Hinge assembly and terminal device

Abstract

The present disclosure discloses a hinge assembly and a terminal device, the hinge assembly comprising a bracket and a hinge cover, the hinge cover being movably arranged on the bracket in up and down directions to move the hinge cover between a first position and a second position, the first position being on the upper side of the second position. The hinge assembly of the embodiment of the present disclosure has the advantages of low risk of external exposure of the hinge assembly.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of foldable-screen electronic products, in particular to a hinge assembly and a terminal device. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the development of terminal devices, foldable-screen mobile phones, foldable-screen computers and other foldable terminal devices have become a development trend in the future. For foldable mobile terminals, the hinge structure is crucial, and the performance of the hinge structure will directly affect the function and experience of the mobile terminal. In the related art, the hinge cover of the hinge structure has a high risk of external leakage. SUMMARY

[0003] The present disclosure aims to at least partially solve one of the technical problems in the related art.

[0004] To this end, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a hinge assembly to reduce the risk of external leakage of the hinge assembly.

[0005] An embodiment of the present disclosure also proposes a mobile terminal to reduce the risk of external leakage of the hinge assembly when the terminal device is in a folded state.

[0006] The hinge assembly of the present disclosure comprises a bracket and a hinge cover, the hinge cover is movably arranged on the bracket in the up-down direction, so that the hinge cover moves between a first position and a second position, and the first position is located on the upper side of the second position.

[0007] The hinge assembly of the present disclosure has the advantage of low risk of external leakage of the hinge assembly.

[0008] In some embodiments, the hinge assembly further comprises a support member for supporting a display panel, the support member is movably arranged on the bracket in the up-down direction, so that the support member moves between a third position and a fourth position, and the third position is located on the lower side of the fourth position; wherein when the hinge cover is located at the first position, the support member is located at the third position, and when the hinge cover is located at the second position, the support member is located at the fourth position.

[0009] In some embodiments, the hinge assembly further comprises a simultaneous rotating member, the rotating member is rotatably connected to the bracket, and the simultaneous rotating member is connected to the hinge cover and / or the support member, so as to drive the hinge cover and / or the support member to move simultaneously.

[0010] In some embodiments, the simultaneous rotating member has a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion and a third connecting portion, the first connecting portion is rotatably connected to the hinge cover, the second connecting portion is rotatably connected to the support member, and the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are located on the two sides of the third connecting portion, respectively.

[0011] In some embodiments, the hinge assembly comprises an elastic member, the elastic member is sleeved outside the support member and is arranged between the support and the support member, the elastic member is elastically deformable in the inward and outward direction, and the elastic member is configured to provide an inward elastic force to the support member to drive the support member to move from the fourth position to the third position.

[0012] In some embodiments, the support has a first stop portion, the support member has a second stop portion arranged below the first stop portion, the elastic member is sleeved outside the support member, the elastic member has a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion, the first engaging portion stops the first stop portion, and the second engaging portion stops the second stop portion; wherein the elastic member is capable of providing an inward elastic force to the support member, and at least one of the first stop portion and the second stop portion gradually inclines inwardly in a downward direction.

[0013] In some embodiments, the elastic member is a metal member, and the elastic member is in a C shape or a ring shape.

[0014] In some embodiments, the support member has an accommodating groove with an opening facing outward, at least a portion of the elastic member is arranged in the accommodating groove, and a groove sidewall of the accommodating groove forms the second stop portion.

[0015] In some embodiments, the hinge assembly further comprises a first magnetic member and a second magnetic member, the first magnetic member is arranged on the hinge cover, the second magnetic member is arranged on the support member, and the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member are capable of being attracted to each other to drive the hinge cover to move from the second position to the first position and to drive the support member to move from the fourth position to the third position.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member are arranged in a horizontal direction.

[0017] The terminal device of the embodiments of the present disclosure comprises: a first housing and a second housing, the first housing and the second housing are movably connected to the support; and a hinge assembly, the hinge assembly is any one of the hinge assemblies in the above embodiments, and the hinge cover is sealingly matched with each of the first housing and the second housing.

[0018] The mobile terminal of the embodiments of the present disclosure has the advantages of thin thickness and the like. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a folded state of the hinge assembly of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a hinge assembly in an unfolded state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 3 is an exploded view of a hinge assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 4 is a structure diagram of a simultaneous rotation member of a hinge assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 5 is a structure diagram of a simultaneous rotation member of a hinge assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 6 is a structure diagram of a simultaneous rotation member of a hinge assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a support member of a hinge assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a support member of a hinge assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of a support member of a hinge assembly according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 10 is a structure diagram of a hinge assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 11 is a structure diagram of a hinge assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Reference numerals:

[0031] hinge assembly 100; first housing 200; second housing 300;

[0032] support 1; first stop portion 11; receiving hole 12; insertion slot 13;

[0033] support 2; first portion 21; support surface 211; first push portion 212; second portion 22; receiving groove 221; second stop portion 2211; second insertion pin 23;

[0034] moving member 3; first moving member 31; second moving member 32; second push portion 33;

[0035] elastic member 4; first engaging portion 41; second engaging portion 42;

[0036] hinge cover 5; first insertion pin 51;

[0037] Simultaneously rotate the member 6; the first connecting portion 61; the second connecting portion 62; the third connecting portion 63;

[0038] The connecting hole 71;

[0039] The first support plate 81; the second support plate 82; the first locking member 83; the second locking member 84; the moving member 85;

[0040] The first magnetic member 91; the second magnetic member 92. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below by reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to explain the present disclosure, and cannot be understood as a limitation of the present disclosure.

