Rotating shaft assembly and foldable equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of foldable equipment, aims to solve the problem that in the prior art, when a rotating shaft assembly is in a folded state, a protruding structure of a door plate protrudes and extrudes other elements of the foldable equipment, and provides the rotating shaft assembly and the foldable equipment. The rotating shaft assembly comprises a seat part and a first swing assembly. The first swing assembly comprises a first swing arm, a first door plate and a first connecting block. The first swing arm comprises a first connecting part and a second connecting part, and the first connecting part is rotationally connected with the seat part; the second connecting part defines a first receding channel, and the position of the first receding channel is opposite to the first connecting part. The first door plate is provided with a first protruding part protruding from the first surface of the first door plate, and the first protruding part penetrates through the first receding channel and is in higher pair fit with the second connecting part at the first receding channel. The first connecting block is movably connected to the first swing arm and the first door plate. The beneficial effects of the invention are that the first protruding part can avoid the object element without extruding and damaging the object element.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional of the Chinese invention patent application entitled “Hinge assembly and foldable device”, application number “202310976508.4” and application date “2023-08-04”. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of foldable devices, and in particular, to a hinge assembly and a foldable device. Background Art

[0003] The hinge assembly is an important structure for foldable devices to be folded or unfolded.

[0004] In some known technologies, the pivot assembly has a swing arm and a door panel that form a groove-pin high pair that can slide and rotate relative to each other. When the pivot assembly is in a folded state, the protruding structure of the sliding groove set in the door panel will move relative to the swing arm and protrude from the outer surface of the swing arm and the connecting block, thereby squeezing the components arranged in the outer surface area of ​​the swing arm and the connecting block (such as the display cables of the screen of a foldable device), affecting the reliability of the product. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present application provides a hinge assembly and a foldable device to solve the problem in the prior art that when the hinge assembly is in a folded state, the protruding structure of the door panel protrudes and squeezes other components of the foldable device.

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a hinge assembly for a foldable device. The hinge assembly includes a seat and a first swing assembly. The first swing assembly includes a first swing arm, a first door panel, and a first connecting block. The first swing arm includes a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, the first connecting portion is rotatably connected to the seat; the second connecting portion defines a first clearance channel, the position of the first clearance channel is staggered relative to the first connecting portion along a first direction, and the first direction is parallel to the rotation axis of the first connecting portion relative to the seat. The first door panel has a first surface facing the second connecting portion, and the first door panel is provided with a first protrusion protruding from the first surface, the first protrusion passes through the first clearance channel, and forms a high pair with the second connecting portion at the first clearance channel. The first connecting block is movably connected to the first swing arm and the first door panel, respectively.

[0007] When the hinge assembly in the embodiment of the present application is in use, the body of the foldable device is connected to the first connecting block. When the foldable device is folded or unfolded, the first door panel will move relative to the first swing arm, so that the first protrusion of the first door panel used to form a high-pair fit with the first swing arm can move through the first clearance channel. In this scheme, the first clearance channel of the second connection part is offset relative to the first connection part, so that the position of the first protrusion that can move through the first clearance channel during the folding process of the foldable device deviates from the area of ​​the second connection part corresponding to the first connection part. In this way, the first protrusion can avoid the area to avoid squeezing other components arranged in the area (such as the wiring harness of the screen of the foldable device).

[0008] In a possible implementation, the second connection portion includes a first corresponding portion and a first extension portion, the first corresponding portion is connected to an end of the first connection portion away from the seat portion, and the first extension portion extends toward one side of the first corresponding portion along the first direction. The first clearance channel is provided in the first extension portion.

[0009] In this embodiment, the first make way channel is arranged at the first extension portion, so that the first make way channel and the corresponding first protruding portion can have a longer make way distance, which is conducive to obtaining more make way area.

[0010] In a possible embodiment, the first extension portion is connected with a sliding pin, and the first protrusion portion is provided with a sliding groove. The sliding pin is matched with the sliding groove and can rotate in the sliding groove or slide along the extension direction of the sliding groove, so that the first protrusion and the second connection portion form a high-pair fit.

[0011] In this embodiment, a high-pair fit with two degrees of freedom, sliding and rotating, can be formed by the sliding groove and the sliding pin.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the slide groove passes through the first protruding portion along the first direction. The first extension portion is provided with a through groove as a first clearance channel, and the first protruding portion can be movably matched with the through groove. The sliding pin is connected between the groove surfaces on both sides of the through groove, and the sliding pin passes through the slide groove and can rotate in the slide groove or slide along the extension direction of the slide groove.

[0013] In this embodiment, the sliding pin is reliably connected, which helps to ensure the connection rigidity of the sliding pin.

[0014] In a possible embodiment, there are two slide grooves, which are respectively formed by being recessed from the two side surfaces of the first protruding portion along the first direction. The first extension portion is provided with a through groove as a first clearance channel, and the first protruding portion can be movably matched with the through groove. There are two sliding pins, which are respectively protruding from the two side groove surfaces of the through groove and extending into the two slide grooves, and the two sliding pins are respectively matched with the two slide grooves to form a high pair.

[0015] This embodiment proposes another form of cooperation between the sliding pin and the sliding groove.

[0016] In a possible implementation, a side surface of the first extension portion away from the first connection portion along the first direction is the second surface, and a space at a position of the second surface of the first extension portion away from the first connection portion serves as a first clearance channel. The first protrusion is provided on one side of the first extension portion and corresponds to the second surface; the slide groove is formed by a concave surface of the side of the first protrusion close to the second surface. The sliding pin protrudes from the second surface and extends into the slide groove to form a high-pair fit with the slide groove.

[0017] This embodiment proposes another form of cooperation between the sliding pin and the sliding groove, and has a simple structure and convenient connection.

[0018] In a possible implementation manner, the first corresponding portion and the first connecting portion are both symmetrical structures, and a symmetric plane of the first corresponding portion coincides with a symmetric plane of the first connecting portion, and the symmetric plane is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0019] In this embodiment, the symmetry plane of the first corresponding portion coincides with the symmetry plane of the first connecting portion, which helps to balance the lateral force on the first swinging portion.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the first connection block is rotatably connected to one side of the first surface of the first door panel. The first swing arm further includes a third connection portion, which is connected to a side of the first corresponding portion away from the first connection portion; the third connection portion is rotatably connected to the first connection block.

[0021] In this embodiment, a third connecting portion is provided to facilitate a rotational connection with the first connecting block.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the third connection portion is staggered relative to the first connection portion along the first direction.

[0023] In this embodiment, the third connection parts are staggered, which can reduce the possibility that the protrusion of the third connection parts affects other components.

[0024] In a possible implementation manner, the third connecting portion is connected to the first extending portion, and corresponds to the first clearance channel and the first protruding portion.

[0025] In this embodiment, the third connecting portion is connected to the first extending portion, so that the third connecting portion can have a longer yielding distance, which is conducive to obtaining more yielding area.

[0026] In a possible implementation manner, the third connecting portion is connected to the first corresponding portion.

[0027] In this embodiment, the third connecting part is connected to the first corresponding part, which is conducive to forming a colinear force transmission path from the first connecting part, the first corresponding part, the third connecting part to the first connecting block, and the first swing arm supports the first connecting block more reliably.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the second connection portion is offset relative to the first connection portion along a first direction, and the first clearance channel is located at a portion of the second connection portion that deviates from the first connection portion.

