Folding device and electronic device

Abstract

The present application discloses a folding device and an electronic device. The folding device includes a first wing plate, a main shaft assembly, and a second wing plate, as well as a first shielding plate, a cover plate, a sliding bracket, and a second shielding plate. The two sides of the main shaft assembly are respectively rotatably connected to the first wing plate and the second wing plate. The cover plate is fixedly spaced from the main shaft assembly. The sliding bracket slides between the cover plate and the main shaft assembly. The first shielding plate is slidably connected to the first wing plate and is rotatably and slidably connected to the sliding bracket at the same time. The second shielding plate is slidably connected to the second wing plate and is also rotatably and slidably connected to the sliding bracket at the same time. When the folding device is unfolded, the first wing plate and the second wing plate are respectively shielded by the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate, and the main shaft assembly is also shielded by the cover plate. When the folding device is folded, the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate can partially shield the cover plate to achieve sealing, thereby preventing the gap of the main shaft assembly from being invaded by dust or moisture. The electronic device of the present application has higher reliability and longer service life.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of foldable electronic products, and particularly to a folding device and an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, due to their characteristics such as being thin, light, and not easily broken, flexible display screens have been widely used in various foldable electronic devices. The foldable electronic device also includes two housings for carrying the flexible display screen, and a folding device connected between the two housings. The folding device is used to carry the bent part of the flexible display screen. The folding device generally includes a main shaft assembly. The two housings are relatively folded or relatively unfolded through the deformation of the folding device, and drive the flexible display screen to fold or unfold.

[0003] However, during the folding or unfolding process of the traditional folding device, usually two shielding plates are arranged on the surface of the folding device facing away from the flexible display screen to shield the internal parts of the main shaft assembly of the folding device, and the sliding of the two shielding plates relative to the main shaft assembly is used to adapt to the morphological change of the folding device. After the folding device is folded, the shielding plate will contract to the maximum displacement position relative to the main shaft assembly. At this time, a gap will be generated between the shielding plate and the inner bending position of the folding device. The inside of the electronic device may be invaded by dust or moisture due to the lack of shielding protection at this gap position, resulting in the movement blockage of the folding device or the inside of the electronic device getting damp, and the service life of the electronic device becoming shorter. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide a folding device and an electronic device. The folding device is used to fix the two housings of the electronic device, and thus carry the flexible display screen. Because a cover plate, a first shielding plate, and a second shielding plate are arranged at the inner bending position of the folding device, during the folding or unfolding process of the folding device, through the cooperation of the cover plate with the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate, it can protect the inside of the folding device or the electronic device from being invaded by dust or moisture, avoid the movement blockage of the folding device or the inside of the electronic device getting damp, and improve the service life of the electronic device.

[0005] In a first aspect, this application provides a folding device. The folding device can be applied to a foldable electronic device and is used to carry a flexible display screen. The folding device includes a main shaft assembly, a first wing plate, and a second wing plate. The first wing plate and the second wing plate are distributed on both sides of the main shaft assembly along the length direction perpendicular to the main shaft assembly, and are respectively rotatably connected to the main shaft assembly. The first wing plate and the second wing plate can be relatively folded or relatively unfolded;

[0006] The main shaft assembly, the first wing plate, and the second wing plate respectively include a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the first surface is close to the flexible display screen;

[0007] The folding device further includes a cover plate located on the second surface of the main shaft assembly, a first shielding plate and a second shielding plate respectively located on the second surfaces of the first wing plate and the second wing plate, and a sliding bracket located between the main shaft assembly and the cover plate;

[0008] The cover plate is fixedly spaced from the main shaft assembly and forms a spaced space, and at least part of the sliding bracket is movably arranged in the spaced space;

[0009] The first shielding plate includes a first sliding end and a first rotating end. The first rotating end is rotatably connected to one side of the sliding bracket and can slide relatively, and the first sliding end is slidably connected to the first wing plate;

[0010] The second shielding plate includes a second sliding end and a second rotating end. The second rotating end is rotatably connected to the other side of the sliding bracket and can slide relatively, and the second sliding end is slidably connected to the second wing plate;

[0011] The cover plate has a top surface facing away from the main shaft assembly. When the first wing plate and the second wing plate are folded relative to each other, the first wing plate and the second wing plate drive the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate to approach each other, and at the same time pull the sliding bracket closer to the cover plate, so that the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate at least partially shield the top surface of the cover plate.

[0012] In the present application, the first wing plate and the second wing plate realize the relative folding or relative unfolding actions through the main shaft assembly. At the same time, through the sliding connection between the first wing plate and the first sliding end, when the first wing plate folds or unfolds relative to the second wing plate, the first shielding plate always covers the outside of the first wing plate to achieve the effect of dust prevention; also through the sliding connection between the second wing plate and the second sliding end, when the second wing plate folds or unfolds relative to the first housing, the second shielding plate always covers the outside of the second wing plate to achieve the effect of dust prevention.

[0013] The folding device of the present application also uses a sliding bracket that is at least partially movable between the cover plate and the main shaft assembly to be rotatably connected and slid with the first rotating end and the second rotating end respectively. When the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate slide with the first wing plate and the second wing plate respectively, through the movement of the sliding bracket between the cover plate and the main shaft assembly, the height of the rotation axes of the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate is correspondingly adjusted to cooperate with the relative folding or relative unfolding of the first wing plate and the second wing plate. At the same time, the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate can also slide relative to the sliding bracket respectively, so that when the first wing plate and the second wing plate are folded relative to each other, they can approach each other and at least partially shield the top surface of the cover plate to achieve the effect of shielding and dust prevention.

[0014] The main shaft assembly can maintain a dust-proof state during the relative folding or relative unfolding of the first wing plate and the second wing plate through the setting of the cover plate. Compared with the prior art, after the first wing plate and the second wing plate are relatively folded, the first shielding plate slides to the far end relative to the first wing plate, and the second shielding plate also slides to the far end relative to the second wing plate, resulting in the loss of the shielding of the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate at the main shaft assembly, forming a gap that is vulnerable to dust or water vapor intrusion. Since the cover plate is provided in the folding device of the present application to always provide shielding for the main shaft assembly, the phenomenon of exposing a similar gap is avoided. The folding device of the present application thus obtains better sealing protection and extends the service life.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the cover plate includes a first side close to the first wing plate and a second side close to the second wing plate. The sliding bracket includes a bracket body and a first connecting arm and a second connecting arm respectively provided on both sides of the bracket body. The first connecting arm and the second connecting arm are respectively provided with a first rotating part and a second rotating part, and the bracket body is located in the spaced space;

[0016] The first connecting arm extends out of the spaced space and extends to the first rotating end of the first shielding plate, and is rotatably connected to the first rotating end through the first rotating part and can slide relatively;

[0017] The second connecting arm extends out of the spaced space and extends to the second rotating end of the second shielding plate, and is rotatably connected to the second rotating end through the second rotating part and can slide relatively.

[0018] In this implementation, through the setting of the sliding bracket, the bracket body can slide between the cover plate and the main shaft assembly, and through the first rotating arm and the second rotating arm respectively, the first rotating part and the second rotating part extend out of the spaced space, and the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate are respectively rotatably connected to the sliding bracket outside the first side and the second side of the cover plate. Thus, after the first wing plate and the second wing plate are relatively folded, the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate can slide relatively closer. The movement trajectories of the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate will not interfere with the cover plate, and the cover plate can be spaced from the main shaft assembly and maintain a complete planar structure, providing a better shielding effect for the main shaft assembly.

[0019] In a possible implementation, when the first wing plate and the second wing plate are relatively unfolded, the distance between the first rotating end and the first side is less than or equal to the first distance, and the distance between the second rotating end and the second side is also less than or equal to the first distance.

[0020] In this implementation, when the first wing plate and the second wing plate are relatively unfolded, the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate are arranged on both sides of the cover plate. The distance between the first rotating end of the first shielding plate close to the cover plate and the first side edge, and the distance between the second rotating end of the second shielding plate close to the cover plate and the second side edge are set to be less than or equal to the first distance, which is conducive to controlling the gaps between the cover plate and the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate, respectively, so that the folding device of the present application can achieve a better sealing effect.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the first distance value is zero.

[0022] In this implementation, it is arranged that when the first wing panel and the second wing panel are relatively unfolded, the first rotating end of the first shielding plate directly contacts the first side edge, and at the same time, the second rotating end of the second shielding plate also directly contacts the second side edge, thereby eliminating the gap between the cover plate and the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate, respectively, and achieving a better sealing effect when the first wing panel and the second wing panel are relatively unfolded.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the first rotating portion and the second rotating portion are both located on a side of the bracket body facing away from the spindle assembly.

[0024] In this implementation, the sliding bracket is generally U-shaped, and its bracket body is accommodated in the interval space formed by the cover plate and the spindle assembly, and is closer to the spindle assembly than the first rotating part and the second rotating part. Therefore, when the bracket body slides to a position close to the cover plate, the first rotating part and the second rotating part can be higher than the cover plate, and are connected to the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate respectively. The connection position of the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate with the sliding bracket is maintained above the outer contour of the cover plate, thereby ensuring that the cover plate maintains its complete planar structure, providing a better shielding effect for the spindle assembly.

[0025] In one possible implementation, when the first wing panel and the second wing panel are folded relative to each other, the first rotating portion and the second rotating portion are both located on the side of the top surface of the cover plate away from the main shaft assembly, so that the first rotating end of the first shielding plate and the second rotating end of the second shielding plate are respectively rotated to the side of the top surface away from the main shaft assembly.

[0026] In this implementation, when the first wing plate and the second wing plate are folded relative to each other, the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate are simultaneously rotated to the side of the cover plate away from the main shaft assembly. At this time, there is no structural member blocking the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate, and the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate can slide towards each other and close together, so that the folding gap formed by the first wing plate and the second wing plate after being folded relative to each other is smaller.

[0027] In a possible implementation, when the first wing panel and the second wing panel are folded relative to each other through the main shaft assembly, the distance between the first rotating end and the top surface, and the distance between the second rotating end and the top surface are both less than or equal to the second distance.

[0028] In this implementation, when the first wing plate and the second wing plate are folded relative to each other, the distance between the first rotating end of the first shielding plate close to the cover plate and the top surface, and the distance between the second rotating end of the second shielding plate close to the cover plate and the top surface are both set to be less than or equal to the second distance, which can also control the gap inside the folding device. It can be understood that the smaller the second distance, the smaller the internal gap of the folding device, thereby improving the sealing performance of the folding device itself.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the value of the second distance is zero.

[0030] In this implementation, it is set that when the first wing plate and the second wing plate are folded relative to each other, the first rotating end of the first shielding plate directly abuts against the top surface, and at the same time, the second rotating end of the second shielding plate also directly abuts against the top surface, which can eliminate the gaps between the cover plate and the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate respectively, achieving a better sealing effect.

[0031] In a possible implementation, both the first rotating part and the second rotating part are configured as rotating shafts, the first rotating end is provided with a first sliding groove, and the second rotating end is provided with a second sliding groove;

[0032] The first rotating part is installed in the first sliding groove and can slide and rotate in the first sliding groove; the second rotating part is installed in the second sliding groove and can slide and rotate in the second sliding groove.

[0033] In this implementation, since the sliding bracket is received between the cover plate and the folding shaft group and has a relatively small volume, setting the first rotating part and the second rotating part of the sliding bracket as a rotating shaft structure is beneficial to controlling the volume of the sliding bracket. And by providing sliding groove structures at the first rotating end and the second rotating end respectively, it can be realized that while the first sliding groove rotates relative to the first rotating part, the first shielding plate also drives the first wing plate to slide towards the second wing plate; and while the second sliding groove rotates relative to the second rotating part, the second shielding plate also drives the second wing plate to slide towards the first wing plate.