[0042] The hinge structure of the foldable mobile terminal in the related art includes a support, a hinge cover, and a moving member, the hinge cover is fixed relative to the position of the support, and the moving member can move relative to the support. In order to avoid interference between the hinge cover and the moving member when the terminal device is unfolded, the hinge cover needs to be arranged away from the support. In order to avoid the hinge assembly from being exposed when the terminal device is folded, the hinge cover needs to be arranged close to the support. In summary, the arrangement position of the hinge cover is difficult to balance, and when designing the folding device, only the interference problem between the hinge cover and the moving member can be considered, and the hinge assembly has a large risk of being exposed.

[0043] It can be understood that the exposure of the hinge assembly actually refers to the exposure of the support, the moving member, and other components arranged in the hinge cover.

[0044] The hinge assembly of the embodiment of the present disclosure is used in a terminal device. The terminal device includes a device shell and a display panel, the device shell includes a first shell and a second shell, the first shell and the second shell are connected with the hinge assembly, the hinge assembly is used to realize the simultaneous movement of the first shell and the second shell, and further realize the folding and unfolding of the terminal device. The display panel is a foldable flexible display panel, and the hinge assembly is used to support the display panel when the terminal device is unfolded.

[0045] The hinge assembly of the embodiment of the present disclosure is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] As shown in Figures 1 to 11 , the hinge assembly 100 of the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a support 1 and a hinge cover 5.

[0047] The hinge cover 5 is movably arranged on the support 1 along the up and down directions, so that the hinge cover 5 moves between a first position and a second position, and the first position is located on the lower side of the second position.

[0048] For example, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, when the hinge assembly 100 is in the folded state, the hinge cover 5 is in the first position; when the hinge assembly 100 is in the unfolded state, the hinge cover 5 is in the second position. The operator can directly move the hinge cover 5, causing it to move between the first and second positions. Alternatively, the operator can move other components connected to the hinge cover 5, causing these other components to move, which in turn moves the hinge cover 5, thus achieving the movement of the hinge cover 5 between the first and second positions.

[0049] Understandably, when the hinge assembly 100 needs to be unfolded, the hinge cover 5 moves away from the bracket 1 (i.e., towards...). Figure 5 The hinge cover 5 moves downwards (inwards) to avoid other parts on the hinge assembly 100; when the hinge assembly 100 needs to be folded, the hinge cover 5 moves towards the support 1 (i.e. towards the lower part of the hinge); Figure 5 (Move upwards) to cover the bracket 1 and other components inside the hinge cover 5, preventing the components inside the hinge cover 100 from being exposed.

[0050] Therefore, the hinge assembly 100 of this embodiment is provided with a movable hinge cover, which has the advantage of reducing the risk of leakage of the hinge assembly.

[0051] Optionally, the hinge cover 5 is provided with a first guide portion, and the bracket is provided with a second guide portion, the first guide portion being movable in the up-down direction to cooperate with the second guide portion.

[0052] For example, the first guide part is a guide post extending in the vertical direction, and the second guide part is a guide hole extending in the vertical direction. The guide post is movably inserted into the guide hole in the vertical direction.

[0053] Optionally, the upper end of the guide post is provided with a stop, and the bracket has a stop surface. When the hinge cover is in the second position, the stop abuts against the stop surface to prevent the hinge cover from detaching from the bracket 1.

[0054] Optionally, when the hinge cover 5 is in the first position, the upper end face of the hinge cover 5 abuts against the lower end of the bracket 1 to prevent the hinge cover 5 from detaching from the bracket 1.

[0055] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the hinge assembly 100 also includes a support member 2, which is used to support the display panel. The support member 2 is movably disposed on the bracket 1 in the vertical direction so that the support member 2 can move between a third position and a fourth position. The third position is located below the fourth position. When the hinge cover 5 is in the first position, the support member 2 is in the third position, and when the hinge cover 5 is in the second position, the support member 2 is in the fourth position.

[0056] Specifically, such as Figure 1、 Figure 2 、 Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1, when the hinge assembly 100 is in the unfolded state, the support 2 is in the fourth position, and the support 2 can contact and support the display panel. When the hinge assembly 100 is in the folded state, the support 2 is in the third position, so as to provide more accommodation space for the display panel.

[0057] In addition, when the hinge assembly 100 is in the unfolded state, the hinge cover 5 is in the second position and the support 2 is in the fourth position, so that the support 2 can support the display panel and the hinge cover 5 can avoid other components on the hinge assembly 100. When the hinge assembly 100 is in the folded state, the hinge cover 5 is in the first position and the support 2 is in the third position, so that the support 2 can provide more accommodation space for the display panel, and the hinge cover 5 can shield the support 1 and other components in the hinge cover 5, which is more in line with the user's use requirements.

