Foldable electronic device

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides foldable electronic equipment which comprises a first middle frame, a second middle frame, a third middle frame and a flexible display screen, the first middle frame and the second middle frame are connected through a first rotating shaft, the second middle frame and the third middle frame are connected through a second rotating shaft, and the three middle frames can relatively rotate through the rotating shafts. Therefore, folding and unfolding of the electronic equipment are realized; wherein the first middle frame can be of a wedge-shaped structure, the flexible display screen is continuously arranged on the same side of the three middle frames, and the flexible display screen is located on the same plane when the electronic equipment is in an unfolded state; when the electronic equipment is in a folded state, the flexible display screen is contained between the middle frames, the third middle frame is stacked between the first middle frame and the second middle frame, and the side, away from the flexible display screen, of the first middle frame is parallel to the side, away from the flexible display screen, of the second middle frame. The foldable electronic equipment provided by the embodiment of the invention not only can have a proper unfolding screen proportion, but also can meet the small-size holding requirement of a user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the technical field of electronic devices, and more specifically, to a foldable electronic device. Background Art

[0002] With the gradual commercialization of flexible screens made of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), foldable phones have become an important innovation direction for mainstream device manufacturers. Foldable phones can simultaneously meet the needs of large-screen visual experience and small size for holding. Existing foldable phones are mostly two-folding screen folding phones, that is, they only have one hinge. When the closed screen size meets the proportions of mainstream single-screen mobile phones, the flattened large screen is close to the proportions of a square, which does not match the proportions of mainstream movies, affecting the user's viewing experience. In addition, the overall thickness of the electronic device after folding is relatively large, making it inconvenient for users to hold.

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a foldable electronic device that has a suitable unfolded screen ratio and meets the small size holding requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide a foldable electronic device that has a suitable unfolded screen ratio and meets the user's small-size grip requirements.

[0005] In a first aspect, a foldable electronic device is provided, comprising a first middle frame, a second middle frame, a third middle frame and a flexible display screen, wherein the first middle frame and the second middle frame are connected by a first rotating shaft, and the second middle frame and the third middle frame are connected by a second rotating shaft, and the first middle frame, the second middle frame and the third middle frame are relatively rotated by the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft to realize the unfolding and folding of the electronic device; when the electronic device is in the unfolded state, the distance from the side of the first middle frame away from the flexible display screen to the flexible display screen gradually decreases from the end of the first middle frame close to the second middle frame to the end away from the second middle frame, and the flexible display screen is connected to the first middle frame. The flexible display screen is continuously arranged on the same side of the first middle frame, the second middle frame and the third middle frame, and the flexible display screen is located in the same plane, wherein the part of the flexible display screen located in the first middle frame is the first part, the part located in the second middle frame is the second part, and the part located in the third middle frame is the third part; when the electronic device is in a folded state, the third middle frame is stacked between the first middle frame and the second middle frame, the side of the first middle frame facing away from the flexible display screen is parallel to the side of the second middle frame facing away from the flexible display screen, and the second part and the third part face each other, and the first part faces the side of the third middle frame facing away from the third part.

[0006] In the embodiment provided in the present application, the electronic device includes three middle frames, and the flexible display screen is arranged on the same side of the three middle frames, so that the electronic device has a suitable unfolded screen ratio when it is in a flat state, better matching the ratio of mainstream movies, and thus better satisfying the user's movie-watching experience and other aspects; the distance from the side of the first middle frame of the electronic device facing away from the flexible display screen to the flexible display screen gradually decreases from the end close to the second middle frame to the end away from the second middle frame, forming a wedge-shaped structure, and when the electronic device is in a folded state, the side of the first middle frame facing away from the flexible display screen is parallel to the side of the second middle frame facing away from the flexible display screen, which can reduce the size of the electronic device in the unfolded and folded states to a certain extent, meet the user's small-size holding requirements, and further optimize the user experience.

[0007] It should be noted that when the electronic device is in a folded state, the side of the first middle frame facing away from the flexible display screen is parallel to the side of the second middle frame facing away from the flexible display screen, which may refer to the structural state of the middle frame when the electronic device is in a fully folded state.

[0008] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, when the electronic device is in a folded state, the sum of the maximum size of the second middle frame in the first direction and the maximum size of the third middle frame in the first direction is greater than two-thirds of the size of the electronic device in the first direction, and the first direction is perpendicular to the display surface of the flexible display screen.

[0009] In the embodiment provided in the present application, when the electronic device is in a folded state, the sum of the maximum size of the second middle frame in the first direction and the maximum size of the third middle frame in the first direction is greater than two-thirds of the size of the electronic device in the first direction, which can increase the design space of the second rotating shaft, thereby improving the component strength of the rotating shaft, increasing the bending radius of the screen, reducing the bending stress of the screen, and extending the service life of the screen.

[0010] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the distance from the side of the second middle frame facing away from the flexible display screen to the flexible display screen gradually decreases from an end of the second middle frame close to the third middle frame to an end away from the third middle frame.

[0011] In the embodiment provided in the present application, the distance from the side of the second middle frame facing away from the flexible display screen to the flexible display screen gradually decreases from the end close to the third middle frame to the end away from the third middle frame, that is, the side of the second middle frame facing away from the flexible display screen has a wedge-shaped structure, which can further reduce the overall thickness of the electronic device in the folded state, and further meet the user's small-size grip requirements.

[0012] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the angle formed between the plane on which the side of the second middle frame faces away from the flexible display screen and the plane on which the second part is located is the same as the angle formed between the plane on which the side of the first middle frame faces away from the flexible display screen and the plane on which the first part is located.

[0013] In the embodiment provided in the present application, the angle formed by the plane on which the side of the second middle frame faces away from the flexible display screen and the plane on which the second part of the flexible display screen is located is the same as the angle formed by the plane on which the side of the first middle frame faces away from the flexible display screen and the plane on which the first part of the flexible display screen is located. This can make the structure of the electronic device more symmetrical, and can ensure that the upper and lower end surfaces of the flexible display screen are parallel in the folded state, making the overall structure of the electronic device more regular, and can reduce the folded size of the electronic device to a certain extent, further optimizing the user's grip.

[0014] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the distance from the side of the third middle frame facing away from the flexible display screen to the flexible display screen gradually decreases from an end of the third middle frame close to the second middle frame to an end away from the second middle frame.

[0015] In the embodiment provided in the present application, the distance from the side of the third middle frame facing away from the flexible display screen to the flexible display screen gradually decreases from the end close to the second middle frame to the end away from the second middle frame, that is, the side of the third middle frame facing away from the flexible display screen has a wedge-shaped structure, which can further reduce the overall thickness of the electronic device in the folded state, and further meet the user's small-size grip requirements.

[0016] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the angle formed between the plane on which the side of the third middle frame faces away from the flexible display screen and the plane on which the third part is located is the same as the angle formed between the plane on which the side of the first middle frame faces away from the flexible display screen and the plane on which the first part is located.

[0017] In the embodiment provided in the present application, the angle formed by the plane on which the side of the third middle frame faces away from the flexible display screen and the plane on which the third part of the flexible display screen is located is the same as the angle formed by the plane on which the side of the first middle frame faces away from the flexible display screen and the plane on which the first part of the flexible display screen is located. This can make the structure of the electronic device more symmetrical, and can ensure that the upper and lower end surfaces of the flexible display screen are parallel in the folded state, making the overall structure of the electronic device more regular, and can reduce the folded size of the electronic device to a certain extent, further optimizing the user's grip.

[0018] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the size of the third middle frame in the second direction is smaller than the size of the second middle frame in the second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the axial direction of the first rotating shaft and parallel to the flexible display screen.

[0019] In the embodiment provided in the present application, the dimension of the third middle frame in the second direction is smaller than the dimension of the second middle frame in the second direction, that is, the length of the third middle frame is smaller than the length of the second middle frame, so that the third middle frame can be stacked between the first middle frame and the second middle frame, and the third part of the flexible display screen corresponding to the third middle frame can face and fit with the second part of the flexible display screen, and the side of the third middle frame facing away from the flexible display screen can fit with the first part of the flexible display screen, thereby making the structure of the electronic device more stable in the fully folded state and making the electronic device have a smaller folded size.

[0020] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first rotating shaft and / or the second rotating shaft includes: a main shaft portion, the main shaft portion includes a gear, and the gear is arranged on the central axis of the main shaft portion; a folding portion, the folding portion includes at least two sliding components and at least two rotating components, the at least two sliding components are respectively arranged on both sides of the gear along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft, and the ends of the at least two sliding components close to the gear include racks, the racks are meshed with the gears, and the at least two rotating components are respectively connected to the at least two sliding components; when the at least two rotating components rotate around the main shaft portion, the at least two rotating components drive the at least two sliding components to slide, and the sliding amounts of the at least two sliding components are the same, and the sliding directions are opposite.

[0021] In the embodiment provided in the present application, the engagement of the gear and the sliding assembly enables the synchronous sliding of the sliding assembly, thereby achieving the synchronous rotation of the rotating assembly; the gear is arranged on the central axis of the main shaft, and at least two sliding assemblies engage with the gear to achieve synchronous sliding and synchronous rotation, which can make the structure of the synchronization mechanism of the rotating shaft relatively simple, thereby effectively reducing the space occupied by the rotating shaft mechanism, reducing the thickness of the electronic device in the unfolded and folded states, meeting the user's small-size holding requirements, and effectively reducing the production cost of the electronic device.

[0022] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, each of the at least two rotating components includes a rotating part and a swinging part, one end of the swinging part is fixedly connected to the rotating part, and the swinging part is fixedly connected to the first middle frame, the second middle frame and one of the third middle frames; the cross-section of the rotating part along the first plane is arc-shaped, and the first plane is perpendicular to the axial direction of the first rotating shaft; the main shaft portion includes a first connecting rod, and the side of the first connecting rod facing the rotating component is arc-shaped, and the curvature is the same as the curvature of the rotating part, so that the rotating part can rotate around the first connecting rod.

[0023] In the embodiment provided in the present application, the rotating part of the rotating assembly rotates around the first connecting rod, so that the main movement of the rotating shaft mechanism is realized by rotation of a fixed axis. The structure is simple, and it can effectively reduce the space occupied by the rotating shaft mechanism, reduce the thickness of the electronic device in the unfolded and folded states, meet the user's small-size holding requirements, and effectively reduce the production cost of the electronic device.

