Hinge mechanism and electronic device

Abstract

The application discloses a hinge mechanism and an electronic device, the hinge mechanism comprises a hinge support, a connecting support, a swing arm and a damping device, the first end of the swing arm is rotationally connected with the hinge support, the second end of the swing arm is slidingly connected with the connecting support, the damping device is arranged on the connecting support, and the second end of the swing arm is slidingly matched with the connecting support when the first end of the swing arm rotates relative to the hinge support; the damping device comprises a first damping piece and a second damping piece, the first damping piece and the second damping piece are arranged in a staggered manner in a first direction, the first direction is a direction in which the hinge support points to the connecting support; the swing arm interacts with the first damping piece when the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is in a first interval; the swing arm interacts with the second damping piece when the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is in a second interval; and the first interval and the second interval do not intersect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of hinge mechanism technology, and more particularly to a hinge mechanism and an electronic device. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of electronic devices, foldable electronic devices are becoming increasingly popular among users. Foldable electronic devices typically achieve folding and unfolding through a hinge mechanism. However, when using hinge mechanisms in electronic devices, there is a problem where the folding or unfolding speed is too fast within a certain folding angle range (for example, the electronic device often exhibits excessively fast folding or unfolding speed near the fully unfolded or fully closed stage, but this is not limited to these stages). This results in a lower user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention discloses a hinge mechanism and an electronic device to solve the problem that electronic devices in related technologies fold or unfold too quickly within a certain folding angle range.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention is implemented as follows:

[0005] In a first aspect, this application discloses a hinge mechanism, which includes a hinge support, a connecting support, a swing arm, and a damping device, wherein...

[0006] The first end of the swing arm is rotatably connected to the hinge bracket, the second end of the swing arm is slidably connected to the connecting bracket, the damping device is provided on the connecting bracket, and when the first end of the swing arm rotates relative to the hinge bracket, the second end of the swing arm is slidably engaged with the connecting bracket.

[0007] The damping device includes a first damping element and a second damping element, which are offset from each other in a first direction, the first direction being the direction from the hinge bracket to the connecting bracket.

[0008] When the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is within a first interval, the swing arm interacts with the first damping element; when the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is within a second interval, the swing arm interacts with the second damping element; the first interval and the second interval do not intersect.

[0009] Secondly, this application discloses an electronic device, which includes the hinge mechanism described in the first aspect.

[0010] The technical solution adopted in this invention can achieve the following technical effects:

[0011] The hinge mechanism disclosed in this application incorporates a damping device, specifically a structure including a first damping element and a second damping element. The first and second damping elements are offset in a first direction. This allows the swing arm to interact with the first damping element when the hinge mechanism's folding angle is within a first range, increasing the damping of the swing arm's rotation relative to the hinge support within that range. Similarly, when the hinge mechanism's folding angle is within a second range, the swing arm interacts with the second damping element, further increasing the damping of the swing arm's rotation relative to the hinge support within that range. This allows the first and second ranges to be positioned on the hinge mechanism at locations prone to excessively fast folding or unfolding speeds. When the hinge mechanism is used in electronic devices, it solves the problem of excessively fast folding or unfolding speeds within a certain folding angle range, thus improving the user experience. Furthermore, the offsetting of the first and second damping elements in the first direction facilitates the arrangement of other components within the hinge mechanism. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is an overall schematic diagram of the hinge mechanism disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 2 This is a top view of the hinge mechanism disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A partial sectional view;

[0015] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Sectional view of AA;

[0016] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the swing arm structure disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 6 for Figure 5 The left view;

[0018] Figure 7 for Figure 5 The right view;

[0019] Figure 8 for Figure 2 A sectional view;

[0020] Figure 9 for Figure 8 Sectional view of BB;

[0021] Figure 10 This is a side view of the swing arm disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 11 for Figure 10 Sectional view of CC;

[0023] Figure 12 for Figure 10 Sectional view of DD;

[0024] Figure 13 for Figure 12 A cross-sectional view of EE and a partially enlarged schematic diagram at point F;

[0025] Figure 14 This is a partial perspective view of the hinge mechanism disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 15 This is a top view of the hinge mechanism disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 16 for Figure 15 Cross-sectional views of HH and GG;

[0028] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the hinge mechanism when the folding angle is within the second interval.

