Folding mechanism and electronic equipment

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a folding mechanism and an electronic device. The folding mechanism's support includes an outer surface, and a display module is assembled onto a mounting portion disposed on the outer surface. When the folding mechanism is in a folded state, the display module faces outwards along with the outer surface of the support to achieve a display function. This structural arrangement uses the folding mechanism's support as the mounting location for the display module, utilizing the exposed position of the support when the electronic device is folded or unfolded to achieve an auxiliary display function. This improves the structural utilization of the folding mechanism, as well as the display control effect and user intelligence of the electronic device using the aforementioned folding mechanism.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of electronic technology, and in particular to folding mechanisms and electronic devices. Background Technology

[0002] For example, foldable screens on electronic devices such as mobile phones are portable when folded and can increase the screen size of electronic devices when unfolded, thus providing a better user experience.

[0003] In the use of foldable electronic devices, multi-screen displays can improve the display effect, intelligence and user experience of electronic devices. Therefore, how to set up multiple screens for electronic devices has become a hot research topic in the field. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure provides a folding mechanism and an electronic device to improve the structural utilization of the folding mechanism, as well as the display effect and intelligence of the electronic device.

[0005] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, a folding mechanism is provided to cooperate with a folding body of an electronic device to achieve relative folding or unfolding of at least two of the folding bodies; the folding mechanism includes:

[0006] The bracket includes an outer surface, and the outer surface is provided with a mounting portion;

[0007] The display module is assembled on the mounting part. When the folding mechanism is in the folded state, the display module faces the outside of the electronic device along with the outer surface of the bracket to realize the display function.

[0008] Optionally, the folding mechanism further includes a transmission assembly, which is assembled on the bracket, and the folding body is connected to the transmission assembly; when the folding mechanism is in the folded state, the transmission assembly is located on the side opposite to the outer surface.

[0009] Optionally, the mounting portion includes a recess disposed on the outer surface, and the display module is embedded in the recess.

[0010] Optionally, the appearance surface includes an arcuate surface, and the display module includes an arcuate outer surface corresponding to the arcuate surface.

[0011] Optionally, the display module includes a cover plate layer, a display control layer, and an adhesive layer. The display control layer and the adhesive layer are disposed on the inner side of the cover plate layer, and the adhesive layer is fixedly bonded to the mounting portion.

[0012] Optionally, the adhesive layer is disposed in the edge region of the cover plate layer.

[0013] Optionally, the display module includes a display control layer and an auxiliary flexible circuit board electrically connected to the display control layer. The folding mechanism also includes a transfer flexible circuit board electrically connected to the main control circuit board of the electronic device. The transfer flexible circuit board is disposed inside the bracket facing away from the outer surface.

[0014] The mounting section is provided with a through hole connecting both sides of the bracket, and one of the adapter flexible circuit board and the auxiliary flexible circuit board passes through the through hole and is electrically connected to the other.

[0015] Optionally, the outer surface is provided with two mounting portions, and the through hole is provided on the side of the mounting portion near the free end of the bracket.

[0016] Optionally, the folding mechanism further includes a support structure, the bracket includes an inner side facing away from the outer surface, the support structure is assembled on the inner side, and the transmission assembly is disposed between the support structure and the bracket.

[0017] Optionally, the exterior surface is further provided with a functional opening, which corresponds to the position of the functional module of the electronic device; wherein, the functional module includes at least one of a microphone module, a speaker module, and a light-collecting module.

[0018] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, an electronic device is provided, the electronic device comprising a first folding body, a second folding body, and any of the folding mechanisms described in the first aspect;

[0019] When the first folding body and the second folding body are folded relative to each other, a reserved space is formed at the bend of the first folding body and the second folding body, and the outer surface of the bracket is exposed to the outside of the electronic device through the reserved space.

[0020] Optionally, the first folding body includes a first housing of the electronic device, and the second folding body includes a second housing of the electronic device;

[0021] The first housing and / or the second housing are provided with a camera module, and the first housing and / or the second housing are provided with a screen module.

[0022] Optionally, when the first folding body and the second folding body are unfolded relative to each other, the first folding body and the second folding body form an internal assembly space, and the bracket is housed in the internal assembly space.

[0023] Optionally, the folding mechanism further includes a transmission assembly connected to the first folding body and the second folding body respectively, for driving the relative folding or unfolding of the first folding body and the second folding body;

[0024] The first folding body includes a first side surface, and the second folding body includes a second side surface. When the first folding body and the second folding body are unfolded relative to each other, the first side surface and the second side surface cooperate to form a first device side surface.