[0024] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the side of the at least two sliding components away from the rack includes a first groove body, and at least a portion of the first groove body extends along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft; the rotating parts of the at least two rotating components include a first limit member, at least a portion of the first limit member extends along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft, and at least a portion of the first limit member is accommodated in the first groove body.

[0025] In the embodiment provided in the present application, the sliding assembly includes a first groove body, the rotating part of the rotating assembly includes a first limit member, and at least a portion of the first limit member is accommodated in the first groove body, so that when the rotating assembly rotates, the first limit member can drive the sliding assembly to slide synchronously, thereby realizing the synchronous sliding of the sliding assemblies on both sides of the gear and the synchronous rotation of the rotating assembly.

[0026] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, one side of the at least two sliding components adjacent to the rack includes a second groove body, at least a portion of the second groove body extends along a second direction, the second direction is perpendicular to the axial direction of the first rotating shaft and parallel to the flexible display screen; the main shaft portion also includes a second limit member, at least a portion of the second limit member extends along the second direction, and at least a portion of the second limit member is accommodated in the second groove body.

[0027] In the embodiment provided in the present application, one side of the sliding assembly adjacent to the rack includes a second groove body, the main shaft portion includes a second limit member, and at least a portion of the second limit member is accommodated in the second groove body, so that the sliding assembly can slide along the extension direction of the second limit member without deviating in other directions.

[0028] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the end of the at least two sliding components away from the rack gear includes a first slide rail, the cross-section of the first slide rail along the first plane is arc-shaped, and the first plane is perpendicular to the axial direction of the first rotating shaft; the main shaft portion includes a first slide groove, the first slide groove is an arc-shaped slide groove, and the first slide rail can slide along an arc-shaped trajectory in the first slide groove.

[0029] In the embodiment provided in the present application, the sliding assembly includes an arc-shaped first slide rail, and the main shaft portion includes an arc-shaped first slide groove. The first slide rail can slide along an arc-shaped track in the first slide groove, that is, it can rotate relative to the main shaft portion, which can increase the overlap between the rotating assembly and the main shaft portion, prevent the components of the rotating shaft mechanism from detaching during the folding or unfolding of the electronic device, and increase the safety and reliability of the rotating shaft mechanism.

[0030] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, each of the at least two rotating assemblies includes a first rocker arm, and an end of the first rocker arm close to the sliding assembly is rotatably connected to the sliding assembly; the folding portion also includes at least two shaft supports, and the at least two shaft supports are respectively fixedly connected to one of the first middle frame, the second middle frame and the third middle frame, and an end of the first rocker arm away from the sliding assembly is rotatably connected to the shaft support located on the same side.

[0031] In the embodiment provided in the present application, each rotating assembly includes a first rocker arm, and the first rocker arm is rotatably connected to the sliding assembly to form a mutually pushing rotating shaft mechanism. When the sliding assembly slides relative to the main shaft, the first rocker arm is driven to displace to ensure that the screens on both sides of the rotating shaft are of equal length; the rotational connection between the shaft bracket and the first rocker arm can make the screen space formed between the first rocker arm, the sliding assembly and the shaft bracket on the same side more matched with the screen shape after the electronic device is folded.

[0032] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the end of the first rocker arm away from the sliding assembly includes a second slide rail, and the cross-section of the second slide rail along the first plane is arc-shaped; the shaft bracket on the same side as the first rocker arm also includes a second slide groove, and the second slide groove is an arc-shaped slide groove, and the second slide rail can slide along a circular arc track in the second slide groove.

[0033] In the embodiment provided in the present application, the first rocker arm includes an arc-shaped slide rail, and the shaft bracket on the same side includes an arc-shaped slide groove, which enables the first rocker arm and the shaft bracket on the same side to be rotatably connected around a fixed axis, and enables the screen space formed between the first rocker arm and the sliding assembly and the shaft bracket on the same side to better match the screen shape.

[0034] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, each of the at least two rotating assemblies further includes a second rocker arm, the second rocker arm and the first rocker arm in the same rotating assembly are connected to the same sliding assembly, and the second rocker arm and the first rocker arm in the same rotating assembly are respectively arranged on both sides of the sliding assembly in the second direction; the end of the second rocker arm close to the sliding assembly includes a first axial hole, the first axial hole extends along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft, the sliding assembly includes a second axial hole, the second axial hole extends along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft, and the second rocker arm is rotatably connected to the sliding assembly through the first axial hole and the second axial hole.

[0035] In the embodiment provided in the present application, each rotating assembly includes a second rocker arm, which is rotatably connected to the sliding assembly. Therefore, when the sliding assembly slides relative to the main axis, it can drive the second rocker arm to move to ensure that the screens on both sides of the rotating shaft are of equal length; the second rocker arm is rotatably connected to the sliding assembly, which can also enable the screen space formed between the second rocker arm, the sliding assembly and the shaft bracket on the same side to better match the screen shape when the electronic device is in a folded state.

[0036] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, each of the at least two rotating assemblies further includes a second connecting rod, an end of the second connecting rod close to the second rocker arm includes a third axial hole, the third axial hole extends along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft, the second connecting rod and the second rocker arm are rotatably connected through the first axial hole and the third axial hole, the end of the second connecting rod close to the sliding assembly includes a fourth axial hole, the fourth axial hole extends along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft, the second connecting rod and the sliding assembly are rotatably connected through the second axial hole and the fourth axial hole, so that the second rocker arm is rotatably connected to the sliding assembly.

[0037] In the embodiment provided in the present application, the second connecting rod can realize the rotational connection between the second rocker arm and the sliding assembly, and the rotational connection between the second rocker arm and the sliding assembly realized by the second connecting rod can reduce the space occupied by the hinge mechanism, thereby reducing the thickness of the electronic device in the unfolded and folded states; the second connecting rod can also push the various components of the hinge mechanism to a preset position, so that the screen space formed by the hinge mechanism is more matched with the shape of the screen.

[0038] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the end of the second rocker arm close to the sliding assembly also includes a fifth axial hole, the fifth axial hole extends along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft, the main shaft portion includes a sixth axial hole, the sixth axial hole extends along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft, and the second rocker arm is rotatably connected to the main shaft portion through the fifth axial hole and the sixth axial hole.

[0039] In the embodiment provided in the present application, one end of the second rocker arm close to the sliding assembly is rotatably connected to the main shaft portion, which can ensure the stable rotation of the rotating shaft mechanism, prevent the displacement of the sliding assembly and other components during the rotation process from driving the second rocker arm out of the preset position, and make the formed screen space match the shape of the screen.

[0040] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the end of the second rocker arm away from the sliding assembly includes a third slide rail; the shaft bracket on the same side as the second rocker arm includes a third slide groove, the extension direction of the third slide groove is parallel to the extension direction of the third slide rail, and the third slide rail can slide in the third slide groove along the extension direction of the third slide groove.

[0041] In the embodiment provided in the present application, the second rocker arm includes a third slide rail, and the axis bracket on the same side of the second rocker arm includes a third slide groove, which enables the second rocker arm to slide relative to the axis bracket during the folding process of the electronic device to adapt to changes in the screen length.

[0042] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the folding portion further includes a support member, which is disposed on a side of the first rocker arm close to the flexible display screen and is fixedly connected to the first rocker arm.

[0043] In the embodiment provided in the present application, a side of the first swing arm close to the flexible display screen includes a support member to support the flexible display screen, which can make the screen structure more stable and reliable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a foldable electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0045] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of a foldable electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0046] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of a foldable electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0047] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a rotating shaft mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0048] Figure 5 This is an exploded structural diagram of a rotating shaft mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0049] Figure 6 This is an enlarged structural diagram of a rotating shaft mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0050] Figure 7 It is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of a rotating shaft mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0051] Figure 8 This is an exploded structural diagram of a rotating shaft mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0052] Figure 9 This is a structural diagram of a half-axle module provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0053] Figure 10 This is an enlarged structural diagram of a main motion module of a rotating shaft provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0054] Figure 11 This is an enlarged structural diagram of a main motion module of a rotating shaft provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0055] Figure 12 This is an enlarged structural diagram of a main motion module of a rotating shaft provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0056] Figure 13 It is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of a rotating shaft mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0058] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" in this specification mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with that embodiment is included in one or more embodiments of the present application. Thus, phrases such as "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," and "in yet other embodiments" appearing in various places in this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but rather mean "one or more, but not all, embodiments," unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0059] In various embodiments of this application, the terms "first," "second," and so on are merely used to indicate that multiple objects are distinct. For example, the first middle frame and the second middle frame are merely used to indicate different middle frames. They should not affect the middle frames themselves, and the terms "first," "second," and so on should not limit the embodiments of this application.

[0060] "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural.

[0061] The terms "include", "comprising", "having" and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to", unless specifically emphasized otherwise.

[0062] Figure 1 1 is an overall structural diagram of a foldable electronic device 100 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The foldable electronic device 100 can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, e-reader, laptop computer, wearable device, or other electronic device with a foldable function. Figure 1 The illustrated embodiment is described using a foldable mobile phone as an example.

[0063] The electronic device 100 can be a three-fold electronic device, that is, it can be folded twice. The electronic device 100 may include a first middle frame 120, a second middle frame 130, and a third middle frame 140. The first middle frame 120 and the second middle frame 130 can be connected by a first rotating shaft 20, and the first middle frame 120 and the second middle frame 130 can rotate relative to each other through the first rotating shaft 20; the second middle frame 130 and the third middle frame 140 can be connected by a second rotating shaft 30, and the second middle frame 130 and the third middle frame 140 can rotate relative to each other through the second rotating shaft 30 to achieve the unfolding and folding of the electronic device 100. When the electronic device 100 is in the unfolded state, the flexible display 110 can be fixed to the same side of the first middle frame 120, the second middle frame 130, and the third middle frame 140, and the flexible display 110 is located on the same plane. The portion of the flexible display 110 disposed on the first middle frame 120 may be a first portion 111, the portion disposed on the second middle frame 130 may be a second portion 112, and the portion disposed on the third middle frame 140 may be a third portion 113. The flexible display 110 can fold inward about the first hinge 20 and the second hinge 30. That is, after folding about the hinges, the flexible display 110 can be accommodated between the middle frames. For example, when the electronic device 100 is in a folded state, or fully folded, the third middle frame 140 can be stacked between the first and second middle frames 120, 130. The second and third portions 112, 113 of the flexible display 110 can face each other, with the first portion 111 of the flexible display 110 facing the side of the third middle frame 140 facing away from the third portion 113 of the flexible display 110. This protects the flexible display 110 from damage. For example, if the electronic device 100 is dropped, the middle frame will land first, protecting the flexible display 110 from damage.

