Foldable device

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides foldable equipment, relates to the technical field of display, and is used for adjusting the closing retention force of the foldable equipment and improving the opening and closing experience of the foldable equipment. The foldable equipment comprises a first middle frame, a second middle frame, a first magnet, a second magnet and an air pump module. The first middle frame and the second middle frame are rotationally connected. The first magnet is located in the first middle frame. The second magnet is located in the second middle frame. When the foldable device is in a folded state, the projection of the first magnet on the reference plane is at least partially overlapped with the projection of the second magnet on the reference plane. The air pump module is located in the first middle frame. The air pump module comprises an air pump and an air bag which communicate with each other, and the air bag is connected with the first magnet. In the first direction perpendicular to the reference plane, the air bag and the first magnet are stacked, and the air bag is configured to drive the first magnet to move in the first direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to a foldable device. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous development of electronic devices, more and more electronic devices with display screens are widely used in people's daily life and work, such as mobile phones with display screens. With the development of screen technology, the display screens of electronic devices are becoming larger and larger, thus providing users with richer information and better user experience. However, if the display screen of an electronic device is too large, it will seriously affect the portability of the electronic device, so foldable devices are gradually becoming the direction of future electronic device development.

[0003] Foldable devices have a closure retention force, which makes it difficult to unfold the foldable device in the closed state. However, when the user wants to unfold the foldable device, the closure retention force becomes a resistance, affecting the user's unfolding experience. As foldable devices become thinner and lighter, the difficulty of opening and closing foldable devices also increases, affecting the user's opening and closing experience of ultra-thin foldable devices. Summary of the invention

[0004] An embodiment of the present application provides a foldable device, which is used to adjust the closing retention force of the foldable device and improve the opening and closing experience of the foldable device.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the embodiments of the present application adopt the following technical solutions:

[0006] In a first aspect, a foldable device is provided, which includes a first middle frame, a second middle frame, a first magnet, a second magnet and an air pump module. The first middle frame and the second middle frame are rotatably connected. The first magnet is located in the first middle frame. The second magnet is located in the second middle frame. When the foldable device is in a folded state, the projection of the first magnet on the reference plane at least partially overlaps with the projection of the second magnet on the reference plane. The reference plane is parallel to the surface of the first middle frame that faces away from the second middle frame when the foldable device is in a folded state. The air pump module is located in the first middle frame. The air pump module includes an air pump and an airbag that are interconnected, and the airbag is connected to the first magnet. In a first direction perpendicular to the reference plane, the airbag and the first magnet are stacked, and the airbag is configured to drive the first magnet to move in the first direction.

[0007] The air pump is connected to the airbag, and when the air pump is working, the air pump blows gas into the airbag to expand the airbag. The first magnet is connected to the airbag and is stacked in a first direction. During the expansion of the airbag, the first magnet connected to the airbag can move along the first direction toward the side away from the airbag. When the air pump stops working, the gas in the airbag is discharged, the airbag becomes deflated, and the first magnet connected to the airbag can move along the first direction toward the side close to the airbag.

[0008] The embodiment of the present application can utilize the air pump and airbag in the airbag module to adjust the position (or height) of the first magnet in the first direction, so that when the foldable device is in a folded state and the user wants to unfold the foldable device, the distance between the first magnet and the second magnet in the first direction is changed, so that the attraction between the first magnet and the second magnet is reduced, or the repulsion between the first magnet and the second magnet is increased.

[0009] Since the first magnet is located in the first middle frame and the second magnet is located in the second middle frame, the force between the first magnet and the second magnet can act on the first middle frame and the second middle frame through the transfer of force. As the attraction between the first magnet and the second magnet decreases, or the repulsion between the first magnet and the second magnet increases, the closing retention force acting on the first middle frame and the second middle frame decreases accordingly, so that when the foldable device is unfolded, the foldable device can be unfolded with less difficulty, thereby improving the opening and closing experience of the foldable device.

[0010] Different from the method of adjusting the facing area of ​​the two magnets and adjusting the attraction or repulsion between the two magnets in the related art, the facing area of ​​the first magnet and the second magnet in the embodiment of the present application remains unchanged, and the attraction or repulsion between the first magnet and the second magnet is changed by changing the position of the first magnet in the first middle frame, thereby adjusting the closing retention force of the foldable device. In this way, there is no need to reserve moving space for the first magnet in the direction parallel to the reference plane, thereby improving the space utilization of the first middle frame, that is, improving the space utilization of the foldable device.

[0011] In some embodiments, when the foldable device is in a folded state, the airbag is located between the first magnet and the second magnet. Thus, when the airbag is inflated, the airbag gradually expands and pushes the first magnet to move in a direction away from the second magnet, thereby increasing the distance between the first magnet and the second magnet and reducing the attraction or repulsion between the first magnet and the second magnet. When the airbag is deflated, the airbag gradually deflates and drives the first magnet to move in a direction close to the second magnet, thereby reducing the distance between the first magnet and the second magnet and increasing the attraction or repulsion between the first magnet and the second magnet.

[0012] In some embodiments, when the foldable device is in a folded state, the airbag is located on the side of the first magnet away from the second magnet. In this way, when the airbag is inflated, the airbag gradually expands and pushes the first magnet to move in a direction close to the second magnet, thereby reducing the distance between the first magnet and the second magnet and increasing the attraction or repulsion between the first magnet and the second magnet. When the airbag is deflated, the airbag becomes deflated and drives the first magnet to move in a direction away from the second magnet, thereby increasing the distance between the first magnet and the second magnet and reducing the attraction or repulsion between the first magnet and the second magnet.

[0013] In some embodiments, the air pump and the air bag are arranged along a second direction parallel to the reference plane.

[0014] In this way, when the thickness of the first middle frame is the same, compared with the solution in which the air pump and the airbag are stacked in the first direction, the air pump and the airbag in the embodiment of the present application are arranged along the second direction parallel to the reference plane, so that the first magnet connected to the airbag and stacked has a larger movable range in the first direction, so that the difference between the suction (or repulsion) between the first magnet and the second magnet when the airbag is in an inflated state and the suction (or repulsion) between the first magnet and the second magnet when the airbag is in an uninflated state (that is, a compressed state) can be larger, and the adjustment range of the closing holding force of the foldable device is larger, so that when the user does not want to unfold the foldable device, the foldable device can have a larger closing holding force, and when the user wants to unfold the foldable device, the foldable device can have a smaller closing holding force, which is convenient for the user to open and improves the opening and closing experience of the foldable device.

[0015] In some embodiments, the air pump module further includes a first shell, the first shell includes a first sub-section and a second sub-section perpendicular to each other, the first sub-section includes a first groove, and the second sub-section includes a second groove; wherein the air pump is connected to the first sub-section, the surface of the air pump and the first groove form a first cavity, the air pump includes an air outlet, and the air outlet is connected to the first cavity; the airbag includes an air nozzle and an airbag body connected to each other, the air nozzle is connected to the second groove to form a second cavity, and the first cavity and the second cavity are connected. The airbag body is connected to the first magnet.

[0016] The air pump module provided in the embodiment of the present application includes a first shell, the air pump and the air bag are both connected to the first shell, the first groove in the first shell and the surface of the air pump form a first cavity, the second groove in the first shell is connected to the air nozzle of the air bag to form a second cavity, the first cavity and the second cavity are connected, so that the air pump and the air nozzle arranged in the second direction can be connected through the first cavity and the second cavity.

[0017] In some embodiments, the air pump module further includes a carrier and a support member, the first shell and the airbag are located on the carrier, and the air pump is located on the side of the first shell away from the carrier; the support member is connected to the carrier and is located on the same side of the carrier as the first shell; the support member includes a first frame and a second frame arranged opposite to each other, and a third frame connecting the first frame and the second frame. The airbag and the first shell are located between the first frame and the second frame, and in the second direction, the third frame is located on the side of the airbag away from the air pump. Wherein, when the airbag is in an uninflated state, the surface of the first magnet facing away from the airbag is closer to the carrier than the surface of the support member facing away from the carrier.