[0025] The electronic device further includes a flexible screen; the flexible screen is connected to the transmission component, and the flexible screen is disposed on the side of the second device opposite to the side of the first device.

[0026] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this disclosure may include the following beneficial effects:

[0027] The bracket of the folding mechanism disclosed herein includes an outer surface, and a display module is assembled on a mounting portion disposed on the outer surface. When the folding mechanism is in a folded state, the display module faces outward along with the outer surface of the bracket to realize the display function. This structural arrangement uses the bracket of the folding mechanism as the mounting position for the display module, utilizing the exposed position of the bracket when the electronic device is folded or unfolded to achieve an auxiliary display function, thereby improving the structural utilization rate of the folding mechanism, as well as the display control effect and intelligence of the electronic device using the aforementioned folding mechanism.

[0028] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0029] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this disclosure.

[0030] Figure 1 This is one of the exploded structural diagrams of a folding mechanism in an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure;

[0031] Figure 2 This is a second exploded structural diagram of a folding mechanism in an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure;

[0032] Figure 3 This is the third exploded structural diagram of a folding mechanism in an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure;

[0033] Figure 4 This is the fourth exploded structural diagram of a folding mechanism in an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure;

[0034] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device in a folded state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 6This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure during the switching process between a folded state and an unfolded state;

[0036] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the rear structure of an electronic device in an unfolded state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the front structure of an electronic device in an unfolded state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 9 This is an exploded structural diagram of an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] Figure 10 This is an exploded structural diagram of an electronic device according to another exemplary embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0040] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numerals in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this disclosure. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of this disclosure as detailed in the appended claims.

[0041] For example, foldable screens on electronic devices such as smartphones offer portability when folded and increase screen size when unfolded, thus providing a better user experience. In the use of foldable electronic devices, multi-screen displays can enhance the display effect, intelligence, and user experience.

[0042] This disclosure proposes a folding mechanism that cooperates with the folding body of an electronic device to achieve relative folding or unfolding of at least two of the folding bodies. Figure 1 This is one of the exploded structural diagrams of a folding mechanism in an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, such as... Figure 1As shown, the folding mechanism 1 includes a bracket 11, a display module 12, and a transmission assembly 13. The bracket 11 includes an outer surface 111, and the outer surface 111 is provided with a mounting portion 112, on which the display module 12 is assembled. When the folding mechanism 1 is in the folded state, the display module 12 faces outward along with the outer surface 111 of the bracket 11 to realize the display function. Since the bracket 11 of the folding mechanism 1 includes an outer surface 111, and the display module 12 is assembled with the mounting portion 112 provided on the outer surface 111, when the folding mechanism 1 is in the folded state, the display module 12 faces outward along with the outer surface 111 of the bracket 11 to realize the display function. The above structural arrangement uses the bracket 11 of the folding mechanism 1 as the mounting position of the display module 12, so as to realize the auxiliary display function by utilizing the exposed position of the bracket 11 when the electronic device 2 is folded or unfolded, thereby improving the structural utilization rate of the folding mechanism 1, as well as the display control effect and intelligence of the electronic device 2 using the above-mentioned folding mechanism 1.

[0043] It should be noted that the aforementioned display module 12 can serve as an auxiliary screen to provide auxiliary display functions. This auxiliary screen can include both display and touch functionality. Alternatively, the display module 12 can also function as operation buttons to implement functions such as volume adjustment and screen locking.

[0044] In some embodiments, the transmission component 13 is assembled on the bracket 11, and the folding body is connected to the transmission component 13. When the folding mechanism 1 is in the folded state, the transmission component 13 is located on the side opposite to the appearance surface 111. This arrangement, where the transmission component 13 is located on the side opposite to the appearance surface 111, avoids interference with the appearance surface 111, ensuring that the side facing the appearance surface 111 is unobstructed. This allows the appearance surface 111 to be exposed to the electronic device 2 for display control by the display module 12.

[0045] In some embodiments, the mounting portion 112 may be a recess provided on the outer surface 111, into which the display module 12 is embedded to improve the ease of assembly of the display module 12 and the overall aesthetics of the display module 12 and the outer surface 111.

[0046] In one embodiment, the appearance surface 111 may include a curved surface, which gives the appearance surface 111 a 3D stereoscopic appearance effect. The display module 12 includes a curved outer surface that smoothly transitions with the curved surface. When the display module 12 is assembled onto the mounting portion 112, the edges of the display module 12 and the mounting portion 112 smoothly transition. The curved appearance surface of the display module 12, combined with the 3D stereoscopic appearance effect of the appearance surface 111, achieves a 3D appearance effect, improving the aesthetics of the appearance surface 111 and the display effect of the display module 12. In another embodiment, the appearance surface 111 may include a flat surface, and the display module 12 includes a flat outer surface that is flush with the flat surface, so as to achieve an overall flush appearance effect on the appearance surface 111.

