Electronic device and control method thereof

Abstract

The application relates to an electronic device and a control method thereof. The electronic device comprises a shell assembly, a driving mechanism, an antenna radiator, a capacitive sensor and a controller. The shell assembly comprises a first shell and a second shell capable of relative movement under the driving of the driving mechanism. The shell assembly has a detection area when the second shell moves to a middle position. The capacitive sensor is electrically connected with the antenna radiator and is used for sensing a capacitive change in the detection area through the antenna radiator to obtain a capacitive change value. When the capacitive change value exceeds a preset range, the driving mechanism drives the second shell to move towards an unfolded position relative to the first shell or the driving mechanism stops driving the second shell to move relative to the first shell. The electronic device and the control method thereof utilize the capacitive sensor to detect the detection area through the antenna radiator. When it is known that a finger or a foreign matter exists in the detection area, the second shell is stopped from being folded towards the first shell, so that the probability of fingers or foreign matters being clamped to the user is reduced.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of electronic devices, in particular to an electronic device and a control method thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the current intelligent information era, users use electronic devices more and more frequently, and the use scenarios are increasingly diversified. At present, the screen size of most portable intelligent electronic devices is less than 7 inches. Compared with tablet and notebook products, the screen display area is limited, and the user operation experience is limited.

[0003] The emergence of flexible screens solves such problems well. By bending or rolling the flexible screen, a large screen can be accommodated in a small body, which is convenient for users to carry. At the same time, the small screen can be used as a normal mobile phone. When switching to a large screen, news reading and social chatting can be achieved at the same time, and the user's game operation experience can be improved, greatly enriching the user's use scenarios.

[0004] However, in order to adapt to the stretching and contraction needs of the flexible screen, the shell assembly of the electronic device needs to be configured as at least two parts that can move relative to each other. Thus, during the folding of the flexible screen, the shell assembly of the electronic device is easy to be clamped to the user's fingers or foreign matter. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides an electronic device and a control method thereof to solve the technical problem that the shell of the electronic device is easy to be clamped to the user's fingers or foreign matter.

[0006] In one aspect, an electronic device is provided, comprising:

[0007] a shell assembly comprising a first shell and a second shell connected movably;

[0008] a driving mechanism configured to drive the second shell to move relative to the first shell along a first direction to an unfolded position and a folded position, in the first direction, the first shell has a first side wall facing a side where the second shell is located, and the second shell has a second side wall facing a side where the first shell is located, at an intermediate position between the unfolded position and the folded position, an area of the shell assembly corresponding to the first side wall and the second side wall defines a detection area;

[0009] an antenna radiator arranged in the shell assembly and corresponding to the detection area;

[0010] a capacitive sensor electrically connected to the antenna radiator, during the process that the driving mechanism drives the second shell to move relative to the first shell from the intermediate position to the folded position, the capacitive sensor senses a capacitive change in the detection area through the antenna radiator to obtain a capacitive change value;

[0011] a controller electrically connected with the capacitive sensor, the controller being configured to control an operation state of the driving mechanism according to the capacitance variation value, so that when the capacitance variation value exceeds a preset range, the driving mechanism drives the second housing to move relative to the first housing towards the unfolded position, or the driving mechanism stops driving the second housing to move relative to the first housing.

[0012] In another aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a control method of an electronic device, the electronic device comprising a housing assembly and a driving mechanism, the housing assembly comprising a first housing and a second housing movably connected, the driving mechanism being capable of driving the second housing to move relative to the first housing along a first direction to an unfolded position and a folded position, in the first direction, the first housing having a first side wall facing a side where the second housing is located, the second housing having a second side wall facing a side where the first housing is located, at an intermediate position between the unfolded position and the folded position, an area of the housing assembly corresponding to an area between the first side wall and the second side wall defining a detection area;

[0013] The control method comprises the following steps:

[0014] receiving first control operation information, and controlling the driving mechanism to drive the second housing to move relative to the first housing towards the folded position according to the first control operation information;

[0015] In a process in which the driving mechanism drives the second housing to move relative to the first housing from the intermediate position to the folded position, a capacitive sensor of the electronic device senses a capacitance variation in the detection area through an antenna radiator to obtain a capacitance variation value;

[0016] If the capacitance variation value exceeds a preset range, the driving mechanism is controlled to drive the second housing to move relative to the first housing towards the unfolded position, or the driving mechanism is controlled to stop driving the second housing to move relative to the first housing.

[0017] In the embodiments of the present application, the capacitive sensor detects the detection area through the antenna radiator, and when the capacitance variation value obtained by the capacitive sensor exceeds the preset range, the second housing is stopped from being folded towards the first housing, so that by reasonably setting the preset range, when a finger or a foreign object exists in the detection area, the capacitance variation value exceeds the preset range, and the probability of the finger or the foreign object being clamped to a user's finger during use of the electronic device is low. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed in the embodiments or prior art description. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and for those skilled in the art, other drawings can also be obtained without creative labor on the basis of these drawings.

