Hinge structure and folding electronic equipment thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of folding electronic equipment, in particular to a hinge structure and folding electronic equipment thereof. The hinge structure comprises a body, a screen supporting piece and a four-bar mechanism. The screen supporting piece is used for installing and supporting a flexible screen; the screen supporting piece comprises a first plate body arranged close to the folded portion of the flexible screen and a second plate body arranged away from the folded portion. The second plate body is arranged on the body in a swinging and rotating mode through a four-connecting-rod mechanism. The four-connecting-rod mechanism comprises a first connecting rod piece and a second connecting rod piece. The first plate body is fixedly arranged on the first connecting rod piece and swings along with the first connecting rod piece; when the flexible screen is completely folded, the first plate body is obliquely arranged, and then a deformation space is constructed for the folded part of the flexible screen. The flexible screen is exquisite in design and convenient to implement, and different requirements of folding electronic products are met by changing the size of the space needed by folding deformation of the flexible screen.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of foldable electronic devices, and more particularly to a hinge structure and a foldable electronic device thereof. Background Art

[0002] Foldable electronic devices, such as foldable screen mobile phones, tablet computers, etc., achieve the folding and unfolding of the screen through a hinge structure. The hinge structure not only needs to support the weight of the screen, but also needs to maintain the flatness and stability of the screen during the folding and unfolding process. At the same time, due to the high usage frequency of foldable electronic devices, the durability of the hinge structure has also become an important consideration factor. However, there are areas for improvement in the hinge structure previously submitted by the applicant, especially how to form a water-drop-shaped folding structure, so that the folded part of the flexible screen is bent in a water-drop shape, thereby avoiding damage to the flexible screen. The present application aims to disclose a hinge structure with a water-drop-shaped folding structure. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a hinge structure and a foldable electronic device thereof to solve at least one technical problem existing in the prior art.

[0004] To solve the above technical problems, a hinge structure provided by the present invention includes a body, a screen support member, and a four-bar linkage mechanism; The screen support member is used for installing and supporting a flexible screen; the screen support member includes a first plate body (small door panel) disposed close to the folded part of the flexible screen and a second plate body (large door panel) disposed away from the folded part; The second plate body is pivotally arranged on the body through the four-bar linkage mechanism; The four-bar linkage mechanism includes a first link member and a second link member; The first plate body is fixedly arranged on the first link member and swings together with the first link member; in the state where the flexible screen is completely folded, the first plate body is inclined, thereby constructing a deformation space for the folded part of the flexible screen.

[0005] In the present application, the two ends of the first link member and the second link member are respectively pivotally connected to the body and the second plate body, thereby forming a four-bar linkage mechanism. The structure of the present application is simple, and the screen support member is unfolded and folded with the flexible screen above it through the four-bar linkage mechanism. At the same time, during the folding process, an inverted trumpet-shaped deformation space is formed at the folded part, so that the flexible screen is in a water-drop shape within this space, avoiding damage to the folded part due to complete folding.

[0006] Both ends of the first link member and the second link member are respectively pivotally connected to the body and the second plate body in a rotatable manner; specifically, the second plate body is arranged on the body through a four-bar linkage mechanism, and the process of its flipping from the horizontal state to the vertical state is a composite movement of circumferential movement, self-rotation and translational movement around the body.

[0007] Further, in the state where the flexible screen is horizontally unfolded, the first screen mounting surface on the first plate body is flush with the second screen mounting surface on the second plate body.

[0008] Further, in the projection plane perpendicular to the virtual rotation center line of the first plate body, assuming the horizontal direction is the X coordinate axis and the vertical direction is the Y coordinate axis, in the state where the flexible screen is horizontally unfolded, the second screen mounting surface on the second plate body is horizontally unfolded along the positive direction of the X coordinate axis, and in the state where the flexible screen is completely folded, the second screen mounting surface of the second plate body is vertically arranged along the positive direction of the Y coordinate axis; the virtual intersection point of the horizontally arranged second screen mounting surface and the vertically arranged second screen mounting surface is the origin of the coordinate system; the virtual rotation center of the first plate body, that is, the virtual pivot center of the first link member on the body, is arranged in the positive and negative quadrants (i.e., the fourth quadrant) area.

[0009] When the virtual rotation center of the first plate body, that is, the virtual pivot center of the first link member on the body, is arranged in the fourth quadrant of the above coordinate system, it can thus meet the requirement that the pivot structure of the first plate body and the first link member on the body is arranged below the horizontal X coordinate axis, that is, the second screen mounting surface on the second plate body, and at the same time provide a basis for the first screen mounting surface on the first plate body to be flush with the second screen mounting surface on the second plate body, and provide a basis for the first plate body to be inclined when the flexible screen is completely folded.

[0010] Further, the virtual pivot center of the second link member on the body is arranged in the positive and negative quadrants (i.e., the fourth quadrant) area.

[0011] Similarly, the second link member is arranged in the fourth quadrant to prevent its pivot structure on the body from protruding above the first screen mounting surface and the second screen mounting surface.

[0012] Further, the second link member is bent as a whole to prevent the entire second link member from protruding (or being higher than) the first screen mounting surface on the first plate body during the entire process from the horizontal unfolding of the flexible screen to its complete folding.

[0013] That is, the second link member as a whole needs to be given an avoidance treatment, with sinking and bending treatments at places where it may protrude above the first screen mounting surface at any rotation position, to prevent the second link member from protruding above the first screen mounting surface at any position and touching and damaging the flexible screen.