[0029] Figure 18 for Figure 17 An enlarged schematic diagram of point I;

[0030] Figure 19 for Figure 17 A magnified view of point G;

[0031] Figure 20 This is a schematic diagram of the hinge mechanism when the folding angle is within the first interval.

[0032] Figure 21 for Figure 20 Enlarged view of point K;

[0033] Figure 22 for Figure 20 Enlarged view of point L in the middle;

[0034] Figure 23 A schematic diagram of a hinge mechanism whose folding angle is outside the first and second intervals;

[0035] Figure 24 for Figure 23 Enlarged view of point M in the middle;

[0036] Figure 25 for Figure 23 Enlarged view of point N;

[0037] Figure 26 This is a schematic diagram of the damping device.

[0038] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0039] 100-Hinge Bracket

[0040] 200-Connecting bracket, 210-Second guide section, 211-Arc-shaped guide section, 212-Straight guide section, 230-First slide groove, 240-Second slide groove

[0041] 300-Swing arm, 310-Second connecting part, 320-Door panel pin, 330-Stop position,

[0042] 400 - Damping device, 410 - First damping element, 420 - Second damping element, 430 - Damper, 431 - First limiting part

[0043] 440 - Drive component, 450 - Damping mating component, 451 - First connecting mating part, 452 - First fixing groove, 452a - First clearance opening, 453 - First snap-fit ​​plug, 454 - Clearance groove, 455 - Second fixing groove, 455a - Second clearance opening, 456 - Snap-fit ​​post, 457 - Second snap-fit ​​plug, 458 - First guide part, 460 - Housing

[0044] 500-Synchronous Gear Set

[0045] 610 - Spring, 620 - Cam

[0046] 700-Second Swing Arm,

[0047] 800-Door panel, 810-Door panel groove. Detailed Implementation

[0048] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with specific embodiments and corresponding drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this invention, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of this invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0049] The technical solutions disclosed in the various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0050] Please refer to Figures 1 to 26 This invention discloses a hinge mechanism, which includes a hinge bracket 100, a connecting bracket 200, a swing arm 300, and a damping device 400.

[0051] The first end of the swing arm 300 is rotatably connected to the hinge bracket 100. Specifically, the bracket 100 may include a fixed shaft, and the first end of the swing arm 300 may have a rotatable connection hole. The first end of the swing arm 300 can be sleeved on the fixed shaft through the rotatable connection hole to achieve a rotatable connection with the bracket 100. Of course, the first end of the swing arm 300 can also be rotatably connected to the hinge bracket 100 in other ways, such as through a bearing, hinge, or other structure. This application embodiment does not impose specific limitations on the way the first end of the swing arm 300 is rotatably connected to the hinge bracket 100.

[0052] The second end of the swing arm 300 is slidably connected to the connecting bracket 200. The connecting bracket 200 may have a second sliding groove 240, and the second end of the swing arm 300 can slide along the second sliding groove 240. The damping device 400 is provided on the connecting bracket 200. When the first end of the swing arm 300 rotates relative to the hinge bracket 100, the second end of the swing arm 300 is slidably engaged with the connecting bracket 200.

[0053] The damping device 400 includes a first damping element 410 and a second damping element 420. The first damping element 410 and the second damping element 420 are offset in a first direction, which is the direction from the hinge bracket 100 to the connecting bracket 200.

[0054] It should be noted that the staggered arrangement of the first damping element 410 and the second damping element 420 in the first direction means that the first damping element 410 and the second damping element 420 are spaced apart in the first direction and also spaced apart in the direction perpendicular to the first direction. For details, please refer to the appendix. Figure 7 and attached Figure 8 .

[0055] When the hinge mechanism's folding angle is within the first interval, the swing arm 300 interacts with the first damping member 410 to increase the damping of the swing arm 300 relative to the hinge support 100 during rotation within the first interval. When the hinge mechanism's folding angle is within the second interval, the swing arm 300 interacts with the second damping member 420 to increase the damping of the swing arm 300 relative to the hinge support 100 during rotation within the second interval. The first and second intervals do not intersect.