[0029] In this embodiment, the offset and staggered setting of the first yielding channel is achieved by offsetting the second connecting portion, and the structure is simple.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the first connection block is rotatably connected to one side of the first surface of the first door panel. The first swing arm further includes a third connection portion, the third connection portion is connected to a side of the second connection portion away from the first connection portion; the third connection portion is rotatably connected to the first connection block.

[0031] In this embodiment, the first connecting block and the first swing arm are connected to the same side of the first door panel (the side of the first surface), and the first connecting block and the first swing arm can be staggered on the first surface, which is beneficial to reducing the total thickness occupied by the first connecting block, the first swing arm and the first door panel, and is beneficial to the thinning design of the foldable device.

[0032] In a possible embodiment, the second connecting portion has a first arc surface facing the first connecting block, and the first connecting block has a second arc surface facing the second connecting portion. The first arc surface and the second arc surface cooperate to form a virtual rotation pair, and the rotation axis of the virtual rotation pair is coaxial with the rotation axis of the rotation connection between the third connecting portion and the first connecting block; when the rotating shaft assembly is in a folded state, the first swing arm is supported between the connecting portion and the seat.

[0033] In this embodiment, by forming the above-mentioned virtual rotation pair, the first swing arm can provide additional support to the first connecting block, and the support is more reliable.

[0034] In a possible implementation, there are two first arc surfaces, and the two first arc surfaces are respectively located on both sides of the third connection portion along the first direction. A concave matching groove is provided on one side of the first connection block facing the first swing arm, and the third connection portion extends into the matching groove and is hingedly connected to the first connection block in the matching groove; there are two second arc surfaces, and the two second arc surfaces are respectively located on both sides of the matching groove, and the two second arc surfaces are respectively matched with the two first arc surfaces on both sides of the matching groove.

[0035] In this embodiment, the support of the first arc surface and the second arc surface distributed on both sides makes the support more balanced.

[0036] In a possible embodiment, the bottom surface of the matching groove protrudes outward to form a protruding block. The third connecting portion includes two connecting cylinders spaced apart along the first direction, and a spacing space is defined between the two connecting cylinders. The protruding block extends into the spacing space so that the two connecting cylinders are respectively located on both sides of the protruding block along the first direction; the two connecting cylinders and the protruding block are hingedly connected by a pin.

[0037] In this embodiment, the protruding block and the connecting cylinder of the third connecting portion are hinged by a pin, thereby ensuring a reliable rotational connection between the first swing arm and the first connecting block.

[0038] In a possible implementation manner, a first groove is formed on the first surface of the first door panel, and the connecting cylindrical portion is accommodated in the first groove.

[0039] In this embodiment, the first groove accommodating portion is provided to connect the cylinder, which can reduce the thickness space occupied by the third connecting portion, and is conducive to the thinning design of the foldable device.

[0040] In a possible embodiment, the seat portion includes a shaft cover and a seat plate, the seat plate is connected to the shaft cover, and the seat plate is provided with an arc groove. The first connecting portion includes a sliding tongue, and the sliding tongue can be slidably matched with the arc groove, so that the first connecting portion can be rotatably matched with the seat portion with the central axis of the cylindrical surface defined by the arc groove as the rotation axis.

[0041] In this embodiment, the rotational cooperation between the first swing arm and the seat portion can be reliably achieved through the cooperation between the sliding tongue and the arc groove.

[0042] In a possible embodiment, there are two arc grooves, the two arc grooves are spaced apart along the first direction, and a stop hook is provided between the two arc grooves. There are two sliding tongues, the two sliding tongues are spaced apart along the first direction, and a stop clamping portion is provided between the two sliding tongues. The two sliding tongues are slidably matched with the two arc grooves respectively, and the stop hook corresponds to the stop clamping portion, which is used to limit the rotation range of the first connecting portion relative to the seat portion.

[0043] In this embodiment, the two sliding tongues are respectively connected to the seat parts to improve the reliability of the connection, and the arrangement of the stop hook corresponding to the stop hook part is beneficial to the stopping and anti-slipping of the first swing arm during the rotation process of the shaft assembly.

[0044] In a possible implementation manner, the two sliding tongues are symmetrical to each other, and the first clearance channel is staggered with the symmetry planes of the two sliding tongues.

[0045] In this embodiment, the two sliding tongues are symmetrically arranged to ensure balanced connection force.

[0046] In a possible implementation, the second connection portion is offset toward the outside of the first swing arm relative to the first connection portion to form an inner space inside the second connection portion, and the first door panel fits in the inner space.

[0047] In this embodiment, the first door panel is arranged in the inner space, so that the first door panel can be positioned closer to the outside, while keeping the width of the seat (the dimension perpendicular to the first direction) unchanged, ensuring that the space inside the first door panel is sufficient to accommodate the folded flexible screen.

[0048] In a possible implementation, a second groove is formed inwardly on the first surface of the first door panel, and the second connecting portion is partially accommodated in the second groove.

[0049] In this embodiment, part of the first protrusion is located in the second groove, which reduces the height of the first protrusion protruding from the first surface of the first connecting block and reduces the influence of the first protrusion on other components.

[0050] In a possible implementation, part of the first protrusion is located in the second groove.

[0051] In this embodiment, part of the first protrusion is located in the second groove, which reduces the height of the first protrusion protruding from the first surface of the first connecting block and reduces the influence of the first protrusion on other components.

[0052] In a possible implementation, the shaft assembly defines an installation space, and the installation space is used to install an object element of the foldable device. The installation space at least covers a portion of the second connection portion that is opposite to the first connection portion.

[0053] In this embodiment, the shaft assembly defines an installation space that can be used to arrange the object components.

[0054] In one possible embodiment, the object element is an external screen cable of a foldable device. The seat portion has a first end and a second end opposite to each other along a first direction, and the first swing arm and the first connecting block are located at the first end of the seat portion. An installation space is defined between the surface of the first swing arm and the first connecting block on the side away from the first door panel and the middle frame of the foldable device. The first protrusion and the first clearance channel are offset relative to the first connecting portion along the first direction away from the first end to outside the installation space, so as to avoid the external screen cable.

[0055] In this embodiment, the first protrusion and the first clearance channel are deviated outside the installation space to avoid the external display wiring, thereby preventing the first protrusion from movably protruding and squeezing the external display wiring.

[0056] In a possible embodiment, the first swing arm assembly further includes a third swing arm and a third connecting block. The first door panel is a strip-shaped plate-like structure extending along the first direction, and is used to support the flexible screen of the foldable device. The first door panel is provided with a first connecting area and a second connecting area sequentially arranged along the first direction. The first swing arm and the first connecting block are connected to the first connecting area. The third swing arm and the third connecting block are connected between the seat and the second connecting area, and are used to enable the third connecting block to be rotatably connected to the seat. The first connecting block and the third connecting block are respectively used to connect different positions of one side body of the foldable device spaced along the first direction.

[0057] In this embodiment, the connection to the first door panel is achieved by the third swing arm and the third connecting block, and the first door panel can be supported at various locations along the length direction of the first door panel.

[0058] In a possible implementation, there are multiple second connection areas, which are arranged in sequence along the first direction. There are multiple groups of one-to-one corresponding third swing arms and third connection blocks, and each group of corresponding third swing arms and third connection blocks is respectively connected to each second connection area.

[0059] In this embodiment, the plurality of third swing arms and the third connecting blocks can achieve more reliable support for the first door panel.

[0060] In a possible implementation, the hinge assembly further includes a second swing assembly, and the second swing assembly and the first swing assembly are respectively connected to two sides of the seat portion, and are used to respectively connect two bodies of the foldable device.