[0014] Further, the screen support member includes a left screen support member and a right screen support member which are symmetrically arranged left and right; the left screen support member and the right screen support member are respectively pivotally arranged on the body through two sets of the four-bar link mechanisms; In the fully folded state of the flexible screen, two second screen mounting surfaces on the second plate bodies on the left and right sides are arranged in parallel at intervals (the flexible screens on the two second screen mounting surfaces can be in contact with each other), and the gaps between two first screen mounting surfaces on the first plate bodies on the left and right sides are arranged in a flared shape (or called a wedge shape) with a smaller upper part and a larger lower part.

[0015] Further, in the fully folded state of the flexible screen, the included angle between two first screen mounting surfaces on the first plate bodies on the left and right sides is 1-80°.

[0016] Generally, the width of the first plate body is relatively small, such as 1-10 mm, and only needs to meet the requirement of no damage and deformation of the folded part of the flexible screen. The width of the second plate body is relatively wide to meet the support needs of other parts of the flexible screen except the folded part.

[0017] Further, let the second plate body on the left screen support member be the left plate body; the second plate body on the right screen support member be the right plate body; a synchronization component is arranged between the left plate body and the right plate body for realizing the synchronous forward or reverse rotation of the left plate body and the right plate body; the left plate body and the right plate body are respectively pivotally connected to the body through two sets of the first link members and the second link members arranged left and right.

[0018] Further, the synchronization component includes a first gear and a second gear which are rotatably arranged on the body and mesh with each other in transmission; tooth structures meshing with the first gear and the second gear are respectively arranged on the left plate body and the right plate body.

[0019] Further, an arc-shaped plate-like rotating part is arranged at one end of the second link member or the first link member (more preferably on the second link member) which is pivotally connected to the body; The synchronization component includes a synchronous transmission member; The synchronous transmission member is only arranged on the body so as to be reciprocally movable along the virtual pivot center line direction of the second link member on the body; The rotating part includes a left rotating part arranged on the second link member or the first link member on the left side, and a right rotating part arranged on the second link member or the first link member on the right side; A screw transmission pair is arranged between the rotating part and the synchronous transmission member for realizing the conversion and transmission between the swinging motion of the second plate body and the rotating part and the linear motion of the synchronous transmission member; The left helical transmission pair between the left rotating part and the synchronous transmission part and the right helical transmission pair between the right rotating part and the synchronous transmission part have opposite helical directions, which are used to realize the synchronous forward or reverse swing of the left plate body and the right plate body (such as realizing the synchronous counterclockwise and clockwise swings of the left plate body and the right plate body respectively, and the synchronous swing during the opening and closing process).

[0020] Further, the helical transmission pair includes a helical groove provided on the rotating part or the synchronous transmission part, and a slider structure (i.e., a convex limiting and transmission structure) provided on the synchronous transmission part or the rotating part. The slider structure is slidably inserted into the helical groove to realize the transmission between the rotating part and the synchronous transmission part.

[0021] When the rotating part of the first link or the second link on one side rotates, the synchronous transmission part is forced to move in the axial direction of the virtual rotation axis of the rotating part through the helical transmission pair on this side. Then, through the helical transmission pair on the other side, the rotating part on the other side rotates synchronously forward or reversely, realizing the synchronous swing of the rotating parts on both sides and the entire first link and the second link; that is, the left rotating parts and the right rotating parts on both sides realize synchronous reverse or forward swing through the intermediate synchronous transmission part, realizing synchronous opening and closing actions.

[0022] Further, the left helical transmission pair and the right helical transmission pair are arranged symmetrically left and right.

[0023] Optionally, the left helical transmission pair and the right helical transmission pair can also be arranged asymmetrically. The synchronous component can include one pair or several pairs of the left helical transmission pair and the right helical transmission pair.

[0024] Further, within the same synchronous component, several pairs of the left helical transmission pair and / or the right helical transmission pair are included; in the direction of the swing center line, the left helical transmission pair and the right helical transmission pair are arranged staggered.

[0025] Further, the synchronous transmission part includes a main body; The main body includes a middle trunk part and two side arm extension parts; The helical transmission pair is arranged between the arm extension part and the rotating part.

[0026] Further, the synchronous transmission part further includes a long tail part. The long tail part is rod-shaped as a whole and is relatively fixedly arranged at the tail (or one end) of the trunk part; the trunk part and the long tail part are arranged along the direction of the swing center line as a whole; A temporary clamping structure is arranged between the long tail part and the main body, which is used to temporarily limit the left plate body, the right plate body, the left rotating part and the right rotating part at one or several set opening and closing angles.

[0027] Further, the temporary clamping structure includes: a limiting protrusion provided on the long tail portion or the body, and a clamping groove provided on the body or the long tail portion and engaging with the limiting protrusion in a clamping manner.

[0028] Preferably, the limiting protrusion is made of an elastic material. When the left rotating portion and the right rotating portion swing relative to each other, the long tail portion is forced to move along the swing center line direction through the screw transmission pair, and the elastic material is deformed to force the limiting protrusion to be inserted into or extruded from the clamping groove; after the limiting protrusion is inserted into the clamping groove, the left rotating portion and the right rotating portion are temporarily limited at a set opening and closing angle.

[0029] Further, it further includes a clamping plate and an actuating spring; The clamping plate is slidably arranged on the body in a left-right direction; The limiting protrusion or the clamping groove is provided on the clamping plate; The actuating spring is arranged between the clamping plate and the body, and tends to force the clamping plate to abut against the long tail portion, thereby maintaining the clamping state of the limiting protrusion and the clamping groove (that is, the limiting protrusion is clamped in the clamping groove, so that the hinge structure is temporarily maintained at a set opening and closing angle).

[0030] Preferably, the temporary clamping structure is arranged symmetrically left and right.

