A folding hinge and an electronic device

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of electronic devices, and discloses a folding hinge and an electronic device. The folding hinge includes a base assembly, two screen support plates, and two sets of folding assemblies corresponding to the two screen support plates one by one. Each screen support plate is pivotally connected to the base assembly, and the two screen support plates are arranged oppositely along a first direction; each set of folding assemblies includes a synchronous support plate and a damping structure arranged on the synchronous support plate. The synchronous support plate is pivotally connected to the base assembly, and the synchronous support plates in each folding assembly are meshed with the synchronous support plates in the other folding assembly through gears; in each set of corresponding screen support plates and folding assemblies, the opposite ends of the synchronous support plate are slidably matched with the screen support plate, and the damping structure is slidably and frictionally matched with the screen support plate. By changing the structural design of the folding hinge, the above folding hinge can realize the synchronous movement of two parts in the folding hinge and can meet the hovering requirement during the folding process of the folding hinge.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of electronic devices, and particularly to a folding hinge and an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] With the development of intelligent electronic devices and the transformation of users' functional requirements for electronic devices, folding electronic devices have become high-end intelligent products deployed by major electronic device manufacturers. Folding electronic devices can provide users with a larger screen, a more novel operation experience, greater portability, and a stronger sense of technology.

[0003] However, the folding hinge currently used in the market has asynchronous movement between two parts, and cannot be suspended during the folding process of the folding hinge. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention discloses a folding hinge and an electronic device. By changing the structural design of the folding hinge, synchronous movement of two parts in the folding hinge can be achieved, and the hovering requirement during the folding process of the folding hinge can be satisfied.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a folding hinge, comprising: a base assembly, two screen support plates, and two sets of folding assemblies corresponding to the two screen support plates one by one. Each screen support plate is pivotally connected to the base assembly, and the two screen support plates are oppositely arranged along a first direction;

[0007] Each set of the folding assemblies includes a synchronous support plate and a damping structure disposed on the synchronous support plate. The synchronous support plate is pivotally connected to the base assembly, and the synchronous support plates in each folding assembly are engaged with the synchronous support plates in the other folding assembly through gears;

[0008] In each set of corresponding screen support plates and folding assemblies, opposite ends of the synchronous support plate are slidably matched with the screen support plate, and the damping structure is slidably and frictionally matched with the screen support plate.

[0009] The screen support plate in the above folding hinge is pivotally connected to the base assembly, and the synchronous support plate is also pivotally connected to the base assembly. Moreover, the synchronous support plate is in sliding fit with the screen support plate. In each set of corresponding screen support plates and folding assemblies, the rotation of the synchronous support plate relative to the base assembly can drive the movement of the screen support plate relative to the base assembly; and the synchronous support plates in the two folding assemblies of the folding hinge are in gear engagement, which can realize the synchronous movement of the two folding assemblies, and thus can also realize the synchronous movement of the two screen support plates. For the base assembly, the two screen support plates can be folded or unfolded relative to each other; in addition, the sliding friction fit between the damping structure in each folding assembly and the corresponding screen support plate can achieve the damping and hovering effects.

[0010] Therefore, by changing the structural design of the folding hinge, the above folding hinge can achieve the synchronous movement of two parts in the folding hinge and can meet the hovering requirements during the folding process of the folding hinge.

[0011] Preferably, each of the screen support plates is formed with an avoidance groove for accommodating the folding assembly.

[0012] Preferably, the inner side wall of the avoidance groove is formed with a synchronous slide rail for slidingly fitting with the synchronous support plate and an extrusion surface for sliding frictionally fitting with the damping structure.

[0013] Preferably, the synchronous support plate has an installation cavity, and the synchronous support plate is formed with protruding columns for slidingly fitting with the screen support plate on opposite sides of the installation cavity;

[0014] The damping structure includes two damping blocks and a damping elastic member. The damping structure is placed in the installation cavity, and the damping elastic member is in an energy storage state and abuts between the two damping blocks.

[0015] Preferably, each damping block includes a main body portion and an extension portion. The installation cavity has installation holes corresponding to the damping blocks one by one. In each pair of corresponding damping blocks and the installation holes:

[0016] The extension portion projects out of the installation hole from the installation cavity, and the end face of the extension portion of each damping block facing away from the other damping block forms a damping extrusion surface for cooperating with the screen support plate, and the end face of the main body portion of each damping block facing away from the other damping block is used for cooperating with the limiting surface of the installation hole.