[0047] It should be noted that the outer surface 111 may have one, two, or more mounting portions 112, and this disclosure does not limit this. The shape of the display module 12 may be rectangular, circular, polygonal, or irregular, and the shape of the recess may match the shape of the display module 12, and this disclosure does not limit this either.

[0048] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, the display module 12 may include a cover layer 121, a display control layer 122, and an adhesive layer 123. The display control layer 122 and the adhesive layer 123 are disposed on the inner side of the cover layer 121. The adhesive layer 123 is fixedly bonded to the mounting part 112, thereby fixing the display module 12 to the bracket 11. The adhesive layer 123 may be disposed in the edge area of ​​the cover layer 121 to ensure the connection strength between the display module 12 and the bracket 11 while avoiding interference of the adhesive layer 123 with the display control layer 122.

[0049] It should be noted that the display control layer 122 can be used to realize display and touch operation functions, so that the display module 12 can not only display message content, notification icons and other content, but also complete human-computer interaction through touch operation.

[0050] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3As shown, the display module 12 includes a display control layer 122 and an auxiliary flexible circuit board 124 electrically connected to the display control layer 122. The folding mechanism 1 also includes a transfer flexible circuit board 14 electrically connected to the main control circuit board of the electronic device 2. The transfer flexible circuit board 14 is disposed inside the bracket 11 facing away from the outer surface 111. The transfer flexible circuit board 14 can be fixedly disposed on the inner side of the bracket 11 opposite to the outer surface 111. The mounting part 112 has through holes connecting both sides of the bracket 11. One of the transfer flexible circuit board 14 and the auxiliary flexible circuit board 124 passes through the through holes and is electrically connected to the other. Through the cooperation of the auxiliary flexible circuit board 124 and the transfer flexible circuit board 14, the display module 12 is electrically connected to the main control circuit board of the electronic device 2, so as to achieve touch display under the control of the main control circuit board. The fact that one of the transfer flexible circuit board 14 and the auxiliary flexible circuit board 124 passes through the through holes and is electrically connected to the other simplifies the connection structure and connection lines of the flexible circuit board used for electrical connection, and improves the connection reliability.

[0051] In other embodiments, the flexible circuit board 14 can also be electrically connected to other screens of the electronic device 2 to enable the display module 12 to be associated with other screens.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the outer surface 111 may be provided with two mounting portions 112, and the through hole is provided on the side of the mounting portion 112 near the free end of the bracket 11, so as to avoid structural interference between the auxiliary flexible circuit boards 124 of the two display modules 12 mounted on the two mounting portions 112 and between the transition flexible circuit boards 14, thereby optimizing the structural layout of the folding mechanism 1.

[0053] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 , Figure 4 As shown, the folding mechanism 1 may further include a support structure 15, and the bracket 11 includes an inner side facing away from the outer surface 111. The support structure 15 is assembled on the inner side, and the transmission assembly 13 is disposed between the support structure 15 and the bracket 11. The support structure 15 can further fix the transmission assembly 13, the flexible circuit board 14, and other structures, and can also be used to support the flexible screen 26 of the electronic device 2.

[0054] In the above embodiments, the transmission assembly 13 may include a gear assembly 132 and a transmission structure 131 that is pulverizedly connected to the gear assembly 132. Transmission structures 131 that are pulverizedly connected to the gears may be provided on both sides of the gear assembly 132. The two folding bodies of the electronic device 2 may be fixedly connected to the transmission structures 131 so that folding or unfolding between the two folding bodies can be achieved through the meshing of adjacent gears in the gear assembly 132.

[0055] Furthermore, the transmission assembly 13 may also include at least one set of trajectory rods 133 rotatably connected to the support 11. Each trajectory rod 133 includes an arc-shaped rotating portion 1331, which rotatably engages with the support 11. Each set of trajectory rods 133 includes two trajectory rods 133, and each trajectory rod 133 is connected to a transmission structure 131 to provide a rotational trajectory for the transmission structure 131 and the folding body connected to the transmission structure 131. For example, the transmission assembly 13 may include multiple sets of trajectory rods 133, which may be located at both ends and / or the middle of the support 11 in the length direction.