[0031] Preferably, the limiting protrusions or the clamping grooves are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the long tail portion; Two groups of the clamping plates and the actuating springs are respectively arranged symmetrically left and right on both sides of the long tail portion; the two clamping plates on the left and right sides tend to move towards the middle under the action of the actuating springs, thereby clamping the long tail portion and maintaining the clamping state of the limiting protrusion and the clamping groove.

[0032] Optionally, the temporary clamping structure can also be arranged on one side only, that is, only the limiting protrusion or the clamping groove is provided on the left side or the right side of the long tail portion, and only one group of the clamping plates and the actuating springs is arranged on the left side or the right side of the long tail portion; the clamping plate tends to move towards the middle under the action of the actuating spring, and clamps the long tail portion between the clamping plate and the body.

[0033] The right side or the left side of the long tail portion and the working surface of the body abutting against it are vertical planes arranged along the swing center line.

[0034] Further, chamfers, fillets or arc-shaped inclined surfaces and other smooth transition structures are provided at both ends of the limiting protrusion and the clamping groove in the direction of the swing center line, for guiding the limiting protrusion to be inserted into the clamping groove.

[0035] Further, a return spring is further included, and the return spring is arranged between the synchronous transmission member and the body, and tends to force the synchronous transmission member to move and reset along the swing center line direction.

[0036] The arrangement of the return spring can tend to force the slider structure in the screw transmission pair to abut against the fixed side of the screw thread groove, thereby reducing or eliminating the positioning error caused by the gap between the slider structure and the screw thread groove.

[0037] Further, in the direction of the swing center line, the length of the card slot is greater than the width of the limit protrusion, an activity margin is arranged in the card slot, and the limit protrusion can move along the card slot within the range of the activity margin.

[0038] Preferably, the opening and closing angles of the left rotating part and the right rotating part corresponding to the size of the activity margin are 1-10°.

[0039] Further, a limit structure is further included, which is arranged on the body and is used to limit that the synchronous transmission member can only reciprocate along the virtual pivot center line of the second link member on the body.

[0040] Further, the limit structure includes a limit groove or a limit track arranged on the body or the synchronous transmission member along the swing center line, and a limit block arranged on the synchronous transmission member or the body and slidably inserted and matched with the limit groove, or a slot slidably matched with the limit track.

[0041] In the present application, the body can be a single component or an assembly, providing an installation basis for the installation or mutual connection of components such as the first plate body, the second plate body, and the synchronous component.

[0042] Preferably, the limit structure can also be a receiving groove surrounded by the body or a plurality of components constituting the body. The receiving groove is a long groove arranged along the swing center line, and the synchronous transmission member is slidably arranged on the body along the receiving groove. Optionally, an entrance and exit is arranged at one end of the receiving groove in the direction of the swing center line, and one end of the synchronous transmission member is inserted into the receiving groove through the entrance and exit.

[0043] Further, the body includes a first base and a second base. In the thickness direction, the second base, the rotating part, the main body of the synchronous transmission member, and the first base are arranged in sequence.

[0044] Further, a half shaft rod part is arranged on the second base, and an arc working surface is arranged on one side of the half shaft rod part in the rotating part. The arc working surface is adapted to the inner arc surface of the rotating part and is used for limiting the rotation of the rotating part.

[0045] Further, the half-shaft rod portions on the second base are symmetrically arranged left and right. That is, the left half-shaft rod portion and the right half-shaft rod portion are respectively adapted to the left rotating portion and the right rotating portion.

[0046] Further, an upper arc surface is provided at the bottom of the arm extension portion of the main body; the upper arc surface is adapted to the outer arc surface of the rotating portion, and the upper arc surface and the arc working surface of the half-shaft rod portion enclose an arc-shaped limiting cavity for limiting the rotation of the rotating portion.

[0047] Further, the top surface of the main body is integrally in an inverted V shape, and a long strip-shaped lower convex portion is provided at the bottom of the trunk portion. The long strip-shaped lower convex portion is inserted between the left rotating portion and the right rotating portion; the two outer arc surfaces of the left rotating portion and the right rotating portion thus enclose a limiting guide groove arranged along the swing center line; the upper arc surfaces on the left and right sides of the long strip-shaped lower convex portion cooperate with the two outer arc surfaces to limit the synchronous transmission member to only reciprocate along the swing center line.

[0048] Preferably, a guide strip is arranged along the swing center line direction on the back of the trunk portion, and a limiting groove adapted to the guide strip is provided on the first base for limiting the synchronous transmission member to only reciprocate along the swing center line.

[0049] Preferably, the cross section of the guide strip is rectangular or dovetail-shaped.

[0050] Further, the first base includes a left rod member and a right rod member which are symmetrically arranged left and right, and assembly grooves for accommodating the two arm extension portions of the synchronous transmission member are respectively provided on the left rod member and the right rod member.

[0051] More preferably, the bottom surface of the assembly groove abuts against the back surface of the arm extension portion to play a limiting role.

[0052] Preferably, the lengths of the second base, the left rod member and the right rod member are the same as the length of the entire hinge structure.

[0053] Further, the left rod member and the right rod member are arranged at intervals left and right, and the limiting groove is formed in the middle.

[0054] More preferably, the left rod member and the right rod member are processed from round rods or square rods.

[0055] Further, the long tail portion is arranged in the middle interval between the left rod member and the right rod member; grooves for accommodating the clamping plate are provided on the left rod member and the right rod member, and plugging holes for inserting the actuating spring are provided in the grooves.

[0056] Preferably, guide columns are provided on both sides of the clamping plate, and guide holes for guiding and cooperating with the guide columns are provided in the grooves of the left rod member and the right rod member.

