Hinge assembly and foldable electronic device

Abstract

The embodiment of the present application provides a hinge assembly and a foldable electronic device, wherein the hinge assembly includes: a first component, an insert, and a second component; the molding material of the first component is the first material, the molding material of the insert is the third material, the insert includes an insert body and an insert foot, and the insert body is coated in the first component; the insert foot and the second component are connected by welding. Through the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, the connection of components of different materials in the hinge assembly can be made more reliable and stable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present application relate to the field of terminal devices, and more specifically, to a hinge assembly and a foldable electronic device. Background Art

[0002] The hinge assembly can be widely used in foldable electronic devices, such as foldable mobile phones, foldable laptops, etc. In order to meet the requirements of different parts in the hinge, such as improving strength and reducing costs, unconventional materials such as amorphous metals are increasingly used in the hinge.

[0003] However, due to the material properties, the connection between unconventional material components and traditional metal material components represented by iron-based alloys can only be fastened by screws. However, screws have problems such as insufficient fastening force and poor long-term reliability. Summary of the invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide a hinge assembly and a foldable electronic device, which can make the connection between components made of materials of different properties in the hinge assembly more reliable and stable.

[0005] In a first aspect, a shaft assembly is provided, comprising: a first component, an insert and a second component; the molding material of the first component is a first material, the molding material of the insert is a third material, the first material and the third material are different, the insert comprises an insert body and an insert foot, the insert body is covered in the first component; the insert foot and the second component are connected by welding.

[0006] The number of inserts can be one or more.

[0007] In this embodiment, the first component covers the insert body to be connected to the insert, and the second component is connected to the insert by welding with the insert pin, so that the first component and the second component can be connected through the insert. In addition, the welding reliability is high, and the two components are not easily displaced when connected.

[0008] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first component is a die-cast component or an injection-molded component.

[0009] The insert is a prefabricated component, which is formed before the first component is formed. The first component can be formed by die casting or injection molding, and thus connected with the insert through the die casting or injection molding process.

[0010] Optionally, the first component and the insert may also be connected by, for example, additive manufacturing, powder metallurgy, or the like.

[0011] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the shaft assembly further includes a threaded connector, and the threaded connector is used to connect the first component and the second component.

[0012] By adding a threaded connector on the basis of the insert to directly connect the first component with the second component, the connection between the first component and the second component can be made more reliable.

[0013] Optionally, the shaft assembly further includes a snap-fit ​​connector, and two parts constituting the snap-fit ​​connector can be respectively arranged on the first component and the second component and molded simultaneously with the first component and the second component, thereby increasing the connection reliability between the first component and the second component.

[0014] The snap connector and the threaded connector may exist separately or may be provided together in the shaft assembly as a way of connecting the first component and the second component.

[0015] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first component includes a through hole, the second component includes a screw hole, the threaded connector is a screw, and the threaded connector passes through the through hole and cooperates with the screw hole of the second component to connect the first component and the second component.

[0016] Optionally, screw holes may be provided in both the first component and the second component, so that screws cooperate with the screw holes to connect the first component and the second component.

[0017] Optionally, the threaded connector may also be a bolt and a nut. Corresponding through holes may be provided in the first component and the second component. The bolt may pass through the through hole and cooperate with the nut to connect the first component and the second component.

[0018] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the surface roughness of the insert body may be greater than a first preset threshold.

[0019] For example, the surface of the insert body can be made rough by processing patterns on the surface of the insert body or performing operations such as frosting. In this way, when the first component is formed by covering the surface of the insert body, the insertion body has a strong bonding force with the first component and is not easy to separate from the first component.

