Electronic device

Abstract

The application discloses an electronic device, comprising: a flexible screen and a foldable support; the foldable support comprises a first support sheet, a second support sheet and a flexible support structure between the first support sheet and the second support sheet; the first support sheet is attached to a first screen area of the flexible screen, the second support sheet is attached to a second screen area of the flexible screen, and the flexible support structure is attached to a foldable screen area of the flexible screen; the flexible support structure comprises a support layer and a deformation member; the support layer is provided with a plurality of hollow openings; and the deformation member drives the support layer to change the shape of each hollow opening, so that the flexible support structure is switched between a retracted mode and an extended mode.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of electronics, and particularly relates to an electronic device. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the breakthrough and development of flexible screen technology, electronic devices realize foldable functions, and are widely promoted and applied due to the design of foldable large screens and better portability and bendability.

[0003] In the foldable electronic device, the back of the flexible screen is usually provided with a foldable support structure, which can provide support for the flexible screen and can switch together with the flexible screen between the folded state and the flat state. However, the existing foldable support structure is not reliable in supporting the foldable screen area of the flexible screen, and in the process of repeated folding and using of the electronic device, the foldable screen area will appear defects such as creases, protrusions and depressions, which affect the appearance and service life of the electronic device. SUMMARY

[0004] The present application aims to provide an electronic device to solve the problem that the existing foldable support structure is difficult to provide reliable support for the foldable screen area of the flexible screen.

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

[0006] An electronic device is provided in the embodiments of the present application, comprising: a flexible screen and a foldable support member;

[0007] The flexible screen has a first screen area, a second screen area, and a foldable screen area located between the first screen area and the second screen area;

[0008] The foldable support member comprises a first support sheet, a second support sheet, and a flexible support structure located between the first support sheet and the second support sheet; the first support sheet is attached to the first screen area, the second support sheet is attached to the second screen area, and the flexible support structure is attached to the foldable screen area;

[0009] The flexible support structure comprises a support layer and a deformation member, the support layer is provided with a plurality of hollow openings, and the deformation member drives the support layer to change the shape of each hollow opening, so that the flexible support structure switches between the retracted form and the stretched form.

[0010] According to the electronic device provided in the embodiments of the present application, the flexible support structure further comprises a circuit layer; the circuit layer is arranged on the surface of the support layer, the deformation member comprises an electro-deformation member, and the electro-deformation member is electrically connected with the circuit layer.

[0011] The circuit layer is configured to control the energization state of the electro-deformable element to change the length of the electro-deformable element; and the electro-deformable element drives the support layer through the circuit layer to change the shape of each of the hollow openings.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present application, an electronic device is provided, wherein the bendable structure comprises at least one bendable sequence.

[0013] The bendable sequence is arranged between the first support sheet and the second support sheet.

[0014] The bendable sequence comprises a plurality of grid units, and the plurality of grid units are sequentially connected along the arrangement direction of the first screen area, the foldable screen area and the second screen area; and the inner side of each grid unit forms the hollow opening.

[0015] Each bendable sequence is configured with at least one electro-deformable element, and the electro-deformable element is arranged along the arrangement direction.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present application, an electronic device is provided, wherein the electro-deformable element is provided in plurality; the electro-deformable element and the hollow opening corresponding to the grid unit are arranged one by one; one end of the electro-deformable element is connected with the circuit layer of one side of the hollow opening, and the other end is connected with the circuit layer of the other side of the hollow opening.

[0017] In the case that the electro-deformable element is in the energization state, the electro-deformable element is in the first length, and in the case that the electro-deformable element is in the de-energization state, the electro-deformable element is in the second length, and the first length is greater than the second length.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present application, an electronic device is provided, wherein the electro-deformable element is provided in plurality; each electro-deformable element is arranged between two adjacent grid units, one end of the electro-deformable element is connected with the circuit layer of one of the two adjacent grid units, and the other end is connected with the circuit layer of the other of the two adjacent grid units.