[0057] Optionally, the slider structure in the screw drive pair abuts against the bottom surface of the screw thread groove, and thus can also abut against the rotating part in the thickness direction, cooperate with the arc working surface on the second base half shaft part above, and clamp the rotating part in the middle, so as to play a role in limiting the rotation of the rotating part.

[0058] Preferably, in the direction of the swing center line, one group or several groups of the synchronization components are included.

[0059] Further, a connecting arm integrally formed with the rotating part is further included. One end of the connecting arm is fixedly connected to the rotating part, and the other end is pivotally connected to the second plate body.

[0060] Further, the first link or the second link includes: a swing part with an arc-shaped plate at one end swing-connected to the body, and a connecting part integrally formed with the swing part; An arc-shaped guiding groove is arranged between the first base and the second base. One end of the swing part is slidably inserted into the arc-shaped guiding groove, and the other end of the swing part is pivotally connected to the second plate body through the connecting part.

[0061] Further, a connecting seat is further included; the first link and the second link are respectively pivotally connected to the connecting seat; the second plate body is fixedly connected to the connecting seat.

[0062] It should be noted that the first link or the second link can be uniformly connected to the synchronization component and the first plate body at the same time. More preferably, the first plate body is fixedly connected to the first link, and the second link is connected to the synchronization component, and the structure is simpler.

[0063] The second aspect of the present application discloses a foldable electronic device with the above hinge structure.

[0064] Adopting the above technical solution, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: A hinge structure and a foldable electronic device provided by the present application are exquisitely designed and easy to implement. By adjusting the position of the first swing center, the inclination angle of the first plate body in the folded state can be adjusted, and then the size of the space required for the flexible screen to fold and deform can be changed, meeting the different requirements of foldable electronic products. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0065] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the following drawings are some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0066] Figure 1 Schematic three-dimensional structure diagram of the hinge structure; Figure 2 Working principle diagram of the connecting rod mechanism of the present application; Figure 3 is Figure 2 Partial view at C of the connecting rod structure in ; Figure 4 Front view of the hinge structure in the embodiment; Figure 5 is Figure 4 Exploded view of the hinge mechanism; Figure 6 Three-dimensional view of the synchronization component and the connecting rod member in the embodiment; Figure 7 Partial structure schematic diagram of the synchronization component and the connecting rod member in the embodiment; Figure 8 is Figure 7 Three-dimensional view of ; Figure 9 is Figure 7 Cross-sectional view AA in ; Figure 10 is Figure 7 Cross-sectional view BB in ; Figure 11 Exploded view of the synchronization component and the connecting rod member in the embodiment; Figure 12 Exploded schematic diagram of the body; Figure 13 Three-dimensional view of the synchronization component; Figure 14 is Figure 10 Exploded view of ; Figure 15 is Figure 13 Front view of the synchronization component shown in ; Figure 16 Three-dimensional view of the synchronization transmission member; Figure 17 Three-dimensional view of the second connecting rod member; Figure 18 Three-dimensional view of the first connecting rod member.

[0067] Reference numerals: 10 - Body; 11 - Second base; 12 - Half - shaft rod part; 15 - First base; 15a - Left rod; 15b - Right rod; 15c - Assembly groove; 16 - Insertion hole; 17 - Rear cover; 20 - Second plate body; 20a - Left plate body; 20b - Right plate body; 25 - First plate body; 27 - Second screen mounting surface; 30 - First link; 31 - Swinging part; 32 - Connecting part; 40 - Second link; 41 - Rotating part; 41a - Left rotating part; 41b - Right rotating part; 42 - Spiral wire groove; 45 - Connecting arm; 50 - Synchronous transmission part; 51 - Slide block structure; 52 - Main body; 53 - Trunk part; 54 - Arm extension part; 55 - Long tail part; 55a - Limit protrusion; 56 - Lower convex part; 60 - Clamping plate; 61 - Clamping groove; 70 - Execution spring; 71 - Reset spring. Detailed implementation mode

[0068] The technical solutions of the present invention will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0069] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus cannot be understood as a limitation of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0070] The present invention will be further explained below in combination with specific implementation modes.

[0071] As Figures 1-3As shown in the figure, this embodiment discloses a hinge structure, which includes a body 10, a screen support member, and a four-bar linkage mechanism; the screen support member is used to install and support a flexible screen (not shown); the screen support member includes a first plate body 25 (small door panel) disposed near the folded portion of the flexible screen and a second plate body 20 (large door panel) disposed away from the folded portion; the second plate body 20 is pivotally arranged on the body 10 through the four-bar linkage mechanism; the four-bar linkage mechanism includes a first link member 30 and a second link member 40; the first plate body 25 is fixedly arranged on the first link member 30 and swings together with the first link member 30; in the state where the flexible screen is completely folded, the first plate body 25 is inclined, thereby constructing a deformation space for the folded portion of the flexible screen.

[0072] In this application, both ends of the first link member 30 and the second link member 40 are pivotally connected to the body 10 and the second plate body 20 respectively, thereby forming a four-bar linkage mechanism. The structure of this application is simple. Through the four-bar linkage mechanism, the screen support member is used to unfold and fold the flexible screen above it. At the same time, during the folding process, an inverted trumpet-shaped deformation space is formed in the folded portion, so that the flexible screen is in a water droplet shape in this space, avoiding damage caused by the complete folding of the folded portion.

[0073] Specifically, both ends of the first link member 30 and the second link member 40 are pivotally connected to the body 10 and the second plate body 20 respectively in a swingable manner. The second plate body 20 is arranged on the body 10 through the four-bar linkage mechanism, and the process of its flipping from the horizontal state to the vertical state is a composite movement of its circumferential movement, self-rotation, and translation around the body 10.