[0056] It should be noted that the first interval can refer to an angle range between the hinge mechanism in a near-fully extended state and a fully extended state, and the second interval can refer to an angle range between the hinge mechanism in a near-fully folded state and a fully folded state. For example, the folding angle of the hinge mechanism in a fully extended state can be defined as 180 degrees, and the folding angle in a fully folded state can be defined as 0 degrees. The first interval can be between 150 and 180 degrees, and the second interval can be between 0 and 15 degrees. Of course, the first and second intervals can also be any interval between the fully extended and fully folded states of the hinge mechanism. The value ranges of the first and second intervals are merely exemplary and can be selected according to actual needs. Correspondingly, the positions of the first damping member 410 and the second damping member 420 can be adaptively adjusted, and this application embodiment does not impose specific limitations on them.

[0057] The hinge mechanism disclosed in this application provides a damping device 400, which is configured to include a first damping element 410 and a second damping element 420. The first damping element 410 and the second damping element 420 are offset in a first direction, so that when the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is within a first range, the swing arm 300 interacts with the first damping element 410 to increase the damping of the swing arm 300 when rotating relative to the hinge support 100 within the first range. When the hinge mechanism is folded within the second interval, the swing arm 300 interacts with the second damping member 420 to increase the damping of the swing arm 300 when rotating relative to the hinge bracket 100 within the second interval. This allows the first and second intervals to be positioned at locations where the hinge mechanism is prone to excessive folding or unfolding speeds during folding or unfolding. Consequently, when the hinge mechanism is used in electronic devices, the problem of excessive folding or unfolding speeds when the electronic device is folded or unfolded within a certain folding angle range can be solved, thereby improving the user experience. Furthermore, by misaligning the first damping member 410 and the second damping member 420 in the first direction, it is also beneficial for the arrangement of other components of the hinge mechanism.

[0058] This application exemplarily discloses a specific application of a hinge mechanism. Since hinge mechanisms are prone to excessively fast unfolding or folding speeds during the near-fully unfolded or near-fully closed stages, the first interval can be an angular range between the near-fully unfolded state and the fully unfolded state of the hinge mechanism, and the second interval can be an angular range between the near-fully folded state and the fully folded state of the hinge mechanism. When the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is within the first interval, please refer to the appendix for details. Figure 20The swing arm 300 interacts with the first damping element 410 to increase the damping of the swing arm 300 when rotating relative to the hinge bracket 100 within the first interval. This reduces the unfolding speed of the hinge mechanism between the near-fully unfolded state and the fully unfolded state, thus improving the stability of the electronic device during unfolding when the hinge mechanism is applied. For details regarding the folding angle of the hinge mechanism within the second interval, please refer to the appendix. Figure 17 The swing arm 300 interacts with the second damping element 420 to increase the damping of the swing arm 300 when rotating relative to the hinge bracket 100 in the second interval. This can slow down the folding speed of the hinge mechanism between the near-fully folded state and the fully folded state. As a result, when the hinge mechanism is applied to electronic devices, it can help solve problems such as excessively fast folding speed and excessively loud closing sound.

[0059] When the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is outside the first and second intervals, the hinge mechanism can be in the hovering segment, for example (the folding angle can be between 15 degrees and 150 degrees). The hovering force of the hinge mechanism can be provided by the spring 610 and the cam 620. The structure of the spring 610 and the cam 620 has been disclosed in related technologies, and will not be described again in the embodiments of this application.

[0060] Specifically, the first damping element 410 and the second damping element 420 can be friction elements, magnetic components, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific structure of the first damping element 410 and the second damping element 420.

[0061] Optionally, both the first damping member 410 and the second damping member 420 may include a damper 430 and a drive member 440, both of which may be disposed on the connecting bracket 200. When the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is within a first range, both the drive member 440 and the damper 430 of the first damping member 410 may be connected to the second end of the swing arm 300, so that the drive member 440 drives the second end of the swing arm 300 to slide along the connecting bracket 200 in a first direction, and the damper 430 may be used to reduce the sliding speed of the second end of the swing arm 300 along the connecting bracket 200. When the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is within a second range, both the drive member 440 and the damper 430 of the second damping member 420 may be connected to the second end of the swing arm 300, so that the drive member 440 drives the second end of the swing arm 300 to slide along the connecting bracket 200 in a second direction, and the damper 430 may be used to reduce the sliding speed of the second end of the swing arm 300 along the connecting bracket 200. The first direction is opposite to the second direction.

