Folding device, shell assembly and electronic equipment

Abstract

The invention provides a folding device, a shell assembly and electronic equipment. The folding device comprises a base assembly, a rotating part and a sliding assembly. The base assembly comprises a base and a friction piece fixed to the base, the rotating piece is rotationally connected with the base, the sliding assembly is rotationally connected with the rotating piece and can slide relative to the base, and the sliding assembly abuts against the friction piece. When the rotating piece rotates relative to the base, the sliding assembly slides relative to the base and rubs with the friction piece. Meanwhile, the sliding assembly abuts against the friction piece, so that friction force is generated by mutual friction between the sliding assembly and the friction piece in the process that the sliding assembly slides relative to the base, and the friction force is transmitted to the rotating piece, so that the torsion of the rotating piece in the folding device is improved. Through mutual cooperation of the base assembly, the rotating part and the sliding assembly, the torsion of the folding device can be improved on the premise that the size of the folding device is not increased, and the requirement for miniaturization of the folding device is met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of folding devices, and in particular relates to a folding device, a housing assembly and an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] Competition in the mobile terminal industry is increasingly trending towards large screens and ultra-thin devices, but large screens make the entire device too large and inconvenient to carry. Foldable electronic devices can solve the above problem by changing the size of the electronic device due to their folding function, and are now popular with a large number of users. Electronic devices rely on folding devices to achieve the folding function, but as the folding device becomes smaller, the torque of the folding device decreases. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of this, the first aspect of the present application provides a folding device, comprising:

[0004] A base assembly, comprising a base and a friction member fixed to the base;

[0005] A rotating member, rotatably connected to the base; and

[0006] A sliding assembly, rotatably connected to the rotating member and capable of sliding relative to the base, wherein the sliding assembly abuts against the friction member;

[0007] Wherein, when the rotating member rotates relative to the base, the sliding assembly slides relative to the base and rubs against the friction member.

[0008] In the folding device provided in the first aspect of the present application, the rotating member is rotatably connected to the base to realize the unfolding and folding of the folding device. In the present application, a sliding component is added and the sliding component is rotatably connected to the rotating component, so that when the rotating component rotates relative to the base, the rotating component can also drive the sliding component to rotate relative to the rotating component, and the rotational cooperation between the rotating component and the sliding component can enable the sliding component to slide relative to the base. At the same time, since the sliding component abuts against the friction component, the sliding component and the friction component will rub against each other during the sliding process relative to the base, thereby generating friction force, and the friction force will be transmitted to the rotating component to increase the torque of the rotating component in the folding device.

[0009] In summary, the present application can improve the torque of the folding device without increasing the size of the folding device through the mutual cooperation of the base assembly, the rotating member, and the sliding assembly, thereby meeting the demand for miniaturization of the folding device.

[0010] A second aspect of the present application provides a shell assembly, which includes a first shell, a second shell, and a folding device as provided in the first aspect of the present application, and the folding device is connected between the first shell and the second shell.

[0011] The shell assembly provided in the second aspect of the present application can improve the torque of the shell assembly without increasing the size of the folding device by adopting the folding device provided in the first aspect of the present application.

[0012] A third aspect of the present application provides an electronic device, comprising a flexible screen and a shell assembly as provided in the second aspect of the present application, wherein the flexible screen is arranged on the same side of the first shell, the second shell, and the folding device.

[0013] The electronic device provided in the third aspect of the present application can improve the torque of the electronic device without increasing the size of the folding device by adopting the shell assembly provided in the second aspect of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the implementation modes of the present application, the drawings required for use in the implementation modes of the present application will be described below.

[0015] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the folding device in an embodiment of the present application when it is in an unfolded state.

[0016] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A top view of the folding device is shown.

[0017] Figure 3 In another embodiment of the present application Figure 1 A top view of the folding device is shown.

[0018] Figure 4 for Figure 1 An exploded view of the folding device is shown.

[0019] Figure 5 for Figure 4 An exploded view of the folding device from another perspective is shown.

[0020] Figure 6 for Figure 1 The shown schematic partial cross-sectional view of the folding device along the AA direction.

[0021] Figure 7 for Figure 1 The cross-sectional schematic diagram of the folding device shown is along the BB direction.

[0022] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the folding device in one embodiment of the present application when it is in a folded state.

[0023] Fig. 9 for Figure 8 The shown schematic partial cross-sectional view of the folding device along the CC direction.

[0024] Fig.10 It is an exploded view of the base assembly in one embodiment of the present application.

[0025] Fig.11 for Figure 1 The schematic partial cross-sectional view along the AA direction when the sliding assembly in the folding device cooperates with the first friction member is shown.

[0026] Fig.12 for Fig.11 A partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of a base assembly in the folding device is shown.

[0027] Fig.13 for Fig.11 A partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the base and sliding assembly in the folding device is shown.

[0028] Fig.14 In another embodiment of the present application Fig.11 A partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of a base assembly in the folding device is shown.

[0029] Fig.15 In another embodiment of the present application Figure 1 The schematic partial cross-sectional view along the AA direction when the sliding assembly in the folding device cooperates with the first friction member is shown.

[0030] Fig.16 This is a top view of the folding device in another embodiment of the present application when it is in an unfolded state.

[0031] Fig.17 for Fig.16 An exploded view of the folding device is shown.

[0032] Fig.18 This is a top view of the folding device in another embodiment of the present application when it is in a folded state.

[0033] Fig.19 It is an exploded schematic diagram of a portion of a base, a second friction member, and a driven member in one embodiment of the present application.

[0034] Fig. 20 for Fig.16 The shown schematic partial cross-sectional view of the folding device along the DD direction.

[0035] Fig.21 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a folding device in another embodiment of the present application when it is in an unfolded state.

[0036] Fig. 22 for Fig.21 An exploded view of the folding device is shown.

[0037] Fig.23 for Fig. 22An exploded view of a track mechanism in a folding device is shown.

[0038] Fig.24 for Fig.21 A front view of the folding device is shown.

[0039] Fig.25 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a folding device in another embodiment of the present application when it is in a folded state.

[0040] Fig.26 for Fig.25 A front view of the folding device is shown.

[0041] Fig. 27 It is a schematic diagram of the coordination of the base, the first rotating member, the second rotating member and the connecting member in one embodiment of the present application.

[0042] Fig.28 It is an exploded schematic diagram of the base, the second rotating member and the connecting member in one embodiment of the present application.

[0043] Fig.29 It is a schematic diagram of the exploded view of the second rotating member and part of the supporting member in one embodiment of the present application.

[0044] Fig.30 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the base, the second rotating member and the supporting member when the folding device is in an unfolded state in one embodiment of the present application.

[0045] Fig.31 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the base, the second rotating member and the supporting member when the folding device is in a folded state in one embodiment of the present application.

[0046] Fig.32 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the shell assembly in an embodiment of the present application when it is in an unfolded state.

[0047] Fig.33 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the shell assembly in one embodiment of the present application when it is in a folded state.

[0048] Fig.34 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of an electronic device in an unfolded state according to one embodiment of the present application.

[0049] Fig.35 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of an electronic device in a folded state according to one embodiment of the present application.

[0050] Description of labels:

[0051] Folding device-1, screen space-1a, track mechanism-1b, shell component-2, electronic device-3, base component-10', base-10, bottom surface-100, top surface-101, first receiving groove-102, receiving space-103, mounting portion-104, second receiving groove-105, fixing groove-106, protrusion-107, first rotation axis-C1, second rotation axis-C2, rotation axis-11, friction member-12', first friction member-12, friction portion-121, fixing portion-122, fixing hole-1220, elastic member-13, second friction member-14, rotating member-20', receiving groove-200, first helical surface-201, sliding component-20, sliding member-21, second helical surface-210, first sub-sliding member-211, first sub-sliding member-212 Second sub-sliding member -212, elastic part -213, wrapping part -214, extending part -215, linkage part -22, follower -23, protrusion -230, first rotating member -30, second rotating member -40, sliding block -42, first rolling axis -43, connecting member -50, back side -500, sliding groove -52, supporting member -60, supporting part -61, supporting surface -610, rolling part -62, first rolling groove -620, first limiting end -621, second limiting end -622, first connecting part -623, second connecting part -624, bearing member -70, first cam member -71, second cam member -72, spring -73, decorative member -80, first shell -91, second shell -92, flexible screen -93, bending area -930, non-bending area -931. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] The following are preferred implementations of the present application. It should be noted that, for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the present application, and these improvements and modifications are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0053] With the market demand for the "display area" of terminal products such as mobile phones and tablets, the competition in the mobile terminal industry is increasingly tending towards large screens and ultra-thinness. However, large screens make the size of the whole machine too large and inconvenient to carry. The smartphone industry is ushering in an experience revolution brought about by form innovation. The display form of mobile phone products has developed from the initial hard screen to flexible screen, from small screen to large screen, from static mechanism to motion mechanism. Recently, major mobile phone manufacturers have been developing folding screens, striving to expand the form and display boundaries of mobile phone products, so that they have the functions of mobile phones, tablets and even computers. As an electronic device with a new display form, the foldable display terminal can be unfolded or closed due to its folding function, and has a larger display area in the unfolded state and a smaller overall size in the folded state, which can solve the above problems. It is now loved by the majority of users.

[0054] The foldable display terminal relies on the folding device inside it to achieve the folding function. The folding device usually uses a torque mechanism to provide torque to the folding device to ensure the stability of the folding device during rotation. As the size of the folding device becomes smaller and smaller, the size of the components in the torque mechanism is also getting smaller and smaller, resulting in a corresponding decrease in the friction provided by the friction surface in the torque mechanism and the extrusion force provided by structures such as springs, which reduces the torque that the folding device can provide as a whole. However, the demand for torque by electronic devices such as mobile phones remains unchanged, resulting in the folding device being unable to meet the torque demand of the mobile phone, for example, the flexible screen cannot be closed or cannot hover.

[0055] In order to solve the above technical problems, this application provides a folding device. Please refer to Figure 1-Figure 9 The folding device 1 provided in this embodiment includes a base assembly 10', a rotating member 20', and a sliding assembly 20. The base assembly 10' includes a base 10 and a friction member 12' fixed to the base 10. The rotating member 20' is rotatably connected to the base 10. The sliding assembly 20 is rotatably connected to the rotating member 20' and can slide relative to the base 10. The sliding assembly 20 abuts against the friction member 12'. When the rotating member 20' rotates relative to the base 10, the sliding assembly 20 slides relative to the base 10 and rubs against the friction member 12'.