[0074] Preferably, in the state where the flexible screen is horizontally unfolded, the first screen mounting surface 26 on the first plate body 25 is flush with the second screen mounting surface 27 on the second plate body 20. More preferably, when the flexible screen is unfolded to be completely folded, the second plate body 20 is horizontally arranged at 0 degrees and finally flipped to be vertically arranged at 90 degrees.

[0075] In the projection plane perpendicular to the virtual swing center line of the first plate body 25, the horizontal direction is set as the X coordinate axis, and the vertical direction is set as the Y coordinate axis. In the state where the flexible screen is horizontally unfolded, the second screen mounting surface 27 on the second plate body 20 is horizontally unfolded along the positive direction of the X coordinate axis. In the state where the flexible screen is completely folded, the second screen mounting surface 27 of the second plate body 20 is vertically arranged along the positive direction of the Y coordinate axis; the virtual intersection point of the horizontally arranged second screen mounting surface 27 and the vertically arranged second screen mounting surface 27 is the origin O of the coordinate system; the first virtual swing center A1 of the first plate body 25, that is, the virtual pivoting center of the first link member 30 on the body 10, is set in the positive and negative quadrants (i.e., the fourth quadrant) area. The position of the first virtual swing center A1 also determines the inclination angle of the first plate body 25 after the flexible screen is folded. On the premise that the length of the first link member 30 remains unchanged, the larger the absolute coordinate value of the first virtual swing center A1 on the X coordinate axis, the larger the angle between the first plate body 25 and the vertical plane.

[0076] When the first virtual swing center A1 of the first plate body 25, that is, the virtual pivoting center of the first link member 30 on the body 10, is set in the fourth quadrant of the above coordinate system, it can meet the requirement that the pivoting structures of the first plate body 25 and the first link member 30 on the body 10 are arranged below the horizontal X coordinate axis, that is, the second screen mounting surface 27 on the second plate body 20, and at the same time provide a basis for the first screen mounting surface 26 on the first plate body 25 to be flush with the second screen mounting surface 27 on the second plate body 20, and provide a basis for the first plate body 25 to tilt when the flexible screen is completely folded.

[0077] Furthermore, the second virtual pivoting center A2 of the second link member 40 on the body 10 is set in the positive and negative quadrants (i.e., the fourth quadrant) area. Similarly, the second virtual pivoting center A2 of the second link member 40 is set in the fourth quadrant to prevent its pivoting structure on the body 10 from protruding above the first screen mounting surface 26 and the second screen mounting surface 27.

[0078] Furthermore, the second link member 40 is bent as a whole to prevent the entire second link member 40 from protruding (or not being higher than) the first screen mounting surface 26 on the first plate body 25 during the entire process from the horizontal unfolding to the complete folding of the flexible screen (i.e., any swing angle and position).

[0079] That is, the second link member 40 needs to be processed as a whole for avoidance. Wherever it may protrude from the first screen mounting surface 26 at any swing position, it is sunk and bent to prevent the second link member 40 from protruding from the first screen mounting surface 26 at any position and touching and damaging the flexible screen.

[0080] Furthermore, the screen support member includes a left screen support member and a right screen support member that are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides; the left screen support member and the right screen support member are rotatably arranged on the body 10 through two sets of the four-bar linkage mechanisms respectively; When the flexible screen is in a fully folded state, the two second screen mounting surfaces 27 on the second plate bodies 20 on the left and right sides are arranged in parallel and spaced apart (the flexible screens on the two second screen mounting surfaces 27 can contact each other), and the gap between the two first screen mounting surfaces 26 on the first plate bodies 25 on the left and right sides is arranged in a trumpet-shaped (or wedge-shaped) shape with a smaller top and a larger bottom.

[0081] Preferably, when the flexible screen is in a fully folded state, the angle between the two first screen mounting surfaces 26 on the first plate body 25 on the left and right sides is 1-80°, and more preferably 2-30°.

[0082] The hinge structure disclosed in the present application is exquisitely designed, easy to implement, and the size of the accommodating space can be adjusted according to design requirements. Specifically, the inclination angle of the first plate 25 in the folded state can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the first swing center, thereby meeting the different needs of foldable electronic products.

[0083] Usually, the width of the first plate 25 is relatively small, such as 1-10 mm, and only needs to meet the requirement that the folded part of the flexible screen is not damaged or deformed. The width of the second plate 20 is relatively wide, meeting the support needs of other parts of the flexible screen except the folded part.

[0084] It should be noted that the first link member 30 and the second link member 40 are defined according to mechanical principles, and their actual physical shapes are diverse.

[0085] See also Figures 1-2 and Figure 4 As shown, the second plate 20 includes a left plate 20a and a right plate 20b which are arranged symmetrically on the left and right sides; that is, the second plate on the left screen support is the left plate 20a; and the second plate on the right screen support is the right plate 20b.

[0086] See also Figure 5 As shown, a synchronization component is provided between the left plate 20a and the right plate 20b for realizing synchronous rotation of the left plate 20a and the right plate 20b toward or in the opposite direction; the left plate 20a and the right plate 20b are respectively connected to the main body 10 in a swingable manner through two groups of first connecting rods 30 or second connecting rods 40 arranged on the left and right.

[0087] In a prior patent of the present applicant, an embodiment is disclosed as follows: The synchronization component includes a first gear and a second gear that are rotatably arranged on the body 10 and mesh with each other for transmission; tooth structures that mesh with the first gear and the second gear are respectively arranged on the left plate body 20a and the right plate body 20b. Through the above gear transmission pair, the left plate body 20a and the right plate body 20b are synchronously rotated towards each other or in opposite directions.