[0019] In the case that the electro-deformable element is in the energization state, the electro-deformable element is in the third length, and in the case that the electro-deformable element is in the de-energization state, the electro-deformable element is in the fourth length, and the third length is less than the fourth length.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present application, an electronic device is provided, wherein the bendable structure comprises a plurality of bendable sequences, and the plurality of bendable sequences are sequentially and spaced arranged along a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present application, the circuit layer is arranged on one side of the support layer facing the flexible screen, or the circuit layer is arranged on one side of the support layer away from the flexible screen.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present application, the circuit layer comprises an insulating layer and a wire layer; the insulating layer is arranged on the surface of the support layer, and the wire layer is arranged in the insulating layer; the electroactive shape-changing member is connected to the wire layer.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present application, the electroactive shape-changing member and the wire layer are connected by conductive glue, or the electroactive shape-changing member and the wire layer are connected by thermal compression bonding.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the present application, the electronic device further comprises a first circuit board, a second circuit board and a housing.

[0025] The flexible screen and the housing form a receiving cavity, the first circuit board and the second circuit board are arranged in the receiving cavity respectively, the first circuit board is arranged opposite to the first screen area, and the second circuit board is arranged opposite to the second screen area.

[0026] Part of the circuit layer extends to the surface of the first support sheet and is connected to the first circuit board, and another part of the circuit layer extends to the surface of the second support sheet and is connected to the second circuit board.

[0027] In the embodiments of the present application, the flexible screen and the foldable support are arranged on the electronic device, the foldable support supports each screen area corresponding to the flexible screen and can be switched together with the flexible screen between the folded state and the flat state; since the flexible support structure corresponding to the foldable support comprises a support layer and a shape-changing member, when the flexible screen is in the flat state, the shape-changing member can apply a driving force to the support layer to change the shape of each hollow opening on the support layer, so that the flexible support structure is in the stretched state, to reliably support the foldable screen area of the flexible screen, to stretch the foldable screen area to be flat, to reduce the defects such as folds, protrusions and depressions that may occur in the foldable screen area to a certain extent, and to ensure the appearance and service life of the electronic device.

[0028] Additional aspects and advantages of the present application will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present application will become apparent and be readily appreciated from the following description, including the appended drawings.

[0030] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application, in which a flexible screen is in a flat state;

[0031] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the electronic device according to the embodiment of the present application, in which the flexible screen is in a folded state;

[0032] Figure 3 FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a first foldable support according to an embodiment of the present application, in which an electro-active shape-changing element is in a de-energized state;

[0033] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the first foldable support according to the embodiment of the present application, in which the electro-active shape-changing element is in an energized state;

[0034] Figure 5 FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a second foldable support according to an embodiment of the present application, in which the electro-active shape-changing element is in a de-energized state; Figure 3 FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a bendable sequence in the second foldable support according to the embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Figure 6 FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the second foldable support according to the embodiment of the present application, in which the electro-active shape-changing element is in an energized state.

[0036] Figure 7 FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the second foldable support according to the embodiment of the present application, in which the electro-active shape-changing element is in an energized state.

[0037] Reference signs:

[0038] 1, flexible screen; 11, first screen area; 12, second screen area; 13, foldable screen area;

[0039] 2, foldable support; 21, first support sheet; 22, second support sheet; 23, flexible support structure; 231, support layer; 232, circuit layer; 233, shape-changing element; 201, bendable sequence; 2321, insulating layer; 2322, wire layer; 2011, grid unit; 2012, hollowed-out opening;

[0040] 3, housing; 301, accommodating cavity;

[0041] 4, first circuit board; 5, second circuit board. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings, wherein the same or similar components are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals throughout the drawings. The embodiments described below with reference to the drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present application, and cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0043] The terms "first", "second" in the description and claims of the present application can explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present application, the meaning of "a plurality of" is two or more, unless otherwise specified. In addition, "and / or" in the specification and claims means at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / ", generally means that the front and rear associated objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0044] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and therefore cannot be understood as indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0045] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "mounting", "connection", "connection" should be understood broadly, for example, it can be fixedly connected, or it can be detachably connected, or integrally connected; it can be mechanically connected, or it can be electrically connected; it can be directly connected, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium; it can be the communication inside two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0046] The electronic device provided by the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below in combination with Figures 1-7 , through specific embodiments and application scenarios.

[0047] As shown in Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the electronic device provided by the embodiments of the present application comprises a flexible screen 1 and a foldable support 2.

[0048] The flexible screen 1 has a first screen area 11, a second screen area 12, and a foldable screen area 13 between the first screen area 11 and the second screen area 12.