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic view of the electronic device according to an embodiment, in which the second housing is in the folded position;

[0020] Figure 2 A schematic view of the electronic device according to an embodiment, in which the second housing is in the folded position; Figure 1 A schematic view of the electronic device according to an embodiment, in which the second housing is in the folded position;

[0021] Figure 3 A schematic view of the electronic device according to an embodiment, in which the second housing is in the folded position;

[0022] Figure 4 A schematic view of the electronic device according to an embodiment, in which the second housing is in the folded position; Figure 3 A schematic view of the electronic device according to an embodiment, in which the second housing is in the folded position;

[0023] Figure 5 A schematic view of the electronic device according to an embodiment, in which the second housing is in the folded position; Figure 3 A schematic view of the electronic device according to an embodiment, in which the second housing is in the folded position;

[0024] Figure 6 A schematic view of the electronic device according to an embodiment, in which the second housing is in the folded position;

[0025] Figure 7 A schematic view of the electronic device according to an embodiment, in which the second housing is in the folded position;

[0026] Figure 8 A schematic view of the electronic device according to an embodiment, in which the second housing is in the folded position; Figure 7 A schematic view of the electronic device according to an embodiment, in which the second housing is in the folded position;

[0027] Figure 9 A schematic view of the electronic device according to an embodiment, in which the second housing is in the folded position;

[0028] Figure 10 A schematic view of the electronic device according to an embodiment, in which the second housing is in the folded position; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In order to facilitate the understanding of the present application, the following will make a more comprehensive description of the present application with reference to the related drawings. The preferred embodiments of the present application are shown in the drawings. However, the present application can be realized in many different forms, and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, the purpose of providing these embodiments is to make the understanding of the disclosure of the present application more thorough and comprehensive.

[0030] As used herein, "electronic device" refers to, but is not limited to, a device capable of receiving and / or transmitting communication signals connected via any one or more of the following connection methods:

[0031] (1) Via wired connection, such as via Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTN), Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), digital cable, or direct cable connection;

[0032] (2) Via wireless interface, such as cellular networks, wireless local area networks (WLAN), digital television networks such as DVB-H networks, satellite networks, AM-FM broadcast transmitters.

[0033] An electronic device configured to communicate via a wireless interface can be referred to as a "mobile terminal". Examples of mobile terminals include, but are not limited to, the following electronic devices:

[0034] (1) Satellite phone or cellular phone;

[0035] (2) A personal communications system (PCS) terminal that can combine cellular radio telephone with data processing, fax and data communication capabilities;

[0036] (3) Radio telephone, pager, Internet / intranet access, web browser, notepad, calendar, personal digital assistant (PDA) equipped with a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver;

[0037] (4) Conventional above-knee and / or palm-sized receivers;

[0038] (5) Conventional knee-mounted and / or handheld wireless telephone transceivers, etc.

[0039] See Figures 1 to 4As shown, the electronic device 100 provided by the embodiment of the present application includes a shell assembly 10 and a flexible screen 20. The shell assembly 10 forms a receiving cavity 101, and the flexible screen 20 is connected with the shell assembly 10. The electronic device 100 can further include a circuit board (not shown in the figure) and a battery (not shown in the figure), both of which can be arranged in the receiving cavity 101 of the shell assembly 10. The circuit board can integrate a processor, a power management module, a storage unit, a baseband chip and the like of the electronic device 100. The flexible screen 20 is in communication connection with the processor, and the battery can supply power to the electronic components on the flexible screen 20 and the circuit board. Of course, the electronic device 100 can further include a camera module (not shown in the figure), which is in communication connection with the circuit board, and the battery can supply power to the camera module. It can be understood that the electronic device 100 of the embodiment of the present application includes but is not limited to a terminal device such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer or other portable electronic device.

[0040] The shell assembly 10 includes a first shell 12 and a second shell 14 connected movably, and the second shell 14 and the first shell 12 can move relatively along a first direction. The flexible screen 20 is connected to the first shell 12 and the second shell 14. With the relative movement of the first shell 12 and the second shell 14 along the first direction, the flexible screen 20 is unfolded or folded into the shell assembly 10 along the first direction, so as to adjust the unfolded length of the flexible screen 20.

[0041] In some embodiments, the second shell 14 and the first shell 12 are connected slidably. In other words, the second shell 14 can slide relative to the first shell 12. For example, one of the first shell 12 and the second shell 14 can be provided with a sliding rail, and the other can slide along the sliding rail, so that the first shell 12 and the second shell 14 can move telescopically relative to each other. In other embodiments, the second shell 14 and the first shell 12 can be movably connected through other structures capable of moving telescopically along the first direction. For example, a plurality of connecting rods can be connected between the first shell 12 and the second shell 14, and the two ends of the connecting rods are connected with the first shell 12 and the second shell 14 respectively and maintain that the first shell 12 and the second shell 14 can only move relatively along the first direction, thereby realizing the movable connection between the first shell 12 and the second shell 14 along the first direction. The movable connection between the first shell 12 and the second shell 14 is not limited herein.

[0042] The second shell 14 can move relative to the first shell 12 along the first direction to a folded position and an unfolded position. In combination with Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, when the second shell 14 is in the folded position, the electronic device 100 has a relatively small size, which is convenient for carrying. In combination with Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, when the second housing 14 is in the unfolded position, the electronic device 100 can obtain a relatively large display area, thereby obtaining a large-screen display visual experience to improve the use experience of the electronic device 100. Therefore, through the relative sliding expansion of the first housing 12 and the second housing 14, the area of the display screen of the flexible screen 20 (hereinafter referred to as the display interface 20a) can be adjusted. In some embodiments, when the second housing 14 is in the folded position, the display interface 20a exposed outside the shell assembly 10 is substantially rectangular, and the size thereof can be 4.5 inches to 7 inches, which is comparable to the size of the display screen of a general smartphone, so that the electronic device 100 is convenient to carry and use.

[0043] It should be noted that the flexible screen 20 is a structure for displaying or touching of the electronic device 100, and has a display area, which refers to the area corresponding to the maximum display screen of the flexible screen 20, or the display interface 20a when the second housing 14 is in the unfolded position during the relative sliding expansion of the first housing 12 and the second housing 14. Since part of the display area of the flexible screen 20 is accommodated inside during the relative sliding expansion of the first housing 12 and the second housing 14, this part does not display a picture. The display interface 20a refers to the part of the display area exposed outside the first housing 12 and the second housing 14. When the display interface 20a is lit or displays a picture, the content displayed by the display interface 20a can be observed from the outside of the electronic device 100.