[0088] See Figures 6-17 Another embodiment of the synchronization component is shown. Among them, the second link 40 is connected to the synchronization component to realize the synchronous movement of the left plate body 20a and the right plate body 20b. Similarly, optionally, the first link 30 can also be connected to the synchronization component to realize the synchronous movement of the mechanisms on both sides.

[0089] See Figure 9 As shown, one end of the second link 40 that is swingably connected to the body 10 is provided with a rotating portion 41 in the shape of an arc plate; the rotating portion 41 is integrally formed with the connecting arm 45; one end of the connecting arm 45 is fixedly connected to the rotating portion 41, and the other end is hingedly connected to the second plate body 20.

[0090] The synchronization component includes a synchronous transmission member 50; the synchronous transmission member 50 is arranged on the body 10 so as to be reciprocally movable only along the virtual swing center line direction of the first plate body 25.

[0091] The rotating portion 41 includes a left rotating portion 41a provided on the left second link 40 and a right rotating portion 41b provided on the right second link 40; a screw transmission pair is arranged between the rotating portion 41 and the synchronous transmission member 50 to realize the conversion and transmission between the swing movement of the second plate body 20 and the rotating portion 41 and the linear movement of the synchronous transmission member 50. The left screw transmission pair between the left rotating portion 41a and the synchronous transmission member 50 and the right screw transmission pair between the right rotating portion 41b and the synchronous transmission member 50 have opposite screw directions to realize the synchronous swing towards each other or in opposite directions of the left plate body 20a and the right plate body 20b (such as realizing the synchronous counterclockwise and clockwise swings of the left plate body 20a and the right plate body 20b respectively, and the synchronous swing during the opening and closing process).

[0092] See Figure 16 and 17 As shown, in this embodiment, the screw transmission pair includes a screw thread groove 42 provided on the rotating portion 41 or the synchronous transmission member 50, and a screw-shaped slider structure 51 (i.e., a convex limiting and transmission structure) provided on the synchronous transmission member 50 or the rotating portion 41. The slider structure 51 is slidably inserted into the screw thread groove 42 to realize the transmission between the rotating portion 41 and the synchronous transmission member 50.

[0093] When the rotating part 41 of the second link 40 on one side rotates, the synchronous transmission part 50 is forced to move in the axial direction of the virtual rotation axis of the rotating part 41 through the screw transmission pair on this side. Then, through the screw transmission pair on the other side, the rotating part 41 on the other side rotates synchronously in the opposite or same direction, realizing the synchronous swing of the rotating parts 41 on both sides and the entire second link 40; that is, the left rotating parts 41a and the right rotating parts 41b on both sides (as well as the first links 30 and the second links 40 on both sides) realize synchronous reverse or forward swing through the intermediate synchronous transmission part 50, realizing synchronous opening and closing actions.

[0094] See Figure 16 As shown, the synchronous transmission part 50 includes a main body 52; the main body 52 includes a middle trunk part 53 and two side arm extension parts 54; a screw transmission pair is arranged between the arm extension part 54 and the rotating part 41.

[0095] More preferably, the synchronous transmission part 50 further includes a long tail part 55. The long tail part 55 is rod-shaped as a whole and is relatively fixedly arranged at the tail (or one end) of the trunk part 53; the trunk part 53 and the long tail part 55 are arranged along the swing center line direction as a whole.

[0096] A temporary clamping structure is arranged between the long tail part 55 and the main body 10, which is used to temporarily limit the left plate body 20a and the right plate body 20b, as well as the left rotating part 41a and the right rotating part 41b at one or several set opening and closing angles.

[0097] Further, the temporary clamping structure includes: a limiting protrusion 55a arranged on the long tail part 55 or the main body 10, and a clamping groove 61 which is arranged on the main body 10 or the long tail part 55 and is in clamping fit with the limiting protrusion 55a.

[0098] Further preferably, see Figures 13-15 As shown, a clamping plate 60 and an actuating spring 70 are further arranged on the main body 10; the clamping plate 60 is slidably arranged on the main body 10 left and right; a clamping groove 61 is arranged on the clamping plate 60; The actuating spring 70 is arranged between the clamping plate 60 and the main body 10 and tends to force the clamping plate 60 to abut against the long tail part 55, thereby maintaining the clamping state of the limiting protrusion 55a and the clamping groove 61. The limiting protrusion 55a is clamped in the clamping groove 61, so that the hinge structure is temporarily maintained at a set opening and closing angle.

[0099] Preferably, limiting protrusions 55a or clamping grooves 61 are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the long tail part 55; two groups of clamping plates 60 and actuating springs 70 are respectively arranged symmetrically on the left and right sides of the long tail part 55; the two clamping plates 60 on the left and right sides tend to move towards the middle under the action of the actuating spring 70, thereby clamping the long tail part 55 and maintaining the clamping state of the limiting protrusion 55a and the clamping groove 61.

[0100] Further, chamfers, rounded corners or arc-shaped inclined surfaces and other smooth transition structures are provided at both ends of the limit protrusion 55a and the card slot 61 in the direction of the swing center line, for guiding the limit protrusion 55a to be snapped into the card slot 61.

[0101] Due to the provided smooth transition structure, the limit protrusion 55a and the card slot 61 are integrally trapezoidal in shape. When the electronic device is unfolded to near the common set opening and closing angles such as 120 degrees, 180 degrees or 360 degrees, the transition structure can guide the limit protrusion 55a to be snapped into the card slot 61 under the action of the spring actuator spring 70 or the elasticity of the limit protrusion 55a itself, that is, the hinge structure continues to slowly swing to the set opening and closing angles such as 120 degrees, 180 degrees or 360 degrees. When the elastic force of the spring actuator spring 70 or the material is overcome by an external force, the latching state of the temporary latching structure can be released, enabling the electronic device to continue to open and close.