[0062] It should be noted that when the hinge mechanism is folded within the first range, the second end of the swing arm 300 needs to overcome the driving force of the drive member 440 and the damping force of the damper 430 when sliding along the connecting bracket 200 in the second direction. Similarly, when the hinge mechanism is folded within the second range, the second end of the swing arm 300 needs to overcome the driving force of the drive member 440 and the damping force of the damper 430 when sliding along the connecting bracket 200 in the first direction.

[0063] In specific applications, for example, the first interval can be an angle range between the near-fully extended state and the fully extended state of the hinge mechanism, and the second interval can be an angle range between the near-fully folded state and the fully folded state of the hinge mechanism. When the second end of the swing arm 300 slides along the connecting bracket 200 in the first direction, it represents the unfolding process of the hinge mechanism; when the second end of the swing arm 300 slides along the connecting bracket 200 in the second direction, it represents the folding process of the hinge mechanism. When the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is within the first interval, the first damping member 410 can drive the second end of the swing arm 300 to slide along the connecting bracket 200 in the first direction via the driving member 440. The damper 430 can reduce the sliding speed of the second end of the swing arm 300 along the connecting bracket 200, thereby enabling the hinge mechanism to automatically unfold to the fully extended state while reducing the unfolding speed. When the hinge mechanism is folded within the second range, the second damper 420 can drive the second end of the swing arm 300 to slide along the connecting bracket 200 in the second direction through the drive member 440. The damper 430 can be used to reduce the sliding speed of the second end of the swing arm 300 along the connecting bracket 200, so that the hinge mechanism can automatically close to the fully closed state while reducing the closing speed.

[0064] The hinge mechanism disclosed in this application, by configuring both the first damping member 410 and the second damping member 420 as structures including a damper 430 and a driving member 440, can reduce the sliding speed of the second end of the swing arm 300 along the connecting bracket 200 in the first direction when the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is within a first range, and can also drive the second end of the swing arm 300 to slide automatically along the connecting bracket 200 in the first direction via the driving member 440. When the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is within a second range, it can reduce the sliding speed of the second end of the swing arm 300 along the connecting bracket 200 in the second direction, and can also drive the second end of the swing arm 300 to slide automatically along the connecting bracket 200 in the second direction via the driving member 440.

[0065] Optionally, both the first damping element 410 and the second damping element 420 may further include a damping mating element 450. The first end of the damper 430 and the first end of the drive element 440 can be connected to the connecting bracket 200, and the second end of the damper 430 and the second end of the drive element 440 can be connected to the damping mating element 450. When the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is within a first range or a second range, the second end of the swing arm 300 is connected to the corresponding damping mating element 450.

[0066] The hinge mechanism disclosed in this application embodiment provides a damping mating member 450, which connects the first end of the damper 430 and the first end of the drive member 440 to the connecting bracket 200, and the second end of the damper 430 and the second end of the drive member 440 to the damping mating member 450. This simplifies the mating structure between the swing arm 300 and the first damping member 410, and between the swing arm 300 and the second damping member 420.

[0067] Specifically, the hinge bracket 100 may also have a first slide groove 230, and the damping mating member 450 may be slidably disposed in the first slide groove 230, thereby improving the stability of the damping mating member 450 during movement.

[0068] In an optional embodiment, the damping engagement member 450 may include a first guide portion 458 and a first connecting engagement portion 451. The connecting bracket 200 may be provided with a second guide portion 210 at a corresponding position of each damping engagement member 450. The second guide portion 210 may include an arc-shaped guide segment 211 and a straight guide segment 212 extending along a first direction. The second end of the swing arm 300 may include a second connecting engagement portion 310. When the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is outside the first range, the first guide portion 458 of the first damping member 410 may guide and engage with the corresponding arc-shaped guide segment 211, so that the first connecting engagement portion 451 of the first damping member 410 is inclined relative to the first direction and tilted towards the direction of the second damping member 420. When the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is within the first range, the second connecting engagement portion 310 connects with the first connecting engagement portion 451 of the first damping member 410, and the first guide portion 458 may guide and engage with the corresponding arc-shaped guide segment 211 and straight guide segment 212. When the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is outside the second range, the first guide portion 458 of the second damper 420 can be guided and engaged with the arc-shaped guide segment 211 so that the first connecting engagement portion 451 of the second damper 420 can be inclined relative to the first direction and inclined toward the direction of the first damper 410; when the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is within the second range, the second connecting engagement portion 310 is connected to the first connecting engagement portion 451 of the second damper 420, and the first guide portion 458 can be guided and engaged with the corresponding arc-shaped guide segment 211 and straight guide segment 212.