[0034] In a possible implementation, the first sliding groove is arranged along the direction in which the first wing plate extends towards the first shielding plate; the second sliding groove is arranged along the direction in which the second wing plate extends towards the second shielding plate.

[0035] In this embodiment, the first sliding groove is arranged along the direction in which the first wing plate extends towards the first shielding plate, so that during the movement of the first shielding plate along with the first wing plate, it can slide linearly relative to the first rotating part and approach or move away from the second wing plate;

[0036] The second sliding groove is arranged along the direction in which the second wing plate extends towards the second shielding plate, so that during the movement of the second shielding plate along with the second wing plate, it can also slide linearly relative to the second rotating part and approach or move away from the first wing plate.

[0037] In a possible implementation, when the first wing plate and the second wing plate are folded relative to each other, the first rotating part slides in the first sliding groove from the end far away from the first wing plate to the end close to the first wing plate, and the second rotating part slides in the second sliding groove from the end far away from the second wing plate to the end close to the second wing plate.

[0038] In this embodiment, after the first wing plate and the second wing plate are folded relative to each other, the second wing plate is located in the direction where the first wing plate extends towards the first shielding plate, and the first wing plate is also located in the direction where the second wing plate extends towards the second shielding plate. Thus, when the first rotating part slides in the first sliding groove from the end far away from the first wing plate to the end close to the first wing plate, and the second rotating part slides in the second sliding groove from the end far away from the second wing plate to the end close to the second wing plate, the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate tend to approach each other, and the internal gap formed after the folding device of the present application is folded can be reduced.

[0039] In a possible implementation, the first shielding plate includes a first rotating body and a first shielding cover fixedly connected. The first shielding cover is located on the second surface of the first wing plate, the first rotating body is located between the first shielding cover and the first wing plate, and the first rotating body and the first shielding cover enclose the first sliding groove.

[0040] The second shielding plate includes a second rotating body and a second shielding cover fixedly connected. The second shielding cover is located on the second surface of the second wing plate, the second rotating body is located between the second shielding cover and the second wing plate, and the second rotating body and the second shielding cover enclose the second sliding groove.

[0041] In this implementation, the first sliding groove is formed by two separable components, and the second sliding groove is formed by two separable components, so that the first rotating body and the second rotating body can be respectively nested on their corresponding rotating shafts first, and then the installation of the first shielding cover and the second shielding cover can be completed respectively, realizing the assembly actions of the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate with the sliding bracket respectively. Such a setting makes the assembly actions between the first shielding plate, the second shielding plate and the sliding bracket simpler, and the requirement for the assembly space is smaller, which is conducive to implementation.

[0042] In a possible implementation, guide rails are respectively provided on the first wing plate and the second wing plate, and guide grooves are respectively provided on the first sliding end and the second sliding end, or

[0043] Guide grooves are respectively provided on the first wing plate and the second wing plate, and guide rails matching the outer shapes of the guide grooves are respectively provided on the first sliding end and the second sliding end;

[0044] The guide rail can slide in the guide groove.

[0045] In this implementation, by using the guide groove and guide rail, the sliding connection between the first wing plate and the first sliding end, and the sliding connection between the second wing plate and the second sliding end are respectively realized, which can provide a guiding effect during the sliding of the first shielding plate relative to the first wing plate and the sliding of the second shielding plate relative to the second wing plate, thereby ensuring the relative positions between the first shielding plate and the first wing plate, and between the second shielding plate and the second wing plate.

[0046] In a possible implementation, guide blocks are respectively provided on the first wing plate and the second wing plate. The guide blocks are fixedly connected to the body of the first wing plate and the body of the second wing plate, and are used to form guide grooves on the first wing plate and the second wing plate.

[0047] In this implementation, through the setting of the guide blocks, the first wing plate can be separated into a structure assembled by at least two components, and at the same time, the second wing plate is also separated into a structure assembled by at least two components. The shapes of the at least two components are all conducive to processing and implementation, without directly making guide grooves on the first wing plate or the second wing plate, and at the same time simplifying the processing difficulty of the first wing plate and the second wing plate.

[0048] In a possible implementation, the main shaft assembly is provided with a support member, and the support member is located between the cover plate and the main shaft assembly and is fixedly connected to the cover plate and the main shaft assembly respectively.

[0049] In this implementation, the main shaft assembly supports the cover plate through the support member to achieve the spaced fixation between the cover plate and the main shaft assembly.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the support member and the main shaft assembly are of an integral structure.

[0051] In this implementation, by integrally setting the support member and the main shaft assembly, the connection structure between the support member and the main shaft assembly can be omitted, thereby optimizing the arrangement of the components in the spaced space formed between the cover plate and the main shaft assembly.

[0052] In a possible implementation, the cover plate is fixedly connected to the support member by a snap-fit method.

[0053] In this implementation, the snap-fit structure is relatively simple and has a small volume, which is convenient for the installation and fixation of the cover plate on the support member.

[0054] In a possible implementation, the main shaft assembly further includes a pressing plate disposed between the main shaft assembly and the cover plate. The pressing plate is aligned with the position of at least one sliding bracket and is used to limit the displacement distance of the sliding bracket between the cover plate and the main shaft assembly.

[0055] In this implementation manner, through the cooperation of the pressing plate and the sliding bracket, the displacement distance of the sliding bracket between the cover plate and the main shaft assembly can be restricted. The cover plate is only used to provide shielding for the main shaft assembly, and there is no need to consider the limiting function of the cover plate on the sliding bracket. Therefore, the cover plate can be made of relatively thin and light plate-shaped materials, which is beneficial to reducing the overall weight of the folding device of the present application.

[0056] In a possible implementation manner, the number of sliding brackets is multiple, the multiple sliding brackets are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the main shaft assembly, the number of pressing plates is the same as the number of sliding brackets, and each pressing plate correspondingly restricts the displacement distance of one sliding bracket.

[0057] In this implementation manner, the arrangement of multiple sliding brackets can better restrict the rotation actions of the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate, so that in the length direction of the main shaft assembly, the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate can rotate integrally relative to the sliding brackets, avoiding the phenomenon that local positions of the first shielding plate or the second shielding plate warp during the rotation process. And each pressing plate can correspondingly restrict the displacement distance of one sliding bracket.

[0058] In a possible implementation manner, the cover plate includes a first end and a second end, the arrangement direction of the first end and the second end is parallel to the length direction of the main shaft assembly, and baffles extend from the first end and the second end respectively towards the main shaft assembly, and the baffles are used to shield the spaced space.

[0059] In this implementation manner, in the length direction of the main shaft assembly, by arranging the baffles at opposite ends of the cover plate, the spaced space between the cover plate and the main shaft assembly can be shielded, preventing dust or moisture from entering the interior of the folding device from these two end positions.

[0060] In a possible implementation manner, the cover plate further includes a first side wall and a second side wall extending towards the main shaft assembly, the cover plate is connected to the first side wall at the first side edge, the cover plate is connected to the second side wall at the second side edge, and the first side wall and the second side wall are respectively provided with relief notches, and the relief notches are used to allow the first rotating part and the second rotating part to extend out of the first side wall and the second side wall.

[0061] In this implementation manner, the first side wall and the second side wall can provide shielding on opposite sides of the cover plate, thereby further sealing the spaced space between the cover plate and the main shaft assembly, protecting the folding device from the intrusion of dust or moisture.

[0062] In a possible implementation manner, the main shaft assembly includes a central shaft plate and a first side shaft plate and a second side shaft plate arranged on opposite sides of the central shaft plate, the first side shaft plate is connected between the central shaft plate and the first wing plate, and the second side shaft plate is connected between the central shaft plate and the second wing plate.

[0063] In this implementation, a first side axis plate and a second side axis plate are disposed on opposite sides of the central axis plate, and the first side axis plate is used to realize a rotational connection with the first wing plate, and the second side axis plate is used to realize a rotational connection with the second wing plate. Therefore, after the first wing plate and the second wing plate are relatively folded, a certain folding gap can be formed between the first wing plate and the second wing plate, thereby accommodating structural parts such as the sliding bracket and the cover plate.

[0064] In a second aspect, the present application further provides an electronic device, comprising a first housing, a second housing, a flexible display screen, and any one of the folding devices described above, wherein the first wing plate is fixedly connected to the first housing on a side away from the main shaft assembly, and the second wing plate is fixedly connected to the second housing on a side away from the main shaft assembly;

[0065] The flexible display screen includes a first non-bending portion, a bending portion and a second non-bending portion arranged in sequence. The first non-bending portion is fixed to the first shell, and the second non-bending portion is fixed to the second shell. When the first shell and the second shell are folded or unfolded relative to each other as the first wing panel and the second wing panel are respectively unfolded, the bending portion is deformed.

[0066] In the present application, the flexible display screen can be unfolded or folded with the folding device. When the electronic device is in a flattened state, the flexible display screen is in an unfolded state and can display in full screen, so that the electronic device has a larger display area to improve the user's viewing experience. When the electronic device is in a closed state, the plane size of the electronic device is small (with a small width dimension), which is convenient for users to carry and store.

[0067] Because the cover shields the main shaft assembly, the folding device can shield the inside of the folding device in both the unfolded state and the folded state. In particular, when the electronic device is in a closed state, the cover can provide shielding protection for the inside of the folded position of the folding device to prevent the intrusion of dust or water vapor, making the electronic device more reliable and the flexible display screen and the electronic device have a longer service life.

[0068] In a possible implementation, the first shell is provided with a first receiving cavity, the first receiving cavity is used to receive the first shielding plate, and the second shell is provided with a second receiving cavity, the second receiving cavity is used to receive the second shielding plate.

[0069] In this implementation, the first housing cavity receives the first shielding plate, thereby providing a reliable shielding effect for the first housing, thereby preventing the first shielding plate and the first housing from forming a gap due to relative sliding, thereby exposing the internal structure of the first housing. The second housing cavity receives the second shielding plate, thereby providing reliable shielding protection for the internal structure of the second housing.

[0070] In a possible implementation, the first receiving cavity and the second receiving cavity are respectively arranged on the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate, and the first receiving cavity and the second receiving cavity are respectively used to receive the first housing and the second housing.

