Hinge assemblies and electronic devices

Abstract

The present application discloses a hinge assembly and an electronic device, wherein the hinge assembly includes a base, a swing arm and a hinge bracket; the hinge bracket is arranged on the base, and the swing arm is rotatably connected to the hinge bracket. During the rotation of the swing arm relative to the hinge bracket, the hinge assembly switches between an unfolded state and a folded state; the hinge bracket has a support surface on a side away from the base, and the support surface is provided with a groove, and the groove includes a first groove portion and a second groove portion, the first groove portion is adjacent to the swing arm, and the size of the first groove portion is larger than the size of the second groove portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application belongs to the field of electronic technology, and specifically relates to a hinge assembly and an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] Foldable electronic devices are popular with users due to their ability to display large screens when unfolded and occupy a small space when folded. These devices consist of a foldable flexible screen and a frame connected by a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly rotates to switch the flexible screen between unfolded and folded states.

[0003] To further reduce the space occupied by foldable electronic devices, thinner and lighter foldable electronic devices have become a new development trend. As the gap between the flexible screen and the hinge is further compressed, the folding form of the flexible screen gradually shifts from the initial water drop screen shape to an extruded water drop shape. This situation has brought about the problem of top printing in the folding area of ​​the flexible screen. That is, during the folding process, the hinge assembly squeezes the flexible screen, and the squeezing force creates an indentation in the bending area of ​​the flexible screen, which not only affects the overall appearance of the foldable electronic device, but also shortens the service life of the flexible screen. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application aims to provide a hinge assembly and an electronic device, which solves the problem that the hinge assembly of a foldable electronic device squeezes the bending area of ​​the flexible screen and causes indentations.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, this application is implemented as follows:

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a hinge assembly, comprising a base, a swing arm, and a hinge bracket;

[0007] The hinge bracket is provided on the base, the swing arm is rotatably connected to the hinge bracket, and during the rotation of the swing arm relative to the hinge bracket, the hinge assembly switches between an unfolded state and a folded state;

[0008] The hinge bracket has a support surface on a side away from the base, and the support surface is provided with a groove. The groove includes a first groove part and a second groove part. The first groove part is adjacent to the swing arm, and the size of the first groove part is larger than the size of the second groove part.

[0009] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an electronic device, comprising a flexible screen, a first housing, a second housing, and the hinge assembly described in the first aspect;

[0010] The first housing and the second housing are rotatably connected to the hinge bracket via swing arms on both sides of the hinge bracket included in the hinge assembly, so that the electronic device can be switched between an unfolded state and a folded state;

[0011] The flexible screen is arranged on one side of the first shell and the second shell, and the flexible screen includes a bending area, which is opposite to the hinge bracket, and the supporting surface of the hinge bracket is used to support the bending area.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present application, a hinge assembly is used for a foldable electronic device. When the electronic device is in a folded state, since the first groove portion is adjacent to the swing arm, due to the force provided by the swing arm and the fact that the groove wall of the first groove portion is thinner than that of the second groove portion, the bottom of the first groove portion can be arched and deformed toward the display screen, and the bottom of the first groove portion just abuts against the end face of the display screen. In this way, the bottom of the first groove portion can support the display screen, and at the same time, the bottom of the first groove portion will not squeeze the display screen, thereby reducing the occurrence of indentations on the display screen and extending the service life of the foldable electronic device.

[0013] Additional aspects and advantages of the present application will be given in part in the description below, and in part will become obvious from the description below, or will be learned through practice of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present application will become apparent and easily understood from the description of the embodiments in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0015] Figure 1A It is a structural schematic diagram of a hinge assembly in the related art;

[0016] Figure 1B yes Figure 1A Schematic diagram of the structure of the AA section;

[0017] Figure 1C yes Figure 1A Schematic diagram of the structure of the middle BB section;

[0018] Figure 1D yes Figure 1A Schematic diagram of the structure of the CC section;

[0019] Figure 2 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a hinge bracket provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 3 This embodiment of the present application provides Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the AA section;

[0021] Figure 4This embodiment of the present application provides Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the middle BB section;

[0022] Figure 5 This embodiment of the present application provides Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the CC section;

[0023] Figure 6 A schematic structural diagram of a hinge assembly provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 7 This embodiment of the present application provides Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of the middle A1 region;

[0025] Figure 8 This embodiment of the present application provides Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the enlarged structure of the A2 region in the middle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present application and are not to be construed as limiting the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0027] The terms "first" and "second" in the specification and claims of this application may explicitly or implicitly refer to one or more of the features. Throughout the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more. Furthermore, "and / or" in the specification and claims refers to at least one of the connected entities, and the character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between the connected entities.