[0061] In this embodiment, the second swing assembly and the first swing assembly are respectively connected to the two bodies, so that the two bodies can be folded or unfolded relative to each other.

[0062] In a possible embodiment, the second swing assembly includes a second door panel, a second swing arm and a second connection block. The second connection block is rotatably connected to the second door panel, one end of the second swing arm is rotatably connected to the seat, and the other end is rotatably connected to the second connection block and forms a high-pair match with the second door panel, so that the second connection block can drive the second door panel to rotate relative to the second swing arm while rotating with the second swing arm relative to the seat.

[0063] In this embodiment, when the rotating shaft assembly is assembled, the second door panel of the second swinging assembly supports the flexible screen, and the second connecting block is connected to one side body of the foldable device.

[0064] In a possible implementation, the second door panel is a strip-shaped plate-like structure extending along the first direction, and is used to support the flexible screen of the foldable device. There are multiple groups of second swing arms and second connecting blocks corresponding to each other, and each group of second swing arms and second connecting blocks is respectively connected to different positions of the second door panel spaced apart along the first direction.

[0065] In this embodiment, the plurality of second swing arms and second connecting blocks can achieve more reliable support for the second door panel.

[0066] In a possible implementation, the second swing assembly and the first swing assembly are symmetrically arranged with respect to the seat, and the second swing assembly has a second swing arm directly opposite to the first swing arm.

[0067] In this embodiment, the second swing assembly and the first swing assembly are symmetrically arranged, which can ensure that the forces on both sides of the rotating shaft assembly are balanced.

[0068] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a foldable device, comprising a flexible screen, a first body, a second body, and the aforementioned hinge assembly. The first body and the second body are respectively connected to two sides of the hinge assembly to achieve relative folding or unfolding; the first body is connected to the first connecting block. The flexible screen covers the first body and the second body, and the flexible screen has a bendable portion, which is supported by the first door panel.

[0069] The foldable device in the embodiment of the present application adopts the aforementioned hinge assembly, and the installation area of ​​the hinge assembly can make way for the object components in the foldable device, without the need to reserve too much thickness space for the foldable device, which is conducive to the thinning design of the foldable device.

[0070] In a possible implementation, the first body has an external screen, the external screen is connected to an external screen cable, and the external screen cable passes through the first swing arm and the first connecting block away from one side of the first door panel and avoids the first protrusion.

[0071] In this embodiment, the hinge assembly can avoid the external display cable, preventing the first protrusion from protruding and squeezing the external display cable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0072] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show certain embodiments of the present application and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0073] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a foldable device according to an embodiment of the present application, wherein the foldable device is in a partially unfolded state;

[0074] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a foldable device when fully unfolded;

[0075] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Another perspective view of the foldable device;

[0076] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A magnified view of point A of the foldable device;

[0077] Figure 5 for Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a foldable device in a folded state, with the section line at Figure 3 At the BB line;

[0078] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A partial enlarged view of a foldable device;

[0079] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a rotating shaft assembly according to an embodiment of the present application, wherein the rotating shaft assembly is in an expanded state;

[0080] Figure 8 for Figure 7 A partial enlarged view of the shaft assembly, wherein the shaft assembly is in a folded state;

[0081] Fig. 9 for Figure 7 An exploded view of a partial structure of a shaft assembly, wherein the shaft assembly is in an expanded state;

[0082] Fig.10 for Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the shaft assembly along line CC;

[0083] Fig.11 for Figure 7 A three-dimensional view of a first swing arm of a rotating shaft assembly;

[0084] Fig.12 for Figure 7 A three-dimensional view of the second swing arm of the rotating shaft assembly;

[0085] Fig.13 for Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the rotating shaft assembly along line DD, wherein the first swing arm assembly is in a folded state and the second swing arm assembly is in an unfolded state;

[0086] Fig.14 for Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the rotating shaft assembly along line EE, wherein the first swing arm assembly is in a folded state and the second swing arm assembly is in an unfolded state;

[0087] Fig.15 for Figure 7 A three-dimensional view of the matching relationship between the first swing arm and the first connecting block of the rotating shaft assembly;

[0088] Fig.16 A three-dimensional view of the matching relationship between the first swing arm and the first connecting block of the rotating shaft assembly of another embodiment of the present application;

[0089] Fig.17 A three-dimensional view of the matching relationship between the first swing arm and the first connecting block of the shaft assembly of another embodiment of the present application;

[0090] Fig.18 for Figure 7 A three-dimensional view of the matching relationship between the first swing assembly of the rotating shaft assembly;

[0091] Fig.19A three-dimensional view of the matching relationship of the first swing assembly of the rotating shaft assembly of another embodiment of the present application;

[0092] Fig. 20 This is a three-dimensional view of the matching relationship of the first swing assembly of the shaft assembly of yet another embodiment of the present application.

[0093] Description of main component symbols:

[0094] Foldable Devices 100

[0095] Flexible Screens 101

[0096] Body 102

[0097] First body 102a

[0098] Second body 102b

[0099] Bendable portion 103

[0100] Middle frame 104

[0101] External screen 105

[0102] Main circuit board 106

[0103] Battery 107

[0104] External screen cable 108

[0105] Object element 108a

[0106] Rotating shaft assembly 10

[0107] Seat 11

[0108] The first swing assembly 12

[0109] First swing arm 13

[0110] First door panel 14

[0111] First connection block 15

[0112] First connecting portion 16

[0113] The second connection portion 17

[0114] The third connecting portion 18

[0115] The first protrusion 19

[0116] First corresponding part 20

[0117] The first extension portion 21

[0118] Slide pin 22

[0119] Protruding block 23

[0120] Connecting cylinder 24

[0121] Pin 25

[0122] Shaft cover 26

[0123] Seat plate 27

[0124] slippery tongue 28

[0125] Stop hook 29

[0126] Stopper 30

[0127] The first rotational engagement portion 31

[0128] The second rotational engagement portion 32

[0129] The third swing arm 33

[0130] The third connection block 35

[0131] Shoulder 36

[0132] The second swing assembly 42

[0133] Second swing arm 43

[0134] Second door panel 44

[0135] Second connection block 45

[0136] Second protrusion 49

[0137] Chute C1

[0138] Through slot C2

[0139] Matching groove C3

[0140] First groove C4

[0141] Second groove C5

[0142] Arc groove C6

[0143] First terminal D1

[0144] The second terminal D2

[0145] First yield channel K1

[0146] Second yield channel K2

[0147] Rotation axis L1, L2, L3

[0148] First surface P1

[0149] Second surface P2

[0150] The first arc surface P3

[0151] The second arc surface P4

[0152] Symmetry plane P5

[0153] Large surface P6

[0154] Interval space Q1

[0155] Inner space Q2

[0156] Installation space Q3

[0157] First connection area S1

[0158] Second connection area S2

[0159] Dashed box S3

[0160] First direction Y1

[0161] Second direction Y2

[0162] The following specific implementation methods will further illustrate the present application in conjunction with the above-mentioned drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0163] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments.

[0164] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may also be a centered element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may also be a centered element. When an element is considered to be "set on" another element, it may be directly set on the other element or there may also be a centered element. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only.

[0165] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art of the present application. The terms used herein in the specification of the present application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present application. The term "or / and" used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0166] Some embodiments of the present application are described in detail. In the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and features of the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0167] In order to obtain a thinner foldable device (such as a foldable mobile phone), the wall thickness of the middle frame of the foldable device may be compressed to the limit, so that there is not enough thickness space to allow the external screen cable to pass through. At this time, the external screen cable may need to occupy the space of the hinge assembly.