[0018] The air pump module provided in the embodiment of the present application is provided with a carrier plate and a support member, and the carrier plate and the support member are used to protect the air pump and the airbag, so that the relative position between the air pump and the airbag is fixed, avoiding the problem that the air pump cannot inflate the airbag due to the separation of the air pump and the airbag, improving the connection stability between the air pump and the airbag, and improving the use stability of the air pump module, thereby improving the yield of the foldable device. Moreover, in the air pump module provided in the embodiment of the present application, the first frame, the second frame and the third frame of the support member, and the first shell are arranged around the airbag, which can also limit the movement of the airbag in a direction parallel to the reference plane, so that the airbag can stably push the first magnet to move along the thickness direction of the first middle frame when expanding.

[0019] When the airbag is not inflated, the first magnet faces away from the surface of the airbag and is closer to the carrier plate than the surface of the support member faces away from the carrier plate. In this way, the air pump module is arranged in the first middle frame, and the support member of the air pump module can be against the first middle frame or other devices, providing a movable space for the first magnet, thereby avoiding the first magnet directly contacting other devices or the first middle frame when the air pump is not inflated, resulting in the first magnet being unable to move along the thickness direction of the first middle frame.

[0020] In some embodiments, the support member also includes a first limiting portion and a second limiting portion, the first limiting portion is located on the first frame and on the side of the first frame close to the second frame, and the second limiting portion is located on the second frame and on the side of the second frame close to the first frame; the first magnet includes a third groove and a fourth groove, the first limiting portion extends into the third groove, and the second limiting portion extends into the fourth groove.

[0021] By providing a first limiting portion protruding toward the second frame on the first frame, and providing a second limiting portion protruding toward the first frame on the second frame, and the first limiting portion extending into the third groove, and the second limiting portion extending into the fourth groove, the movement of the first magnet in a direction parallel to the reference plane can be limited, so that after the airbag is inflated, the first magnet can stably move along the thickness direction of the first middle frame, thereby improving the working stability of the air pump module.

[0022] In some embodiments, the air pump module further includes a second shell and a third shell, and the second shell is connected to the air pump and the airbag. The second shell includes a third cavity, and the air pump and the airbag are connected through the third cavity. The third shell includes a third sub-section and a fourth sub-section that are perpendicular to each other, and the fourth sub-section is connected to the second shell; the second shell and the third sub-section and the fourth sub-section form a first accommodating cavity and a second accommodating cavity, the air pump is located in the first accommodating cavity, and the airbag and the first magnet are located in the second accommodating cavity. When the airbag is in an uninflated state, there is a gap between the surface of the first magnet facing away from the airbag and the third sub-section.

[0023] In the embodiment of the present application, the air pump and the airbag arranged in the second direction are connected by the second shell including the third cavity, so that the size of the air pump module in the thickness direction of the first middle frame can be smaller, which is conducive to reducing the thickness of the first middle frame, reducing the thickness of the foldable device, and realizing an ultra-thin foldable device. At the same time, the second shell and the third sub-section and the fourth sub-section form a first accommodating cavity and a second accommodating cavity, and the air pump and the airbag are respectively located in the first accommodating cavity and the second accommodating cavity, which can also make the relative position of the air pump and the airbag fixed, and not easily separated by other devices or environmental conditions (vibration), effectively improving the connection stability between the air pump and the airbag, improving the use stability of the air pump module, and improving the yield of the foldable device.

[0024] In some embodiments, the second housing includes a first plate and a second plate connected to each other, the first plate includes a fifth groove, and the surface of the second plate and the fifth groove form a third cavity. In this way, the second housing has a simple structure and is easy to prepare, which is conducive to reducing the preparation cost of the air pump module.

[0025] In some embodiments, the air pump module also includes an elastic member, one end of which is connected to the first magnet, and the other end of the elastic member is connected to the third sub-part; the elastic member is configured to produce compression deformation when the first magnet moves toward a side away from the airbag.

[0026] In this way, when the air pump stops working, the pressure inside the airbag decreases, and the force applied by the compressed elastic member to the first magnet is greater than the force applied by the airbag to the first magnet, causing the first magnet to move toward the side close to the airbag, pushing the airbag to discharge the gas in the airbag, restoring the airbag to a compressed state, and restoring the first magnet to its initial position.

[0027] In some embodiments, the elastic member includes a first elastic portion and a second elastic portion connected to each other, and an angle is formed between the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion. The first elastic portion is fixedly connected to the third sub-portion, and the second elastic portion includes a first end and a second end, the first end is connected to the first elastic portion, and the second end is connected to the first magnet. In this way, when the airbag pushes the first magnet to move, the second elastic portion moves toward the first elastic portion, and the angle between the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion decreases accordingly, and the elastic member generates compression deformation.

[0028] In some embodiments, the airbag is a multi-layer airbag.

[0029] When the airbag is a multi-layer airbag, compared with a single-layer airbag, the deformation of the airbag in the first direction can be larger, so that the movement range of the first magnet in the first direction can be larger, and the distance change range between the first magnet and the second magnet can also be larger, so that the difference between the suction (or repulsion) between the first magnet and the second magnet when the airbag is in an inflated state and the suction (or repulsion) between the first magnet and the second magnet when the airbag is in an uninflated state (that is, a compressed state) can be larger, and the adjustment range of the closing holding force of the foldable device is larger, so that when the user does not want to unfold the foldable device, the foldable device can have a larger closing holding force, and when the user wants to unfold the foldable device, the foldable device can have a smaller closing holding force, which is convenient for the user to open and improves the opening and closing experience of the foldable device.

[0030] In some embodiments, the foldable device also includes a hinge connecting the first middle frame and the second middle frame; wherein the second middle frame includes a first side connected to the hinge, and a second side opposite to the first side; the distance from the second magnet to the first side is greater than the distance from the first magnet to the second side.

[0031] When the first magnet applies an attractive force or a repulsive force to the second magnet, due to the transfer of force, the second magnet will also apply a force of the same magnitude to the second middle frame, thereby affecting the tendency of the second middle frame to rotate around the rotation axis. In the embodiment of the present application, the distance from the second magnet to the first side is greater than the distance from the second magnet to the second side, and the distance from the second magnet to the rotation axis is large, so that the force applied by the second magnet to the second middle frame can have a longer force arm, and the torque of the force applied by the second magnet on the second middle frame is correspondingly large, and the force applied by the second magnet on the second middle frame can have a greater influence on the tendency of the second middle frame to rotate around the rotation axis.

[0032] In this way, even if the suction or repulsion between the first magnet and the second magnet changes slightly, and the force applied by the second magnet to the second middle frame changes slightly, the closing holding force between the second middle frame and the first middle frame can be reduced or increased well, so that the embodiment of the present application uses the air pump module to adjust the height of the first magnet in the thickness direction of the first middle frame, adjust the suction or repulsion between the first magnet and the second magnet, and then adjust the closing holding force of the foldable device. The solution is simpler and easier to implement. On this basis, the movement range of the first magnet in the thickness direction of the first middle frame can be smaller, which is conducive to reducing the thickness of the first middle frame, reducing the thickness of the foldable device when it is in a folded state, and realizing an ultra-thin foldable device.

[0033] In a second aspect, another foldable device is provided. The foldable device includes a first middle frame, a second middle frame, a flexible display panel and an air pump module. The first middle frame and the second middle frame are rotatably connected. The flexible display panel is located on the first middle frame and the second middle frame. The air pump module is located between the first middle frame and the flexible display panel. The air pump module includes an air pump and an airbag that are interconnected. Wherein, when the airbag is in an inflated state, the airbag contacts the flexible display panel so that the portion of the flexible display panel that contacts the airbag bulges in a direction away from the first middle frame.