[0020] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the extension direction of the first component and the second component is a first direction, the first direction is the axial direction of the rotating shaft assembly, the insert body is sheet-shaped, the thickness direction of the insert body is a second direction, the end of the insert foot away from the insert body includes a connecting portion, the connecting portion is connected to the second component by welding, the extension direction of the connecting portion is parallel to the second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0021] In this embodiment, the extension direction of the connecting portion of the insert clip is parallel to the second direction, so that the first component and the second component are connected along the second direction. Since the thickness direction of the insert body is the second direction, the insert body and the connecting portion are roughly at right angles, making it difficult for the first component and the second component to separate along the second direction.

[0022] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the number of the inserts is multiple, the insert body includes a first end and a second end relative to each other along a third direction, the first end is an end connected to the insert clip, the multiple inserts include a first type of inserts and a second type of inserts, the second ends of the insert bodies in the first type of inserts and the second type of inserts extend in opposite directions, and the third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

[0023] In this embodiment, since the two types of inserts are arranged in opposite ways, the first component and the second component are not easily offset along one side of the third axial direction, so that the connection between the first component and the second component is tighter.

[0024] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the insert includes at least two insert clamping feet.

[0025] When the number of the insert pins increases, the number of welding positions between the second component and the insert increases, so that the connection between the first component and the second component is tighter.

[0026] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the insert foot and the second component are welded by fusion welding.

[0027] The connection reliability of fusion welding is higher. Optionally, the connection between the insert foot and the second component can also be made by brazing or other welding methods.

[0028] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the second component includes a slot corresponding to the insert pin, and the insert pin at least partially enters the slot.

[0029] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the insert is arranged in a mold, and the first component is molded by covering an outer surface of an insert body of the insert and is demolded from the mold together with the insert.

[0030] In this embodiment, the first component is formed by covering the surface of the insert body through a die-casting process or an injection molding process, so that the first component and the insert can be reliably connected.

[0031] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first material is any one of the following: amorphous metal, ceramic material, aluminum-based metal or alloy, carbon fiber material, zirconium-based metal or alloy, titanium-based metal or alloy, plastic material, zinc-based metal or alloy, magnesium-based metal or alloy.

[0032] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the third material is any one of the following: iron-based metal or alloy, titanium-based metal or alloy, copper-based metal or alloy, aluminum-based metal or alloy, and plastic material.

[0033] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, a molding material of the second component is a second material, and the second material is the same as the third material.

[0034] In a second aspect, a foldable electronic device is provided, comprising a hinge assembly as described in the first aspect or any implementation manner of the first aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a foldable electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0036] Figure 2 A possible folding state of a foldable electronic device is shown.

[0037] Figure 3 An exploded view of a rotating shaft assembly provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0038] Figure 4 Shows the corresponding Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the shaft assembly is shown.

[0039] Figure 5 An exploded view of a rotating shaft assembly provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0040] Figure 6 Shows the corresponding Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the shaft assembly is shown.

[0041] Figure 7 A schematic flow chart of a method for manufacturing a rotating shaft assembly provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0043] In the embodiments of the present application, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined as "first" and "second" may sensibly or implicitly include one or more features. In addition, in the description of the embodiments of the present application, "multiple" refers to two or more than two, "at least one" and "one or more" refer to one, two or more. The singular expressions "one", "a kind of", "said", "above", "the" and "this" are intended to also include expressions such as "one or more", unless there is a clear indication to the contrary in the context.

[0044] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" etc. described in this specification mean that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiment is included in one or more embodiments of the present application. Thus, the phrases "in one embodiment", "in some embodiments", "in some other embodiments", "in some other embodiments", etc. that appear at different places in this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but mean "one or more but not all embodiments", unless otherwise specifically emphasized in other ways. The terms "including", "comprising", "having" and their variations all mean "including but not limited to", unless otherwise specifically emphasized in other ways.

[0045] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the directions or positional relationships indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "inside", "outside", etc. are defined relative to the directions or positions of the components schematically placed in the drawings. It should be understood that these directional terms are relative concepts. They are used for relative description and clarification, rather than indicating or implying that the device or component referred to must have a specific direction, or be constructed and operated in a specific direction. They may change accordingly according to the changes in the directions of the components placed in the drawings, and therefore cannot be understood as limitations on the present application.

