Hinge assembly and electronic device

Abstract

The application discloses a hinge assembly and an electronic device. The hinge assembly comprises a swing arm, a hinge cover and a base. The first end of the swing arm is connected with a first shell or a second shell. The second end of the swing arm is provided with a bearing bush. The bearing bush is slidably arranged in a sliding groove formed by the hinge cover and the base. The bearing bush has a first surface and a second surface arranged oppositely. One of the first surface and the hinge cover is provided with a first rolling element, and the other one is in rolling cooperation with the first rolling element. The first rolling element is located in the sliding groove. One of the second surface and the base is provided with a second rolling element, and the other one is in rolling cooperation with the second rolling element. The second rolling element is located in the sliding groove. During switching of the electronic device between a folded state and an unfolded state, the first shell or the second shell drives the bearing bush to slide in the sliding groove. The bearing bush is in rolling cooperation with the hinge cover through the first rolling element. The bearing bush is in rolling cooperation with the base through the second rolling element.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of electronic products, and particularly relates to a hinge assembly and an electronic device. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the continuous improvement of user demand, the display screen size of electronic devices gradually increases, therefore, the foldable screen type electronic device becomes a future development trend, and the core component for the electronic device to realize folding is a hinge assembly. In order to weaken the folding screen crease problem, when the electronic device is in a folded state, the hinge area of the hinge assembly needs to form a water drop angle to reduce the bending stress of the folding screen, and the hinge area of the hinge assembly needs to be combined by a virtual swing arm and a synchronous swing arm to form a crank guide rod mechanism to form a water drop angle in the screen folding process, thereby reducing the bending stress of the folding screen.

[0003] In the process of rotation of the virtual swing arm, the bearing bush of the virtual swing arm and the hinge cover and the bearing bush of the virtual swing arm and the base are all in sliding friction fit through a semicircular surface. If the fitting gap between the bearing bush of the virtual swing arm and at least one of the hinge cover and the base is too small, the virtual swing arm is easily clamped by the hinge cover and the base during movement, thereby causing jamming and shaking and other adverse phenomena. If the fitting gap between the bearing bush of the virtual swing arm and at least one of the hinge cover and the base is too large, the virtual swing arm is easily deflected too much during movement, thereby causing the phenomenon of being stuck in the hinge cover and the base.

[0004] In summary, the virtual swing arm of the hinge assembly related to the related art is prone to problems such as jamming and shaking or excessive deflection during movement, which causes the virtual swing arm to be stuck. SUMMARY

[0005] The purpose of the embodiments of the present application is to provide a hinge assembly and an electronic device, which can solve the problem that the virtual swing arm of the hinge assembly related to the related art is prone to problems such as jamming and shaking or excessive deflection during movement, which causes the virtual swing arm to be stuck.

[0006] The hinge assembly provided by the embodiments of the present application is used in an electronic device, both ends of the hinge assembly are rotationally connected with a first shell and a second shell of the electronic device, the hinge assembly comprises a swing arm, a hinge cover and a base, a first end of the swing arm is connected with the first shell or the second shell, a bearing bush is arranged at a second end of the swing arm, and the bearing bush is slidably arranged in a sliding groove formed by the hinge cover and the base, wherein:

[0007] The bearing bush has a first surface and a second surface arranged opposite to each other, one of the first surface and the hinge cover is provided with a first rolling element, and the other one is in rolling fit with the first rolling element, and the first rolling element is located in the sliding groove;

[0008] One of the second surface and the base is provided with a second rolling element, and the other rollingly engages with the second rolling element, the second rolling element being located in the sliding groove;

[0009] In the process of switching between the folded state and the unfolded state of the electronic device, the first shell or the second shell drives the bearing bush to slide in the sliding groove, and the bearing bush rollingly engages with the hinge cover through the first rolling element and rollingly engages with the base through the second rolling element.

[0010] The electronic device provided in the embodiments of the present application comprises the hinge assembly, the first shell and the second shell described above, and the first shell and the second shell are rotationally connected through the hinge assembly, wherein:

[0011] In the process of switching between the folded state and the unfolded state of the electronic device, the first shell or the second shell drives the bearing bush to slide in the sliding groove, and the bearing bush rollingly engages with the hinge cover through the first rolling element and rollingly engages with the base through the second rolling element.

[0012] In the embodiments of the present application, the bearing bush of the swing arm has a first surface and a second surface. Since the first surface and the hinge cover rollingly engage through the first rolling element and the second surface and the base rollingly engage through the second rolling element, in the process of the first shell or the second shell driving the bearing bush to rotate relative to the hinge cover and the base, the friction between the bearing bush and the hinge cover and the base is small, and thus it is difficult for the bearing bush to jam and shake. Meanwhile, since the first surface and the hinge cover rollingly engage through the first rolling element and the second surface and the base rollingly engage through the second rolling element, the gap between the bearing bush and the hinge cover and the base is small or close to zero, and thus the bearing bush of the swing arm is less likely to be deflected too much, and thus it is difficult for the hinge cover or the base to be stuck. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 A partial schematic view of the hinge assembly disclosed in the embodiments of the present application;