[0056] The folding device 1 can also be called a shaft or hinge, and is mainly used in electronic products such as mobile phones, tablets, computers, etc. It can also be used in other non-electronic products that require a torque shaft, such as doors, windows, etc. The folding device 1 provided in this embodiment mainly includes a base assembly 10', a rotating member 20', and a sliding assembly 20, which means that this embodiment can solve the above-mentioned technical problems only by using the base assembly 10', the rotating member 20', and the sliding assembly 20, but in other embodiments, the folding device 1 may also include other components, such as a connecting member, a rotating member 20', a synchronization mechanism, a torque mechanism, etc. Next, this embodiment will introduce the base assembly 10', the rotating member 20', and the sliding assembly 20 in detail.

[0057] The base assembly 10' is an assembly structure composed of other components such as the base 10 and the friction member 12'. The base 10 is the basic component in the folding device 1, and is mainly used to provide a foundation for the installation and fixation of other components, that is, many components of the folding device 1 can be installed on the base 10. When the folding device 1 moves, the base 10 itself is fixed, and it is mainly the other components of the folding device 1 that perform various movements. This embodiment does not limit the parameters such as the shape, structure, and material of the base 10, as long as it can provide an assembly foundation for other components. As for other components, they can cooperate with the sliding assembly 20 to achieve the effect of increasing torque.

[0058] Optionally, the base 10 has a top surface 101, a bottom surface 100, and a side surface that is bent and connected between the top surface 101 and the bottom surface 100. When the folding device 1 is subsequently applied to an electronic device, the top surface 101 can be close to the flexible screen of the electronic device, the bottom surface 100 is away from the flexible screen, and the bottom surface 100 can also cooperate with a decorative piece to use the decorative piece to cover the base 10. In other words, the upper surface of the base 10 is the top surface 101, and the lower surface is the bottom surface 100. Further optionally, both the top surface 101 and the bottom surface 100 are planes, which is convenient for subsequent coordination with other components. The side surface is a convexly arranged arc surface, which improves the appearance of the base 10 and is convenient for coordination with decorative pieces.

[0059] The friction member 12' can be fixed to the base 10 in various ways (e.g., bonding, clamping, plugging, screw connection, etc.), so the friction member 12' and the base 10 remain fixed during the movement of the folding device 1. The friction member 12' is used to cooperate with other movable components (e.g., the sliding assembly 20) to generate corresponding friction. Optionally, the friction member 12' includes but is not limited to a spring.

[0060] The rotating member 20' mainly plays a role of rotation in the folding device 1, so that the folding device 1 has the ability to fold and unfold, and the rotation of the rotating member 20' drives and limits the movement of other components, so that other components move according to a predetermined trajectory. One end of the rotating member 20' is rotatably connected to the base 10 so that the rotating member 20' can rotate relative to the base 10, and the other end of the rotating member 20' can be subsequently connected to other components such as a connecting member. This embodiment does not limit the shape, structure, material and other parameters of the rotating member 20', as long as it can be rotatably connected to the base 10.

[0061] The rotation of the rotating member 20' enables the folding device 1 to have a variety of different states, such as an unfolded state and a folded state, wherein the unfolded state can be understood as the state when the rotating member 20' is completely flattened, at which point the other end of the rotating member 20' is set corresponding to the side surface of the base 10, so that the upper surface of the subsequent support member can be set horizontally, thereby allowing the flexible screen to be fully unfolded. The folded state can be understood as the state when the rotating member 20' is completely folded, at which point the other end of the rotating member 20' is set corresponding to the top surface 101 of the base 10, so that the opposite ends of the subsequent flexible screen can be close to each other, and the flexible screen reaches a fully folded state. And the process of the folding device 1 from the unfolded state to the folded state can be understood as the folding process of the folding device 1, and the process of the folding device 1 from the folded state to the unfolded state can be understood as the unfolding process of the folding device 1.

[0062] In the related art, a torque mechanism is usually provided to provide torque for the rotating member 20', so as to improve the stability of the rotation of the rotating member 20', and even make the rotating member 20' have a hovering function. For example, the rotating member 20' is provided with a first cam member 71 along the end side of its axial direction, and the second cam member 72 and the spring 73 are arranged on the base 10 through the rotating shaft 11, and the second cam member 72 cooperates with the first cam member 71, and one end of the spring 73 abuts against the second cam member 72, and the other end is fixed. The initial state of the spring 73 is a compressed state, providing a certain pre-pressure so that the first cam member 71 and the second cam member 72 fit tightly. The rotating shaft 11 makes the movement centers of the rotating member 20', the first cam member 71, the second cam member 72, the spring 73, and the base 10 coincide. In this way, when the rotating member 20' rotates around the rotating axis relative to the base 10, the cam surface of the first cam member 71 and the cam surface of the second cam member 72 engage with each other to further compress the spring 73, thereby using the spring 73 to provide positive pressure between the first cam member 71 and the second cam member 72. The cam surfaces of the first cam member 71 and the second cam member 72 squeeze each other, increasing the friction between the first cam member 71 and the second cam member 72, thereby increasing the torsional force of the rotating member 20'.

[0063] However, as the folding device 1 continues to be miniaturized, the size of each component in the folding device 1 will be reduced to a corresponding extent, that is, the size of the first cam member 71, the second cam member 72, and the spring 73 will also be reduced, resulting in a reduction in the positive pressure provided by the spring 73 and the friction between the first cam member 71 and the second cam member 72, thereby reducing the torque of the rotating member 20'. However, when the folding device 1 is subsequently applied to an electronic device, the torque required by the electronic device will not be reduced, and may even increase, so the existing miniaturized folding device 1 cannot meet the needs of users.

[0064] In this embodiment, a sliding assembly 20 can be added to the folding device 1 in the related art. The sliding assembly 20 is a combined component composed of other components such as a sliding member 21. The sliding assembly 20 is rotatably connected to the rotating member 20', that is, the sliding assembly 20 can rotate relative to the rotating member 20'. Figure 6 and Fig. 9As shown, when the rotating member 20' rotates relative to the base 10 in the base assembly 10', for example, when the folding device 1 changes from the unfolded state to the folded state, the rotating member 20' can also drive the sliding assembly 20 to rotate relative to the rotating member 20'. The rotational cooperation between the rotating member 20' and the sliding assembly 20 can enable the sliding assembly 20 to slide relative to the base 10 in the base assembly 10'. In other words, the rotation between the sliding assembly 20 and the rotating member 20' can be converted into the sliding between the sliding assembly 20 and the base 10. At the same time, since the sliding assembly 20 abuts against the friction member 12', the abutting surfaces between the sliding assembly 20 and the friction member 12' will rub against each other during the sliding process of the sliding assembly 20 relative to the base 10, thereby generating friction force, which will be transmitted to the rotating member 20' to increase the torque of the rotating member 20' in the folding device 1.

[0065] In summary, this embodiment can improve the torque of the folding device 1 by increasing the friction surface without increasing the size (such as width and thickness) of the folding device 1 through the mutual cooperation of the base assembly 10', the rotating member 20', and the sliding assembly 20, thereby meeting the demand for miniaturization of the folding device 1.

[0066] Optionally, the abutting surface between the sliding assembly 20 and the friction member 12 ′ can perform at least one of sliding friction and rotational friction, thereby generating at least one of sliding friction force and rotational friction force, which will be described in detail in the present application below.

[0067] Optionally, the folding device 1 generally includes two rotating members 20', the two rotating members 20' are rotatably connected to opposite sides of the base 10, and the sliding assembly 20 is rotatably connected to the two rotating members 20' at the same time so that the sliding assembly 20 can simultaneously increase the torque of the two rotating members 20'. And when one rotating member 20' rotates in a first direction, the one rotating member 20', the sliding assembly 20, and the other rotating member 20' cooperate with each other to make the other rotating member 20' rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction, thereby realizing synchronous reverse motion.

[0068] Optionally, please also refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 In this embodiment, the two rotating members 20' have a receiving groove 200, and the groove wall of the receiving groove 200 at two opposite ends along the axial direction of the rotating member 20' has two first helical surfaces 201. At least part of the sliding component 20 is disposed in the receiving groove 200, and the sliding component 20 has two second helical surfaces 210 at two opposite ends along the axial direction that abut against the two first helical surfaces 201, so that the two rotating members 20' can rotate in opposite directions synchronously with each other.

[0069] In this embodiment, a receiving groove 200 can be provided at one end of the two rotating members 20' that are rotatably connected to the base 10. In other words, the rotating members 20' on the left and right sides are provided with receiving grooves 200, and along the axial direction of the rotating member 20', the groove walls at the opposite ends of the receiving groove 200 are provided with first helical surfaces 201. At least part of the sliding component 20 can be provided in the receiving groove 200, and the opposite ends of the sliding component 20 in the axial direction, i.e., the surfaces corresponding to the two first helical surfaces 201, are provided with second helical surfaces 210, and the second helical surfaces 210 and the first helical surfaces 201 are in contact with each other.

[0070] When the folding device 1 moves, one rotating member 20' rotates relative to the base 10 to rotate the first helical surface 201, thereby driving the second helical surface 210 matched with the first helical surface 201 to slide, and then the sliding assembly 20 slides relative to the base 10 along the axial direction. When the sliding assembly 20 slides, the second helical surface 210 on the other side of the sliding assembly 20 also slides, thereby driving the first helical surface 201 matched with the second helical surface 210 to rotate, and then the other rotating member 20' rotates synchronously and in the opposite direction compared to the one rotating member 20', so as to achieve the effect of synchronous rotation of the left and right sides of the folding device 1.

[0071] Further optionally, the rotating member 20' is sleeved on the rotating shaft 11, and the rotating shaft 11 is arranged on the base 10 and the rotating shaft 11 can be fixed on the base 10 by welding, gluing, interference fit, etc., or the rotating shaft 11 can also rotate relative to the base 10. The sliding assembly 20 can also be sleeved on the rotating shaft 11 to further improve the sliding accuracy and stability, so that the sliding assembly 20 will not rotate during the movement, but can only slide along the axial direction of the rotating shaft 11. Of course, in other embodiments, the sliding assembly 20 may not be sleeved on the rotating shaft 11, and only rely on the two second helical surfaces 210 of the sliding assembly 20 to abut against the two first helical surfaces 201 of the rotating member 20' for fixation.

[0072] Since the sliding component 20 used in this embodiment can achieve both torque effect and synchronization effect, the gear synchronization scheme in the related art can be omitted, and compared with the four-gear synchronization scheme in the related art, the sliding component 20 has a smaller dimension in the thickness direction, which can effectively reduce the thickness of the entire folding device 1. The base 10 can cross the sliding component 20 in the axial direction to achieve the integration of the base 10, that is, the base 10 can be an integrated structure, thereby improving the strength of the folding device 1 and the reliability in conditions such as falling.