[0028] In related art, a foldable electronic device includes a first housing, a second housing, a hinge assembly, and a flexible screen. The first and second housings are rotatably connected to the hinge assembly on either side, allowing the electronic device to switch between an unfolded state and a folded state. The flexible screen covers the first and second housings and bends as the electronic device unfolds and folds. The bending area of ​​the flexible screen faces the hinge assembly. The hinge assembly includes a hinge bracket that supports the bending area of ​​the flexible screen.

[0029] The hinge assembly 100 includes a base 10, a swing arm 20 and a hinge bracket 30; the hinge bracket 30 is arranged on the base 10, and the swing arm 20 is rotatably connected to the hinge bracket 30. During the rotation of the swing arm 20 relative to the hinge bracket 30, the hinge assembly 100 switches between the unfolded state and the folded state.

[0030] The structural diagram of the hinge bracket in the related art is as follows: Figure 1A-1D As shown, Figure 1B It can be understood as Figure 1A Schematic diagram of the structure of the AA section, Figure 1C It can be understood as Figure 1A Schematic diagram of the structure of the BB section, Figure 1D It can be understood as Figure 1A Schematic diagram of the structure of the CC section.

[0031] like Figure 1A As shown, the hinge bracket 30 has a support surface 301 on a side away from the base 10, and the support surface 301 is provided with a groove 3011. The extension direction of the groove 3011 is the direction of the rotation axis of the hinge assembly. Figure 1B The dimensions of each position of the groove 3011 are the same. Since the groove wall of the position adjacent to the swing arm 20 in the groove 3011 is thinner than the groove wall of the position not adjacent to the swing arm 20 in the groove 3011, and the force provided by the swing arm 20 easily causes the deformation of the position adjacent to the swing arm 20 in the groove 3011 to be greater than the deformation of the position not adjacent to the swing arm 20 in the groove 3011, see Figure 1C The deformed area in the groove 3011 adjacent to the swing arm 20 will squeeze the display screen 200, causing part of the area on the display screen 200 to be lifted up, resulting in a top printing problem on the display screen 200, and further causing an indentation on the display screen 200.

[0032] It should be noted that, see Figure 1D The deformation amount of the position in the groove 3011 that is not adjacent to the swing arm 20 is smaller than the deformation amount of the position in the groove 3011 that is adjacent to the swing arm 20. Therefore, the position in the groove 3011 that is not adjacent to the swing arm 20 will not squeeze the display screen 200, and will not cause the top printing problem on the display screen 200. It can be seen that the hinge assembly of the current foldable electronic device is prone to squeeze the bending area of ​​the flexible screen, resulting in indentation, which leads to poor performance of the foldable electronic device.

[0033] The hinge assembly provided in the embodiment of the present application is as follows Figures 2 to 8 As shown, Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of a hinge assembly provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 3 It can be understood as Figure 2Schematic diagram of the structure of the AA section, Figure 4 It can be understood as Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the BB section, Figure 5 It can be understood as Figure 2 Structural diagram of CC section, Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of another hinge assembly provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 7 It can be understood as Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of the A1 region in the middle. Figure 8 It can be understood as Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the enlarged structure of the A2 region in the middle.

[0034] like Figures 2 to 8 As shown, the hinge assembly 100 includes a base 10, a swing arm 20 and a hinge bracket 30. The hinge bracket 30 is disposed on the base 10. The swing arm 20 is rotatably connected to the hinge bracket 30. During the rotation of the swing arm 20 relative to the hinge bracket 30, the hinge assembly 100 switches between an unfolded state and a folded state.