[0014] Figure 2 A partial enlarged view of position A in FIG. 1; Figure 1

[0015] Figure 3 A sectional structure schematic view of the hinge cover disclosed in the embodiments of the present application;

[0016] Figure 4 A partial enlarged view of position B in FIG. 1; Figure 3

[0017] Figure 5 ​​Structure diagram of the hinge assembly disclosed by the embodiment of the present application;

[0018] Figure 6 Exploded view of the hinge assembly disclosed by the embodiment of the present application;

[0019] Figures 7 to 9 Structure diagram of the first swing arm disclosed by the embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 10 Bottom structure diagram of the first hinge cover disclosed by the embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 11 Exploded view of the first hinge cover disclosed by the embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 12 Top structure diagram of the first base disclosed by the embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 13 Partial structure diagram of the first hinge assembly in a folded state disclosed by the embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 14 Partial sectional structure diagram of the first hinge assembly disclosed by the embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figures 15 to 17 Structure diagram of the second swing arm disclosed by the embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 18 Bottom structure diagram of the second hinge cover disclosed by the embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 19 Top structure diagram of the second base disclosed by the embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 20 Partial structure diagram of the third hinge assembly in an unfolded state disclosed by the embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 21 Partial structure diagram of the third hinge assembly in a folded state disclosed by the embodiment of the present application.

[0030] Explanation of reference signs:

[0031] 110-first shell, 120-second shell;

[0032] 200-swing arm, 210-bush, 211-first surface, 212-second surface, 213-first limiting hole, 214-second limiting hole, 215-first trigger, 216-third limiting hole, 217-fourth limiting hole;

[0033] 300 - hinge cover, 310 - first rolling member, 311 - first rolling ball, 320 - first rolling groove, 321 - first limiting part, 330 - first limiting member, 340 - first sensing member, 350 - threaded connecting member;

[0034] 400 - base, 410 - second rolling member, 411 - second rolling ball, 420 - second rolling groove, 421 - second limiting part, 430 - second limiting member;

[0035] 500 - first driving source;

[0036] 600 - first elastic member;

[0037] 700 - second elastic member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, not all the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0039] The terms "first", "second" and the like in the specification and claims of the present application are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances, so that the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first", "second" and the like are generally of a kind, and are not limited to the number of objects, for example, the first object can be one or more. In addition, "and / or" in the specification and claims means at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / ", generally represents a "or" relationship between the front and rear associated objects.

[0040] The hinge assembly disclosed in the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings and specific embodiments and their application scenarios.

[0041] Please refer to Figures 1-21 The present application discloses a hinge assembly, the disclosed hinge assembly comprises a swing arm 200, a hinge cover 300 and a base 400.

[0042] The hinge assembly disclosed in the present application is applied to an electronic device, and the hinge assembly can be rotationally connected with a first shell 110 and a second shell 120 of the electronic device, so as to switch the electronic device between a folded state and an unfolded state through the hinge assembly.

[0043] The swing arm 200 is a main component for the electronic device to realize folding and unfolding functions. The first end of the swing arm 200 is connected to the first shell 110 or the second shell 120. In this way, the swing arm 200 can be rotated synchronously with the first shell 110 or the second shell 120, i.e., when a user folds or unfolds the electronic device, the swing arm 200 can rotate with the first shell 110 or the second shell 120 around the rotation axis of the swing arm 200, so as to realize folding or unfolding of the electronic device.

[0044] The first shell 110 or the second shell 120 synchronously moves, i.e., when a user folds or unfolds the electronic device, the swing arm 200 can rotate with the first shell 110 or the second shell 120 around the rotation axis of the swing arm 200, so as to realize folding or unfolding of the electronic device.

[0045] The electronic device is folded or unfolded.

[0046] The hinge cover 300 and the base 400 are connected through the threaded connection 350, and the base 400 is a basic component of the hinge assembly, which can provide a mounting basis for other components of the hinge assembly. The hinge cover 300 can protect the components between the hinge cover 300 and the base 400. Specifically, the second end of the swing arm 200 is provided with a bearing 210, and the hinge cover 300 and the base 400 cooperatively form a sliding groove, and the bearing 210 is slidably arranged in the sliding groove, i.e., the hinge cover 300 and the base 400 can jointly protect the bearing 210.

[0047] Optionally, the bearing 210 is an arc structure, and the sliding groove is an arc sliding groove.

[0048] The bearing 210 is slidably arranged in the above-mentioned sliding groove, i.e., the bearing 210 can rotate along the sliding groove, and the first shell 110 or the second shell 120 rotates relative to the hinge assembly, and the swing arm 200 rotates accordingly, at which time the bearing 210 slides along the sliding groove.

[0049] Optionally, the base 400 can be a long strip-shaped amorphous material structure.

[0050] The bearing 210 has a first surface 211 and a second surface 212 arranged opposite to each other. One of the first surface 211 and the hinge cover 300 is provided with a first rolling element 310, and the other one is in rolling cooperation with the first rolling element 310, and the first rolling element 310 is located in the above-mentioned sliding groove.

[0051] The second surface 212 and the base 400 are provided with a second rolling element 410, and the other one is in rolling cooperation with the second rolling element 410, and the second rolling element 410 is also located in the above-mentioned sliding groove.