[0049] The foldable support 2 includes a first support sheet 21, a second support sheet 22, and a flexible support structure 23 between the first support sheet 21 and the second support sheet 22; the first support sheet 21 is attached to the first screen area 11, the second support sheet 22 is attached to the second screen area 12, and the flexible support structure 23 is attached to the foldable screen area 13.

[0050] The flexible support structure 23 includes a support layer 231 and a deformation member 233; the support layer 231 is provided with a plurality of hollow openings 2012, the deformation member 233 is connected to the support layer 231, and the deformation member 233 drives the support layer 231 to change the shape of each hollow opening 2012, so that the flexible support structure 23 switches between the retracted state and the stretched state.

[0051] It can be understood that the foldable support 2 is arranged on the back of the flexible screen 1, the first support sheet 21 is used to support the first screen area 11 of the flexible screen 1, the second support sheet 22 is used to support the second screen area 12 of the flexible screen 1, and the flexible support structure 23 is used to support the foldable screen area 13 of the flexible screen 1.

[0052] In actual application, the foldable support 2 can switch between the folded state and the flat state together with the flexible screen 1. When the flexible screen 1 is in the folded state, the first support sheet 21 and the second support sheet 22 are arranged in parallel, the flexible support structure 23 is in the retracted state and is attached to the foldable screen area 13, and the flexible support structure 23 and the foldable screen area 13 present the same bending state; when the flexible screen 1 is in the flat state, the flexible support structure 23 is in the stretched state, and the first support sheet 21, the second support sheet 22, and the flexible support structure 23 can be in a plane parallel to the flexible screen 1.

[0053] The effective length of the flexible support structure 23 in the stretched state is greater than the effective length in the retracted state.

[0054] Meanwhile, the deformation member 233 can be designed in a strip shape, and the deformation member 233 can be stretched and contracted along the extension direction (length direction) thereof. The extension direction of the deformation member 233 can be arranged along the length direction of the flexible screen 1, or the extension direction of the deformation member 233 can form a certain angle with the length direction of the flexible screen 1. The first screen area 11, the foldable screen area 13, and the second screen area 12 are arranged along the length direction of the flexible screen 1.

[0055] In some examples, the deformation member 233 can be designed as a strip-shaped air bag, and the length of the air bag can be changed by controlling the inflation pressure of the air bag to control the expansion and contraction of the air bag along its extension direction.

[0056] In some examples, the deformation member 233 can be designed as a strip-shaped shape memory alloy, and the length of the shape memory alloy can be changed by controlling the temperature or voltage applied to the shape memory alloy.

[0057] In addition, the support layer 231 can be made of stainless steel, plastic or the like, so as to be provided as an elastic structure layer with a certain rigidity, and based on the arrangement of the plurality of hollow openings 2012 on the support layer 231, the support layer 231 can be designed as a mesh to ensure that the flexible support structure 23 can reliably switch between the retracted state and the stretched state.

[0058] In the embodiments of the present application, by configuring the electronic device with the flexible screen 1 and the foldable support 2, the foldable support 2 provides support for each screen area corresponding to the flexible screen 1 and can switch together with the flexible screen 1 between the folded state and the flat state; since the flexible support structure corresponding to the foldable support 2 is configured to include the support layer 231 and the deformation member 233, when the flexible screen 1 is in the flat state, the deformation member 233 can be driven to change the shape of each hollow opening 2012 on the support layer 231, so that the flexible support structure 23 is in the stretched state, to reliably support the foldable screen area 13 of the flexible screen 1, stretch the foldable screen area 13 to be flat, to a certain extent, reduce the defects such as folds, protrusions and depressions that may occur in the foldable screen area 13, thereby ensuring the appearance and service life of the electronic device.

[0059] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 5 The flexible support structure 23 further includes a circuit layer 232, and the circuit layer 232 is arranged on the surface of the support layer 231, and the deformation member 233 includes an electro-deformation member, and the electro-deformation member is electrically connected with the circuit layer 232.

[0060] The circuit layer 232 is used to control the energization state of the electro-deformation member to change the length of the electro-deformation member; and the electro-deformation member drives the support layer 231 through the circuit layer 232 to change the shape of each hollow opening 2012.