[0017] Preferably, a movement chute is formed on the base assembly, and a movement slide rail for slidingly fitting with the movement chute is formed on each screen support plate.

[0018] Preferably, a gear portion pivotally connected to the base assembly is formed on each of the synchronous support plates, and a gear set is pivotally connected to the base assembly;

[0019] The gear portion on each of the synchronous support plates is in gear engagement with the gear set.

[0020] Preferably, a limit post for defining the rotation angle of the screen support plate is provided on the base assembly.

[0021] Preferably, the base assembly includes two bases disposed opposite to each other in the second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction;

[0022] Two screen support plates are simultaneously pivotally connected to the two bases, and two synchronous support plates are also simultaneously pivotally connected to the two bases.

[0023] In a second aspect, the present application further provides an electronic device, including a flexible folding screen, a bottom case, and at least one folding hinge as provided in any one of the above technical solutions;

[0024] The base is fixed to the bottom case, and the two screen support plates are used to carry the flexible folding screen. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an electronic device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 is Figure 1 an exploded structural diagram of the structure in;

[0027] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a schematic structural diagram of the structure in when the flexible folding screen is not installed;

[0028] Figure 4 is Figure 1 another schematic structural diagram of the structure in when the flexible folding screen is not installed;

[0029] Figure 5 is Figure 1 a schematic structural diagram of the folding hinge in;

[0030] Figure 6 is Figure 1 another schematic structural diagram of the folding hinge in;

[0031] Figure 7 is Figure 5 an exploded schematic diagram of the folding hinge in;

[0032] Figure 8 is Figure 7 a schematic structural diagram of the screen support plate in;

[0033] Figure 9 Another structural schematic diagram of the screen support plate in Figure 7 ;

[0034] Figure 10 Another structural schematic diagram of the folding component in Figure 7 ;

[0035] Figure 11 Another structural schematic diagram of the folding component in Figure 7 ;

[0036] Figure 12 Another structural schematic diagram of the synchronous support plate in Figure 10 ;

[0037] Figure 13 Another structural schematic diagram of the synchronous support plate in Figure 10 ;

[0038] Figure 14 Another structural schematic diagram of the damping block in Figure 10 ;

[0039] Figure 15 Another structural schematic diagram of the damping block in Figure 10 ;

[0040] Figure 16 Another structural schematic diagram of the base assembly in Figure 7 ;

[0041] Figure 17 Another structural schematic diagram of the folding hinge in Figure 1 ;

[0042] Figure 18 Another structural schematic diagram of the folding hinge in Figure 1 ;

[0043] Figure 19 Structural diagrams of the electronic device in different usage states in Figure 1 ;

[0044] Figure 20 Structural diagrams of the electronic device in different usage states in Figure 1 ;

[0045] Figure 21 Structural diagrams of the electronic device in different usage states in Figure 1 ;

[0046] Figure 22 Structural diagrams of the electronic device in different usage states in Figure 1 ;

[0047] Figure 23 Structural diagrams of the electronic device in different usage states in Figure 1Structural diagrams of the electronic device in different usage states.

[0048] Description of the drawings: 001 - Electronic device; 01 - Folding hinge; 1 - Base assembly; 11 - Base; 111 - Movement chute; 112 - Limit post; 2 - Screen support plate; 21 - Avoidance groove; 22 - Movement slide rail; 211 - Synchronous slide rail; 212 - Extrusion surface; 3 - Folding assembly; 31 - Synchronous support plate; 311 - Protruding post; 312 - Mounting hole; 313 - Gear part; 32 - Damping structure; 321 - Damping block; 3211 - Main body part; 3212 - Extension part; 322 - Damping elastic part; 4 - Gear set; 02 - Flexible folding screen; 03 - Bottom shell; 04 - First housing; 05 - Second housing. Detailed implementation manners

[0049] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0050] The present invention provides an electronic device 001. Exemplarily, the electronic device 001 is selected as a mobile phone. As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown in the structure, the electronic device 001 includes two folding hinges 01, a flexible folding screen 02, a bottom shell 03, a first housing 04, and a second housing 05. Specifically, Figure 3 and Figure 4 looking specifically Figure 1 and Figure 2 , each folding hinge 01 is fixed in the installation groove inside the bottom shell 03 by screws, and the first housing 04 and the second housing 05 are connected by two folding hinges 01. Under the action of the folding hinge 01, the first housing 04 and the second housing 05 can be folded inwards along direction a. As for the flexible folding screen 02, it is exemplarily arranged inside the first housing 04 and the second housing 05 and covers the two folding hinges 01. In addition, the bottom shell 03 is placed at the connection between the first housing 04 and the second housing 05 to cover the gap between them when the first housing 04 bends inwards relative to the second housing 05.