[0058] Optionally, the hinge assembly 100 further comprises a synchronous rotating member 6, the synchronous rotating member 6 is rotatably connected with the support 1, and the synchronous rotating member 6 is connected with the hinge cover 5 and / or the support 2, so as to drive the hinge cover 5 and / or the support 2 to move synchronously.

[0059] That is, the synchronous rotating member 6 is connected with at least one of the hinge cover 5 and the support 2, and the synchronous rotating member 6 is used to drive at least one of the hinge cover 5 and the support 2 to move.

[0060] For example, the synchronous rotating member 6 is connected with the hinge cover 5 and the support 2, so as to drive the hinge cover 5 and the support 2 to move synchronously. For example, when the support 2 moves, the hinge cover 5 is driven to move by the synchronous rotating member 6, or when the hinge cover 5 moves, the support 2 is driven to move by the synchronous rotating member 6.

[0061] Therefore, the synchronous movement of the hinge cover 5 and the support 2 is facilitated.

[0062] Of course, in other embodiments, the hinge cover 5 and the support 2 can also move independently. When the support 2 moves, the support 2 moves from the third position to the fourth position, and at the same time, the hinge cover 5 moves from the first position to the second position. When the support 2 moves, the support 2 moves from the fourth position to the third position, and at the same time, the hinge cover 5 moves from the second position to the first position.

[0063] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the hinge assembly 100 further comprises a rotating member 6, the rotating member 6 is rotatably connected with the support 2, and the rotating member 6 is connected with the hinge cover 5, so as to drive the hinge cover 5 to move. Figures 1-4As shown in the drawings, the simultaneous rotating member 6 has a first connecting portion 61, a second connecting portion 62 and a third connecting portion 63, the first connecting portion 61 is rotatably connected with the hinge cover 5, the second connecting portion 62 is rotatably connected with the support member 2, and the third connecting portion 63 is rotatably connected with the bracket 1, and the first connecting portion 61 and the second connecting portion 62 are respectively located at two sides of the third connecting portion 63.

[0064] For example, as shown in the drawings, Figure 4 the third connecting portion 63 is between the first connecting portion 61 and the second connecting portion 62.

[0065] Optionally, as shown in the drawings, Figure 3 the bracket 1 has a slot 13, the slot 13 is vertically through, a part of the second portion 22 is located in the slot 13, the hinge cover 5 includes a hinge cover body and a connecting column arranged on the hinge cover body, a part of the connecting column is located in the slot 13, and the simultaneous rotating member 6 is located in the slot 13. The connecting column has a first pin 51, the second portion 22 has a second pin 23, and the slot has a third pin, the first connecting portion 61, the second connecting portion 62 and the third connecting portion 63 are all connecting holes 71, the first pin 51 is rotatably inserted and arranged in the first connecting portion, the second pin 23 is rotatably inserted and arranged in the second connecting portion, and the third pin is rotatably inserted and arranged in the third connecting portion. It can be understood that the support member 2 and the hinge cover 5 are connected through the simultaneous rotating member 6, that is, the movement of the support member 2 can drive the simultaneous rotating member 6 to rotate, and the rotation of the simultaneous rotating member 6 can drive the hinge cover 5 to move; or the movement of the hinge cover 5 can drive the simultaneous rotating member 6 to rotate, and the rotation of the simultaneous rotating member 6 can drive the support member 2 to move.

[0066] Therefore, the structure of the simultaneous rotating member 6 is simple, and the design and assembly of the hinge assembly 100 are facilitated.

[0067] In some embodiments, as shown in the drawings, Figure 5 and Figure 6 the hinge assembly 100 includes a resilient member 4. The resilient member 4 is sleeved on the support member 2 and arranged between the bracket 1 and the support member 2, the resilient member 4 can be elastically deformed in the inward and outward directions, and the resilient member 4 is used for providing an inward elastic force to the support member 2 to drive the support member 2 to move from the fourth position to the third position.

[0068] It can be understood that the movable member 3 arranged on the bracket 1 includes that the movable member 3 can be movable relative to the bracket 1 or can be rotatable relative to the bracket 1.

[0069] For example, as shown in the drawings, Figure 4 and Figure 5 the bracket 1 has a slot 13, the slot 13 is vertically through, a part of the second portion 22 is located in the slot 13, the hinge cover 5 includes a hinge cover body and a connecting column arranged on the hinge cover body, a part of the connecting column is located in the slot 13, and the simultaneous rotating member 6 is located in the slot 13. The connecting column has a first pin 51, the second portion 22 has a second pin 23, and the slot has a third pin, the first connecting portion 61, the second connecting portion 62 and the third connecting portion 63 are all connecting holes 71, the first pin 51 is rotatably inserted and arranged in the first connecting portion, the second pin 23 is rotatably inserted and arranged in the second connecting portion, and the third pin is rotatably inserted and arranged in the third connecting portion. It can be understood that the support member 2 and the hinge cover 5 are connected through the simultaneous rotating member 6, that is, the movement of the support member 2 can drive the simultaneous rotating member 6 to rotate, and the rotation of the simultaneous rotating member 6 can drive the hinge cover 5 to move; or the movement of the hinge cover 5 can drive the simultaneous rotating member 6 to rotate, and the rotation of the simultaneous rotating member 6 can drive the support member 2 to move.As shown, the center line of the support 2 extends in the up-down direction, and the inward direction refers to the direction adjacent to the center line of the support 2 in the plane perpendicular to the center line of the support 2, and the outward direction refers to the direction away from the center line of the support 2 in the plane perpendicular to the center line of the support 2.

