U-shaped folding hinge for mobile terminal and mobile terminal

Abstract

The present invention provides a U-shaped folding hinge and a mobile terminal for use in a mobile terminal, comprising an intermediate housing and two linkage modules for realizing synchronous rotation and locking of the terminal housing, wherein a plurality of mounting positions are arranged inside the intermediate housing, and the two linkage modules are respectively located at the two ends of the intermediate housing and fixed to the corresponding mounting positions, and the linkage module is composed of a virtual axis connection mechanism, a synchronous rotation mechanism and a locking mechanism. The beneficial effect of the present invention is that two linkage modules of the same structure are respectively installed at the two ends of the intermediate housing and form a folding hinge structure, so that the folding hinge structure is relatively simple, and the folding hinge can be miniaturized at the same time, and then it can be better adapted to a variety of mobile devices (mobile phones, laptops and tablet computers, etc.).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of electronic equipment, and in particular relates to a U-shaped folding hinge applied to a mobile terminal and the mobile terminal. Background Art

[0002] Flexible screen is a kind of flexible screen, which refers to flexible OLED. The successful mass production of flexible screen is not only limited to the manufacturing of the new generation of high-end smartphones, but also has a profound impact on the application of wearable devices due to its low power consumption and bendable characteristics.

[0003] Flexible screens are developing very fast, but the development of folding hinges used in flexible screens is still relatively slow. The current internal folding hinge structure has many complex action mechanisms, unstable structural connections, and a large space occupation ratio in mobile terminals. At the same time, the hinge has poor adaptability when installed on different mobile terminals. Therefore, it is of great significance to study an internal folding hinge with a small space occupation ratio, simple and efficient action mechanism, and applicable to different terminals. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a U-shaped folding hinge and a mobile terminal for use in a mobile terminal, aiming to solve the problems that the current internal folding hinge structure has multiple and complex action mechanisms, unstable structural connections, occupies a large space in the mobile terminal, and has poor adaptability when the hinge is installed in different mobile terminals.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solution: A U-shaped folding hinge applied to a mobile terminal, comprising: an intermediate housing, wherein a plurality of installation positions are provided inside the intermediate housing;

[0006] Two linkage modules for realizing synchronous rotation and locking of the terminal housing, the two linkage modules are respectively located at two ends of the intermediate housing and fixed to corresponding mounting positions;

[0007] The linkage module is composed of a virtual axis connection mechanism, a synchronous rotation mechanism and a locking mechanism.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the virtual axis connection mechanism includes two slide rail seats located on the inner side of the end of the intermediate shell, the two slide rail seats are fixedly connected to the corresponding mounting positions by screws, and the two slide rail seats are respectively slidably connected to the left rotating block and the right rotating block through the provided slideways.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the synchronous rotation mechanism includes two intermediate gears meshing with each other, the two intermediate gears are located between the end heads of the two slide rail seats, and the intermediate gears are rotatably connected to the axial holes opened at the end heads of the slide rail seats through connecting shafts, the outer sides of the two intermediate gears are meshed and connected with gear arms, one end of the two gear arms are rotatably connected to the axial holes opened corresponding to the end heads of the slide rail seats through gear arm connecting shafts, and the other end of the gear arm is connected to a slider through a wheel arm connecting shaft.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the two sliders are slidably connected with the corresponding slide grooves provided at the bottom of the left rotating block and the right rotating block through the provided slideways, and slider bosses are provided on both sides of the sliders.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism includes two groups of spring seats fixedly installed on the bottom of the left rotating block and the right rotating block respectively, and a spring bracket is installed inside each spring seat, a protrusion is provided at one end of the spring bracket and is placed outside the spring seat, and the other end of the spring bracket is sleeved with a spring placed inside the spring seat.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a left cover plate and a right cover plate are symmetrically provided on the top of the intermediate shell.