[0051] Here, for the usage state of the electronic device 001, the first housing 04 and the second housing 05 are taken as examples for introduction:

[0052] When the electronic device 001 is opened and closed left and right, the first housing 04 serves as the left housing, and the second housing 05 serves as the right housing; when the electronic device 001 is opened and closed up and down, the first housing 04 serves as the upper housing, and the second housing 05 serves as the lower housing. It should be understood that the "upper" and "lower", "left" and "right" here are all relative concepts.

[0053] It should be noted that the folding hinge 01 in the electronic device 001 provided by the present invention is the folding hinge structure provided by the following technical solution.

[0054] Such as Figure 5 、 Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown in the structure, the present invention provides a folding hinge 01, including: a base assembly 1 for cooperating with the bottom case 03 in Figure 2 , two screen support plates 2 for supporting the flexible folding screen 02 as shown in Figure 2 , and two sets of folding assemblies 3 corresponding to the two screen support plates 2 one by one. Each screen support plate 2 is pivotally connected to the base assembly 1, and the two screen support plates 2 are oppositely arranged along the first direction b.

[0055] Each set of folding assemblies 3 includes a synchronous support plate 31 and a damping structure 32 provided on the synchronous support plate 31. The synchronous support plate 31 is pivotally connected to the base assembly 1, and the synchronous support plate 31 in each folding assembly 3 is engaged with the synchronous support plate 31 in the other folding assembly 3 through gears.

[0056] In each set of corresponding screen support plates 2 and folding assemblies 3, the opposite ends of the synchronous support plate 31 are slidably matched with the screen support plate 2, and the damping structure 32 is slidably frictionally matched with the screen support plate 2.

[0057] In the above folding hinge 01, the screen support plate 2 is pivotally connected to the base assembly 1, and the synchronous support plate 31 is also pivotally connected to the base assembly 1. Moreover, the synchronous support plate 31 is slidably matched with the screen support plate 2. In each set of corresponding screen support plates 2 and folding assemblies 3, the rotation of the synchronous support plate 31 relative to the base assembly 1 can drive the movement of the screen support plate 2 relative to the base assembly 1; and the synchronous support plates 31 in the two sets of folding assemblies 3 of the folding hinge 01 are engaged through gears, so that the synchronous movement of the two sets of folding assemblies 3 can be realized, and thus the synchronous movement of the two screen support plates 2 can be realized. For the base assembly 1, the two screen support plates 2 can be folded or unfolded relative to each other; in addition, the sliding friction between the damping structure 32 in each set of folding assemblies 3 and the corresponding screen support plate 2 can achieve the damping and hovering effects.

[0058] Therefore, by changing the structural design of the folding hinge 01, the above folding hinge 01 can realize the synchronous movement of the two parts in the folding hinge 01 and can meet the hovering requirements during the folding process of the folding hinge 01.

[0059] Based on the above technical solution, in order to prevent the screen support plate 2 from colliding with the synchronous support plate 31 during movement, as a preferred implementation, as shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9 , each screen support plate 2 is formed with an avoidance groove 21 for accommodating the folding assembly 3.

[0060] Based on the above technical solution, a specific implementation of the screen support plate 2 and the folding assembly 3 is now provided:

[0061] Please continue to refer to the structures shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9 . The screen support plate 2 is formed with a synchronous slide rail 211 for slidingly mating with the synchronous support plate 31 and an extrusion surface 212 for slidingly frictionally mating with the damping structure 32 on the inner side wall of the avoidance groove 21.

[0062] Please refer to Figures 10 to 15 . The synchronous support plate 31 has an installation cavity, and the synchronous support plate 31 is formed with protruding columns 311 for slidingly mating with the screen support plate 2 on opposite sides of the installation cavity; the damping structure 32 includes two damping blocks 321 and a damping elastic member 322. The damping structure 32 is placed in the installation cavity, and the damping elastic member 322 is in an energy storage state and abuts between the two damping blocks 321. Exemplarily, the damping elastic member 322 is a spring.

