Hinge

By designing a hinge that includes a base, torque module and bracket module, the screen damage caused by the difference in inner and outer diameters during the folding process of the outer folding smartphone is solved, and the screen is stable support and protection is achieved.

CN115643324BActive Publication Date: 2025-02-14FIRST DOME CORP TELECOM CO LTD +1
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202110818632.9
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-07-20
Publication Date
2025-02-14
Estimated Expiration
2041-07-20

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

During the folding process of the outer folding smart phone, the inner and outer diameter difference between the screen and the case underneath is prone to cause the screen to be pulled, and after folding, the center of the screen is insufficiently supported by the shaft, which may cause damage to the screen.

Method used

A hinge is designed that includes a base, a torque module and a bracket module. The torque module forms a semi-circular support surface to support the screen unit through the outer support unit, the inner support unit and the torque plate unit to prevent pulling and squeezing caused by the difference in inner and outer diameters of the case.

Benefits of technology

Through the design of the hinge, the screen is effectively pulled and squeezed due to the difference in inner and outer diameters of the case, ensuring that the screen is not damaged during folding and unfolding, while providing stable support to ensure the integrity of the screen.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

A hinge is suitable for a foldable screen device, which includes the hinge, a housing unit and a screen unit. The hinge includes a base, a torsion module and a bracket module. The torsion module is arranged above the base and fixedly connected to the screen unit. The torsion module includes two outer support units arranged at both ends of the base and an inner support unit arranged at the base. The bracket module is arranged below the base and includes two linkage brackets extending along the front-back direction and respectively fixedly connected to the coupling plate and rotatable relative to the base. The hinge can make the housing rotate between the unfolded position where the linkage bracket is in an unfolded state and the outer folded position where the linkage bracket faces each other. In the outer folded position, the outer support unit and the inner support unit of the torsion module jointly form a semicircular support surface to support the screen unit. In this way, the screen unit is prevented from being pulled and squeezed and damaged due to the difference in inner and outer diameters of the housing.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a hinge, in particular to a hinge for a foldable screen device. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, smartphones have become an electronic device that almost everyone has, and with the improvement of processors, batteries and other performance, people are no longer changing their phones as frequently as when these products first came out. In order to bring more freshness to consumers and meet the needs of large-size screens and easy to carry, foldable smartphones have also appeared on the market. Foldable smartphones can be mainly divided into inward folding and outward folding. Inward folding means that when the screen is folded into two parts, the two parts of the screen are folded face to face in the casing, while outward folding means that the two parts of the screen are folded back to back. Among them, the size of the outward folding smartphone in the folded state is about the size of the existing common smartphones. Consumers can usually operate and use it directly in the folded state, and can unfold it to improve the visual experience when watching videos and playing mobile games. Therefore, outward folding smartphones are more anticipated by the public. However, during the folding process of some outward folding smartphones, the screen and the bottom casing are prone to have an inner and outer diameter difference, resulting in the screen being pulled. Some outward folding smartphones are insufficiently supported by the rotating shaft in the center of the screen after folding, which may cause damage to the screen. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a hinge that can solve at least one of the above problems.

[0004] The hinge of the present invention is suitable for a foldable screen device, which includes the hinge, a shell unit and a screen unit, the shell unit includes two shells connected to the two side edges of the hinge in the left and right directions and two joining plates respectively arranged on the shells, the screen unit is fixedly arranged on the hinge and movably accommodated in the track groove, the hinge includes a base extending along the front-to-back direction; a torsion module is arranged above the base and fixedly connected to the screen unit, the torsion module includes two outer support units extending along the front-to-back direction and arranged at both ends of the base, an inner support unit extending along the front-to-back direction and arranged on the base, and at least one pair of torsion sheet units arranged between the outer support units and the inner support units, each outer support unit has a central outer support tube fixedly connected to the base, two first outer support tubes located on both sides of the central outer support tube, and two second outer support tubes respectively pivotally arranged on the first outer support tube, and each inner support unit has a central outer support tube fixedly connected to the base A central inner support tube, two first inner support tubes located on both sides of the central inner support tube and two second inner support tubes respectively pivoted on the first inner support tube; and a bracket module, which is arranged under the base and includes two linkage brackets extending along the front-to-back direction and respectively fixed to the connecting plate and capable of rotating relative to the base, the linkage bracket connecting the torsion plate unit; wherein the hinge can enable the housing to rotate between an unfolded position in which the linkage bracket is in an unfolded state and an outward folding position in which the linkage brackets are facing each other, and in the outward folding position, the first outer support tube of the outer support unit of the torsion module pivots downward relative to the central outer support tube and the second outer support tube pivots downward respectively relative to the first outer support tube, the first inner support tube of the inner support unit pivots downward relative to the central inner support tube and the second inner support tube pivots downward respectively relative to the first inner support tube, so as to jointly form a semicircular support surface to support the screen unit.