[0071] In this implementation, by receiving the first housing with the first shielding plate and receiving the second housing with the second shielding plate, reliable shielding protection can also be formed for the interiors of the first housing and the second housing, avoiding exposure of the internal structures of the first housing or the second housing. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0072] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an electronic device provided by an embodiment of the present application in a flattened form;

[0073] Figure 2 is Figure 1 an exploded structural diagram of the provided electronic device;

[0074] Figure 3 is Figure 2 a schematic structural diagram of the folding device shown in a folded state;

[0075] Figure 4 is Figure 2 a schematic diagram of the folding device shown during the process of switching from the folded state to the unfolded state;

[0076] Figure 5 is Figure 2 an exploded schematic diagram of each component in the folding device shown;

[0077] Figure 6 is Figure 3 a partial structural schematic diagram of the folding device shown in a folded state;

[0078] Figure 7 is Figure 2 an internal cross-sectional schematic diagram of the folding device shown in an unfolded state;

[0079] Figure 8 is Figure 2 an exploded schematic diagram of each component inside the folding device shown;

[0080] Figure 9 is Figure 2 a schematic diagram of another viewing direction of the folding device shown in an unfolded state;

[0081] Figure 10 is Figure 3 a schematic structural diagram of the folding device shown in a folded state;

[0082] Figure 11It is a schematic partial structure diagram of a traditional folding device in the prior art when it is in the folded state;

[0083] Figure 12 It is Figure 4 A schematic diagram of another viewing direction during the process of the folding device shown switching from the folded state to the unfolded state;

[0084] Figure 13 It is Figure 3 A schematic internal cross-sectional diagram of the folding device shown when it is in the folded state;

[0085] Figure 14 It is Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a partial enlargement of the internal cross-section of the folding device shown;

[0086] Figure 15 It is Figure 13 A schematic diagram of a partial enlargement of the internal cross-section of the folding device shown;

[0087] Figure 16 It is Figure 2 An exploded schematic diagram of another viewing direction of each component inside the folding device shown;

[0088] Figure 17 It is Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of the first shielding plate in one embodiment of the folding device shown;

[0089] Figure 18 It is Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the sliding connection between the first shielding plate and the first wing plate in another embodiment of the folding device shown;

[0090] Figure 19 It is Figure 18 A schematic diagram of a partial enlargement of the "Ⅰ" area in

[0091] Figure 20 It is Figure 18 A schematic diagram of a partial enlargement of the "Ⅱ" area in

[0092] Figure 21 It is Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a partial internal structure in one embodiment of the folding device shown;

[0093] Figure 22 It is Figure 2 An exploded schematic diagram of the folding device shown from another viewing angle;

[0094] Figure 23 It is Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of another embodiment of the cover plate in the folding device shown;

[0095] Figures 24 - 28 It is Figure 2Schematic diagram of the disassembly steps of the folding device shown. Detailed implementation manners

[0096] The following describes each of the following embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0097] The embodiments of the present application provide a folding device and an electronic device. The electronic device includes a folding device and a flexible display screen fixed to the folding device. The folding device can be unfolded to an unfolded state, folded to a closed state, or in an intermediate state between the unfolded state and the closed state. The flexible display screen unfolds and folds with the folding device. The electronic device optimizes the main shaft assembly of the folding device, so that the folding device can achieve a good sealing and shielding effect in any form of the unfolded state, the folded state or the intermediate state, avoiding dust intrusion into the folding device causing movement jamming, or water vapor intrusion into the interior of the electronic device causing damage to internal components. The folding device and the electronic device of the present application have high reliability and a long service life.

[0098] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 An electronic device 200 provided by the embodiments of the present application shown. Among them, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of the electronic device 200, Figure 2 is a partial disassembly schematic diagram of the electronic device 200. The electronic device 200 includes the folding device 100, the first housing 10, the second housing 20, and the flexible display screen 210 involved in the present application. The embodiments of the present application are described by taking the electronic device 200 with an outward-folded screen structure as an example.

[0099] The first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are respectively fixedly connected to opposite sides of the folding device 100, and jointly form a support structure for the flexible display screen 210. The folding device 100 includes a main shaft assembly 30, a first wing plate 31, and a second wing plate 32. The first wing plate 31 is fixedly connected to the first housing 10, and the second wing plate 32 is fixedly connected to the second housing 20. The flexible display screen 210 includes a first non-bending portion 211, a bending portion 213, and a second non-bending portion 212 arranged in sequence. The flexible display screen 200 is fixed to the support structure composed of the first housing 10, the second housing 20, and the folding device 100. For example, the flexible display screen 210 can be fixedly connected by means of adhesive bonding. The first non-bending portion 211 of the flexible display screen 210 is fixed to the first housing 10, the second non-bending portion 212 is fixed to the second housing 20, and the bending portion 213 correspondingly covers the position of the main shaft assembly 30 in the folding device 100.

[0100] The main shaft assembly 30 can be deformed so that the first wing plate 31 and the second wing plate 32 are folded or unfolded relative to each other, thereby synchronously driving the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 to be folded or unfolded relative to each other. The flexible display screen 210 can be folded and unfolded synchronously with the folding device 100. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the schematic electronic device 100, the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are in a relatively unfolded state, and the flexible display screen 210 is also in a relatively flattened state accordingly. Exemplarily, when the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are in a relatively unfolded state with the first wing plate 31 and the second wing plate 32, the two can be approximately 180° (a little deviation is also allowed, such as 165°, 177° or 185°). At this time, it can be defined that the electronic device 200 is also in a flattened form. When the flexible display screen 210 is in a flattened state, it can display full screen, so that the electronic device 200 has a larger display area to improve the user's viewing experience.

[0101] Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 can also be folded relative to each other with the first wing plate 31 and the second wing plate 32 under the deformation action of the main shaft assembly 30. The first housing 10 and the second housing 20 can be completely closed to be parallel to each other (a little deviation is also allowed). The folding device 100 further includes opposite inner side B and outer side A. The side for carrying the flexible display screen 210 is defined as outer side A. When the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are folded relative to each other, the side where they are joined together is defined as inner side B.

[0102] At this time, since the first non-bending portion 211 and the second non-bending portion 212 of the flexible display screen 210 are respectively fixedly connected to the first housing 10 and the second housing 20, the flexible display screen 210 will also be in a substantially U-shaped structure with the relative folding of the folding device 100. Correspondingly, the electronic device 200 is also in a closed form due to the relative folding of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20.

[0103] For the convenience of description, Figure 3 only the folding state of the folding device 100 is schematically shown. When the electronic device 200 is in a closed form, the planar size of the electronic device 200 is small (with a small width dimension), which is convenient for the user to carry and store.

[0104] Figure 4 FIG. 13 schematically shows an intermediate state of the folding device 100 when switching from the folding state to the unfolding state, or from the unfolding state to the folding state. Similarly, for the convenience of description, Figure 4 only the structure of the bending device 100 is schematically shown. At this time, the flexible display screen 210 is in a substantially V-shaped structure with the intermediate state of the folding device 100.

[0105] Among them, Figure 4 the intermediate state shown can be any angular state between the flattened state and the closed state of the electronic device 200. Thus, the electronic device 200 can be switched between the flattened state and the closed state through the deformation of the main shaft assembly 30 in the folding device 100.

[0106] The electronic device 200 in this application can be products such as mobile phones, tablet computers, and laptop computers. In this embodiment, the electronic device 200 is taken as an example of a mobile phone for illustration.

[0107] The flexible display screen 210 involved in this application can be an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display screen, an active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) display screen, a mini organic light-emitting diode display screen, a micro organic light-emitting diode display screen, a micro organic light-emitting diode display screen, or a quantum dot light emitting diodes (QLED) display screen.

[0108] It can be understood that this embodiment is described by taking "the rotation center of the electronic device 200 is parallel to the width direction of the electronic device 200" as an example. At this time, the electronic device 200 can rotate left and right, and the folding and unfolding of the electronic device 200 affect the width dimension of the electronic device 200. In some other embodiments, the rotation center of the electronic device 200 can also be parallel to the length direction of the electronic device 200. At this time, the electronic device 200 can rotate up and down, and the folding and unfolding of the electronic device 200 affect the length dimension of the electronic device 200.

[0109] Please refer to Figure 5Exploded structure of the schematic folding device 100. The folding device 100 includes a first wing plate 31, a main shaft assembly 30, and a second wing plate 32 that are connected in sequence. The main shaft assembly 30 has a rotation axis 3301, and the main shaft assembly 30 extends in a direction parallel to the rotation axis 3301, that is, the direction of the first rotation axis 3301 is the length direction of the main shaft assembly 30. The first wing plate 31 and the second wing plate 32 are arranged on opposite sides of the rotation axis 3301. That is to say, the length direction of the main shaft assembly 30 is parallel to the rotation axis 3301, and the first wing plate 31 and the second wing plate 32 are arranged on both sides of the main shaft assembly 30 along the width direction of the main shaft assembly 30.

[0110] It can be understood that the rotation axis 3301 of the main shaft assembly 30 is the rotation center axis of the electronic device 200 in this application. The main shaft assembly 30, the first wing plate 31, and the second wing plate 32 all have a first surface and a second surface, where the first surface faces the same direction as the outer side surface A of the folding device 100, and the second surface faces the same direction as the inner side surface B of the folding device 100. It can be understood that the first surfaces of the main shaft assembly 30, the first wing plate 31, and the second wing plate 32 are all used to support the flexible display screen 210. For the convenience of description, in the attached drawings of the specification of this application, the first surface and the second surface of the main shaft assembly 30, the first wing plate 31, and the second wing plate 32 are respectively represented by the outer side surface A and the inner side surface B of the folding device 100.

[0111] One side of the first wing plate 31 facing away from the main shaft assembly 30 is fixedly connected to the first housing 10, and one side of the second wing plate 32 facing away from the main shaft assembly 30 is fixedly connected to the second housing 20. The main shaft assembly 30 drives the first housing 10 to rotate through the first wing plate 31, and drives the second housing 20 to rotate through the second wing plate 32, so as to realize the relative folding or relative unfolding of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20.

[0112] In the illustrated embodiment, the connection position of the first wing plate 31 and the first housing 10 is close to the outer side surface A side of the folding device 100, and the outer side surface of the first wing plate 31 is flush with the outer side surface of the first housing 10; the connection position of the second wing plate 32 and the second housing 20 is also close to the outer side surface A side of the folding device 100, and the outer side surface of the second wing plate 32 is flush with the outer side surface of the second housing 20. Since the flexible display screen 210 covers the outer side surface A side of the folding device 100, the fact that the outer side surface of the first wing plate 31 is flush with the outer side surface of the first housing 10 and the outer side surface of the second wing plate 32 is flush with the outer side surface of the second housing 20 can ensure the flatness of the flexible display screen 210 and avoid the appearance of convex marks on the flexible display screen 210 when the user observes.

[0113] The first housing 10 is provided with a plurality of first positioning plates 11 at intervals in a direction parallel to the rotation axis 3301, and the plurality of first positioning plates 11 extend towards the first wing plate 31. A plurality of first positioning grooves 311 are provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of first positioning plates 11 on the first wing plate 31. The plurality of first positioning plates 11 of the first housing 10 extend into the plurality of first positioning grooves 311 to fix the phase position between the first housing 10 and the first wing plate 31; the second housing 20 is also provided with a plurality of second positioning plates 21 at intervals in a direction parallel to the rotation axis 3301, and the plurality of second positioning plates 21 also extend towards the second wing plate 32. A plurality of second positioning grooves 321 are provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of second positioning plates 21 on the second wing plate 32. The plurality of second positioning plates 21 of the second housing 20 extend into the plurality of second positioning grooves 321 to fix the relative position between the second housing 20 and the second wing plate 32.

[0114] Through the cooperation of the plurality of first positioning plates 11 and the first positioning grooves 311 corresponding to their positions, it can be ensured that during the rotation of the first housing 10 relative to the rotation axis 3301 along with the first wing plate 31, the rotation action is stable and reliable; through the cooperation of the plurality of second positioning plates 21 and the second positioning grooves 321 corresponding to their positions, it can also be ensured that during the rotation of the second housing 20 relative to the rotation axis 3301 along with the second wing plate 32, the rotation action is stable and reliable. Thus, during the process of the folding device 100 driving the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 to relatively unfold or relatively fold, the movement trajectories of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are kept relatively smooth, and the flexible display screen 210 fixed on the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 will not be subjected to excessive tensile or compressive forces during the folding or flattening process, which helps to improve the service life of the flexible display screen 210.

[0115] For an embodiment, please continue to refer to Figure 5 The main shaft assembly 30 further includes a central shaft plate 333, a first side shaft plate 331, and a second side shaft plate 332. The central shaft plate 333 extends in a direction parallel to the rotation axis 3301. The first side shaft plate 331 and the second side shaft plate 332 are arranged on opposite sides of the central shaft plate 333 in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis 3301. The first side shaft plate 331 is connected between the central shaft plate 333 and the first wing plate 31, and the second side shaft plate 332 is connected between the central shaft plate 333 and the second wing plate 32.