[0073] Further optionally, the sliding assembly 20 may be an integrated structure or a split structure. When the sliding assembly 20 is an integrated structure, the sliding assembly 20 may be prepared through a single process, and when the sliding assembly 20 is a split structure, the multiple sub-components of the sliding assembly 20 may be connected together by welding, riveting, bonding, snapping, etc.

[0074] Please refer again Figure 3 In this embodiment, the sliding member 21 in the sliding assembly 20 includes a first sub-sliding member 211 and a second sub-sliding member 212 which are separately connected, and an elastic portion 213 which is held in a compressed state between the first sub-sliding member 211 and the second sub-sliding member 212. One of the second helical surfaces 210 is disposed on a side of the first sub-sliding member 211 which faces away from the second sub-sliding member 212, and the other second helical surface 210 is disposed on a side of the second sub-sliding member 212 which faces away from the first sub-sliding member 211. The elastic portion 213 is held between the first sub-sliding member 211 and the second sub-sliding member 212 and is always in a compressed state. The same synchronization effect can be achieved by using the split first sub-slider 211 and the second sub-slider 212, and the elastic part 213 in the compressed state can make the second spiral surface 210 of the first sub-slider 211 and the second sub-slider 212 always tightly against the first spiral surface 201 of the second rotating part 40, which can not only further improve the torque of the folding device 1, but also compensate for the error caused by the gap generated between the first sub-slider 211, the second sub-slider 212, and the rotating part 20' during the movement.

[0075] Please refer again Figure 7 In this embodiment, the sliding member 21 in the sliding assembly 20 is provided with two wrapping portions 214 located on opposite sides of the base 10 in the base assembly 10', and the two wrapping portions 214 abut against opposite sides of the base 10. In other words, the sliding member 21 can abut against the first friction member 12 of the top surface 101 of the base 10 and the two opposite side surfaces, thereby increasing the contact area between the sliding member 21 and the base 10, thereby further increasing the friction force of the sliding member 21, and further increasing the torque of the rotating member 20'. Optionally, the width of the base 10 matched with the wrapping portion 214 is smaller than the width of the base 10 not matched with the wrapping portion 214, so that the sliding member 21 can be more easily matched with the base 10 and the width of the entire folding device 1 can be reduced.

[0076] Please refer to Figure 10-11 In this embodiment, the friction member 12' includes a first friction member 12 fixed to the side of the base 10 close to the sliding component 20, and the side of the sliding component 20 close to the base 10 abuts against the first friction member 12, so that the sliding component 20 slides relative to the base 10 and rubs against each other.

[0077] The base assembly 10' is composed of a base 10 and a first friction member 12. The base 10 is a rotating connection structure, and the sliding assembly 20 slides relative to one side of the base 10. The first friction member 12 can be fixed to the side of the base 10 close to the sliding assembly 20, that is, the first friction member 12 is fixed between the base 10 and the sliding assembly 20. In other words, the first friction member 12 is fixed to the top surface 101 of the base 10, so that the side of the sliding assembly 20 close to the base 10 can abut against the first friction member 12. It can also be understood that the sliding assembly 20 abuts and rubs against the first friction member 12 in the base assembly 10' to generate friction. When the sliding assembly 20 slides relative to the base 10, the lower surface of the sliding assembly 20 abuts against the upper surface of the first friction member 12, and the sliding assembly 20 can slide from one side of the upper surface of the first friction member 12 to the other side. In other words, the sliding assembly 20 slides and rubs against the first friction member 12 during the sliding process to generate sliding friction, thereby increasing the torque of the rotating member 20'.

[0078] Please refer to Fig.10 , Figure 12-13 In this embodiment, a first receiving groove 102 is provided on one side of the base 10 close to the sliding component 20, and the first friction member 12 is fixed in the first receiving groove 102. The first friction member 12 protrudes from the surface of the base 10 close to the sliding component 20, and the height of the protruding portion is greater than or equal to the distance between the sliding component 20 and the base 10.

[0079] A first receiving groove 102 is provided on one side of the base 10 close to the sliding assembly 20, i.e., on the top surface 101 of the base 10. The first receiving groove 102 is used to receive and fix the first friction member 12. Only a portion of the first friction member 12 is disposed in the first receiving groove 102, while the remaining portion may protrude from the surface of the base 10 close to the sliding assembly 20, i.e., on the top surface 101 of the base 10. In other words, the portion of the first friction member 12 that is used to abut against the sliding assembly 20 is higher than the top surface 101 of the base 10. In addition, in this embodiment, the height of the protruding portion of the first friction member 12 (e.g., Fig.12 ) is greater than or equal to the distance between the sliding assembly 20 and the base 10 (as shown in D1 in FIG. Fig.13As shown in D2, when the sliding assembly 20 slides relative to the base 10 and abuts against the upper surface of the protruding portion of the first friction member 12, if the height of the protruding portion of the first friction member 12 is equal to the distance between the sliding assembly 20 and the base 10, the sliding assembly 20 can be attached to the first friction member 12 to generate sliding friction. If the height of the protruding portion of the first friction member 12 is greater than the distance between the sliding assembly 20 and the base 10, since the sliding assembly 20 is fixed in the thickness direction of the base 10, when the lower surface of the sliding assembly 20 abuts against the upper surface of the first friction member 12, the protruding portion of the first friction member 12 can be deformed in the direction close to the bottom wall of the first receiving groove 102, so that the height of the protruding portion of the first friction member 12 is equal to the distance between the sliding assembly 20 and the base 10. At this time, on the basis of the sliding friction of the sliding component 20 against the first friction member 12, the first friction member 12 will give the sliding component 20 its rebound force, thereby increasing the positive pressure of the first friction member 12 on the sliding component 20, increasing the friction of the sliding component 20, and further increasing the torsion of the rotating component 20'. In summary, adding the elastic first friction member 12 between the matching surfaces of the sliding component 20 and the base 10 can keep the first friction member 12 and the sliding component 20 in an extruded stress state after assembly, further increasing the torsion of the rotating component 20'. This embodiment is only schematically described with the height of the protruding part of the first friction member 12 being greater than the distance between the sliding component 20 and the base 10. Optionally, the first friction member 12 is elastic, so that it is easier for the first friction member 12 to be elastically deformed.

[0080] Optionally, during the process of the folding device 1 changing from the unfolded state to the folded state, the sliding component 20 slides relative to the first friction member 12 along a preset direction. In this embodiment, the height of the protruding portion of the first friction member 12 can be gradually increased along the first direction, that is, the degree of compression between the sliding component 20 and the first friction member 12 gradually increases during the process of changing from the unfolded state to the folded state, the positive pressure of the first friction member 12 on the sliding component 20 gradually increases, the friction force on the sliding component 20 gradually increases, and the torque of the rotating member 20' gradually increases, so that the torque of the folding device 1 is the largest when it is in the folded state and the smallest when it is in the unfolded state. Optionally, the first friction member 12 includes but is not limited to a rigid spring sheet.

[0081] Please refer to Fig.10 and Fig.14 In this embodiment, the first friction member 12 includes a friction portion 121 and two fixing portions 122 bent and connected to opposite sides of the friction portion 121. The two fixing portions 122 are fixed in the first receiving groove 102, and the friction portion 121 protrudes from the surface of the base 10 close to the sliding component 20.

[0082] The first friction member 12 is not a flat component, but is composed of a friction portion 121 and two fixing portions 122. The fixing portion 122 is mainly used to assemble and fix the first friction member 12 on the base 10, and the friction portion 121 is mainly used to perform sliding friction with the sliding assembly 20. The two fixing portions 122 are bent and connected to the opposite sides of the friction portion 121, and the two fixing portions 122 are fixed in the first receiving groove 102 to achieve the fixation of the first friction member 12. Since the friction portion 121 is bent and connected to the fixing portion 122 in a direction away from the bottom wall of the first receiving groove 102, the friction portion 121 can protrude from the top surface 101 of the base 10, so as to achieve the above-mentioned state that the friction portion 121 and the sliding assembly 20 can always maintain a state of compression and stress after assembly. In other words, the first friction member 12 can be understood as a friction portion 121 that arches upward, so that the friction portion 121, the fixing portion 122, and the bottom wall of the first receiving groove 102 can be surrounded to form an accommodating space 103. The accommodating space 103 can not only provide a deformation space for the friction portion 121, so that the friction portion 121 can be better deformed, thereby reducing the wear of the friction portion 121 and increasing the service life of the first friction member 12; it can also provide a basis for subsequently adding other components in the accommodating space 103.

[0083] In this embodiment, the base assembly 10' further includes an elastic member 13 abutting between the friction part 121 and the bottom wall of the first receiving groove 102. When the sliding assembly 20 abuts against the friction part 121 of the first friction member 12, the elastic member 13 is in a compressed state. An elastic member 13 is added in the accommodating space 103, and one end of the elastic member 13 abuts against the bottom surface 100 of the friction part 121, and the other end abuts against the bottom wall of the first receiving groove 102. In this way, when the sliding assembly 20 and the first friction member 12 are tightly pressed, the elastic member 13 can be in a compressed state. The elastic member 13 in a compressed state can give the sliding assembly 20 a rebound force through the friction part 121, thereby further increasing the positive pressure of the friction part 121 on the sliding assembly 20, further increasing the friction force of the sliding assembly 20, and further increasing the torsion of the rotating member 20'. Optionally, when the sliding assembly 20 is not assembled with the first friction member 12, the elastic member 13 can be in a balanced state, or the elastic member 13 is already in a pre-compressed state.

[0084] Please refer to Fig.10 and Fig.15In this embodiment, the bottom wall of the first receiving groove 102 is provided with two mounting portions 104, and each mounting portion 104 penetrates a fixing portion 122. A protruding mounting portion 104 is provided on the bottom wall of the first receiving groove 102, and a fixing hole 1220 is provided on the fixing portion 122. The mounting portion 104 penetrates the fixing portion 122 by means of the fixing hole 1220, that is, the fixing portion 122 is sleeved on the mounting portion 104, thereby achieving the fixing of the fixing portion 122 and the base 10. Optionally, the fixing portion 122 may also be bonded to the bottom wall of the first receiving groove 102, so as to further improve the fixing effect between the fixing portion 122 and the bottom wall of the first receiving groove 102.