[0168] In some foldable devices, the outer screen cable passing space passes through one axial end of the hinge assembly (see Figure 4 The area within the dashed box S3 shown in FIG. 1 ). The wiring may be a flexible printed circuit (FPC) for inputting and outputting external screen signals and for powering the external screen.

[0169] However, the hinge assembly is a movable structure. During the opening and closing process of the known hinge assembly, part of the structure of the hinge assembly may bulge outward along the thickness direction to squeeze the external screen cable, which may cause damage and failure of the external screen cable in severe cases. For example, in some known hinge assemblies, the main swing arm and the protruding block on the door panel form a high-pair fit through a groove pin. In the folded state, the protruding block on the door panel will protrude from the large surface of the connecting block of the hinge assembly, thereby squeezing the external screen cable.

[0170] In fact, for foldable devices with a higher degree of thinness, the components are often stacked tightly in the thickness direction. The state changes of the hinge assembly during movement may bring risks similar to the above-mentioned that some components of the hinge assembly bulge outward and squeeze other components of the foldable device (such as external screen cables).

[0171] In view of this, the present application provides a hinge assembly that can reduce or avoid the above-mentioned risks, and a foldable device using the hinge assembly, which will be exemplarily described below.

[0172] Example

[0173] See also Figure 1-Figure 4 , this embodiment provides a foldable device 100, including a hinge assembly 10, a flexible screen 101 and two bodies 102 (respectively a first body 102a and a second body 102b). The first body 102a and the second body 102b are respectively connected to the two sides of the hinge assembly 10 to achieve relative folding or unfolding. The flexible screen 101 covers the first body 102a, the second body 102b and the hinge assembly 10, and can be folded or unfolded with the first body 102a and the second body 102b under the support of the hinge assembly 10. The flexible screen 101 has a bendable portion 103 at a position corresponding to the hinge assembly 10, which is used to support the hinge assembly 10 and be bent into a folding form such as a U-shape or a water drop shape.

[0174] See also Figure 5 and Figure 6 In this embodiment, the first body 102a includes a middle frame 104, an outer screen 105, a main circuit board 106, a battery 107 and other structures. The outer screen 105 is connected to the middle frame 104 and is located on the outer side of the first body 102a, and part of the flexible screen 101 is connected to the middle frame 104 and is located on the inner side of the middle frame 104. Among them, the inner side refers to the side opposite to the first body 102a and the second body 102b in the folded state; the outer side refers to the side of the first body 102a that is opposite to the inner side. In the folded state or the unfolded state, the outer screen 105 is exposed for easy use.

[0175] The main circuit board 106 is connected to the middle frame 104 and is located between the middle frame 104 and the flexible screen 101 .

[0176] In the folded state, the flexible screen 101 is folded between the first body 102a and the second body 102b, and the outer screen 105 is located on the outer side of the first body 102a, so that it can be used in the folded state.

[0177] The outer screen 105 is connected to an outer screen cable 108, and the outer screen cable 108 passes through the middle frame 104 and passes through the space between the middle frame 104 and the hinge assembly 10 (see Figure 6 The installation space Q3 shown in FIG. Figure 4 The outer screen cable 108 passes through the region at one axial end of the hinge assembly 10.

[0178] It should be noted that the stacking structure of the foldable device 100 described above is only an example. In other embodiments, the foldable device 100 may also adopt other stacking structure forms.

[0179] Figure 7-Figure 14 and Fig.15 and Fig.18 A rotating shaft assembly 10 in one embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0180] See also Figure 7-Figure 11 The shaft assembly 10 of this embodiment includes a seat 11, a first swing assembly 12 and a second swing assembly 42. The first swing assembly 12 and the second swing assembly 42 are rotatably connected to both sides of the seat 11, and the first swing assembly 12 is connected to the first body 102a (see Figure 3 ), the second swing assembly 42 is connected to the second body 102b (see Figure 3 ), so that the first body 102a and the second body 102b can be folded or unfolded relative to each other.

[0181] The seat portion 11 is generally in a strip-shaped structure extending along a first direction Y1 , wherein the first direction Y1 corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the foldable device 100 .

[0182] The first swing assembly 12 includes a first swing arm 13, a first door panel 14 and a first connecting block 15. One end of the first swing arm 13 is rotatably connected to the seat 11, and the other end is movably connected to the first door panel 14 and the first connecting block 15 respectively. The first door panel 14 and the first connecting block 15 are also movably connected. The specific connection methods will be described one by one below.

[0183] The second swing assembly 42 includes a second swing arm 43, a second door plate 44 and a second connection block 45. One end of the second swing arm 43 is rotatably connected to the seat 11, and the other end is movably connected to the second door plate 44 and the second connection block 45, respectively. The second door plate 44 and the second connection block 45 are also movably connected.

[0184] When assembled in the foldable device 100, the first door panel 14 and the second door panel 44 respectively support the two sides of the bendable portion 103 of the flexible screen 101, and the first connecting block 15 and the second connecting block 45 respectively connect the first body 102a and the second body 102b, so that the hinge assembly 10 can realize the relative rotation and opening and closing of the first body 102a and the second body 102b and support the flexible screen 101. The second swing assembly 42 and the first swing assembly 12 can adopt the same transmission principle.

[0185] In actual application, the second swing assembly 42 and the first swing assembly 12 can be opened and closed synchronously by a synchronization mechanism provided on the shaft assembly 10. The shaft assembly 10 can also be provided with a damping mechanism to achieve damping during the opening and closing process of the foldable device 100. Both the synchronization mechanism and the damping mechanism can adopt well-known technical solutions, for example, the synchronization mechanism can adopt a connecting rod mechanism, a synchronization gear mechanism, etc.; the damping mechanism can adopt friction damping or other damping forms.

[0186] See also Fig.11 The first swing arm 13 includes a first connecting portion 16 , a second connecting portion 17 and a third connecting portion 18 .

[0187] The first connection portion 16 is rotatably connected to the seat portion 11, and the rotation axis L1 of the first connection portion 16 relative to the seat portion 11 is parallel to the first direction Y1. The second connection portion 17 is connected to the side of the first connection portion 16 away from the seat portion 11, and is used to form a high-pair fit with the first door panel 14. The third connection portion 18 is connected to the side of the second connection portion 17 away from the first connection portion 16, and is used to rotatably connect to the first connection block 15.

[0188] In this embodiment, the seat 11 includes a shaft cover 26 and a seat plate 27. The seat plate 27 is connected to the shaft cover 26. The seat plate 27 is provided with an arc groove C6 (see Fig.13 or Fig.14 ), the first connection part 16 includes a sliding tongue 28, which can be slidably matched with the arc groove C6, so that the first connection part 16 can be rotatably matched with the seat part 11 with the central axis of the cylindrical surface defined by the arc groove C6 as the rotation axis L1. Optionally, there are two arc grooves C6, the two arc grooves C6 are arranged at intervals along the first direction Y1, and a stop hook 29 is provided between the two arc grooves C6. There are two sliding tongues 28, the two sliding tongues 28 are arranged at intervals along the first direction Y1, and a stop clamping part 30 is provided between the two sliding tongues 28. The two sliding tongues 28 can be slidably matched with the two arc grooves C6 respectively, and the stop hook 29 corresponds to the stop clamping part 30, which is used to limit the rotation range of the first connection part 16 relative to the seat part 11. Optionally, the two sliding tongues 28 are symmetrical to each other to improve the lateral balance of the force.