[0013] A mobile terminal comprises a U-shaped folding hinge applied to a mobile terminal as described in any one of the above, and also comprises a left shell and a right shell, wherein the left shell is fixedly connected to a left rotating block and a left cover plate, and the right shell is fixedly connected to a right rotating block and a right cover plate.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0015] 1) The virtual axis connection mechanism set by the linkage module can guide the left and right shells of the mobile terminal to rotate around their respective axes. The gear arm set by the synchronous rotation mechanism cooperates with the intermediate gear to make the left and right rotating blocks drive the terminal shell to achieve synchronous movement, while providing a good mechanical feedback feel. During the opening and closing process of the terminal shell, the slider and the sliding groove of the rotating block slide to avoid the screen and compensate for the stroke during the hinge folding process to ensure that the hinge can be opened and closed normally;

[0016] 2) One end of the spring bracket provided in the locking mechanism cooperates with the sliding slider, and can be locked when the hinge is fully opened or closed, thereby preventing the hinge from being over-folded and causing damage to the flexible display screen, and increasing the service life of the hinge and the mobile terminal;

[0017] 3) Two linkage modules of the same structure are respectively installed at the two ends of the middle shell to form a folding hinge structure, which makes the folding hinge structure relatively simple and can realize the miniaturization of the folding hinge, so that it can better adapt to a variety of mobile devices (mobile phones, laptops and tablets, etc.). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The accompanying drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention and constitute a part of the specification. Together with the embodiments of the present invention, they are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute a limitation of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings:

[0019] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the closed state of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the hinge structure of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the linkage module structure of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the closed state of the linkage module of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the splitting of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the linkage module splitting of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of an expanded cross section of the present invention;

[0027] Fig. 9 It is a closed cross-sectional schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0028] In the figure: 1. intermediate housing; 11. left cover; 12. right cover; 2. linkage module; 2a. virtual axis connection mechanism; 2a1. slide rail seat; 2a2. left rotating block; 2a3. right rotating block; 2b. synchronous rotation mechanism; 2b1. intermediate gear; 2b2. gear arm connecting shaft; 2b3. gear arm; 2b4. wheel arm connecting shaft; 2b5. slider; 2c. locking mechanism; 2c1. spring seat; 2c2. spring bracket; 2c3. spring; 3. left housing; 4. right housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] See also Figure 1-9 The present invention provides the following technical solutions: A U-shaped folding hinge applied to a mobile terminal, comprising an intermediate shell 1 and two linkage modules 2 for realizing synchronous rotation and locking of the terminal shell, wherein a plurality of installation positions are arranged inside the intermediate shell 1, and the two linkage modules 2 are respectively located at both ends of the intermediate shell 1 and fixed to the corresponding installation positions, and the linkage module 2 is composed of a virtual axis connection mechanism 2a, a synchronous rotation mechanism 2b and a locking mechanism 2c.

[0031] In this embodiment: the virtual axis connection mechanism 2a includes two slide rail seats 2a1 located on the inner side of the end of the intermediate shell 1, and the two slide rail seats 2a1 are fixedly connected to the corresponding installation positions by screws, and the two slide rail seats 2a1 are respectively slidably connected to the left rotating block 2a2 and the right rotating block 2a3 through the provided slideways.

[0032] Specifically, when the hinge is opened and closed, the slide grooves of the left rotating block 2a2 and the right rotating block 2a3 are installed in coordination with the tracks of the slide rail seat 2a1, so that the left rotating block 2a2 and the right rotating block 2a3 can rotate around the rotation center of the slide rail seat 2a1 respectively, and at the same time guide the rotation of the terminal shell.

[0033] In this embodiment: the synchronous rotation mechanism 2b includes two mutually meshing intermediate gears 2b1, the two intermediate gears 2b1 are located between the ends of the two slide rail seats 2a1, and the intermediate gears 2b1 are rotatably connected to the axial holes opened at the ends of the slide rail seats 2a1 through the connecting shafts, the outer sides of the two intermediate gears 2b1 are meshed and connected with gear arms 2b3, one end of the two gear arms 2b3 is rotatably connected to the axial holes opened at the ends of the slide rail seats 2a1 through the gear arm connecting shafts 2b2, the other end of the gear arm 2b3 is connected to a slider 2b5 through the wheel arm connecting shaft 2b4, the two sliders 2b5 are slidably connected to the slide grooves provided at the bottom of the corresponding left rotating block 2a2 and the right rotating block 2a3 through the provided slideways, and slider bosses are provided on both sides of the slider 2b5.