[0052] Optionally, the base 400 can be a long strip-shaped amorphous material structure.

[0053] The bearing 210 has a first surface 211 and a second surface 212 arranged opposite to each other. One of the first surface 211 and the hinge cover 300 is provided with a first rolling element 310, and the other one is in rolling cooperation with the first rolling element 310, and the first rolling element 310 is located in the above-mentioned sliding groove.

[0054] The second surface 212 and the base 400 are provided with a second rolling element 410, and the other one is in rolling cooperation with the second rolling element 410, and the second rolling element 410 is also located in the above-mentioned sliding groove.

[0055] The first rolling part 310 can reduce the friction between the sliding groove surface on the hinge cover 300 and the first surface 211, and the second rolling part 410 can reduce the friction between the sliding groove surface on the base 400 and the second surface 212, so that the bearing 210 is less likely to jam and shake in the sliding groove.

[0056] 5In the specific working process, i.e., the process of switching the electronic device between the folded state and the unfolded state

[0057] In the specific working process, i.e., the process of switching the electronic device between the folded state and the unfolded state

[0058] In the embodiment of the present application, the bearing 210 of the swing arm 200 has a first surface 211 and a second surface 212. Since the first surface 211 and the hinge cover 300 are rollingly connected through the first rolling part 310, and the second surface 212 and the base 400 are rollingly connected through the second rolling part 410, in the process of the first shell 110 or the second shell 120 driving the bearing 210 to rotate relative to the hinge cover 300 and the base 400, the friction between the bearing 210 and the hinge cover 300 and the base 400 is small, so that the bearing 210 is less likely to jam and shake. In addition, since the first surface 211 and the hinge cover 300 are rollingly connected through the first rolling part 310, and the second surface 212 and the base 400 are rollingly connected through the second rolling part 410, the gap between the bearing 210 and the hinge cover 300 and the base 400 is small, or the gap approaches zero, so that the bearing 210 of the swing arm 200 is less likely to be deflected too much, and the bearing 210 is less likely to be stuck on the hinge cover 300 or the base 400.

[0059] Optionally, to prevent the first rolling member 310 and the second rolling member 410 from falling off from the sliding groove during rolling, and to make the sliding groove surface on the hinge cover 300 and / or the sliding groove surface on the base 400 fit the bearing shell 210 closely, so as to ensure the sliding effect of the bearing shell 210, the sliding groove comprises a first rolling groove 320, which is arranged on the first surface 211 or the hinge cover 300, and the first rolling groove 320 is provided with a first slot, and the first rolling member 310 is arranged in the first rolling groove 320 through the first slot; and / or, the sliding groove comprises a second rolling groove 420, which is arranged on the second surface 212 or the base 400, and the second rolling member 410 is provided with a second slot, and the second rolling member 410 is arranged in the second rolling groove 420 through the second slot.

[0060] Therefore, the first rolling groove 320 and the second rolling groove 420 can accommodate the first rolling member 310 and the second rolling member 410, which makes the bearing shell 210 fit the two sliding groove surfaces of the sliding groove as closely as possible. Although the first rolling groove 320 and the second rolling groove 420 have certain limiting effect on the first rolling member 310 and the second rolling member 410, the first rolling member 310 and the second rolling member 410 still have the risk of falling off.

[0061] To avoid the above risk, in another embodiment, the first rolling groove 320 is further provided with a first limiting part 321, the first limiting part 321 is arranged at the first slot, and the first limiting part 321 is arranged along the extension direction of the first slot, so as to limit the first rolling member 310 and the first limiting part 321 in cooperation; and / or, the second rolling groove 420 is further provided with a second limiting part 421, the second limiting part 421 is arranged at the second slot, and the second limiting part 421 is arranged along the extension direction of the second slot, so as to limit the second rolling member 410 and the second limiting part 421 in cooperation.

[0062] Therefore, the first limiting part 321 can limit the first rolling member 310 to avoid the first rolling member 310 from falling off from the first slot, and the second limiting part 421 can limit the second rolling member 410 to avoid the second rolling member 410 from falling off from the second slot, and the limiting effect of the first limiting part 321 and the second limiting part 421 on the first rolling member 310 and the second rolling member 410 is better, which makes the sliding effect of the bearing shell 210 in the sliding groove better and more stable.

[0063] Optionally, the first rolling member 310 can include a first rolling ball 311, and / or the second rolling member 410 can include a second rolling ball 411. However, to make the rolling fit between the bearing 210 and the hinge cover 300 and / or the base 400 better, in another embodiment, the first rolling member 310 includes a plurality of first rolling balls 311, and each first rolling ball 311 is sequentially arranged in the first rolling groove 320 along the rotating direction of the swing arm 200, that is, during the sliding process of the bearing 210 in the sliding groove, the bearing 210 is subjected to smaller friction force under the action of the plurality of first rolling balls 311, and thus the rolling fit between the bearing 210 and the hinge cover 300 is better.

[0064] In addition, the second rolling member 410 includes a plurality of second rolling balls 411, and each second rolling ball 411 is sequentially arranged in the second rolling groove 420 along the rotating direction of the swing arm 200, that is, during the sliding process of the bearing 210 in the sliding groove, the bearing 210 is subjected to smaller friction force under the action of the plurality of second rolling balls 411, and thus the rolling fit between the bearing 210 and the base 400 is better.