[0046] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram of a foldable electronic device 100 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The foldable electronic device 100 may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a watch, an e-reader, a laptop computer, a wearable device, or other electronic device with a folding function. Figure 1 The illustrated embodiment is described by taking a foldable mobile phone as an example.

[0047] refer to Figure 1The foldable electronic device 100 may include a flexible display screen 110, a first side frame 121, a first cover 122, a second side frame 123, a second cover 124, and a hinge assembly 125. In some embodiments, the first side frame 121, the first cover 122, the second side frame 123, and the second cover 124 may form a first housing 126 and a second housing 127 that support the flexible display screen 110. In other embodiments, at least one of the first cover 122 and the second cover 124 may be provided with a display screen.

[0048] Figure 1 The dot matrix pattern filled in the figure can schematically represent the flexible display screen 110. The flexible display screen 110 can have the characteristics of strong flexibility and bendability, and can provide users with a new interaction method based on the bendable characteristics. The display panel of the flexible display screen 110 can, for example, adopt any one of a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), an active-matrix organic light-emitting diode or an active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED), a flexible light-emitting diode (FLED), a quantum dot light-emitting diode (QLED), etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0049] The flexible display screen 110 may include a first display portion 111 corresponding to the first housing 126 and a second display portion 112 corresponding to the second housing 127 .

[0050] The first side frame 121 may surround the outer periphery of the first cover 122 and the outer periphery of the first display portion 111. The first display portion 111 may be arranged in parallel with the first cover 122, and the first display portion 111 and the first cover 122 may be located on both sides of the first side frame 121. The space between the first display portion 111 and the first cover 122 may be used to arrange components of the foldable electronic device 100, such as an antenna, a circuit board assembly, etc.

[0051] The second side frame 123 may surround the outer periphery of the second cover 124 and the outer periphery of the second display portion 112. The second display portion 112 may be arranged in parallel and spaced apart from the second cover 124, and the second display portion 112 and the second cover 124 may be located on both sides of the second side frame 123. The space between the second display portion 112 and the second cover 124 may be used to arrange components of the foldable electronic device 100, such as an antenna, a circuit board assembly, etc.

[0052] The shaft assembly 125 may be connected between the first housing 126 and the second housing 127 .

[0053] Figure 2 A possible folding state of the foldable electronic device 100 is shown. Figure 2 The inward folded state of the foldable electronic device 100 is shown (the inward folded state may be simply referred to as the inward folded state). Figure 2 The inward folding state shown may be, for example, a left-right inward folding state or a top-bottom inward folding state.

[0054] The shaft assembly includes multiple parts. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The foldable electronic device shown is taken as an example. Figure 1 Schematically shows that the shaft assembly 125 includes a main shaft 1251 and a third cover 1252, wherein the main shaft can be the main body of the shaft assembly, and the third cover 1252 is a cover corresponding to the main shaft 1251. The main shaft 1251 and the third cover 1252 can be a single component or a component composed of multiple components. In order to fully utilize the properties of different materials, in addition to traditional iron-based metal material components, other material components are also widely used in the shaft assembly, such as amorphous metal materials, ceramic materials, plastic materials and other components.

[0055] Due to the properties of components made of different materials, these components can only be fastened by means of screws, snaps, etc. However, these connection methods have problems such as insufficient fastening force and poor long-term reliability.

[0056] The present application provides a shaft assembly, which can make the connection between different components more reliable when the shaft assembly uses components made of materials of different properties.

[0057] Figure 3 An exploded view of a shaft assembly provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown. Figure 4 Shown with Figure 3 The corresponding schematic cross-sectional diagram. Figure 3 As shown, the shaft assembly includes a first component 310 , a second component 320 and an insert 330 .