[0064] Typically, the folded screen ratio of a foldable phone meets mainstream mobile phone screen ratios such as 18:9 or 20:9. When the electronic device 100 includes three middle frames, when the electronic device 100 is in the unfolded state, the screen ratio can better match the ratio of mainstream movies, thereby satisfying the user's viewing experience.

[0065] In some embodiments, the flexible display screen 110 can be made of materials such as organic light emitting diode (OLED), flashing light emitting diode (FLED), active matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED) and quantum dot light emitting diode (QLED).

[0066] See also Figure 2 As shown in the structural diagram, the Figure 2 Can be from Figure 1 The structure of the electronic device 100 when the electronic device 100 is viewed from the x-axis direction shown in FIG. Figure 2 (a) is a schematic structural diagram of the electronic device 100 in the unfolded state. Figure 2 (b) is a schematic structural diagram of the electronic device 100 in the middle folded state. Figure 2 (c) is a schematic diagram of the structure of the electronic device 100 in a fully folded state. When the electronic device 100 is in the unfolded state, the size of the first middle frame 120 in the first direction can gradually decrease from the end close to the second middle frame 130 to the end away from the second middle frame 130, or in other words, the distance from the side of the first middle frame 120 facing away from the flexible display 110 to the flexible display 110 can gradually decrease from the end close to the second middle frame 130 to the end away from the second middle frame 130. The first direction can be a direction perpendicular to the display surface of the flexible display 110, that is, the direction of the z-axis shown in the figure. The size of the middle frame of the electronic device 100 in the first direction can also be referred to as the thickness of the middle frame. As a result, the side of the first middle frame 120 facing away from the flexible display 110 can be wedge-shaped, so that the lines of the electronic device 100 are smoother, and the thickness of the folded electronic device 100 can be reduced to a certain extent, meeting the user's need for a small grip.

[0067] It should be noted that when the electronic device 100 is in the folded state, the flexible display 110 may include a planar portion and a curved portion. The curved portion is the portion of the flexible display 110 disposed at positions corresponding to the first rotation axis 20 and the second rotation axis 30, and the planar portion is the portion of the flexible display 110 disposed at positions other than the rotation axis positions. In the embodiments of the present application, "perpendicular to the display surface of the flexible display 110" may refer to a display surface perpendicular to the entire flexible display 110 when the electronic device 100 is in the unfolded state, and may refer to a display surface corresponding to the planar portion of the flexible display 110 when the electronic device 100 is in the folded state. Similarly, when the electronic device 100 is in the folded state, the distance from the side of the middle frame facing away from the flexible display 110 to the flexible display 110 may refer to the distance from the side of the middle frame facing away from the flexible display 110 to the display surface corresponding to the planar portion of the flexible display 110.

[0068] In some embodiments, the two ends of the first middle frame 120 and the second middle frame 130 that are close to each other can have the same size in the first direction, so that the connection between the first middle frame 120 and the second middle frame 130 is smoother, further improving the smoothness of the structure of the electronic device in the unfolded state and optimizing the user's grip.

[0069] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present application, "the same dimensions of structural components" may mean that the dimensions of the structural components are approximately the same, rather than being absolutely the same. The "same" dimensions of two structural components allow for a certain range of deviation, such as a difference of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. Similarly, "the same angles of two structural components" hereinbelow may mean that the angles are approximately the same, rather than being exactly the same. "Parallel" or "perpendicular" between two structural components may mean that they are substantially parallel or substantially perpendicular.

[0070] In some embodiments, when the electronic device 100 is in the unfolded state, the size of the third middle frame 140 in the first direction can gradually decrease from the end close to the second middle frame 130 to the end away from the second middle frame 130, or in other words, the distance from the side of the third middle frame 140 facing away from the flexible display 110 to the flexible display 110 can gradually decrease from the end close to the second middle frame 130 to the end away from the second middle frame 130, that is, the side of the third middle frame 140 facing away from the flexible display 110 can be a wedge-shaped structure.

[0071] The two ends of the third middle frame 140 and the second middle frame 130 that are close to each other may have the same size in the first direction, so that the connection between the second middle frame 130 and the third middle frame 140 is smoother, thereby optimizing the user's grip.

[0072] The two ends of the second middle frame 130, that is, the end of the second middle frame 130 close to the first middle frame 120 and the end of the second middle frame 130 close to the third middle frame 140, can have the same size in the first direction, or in other words, the sizes of each position on the second middle frame 130 in the first direction can be the same, so that the lines of the electronic device 100 in the unfolded state are smoother, optimizing the user's grip.

[0073] When the side of the first middle frame 120 facing away from the flexible display screen 110 and the side of the third middle frame 140 facing away from the flexible display screen 110 are wedge-shaped, the angle α formed between the plane where the side of the first middle frame 120 facing away from the flexible display screen 110 and the plane where the flexible display screen 110 is located can be the same as the angle β formed between the plane where the side of the third middle frame 140 facing away from the flexible display screen 110 and the plane where the flexible display screen 110 is located. Furthermore, when the electronic device 100 is in a fully folded state, that is, in Figure 2 In the folded state shown in (c), the third middle frame 140 is stacked between the first middle frame 120 and the second middle frame 130, and the side of the first middle frame 120 facing away from the flexible display 110 is parallel to the side of the second middle frame 130 facing away from the flexible display 110, thereby reducing the folded size of the electronic device 100 to a certain extent, meeting the user's small-size grip requirement, and making the structural form of the electronic device 100 in the fully folded state more regular, further optimizing the user experience.

[0074] In some embodiments, the dimension of the third middle frame 140 in the second direction can be smaller than that of the second middle frame 130 in the second direction. The second direction is perpendicular to the axial direction of the first rotating axis 20 and parallel to the flexible display 110. The second direction is also the direction of the y-axis shown in the figure. The dimension of each middle frame of the electronic device 100 in the second direction can also be referred to as the length of each middle frame. The axial direction of the first rotating axis 20 is also the axial direction of the second rotating axis 30. The dimension of the third middle frame 140 in the second direction is smaller than that of the second middle frame 130 in the second direction. This facilitates stacking of the third middle frame 140 between the first middle frame 120 and the second middle frame 130 in the folded state. The third portion 113 of the flexible display 110 corresponding to the third middle frame 140 can face and mate with the second portion 112 of the flexible display 110. The side of the third middle frame 140 facing away from the flexible display 110 can mate with the first portion 111 of the flexible display 110. This makes the electronic device 100 more stable in the fully folded state and reduces its thickness in the folded state.

[0075] The size of the third middle frame 140 in the second direction can be equal to the size of the first middle frame 120 in the second direction, that is, the size of the first middle frame 120 in the second direction can also be smaller than the size of the second middle frame 130 in the second direction. Figure 2 In the state shown in (a), the entire electronic device 100 can have a symmetrical structure, so that the structural form of the electronic device 100 in the unfolded state is more regular, further optimizing the user experience.

[0076] It should be noted that the size of the third middle frame 140 in the second direction may also be smaller than or larger than the size of the first middle frame 120 in the second direction. For example, when the mutually adjacent ends of the first middle frame 120 and the second middle frame 130 have different sizes in the first direction, and / or when the mutually adjacent ends of the second middle frame 130 and the third middle frame 140 have different sizes in the first direction, the size of the third middle frame 140 in the second direction may also be smaller than or larger than the size of the first middle frame 120 in the second direction.

[0077] Similarly, the size of the first middle frame 120 in the second direction may be smaller than the size of the second middle frame 130 in the second direction, or may be greater than or equal to the size of the second middle frame 130 in the second direction.

[0078] In some embodiments, when the electronic device 100 is in the folded state, the sum of the maximum dimensions of the second middle frame 130 and the maximum dimensions of the third middle frame 140 in the first direction may be greater than two-thirds of the dimension of the electronic device 100 in the first direction. For example, the adjacent ends of the second and third middle frames 130, 140 may have the same dimensions in the first direction, and the dimension of the end of the first middle frame 120 adjacent to the second middle frame 130 in the first direction may be less than or equal to the dimension of the second middle frame 130 in the first direction. Assuming that when the electronic device 100 is in the unfolded state, the dimension of the adjacent ends of the second and third middle frames 130, 140 is d, and the dimension of the end of the first middle frame 120 away from the second middle frame 130 in the first direction is c, then the sum of the maximum dimensions of the second and third middle frames 130 in the first direction may be 2d. When the electronic device 100 is in the fully folded state, the entire electronic device 100 may be approximately rectangular, with the overall dimension of the electronic device 100 in the first direction being approximately c + 2d. Because the size of the first middle frame 120 in the first direction gradually decreases from the end closest to the second middle frame 130 to the end further away from the second middle frame 130, the size c in the first direction of the end of the first middle frame 120 further away from the second middle frame 130 can be smaller than the size d of the second middle frame 130 in the first direction. Consequently, 2d > 2 / 3(c + 2d). This means that the sum of the maximum size of the second middle frame 130 and the maximum size of the third middle frame 140 in the first direction is greater than two-thirds of the size of the electronic device 100 in the first direction. This sum of the sizes of the second middle frame 130 and the third middle frame 140 in the first direction is greater than two-thirds of the size of the electronic device 100 in the first direction when fully folded. This increases the design space for the second hinge 30 and the bending radius of the screen, thereby minimizing compression on the inwardly folded side of the flexible display 110, making it less prone to wrinkling and improving the service life of the flexible display 110.