[0189] In this embodiment, the first connecting portion 16 is symmetrically provided with two sliding tongues 28 to achieve cooperation with the seat portion 11, which can more stably connect the seat portion 11. The stop clamping portion 30 between the two sliding tongues 28 cooperates with the stop hook 29, which can also prevent the first swing arm 13 from detaching from the seat portion 11 when rotating.

[0190] In this embodiment, the second connection portion 17 defines a first clearance channel K1, and the position of the first clearance channel K1 is staggered relative to the first connection portion 16 along the first direction Y1. The first door panel 14 is located on the inner side of the second connection portion 17, and the inner side refers to the side facing inward in the folded state. For example, in the folded state of the foldable device 100, the flexible screen 101 is located on the inner side of the first body 102a, and the outer screen 105 is located on the outer side of the first body 102a. The first door panel 14 has a first surface P1 facing the second connection portion 17, and the first door panel 14 is provided with a first protrusion 19 protruding from the first surface P1. The setting position of the first protrusion 19 corresponds to the first clearance channel K1. The first protrusion 19 passes through the first clearance channel K1 and forms a high-pair fit with the second connection portion 17 at the first clearance channel K1. The first connection block 15 is movably connected to the first swing arm 13 and the first door panel 14, respectively.

[0191] The first clearance channel K1 described above is staggered relative to the first connection portion 16, that is, the setting position of the first clearance channel K1 deviates from the middle position of the first connection portion 16 along the first direction Y1, such as the symmetry plane P5 of the two sliding tongues 28 of the first connection portion 16, and the position of the symmetry plane P5 is Figure 8 On this basis, the corresponding first protrusion 19 also deviates from the symmetry plane P5, so that the area near the symmetry plane P5 and the area away from the first protrusion 19 will not be affected by the large surface P6 of the first protrusion 19 protruding the second connecting portion 17 and the first connecting block 15, avoiding squeezing and damaging the object element 108a (such as the external screen cable 108 of the foldable device 100) arranged in the area. For details, see Figure 6The first protrusion 19 is offset and staggered, and will not protrude into the space between the first swing assembly 12 and the middle frame 104 for accommodating the external display cable 108 (i.e., the installation space Q3), and will not squeeze and damage the external display cable 108. However, the second swing assembly 42 that does not adopt the staggered setting scheme has a protruding second protrusion 49 in the folded state.

[0192] When the hinge assembly 10 in this embodiment is in use, the body 102 of the foldable device 100 is connected to the first connecting block 15. When the foldable device 100 is folded or unfolded, the first door panel 14 will move relative to the first swing arm 13, so that the first protrusion 19 of the first door panel 14 used to form a high-pair fit with the first swing arm 13 can move through the first clearance channel K1. In this embodiment, the first clearance channel K1 of the second connection part 17 is offset relative to the first connection part 16, so that the position of the first protrusion 19 that can move through the first clearance channel K1 during the folding process of the foldable device 100 deviates from the area of ​​the second connection part 17 corresponding to the first connection part 16. In this way, the first protrusion 19 can avoid this area to avoid squeezing other components arranged in this area (such as the external screen cable 108 of the foldable device 100).

[0193] Main references Fig.10 In this embodiment, the second connecting portion 17 is offset toward the outside of the first swing arm 13 relative to the first connecting portion 16 to form an inner space Q2 on the inner side of the second connecting portion 17, and the first door panel 14 is matched with the inner space Q2. In this way, the first door panel 14 can be positioned closer to the outside, while keeping the width of the seat 11 (the dimension perpendicular to the first direction Y1) unchanged, ensuring that the space inside the first door panel 14 is sufficient to accommodate the flexible screen 101 in the folded state.

[0194] In order to realize the staggered arrangement of the first clearance channel K1 and the first protrusion 19 , the present embodiment adopts a specially designed first swing arm 13 .

[0195] See also Fig.11 In the first swing arm 13 of this embodiment, the second connection portion 17 includes a first corresponding portion 20 and a first extension portion 21. The first corresponding portion 20 is connected to the end of the first connection portion 16 away from the seat portion 11, that is, located between the first connection portion 16 and the third connection portion 18. The first extension portion 21 extends to one side of the first corresponding portion 20 along the first direction Y1. The first clearance channel K1 is provided at the first extension portion 21. In this embodiment, by providing the first extension portion 21, the position of the first clearance channel K1 can be deviated from the corresponding position of the first connection portion 16 along the first direction Y1, thereby making the high-pair matching structure of the first protrusion 19 and the first swing arm 13 deviate from the corresponding area of ​​the first connection portion 16, thereby achieving avoidance of the object element 108a.

[0196] See also Fig.15In this embodiment, the first extension portion 21 is connected with a sliding pin 22, the first protruding portion 19 is provided with a sliding groove C1, the sliding pin 22 is matched with the sliding groove C1, and can rotate in the sliding groove C1 or slide along the extension direction of the sliding groove C1, so that the first protruding portion 19 and the second connecting portion 17 form a high-pair fit. The sliding groove C1 can be an arc groove C6, and the sliding pin 22 can be a cylindrical pin. In this way, the sliding pin 22 can slide along the sliding groove C1 in an arc direction and can also rotate in the sliding groove C1, thereby forming a high-pair fit with two degrees of freedom of movement.

[0197] In this embodiment, the first connection block 15 is rotatably connected to one side of the first surface P1 of the first door panel 14, that is, the first connection block 15 and the first swing arm 13 are arranged on the same side of the first door panel 14. In addition, the first connection block 15 is located on the side of the first swing arm 13 away from the seat portion 11. The third connection portion 18 of the first swing arm 13 is connected to the side of the first corresponding portion 20 away from the first connection portion 16, and the third connection portion 18 is rotatably connected to the first connection block 15.

[0198] Optionally, the first connecting block 15 is provided with a concave mating groove C3 on one side facing the first swing arm 13, and the bottom surface of the mating groove C3 is convex to form a protruding block 23. The third connecting portion 18 includes two connecting cylinders 24 spaced apart along the first direction Y1, and a spacing space Q1 is defined between the two connecting cylinders 24. The protruding block 23 extends into the spacing space Q1 so that the two connecting cylinders 24 are respectively located on both sides of the protruding block 23 along the first direction Y1. The two connecting cylinders 24 and the protruding block 23 are hingedly connected by a pin 25. By providing a concave mating groove C3 to accommodate the third connecting portion 18, the first swing arm 13 and the first connecting block 15 in a direction perpendicular to the first direction Y1 (i.e. Figure 8 The size occupancy in the second direction Y2) shown in FIG.

[0199] In other embodiments, the first swing arm 13 and the first connecting block 15 may also form a relative rotation fit in other ways, which are not limited here.

[0200] See also Fig.13 or Fig.14 In this embodiment, the second connecting portion 17 has a first arc surface P3 facing the first connecting block 15, and the first connecting block 15 has a second arc surface P4 facing the second connecting portion 17. The first arc surface P3 and the second arc surface P4 cooperate to form a virtual rotation pair, and the rotation axis L2 of the virtual rotation pair and the rotation axis L3 of the rotation connection between the third connecting portion 18 and the first connecting block 15 are coaxial; when the shaft assembly 10 is in a folded state, the first swing arm 13 is supported between the connecting portion and the seat 11.

[0201] In this embodiment, the first arc surface P3 and the second arc surface P4 may be clearance fit or transition fit. There may also be a small gap between the first arc surface P3 and the second arc surface P4 to accommodate structural shape tolerance or dimensional tolerance.