[0069] The hinge mechanism disclosed in this application configures the second guide portion 210 to include an arc-shaped guide segment 211 and a straight guide segment 212 extending along a first direction. This allows the first guide portion 458 of the first damping member 410 to engage with the corresponding arc-shaped guide segment 211 when the hinge mechanism's folding angle is outside a first range. This causes the first connecting portion 451 of the first damping member 410 to be inclined relative to the first direction and towards the direction of the second damping member 420. When the hinge mechanism's folding angle is outside a second range, the first guide portion 458 of the second damping member 420 engages with the arc-shaped guide segment 211, allowing the first connecting portion 451 of the second damping member 420 to be inclined relative to the first direction and towards the direction of the first damping member 410. This facilitates the connection between the second connecting portion 310 of the swing arm 300 and the first connecting portion 451 of the first damping member 410, and also facilitates the connection between the second connecting portion 310 of the swing arm 300 and the first connecting portion 451 of the second damping member 420. Furthermore, the guiding cooperation between the first guide section 458 and the arc-shaped guide section 211 and the straight guide section 212 is beneficial to the accuracy of the sliding of the swing arm 300 along the connecting bracket 200.

[0070] It should be noted that one of the first guide portion 458 and the second guide portion 210 can be a protruding structure, and the other can be a recessed structure. Of course, the first guide portion 458 and the second guide portion 210 can also be other structures. For example, one of the first guide portion 458 and the second guide portion 210 can be a guide rail, and the other can be a slider sleeved on the guide rail. The embodiments of this application do not impose specific limitations on the structure of the first guide portion 458 and the second guide portion 210.

[0071] Furthermore, the first connecting engagement portion 451 can be located on the side of the damper 430 opposite to the drive member 440. When the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is outside the first range, the first guide portion 458 of the first damper 410 is held in a position engaging with the arc-shaped guide segment 211 under the combined action of the drive member 440, the damper 430, and the arc-shaped guide segment 211. When the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is outside the second range, the first guide portion 458 of the second damper 420 is held in a position engaging with the arc-shaped guide segment 211 under the combined action of the drive member 440, the damper 430, and the arc-shaped guide segment 211, so that the drive member 440 and the damper 430 can also have the function of working together with the arc-shaped guide segment 211 to keep the first guide portion 458 in the position engaging with the arc-shaped guide segment 211.

[0072] In an optional embodiment, the damping mating member 450 may have a first fixing groove 452, and the side wall of the first fixing groove 452 may have a first clearance opening 452a. The second end of the damper 430 may include a first limiting part 431, which can be used to extend into the first fixing groove 452 from the opening at the end of the first fixing groove 452 and to limit and cooperate with the side wall of the first clearance opening 452a in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the first fixing groove 452. The first end of the damper 430 extends out of the first fixing groove 452 from the first clearance opening 452a.

[0073] The hinge mechanism disclosed in this application discloses a specific damping engagement member 450, which allows the first limiting portion 431 of the damper 430 to extend into the first fixing groove 452 from the opening at the end of the first fixing groove 452, and to engage with the side wall of the first clearance opening 452a in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the first fixing groove 452. The first end of the damper 430 extends out of the first fixing groove 452 from the first clearance opening 452a, thereby making the connection between the damper 430 and the damping engagement member 450 more stable.

[0074] To prevent the first limiting portion 431 of the damper 430 from dislodging from the end of the first fixing groove 452, the damping fitting 450 may optionally include a first snap plug 453, which may be provided at the end opening of the first fixing groove 452, thereby preventing the first limiting portion 431 of the damper 430 from dislodging from the end of the first fixing groove 452.