[0061] It can be understood that the electronic device is usually provided with the first circuit board 4 and the second circuit board 5, and the application can electrically connect one end of the circuit layer 232 with the first circuit board 4 and electrically connect the other end of the circuit layer 232 with the second circuit board 5, so that the flexible support structure 23 not only provides support for the foldable screen area 13, but also realizes signal transmission between the first circuit board 4 and the second circuit board 5.

[0062] According to actual needs, the material of the electro-deformation member can be selected to realize the expansion and contraction of the electro-deformation member when the circuit layer 232 controls the switching of the power-on state of the electro-deformation member, that is, the length of the electro-deformation member changes.

[0063] Therefore, when the electro-deformation member expands and contracts, the electro-deformation member directly applies a force to the circuit layer 232, and since the circuit layer 232 is arranged on the surface of the support layer 231, the deformation amount of the electro-deformation member is transmitted to the support layer 231 through the circuit layer 232, causing the shape of each hollow opening 2012 on the support layer 231 to change, thereby changing the overall length of the support layer 231, and further enabling the flexible support structure 23 to switch between the retracted mode and the stretched mode according to the deformation state of the electro-deformation member.

[0064] Optionally, when the circuit layer 232 controls the electro-deformation member to be powered on, the length of the electro-deformation member is elongated, and when the circuit layer 232 controls the electro-deformation member to be powered off, the length of the electro-deformation member is shortened.

[0065] Optionally, when the circuit layer 232 controls the electro-deformation member to be powered on, the length of the electro-deformation member is shortened, and when the circuit layer 232 controls the electro-deformation member to be powered off, the length of the electro-deformation member is elongated.

[0066] In order to better control the flexible support structure 23 to switch between the retracted mode and the stretched mode through the electro-deformation member, both ends of the electro-deformation member can be electrically connected with the circuit layer 232, and the arrangement mode of the electro-deformation member can be set according to actual needs. For example, the extension direction of the electro-deformation member can be arranged along the length direction of the flexible screen 1 as shown above.

[0067] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 3 , Figure 4 , and Figure 6 and Figure 7 , the flexible support structure 23 includes at least one bendable sequence 201.

[0068] The bendable sequence 201 is arranged between the first support sheet 21 and the second support sheet 22, and includes a plurality of grid units 2011 arranged in series along the arrangement direction of the first screen area 11, the foldable screen area 13 and the second screen area 12. The inner side of each grid unit 2011 forms a hollow opening 2012.

[0069] Each bendable sequence 201 is provided with at least one electro-active shape-changing member arranged along the arrangement direction.

[0070] It can be understood that each grid unit 2011 corresponding to the bendable sequence 201 includes a support layer 231, a circuit layer 232 and an electro-active shape-changing member.

[0071] For each grid unit 2011, the support layer 231 with the hollow opening 2012 can be prepared by using a metal suspension wire or a metal strip, the circuit layer 232 is attached to the surface of the support layer 231, and the circuit layer 232 is arranged along the edge corresponding to the support layer 231.

[0072] Since the plurality of grid units 2011 corresponding to the bendable sequence 201 are arranged along the length direction of the flexible screen 1, and the electro-active shape-changing member is arranged along the length direction of the flexible screen 1, based on the expansion and contraction of the electro-active shape-changing member, the entire bendable sequence 201 can be ensured to expand and contract along the length direction of the flexible screen 1 as much as possible, so that the flexible support structure 23 can be switched between the retracted state and the expanded state, thereby ensuring that the flexible support structure 23 reliably supports the foldable screen area 13 in the expanded state, and minimizing the possibility of creases in the flexible screen 1 in use.

[0073] In some examples, the electro-active shape-changing member can be arranged on the side of the circuit layer 232 away from the support layer 231, or arranged in the area corresponding to the hollow opening 2012, and arranged in the same layer as the circuit layer 232.

[0074] In some examples, the electro-active shape-changing member can be arranged in multiple, each electro-active shape-changing member being arranged opposite to one grid unit 2011, or arranged in multiple, any one of the plurality of electro-active shape-changing members being arranged opposite to at least two grid units 2011, or arranged in multiple, each electro-active shape-changing member being arranged between two adjacent grid units 2011. This is not limited, as long as the electro-active shape-changing member is arranged along the length direction of the flexible screen 1, and the two ends of the electro-active shape-changing member are electrically connected to the circuit layer 232.