[0202] In this embodiment, in addition to being hingedly connected by the aforementioned pin 25, the first swing arm 13 and the first connecting block 15 also form a coaxial virtual rotation pair through the first arc surface P3 and the second arc surface P4. The redundant rotation cooperation improves the stability of the connection between the two, and enables the first swing arm 13 to support the first connecting block 15 not only through the pin 25 but also through the first arc surface P3 in the folded state, thereby greatly improving the supporting capacity, reducing the load requirement of the pin 25, and avoiding deformation of the pin 25 due to overload.

[0203] For example, when the foldable device 100 in the folded state hits the ground due to accidental falling or other reasons, the impact on the foldable device 100 can be directly transmitted to the first swing arm 13 by the first connecting block 15 through the abutment between the first arc surface P3 and the second arc surface P4, and then transmitted to the seat 11, thereby preventing all or most of the excessive impact load from acting on the pin 25 and causing the pin 25 to overload, deform and fail.

[0204] Optionally, there are two first arc surfaces P3, and the two first arc surfaces P3 are respectively located on both sides of the third connecting portion 18 along the first direction Y1. The third connecting portion 18 extends into the matching groove C3 and is hingedly connected to the first connecting block 15 in the matching groove C3. There are two second arc surfaces P4, and the two second arc surfaces P4 are respectively located on both sides of the matching groove C3, and the two second arc surfaces P4 are respectively matched with the two first arc surfaces P3 on both sides of the matching groove C3. In this embodiment, the second connecting portion 17 can be provided with a boss 36 located on both sides of the third connecting portion 18 in the first direction Y1, and the two first arc surfaces P3 are respectively the side surfaces of the two bosses 36 facing the first connecting block 15.

[0205] See also Fig. 9 or Fig.15 In this embodiment, a first groove C4 is formed on the first surface P1 of the first door panel 14. The first groove C4 is a strip groove with a semicircular cross section and extends along the first direction Y1. Two connecting cylinders 24 are respectively partially accommodated in the first grooves C4. By providing the first grooves C4 to accommodate part of the connecting cylinders 24, the overlap size of the third connecting portion 18 on the first door panel 14 in thickness can be reduced.

[0206] Optionally, the first surface P1 of the first door panel 14 is provided with a second concave groove C5, the shape of which can be adapted to the second connection portion 17, and the second connection portion 17 is partially accommodated in the second groove C5. The thickness direction portion of the second connection portion 17 is partially accommodated in the second groove C5, which reduces the stacking thickness of the second connection portion 17 and the first door panel 14. In this way, the second connection portion 17 and the third connection portion 18, which overlap the first swing arm 13 and the first door panel 14 in the thickness direction, can be closer to the inner side of the first door panel 14, so that the comprehensive thickness size of the first swing arm 13 and the first door panel 14 after being superimposed is reduced, and a larger thickness direction space can be freed for the external screen wiring 108 or other object components 108a.

[0207] Optionally, part of the first protrusion 19 is located in the second groove C5, or in other words, the first protrusion 19 protrudes from the bottom surface of the second groove C5. In this way, part of the first protrusion 19 is located in the second groove C5, which reduces the height of the first protrusion 19 protruding from the first surface P1 of the first connecting block 15, and reduces the influence of the first protrusion 19 on other components.

[0208] See also Fig.15 and Fig.18 In this embodiment, the first door panel 14 is provided with two first rotational fitting parts 31 spaced apart along the first direction Y1, and the first connection block 15 is provided with two second rotational fitting parts 32. The first connection block 15 is rotatably connected to the two first rotational fitting parts 31 of the first door panel 14 through the two second rotational fitting parts 32. The first rotational fitting part 31 and the second rotational fitting part 32 can adopt a suitable rotational fitting pair, such as arc groove slider fitting, pin hole fitting, etc., which is not limited here.

[0209] Fig.15 , Fig.16 and Fig.17 Three different embodiments are shown in which the first protrusion 19 forms a high fit with the first extension 21 of the first swing arm 13 at the first clearance channel K1 .

[0210] See also Fig.15 In this embodiment, the slide groove C1 of the first protruding portion 19 passes through the first protruding portion 19 along the first direction Y1, and the first extending portion 21 is provided with a through groove C2 as a first clearance channel K1, and the through groove C2 passes through the first extending portion 21 along the thickness direction. The first protruding portion 19 can movably protrude into the through groove C2, and the sliding pin 22 is connected between the two side groove surfaces of the through groove C2, and the sliding pin 22 passes through the slide groove C1 and can rotate in the slide groove C1 or slide along the extension direction of the slide groove C1.

[0211] See also Fig.16The first protruding portion 19 has two slide grooves C1, which are respectively formed by recessing the two side surfaces of the first protruding portion 19 along the first direction Y1. The first extending portion 21 is provided with a through groove C2 as a first clearance channel K1, which passes through the first extending portion 21 along the thickness direction. The first protruding portion 19 can movably protrude into the through groove C2. There are two sliding pins 22, which protrude from the two side groove surfaces of the through groove C2 and extend into the two slide grooves C1, and the two sliding pins 22 form a high pair fit with the two slide grooves C1. Optionally, the two slide grooves C1 pass through the protruding ends of the first protruding portion 19 along the extension direction of the slide groove C1, so that when the first swing arm 13 is installed to the first door panel 14, the two sliding pins 22 can slide directly into the slide groove C1 from the outer end of the extension direction of the slide groove C1, which is convenient for installation operation.

[0212] See also Fig.17 , a side surface of the first extension portion 21 away from the first connection portion 16 along the first direction Y1 is defined as the second surface P2, and a space where the second surface P2 of the first extension portion 21 is away from the first connection portion 16 is defined as the first clearance channel K1. The first protrusion 19 is located on one side of the first extension portion 21 and corresponds to the second surface P2. The slide groove C1 is formed by being concave from a side surface of the first protrusion 19 close to the second surface P2, and can also be concave to penetrate the first protrusion 19. The sliding pin 22 protrudes from the second surface P2 and extends into the slide groove C1 to form a high-pair fit with the slide groove C1. In this embodiment, the first extension portion 21 is shortened, and the sliding pin 22 is directly connected to the end surface (second surface P2) of the first extension portion 21, and the structure is relatively simple.

[0213] remove Fig.15 , Fig.16 and Fig.17 In addition to the three high-pair matching modes shown, in other embodiments, other suitable high-pair matching modes may be used between the first protrusion 19 and the first swing arm 13, which is not limited here.

[0214] Figure 15-17 In the illustrated embodiment, the third connection portion 18 is not offset relative to the first connection portion 16, that is, the symmetry plane of the third connection portion 18 coincides with the symmetry plane P5 of the first connection portion 16. For example, the first corresponding portion 20 and the first connection portion 16 are both symmetrical structures, and the symmetry plane of the first corresponding portion 20 coincides with the symmetry plane P5 of the first connection portion 16, and the symmetry plane P5 is perpendicular to the first direction Y1, so that the third connection portion 18 can be directly opposite to the first connection portion 16, which is beneficial for the first swing arm 13 to transmit the force in the second direction Y2 in a colinear manner.

[0215] Figure 18-Figure 20 In the other three embodiments shown, the third connecting portion 18 is arranged offset relative to the first connecting portion 16 .