[0058] The first component 310 and the second component 320 may be two components that need to be connected in the shaft assembly. The present application does not illustrate the detailed structure of the first component 310 and the second component 320, but only shows the connection structure between the first component 310, the second component 320 and the insert 330 in the shaft assembly. The figure takes the number of inserts 330 as 4 as an example to introduce the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application. The number of inserts 330 in the shaft assembly can be set according to requirements.

[0059] The molding material of the first component 310 is the first material, and the molding material of the insert 330 is the third material. The insert 330 includes an insert body 332 and an insert foot 334. The insert body 332 is covered in the first component 310, and the insert foot 334 is connected to the second component 320 by welding.

[0060] The first material and the third material are not the same material. The first component 310 may be a die casting or an injection molded component, and the insert 330 may be a preformed component formed before the first component 310 is formed, and a part of the insert 330 (the insert body 332) may be enclosed in the first component 310 by insert molding technology or a die casting process.

[0061] The insert 330 may be a component formed by at least one process such as casting, die casting, forging, rolling, drawing, extrusion, stamping, turning, sintering, etc. The insert 330 may also be formed by other processes, and the present application does not specifically limit the forming process of the insert 330.

[0062] When the first component 310 is a die-casting, the first material can be an alloy or a metal, the insert 330 is pre-fixed in the die-casting mold, the molten alloy solution or metal solution (first material) is injected into the die-casting mold and coated on the insert body 332 to form the first component 310, so that the insert 330 and the first component 310 can be fixed by die-casting.

[0063] When the first component 310 is an injection molded part, the first material can be a plastic material, and the insert 330 is pre-fixed in the injection mold. After the molten plastic material (first material) is injected into the mold, it can be coated on the insert body 332 to form, so that the insert 330 and the first component 310 can be fixed through the injection molding process.

[0064] Optionally, the first component 310 and the insert 330 may also be formed by other methods, such as selective laser sintering, additive manufacturing, powder metallurgy, etc. The insert 330 may be pre-fixed at a preset position in the molding chamber so that the first component 310 is covered on the surface of the insert 330 for molding.

[0065] In the embodiment of the present application, the roughness of the insert body 332 can be greater than a preset threshold. For example, a pattern or other structure can be machined on the surface of the insert body 332 by mechanical processing, so that when the first component 310 is coated on the surface of the insert body 332 for molding, it can be more closely combined with the insert body 332.

[0066] The first material of the first component 310 can be any one of amorphous metal or alloy, ceramic material, glass material, aluminum-based metal or alloy, carbon fiber material, zirconium-based metal or alloy, titanium-based metal or alloy, plastic material, zinc-based metal or alloy, magnesium-based metal or alloy, etc.

[0067] Among them, amorphous metals or alloys are also called "metallic glasses". Due to the unique disordered arrangement structure of the atoms that make up the metals or alloys, they have excellent physical and chemical properties different from ordinary crystalline metal materials, such as high yield strength, high hardness, high elastic limit, high wear resistance, high corrosion resistance, excellent casting performance, etc.

[0068] Amorphous metals or alloys mainly include iron-based amorphous metals or alloys, cobalt-based amorphous metals or alloys, nickel-based amorphous metals or alloys, zirconium-based amorphous metals or alloys, rare earth-based amorphous metals or alloys, copper-based amorphous metals or alloys, titanium-based amorphous metals or alloys, etc.

[0069] When the first material is an amorphous metal or alloy, when the first component is formed, the amorphous metal or alloy material is injected into a die-casting mold fixed with a third material preform (insert 330), and cooled at a critical cooling rate greater than the amorphous alloy so that the first component is covered on the surface of the insert 330 to form.

[0070] The plastic material may include free polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyvinyl alcohol, polypropylene, polybutylene, polyisobutylene, polyoxymethylene, polyamide, polycarbonate, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, epoxy resin, phenolic resin, polyurethane, rubber, etc.

[0071] The ceramic material may include metal oxide ceramics, such as aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide ceramics, and the like.