[0085] In this embodiment, two mounting portions 104 protrude from the surface of the base 10 close to the sliding assembly 20, and can abut the opposite sides of the sliding assembly 20. In this embodiment, the height of the mounting portion 104 can be controlled, and the height of the mounting portion 104 is higher than the depth of the first receiving groove 102, so that the two mounting portions 104 are both protruding from the top surface 101 of the base 10. And the two mounting portions 104 are located on the opposite sides of the sliding assembly 20, so that when the sliding assembly 20 slides along the preset direction, it can abut against one mounting portion 104 to stop the sliding, and then the rotating part cannot rotate. When the sliding assembly 20 slides in the direction opposite to the preset direction, it can abut against the other mounting portion 104 to stop the sliding, so that the rotating part cannot rotate. In addition to having a fixing function, the two mounting portions 104 can also have the function of controlling the sliding distance of the sliding assembly 20, thereby controlling the rotation angle of the rotating member 20', that is, the stop function, so that the mounting portion 104 has different functions at the same time.

[0086] Please refer to Figure 16-Figure 18 In this embodiment, the sliding assembly 20 includes a sliding member 21 rotatably connected to the rotating member 20', a linkage member 22 rotatably connected to the sliding member 21, and a driven member 23 rotatably connected to the linkage member 22, and the driven member 23 abuts against the friction member 12'. When the rotating member 20' rotates relative to the base 10, the sliding member 21 slides relative to the base 10, the linkage member 22 rotates relative to the sliding member 21 and the driven member 23, and the driven member 23 rotates relative to the base 10 and rotates and rubs with the friction member 12'.

[0087] This embodiment will introduce another specific structure of the folding device 1. In this embodiment, the sliding assembly 20 includes a sliding member 21, a linkage member 22, and a driven member 23. The sliding member 21 is a component in the sliding assembly 20 that actually cooperates with the rotating member 20'. The sliding member 21 and the rotating member 20' can slide relative to the base 10 in the base assembly 10' under the cooperation of the spiral surface. The linkage member 22 can rotate relative to the sliding member 21 and the driven member 23 at the same time, and the driven member 23 rotates the sliding member 20' on the base 10. When the rotating member 20' drives the sliding member 21 to slide relative to the base 10, the sliding member 21 rotates relative to the linkage member 22 and drives the linkage member 22 to rotate relative to the driven member 23, and finally causes the driven member 23 to rotate relative to the base 10. In the process of the driven member 23 rotating with the base 10, the driven member 23 is always in close contact with the friction member 12' in the base assembly 10', so that the mutual rotation friction generates a rotational friction force, which can also increase the torque of the rotating member 20'.

[0088] In summary, this embodiment provides another specific structure of the sliding assembly 20 so that the sliding assembly 20 and the base assembly 10 ′ generate another form of friction force: rotational friction force, which ultimately increases the torque of the rotating member 20 ′.

[0089] Optionally, while the follower 23 rotates relative to the base 10 and rotates and rubs with the friction member 12', the follower 23 can also rub against the base 10. For example, the first friction member 12 mentioned above in the present application is disposed on the base 10, and the first friction member 12 is used to rub against the bottom surface of the follower 23 to further increase the friction and torque.

[0090] Please refer again Fig.16 In this embodiment, the direction in which the sliding member 21 slides relative to the base 10 is the first direction D, the rotation axis between the rotating member 20' and the base 10 is the first rotation axis C11, the rotation axis between the sliding member 21 and the rotating member 20' is the second rotation axis C22, the rotation axis between the linkage member 22 and the sliding member 21 is the third rotation axis C33, and the rotation axis between the driven member 23 and the linkage member 22 is the fourth rotation axis C44. The first rotation axis C11 and the second rotation axis C22 are parallel to the first direction D, the third rotation axis C33 and the fourth rotation axis C44 are perpendicular to the first direction D, and the third rotation axis C33 and the fourth rotation axis C44 are parallel to each other and spaced apart.

[0091] In this embodiment, by making the first rotation axis C11 parallel to the second rotation axis C22, the rotational cooperation between the rotating member 20' and the base 10 and the rotational cooperation between the sliding member 21 and the rotating member 20' can be converted into sliding cooperation between the sliding member 21 and the base 10, and the sliding direction, i.e., the first direction D, is parallel to the first rotation axis C11 and the second rotation axis C22. The sliding of the sliding member 21 can make the linkage member 22 and the sliding member 21, and the driven member 23 and the linkage member 22 rotate perpendicularly to the first direction D, i.e., the third rotation axis C33 and the fourth rotation axis C44 are both perpendicular to the first direction D. And by making the third rotation axis C33 and the fourth rotation axis C44 parallel and spaced from each other, the linkage member 22 can drive the driven member 23 to rotate eccentrically when rotating relative to the sliding member 21, and finally realize the rotation of the driven member 23 relative to the base 10.

[0092] In this embodiment, the sliding member 21 is provided with an extension portion 215, and the extension portion 215 is rotatably connected to one end of the linkage member 22 through a pin. A protrusion 230 is eccentrically provided on the follower 23, and the other end of the linkage member 22 is sleeved on the protrusion 230 of the follower 23. In this embodiment, the protrusion 230 can be away from the third rotation axis C33 between the follower 23 and the base 10, so that the protrusion 230 is eccentrically provided on the follower 23. The other end of the linkage member 22 is sleeved on the protrusion 230, so the axis of the protrusion 230 is the fourth rotation axis C44. In this way, when the sliding member 21 slides relative to the base 10, the linkage member 22 can drive the follower 23 to rotate relative to the base 10.

[0093] In this embodiment, the friction member 12' includes a second friction member 14 fixed to the base 10, and the second friction member 14 abuts against the outer peripheral side of the follower 23, so that the follower 23 rotates and rubs against the second friction member 14 when the follower 23 rotates relative to the base 10. The base assembly 10' is composed of the base 10 and the second friction member 14, and the second friction member 14 is fixed to the base 10 and tightly abuts against the outer peripheral side of the follower 23, and the follower 23 is rotatably connected to the base 10. When the follower 23 rotates relative to the base 10, the follower 23 can rotate and rub against the second friction member 14 on the outer peripheral side to generate the above-mentioned rotational friction force, thereby increasing the torque of the rotating member 20'.

[0094] Please refer to Fig.19In this embodiment, a second receiving groove 105 is provided on one side of the base 10 close to the sliding member 21, and the follower 23 is rotatably connected in the second receiving groove 105. A fixing groove 106 is provided on the bottom wall of the second receiving groove 105, and a portion of the second friction member 14 is provided in the fixing groove 106. The opposite sides of the second friction member 14 abut against the follower 23 and the side wall of the second receiving groove 105. In this embodiment, the second receiving groove 105 can be opened on the top surface 101 of the base 10, and a protrusion 107 is provided on the bottom wall of the second receiving groove 105. The follower 23 is sleeved on the protrusion 107 and is located in the second receiving groove 105, which not only realizes the rotatable connection of the follower 23 to the base 10, but also does not increase the thickness of the base assembly 10'. In other words, the protrusion 107 is concentric with the follower 23, and the axis of the protrusion 107 is the third rotation axis C33. The protrusion 107 and the protrusion 230 of this embodiment have a certain distance, but are not coaxially arranged, so that the rotating linkage member 22 drives the follower 23 to rotate.

[0095] The bottom wall of the receiving groove 105 is provided with a fixing groove 106, and part of the second friction member 14 is inserted into the fixing groove 106 to fix the second friction member 14 on the base 10. One side of the second friction member 14 abuts against the outer peripheral side wall of the driven member 23, and the other side abuts against the side wall of the second receiving groove 105, so that the driven member 23 can better perform rotational friction with the second friction member 14 during the rotation process.

[0096] Optionally, the second friction member 14 may be arranged around the entire periphery of the driven member 23, that is, the second friction member 14 may be arranged corresponding to 360° of the driven member 23, thereby increasing the contact area between the second friction member 14 and the driven member 23, thereby increasing the friction force between the second friction member 14 and the driven member 23. Alternatively, the second friction member 14 may be arranged around a portion of the periphery of the driven member 23, thereby reducing the difficulty of assembling the second friction member 14 with the base 10 and the driven member 23. Specifically, in this embodiment, there are only two second friction members 14, each of which is arranged only around a portion of the periphery of the driven member 23, and the two second friction members 14 are arranged axially symmetrically.

[0097] In this embodiment, the driven member 23 is cylindrical, and the second friction member 14 is arranged to form a circular receiving space, the inner diameter of the receiving space is smaller than the outer diameter of the driven member 23, and the second friction member 14 is elastic. By making the outer diameter of the cylindrical driven member 23 slightly larger than the inner diameter of the circular receiving space formed by the second friction member 14, that is, the driven member 23 and the second friction member 14 are interference fit, so that the driven member 23 tightly presses the second friction member 14. In addition, the second friction member 14 can be elastic, so when the driven member 23 presses the second friction member 14, the second friction member 14 can be deformed, and the second friction member 14 in a deformed state can give the driven member 23 a rebound force, thereby further increasing the positive pressure of the second friction member 14 on the driven member 23, further increasing the friction between the second friction member 14 and the driven member 23, and further improving the torque of the rotating member 20'.

[0098] Optionally, the second friction member 14 is an annular structure, that is, the second friction member 14 is hollow, which can provide a deformation space for the deformation of the second friction member 14. Optionally, the second friction member 14 includes but is not limited to a rigid spring sheet.

[0099] Please refer to Fig. 20 In this embodiment, the sliding member 21 abuts against the base assembly 10' so that the sliding member 21 can slide and rub against each other when sliding relative to the base assembly 10'. When the sliding member 21 slides on the base 10 relative to the base assembly 10', the sliding member 21 can also abut against the base assembly 10', so that the sliding member 21 can also generate sliding friction with the base assembly 10', further improving the friction of the sliding assembly 20, and further improving the torsional force of the rotating member 20'. Of course, in other embodiments, the sliding member 21 and the base 10 can also slide together through the first friction member 12 mentioned above, so as to further improve the friction and torsional force. As for the relevant structure of the first friction member 12, this application has been described in detail above, and this embodiment will not be repeated here. In summary, the folding device 1 provided in this embodiment can only achieve rotational friction, and can also achieve sliding friction on the basis of rotational friction.

[0100] Please refer to Figure 21-26The folding device 1 provided in this embodiment further includes two first rotating members 30, two second rotating members 40, two connecting members 50, and two supporting members 60. The two first rotating members 30 are respectively rotatably connected to the opposite sides of the base assembly 10', and the two second rotating members 40 are respectively rotatably connected to the opposite sides of the base assembly 10'. One of the first rotating member 30 and the second rotating member 40 located on the same side of the base assembly 10' is rotatably connected to the connecting member 50, and the other is slidably connected to the connecting member 50. Each supporting member 60 is rotatably connected to one connecting member 50, and is slidably and rotatably connected to the other of the first rotating member 30 and the second rotating member 40. The rotating member 20' is at least one of the first rotating member 30 and the second rotating member 40.