[0216] See also Fig.18 The second connection part 17 of the first swing arm 13 also includes a first corresponding part 20 and a first extension part 21, and the first protruding part 19 and the first clearance channel K1 are also located on the first extension part 21, but the first corresponding part 20 is not a symmetrical structure, but is roughly a right-angled trapezoid that is biased to the left, and the first extension part 21 is located on the right-angled waist of the right-angled trapezoid. The side of the first corresponding part 20 of the right-angled trapezoid connected to the third connection part 18 is a shorter top side, and the side connected to the first connection part 16 is a longer bottom side, so that the symmetry plane P5 of the third connection part 18 is offset to one side relative to the first connection part 16. The offset of the third connection part 18 can further reduce the impact of the protruding part of the third connection part 18 (such as the aforementioned connecting cylinder 24) on the object element 108a. The third connection part 18 is kept within the extension range of the first connection part 16 along the first direction Y1, and can still ensure the reliable transmission of force along the second direction Y2.

[0217] Fig.19 The embodiment shown is that Fig.18 On the basis of the embodiment shown, the first extension part 21 is discarded, and the first protrusion 19 and the first clearance channel K1 are arranged at the position of the first corresponding part 20 deviating from the symmetry plane P5 of the first connection part 16. That is, in this embodiment, the second connection part 17 is a right-angled trapezoid as a whole, so as to form an offset of the second connection part 17, which is used for the staggering of the first protrusion 19 and the first clearance channel K1. As shown in the figure, the symmetry planes of the first clearance channel K1 and the third connection part 18 are directly opposite along the second direction Y2. In order to balance and support the first connection block 15, a convex shoulder 36 is formed on one side of the right-angled waist of the right-angled trapezoid of the second connection part 17, and the convex shoulder 36 is provided with the aforementioned first arc surface P3 for matching the second arc surface P4 of the first connection block 15.

[0218] Fig. 20 The embodiment shown is that Fig.18 On the basis of the illustrated embodiment, the third connecting portion 18 is offset to a position on the first extension portion 21 opposite to the first make way channel K1 along the second direction Y2, with a larger make way space on the right side, and the spacing space Q1 and the first make way channel K1 are conveniently connected and processed at one time.

[0219] In summary, in this embodiment, the second connecting portion 17 can be configured as follows: Fig.15 In the form of (i.e. including the first corresponding portion 20 and the first extension portion 21 formed by the extension), the first extension portion 21 formed by the extension may not be provided (such as Fig.18 and Fig. 20 ), and only retain part of the first corresponding portion 20 and make the first corresponding portion 20 in an asymmetrical arrangement, so that the second connecting portion 17 is offset to one side along the first direction Y1 as a whole (such as Fig.19 ).

[0220] At the same time, the third connecting portion 18 can be arranged opposite to the first connecting portion 16 (eg Fig.15 , Fig.16 and Fig.17 ), or it may be connected to the first corresponding portion 20 offset to one side (such as Fig.18 and Fig.19 ), it can also be arranged on the first extension portion 21 with a larger offset.

[0221] The offset and staggered manner of the first clearance channel K1 and the first protrusion 19 can be directly arranged on the first extension portion 21 or outside the first extension portion 21 (such as Figure 15-18 and Fig. 20 ), or may be arranged on the offset second connecting portion 17 (such as Fig.19 ).

[0222] See again Figure 7 In this embodiment, the first swing arm 13 assembly further includes a third swing arm 33 and a third connecting block 35. The first door panel 14 is a strip-shaped plate-like structure extending along the first direction Y1, and is used to support the flexible screen 101 of the foldable device 100. The first door panel 14 is provided with a first connecting area S1 and a second connecting area S2 arranged in sequence along the first direction Y1. The first swing arm 13 and the first connecting block 15 are connected to the first connecting area S1. The third swing arm 33 and the third connecting block 35 are connected between the seat 11 and the second connecting area S2, and are used to rotatably connect the third connecting block 35 to the seat 11. The first connecting block 15 and the third connecting block 35 are respectively used to connect one side body 102 of the foldable device 100 at different positions spaced along the first direction Y1. Optionally, there are multiple second connecting areas S2, and the multiple second connecting areas S2 are arranged in sequence along the first direction Y1. There are multiple groups of third swing arms 33 and third connecting blocks 35 corresponding to each other, and each group of third swing arms 33 and third connecting blocks 35 is respectively connected to each second connecting area S2.

[0223] By providing multiple swing arms (including a first swing arm 13 and a third swing arm 33) and multiple connecting blocks (including a first connecting block 15 and a third connecting block 35) to connect and support the first door panel 14 at different positions, it is possible to ensure that the first door panel 14 is uniformly stressed and reliably supports the flexible screen 101 at various locations.

[0224] The second swing assembly 42 includes a second door panel 44, a second swing arm 43, and a second connecting block 45. The second connecting block 45 is rotatably connected to the second door panel 44. One end of the second swing arm 43 is rotatably connected to the seat 11, and the other end is rotatably connected to the second connecting block 45 and forms a high-pair fit with the second door panel 44, so that the second connecting block 45 can drive the second door panel 44 to rotate relative to the second swing arm 43 while rotating with the second swing arm 43 relative to the seat 11. The second door panel 44 is a strip-shaped plate-like structure extending along the first direction Y1, and is used to support the flexible screen 101 of the foldable device 100. There are multiple groups of second swing arms 43 and second connecting blocks 45 corresponding to each other, and the second swing arms 43 and second connecting blocks 45 corresponding to each group are respectively connected to different positions of the second door panel 44 spaced along the first direction Y1.

[0225] Optionally, the second swing assembly 42 and the first swing assembly 12 are symmetrically arranged about the seat 11, and one of the second swing arms 43 of the second swing assembly 42 is opposite to the first swing arm 13, and the other second swing arms 43 correspond to each third swing arm 33. In this way, it can be ensured that the two sides of the shaft assembly 10 are symmetrically and evenly stressed.

[0226] See also Fig. 9 and Fig.12 The difference between the second swing arm 43 and the second connecting block 45 in this embodiment and the first swing arm 13 and the first connecting block 15 is that the second clearance channel K2 opened in the second swing arm 43 and the second protrusion 49 on the second connecting block 45 are not offset, so that the second swing arm 43 is symmetrical as a whole and has better force balancing performance.

[0227] In this embodiment, the hinge assembly 10 defines an installation space Q3, and the installation space Q3 is used to install the object element 108a (such as the external screen cable 108) of the foldable device 100. The installation space Q3 at least covers the portion of the second connection portion 17 that is opposite to the first connection portion 16. For example, the installation space Q3 covers Figure 4 The range of the dashed box S3 is shown.

[0228] The seat 11 has a first end D1 and a second end D2 opposite to each other along a first direction Y1, the first swing arm 13 and the first connecting block 15 are located at the first end D1 of the seat 11, and a mounting space Q3 is defined between the surface of the first swing arm 13 and the first connecting block 15 on the side away from the first door panel 14 and the middle frame 104 of the foldable device 100. The aforementioned first protruding portion 19 and the first clearance channel K1 are offset relative to the first connecting portion 16 along the first direction Y1 to the side away from the first end D1 to outside the mounting space Q3, so as to avoid the external screen cable 108.

[0229] When the hinge assembly 10 in this embodiment is assembled to the foldable device 100, the first connecting block 15 and multiple third connecting blocks 35 of the first swinging assembly 12 are respectively connected to different positions of the first body 102a along the first direction Y1, and the multiple second connecting blocks 45 are connected to different positions of the second body 102b along the first direction Y1. In this way, when the first body 102a and the second body 102b rotate relative to the seat 11, they can drive the first swinging assembly 12 and the second swinging assembly 42 to rotate relative to the seat 11, so that the first door panel 14 and the second door panel 44 support the flexible screen 101.