[0072] The first material may also be a composite material, such as a ceramic-plastic composite material.

[0073] The melting point of the insert 330 may be higher than the melting point of the first component 310 , so that the insert 330 does not generate significant deformation or melt during the high-temperature molding process of the first component 310 .

[0074] The molding material of the second component 320 is the second material, and the second material can be any one of iron-based metal or alloy, titanium-based metal or alloy, copper-based metal or alloy, aluminum-based metal or alloy, and plastic material.

[0075] The first material and the second material may be difficult to weld, for example, the welding conditions are strict, the welding reliability is poor, etc., so that it is difficult to directly connect the first component 310 to the second component 320 by welding.

[0076] The third material may be any one of iron-based metal or alloy, titanium-based metal or alloy, copper-based metal or alloy, aluminum-based metal or alloy, and plastic material.

[0077] The second material and the third material may be easy to weld, for example, the welding conditions are loose, the welding strength is high, etc., so that the welding reliability of the second component 320 and the insert 330 is high.

[0078] The second material may be the same material as or a different material from the third material.

[0079] When the second material and the third material are different materials, illustratively, the second material may be an iron-based metal or alloy, and the third material may be a copper-based metal or alloy; or the second material may be a copper-based metal or alloy, and the third material may be an iron-based metal or alloy.

[0080] Of course, the second material and the third material may be the same type of alloy, but the proportions of the components in the alloy are different.

[0081] When the third material and the second material are the same material, the second material and the third material can be the same material selected from iron-based metals or alloys, titanium-based metals or alloys, copper-based metals or alloys, aluminum-based metals or alloys, and plastic materials.

[0082] In this way, the first material-the second material-the third material may include a variety of combinations. Taking the second material and the third material as the same material as an example, schematically, the first material-the second material-the third material combination may be any one of the following: amorphous metal-iron-based metal or alloy-iron-based metal or alloy, amorphous metal-titanium-based metal or alloy-titanium-based metal or alloy, amorphous metal-copper-based metal or alloy-copper-based metal or alloy, amorphous metal-aluminum-based metal or alloy-aluminum-based metal or alloy, plastic material-iron-based metal or alloy-iron-based metal or alloy, plastic material-titanium-based metal or alloy-titanium-based metal or alloy, plastic material-copper-based metal or alloy-copper-based metal or alloy, plastic material-aluminum-based metal or alloy-aluminum-based metal or alloy.

[0083] Optionally, the first material-second material-third material combination can be any one of the following: magnesium-based metal or alloy-iron-based metal or alloy-iron-based metal or alloy, magnesium-based metal or alloy-titanium-based metal or alloy-titanium-based metal or alloy, magnesium-based metal or alloy-aluminum-based metal or alloy-aluminum-based metal or alloy; zinc-based metal or alloy-iron-based metal or alloy-iron-based metal or alloy, zinc-based metal or alloy-titanium-based metal or alloy-titanium-based metal or alloy, zinc-based metal or alloy-copper-based metal or alloy-copper-based metal or alloy, zinc-based metal or alloy-copper-based metal or alloy Metal or alloy-aluminum-based metal or alloy-aluminum-based metal or alloy; aluminum-based metal or alloy-iron-based metal or alloy-iron-based metal or alloy, aluminum-based metal or alloy-titanium-based metal or alloy-titanium-based metal or alloy, aluminum-based metal or alloy-copper-based metal or alloy-copper-based metal or alloy; carbon fiber material-iron-based metal or alloy-iron-based metal or alloy, carbon fiber material-titanium-based metal or alloy-titanium-based metal or alloy, carbon fiber material-copper-based metal or alloy-copper-based metal or alloy, carbon fiber material-aluminum-based metal or alloy-aluminum-based metal or alloy.

[0084] In the embodiment of the present application, the insert 330 may include at least two insert pins 334, thereby enhancing the welding reliability of the insert 330 and the second component 320. The more insert pins 334 of the insert 330, the higher the welding reliability of the insert 330 and the second component 320.