[0101] The first rotating member 30, the second rotating member 40, and the connecting member 50 in the folding device 1 can be collectively referred to as a track mechanism 1b, which is mainly used to control the motion track of the supporting member 60, thereby controlling the cross-sectional shape of the flexible screen in the subsequent folding state, ensuring better support for the flexible screen without damaging the various layer structures in the flexible screen. Next, this embodiment will introduce the first rotating member 30, the second rotating member 40, the connecting member 50, and the supporting member 60 in detail.

[0102] The two first rotating members 30 in the folding device 1 mainly realize the folding function through their rotation ability, and through the rotation of the two first rotating members 30, the components connected with the two first rotating members 30 are driven and limited, so that these components move according to the predetermined motion trajectory. The two first rotating members 30 are rotatably connected to the base 10 in the base assembly 10' and the two first rotating members 30 are respectively arranged on the opposite sides of the base 10, that is, the two first rotating members 30 can rotate relative to the base 10. In other words, the two first rotating members 30 are rotatably connected to the base 10 at one end close to the base 10. Since the base 10 is fixed, only the two first rotating members 30 rotate. The opposite sides of the base 10 mentioned in this embodiment refer to the opposite sides along the width direction of the base 10, and the width direction can be understood as the arrangement direction of the two first rotating members 30. The opposite sides in this embodiment and the following can be understood in the same way. This embodiment does not limit the parameters such as the shape, structure, material, etc. of the first rotating member 30, as long as the first rotating member 30 can be rotatably connected to the base 10.

[0103] Optionally, the two first rotating members 30 are rotatably connected to the side of the base 10. Further optionally, in one embodiment, the two first rotating members 30 are arranged axially symmetrically with respect to the base 10. In another embodiment, the two first rotating members 30 are arranged non-axially symmetrically with respect to the base 10, in other words, the two first rotating members 30 have a partially overlapping area in the length direction of the folding device 1. This embodiment is only schematically described with the two first rotating members 30 being arranged axially symmetrically with respect to the base 10.

[0104] The second rotating member 40 has the same function as the first rotating member 30. In the folding device 1, the folding function is mainly achieved through its ability to rotate, and the components connected to the two second rotating members 40 are driven and limited by the rotation of the two second rotating members 40, so that these components move according to a predetermined motion trajectory. The two second rotating members 40 are respectively rotatably connected to the opposite sides of the base assembly 10' base 10, and the two second rotating members 40 and the two first rotating members 30 are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the base 10. This not only simplifies the structure of the folding device 1, but also enables the second rotating member 40 and the first rotating member 30 to be better rotatably connected to the base 10. In other words, the two second rotating members 40 are rotatably connected to the base 10 at one end close to the base 10. Since the base 10 is fixed, only the two second rotating members 40 rotate. This embodiment does not limit the parameters such as the shape, structure, and material of the second rotating member 40, as long as the second rotating member 40 can be rotatably connected to the base 10.

[0105] Optionally, the two second rotating members 40 are rotatably connected to the side of the base 10. Optionally, in one embodiment, the two second rotating members 40 are arranged axially symmetrically with respect to the base 10, and in another embodiment, the two second rotating members 40 are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the base 10, in other words, the two second rotating members 40 have a partially overlapping area in the length direction of the folding device 1. This embodiment is only schematically described with the two second rotating members 40 being arranged axially symmetrically with respect to the base 10.

[0106] The connecting member 50 mainly serves to connect various components in the folding device 1. One of each first rotating member 30 and each second rotating member 40 is rotatably connected to a connecting member 50, and the other is slidably connected to a connecting member 50. That is, each first rotating member 30 is rotatably connected to a connecting member 50, and the side of each first rotating member 30 away from the base 10 is rotatably connected to the connecting member 50. In other words, the first rotating member 30 can rotate relative to the connecting member 50. And each second rotating member 40 is slidably connected to a connecting member 50, that is, the side of each second rotating member 40 away from the base 10 is slidably connected to the connecting member 50, which can also be understood as the second rotating member 40 can slide relative to the connecting member 50. Alternatively, each first rotating member 30 is slidably connected to the connecting member 50, and each second rotating member 40 is rotatably connected to the connecting member 50. In addition, the connecting member 50 is also used to connect the shell later, so that the connecting member 50 and the shell are fixed together, so that when the shell rotates, the connecting member 50 can be driven to rotate together. This embodiment does not limit the shape, structure, material and other parameters of the connecting member 50, as long as the connecting member 50 can realize rotational connection with one rotating member 20' and sliding connection with another rotating member 20'. This embodiment is only schematically described by rotatably connecting each first rotating member 30 with one connecting member 50 and sliding connection with each second rotating member 40 with one connecting member 50.

[0107] The support member 60 is mainly used to support the flexible screen when the folding device 1 is subsequently applied to an electronic device, so as to control the folding shape of the flexible screen, so the support member 60 can also be called an inclined plate. Similarly, the bearing member 70 can also be called a middle plate, and the folding device 1 can include two inclined plates and a middle plate, so the folding device 1 can also be called a three-plate structure. Optionally, the flexible screen can be bonded to the support member 60 by means of adhesive or the like, so that the shape of the flexible screen is more natural during the bending process, the stress is small after bending, and the damage to the flexible screen is reduced. Each support member 60 is arranged on a connecting member 50. Specifically, the support member 60 is rotatably connected to the connecting member 50, that is, the support member 60 can rotate relative to the connecting member 50, and the support member 60 slides and rotates to connect the other of the first rotating member 30 and the second rotating member 40. In other words, the support member 60 can rotate relative to the other of the first rotating member 30 and the second rotating member 40, and the support member 60 can also slide relative to the other of the first rotating member 30 and the second rotating member 40. This embodiment is only schematically described by taking the support member 60 as sliding and rotatingly connected to the second rotating member 40 .

[0108] The folding device 1 may further include a decorative member 80 , which is disposed on the bottom surface 100 and the side surface of the base 10 to protect and cover the base 10 and other components so that the user cannot observe the inside of the folding device 1 .

[0109] The folding device 1 provided in this embodiment can regard the first rotating member 30, the second rotating member 40, the connecting member 50, and the supporting member 60 on one side of the base 10 as a left module, and the first rotating member 30, the second rotating member 40, the connecting member 50, and the supporting member 60 on the other side of the base 10 as a right module. The left module and the right module can be symmetrically designed or asymmetrically designed.

[0110] The folding device 1 provided in this embodiment can form a track mechanism 1b with the base 10, two first rotating members 30, two second rotating members 40, and two connecting members 50. In one embodiment, the folding device 1 includes a track mechanism 1b, which is arranged on one side of the support member 60. In another embodiment, the folding device 1 includes two track mechanisms 1b, which are arranged on one side of the support member 60, and the two track mechanisms 1b are arranged along the extension direction of the support member 60. At this time, the support member 60 rotates to connect the two connecting members 50, and slides and rotates to connect the two second rotating members 40. In other embodiments, the folding device 1 includes three or more track mechanisms 1b, which are arranged on one side of the support member 60, and the three or more track mechanisms 1b are arranged along the extension direction of the support member 60. At this time, the support member 60 rotates to connect three or more connecting members 50, and slides and rotates to connect three or more second rotating members 40. This embodiment is only schematically described as the folding device 1 including three track mechanisms 1b and two support members 60. Of course, the solution of two track mechanisms 1b and the solution of one track mechanism 1b should also fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0111] The rotation mentioned above can be understood as the two parts being able to perform circular motion around the axis of rotation, with only a change in angle but no change in displacement. Sliding can be understood as the two parts being able to perform parallel motion, with only a change in displacement but no change in angle. The fact that the two parts can both slide and rotate means that the two parts have both a change in displacement and a change in angle, and this sliding and rotating can also be referred to as rolling. Therefore, the relationship between the support member 60 and the second rotating member 40 can also be referred to as the support member 60 rollingly connected to the second rotating member 40.

[0112] Based on the above connection relationship, it can be known that the folding device 1 provided in this embodiment is composed of 6 kinematic pairs on one side, specifically, the first rotating member 30 cooperates with the base 10 to form a rotating pair, the first rotating member 30 cooperates with the connecting member 50 to form a rotating pair, the second rotating member 40 cooperates with the base 10 to form a rotating pair, the second rotating member 40 cooperates with the connecting member 50 to form a sliding pair, the supporting member 60 cooperates with the second rotating member 40 to form a rolling pair, and the supporting member 60 cooperates with the connecting member 50 to form a rotating pair. Therefore, the total degree of freedom of the various components on one side to cooperate together is 3*4 (a total of 4 components on one side, such as 1 first rotating member 30, 1 second rotating member 40, 1 connecting member 50, and 1 supporting member 60)-2*5 (a total of 5 low pairs on one side, such as 1 sliding pair and 4 rotating pairs)-1*1 (a total of 1 high pair on one side, such as 1 rolling pair) = 1.

[0113] Therefore, when the folding device 1 moves, the movement trajectory and movement route of each component are unique. Specifically, when the folding device 1 is folded, the connecting member 50 rotates relative to the base 10, the first rotating member 30 and the second rotating member 40 also rotate relative to the base 10, the second rotating member 40 also slides relative to the connecting member 50, the second rotating member 40 also slides and rotates relative to the support member 60, and the support member 60 also rotates relative to the connecting member 50, and finally the two support members 60 are folded relative to each other. When the folding device 1 is unfolded, the connecting member 50 rotates relative to the base 10, the first rotating member 30 and the second rotating member 40 also rotate relative to the base 10, the second rotating member 40 also slides relative to the connecting member 50, the second rotating member 40 also slides and rotates relative to the support member 60, and the support member 60 also rotates relative to the connecting member 50, and finally the two support members 60 are unfolded relative to each other.

[0114] The movement process of the folding device 1 mentioned above has a variety of active and passive logical relationships, and the present application uses one specific movement process as an example to illustrate. When the folding device 1 is folded, that is, when the folding device 1 is in the process of changing from the unfolded state to the folded state, in other words, when the two connecting members 50 rotate relative to the base 10 and approach each other, since the first rotating member 30 and the second rotating member 40 are both rotated to connect the base 10, the connecting member 50 can drive the first rotating member 30 and the second rotating member 40 to rotate relative to the base 10. And in the process of the first rotating member 30 and the second rotating member 40 rotating, the second rotating member 40 can also slide relative to the connecting member 50, that is, the connecting member 50 can slide along the second rotating member 40, thereby changing the distance between the connecting member 50 and the base 10. When the connecting member 50 slides, since the support member 60 is arranged on the connecting member 50, the connecting member 50 can drive the support member 60 to slide together. When the support member 60 slides, the second rotating member 40 can also slide and rotate relative to the support member 60, thereby driving the support member 60 to rotate relative to the connecting member 50. Of course, in other embodiments, the support member 60 may not rotate relative to the connecting member 50 during the sliding and rotating process of the second rotating member 40, that is, the support member 60 and the connecting member 50 remain stationary, and finally the two support members 60 can be folded with each other.