[0075] In some embodiments, as Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the electro-morphs are provided in plurality; the plurality of electro-morphs and the plurality of mesh units 2011 correspondingly arranged in one-to-one mode; one end of the electro-morph is connected with the circuit layer 232 at one side of the hollow opening 2012, and the other end is connected with the circuit layer 232 at the other side of the hollow opening 2012.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 1, the flexible screen 1 is provided with a plurality of mesh units 2011 arranged in a sequence 201, and each mesh unit 2011 is provided with a hollow opening 2012. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, when the flexible screen 1 is in the folded state, the present application can control the electro-morphs to be in the power-off state through the circuit layer 232, at which time the electro-morphs are in the second length.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 1, the flexible screen 1 is provided with a plurality of mesh units 2011 arranged in a sequence 201, and each mesh unit 2011 is provided with a hollow opening 2012. Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, when the flexible screen 1 is in the unfolded state, the present application can control the electro-morphs to be in the power-on state through the circuit layer 232, at which time the electro-morphs are elongated from the second length to the first length. Under the driving of the electro-morphs, the width of the hollow opening 2012 corresponding to each mesh unit 2011 along the length direction of the flexible screen 1 increases, so that the overall length of the sequence 201 increases, thereby forming reliable support for the foldable screen area 13 and achieving the purpose of reducing the possible creases of the flexible screen 1 in use as much as possible.

[0078] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the electro-morphs are provided in plurality; each electro-morph is arranged between two adjacent mesh units 2011, one end of the electro-morph is connected with the circuit layer 232 of one of the two adjacent mesh units 2011, and the other end is connected with the circuit layer 232 of the other of the two adjacent mesh units 2011.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 1, the flexible screen 1 is provided with a plurality of mesh units 2011 arranged in a sequence 201, and each mesh unit 2011 is provided with a hollow opening 2012. Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, when the flexible screen 1 is in the folded state, the present application can control the electro-morphs to be in the power-off state through the circuit layer 232, at which time the electro-morphs are in the fourth length.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 1, the flexible screen 1 is provided with a plurality of mesh units 2011 arranged in a sequence 201, and each mesh unit 2011 is provided with a hollow opening 2012. Figure 1 and Figure 7 As shown, when the flexible screen 1 is in the unfolded state, the present application can control the electro-morphs to be in the power-on state through the circuit layer 232, at which time the electro-morphs are shortened from the fourth length to the third length. Under the driving of the electro-morphs, the width of the hollow opening 2012 corresponding to each mesh unit 2011 along the length direction of the flexible screen 1 increases, so that the overall length of the sequence 201 increases, thereby forming reliable support for the foldable screen area 13 and achieving the purpose of reducing the possible creases of the flexible screen 1 in use as much as possible.

[0081] It should be pointed out here that in the case of energizing each electro-deformation element, since the increase in the width of the hollow part 2012 along the length direction of the flexible screen 1 is greater than the decrease in the length of the electro-deformation element, and the electro-deformation element and the grid unit 2011 are arranged one by one, compared with the case of de-energizing each electro-deformation element, the overall length of the bendable sequence 201 will increase, which can provide reliable support to the foldable screen area 13 of the flexible screen in the stretched state.

[0082] According to Figure 3 and Figure 6 The schemes of the two embodiments correspond to the fact that according to the position of the electro-deformation element arranged in the entire bendable sequence 201, the electro-deformation elements corresponding in the two schemes adopt different materials, and according to the energization control of the electro-deformation elements of the two materials, the switching of the flexible support structure 23 in the retractable state and the stretched state in the foldable support 2 is realized.

[0083] However, unlike Figure 3 The technical scheme corresponding to, in Figure 6 The scheme shown in, the electro-deformation element is used to control the change of the stretched length of the bendable sequence 201, and also realizes the signal transmission between the line layers 232 on the adjacent two grid units 2011 in the bendable sequence 201.

[0084] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 3 , Figure 4 , and Figure 6 and Figure 7 The flexible support structure 23 includes a plurality of bendable sequences 201, and the plurality of bendable sequences 201 are arranged in sequence and spaced apart along the perpendicular direction to the arrangement direction.

[0085] It can be understood that in actual design, the width direction of the flexible screen 1 is perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the first screen area 11, the foldable screen area 13 and the second screen area 12.