[0085] The second component 320 may include a slot 322 corresponding to each insert foot 334 . During welding, the insert foot 334 extends into the corresponding slot 322 , so that welding is performed between the insert foot 334 and the slot 322 to form a weld.

[0086] The second component 320 may also not have a groove corresponding to the insert pin 334 , and the insert pin 334 may be directly welded to the second component 320 .

[0087] like Figure 3 As shown, the first component 310 and the second component 320 can extend in the axial direction of the rotating shaft assembly (first direction or x direction). The insert body 332 can be in sheet shape, and the thickness direction of the insert body 332 can be in the second direction (z direction). The end (free end) of the insert foot 334 away from the insert body 332 can include a connecting portion 3341, and the extending direction of the connecting portion 3341 can be parallel to the second direction, that is, the connecting portion 3341 of the insert body 332 and the insert foot 334 can be perpendicular to each other. When the insert 330 and the second component 320 are welded, the connecting portion 3341 of the insert 330 can be connected to the second component 320 by welding, so that the first component 310 and the second component 320 are connected as a whole along the second direction (z direction), thereby improving the connection reliability of the first component 310 and the second component 320 along the z direction.

[0088] The insert foot 334 may further include a transition portion at one end close to the insert body 332, and the extension direction of the transition portion may not be parallel to the second direction, that is, the extension direction of the transition portion is not perpendicular to the insert body 332, thereby reducing the local stress concentration of the insert 330 and improving the connection reliability between the insert 330 and the first component 310 and the second component 320.

[0089] like Figure 4 As shown, after the first component 310 and the second component 320 are connected by the insert 330, the insert body 332 is covered in the first component 310, and part of the insert foot 334 extends into the slot 322 of the second component 320 and is connected to the second component 320 by welding. Since the first component 310 and the insert 330 are connected by die casting or injection molding, and the insert 330 and the second component 320 are connected by welding, the connection reliability of the first component 310 and the second component 320 is high.

[0090] In the embodiments of the present application, Figure 3 As shown, the insert body 332 may include a first end 3321 and a second end 3322 opposite to each other along the third direction (y direction), and the first end 3321 may be an end of the insert body 332 connected to the insert foot 334. When there are multiple inserts 330, the inserts 330 may be arranged in two ways to form a first type of insert 330-1 and a second type of insert 330-2. The second ends 3322 of the first type of insert 330-1 and the second type of insert 330-2 extend in opposite directions, and the second end 3322 is the free end of the insert body 332. The extension direction of the second end 3322 is the extension direction from the first end 3321 to the second end 3322 on the insert body 332.

[0091] In this way, the insert foot 334 is avoided from being set on one side of the second component 320 along the third direction (y direction), reducing the possibility of the first component 310 and the second component 320 tipping axially toward one side of the third direction, thereby improving the reliability of the connection between the first component 310 and the second component 320.

[0092] Of course, in the embodiment of the present application, the insert foot 334 may be arranged not only at the first end 3321 of the insert body 332, for example, the first end 3321 and the second end 3322 of the insert body 332 may be provided with the insert foot 334, and the insert foot 334 may be arranged in a manner. The insert foot 334 may also be arranged not at one end of the insert body 332, but at the middle of the sheet-like insert body 332.

[0093] and, Figure 3The first type of insert 330-1 and the second type of insert 330-2 have the same structure, but are arranged differently in the first component 310 and the second component 320. In actual situations, the first type of insert 330-1 and the second type of insert 330-2 can be arranged as inserts with different structures as required, or inserts with more structures can be arranged as required, so that the connection between the first component 310 and the second component 320 is more reliable.

[0094] The insert 330 and the second component 320 may be welded by fusion welding, thereby improving the reliability of welding; optionally, the insert 330 and the second component 320 may be welded by other welding methods such as brazing, which is not limited in the present application.