[0115] Similarly, when the folding device 1 is unfolded, that is, when the folding device 1 is in the process of changing from the folded state to the unfolded state, in other words, when the two connecting members 50 rotate in the opposite direction relative to the base 10 and move away from each other, since the first rotating member 30 and the second rotating member 40 are both rotated to connect the base 10, the connecting member 50 can drive the first rotating member 30 and the second rotating member 40 to rotate relative to the base 10. In addition, during the rotation of the first rotating member 30 and the second rotating member 40, the second rotating member 40 can also slide relative to the connecting member 50, that is, the connecting member 50 can slide along the second rotating member 40, thereby changing the distance between the connecting member 50 and the base 10. When the connecting member 50 slides, since the support member 60 is disposed on the connecting member 50, the connecting member 50 can drive the support member 60 to slide together. When the support member 60 slides, the second rotating member 40 can also slide and rotate relative to the support member 60, thereby driving the support member 60 to rotate relative to the connecting member 50. Of course, in other embodiments, the support member 60 may not rotate relative to the connecting member 50 during the sliding and rotating process of the second rotating member 40, that is, the support member 60 and the connecting member 50 remain stationary, and finally the two support members 60 can be unfolded to each other.

[0116] In other embodiments, the active and passive relationships of the above-mentioned components can be reversed, for example, the support member 60 can rotate relative to the base 10 to drive the first rotating member 30, the second rotating member 40, and the connecting member 50 to rotate relative to the base 10. Such movement processes and principles should also fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0117] like Fig.24 As shown, when the two support members 60 are parallel to each other and are located on opposite sides of the base 10, the two support members 60 are in a state of being fully unfolded relative to each other. In other words, the folding device 1 is in an unfolded state. Fig.26 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the two support members 60 are both located on one side of the base 10, it can also be understood that the two support members 60 are both located on the top surface 101 of the base 10. At this time, the two support members 60 are in a state of being completely folded with each other. In other words, the folding device 1 is in a folded state. When the two support members 60 are folded with each other, that is, the process of the folding device 1 from the unfolded state to the folded state can also be understood as the process from the unfolded state to the folded state. Figure 24 to Figure 26 When the two support members 60 are unfolded from each other, that is, the process of the folding device 1 from the folded state to the unfolded state can also be understood as the process from Figure 26 to Figure 24 process.

[0118] like Fig.26 As shown, when the folding device 1 is in a folded state, the two support members 60 and the base 10 are jointly enclosed to form a screen space 1a for accommodating the flexible screen. The folding device 1 provided in this embodiment can make the cross-sectional shape of the screen space 1a U-shaped or teardrop-shaped. When the cross-sectional shape of the screen space 1a is U-shaped, the distance between the two support members 60 at the end away from the base 10 is equal to the distance between the two support members 60 at the end close to the base 10. At this time, the structure of the folding device 1 is simple and the reliability of the whole machine is high. When the cross-sectional shape of the screen space 1a is teardrop-shaped, the distance between the two support members 60 at the end away from the base 10 is less than the distance between the two support members 60 at the end close to the base 10. At this time, after folding, the whole folding device 1 is thinner and flat. This embodiment is only schematically illustrated with the cross-sectional shape of the screen space 1a being teardrop-shaped.

[0119] In addition, the rotating member 20' includes at least one of the first rotating member 30 and the second rotating member 40, that is, the first rotating member 30 can be the rotating member 20' mentioned above to cooperate with the sliding assembly 20, or the second rotating member 40 can be the rotating member 20' mentioned above to cooperate with the sliding assembly 20, or the first rotating member 30 and the second rotating member 40 can both be the rotating member 20' mentioned above to cooperate with the sliding assembly 20. In other words, the rotating member 20' mentioned above is a component of the first rotating member 30 and the second rotating member 40, but it is artificially named differently. This embodiment is only schematically described with the rotating member 20' as the second rotating member 40. In other embodiments, the rotating member 20' can also cooperate with the first rotating member 30. For example, by opening a receiving groove 200 in the first rotating member 30, and setting a spiral surface on the side wall of the receiving groove 200 and cooperating with the sliding assembly 20, the rotation of the first rotating member 30 is converted into the sliding of the sliding assembly 20.

[0120] The present application will now describe in detail the components that cooperate with each other. Since most components are two in number, this embodiment will only describe the components that cooperate with each other in detail. Fig. 22 and Fig.23 The components on the right side of the base 10 in the folding device 1 are schematically illustrated, and the same understanding can be applied to the components on the left side of the base 10 .

[0121] Please refer to Fig. 27 In this embodiment, the first rotation axis C1 between the first rotating member 30 and the base 10 and the second rotation axis C2 between the second rotating member 40 and the base 10 are parallel to each other. The first rotation axis C1 is farther from the bottom surface 100 of the base 10 than the second rotation axis C2, and when the folding device 1 is in the unfolded state, the first rotation axis C1 is farther from the connecting member 50 than the second rotation axis C2. In other words, the first rotation axis C1 is higher and further to the left than the second rotation axis C2, so Fig. 27 In the figure, the first rotation axis C1 is located at the upper left, and the second rotation axis C2 is located at the lower right. The first rotating member 30 moves in the form of rotation, which determines the position of the connecting member 50 during the movement. The second rotating member 40 moves in the form of rotation and sliding, which determines the angle of the connecting member 50 during the movement. The position and angle of the connecting member 50 are determined by the mutual cooperation between the first rotating member 30 and the second rotating member 40.

[0122] Specifically, when the first rotating member 30 and the second rotating member 40 rotate, on the basis of making the connecting member 50 slide relative to the second rotating member 40, the connecting member 50 can slide in the direction away from the base 10 when the folding device 1 is folded, and the connecting member 50 can slide in the direction close to the base 10 when the folding device 1 is unfolded, so that the supporting member 60 can further move according to the preset trajectory, so that when the folding device 1 is in the folded state, the folding device 1 forms a water drop-shaped screen space 1a. Regardless of whether the folding device 1 is folded or unfolded, when the connecting member 50 rotates relative to the base 10, the first rotating member 30 and the second rotating member 40 are also driven to rotate relative to the base 10, so that the connecting member 50 slides relative to the second rotating member 40, thereby changing the distance between the connecting member 50 and the base 10, driving the supporting member 60 rotatably connected to the connecting member 50 to slide relative to the second rotating member 40, changing the distance between the supporting member 60 and the base 10, and then realizing the subsequent movement process. In summary, in this embodiment, no new components need to be added, and the sliding of the connecting member 50 relative to the second rotating member 40 can be achieved only by designing the positions of the first rotating axis C1 and the second rotating axis C2 .

[0123] In this embodiment, the first rotating member 30 and the base 10 are connected by the first arc rail and the first arc groove. The first arc rail is provided on one of the first rotating member 30 and the base 10, and the first arc groove is provided on one of the first rotating member 30 and the base 10. For example, when the first arc rail is provided on the first rotating member 30, the first arc groove is provided on the base 10. When the first arc groove is provided on the first rotating member 30, the first arc rail is provided on the base 10. In this embodiment, the first arc rail is provided on the first rotating member 30 and the first arc groove is provided on the base 10 for schematic description. Specifically, a circular arc block is provided on one side of the first rotating member 30 close to the base 10, and the block is the first arc rail. The base 10 is provided with a protrusion, and an arc-shaped groove body is provided in the protrusion, and the groove body is the first arc groove. The first arc track is provided in the first arc groove, and the axis of the first arc groove is colinear with the axis of the first arc track, so that the first rotating member 30 can rotate relative to the base 10. In other words, the first rotating member 30 and the base 10 can be rotatably connected together through the arc slide rail and the arc slide groove.

[0124] As for the size and curvature of the first arc groove and the first arc track, they can be designed according to the position of the rotation axis between the first rotating member 30 and the base 10. The design of the first arc groove and the first arc track can make the position of the rotation axis inside the base 10 or outside the base 10. By adjusting the size and curvature of the first arc groove and the first arc track, the position of the rotation axis can be better designed, thereby achieving the above-mentioned positional relationship between the rotation axis and the rotation axis. Of course, in other embodiments, the first arc groove can also be provided on the first rotating member 30, and the first arc track can be provided on the base 10.

[0125] In summary, this embodiment can better adjust the position of the rotation axis by adopting the rotation connection scheme of the first arc groove and the first arc rail, so as to achieve the purpose of making the rotation axis parallel to each other, so that the first rotation axis C1 and the second rotation axis C2 meet the above position relationship. In addition, the matching form of the first arc groove and the first arc rail makes it possible to change the distance from the end of the first rotation member 30 away from the base 10 to the base 10 when the first rotation member 30 rotates relative to the base 10, thereby adjusting the distance between the first rotation member 30 and the base 10, and further achieving the purpose of controlling the sliding of the support member 60 relative to the base 10.

[0126] In this embodiment, the second rotating member 40 and the base 10 are connected by the first rotating shaft and the first rotating hole, the first rotating shaft is provided at one of the second rotating member 40 and the base 10, and the first rotating hole is provided at the other of the second rotating member 40 and the base 10. Since the second rotating member 40 is rotatably connected to the base 10, in this embodiment, the second rotating member 40 and the base 10 can be connected by the first rotating shaft and the first rotating hole, the first rotating shaft is provided at one of the second rotating member 40 and the base 10, and the first rotating hole is provided at the other of the second rotating member 40 and the base 10. For example, when the first rotating shaft is provided at the second rotating member 40, the first rotating hole is provided at the base 10. When the first rotating hole is provided at the second rotating member 40, the first rotating shaft is provided at the base 10. In this embodiment, the first rotating shaft is provided at the base 10 and the first rotating hole is provided at the second rotating member 40 for schematic illustration. Optionally, the first rotating shaft includes but is not limited to the rotating shaft 11 mentioned above.

[0127] As can be seen from the above, since the first rotating member 30 and the base 10 can be matched through the first arc groove and the first arc track, the position of the rotation axis between the first rotating member 30 and the base 10 can be changed by designing the curvature and size of the first arc groove and the first arc track. Therefore, there is no need to change the position of the rotation axis between the second rotating member 40 and the base 10, and only the first rotating shaft and the first rotating hole can be used to match, thereby simplifying the structure of the folding device 1.

