Hinge mechanism and electronic device

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a hinge mechanism and electronic equipment, and the hinge mechanism comprises a base and rotating assemblies which are arranged on the two sides of the base and distributed in pairs; the rotating assembly comprises a first rotating piece, a support, a connecting rod and a side plate, the first rotating piece comprises a first connecting part, a second connecting part and a third connecting part which are sequentially distributed, and the connecting rod comprises a first end and a second end; the first connecting part is rotationally connected with the base, the first end is rotationally connected with the second connecting part, the support is in sliding fit connection with the third connecting part, and the side plate is rotationally connected with the second end and further rotationally connected with the support. In the process that the hinge mechanism is switched from the unfolded state to the folded state, the support slides in the direction away from the base relative to the third connecting part so that the side plates can rotate relative to the support.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of hinge design, and in particular to a hinge mechanism and an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] Foldable electronic devices are favored by more and more customers because of their large display screens and better user experience. The quality of the hinge mechanism is an important factor affecting the performance of electronic devices.

[0003] In the related art, the hinge mechanism includes a base and a pair of rotating components arranged on both sides of the base. The rotating component includes a rotating arm, a bracket and a side panel; one side of the rotating arm is rotatably connected to the base, and the other side is connected to the bracket, and the bracket is used to connect the frame of the electronic device. In the process of switching the hinge mechanism from the unfolded state to the folded state, the rotating arm drives the bracket to rotate and drives the bracket to move away from the base. The hinge mechanism drives the side panel to rotate through a set of complex side panel driving structures, so that the base, the rotating arm and the side panel enclose a teardrop-shaped screen space. The side panel driving structure in the related art has the problem of complex structure, which is not convenient for promotion and use. Summary of the invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide a hinge mechanism and an electronic device to solve the problem of how to improve the complex structure of the hinge mechanism used to drive the side panel to rotate.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, this application is implemented as follows: In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a hinge mechanism.

[0006] The hinge mechanism provided in the embodiment of the present application includes: a base and a pair of rotating components arranged on both sides of the base; the rotating components include a first rotating member, a bracket, a connecting rod and a side plate, the first rotating member includes a first connecting part, a second connecting part and a third connecting part distributed in sequence, and the connecting rod includes a first end and a second end; the first connecting part is rotatably connected to the base, the first end is rotatably connected to the second connecting part, the bracket is slidably connected to the third connecting part, the side plate is rotatably connected to the second end, and the side plate is also rotatably connected to the bracket; in the process of switching the hinge mechanism from an unfolded state to a folded state, the bracket slides relative to the third connecting part in a direction away from the base to allow the side plate to rotate relative to the bracket.

[0007] Optionally, during the process of the hinge mechanism switching between the unfolded state and the folded state, the first end is located on a side of the side panel facing the third connecting portion.

[0008] Optionally, the side panel includes a main body and a first arc-shaped slide plate provided on the main body, the bracket is provided with an arc-shaped slide groove, and the first arc-shaped slide plate is embedded in the arc-shaped slide groove so that the side panel is rotatably connected to the bracket.

[0009] Optionally, the first arc-shaped sliding sheet is arranged on a side of the main body portion facing the third connecting portion.

[0010] Optionally, when the hinge mechanism is in a folded state, an angle between an end of the side panel facing away from the base and the connecting rod is greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees.

[0011] Optionally, when the hinge mechanism is in the unfolded state, an angle between an end of the side panel facing away from the base and the connecting rod is less than 90 degrees.

[0012] Optionally, the first rotating member is provided with a notch portion extending from the third connecting portion to the second connecting portion, and the connecting rod is located between two opposite side walls of the notch portion.

[0013] Optionally, the rotating assembly also includes a second rotating member, which is rotatably connected to the base, and an end of the second rotating member facing away from the base is also connected to the bracket; during the process of the hinge mechanism switching from the unfolded state to the folded state, the distance between the end of the second rotating member facing away from the base and the base gradually increases.