[0056] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, the exterior surface 111 may also be provided with a functional opening 16, which corresponds to the position of the functional module of the electronic device 2. The functional module includes at least one of a microphone module, a speaker module, and a light-collecting module, and the functional module can realize the transmission of sound or light through the functional opening 16.

[0057] This disclosure further proposes an electronic device 2, such as Figures 5-10 As shown, the electronic device 2 includes a first folding body 21, a second folding body 22, and the aforementioned folding mechanism 1. When the first folding body 21 and the second folding body 22 are folded relative to each other, a reserved space 23 is formed between the first folding body 21 and the second folding body 22, and the outer surface 111 of the bracket 11 protrudes from the reserved space 23 to the outside of the electronic device 2.

[0058] It should be noted that the first folding body 21 and the second folding body 22 can be the same size, so that the folding mechanism 1 is located in the middle area of ​​the electronic device 2, forming a symmetrical folding effect. Alternatively, the first folding body 21 and the second folding body 22 can be different sizes, so that the folding mechanism 1 is located off the middle area of ​​the electronic device 2, forming an asymmetrical folding effect in the local structure of the electronic device 2.

[0059] Since the bracket 11 of the folding mechanism 1 includes an outer surface 111, and the display module 12 is assembled on the mounting portion 112 provided on the outer surface 111, when the folding mechanism 1 is in the folded state, the display module 12 faces the outside of the electronic device 2 along with the outer surface 111 of the bracket 11 to realize the display function. The above structural arrangement uses the bracket 11 of the folding mechanism 1 as the mounting position of the display module 12, so as to utilize the reserved space 23 between the first folding body 21 and the second folding body 22 exposed by the bracket 11 when the electronic device 2 is folded to realize the auxiliary display function, thereby improving the structural utilization of the folding mechanism 1, as well as the display control effect and the intelligence of the electronic device 2 using the above-mentioned folding mechanism 1.

[0060] In some embodiments, the transmission component 13 is connected to the first folding body 21 and the second folding body 22 respectively, so as to drive the relative folding or unfolding of the first folding body 21 and the second folding body 22.

[0061] The first folding body 21 may include a first housing of the electronic device 2, and the second folding body 22 may include a second housing of the electronic device 2. The first housing and / or the second housing are provided with a camera module 25 and a screen module 24. The transmission assembly 13 may include a transmission structure 131, which has an assembly hole 1311. The transmission structure 131 can be fixedly connected to the first housing and the second housing respectively through the assembly hole 1311, so that the first housing and the second housing can move relative to each other with the transmission structure 131. This relative movement can be relative rotation.

[0062] For example, a camera module 25 can be installed in the first housing and the second housing, and a screen module 24 can be installed in the second housing. When the electronic device 2 is folded, the first housing and the second housing are located on the front and rear sides of the electronic device 2. The junction of the first housing and the second housing separates and forms a reserved space 23. The outer surface 111 of the bracket 11 of the folding mechanism 1 is exposed to the electronic device 2 through the reserved space 23. The screen module 24 installed in the second housing is used for display on the front side of the electronic device 2. The outer surface 111 of the bracket 11 exposed in the reserved space 23 serves as the side wall of the electronic device 2. The display module 12 installed on the outer surface 111 is located on the side wall for display.

[0063] In some embodiments, when the first folding body 21 and the second folding body 22 are unfolded relative to each other, the first folding body 21 and the second folding body 22 form an internal assembly space, and the bracket 11 is housed in the internal assembly space. In one embodiment, the folding mechanism 1 is entirely housed in the internal assembly space. The folding mechanism 1 is housed in the internal assembly space formed by the first housing and the second housing, thus avoiding any structural or aesthetic issues between the folding mechanism 1 and the electronic device 2 in the unfolded state.

[0064] like Figures 8-10As shown, the first folding body 21 may include a first side surface, and the second folding body 22 may include a second side surface. When the first folding body 21 and the second folding body 22 are unfolded relative to each other, the first side surface and the second side surface cooperate to form a first device side surface. The electronic device 2 also includes a flexible screen 26, which is connected to the transmission assembly 13 and is disposed on the second device side surface opposite to the first device side surface. The first folding body 21 may include a first housing of the electronic device 2, and the second folding body 22 may include a second housing of the electronic device 2. When the electronic device 2 is unfolded, the first side surface of the first housing and the second side surface of the second housing can be joined to form the first device side surface of the electronic device 2 as the rear side of the electronic device 2 in the unfolded state, and the flexible screen 26 serves as the front side of the electronic device 2 in the unfolded state.