[0116] The first side shaft plate 331 can rotate relative to the central shaft plate 333 around the rotation axis 3301, and the second side shaft plate 332 can also rotate relative to the central shaft plate 333 around the rotation axis 3301. The main shaft assembly 30 drives the first wing plate 31 to rotate relative to the rotation axis 3301 through the first side shaft plate 331, and drives the second wing plate 32 to rotate relative to the rotation axis 3301 through the second side shaft plate 332.

[0117] In one embodiment, the first side shaft plate 331 is also rotatably connected to the first wing plate 31. While the first wing plate 31 rotates relative to the rotation axis 3301 along with the first side shaft plate 331, it can also obtain a larger rotation angle by rotating relative to the first side shaft plate 331 and drive the first housing 10 to rotate synchronously. The second side shaft plate 332 is also rotatably connected to the second wing plate 32. While the second wing plate 32 rotates relative to the rotation axis 3301 along with the second side shaft plate 332, it can also obtain a larger rotation angle by rotating relative to the second side shaft plate 332 and drive the second housing 20 to rotate synchronously.

[0118] Through Figure 5 It can be seen that the central shaft plate 333 includes a third plane 3331 close to the outer surface A (i.e., the first surface) of the folding device 100. The first side shaft plate 331 has a first plane 3311 also close to the outer surface A (i.e., the first surface), and the second side shaft plate 332 has a second plane 3321 close to the outer surface A (i.e., the first surface). When the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are relatively unfolded, the first plane 3311, the second plane 3321, and the third plane 3331 should be flush, so that when the flexible display screen 210 is placed on the first surface, there will be no warped bumps, and the flexible display screen 210 can be better attached to the outer side surface A.

[0119] Please refer to Figure 6 As shown in the schematic diagram, when the main shaft assembly 30 is in the folded state, through the cooperation of the central shaft plate 333 with the first side shaft plate 331 and the second side shaft plate 332, the bending radius of the main shaft assembly 30 towards the outer side surface A is increased. At this time, the bending radius of the bending part 213 of the flexible display screen 210 attached to the first surface of the main shaft assembly 30 is also correspondingly increased, and the bending curvature of the flexible display screen 210 in the folded state is correspondingly reduced, which can avoid the formation of a large stress concentration phenomenon in the flexible display screen 210 and protect the service life of the flexible display screen 210.

[0120] On the other hand, on the second surface side of the main shaft assembly 30, when the main shaft assembly 30 is in the folded state, the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are respectively in a state substantially perpendicular to the third plane 3331 of the central shaft plate 333. Therefore, the first wing plate 31 and the second wing plate 32 are also respectively in a state substantially perpendicular to the central shaft plate 333. The first side shaft plate 331 connected between the first wing plate 31 and the central shaft plate 333, and the second side shaft plate 332 connected between the second wing plate 32 and the central shaft plate 333, their respective first planes 3311 and second planes 3321 respectively form an inclined angle α greater than 90 degrees with the third plane 3331 of the central shaft plate 333.

[0121] Please continue to refer to Figure 6, which shows the positional relationship between the first side shaft plate 331 and the first wing plate 31 and the central shaft plate 333 respectively when the main shaft assembly 30 is in the folded state. When the first plane 3311 of the first side shaft plate 331 and the third plane 3331 of the central shaft plate 333 form an inclined angle α greater than 90 degrees, in the width direction parallel to the central shaft plate 333, the width dimension of the first plane 3311 of the first side shaft plate 331 has a first width distance d11 in the projection in the width direction. And the larger the value of the inclined angle α, the larger the width of the first width distance d11. It can be understood that a similar relationship also exists between the second plane 3321 of the second side shaft plate 332 and the third plane 3331 of the central shaft plate 333, and it has a second width distance d12.

[0122] At this time, in the width direction of the central shaft plate 333, the relative distance between the outer side A of the first wing plate 31 and the second wing plate 32 is the sum of the first width distance d11, the second width distance d12, and the width dimension d of the central shaft plate 333. Such a setting can increase the internal space of the folding device 100 in the folded state, facilitating the accommodation of the internal components of the main shaft assembly 30.

[0123] Please refer to Figure 7 the cross-sectional view of the main shaft assembly 30 shown. At the second surface of the main shaft assembly 30, the folding device 100 further includes a first shielding plate 341, a cover plate 35, a sliding bracket 36, and a second shielding plate 342. The cover plate 35 is arranged at an interval from the main shaft assembly 30, and the relative position of the cover plate 35 and the central shaft plate 333 is fixed. Specifically, the cover plate 35 is arranged on the inner side where the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are folded relative to each other, that is, the cover plate 35 is spaced on one side of the second surface of the main shaft assembly 30 and is fixed in position with the central shaft plate 333. An interval space 3501 is formed between the cover plate 35 and the central shaft plate 333 arranged at an interval.

[0124] Please combine with Figure 8 the exploded schematic view of the main shaft assembly 30 shown. The cover plate 35 has a long strip plate-like structure. The length direction of the cover plate 35 is parallel to the rotation axis 3301. In one embodiment, the cover plate 35 can be arranged parallel to the central shaft plate 333 so that in the direction parallel to the rotation axis 3301, the distance between any position of the cover plate 35 and the central shaft plate 333 is equal. That is, the height of the interval space 3501 formed between the mutually parallel cover plate 35 and the central shaft plate 333 is a fixed height. The cover plate 35 further includes opposite first side 351 and second side 352, where the first side 351 is close to the first wing plate 31 and the second side 352 is close to the second wing plate 32.

[0125] In one embodiment, as Figure 5As shown, the main shaft assembly 30 is further provided with a support member 3332. The support member 3332 is located between the central shaft plate 333 and the cover plate 35 and is fixed to the central shaft plate 333 and the cover plate 35 respectively. That is, a support member 3332 is provided between the central shaft plate 333 and the cover plate 35. The support member 3332 is used to support and hold the central shaft plate 333 and the cover plate 35, so as to realize the spaced and fixed arrangement of the cover plate 35 relative to the central shaft plate 333. In a possible embodiment, when one end of the support member 3332 contacts and abuts against the cover plate 35, the end of the support member 3332 in contact with the cover plate can also be set as a snap structure (not shown in the figure), and a slot structure matching the snap structure is provided corresponding to the cover plate 35. Thus, the support member 3332 can be snap-fixed to the cover plate 35 through the cooperation of the snap structure and the slot structure. It can be understood that in some other embodiments, any connection method can also be adopted between the support member 3332 and the cover plate 35 for fixation, and the present application does not make special limitations here. At the same time, the number of the support members 3332 can be multiple, and the multiple support members 3332 are arranged at intervals on the central shaft plate 333 in a direction parallel to the rotation axis 3301, so as to better support and hold the cover plate 35.

[0126] In some other embodiments, the support member 3332 can also be set as an integral structure with the central shaft plate 333, or set as an integral structure with the cover plate 35, and extend from the central shaft plate 333 towards the cover plate 35, or extend from the side of the cover plate 35 facing the central shaft plate 333 towards the central shaft plate 333. When the support member 3332 is provided on the cover plate 35, one end of the support member 3332 needs to be fixedly connected to the central shaft plate 333. It can be understood that in this embodiment, the support member 3332 can also adopt snap fixation or other methods to realize the fixation function with the central shaft plate 333.

[0127] For the embodiment in which the support member 3332 is provided on the central shaft plate 333 or the support member 333 is provided separately, the structure of the cover plate 35 is relatively simplified, and the cover plate 35 can be made of a plate-shaped material. Since the central shaft plate 333 needs to be connected to the first side shaft plate 331 and the second side shaft plate 332 respectively, its volume is relatively large. Setting the support member 3332 on the central shaft plate 333 is beneficial to maintaining the structural stiffness of the support member 3332 and avoiding deformation of the support member 3332, which affects the spatial shape of the spaced space 3501 formed between the central shaft plate 333 and the cover plate 35.

[0128] The sliding bracket 36 is at least partially slidably disposed in the spaced space 3501 formed by the cover plate 35 and the central axis plate 333. The sliding bracket 36 includes a bracket body 363, a first connecting arm 3601, and a second connecting arm 3602. One end of the first connecting arm 3601 away from the bracket body 363 is further provided with a first rotating portion 361, and one end of the second connecting arm 3602 away from the bracket body 363 is provided with a second rotating portion 362. The bracket body 363 is received in the spaced space 3501, and its opposite ends respectively extend the first connecting arm 3601 toward the first shielding plate 341 and the second connecting arm 3602 toward the second shielding plate 342. In the direction in which the central axis plate 333 and the cover plate 35 are spaced apart, the portion of the bracket body 363 received in the spaced space 3501 has a thickness dimension. This thickness dimension is smaller than the height of the spaced space 3501, so that the sliding bracket 36 can reciprocally slide in the direction in which the cover plate 35 and the central axis plate 333 are spaced apart.

[0129] In the width direction of the central axis plate 333, the opposite sides of the bracket body 363 are respectively connected to the first rotating portion 361 extending from the first side 351 through the first connecting arm 3601 and the second rotating portion 362 extending from the second side 352 through the second connecting arm 3602. That is, the first rotating portion 361 is located between the first side 351 and the first housing 10; the second rotating portion 362 is located between the second side 352 and the second housing 20. The first rotating portion 361 is used for rotatably connecting the first shielding plate 341, and the second rotating portion 361 is used for rotatably connecting the second shielding plate 342.

[0130] The first shielding plate 341 includes a first rotating end 3411 and a first sliding end 3412. The first rotating end 3411 is rotatably connected to the first rotating portion 361 of the sliding bracket 36, and the first rotating end 3411 can also slide relative to the first rotating portion 361, and the first sliding end 3412 is slidably connected to the first wing plate 31; the second shielding plate 342 includes a second rotating end 3421 and a second sliding end 3422. The second rotating end 3421 is rotatably connected to the second rotating portion 362 of the sliding bracket 36, and the second rotating end 3412 can also slide relative to the second rotating portion 362, and the second sliding end 3422 is slidably connected to the second wing plate 32.

[0131] The first rotating end 3411 of the first shielding plate 341 is rotationally connected to the first rotating portion 361, so that the first shielding plate 341 can rotate synchronously with the first shell 10 together with the first wing plate 31 during the rotation of the first shell 10 relative to the main shaft assembly 30; the second rotating end 3421 of the second shielding plate 342 is rotationally connected to the second rotating portion 362, so that the second shielding plate 342 can rotate synchronously with the second shell 20 together with the second wing plate 32 during the rotation of the second shell 20 relative to the main shaft assembly 30.

[0132] The relative sliding of the first rotating end 3411 and the first rotating part 361 allows the first shielding plate 341 to move closer to the second shielding plate 342 during the rotation of the first housing 10 relative to the spindle assembly 30; the relative sliding of the second rotating end 3421 and the second rotating part 362 also allows the second shielding plate 342 to move closer to the first shielding plate 341 during the rotation of the second housing 20 relative to the spindle assembly 30. The relative proximity of the two can reduce the internal gap of the folding device 100 of the present application after folding.

