Hinges and terminal devices

Abstract

This invention discloses a hinge device and a terminal device. The hinge device includes a bracket, a first support member, and a second support member. The first support member is pivotally connected to the bracket and has at least an unfolded position and a folded position. The second support member is pivotally connected to the first support member and has at least a supporting position and a clearance position. When the first support member pivots from the unfolded position to the folded position, the second support member can pivot from the supporting position to the clearance position. The hinge device provided by this invention has the advantages of preventing gaps from forming in the middle after the screen is folded and providing good fit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electronic equipment technology, and more specifically to a hinge device and a terminal device. Background Technology

[0002] In terms of current trends in electronic product development, foldable screen phones and foldable screen computers are poised to become future trends. However, in related technologies, foldable screen devices are limited by the screen's bending radius when folding, resulting in defects such as the screen not fitting perfectly and the formation of wedge-shaped gaps in the middle of the screen. Summary of the Invention

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

[0004] Therefore, embodiments of the present invention propose a hinge device that has the advantages of not easily forming a gap in the middle after the screen is folded and having good fit.

[0005] An embodiment of the present invention also proposes a terminal device.

[0006] The hinge device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a bracket, a first support member, and a second support member. The first support member is pivotally connected to the bracket and has at least an unfolded position and a folded position. The second support member is pivotally connected to the first support member and has at least a supporting position and a clearance position. When the first support member pivots from the unfolded position to the folded position, the second support member is capable of pivoting from the supporting position to the clearance position.

[0007] According to the hinge device of the present invention, when the first support member pivots to the folded position, the second support member moves to the avoidance position, and the second support member releases its support for the screen. This facilitates the first and second support members to adapt to the shape of the screen after natural bending, ensuring that the screen fits snugly together after folding with virtually no gaps in between.

[0008] In some embodiments, the first support member is provided with a sliding groove, and the hinge device further includes a synchronizing rod. The first end of the synchronizing rod is pivotally connected to the bracket, and the second end of the synchronizing rod is slidably engaged with the sliding groove. The synchronizing rod is connected to the second support member to drive the second support member to pivot relative to the first support member.

[0009] In some embodiments, the synchronizing rod includes a rack segment that slidably engages with the groove, and the hinge device further includes a floating gear that is coaxially connected to the pivot of the second support member and is drively connected to the rack segment.

[0010] In some embodiments, the hinge device further includes an intermediate gear pivotally connected to the first support member, the intermediate gear being disposed in the slot of the slide and meshing with each of the rack segment and the floating gear.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first support member is pivotally connected to the bracket via a first pin, the synchronizing rod is pivotally connected to the bracket via a second pin, and the intermediate gear is pivotally connected to the first support member via a third pin.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first support member is provided with an arc-shaped guide rail, and the bracket is provided with an arc-shaped guide groove with an upward opening. The arc-shaped guide rail and the arc-shaped guide groove are slidably engaged so that the first support member can pivot relative to the bracket.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first support member includes a connecting plate and a fastening frame, the fastening frame being pivotally connected to the connecting plate, the arc-shaped guide rail being disposed on the connecting plate, the slide groove being disposed on the fastening frame, and the second support member being pivotally connected to the fastening frame.

[0014] In some embodiments, the number of the first support members is at least two, and the number of the second support members, the number of the synchronizing rods and the number of the first support members are equal and correspond one-to-one. When at least two of the first support members are in the folded position, at least two of the second support members are in the avoidance position, and at least two of the second support members form an accommodating cavity at the bending position of the screen.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first end of the synchronizing rod is provided with a first gear, and the hinge device further includes at least two meshing second gears, the second gears being pivotally connected to the bracket, one of the second gears meshing with one of the first gears, and the other second gear meshing with the other first gear.

[0016] In some embodiments, the number of the second support members is two, and the second support member includes a floating plate. The floating plate has a support surface for supporting the screen. When the two floating plates are in the support position, the two support surfaces are coplanar. When the two floating plates are in the avoidance position, the two support surfaces are at an angle.