[0063] Each damping block 321 includes a main body portion 3211 and an extension portion 3212. The installation cavity has installation holes 312 corresponding to the damping blocks 321 one by one. Among each pair of corresponding damping blocks 321 and the installation holes 312: the extension portion 3212 projects out of the installation hole 312 from the installation cavity, and a damping extrusion surface A for mating with the screen support plate 2 is formed on the end face of the extension portion 3212 of each damping block 321 facing away from the other damping block 321, and a limiting surface B for mating with the installation hole 312 is formed on the end face of the main body portion 3211 of each damping block 321 facing away from the other damping block 321.

[0064] Combined with Figure 14 and Figure 15 See Figure 12 , Figure 8 and Figure 9, each damping block 321 is placed in the installation cavity, a damping elastic member 322 is arranged between the two damping blocks 321, the damping elastic member 322 presses the damping block 321, the limiting surface B of each damping block 321 abuts against the side wall of the installation cavity, and the shape of the extending portion 3212 of each damping block 321 is the same as that of the convex column 311, and it extends out of the installation hole 312 and is sleeved on the convex column 311. The convex columns 311 on both sides of the synchronous support plate 31 are installed inside the synchronous slide rails 211 of the screen support plate 2, playing the role of sliders; the damping extrusion surface A of the damping block 321 presses the extrusion surface 212 of the screen support plate 2, and the sliding friction force between the damping block 321 and the extrusion surface 212 of the screen support plate 2 ensures the damping effect during the movement process and the hovering effect at any position.

[0065] Based on the above technical solution, in combination with Figure 7 See Figure 16 the structure shown, the base assembly 1 includes two bases 11 arranged opposite to each other along the second direction b, and the second direction b is perpendicular to the first direction a;

[0066] The two screen support plates 2 are simultaneously pivotally connected to the two bases 11, and the two synchronous support plates 31 are also simultaneously pivotally connected to the two bases 11. In combination with Figure 8 and Figure 9 See Figure 16 the structure shown, a movement chute 111 is formed on each base 11, and a movement slide rail 22 that is slidably matched with the movement chute 111 is formed on each screen support plate 2.

[0067] It should be noted that by using the cooperation between the screen support plate 2 and the base 11 with the arc-shaped movement chute 111 to achieve the movement track, it can ensure that the flexible folding screen 02 supported by the two screen support plates 2 will not be pulled during the movement of the above folding hinge 01.

[0068] Based on the above technical solution, a gear portion 313 pivotally connected to the base assembly 1 is formed on each synchronous support plate 31, and a gear set 4 is pivotally connected to the base assembly 1; the gear portion 313 on each synchronous support plate 31 is in gear engagement with the gear set 4.

[0069] It should be noted that the folding hinge 01 provided by the embodiment of the present invention can achieve the synchronous movement of the folding hinge 01 by using the gear linkage between the gear portion 313 on the synchronous support plate 31 and the gear set 4.

[0070] Combined with the above structure, the movement process of each structure in the folding hinge 01 provided by the embodiment of the present invention will be specifically introduced: The screen support plate 2 drives the protruding column 311 to perform a linear motion inside the motion slide rail 22, and the protruding column 311 drives the damping block 321 to move. Since the protruding column 311 and the synchronous support plate 31 are of an integral structure, the synchronous support plate 31 rotates around the assembly hole on the base 11, and the gear portion 313 of the synchronous support plate 31 meshes with the gears in the gear set 4.

[0071] Based on the above technical solution, in order to facilitate controlling the opening angles of the two screen support plates 2, preferably, as Figure 16 shown, a limit post 112 for limiting the rotation angle of the screen support plate 2 is provided on the base assembly 1.