[0014] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an electronic device.

[0015] The electronic device provided in the embodiment of the present application includes: any one of the hinge mechanisms provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0016] Optionally, the electronic device further comprises a flexible display screen, and when the electronic device is in a folded state, a bent portion of the flexible display screen is located between the two opposite side panels.

[0017] At least one of the above technical solutions adopted in the embodiments of the present application can achieve the following beneficial effects: In the embodiment of the present application, when the hinge mechanism switches from the unfolded state to the folded state, the bracket slides relative to the third connection portion in a direction away from the base, driving the end of the side panel away from the base to move in a direction away from the base. In addition, since the side panel is also connected to the first rotating member via the connecting rod, the side panel can rotate relative to the bracket. Since the structure of the connecting rod is relatively simple, the complexity of the structure driving the side panel to rotate can be reduced.

[0018] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be given in part in the following description and in part will be obvious from the following description, or will be learned through practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the related technologies, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the related technical descriptions are briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative labor.

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a hinge mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application, which shows a situation where the hinge mechanism is in an unfolded state; Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the rotating shafts of the components of the hinge mechanism shown in FIG. Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the rotating shafts of the components of the hinge mechanism shown in FIG. Figure 4 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the hinge mechanism shown in FIG. Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a hinge mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application, which shows a situation where the hinge mechanism is in a folded state; Figure 6 for Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the rotating shafts of the components of the hinge mechanism shown in FIG. Figure 7 for Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the rotating shafts of the components of the hinge mechanism shown in FIG. Figure 8 for Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the hinge mechanism shown in FIG. Fig. 9 A top view of a hinge mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application; Fig.10 for Fig. 9 An exploded schematic diagram of the hinge mechanism shown in FIG. Fig.11 for Fig. 9 A bottom view of the hinge mechanism shown in FIG. Fig.12 A schematic diagram of a hinge mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application, showing a situation where the base and the side panels are hidden; Fig.13 for Fig.12 An exploded schematic diagram of the hinge mechanism shown in FIG. Fig.14 A schematic diagram of another hinge mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application; Fig.15 A partial schematic diagram of a hinge mechanism and a flexible display screen provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0021] Description of reference numerals: 1- Hinge mechanism; 10-base; 11-base; 12-pressure cover; 20-rotating assembly; 21-first rotating member; 211-first connecting portion; 212-second connecting portion; 213-third connecting portion; 214-notch portion; 22-bracket; 221-arc-shaped slide groove; 23-connecting rod; 231-first end; 232-second end; 24-side plate; 241-main body; 242-first arc-shaped slide plate; 25-second rotating member; 251-second arc-shaped slide plate; 30-rotating shaft; 31-first support; 32-second support; 41-clamping member; 42-first cam member; 43-spiral slider; 44-second cam member; 45-elastic element; 46-stop member; A-first axis; B-second axis; C-third axis; D-fourth axis; E-fifth axis; 2-flexible display screen; 2a-bending portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present application clearer, the technical solution of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in combination with the specific embodiments of the present application and the corresponding drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0023] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0024] In addition, although the terms used in this application are selected from well-known and commonly used terms, some terms mentioned in the specification of this application may be selected by the applicant at his or her discretion, and their detailed meanings are explained in the relevant parts of the description of this article.

[0025] Furthermore, it is required that the present application be understood not only by the actual terms used but also by the meanings connoted by each term.

[0026] The technical solutions provided by various embodiments of the present application are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0027] The present application embodiment provides a hinge mechanism. Figures 1 to 14 The hinge mechanism 1 provided in the embodiment of the present application comprises: a base 10 and a pair of rotating components 20 arranged on both sides of the base 10. The base 10 can also be called a keel bracket.