[0044] It can be understood that in the embodiments described hereinafter, the folded position, the unfolded position and similar expressions refer to the relative position of the second housing 14 and the first housing 12. For simplicity of description, the expression “the second housing 14 is in the folded position” or “when in the folded position” refers to the relative position of the second housing 14 and the first housing 12, and the expression “the second housing 14 is in the unfolded position” or “when in the unfolded position” refers to the relative position of the second housing 14 and the first housing 12.

[0045] In combination with Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the flexible screen 20 can include a fixed end 202 and a free end 204 arranged oppositely, the fixed end 202 is arranged on the second housing 14 and is relatively fixed with the position of the second housing 14, and the free end 204 is movably arranged in the accommodating cavity 101 of the shell assembly 10. Specifically, as shown in Figure 2 When the second housing 14 is in the folded position, the free end 204 of the flexible screen 20 is accommodated in the shell assembly 10, so that part of the flexible screen 20 is hidden in the shell assembly 10, and the part of the flexible screen 20 hidden in the shell assembly 10 can not be used for display. As shown inFigure 4 As shown, as the second housing 14 moves relative to the first housing 12 to the unfolded position, the structure of the flexible screen 20 near the free end 204 is gradually unfolded from the shell assembly 10. In other embodiments, the fixed end 202 is arranged on the first housing 12 and fixed relative to the position of the first housing 12, and as the second housing 14 moves relative to the first housing 12, the free end 204 moves in the receiving cavity 101 of the shell assembly 10, and the structure of the flexible screen 20 is unfolded or folded into the receiving cavity 101 of the shell assembly 10.

[0046] It can be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the relative fixation of the positions of two objects means that the two objects cannot move relative to each other under normal circumstances, and the two objects with relatively fixed positions can be directly connected physically or indirectly connected through an intermediate structure. Taking the fixed end 202 and the second housing 14 as an example, the relative fixation of the positions of the fixed end 202 and the second housing 14 can be that the fixed end 202 is in direct contact with the second housing 14, for example, the fixed end 202 and the second housing 14 are directly fixed by using threaded fasteners or clamping, or the fixed end 202 and the second housing 14 are indirectly fixed through an adhesive layer, an intermediate connecting plate or other structures.

[0047] The second housing 14 can further include a rear cover 121, which covers the free end 204 of the flexible screen 20 in the unfolded position.

[0048] Further, the rear cover 121 can be provided with a light-transmitting region, and the part of the flexible screen 20 accommodated in the shell assembly 10 in the folded position can also be used for display, so that the user can view the information displayed on the flexible screen 20 from the light-transmitting region, thereby expanding the use scenarios of the electronic device 100. For example, in this embodiment, the electronic device 100 does not need to be provided with a front camera, and a rear camera module can be used to realize functions such as selfie and video call. The light-transmitting region can be formed by a transparent glass or an opening of the rear cover 121.

[0049] Continuing to refer to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the electronic device 100 includes a driving mechanism 30. The driving mechanism 30 is arranged in the receiving cavity 101 of the shell assembly 10 and is used to drive the first housing 12 and the second housing 14 to move relative to each other in the first direction, so that the second housing 14 drives the flexible screen 20 to unfold from the shell assembly 10 or fold into the shell assembly 10.

[0050] In some embodiments, the first housing 12 and the second housing 14 are connected to the driving mechanism 30 and move relatively under the driving of the driving mechanism 30. Specifically, the driving mechanism 30 has a fixed part and a movable part, and the movable part is capable of moving relative to the fixed part when the driving mechanism 30 is working. The fixed part is connected to the first housing 12, and the movable part is connected to the second housing 14, for driving the second housing 14 to move relative to the first housing 12.

[0051] It should be noted that the driving mechanism 30 can be a belt transmission structure or a gear transmission structure, or a telescopic transmission structure such as a pneumatic cylinder. The structure of the driving mechanism 30 is not limited herein, as long as the driving mechanism 30 can drive the first housing 12 and the second housing 14 to move relatively, so as to adjust the unfolded length of the flexible screen 20 in the first direction.

[0052] In combination with FIGS. 1 and 2, Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the first direction, the first housing 12 has a first side wall 12a facing the side where the second housing 14 is located, and the second housing 14 has a second side wall 14a facing the side where the first housing 12 is located. Understandably, when the second housing 14 moves relative to the first housing 12 towards the folding position, the first side wall 12a and the second side wall 14a approach each other until the second housing 14 moves to the folding position. In some embodiments, when the second housing 14 is in the folding position, the first side wall 12a and the second side wall 14a are in contact, so that the first housing 12 and the second housing 14 are aligned in the joint, and the overall appearance of the electronic device 100 is maintained. Understandably, in some embodiments, when the second housing 14 is in the folding position, the first side wall 12a and the second side wall 14a can also have a gap, and the width of the gap is less than or equal to 1 mm. By controlling the width of the gap within this range, the gap between the first side wall 12a and the second side wall 14a is so small that it can be ignored, so that even if there is a gap between the first side wall 12a and the second side wall 14a when the second housing 14 is in the folding position, the overall appearance of the electronic device 100 is hardly affected.

[0053] The inventors discovered that when the second housing 14 moves towards a retracted position relative to the first housing 12, the user may unintentionally place their fingers between the first sidewall 12a and the second sidewall 14a, posing a risk of injury from being pinched by the first sidewall 12a and the second sidewall 14a. Furthermore, when a foreign object becomes lodged between the first sidewall 12a and the second sidewall 14a, the process of the first sidewall 12a and the second sidewall 14a approaching each other encounters significant resistance. Consequently, the drive mechanism 30 also experiences a significant reaction force. In this situation, the drive mechanism 30 is easily damaged, causing a decline in the overall structural performance of the electronic device 100, or even rendering the electronic device 100 unusable. Through long-term research and technical breakthroughs, the inventors discovered that this technical problem can be solved by improving the electronic device 100.

