gears located between the first gears and meshing with each other. The two second gears are respectively meshed with adjacent first gears.

7. The foldable display device according to claim 6, wherein: The gear rack is provided with a pair of second shaft holes between the first shaft holes, and the second gear is limited between the second shaft holes by a second rotating shaft.

8. The foldable display device according to claim 7, wherein: The two lateral ends of the main body of the gear rack protrude upward to form protrusions, the first axial hole is opened on the protrusions, and the second axial hole is arranged on the main body. The first axial hole and the second axial hole are not on the same horizontal plane, and the second axial hole is closer to the back cover.

9. The foldable display device according to claim 8, wherein: The gear rack also includes a protective portion extending from the inner side of the main body, and the protective portion includes a first protective portion located below the second axial hole and a second protective portion located below the first axial hole. The first protective portion and the second protective portion of each gear rack respectively protect a first gear and a second gear.

10. A communication device, characterized in that: Comprising a folding display device as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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