[0034] Specifically, during the process of the hinge from opening to closing:

[0035] The left housing 3 is turned clockwise to drive the left rotating block 2a2 to rotate clockwise, and the left rotating block 2a2 rotates clockwise to drive the left slider 2b5 to rotate clockwise. At the same time, the left slider 2b5 slides along the sliding groove of the left rotating block 2a2. In addition, the left slider 2b5 rotates clockwise, which drives the left gear arm 2b3 to rotate clockwise. The left gear arm 2b3 rotates clockwise to drive the middle gear 2b1 to rotate, thereby driving the right gear arm 2b3 to move counterclockwise. The right gear arm 2b3 moves counterclockwise, which drives the right slider 2b5 to move counterclockwise. Then, the right rotating block 2a3 moves counterclockwise through the counterclockwise movement of the right slider 2b5. The right rotating block 2a3 moves counterclockwise, which drives the right housing 4 to move counterclockwise, thereby realizing the synchronous closing movement of the left and right housings.

[0036] In the process of the hinge from closing to unfolding: by pulling the left shell body 3 to rotate counterclockwise, the left rotating block 2a2 is driven to rotate counterclockwise, and the left rotating block 2a2 is driven to rotate counterclockwise to drive the left slider 2b5 to rotate counterclockwise. At the same time, the left slider 2b5 slides along the sliding groove of the left rotating block 2a2. In addition, the left slider 2b5 rotates counterclockwise, driving the left gear arm 2b3 to rotate counterclockwise. The left gear arm 2b3 is used to rotate counterclockwise to drive the middle gear 2b1 to rotate, thereby driving the right gear arm 2b3 to move clockwise. The right gear arm 2b3 moves clockwise, driving the right slider 2b5 to move clockwise, and then the right rotating block 2a3 is driven clockwise by the clockwise movement of the right slider 2b5. The right rotating block 2a3 moves clockwise, driving the right shell body 4 to move clockwise, thereby realizing the synchronous opening movement of the left and right shells.

[0037] In this embodiment: the locking mechanism 2c includes two groups of spring seats 2c1 fixedly installed at the bottom of the left rotating block 2a2 and the right rotating block 2a3 respectively, and a spring bracket 2c2 is installed inside each spring seat 2c1, a protrusion provided at one end of the spring bracket 2c2 is placed outside the spring seat 2c1, and the other end of the spring bracket 2c2 is sleeved with a spring 2c3 placed inside the spring seat 2c1.

[0038] Specifically, during the process of the hinge from opening to closing:

[0039] The slider 2b5 slides toward the middle relative to the rotating block. During the sliding process of the slider 2b5, the slider boss will first push the spring bracket 2c2 to move to both sides. When the spring bracket 2c2 moves to both sides, it will compress the spring 2c3 at the same time. When the slider 2b5 moves to the point where the boss inclined surface contacts the protrusion of the spring bracket 2c2, the spring bracket 2c2 pushes the slider 2b5 to slide toward the middle automatically under the action of the spring force, thereby realizing the locking function of the hinge during the closing process.

[0040] During the process of the hinge moving from closed to unfolded: the slider 2b5 slides outward relative to the rotating block. During the sliding process of the slider 2b5, the slider boss will first push the spring bracket 2c2 to move to both sides. When the spring bracket 2c2 moves to both sides, it will compress the spring 2c3 at the same time. When the slider 2b5 moves to the point where the inclined surface of its boss contacts the protrusion of the spring bracket 2c2, the spring bracket 2c2 pushes the slider 2b5 to slide automatically outward under the action of the spring force, thereby realizing the locking function of the rotating shaft during the unfolding process. Of course, the spring 2c3 in the locking mechanism 2c can also be other elastic mechanisms such as a disc spring.