[0028] The rotating assembly 20 includes a first rotating member 21, a bracket 22, a connecting rod 23 and a side plate 24. The first rotating member 21 may also be referred to as a first swing arm, the bracket 22 may also be referred to as a middle frame bracket, and the side plate 24 may also be referred to as a door plate. For example, when the hinge mechanism 1 is applied to a folding screen mobile phone, the mobile phone includes a middle frame, and the middle frame bracket is used to connect to the middle frame. When the mobile phone is in a folded state, the curved portion of the flexible display screen of the mobile phone is located between two opposing door plates.

[0029] refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 The first rotating member 21 includes a first connecting portion 211, a second connecting portion 212 and a third connecting portion 213 which are sequentially distributed. The connecting rod 23 includes a first end 231 and a second end 232. The first connecting portion 211 is rotatably connected to the base 10, the first end 231 is rotatably connected to the second connecting portion 212, the bracket 22 is slidably connected to the third connecting portion 213, the side plate 24 is rotatably connected to the second end 232, and the side plate 24 is also rotatably connected to the bracket 22. When the hinge mechanism 1 switches from the unfolded state to the folded state, the bracket 22 slides relative to the third connecting portion 213 in a direction away from the base 10, so that the side plate 24 rotates relative to the bracket 22.

[0030] In this way, in the embodiment of the present application, when the hinge mechanism 1 switches from the unfolded state to the folded state, the bracket 22 slides relative to the third connecting portion 213 in a direction away from the base 10, driving the end of the side plate 24 away from the base 10 to move in a direction away from the base 10. In addition, since the side plate 24 is also connected to the first rotating member 21 via the connecting rod 23, the side plate 24 will rotate relative to the bracket 22. Since the structure of the connecting rod 23 is relatively simple, the complexity of the structure driving the side plate 24 to rotate can be reduced.

[0031] To facilitate those skilled in the art to understand the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application, the structure of the hinge mechanism 1 is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 The first connection portion 211 of the first rotating member 21 is a portion of the first rotating member 21 that is rotatably connected to the base 10 around the first axis A. The second connection portion 212 of the first rotating member 21 is a portion of the first rotating member 21 that is rotatably connected to the first end 231 of the connecting rod 23 around the second axis B. The third connection portion 213 of the first rotating member 21 is a portion of the first rotating member 21 that is slidably connected to the bracket 22. The second end 232 of the connecting rod 23 is rotatably connected to the side plate 24 around the third axis C. The side plate 24 is rotatably connected to the bracket 22 around the fourth rotation axis D.

[0033] When the hinge mechanism 1 switches from the unfolded state to the folded state, the bracket 22 slides relative to the third connecting portion 213 in a direction away from the first axis A, so that the third axis C moves toward a direction close to a plane passing through the second axis B and the fourth axis D. Figure 4 and Figure 8 That is, when the hinge mechanism 1 switches from the unfolded state to the folded state, the first rotating member 21 on the left side rotates clockwise, and the bracket 22 on the left side slides toward the third connecting portion 213 on the left side relative to the first rotating member 21, and the bracket 22 drives the fourth axis D, the third axis C and the second axis B to be gradually "straightened". In other words, the angle DCB gradually increases. In this way, the side plate 24 can be driven to rotate relative to the bracket 22.

[0034] The process of the hinge mechanism 1 switching from the folded state to the unfolded state is the inverse process of the process of the hinge mechanism 1 switching from the unfolded state to the folded state. Therefore, the movement mode of each component in the process of the hinge mechanism 1 switching from the folded state to the unfolded state will not be described in detail here.

[0035] In addition, reference Figure 8 When the hinge mechanism 1 is in the folded state, the distance between the two third axes C of the paired rotating components 20 is greater than the distance between the two fourth axes D. In this way, the base 10, the first rotating member 21 and the side plate 24 can enclose a teardrop-shaped screen-accommodating space, thereby preventing the curved portion of the flexible display screen accommodated in the screen-accommodating space from having creases.