[0035] The hinge bracket 30 has a support surface 301 on a side away from the base 10. The support surface 301 is provided with a groove 3011. The groove 3011 includes a first groove portion 30111 and a second groove portion 30112. The first groove portion 30111 is adjacent to the swing arm 20, and the size of the first groove portion 30111 is larger than the size of the second groove portion 30112. It will be understood that the first groove portion 30111 is adjacent to the swing arm 20 means that the first groove portion 30111 is opposite the swing arm 20 along the extension direction of the groove 3011. In other words, the groove 3011 corresponding to the position on the hinge bracket 30 that is rotatably connected to the swing arm 20 is the first groove portion 30111, and the groove size at this position is larger than the groove sizes at other positions.

[0036] It can be understood that the groove 3011 corresponding to the position on the hinge bracket 30 that is rotatably connected to the swing arm 20 can also be understood as: the position in the groove 3011 that is adjacent to the swing arm 20, and the position in the above-mentioned groove 3011 that is adjacent to the swing arm 20 can be referred to as the first groove portion 30111 in this embodiment; the groove 3011 corresponding to the position on the hinge bracket 30 that is not rotatably connected to the swing arm 20 can also be understood as: the position in the groove 3011 that is not adjacent to the swing arm 20, and the position in the groove 3011 that is not adjacent to the swing arm 20 can be referred to as the second groove portion 30112 in this embodiment.

[0037] The working principle of the embodiment of the present application can be described as follows:

[0038] When the hinge assembly 100 is used in conjunction with the display screen 200, that is, the hinge assembly 100 is used in a foldable electronic device, when the electronic device is in the folded state, since the first groove portion 30111 is adjacent to the swing arm 20, due to the force provided by the swing arm 20, and the groove wall of the first groove portion 30111 is thinner than that of the second groove portion 30112, Figure 4 Therefore, the bottom of the first groove portion 30111 can be arched and deformed toward the display screen 200, and the bottom of the first groove portion 30111 just abuts against the end surface of the display screen 200. In this way, the bottom of the first groove portion 30111 can support the display screen 200. At the same time, the bottom of the first groove portion 30111 will not squeeze the display screen 200, thereby reducing the occurrence of indentation problems on the display screen 200 and extending the service life of the foldable electronic device, that is, the use effect of the hinge assembly 100 can be enhanced.

[0039] Due to the existence of the swing arm 20, the first groove portion 30111 will inevitably deform, and the deformation amount of the first groove portion 30111 is different from that of the second groove portion 30112. Therefore, the first groove portion 30111 and the second groove portion 30112 can be deformed by making the size of the first groove portion 30111 different from that of the second groove portion 30112, and making the size of the first groove portion 30111 larger than that of the second groove portion 30112, that is, according to the difference in the positions of the first groove portion 30111 and the second groove portion 30112, the corresponding size is selected, so that after the first groove portion 30111 and the second groove portion 30112 are deformed, the first groove portion 30111 and the second groove portion 30112 are deformed. The bottoms of the groove portion 30111 and the second groove portion 30112 will not squeeze the display screen 200, thereby avoiding the appearance of indentations on the display screen 200. That is, the embodiment of the present application discovered that the deformation amounts of the first groove portion 30111 and the second groove portion 30112 are different, and by adjusting the structures of the first groove portion 30111 and the second groove portion 30112, no indentations will appear on the display screen 200. At the same time, the first groove portion 30111 and the second groove portion 30112 can just support the display screen 200, thereby enhancing the supporting effect on the display screen 200.

[0040] For example: when the swing arm 20 rotates relative to the hinge bracket 30 and the hinge assembly 100 is in a folded state, the bottom of the first groove portion 30111 abuts against the end face of the display screen 200, so that the bottom of the first groove portion 30111 can support the display screen 200.

[0041] It should be noted that when the bottom of the first groove portion 30111 abuts against the end face of the display screen 200, the bottom of the first groove portion 30111 can also be located on the same plane as the area on the support surface 301 except the first groove portion 30111 and the second groove portion 30112, so that the supporting effect on the display screen 200 can be further enhanced.