[0070] The elastic force direction of the elastic member 4 in the embodiment of the present disclosure is the inner-outer direction, so that the elasticity of the elastic member 4 depends on the size of the inner-outer direction of the elastic member, rather than the up-down direction of the elastic member. Compared with the related art in which the elastic member is a compression spring and the length direction of the compression spring is consistent with the thickness direction of the hinge structure, the elasticity of the elastic member depends on the size of the up-down direction of the compression spring, so that the size of the up-down direction of the elastic member can be effectively reduced, thereby the size of the up-down direction of the hinge assembly can be reduced, which is beneficial to the thin design of the terminal device.

[0071] Therefore, the hinge assembly 100 in the embodiment of the present disclosure has the advantages of small thickness, which is beneficial to the thin design of the terminal device, and the like.

[0072] Optionally, the hinge assembly 100 comprises a movable member 3, the movable member 3 is swingably arranged on the bracket, the support 2 has a first pushing part 212, and the movable member 3 has a second pushing part 33, the second pushing part 33 is used for pushing the first pushing part 212 upward to drive the support 2 to move from the first position to the second position.

[0073] For example, as shown in Figure 1 , as shown in 2, Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the movable member 3 is provided with two, and the two movable members are respectively a first movable member 31 and a second movable member 32, the first movable member 31 and the second movable member 32 are oppositely arranged in the left-right direction of the support 2. The first movable member 31 and the second movable member 32 swing between the folded position and the unfolded position. When the first movable member 31 and the second movable member 32 are in the folded position, the hinge assembly 100 is in the folded state; when the first movable member 31 and the second movable member 32 are in the unfolded position, the hinge assembly 100 is in the unfolded state.

[0074] The first movable member 31 is located on the right side of the second movable member 32. As shown in Figure 3 , the first movable member 31 and the second movable member 32 are connected with the first shell 200 and the second shell 300 of the terminal device respectively, and the first shell 200 and the second shell 300 are simultaneously moved through the first movable member 31 and the second movable member 32, so as to realize the folding and unfolding of the terminal device. At the same time, at least one of the first movable member 31 and the second movable member 32 is used to drive the support 2 to move from bottom to top during the process of driving the terminal device to unfold.

[0075] As shown in Figure 1 andFigure 5 As shown in FIG. 1, the hinge assembly 100 is in a folded state, i.e., the support 2 is in an initial position (third position), the support surface 211 of the support 2 is below the upper end surface of the bracket 1, and the support surface 211 forms an avoiding space with part of the bracket 1 to avoid the folded part of the display panel. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 2, the hinge assembly 100 is in an unfolded state, i.e., the first movable part 31 and the second movable part 32 are rotated and drive the support 2 to move upward, so that the support surface 211 is above the upper end surface of the bracket 1 to support the display panel. Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 3, the hinge assembly 100 is in an unfolded state, i.e., the first movable part 31 and the second movable part 32 are rotated and drive the support 2 to move upward, so that the support surface 211 is above the upper end surface of the bracket 1 to support the display panel.

[0076] For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper end surface of the support 2 is the support surface 211, and the movement of the movable part 3 can drive the support 2 to move from bottom to top. For example, when the movement of the movable part 3 unfolds the hinge assembly 100, the support 2 moves upward to make the support surface 211 contact the display panel of the terminal device having the hinge assembly 100, so as to support the display panel by the support surface 211. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 2, the hinge assembly 100 is in an unfolded state, i.e., the first movable part 31 and the second movable part 32 are rotated and drive the support 2 to move upward, so that the support surface 211 is above the upper end surface of the bracket 1 to support the display panel. Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 3, the hinge assembly 100 is in an unfolded state, i.e., the first movable part 31 and the second movable part 32 are rotated and drive the support 2 to move upward, so that the support surface 211 is above the upper end surface of the bracket 1 to support the display panel.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 1, the upper end surface of the support 2 is the support surface 211, and the movement of the movable part 3 can drive the support 2 to move from bottom to top. For example, when the movement of the movable part 3 unfolds the hinge assembly 100, the support 2 moves upward to make the support surface 211 contact the display panel of the terminal device having the hinge assembly 100, so as to support the display panel by the support surface 211. Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 2, the hinge assembly 100 is in an unfolded state, i.e., the first movable part 31 and the second movable part 32 are rotated and drive the support 2 to move upward, so that the support surface 211 is above the upper end surface of the bracket 1 to support the display panel. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 3, the hinge assembly 100 is in an unfolded state, i.e., the first movable part 31 and the second movable part 32 are rotated and drive the support 2 to move upward, so that the support surface 211 is above the upper end surface of the bracket 1 to support the display panel. Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1, the upper end surface of the support 2 is the support surface 211, and the movement of the movable part 3 can drive the support 2 to move from bottom to top. For example, when the movement of the movable part 3 unfolds the hinge assembly 100, the support 2 moves upward to make the support surface 211 contact the display panel of the terminal device having the hinge assembly 100, so as to support the display panel by the support surface 211.