[0133] The sliding of the first sliding end 3412 of the first shielding plate 341 and the first wing plate 31, and the sliding arrangement of the second sliding end 3422 of the second shielding plate 342 and the second wing plate 32, can prevent the first shielding plate 341 and the second shielding plate 342 from getting stuck during the rotation process. Because the first wing plate 31 and the first shell 10 are arranged flush on the side of the outer surface A of the folding device 100, the first shielding plate 341 is closer to the side of the inner surface B of the folding device 100 than the first wing plate 31. In the process of the first shielding plate 341 rotating synchronously with the first wing plate 31 and the first shell 10 to the folded state, because the curvatures of the inner and outer surfaces of the folding device 100 are different, the first shielding plate 341 needs to slide relative to the first wing plate 31, and cooperate with the movement of the sliding bracket 36 in the spacing space 3501 to compensate for the difference in curvature of the first shielding plate 341 relative to the first wing plate 31. In this way, the first shielding plate 341 can avoid the possible stuck phenomenon during the rotation process. Based on a similar principle, the second shielding plate 342 also avoids the jamming phenomenon during the rotation process by sliding relative to the second wing plate 32 .

[0134] See also Figure 9 As shown in the figure, the first housing 10 is provided with a first receiving cavity 12 corresponding to the first shielding plate 341, and the first shielding plate 341 extends into the first receiving cavity 12 on the side away from the central axis plate 333. The second housing 20 is also provided with a second receiving cavity 22 corresponding to the second shielding plate 342, and the second shielding plate 341 extends into the second receiving cavity 22 on the side away from the central axis plate 333.

[0135] When the folding device 100 is Figure 9When in the unfolded state as shown, there is no curvature difference between the outer side A and the inner side B of the folding device 100. Therefore, the first shielding plate 341 is in the state with the largest exposed area relative to the first receiving cavity 12. That is, the first shielding plate 341 extends to the maximum displacement relative to the first receiving cavity 12. The second shielding plate 342 is also in the state with the largest exposed area relative to the second receiving cavity 22, and the second shielding plate 342 extends to the maximum displacement relative to the second receiving cavity 22.

[0136] Please refer to Figure 10 The schematic diagram shows the folding device 100 of the present application in the folded state. After the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are folded relative to each other, the curvature difference between the outer side A and the inner side B of the folding device 100 is the largest. At this time, most of the exposed area of the first shielding plate 341 will retract into the first receiving cavity 12 by sliding relative to the first wing plate 31, and it is in the state with the smallest exposed area relative to the first receiving cavity 12. That is, the first shielding plate 341 extends to the minimum displacement relative to the first receiving cavity 12. Most of the area of the second shielding plate 342 relative to the second receiving cavity 22 will also retract into the second receiving cavity 22, and it is in the state with the smallest exposed area relative to the second receiving cavity 22, that is, the second shielding plate 342 extends to the minimum displacement relative to the second receiving cavity 22.

[0137] It can be understood that the first shielding plate 341 can shield the first wing plate 31 at its maximum or minimum displacement relative to the first receiving cavity 12, and the second shielding plate 342 can also shield the second wing plate 32 at its maximum or minimum displacement relative to the second receiving cavity 22. Thus, the first shielding plate 341 and the second shielding plate 342 can achieve the shielding function for the first wing plate 31 and the second wing plate 32 in any state of the folding device 100, avoiding dust or moisture from entering the inside of the first wing plate 31 or the second wing plate 32, resulting in the phenomenon of the folding device 100 getting stuck in motion. Further, since the first wing plate 31 and the second wing plate 32 are fixedly connected to the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 respectively, the first shielding plate 341 and the second shielding plate 342 can also prevent moisture from entering the inside of the first housing 10 through the first wing plate 31 or entering the inside of the second housing 20 through the second wing plate 32, affecting the components inside the electronic device 100 such as getting damp.

[0138] In some other embodiments, the first receiving cavity 12 may also be disposed on the first shielding plate 341, that is, the first receiving cavity 12 is disposed on the side of the first shielding plate 341 away from the central shaft plate 333. At this time, the first receiving cavity 12 is used to receive the first wing plate 31 and the first housing 10 simultaneously, and the first shielding plate 341 can also shield and protect the first wing plate 31 and the first housing 10. Correspondingly, for the sake of symmetric beauty, in such embodiments, the second receiving cavity 22 may also be disposed on the second shielding plate 342, so that the second shielding plate 342 also shields and protects the second wing plate 32 and the second housing 20.

[0139] On the other hand, at the portions where the first shielding plate 341 is slidably combined with the first receiving cavity 12 and the second shielding plate 342 is slidably combined with the second receiving cavity 22, sealing structures such as sealing rings and plastic ring members may also be provided. During the process of the first shielding plate 341 sliding relative to the first wing plate 31 and the second shielding plate 342 sliding relative to the second wing plate 32, a seal protection is formed between the first shielding plate 341 and the first receiving cavity 12, and between the second shielding plate 342 and the second receiving cavity 22, further blocking moisture or dust from entering the interiors of the first housing 10 or the second housing 20 through the two sliding fit positions.

[0140] As mentioned above, the cover plate 35 is spaced from the main shaft assembly 30, and the cover plate 35 is located on the inner side B of the folding device 100 relative to the main shaft assembly 30. That is, the cover plate 35, the first shielding plate 341, and the second shielding plate 342 are all located on the inner side B of the folding device 100 relative to the main shaft assembly 30. When the folding device 100 is folded, the first wing plate 31 and the second wing plate 32 are folded relative to each other, and drive the first shielding plate 341 and the second shielding plate 342 to approach each other respectively. The first shielding plate 341 at least partially shields the cover plate 35 by sliding toward the second shielding plate 342; the second shielding plate 342 also at least partially shields the cover plate 35 by sliding toward the first shielding plate 341. The first shielding plate 341 and the second shielding plate 342 also contract toward the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 respectively, and simultaneously pull the sliding bracket 36 closer to the cover plate 35. From Figure 9 and Figure 10 It can also be seen that through the cooperation of the first shielding plate 341, the cover plate 35, and the second shielding plate 342, the main shaft assembly 30 is shielded and protected, preventing dust or moisture from entering the main shaft assembly 30 and causing internal movement jamming of the rotating shaft mechanism 30.

[0141] Please refer to Figure 11Schematic of a traditional folding device in the prior art shown. The traditional folding device includes a sliding first shielding plate 31' and a second shielding plate 32'. In the unfolded state, the traditional folding device slides the first shielding plate 31' and the second shielding plate 32' together to achieve shielding protection for the interior of the traditional folding device. In the folded state, the first shielding plate 31' and the second shielding plate 32' retract to the minimum displacement respectively. Because the transmission folding device lacks a structure corresponding to the cover plate 35 of the present application, the side of the main shaft assembly 30' of the traditional folding device close to the inner side B' loses shielding protection and is directly exposed to the air. At this time, if dust or water vapor enters the main shaft assembly 30' of the traditional folding device, it will cause the movement of the main shaft assembly 30' to be stuck, and even the water vapor invades the interior of the traditional electronic device, resulting in the defect of the failure of the traditional electronic device.

[0142] Please refer to again Figure 6 Partial schematic diagram of the folding device 100 of the present application in the folded state shown. Because of the setting of the cover plate 35, the folding device 100 of the present application can, when the first shielding plate 341 and the second shielding plate 342 retract to the minimum displacement respectively, achieve good shielding for the positions where the main shaft assembly 30 may be directly exposed to the air through the shielding of the cover plate 35 and the partial shielding effects of the first shielding plate 341 and the second shielding plate 342 on the cover plate 35 respectively. This enables the cover plate 35 to block the defect that the internal structure of the folding device 100 is exposed in the folded state. And in Figure 9 In the unfolded state of the folding device 100 of the present application shown, the first shielding plate 341 and the second shielding plate 342 are respectively located on opposite sides of the cover plate 35, and through their cooperation with one side edge of the cover plate 35 respectively, shielding protection for the main shaft assembly 30 is achieved.

[0143] Furthermore, please refer to Figure 12 Schematic diagram of the structure of the folding device 100 during the folding process shown. When the first shielding plate 341 rotates synchronously with the first wing plate 31 and the first housing 10 and slides relative to the first rotating part 361, the first shielding plate 341 maintains a fit with the cover plate 35, and can form shielding for the main shaft assembly 30 to prevent dust or water vapor from entering the interior of the main shaft assembly 30; during the process that the second shielding plate 342 rotates synchronously with the second wing plate 32 and the second housing 20 and slides relative to the second rotating part 362, the second shielding plate 342 also maintains a fit with the cover plate 35, and forms shielding for the main shaft assembly 30 on the other side relative to the first shielding plate 342 to prevent dust or water vapor from entering the interior of the main shaft assembly 30.

[0144] Therefore, due to the arrangement of the cover plate 35 in the folding device 100, the electronic device 200 of the present application can be better shielded and protected during its flattened state, closed state, and the process of changing its state, avoiding defects such as dust entering the electronic device 200 and causing jams, or water vapor invading the interior of the electronic device 200 and causing the components to get damp, affecting the service life of the electronic device 200. The electronic device 200 of the present application also has higher reliability and an extended service life due to the adoption of the structure of the folding device 100 of the present application.

[0145] An embodiment, as Figure 8 shown, the cover plate 35 includes opposite first side edge 351 and second side edge 352 in its width direction. When the folding device 100 is in the unfolded state, the first shielding plate 341 cooperates with the first side edge 351 to achieve the shielding function for the main shaft assembly 30; the second shielding plate 342 cooperates with the second side edge 352 to achieve the shielding function for the main shaft assembly 30.

[0146] At this time, when it is defined that the folding device 100 is in the unfolded state, the clearance distance between the first rotation end 3411 of the first shielding plate 341 and the first side edge 351 is less than the first distance d1, and the clearance distance between the second rotation end 3421 of the second shielding plate 342 and the second side edge 352 is also less than the first distance d1. It can be understood that the first rotation end 3411 is located at the position of the first shielding plate 341 closest to the cover plate 35. By controlling the distance between the first rotation end 3411 and the first side edge 351, the clearance width between the first shielding plate 341 and the first side edge 351 can be controlled when the folding device 100 is in the unfolded state, thereby avoiding dust or water vapor from entering the interior of the main shaft assembly 30 between the first shielding plate 341 and the first side edge 351. By a similar principle, by controlling the distance between the second rotation end 3421 and the second side edge 352, the clearance width between the second shielding plate 342 and the second side edge 352 can also be controlled, thereby avoiding dust or water vapor from entering the interior of the main shaft assembly 30 between the second shielding plate 342 and the second side edge 352.

[0147] In an embodiment, the first distance d1 is less than or equal to 0.1 mm, which can ensure that the clearance of the folding device 100 is small enough when it is in the unfolded state, and a reliable cooperation can be formed among the first shielding plate 341, the second shielding plate 342, and the cover plate 35 to form a shielding effect on the main shaft assembly 30.

[0148] In one embodiment, the first distance d1 can also be zero. In this case, the first shielding plate 341 directly abuts against the first side edge 351, and the second shielding plate 342 also abuts against the second side edge 352. At this time, it can be understood that there is no gap between the first shielding plate 341 and the cover plate 35, and there is no gap between the second shielding plate 342 and the cover plate 35. Therefore, in the unfolded state, the folding device 100 of the present application obtains a better shielding effect under the structure in which the first shielding plate 341, the cover plate 35 and the second shielding plate 342 abut against each other.

[0149] When the folding device 100 is in the folded state, the first rotating portion 361 is still located outside the first side edge 351, and the second rotating portion 362 is still located outside the second side edge 352. At this time, the first shielding plate 341 and the second shielding plate 342 can partially shield the cover plate 35, thereby achieving a protective effect. In other embodiments, the first shielding plate 341 and the second shielding plate 342 can also cooperate with the first side edge 351 and the second side edge 352 respectively to achieve shielding protection. At this time, the distance between the first shielding plate 341 and the first side edge 351, and the distance between the second shielding plate 352 and the second side edge 352 can be defined to be less than or equal to the first distance d1, so as to ensure the shielding and protective effect of the folding device 100.