[0079] It should be noted that, in the above example, the requirements for the middle frame size of the electronic device are introduced by taking the two ends of the second middle frame 120 and the third middle frame 130 that are close to each other and have the same size in the first direction. As mentioned above, the sizes of the two ends of the second middle frame 130 and the third middle frame 140 that are close to each other in the first direction may also be different. In this case, a suitable middle frame size may also be designed so that the sum of the maximum size of the second middle frame 130 in the first direction and the maximum size of the third middle frame 140 in the first direction is greater than two-thirds of the sum of the sizes of the electronic device 100 in the first direction. Examples will not be given one by one here.

[0080] Figure 3is a structural diagram of another foldable electronic device 100 provided in an embodiment of the present application, wherein: Figure 3 (a) is a schematic structural diagram of the electronic device 100 in the unfolded state. Figure 3 (b) is a schematic structural diagram of the electronic device 100 in the middle folded state. Figure 3 (c) is a schematic diagram of the structure of the electronic device 100 in a fully folded state. Figure 2 Similar to the structure of the electronic device 100 in FIG, when the electronic device 100 is in the unfolded state, the distance from the side of the first middle frame 120 of the electronic device 100 facing away from the flexible display 110 to the flexible display 110 can gradually decrease from the end close to the second middle frame 130 to the end away from the second middle frame 130. In other words, the side of the first middle frame 120 facing away from the flexible display 110 can have a wedge-shaped structure. Furthermore, the distance from the side of the second middle frame 130 facing away from the flexible display 110 to the flexible display 110 can gradually decrease from the end close to the third middle frame 140 to the end away from the third middle frame 140. In other words, the side of the second middle frame 130 facing away from the flexible display 110 can also have a wedge-shaped structure.

[0081] In some embodiments, the sizes of the two ends of the second middle frame 130 and the first middle frame 120 that are close to each other in the first direction can be the same, and the sizes of the two ends of the second middle frame 130 and the third middle frame 140 that are close to each other in the first direction can also be the same, so as to make the lines of the electronic device 100 more smoothly connected, optimize the grip feel of the electronic device 100, and improve the user experience.

[0082] The angle α formed between the plane on which the side of the first middle frame 120 facing away from the flexible display screen 110 is located and the plane on which the first portion 111 of the flexible display screen 110 is located can be the same as the angle γ formed between the plane on which the side of the second middle frame 130 facing away from the flexible display screen 110 is located and the plane on which the second portion 112 of the flexible display screen 110 is located.

[0083] It should be noted that the angle formed between the plane of the side of the first middle frame 120 facing away from the flexible display 110 and the plane of the first portion 111 can refer to the angle formed between the plane of the first portion 111 when the electronic device 100 is unfolded, or the angle formed between the plane of the planar portion of the first portion 111 when the electronic device 100 is folded. The second middle frame 130 is similar and will not be described in detail here.

[0084] The sizes of the positions on the third middle frame 140 in the first direction can be the same, and the entire third middle frame 140 can be approximately rectangular. Figure 3As shown in (c), the third middle frame 140 is stacked between the first middle frame 120 and the second middle frame 130, and the side of the first middle frame 120 facing away from the flexible display screen 110 and the side of the second middle frame 130 facing away from the flexible display screen 110 are facing outward, and the plane where the side of the first middle frame 120 facing away from the flexible display screen 110 is located is parallel to the plane where the side of the second middle frame 130 facing away from the flexible display screen 110 is located, thereby making the folded structure of the electronic device 100 more regular, and being able to reduce the folded thickness of the electronic device 100, making it easier for users to hold, and further optimizing the user experience.

[0085] and Figure 2 Similar to the structure shown, the dimension of the third middle frame 140 in the second direction can be smaller than the dimension of the second middle frame 130 in the second direction, so that when the electronic device 100 is in a folded state, the third middle frame 140 can be stacked between the first middle frame 120 and the second middle frame 130, and the third part 113 of the flexible display screen 110 corresponding to the third middle frame 140 can face and fit together with the second part 112 of the flexible display screen 110, and the side of the third middle frame 140 facing away from the third part 113 can fit together with the first part 111 of the flexible display screen 110, so that the structure of the electronic device 100 is more stable in the fully folded state and the thickness of the electronic device 100 in the folded state is reduced.

[0086] The size of the first middle frame 120 in the second direction can be the same as the size of the second middle frame 130 in the second direction, or can be smaller or larger than the size of the second middle frame 130 in the second direction. For example, when the sizes of the two ends of the first middle frame 120 and the second middle frame 130 that are close to each other are different in the first direction, the size of the first middle frame 120 in the second direction can be smaller or larger than the size of the second middle frame 130 in the second direction.

[0087] In the case where the sides of the first and second middle frames 120 and 130 facing away from the flexible display 110 are wedge-shaped, the sum of the maximum dimensions of the second middle frame 130 and the maximum dimensions of the third middle frame 140 in the first direction of the electronic device 100 may also be greater than two-thirds of the sum of the dimensions of the electronic device 100 in the first direction. For example, assume that the dimension of the end of the first middle frame 120 that is closest to the second middle frame 130 in the first direction is f, and the dimension of the third middle frame 140 in the first direction is e. When the two ends of the first middle frame 120 and the second middle frame 130 that are close to each other have the same size in the first direction, and the second middle frame 130 and the third middle frame 140 have the same size in the first direction, the sum of the maximum size of the second middle frame 130 in the first direction and the maximum size of the third middle frame 140 in the first direction is 2e, and the size of the electronic device 100 in the first direction in the fully folded state is approximately f+2e. Since the ends of the first middle frame 120 and the second middle frame 130 that are away from the flexible display screen 110 are wedge-shaped, the size f in the first direction of the end of the first middle frame 120 close to the second middle frame 130 can be smaller than the size e in the first direction of the end of the second middle frame 130 close to the third middle frame 140. Therefore, 2e>2 / 3(f+2e), that is, the sum of the maximum size of the second middle frame 130 in the first direction and the maximum size of the third middle frame 140 in the first direction is greater than two-thirds of the sum of the sizes of the electronic device 100 in the first direction.

[0088] It should be noted that, in the above example, the requirements for the middle frame size of the electronic device are introduced by taking the two ends of the first middle frame 120 and the second middle frame 130 that are close to each other in the first direction as an example, and the two ends of the second middle frame 120 and the third middle frame 130 that are close to each other in the first direction as an example. As mentioned above, the two ends of the first middle frame 120 and the second middle frame 130 that are close to each other in the first direction may be different in size, and the two ends of the second middle frame 130 and the third middle frame 140 that are close to each other in the first direction may also be different in size. In this case, a suitable middle frame size can also be designed so that the sum of the maximum size of the second middle frame 130 in the first direction and the maximum size of the third middle frame 140 in the first direction is greater than two-thirds of the sum of the sizes of the electronic device 100 in the first direction. Examples will not be given one by one here.

[0089] In folding Figure 2 or Figure 3 When the electronic device 100 is shown, the third middle frame 140 can be first moved closer to the position of the second middle frame 130 around the second rotation axis 30, and the flexible display screens 110 corresponding to the second middle frame 130 and the third middle frame 140 are stacked between the second middle frame 130 and the third middle frame 140, that is, the electronic device 100 is in a Figure 2 (b) or Figure 3 Then, the first middle frame 120 is folded around the first rotation axis 20, so that the first middle frame 120 is close to the position of the third middle frame 140, and the flexible display screen 110 corresponding to the first middle frame 120 is stacked between the first middle frame 120 and the third middle frame 140, that is, the electronic device 100 is in the middle folded state. Figure 2 (c) or Figure 3 The state shown in (c) in the figure is also called the fully folded state. In the fully folded state, the first middle frame 120 and the second middle frame 130 may not be attached to each other, and the curved portion of the flexible display 110, that is, the portion of the flexible display 110 located at the end where the first middle frame 120 and the second middle frame 130 are close to each other, can form a shape similar to a "U" or a "water drop"; the second middle frame 130 and the third middle frame 140 are attached to each other, and the portion of the flexible display 110 located at the end where the second middle frame 130 and the third middle frame 140 are close to each other can form a shape similar to a "V" or a "water drop".

[0090] In order to ensure that the flexible display screen 110 can be folded inward around the first rotation axis 20 and the second rotation axis 30, the present application also provides a structural diagram of the rotation axis mechanism. Figures 4 to 7 The rotating shaft mechanism may be, for example, the first rotating shaft 20. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the rotating shaft mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 5 This is the exploded structure diagram of the shaft mechanism. Figure 6 This is an enlarged view of the local structure of the shaft mechanism. Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the rotating shaft mechanism in the expanded or folded state.

[0091] The rotating shaft mechanism provided in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0092] First, see Figure 5The structure of the first rotating shaft 20 is shown as a schematic diagram. The first rotating shaft 20 may include the main inner shaft 22, the main outer shaft 21, the folding portion 23, and the rotating shaft cover 26. In this example, the main inner shaft 22 and the main outer shaft 21 may be collectively referred to as the main shaft portion. The main inner shaft 22 may be the portion of the main shaft portion that is close to the flexible display 110. Surface 22-1 shown in the figure is the front side of the main inner shaft 22, that is, the side facing the flexible display 110. Surface 22-1 of the main inner shaft 22 may be approximately flat to support the flexible display 110. Surface 22-2 shown in the figure is the back side of the main inner shaft 22, that is, the side facing away from the flexible display 110. Surface 22-2 of the main inner shaft 22 may include various components to cooperate with the folding portion 23. The main outer shaft 21 can be the portion of the main shaft away from the flexible display 110 and can be fixedly connected to the main inner shaft 22. For example, the main inner shaft 22 can include one or more through holes 223, and the main outer shaft 21 can also include one or more through holes 212 at corresponding positions, so that the main inner shaft 22 and the main outer shaft 21 can be fixedly connected by screws 28. A certain accommodation space can be formed inside the main inner shaft 22 and the main outer shaft 21, so that at least a portion of the folding portion 23 can be accommodated in the accommodation space and can rotate around the main shaft. A rotating shaft cover 26 can be provided on the side of the main outer shaft 21 away from the flexible display 110 to protect internal components such as the main outer shaft 21, the main inner shaft 22, and the folding portion 23.

[0093] The folding portion 23 may include at least two rotating assemblies 24, for example, a rotating assembly 24A located on the left side of the main shaft (hereinafter referred to as the left rotating assembly 24A) and a rotating assembly 24B located on the right side of the main shaft (hereinafter referred to as the right rotating assembly 24B). The left rotating assembly 24A and the right rotating assembly 24B cooperate with each other to achieve the folding or unfolding of the electronic device. The folding portion 23 may include one or more sets of left rotating assemblies 24A and right rotating assemblies 24B, for example, including three sets as shown. The left and right in this application can refer to the left and right sides in the y-axis direction.