[0042] It should be noted that, see Figure 4 When the hinge assembly 100 is in a folded state, the display screen 200 is also in a folded state. The display screen 200 can be in the shape of a water droplet, and the lowest point of the water droplet can be the end face of the display screen 200. The above-mentioned end face can also be referred to as the end portion, and the bottom of the first groove portion 30111 abuts against the end face of the display screen 200, so that the support surface for the end face of the display screen 200 (the support surface can be understood as the plane where the bottom of the first groove portion 30111 is located) can reach a relatively flat height. The force on the bottom of the water droplet is relatively uniform, which reduces the stress concentration of the display screen 200, effectively solves the problem of uneven indentation of the display screen 200, and enhances the use effect of the hinge assembly 100 and the display screen 200.

[0043] As an optional implementation, see Figure 2 The width of the first groove portion 30111 in the first direction is greater than the width of the second groove portion 30112 in the first direction, and the first direction is the direction of the line between the first groove portion 30111 and the swing arm 20.

[0044] The first direction can be understood as Figure 2 and Figure 6 The X direction in .

[0045] In the embodiment of the present application, the width of the first groove portion 30111 in the first direction is greater than the width of the second groove portion 30112 in the first direction. In this way, compared with the manner in which the widths of the first groove portion 30111 and the second groove portion 30112 in the first direction are the same, the width of the first groove portion 30111 is increased, thereby reducing the deformation of the bottom of the first groove portion 30111, thereby reducing the squeezing effect of the bottom of the first groove portion 30111 on the display screen 200, reducing the occurrence of the indentation problem of the display screen 200, and enhancing the use effect of the display screen 200.

[0046] As an optional implementation, see Figure 3 The depth of the first groove portion 30111 in the second direction is greater than the depth of the second groove portion 30112 in the second direction. The second direction is a direction perpendicular to the first direction and the third direction respectively. The third direction is the direction of the line between the first groove portion 30111 and the second groove portion 30112.

[0047] The second direction can be understood as Figure 2 and Figure 6 The Z direction in the , and the third direction can be understood as Figure 2 and Figure 6 The third direction is the Y direction, and the third direction can also be referred to as the length direction of the first groove portion 30111 and the second groove portion 30112.

[0048] In the embodiment of the present application, the depth of the first groove portion 30111 in the second direction is greater than the depth of the second groove portion 30112 in the second direction. In this way, compared with the manner in which the first groove portion 30111 and the second groove portion 30112 have the same depth in the second direction, the depth of the first groove portion 30111 is increased, thereby reducing the deformation of the bottom of the first groove portion 30111, thereby reducing the squeezing effect of the bottom of the first groove portion 30111 on the display screen 200, reducing the occurrence of the indentation problem of the display screen 200, and enhancing the use effect of the display screen 200.

[0049] It should be noted that, compared with the above-mentioned method of increasing the width of the first groove portion 30111, increasing the depth of the first groove portion 30111 can simplify the processing method of the first groove portion 30111 and improve the processing efficiency.

[0050] As an optional implementation, see Figure 2 and Figure 3 The groove 3011 also includes a third groove portion 30113, the first groove portion 30111 and the second groove portion 30112 are connected through the third groove portion 30113, the size of the third groove portion 30113 is smaller than the size of the first groove portion 30111, and the size of the third groove portion 30113 is larger than the size of the second groove portion 30112.

[0051] In the embodiment of the present application, the first groove portion 30111 and the second groove portion 30112 are connected through the third groove portion 30113, and the size of the third groove portion 30113 is smaller than the size of the first groove portion 30111, and the size of the third groove portion 30113 is larger than the size of the second groove portion 30112. In this way, the sizes can be reduced successively along the direction of the first groove portion 30111, the third groove portion 30113 and the second groove portion 30112, thereby reducing the sudden change in the size from the first groove portion 30111 to the second groove portion 30112, which causes the sudden change in the deformation of the first groove portion 30111 and the second groove portion 30112, so that the strength of different positions of the hinge assembly 100 suddenly changes, so that the change value of the strength at different positions on the hinge assembly 100 is more uniform.