[0034] The foldable device provided by the embodiment of the present application sets the air pump module between the first middle frame and the flexible display panel. When the air pump is working, the air pump blows gas into the airbag, the airbag expands and contacts the flexible display panel, and pushes the part of the flexible display panel that contacts the airbag to move away from the first middle frame, so that the part of the flexible display panel that contacts the airbag bulges. In this way, the bulging part of the flexible display panel abuts against the part of the flexible display panel located on the second middle frame, so that a gap appears between the remaining part of the flexible display panel located on the first middle frame and the part of the flexible display panel located on the second middle frame, thereby facilitating the user to unfold the foldable device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the present application, the following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for use in some embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the drawings described below are only drawings of some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings. In addition, the drawings described below can be regarded as schematic diagrams, and are not intended to limit the actual size of the product involved in the embodiments of the present application, the actual process of the method, the actual timing of the signal, etc.

[0036] Figure 1A A schematic diagram of a foldable device provided for related technology;

[0037] Figure 1B A schematic diagram of the structure of another foldable device provided for related technology;

[0038] Figure 2 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a foldable device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of a foldable device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of another foldable device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Figure 5A schematic diagram of an unfolded state of a foldable device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 6 A perspective schematic diagram of an air pump module provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A schematic cross-sectional view of the air pump module provided at position A-A';

[0044] Fig. 8A for Figure 6 Another cross-sectional schematic diagram of the provided air pump module at AA';

[0045] Figure 8B for Figure 7 A magnified schematic diagram of the middle region O;

[0046] Fig. 9 A perspective schematic diagram of another air pump module provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] Fig.10 for Fig. 9 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the provided air pump module at BB';

[0048] Fig.11 for Fig. 9 Another cross-sectional schematic diagram of the provided air pump module at BB';

[0049] Fig.12 for Fig. 9 Another cross-sectional schematic diagram of the provided air pump module at C-C';

[0050] Fig.13 A perspective schematic diagram of another foldable device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] Fig.14 A schematic diagram of the structure of another foldable device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] Fig.15 A schematic diagram of the local structure of a foldable device provided in an embodiment of the present application when the flexible display panel is partially raised. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] The technical solution in the embodiment of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiment of the present application. In the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, " / " indicates that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship, for example, A / B can represent A or B.

[0054] The "and / or" in this application is only a way to describe the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there may be three relationships. 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.

[0055] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more than two. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0056] In order to clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish the same or similar items with substantially the same functions and effects. Those skilled in the art can understand that words such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and execution order, and words such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily limit the difference.

[0057] In the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present application should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a concrete way for easy understanding.

[0058] Figure 1A and Figure 1B A schematic diagram of a foldable device provided by the related technology. Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, the foldable device 100 provided by the related art includes a first middle frame 01 and a second middle frame 02 that are rotatably connected, and a rotating shaft 03 that connects the first middle frame 01 and the second middle frame 02.

[0059] In order to reduce the closing holding force of the foldable device 100 when the foldable device 100 is unfolded and improve the user's opening and closing experience of the foldable device 100, the related technology sets a connected linear motor 04 and a first magnet 05 in the first middle frame 01, and sets a second magnet 06 in the second middle frame 02. The linear motor 04 is used to reduce the facing area of ​​the first magnet 05 located in the first middle frame 01 and the second magnet 06 located in the second middle frame 02 when the foldable device 100 is in a folded state.

[0060] In the case where the first magnet 05 and the second magnet 06 attract each other, the adjustment method of the related art may be, for example: Figure 1A As shown, when the foldable device 100 is in a folded state and the user does not want to unfold the foldable device, the facing area of ​​the first magnet 05 and the second magnet 06 is equal to the area of ​​the surface of the first magnet 05 facing the second magnet 06 (or the area of ​​the surface of the second magnet 06 facing the first magnet 05). At this time, the facing area of ​​the first magnet 05 and the second magnet 06 is the largest, and the suction force between the first magnet 05 and the second magnet 06 is the largest. The suction force between the first magnet 05 and the second magnet 06 serves as a closing holding force to prevent the foldable device 100 from being unfolded.

[0061] like Figure 1B As shown, when the foldable device 100 is in a folded state and the user wants to unfold the foldable device, the linear electrode 04 is driven to make the area of ​​the first magnet 05 and the second magnet 06 facing each other smaller than the area of ​​the surface of the first magnet 05 facing the second magnet 06 (or the area of ​​the surface of the second magnet 06 facing the first magnet 05). At this time, the area of ​​the first magnet 05 and the second magnet 06 facing each other is small, the suction force between the first magnet 05 and the second magnet 06 is small, and the closing holding force of the foldable device 100 is reduced, so that it is convenient for the user to unfold the foldable device 100.

[0062] Continue reading Figure 1A and Figure 1B In the process of adjusting the facing area of ​​the first magnet 05 and the second magnet 06, the distance between the first magnet 05 and the second magnet 06 in the thickness direction of the foldable device 100 remains unchanged. When the facing area of ​​the two magnets increases, the attraction (or repulsion) between the two magnets increases accordingly, and when the facing area of ​​the two magnets decreases, the attraction (or repulsion) between the two magnets decreases accordingly.

[0063] Since the linear motor is relatively large in the thickness direction of the foldable device, the magnet connected to the linear electrode can only move in the length direction or width direction of the foldable device. Thus, in the length direction and width direction of the foldable device, in addition to reserving space for accommodating the DC motor and the first magnet, it is also necessary to reserve displacement space for the first magnet, resulting in a low space utilization rate of the foldable device 100.

[0064] Based on this, Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the embodiment of the present application provides a foldable device 200, which includes a first middle frame 10, a second middle frame 20, a first magnet 30, a second magnet 40 and an air pump module 50. The first middle frame 10 and the second middle frame 20 are rotatably connected.

[0065] In some examples, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the foldable device 200 may also include a flexible display panel 201. The first middle frame 10 and the second middle frame 20 may be used to support the flexible display panel 201, so that the flexible display panel 201 remains as flat as possible during use and the non-display surface of the flexible display panel 201 is protected.

[0066] Exemplarily, the flexible display panel 201 may be an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display panel. Since the OLED display panel is a self-luminous display panel, there is no need to set a backlight module. Therefore, when the substrate in the OLED is made of a flexible material (for example, a material such as polyimide), the OLED display panel can have a bendable property.

[0067] The flexible display panel 201 can be fixed to the first middle frame 10 and the second middle frame 20 by a glue layer (not shown). The glue layer can be a thin film layer formed by coating glue, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific form of the glue layer.

[0068] In addition to carrying the flexible display panel 201, the first middle frame 10 and the second middle frame 20 can also carry other electronic components, such as cameras, headphones, receivers, buttons, batteries, etc. The embodiment of the present application does not limit other electronic components carried by the first middle frame 10 and the second middle frame 20.

[0069] In some examples, such as Figure 2 to Figure 4 As shown, the foldable device 200 may further include a rotation shaft 60, and the first middle frame 10 and the second middle frame 20 are both connected to the rotation shaft 60. The first middle frame 10 and the second middle frame 20 may rotate around the rotation shaft 60 to achieve folding and unfolding of the foldable device 200.

[0070] like Figure 5 As shown, there may be an angle α between the first middle frame 10 and the second middle frame 20. When the foldable device 200 is in a folded state, the angle α between the first middle frame 10 and the second middle frame 20 may be 0 degrees (°) or 360 degrees, and when the foldable device 100 is in an unfolded state, the angle α between the first middle frame 10 and the second middle frame 20 is greater than 0 degrees and less than 360 degrees.