[0054] For ease of explanation, the area of ​​the electronic device 100 that is easily affected by fingers or foreign objects during the process of retracting the flexible screen 20 is referred to as the "detection area 10a". Understandably, the detection area 10a is the area where it is not desirable for fingers or foreign objects to be present during the process of retracting the flexible screen 20. More precisely, it is the area where fingers are easily pinched or foreign objects may interfere.

[0055] Specifically, in the embodiments of this application, such as Figure 6 As shown, the second housing 14 has an intermediate position during its movement relative to the first housing 12 between the unfolded position and the retracted position. When the second housing 14 is in the intermediate position, the area between the corresponding first sidewall 12a and second sidewall 14a of the housing assembly 10 defines the detection area 10a. The intermediate position can be the position of the second housing 14 at the instant it leaves the unfolded position. At this time, the distance between the intermediate position and the unfolded position is close to 0, and without considering errors, the intermediate position can be considered to be the same as the unfolded position. Of course, in some embodiments, the intermediate position and the unfolded position are the same. This application only distinguishes between the intermediate position and the unfolded position for ease of understanding of the detection area 10a.

[0056] The electronic device 100 comprises an antenna radiator 40, a capacitive sensor 50 and a controller 60. The antenna radiator 40 is connected to the first housing 12 and fixed opposite to the first side wall 12a. The capacitive sensor 50 is electrically connected to the antenna radiator 40. The capacitive sensor 50 can be a SAR sensor to detect a SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) value of the detection area 10a through the antenna radiator 40. This is because, under the action of an external electromagnetic field, an induced electromagnetic field will be generated in the human body. Since various organs of the human body are lossy media, an electric current will be generated in the electromagnetic field in the human body, resulting in absorption and dissipation of electromagnetic energy. Thus, when a finger approaches the detection area 10a, the SAR value will change compared to when there is no finger approaching the detection area 10a. This change in the SAR value will be characterized as a change in the capacitance of the capacitive sensor 50. Specifically, in the embodiment of the present application, during the movement of the second housing 14 relative to the first housing 12 from the intermediate position to the folded position driven by the driving mechanism 30, the capacitive sensor 50 senses the change in capacitance in the detection area 10a through the antenna radiator 40 to obtain a capacitance change value.

[0057] The controller 60 is electrically connected to the capacitive sensor 50. Specifically, the controller 60 is configured to control the working state of the driving mechanism 30 according to the capacitance change value. When the capacitance change value is outside a preset range, the controller 60 controls the driving mechanism 30 to drive the second housing 14 to move relative to the first housing 12 towards the unfolded position, or controls the driving mechanism 30 to stop driving the second housing 14 to move relative to the first housing 12.

[0058] It should be noted that the preset range can be set according to the capacitance change value when the detection area 10a has a finger or a foreign object. In this way, the presence of a finger or a foreign object in the detection area 10a can be determined by the capacitance change value detected by the capacitive sensor 50. In the case where a finger or a foreign object is present in the detection area 10a, the driving mechanism 30 will no longer continue to drive the second housing 14 to move relative to the first housing 12 towards the folded position, effectively reducing the probability of the user's finger being pinched, and also avoiding damage to the driving mechanism 30 due to a large reaction force from the foreign object. For example, when the user's finger approaches the detection area 10a, the capacitance change value of the capacitive sensor 50 is a first value, and when the user's finger does not approach the detection area 10a, the capacitance change value of the capacitive sensor 50 is a second value. The first value and the second value are different, and the preset range can be reasonably configured according to the first value and the second value, so that the presence of the user's finger near the detection area 10a can be determined according to the capacitance change value detected by the capacitive sensor 50.

[0059] Further, in combination with the above-mentioned embodiments, the electronic device 100 can further comprise a display 20, a processor 30 and a memory 40. Figure 6As shown, the displacement of the second housing 14 from the unfolded position to the intermediate position is a first displacement D1, and the displacement of the second housing 14 from the intermediate position to the folded position is a second displacement D2. The first displacement D1 is greater than the second displacement D2, so that the width of the detection area 10a in the first direction (i.e., the second displacement D2) is suitably proportional to the overall movement stroke of the second housing 14 relative to the first housing 12. Specifically, since the capacitance sensor 50 senses the capacitance change in the detection area 10a through the antenna radiator 40 during the movement of the second housing 14 relative to the first housing 12 from the intermediate position to the folded position, the detection area 10a does not need to be detected during the first displacement D1 of the second housing 14, so as to reduce power consumption.

[0060] In some embodiments, the second displacement D2 is in a range of 0.5 cm to 2.0 cm, such as about 0.5 cm, 0.7 cm, 0.9 cm, 1.2 cm, 1.5 cm, 1.7 cm, 1.9 cm, or 2.0 cm. In this embodiment, the second displacement D2 is controlled in a range of 0.5 cm to 2.0 cm, so as to ensure that the detection area 10a has a sufficient detection width in the first direction, to avoid that the capacitance sensor 50 detects after the finger is pinched, and to avoid that the detection width of the detection area 10a in the first direction is too large, causing unnecessary energy waste.