[0065] Optionally, the first rolling ball 311 and the second rolling ball 411 can be spherical rolling balls or cylindrical rolling balls, and of course, the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations in this regard.

[0066] Optionally, to enable the electronic device to always maintain the current state when the electronic device is in the folded state or the unfolded state, that is, to avoid the first shell 110 and the second shell 120 of the electronic device moving towards the direction of approaching or moving away from the hinge assembly due to the user's misoperation, that is, to avoid the phenomenon of wringing deformation, the torque provided by the damping mechanism can be increased when the hinge assembly is specifically designed to maintain the current state of the electronic device. However, since the torque provided by the damping mechanism is always limited, and when the user misoperates and applies a larger force, the torque is not enough to offset the force, which still makes the first shell 110 and the second shell 120 more likely to wring and deform.

[0067] In order to avoid the first shell 110 and the second shell 120 being more prone to wrinkle deformation when the electronic device is in the folded state or the unfolded state, in another embodiment, one of the bushing 210 and the hinge cover 300 is provided with a first limiting piece 330, and the other is provided with a first limiting hole 213. When the bushing 210 is in a first position, the first limiting piece 330 is in limiting cooperation with the first limiting hole 213. The first position is a position of the bushing 210 when the electronic device is in the folded state or the unfolded state. That is, when the bushing 210 is in the first position, the hinge cover 300 can limit the movement of the bushing 210 through the first limiting piece 330, so that the bushing 210 is always in the first position, and the electronic device is always maintained in the current state, that is, the electronic device can be avoided from being automatically opened in a low-temperature environment, and the electronic device is also avoided from being more prone to wrinkle deformation.

[0068] And / or, one of the bushing 210 and the base 400 is provided with a second limiting piece 430, and the other is provided with a second limiting hole 214. When the bushing 210 is in the first position, the second limiting piece 430 is in limiting cooperation with the second limiting hole 214. That is, when the bushing 210 is in the first position, the base 400 can limit the movement of the bushing 210 through the second limiting piece 430, so that the bushing 210 is always in the first position, and the electronic device is always maintained in the current state, that is, the electronic device can be avoided from being automatically opened in a low-temperature environment, and the electronic device is also avoided from being more prone to wrinkle deformation.

[0069] Further, under the common limiting action of the first limiting piece 330 and the second limiting piece 430, the bushing 210 can be more easily kept in the first position, so that the electronic device is more stably maintained in the current state, and the electronic device is less prone to wrinkle deformation.

[0070] Optionally, the first limiting piece 330 and the second limiting piece 430 can be arranged on the bushing 210. However, since the thickness of the bushing 210 is generally thin, and the volume of the first limiting piece 330 and the second limiting piece 430 is generally large, the first limiting piece 330 and the second limiting piece 430 are not easily arranged on the bushing 210.

[0071] Therefore, in another embodiment, the first limiting member 330 can be arranged on the hinge cover 300, specifically, the hinge cover 300 is embedded with the first limiting member 330, and correspondingly, the bearing 210 is provided with the first limiting hole 213, when the bearing 210 is in the first position, at least part of the first limiting member 330 extends relative to the hinge cover 300 and is limitedly matched with the first limiting hole 213, since the hinge cover 300 has a certain thickness, it is easier to arrange the first limiting member 330 on the hinge cover 300, and the arrangement stability is better, and the limiting effect is better, and this arrangement mode can also avoid damaging the bearing 210.

[0072] And / or, the second limiting member 430 can be arranged on the base 400, specifically, the base 400 is embedded with the second limiting member 430, and correspondingly, the bearing 210 is provided with the second limiting hole 214, when the bearing 210 is in the first position, at least part of the second limiting member 430 extends relative to the base 400 and is limitedly matched with the second limiting hole 214, since the base 400 has a certain thickness, it is easier to arrange the second limiting member 430 on the base 400, and the arrangement stability is better, and the limiting effect is better, and this arrangement mode can also avoid damaging the bearing 210.

[0073] Optionally, please refer to Figure 8 The first limiting hole 213 and the second limiting hole 214 can be arranged on the side surface of the bearing 210, the side surface is connected with the first surface 211 and the second surface 212, and the side surface extends along the sliding direction of the bearing 210, correspondingly, the first limiting member 330 is embedded on the surface of the hinge cover 300 which is arranged opposite to the above-mentioned side surface, in the arrangement direction of the side surface and the surface, the thickness of the hinge cover 300 is thicker, and the first limiting member 330 is more easily arranged; and / or, the second limiting member 430 is embedded on the surface of the base 400 which is arranged opposite to the above-mentioned side surface, in the arrangement direction of the side surface and the surface, the thickness of the base 400 is thicker, and the second limiting member 430 is more easily arranged.