[0065] The flexible screen 26 can be flexibly bent when the electronic device 2 switches from unfolded to folded by the transmission component 13, and can also be restored to a flat state when the electronic device 2 switches from folded to unfolded to form a large-size display effect.

[0066] It should be noted that the aforementioned electronic device 2 can be a mobile phone, wearable device, tablet computer, television, advertising screen, vehicle terminal, medical terminal, etc., and this disclosure does not impose any restrictions on it.

[0067] Other embodiments of this disclosure will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the technical solutions disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this disclosure that follow the general principles of this disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and embodiments are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of this disclosure are indicated by the following claims.

[0068] It should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the precise structures described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of this disclosure is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A folding mechanism, characterized in that, The folding mechanism cooperates with the folding body of the electronic device to achieve relative folding or unfolding of at least two of the folding bodies; the folding mechanism includes: The bracket includes an outer surface, and the outer surface is provided with a mounting portion; The display module is assembled on the mounting part. When the folding mechanism is in the folded state, the display module faces the outside of the electronic device along with the outer surface of the bracket to realize the display function. A transmission assembly includes a gear assembly, a transmission structure, and at least one set of track rods. The gear assembly has transmission structure members on both sides, each connected to the gear. The two folding bodies of the electronic device are fixedly connected to the transmission structure members, so that folding or unfolding between the two folding bodies is achieved through the meshing of adjacent gears in the gear assembly. Each set of track rods includes two track rods, each connected to one of the transmission structure members, providing a rotational trajectory for the transmission structure member and the folding body connected to it. The bracket has a set of track rods at each end along its length, and the gear assembly is located between the two sets of track rods.

2. The folding mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transmission component is assembled on the bracket, and the folding body is connected to the transmission component; when the folding mechanism is in the folded state, the transmission component is located on the side opposite to the outer surface.

3. The folding mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting portion includes a recess on the outer surface, and the display module is embedded in the recess.

4. The folding mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The exterior surface includes an arc-shaped surface, and the display module includes an arc-shaped outer surface corresponding to the arc-shaped surface.

5. The folding mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The display module includes a cover plate layer, a display control layer, and an adhesive layer. The display control layer and the adhesive layer are disposed on the inner side of the cover plate layer, and the adhesive layer is fixedly bonded to the mounting part.

6. The folding mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that, The adhesive layer is disposed in the edge region of the cover plate layer.

7. The folding mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The display module includes a display control layer and an auxiliary flexible circuit board electrically connected to the display control layer. The folding mechanism also includes a transfer flexible circuit board electrically connected to the main control circuit board of the electronic device. The transfer flexible circuit board is disposed inside the bracket facing away from the outer surface. The mounting section is provided with a through hole connecting both sides of the bracket, and one of the adapter flexible circuit board and the auxiliary flexible circuit board passes through the through hole and is electrically connected to the other.

8. The folding mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that, The outer surface has two mounting portions, and the through hole is located on the side of the mounting portion near the free end of the bracket.

9. The folding mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a support structure, the bracket having an inner side facing away from the outer surface, the support structure being assembled on the inner side, and the transmission assembly being disposed between the support structure and the bracket.

10. The folding mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The exterior surface is also provided with a functional opening, which corresponds to the position of the functional module of the electronic device; wherein, the functional module includes at least one of a microphone module, a speaker module, and a light-collecting module.

11. An electronic device, characterized in that, It includes a first folding body, a second folding body, and a folding mechanism as described in any one of claims 1-10; When the first folding body and the second folding body are folded relative to each other, a reserved space is formed at the bend of the first folding body and the second folding body, and the outer surface of the bracket is exposed to the outside of the electronic device through the reserved space.

12. The electronic device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The first folding body includes a first housing of the electronic device, and the second folding body includes a second housing of the electronic device; The first housing and / or the second housing are provided with a camera module, and the first housing and / or the second housing are provided with a screen module.

13. The electronic device according to claim 11, characterized in that, When the first folding body and the second folding body are unfolded relative to each other, the first folding body and the second folding body form an internal assembly space, and the bracket is housed in the internal assembly space.

14. The electronic device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The folding mechanism further includes a transmission component connected to the first folding body and the second folding body respectively, for driving the relative folding or unfolding of the first folding body and the second folding body; The first folding body includes a first side surface, and the second folding body includes a second side surface. When the first folding body and the second folding body are unfolded relative to each other, the first side surface and the second side surface cooperate to form a first device side surface. The electronic device further includes a flexible screen; the flexible screen is connected to the transmission component, and the flexible screen is disposed on the side of the second device opposite to the side of the first device.

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