[0078] Optionally, the hinge assembly 100 further comprises a moving part 85 movably arranged on the bracket 1 along the length direction (front-rear direction in FIG. 1) of the bracket 1. The moving part 85 is swingably connected with the first movable part 31 and the second movable part 32, and when one of the first movable part 31 and the second movable part 32 swings, the moving part 85 moves along the length direction of the bracket 1, and the moving part 85 drives the other of the first movable part 31 and the second movable part 32 to swing, so that the first housing 200 and the second housing 300 simultaneously swing. Figure 3 Optionally, the hinge assembly 100 further comprises a first support plate 81 and a second support plate 82, the first support plate 81 is swingably arranged on the first movable part 31, and the second support plate 82 is swingably arranged on the second movable part 32. The first support plate 81 and the second support plate 82 are used to support the display panel.

[0079] ​

[0080] Optionally, the hinge assembly 100 further includes a first locking member 83, a second locking member 84, a first spring, and a second spring. The first locking member 83 is movably disposed on the first movable member 31 along the length of the bracket 1. The first locking member 83 has a first locking portion, the bracket 1 has a second locking portion, and the first spring is installed between the first movable member 31 and the first locking member so that the first spring provides a spring force to the first locking member toward the second locking portion. The first spring causes the first locking portion to abut against the second locking portion, so that the hinge assembly 100 is held in a more extended state. The second locking member 84 is movably disposed on the second movable member 32 along the length of the bracket 1. The second locking member 84 has a third locking portion, the bracket 1 has a fourth locking portion, the third locking portion abuts against the fourth locking portion, and the second spring is installed between the second movable member 32 and the second locking member 84 so that the second spring provides a spring force to the second locking member toward the fourth locking portion. The second spring is used to make the third locking part abut against the fourth locking part, so that the hinge assembly 100 is kept in a more extended state.

[0081] It should be noted that the moving assembly formed by the first movable part 31, the second movable part 32, the support part 2, the hinge cover 5, the rotating part 6, the elastic part 4, the first locking part 83, the second locking part 84, and the moving part 85 consists of two sets. Figure 3 Only one set is shown in the image; the two sets of moving components move along... Figure 3 The arrangement is symmetrical in the front and back directions. Furthermore, Figure 3 Only a portion of the first housing 200 and the second housing 300 are shown.

[0082] Optionally, the elastic element 4 can be either a tension spring or a compression spring. For example, if the elastic element 4 is a tension spring, the movement of the movable element 3 drives the support element 2 to move from the third position to the fourth position from bottom to top. In this case, the support element 2 moves upward against the elastic force of the elastic element 4, releasing the movable element 3. The support element 2 can then move downward under the tension of the elastic element 4, thus moving from the fourth position to the third position. Alternatively, if the elastic element 4 is a compression spring, the movement of the movable element 3 drives the support element 2 to move from the third position to the fourth position from bottom to top. In this case, the support element 2 moves upward against the elastic force of the elastic element 4, releasing the movable element 3. The support element 2 can then move downward under the thrust of the elastic element 4, thus moving from the fourth position to the third position.

[0083] Of course, the elastic element 4 can also be made of other materials to ensure that the elastic element 4 has a certain elasticity and that the elastic element 4 can drive the support element 2 to move from top to bottom through elastic force.

[0084] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the support 1 has a first stop portion 11, the support member 2 has a second stop portion 2211, the second stop portion 2211 is arranged at the lower side of the first stop portion 11, the elastic member 4 has a first engaging portion 41 and a second engaging portion 42, the first engaging portion 41 abuts against the first stop portion 42, and the second engaging portion 42 abuts against the second stop portion 2211. At least one of the first stop portion 11 and the second stop portion 2211 gradually inclines inwardly along the upward direction. The elastic member 4 is configured to drive the support member 2 to move along the upward direction.

[0085] It can be understood that, as shown in Figure 5 、 Figure 6 and Figure 7 , the second stop portion 2211 can gradually incline inwardly along the upward direction, i.e., the second stop portion 2211 inclines along the direction close to the center line of the support member 2 from the lower side to the upper side. The above-mentioned inwardly-directed elastic force can be understood as that the direction of the elastic force is generally inwardly, and it is not meant that the direction of the elastic force is perpendicular to the upward direction. Moreover, due to that at least one of the first stop portion 11 and the second stop portion 2211 gradually inclines inwardly along the upward direction, the direction of the elastic force is perpendicular to the stop portion (the first stop portion 11 and / or the second stop portion 2211) arranged in the inclined manner.

[0086] For example, as shown in Figures 5 to 7 , the first engaging portion 41 is arranged above the second engaging portion 42, the first engaging portion 41 abuts against the first stop portion 11, the second engaging portion 42 abuts against the second stop portion 2211, and the second stop portion 2211 gradually inclines inwardly along the upward direction.