[0052] As an optional embodiment, the third groove portion 30113 includes a first position connected to the first groove portion 30111 and a second position connected to the second groove portion 30112, and the size of the third groove portion 30113 gradually decreases along the direction from the first position to the second position.

[0053] Among them, the manner in which the size of the third groove portion 30113 gradually becomes smaller is not limited here, for example: along the direction from the first position to the second position, including the first target position point, the second target position point and the third target position point, the distance between the first target position point and the second target position point is equal to the distance between the second target position point and the third target position point, and the difference in size between the first target position point and the second target position point is also equal to the difference in size between the second target position point and the third target position point.

[0054] In the embodiment of the present application, the size of the third groove portion 30113 gradually decreases along the direction from the first position to the second position. In this way, the uniformity of the change value of the strength at different positions on the hinge assembly 100 can be further enhanced. At the same time, it can also ensure that the support for the display screen 200 has a linear connection effect.

[0055] As an optional embodiment, the dimensions of the third groove portion 30113 include width and depth, the width is the width along the first direction, the first direction is the direction of the line between the first groove portion 30111 and the swing arm 20, the depth is the depth along the second direction, the second direction is the direction perpendicular to the first direction and the third direction respectively, and the third direction is the direction of the line between the first groove portion 30111 and the second groove portion 30112.

[0056] In the embodiment of the present application, the width and depth of the third groove portion 30113 gradually decrease along the direction from the first position to the second position. In this way, the uniformity of the change value of the strength at different positions on the hinge assembly 100 can be further enhanced. At the same time, it can further ensure that the linear connection effect of the support for the display screen 200 is better.

[0057] As an optional embodiment, the sidewall of the first groove portion 30111 and the sidewall of the second groove portion 30112 are both planes, and the sidewall of the third groove portion 30113 is an arc-shaped surface.

[0058] In the embodiment of the present application, since the side walls of the first groove portion 30111 and the side walls of the second groove portion 30112 are both flat, the side walls of the third groove portion 30113 are arc-shaped, and the size of the first groove portion 30111 is larger than the size of the second groove portion 30112, the strength gradually changes from the position of the first groove portion 30111 to the position of the third groove portion 30113 to the position of the second groove portion 30112, thereby avoiding the phenomenon that the side walls of the groove 3011 are easily damaged due to sudden changes in strength, thereby extending the service life of the groove 3011.

[0059] As an optional implementation, see Figure 6 A first through hole 50 for installing a first screw is provided in the first groove portion 30111 and at a position adjacent to the first groove portion 30111 and the swing arm 20; a second through hole 60 for installing a second screw is provided in the third groove portion 30113 and at a connection position between the third groove portion 30113 and the second groove portion 30112.

[0060] The sizes of the first through hole 50 and the second through hole 60 may be the same or different, which is not limited here.

[0061] In the embodiment of the present application, since the first through hole 50 and the second through hole 60 are provided, and the first screw is installed in the first through hole 50 and the second screw is installed in the second through hole 60, the fixing effect of the hinge bracket 30 can be enhanced.

[0062] It should be noted that the specific location and number of the through holes for installing screws are not limited herein. For example, through holes for installing screws may be provided in the second groove portion 30112, or through holes for installing screws may be provided in locations of the groove 3011 other than the first groove portion 30111, the second groove portion 30112, and the third groove portion 30113. Furthermore, through holes for installing screws may also be provided on the support surface 301.

[0063] In addition, optionally, a positioning hole can be provided in an area on the support surface 301 where the groove 3011 is not provided, and at a position adjacent to the first groove portion 30111, to facilitate positioning of the first groove portion 30111 and the swing arm 20, thereby improving positioning efficiency and accuracy.

[0064] As an optional implementation, see Figure 6 The first groove portion 30111 includes a first target groove portion 301111 and a second target groove portion 301112 that are spaced apart from each other, and the second groove portion 30112 is located between the first target groove portion 301111 and the second target groove portion 301112 .

[0065] Among them, the number of first target groove portions 301111 and second target groove portions 301112 is not limited here. For example, the first target groove portion 301111, the second target groove portion 301112, and a second groove portion 30112 between the first target groove portion 301111 and the second target groove portion 301112 can constitute a groove group, and the groove 3011 can include multiple groove groups.