[0086] The present application arranges a plurality of bendable sequences 201 along the width direction of the flexible screen 1, which can form more reliable support to the foldable screen area 13 of the flexible screen 1 along the width direction based on the plurality of bendable sequences 201, which is beneficial to reduce the creases that may be generated in use of the flexible screen 1.

[0087] Among them, the plurality of bendable sequences 201 of the present application can be configured as the same structure, so that when the flexible screen 1 is in the folded state, the plurality of bendable sequences 201 can be synchronously retracted with the same retraction amount, so that the flexible support structure 23 reaches the retracted state, and when the flexible screen 1 is in the flat state, the plurality of bendable sequences 201 can be synchronously stretched with the same elongation, so that the flexible support structure 23 reaches the stretched state.

[0088] In some embodiments, the circuit layer 232 is arranged on the side of the support layer 231 facing the flexible screen 1, or the circuit layer 232 is arranged on the side of the support layer 231 away from the flexible screen 1.

[0089] It can be understood that the circuit layer 232 not only realizes the signal transmission between the first circuit board 4 and the second circuit board 5 in the electronic device, but also buffers the bending stress of the support layer 231 to some extent, ensuring the bending performance of the flexible support structure 23 as a whole.

[0090] Optionally, in the embodiments shown in Figure 5 , the circuit layer 232 is arranged on the side of the support layer 231 facing the flexible screen 1.

[0091] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 5 , the circuit layer 232 includes an insulating layer 2321 and a wire layer 2322; the insulating layer 2321 is arranged on the surface of the support layer 231, the wire layer 2322 is embedded in the insulating layer 2321, and the electroactive deformation member and the wire layer 2322 are connected.

[0092] It can be understood that the insulating layer 2321 facilitates close combination with the support layer 231, and the insulating layer 2321 can be a high-frequency dielectric insulating layer 2321, so that the wire layer 2322 can transmit high-frequency signals based on the insulating layer 2321, ensuring the signal transmission performance of the circuit layer 232.

[0093] The wire layer 2322 can be a conductive circuit arranged in the insulating layer 2321, and the electroactive deformation member and the wire layer 2322 can be connected by a metal wire, or at least part of the wire layer 2322 can be exposed to the insulating layer 2321 to realize electrical connection between the electroactive deformation member and the wire layer 2322.

[0094] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 5 , the electroactive deformation member and the wire layer 2322 are connected by conductive glue, or the electroactive deformation member and the wire layer 2322 are connected by thermal compression welding. This design can not only ensure the reliability of the fixation of the electroactive deformation member, but also realize the electrical connection between the wire layer 2322 and the electroactive deformation member, thereby facilitating the control of the energization state of the electroactive deformation member through the circuit layer 232.

[0095] Based on the scheme shown in the above embodiments, the support layer 231 includes a stainless steel layer, and the shape of the hollow opening 2012 includes any one of a circle, a triangle, and a rhombus.

[0096] In order to conveniently control the flexible support structure 23 to switch between the retracted state and the stretched state along the length direction of the flexible screen 1, the shape of the hollow opening 2012 is specifically configured as a rhombus.

[0097] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 1 The electronic device further comprises a first circuit board 4, a second circuit board 5 and a housing 3.

[0098] The flexible screen 1 and the housing 3 form a receiving cavity 301, the first circuit board 4 and the second circuit board 5 are respectively arranged in the receiving cavity 301, the first circuit board 4 is arranged opposite to the first screen area 11, and the second circuit board 5 is arranged opposite to the second screen area 12.

[0099] Part of the circuit layer 232 extends to the surface of the first supporting sheet 21 and is connected with the first circuit board 4, and another part of the circuit layer 232 extends to the surface of the second supporting sheet 22 and is connected with the second circuit board 5.

[0100] Based on the above arrangement, the circuit structure is arranged on the surface of the foldable supporting member 2, which not only can provide better support for the flexible screen 1 during the switching between the folded state and the flat state of the flexible screen 1, but also can reduce the creases of the flexible screen 1 as much as possible during use, and the circuit layer 232 on the foldable supporting member 2 can also realize the signal communication between the first circuit board 4 and the second circuit board 5, and the circuit layer 232 is not easy to deform during the folding of the electronic device, so as to ensure the service life of the circuit layer 232.