[0061] In some embodiments, the controller 60 is electrically connected with an antenna switch and a radio frequency processing circuit, the antenna switch is connected between the antenna radiator 40 and the radio frequency processing circuit, and is used to switch the working state of the antenna radiator 40. Specifically, when the second housing 14 is in the unfolded position, the antenna switch electrically connects the antenna radiator 40 and the radio frequency processing circuit, so that the radio frequency processing circuit can transmit radio frequency signals through the antenna radiator 40, thereby improving the signal transmission efficiency of the electronic device 100 during the use of the flexible screen 20 in the unfolded state. When the second housing 14 is moved away from the unfolded position, the antenna switch electrically disconnects the antenna radiator 40 and the radio frequency processing circuit, that is, the antenna radiator 40 and the radio frequency processing circuit are in a state of electrical signal disconnection, and at this time, the capacitance sensor 50 can stably sense the capacitance change in the detection area 10a through the antenna radiator 40. The antenna switch can be a switch element built in the electronic device 100 and controlled by the controller 60. In some embodiments, the user can control the antenna switch through the keys of the electronic device 100, so that the user can turn on or off the function of the antenna radiator 40 to transmit radio frequency signals according to actual needs.

[0062] In some embodiments, the antenna radiator 40 has a normal projection on the plane of the display interface 20a at least partially overlapping with a normal projection of the detection area 10a on the plane of the display interface 20a, so that the antenna radiator 40 is arranged as close to the detection area 10a as possible to improve the accuracy of the SAR value detected by the capacitive sensor 50 at the detection area 10a through the antenna radiator 40.

[0063] It should be noted that the antenna radiator 40 can also be connected to the second housing 14 and fixed opposite to the second side wall 14a.

[0064] In some embodiments, the antenna radiator 40 is multiple, at least one of the multiple antenna radiators 40 is arranged on the first housing 12, and the other antenna radiators 40 are arranged on the second housing 14, so as to improve the detection accuracy by using multiple antenna radiators 40, or in the case of failure of part of the antenna radiators 40, there are other antenna radiators 40 to meet the needs of the capacitive sensor 50 to detect the SAR value of the detection area 10a.

[0065] In some embodiments, the antenna radiator 40 is multiple, at least one of the multiple antenna radiators 40 is arranged on the first housing 12, and the other antenna radiators 40 are arranged on the second housing 14, so as to improve the detection accuracy by using multiple antenna radiators 40, or in the case of failure of part of the antenna radiators 40, there are other antenna radiators 40 to meet the needs of the capacitive sensor 50 to detect the SAR value of the detection area 10a. Figure 6 For example, the electronic device 100 shown in the figure includes a first antenna radiator 41 and a second antenna radiator 42, the first antenna radiator 41 is arranged on the first housing 12, and the second antenna radiator 42 is arranged on the second housing 14. Understandably, the first antenna radiator 41 and the second antenna radiator 42 are electrically connected to the capacitive sensor 50. In this embodiment, if the first antenna radiator 41 is damaged, the capacitive sensor 50 can still detect the SAR value of the detection area 10a through the second antenna radiator 42. Correspondingly, if the second antenna radiator 42 is damaged, the capacitive sensor 50 can still detect the SAR value of the detection area 10a through the first antenna radiator 41. In some embodiments, referring to the figure, the shell assembly 10 includes a third housing 16, when the second housing 14 is in the unfolded position, the third housing 16 is at least partially exposed between the first side wall 12a and the second side wall 14a, so as to avoid the internal structure of the electronic device 100 from being exposed between the first side wall 12a and the second side wall 14a by using the third housing 16. In other words, when the second housing 14 is in the unfolded position, the third housing 16 can provide the appearance surface of the electronic device 100 to maintain the overall appearance integrity of the electronic device 100. Understandably, when the second housing 14 is in the folded position, the third housing 16 is hidden in the first housing 12 and the second housing 14, at this time, the first housing 12 and the second housing 14 constitute the appearance surface of the electronic device 100. Figure 2 Figure 4 For example, the electronic device 100 shown in the figure includes a first antenna radiator 41 and a second antenna radiator 42, the first antenna radiator 41 is arranged on the first housing 12, and the second antenna radiator 42 is arranged on the second housing 14. Understandably, the first antenna radiator 41 and the second antenna radiator 42 are electrically connected to the capacitive sensor 50. In this embodiment, if the first antenna radiator 41 is damaged, the capacitive sensor 50 can still detect the SAR value of the detection area 10a through the second antenna radiator 42. Correspondingly, if the second antenna radiator 42 is damaged, the capacitive sensor 50 can still detect the SAR value of the detection area 10a through the first antenna radiator 41. In some embodiments, referring to the figure, the shell assembly 10 includes a third housing 16, when the second housing 14 is in the unfolded position, the third housing 16 is at least partially exposed between the first side wall 12a and the second side wall 14a, so as to avoid the internal structure of the electronic device 100 from being exposed between the first side wall 12a and the second side wall 14a by using the third housing 16. In other words, when the second housing 14 is in the unfolded position, the third housing 16 can provide the appearance surface of the electronic device 100 to maintain the overall appearance integrity of the electronic device 100. Understandably, when the second housing 14 is in the folded position, the third housing 16 is hidden in the first housing 12 and the second housing 14, at this time, the first housing 12 and the second housing 14 constitute the appearance surface of the electronic device 100.

[0066] ​The third shell 16 can be integrally formed with the second shell 14, or connected to the second shell 14 by glue or screws, etc. In other embodiments, the third shell 16 can also be integrally formed with the first shell 12, or connected to the first shell 12 by glue or screws, etc.

[0067] In some other embodiments, the first shell 12 and the second shell 14 are both slidingly connected to the third shell 16, so that the third shell 16 can provide stable support for the sliding between the first shell 12 and the second shell 14.

[0068] Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electronic device 100 is provided with a traction member 70, which is arranged at an end of the first shell 12 away from the second shell 14. During the switching of the second shell 14 from the folded position to the unfolded position relative to the first shell 12, the traction member 70 can traction the flexible screen 20 to deform so that the flexible screen 20 is unfolded flat on the second shell 14. When the second shell 14 is in the folded position, the free end 204 of the flexible screen 20 passes around the traction member 70. The traction member 70 can limit the bending radius of the flexible screen 20 within an appropriate range, so as to avoid damage to the flexible screen 20 caused by too small bending radius. Of course, the traction member 70 can also avoid the electronic device 100 being too thick caused by too large bending radius of the flexible screen 20.