[0072] Here, the working states of each structure inside the electronic device 001 provided by the present invention during folding will be introduced by way of example:

[0073] Taking the inward folding of the first housing 04 and the second housing 05 as an example, the first housing 04 and the second housing 05 are merged inwardly, and the folding hinge 01 moves from the state in Figure 17 and Figure 18 Specifically, the first housing 04 and the second housing 05 drive the screen support plate 2 to move through the fastening screws, and the movement of the screen support plate 2 drives the protruding column 311 of the synchronous support plate 31. The protruding column 311 moves in the synchronous slide rails 211 on both sides of the screen support plate 2. Since the protruding column 311 and the synchronous support plate 31 are integral, the synchronous support plate 31 also moves with the screen support plate 2. The two synchronous support plates 31 are meshed with the intermediate gear set 4 through the gears 313 to ensure the synchronous movement of the first housing 04 and the second housing 05;

[0074] The damping block 321 is sleeved outside the protruding column 311. When the synchronous support plate 31 moves with the screen support plate 2, the protruding column 311 will slide from one side of the screen support plate 2 to the other side. At this time, the damping block 321 in the mounting hole 312 sleeving the synchronous support plate 31 will be squeezed by the squeezing surfaces 212 on both sides of the screen support plate 2. After being squeezed, the damping block 321 will move in the mounting hole 312 of the synchronous support plate 31 in a direction away from the synchronous slide rail 211. At this time, the damping elastic member 322 is squeezed, and the pressure of the damping elastic member 322 increases the normal pressure between the damping block 321 and the squeezing surface 212, so that the frictional force between the damping extrusion surface A of the damping block 321 and the squeezing surface 212 of the screen support plate 2 increases, thereby achieving the hovering effect, as Figures 19 to 20 shown.

[0075] When the first housing 04 and the second housing 05 complete the folding operation, the structure shown in Figure 21 is formed. Correspondingly, when the first housing 04 and the second housing 05 are fully opened,Figure 1 , Figure 22 and Figure 23 the structures in

[0076] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present invention fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention and their equivalent technologies, the present invention is also intended to include these changes and modifications.

Claims

1. A folding hinge, characterized in that, it includes: a base assembly, two screen support plates, and two sets of folding assemblies corresponding to the two screen support plates one by one. Each screen support plate is pivotally connected to the base assembly, and the two screen support plates are arranged opposite to each other in a first direction; each set of the folding assemblies includes a synchronous support plate and a damping structure arranged on the synchronous support plate. The synchronous support plate is pivotally connected to the base assembly, and the synchronous support plates in each folding assembly are engaged with the synchronous support plate in the other folding assembly through gears; in each set of corresponding screen support plates and folding assemblies, opposite ends of the synchronous support plate are slidably matched with the screen support plate, and the damping structure is slidably and frictionally matched with the screen support plate; each screen support plate is formed with an avoidance groove for accommodating the folding assembly; the inner side wall of the avoidance groove is formed with a synchronous slide rail for slidably matching the synchronous support plate and a pressing surface for slidably and frictionally matching the damping structure; the synchronous support plate has an installation cavity, and the synchronous support plate is formed with protruding columns for slidably matching with the screen support plate on opposite sides of the installation cavity; the damping structure includes two damping blocks and a damping elastic member. The damping structure is placed in the installation cavity, and the damping elastic member is in an energy storage state and abuts between the two damping blocks; each damping block includes a main body portion and an extension portion. The installation cavity has installation holes corresponding to the damping blocks one by one. In each pair of corresponding damping blocks and installation holes: the extension portion protrudes from the installation cavity out of the installation hole, and the end face of the extension portion of each damping block facing away from the other damping block forms a damping pressing surface for cooperating with the screen support plate, and the end face of the main body portion of each damping block facing away from the other damping block is used for cooperating with the limiting surface of the installation hole.

2. The folding hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that, a movement chute is formed on the base assembly, and a movement slide rail for slidably matching with the movement chute is formed on each screen support plate.

3. The folding hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that, each synchronous support plate is formed with a gear portion pivotally connected to the base assembly, and a gear set is pivotally connected to the base assembly; the gear portion on each synchronous support plate is engaged with the gear set through gears.

4. The folding hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that, a limiting column for limiting the rotation angle of the screen support plate is arranged on the base assembly.

5. The folding hinge according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, the base assembly includes two bases arranged opposite to each other in a second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction; the two screen support plates are simultaneously pivotally connected to the two bases, and the two synchronous support plates are also simultaneously pivotally connected to the two bases.

6. An electronic device, characterized in that, it includes a flexible folding screen, a bottom shell, and at least one folding hinge according to any one of claims 1-5; The base is fixed to the bottom shell, and the two screen support plates are used to carry the flexible folding screen.

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