[0036] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 7 In some embodiments, when the hinge mechanism 1 switches between the unfolded state and the folded state, the first end 231 is located on the side of the side plate 24 facing the third connecting portion 213. In other words, when the hinge mechanism 1 switches between the unfolded state and the folded state, the third axis C is located on the side of the plane passing through the second axis B and the fourth axis D facing the first axis A. Figure 8That is, for the rotating assembly 20 located on the left side, during the switching of the hinge mechanism 1 between the unfolded state and the folded state, the third axis C is always located on the right side of the line between the second axis B and the fourth axis D. This can prevent the hinge mechanism 1 from getting stuck due to the third axis C being located on the left side of the line between the second axis B and the fourth axis D.

[0037] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Fig.10 In some embodiments, the side plate 24 includes a body portion 241 and a first arc-shaped slide plate 242 disposed on the body portion 241. The bracket 22 is provided with an arc-shaped slide groove 221. The first arc-shaped slide plate 242 is embedded in the arc-shaped slide groove 221 so that the side plate 24 and the bracket 22 are rotatably connected. Exemplarily, the first arc-shaped slide plate 242 is disposed on the side of the body portion 241 facing the third connecting portion 213. In other words, in combination with Figure 3 The first arc-shaped slide sheet 242 can be slidably matched with the arc-shaped slide groove 221, so that in the thickness direction of the side plate 24, the fourth axis D is located on the side of the side plate 24 away from the third connecting portion 213. In this way, the thickness dimension of the rotating assembly 20 can be reduced.

[0038] In some embodiments, reference Figure 7 and Figure 8 When the hinge mechanism 1 is in the folded state, the angle between the end of the side plate 24 that faces away from the base 10 and the connecting rod 23 is greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees. Figure 3 and Figure 4 When the hinge mechanism 1 is in the unfolded state, the angle between the end of the side plate 24 that is away from the base 10 and the connecting rod 23 is less than 90 degrees. This can make the structure of the hinge mechanism 1 more compact.

[0039] refer to Fig.12 and Fig.13 In some embodiments, the first rotating member 21 is provided with a notch portion 214 extending from the third connecting portion 213 to the second connecting portion 212. Fig. 9 The connecting rod 23 is located between the opposite side walls of the notch 214. In this way, the compactness of the rotating assembly 20 can be improved by arranging the connecting rod 23 in the notch 214 of the first rotating member 21.

[0040] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6In some embodiments, the rotating assembly 20 further includes a second rotating member 25. The second rotating member 25 is rotationally connected to the base 10. For example, the second rotating member 25 is rotationally connected to the base 10 around the fifth axis E. The end of the second rotating member 25 that is away from the base 10 is also connected to the bracket 22. In the process of the hinge mechanism 1 switching from the unfolded state to the folded state, the end of the second rotating member 25 that is away from the base 10 gradually increases the distance from the base 10. In this way, in the process of the hinge mechanism 1 switching from the unfolded state to the folded state, the end of the second rotating member 25 that is away from the base 10 gradually increases the distance from the base 10. That is, in the process of the hinge mechanism 1 switching from the unfolded state to the folded state, the second rotating member 25 moves relative to the base 10 in a direction away from the base 10. Then, the second rotating member 25 can be used to drive the bracket 22 to move in a direction away from the base 10.

[0041] refer to Figures 9 to 13 In some embodiments, the base 10 includes a base 11 and a pressure cover 12. The second rotating member 25 includes a second arc-shaped slide 251. The second arc-shaped slide 251 is sandwiched between the base 11 and the pressure cover 12, so that the second rotating member 25 can rotate relative to the base 10.

[0042] refer to Fig.14 In some embodiments, the hinge mechanism 1 may include a plurality of pairs of rotating components 20 , and each pair of rotating components 20 is arranged at intervals along the extension direction of the base 10 .