[0069] In some embodiments, the traction member 70 can be a rotating shaft structure with protruding teeth, and the flexible screen 20 is connected to the traction member 70 by engagement or the like. When the second shell 14 slides relative to the first shell 12, the traction member 70 drives the part of the flexible screen 20 engaged with the traction member 70 to move out of or into the shell assembly 10.

[0070] In some other embodiments, the traction member 70 is a round shaft without protruding teeth. During the switching of the second shell 14 from the folded position to the unfolded position, the traction member 70 can expand the part of the flexible screen 20 attached to the traction member 70, so that more of the flexible screen 20 is exposed outside the shell assembly 10 and kept flat. In this embodiment, the traction member 70 can be rotatably arranged on the second shell 14. During the gradual unfolding of the flexible screen 20, the traction member 70 can rotate with the movement of the flexible screen 20, so as to reduce the resistance of the flexible screen 20 during the unfolding process, and reduce the wear of the contact part between the traction member 70 and the flexible screen 20.

[0071] In some embodiments, the traction member 70 can also be fixed on the first housing 12, and the traction member 70 has a smooth surface. In the process of unfolding the flexible screen 20, the traction member 70 is in slidable contact with the flexible screen 20 through the smooth surface thereof. In other words, in this embodiment, the traction member 70 can be integrally formed or welded with the first housing 12, and the traction member 70 can be regarded as a part of the first housing 12, and the free end 204 of the flexible screen 20 passes around an end of the first housing 12 away from the second housing 14 and extends into the housing assembly 10.

[0072] In the embodiment in which the housing assembly 10 comprises the third housing 16, the third housing 16 can be provided with the antenna radiator 40, for example, in combination with Figures 5 to 8 As shown, the side 16a of the third housing 16 away from the flexible screen 20 and the side 16b of the third housing 16 toward the flexible screen 20 are both provided with the antenna radiator 40. It should be noted that, in some embodiments, only one of the side 16a of the third housing 16 away from the flexible screen 20 and the side 16b of the third housing 16 toward the flexible screen 20 is provided with the antenna radiator 40.

[0073] The antenna radiator 40 can be provided at a position of the first housing 12 overlapping the third housing 16, or at a position of the second housing 14 overlapping the third housing 16. Here, the overlapping position of the two objects refers to the overlapping area of the orthographic projection of the two objects in the detection area 10a.

[0074] The setting position of the antenna radiator 40 will not be described here again, as long as the antenna radiator 40 is provided on the housing assembly 10 and corresponds to the detection area 10a, so that the capacitive sensor 50 can sense the SAR value of the detection area 10a through the antenna radiator 40.

[0075] In combination with Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, in some embodiments, at least one of the first side wall 12a and the second side wall 14a is provided with the buffer member 18, and the material of the buffer member 18 can be rubber, latex, EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate), EPS (Expanded Polystyrene), or the like. By using the good buffering performance of the buffer member 18, the electronic device 100 as a whole has good anti-falling performance when the second housing 14 is in the folded position. Specifically, since the buffer member 18 is located between the first side wall 12a and the second side wall 14a, when the second housing 14 is in the folded position, the buffer member 18 can slow down the hard collision of the first side wall 12a and the second side wall 14a, so as to play a buffering effect.

[0076] In the embodiment in which the buffer 18 is arranged at the first side wall 12a, the side of the buffer 18 facing away from the first side wall 12a can be provided with the antenna radiator 40. Correspondingly, in the embodiment in which the buffer 18 is arranged at the second side wall 14a, the side of the buffer 18 facing away from the second side wall 14a can be provided with the antenna radiator 40.

[0077] The antenna radiator 40 can be an FPC antenna, which is an antenna made on a corresponding structure by using an FPC process. Specifically, the technical principle of the FPC process is to make a printed circuit board with a pattern by using a flexible substrate, which is composed of an insulating substrate and a conductive layer, and there can be an adhesive between the insulating substrate and the conductive layer, and is pasted to a position where the antenna is needed to be arranged. The FPC antenna is light and thin, has good bending property, and has low cost. In this embodiment, the FPC antenna can be arranged in the first housing 12 or in the second housing 14, as long as it can be opposite to the detection area 10a to meet the need of the capacitive sensor 50 to sense the SAR value of the detection area 10a through the antenna radiator 40.

[0078] In some embodiments, the antenna radiator 40 can be a PDS antenna, which is an antenna made on a corresponding structure by using a PDS process. Specifically, conductive silver paste is applied to the surface of a structure such as the first side wall 12a, the second side wall 14a, the third housing 16 or the buffer 18, and then a plurality of layers of printed silver paste are used to form a conductive three-dimensional circuit, and then the final antenna radiator 40 is made by heat curing. Since the PDS antenna can directly print a circuit, it does not need special laser modification materials, and the cost can be reduced.

[0079] It should be noted that in each of the above embodiments, the structures such as the antenna radiator 40, the capacitive sensor 50 and the controller 60 of the electronic device 100 can effectively prevent the first housing 12 and the second housing 14 from being moved relative to each other to pinch the user's finger. For the purpose of preventing pinching of the electronic device 100, the flexible screen 20 is not necessary, i.e., in some embodiments of the electronic device 100, the flexible screen 20 can be omitted.

[0080] Based on the above-described electronic device 100, another embodiment of the present application provides a control method for controlling the above-described electronic device 100, which can effectively prevent the user from being pinched during use of the electronic device 100.

[0081] Specifically, in combination with Figure 9 as shown, the control method comprises the following steps:

[0082] In step S102, first control operation information is received, and the driving mechanism 30 is controlled to drive the second housing 14 to move relative to the first housing 12 towards the folding position according to the first control operation information.