[0128] In this embodiment, the first rotating member 30 and the connecting member 50 are connected by the second rotating shaft and the second rotating hole, the second rotating shaft is provided at one of the first rotating member 30 and the connecting member 50, and the second rotating hole is provided at the other of the first rotating member 30 and the connecting member 50. Since the first rotating member 30 is rotatably connected to the connecting member 50, the first rotating member 30 and the connecting member 50 can be connected by the second rotating shaft and the second rotating hole in this embodiment, the second rotating shaft is provided at one of the first rotating member 30 and the connecting member 50, and the second rotating hole is provided at the other of the first rotating member 30 and the connecting member 50. For example, when the second rotating shaft is provided at the first rotating member 30, the second rotating hole is provided at the connecting member 50. When the second rotating hole is provided at the first rotating member 30, the second rotating shaft is provided at the connecting member 50. This embodiment is only schematically described with the second rotating shaft provided at the connecting member 50 and the second rotating hole provided at the first rotating member 30. Optionally, the second rotating shaft includes but is not limited to a pin.

[0129] As can be seen from the above, when the connecting member 50 rotates relative to the base 10 and drives the first rotating member 30 and the second rotating member 40 to rotate relative to the base 10, the connecting member 50 will also slide relative to the second rotating member 40. Therefore, the distance between the connecting member 50 and the base 10 will change, and the distance between the connecting member 50 and the first rotating member 30 will also change. However, since the first rotating member 30 is rotatably connected to the base 10, the first rotating member 30 cannot move. Therefore, in order to avoid interference during movement, the first rotating member 30 can be rotatably connected to the connecting member 50. When the connecting member 50 slides relative to the second rotating member 40, the first rotating member 30 also rotates relative to the connecting member 50 to compensate for the distance when the connecting member 50 slides, thereby ensuring the smoothness of the movement of the folding device 1.

[0130] Please refer to Fig.23 and Fig.28 In this embodiment, the second rotating member 40 and the connecting member 50 are connected by means of a sliding block 42 and a sliding groove 52. The sliding block 42 is provided at one of the second rotating member 40 and the connecting member 50, and the sliding groove 52 is provided at the other of the second rotating member 40 and the connecting member 50. The connecting member 50 has a back surface 500 for facing away from the flexible screen, and the distance between the end of the sliding block 42 close to the base 10 and the back surface 500 is smaller than the distance between the end of the sliding block 42 away from the base 10 and the back surface 500.

[0131] The sliding block 42 is not arranged horizontally but inclined, and the farther the sliding block 42 is from the base 10, the greater the distance between the sliding block 42 and the back 500. Since the sliding block 42 is arranged inclined, the sliding groove 52 is also arranged inclined to match the sliding block 42, and the distance between the end of the sliding groove 52 close to the base 10 and the back 500 is smaller than the distance between the end of the sliding groove 52 away from the base 10 and the back 500. When the folding device 1 is changed from the unfolded state to the folded state, the connecting member 50 slides relative to the second rotating member 40 in the direction away from the base 10. By designing the shapes of the sliding block 42 and the sliding groove 52, not only can the supporting member 60 be further moved according to the preset trajectory, but also when the folding device 1 is in the folded state, the folding device 1 forms a water drop-shaped screen space 1a. When the two connecting members 50 slide in the direction away from the base 10, the two connecting members 50 also approach each other, so that when the folding device 1 is in the folded state, the distance between the two connecting members 50 can be reduced, and the thickness of the folding device 1 in the folded state can be reduced. The two opposite ends of the flexible screen can also be made to abut against each other, thereby eliminating the gap between the two ends of the flexible screen when in a folded state, thereby improving the safety performance of the flexible screen and improving the appearance effect.

[0132] Please refer to Figure 29-Figure 31In this embodiment, the support member 60 includes a support portion 61 and a rolling portion 62. The support portion 61 has a support surface 610 for supporting the flexible screen. The rolling portion 62 is arranged on the side of the support portion 61 away from the support surface 610. The second rotating member 40 and the rolling portion 62 are connected by the first rolling shaft 43 and the first rolling groove 620. The first rolling shaft 43 is arranged on one of the second rotating member 40 and the rolling portion 62, and the first rolling groove 620 is arranged on the other of the second rotating member 40 and the rolling portion 62.

[0133] The first rolling groove 620 has a first limiting end 621 and a second limiting end 622 that are arranged opposite to each other. The first limiting end 621 is farther away from the base 10 than the second limiting end 622, and the first limiting end 621 is farther away from the support surface 610 than the second limiting end 622. When the folding device 1 is in the unfolded state, the first rolling axis 43 is positioned at the first limiting end 621, and when the folding device 1 is in the folded state, the first rolling axis 43 is positioned at the second limiting end 622. The first limiting end 621 is farther away from the base 10 than the second limiting end 622, and the first limiting end 621 is farther away from the support surface 610 than the second limiting end 622. In other words, the first limiting end 621 is further to the right and further down than the second limiting end 622, that is, the first limiting end 621 is located at the lower right position, and the second limiting end 622 is located at the upper left position. During the movement of the folding device 1, when the folding device 1 is in the unfolded state, the first rolling axis 43 is positioned at the first limit end 621 to prevent the support member 60 from folding back and damaging the subsequent flexible screen. When the folding device 1 is in the folded state, the first rolling axis 43 is positioned at the second limit end 622 to prevent the support member 60 from folding back and damaging the subsequent flexible screen. It can also be understood that when the folding device 1 is in the unfolded state, the first rolling axis 43 is located at the lower right, and when the folding device 1 is in the folded state, the first rolling axis 43 is located at the upper left.

[0134] The first rolling groove 620 also has a first connecting portion 623 connecting the first limiting end 621 and the second limiting end 622. The first connecting portion 623 protrudes in the direction away from the support surface 610, so that the position of the first rolling shaft 43 in the first rolling groove 620 can be controlled during the entire movement process, thereby controlling the positional relationship between the rotation axis between the support member 60 and the connecting member 50 and the first rolling shaft 43, so that the support member 60 rotates to form a teardrop shape in the folded state. In addition, the arc-shaped first rolling groove 620 can also make the rolling of the first rolling shaft 43 smoother, thereby improving the smoothness and stability of the movement of the folding device 1. Of course, in other embodiments, the shape of the first connecting portion 623 can also be a straight line, or other shapes, as long as the positions of the first limiting end 621 and the second limiting end 622 meet the above-mentioned positional relationship.

[0135] The first rolling groove 620 also has a second connecting portion 624 connecting the first connecting portion 623 and the first limiting end 621, and the extension direction of the second connecting portion 624 is parallel to the support surface 610. In the process of the folding device 1 from the unfolded state to the folded state, the first rolling shaft 43 does not move directly from the first limiting end 621 to the second connecting portion 624, but first moves to the second connecting portion 624 and then moves to the first connecting portion 623. In this way, when the folding device 1 is in the unfolded state, the horizontal second connecting portion 624 can be used to support the first rolling shaft 43, and the second connecting portion 624 can be used to achieve buffering, so as to prevent the first rolling shaft 43 from moving from the first limiting end 621 to the arc-shaped first connecting portion 623 by itself, thereby improving the stability of the folding device 1. In addition, the horizontally arranged second connecting portion 624 can also reduce the gap between the first rolling shaft 43 and the first rolling groove 620 to prevent the existence of a virtual position.

[0136] In this embodiment, the support member 60 and the connecting member 50 are connected by the third arc rail and the third arc groove, the third arc rail is provided at one of the support member 60 and the connecting member 50, and the third arc groove is provided at the other of the support member 60 and the connecting member 50. Since the support member 60 is rotatably connected to the connecting member 50, the support member 60 and the connecting member 50 can be connected by the third arc rail and the third arc groove in this embodiment, the third arc rail is provided at one of the support member 60 and the connecting member 50, and the third arc groove is provided at the other of the support member 60 and the connecting member 50. For example, when the third arc rail is provided at the support member 60, the third arc groove is provided at the connecting member 50. When the third arc groove is provided at the support member 60, the third arc rail is provided at the connecting member 50. This embodiment is only schematically described with the third arc groove provided at the support member 60 and the third arc rail provided at the connecting member 50.

[0137] Specifically, the support member 60 includes a support portion 61 and a rotating portion, wherein the support portion 61 is used to support the flexible screen when the folding device 1 is applied to an electronic device. Therefore, the support portion 61 has a support surface 610 for supporting the flexible screen, that is, the upper surface of the support portion 61 is the support surface 610. The rotating portion is arranged on the side of the support portion 61 away from the support surface 610, that is, the rotating portion is farther away from the flexible screen than the support portion 61. A circular arc groove is provided on the side of the rotating portion close to the connecting member 50, and the groove is the third circular arc groove. A circular arc block is provided on the side of the connecting member 50 close to the rotating portion, and the block is the third circular arc rail. The third circular arc rail can be arranged in the third circular arc groove, and the axis of the third circular arc groove is colinear with the axis of the third circular arc rail, so that the rotating portion of the support member 60 can rotate relative to the connecting member 50. As for the size and curvature of the third circular arc groove and the third circular arc rail, they can be designed according to the position of the rotation axis between the support member 60 and the connecting member 50. In addition, it can be known from the above content that in this embodiment, the support member 60 can be rotated relative to the connecting member 50 by changing the position between the rotation axis and the rolling axis between the support member 60 and the connecting member 50. Therefore, the design of the circular arc groove and the circular arc track can make the position of the rotation axis inside the connecting member 50 or outside the connecting member 50, and the position and shape of the rolling axis and the rolling groove can be better designed by adjusting the size and curvature of the third circular arc groove and the third circular arc track, so that the support member 60 can be rotated relative to the connecting member 50. Of course, in other embodiments, the third circular arc track can also be provided on the support member 60, and the third circular arc groove can also be provided on the connecting member 50.

[0138] Optionally, in one embodiment, the connecting member 50 may have a third circular arc track, which is disposed on one side of the connecting member 50. Correspondingly, the supporting member 60 has a rotating portion and a third circular arc groove. In another embodiment, the connecting member 50 may have two third circular arc tracks, which are disposed on opposite sides of the connecting member 50. Correspondingly, the supporting member 60 has two rotating portions and a third circular arc groove. This embodiment is only schematically described by taking the connecting member 50 having two third circular arc tracks and the supporting member 60 having two third circular arc grooves.