[0066] It should be noted that the first distance between the first target groove portion 301111 and the second groove portion 30112 can be equal to the second distance between the second target groove portion 301112 and the second groove portion 30112, that is, the first target groove portion 301111, the second groove portion 30112 and the second target groove portion 301112 can be distributed at equal intervals.

[0067] In the embodiment of the present application, since the first groove portion 30111 includes the first target groove portion 301111 and the second target groove portion 301112 that are spaced apart, the sizes of the first target groove portion 301111 and the second target groove portion 301112 can be increased, thereby reducing the occurrence of indentations at positions on the display screen 200 corresponding to the first target groove portion 301111 and the second target groove portion 301112. At the same time, since both the first target groove portion 301111 and the second target groove portion 301112 can support the display screen 200, the supporting effect on the display screen 200 is also enhanced.

[0068] An embodiment of the present application further provides an electronic device, comprising a flexible screen, a first housing, a second housing, and the hinge assembly 100 in the above embodiment;

[0069] The first housing and the second housing are rotatably connected to the hinge bracket 30 via the swing arms 20 on both sides of the hinge bracket 30 included in the hinge assembly 100, so that the electronic device can be switched between the unfolded state and the folded state;

[0070] The flexible screen is arranged on one side of the first shell and the second shell. The flexible screen includes a bending area, which is opposite to the hinge bracket 30. The supporting surface 301 of the hinge bracket 30 is used to support the bending area.

[0071] Among them, the electronic device in the embodiment of the present application can be called a foldable electronic device, and the first shell and the second shell can be understood as two relatively foldable shells of the electronic device, and the first shell and the second shell can be connected through the hinge assembly 100, and can be switched between the unfolded state and the folded state through the hinge assembly 100.

[0072] The flexible screen may include a first display area, a bending area and a second display area. The first display area and the second display area are connected through the bending area, and the bending area can be set relative to the hinge bracket 30.

[0073] It should be noted that the flexible screen in the embodiment of the present application can be understood as the display screen 200 in the above embodiment.

[0074] As an optional embodiment, when the electronic device is in the folded state, the first groove portion 30111 is in a deformed state, and the flexible screen fits against the groove wall of the first groove portion 30111. In this way, the groove wall of the first groove portion 30111 can support the flexible screen.

[0075] It should be noted that the groove wall of the above-mentioned first groove portion 30111 can be understood as the bottom wall of the first groove portion 30111.

[0076] The electronic device in the embodiment of the present application includes the hinge assembly 100 in the above embodiment, and thus has the same technical effect as the above embodiment. The specific structure of the hinge assembly 100 can be found in the corresponding description in the above embodiment, and will not be described in detail here.

[0077] That is, the electronic device in the embodiment of the present application includes a hinge assembly 100, which includes a base 10, a swing arm 20 and a hinge bracket 30, and the hinge bracket 30 is arranged on the base 10, and the swing arm 20 is rotatably connected to the hinge bracket 30. During the rotation of the swing arm 20 relative to the hinge bracket 30, the hinge assembly 100 switches between the unfolded state and the folded state; the hinge bracket 30 has a support surface 301 on the side away from the base 10, and the support surface 301 is provided with a groove 3011, and the groove 3011 includes a first groove portion 30111 and a second groove portion 30112, the first groove portion 30111 is adjacent to the swing arm 20, and the size of the first groove portion 30111 is larger than the size of the second groove portion 30112.

[0078] In this way, since the supporting surface 301 of the hinge bracket 30 is used to support the bending area, and the size of the position adjacent to the swing arm 20 in the groove 3011 is larger, the deformation of the position can be reduced, so that the area after deformation of the position just forms abutment with the bending area, and will not cause squeezing of the bending area, thereby causing a top print problem in the bending area.

[0079] The size of the position in the groove 3011 that is not adjacent to the swing arm 20 is smaller than the size of the position in the groove 3011 that is adjacent to the swing arm 20. However, the groove wall in the area where the position in the groove 3011 that is not adjacent to the swing arm 20 is located is thicker and is less affected by the force of the swing arm 20. Therefore, this area will not cause squeezing on the bending area, and will not cause the top printing problem in the bending area, and will not cause undulations on the bending area, thereby enhancing the performance and aesthetics of the bending area of ​​the flexible screen.