[0102] More preferably, this embodiment further includes a return spring 71, which is arranged between the synchronous transmission member 50 and the main body 10, and tends to force the synchronous transmission member 50 to move and reset along the direction of the swing center line.

[0103] The setting of the return spring 71 can tend to force the slider structure 51 in the screw transmission pair to abut against the fixed side of the screw thread groove 42, thereby reducing or eliminating the positioning error caused by the gap between the slider structure 51 and the screw thread groove 42.

[0104] Further, in the direction of the swing center line of the second link member 40, the length of the card slot 61 is greater than the width of the limit protrusion 55a, and an activity margin is provided in the card slot 61, and the limit protrusion 55a can move along the card slot 61 within the range of the activity margin. Preferably, the opening and closing angles of the left rotating part 41a and the right rotating part 41b corresponding to the size of the activity margin are 1-10°.

[0105] Combined with the setting of the return spring 71, when the user folds the electronic device, the electronic device can be folded to a larger opening and closing angle range, and the hinge structure can automatically restore the opening and closing angle to the adjacent set opening and closing angle through the return spring 71. For example, within the range of 0-10° of the opening and closing angle, the hinge structure can automatically reset to the set 0°, greatly improving the user experience.

[0106] In this embodiment, a limit structure is further included for limiting that the synchronous transmission member 50 can only reciprocally move along the swing center line of the second link member 40 and is arranged on the main body 10. This limit structure is prior art and will not be elaborated here.

[0107] In this application, the main body 10 can be a single component or an assembly, providing an installation basis for the installation or mutual connection of components such as the second plate body 20 and the synchronous assembly.

[0108] See Figure 12 As shown, in this embodiment, the body 10 includes a first base 15 and a second base 11. In the thickness direction, the second base 11, the rotating part 41, the main body 52 of the synchronous transmission part 50, and the first base 15 are arranged in sequence.

[0109] Furthermore, a half shaft rod part 12 is arranged on the second base 11. The half shaft rod part 12 is provided with an arc working surface on one side of the rotating part 41. The arc working surface is adapted to the inner arc surface of the rotating part 41 and is used for limiting the rotation of the rotating part 41. In the cross section perpendicular to the half shaft rod part 12, the radian of the arc working surface is π / 4~π. More preferably, the radian of the arc working surface is π / 3~2π / 3. Correspondingly, the overall radian of the rotating part 41 is π / 4~π, preferably π / 3~2π / 3. Thus, the cross sections of the half shaft rod part 12 and the rotating part 41 are small semi-circles, and the structure is thinner and lighter.

[0110] Furthermore, the half shaft rod parts 12 on the second base 11 are arranged symmetrically left and right. That is, the left half shaft rod part and the right half shaft rod part are respectively adapted to the left rotating part 41a and the right rotating part 41b.

[0111] In addition, the arm extension part 54 of the main body 52 is provided with an upper arc surface; the upper arc surface is adapted to the outer arc surface of the rotating part 41, and the upper arc surface and the arc working surface of the half shaft rod part 12 enclose an arc-shaped limiting cavity for limiting the rotation of the rotating part 41.

[0112] Optionally, the top surface of the main body 52 is integrally in an inverted V shape, and a long strip-shaped lower convex part 56 is arranged at the bottom of the trunk part 53.

[0113] The first base 15 includes a left rod 15a and a right rod 15b which are symmetrically arranged left and right. Assembly grooves 15c for accommodating the two arm extension parts 54 of the synchronous transmission part 50 are respectively arranged on the left rod 15a and the right rod 15b. More preferably, the bottom surface of the assembly groove 15c abuts against the back surface of the arm extension part 54 to play a limiting role.

[0114] Preferably, the lengths of the second base 11, the left rod 15a, and the right rod 15b are the same as the length of the entire hinge structure. Further, the left rod 15a and the right rod 15b are arranged at intervals left and right, and a limiting groove is formed in the middle. The long strip-shaped lower convex part 56 is inserted into the limiting groove and can be used as a limiting structure for limiting that the synchronous transmission part 50 can only move along the virtual swing center line direction of the second link 40.

[0115] More preferably, the left rod 15a and the right rod 15b are processed from round rods or square rods.

[0116] Further, the long tail part 55 is arranged within the intermediate interval between the left rod member 15a and the right rod member 15b; grooves for accommodating the clamping plate 60 are arranged on the left rod member 15a and the right rod member 15b, and insertion holes 16 for inserting and installing the actuating spring 70 are arranged within the grooves. Preferably, guide posts are arranged on both sides of the clamping plate 60, and guide holes for guiding and cooperating with the guide posts are arranged within the grooves of the left rod member 15a and the right rod member 15b.

[0117] Optionally, the slider structure 51 in the screw transmission pair abuts against the bottom surface of the spiral wire groove 42, and thus can also abut against the rotating part 41 in the thickness direction, cooperate with the arc working surface on the half shaft rod part 12 of the second base 11 above, and clamp the rotating part 41 in the middle, thereby playing a role in limiting the rotation of the rotating part 41.