[0101] It should be pointed out that the above electronic device can be a mobile terminal, such as a smart phone, a Tablet Personal Computer, a Laptop Computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a Mobile Internet Device (MID) or a Wearable Device, etc., and can also be other electronic devices, such as a digital camera, an electronic book, a navigator, etc.

[0102] In the description of the present specification, the description of the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "exemplary embodiment", "example", "specific example" or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In the present specification, the exemplary description of the above terms does not necessarily mean the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner.

[0103] While the embodiments of the application have been shown and described, it is to be understood that the embodiments can be varied, modified, substituted and changed by those skilled in the art without departing from the principles and spirit of the application, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising: The application relates to a flexible screen and a foldable support. The flexible screen comprises a first screen area, a second screen area and a foldable screen area between the first screen area and the second screen area. The foldable support comprises a first support sheet, a second support sheet and a flexible support structure between the first support sheet and the second support sheet; the first support sheet is attached to the first screen area, the second support sheet is attached to the second screen area, and the flexible support structure is attached to the foldable screen area. The flexible support structure comprises a support layer and a deformation member; the support layer is provided with a plurality of hollow openings; the deformation member drives the support layer to change the shape of each hollow opening, so that the flexible support structure is switched between a retracted mode and an extended mode. The flexible support structure further comprises a circuit layer; the circuit layer is arranged on the surface of the support layer; the deformation member comprises an electro-deformation member; the electro-deformation member is electrically connected with the circuit layer; the circuit layer is used for controlling the energization state of the electro-deformation member to change the length of the electro-deformation member; the electro-deformation member drives the support layer through the circuit layer to change the shape of each hollow opening. The flexible support structure comprises at least one bendable sequence; the bendable sequence is arranged between the first support sheet and the second support sheet; the bendable sequence comprises a plurality of grid units; the grid units are sequentially connected along the arrangement direction of the first screen area, the foldable screen area and the second screen area; the inner side of each grid unit forms the hollow opening; each bendable sequence is provided with at least one electro-deformation member; the electro-deformation member is arranged along the arrangement direction. The electro-deformation member is provided with a plurality of electro-deformation members; the electro-deformation members and the corresponding hollow openings of the grid units are arranged one by one; one end of the electro-deformation member is connected with the circuit layer on one side of the hollow opening, and the other end is connected with the circuit layer on the other side of the hollow opening.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein, In the case that the electro-deformation member is in the energization state, the electro-deformation member is in a first length; in the case that the electro-deformation member is in the de-energization state, the electro-deformation member is in a second length; the first length is greater than the second length. The electro-deformation member is provided with a plurality of electro-deformation members; each electro-deformation member is arranged between two adjacent grid units; one end of the electro-deformation member is connected with the circuit layer of one of the two adjacent grid units, and the other end is connected with the circuit layer of the other of the two adjacent grid units.

3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein, In the case that the electro-deformation member is in the energization state, the electro-deformation member is in a third length; in the case that the electro-deformation member is in the de-energization state, the electro-deformation member is in a fourth length; the third length is less than the fourth length. The flexible support structure comprises a plurality of bendable sequences; the bendable sequences are sequentially and spacedly arranged along a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein, ​ 5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein, The circuit layer is arranged on one side of the support layer facing the flexible screen, or the circuit layer is arranged on one side of the support layer away from the flexible screen.

6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein, The circuit layer comprises an insulating layer and a wire layer. The insulating layer is arranged on the surface of the support layer, and the wire layer is arranged in the insulating layer, and the electroactive shape memory element is connected with the wire layer.

7. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein, The electroactive shape memory element and the wire layer are connected by conductive glue, or the electroactive shape memory element and the wire layer are connected by thermal compression welding.

8. The electronic device of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The electronic device further comprises a first circuit board, a second circuit board and a housing. The flexible screen and the housing form a receiving cavity, the first circuit board and the second circuit board are arranged in the receiving cavity respectively, the first circuit board is arranged opposite to the first screen area, and the second circuit board is arranged opposite to the second screen area. Part of the circuit layer extends to the surface of the first support sheet and is connected with the first circuit board, and another part of the circuit layer extends to the surface of the second support sheet and is connected with the second circuit board.

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