[0071] When the angle α between the first middle frame 10 and the second middle frame 20 is different in size, the unfolded state of the foldable device 200 is different. For example, the unfolded state of the foldable device 200 may include a semi-expanded state and a fully unfolded state. When the foldable device 200 is in the semi-expanded state, the angle α between the first middle frame 10 and the second middle frame 20 may be 90 degrees. When the foldable device 200 is in the fully unfolded state, the angle α between the first middle frame 10 and the second middle frame 20 may be 180 degrees.

[0072] The embodiment of the present application does not limit the folding method of the foldable device 200. For example, the foldable device 200 can be folded up and down, left and right, inward, or outward.

[0073] In some embodiments, the number of middle frames in the foldable device 100 may be greater than or equal to 3. Any two connected middle frames may be rotatably connected.

[0074] Continue reading Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the first magnet 30 is located in the first middle frame 10. The second magnet 40 is located in the second middle frame 20. When the foldable device 200 is in the folded state, the projection of the first magnet 30 on the reference plane Q at least partially overlaps with the projection of the second magnet 40 on the reference plane Q. The reference plane Q is parallel to the surface 11 of the first middle frame 10 facing away from the second middle frame 20 when the foldable device 200 is in the folded state.

[0075] “When the foldable device 200 is in a folded state, the projection of the first magnet 30 on the reference plane Q at least partially overlaps with the projection of the second magnet 40 on the reference plane Q” includes both the situation that when the foldable device 200 is in a folded state, the projection of the first magnet 30 on the reference plane Q partially overlaps with the projection of the second magnet 40 on the reference plane Q, and the situation that when the foldable device 200 is in a folded state, the projection of the first magnet 30 on the reference plane Q completely overlaps with the projection of the second magnet 40 on the reference plane Q.

[0076] The “projection of the first magnet 30 on the reference plane Q partially overlaps with the projection of the second magnet 40 on the reference plane Q” mentioned here means that when the foldable device 200 is in a folded state, there is a portion in the projection of the first magnet 30 on the reference plane Q that does not overlap with the projection of the second magnet 40 on the reference plane Q, and at the same time, there is a portion in the projection of the second magnet 40 on the reference plane Q that does not overlap with the projection of the first magnet 30 on the reference plane Q.

[0077] “The projection of the first magnet 30 on the reference plane Q completely overlaps with the projection of the second magnet 40 on the reference plane Q” can mean that the boundaries of the projections of the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 on the reference plane Q completely overlap, or that the projection of the first magnet 30 on the reference plane Q is located inside the projection of the second magnet 40 on the reference plane Q, or that the projection of the second magnet 40 on the reference plane Q is located inside the projection of the first magnet 30 on the reference plane Q.

[0078] In some examples, the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 may attract each other. Thus, when the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 are close to each other, the attraction between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 increases, and when the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 are far away from each other, the attraction between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 decreases.

[0079] In other examples, the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 may repel each other. Thus, when the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 are close to each other, the repulsive force between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 increases, and when the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 are far away from each other, the repulsive force between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 decreases.

[0080] In some examples, the shapes and sizes of the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 may be identical. In other examples, the shapes and sizes of the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 may be different.

[0081] The air pump module 50 is located in the first middle frame 10. The air pump module 50 includes an air pump 51 and an air bag 52 which are connected to each other. The air bag 52 is connected to the first magnet 30. In the first direction Z perpendicular to the reference plane Q, the air bag 52 and the first magnet 30 are stacked, and the air bag 52 is configured to drive the first magnet 30 to move in the first direction. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the first direction Z perpendicular to the reference plane Q is also the thickness direction of the first middle frame 10 .

[0082] It is understandable that the air pump 51 and the air bag 52 are interconnected. When the air pump 51 is working, the air pump 51 can transfer gas from the air outlet to the air bag 52 to expand the air bag 52. When the air pump 51 stops working, the gas in the air bag 52 can also be discharged through the air outlet and the air release port of the air pump 51. Of course, when the air pump 51 is in working state, the air release port should be in a closed state, so as to ensure that the air pump 51 can blow gas into the air bag 52 through the air outlet.

[0083] For example, the first magnet 30 may be bonded to the airbag 52 .

[0084] The air pump 51 and the airbag 52 are connected to each other. When the air pump 51 is working, the air pump 51 blows gas into the airbag 52 to expand the airbag 52. The airbag 52 is connected to the first magnet 30 and is stacked in the first direction Z. During the expansion of the airbag 52, the first magnet 30 connected to the airbag 52 can move along the first direction toward the side away from the airbag 52. When the air pump 51 stops working, the gas in the airbag 52 is discharged, the airbag 52 becomes deflated, and the first magnet 30 connected to the airbag 52 moves along the first direction Z toward the side close to the airbag 52.

[0085] The embodiment of the present application can utilize the air pump 51 and the airbag 52 in the airbag module 52 to adjust the position (or height) of the first magnet 30 in the first direction Z, so that when the foldable device 200 is in a folded state and the user wants to unfold the foldable device 200, the distance between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 in the first direction Z is changed, so that the suction force between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 is reduced, or the repulsion force between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 is increased.

[0086] Since the first magnet 30 is located in the first middle frame 10 and the second magnet 40 is located in the second middle frame 20, the force between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 can act on the first middle frame 10 and the second middle frame 20 through the transmission of force. As the attraction between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 decreases, or the repulsion between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 increases, the closing retention force acting on the first middle frame 10 and the second middle frame 20 decreases accordingly, so that when the foldable device 200 is unfolded, the foldable device 200 can be less difficult to unfold, thereby improving the opening and closing experience of the foldable device 200.

[0087] Different from the method of adjusting the facing area of ​​the two magnets and adjusting the attraction or repulsion between the two magnets in the related art, the facing area of ​​the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 in the embodiment of the present application remains unchanged, and the attraction or repulsion between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 is changed by changing the position of the first magnet 30 in the first middle frame 10, thereby adjusting the closing retention force of the foldable device 200. In this way, in the direction parallel to the reference plane Q, there is no need to reserve the moving space of the first magnet 30, which improves the space utilization of the first middle frame 10, that is, the space utilization of the foldable device 200 is improved.

[0088] See also Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the embodiment of the present application, the air pump 51 and the air bag 52 can be arranged along a second direction X parallel to the reference plane Q.

[0089] In some examples, the second direction X may be the length direction of the first middle frame 10. In other examples, the second direction X may be the length direction of the first middle frame 10. In still other examples, the second direction X may have an angle with the length direction of the first middle frame 10, and may also have an angle with the width direction of the first middle frame 10. The angle is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees.

[0090] When the thickness of the first middle frame 10 is the same, compared with the solution in which the air pump 51 and the airbag 52 are stacked in the first direction, the air pump 51 and the airbag 52 in the embodiment of the present application are arranged along the second direction X parallel to the reference plane Q, so that the first magnet 30 connected to the airbag 52 and stacked has a larger movable range in the first direction Z, so that the difference between the suction (or repulsion) between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 when the airbag 52 is in the inflated state and the suction (or repulsion) between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 when the airbag 52 is in the uninflated state (that is, the compressed state) can be larger, and the adjustment range of the closing holding force of the foldable device 200 is larger, so that when the user does not want to unfold the foldable device 200, the foldable device 200 can have a larger closing holding force, and when the user wants to unfold the foldable device 200, the foldable device 200 can have a smaller closing holding force, which is convenient for the user to open and improves the opening and closing experience of the foldable device 200.

[0091] In some embodiments, see Figure 4 , when the foldable device 200 is in the folded state, the airbag 52 is located between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40. In this way, when the airbag 52 is inflated, the airbag 52 gradually expands and pushes the first magnet 30 to move in a direction away from the second magnet 40, thereby increasing the distance between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 and reducing the attraction or repulsion between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40. When the airbag 52 is deflated, the airbag 52 gradually deflates and drives the first magnet 30 to move in a direction close to the second magnet 40, thereby reducing the distance between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 and increasing the attraction or repulsion between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40.