[0075] Since the second guide portion 210 of the connecting bracket 200 includes an arc-shaped guide section 211, the angle of the damping mating member 450 will change accordingly when the second guide portion 210 and the arc-shaped guide section 211 are guided and engaged. Since the first limiting portion 431 of the damper 430 extends into the first fixing groove 452 from the opening at the end of the first fixing groove 452, in order to avoid interference between the damper 430 and the damping mating member 450 when the angle of the damping mating member 450 changes, optionally, a clearance groove 454 can be provided on the side wall of the first fixing groove 452. The first limiting portion 431 can move along the clearance groove 454, so that when the angle of the damping mating member 450 changes, the first limiting portion 431 can move along the clearance groove 454, thereby avoiding interference between the damper 430 and the damping mating member 450.

[0076] In one optional embodiment, the damping mating member 450 may have a second fixing groove 455, the side wall of the second fixing groove 455 may have a second clearance opening 455a, a fastening post 456 may be provided in the second fixing groove 455, the second end of the driving member 440 may be sleeved on the fastening post 456, and the first end of the driving member 440 may extend from the second clearance opening 455a to outside the second fixing groove 455.

[0077] The hinge mechanism disclosed in this application adopts a second fixing groove 455 in the damping mating member 450, a second clearance opening 455a in the side wall of the second fixing groove 455, and a fastening post 456 in the second fixing groove 455, so that the second end of the driving member 440 can be sleeved on the fastening post 456, thereby making the connection between the driving member 440 and the damping mating member 450 more stable.

[0078] To prevent the second end of the driving member 440 from disengaging from the fastening post 456, the damping mating member 450 may optionally include a second snap plug 457, which may be located at the opening at the end of the second fixing groove 455, thereby preventing the second end of the driving member 440 from disengaging from the fastening post 456.

[0079] The damping device 400 may further include a housing 460, and at least a portion of the damper 430 and the drive member 440 may be disposed within the housing 460 so that the housing 460 can protect the damper 430 and the drive member 440.

[0080] Specifically, the driving component 440 can be an elastic structural component, which can always be in an elastic deformation state. The hinge mechanism disclosed in this application makes the structure of the driving component 440 relatively simple by setting the driving component 440 as an elastic structural component.

[0081] In specific applications, for example, the first interval can be an angular range between the near-fully extended state and the fully extended state of the hinge mechanism, and the second interval can be an angular range between the near-fully folded state and the fully folded state of the hinge mechanism. When the second end of the swing arm 300 slides along the connecting bracket 200 in the first direction, it represents the unfolding process of the hinge mechanism; when the second end of the swing arm 300 slides along the connecting bracket 200 in the second direction, it represents the folding process of the hinge mechanism. The elastic structural member is always in a state of elastic deformation. When the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is within the first interval, the elastic structural member can not only drive the second end of the swing arm 300 to slide along the connecting bracket 200 in the first direction to unfold the hinge mechanism to the fully extended state, but also maintain it in the fully extended state under the action of the elastic force of the elastic structural member. When the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is within the second interval, the elastic structural member can not only drive the second end of the swing arm 300 to slide along the connecting bracket 200 in the second direction to fold the hinge mechanism to the fully folded state, but also maintain it in the fully folded state under the action of the elastic force of the elastic structural member. Therefore, when an electronic device equipped with the hinge mechanism disclosed in this application is dropped, the electronic device is less likely to open when folded, which can reduce the amount of slippage between the swing arm 300 and the connecting bracket 200, thereby reducing the squeezing deformation between the flexible screen of the electronic device and the hinge mechanism, and thus improving the drop reliability of the flexible screen.

[0082] It should be noted that the torque of the flexible screen of an electronic device increases in low-temperature environments. Specifically, in the first interval (the angle range between the near-fully extended and fully extended states of the hinge mechanism) and the second interval (the angle range between the near-fully folded and fully folded states of the hinge mechanism), when the second end of the swing arm 300 slides along the connecting bracket 200 in the first direction, it is the unfolding process of the hinge mechanism; when the second end of the swing arm 300 slides along the connecting bracket 200 in the second direction, it is the folding process of the hinge mechanism. To avoid the problem of the electronic device popping open due to the increased torque of the flexible screen caused by the low ambient temperature when folded, optionally, the driving component 440 can be a shape memory alloy. The stiffness of the shape memory alloy can increase as the temperature decreases. This increases the stiffness of the shape memory alloy when the ambient temperature decreases, thereby increasing the driving force applied by the shape memory alloy to the swing arm 300 to keep the hinge mechanism in a fully closed state, thus preventing the electronic device from popping open in low ambient temperatures.