[0094] Each rotating assembly 24 can include a rotating portion 242 and a swinging portion 241. The rotating portion 242 is fixedly connected to the swinging portion 241, for example, they can be integrally formed. The cross-section of the rotating portion 242 along a first plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotating shaft can be an arcuate shape. The first plane is the yz plane shown in the figure. Accordingly, the main inner shaft 22 can include a first connecting rod 221. The side of the first connecting rod 221 facing the rotating assembly 24 can be an arcuate shape. In other words, the cross-section of the first connecting rod 221 along the yz plane can be semicircular, with the arcuate portion facing the rotating assembly 24. There can be at least two first connecting rods 221, for example, including a left first connecting rod 221A and a right first connecting rod 221B as shown. The rotating portion 242A of the left rotating assembly 24A and the rotating portion 242B of the right rotating assembly 24B can be respectively mounted on the left first connecting rod 221A and the right first connecting rod 221B. The curvature of the first connecting rod 221 can be the same as that of the rotating portion 242 , so that the arc-shaped opening portion of the rotating portion 242 can be sleeved on the corresponding first connecting rod 221 and rotate around the corresponding first connecting rod 221 along an arc-shaped trajectory.

[0095] The side of the main outer shaft 21 proximal to the rotating assembly 24 may include an arcuate surface 211. There may be at least two arcuate surfaces 211, for example, a left arcuate surface 211A and a right arcuate surface 211B, shown as accommodating the rotating portion 242A of the left rotating assembly 24A and the rotating portion 242B of the right rotating assembly 24B, respectively. The arcuate surface 211 may also have the same curvature as the rotating portion 242 of the rotating assembly 24, further ensuring that the rotating portion 242 rotates along an arcuate trajectory around the main shaft. That is, when the rotating portion 242 of the rotating assembly 24 is accommodated in the accommodation space enclosed by the main inner shaft 22 and the main outer shaft 21, the rotating portion 242 of the rotating assembly 24 can be sleeved on the corresponding arc portion of the first connecting rod 221 and accommodated in the corresponding arc surface 211, so that the rotating portion 242 of the rotating assembly 24 can rotate around the first connecting rod 221 on the inner side of the arc surface 211 relative to the main shaft portion. The rotating portion 242 rotates around the first connecting rod 221 in the accommodation space formed by the main inner shaft 22 and the main outer shaft 21, which can also prevent the rotating assembly 24 from separating from the main shaft portion, thereby improving the safety and reliability of the rotating shaft mechanism.

[0096] The swinging portion 241 of the rotating assembly 24 can be fixedly connected to the middle frame, for example, see Figure 4 The connection between the rotating shaft 20 and the middle frame in the overall structural diagram of the rotating shaft is shown, wherein: Figure 4 (a) is a schematic diagram of the structure when the shaft mechanism is fixedly connected to the middle frame. Figure 4(b) in the figure is an exploded structural diagram of the rotating shaft mechanism and the middle frame. The swinging portion 241 of the rotating component 24 may include one or more through holes 244, and accordingly, the corresponding position of the middle frame may also include one or more through holes, so that the swinging portion 241 is fixedly connected to the middle frame on the same side by screwing. Alternatively, the swinging portion 241 can also be fixedly connected to the middle frame by bonding or the like (not shown in the figure). When the user rotates the middle frame portion, the middle frame portion can drive the swinging portion 241 of the rotating component 24 to rotate, and then drive the rotating portion 242 of the rotating component 24 to rotate around the first connecting rod 221 of the main inner shaft 22 in the arc surface 211 of the main outer shaft 21, so that the electronic device 100 is folded or unfolded.

[0097] In order to make the two adjacent middle frames rotate synchronously, the main shaft portion can also be provided with a shaft synchronization mechanism so that the left rotating component 24A and the right rotating component 24B can rotate synchronously. For details, please refer to Figure 6 The structure shown in FIG. Figure 6 (a) is an enlarged view of the local structure of the shaft mechanism. Figure 6 (b) is the exploded view of the local structure of the shaft. Figure 6 (c) is a schematic structural diagram of the first sliding member 25. It should be noted that, Figure 6 (a) is a schematic diagram of the back structure of the folding portion of the rotating shaft and the main inner shaft 22 after the entirety of the shaft is flipped over, or in other words, the structure of the folding portion and the main inner shaft when viewed from the side away from the flexible display screen 110. Figure 6 The main inner shaft 22 portion in (b) is also a schematic diagram of the back structure after flipping, that is, the structure of the 22-2 surface of the main inner shaft 22.

[0098] The surface 22-2 of the main inner shaft 22 may include a platform portion 222, and a gear 224 may be provided at the center position of the platform portion 222, or in other words, the gear 224 may be provided on the central axis of the main shaft portion. Accordingly, the folding portion 23 may also include at least two first sliding members 25, for example, including the first sliding member 25A (hereinafter referred to as the left first sliding member 25A) connected to the left rotating component 24A as shown in the figure and the first sliding member 25B (hereinafter referred to as the right first sliding member 25B) connected to the right rotating component. The end of the first sliding member 25 close to the gear 224 may include a rack 253, and the rack 253 may be engaged with the gear 224. When the electronic device 100 is folded, the gear 224 rotates counterclockwise, and the rack 253A of the left first sliding member 25A moves in the negative direction of the illustrated y-axis under the interaction with the gear 224, and the rack 253B of the right first sliding member 25B moves in the positive direction of the y-axis (as described above, Figure 6The partial hinge assembly shown is a flipped structure, and the rotation and movement directions here may be the rotation and movement directions when not flipped); during the unfolding process of the electronic device 100, the rotation direction of the gear 224 and the displacement direction of the left first sliding member 25A and the left first sliding member 25B are opposite to the above directions, and will not be repeated here.

[0099] In the embodiment provided in the present application, a single gear is provided on the main shaft portion, and a first sliding member gear is provided to engage with each other to realize the synchronous rotation of the rotating components on both sides of the shaft. The structure is simple, and it can effectively reduce the space occupied by the shaft mechanism, reduce the thickness of the electronic device in the unfolded and folded states, meet the user's small-size holding requirements, and effectively reduce the production cost of the electronic device.

[0100] To enable the left first slider 25A and the right first slider 25B to be connected to the left rotating assembly 24A and the right rotating assembly 24B, respectively, and to achieve synchronous rotation of the left rotating assembly 24A and the right rotating assembly 24B, the first slider 25 may include a first slot 251 on the side away from the gear 224. The first slot 251 may extend axially along the rotating shaft. The first slot 251A on the left first slider 25A may also be referred to as the left first slot 251A, and the first slot 251B on the right first slider 25B may also be referred to as the right first slot 251B. The rotating assembly 24 connected to the first slider 25 may include a first stopper 243. The first stopper 243 may be disposed on the rotating portion 242 of the rotating assembly 24, and at least a portion of the first stopper 243 may extend axially along the rotating shaft. At least a portion of the first stopper 243 can be accommodated in the first slot 251. For example, at least a portion of the first stopper 243A of the left rotating assembly 24A can be accommodated in the left first slot 251A, and at least a portion of the first stopper 243B of the right rotating assembly 24B can be accommodated in the right first slot 251B, so that the rotation of the rotating assembly 24 can drive the connected first sliding member 25 to slide synchronously. At least a portion of the first stopper 243 can be accommodated in the first slot 251, which means that during the entire process of folding or unfolding the electronic device 100, the first stopper 243 can be at least partially accommodated in the corresponding first slot 251 to drive the first sliding member 25 to slide, thereby driving the gear 224 to rotate. The first stopper 243 can be a pin, and the first stopper 243 and the rotating assembly 24 can be an integral structure, or the two can be fixedly connected by bonding or other means.

[0101] A side of the first sliding member 25 adjacent to the rack 253, i.e., the side of the first sliding member 25 located in the y-axis direction, may further include a second groove 252. This second groove 252 may extend along the second direction. Accordingly, the main shaft portion may further include a second stopper 223. This second stopper 223 may be disposed on the main inner shaft 22, particularly on the platform portion of the main inner shaft 22. At least a portion of the second stopper 223 may extend along the second direction and be accommodated in the second groove 252, thereby limiting the sliding direction of the first sliding member 25. This allows the first sliding member 25 to slide in the second direction and is less likely to deviate in other directions. For example, the second stopper 223A located on the left side of the gear 224 can be received in the second groove 252B of the right first slider 25B, limiting the sliding direction of the right first slider 25B. The second stopper 224B located on the right side of the gear 224 can be received in the second groove 252A of the left first slider 25A, limiting the sliding direction of the left first slider 25A. In this example, the first groove 251 can be positioned away from the side of the second groove 252 on the same first slider 25 to ensure that the rack 253 on the first slider 25 can fully engage with the gear 224 during the folding or unfolding process of the electronic device 100, preventing the two from disengaging from each other.

[0102] Furthermore, when the electronic device 100 is folded or unfolded, the two adjacent middle frames respectively drive the two rotating components 24 in the same group to rotate around the first connecting rod 221 of the main shaft (see Figure 7 ). Take the folding process as an example, which is Figure 7 The state shown in (a) is transformed into Figure 7During the state shown in (b) of FIG, the rotating portion 242 of the rotating assembly 24 rotates within the accommodation space formed by the main inner shaft 22 and the main outer shaft 21, with the position of the first connecting rod 221 as the axis. The first stopper 243 slides along the arc-shaped trajectory formed by the first connecting rod 221 and the arc surface 211, and rotates relative to the main shaft portion. Because at least a portion of the first stopper 243 is accommodated in the first groove 251 of the first sliding member 25, the rotation of the first stopper 243 can cause the first sliding member 25 to slide synchronously, and slide in the direction of rotation of the first stopper 243. Furthermore, the racks 253 of the two first sliding members 25 in the same group are respectively engaged with the gears 224. When the first sliding members 25 slide, the gears 224 are driven to rotate, so that the two first sliding members 25A and 25B on either side of the gear 224 slide the same amount and in opposite directions. For example, the first sliding member 25A connected to the left rotating assembly 24A moves along the negative direction of the y-axis, and the first sliding member 25B connected to the right rotating assembly 24B moves along the positive direction of the y-axis. The left and right rotating assemblies 24A and 24B rotate in opposite directions and at the same angle, thereby achieving synchronous rotation of the two adjacent middle frames connected to the left and right rotating assemblies 24A and 24B. When the electronic device 100 is in the folded state, the swing portion 241A of the left rotating assembly 24A can be parallel to the swing portion 241B of the right rotating assembly 24B, so that a certain distance is formed between the swing portions 241A and 241B, so that the third middle frame 140 can be stacked between the first middle frame 120 and the second middle frame 130. The unfolding process of the electronic device 100 is similar and will not be described again here.