[0087] The control of the movement of the movable member 3 drives the support member 2 to move upwardly. During the movement of the support member 2 from the third position to the fourth position, the first stop portion 11 and the second stop portion 2211 gradually press the elastic member 4, so as to increase the elastic force of the elastic member 4, the elastic member 4 is pressed to generate the elastic force, the direction of the elastic force at the contact point between the first engaging portion 41 and the first stop portion 11 is perpendicular to the first stop portion 11, at this time, the elastic force applied by the elastic member 4 to the support member 2 is perpendicular to the first stop portion 11. The elastic force can be decomposed into a first component force downwardly and a second component force parallel to the first stop portion 11. When the movable member 3 is released, i.e., there is no interaction force between the movable member 3 and the support member 2, the support member 2 can move downwardly under the action of the first component force, so as to reset the support member 2, i.e., to drive the support member 2 to return to the third position. Similarly, the second stop portion 2211 gradually inclines inwardly along the upward direction, and the elastic member 4 can also be used to realize the reset function of the support member 2.

[0088] In some embodiments, the elastic member 4 is a metal member, and the elastic member 4 has a C shape or a ring shape.

[0089] For example, the elastic member 4 is a metal member, and the elastic member 4 is in a C shape. The elastic member 4 is a metal member, which is conducive to prolonging the service life of the elastic member 4, thereby prolonging the service life of the hinge assembly 100.

[0090] For another example, the elastic member 4 is a plastic member, and the elastic member 4 is in a ring shape. It can be understood that the elastic member 4 can be a plastic member capable of elastic deformation, and the elastic member 4 can also be made of rubber material.

[0091] The elastic member 4 in a ring shape is arranged around the support member 2, which can ensure that the elastic force borne by the contact part of the elastic member 4 and the support member 2 is equal, thereby being conducive to improving the stability of the support member 2, and thereby being conducive to improving the support reliability of the support member 2 to the display panel.

[0092] Optionally, as shown in Figure 3 , the support 1 has a receiving hole 12, the support member 2 has a plug-in column, the plug-in column is inserted into the receiving hole 12, the hole wall of the receiving hole 12 forms the first stop portion 11, the elastic member 4 is movably sleeved on the plug-in column in the up-down direction, and the second stop portion 2211 is arranged on the plug-in column.

[0093] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 , the support member 2 has an outwardly open receiving groove 221, at least a part of the elastic member 4 is arranged in the receiving groove 221, and the groove side wall of the receiving groove 221 forms the second stop portion 2211.

[0094] For example, as shown in Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 , the receiving groove 221 is opened on the peripheral wall surface of the support member 2, and the part of the elastic member 4 is arranged in the receiving groove 221 so as to place the elastic member 4, and the lower side wall of the receiving groove 221 forms the second stop portion 2211.

[0095] It can be understood that the receiving groove 221 is arranged on the support member 2, and the part of the elastic member 4 is arranged in the receiving groove 221, which avoids the elastic member 4 occupying more space in the left-right direction, so that the overall structure is more compact, and is more conducive to the light and thin of the terminal device.

[0096] Optionally, the elastic member 4 is in a semi-circular ring shape, and the receiving groove 221 is a semi-circular ring groove.

[0097] Optionally, the elastic member 4 is in a ring shape, and the receiving groove 221 is a ring groove.

[0098] Optionally, as shown in Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 9 , the support 1 has a receiving hole 12, the support member 2 has a plug-in column, the plug-in column is inserted into the receiving hole 12, the hole wall of the receiving hole 12 forms the first stop portion 11, the elastic member 4 is movably sleeved on the plug-in column in the up-down direction, and the second stop portion 2211 is arranged on the plug-in column.As shown, the second stop portion 2211 is an annular stop portion, that is, the second stop portion 2211 is arranged around the support member 2. In this way, the second cooperation portion 42 is facilitated to cooperate with the second stop portion 2211, so that the elastic member 4 is facilitated to be installed at the preset position, and in turn the hinge assembly 100 is facilitated to be assembled.

[0099] For example, as shown in Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 9 , the second stop portion 2211 is an annular platform, and the second stop portion 2211 is arranged at the lower end of the support member 2. At this time, the second stop portion 2211 provides a placement platform for the elastic member 4, preventing the elastic member 4 from falling off.

[0100] It can be understood that the elastic member 4 can be installed on the support member 2 by elastic deformation. For example, the elastic member 4 is outwardly expanded so that the inner hole of the elastic member 4 is larger, and the elastic member 4 is sleeved on the support member 2.

[0101] As shown in Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 , the support member 2 includes a first portion 21 and a second portion 22, the first portion 21 is arranged at the upper side of the lower section, the upper end surface of the first portion 21 forms a support surface 211, and the second stop portion 2211 is arranged on the second portion 22.