[0083] In one optional embodiment, the hinge mechanism may include a plurality of swing arms 300, which may be symmetrically arranged on both sides of the hinge bracket 100. The hinge mechanism may also include a synchronous gear set 500, and two symmetrically arranged swing arms 300 may be connected by the synchronous gear set 500. Each of the plurality of swing arms 300 may be provided with a damping device 400.

[0084] Optionally, the hinge mechanism may further include a second swing arm 700, the first end of which is rotatably connected to the hinge bracket 100 via a bearing, and the second end of which is connected to the connecting bracket 200. It should be noted that the swing arm 300 mentioned in this embodiment may be a first swing arm, which may be a synchronous swing arm, and the second swing arm 700 may be a virtual swing arm.

[0085] The first end of the swing arm 300 may also be provided with a stop position 330. The stop position can be used to stop the hinge bracket 100 when the hinge mechanism is in the fully extended state, so as to restrict the hinge mechanism from continuing to rotate in the extended direction.

[0086] This application also discloses an electronic device, which includes the hinge mechanism disclosed in the above embodiments. By incorporating the hinge mechanism disclosed in the above embodiments, the electronic device disclosed in this application can solve the problem of excessively fast folding or unfolding speed when folding or unfolding within a certain folding angle range, thereby improving the user experience. Furthermore, by misaligning the first damping member 410 and the second damping member 420 in the first direction, the arrangement of other components of the hinge mechanism is also beneficial.

[0087] The electronic device may also include a door panel 800, which can be connected to the connecting bracket 200. The door panel can be used to provide a mounting base for the flexible screen of the electronic device. The door panel 800 may have a door panel groove 810, and the second end of the swing arm 300 may have a door panel pin 320. The door panel pin 320 at the second end of the swing arm 300 can pass through the door panel groove 810, and when the swing arm 300 rotates relative to the hinge bracket 100, the door panel pin 320 can slide along the door panel groove 810.

[0088] It should be noted that the electronic devices disclosed in this application can be foldable electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, and game consoles. This application does not limit the specific types of electronic devices.

[0089] The above embodiments of the present invention focus on describing the differences between the various embodiments. As long as the different optimization features between the various embodiments are not contradictory, they can be combined to form a better embodiment. For the sake of brevity, they will not be described in detail here.

[0090] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make many other forms under the guidance of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and all of these forms are within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hinge mechanism, characterized in that, It includes a hinge bracket (100), a connecting bracket (200), a swing arm (300), and a damping device (400), wherein, The first end of the swing arm (300) is rotatably connected to the hinge bracket (100), the second end of the swing arm (300) is slidably connected to the connecting bracket (200), and the damping device (400) is disposed on the connecting bracket (200). When the first end of the swing arm (300) rotates relative to the hinge bracket (100), the second end of the swing arm (300) is slidably engaged with the connecting bracket (200). The damping device (400) includes a first damping element (410) and a second damping element (420), wherein the first damping element (410) and the second damping element (420) are offset in a first direction, which is the direction from the hinge bracket (100) to the connecting bracket (200). When the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is within the first interval, the swing arm (300) interacts with the first damping member (410); when the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is within the second interval, the swing arm (300) interacts with the second damping member (420); the first interval and the second interval do not intersect.

2. The hinge mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first damping member (410) and the second damping member (420) each include a damper (430) and a drive member (440), and the damper (430) and the drive member (440) are both disposed on the connecting bracket (200); When the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is within the first range, the drive member (440) and the damper (430) of the first damping member (410) are both connected to the second end of the swing arm (300), so that the drive member (440) drives the second end of the swing arm (300) to slide along the connecting bracket (200) in the first direction, and the damper (430) is used to reduce the sliding speed of the second end of the swing arm (300) along the connecting bracket (200); When the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is within the second range, the drive member (440) and the damper (430) of the second damping member (420) are both connected to the second end of the swing arm (300), so that the drive member (440) drives the second end of the swing arm (300) to slide along the connecting bracket (200) in the second direction, and the damper (430) is used to reduce the sliding speed of the second end of the swing arm (300) along the connecting bracket (200); wherein, the first direction is opposite to the second direction.