[0041] In this embodiment: a left cover plate 11 and a right cover plate 12 are symmetrically arranged on the top of the intermediate housing 1. The left cover plate 11 and the right cover plate 12 cooperate with the terminal housing to effectively support the screen.

[0042] A mobile terminal includes any one of the above-mentioned U-shaped folding hinges applied to the mobile terminal, and also includes a left shell 3 and a right shell 4, the left shell 3 is fixedly connected to the left rotating block 2a2 and the left cover 11, and the right shell 4 is fixedly connected to the right rotating block 2a3 and the right cover 12.

[0043] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments or replace some of the technical features therein by equivalents. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A U-shaped folding hinge for a mobile terminal, characterized in that: include: An intermediate housing (1), wherein a plurality of mounting positions are provided inside the intermediate housing (1); Two linkage modules (2) for realizing synchronous rotation and locking of the terminal housing, the two linkage modules (2) being respectively located at two ends of the intermediate housing (1) and fixed to corresponding mounting positions; The linkage module (2) is composed of a virtual axis connection mechanism (2a), a synchronous rotation mechanism (2b) and a locking mechanism (2c); The virtual axis connection mechanism (2a) comprises two slide rail seats (2a1) located on the inner side of the end of the intermediate housing (1), the two slide rail seats (2a1) are fixedly connected to corresponding mounting positions by means of screws, and the two slide rail seats (2a1) are respectively slidably connected to a left rotating block (2a2) and a right rotating block (2a3) via provided slideways; The synchronous rotation mechanism (2b) comprises two mutually meshing intermediate gears (2b1), the two intermediate gears (2b1) are located between the ends of the two slide rail seats (2a1), and the intermediate gears (2b1) are rotatably connected to the shaft holes opened at the ends of the slide rail seats (2a1) via a connecting shaft, the outer sides of the two intermediate gears (2b1) are meshingly connected to gear arms (2b3), one end of the two gear arms (2b3) is rotatably connected to the shaft holes corresponding to the ends of the slide rail seats (2a1) via a gear arm connecting shaft (2b2), and the other end of the gear arm (2b3) is connected to a slider (2b5) via a wheel arm connecting shaft (2b4); The two sliding blocks (2b5) are slidably connected to the sliding grooves provided at the bottom of the corresponding left rotating block (2a2) and right rotating block (2a3) through the provided slideways, and sliding block bosses are provided on both sides of the sliding blocks (2b5); During the process of the hinge from opening to closing: the slider (2b5) slides toward the center relative to the rotating block, and during the sliding process of the slider (2b5), the slider boss first pushes the spring bracket (2c2) to move toward both sides, and when the spring bracket (2c2) moves toward both sides, it compresses the spring (2c3) at the same time; when the slider (2b5) moves to the point where the boss inclined surface contacts the protrusion of the spring bracket (2c2), the spring bracket (2c2) pushes the slider (2b5) to slide toward the center automatically under the action of the spring force, thereby realizing the locking function of the hinge during the closing process; The locking mechanism (2c) comprises two groups of spring seats (2c1) respectively fixedly mounted on the bottom of the left rotating block (2a2) and the right rotating block (2a3); a spring bracket (2c2) is mounted inside each spring seat (2c1); a protrusion is arranged at one end of the spring bracket (2c2) and is arranged outside the spring seat (2c1); and a spring (2c3) is sleeved at the other end of the spring bracket (2c2) and is arranged inside the spring seat (2c1); A left cover plate (11) and a right cover plate (12) are also symmetrically provided on the top of the intermediate shell (1).

2. A mobile terminal, comprising a U-shaped folding hinge for use in a mobile terminal as claimed in any one of claims 1, characterized in that: It also comprises a left shell (3) and a right shell (4), wherein the left shell (3) is fixedly connected to the left rotating block (2a2) and the left cover plate (11), and the right shell (4) is fixedly connected to the right rotating block (2a3) and the right cover plate (12).

Images