[0150] See also Figure 13 The internal cross-sectional view of the folding device 100 in the folded state is shown, and the first rotating part 361 and the second rotating part 362 are both located on the side of the bracket body 363 away from the spindle assembly 30. At this time, the sliding bracket 36 is generally in a U-shaped structure, and the bracket body 363 is accommodated in the portion of the spacing space 3501 formed by the cover plate 35 and the spindle assembly 30, which is closer to the spindle assembly 30 than the first rotating part 361 and the second rotating part 362. The cover plate 35 includes a top surface 353 located between the first side edge 351 and the second side edge 352. Therefore, when the bracket body 363 slides to a position close to the cover plate 35, the first rotating part 361 and the second rotating part 362 can be higher than the top surface 353 of the cover plate 35, and are connected to the first shielding plate 341 and the second shielding plate 342 respectively. The connection positions of the first shielding plate 341 and the second shielding plate 342 and the sliding bracket 36 are still maintained outside the outer contour of the cover plate 35, thereby ensuring that the cover plate 35 maintains its complete planar structure and providing a better shielding effect for the spindle assembly 30.

[0151] Please continue to see Figure 13 , the first shielding plate 341 and the second shielding plate 342 rotate simultaneously to the side of the cover plate 35 away from the central axis plate 333. After the first rotating end 3411 of the first shielding plate 341 rotates around the rotating axis 3301, it rotates to a position that matches the top surface 353. After the second rotating end 3421 of the second shielding plate 342 rotates around the rotating axis 3301, it also rotates to a position that matches the top surface 353.

[0152] At this time, due to the shielding of the cover plate 35 for the main shaft assembly 30, external dust or water vapor can only enter the interior of the main shaft assembly 30 through the gap between the first rotating end 3411 and the top surface 353, or the gaps between the second rotating end 3421 and the top surface 353 respectively. It can be defined that the gap distance between the first rotating end 3411 and the top surface 353 is less than the second distance d2, and the gap distance between the second rotating end 3421 and the top surface 353 is also less than the second distance d2. It can be understood that the control of the second distance d2 also corresponds to controlling the gap size of the folding device 100 in the folded state.

[0153] In one embodiment, controlling the second distance d2 to be also less than 0.1 mm can ensure that the gap of the folding device 100 in the folded state is small enough, and a reliable fit can be formed among the first shielding plate 341, the second shielding plate 342, and the cover plate 35 to form a shielding effect on the main shaft assembly 30.

[0154] In one embodiment, the second distance d2 can also be zero. At this time, the first shielding plate 341 directly abuts against the top surface 353, and the second shielding plate 342 also abuts against the top surface 353. It can be understood that there is no gap between the folded first shielding plate 341 and the cover plate 35, and there is also no gap between the second shielding plate 342 and the cover plate 35. Thus, in the folded state of the folding device 100 of the present application, under the structure where the first shielding plate 341, the cover plate 35, and the second shielding plate 342 are in mutual abutment, a better shielding effect is also obtained.

[0155] In a possible implementation manner, an anti-wear coating can also be applied to the first side 351, the second side 352, and the top surface 353 of the cover plate 35, and an anti-wear coating is also applied to the outer surfaces of the first rotating end 3411 and the second rotating end 3421, so as to reduce the frictional loss between the first shielding plate 341 and the cover plate 35, or between the second shielding plate 342 and the cover plate 35 when the first shielding plate 341 or the second shielding plate 342 abuts against or contacts the cover plate 35, and improve the service life of the folding device 100.

[0156] Please also refer to Figure 7 and Figure 13Schematic illustration. In a folding device 100 illustrated in the present application, the first shielding plate 341 and the second shielding plate 342 respectively achieve the actions of rotating relative to the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 by being rotatably connected to the sliding bracket 36. The sliding bracket 36 is disposed in the spaced space 3501, and the bracket body 363 reciprocates between the cover plate 35 and the central axis plate 333 along its own thickness direction. In the width direction of the sliding bracket 36, the first rotating portion 361 and the second rotating portion 362 respectively extend out of the first side 351 and the second side 352 to be rotatably connected to the first shielding plate 341 and the second shielding plate 342 respectively.

[0157] From Figure 7 It can be seen that when the folding device 100 is in the unfolded state, the sliding bracket 36 is located at the lower part of the spaced space 3501. On the side of the first side 351 of the cover plate 35 away from the spaced space 3501, the first rotating end 3411 of the first shielding plate 341 is rotatably connected to the first rotating portion 361; and on the side of the second side 352 of the cover plate 35 away from the spaced space 3501, the second rotating end 3421 of the second shielding plate 342 is rotatably connected to the second rotating portion 362.

[0158] And in Figure 13 the schematic illustration, the folding device 100 is in the folded state. Since the first shielding plate 341 and the second shielding plate 342 respectively retract partially towards the first receiving cavity 12 and the second receiving cavity 22, the position of the sliding bracket 36 in the spaced space 3501 is lifted. At this time, the first rotating portion 361 and the second rotating portion 362 simultaneously move to the side of the top surface 353 away from the central axis plate 333. Thus, the position where the first rotating end 3411 is rotatably connected to the first rotating portion 361 remains on the side of the first side 351 away from the spaced space 3501 and is also on the side of the top surface 353 away from the central axis plate 333; the position where the second rotating end 3421 is rotatably connected to the second rotating portion 362 remains on the side of the second side 352 away from the spaced space 3501 and is also on the side of the top surface 353 away from the central axis plate 333.

[0159] Through Figure 7 and Figure 13As can be seen from the schematic view, the first side 351, the second side 352, and the top surface 353 of the cover plate 35 are all its outer contour surfaces. When the first rotating part 361 and the second rotating part 362 extend out of the first side 351 and the second side 352 respectively, the first rotating end 3411 and the second rotating end 3421 can always be located outside the outer contour surface of the cover plate 35. That is to say, during the rotation of the first shielding plate 341 along with the first wing plate 31, it always remains outside the contour surface of the cover plate 35; during the rotation of the second shielding plate 342 along with the second wing plate 32, it also always remains outside the contour surface of the cover plate 35. The movements of the first shielding plate 341 and the second shielding plate 342 will not interfere with the cover plate 35, and the cover plate 35 does not need to open a relief notch or other structures on the top surface 353 that may damage the integrity of the top surface 353 to cooperate with the movement of the first shielding plate 341 or the second shielding plate 342. Thus, the cover plate 35 can maintain a complete shielding of the spindle assembly 30 and achieve a better protection effect.

[0160] Please refer to Figure 14 and Figure 15 The cross-sectional view showing the sliding bracket 36 respectively connected to the first shielding plate 341 and the second shielding plate 342 as shown in the schematic view. In this embodiment, the first rotating part 361 of the sliding bracket 36 is configured as the structure of a rotating shaft, and the second rotating part 362 is also configured as a rotating shaft. The first rotating end 3411 of the first shielding plate 341 is configured as a first sliding groove 371 that matches the outer shape of the rotating shaft. The first rotating part 361 is installed within the first sliding groove 371. While the first shielding plate 341 is rotationally connected to the first rotating part 361 through the first sliding groove 371, the distance between the first shielding plate 341 and the first sliding part 361 can also be changed by the sliding of the rotating shaft of the first sliding part 361 within the first sliding groove 371; correspondingly, the second rotating end 3421 is also configured as a second sliding groove 372 that matches the outer shape of the rotating shaft of the second rotating part 362. The second rotating part 362 is installed within the second sliding groove 371. The second shielding plate 342 can slide relative to the second rotating part 362 while rotating relative to the second rotating part 362.

[0161] The volume of the sliding bracket 36 is small. Setting the first rotating part 361 and the second rotating part 362 as the rotating shaft structure is beneficial to further control the overall size of the sliding bracket 36 and facilitate the accommodation of the sliding bracket 36 within the spaced space 3501.

[0162] The first sliding groove 371 is arranged along the direction in which the first wing plate 31 extends towards the first shielding plate 341; the second sliding groove 372 is arranged along the direction in which the second wing plate 32 extends towards the second shielding plate 342. By Figure 14As can be seen from the internal cross-sectional view of the folding device 100 in the unfolded state shown, in this state, the first chute 371 includes opposite first and second ends 3711 and 3712. The first end 3711 is closer to the inner surface B side of the folding device 100 than the second end 3712. The position where the first chute 371 is rotatably connected to the first rotating part 341 is also located on the side closer to the first end 3711.

[0163] While in Figure 15 In the internal cross-sectional view of the folding device 100 in the folded state, when the first wing plate 31 and the second wing plate 32 are folded relative to each other, the first rotating part 361 slides in the first chute 371 from the end (the first end 3711) away from the first wing plate 31 towards the end (the second end 3712) close to the first wing plate 31. The first shielding plate 341 moves to the side of the top surface 353 away from the central axis plate 333 through the rotation of the first chute 371 relative to the first rotating part 361. At the same time, the first shielding plate 341 also slides relative to the first rotating part 361 through the first chute 371, causing the first rotating part 361 to slide to a position close to the second end 3712. Correspondingly, the first shielding plate 341 is able to generate a sliding displacement relative to the second shielding plate 342 on the side of the top surface 353 away from the central axis plate 333.

[0164] Corresponding to the first shielding plate 341, the second chute 372 of the second shielding plate 342 also includes opposite third and fourth ends 3721 and 3722. The third end 3721 is closer to the inner surface B side of the folding device 100 than the fourth end 3722. When the folding device 100 is in the unfolded state, the connection position of the second rotating end 3421 and the second rotating part 362 is also located on the side closer to the third end 3721. When the folding device 100 is in the folded state, the second rotating part 362 slides in the second chute 372 from the end (the third end 3713) away from the second wing plate 32 towards the end (the fourth end 3714) close to the second wing plate 32. While the second shielding plate 342 rotates relative to the second rotating part 362, it also generates a sliding displacement relative to the second rotating part 362 through the action of the second chute 372. The second rotating part 362 slides to the side close to the fourth end 3722, and the second shielding plate 342 also generates a sliding displacement towards the first shielding plate 341 on the side of the top surface 353 away from the central axis plate 333.

[0165] That is, during the relative folding of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20, the first shielding plate 341 and the second shielding plate 342 respectively form a sliding motion of approaching each other through the first sliding groove 371 and the second sliding groove 372, thereby realizing the effect that the first shielding plate 341 drives the first wing plate 31 and the first housing 10 to slide synchronously towards the second housing 20, and at the same time, the second shielding plate 342 drives the second wing plate 32 and the second housing 20 to slide synchronously towards the first housing 20. As a result, the intermediate gap formed after the folding of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 is reduced, and the overall volume of the folding device 100 in the folded state is further reduced, so that the thickness of the electronic device 200 in the closed form can be controlled.

[0166] Please refer to Figure 16 As shown in the schematic diagram, the first shielding plate 341 may further include a first rotating body 3413 and a first shielding cover 3414, and the second shielding plate 342 may further include a second rotating body 3423 and a second shielding cover 3424. The first shielding cover 3414 is located on the side close to the inner surface B of the folding device 100 relative to the first rotating body 3413. The first shielding cover 3414 is plate-shaped, and the first shielding cover 3414 is used to provide the shielding function of the first shielding plate 341. The first rotating body 3413 is fixedly connected to the first shielding cover 3414. A U-shaped notch for forming the first sliding groove 371 is further provided on the first rotating body 3413, or it can be described that the main structure of the first sliding groove 371 is arranged on the first rotating body 3413. When the first shielding cover 3414 covers the first rotating body 3413, the U-shaped notch on the first rotating body 3413 is simultaneously closed, and the structure of the first sliding groove 371 surrounded by the first rotating body 3413 is formed. It can be understood that for the first sliding groove 371, its first end 3711 is located on the first shielding cover 3414, and the groove body of the sliding groove and its second end 3712 are located on the first rotating body 3413.