[0080] In the embodiment of the present application, since the hardness of the flexible screen is relatively low, when the electronic device is in a folded state, the conventional hinge assembly is easily squeezed on the flexible screen when it arches and deforms toward the flexible screen, causing indentations on the flexible screen, reducing the service life of the flexible screen and affecting the aesthetics of the flexible screen. The use of the hinge assembly 100 in this embodiment can reduce the indentation problem on the flexible screen, thereby extending the service life of the flexible screen and enhancing the aesthetics of the flexible screen.

[0081] The specific structure of the swing arm 20 is not limited here. Optionally, the swing arm 20 can be a transmission gear, or the swing arm 20 can be a flexible connecting member.

[0082] The electronic device may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile internet device (MID), or a wearable device, etc.

[0083] Throughout this specification, reference to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiments," "examples," "specific examples," or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0084] Although the embodiments of the present application have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and intent of the present application, and that the scope of the present application is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A hinge assembly, characterized in that: Includes base, swing arm and hinge bracket; The hinge bracket is provided on the base, the swing arm is rotatably connected to the hinge bracket, and during the rotation of the swing arm relative to the hinge bracket, the hinge assembly switches between an unfolded state and a folded state; The hinge bracket has a support surface on a side away from the base, the support surface is provided with a groove, the groove includes a first groove portion and a second groove portion, the first groove portion is adjacent to the swing arm, and the size of the first groove portion is larger than the size of the second groove portion; In which, the width of the first groove portion in the first direction is greater than the width of the second groove portion in the first direction, and the first direction is the direction of the line between the first groove portion and the swing arm; and / or the depth of the first groove portion in the second direction is greater than the depth of the second groove portion in the second direction, and the second direction is a direction perpendicular to the first direction and a third direction respectively, and the third direction is the direction of the line between the first groove portion and the second groove portion.

2. The hinge assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The groove further includes a third groove portion, through which the first groove portion and the second groove portion are communicated, and a size of the third groove portion is smaller than a size of the first groove portion, and a size of the third groove portion is larger than a size of the second groove portion.

3. The hinge assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The third groove portion includes a first position communicating with the first groove portion and a second position communicating with the second groove portion. A size of the third groove portion gradually decreases along a direction from the first position to the second position.

4. The hinge assembly according to claim 3, wherein: The dimensions of the third groove portion include width and depth, the width being the width along a first direction, the first direction being the direction of a line connecting the first groove portion and the swing arm, the depth being the depth along a second direction, the second direction being a direction perpendicular to the first direction and the third direction respectively, the third direction being the direction of a line connecting the first groove portion and the second groove portion.

5. The hinge assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: The sidewall of the first groove portion and the sidewall of the second groove portion are both planes, and the sidewall of the third groove portion is an arc-shaped surface.

6. The hinge assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: A first through hole for installing a first screw is provided in the first groove portion and at a position adjacent to the swing arm; a second through hole for installing a second screw is provided in the third groove portion and at a connection position between the third groove portion and the second groove portion.

7. The hinge assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The first groove portion includes a first target groove portion and a second target groove portion that are spaced apart from each other, and the second groove portion is located between the first target groove portion and the second target groove portion.

8. An electronic device, characterized in that: comprising a flexible screen, a first shell, a second shell, and the hinge assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7; The first housing and the second housing are rotatably connected to the hinge bracket via swing arms on both sides of the hinge bracket included in the hinge assembly, so that the electronic device can be switched between an unfolded state and a folded state; The flexible screen is arranged on one side of the first shell and the second shell, and the flexible screen includes a bending area, which is opposite to the hinge bracket. The supporting surface of the hinge bracket is used to support the bending area, and the groove of the supporting surface is opposite to the flexible screen.

9. The electronic device according to claim 8, wherein: When the electronic device is in a folded state, the first groove portion is in a deformed state, and the flexible screen is in contact with the groove wall of the first groove portion.

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