[0017] The terminal device according to embodiments of the present invention includes a hinge device as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0018] The technical advantages of the terminal device according to the embodiments of the present invention are the same as those of the hinge device described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0019] In some embodiments, the terminal device further includes a screen, a first support of the hinge device is connected to the screen, and at least a portion of the second support of the hinge device is adjacent to the bending position of the screen. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of a hinge device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a hinge device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 This is another schematic diagram of a hinge device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 This is another schematic diagram of a hinge device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure label:

[0025] 100. Hinge device; 1. Bracket; 11. Arc-shaped guide groove; 2. First support member; 21. Connecting plate; 211. Arc-shaped guide rail; 22. Fastening frame; 221. Slide groove; 3. Second support member; 31. Floating plate; 4. Synchronizing rod; 41. Rack segment; 42. First gear; 5. Floating gear; 6. Intermediate gear; 7. Second gear; 8. First pin; 9. Second pin; 10. Third pin. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0027] The following is combined with Figures 1-4 A hinge device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is described.

[0028] The hinge device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a bracket 1, a first support member 2, and a second support member 3. The first support member 2 is pivotally connected to the bracket 1 and has at least an unfolded position and a folded position. Both the first support member 2 and the bracket 1 provide support for the screen. The first support member 2 is pivotable relative to the bracket 1 to fold the screen, wherein the screen bends at the pivot point between the first support member 2 and the bracket 1.

[0029] The second support member 3 is pivotally connected to the first support member 2 and has at least a supporting position and a clearance position. When the first support member 2 pivots from the unfolded position to the folded position, the second support member 3 can pivot from the supporting position to the clearance position. At least a portion of the second support member 3 is adjacent to the bending position of the screen. When the first support member 2 is in the unfolded position, the second support member 3 supports the screen, and when the first support member 2 is in the folded position, it moves to the clearance position to release the support for the screen and leave clearance space for the bending position of the screen.

[0030] According to the hinge device 100 of the present invention, when the first support member 2 pivots to the folded position, the second support member 3 moves to the avoidance position, and the second support member 3 releases its support for the screen. This facilitates the first support member 2 and the second support member 3 to adapt to the shape of the screen after natural bending, ensuring that the screen fits snugly together after folding with virtually no gaps in between.

[0031] It should be noted that when the screen is fully folded, that is, when the two parts are pressed together in the middle, the cross-sectional shape of the bent part of the screen is roughly teardrop-shaped, meaning that the bent part of the screen will bulge outwards. After the second support 3 moves to the avoidance position, an avoidance space is formed to accommodate the protruding part.

[0032] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1-4 As shown, the first support member 2 is provided with a sliding groove 221, and the hinge device 100 also includes a synchronizing rod 4. The first end of the synchronizing rod 4 is pivotally connected to the bracket 1, and the second end of the synchronizing rod 4 is slidably engaged with the sliding groove 221. The synchronizing rod 4 is connected to the second support member 3 so as to drive the second support member 3 to pivot relative to the first support member 2.

[0033] When the first support member 2 pivots relative to the bracket 1, the second end of the synchronizing rod 4 simultaneously slides relative to the slide groove 221, thereby driving the second support member 3 to pivot relative to the first support member 2. Therefore, the linkage between the first support member 2 and the second support member 3 is effective. When the first support member 2 moves to the unfolded / folded position, the second support member 3 can move to the set support / avoidance position in a timely and accurate manner, resulting in better support and avoidance of the screen by the hinge device 100.

[0034] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the synchronizing rod 4 includes a rack segment 41, which is slidably engaged with the slide groove 221. The hinge device 100 also includes a floating gear 5, which is coaxially connected to the pivot of the second support member 3 and is drively connected to the rack segment 41.

[0035] Thus, through the transmission between the rack segment 41 and the floating gear 5, the second support member 3 can pivot relative to the first support member 2. The gear transmission method makes the pivoting accuracy of the second support member 3 high, and the resulting space for the screen to avoid bending positions is more stable.

[0036] Specifically, the second support member 3 is provided with a pivot, which is pivotally connected to the first support member 2, and the floating gear 5 is coaxially fixed on the pivot.

[0037] In some embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, the hinge device 100 also includes an intermediate gear 6, which is pivotally connected to the first support member 2. The intermediate gear 6 is disposed in the slot of the slide groove 221 and meshes with each of the rack segment 41 and the floating gear 5.