[0092] In some examples, when the foldable device 200 is in the folded state, the airbag 52 is located between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40, and the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 attract each other. In this way, when the air pump 51 stops working and the airbag 52 is exhausted, the airbag 52 gradually deflates and drives the first magnet 30 to move in a direction close to the second magnet 40. At the same time, the suction force between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 can also drive the first magnet 30 to move in a direction close to the second magnet 40, so that the airbag 52 can be compressed quickly and the first magnet 30 can be restored to its initial position.

[0093] In other embodiments, see Figure 3 When the foldable device 200 is in the folded state, the airbag 52 is located on the side of the first magnet 30 facing away from the second magnet 40.

[0094] Thus, when the airbag 52 is inflated, the airbag 52 gradually expands and pushes the first magnet 30 to move in a direction close to the second magnet 40, thereby reducing the distance between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 and increasing the attraction or repulsion between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40. When the airbag 52 is deflated, the airbag 52 becomes deflated and drives the first magnet 30 to move in a direction away from the second magnet 40, thereby increasing the distance between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 and reducing the attraction or repulsion between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40.

[0095] In some examples, when the foldable device 200 is in the folded state, the airbag 52 is located on the side of the first magnet 30 away from the second magnet 40, and the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 repel each other. In this way, when the air pump 51 stops working and the airbag 52 is exhausted, the airbag 52 gradually deflates and drives the first magnet 30 to move in a direction away from the second magnet 40. At the same time, the repulsive force between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 can also drive the first magnet 30 to move in a direction away from the second magnet 40, so that the airbag 52 can be compressed faster and the first magnet 30 can be restored to its initial position.

[0096] Figure 6 and Fig. 9 A perspective view of the air pump module 50 provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 7 and Fig. 8A Both Figure 6 The cross-sectional diagram at A-A' shows the difference between the two. Figure 7 The airbag 52 is in an uninflated state (i.e., compressed state). Fig. 8A The airbag 52 is in an inflated state. Figure 8B for Figure 7 A magnified schematic diagram of region O in the middle. Fig.10 and Fig.11 Both Fig. 9 The cross-sectional diagram at B-B' shows the difference between the two. Fig.10 The airbag 52 is in an uninflated state. Fig.11 The airbag 52 is in an inflated state. Fig.11 The “black arrow” shows the flow direction of the gas in the air pump module 50 , and the “white arrow” shows the thrust of the airbag 52 on the first magnet 30 . Fig.12 for Fig. 9 Schematic diagram of the cross section at C-C'. Figure 6 to Figure 12The structure of the air pump module 50 is introduced in detail.

[0097] like Figure 6 As shown, in some examples, the projections of the air pump 51 and the air bag 52 on the reference plane Q may be substantially rectangular. Fig. 9 As shown, in some examples, the shape of the projection of the air pump 51 on the reference plane Q can be roughly rectangular, and the shape of the projection of the airbag 52 on the reference plane Q can be roughly circular. Of course, the shapes of the projections of the air pump 51 and the airbag 52 on the reference plane Q in the embodiment of the present application are not limited to this.

[0098] In the embodiment of the present application, there is no restriction on the size of the projections of the air pump 51 and the airbag 52 on the reference plane Q, and they can be designed according to the size of the accommodation space that can be provided by the first middle frame 10 .

[0099] like Figure 7 , Fig. 8A , Fig.10 and Fig.11 As shown, in some embodiments, the airbag 52 may be a multi-layer airbag.

[0100] When the airbag 52 is a multi-layer airbag, compared with a single-layer airbag, the deformation of the airbag 52 in the first direction Z can be larger, so that the movement range of the first magnet 30 in the first direction Z can be larger, and the distance change range between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 can also be larger, so that the difference between the suction (or repulsion) between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 when the airbag 52 is in an inflated state and the suction (or repulsion) between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 when the airbag 52 is in an uninflated state (that is, a compressed state) can be larger, and the adjustment range of the closing holding force of the foldable device 200 is larger, so that when the user does not want to unfold the foldable device, the foldable device can have a larger closing holding force, and when the user wants to unfold the foldable device, the foldable device can have a smaller closing holding force, which is convenient for the user to open and improves the opening and closing experience of the foldable device.

[0101] Figure 7 , Fig. 8A , Fig.10 and Fig.11 In the figure, the airbag 52 is illustrated as a double-layer airbag. However, it is understandable that the number of layers of the airbag 52 in the embodiment of the present application is not limited to this. The number of layers of the airbag 52 can be designed according to actual needs, so that the thickness of the airbag 52 in the compressed state is small and the deformation amount in the inflated state is large, thereby ensuring the movable range of the first magnet 30 in the first direction Z.

[0102] In addition to the above-mentioned air pump 51 and air bag 52, in some embodiments, as Figures 6 to 8AAs shown, the air pump module 50 may further include a first housing 53. The first housing 53 includes a first sub-portion 531 and a second sub-portion 532 which are perpendicular to each other. The first sub-portion 531 includes a first groove M1, and the second sub-portion 532 includes a second groove M2.

[0103] The air pump 51 is connected to the first sub-portion 531, and the surface 511 of the air pump 51 and the first groove M1 form a first cavity 501. The air pump 51 includes an air outlet 512, and the air outlet 512 is connected to the first cavity 501. The air bag 52 includes an air nozzle 521, and the air nozzle 521 is connected to the second groove M2 to form a second cavity 502. The first cavity 501 and the second cavity 502 are connected.

[0104] The air pump module 50 provided in the embodiment of the present application includes a first shell 53, and the air pump 51 and the air bag 52 are both connected to the first shell 53. The first groove M1 in the first shell 53 and the surface of the air pump 51 form a first cavity 501, and the second groove M2 in the first shell 53 is connected to the air nozzle 521 of the air bag 52 to form a second cavity 502. The first cavity 501 and the second cavity 502 are connected, so that the air pump 51 and the air nozzle 521 arranged in the second direction X can be connected through the first cavity 501 and the second cavity 502.

[0105] The embodiment of the present application does not limit the shape and size of the opening of the first groove M1 and the shape and size of the opening of the second groove M2, and can be designed according to actual conditions.

[0106] In some examples, the air pump 51 may be bonded to the first sub-portion 531 by an adhesive layer.

[0107] In some examples, such as Figure 7 , Fig. 8A and Figure 8B As shown, the first shell 53 also includes a cover plate 533, which is connected to the first sub-section 531 and the air pump 51. The surface of the cover plate 533, the surface of the first sub-section 531, and the side of the air pump 51 form a transition chamber 510. In the first direction Z, the size d2 of the transition chamber 510 is greater than the size d3 of the first cavity 501.

[0108] The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific values ​​of the above-mentioned dimensions d2 and d3, and can be designed according to actual needs.

[0109] By using the cover plate 533, the first sub-section 531 and the air pump 51 to form the transition chamber 510, and the dimension d2 of the transition chamber 510 in the first direction Z is larger than the dimension d3 of the first cavity 501 in the first direction Z, the gas can be quickly transmitted to the transition chamber 510 through the first cavity 501, and then transmitted to the second cavity 502 through the transition chamber 510, thereby improving the gas transmission rate. At the same time, the provision of the transition chamber 510 can also better connect the first cavity 501 and the second cavity 502, thereby improving the problem that the first cavity and the second cavity are difficult to connect due to the small dimension of the first cavity in the first direction Z.

[0110] In some examples, such as Figure 6 and Figure 8B As shown, the first housing 53 further includes a through hole 534, and along a second direction X parallel to the reference plane Q, the through hole 534 can extend from the bottom wall of the second groove M2 to the side wall of the transition chamber 510 (or, the through hole 534 can extend from the side wall of the transition chamber 510 to the bottom wall of the second groove M2). The second cavity 502 is connected to the transition chamber 510 through the through hole 534.

[0111] Exemplarily, the first housing 53 may include one or more through holes 534 . Figure 6 In the figure, the first shell 53 including two through holes 534 is taken as an example for illustration.