[0083] It should be noted that in the embodiment in which the electronic device 100 comprises the flexible screen 20, the first operation control information is a control instruction related to the control of the folding operation of the flexible screen 20. For example, the first control operation information can be input to the electronic device 100 through the clicking or sliding or dragging operation of the user on the operation interface of the flexible screen 20, or can be input in the manner of operating the key of the electronic device 100. In some application scenarios, when the user performs the sliding operation on the flexible screen 20 in the direction of approaching each other by two fingers, the driving mechanism 30 will drive the second housing 14 to move relative to the first housing 12 towards the folding position to fold the flexible screen 20. In the embodiment in which the electronic device 100 does not comprise the flexible screen 20, the first operation control information can be a control instruction related to the movement of the second housing 14 relative to the first housing 12 towards the folding position.

[0084] In step S104, in the process of driving the second housing 14 to move relative to the first housing 12 from the middle position to the folding position by the driving mechanism 30, the capacitance sensor 50 of the electronic device 100 senses the capacitance change in the detection area 10a by the antenna radiator 40 to obtain a capacitance change value.

[0085] When the user's finger approaches the detection area 10a, the capacitance change value of the capacitance sensor 50 is a first value, and when the user's finger does not approach the detection area 10a, the capacitance change value of the capacitance sensor 50 is a second value. The first value and the second value are different, and the preset range can be reasonably configured according to the first value and the second value, so that whether the user's finger approaches the detection area 10a can be judged according to the capacitance change value detected by the capacitance sensor 50.

[0086] In step S106, if the capacitance change value exceeds the preset range, the driving mechanism 30 is controlled to drive the second housing 14 to move relative to the first housing 12 towards the unfolding position, or the driving mechanism 30 is controlled to stop driving the second housing 14 to move relative to the first housing 12.

[0087] Since the capacitance change value exceeds the preset range when the detection area 10a has a finger or a foreign object, the driving mechanism 30 will no longer continue to drive the second housing 14 to move relative to the first housing 12 towards the folding position, thereby effectively reducing the probability of the user's finger being pinched, and at the same time, avoiding the damage of the driving mechanism 30 due to the larger reaction force of the foreign object.

[0088] In combination Figure 10 It is shown that in some embodiments, after obtaining the capacitance change value, specifically after step S104, by judging whether the capacitance change value exceeds the preset range, it can be determined whether the detection area 10a has a finger or a foreign object, so that the electronic device 100 can perform subsequent operations.

[0089] When it is judged that the capacitance change value exceeds the preset range, step S106 is performed, i.e., the driving mechanism 30 is controlled to drive the second housing 14 to move relative to the first housing 12 towards the unfolded position, or the driving mechanism 30 is controlled to stop driving the second housing 14 to move relative to the first housing 12.

[0090] When it is judged that the capacitance change value does not exceed the preset range, step S108 is performed, i.e., when no other control operation information for controlling the driving mechanism 30 is received, the driving mechanism 30 is controlled to drive the second housing 14 to move relative to the first housing 12 from the intermediate position to the folded position according to the first control operation information. In this way, the second housing 14 returns to the folded position, and at this time, the electronic device 100 has a relatively small size, which is convenient for carrying.

[0091] In some embodiments, the control method further comprises the steps of:

[0092] receiving second control operation information, and controlling the driving mechanism 30 to drive the second housing 14 to move relative to the first housing 12 towards the unfolded position according to the second control operation information.

[0093] It should be noted that in the embodiments in which the electronic device 100 comprises the flexible screen 20, the second operation control information is control instructions related to the control of the unfolding operation of the flexible screen 20. For example, the second control operation information can be input to the electronic device 100 by the user clicking or sliding or dragging the operation interface of the flexible screen 20, or can be input by operating the keys of the electronic device 100. In some application scenarios, when the user performs a sliding operation on the flexible screen 20 by two fingers in a direction away from each other, the driving mechanism 30 will drive the second housing 14 to move relative to the first housing 12 towards the unfolded position to unfold the flexible screen 20. In the embodiments in which the electronic device 100 does not comprise the flexible screen 20, the first operation control information can be control instructions related to the movement of the second housing 14 relative to the first housing 12 towards the folded position.

[0094] It should be noted that the step can be located in any process during the use of the electronic device 100, as a step of implementing the control of the unfolding operation of the flexible screen 20. For example, the step of controlling the driving mechanism 30 to drive the second housing 14 to move relative to the first housing 12 towards the unfolded position according to the second control operation information can be located after the step of controlling the driving mechanism 30 to stop driving the second housing 14 to move relative to the first housing 12. In some application scenarios, if there is a foreign object in the detection area 10a, when the second housing 14 moves relative to the first housing 12 towards the folded position during the use of the electronic device 100, the capacitance change value detected by the capacitive sensor 50 exceeds the preset range, and the controller 60 controls the driving mechanism 30 to stop driving the second housing 14 to move relative to the first housing 12. At this time, the user can input the second control operation information to the electronic device 100, so that the driving mechanism 30 drives the second housing 14 to move relative to the first housing 12 towards the unfolded position, so that the first side wall 12a and the second side wall 14a are away from each other, thereby leaving more space to facilitate the user to view the detection area 10a and remove the foreign object in the detection area 10a.

[0095] In some embodiments in which the electronic device 100 includes the flexible screen 20, the flexible screen 20 can be used to display prompt information to remind the user that the electronic device 100 has an abnormality during folding. Specifically, the control method further includes the step of:

[0096] If the capacitance change value exceeds the preset range, the flexible screen 20 displays a prompt interface to remind the user that there is an abnormality in the detection area 10a.