[0103] The hinge mechanism may include one or more rotating components 24 and sliding components 25 , which may be respectively arranged at the middle position and both sides of the main shaft portion along the axial direction to improve the stability of the electronic device 100 during the folding process.

[0104] Continue to see Figure 5 or Figure 6 As shown in the structure, the hinge mechanism may further include a damping mechanism such as a spring 27 for increasing the damping force of the electronic device 100 during the folding process and enabling the electronic device 100 to hover at different angles to provide a better folding experience.

[0105] The following combination Figures 8 to 13 Another rotating shaft structure provided in the embodiment of the present application is introduced, which may be the second rotating shaft 30 mentioned above. Figure 8 This is the exploded structure diagram of the shaft mechanism. Figure 9 It is a structural diagram of the half-shaft module in the shaft mechanism. Figures 10 to 12 This is an enlarged diagram of the structure of each moving component in the shaft mechanism. Figure 13It is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the rotating shaft mechanism in the unfolded and folded states.

[0106] First, see Figure 8 In the structure shown, the hinge mechanism may include components such as a semi-axle module 31, a connecting beam 32, a support member 33, and a hinge cover 34. The semi-axle module 31 may be the main functional component of the hinge mechanism, used to achieve the folding or unfolding of the electronic device 100. The number of semi-axle modules 31 may be one or more, for example, three, respectively, disposed at the middle and two ends of the hinge mechanism in the axial direction to ensure a more stable folding process for the electronic device 100. When there are multiple semi-axle modules 31, the hinge mechanism may further include a connecting beam 32 for connecting two adjacent semi-axle modules 31. For example, the adjacent ends of the connecting beam 32 and the semi-axle module 31 may include through holes 321 and through holes 3113, respectively, so that the connecting beam 32 and the semi-axle module 31 can be screwed together by screws 36 for secure connection. The hinge mechanism may also include a hinge cover 34, disposed on the side of the semi-axle module 31 away from the flexible display 110 to protect the semi-axle module 31 and other components within the hinge cover 34. The hinge mechanism may further include a support member 33, which may be arranged on the side of the semi-axis module 31 close to the flexible display screen 110. The number of support members 33 may be two, and they may be respectively arranged on the left and right sides of the semi-axis module 31, for example, including a left support member 33A and a right support member 33B.

[0107] Figure 9 (a) and (b) are the overall structure diagram and exploded structure diagram of the half-shaft module 31 respectively. The half-shaft module 31 may include a main shaft portion 311. The through hole 3113 may be provided at the end of the main shaft portion 311 along the axial direction of the rotating shaft. The connecting beam 32 may be fixedly connected to the main shaft portion 311. The interior of the main shaft portion 311 may include one or more cavities (not shown in the figure) to accommodate components such as the gear 314 in the half-shaft module 31. Figures 4 to 7 Similar to the structure of the rotating shaft mechanism shown, the gear 314 can be arranged on the central axis of the main shaft portion 311.

[0108] The main shaft portion 311 may include an opening portion 3111, which may be connected to the cavity portion. The main shaft portion 311 of a half-shaft module 31 may include two opening portions 3111, and the two opening portions 3111 may be respectively arranged on both sides of the gear 314 in the x-axis direction, that is, the opening portion 3111B located on the upper side of the gear 314 and the opening portion 3111A located on the lower side of the gear 314 as shown in the figure.

[0109] The half-axle module 31 may further include a second sliding member 313. The number of the second sliding members 313 may be two, and each of the second sliding members 313 may be accommodated in the two opening portions 3111. For example, the lower second sliding member 313A is accommodated in the lower opening portion 3111A, and the upper second sliding member 313B is accommodated in the upper opening portion 3111B. The structure of the second sliding member 313 may be seen in FIG. Figure 9 or Figure 10 A magnified view of the structure shown.

[0110] The end of the second sliding member 313 near the gear 314 can include a rack 3132. The end of the second sliding member 313 near the gear 314 can extend into the cavity of the main shaft portion 311 to mesh with the gear 314, allowing the two second sliding members 313 to slide synchronously, thereby causing the rotating assembly connected to the two second sliding members 313 to rotate synchronously, thereby achieving synchronous rotation of the two adjacent middle frames connected by the hinge mechanism. When the electronic device 100 is folded, the gear 314 can rotate counterclockwise. The lower second sliding member 313A can slide in the positive direction of the y-axis and rotate relative to the main shaft portion 311 under the combined action of the rack 3132A and the gear 314. The upper second sliding member 313B can slide in the negative direction of the y-axis and rotate relative to the main shaft portion 311 under the combined action of the rack 3132B and the gear 314.

[0111] The end of the second sliding member 313 away from the gear 314 may include a first slide rail 3131. The cross-section of the first slide rail 3131 may be arc-shaped, which is also the cross-section of the first slide rail 3131 along the yz plane. Correspondingly, the main shaft portion 311 may include a first slide groove 3112. The first slide groove 3112 may also be arc-shaped, and the curvature of the first slide groove 3112 may be the same as the curvature of the first slide rail 3131, so that the first slide rail 3131 can slide along the arc-shaped trajectory in the first slide groove 3112 and rotate relative to the main shaft portion 311. For example, the first slide groove 3112B located in the upper opening portion 3111B can be set on the side wall of the upper opening portion 3111B away from the gear 314 to accommodate the first slide rail 3131B of the upper second sliding member 313B, and the first slide groove 3112A located in the lower opening portion 3111A can be set on the side wall of the lower opening portion 3111A away from the gear 314 to accommodate the first slide rail 3131A of the lower second sliding member 313A.

[0112] In some embodiments, the rack 3132 of the second sliding member 313 can be set at a position of the second sliding member 313 opposite to the position of the first sliding rail 3131, and the rack 3132 can also be distributed along a circular arc trajectory at one end of the second sliding member 313 close to the gear 314, or in other words, the cross-sectional shape of the rack 3132 of the second sliding member 313 along the yz plane can be circular arc-shaped, and the curvature of the rack 3132 can be the same as the curvature of the first sliding rail 3131, so as to further ensure that the second sliding member 313 can slide along the circular arc trajectory and rotate relative to the main shaft portion 311.

[0113] In some embodiments, the opening portion 3111 of the main shaft portion 311 may also be arc-shaped, or in other words, the cross-section of the opening portion 3111 of the main shaft portion 311 in the yz plane may be an arc-shaped surface. Accordingly, the back of the second sliding member 313, i.e., the surface that contacts the main shaft portion 311, may also be arc-shaped, and the curvature may be the same as that of the opening portion 3111. The curvatures of the two portions may also be the same as the curvature of the first slide rail 3131, thereby further limiting the sliding direction of the second sliding member 313.

[0114] The upper surface of the second sliding member 313, that is, the side close to the flexible display screen 110, can be a planar structure. When the electronic device 100 is in the unfolded state, the second sliding member 313 is located on the central axis of the main shaft portion 311, or in other words, the second sliding member 313 is symmetrical about the central axis of the main shaft portion 311, and the upper surface of the second sliding member 313 can be parallel to the plane where the flexible display screen 110 is located to prevent the hinge mechanism from pressing against the flexible display screen 110.

[0115] It should be noted that Figure 10 Only one second sliding member 313 is shown. The structure of the second sliding member 313B disposed at the opening portion 3111B can be the same as that of the second sliding member 313A. Under the action of the gear 314, the two sliding members slide in opposite directions and with the same sliding distance. The second sliding member 313 can also be referred to as a sliding assembly.

[0116] In the embodiment provided in the present application, the second sliding member 313 achieves relative rotation with the main shaft portion 311 while sliding, thereby promoting the folding or unfolding of the electronic device 100. This can increase the overlap between the rotating component 37 and the main shaft portion 311, prevent the components of the hinge mechanism from detaching during the folding or unfolding process of the electronic device 100, and increase the safety and reliability of the hinge mechanism.

[0117] See also Figure 9 or Figure 11In the structure shown, the semi-axle module 3131 may further include a first rocker 315. The number of the first rocker 315 may be two, for example, including a first rocker 315B located above the gear 314 and a first rocker 315A located below the gear 314. The first rocker 315 may include a platform portion 3152 and a recessed portion 3153. The platform portion 3152 and the recessed portion 3153 may form a stepped structure. When the electronic device 100 is in the unfolded state, the platform portion 3152 may be parallel to the flexible display 110 to prevent it from pressing against the flexible display 110. The recessed portion 3153 may be used to form a clearance space for the support member 33. After the support member 33 is fixedly connected to the first rocker 315, it can better match the shape of the flexible display 110.

[0118] The end of the first rocker arm 315 proximal to the second sliding member 313 may be rotatably connected to the second sliding member 313, and the end of the first rocker arm 315 proximal to the second sliding member 313 may be a platform portion 3152. For example, the end of the platform portion 3152 proximal to the shaft support 312 may include an axis hole 3155. Accordingly, the side of the second sliding member 313 proximal to the first rocker arm may include an axis hole 3134. The axis hole 3155 and the axis hole 3134 may extend along the axial direction of the rotating shaft. The axis hole 3155 and the axis hole 3134 may be connected by a pin, and the first rocker arm 315 may rotate relative to the second sliding member 313 about the axial direction of the pin.

[0119] The half-axle module 31 may further include an axle support 312. Each half-axle module 31 may include two axle supports 312, located on the left and right sides of the half-axle module 31, that is, including axle supports 312A and 312B. The two axle supports 312A and 312B may be fixedly connected to two adjacent middle frames (see Figure 4 ), for example, the shaft bracket 312 may include one or more through holes, which may extend along the z-axis direction and be fixedly connected to the middle frame by screwing, or the shaft bracket may also be fixedly connected to the middle frame by bonding or the like.