[0139] In this embodiment, the connection member 50 and the support member 60 are connected by a constraint shaft and a constraint hole. The constraint shaft is provided on one of the connection member 50 and the support member 60, and the constraint hole is provided on the other of the connection member 50 and the support member 60. When the constraint shaft is provided on the connection member 50, the constraint hole is provided on the support member 60. When the constraint hole is provided on the connection member 50, the constraint shaft is provided on the support member 60. In this embodiment, the constraint shaft is provided on the connection member 50 and the constraint hole is provided on the support member 60 for schematic illustration. Specifically, a cylindrical column is provided at the end of the connection member 50, and the column is the constraint shaft. The support member 60 includes a support portion 61 and a constraint portion fixed to the support portion 61 and facing away from the support surface 610. A groove is provided on the side of the constraint portion facing the constraint shaft, and the groove is the constraint groove. The constraint shaft can be inserted into the constraint groove so that the connection member 50 and the support member 60 can be constrained. Of course, in other embodiments, the constraint shaft can also be provided on the support member 60, and the constraint hole can also be provided on the connection member 50. The constraint axis and the constraint hole can cooperate with each other to prevent the folding device 1 from having movement deviation during movement, causing the support member 60 to rotate excessively relative to the first rotating member 30 and then warp, which will affect the folding of the flexible screen. In other words, this embodiment limits the movement trajectory of the inclined plate by adding a virtual constraint between the first rotating member 30 and the second rotating member 40, but the constraint axis and the constraint hole do not affect the degree of freedom of the folding device 1.

[0140] In summary, the folding device 1 provided in this embodiment can ultimately control the movement trajectory of the support member 60 through the mutual cooperation of the first rotating member 30, the second rotating member 40, and the connecting member 50 to obtain the screen space 1a of the shape required by the user.

[0141] Please refer to Figure 32-Figure 33 The shell assembly 2 provided in this embodiment includes a first shell 91, a second shell 92, and a folding device 1 provided in the above embodiment of the present application, and the folding device 1 is connected between the first shell 91 and the second shell 92.

[0142] The housing assembly 2 is a combined component, that is, the housing assembly 2 includes at least two components. In this embodiment, the housing assembly 2 mainly includes two housings and the folding device 1 provided in the above embodiment of the present application. The first housing 91 and the second housing 92 are mainly used to install and carry components. For example, a flexible screen can be carried on the first housing 91 and the second housing 92, and functional modules such as batteries, PCB components, speakers, receivers, buttons, etc. can be set in the first housing 91 and the second housing 92. Therefore, the first housing 91 and the second housing 92 mainly play the role of installation and protection. In some embodiments, the surface of the first housing 91 and the second housing 92 can also serve as an appearance surface, so the surface of the first housing 91 and the second housing 92 can be designed accordingly, so that the first housing 91 and the second housing 92 have a unique appearance effect. This embodiment does not limit the parameters such as the shape, material, structure, etc. of the first housing 91 and the second housing 92, as long as the installation and protection functions can be achieved. For example, the material of the first housing 91 and the second housing 92 can be all metal, or all plastic, or partly metal and partly plastic. One connecting member 50 of the folding device 1 is connected to the first shell 91, and the other connecting member 50 is connected to the second shell 92, so that when the first shell 91 and the second shell 92 rotate, the two connecting members 50 are driven to rotate relative to the base 10, thereby realizing the subsequent movement process. For example, the movement of the first rotating member 30, the second rotating member 40, and the supporting member 60, and the relative movement of the first moving member and the second moving member provide damping for the movement of the shell assembly 2. Optionally, the shell and the connecting member 50 can be fixed by screws, buckles, or glue.

[0143] The shell assembly 2 provided in this embodiment can improve the torsional force of the shell assembly 2 by adopting the folding device 1 provided in the above-mentioned embodiment of the present application.

[0144] Please refer to Figure 34-Figure 35 The electronic device 3 provided in this embodiment includes a flexible screen 93 and a shell assembly 2 provided in the above embodiment of the present application. The flexible screen 93 is arranged on the same side of the first shell 91, the second shell 92, and the folding device 1.

[0145] The electronic device 3 provided in this embodiment includes but is not limited to mobile terminals such as mobile phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, PDAs, personal computers (PCs), personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable media players (PMPs), navigation devices, wearable devices, smart bracelets, pedometers, etc., as well as fixed terminals such as digital TVs and desktop computers. The mobile phone is used as an example for schematic illustration.

[0146] The electronic device 3 includes a flexible screen 93 and a shell assembly 2. The flexible screen 93 is a component with a certain flexibility. Compared with a rigid component, the flexible screen 93 can be bent to a certain extent. For example, the flexible screen 93 includes but is not limited to various flexible components with corresponding functions such as a flexible display screen, a flexible touch screen, and a flexible touch display screen, or a flexible component fixedly bonded with a flexible support plate, such as a flexible display screen and a flexible touch screen bonded with a flexible steel plate. The flexible screen 93 is arranged on the same side of the first shell 91 and the second shell 92 in the shell assembly 2, and can be bent or flattened with the shell assembly 2. Specifically, the flexible screen 93 has a bending area 930 and non-bending areas 931 arranged on opposite sides of the bending area 930. The bending area 930 corresponds to the middle plate setting of the bonding and folding device 1, and the non-bending area 931 is fixed to the first shell 91 and the second shell 92. Since the flexible screen 93 in the bending area 930 is correspondingly attached to the middle plate of the folding device 1, the shape of the folding device 1 changes when it moves, so it can drive the flexible screen 93 in the bending area 930 to bend as well, thereby bending or flattening with the movement of the electronic device 3. Since the non-bending area 931 is fixed on the first shell 91 and the second shell 92, the first shell 91 and the second shell 92 can only rotate relative to each other, and the shape itself will not change. Therefore, even if the first shell 91 and the second shell 92 rotate, the flexible screen 93 on the first shell 91 and the second shell 92 will not bend.

[0147] The electronic device provided in this embodiment, by adopting the shell assembly provided in the above embodiment of the present application, can support the flexible screen in the unfolded state, and at the same time can increase the screen capacity space of the flexible screen in the folded state, reduce the stress of the flexible screen, and increase the service life of the flexible screen.

[0148] In the description of the present application, it is necessary to understand that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise" and the like to indicate orientations or positional relationships are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0149] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of this application, the meaning of "plurality" is two or more, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions.

[0150] In this application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be connected, detachably connected, or integrated. It can be mechanically connected or electrically connected. It can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0151] The above describes the contents provided by the implementation methods of the present application in detail, and describes and illustrates the principles and implementation methods of the present application. These descriptions are only used to help understand the method and its core ideas of the present application. However, the contents of this specification should not be construed as limiting the present application, and those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. These modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A folding device, characterized in that: include: A base assembly, comprising a base and a friction member fixed to the base; A rotating member, rotatably connected to the base; as well as A sliding assembly, rotatably connected to the rotating member and capable of sliding relative to the base, wherein the sliding assembly abuts against the friction member; Wherein, when the rotating member rotates relative to the base, the sliding assembly slides relative to the base and rubs against the friction member.

2. The folding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The friction member includes a first friction member fixed to a side of the base close to the sliding component. The side of the sliding component close to the base abuts against the first friction member so that the sliding component slides and rubs against each other when sliding relative to the base.

3. The folding device according to claim 2, characterized in that: A first receiving groove is provided on one side of the base close to the sliding component, the first friction member is fixed in the first receiving groove, the first friction member protrudes from the surface of the base close to the sliding component, and the height of the protruding part is greater than or equal to the distance between the sliding component and the base.

4. The folding device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first friction member includes a friction portion and two fixing portions bent and connected to opposite sides of the friction portion, the two fixing portions are fixed in the first receiving groove, and the friction portion protrudes from a surface of the base close to the sliding component.

5. The folding device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The bottom wall of the first receiving groove is provided with two mounting parts, each of which penetrates through one of the fixing parts; the two mounting parts protrude from the surface of the base close to the sliding component and can abut against opposite sides of the sliding component.

6. The folding device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The base assembly further includes an elastic member abutting between the friction portion and the bottom wall of the first receiving groove. When the sliding assembly abuts against the friction portion of the first friction member, the elastic member is in a compressed state.

7. The folding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sliding assembly comprises a sliding member rotatably connected to the rotating member, a linkage member rotatably connected to the sliding member, and a driven member rotatably connected to the linkage member, wherein the driven member abuts against the friction member; When the rotating member rotates relative to the base, the sliding member slides relative to the base, the linkage member rotates relative to the sliding member and the driven member, and the driven member rotates relative to the base and rubs against the friction member.

8. The folding device according to claim 7, characterized in that: Assume that the direction in which the sliding member slides relative to the base is a first direction, the rotation axis between the rotating member and the base is a first rotation axis, the rotation axis between the sliding member and the rotating member is a second rotation axis, the rotation axis between the linkage member and the sliding member is a third rotation axis, and the rotation axis between the driven member and the linkage member is a fourth rotation axis; The first rotation axis and the second rotation axis are both parallel to the first direction, the third rotation axis and the fourth rotation axis are both perpendicular to the first direction, and the third rotation axis and the fourth rotation axis are parallel to and spaced from each other.

9. The folding device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The sliding member is provided with an extension portion, and one end of the linkage member is rotatably connected to the extension portion through a pin; the driven member is eccentrically provided with a protrusion, and the other end of the linkage member is rotatably sleeved on the protrusion.

10. The folding device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The friction member includes a second friction member fixed to the base, and the second friction member abuts against the outer peripheral side surface of the driven member, so that the driven member rotates and rubs against the second friction member when the driven member rotates relative to the base.

11. The folding device according to claim 10, characterized in that: A second receiving groove is provided on one side of the base close to the sliding member, the driven member is rotatably connected in the second receiving groove, a fixing groove is provided on the bottom wall of the second receiving groove, part of the second friction member is provided in the fixing groove, and opposite sides of the second friction member respectively abut against the driven member and the side walls of the second receiving groove.

12. The folding device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The driven member is cylindrical; the second friction member is arranged to form a circular receiving space, and the inner diameter of the receiving space is smaller than the outer diameter of the driven member.

13. The folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that: The folding device also includes: Two first rotating members are rotatably connected to opposite sides of the base respectively; Two second rotating members are rotatably connected to opposite sides of the base respectively; A connecting member, wherein one of the first rotating member and the second rotating member located on the same side of the base is rotatably connected to the connecting member, and the other is slidably connected to the connecting member; and Two supporting members, each of which is rotatably connected to one of the connecting members, and is slidably and rotatably connected to the other of the first rotating member and the second rotating member; Wherein, the rotating member is at least one of the first rotating member and the second rotating member.

14. A housing assembly, characterized in that: The shell assembly includes a first shell, a second shell, and a folding device as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, and the folding device is connected between the first shell and the second shell.

15. An electronic device, characterized in that: The electronic device comprises a flexible screen and a housing assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the flexible screen is arranged on the same side of the first housing, the second housing, and the folding device.

Images