[0038] By incorporating an intermediate gear 6, the second support member 3 can be driven to pivot relative to the first support member 2 in a predetermined direction when the rack segment 41 slides along one direction of the slide groove 221. Specifically, when the first support member 2 pivots relative to the bracket 1 towards the folded position, the rack segment 41 drives the floating gear 5 to pivot via the intermediate gear 6, causing the second support member 3 to pivot relative to the first support member 2 towards a clearance position rather than a support position. This arrangement results in a reasonable distribution of components and a compact structure within the hinge device 100.

[0039] Specifically, the intermediate gear 6 is located at the opening of the slide groove 221. While it meshes with the rack section 41, it also prevents the synchronizing rod 4 from disengaging from the slide groove 221, thus ensuring the transmission stability of the hinge device 100.

[0040] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the first support member 2 is pivotally connected to the bracket 1 via the first pin 8, the synchronizing rod 4 is pivotally connected to the bracket 1 via the second pin 9, and the intermediate gear 6 is pivotally connected to the first support member 2 via the third pin 10. Therefore, the components of the hinge device 100 are easy to assemble and disassemble, resulting in high production efficiency.

[0041] Specifically, the axes of the first pin 8, the second pin 9, and the third pin 10 are parallel to each other.

[0042] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the first support member 2 is provided with an arc-shaped guide rail 211, and the bracket 1 is provided with an arc-shaped guide groove 11 with the opening facing upward. The arc-shaped guide rail 211 and the arc-shaped guide groove 11 are slidably engaged so that the first support member 2 can pivot relative to the bracket 1.

[0043] Therefore, when the first support member 2 is in the unfolded position, the part of the first support member 2 with the arc-shaped guide rail 211 can be completely hidden in the arc-shaped guide groove 11, ensuring that the upper surface of the first support member 2 and the upper surface of the bracket 1 are coplanar, effectively supporting the screen.

[0044] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1-4 As shown, the first support member 2 includes a connecting plate 21 and a fastening frame 22. The fastening frame 22 is pivotally connected to the connecting plate 21. An arc-shaped guide rail 211 is disposed on the connecting plate 21, and a sliding groove 221 is disposed on the fastening frame 22. The second support member 3 is pivotally connected to the fastening frame 22.

[0045] Thus, the connecting plate 21, the fastening frame 22, the second support member 3 and the bracket 1 constitute a four-bar linkage mechanism. When the slide groove 221 is a straight groove, it facilitates the linear sliding of the rack segment 41 in the slide groove 221. The transmission accuracy between the rack segment 41 and the intermediate gear 6 is high, and the drive of the rack segment 41 to the second support member 3 is stable and precise.

[0046] In some embodiments, the number of first support members 2 is at least two, the number of second support members 3, the number of synchronizing rods 4 are equal to and correspond one-to-one with the number of first support members 2, and when at least two first support members 2 are in the folded position, at least two second support members 3 are in the avoidance position, and at least two second support members 3 form an accommodating cavity at the bending position of the screen.

[0047] Specifically, the two first support members 2 are respectively located on both sides of the bracket 1 to fix the two ends of the screen. The two second support members 3 corresponding to the two first support members 2 can be switched to the avoidance position so that avoidance space is formed on both sides of the folded screen, thereby better adapting to the natural bending of the screen.

[0048] In some embodiments, the first end of the synchronizing rod 4 is provided with a first gear 42, and the hinge device further includes at least two meshing second gears 7, the second gears 7 being pivotally connected to the bracket 1, one of the second gears 7 meshing with one of the first gears 42, and the other second gear 7 meshing with the other first gear 42.

[0049] Therefore, when the first support member 2 pivots relative to the bracket 1 towards the folding position, the other first support member 2 also pivots relative to the bracket 1 towards the folding position, thus making the screen unfolding and folding of the mobile terminal stable and convenient. Alternatively, the two first support members 2 can also pivot relative to the bracket 1 simultaneously through the direct meshing of the two first gears 42.

[0050] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1-4As shown, there are two second support members 3. Each second support member 3 includes a floating plate 31, which has a support surface for supporting the screen. When the two floating plates 31 are in the support position, the two support surfaces are coplanar. When the two floating plates 31 are in the avoidance position, the two support surfaces are at an angle.