[0102] For example, as shown in Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 , the first portion 21 is plate-shaped, and the second portion 22 is columnar. The upper end surface of the first portion 21 can be in contact with the display panel, so as to support the display panel. Part of the second portion 22 (such as the lower part of the second portion 22 in Figure 8 ) is located in the space surrounded by the first stop portion 11, so that the second stop portion 2211 on the second portion 22 cooperates with the elastic member 4 and the first stop portion 11, and the support member 2 can be moved downward. Alternatively, as shown in the drawings, the first portion 21 of the support member 2 forms a stop platform, and the bracket has a stop surface. When the support member 2 moves from top to bottom, the stop platform stops the stop surface, so as to prevent the support member 2 from being separated from the bracket.

[0103] It can be understood that when the support member 2 moves from bottom to top, the elastic member 4 can form a stop platform, and the first stop portion 11 forms a stop surface, so as to prevent the support member 2 from being separated from the bracket.

[0104] In some embodiments, the movable member 3 is swingably arranged on the bracket 1, the support member 2 has a first pushing portion 212, and the movable member has a second pushing portion 33. The second pushing portion 33 is used to push the first pushing portion 212 in a direction away from the bracket 1, so as to drive the support member 2 to move in a direction from bottom to top.

[0105] For example, as shown in Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the first movable member 31 and the second movable member 32 are swingably arranged on the support 1, i.e., the first movable member 31 and the second movable member 32 swing back and forth between a folded position and an unfolded position. Specifically, when the first movable member 31 and the second movable member 32 are in the folded position, the hinge assembly 100 is in a folded state; when the first movable member 31 and the second movable member 32 are in the unfolded position, the hinge assembly 100 is in an unfolded state.

[0106] As shown in Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 , the first pushing portion 212 is arranged on the first portion 21 of the support 2, i.e., the lower end surface of the first portion 21 forms the first pushing portion 212, and a part of the first movable member 31 and a part of the second movable member 32 form the second pushing portion 33. Rotating the first movable member 31 and the second movable member 32 makes the first movable member 31 and the second movable member 32 rotate from the folded position to the unfolded position, and makes the second pushing portion 33 of the first movable member 31 and the second movable member 32 move and drive the first pushing portion 212 to move, so as to make the support 2 move upward.

[0107] It can be understood that the support 2 moves upward until the support surface 211 contacts and supports the display panel of the terminal device, at this time, the hinge assembly 100 is in the unfolded state. Rotating the first movable member 31 and the second movable member 32 makes the first movable member 31 and the second movable member 32 rotate from the unfolded position to the folded position, and the first movable member 31 and the second movable member 32 do not exert force on the support 2, at this time, the support 2 is driven by the elastic force of the elastic member 4 to move downward to the third position. The first movable member 31 and the second movable member 32 move to make the hinge assembly 100 be in the folded state, at this time, the display panel of the terminal device can be placed in the avoiding space formed by the support surface 211 and the support 1, so as to protect the folded part of the display panel.

[0108] It should be noted that since the moving mode of the movable member 3 is swinging, in order to avoid moving left and right with the rotating member 6 rotatingly connected to the support 2 and the hinge cover 5, the connecting hole 71 can be arranged in a long strip shape, for example, as shown in Figure 4 The first connecting portion 61 and the second connecting portion 62 are both provided with the connecting hole 71, and the connecting hole 71 is arranged along the left-right direction (generally Figure 5When the support 2 and the hinge cover 5 extend in the left-right direction (i.e. the horizontal direction in the figure), the support 2 and the hinge cover 5 can be prevented from moving leftward or rightward when the pin shafts on the support 2 and the hinge cover 5 respectively cooperate with the first connecting portion 61 and the second connecting portion 62. Of course, the connecting holes 71 can also be arranged on the support 2 and the hinge cover 5, and the first connecting portion 61 and the second connecting portion 62 are provided with pin shafts matching the connecting holes 71.

[0109] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 10 and Figure 11 The hinge assembly 100 further comprises a first magnetic member 91 and a second magnetic member 92, the first magnetic member 91 is arranged on the hinge cover 5, and the second magnetic member 92 is arranged on the support 2. The first magnetic member 91 and the second magnetic member 92 can be attracted to each other to drive the hinge cover 5 to move from the second position to the first position, and to drive the support 2 to move from the second limit position to the first limit position.

[0110] For example, when the hinge assembly 100 is folded, the support 2 and the hinge cover 5 move under the magnetic force of the first magnetic member 91 and the second magnetic member 92, the support 2 moves towards the hinge cover 5 (i.e. downward), and the hinge cover 5 moves towards the support 2 (i.e. upward), so that the support 2 can avoid the display screen when the hinge assembly 100 is folded, and the hinge assembly 100 can be prevented from being exposed when the hinge assembly 100 is folded.

[0111] For example, as shown in Figure 10 and Figure 11 The first magnetic member 91 is arranged on the left side of the second magnetic member 92, which is beneficial to further reduce the size of the hinge assembly 100 in the up-down direction, and further beneficial to the thin design of the terminal device with the hinge assembly 100.

[0112] The terminal device of the embodiments of the present disclosure comprises a first shell 200, a second shell 300, and a hinge assembly 100. The first shell 200 and the second shell 300 are movably connected to the support 1. The hinge assembly 100 is any one of the hinge assemblies 100 described above. The hinge cover 5 is sealingly connected to each of the first shell 200 and the second shell 300.