[0074] Optionally, please refer to Figures 15 to 19In one embodiment, the first limiting hole 213 can be formed on the first surface 211 of the bearing bush 210, and the first limiting member 330 is embedded on the surface of the hinge cover 300 opposite to the first surface 211, i.e. on one of the circumferential surfaces of the sliding groove. In the setting direction of the surface and the first surface 211, the thickness of the hinge cover 300 is relatively large, and thus the first limiting member 330 can be more easily arranged. In addition, the second limiting hole 214 can be formed on the second surface 212 of the bearing bush 210, and the second limiting member 430 is embedded on the surface of the base 400 opposite to the second surface 212, i.e. on the other circumferential surface of the sliding groove. In the setting direction of the surface and the second surface 212, the thickness of the base 400 is relatively large, and thus the second limiting member 430 can be more easily arranged.

[0075] In one embodiment, when the first limiting hole 213 is opposite to the first limiting member 330 during the sliding of the bearing bush 210 in the sliding groove, the first limiting member 330 can be a limiting member automatically popped into the first limiting hole 213. After the first limiting member 330 is popped out, the first limiting member 330 can be in limiting cooperation with the first limiting hole 213. In addition, when the second limiting hole 214 is opposite to the second limiting member 430, the second limiting member 430 can be a limiting member automatically popped into the second limiting hole 214. After the second limiting member 430 is popped out, the second limiting member 430 can be in limiting cooperation with the second limiting hole 214. Optionally, the first limiting member 330 and the second limiting member 430 can be made of elastic material to realize the automatic popping out.

[0076] In another embodiment, the hinge assembly further comprises a first driving source 500 connected with the first limiting member 330. The first driving source 500 can drive the first limiting member 330 to move, so that the first limiting member 330 is in limiting cooperation with the first limiting hole 213. Specifically, the first driving source 500 can be embedded in the hinge cover 300. The first driving source 500 can stably output driving force, so that the first limiting member 330 stably moves relative to the hinge cover 300, i.e. extends out of the hinge cover 300 into the first limiting hole 213 and is in limiting cooperation with the first limiting hole 213. Therefore, the first limiting member 330 can be more stably in limiting cooperation with the first limiting hole 213 through the first driving source 500. This makes the first limiting member 330 more stably limit the movement of the bearing bush 210, i.e. the limiting and locking of the bearing bush 210 is more reliable, and thus the current state of the electronic device can be more stably maintained.

[0077] And / or, the hinge assembly further comprises a second driving source, the second driving source is connected with the second limiting piece 430, the second driving source can drive the second limiting piece 430 to move, so that the second limiting piece 430 is limitedly matched with the second limiting hole 214, specifically, the second driving source can be embedded in the base 400, the second driving source can stably output driving force, so that the second limiting piece 430 stably moves relative to the base 400, that is, the second limiting piece 430 is extended to the second limiting hole 214 and is limitedly matched with the second limiting hole 214. Therefore, the second limiting piece 430 can be more stably limitedly matched with the second limiting hole 214 by the second driving source, which makes the second limiting piece 430 more stably limit the movement of the bearing 210, that is, the limiting and locking of the bearing 210 is more reliable, and the current state of the electronic equipment can be more stably maintained.

[0078] Optionally, in the above embodiment, the first driving source 500 and the second driving source can be components such as motors that can output driving force.

[0079] Optionally, in the present application, when the electronic equipment is in the folded state or the unfolded state, the user can issue an instruction to the electronic equipment, and the electronic equipment can control the first driving source 500 and the second driving source to work according to the instruction, so that the first limiting piece 330 is limitedly matched with the first limiting hole 213, and the second limiting piece 430 is limitedly matched with the second limiting hole 214, but this setting mode can have the problems of low control precision and inconvenience of use.

[0080] In order to realize more accurate control, in another embodiment, one of the bearing 210 and the hinge cover 300 is further provided with a first trigger 215, and the other is further provided with a first sensing piece 340, in the case that the bearing 210 is in the first position, the first trigger 215 is in contact with the first sensing piece 340 and triggers the first sensing piece 340, so that the first sensing piece 340 controls the first driving source 500 to work, and then the first driving source 500 drives the first limiting piece 330 to move. Therefore, when the bearing 210 moves, once the first trigger 215 is in contact with the first sensing piece 340, it indicates that the electronic equipment is in the folded state or the unfolded state, at this time, the first limiting piece 330 and the first limiting hole 213 can be limitedly matched, therefore, this setting mode has the advantages of high control precision, convenient use of the electronic equipment by the user, and fast control speed.

[0081] And / or, one of the bearing 210 and the base 400 is further provided with a second trigger, and the other is further provided with a second sensing piece, in the case that the bearing 210 is in the first position, the second trigger contacts the second sensing piece and triggers the second sensing piece, so that the second sensing piece controls the second driving source to work, and then the second driving source drives the second limiting piece 430 to move. Therefore, it can be seen that, in the process of movement of the bearing 210, once the second trigger contacts the second sensing piece, it indicates that the electronic device is in a folded state or an unfolded state, at this time, the second limiting piece 430 and the second limiting hole 214 can be limited to cooperate, therefore, this kind of setting mode has the advantages of high control precision, convenient for users to use electronic equipment, and fast control speed.