[0112] It is understandable that the airbag 52 includes an airbag body 522 in addition to the air nozzle 521 , and the airbag body 522 and the air nozzle 521 are connected to each other. The airbag body 522 is connected to the first magnet 30 .

[0113] Continue reading Figures 6 to 8B In some embodiments, the air pump module 50 may further include a carrier plate 54 and a support member 55. The first shell 53 and the airbag 52 are located on the carrier plate 54, and the air pump 51 is located on the side of the first shell 53 away from the carrier plate 54. The support member 55 is connected to the carrier plate 54 and is located on the same side of the carrier plate 54 as the first shell 53. The support member 55 includes a first frame 551 and a second frame 552 that are arranged opposite to each other, and a third frame 553 connecting the first frame 551 and the second frame 552. The airbag 52 and the first shell 53 are located between the first frame 551 and the second frame 552, and in the second direction X (i.e., the arrangement direction of the air pump 51 and the airbag 52), the third frame 553 is located on the side of the airbag 52 away from the air pump 51.

[0114] The air pump module 50 provided in the embodiment of the present application is provided with a carrier plate 54 and a support member 55, and the carrier plate 54 and the support member 55 are utilized to protect the air pump 51 and the airbag 52, so that the relative position between the air pump 51 and the airbag 52 is fixed, thereby avoiding the problem that the air pump cannot inflate the airbag due to the separation of the air pump and the airbag, thereby improving the connection stability between the air pump 51 and the airbag 52, and improving the use stability of the air pump module 50, thereby improving the yield of the foldable device 200.

[0115] Moreover, in the air pump module 50 provided in the embodiment of the present application, the first frame 551, the second frame 552 and the third frame 553 of the support member 55, and the first shell 53 are arranged around the airbag 52, and can also limit the movement of the airbag 52 in a direction parallel to the reference plane Q, so that the airbag 52 can stably push the first magnet 30 to move along the thickness direction (first direction Z) of the first middle frame 10 when inflated.

[0116] In some examples, such as Figure 6 As shown, the first frame 551 and the second frame 552 may be parallel to each other, and the first frame 551 and the second frame 552 may both be perpendicular to the third frame 553 .

[0117] In the embodiment of the present application, there is no restriction on the thickness and length of the first frame 551 , the second frame 552 , and the third frame 553 , and they can be designed according to actual needs.

[0118] like Figure 7 As shown, when the airbag 52 is in an uninflated state, the first magnet 30 faces away from the surface S1 of the airbag 52, and is closer to the carrier plate 54 than the surface S2 of the support member 55 faces away from the carrier plate 54. In this way, the air pump module 50 is arranged in the first middle frame 10, and the support member 55 of the air pump module 50 can be against the first middle frame or other devices, providing a movable space for the first magnet 30, so as to avoid the first magnet 30 directly contacting other devices or the first middle frame when the air pump is in an uninflated state, resulting in the first magnet being unable to move along the thickness direction of the first middle frame.

[0119] For some examples, see Figure 7 In the thickness direction (first direction Z) of the first middle frame 10, the distance d1 between the surface S1 of the first magnet 30 facing away from the airbag 52 and the surface S2 of the support member 55 facing away from the carrier plate 54 can be 0.8 mm to 1 mm. For example, the distance d1 can be 0.8 mm, 0.9 mm or 1 mm.

[0120] In this way, on the one hand, the movement range of the first magnet 30 in the thickness direction of the first middle frame 10 will not be too small, so that when the foldable device is in a folded state, the adjustable range of the distance between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 is larger. After the distance between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 is adjusted, the difference in the suction or repulsion between the first magnet and the second magnet is larger, and the adjustment range of the closing holding force of the foldable device 200 is larger, so that when the user does not want to unfold the foldable device 200, the foldable device 200 can have a larger closing holding force, and when the user wants to unfold the foldable device 200, the foldable device 200 can have a smaller closing holding force, which is convenient for the user to open and improves the opening and closing experience of the foldable device 200.

[0121] On the other hand, the size of the support member 55 in the thickness direction of the first middle frame 10 will not be too large, and the size of the air pump module 50 in the thickness direction of the first middle frame 10 will not be too large, which is conducive to reducing the thickness of the first middle frame 10, reducing the thickness of the foldable device 200, and realizing an ultra-thin foldable device.

[0122] In some examples, the size of the air pump module 50 in the thickness direction of the first middle frame 10 may be 2.5 mm to 3.2 mm. For example, the size of the air pump module 50 in the thickness direction of the first middle frame 10 may be 2.5 mm, 2.6 mm, 2.7 mm, 2.8 mm, 2.9 mm, 3.0 mm, 3.1 mm, 3.2 mm, etc.

[0123] In this way, the size of the air pump module 50 in the thickness direction of the first middle frame 10 can be smaller, which is beneficial to reducing the thickness of the foldable device 200 and realizing an ultra-thin foldable device.

[0124] In some embodiments, Figure 6 As shown, the support member 55 further includes a first limiting portion 554 and a second limiting portion 555, the first limiting portion 554 is located on the first frame 551 and is located on a side of the first frame 551 close to the second frame 552, and the second limiting portion 555 is located on the second frame 552 and is located on a side of the second frame 552 close to the first frame 551. The first magnet 30 includes a third groove M3 and a fourth groove M4, the first limiting portion 554 extends into the third groove M3, and the second limiting portion 555 extends into the fourth groove M4.

[0125] By providing a first limiting portion 554 on the first frame 551 that protrudes toward the second frame 552, and providing a second limiting portion 555 on the second frame 552 that protrudes toward the first frame 551, and the first limiting portion 554 extends into the third groove M3, and the second limiting portion 555 extends into the fourth groove M4, the movement of the first magnet 30 in a direction parallel to the reference plane Q can be limited, so that after the airbag 52 is inflated, the first magnet 30 can stably move along the thickness direction of the first middle frame 10, thereby improving the working stability of the air pump module 50.

[0126] Among them, see Figure 3 , the reference plane Q is parallel to the surface of the first middle frame 10 facing away from the second middle frame 20 when the foldable device 200 is in the folded state.

[0127] In other embodiments, Figures 9 to 11 As shown, the air pump module 50 further includes a second housing 56 and a third housing 57. The second housing 56 is connected to the air pump 51 and the air bag 52. The second housing 56 includes a third cavity 503, through which the air pump 51 and the air bag 52 are connected.

[0128] The third shell 57 includes a third sub-section 571 and a fourth sub-section 572 which are perpendicular to each other, and the fourth sub-section 572 is connected to the second shell 56. The second shell 56 and the third sub-section 571 and the fourth sub-section 572 form a first accommodating chamber L1 and a second accommodating chamber L2. The air pump 51 is located in the first accommodating chamber L1, and the airbag 52 and the first magnet 30 are located in the second accommodating chamber L2. When the airbag 52 is in an uninflated state (i.e., a compressed state), there is a spacing d4 between the surface S1 of the first magnet 30 facing away from the airbag 52 and the third sub-section 571. When the airbag 52 is in an inflated state, as shown in FIG. Fig.11 As shown, the first magnet 30 may abut against the third sub-portion 571 .

[0129] The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific value of the above-mentioned interval d4 and can be designed according to actual needs.

[0130] like Fig.10 and Fig.11 As shown, the air pump 51 and the air bag 52 are located on the same side of the second housing 56 .

[0131] In the embodiment of the present application, the air pump 51 and the airbag 52 arranged in the second direction X parallel to the reference plane Q are connected by the second shell 56 including the third cavity 503, so that the size of the air pump module 50 in the thickness direction of the first middle frame 10 can be smaller, which is beneficial to reducing the thickness of the first middle frame 10, reducing the thickness of the foldable device 200, and realizing an ultra-thin foldable device.