[0167] Correspondingly, the second shielding cover 3414 is also located on the side close to the inner surface B of the folding device 100 relative to the second rotating body 3423. The second shielding cover 3424 is also plate-shaped and is used to provide the shielding function of the second shielding plate 342. The second rotating body 3423 is also fixedly connected to the second shielding cover 3424. A U-shaped notch for forming the second sliding groove 372 is further provided on the second rotating body 3423. When the second shielding cover 3424 covers the second rotating body 3423, the U-shaped notch on the second rotating body 3423 is closed, and the second sliding groove 372 is surrounded by the second rotating body 3423. The third end 3721 of the second sliding groove 372 is located on the second shielding cover 3424, and the groove body of the second sliding groove 372 and its fourth end 3722 are located on the second rotating body 3423.

[0168] In this embodiment, the first sliding groove 371 and the second sliding groove 372 are respectively formed by two separable components, which facilitates the assembly of the first rotating part 361 into the first sliding groove 371. First, the first rotating part 361 is nested on the first rotating body 3413, and then the first shielding cover 3414 is fixed on the first rotating body 3413 to form an enclosed fixation of the first rotating part 361. At the same time, when the second rotating part 362 is assembled into the second sliding groove 372, the second rotating part 362 is also nested on the second rotating body 3423, and then the second shielding cover 3424 is fixed on the second rotating body 3423 to form an enclosed fixation of the second rotating part 362. Such a setting makes the assembly operations between the first shielding plate 341, the second shielding plate 342 and the sliding bracket 36 simpler, and requires less assembly space, which is conducive to implementation.

[0169] In Figure 17 In an embodiment shown, to ensure accurate positioning between the first rotating body 3413 and the first shielding cover 3414, the first shielding cover 3414 can also be connected to the first rotating body 3413 through the cooperation of a slide rail and a guide groove; the second shielding cover 3424 can also be connected to the second rotating body 3424 through the cooperation of a slide rail and a guide groove. In an embodiment, the first rotating body 3413 and the first shielding cover 3414 can be fixed by screws, and the second rotating body 3423 and the second shielding cover 3424 can also be fixed by screws.

[0170] The fixed first shielding plate 341 is as Figure 17 shown. At this time, the first sliding end 3412 can be arranged on the first shielding cover 3414 or on the first rotating body 3413 for sliding connection with the first wing plate 31. Please combine with Figure 16 the schematic. In this embodiment, the first sliding end 3412 is configured as a guide rail 381, and a guide groove 382 cooperating with the guide rail 381 is configured on the first wing plate 31. The guide rail 381 can be embedded in the guide groove 382 and slide relative to it. The first shielding plate 341 realizes the sliding connection with the first wing plate 31 through the cooperation of the guide rail 381 and the guide groove 382. It can be understood that in Figure 16 the schematic, the second sliding end 3422 is also configured as a guide rail 381, a guide groove 382 cooperating with the guide rail 381 is also configured on the second wing plate 32, and the second shielding plate 342 also realizes the sliding connection with the second wing plate 32 through the cooperation of the guide rail 381 and the guide groove 382.

[0171] In Figure 17In the schematic illustration, in order to ensure the stability of the sliding connection between the first shielding plate 341 and the first wing plate 31, a plurality of guide rails 381 may be provided at intervals, and a plurality of guide grooves 382 corresponding to the first wing plate 31 are provided to cooperate with the guide rails 381 to achieve a better sliding connection effect. Correspondingly, a plurality of guide rails 382 may also be provided at intervals on the second shielding plate 342, and a plurality of guide grooves 382 are provided on the corresponding second wing plate 32 to cooperate.

[0172] In some other embodiments, the guide grooves 382 may also be provided on the first shielding plate 341 and the second shielding plate 342 (not shown in the figure), and the guide rails 381 are provided on the first wing plate 31 and the second wing plate 32 to realize the sliding connection between the first shielding plate 341 and the second shielding plate 382 and the first wing plate 31 and the second wing plate 32 respectively.

[0173] Please refer to Figure 18 、 Figure 19 and Figure 20 the schematic illustration of the sliding combination of the first wing plate 31 and the first shielding plate 341 shown, where Figure 19 is Figure 18 the partial enlarged view of the "Ⅰ" area in Figure 20 is Figure 18 the partial enlarged view of the "Ⅱ" area in . The first wing plate 31 may further include guide blocks 312, and the guide blocks 312 are fixedly connected to the body of the first wing plate 31, thereby forming guide grooves 382. In the illustrated schematic illustration, the guide blocks 312 are fixedly connected to the body of the first wing plate 31 by screws. Further, the number of the guide blocks 312 is multiple, and the multiple guide blocks 312 are arranged at intervals along the direction parallel to the rotation axis 3301 on the body of the wing plate 31 to form a plurality of guide grooves 382 arranged at intervals. The arrangement of the guide blocks 312 also divides the first wing plate 31 into a structure assembled by at least two components, and the shapes of the at least two components are all conducive to processing and realization, without directly making the guide grooves 382 on the first wing plate 31, which simplifies the processing difficulty of the first wing plate 31.

[0174] Corresponding to the structure of the first wing plate 31, the first shielding plate 341 also has a plurality of guide rails 381 arranged at intervals along the direction parallel to the rotation axis 3301, and the position of each guide rail 381 corresponds to a guide groove 382, so that each guide rail 381 can slide in its corresponding guide groove 382. That is, the first sliding end 3412 of the first shielding plate 341 is provided with a plurality of guide rails 381 arranged at intervals to realize the sliding connection with the first wing plate 31.

[0175] In one embodiment, the guide rails 381 and the guide grooves 382 are also arranged along the direction of the cover plate 35 towards the first housing 10, and the first shielding plate 341 can slide through the cooperation of the guide rails 381 and the guide grooves 382 and expand and contract relative to the first receiving cavity 12.

[0176] In the illustrated schematic, the guide rail 381 is disposed on the first shielding cover 3414.

[0177] It can be understood that the second wing plate 32 may also include at least one guide block 312 for forming at least one guide groove 382. The second rotating end 3422 of the second shielding plate 342 is also correspondingly disposed as a plurality of guide rails 381 on the second shielding cover 3424, so that the second shielding plate 342 can slide relative to the second wing plate 32 through the cooperation of the guide rail 381 and the guide groove 382.

[0178] It can be understood that in some other embodiments, the guide rail 381 may also be disposed on the first rotating body 3413 and the second rotating body 3423, and the movement trajectories between the first shielding plate 341 and the first housing 10, and between the second shielding plate 342 and the second housing 20 are restricted by the sliding of the first rotating body 3413 and the second rotating body 3423 relative to the first wing plate 31 and the second wing plate 32 respectively.

[0179] For an embodiment, please refer back Figure 8 , the main shaft assembly 30 further includes a pressing plate 39. The pressing plate 39 is fixed in the spaced space 3501, and the pressing plate 39 is located between the sliding bracket 36 and the cover plate 35, and the pressing plate 39 is arranged in alignment with at least one sliding bracket 36. This enables at least one sliding bracket 36 to be located between the pressing plate 39 and the central shaft plate 333 in the spaced space 3501. Please refer to Figure 21 the schematic in. The pressing plate 39 and the central shaft plate 333 are fixedly connected to one side of the sliding bracket 36. The pressing plate 39 further includes a limiting portion 391, and the limiting portion 391 extends towards the sliding bracket 36 and provides a limiting surface 3911 for cooperating with the sliding bracket 36. Since the pressing plate 39 is located between the sliding bracket 36 and the cover plate 35, the limiting portion 391 is also located between the sliding bracket 36 and the cover plate 35.

[0180] When the folding device 100 is in the unfolded state, the sliding bracket 36 is located on the side close to the central shaft plate 333, and there is a gap between the sliding bracket 36 and the limiting portion 391 at this time; when the folding device 100 is in the folded state, the sliding bracket 36 moves towards the cover plate 35, and at this time it will come into contact with the limiting surface 3911 and cannot move further in the direction close to the cover plate 35 under the action of the limiting portion 391. It can be understood that the setting of the pressing plate 39 can limit the displacement distance of the sliding bracket 36 in the spaced space 3501.

[0181] The main function of the cover plate 35 is to provide shielding protection for the spindle assembly 30. The cover plate 35 is usually made of an injection-molded sheet. Due to the characteristic that the cover plate 35 extends parallel to the rotation axis 3301, the aspect ratio of the cover plate 35 is relatively large. The structural stability of the cover plate 35 made of the sheet in its length direction is not high. If the pressing plate 39 is not provided, the cover plate 35 will also be used to limit the displacement of the sliding bracket 36 in the spaced space 3501. However, due to the material characteristics of the cover plate 35, the ability of the cover plate 35 to limit the displacement of the sliding bracket 36 is limited, and the mechanism movement of the spindle assembly 30 may deviate.

[0182] By providing the pressing plate 39 and using the pressing plate 39 to limit the displacement of the sliding bracket 36, a more accurate limiting effect can be provided for the sliding bracket 36. Moreover, the pressing plate 39 is fixedly connected to the central shaft plate 333, and the structural stability of the central shaft plate 333 is higher, which can improve the limiting accuracy of the pressing plate 30 for the sliding bracket 36. Correspondingly, the cover plate 35 can be made of a relatively thin and light plate-like material to reduce the overall weight of the folding device 100 of the present application.

[0183] In an embodiment, the number of sliding brackets 36 is multiple, and the number of corresponding pressing plates 39 is also multiple. The multiple sliding brackets 36 are arranged at intervals in the direction parallel to the rotation axis 3301 in the spaced space 3501, and a pressing plate 39 is correspondingly arranged on one side of each sliding bracket 36. The pressing plate 39 extends a limiting portion 391 towards its corresponding sliding bracket 36 for limiting the movement displacement of its corresponding sliding bracket 36.

[0184] It can be understood that the arrangement of the multiple sliding brackets 36 forms multiple spaced first rotating portions 361 and second rotating portions 362 in the direction parallel to the rotation axis 3301. Therefore, a plurality of first rotating ends 3411 need to be arranged at intervals on the first shielding plate 341 for rotatably connecting with the respective first rotating portions 361. At the same time, a plurality of second rotating ends 362 are arranged at intervals on the second shielding plate 342 for rotatably connecting with the respective second rotating portions 362.

[0185] The arrangement of the multiple sliding brackets 36 can form a plurality of rotational connection cooperation relationships with the first shielding plate 341 and the second shielding plate 342 in the direction of the rotation axis 3301. During the process of the first shielding plate 341 driving the first wing plate 31 and the first housing 10 to rotate around the rotation axis 3301, and during the process of the second shielding plate 342 driving the first wing plate 32 and the second housing 20 to rotate around the rotation axis 3301, the first shielding plate 341 and the second shielding plate 342 can be held respectively in the length directions of the first shielding plate 341 and the second shielding plate 342, ensuring the overall consistency of the rotational movement of the folding device 100 and avoiding the phenomenon of local warping of the first shielding plate 341 or the second shielding plate 342 during the rotation process.

[0186] For an embodiment, please refer to Figure 22 , in a direction parallel to the rotation axis 3301, the cover plate 35 includes opposite first end 3541 and second end 3542. A first baffle 3543 extends from the first end 3510 towards the central shaft plate 333, and a second baffle 3544 also extends from the second end 3520 towards the central shaft plate 333. The first baffle 3543 and the second baffle 3544 are respectively used to form a shield for the spaced space 3501 at opposite ends of the cover plate 35.