[0005] The hinge described in the present invention, each torsion plate unit has a plurality of torsion plate groups arranged alternately in the front-to-back direction and a plurality of connecting shafts passing through the torsion plate groups, the outer support unit and the inner support unit, each torsion plate group has a plurality of torsion plates and side connecting blocks connected to the torsion plates, the torsion plates are stacked and arranged in the front-to-back direction and abut against each other in the left-to-right direction to form three rows, each torsion plate is passed through by two connecting shafts and has teeth formed on both sides, so that the torsion plates in each row can mesh with each other and pivot relative to each other, and the side connecting block has a gear portion that can mesh with one end of the torsion plate group.

[0006] The hinge described in the present invention, each linkage bracket has a base plate and two side plates connected to both sides of the base plate and extending along the left-right direction. The bracket module also includes two synchronization units arranged at both ends of the base and respectively connected to the corresponding side plates, so that the linkage bracket can rotate synchronously relative to the base.

[0007] The hinge described in the present invention comprises a base including a connecting strip in the form of an elongated strip and two receiving blocks connecting the two ends of the connecting strip, each synchronization unit comprising two linkage members rotatably arranged on the receiving block and respectively fixed to the corresponding side plates, and two synchronization gears rotatably arranged on the receiving block and meshing with each other and located between the linkage members, each linkage member comprising a linkage gear portion meshing with the synchronization gear, a linkage shaft portion fixedly passing through the side plate, and a mounting shaft portion passing through the receiving block, wherein when a linkage bracket rotates relative to the base, it can drive the corresponding linkage member to rotate, and rotate the other linkage member through the synchronization gear, so that the linkage bracket can rotate synchronously.

[0008] The hinge described in the present invention has grooves formed at both ends of each receiving block in the left and right directions, each side panel is L-shaped and forms a movable abutting groove extending in the left and right directions, and the bracket module also includes four abutting members which are respectively movably arranged on the side panels and extend along the left and right directions, and four abutting elastic members arranged between the abutting members and the side panels, each abutting member can be movably accommodated in the corresponding movable abutting groove and abut against the corresponding receiving block, and the casing can be pushed by the elastic force of the abutting elastic member to abut against the corresponding groove when in the expanded position.

[0009] The hinge described in the present invention, the torsion module also includes two side support plates fixedly connected to the side connecting blocks and extending along the front-to-back direction, each linkage bracket also has at least one pair of linkage blocks fixedly connected to the bottom plate and respectively forming a linkage groove, and each torsion plate unit also has a pair of side connecting shafts respectively fixedly penetrated through the side connecting blocks and the corresponding linkage grooves of the linkage blocks of the linkage brackets, so that when the linkage bracket rotates, the side support plates, the side connecting blocks and the torsion plates can be rotated in conjunction.

[0010] The hinge described in the present invention also includes a covering member arranged below the linkage bracket, and the bottom plate of each linkage bracket forms a plurality of sliding grooves extending along the left-right direction. The bracket module also includes a plurality of sliding blocks respectively movably arranged in the sliding grooves and fixedly connected to the covering member, so that the covering member can slide relative to the linkage bracket.

[0011] The hinge described in the present invention can enable the casing to rotate between the unfolded position, the outer folding position and the inner folding position where the side support plates face each other. In the inner folding position, the first outer support tube of the outer support unit of the torsion module pivots upward relative to the central outer support tube, and the second outer support tube pivots upward relative to the first outer support tube, respectively; the first inner support tube of the inner support unit pivots upward relative to the central inner support tube, and the second inner support tube pivots upward relative to the first inner support tube, respectively, so as to define a teardrop-shaped space together with the side support plate to accommodate the screen unit.