[0043] refer to Figure 3 , Fig. 9 , Fig.10 and Fig.13 In some embodiments, the hinge mechanism 1 further includes a rotating shaft 30. The rotating assembly 20 is rotatably connected to the base 10 via the rotating shaft 30. The hinge mechanism 1 further includes a first support 31 and a second support 32. The first support 31 and the second support 32 are arranged at intervals, the first support 31 and the second support 32 are arranged on the base 10, and the rotating shaft 30 is supported by the first support 31 and the second support 32.

[0044] In some embodiments, the rotating assembly 20 further includes a third rotating member 26. The third rotating member 26 is rotatably connected to the base 10 via a rotating shaft 30. An end of the third rotating member 26 that is away from the rotating shaft 30 is slidably connected to the bracket 22.

[0045] The hinge mechanism 1 further includes a clamping member 41, a first cam member 42, a spiral slider 43, a second cam member 44, an elastic element 45 and a stopper 46. The clamping member 41, the first cam member 42, the third rotating member 26, the spiral slider 43, the first rotating member 21, the second cam member 44, the elastic element 45 and the stopper 46 are sequentially arranged along the extension direction of the rotating shaft 30. In this way, a damping effect can be generated during the rotation of the rotating assembly 20 relative to the base 10.

[0046] The embodiment of the present application provides an electronic device. The electronic device provided by the embodiment of the present application includes any one of the hinge mechanisms 1 provided by the embodiment of the present application.

[0047] In some embodiments, the electronic device further includes a flexible display screen 2 , and when the electronic device is in a folded state, a bent portion 2 a of the flexible display screen 2 is located between two opposite side panels 24 .

[0048] It should be noted that, in this article, relational terms such as first and second, etc. are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device.

[0049] Although the embodiments of the present application have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the embodiments of the present application, and the scope of the embodiments of the present application is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A hinge mechanism, characterized in that: include: A base and rotating components arranged in pairs on both sides of the base; The rotating assembly includes a first rotating member, a bracket, a connecting rod and a side plate, the first rotating member includes a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion and a third connecting portion distributed in sequence, and the connecting rod includes a first end and a second end; The first connection part is rotatably connected to the base, the first end is rotatably connected to the second connection part, the bracket is slidably connected to the third connection part, the side plate is rotatably connected to the second end, and the side plate is also rotatably connected to the bracket; During the process of the hinge mechanism switching from the unfolded state to the folded state, the bracket slides relative to the third connecting portion in a direction away from the base, so that the side plate rotates relative to the bracket.

2. The hinge mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: During the process of the hinge mechanism switching between the unfolded state and the folded state, the first end is located on a side of the side plate facing the third connecting portion.

3. The hinge mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The side plate comprises a main body and a first arc-shaped slide plate arranged on the main body, the bracket is provided with an arc-shaped slide groove, and the first arc-shaped slide plate is embedded in the arc-shaped slide groove so that the side plate is rotatably connected to the bracket.

4. The hinge mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first arc-shaped sliding sheet is disposed on a side of the main body portion facing the third connecting portion.

5. The hinge mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the hinge mechanism is in a folded state, an angle between an end of the side panel facing away from the base and the connecting rod is greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees.

6. The hinge mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that: When the hinge mechanism is in an unfolded state, an angle between an end of the side panel facing away from the base and the connecting rod is less than 90 degrees.

7. The hinge mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first rotating member is provided with a notch portion extending from the third connecting portion to the second connecting portion, and the connecting rod is located between two opposite side walls of the notch portion.

8. The hinge mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating assembly also includes a second rotating member, which is rotatably connected to the base, and an end of the second rotating member that is away from the base is also connected to the bracket; during the process of the hinge mechanism switching from the unfolded state to the folded state, the distance between the end of the second rotating member that is away from the base and the base gradually increases.

9. An electronic device, characterized in that: include: The hinge mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The electronic device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The electronic device further comprises a flexible display screen. When the electronic device is in a folded state, a bent portion of the flexible display screen is located between the two opposite side panels.

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