3. The hinge mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, Both the first damping element (410) and the second damping element (420) further include a damping mating element (450); The first end of the damper (430) and the first end of the drive member (440) are both connected to the connecting bracket (200), and the second end of the damper (430) and the second end of the drive member (440) are both connected to the damping mating member (450). When the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is within the first interval or the second interval, the second end of the swing arm (300) is connected to the corresponding damping coupling (450).

4. The hinge mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that, The damping fitting (450) includes a first guide portion (458) and a first connecting fitting portion (451). The connecting bracket (200) is provided with a second guide portion (210) at a corresponding position of each damping fitting (450). The second guide portion (210) includes an arc-shaped guide section (211) and a straight guide section (212) extending along the first direction. The second end of the swing arm (300) includes a second connecting fitting portion (310). When the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is outside the first range, the first guide portion (458) of the first damping member (410) is guided and engaged with the corresponding arc-shaped guide segment (211) so that the first connecting engagement portion (451) of the first damping member (410) is inclined relative to the first direction and inclined toward the direction of the second damping member (420); when the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is within the first range, the second connecting engagement portion (310) is connected to the first connecting engagement portion (451) of the first damping member (410); When the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is outside the second range, the first guide portion (458) of the second damping member (420) is guided and engaged with the arc-shaped guide segment (211) so that the first connecting engagement portion (451) of the second damping member (420) is inclined relative to the first direction and inclined toward the direction of the first damping member (410); when the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is within the second range, the second connecting engagement portion (310) is connected to the first connecting engagement portion (451) of the second damping member (420).

5. The hinge mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first connecting part (451) is located on the side of the damper (430) opposite to the drive member (440); When the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is outside the first range, the first guide portion (458) of the first damping member (410) is held in a position that cooperates with the arc-shaped guide section (211) under the combined action of the driving member (440), the damper (430) and the arc-shaped guide section (211); When the folding angle of the hinge mechanism is outside the second range, the first guide portion (458) of the second damping member (420) is held in a position that cooperates with the arc-shaped guide section (211) under the combined action of the drive member (440), the damper (430) and the arc-shaped guide section (211).

6. The hinge mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that, The damping fitting (450) has a first fixing groove (452), and the side wall of the first fixing groove (452) has a first clearance opening (452a). The second end of the damper (430) includes a first limiting part (431). The first limiting part (431) is used to extend into the first fixing groove (452) from the opening at the end of the first fixing groove (452) and to limit the engagement with the side wall of the first clearance opening (452a) in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the first fixing groove (452). The first end of the damper (430) extends out of the first fixing groove (452) from the first clearance opening (452a).

7. The hinge mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that, The damping fitting (450) includes a first snap plug (453), which is located at the end opening of the first fixing groove (452).

8. The hinge mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that, The side wall of the first fixing groove (452) is also provided with a relief groove (454), and the first limiting part (431) can move along the relief groove (454).

9. The hinge mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that, The damping fitting (450) has a second fixing groove (455), and the side wall of the second fixing groove (455) has a second clearance opening (455a). The second fixing groove (455) has a fastening post (456), the second end of the driving member (440) is sleeved on the fastening post (456), and the first end of the driving member (440) extends from the second clearance opening (455a) to outside the second fixing groove (455).

10. The hinge mechanism according to claim 9, characterized in that, The damping fitting (450) further includes a second snap plug (457), which is located at the opening at the end of the second fixing groove (455).

11. The hinge mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The driving component (440) is an elastic structural component, which is always in an elastic deformation state.

12. The hinge mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The drive component (440) is a shape memory alloy, and the stiffness of the shape memory alloy increases as the temperature decreases.

13. The hinge mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hinge mechanism includes a plurality of swing arms (300), which are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the hinge bracket (100). The hinge mechanism also includes a synchronous gear set (500), and two symmetrically arranged swing arms (300) are connected by the synchronous gear set (500). Each of the plurality of swing arms (300) is correspondingly provided with the damping device (400).

14. An electronic device, characterized in that, Includes the hinge mechanism as described in any one of claims 1 to 13.

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