[0095] In order to further increase the reliability of the connection between the first component 310 and the second component 320 , in addition to the connection through the insert 330 , a threaded connection may also be provided in the shaft assembly. Figure 5 is an exploded view of another rotating shaft assembly provided in an embodiment of the present application, Figure 6 The embodiment of the present application provides Figure 5 Cross-sectional view of .

[0096] like Figure 5 As shown, the number of threaded connectors 340 may be one or more, and multiple threaded connectors 340 may be dispersedly arranged along the axial direction of the shaft assembly, so that the first component 310 and the second component 320 are further connected by the threaded connectors 340. The threaded connectors 340 may be screws, bolts, nuts, etc.

[0097] See also Figure 6 The cross-sectional view shows the structure of the threaded connector 340 on the left side. Taking the threaded connector 340 as a screw as an example, a through hole can be set in the first component 310, and the through hole can be interference fit with the screw. The second component 320 can be provided with a screw hole that cooperates with the thread of the screw. The screw passes through the through hole of the first component 310 and cooperates with the screw hole to connect the first component 310 and the second component 320.

[0098] Optionally, screw holes may be provided in both the first component 310 and the second component 320 .

[0099] When the threaded connector 340 is a bolt and a nut or other forms of threaded connectors, corresponding through holes or screw holes may also be provided in the first component 310 and the second component 320, so that the connection between the first component 310 and the second component 320 is more reliable.

[0100] The number and position distribution of the threaded connectors 340 and the inserts 330 can be set according to actual needs, so as to achieve a balance between improving the reliability of the connection between the first component and the second component and ensuring the base strength of the first component 310 and the second component 320 (providing through holes, screw holes, slots, etc. on the first component 310 and the second component 320 may reduce the strength of the first component 310 and the second component 320).

[0101] In the embodiment of the present application, the shaft assembly may further include at least one snap-on connector, which may be in different forms, for example, the snap-on connector may include two buckles that cooperate with each other; for another example, the snap-on connector may include a buckle and a bayonet. Schematically, when the first component 310 and the second component 320 are formed, corresponding buckles may be formed respectively, and the buckles on the first component 310 and the second component 320 may cooperate with each other, so that the first component 310 and the second component 320 can be snap-connected by the buckle.

[0102] The snap connector and the threaded connector 340 may be provided separately or together in the shaft assembly as a means of connecting the first component 310 and the second component 320 to each other.

[0103] Not limited to the above-mentioned snap connectors and threaded connectors, the first component 310 and the second component 320 may also be connected in other ways, which is not limited in the present application.

[0104] Illustratively, the first component 310 may be a cover body, for example, when the foldable electronic device is folded inward, the two display screen back covers are arranged on one side of the cover body corresponding to the hinge assembly, and the cover body may be made of the same or similar material as the back covers corresponding to the two display screens, thereby improving the overall aesthetics of the foldable electronic device. The second component 320 may be a main axis, which may be used to support the unfolding or folding operation of the foldable electronic device.

[0105] Alternatively, the first component 310 may be a bracket that may be connected to a middle frame of the foldable electronic device, and the second component 320 may be a swing arm that enables the bracket to move around a main axis, thereby enabling the foldable electronic device to unfold or fold as the bracket moves.

[0106] The first component 310 and the second component 320 may also be other components in the shaft assembly, which is not limited in the present application.

[0107] Figure 7 FIG. 1 is a schematic flow chart of a method for manufacturing a rotating shaft assembly provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 7 As shown, the method includes:

[0108] S710, setting an insert in the mold.

[0109] The mold can be a die-casting mold or an injection mold. The insert is fixed at a predetermined position of the mold, and the number of the inserts can be set according to demand.

[0110] S720, injecting a first material into the mold.