[0012] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: the first outer support tube of the outer support unit of the torsion module pivots downward relative to the central outer support tube and the second outer support tube pivots downward relative to the first outer support tube, the first inner support tube of the inner support unit pivots downward relative to the central inner support tube and the second inner support tube pivots downward relative to the first inner support tube, so as to jointly form a semicircular support surface to support the screen unit, thereby preventing the screen unit from being pulled and squeezed and damaged due to the difference in inner and outer diameters of the casing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional diagram of an embodiment of a foldable screen device of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 2 is a perspective exploded view of this embodiment;

[0015] Figure 3 is a top view of the housing unit of this embodiment;

[0016] Figure 4 Is Figure 3 The cross-sectional view obtained by the cutting line IX-IX;

[0017] Figure 5 is a side view of the housing unit of the embodiment;

[0018] Figure 6 Is Figure 1 An incomplete cross-sectional view obtained by the cutting line XI-XI;

[0019] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the screen unit of this embodiment;

[0020] Figure 8 is a perspective exploded view of the hinge of this embodiment;

[0021] Fig. 8A yes Figure 8 A partial enlarged view of

[0022] Fig. 9 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the torsion module of the hinge of the embodiment;

[0023] Fig. 9A yes Fig. 9 A partial enlarged view of

[0024] Fig.10 is a front view of the torsion module of the hinge of the embodiment;

[0025] Fig.11 is a perspective view of the embodiment, illustrating the housing in an inner folded position;

[0026] Fig.12 is a partial perspective view of the embodiment, illustrating the housing in an outer folded position, wherein the screen unit is omitted;

[0027] Fig.13 is an incomplete three-dimensional view of the torsion module of the hinge of the embodiment, illustrating a state where the torsion module is in the inner folding position of the housing;

[0028] Fig.14 is a front view of the torsion module of the hinge of the embodiment, illustrating the state of the torsion module when the housing is located in the inner folded position;

[0029] Fig.15 is a front view of the torsion module and the bracket module of the hinge of the embodiment, illustrating the state of the torsion module and the bracket module when the housing is located in the inner folding position;

[0030] Fig.16 is a front view of the torsion module and the bracket module of the hinge of the embodiment, illustrating the state of the torsion module and the bracket module when the housing is located in the unfolded position;

[0031] Fig.17 is a partial front view of the torsion module and the bracket module of the hinge of the embodiment, illustrating that the abutment member is abutted in the groove of the receiving block, wherein the linkage bracket is omitted;

[0032] Fig.18 is an incomplete three-dimensional view of the torsion module of the hinge of the embodiment, illustrating the state of the torsion module when the housing is located in the outer folded position;

[0033] Fig.19 is a front view of the torsion module of the hinge of the embodiment, illustrating the state of the torsion module when the housing is in the outer folded position; and

[0034] Fig. 20 1 is a front view of the torsion module and the bracket module of the hinge of the embodiment, illustrating the state of the torsion module and the bracket module when the housing is located in the outer folding position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0036] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 An embodiment of the foldable screen device of the present invention includes a hinge 10, a housing unit 1 and a screen unit 2.

[0037] See also Figures 3 to 6The housing unit 1 includes two housings 11 connected to both sides of the hinge 10 in the left-right direction D2, two joint plates 12 respectively arranged on the housings 11, a plurality of screen sliders 13 movably arranged on the joint plates 12, and a plurality of screen track members 14 respectively arranged between the housings 11 and the joint plates 12. Each housing 11 has a base wall 111 connected to the hinge 10, a surrounding wall 112 extending upward from the periphery of the base wall 111, and an eaves wall 113 extending inward from the top edge of the surrounding wall 112. Each joint plate 12 is spaced apart from the base wall 111 and the eaves wall 113 of the housing 11 in the up-down direction D3, and forms a plurality of screen slide grooves 121 extending along the left-right direction D2, two push-action grooves 122 extending along the left-right direction D2 and spaced apart from the screen slide grooves 121, and a plurality of circular through holes 123. The screen slider 13 is movably accommodated in the screen slide groove 121 and is respectively fixed to the screen unit 2. The joint plate 12, the surrounding wall 112 and the eaves wall 113 define an activity space S for movably accommodating the screen unit 2. The screen track member 14 has a track groove 141 and is respectively disposed between the joint plate 12 and the eaves wall 113 extending along the left-right direction D2 and is located at both sides of the screen unit 2 and in the activity space S.