[0187] The top surface 353 of the cover plate 35 forms a shield for the main shaft assembly 30 in a direction parallel to the rotation axis 3301. At opposite ends in a direction parallel to the rotation axis 3301, through the arrangement of the first baffle 3543 and the second baffle 3544, a shield can also be formed for the spaced space 3501, further protecting the spaced space 3501 from the intrusion of dust or moisture.

[0188] By a similar principle, in a direction parallel to the rotation axis 3301, the first shielding cover 3414 and the second shielding cover 3424 also each include opposite ends, and opposite ends of the first shielding cover 3414 can respectively extend baffles towards the first wing plate 31, and opposite ends of the second shielding cover 3424 also respectively extend baffles towards the second wing plate 32, so as to respectively achieve better shielding protection for the first wing plate 31 and better shielding protection for the second wing plate 32.

[0189] For an embodiment, please refer to Figure 23 , at the first side 351 and the second side 352 of the cover plate 35, a first side wall 3511 and a second side wall 3521 also extend respectively towards the central shaft plate 333. That is, the cover plate 35 includes the first side wall 3511 and the second side wall 3521. The first side wall 3511 is connected to the top surface 353 at the first side 351, and the second side wall 3521 is connected to the top surface 353 at the second side 352. It can be understood that the first side wall 3511 and the second side wall 3521 are similar in function to the first baffle 3543 and the second baffle 3544, and are used to shield and protect the spaced space 3501. At the same time, when the folding device 100 is in the unfolded state, the first shielding plate 341 and the second shielding plate 342 can respectively cooperate with the first side wall 3511 and the second side wall 3521 to achieve a fitting relationship in which the gap distance between the first shielding plate 341 and the first side 351 is less than the first distance, and the gap distance between the second shielding plate 342 and the second side 352 is less than the first distance. The arrangement of the first side wall 3511 and the second side wall 3521 is also conducive to the abutting cooperation between the first shielding plate 341 and the second shielding plate 342 and the first side 351 and the second side 352 respectively.

[0190] Since the first rotating part 361 and the second rotating part 362 of the sliding bracket 36 respectively protrude from the first side 351 and the second side 352, in the Figure 24 embodiment, it is also necessary to provide relief notches 355 at the positions of the first side wall 3511 corresponding to the first rotating part 361 and the second side wall 3521 corresponding to the second rotating part 362 respectively. The first rotating part 361 passes through the relief notch 355 to protrude from the first side wall 3511, and the relief notch 355 has a certain length to accommodate the reciprocating movement of the first rotating part 361 along with the sliding bracket 36; the second rotating part 362 also passes through the relief notch 355 to protrude from the second side wall 3521, and the second side wall 3521 also has a certain length to facilitate the reciprocating movement of the second rotating part 362.

[0191] It can be understood that in the embodiment where the main shaft assembly 30 is provided with a plurality of sliding brackets 36, a plurality of relief notches 355 also need to be provided so that the first rotating parts 361 and the second rotating parts 362 of the respective sliding brackets 36 respectively protrude from the first side wall 3511 and the second side wall 3521.

[0192] The following briefly describes the assembly steps of the folding device 100 of the present application:

[0193] First, the assembly of the main shaft assembly 30 needs to be completed. The first side shaft plate 331 and the second side shaft plate 332 are respectively assembled on opposite sides of the central shaft plate 333. Then, the first wing plate 31 is connected to the first side shaft plate 331, and the second wing plate 32 is connected to the second side shaft plate 332. For the embodiment where the first wing plate 31 and the second wing plate 32 are respectively provided with guide blocks 312, it is also necessary to assemble the respective guide blocks 312 on the bodies of the first wing plate 31 and the second wing plate 32 to form a plurality of guide grooves 382.

[0194] Synchronously, the assembly of the sliding bracket 36 with the first shielding plate 341 and the second shielding plate 342 also needs to be completed. Specifically, as Figure 24 shown, the first rotating body 3413 and the second rotating body 3423 are respectively sleeved on the first rotating part 361 and the second rotating part 362 to obtain the structure as Figure 25 shown.

[0195] Then, Figure 25 the obtained first rotating body 3413, sliding bracket 36 and second rotating body 3424 are assembled on the central shaft plate 333 together, and a pressing plate 39 is fixed on the central shaft plate 333 to limit the sliding bracket 36 in the spacer 3501 to obtain the structure as Figure 26 shown.

[0196] After that, the first shielding cover 3414 is covered on the first rotating body 3413 to form asFigure 27 The structure of the first shielding plate 341 composed of the first rotating body 3413 and the first shielding cover 3414 as shown. Correspondingly, the second rotating body 3423 and the second shielding cover 3424 also jointly form the second shielding plate 342. At this time, the first shielding plate 341 and the second shielding plate 342 are respectively rotatably connected to the sliding bracket 36, thereby forming a structure in which the first shielding plate 341, the sliding bracket 36, and the second shielding plate 342 are connected in sequence. In Figure 27 the schematic diagram, the schematic diagrams of the central shaft plate 333 and the pressing plate 39 are omitted. Further, in Figure 27 the schematic diagram, the first rotating part 361 of the sliding bracket 36 is received in the first sliding groove 371, and the second rotating part 362 is received in the second sliding groove 372.

[0197] It should be noted that after the first rotating body 3413 is fixedly connected to the first shielding cover 3414, the first shielding plate 341 and the second shielding plate 342 also need to be slidably connected to the first wing plate 31 respectively. Therefore, when forming Figure 28 the structure, it is also necessary to slidably connect the first shielding cover 3414 to the first wing plate 31 and slidably connect the second shielding cover 3424 to the second wing plate 32. Specifically, slide the guide rail 381 of the first shielding cover 3414 into the corresponding guide groove 382 of the first wing plate 31, and slide the guide rail 381 of the second shielding cover 3424 into the corresponding guide groove 382 of the second wing plate 32. As Figure 28 shown, the first shielding cover 3414 and the second shielding cover 3424 respectively complete the shielding protection of the first wing plate 31 and the second wing plate 32.

[0198] Finally, after the assembly corresponding to the above two assembly methods is completed, the cover plate 35 is fixed to the support member 3332 to complete the assembly operation of the folding device 100 of the present application. It can be understood that for the electronic device 200 of the present application, it is also necessary to separately complete the connection and fixation work of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20, and then assemble the flexible display screen 210 on the folding device 100.

[0199] The above description is only a specific embodiment of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present application can easily think of changes or substitutions, such as reducing or adding structural members, changing the shape of structural members, etc., which should all be covered within the protection scope of the present application; without conflict, the embodiments of the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A folding device, characterized in that, It includes a main shaft assembly, a first wing plate and a second wing plate. The first wing plate and the second wing plate are distributed on both sides of the main shaft assembly along the length direction perpendicular to the main shaft assembly, and are respectively rotatably connected to the main shaft assembly. The first wing plate and the second wing plate can be folded relative to each other or unfolded relative to each other; The main shaft assembly, the first wing plate and the second wing plate respectively include a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the first surface is close to the flexible display screen; The folding device further includes a cover plate located on the second surface of the main shaft assembly, a first shielding plate and a second shielding plate respectively located on the second surfaces of the first wing plate and the second wing plate, and a sliding bracket located between the main shaft assembly and the cover plate; The cover plate is fixedly spaced from the main shaft assembly and forms a spaced space, and at least part of the sliding bracket is movably arranged in the spaced space; The first shielding plate includes a first sliding end and a first rotating end. The first rotating end is rotatably connected to one side of the sliding bracket and can slide relatively, and the first sliding end is slidably connected to the first wing plate; The second shielding plate includes a second sliding end and a second rotating end. The second rotating end is rotatably connected to the other side of the sliding bracket and can slide relatively, and the second sliding end is slidably connected to the second wing plate; The cover plate has a top surface facing away from the main shaft assembly. When the first wing plate and the second wing plate are folded relative to each other, the first wing plate and the second wing plate respectively drive the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate to approach each other, and at the same time pull the sliding bracket to approach the cover plate, so that at least part of the first shielding plate and the second shielding plate shields the top surface of the cover plate.

2. The folding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cover plate includes a first side edge close to the first wing plate and a second side edge close to the second wing plate. The sliding bracket includes a bracket body and a first connecting arm and a second connecting arm respectively arranged on both sides of the bracket body. The first connecting arm and the second connecting arm are respectively provided with a first rotating part and a second rotating part; The bracket body is located in the spaced space; The first connecting arm extends out of the spaced space and extends to the first rotating end of the first shielding plate, and is rotatably connected to the first rotating end through the first rotating part and can slide relatively; The second connecting arm extends out of the spaced space and extends to the second rotating end of the second shielding plate, and is rotatably connected to the second rotating end through the second rotating part and can slide relatively.

3. The folding device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first rotating part and the second rotating part are both located on the side of the bracket body facing away from the main shaft assembly. When the first wing plate and the second wing plate are folded relative to each other, the first rotating part and the second rotating part are both located on the side of the top surface of the cover plate facing away from the main shaft assembly, so that the first rotating end of the first shielding plate and the second rotating end of the second shielding plate are respectively rotated to the side of the top surface facing away from the main shaft assembly.

4. The folding device according to claim 2, wherein, The first rotating part and the second rotating part are both configured as rotating shafts. The first rotating end is provided with a first sliding groove, and the second rotating end is provided with a second sliding groove; The first rotating part is installed in the first sliding groove and can slide and rotate in the first sliding groove; the second rotating part is installed in the second sliding groove and can slide and rotate in the second sliding groove.

5. The folding device according to claim 4, wherein The first sliding groove is arranged along the direction in which the first wing plate extends towards the first shielding plate; the second sliding groove is arranged along the direction in which the second wing plate extends towards the second shielding plate.

6. The folding device according to claim 4, characterized in that When the first wing plate and the second wing plate are folded relative to each other, the first rotating part slides in the first sliding groove from one end far away from the first wing plate towards one end close to the first wing plate, and the second rotating part slides in the second sliding groove from one end far away from the second wing plate towards one end close to the second wing plate.

7. The folding device according to claim 4, wherein, The first shielding plate includes a first rotating body and a first shielding cover fixedly connected. The first shielding cover is located on the second surface of the first wing plate, the first rotating body is located between the first shielding cover and the first wing plate, and the first rotating body and the first shielding cover enclose the first sliding groove. The second shielding plate includes a second rotating body and a second shielding cover fixedly connected. The second shielding cover is located on the second surface of the second wing plate, the second rotating body is located between the second shielding cover and the second wing plate, and the second rotating body and the second shielding cover enclose the second sliding groove.

8. The folding device according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, Guide grooves are respectively provided on the first wing plate and the second wing plate, and guide rails of the guide grooves are respectively provided at the first sliding end and the second sliding end; or Guide rails are respectively provided on the first wing plate and the second wing plate, and guide grooves are respectively provided at the first sliding end and the second sliding end; The guide rail can slide in the guide groove.

9. The folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The main shaft assembly further includes a pressing plate arranged in the spaced space. The pressing plate is arranged in alignment with the sliding bracket, and the pressing plate is used to limit the displacement distance of the sliding bracket between the cover plate and the main shaft assembly.

10. An electronic device, characterized in that, It includes a first housing, a second housing, a flexible display screen, and the folding device according to any one of claims 1-9. The first wing plate is fixedly connected to the first housing, and the second wing plate is fixedly connected to the second housing; The flexible display screen covers the first surfaces of the first housing, the second housing, and the folding device.

11. The electronic device according to claim 10, wherein The first housing is provided with a first receiving cavity for receiving the first shielding plate, and the second housing is provided with a second receiving cavity for receiving the second shielding plate.

Images