[0132] At the same time, the second shell 56 and the third sub-section 571 and the fourth sub-section 572 form a first accommodating cavity L1 and a second accommodating cavity L2. The air pump 51 and the airbag 52 are respectively located in the first accommodating cavity L1 and the second accommodating cavity L2. The relative positions of the air pump 51 and the airbag 52 can also be fixed, and they are not easily separated by other devices or environmental conditions (vibration). This effectively improves the connection stability between the air pump 51 and the airbag 52, improves the use stability of the air pump mold 50, and improves the yield of the foldable device 100.

[0133] In some examples, the second housing 56 includes a first plate 561 and a second plate 562 connected to each other, the first plate 561 includes a fifth groove M5, and the surface of the second plate 562 and the fifth groove M5 form a third cavity 503. In this way, the second housing 56 has a simple structure and is easy to prepare, which is conducive to reducing the preparation cost of the air pump module 50.

[0134] In some embodiments, Fig.12 As shown, the air pump module 50 also includes an elastic member 58, one end of the elastic member 58 is connected to the first magnet 30, and the other end of the elastic member 58 is connected to the third sub-portion 571. The elastic member 58 is configured to generate compression deformation when the first magnet 30 moves toward the side away from the airbag 52.

[0135] Thus, see Fig.12 When the air pump 51 stops working, the pressure in the airbag 52 decreases, and the force applied by the compressed elastic member 58 to the first magnet 30 is greater than the force applied by the airbag 52 to the first magnet 30, so that the first magnet 30 moves toward the side close to the airbag 52, pushing the airbag 52 to discharge the gas in the airbag 52, restoring the airbag 52 to the compressed state, and restoring the first magnet 30 to the initial position. Fig.12 The “white arrow” in FIG. 5 shows the thrust of the first magnet 30 on the airbag 52 .

[0136] In particular, when the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 attract each other and the foldable device 200 is in the folded state, the airbag 52 is located on the side of the first magnet 30 away from the second magnet 40, the elastic member 58 can be provided to overcome the attraction between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 after the air pump 51 stops working and the gas in the airbag 52 is discharged, so that the first magnet 30 moves as quickly as possible in the direction away from the second magnet 40. When the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 repel each other and the airbag 52 is located between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 when the foldable device 200 is in the folded state, the elastic member 58 can be provided to overcome the repulsion between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 after the air pump 51 stops working and the gas in the airbag 52 is discharged, so that the first magnet 30 moves as quickly as possible in the direction close to the second magnet 40.

[0137] The embodiment of the present application does not limit the number of elastic members 58 and can be designed according to actual needs. Fig.12 In the figure, an example is taken in which two elastic members 58 are provided in the air pump module 50 for illustration.

[0138] In some examples, the elastic member 58 may be located on a side of the first magnet 30 away from the airbag 52 .

[0139] For other examples, see Fig. 9 , along a direction parallel to the reference plane Q, the elastic member 58 may be located on one side of the first magnet 30 . Fig.12 In the figure, the air pump module 50 includes two elastic members 58, and the two elastic members 58 are respectively located on both sides of the first magnet 30 in the third direction Y parallel to the reference plane Q. The third direction Y may intersect with the second direction X.

[0140] Along the direction parallel to the reference plane Q, the elastic member 58 is located on one side of the first magnet 30. In this way, when the size of the second accommodating cavity L2 in the first direction is constant, the elastic member 58 will not occupy the moving space of the first magnet 30 in the first direction Z, so that the movable range of the first magnet 30 in the first direction Z can be larger, and the adjustment range of the closing holding force of the foldable device 200 is larger, so that when the user does not want to unfold the foldable device, the foldable device can have a larger closing holding force, and when the user wants to unfold the foldable device, the foldable device can have a smaller closing holding force, which is convenient for the user to open and improves the opening and closing experience of the foldable device.

[0141] When the moving distance of the first magnet 30 is fixed, the elastic member 58 is arranged on the side of the first magnet 30 parallel to the reference plane Q, which is also beneficial to reducing the size of the second accommodating cavity L2 in the first direction Z, reducing the size of the third shell 57 in the first direction Z, thereby reducing the size of the air pump module 50 and the first middle frame 10 in the first direction Z, so that the thickness of the foldable device 200 is smaller, realizing an ultra-thin foldable device.

[0142] For some examples, see Fig.12 The elastic member 58 includes a first elastic portion 581 and a second elastic portion 582 connected to each other, and an angle β is formed between the first elastic portion 581 and the second elastic portion 582. The first elastic portion 581 is fixedly connected to the third sub-portion 571, and the second elastic portion 582 includes a first end 5821 and a second end 5822, wherein the first end 5821 is connected to the first elastic portion 581, and the second end 5822 is connected to the first magnet 30. The angle β is an acute angle.

[0143] When the airbag 52 pushes the first magnet 30 to move, the second elastic portion 582 moves toward the first elastic portion 581 , and the angle β between the first elastic portion 581 and the second elastic portion 582 decreases accordingly, and the elastic member 58 generates compression deformation.

[0144] In some examples, the first magnet 30 may include a main body 31 and an extension 32 , wherein the extension 32 is connected to an edge of the main body 31 . In the first direction Z, the extension 32 is smaller than the main body 31 . The extension 32 is connected to the elastic member 58 .

[0145] In this way, even if the elastic member 58 is arranged on the side of the extension part 32 away from the airbag 52, the moving space of the extension part 32 in the first direction Z can be larger, and the moving space of the main body 31 in the first direction Z is not easily affected by the elastic member 58, which is beneficial to reducing the size of the second accommodating cavity L2 in the first direction Z, reducing the size of the third shell 57 in the first direction Z, thereby reducing the size of the air pump module 50 and the first middle frame 10 in the first direction Z, so that the thickness of the foldable device 200 is smaller, realizing an ultra-thin foldable device.

[0146] In some embodiments, see Figure 4 The foldable device 100 further includes a hinge 60, which connects the first middle frame 10 and the second middle frame 20. The second middle frame 20 may include a first side 21 connected to the hinge 60, and a second side 22 disposed opposite to the first side 21. A distance a1 from the second magnet 40 to the first side 21 is greater than a distance a2 from the second magnet 40 to the second side 22.

[0147] The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific value of the distance a1 from the second magnet 40 to the first side 21 and the specific value of the distance a2 from the second magnet 40 to the second side 22, and can be designed according to specific circumstances.

[0148] When the first magnet 30 applies an attractive force or a repulsive force to the second magnet 40, due to the transfer of force, the second magnet 40 will also apply a force of the same magnitude to the second middle frame 20, thereby affecting the tendency of the second middle frame 20 to rotate around the rotation axis 60. In the embodiment of the present application, the distance a1 from the second magnet 40 to the first side 21 is greater than the distance a2 from the second magnet 40 to the second side 22, and the distance from the second magnet 40 to the rotation axis 60 is large, so that the force applied by the second magnet 40 to the second middle frame 20 can have a longer lever arm, and the torque of the force applied by the second magnet 40 on the second middle frame 20 is correspondingly large, and the force applied by the second magnet 40 on the second middle frame 20 can have a greater influence on the tendency of the second middle frame 20 to rotate around the rotation axis 60.

[0149] In this way, even if the suction or repulsion between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40 changes slightly, and the force applied by the second magnet 40 to the second middle frame 20 changes slightly, the closing holding force between the second middle frame 20 and the first middle frame 10 can be reduced or increased well, so that the embodiment of the present application uses the air pump module 50 to adjust the height of the first magnet 30 in the thickness direction of the first middle frame 10, adjusts the suction or repulsion between the first magnet 30 and the second magnet 40, and then adjusts the closing holding force of the foldable device 200. The solution is simpler and easier to implement. On this basis, the movement range of the first magnet 30 in the thickness direction of the first middle frame 10 can be smaller, which is conducive to reducing the thickness of the first middle frame 10, reducing the thickness of the foldable device 200 when it is in the folded state, and realizing an ultra-thin foldable device.