[0113] For example, two movable members 3 are arranged, and the two movable members 3 are a first movable member 31 and a second movable member 32. The first movable member 31 is connected to the first shell 200, and the second movable member 32 is connected to the second shell 300. The first shell 200 and the second shell 300 are simultaneously moved by the first movable member 31 and the second movable member 32, so that the terminal device is folded and unfolded.

[0114] The sealing fit of the hinge cover 5 with each of the first shell 200 and the second shell 300 can be understood as that, during the movement of the first shell 200 and the second shell 300 at the same time, the hinge cover 5 is in sealing fit with the first shell 200 and the second shell 300, so as to realize the sealing of the inside of the terminal device. For example, the first seal and the second seal are arranged on the hinge cover 5, the third seal is arranged on the first shell 200, and the fourth seal is arranged on the second shell 300, the first seal is in sealing fit with the third seal, and the second seal is in sealing fit with the fourth seal. The first seal, the second seal, the third seal and the fourth seal can be sealing strips.

[0115] Therefore, the terminal device provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure has the advantages of low risk of external leakage of the hinge assembly and good sealing performance.

[0116] The terminal device provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can be a foldable terminal device such as a mobile phone, a notebook computer and a tablet computer.

[0117] In the description of the present disclosure, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present disclosure and simplifying the description, and therefore cannot be understood as indicating or implying that the devices or elements indicated must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present disclosure.

[0118] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined with "first" and "second" can explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present disclosure, the meaning of "a plurality of" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited.

[0119] In the present disclosure, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "mounting", "connection", "connecting", "fixing" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, can be fixed connection, can also be detachable connection, or integrated; can be mechanical connection, can also be electrical connection or communication with each other; can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium; can be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise explicitly limited. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present disclosure can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0120] In the present disclosure, unless specifically stated and limited otherwise, a first feature "on" or "under" a second feature can be directly contacting the first and second features, or indirectly contacting the first and second features through an intermediate medium. Also, a first feature "over", "above" and "on top of" a second feature can be directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is horizontally higher than the second feature. A first feature "under", "below" and "underneath" a second feature can be directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is horizontally lower than the second feature.

[0121] In the present disclosure, the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "an example", "a specific example", or "some examples" mean that a particular feature, structure, material or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present disclosure. In the specification, illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Also, the described specific features, structures, materials or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, different embodiments or examples described in the specification and features of different embodiments or examples can be combined and combined by those skilled in the art without contradiction.

[0122] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above-described embodiments are exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure, and those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, replacements and variations to the above-described embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A hinge assembly, characterized by The hinge assembly comprises: a bracket; a hinge cover movably arranged on the bracket in a vertical direction to move the hinge cover between a first position and a second position, the first position being on an upper side of the second position; a support configured to support a display panel; a simultaneous rotating member having a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion and a third connecting portion, the first connecting portion being rotatably connected to the hinge cover, the second connecting portion being rotatably connected to the support, and the third connecting portion being rotatably connected to the bracket, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion being respectively located on two sides of the third connecting portion.

2. The hinge assembly according to claim 1, wherein: the support is movably arranged on the bracket in a vertical direction to move the support between a third position and a fourth position, the third position being on a lower side of the fourth position; when the hinge cover is in the first position, the support is in the third position, and when the hinge cover is in the second position, the support is in the fourth position. The hinge assembly comprises:

3. The hinge assembly of claim 2, wherein, a resilient member sleeved on the support and arranged between the bracket and the support, the resilient member being elastically deformable in an inner-outer direction, the resilient member being configured to provide an inward elastic force to the support to drive the support to move from the fourth position to the third position. The bracket has a first stop portion, the support has a second stop portion arranged on a lower side of the first stop portion, the resilient member has a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion, the first engaging portion stopping the first stop portion, and the second engaging portion stopping the second stop portion; 4. The hinge assembly of claim 3, wherein, at least one of the first stop portion and the second stop portion is gradually inclined inwardly in a downward direction. The resilient member is in a C shape or a ring shape.

5. The hinge assembly of claim 4, wherein, The support has an accommodating groove with an opening facing outward, at least a portion of the resilient member being arranged in the accommodating groove, a groove side wall of the accommodating groove forming the second stop portion.

6. The hinge assembly of claim 4 or 5, wherein, The hinge assembly further comprises a first magnetic member and a second magnetic member, the first magnetic member being arranged on the hinge cover, and the second magnetic member being arranged on the support, the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member being capable of being attracted to each other to drive the hinge cover to move from the second position to the first position and to drive the support to move from the fourth position to the third position.

7. The hinge assembly of any one of claims 2-4, wherein, The first magnetic member and the second magnetic member are arranged in a horizontal direction.

8. The hinge assembly of claim 7, wherein, The hinge assembly comprises:

9. A terminal device, comprising: a first housing and a second housing, each of the first housing and the second housing being movably connected to the bracket; and a hinge assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1-8, the hinge cover being sealingly fitted with each of the first housing and the second housing. ​

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