[0120] The end of the first rocker arm 315 away from the second sliding member 313 can be rotatably connected to the shaft support 312 located on the same side, that is, the end of the recessed portion 3153 of the first rocker arm 315 can be rotatably connected to the shaft support 312 located on the same side.

[0121] As an example, the end of the first recessed portion 3153 may include a second slide groove 3151, which may be an arc-shaped slide groove. A first rocker arm 315 may include two second slide grooves 3151, one located on either side of the recessed portion 3153 along the axial direction of the rotating shaft. Accordingly, the shaft support 312 on the same side as the first rocker arm 315 may include a second slide rail 3121, which may be an arc-shaped slide rail. The arc-shaped slide rail may refer to a cross-sectional shape of the second slide rail 3121 on the yz plane being an arc-shaped, so that at least a portion of the second slide rail 3121 can be accommodated in the second slide groove 3151 and slide along the arc-shaped trajectory of the second slide groove 3151, thereby enabling the first rocker arm 315 and the shaft support 312 to rotate relative to each other. The number of the second sliding rails 3121 may also be two, and the positions thereof correspond to the positions of the second sliding grooves 3151 , so as to be accommodated in the two second sliding grooves 3151 , respectively.

[0122] Similar to this solution, the end of the recessed portion 3153 may include a slide rail, and the corresponding position of the shaft bracket on the same side may include a slide groove. The first rocker arm 315 is accommodated in the shaft bracket 312 and slides relative to the shaft bracket 312 (not shown in the figure). This application does not limit this.

[0123] As another example, the first rocker arm 315 can also be rotatably connected to the shaft bracket 312 on the same side through a pin shaft. For example, the end of the recessed portion 3153 of the first rocker arm 315 and the corresponding position of the shaft bracket 312 can be provided with an axial hole. The axial hole can extend along the axial direction of the rotating shaft to replace the slide groove and the slide rail. The pin shaft passes through the axial hole to connect the first rocker arm 315 and the shaft bracket 312 (not shown in the figure).

[0124] In some embodiments, the recessed portion 3153 may further include a through hole 3154, which may pass through the recessed portion 3153 along the z-axis direction shown in the figure. Accordingly, the support member 33 may include a through hole 331, which extends along the z-axis direction, so that the support member 33 can be fixedly connected to the first rocker arm 315 through the through hole 3154, the through hole 331 and the bolt 35.

[0125] Continue to see Figure 9 or Figure 12In the illustrated structure, the axle module 31 may further include a second rocker arm 317. The number of second rocker arms 317 may be two, for example, including a second rocker arm 317B located above the gear 314 and a second rocker arm 317A located below the gear 314. The second rocker arm 317 and the first rocker arm 315 in the same rotating assembly may be connected to the same second sliding member 313. The second rocker arm 317 and the first rocker arm 315 may be respectively disposed on either side of the second sliding member 313 in the second direction. The second rocker arm 317 may be rotatably connected to the second sliding member 313. The second rocker arm 317 may include a flat portion 3171 and a curved portion 3173. The curved portion 3173 may be approximately in an inverted V-shape. The curved portion 3173 is located at the end of the second rocker arm 317 that is closer to the second sliding member 313, while the flat portion 3171 is located at the end of the second rocker arm 317 that is farther from the second sliding member 313.

[0126] One end of the second swing arm 317 close to the second sliding member 313 can be rotatably connected to the second sliding member 313 , that is, the bent portion 3173 can be rotatably connected to the second sliding member 313 .

[0127] As an example, the second swing arm 317 can be rotatably connected to the second sliding member 313 via a second connecting rod 316. The second connecting rod 316B can be used to connect the upper second sliding member 313B and the upper second swing arm 317B, and the second connecting rod 316A can be used to connect the lower second sliding member 313A and the lower second swing arm 317A. The curved portion 3173 can include an axial hole 3174, or also referred to as a first axial hole 3174. The axial hole 3174 can be provided at the end of the curved portion 3173 near the flexible display 110 and can extend along the axial direction of the rotation axis and penetrate the curved portion 3172. Correspondingly, the end of the second connecting rod 316 proximate to the second rocker arm 317 may include an axial hole 3161, or also referred to as a third axial hole. The axial hole 3161 extends along the axial direction of the rotating shaft. The axial hole 3161 and the axial hole 3174 are connected by a pin, thereby achieving a rotational connection between the second rocker arm 317 and the second connecting rod 316. The end of the second connecting rod 316 proximate to the second sliding member 313 may also include an axial hole 3162, which may also be referred to as a fourth axial hole. The second sliding member 313 may also include an axial hole 3133, which may also be referred to as a second axial hole. The axial hole 3133 and the axial hole 3162 are connected by a pin, thereby achieving a rotational connection between the second connecting rod 316 and the second sliding member 313. The second connecting rod 316 further enables a rotational connection between the second rocker arm 317 and the second sliding member 313.

[0128] In the embodiment provided in the present application, the second connecting rod 316 can push the various components of the hinge mechanism to a preset position, so that the screen space formed by the hinge mechanism is more compatible with the shape of the water drop-shaped screen. In addition, the second connecting rod 316 is provided to realize the rotational connection between the second rocker arm 317 and the second sliding member 313, which can reduce the space occupied by the hinge mechanism, thereby reducing the thickness of the electronic device 100 in the unfolded and folded states.

[0129] As another example, the second swing link 317 may be rotationally connected to the second sliding member 313 without the second connecting rod 316. Instead, a pin may be directly connected between the shaft hole 3174 of the second swing link 317 and the shaft hole 3123 of the second sliding member 313 to achieve the rotational connection between the second connecting rod 316 and the second sliding member 313. In this example, the end of the second sliding member 313 away from the rack 3132 may not be provided with an arc-shaped slide rail, but may be provided with a pin and rotationally connected to the main shaft portion 311 through the shaft hole.

[0130] The end of the second rocker arm 317 near the second sliding member 313 can be rotatably connected not only to the second sliding member 313 but also to the main shaft portion 311. For example, the end of the second rocker arm 317 near the second sliding member 313 can further include an axial hole 3175, or a fifth axial hole, extending along the axial direction of the rotating shaft. The axial hole 3175 can be disposed at the bottom of one side of the curved portion 3173 near the second sliding member 313. Accordingly, the main shaft portion 311 can include an axial hole 3114, or a sixth axial hole, disposed in the opening portion 3111 of the main shaft portion 311 and extending along the axial direction of the rotating shaft. The shaft hole 3114B located in the upper opening portion 3111B can be used to connect with the upper second swing rod 317B, and the shaft hole 3114A located in the lower opening portion 3111A can be used to connect with the lower second swing rod 317A.

[0131] The end of the second rocker arm 317 away from the second sliding member 313 may further include a third slide rail 3172. Specifically, the third slide rail 3172 may be disposed on both sides of the planar portion 3171 of the second rocker arm 317 along the axial direction of the rotation axis. The third slide rail 3172 may be a linear slide rail. Accordingly, the shaft support 312 located on the same side of the second rocker arm 317 may include a third slide groove 3122. The third slide groove 3122 may be a linear slide groove, and the direction of the third slide groove 3122 may extend parallel to the direction of the third slide rail 3172. This allows at least a portion of the third slide rail 3172 to be received in the third slide groove 3122 and slide therein along the direction of the third slide groove 3122. There may also be two third slide grooves 3122, each corresponding to the position of the two third slide rails 3172, to accommodate two third slide rails 3172. During the folding process of the electronic device 100, the third slide groove 3122 and the third slide rail 3172 can move away from each other. During the unfolding process of the electronic device 100, the third slide groove 322 and the third slide rail 3172 can move closer to each other to adapt to the change in screen size during folding or unfolding, and ensure that the screens on both sides of the hinge are of equal length.

[0132] Similarly, a slide groove can be set on the second rocker arm 317, and a slide rail can be set at the corresponding position on the shaft bracket 312 on the same side to achieve mutual sliding between the second rocker arm 317 and the shaft bracket 312 on the same side (not shown in the figure), which is not limited in this application.

[0133] The first rocker arm 315, second rocker arm 317, and connecting rod 316, located on the same side of the gear 314, collectively constitute a rotating assembly 37. A half-axle module 31 may include two rotating assemblies 37, and the two rotating assemblies may be centrally symmetrical with respect to the gear. Specifically, the first rocker arm 315A, second rocker arm 317A, and second connecting rod 316A collectively constitute one rotating assembly 37A, while the first rocker arm 315B, second rocker arm 317B, and second connecting rod 316B collectively constitute another rotating assembly 37B. The first rocker arm 315A and the second connecting rod 316B and 317B of the other rotating assembly 37B are located on the right side of the main shaft portion 311 and are jointly connected to the right rotating shaft bracket 312B. The first rocker arm 315B, connecting rod 316A, and second rocker arm 317A are located on the left side of the main shaft portion 312 and are jointly connected to the left rotating shaft bracket 312A. Since the first sliding member 313 rotates relative to the main shaft portion 311 during the sliding process, the first sliding member 313 can also be regarded as a part of the rotating component 37. For example, the lower first sliding member 313A can be a part of the rotating component 37A, and the upper first sliding member 313B can be a part of the rotating component 37B. The rotating component 37 and the second sliding member 313 can together constitute the folding part of the rotating shaft mechanism 30.

[0134] In some embodiments, the semi-axis module 31 may also include a damping mechanism such as a spring 318, which can be arranged in the cavity of the main axis portion 311. The damping mechanism can be used to increase the damping force of the electronic device 100 during the folding process and realize the hovering of the electronic device 100 in different angle ranges to provide a better folding experience.