[0111] The insert body will contact the molten first material, so that the first material is coated on the surface of the insert body to form a shape, the first material is formed into a first component in the mold, and the first component is coated on the surface of the insert body to form a shape. The insert foot does not contact the molten first material, so that the insert foot can be exposed outside the first component, which is convenient for welding with the second component. The melting point of the third material of the insert molding can be higher than the melting point of the first material, so that during the molding process of the first component, the insert will not melt or deform significantly due to high temperature.

[0112] S730, demolding the first component and the insert from the mold.

[0113] During demoulding, the first component and the insert are demoulded from the mold together, and the first component and the insert are tightly combined due to the molding process of the first component.

[0114] S740, welding the insert to the second component.

[0115] The insert foot of the insert can extend into the slot of the second component, and a weld can be formed along the insert foot and the slot during welding, so that the second component is combined with the insert. In this way, the first component and the second component can be connected through the insert.

[0116] Optionally, the reliability of the connection between the first component and the second component may be further enhanced by at least one of a threaded connector, a snap connector or other forms of connectors.

[0117] The present application also provides a foldable electronic device, including: Figure 3 or Figure 5 The shaft assembly shown.

[0118] 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 rotating shaft assembly, characterized in that: include: A first component (310), an insert (330), and a second component (320); The molding material of the first component (310) is a first material, the molding material of the insert (330) is a third material, the first material and the third material are different, the insert (330) comprises an insert body (332) and an insert foot (334), and the insert body (332) is covered in the first component (310); The insert clamping foot (334) and the second component (320) are connected by welding.

2. The shaft assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first component (310) is a die-cast component or an injection-molded component.

3. The shaft assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The rotating shaft assembly further comprises a threaded connection member (340), wherein the threaded connection member (340) is used to connect the first component (310) and the second component (320).

4. The shaft assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first component (310) includes a through hole, the second component (320) includes a screw hole, the threaded connector (340) is a screw, and the threaded connector (340) passes through the through hole and cooperates with the screw hole of the second component (320) to connect the first component (310) and the second component (320).

5. The shaft assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The extension direction of the first component (310) and the second component (320) is a first direction, the first direction is the axial direction of the rotating shaft assembly, the insert body (332) is sheet-shaped, the thickness direction of the insert body (332) is a second direction, the end of the insert foot (334) away from the insert body (332) includes a connecting portion (3341), the connecting portion (3341) is connected to the second component (320) by welding, the extension direction of the connecting portion (3341) is parallel to the second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

6. The shaft assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: There are multiple inserts (330), and the insert body (332) includes a first end (3321) and a second end (3322) along a third direction, wherein the first end (3321) is an end connected to the insert foot (334). The multiple inserts (330) include a first type of insert (330-1) and a second type of insert (330-2). The second end (3322) of the insert body (332) in the first type of insert (330-1) and the second type of insert (330-2) extend in opposite directions, and the third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

7. The shaft assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The insert (330) includes at least two insert clamping feet (334).

8. The shaft assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The insert clamping foot (334) and the second component (320) are welded by fusion welding.

9. The shaft assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The second component (320) comprises a slot (322) corresponding to the insert pin (334), and the insert pin (334) at least partially enters the slot (322).

10. The shaft assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: By arranging the insert (330) in the mold, the first component (310) is molded by covering the outer surface of the insert body (332) of the insert (330) and is demoulded from the mold together with the insert (330).

11. The shaft assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The first material is any one of the following: amorphous metal, ceramic material, aluminum-based metal or alloy, carbon fiber material, zirconium-based metal or alloy, titanium-based metal or alloy, plastic material, zinc-based metal or alloy, magnesium-based metal or alloy.

12. The shaft assembly according to claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The third material is any one of the following: iron-based metal or alloy, titanium-based metal or alloy, copper-based metal or alloy, aluminum-based metal or alloy, and plastic material.

13. The shaft assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that: The molding material of the second component (320) is a second material, and the second material is the same as the third material.

14. A foldable electronic device, characterized in that: The invention comprises a rotating shaft assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13.

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