[0230] See again Figure 6 In the folded state, the space (installation space Q3) between the middle frame 104 and the first swing arm 13 and the first connecting block 15 of the first swing assembly 12 away from the surface of one side of the flexible screen 101 is used to allow the external screen cable 108. Since the first protrusion 19 has been offset to the outside of the installation space Q3 through which the external screen cable 108 passes, during the rotation of the hinge assembly 10, the first protrusion 19 will not protrude and squeeze the external screen cable 108, thereby ensuring the normal use of the external screen cable 108.

[0231] The third swing arm 33 and the third connecting block 35 in this embodiment may adopt the same structure as the second swing arm 43 and the second connecting block 45 .

[0232] In other embodiments, if an avoidance design is also required at a third swing arm 33 and a third connecting block 35 or a second swing arm 43 and a second connecting block 45, the corresponding third swing arm 33 and a third connecting block 35 or a second swing arm 43 and a second connecting block 45 may also refer to the high-pair matching offset setting form of the first swing arm 13 and the first connecting block 15.

[0233] In summary, the hinge assembly 10 in this embodiment can prevent the hinge assembly 10 from squeezing other components through the offset first protrusion 19 and the first clearance channel K1, which is beneficial to reduce the reservation of additional clearance space in the thickness direction and facilitate the thinning design of the foldable device 100.

[0234] The above implementation modes are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the above preferred implementation modes, a person skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions of the present application may be modified or replaced by equivalents without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present application.

Claims

1. A hinge assembly for a foldable device, characterized in that: comprising a seat portion and a first swing assembly; The first swing assembly comprises: a first swing arm, the first swing arm comprising a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, the first connecting portion being rotatably connected to the seat portion; the second connecting portion defining a first clearance channel, the position of the first clearance channel being staggered relative to the first connecting portion along a first direction, the first direction being parallel to a rotation axis of the first connecting portion relative to the seat portion; a first door panel, wherein the first door panel has a first surface facing the second connecting portion, the first door panel is provided with a first protruding portion protruding from the first surface, the first protruding portion passes through the first clearance channel, and forms a high-pair fit with the second connecting portion at the first clearance channel; The first connecting block is movably connected to the first swing arm and the first door panel respectively.

2. The shaft assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second connecting portion includes a first corresponding portion and a first extending portion, the first corresponding portion is connected to an end of the first connecting portion away from the seat portion, and the first extending portion extends toward one side of the first corresponding portion along the first direction; The first clearance channel is arranged on the first extension portion.

3. The shaft assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first extension portion is connected with a sliding pin, and the first protrusion portion is provided with a sliding groove; The sliding pin is matched with the sliding groove and can rotate in the sliding groove or slide along the extension direction of the sliding groove, so that the first protruding part and the second connecting part form the high-pair fit.

4. The shaft assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The slide groove passes through the first protrusion along the first direction; The first extension portion is provided with a through slot serving as the first clearance passage, and the first protrusion can be movably matched with the through slot; The sliding pin is connected between the two side groove surfaces of the through groove. The sliding pin passes through the sliding groove and can rotate in the sliding groove or slide along the extension direction of the sliding groove.

5. The shaft assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: There are two slide grooves, and the two slide grooves are respectively formed by being recessed from two side surfaces of the first protrusion along the first direction; The first extension portion is provided with a through slot serving as the first clearance passage, and the first protrusion can be movably matched with the through slot; There are two sliding pins, which protrude from the two side groove surfaces of the through groove and extend into the two sliding grooves respectively, and the two sliding pins respectively form the high pair cooperation with the two sliding grooves.

6. The shaft assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: A side surface of the first extension portion away from the first connection portion along the first direction is a second surface, and a space at a position of the second surface of the first extension portion away from the first connection portion serves as the first clearance channel; The first protrusion is disposed on one side of the first extension portion and corresponds to the second surface; the slide groove is formed by being concavely formed from a side surface of the first protrusion close to the second surface; The sliding pin protrudes from the second surface and extends into the sliding groove to form the high pair fit with the sliding groove.

7. The shaft assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first corresponding portion and the first connecting portion are both symmetrical structures, and a symmetric plane of the first corresponding portion coincides with a symmetric plane of the first connecting portion, and the symmetric plane is perpendicular to the first direction.

8. The shaft assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that: The first connecting block is rotatably connected to one side of the first surface of the first door panel; The first swing arm further includes a third connecting portion, which is connected to a side of the first corresponding portion away from the first connecting portion; the third connecting portion is rotatably connected to the first connecting block.

9. The shaft assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that: The third connection portion is staggered relative to the first connection portion along a first direction.

10. The shaft assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second connection portion is offset relative to the first connection portion along the first direction, and the first clearance channel is located at a portion of the second connection portion that deviates from the first connection portion.

11. The shaft assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that: The first connecting block is rotatably connected to one side of the first surface of the first door panel; The first swing arm further includes a third connecting portion, which is connected to a side of the second connecting portion away from the first connecting portion; the third connecting portion is rotatably connected to the first connecting block.

12. The shaft assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that: The second connecting portion has a first arc surface facing the first connecting block, and the first connecting block has a second arc surface facing the second connecting portion. The first arc surface and the second arc surface cooperate to form a virtual rotation pair, and the rotation axis of the virtual rotation pair is coaxial with the rotation axis of the rotation connection between the third connecting portion and the first connecting block; when the rotating shaft assembly is in a folded state, the first swing arm is supported between the connecting portion and the seat portion.

13. The shaft assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The seat portion includes a shaft cover and a seat plate, wherein the seat plate is connected to the shaft cover and is provided with an arc groove; The first connecting portion comprises a sliding tongue, and the sliding tongue can be slidably matched with the arc groove, so that the first connecting portion can be rotatably matched with the seat portion with the central axis of the cylindrical surface defined by the arc groove as the rotation axis.

14. The shaft assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shaft assembly defines a mounting space, the mounting space being used to mount an object element of the foldable device; The installation space at least covers a portion of the second connection portion that faces the first connection portion.

15. The shaft assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first swing arm assembly also includes a third swing arm and a third connecting block; The first door panel is a strip-shaped plate-like structure extending along the first direction, and is used to support the flexible screen of the foldable device. The first door panel is provided with a first connection area and a second connection area sequentially arranged along the first direction; The first swing arm and the first connecting block are connected to the first connecting area; The third swing arm and the third connecting block are connected between the seat and the second connecting area, and are used to rotatably connect the third connecting block to the seat; The first connecting block and the third connecting block are respectively used to connect different positions of a side body of the foldable device spaced apart along the first direction.

16. The shaft assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating shaft assembly also includes a second swinging assembly, and the second swinging assembly and the first swinging assembly are respectively connected to two sides of the seat portion, and are used to respectively connect the two bodies of the foldable device.

17. The shaft assembly according to claim 16, characterized in that: The second swing assembly includes a second door panel, a second swing arm and a second connecting block; The second connecting block is rotatably connected to the second door panel, and one end of the second swing arm is rotatably connected to the seat portion, and the other end is rotatably connected to the second connecting block and forms a high-pair fit with the second door panel, so that the second connecting block can drive the second door panel to rotate relative to the second swing arm while rotating with the second swing arm relative to the seat portion.

18. A foldable device, characterized in that: include: The shaft assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 17; A first body and a second body, wherein the first body and the second body are respectively connected to two sides of the rotating shaft assembly to achieve relative folding or unfolding; the first body is connected to the first connecting block; A flexible screen covers the first body and the second body, and the flexible screen has a bendable portion, and the bendable portion is supported on the first door panel.

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