[0150] The present application embodiment also provides another foldable device 300. Fig.13 , Fig.14 and Fig.15 As shown, the foldable device 300 includes a first middle frame 301, a second middle frame 302, a flexible display panel 303 and an air pump module 304. The first middle frame 301 and the second middle frame 302 are rotatably connected.

[0151] The flexible display panel 303 is located on the first middle frame 301 and the second middle frame 302 .

[0152] For detailed description of the first middle frame 301 , the second middle frame 302 and the flexible display panel 303 , reference may be made to the description of the first middle frame 10 , the second middle frame 20 and the flexible display panel 201 in the above embodiment, which will not be repeated herein.

[0153] For example, Fig.14 As shown, the foldable device 300 may further include a rotation axis 305, and the first middle frame 301 and the second middle frame 302 are both connected to the rotation axis 305. The first middle frame 301 and the second middle frame 302 can rotate around the rotation axis 305 to achieve folding and unfolding of the foldable device 300.

[0154] The air pump module 304 is located between the first middle frame 301 and the flexible display panel 303. The air pump module 304 includes an air pump 310 and an air bag 320 that are connected to each other. When the air bag 320 is in an inflated state, the air bag 320 contacts the flexible display panel 303, so that the portion of the flexible display panel 303 that contacts the air bag 320 bulges in a direction away from the first middle frame 301.

[0155] It is understandable that in order to achieve that the airbag 320 can contact the flexible display panel 303 in the inflated state, the distance between the airbag 320 and the flexible display panel 303 in the uninflated state should be smaller than the deformation amount of the airbag 320. Exemplarily, when the airbag 320 is in the uninflated state, the airbag 320 can contact the flexible display panel 303, and at this time, the distance between the airbag 320 and the flexible display panel 303 in the uninflated state is 0, which is smaller than the deformation amount of the airbag 320.

[0156] The foldable device 300 provided in the embodiment of the present application has an air pump module 304 disposed between the first middle frame 301 and the flexible display panel 303. When the air pump 310 is working, the air pump 310 blows gas into the airbag 320, and the airbag 320 expands and contacts the flexible display panel 303, and pushes the part of the flexible display panel 303 that contacts the airbag 320 to move away from the first middle frame 301, so that the part of the flexible display panel 303 that contacts the airbag 320 bulges. In this way, referring to Fig.15 The raised portion of the flexible display panel 303 is offset against the portion of the flexible display panel 303 located on the second middle frame 302, so that a gap appears between the remaining portion of the flexible display panel 303 located on the first middle frame and the portion of the flexible display panel 303 located on the second middle frame 20, thereby making it easier for users to unfold the foldable device 300.

[0157] In some examples, the foldable device may further include a reinforcing plate disposed between the first middle frame and the flexible display panel. In this case, the airbag may be located between the foldable device and the reinforcing plate, and the air pump may be located between the reinforcing plate and the first middle frame. The air pump and the airbag may be disposed separately, so that the location of the airbag is more flexible, which is conducive to further improving the space utilization of the foldable device.

[0158] In the description of this specification, specific features, structures, materials or characteristics may be combined in an appropriate manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0159] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art who is familiar with the present technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A foldable device, characterized in that: include: A first middle frame and a second middle frame, wherein the first middle frame and the second middle frame are rotatably connected; A first magnet, located in the first middle frame; A second magnet, located in the second middle frame; When the foldable device is in a folded state, a projection of the first magnet on the reference plane at least partially overlaps with a projection of the second magnet on the reference plane; The reference surface is parallel to a surface of the first middle frame facing away from the second middle frame when the foldable device is in a folded state; An air pump module is located in the first middle frame; the air pump module includes an air pump and an air bag that are interconnected, and the air bag is connected to the first magnet; in a first direction perpendicular to a reference plane, the air bag and the first magnet are stacked, and the air bag is configured to drive the first magnet to move in the first direction.

2. The foldable device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the foldable device is in a folded state, the airbag is located between the first magnet and the second magnet.

3. The foldable device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the foldable device is in a folded state, the airbag is located on a side of the first magnet facing away from the second magnet.

4. The foldable device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The air pump and the air bag are arranged along a second direction parallel to the reference plane.

5. The foldable device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The air pump module also includes: The first housing comprises a first sub-section and a second sub-section which are perpendicular to each other; the first sub-section comprises a first groove, and the second sub-section comprises a second groove; Among them, the air pump is connected to the first sub-part, the surface of the air pump and the first groove form a first cavity, the air pump includes an air outlet, and the air outlet is connected to the first cavity; the airbag includes an air nozzle and an airbag body that are connected to each other, the air nozzle is connected to the second groove to form a second cavity, and the first cavity and the second cavity are connected; the airbag body is connected to the first magnet.

6. The foldable device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The air pump module also includes: A carrier plate, the first shell and the airbag are located on the carrier plate, and the air pump is located on a side of the first shell away from the carrier plate; A support member connected to the carrier plate and located on the same side of the carrier plate as the first shell; the support member includes a first frame and a second frame arranged opposite to each other, and a third frame connecting the first frame and the second frame; the airbag and the first shell are located between the first frame and the second frame, and in the second direction, the third frame is located on the side of the airbag away from the air pump; Wherein, when the airbag is in an uninflated state, the surface of the first magnet facing away from the airbag is closer to the carrier plate than the surface of the support member facing away from the carrier plate.

7. The foldable device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The support member also includes a first limiting portion and a second limiting portion, the first limiting portion is located on the first frame and on a side of the first frame close to the second frame, the second limiting portion is located on the second frame and on a side of the second frame close to the first frame; the first magnet includes a third groove and a fourth groove, the first limiting portion extends into the third groove, and the second limiting portion extends into the fourth groove.

8. The foldable device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The air pump module also includes: A second shell is connected to the air pump and the air bag; the second shell includes a third cavity, and the air pump and the air bag are connected through the third cavity; The third shell includes a third sub-section and a fourth sub-section which are perpendicular to each other, and the fourth sub-section is connected to the second shell; the second shell and the third sub-section and the fourth sub-section form a first accommodating cavity and a second accommodating cavity, the air pump is located in the first accommodating cavity, and the airbag and the first magnet are located in the second accommodating cavity; when the airbag is in an uninflated state, there is a distance between the surface of the first magnet facing away from the airbag and the third sub-section.

9. The foldable device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The second shell includes a first plate member and a second plate member connected to each other, the first plate member includes a fifth groove, and a surface of the second plate member and the fifth groove form a third cavity.

10. The foldable device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: The air pump module also includes: An elastic member, one end of which is connected to the first magnet, and the other end of which is connected to the third sub-portion; the elastic member is configured to generate compression deformation when the first magnet moves to a side away from the airbag.

11. The foldable device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The elastic member includes a first elastic portion and a second elastic portion that are connected, and an angle is formed between the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion; the first elastic portion is fixedly connected to the third sub-portion, and the second elastic portion includes a first end and a second end, the first end is connected to the first elastic portion, and the second end is connected to the first magnet.

12. The foldable device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The airbag is a multi-layer airbag.

13. The foldable device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that: Also includes: A rotating shaft connecting the first middle frame and the second middle frame; The second middle frame includes a first side connected to the rotating shaft, and a second side opposite to the first side; the distance from the second magnet to the first side is greater than the distance from the first magnet to the second side.

14. A foldable device, characterized in that: include: A first middle frame and a second middle frame, wherein the first middle frame and the second middle frame are rotatably connected; A flexible display panel, located on the first middle frame and the second middle frame; An air pump module, located between the first middle frame and the flexible display panel; the air pump module includes an air pump and an air bag that are interconnected; Wherein, when the airbag is in an inflated state, the airbag contacts the flexible display panel, so that a portion of the flexible display panel that contacts the airbag bulges in a direction away from the first middle frame.

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