[0082] In addition, in this embodiment, once the first trigger 215 is not in contact with the first sensing piece 340, and the second trigger is not in contact with the second sensing piece, the first driving source 500 drives the first limiting piece 330 to disengage from the first limiting hole 213, and the second driving source drives the second limiting piece 430 to disengage from the second limiting hole 214, so that the bearing 210 is not limited by the first limiting piece 330 and the second limiting piece 430, that is, at this time, the bearing 210 can slide in the sliding groove.

[0083] Optionally, the application can only limit the bearing 210 through the first limiting piece 330 and / or the second limiting piece 430 when the electronic device is in a folded state or an unfolded state, so as to keep the electronic device in the current state.

[0084] But in order to make the electronic device be limited in the folded state and the unfolded state, in another embodiment, one of the bearing 210 and the hinge cover 300 is provided with a first limiting piece 330, and the other is provided with a first limiting hole 213 and a third limiting hole 216, the first limiting hole 213 and the third limiting hole 216 are arranged in the rotation direction of the swing arm 200, the number of the first limiting piece 330 can be two, and the two first limiting pieces 330 can also be arranged in the rotation direction of the swing arm 200, in the case that the electronic device is in an unfolded state, one of the two first limiting pieces 330 is in limiting cooperation with the first limiting hole 213, and the other is in limiting cooperation with the third limiting hole 216, in the case that the electronic device is in a folded state, only one of the two first limiting pieces 330 is in limiting cooperation with the first limiting hole 213.

[0085] Therefore, it can be seen that, through this kind of setting mode, the electronic device can be limited in the folded state and the unfolded state, but this kind of setting mode will make the hinge assembly have more parts, and then the structure is more complex.

[0086] Therefore, in another embodiment, the number of the first limiting members 330 is only one, and the first limiting member 330 is in limiting cooperation with the first limiting hole 213 when the electronic device is in the folded state, and the first limiting member 330 is in limiting cooperation with the third limiting hole 216 when the electronic device is in the unfolded state, that is, the first limiting member 330 can play a limiting role when the electronic device is in the folded state, and can also play a limiting role when the electronic device is in the unfolded state, which makes the number of parts of the hinge assembly less, and the structure is relatively simple.

[0087] And / or, one of the bearing bush 210 and the base 400 is provided with the second limiting member 430, and the other is provided with the second limiting hole 214 and the fourth limiting hole 217, the second limiting hole 214 and the fourth limiting hole 217 are arranged at intervals in the rotating direction of the swing arm 200, the number of the second limiting member 430 can be two, and the two second limiting members 430 can also be arranged at intervals in the rotating direction of the swing arm 200, one of the two second limiting members 430 is in limiting cooperation with the second limiting hole 214 when the electronic device is in the unfolded state, and the other is in limiting cooperation with the fourth limiting hole 217, and only one of the two second limiting members 430 is in limiting cooperation with the second limiting hole 214 when the electronic device is in the folded state.

[0088] Therefore, in another embodiment, the number of the first limiting members 330 is only one, and the first limiting member 330 is in limiting cooperation with the first limiting hole 213 when the electronic device is in the folded state, and the first limiting member 330 is in limiting cooperation with the third limiting hole 216 when the electronic device is in the unfolded state, that is, the first limiting member 330 can play a limiting role when the electronic device is in the folded state, and can also play a limiting role when the electronic device is in the unfolded state, which makes the number of parts of the hinge assembly less, and the structure is relatively simple.

[0089] Therefore, in another embodiment, the number of the first limiting members 330 is only one, and the first limiting member 330 is in limiting cooperation with the first limiting hole 213 when the electronic device is in the folded state, and the first limiting member 330 is in limiting cooperation with the third limiting hole 216 when the electronic device is in the unfolded state, that is, the first limiting member 330 can play a limiting role when the electronic device is in the folded state, and can also play a limiting role when the electronic device is in the unfolded state, which makes the number of parts of the hinge assembly less, and the structure is relatively simple.

[0090] Optionally, in the present application, not only the first rolling member 310 can be arranged between the bearing bush 210 and the hinge cover 300, but also the first limiting member 330 can be arranged, and not only the second rolling member 410 can be arranged between the bearing bush 210 and the base 400, but also the second limiting member 430 can be arranged, but in this arrangement, the structure of the hinge assembly is relatively complex.

[0091] Therefore, in order to simplify the structure of the hinge assembly, in another embodiment, please refer to Figure 20 and Figure 21The hinge assembly further comprises a first elastic member 600, one of the bearing bush 210 and the hinge cover 300 is provided with a first limiting hole 213, one end of the first elastic member 600 is connected with the other one of the bearing bush 210 and the hinge cover 300, and the other end of the first elastic member 600 is connected with the first rolling member 310. When the bearing bush 210 is in the first position, the first elastic member 600 extrudes the first rolling member 310, so that the first rolling member 310 is limited by the first limiting hole 213.

[0092] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the electronic device is switched between the unfolded state and the folded state, the first rolling member 310 not only reduces the sliding friction of the bearing bush 210 in the sliding groove, but also limits the movement of the bearing bush 210, i.e., locks the bearing bush 210 in the first position, when the electronic device is in the unfolded state or the folded state, so as to keep the electronic device in the current state and prevent the electronic device from being deformed. Therefore, the reuse of the first rolling member 310 as a limiting member can simplify the structure of the hinge assembly to a certain extent.