[0118] See Figure 18 As shown, the first link member 30 includes: a swing part 31 with an arc-shaped plate at one end swingably connected to the body 10, and a connecting part 32 integrally formed with the swing part 31. See Figure 10 As shown, an arc-shaped guiding groove is arranged between the first base 15 and the second base 11. One end of the swing part 31 is slidably inserted into the arc-shaped guiding groove, and the other end of the swing part 31 is hingedly connected to the second plate body 20 through the connecting part 32. The arc-shaped guiding groove is arc-shaped and serves as a slideway for the swing part 31 to limit and guide during the swinging process of the swing part 31. Thus, the first link member 30 is pivotally connected to the body 10 through the cooperation of the arc-shaped guiding groove and the swing part 31.

[0119] And similarly, the radian of the arc-shaped guiding groove is π / 4~π. More preferably, it is π / 3~2π / 3. Correspondingly, the overall radian corresponding to the swing part 31 is π / 4~π, preferably π / 3~2π / 3. Thereby effectively reducing the thickness of this pivotal connection part and realizing the thinning of the hinge structure.

[0120] Further, it includes a connection seat 21. The first link member 30 and the second link member 40 are respectively pivotally connected to the connection seat 21; the second plate body 20 is fixedly arranged on the connection seat 21.

[0121] Specifically, the other ends of the swing part 31 and the rotating part 41 are respectively pivotally connected to the connection seat 21 through the connecting part 32 and the connecting arm 45. Preferably, the body 10 is further provided with a rear cover 17 for covering the back of the hinge structure.

[0122] The second aspect of the present application discloses a foldable electronic device with the above hinge structure.

[0123] The hinge structure disclosed in this application is exquisitely designed, easy to implement, and can adjust the size of the accommodation space according to design requirements. Specifically, by adjusting the position of the first swing center A1, the inclination angle of the first plate body 25 in the folded state can be adjusted, so as to meet the different needs of folded electronic products.

[0124] Finally, it should be noted that: the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that: they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements on some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hinge structure, characterized in that: It includes a body, a screen support and a four-bar linkage; The screen support is used to install and support the flexible screen; the screen support includes a first plate body arranged near the folded portion of the flexible screen, and a second plate body arranged away from the folded portion; The second plate is rotatably arranged on the main body through a four-bar linkage; The four-bar linkage comprises a first link member and a second link member; The first plate is fixedly arranged on the first connecting rod and swings together with the first connecting rod; when the flexible screen is fully folded, the first plate is tilted to construct a deformation space for the folded part of the flexible screen.

2. The hinge structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the flexible screen is in a horizontally unfolded state, the first screen installation surface on the first plate body is flush with the second screen installation surface on the second plate body.

3. The hinge structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: In a projection plane perpendicular to the virtual swing center line of the first plate, the horizontal direction is assumed to be the X-coordinate axis and the vertical direction is assumed to be the Y-coordinate axis. When the flexible screen is horizontally unfolded, the second screen mounting surface on the second plate is horizontally unfolded along the positive direction of the X-coordinate axis. When the flexible screen is fully folded, the second screen mounting surface of the second plate is vertically arranged along the positive direction of the Y-coordinate axis. The virtual intersection of the horizontally arranged second screen mounting surface and the vertically arranged second screen mounting surface is the origin of the coordinate system. The virtual swing center of the first plate, that is, the virtual pivot center of the first connecting rod on the main body is arranged in the positive and negative quadrants.

4. The hinge structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The virtual pivot center of the second link member on the body is arranged in the positive and negative quadrants.

5. The hinge structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second connecting rod is bent as a whole, so as to prevent the entire second connecting rod from protruding from the first screen installation surface on the first plate during the whole process from horizontally unfolding the flexible screen to being completely folded.

6. The hinge structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The screen support member comprises a left screen support member and a right screen support member which are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides; the left screen support member and the right screen support member are respectively rotatably arranged on the body through two sets of the four-bar linkage mechanisms; When the flexible screen is in a fully folded state, the two second screen mounting surfaces on the second plate bodies on the left and right sides are arranged in parallel and spaced apart, and the gap between the two first screen mounting surfaces on the first plate bodies on the left and right sides is arranged in a trumpet shape with a smaller top and a larger bottom.

7. The hinge structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: When the flexible screen is in a fully folded state, the angle between the two first screen mounting surfaces on the first plate on the left and right sides is 1-80°.

8. The hinge structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: Assume that the second plate body on the left screen support is the left plate body; the second plate body on the right screen support is the right plate body; a synchronization component is arranged between the left plate body and the right plate body, which is used to realize the synchronous rotation of the left plate body and the right plate body towards or in the opposite direction; the left plate body and the right plate body are respectively connected to the main body in a swingable manner through two groups of the first connecting rod members and the second connecting rod members arranged on the left and right.

9. The hinge structure according to claim 8, characterized in that: An arc plate-shaped rotating portion is provided at one end of the second connecting rod or the first connecting rod which is rotatably connected to the main body; The synchronization assembly includes a synchronization transmission member; The synchronous transmission member is arranged on the body so as to be reciprocally movable only along the direction of the virtual pivot center line of the second link member on the body; The rotating part includes a left rotating part arranged on the second connecting rod or the first connecting rod on the left side, and a right rotating part arranged on the second connecting rod or the first connecting rod on the right side; A spiral transmission pair is provided between the rotating part and the synchronous transmission member, for realizing the conversion and transmission between the swinging motion of the second plate body and the rotating part and the linear motion of the synchronous transmission member; The left helical transmission pair between the left rotating part and the synchronous transmission member has a spiral direction opposite to that of the right helical transmission pair between the right rotating part and the synchronous transmission member, so as to realize synchronous swinging of the left plate body and the right plate body towards each other or in opposite directions.

10. The hinge structure according to claim 9, characterized in that: The body comprises a first base and a second base, and in the thickness direction, the second base, the rotating part, the main body of the synchronous transmission member and the first base are arranged in sequence.

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