[0038] See also Figure 2 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 The screen unit 2 is fixedly arranged on the hinge 10 and movably accommodated in the track groove 141 of the screen track member 14, and includes a flexible screen 21 fixed to the hinge 10, two slide plates 22 respectively movably accommodated in the track groove 141, a plurality of positioning ribs 23 arranged along the front-to-back direction D1 and fixed to the center of the joint surface 211 of the flexible screen 21, four push blocks 24 fixed to the slide plate 22 and movably accommodated in the push movable groove 122, and a plurality of joint columns 25 fixed to the slide plate 22 and extending toward the joint plate 12. The slide plate 22 is fixed to the screen slider 13 by the joint columns 25. The screen slider 13, the screen slide groove 121, the positioning ribs 23, the push blocks 24, the push movable groove 122, and the joint columns 25 are not limited to the numbers shown in this embodiment, and can be adjusted as needed in other embodiments.

[0039] See also Figure 2 and Figure 8The hinge 10 includes a base 3 extending along the front-to-back direction D1, a bracket module 5 disposed below the base 3, a torsion module 4 disposed above the base 3 and fixed to the flexible screen 21 of the screen unit 2, and a covering member 6 disposed below the bracket module 5. The base 3 includes a long strip-shaped connecting strip 31 and two receiving blocks 32 connecting the two ends of the connecting strip 31, and each receiving block 32 forms a groove 321 at both ends of the left-right direction.

[0040] See also Figures 8 to 10 The torsion module 4 has two outer support units 41 extending along the front-to-back direction D1 and disposed at both ends of the base 3, two middle support units 42 extending along the front-to-back direction D1 and disposed at the base 3, an inner support unit 43 extending along the front-to-back direction D1 and disposed at the base 3, two pairs of torsion sheet units 44 disposed between the outer support units 41 and the inner support units 43, and two side support plates 45 extending along the front-to-back direction D1 and located at both sides and abutting against the screen unit 2. Each outer support unit 41 has a central outer support tube 411 fixedly connected to the base 3, two first outer support tubes 412 located at both sides of the central outer support tube 411, and two second outer support tubes 413 respectively pivoted to the first outer support tube 412. Each middle support unit 42 is located between two torsion sheet units 44, and has a central middle support tube 421 fixed to the base 3, two first middle support tubes 422 located on both sides of the central middle support tube 421, and two second middle support tubes 423 respectively pivoted on the first middle support tube 422. Each inner support unit 43 has a central inner support tube 431 fixed to the base 3, two first inner support tubes 432 located on both sides of the central inner support tube 431, and two second inner support tubes 433 respectively pivoted on the first inner support tube 432. The components of the outer support unit 41, the middle support unit 42, and the inner support unit 43 are roughly different in length, and are all located in the same straight line extending along the front-to-back direction D1. The positioning ribs 23 of the screen unit 2 are respectively inserted on the central outer support tube 411, the central middle support tube 421, and the central inner support tube 431, so that the flexible screen 21 is fixed to the torsion module 4.

[0041] Each torsion plate unit 44 has a plurality of torsion plate groups arranged alternately in the front-to-back direction D1 and a plurality of connecting shafts 443 passing through the torsion plate groups. The connecting shafts 443 of the two torsion plate units 44 closer to the outer support unit 41 pass through the torsion plate group, the outer support unit 41 and the middle support unit 42, and the connecting shafts 443 of the two torsion plate units 44 closer to the inner support unit 43 pass through the torsion plate group, the inner support unit 43 and the middle support unit 42. With such a design, the outer support unit 41, the middle support unit 42, the inner support unit 43 and the torsion plate unit 44 can all rotate synchronously. Each torsion plate group has a plurality of torsion plates 441 and a side connection block 442 connected to the torsion plates 441 and fixed to the side support plate 45. The torsion plates 441 are stacked in the front-to-back direction D1 and abut against each other in the left-right direction D2 to form three rows. The number of stacking in the front-to-back direction D1 depends on the thickness of the side connection block 442 in the front-to-back direction D1. In this embodiment, there are four layers, but this is not a limitation. Each torsion plate 441 is passed through by two connecting shafts 443 and has toothed portions 441a formed on both sides, so that each row of torsion plates 441 can mesh with each other and pivot relative to each other. The side connection block 442 has a gear portion 442a that can mesh with one end of the torsion plate group.