[0097] It should be noted that the way of reminding the user that there is an abnormality in the detection area 10a can be in the form of graphics or animation. For example, when the detection area 10a has a hand clamping abnormality, the flexible screen 20 displays an image or animation of a hand being clamped to vividly remind the user, and the prompt method is also interesting. In some embodiments, the user can also be reminded that there is an abnormality in the detection area 10a by means of text or display screen flickering.

[0098] The technical features of the above-described embodiments can be combined in any manner. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-described embodiments are described, but it should be considered that any combination of the technical features is within the scope of the present disclosure, as long as the combination does not contradict.

[0099] The above-described embodiments only express several embodiments of the present application, and the description is relatively specific and detailed, but it should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that for ordinary skilled persons in the art, without departing from the concept of the present application, a number of modifications and improvements can be made, which are within the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present application should be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising: The application relates to a portable electronic device, comprising: a shell assembly comprising a first shell and a second shell connected movably; a driving mechanism for driving the second shell to move relative to the first shell along a first direction to an unfolded position and a folded position, in the first direction, the first shell has a first side wall facing a side where the second shell is located, and the second shell has a second side wall facing a side where the first shell is located, at an intermediate position between the unfolded position and the folded position, an area between the first side wall and the second side wall of the shell assembly defines a detection area, a displacement of the second shell from the unfolded position to the intermediate position is a first displacement, a displacement of the second shell from the intermediate position to the folded position is a second displacement, the first displacement is greater than the second displacement, and the second displacement ranges from 0.5 cm to 2.0 cm; an antenna radiator arranged in the shell assembly and corresponding to the detection area; a capacitive sensor electrically connected to the antenna radiator, during the process that the driving mechanism drives the second shell to move relative to the first shell from the intermediate position to the folded position, the capacitive sensor senses a capacitive change in the detection area through the antenna radiator to obtain a capacitive change value; a controller electrically connected to the capacitive sensor, the controller is configured to control an operating state of the driving mechanism according to the capacitive change value, so that when the capacitive change value exceeds a preset range, the driving mechanism drives the second shell to move relative to the first shell towards the unfolded position, or the driving mechanism stops driving the second shell to move relative to the first shell; the shell assembly further comprises a third shell, and the third shell is provided with the antenna radiator; in the unfolded position, the third shell is at least partially exposed between the first side wall and the second side wall; in the folded position, the third shell is hidden in the first shell and the second shell; the controller is electrically connected to an antenna switch and a radio frequency processing circuit, the antenna switch is connected between the antenna radiator and the radio frequency processing circuit, and is configured to switch an operating state of the antenna radiator; in the unfolded position, the antenna switch enables the antenna radiator to be electrically connected to the radio frequency processing circuit, and the radio frequency processing circuit can transmit a radio frequency signal through the antenna radiator; when the second shell moves away from the unfolded position, the antenna switch enables the antenna radiator to be electrically disconnected from the radio frequency processing circuit.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein, The antenna radiator comprises an FPC antenna.

3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein, The antenna radiator comprises a PDS antenna.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein, The antenna radiator is connected to the first shell and fixed relative to the first side wall; alternatively, the antenna radiator is connected to the second shell and fixed relative to the second side wall; alternatively, the antenna radiator comprises a first antenna radiator arranged in the first shell and a second antenna radiator arranged in the second shell.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein, In the folded position, the first side wall is in contact with the second side wall.

6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein, In the folded position, the first side wall and the second side wall have a gap therebetween, the gap having a width less than or equal to 1mm.

7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein, The electronic device further comprises a flexible screen connected to the first shell and the second shell, at least part of the structure of the flexible screen being unfolded or folded into the shell assembly along with the relative movement of the first shell and the second shell.

8. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein, The flexible screen has a display interface exposed to the shell assembly, and a normal projection of the antenna radiator on a plane of the display interface at least partially overlaps with a normal projection of the detection area on the plane of the display interface.

9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein, The controller is electrically connected to the flexible screen, and when the capacitance change value exceeds the preset range, the controller controls the flexible screen to display a prompt interface on the display interface to remind the user that the detection area is abnormal.

10. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein, The electronic device further comprises a traction member arranged at an end of the first shell away from the second shell, and during the switching of the second shell from the folded position to the unfolded position relative to the first shell, the traction member deforms the flexible screen to make the flexible screen unfolded flat on the second shell.

11. A control method applied to the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The control method comprises the following steps: receiving first control operation information, and controlling the driving mechanism to drive the second shell to move towards the folded position relative to the first shell according to the first control operation information; during the driving of the driving mechanism to drive the second shell to move from the intermediate position to the folded position relative to the first shell, a capacitance sensor of the electronic device senses a capacitance change in the detection area through an antenna radiator to obtain a capacitance change value; if the capacitance change value exceeds a preset range, controlling the driving mechanism to drive the second shell to move towards the unfolded position relative to the first shell, or controlling the driving mechanism to stop driving the second shell to move relative to the first shell.

12. The control method according to claim 11, characterized by, After obtaining the capacitance change value, the method further comprises the following steps: if the capacitance change value does not exceed the preset range, and the electronic device does not receive other control operation information for controlling the driving mechanism, controlling the driving mechanism to drive the second shell to move from the intermediate position to the folded position relative to the first shell according to the first control operation information.

13. The control method according to claim 11, characterized by, The method further comprises the following steps: receiving second control operation information, and controlling the driving mechanism to drive the second shell to move towards the unfolded position relative to the first shell according to the second control operation information.

14. The control method according to claim 11, characterized by, The electronic device further comprises a flexible screen connected to the first shell and the second shell, at least part of the structure of the flexible screen being unfolded or folded into the shell assembly along with the relative movement of the first shell and the second shell. The control method further comprises: if the capacitance change value exceeds the preset range, controlling the flexible screen to display a prompt interface to remind the user that the detection area is abnormal.

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