[0051] Specifically, the two support surfaces are set in a mirror symmetrical arrangement. When the two floating plates 31 are in the avoidance position, the two support surfaces and the upper surface of the bracket 1 surround each other to form a teardrop-shaped avoidance space. This space can accommodate the screen after it is naturally folded, thereby ensuring that the screen fits together after folding and there is basically no gap in the middle.

[0052] The terminal device according to embodiments of the present invention includes a hinge device 100 as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0053] The technical advantages of the terminal device according to the embodiments of the present invention are the same as those of the hinge device 100 described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0054] In some embodiments, the terminal device further includes a screen, a first support member 2 of the hinge device 100 is connected to the screen, and at least a portion of the second support member 3 of the hinge device 100 is adjacent to the bending position of the screen. Thus, when the second support member 3 moves to the avoidance position, an avoidance space can be formed at the bending position of the screen, thereby facilitating the first support member 2 and the second support member 3 to adapt to the shape of the screen after natural bending. After the terminal device is folded, they fit together substantially without gaps.

[0055] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0056] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0057] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between them; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0058] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0059] In this invention, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example, which is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0060] Although the above embodiments have been shown and described, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Any changes, modifications, substitutions and variations made to the above embodiments by those skilled in the art are within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hinge device, characterized in that, include: support; A first support member, which is pivotally connected to the bracket and has at least an unfolded position and a folded position; and A second support member is pivotally connected to the first support member and has at least a supporting position and a clearance position. When the first support member pivots from the unfolded position to the folded position, the second support member is able to pivot from the supporting position to the clearance position. The first support member is provided with a sliding groove. The hinge device further includes a synchronizing rod and a floating gear. The first end of the synchronizing rod is pivotally connected to the bracket, and the second end of the synchronizing rod is slidably engaged with the sliding groove. The synchronizing rod is connected to the second support member to drive the second support member to pivot relative to the first support member. The synchronizing rod includes a rack segment, which is slidably engaged with the sliding groove. The floating gear is coaxially connected to the pivot of the second support member, and the floating gear is drively connected to the rack segment.

2. The hinge device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hinge device further includes an intermediate gear, which is pivotally connected to the first support member. The intermediate gear is disposed in the slot of the slide and meshes with each of the rack segment and the floating gear.

3. The hinge device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first support member is pivotally connected to the bracket via a first pin, the synchronizing rod is pivotally connected to the bracket via a second pin, and the intermediate gear is pivotally connected to the first support member via a third pin.

4. The hinge device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first support member is provided with an arc-shaped guide rail, and the bracket is provided with an arc-shaped guide groove with the opening facing upward. The arc-shaped guide rail and the arc-shaped guide groove are slidably engaged so that the first support member can pivot relative to the bracket.

5. The hinge device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first support member includes a connecting plate and a fastening frame. The fastening frame is pivotally connected to the connecting plate. The arc-shaped guide rail is disposed on the connecting plate. The sliding groove is disposed on the fastening frame. The second support member is pivotally connected to the fastening frame.

6. The hinge device according to any one of claims 2-5, characterized in that, The number of the first support members is at least two. The number of the second support members, the number of the synchronization rods and the number of the first support members are equal and correspond one-to-one. When at least two of the first support members are in the folded position, at least two of the second support members are in the avoidance position. At least two of the second support members form an accommodating cavity at the bending position of the screen.

7. The hinge device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first end of the synchronizing rod is provided with a first gear, and the hinge device further includes at least two meshing second gears. The second gears are pivotally connected to the bracket, and one of the second gears meshes with one of the first gears, and the other second gear meshes with the other first gear.

8. The hinge device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The number of the second support members is two. The second support member includes a floating plate. The floating plate has a support surface for supporting the screen. When the two floating plates are in the support position, the two support surfaces are coplanar. When the two floating plates are in the avoidance position, the two support surfaces are at an angle.

9. A terminal device, characterized in that, Includes the hinge device as described in any one of claims 1-8.

10. The terminal device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The terminal device further includes a screen, a first support member of the hinge device is connected to the screen, and at least a portion of the second support member of the hinge device is adjacent to the bending position of the screen.

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