[0042] See also Figure 2 , Figure 8 and Fig. 8AThe bracket module 5 includes two linkage brackets 51 extending along the front-to-back direction D1 and respectively fixed to the joint plate 12 and rotatable relative to the base 3, and two synchronization units 52 arranged at both ends of the base 3. Each linkage bracket 51 has a bottom plate 511, two side plates 512 connected to both sides of the bottom plate 511 and extending along the left-right direction D2, and four linkage blocks 513 fixed to the bottom plate 511 and respectively forming a linkage groove 513a. The bottom plate 511 forms four sliding grooves 511a extending along the left-right direction D2, eight bosses 511b and two push-resistance blocks 511c. The linkage bracket 51 is fixed to the joint plate 12 by the bosses 511b penetrating the corresponding through holes 123 of the joint plate 12. Each side plate 512 is L-shaped and forms a card-resistance movable groove 512a extending in the left-right direction D2. Each torsion plate unit 44 also has a pair of side linkage shafts 444 that are respectively fixedly penetrated through the side connection blocks 442 and the corresponding linkage grooves 513a of the linkage blocks 513 of the linkage bracket 51, so that when the linkage bracket 51 rotates, the side support plate 45, the side connection blocks 442 and the torsion plate 441 can be rotated, and the side linkage shafts 444 are movably penetrated through the linkage grooves 513a. Each synchronization unit 52 has two linkage members 521 rotatably disposed on the receiving block 32 and respectively fixed to the corresponding side plates 512, and two synchronization gears 522 rotatably disposed on the receiving block 32 and meshing with each other and located between the linkage members 521. Each linkage member 521 has a linkage gear portion 521a meshing with the synchronization gear 522, a linkage shaft portion 521b fixedly passing through the side plate 512, and a mounting shaft portion 521c passing through the receiving block 32. When a linkage bracket 51 rotates relative to the base 3, it can drive the corresponding linkage member 521 to rotate, and the other linkage member 521 can be rotated through the synchronization gear 522, so that the linkage bracket 51 can rotate synchronously.

[0043] The support module 5 further includes two pairs of push members 53 movably disposed on the push and stop block 511c and extending along the left-right direction D2 and abutting against the push block 24, two pairs of push elastic members 54 disposed between the push members 53 and the push and stop block 511c, four clamping members 55 movably disposed on the side plate 512 and extending along the left-right direction D2, four clamping elastic members 56 disposed between the clamping members 55 and the side plate 512, and four sliding blocks 57 movably accommodated in the sliding groove 511a. Each clamping member 55 is movably accommodated in the corresponding clamping movable groove 512a and abuts against the corresponding receiving block 32. The covering member 6 is suitable for shielding the support module 5 and the base 3, and can slide relative to the linkage support 51 by being fixed to the sliding block 57.

[0044] See also Figure 1 , Fig.11 and Fig.12 The hinge 10 can make the housing 11 rotate between an inner folding position where the joint plates 12 face each other, an unfolded position where the housing 11 is unfolded, and an outer folding position where the base walls 111 of the housing 11 face each other, that is, the foldable screen device 100 can be unfolded from 0 degrees to 180 degrees or even 360 degrees. During the rotation of the housing 11 between the inner folding position and the unfolded position, and between the unfolded position and the outer folding position, the screen unit 2 is movably accommodated in the track groove 141.