[0135] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the unfolded and folded state of the rotating shaft mechanism, and the Figure 13 The structure shown is a component of the same rotating assembly 37, for example, the rotating assembly 37A located below the gear 314. When the shaft mechanism is in the expanded state (see Figure 13 In (a)), the upper second sliding member 313B and the lower second sliding member 313A can be in a centered state, and the upper surfaces of the upper second sliding member 313B and the lower second sliding member 313A can be flush with the upper surface of the main shaft portion 311. During the process of folding the electronic device 100, the second sliding member 313A located on the lower side of the gear 314 can slide along an arc-shaped trajectory and rotate relative to the main shaft portion 311, and the sliding offset direction is the positive direction of the y-axis shown in the figure. Since the lower second sliding member 313A is offset in the positive direction of the y-axis, the second sliding member 313A can drive the second connecting rod 316A in the same rotating assembly 37A to offset in the y-axis direction, and then drive the second rocker arm 317A in the same rotating assembly 37A to slide in the third slide groove 3122A relative to the left shaft bracket 312A, and slide in a direction away from the shaft bracket 312A. During the folding process, the first sliding member 313A and the first rocker arm 315A, the first sliding member 313A and the second rocker arm 317A, and the first rocker arm 315A and the shaft bracket 312A can rotate relative to each other to form a certain screen-accommodating space and ensure that each hinge assembly can reach the preset position to match the shape of the waterdrop-shaped screen, thereby preventing the hinge assembly from pressing against the flexible display screen.

[0136] Because the rotating assemblies 37A and 37B on the upper and lower sides of gear 314 are centrally symmetrical about gear 314, forming a mutually pushing structure, and because gear 314 meshes with the rack 3132 of the second sliding member 313, the upper second sliding member 313B and the lower second sliding member 313A slide the same amount but in opposite directions. In other words, the upper second sliding member 313B can move in the negative direction of the y-axis, driving the first and second swing arms 315B and 317B in the upper rotating assembly 37B to move in the negative direction of the y-axis, and the second swing arm 315B can move away from the right shaft support 312B. Because the upper second sliding member 313B and the lower second sliding member 313A slide the same amount, the first and second swing arms 315B and 317B can be driven to move the same distance as the lower first and second swing arms 315A and 317A. Furthermore, the two second sliding members 313A and 313B rotate relative to the main shaft portion 311 while sliding, and the rotation angles are also the same. Furthermore, the rotation angles between the upper first swing arm 315B and the left shaft bracket 312A, the rotation angles between the upper first swing arm 315B and the second sliding member 313B, and the rotation angles between the upper second sliding member 313B and the second swing arm 317B can also be the same as those in the lower rotating assembly 37A, so that the screen space formed by the rotating assembly 37 can match the shape of the teardrop-shaped flexible display 100. The unfolding process of this hinge mechanism is similar to the folding process, except that the rotation direction of the rotating assembly is opposite to that during folding, and the sliding direction of the sliding assembly is also opposite. This will not be further described here.

[0137] It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, the hinge mechanism is introduced by taking the example of the first hinge 20 connecting the first middle frame 120 and the second middle frame 130 of the electronic device 100, and the second hinge 30 connecting the second middle frame 130 and the third middle frame 140. The first hinge 20 in the embodiment of the present application can also be used to connect the second middle frame 130 and the third middle frame 140, and the second hinge 30 can also be used to connect the second middle frame 130 and the third middle frame 140. This application does not limit this.

[0138] The hinge mechanism described in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to any electronic device equipped with a flexible display screen, and the present application does not limit this.

[0139] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A foldable electronic device, characterized in that: It includes a first middle frame, a second middle frame, a third middle frame and a flexible display screen. The first middle frame and the second middle frame are rotatably connected via a first rotating shaft, and the second middle frame and the third middle frame are rotatably connected via a second rotating shaft; When the electronic device is in the unfolded state, the distance from the side of the first middle frame away from the flexible display screen to the flexible display screen gradually decreases from an end of the first middle frame close to the second middle frame to an end away from the second middle frame. The flexible display screen is continuously arranged on the same side of the first middle frame, the second middle frame and the third middle frame, and the flexible display screen is located in the same plane, wherein the portion of the flexible display screen located in the first middle frame is the first portion, the portion located in the second middle frame is the second portion, and the portion located in the third middle frame is the third portion; When the electronic device is in a folded state, the third middle frame is stacked between the first middle frame and the second middle frame, a side of the first middle frame facing away from the flexible display screen is parallel to a side of the second middle frame facing away from the flexible display screen, and the second part and the third part face each other, and the first part faces a side of the third middle frame facing away from the third part.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the electronic device is in a folded state, the sum of the maximum size of the second middle frame in the first direction and the maximum size of the third middle frame in the first direction is greater than two-thirds of the size of the electronic device in the first direction, and the first direction is perpendicular to the display surface of the flexible display screen.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The distance from the side of the second middle frame facing away from the flexible display screen to the flexible display screen gradually decreases from an end of the second middle frame close to the third middle frame to an end far from the third middle frame.

4. The electronic device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The angle formed between the plane where the side of the second middle frame facing away from the flexible display screen and the plane where the second part is located is the same as the angle formed between the plane where the side of the first middle frame facing away from the flexible display screen and the plane where the first part is located.

5. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The distance from the side of the third middle frame facing away from the flexible display screen to the flexible display screen gradually decreases from an end of the third middle frame close to the second middle frame to an end far from the second middle frame.

6. The electronic device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The angle formed between the plane where the side of the third middle frame faces away from the flexible display screen and the plane where the third part faces is the same as the angle formed between the plane where the side of the first middle frame faces away from the flexible display screen and the plane where the third part faces is.

7. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The dimension of the third middle frame in the second direction is smaller than the dimension of the second middle frame in the second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the axial direction of the first rotating shaft and parallel to the flexible display screen.

8. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The first rotating shaft and / or the second rotating shaft comprises: A main shaft portion, the main shaft portion comprising a gear, and the gear is arranged on the central axis of the main shaft portion; A folding portion, the folding portion comprising at least two sliding components and at least two rotating components, the at least two sliding components are respectively arranged on both sides of the gear along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft, and one end of the at least two sliding components close to the gear comprises a rack, the rack is meshed with the gear, and the at least two rotating components are respectively connected to the at least two sliding components; When the at least two rotating components rotate around the main shaft portion, the at least two rotating components drive the at least two sliding components to slide, and the sliding amounts of the at least two sliding components are the same, and the sliding directions are opposite.

9. The electronic device according to claim 8, characterized in that: Each of the at least two rotating assemblies comprises a rotating part and a swinging part, one end of the swinging part is fixedly connected to the rotating part, and the swinging part is fixedly connected to one of the first middle frame, the second middle frame and the third middle frame; The cross section of the rotating part along the first plane is in an arc shape, and the first plane is perpendicular to the axial direction of the first rotating shaft; The main shaft portion includes a first connecting rod, and a side of the first connecting rod facing the rotating component is in an arc shape, and the arc is the same as the arc of the rotating part, so that the rotating part can rotate around the first connecting rod.

10. The electronic device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The at least two sliding components include a first slot body on one side away from the rack, and at least a portion of the first slot body extends along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft; The rotating parts of the at least two rotating assemblies include a first limiting member, at least a portion of which extends along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft, and at least a portion of which is accommodated in the first slot body.

11. The electronic device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that: One side of the at least two sliding components adjacent to the rack includes a second slot body, at least a portion of the second slot body extends along a second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the axial direction of the first rotating shaft and parallel to the flexible display screen; The main shaft portion further includes a second limiting member, at least a portion of which extends along the second direction, and at least a portion of which is accommodated in the second slot body.

12. The electronic device according to claim 8, characterized in that: One end of the at least two sliding assemblies away from the rack gear comprises a first slide rail, the cross section of the first slide rail along a first plane is in an arc shape, and the first plane is perpendicular to the axial direction of the first rotating shaft; The main shaft portion includes a first slide groove, the first slide groove is an arc-shaped slide groove, and the first slide rail can slide along an arc-shaped track in the first slide groove.

13. The electronic device according to claim 12, characterized in that: Each of the at least two rotating assemblies comprises a first swing rod, and one end of the first swing rod close to the sliding assembly is rotatably connected to the sliding assembly; The folding portion also includes at least two shaft supports, and the at least two shaft supports are respectively fixedly connected to one of the first middle frame, the second middle frame and the third middle frame, and one end of the first rocker arm away from the sliding assembly is rotatably connected to the shaft support located on the same side.

14. The electronic device according to claim 13, characterized in that: One end of the first swing rod away from the sliding assembly comprises a second slide rail, and the cross section of the second slide rail along the first plane is in an arc shape; The shaft support on the same side as the first swing arm also includes a second slide groove, the second slide groove is an arc-shaped slide groove, and the second slide rail can slide along an arc-shaped track in the second slide groove.

15. The electronic device according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that: Each of the at least two rotating assemblies further includes a second swing rod, the second swing rod and the first swing rod in the same rotating assembly are connected to the same sliding assembly, and the second swing rod and the first swing rod in the same rotating assembly are respectively arranged on both sides of the sliding assembly in the second direction; One end of the second rocker arm close to the sliding assembly includes a first axial hole, which extends along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft. The sliding assembly includes a second axial hole, which extends along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft. The second rocker arm is rotatably connected to the sliding assembly through the first axial hole and the second axial hole.

16. The electronic device according to claim 15, characterized in that: Each of the at least two rotating assemblies further comprises a second connecting rod, wherein one end of the second connecting rod close to the second swing rod comprises a third axial hole, the third axial hole extends along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft, and the second connecting rod is rotatably connected to the second swing rod through the first axial hole and the third axial hole. One end of the second connecting rod close to the sliding assembly includes a fourth axial hole, which extends along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft. The second connecting rod is rotatably connected to the sliding assembly through the second axial hole and the fourth axial hole, so that the second rocker arm is rotatably connected to the sliding assembly.

17. The electronic device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that: The end of the second rocker arm close to the sliding assembly also includes a fifth axial hole, which extends along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft. The main shaft portion includes a sixth axial hole, which extends along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft. The second rocker arm is rotatably connected to the main shaft portion through the fifth axial hole and the sixth axial hole.

18. The electronic device according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that: One end of the second swing rod away from the sliding assembly includes a third slide rail; The shaft support on the same side as the second swing rod includes a third slide groove, the extension direction of the third slide groove is parallel to the extension direction of the third slide rail, and the third slide rail can slide in the third slide groove along the extension direction of the third slide groove.

19. The electronic device according to any one of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that: The folding portion further includes a support member, which is disposed on a side of the first swing arm close to the flexible display screen and is fixedly connected to the first swing arm.

Images