[0093] Further, the hinge assembly further comprises a second elastic member 700, one of the bearing bush 210 and the base 400 is provided with a second limiting hole 214, one end of the second elastic member 700 is connected with the other one of the bearing bush 210 and the base 400, and the other end of the second elastic member 700 is connected with the second rolling member 410. When the bearing bush 210 is in the first position, the second elastic member 700 extrudes the second rolling member 410, so that the second rolling member 410 is limited by the second limiting hole 214.

[0094] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the electronic device is switched between the unfolded state and the folded state, the second rolling member 410 not only reduces the sliding friction of the bearing bush 210 in the sliding groove, but also limits the movement of the bearing bush 210, i.e., locks the bearing bush 210 in the first position, when the electronic device is in the unfolded state or the folded state, so as to keep the electronic device in the current state and prevent the electronic device from being deformed. Therefore, the reuse of the second rolling member 410 as a limiting member can simplify the structure of the hinge assembly to a certain extent.

[0095] Further, under the joint action of the first rolling member 310 and the second rolling member 410, the bearing bush 210 is subjected to smaller sliding friction in the sliding groove, and further slides more smoothly. In addition, when the electronic device is in the unfolded state or the folded state, the limiting action of the first rolling member 310 and the second rolling member 410 can further limit the movement of the bearing bush 210, so as to more stably lock the bearing bush 210 in the first position.

[0096] In addition, the first elastic member 600 and the second elastic member 700 can always apply elastic force to the first rolling member 310 and the second rolling member 410 when the electronic device is in the unfolded state or the folded state, which makes the first rolling member 310 and the second rolling member 410 more stably play a limiting role.

[0097] Optionally, the swing arm 200 disclosed in the present application can include a first swing arm and a second swing arm, the first swing arm and the second swing arm are rotationally arranged on the hinge assembly, the first swing arm is used to be connected with the first shell 110, and the second swing arm is used to be connected with the second shell 120, when a user folds or unfolds the electronic device, the first swing arm can rotate with the first shell 110 around the rotation axis of the first swing arm, and the second swing arm can rotate with the second shell 120 around the rotation axis of the second swing arm, so as to realize the folding or unfolding of the electronic device.

[0098] Optionally, the present application also discloses an electronic device, the disclosed electronic device includes the hinge assembly, the first shell 110 and the second shell 120 described above, the first shell 110 and the second shell 120 are rotationally connected through the hinge assembly, wherein: in the process of switching the electronic device between the folded state and the unfolded state, the first shell 110 or the second shell 120 can drive the bushing 210 to slide in the sliding groove, and the bushing 210 is rollingly matched with the hinge cover 300 through the first rolling member 310, and the bushing 210 is rollingly matched with the base 400 through the second rolling member 410. Therefore, under the joint action of the first rolling member 310 and the second rolling member 410, the sliding frictional force of the bushing 210 in the sliding groove is smaller, and the sliding is more smooth.

[0099] The embodiments of the present application are described above in combination with the drawings, but the present application is not limited to the above-mentioned specific embodiments, the above-mentioned specific embodiments are only illustrative, but not restrictive, and those skilled in the art can make many forms under the inspiration of the present application without departing from the scope of the present application and the protection scope of the claims, and all the forms belong to the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A hinge assembly for an electronic device, two ends of the hinge assembly being rotatably connected with a first housing (110) and a second housing (120) of the electronic device, respectively, characterized in that, The hinge assembly comprises a swing arm (200), a hinge cover (300) and a base (400), a first end of the swing arm (200) is connected with the first shell (110) or the second shell (120), a second end of the swing arm (200) is provided with a bearing bush (210), the bearing bush (210) is slidably arranged in a sliding groove formed by the hinge cover (300) and the base (400), wherein: The bearing bush (210) has a first surface (211) and a second surface (212) arranged oppositely, one of the first surface (211) and the hinge cover (300) is provided with a first rolling element (310), and the other one is in rolling cooperation with the first rolling element (310), and the first rolling element (310) is located in the sliding groove; One of the second surface (212) and the base (400) is provided with a second rolling element (410), and the other one is in rolling cooperation with the second rolling element (410), and the second rolling element (410) is located in the sliding groove; During switching of the electronic device between the folded state and the unfolded state, the first shell (110) or the second shell (120) drives the bearing bush (210) to slide in the sliding groove, and the bearing bush (210) is in rolling cooperation with the hinge cover (300) through the first rolling element (310), and the bearing bush (210) is in rolling cooperation with the base (400) through the second rolling element (410); Wherein: the sliding groove comprises a first rolling groove (320), the first rolling groove (320) is opened in the hinge cover (300), the first rolling element (310) comprises a plurality of first rolling balls (311), each first rolling ball (311) is sequentially arranged in the first rolling groove (320) along the rotation direction of the swing arm (200); and / or, The sliding groove comprises a second rolling groove (420), the second rolling groove (420) is opened in the base (400), the second rolling element (410) comprises a plurality of second rolling balls (411), each second rolling ball (411) is sequentially arranged in the second rolling groove (420) along the rotation direction of the swing arm (200).

2. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein, The first rolling groove (320) is provided with a first limiting portion (321) and a first slot, the first limiting portion (321) is arranged in the first slot, and the first limiting portion (321) is arranged along the extension direction of the first slot, so that the first rolling element (310) is limited and matched with the first limiting portion (321); and / or, The second rolling groove (420) is provided with a second limiting portion (421) and a second slot, the second limiting portion (421) is arranged in the second slot, and the second limiting portion (421) is arranged along the extension direction of the second slot, so that the second rolling element (410) is limited and matched with the second limiting portion (421).

3. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein, One of the bearing bush (210) and the hinge cover (300) is provided with a first limiting piece (330), and the other is provided with a first limiting hole (213), and the first limiting piece (330) and the first limiting hole (213) are limitedly matched when the bearing bush (210) is in the first position; and / or, One of the bearing bush (210) and the base (400) is provided with a second limiting piece (430), and the other is provided with a second limiting hole (214), and the second limiting piece (430) and the second limiting hole (214) are limitedly matched when the bearing bush (210) is in the first position. The first position is the position of the bearing bush (210) when the electronic device is in a folded state or an unfolded state.

4. The hinge assembly of claim 3, wherein, The hinge cover (300) is embedded with the first limiting piece (330), the bearing bush (210) is provided with the first limiting hole (213), at least part of the first limiting piece (330) extends relative to the hinge cover (300) and is limitedly matched with the first limiting hole (213) when the bearing bush (210) is in the first position; and / or, The base (400) is embedded with the second limiting piece (430), the bearing bush (210) is provided with the second limiting hole (214), at least part of the second limiting piece (430) extends relative to the base (400) and is limitedly matched with the second limiting hole (214) when the bearing bush (210) is in the first position.

5. The hinge assembly of claim 3, wherein, The hinge assembly further comprises a first driving source (500), the first driving source (500) is connected with the first limiting piece (330), and the first driving source (500) can drive the first limiting piece (330) to move, so that the first limiting piece (330) is limitedly matched with the first limiting hole (213); and / or, The hinge assembly further comprises a second driving source, the second driving source is connected with the second limiting piece (430), and the second driving source can drive the second limiting piece (430) to move, so that the second limiting piece (430) is limitedly matched with the second limiting hole (214).

6. The hinge assembly of claim 5, wherein, One of the bearing bush (210) and the hinge cover (300) is further provided with a first trigger piece (215), and the other is further provided with a first sensing piece (340), the first trigger piece (215) triggers the first sensing piece (340) when the bearing bush (210) is in the first position, so that the first sensing piece (340) controls the first driving source (500) to drive the first limiting piece (330) to move; and / or, One of the bearing bush (210) and the base (400) is further provided with a second trigger piece, and the other is further provided with a second sensing piece, the second trigger piece triggers the second sensing piece when the bearing bush (210) is in the first position, so that the second sensing piece controls the second driving source to drive the second limiting piece (430) to move.

7. The hinge assembly of claim 3, wherein, One of the bearing bush (210) and the hinge cover (300) is provided with the first limiting piece (330), and the other is provided with the first limiting hole (213) and the third limiting hole (216), the first limiting hole (213) and the third limiting hole (216) are arranged in the rotation direction of the swing arm (200), the first limiting piece (330) is limited and matched with the first limiting hole (213) when the electronic device is in the folded state, and the first limiting piece (330) is limited and matched with the third limiting hole (216) when the electronic device is in the unfolded state; and / or, One of the bearing bush (210) and the base (400) is provided with the second limiting piece (430), and the other is provided with the second limiting hole (214) and the fourth limiting hole (217), the second limiting hole (214) and the fourth limiting hole (217) are arranged in the rotation direction of the swing arm (200), the second limiting piece (430) is limited and matched with the second limiting hole (214) when the electronic device is in the folded state, and the second limiting piece (430) is limited and matched with the fourth limiting hole (217) when the electronic device is in the unfolded state.

8. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein, The hinge assembly further comprises a first elastic piece (600), the bearing bush (210) is provided with a first limiting hole (213), one end of the first elastic piece (600) is connected with the hinge cover (300), and the other end is connected with the first rolling piece (310), the first elastic piece (600) is pressed against the first rolling piece (310) when the bearing bush (210) is in the first position, so that the first rolling piece (310) is limited and matched with the first limiting hole (213); and / or, The hinge assembly further comprises a second elastic piece (700), the bearing bush (210) is provided with a second limiting hole (214), one end of the second elastic piece (700) is connected with the base (400), and the other end is connected with the second rolling piece (410), the second elastic piece (700) is pressed against the second rolling piece (410) when the bearing bush (210) is in the first position, so that the second rolling piece (410) is limited and matched with the second limiting hole (214); The first position is the position of the bearing bush (210) when the electronic device is in the folded state or the unfolded state.

9. An electronic device, comprising: The hinge assembly, the first shell (110) and the second shell (120) are connected by the hinge assembly, wherein: In the process of switching between the folded state and the unfolded state of the electronic device, the first shell (110) or the second shell (120) drives the bushing (210) to slide in the sliding groove, and the bushing (210) is in rolling cooperation with the hinge cover (300) through the first rolling piece (310), and the bushing (210) is in rolling cooperation with the base (400) through the second rolling piece (410).

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