[0045] See also Figure 2 , Figures 13 to 15 In the inner folded position, the surfaces of the support tubes of the side support plate 45, the outer support unit 41, the middle support unit 42 and the inner support unit 43 jointly define a water drop-shaped space that is sufficient to accommodate the screen unit 2 without excessive bending or compression of the screen unit 2. Figure 1 , Figure 8 , Fig.10 , Fig.16 and Fig.17 When switching from the inner folding position to the unfolded position, the housing 11 and the linkage bracket 51 rotate downward, driving the abutment member 55 to move along the outer surface of the receiving block 32 and finally being pushed by the elastic force of the abutment elastic member 56 to abut against the corresponding groove 321, providing a locked feel so that the housing 11 will not be separated from the unfolded position due to a slight external force, which is convenient for users to watch. At the same time, the abutment member 53 is also subject to the elastic force of the abutment elastic member 54 to push the abutment block 24 and drive the slide plate 22 to move away from the linkage bracket 51, thereby providing an outward pulling force to the flexible screen 21, so that the flexible screen 21 can be flattened more quickly. See. Figure 2 , Figures 18 to 20When the unfolded position is converted to the outer folded position, the first outer support tube 412 of the outer support unit 41 pivots downward relative to the central outer support tube 411 and the second outer support tube 413 pivots downward relative to the first outer support tube 412, the first middle support tube 422 of the middle support unit 42 pivots downward relative to the central middle support tube 421 and the second middle support tube 423 pivots downward relative to the first middle support tube 422, and the first inner support tube 432 of the inner support unit 43 pivots downward relative to the central inner support tube 431. The second inner support tube 433 is respectively pivoted downward relative to the first inner support tube 432, and the torsion force generated by the torsion sheet units 44 when they are tightly stacked on each other can firmly maintain the housing 11 in the outer folding position. At this time, the surfaces of the support tubes of the outer support unit 41, the middle support unit 42 and the inner support unit 43 jointly form a semicircular support surface to support the screen unit 2. Since the screen unit 2 moves relative to the housing 11, the flexible screen 21 can fit closely to the above-mentioned support surface without being squeezed, deformed and damaged. Figure 2 , Figures 13 to 15 Similarly, when the foldable screen device 100 is used, the user can fold the housing 11 to convert the housing 11 to the inner folding position. When converting from the unfolded position to the inner folding position, the first outer support tube 412 of the outer support unit 41 is pivoted upward relative to the central outer support tube 411 and the second outer support tube 413 is pivoted upward relative to the first outer support tube 412, and the first middle support tube 422 of the middle support unit 42 is pivoted upward relative to the central middle support tube 421 and the second middle support tube 413 is pivoted upward relative to the first outer support tube 412. The support tubes 423 are respectively pivoted upward relative to the first middle support tubes 422, the first inner support tubes 432 of the inner support unit 43 are respectively pivoted upward relative to the central inner support tube 431, and the second inner support tubes 433 are respectively pivoted upward relative to the first inner support tubes 432, and the torsion sheet units 44 are tightly stacked with each other, and the torque generated during rotation can also firmly maintain the housing 11 in the inner folding position. At this time, the screen unit 2 is accommodated in the aforementioned water drop-shaped space without excessively bending the screen unit 2 to cause damage.

[0046] In summary, the hinge 10 of the present invention is achieved by the first outer support tube 412 of the outer support unit 41 of the torsion module 4 pivoting downward relative to the central outer support tube 411 and the second outer support tube 413 pivoting downward relative to the first outer support tube 412, the first middle support tube 422 of the middle support unit 42 pivoting downward relative to the central middle support tube 421 and the second middle support tube 423 pivoting downward relative to the first middle support tube 422, the first inner support tube 432 of the inner support unit 43 pivoting downward relative to the central inner support tube 431 and the second inner support tube 433 pivoting downward relative to the first inner support tube 432, so as to jointly form a semicircular support surface to support the screen unit 2, thereby preventing the screen unit 2 from being pulled and squeezed and damaged due to the difference in inner and outer diameters of the casing 11, and thus achieving the purpose of the present invention.

[0047] However, the above is only an embodiment of the present invention and should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention. All simple equivalent changes and modifications made according to the claims and the patent specification of the present invention are still within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hinge, suitable for a foldable screen device, the foldable screen device comprising the hinge, a housing unit and a screen unit, the housing unit comprising two housings connected to both sides of the hinge in the left-right direction and two joint plates respectively arranged on the housings, the screen unit is fixedly arranged on the hinge, characterized in that: The hinge contains: a base extending in the front-to-rear direction; A torsion module is arranged above the base and fixedly connected to the screen unit, the torsion module includes two outer support units extending along the front-to-back direction and arranged at both ends of the base, an inner support unit extending along the front-to-back direction and arranged at the base, and at least one pair of torsion plate units arranged between the outer support units and the inner support units, each outer support unit has a central outer support tube fixedly connected to the base, two first outer support tubes located on both sides of the central outer support tube, and two second outer support tubes respectively pivoted to the first outer support tube, and each inner support unit has a central inner support tube fixedly connected to the base, two first inner support tubes located on both sides of the central inner support tube, and two second inner support tubes respectively pivoted to the first inner support tube; and A bracket module is disposed below the base and includes two linkage brackets extending along the front-rear direction and respectively fixed to the joint plate and rotatable relative to the base, the linkage brackets being connected to the torsion plate unit; In which, the hinge can enable the casing to rotate between an unfolded position in which the linkage bracket is in an unfolded state and an outward folded position in which the linkage brackets face each other. In the outward folded position, the first outer support tube of the outer support unit of the torsion module pivots downward relative to the central outer support tube and the second outer support tube pivots downward relative to the first outer support tube, respectively, and the first inner support tube of the inner support unit pivots downward relative to the central inner support tube and the second inner support tube pivots downward relative to the first inner support tube, respectively, so as to jointly form a semicircular support surface to support the screen unit.

2. The hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each torsion plate unit has a plurality of torsion plate groups arranged alternately in the front-to-back direction and a plurality of connecting shafts passing through the torsion plate groups, the outer support unit and the inner support unit. Each torsion plate group has a plurality of torsion plates and side connecting blocks connected to the torsion plates. The torsion plates are stacked in the front-to-back direction and abut against each other in three rows in the left-to-right direction. Each torsion plate is passed through by two connecting shafts and has teeth formed on both sides so that the torsion plates in each row can mesh with each other and pivot relative to each other. The side connecting block has a gear portion that can mesh with one end of the torsion plate group.

3. The hinge according to claim 2, characterized in that: Each linkage bracket has a bottom plate and two side plates connected to the bottom plate and extending along the left-right direction. The bracket module also includes two synchronization units arranged at both ends of the base and respectively connected to the corresponding side plates, so that the linkage bracket can rotate synchronously relative to the base.

4. The hinge according to claim 3, characterized in that: The base includes a long strip-shaped connecting strip and two receiving blocks connecting the two ends of the connecting strip. Each synchronization unit has two linkage members rotatably arranged on the receiving block and respectively fixed to the corresponding side plates, and two synchronization gears rotatably arranged on the receiving block and meshing with each other and located between the linkage members. Each linkage member has a linkage gear portion meshing with the synchronization gear, a linkage shaft portion fixedly passing through the side plate, and a mounting shaft portion passing through the receiving block. When a linkage bracket rotates relative to the base, it can drive the corresponding linkage member to rotate, and the other linkage member is rotated through the synchronization gear, so that the linkage bracket can rotate synchronously.

5. The hinge according to claim 4, characterized in that: Each receiving block forms grooves at both ends of the left and right directions, each side panel is L-shaped and forms a movable abutting groove extending in the left and right directions, the bracket module also includes four abutting members that are movably arranged on the side panels and extend along the left and right directions, and four abutting elastic members that are arranged between the abutting members and the side panels, each abutting member can be movably accommodated in the corresponding movable abutting groove and abut against the corresponding receiving block, and the casing can be pushed by the elastic force of the abutting elastic member to abut against the corresponding groove when in the expanded position.

6. The hinge according to claim 4, characterized in that: The torsion module also includes two side support plates fixedly connected to the side connecting blocks and extending along the front-to-back direction. Each linkage bracket also has at least one pair of linkage blocks fixedly connected to the bottom plate and respectively forming a linkage groove. Each torsion plate unit also has a pair of side connection shafts respectively fixedly penetrated through the side connecting blocks and the corresponding linkage grooves of the linkage blocks of the linkage brackets, so that when the linkage bracket rotates, the side support plates, the side connecting blocks and the torsion plates can be rotated together.

7. The hinge according to claim 3, characterized in that: It also includes a covering member arranged below the linkage bracket, the bottom plate of each linkage bracket forms a plurality of sliding grooves extending along the left-right direction, and the bracket module also includes a plurality of sliding blocks respectively movably arranged in the sliding grooves and fixedly connected to the covering member, so that the covering member can slide relative to the linkage bracket.

8. The hinge according to claim 6, characterized in that: The hinge enables the casing to rotate between the unfolded position, the outer folding position and the inner folding position in which the side support plates face each other. In the inner folding position, the first outer support tube of the outer support unit of the torsion module pivots upward relative to the central outer support tube and the second outer support tube pivots upward relative to the first outer support tube, respectively. The first inner support tube of the inner support unit pivots upward relative to the central inner support tube and the second inner support tube pivots upward relative to the first inner support tube, respectively, so as to define a teardrop-shaped space together with the side support plate to accommodate the screen unit.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Hinge

    CN215420358U