Hinge device, folding device and foldable electronic equipment

Abstract

The invention provides a hinge device, a folding device and foldable electronic equipment.The hinge device comprises a base, a first rotating shaft assembly and a second rotating shaft assembly, the first rotating shaft assembly comprises a first main swing arm, a first fixing support and a first supporting plate, and the other end of the first main swing arm is slidably connected with the first fixing support; when the first main swing arm rotates relative to the base, the other end of the first main swing arm slides relative to the first fixing support so as to generate displacement in the direction close to or away from the first supporting plate. When the hinge device is in a folded state, the inclination angle of the first surface of the first supporting plate relative to the first plane is larger than that of the first surface of the second supporting plate relative to the first plane. According to the hinge device provided by the invention, the thickness of the second rotating shaft assembly can be reduced on the premise of ensuring sufficient strength of the hinge device and sufficient display screen accommodating space, so that the required mounting space is reduced, and the thickness of the foldable electronic equipment in a folded state is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of electronic devices, and more particularly to a hinge device, a folding device, and a foldable electronic device. Background Art

[0002] With the development of foldable electronic devices, multi-fold electronic devices (e.g., triple-fold electronic devices) have become one of the important directions in the development of foldable electronic devices. A multi-fold electronic device has a folding device and a display screen, and the display screen is laid on one side of the folding device. The folding device includes a plurality of housings and a hinge device, and each two adjacent housings are rotatably connected by a hinge device, so that the plurality of housings can rotate relative to each other to realize the folding and unfolding of the multi-fold electronic device.

[0003] Taking a triple-fold electronic device as an example, the triple-fold electronic device includes three housings. To meet the requirement of thinness and lightness of the whole machine in the folded state, components such as circuit boards are relatively concentratedly installed in one or two of the housings, and the remaining housings accommodate fewer components, and the thickness of the remaining housings can be reduced. However, reducing the thickness of the housing means that the installation space of the housing in its thickness direction is reduced.

[0004] A traditional hinge device includes a base and two rotating shaft assemblies rotatably connected to both sides of the base. Each rotating shaft assembly has a fixed bracket and a support plate connected to the fixed bracket, and two housings are respectively fixedly connected to the fixed brackets located on both sides of the base. The support plate can rotate relative to the fixed bracket so that the hinge device forms a water-drop-shaped accommodation space that is symmetric on both sides after folding, and the foldable part of the display screen is bent into a symmetric water-drop shape under the guidance of the support plate and is placed in the accommodation space. When the thicknesses of the two housings are different, there is not enough space in the thinner housing to accommodate the hinge device, so the structure of the hinge device needs to be adjusted. One solution is to reduce the thickness of a part of the structure in the rotating shaft assembly, which will result in a reduction in the structural strength of the hinge device. Another solution is to reduce the inclination angle of the support plate in the folded state to increase the compactness of each component in the rotating shaft assembly, so as to minimize the installation space of the rotating shaft assembly occupied by the housing as much as possible. If this structure is adopted, the display screen accommodation space formed after the hinge device is folded is reduced, and there is not enough space for the foldable part of the display screen to be placed.

[0005] Another prior art is to make one of the housings in the triple-fold electronic device into a wedge shape. The thickness of the end of the wedge-shaped housing close to the hinge device is the same as that of the other housings, and the thickness of the end far from the hinge device is reduced. The thicker side of the wedge-shaped housing has enough installation space to accommodate the hinge device. However, this structure can only achieve a visually thinner effect, and the overall thickness of the wedge-shaped housing is not reduced, and the actual thickness of the triple-fold electronic device is not reduced.

[0006] It can be seen that in the prior art, it is difficult for the folding device to thin the housing on the basis of ensuring sufficient display accommodation space and the structural strength of the hinge device, which in turn affects the thinness and lightness of the entire foldable electronic device, and the user experience is poor. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The embodiments of the present application provide a hinge device, a folding device and a foldable electronic device, which solve the problem that in the prior art, it is difficult for the folding device to thin the housing on the basis of ensuring sufficient display accommodation space and the structural strength of the hinge device, which in turn affects the thinness and lightness of the entire foldable electronic device, and the user experience is poor.

[0008] The embodiments of the present application provide a hinge device, including a base, a first rotating shaft assembly and a second rotating shaft assembly. The first rotating shaft assembly and the second rotating shaft assembly are respectively arranged on both sides of the base in a first direction.

[0009] The first rotating shaft assembly includes a first main swing arm, a first sub-swing arm, a first fixed bracket and a first support plate arranged on one side of the first fixed bracket. One end of the first main swing arm is slidably connected to the base, so that the first main swing arm can rotate relative to the base around a first main axis. One end of the first sub-swing arm is rotatably connected to the base, so that the first sub-swing arm can rotate relative to the base around a first sub-axis. The other ends of the first main swing arm and the first sub-swing arm are respectively slidably connected to the first fixed bracket, so that when the first main swing arm and the first sub-swing arm rotate relative to the base, the first fixed bracket slides relative to the first sub-swing arm to generate a displacement in a direction close to or away from the base, and the other end of the first main swing arm slides relative to the first fixed bracket to generate a displacement in a direction close to or away from the first support plate. The first support plate is slidably connected to the first sub-swing arm and slidably connected to the first fixed bracket, so that the first support plate can rotate relative to the first fixed bracket.

[0010] The second rotating shaft assembly includes a second main swing arm, a second sub-swing arm, a second fixed bracket and a second support plate arranged on one side of the second fixed bracket. One end of the second main swing arm is slidably connected to the base, so that the second main swing arm can rotate relative to the base around a second main axis. One end of the second sub-swing arm is rotatably connected to the base, so that the second sub-swing arm can rotate relative to the base around a second sub-axis. The other end of the second main swing arm is rotatably connected to the second fixed bracket, and the other end of the second sub-swing arm is slidably connected to the second fixed bracket, so that when the second main swing arm and the second sub-swing arm rotate relative to the base, the second fixed bracket slides relative to the second sub-swing arm to generate a displacement in a direction close to or away from the base. The second support plate is slidably connected to the second sub-swing arm and slidably connected to the second fixed bracket, so that the second support plate can rotate relative to the second fixed bracket.

[0011] When the hinge device is in the unfolded state, the first surfaces of the first support plate and the second support plate are located in the same plane. When the hinge device is in the folded state, the angle at which the first surface of the first support plate is inclined relative to the first plane is greater than the angle at which the first surface of the second support plate is inclined relative to the first plane, and the first plane is perpendicular to the first direction. Herein, the first surface of the first support plate is the surface of the first support plate facing away from the first fixed bracket, and the first surface of the second support plate is the surface of the second support plate facing away from the second fixed bracket.

[0012] The hinge device provided by the embodiment of the present application is used to realize the unfolding and folding of a foldable electronic device. The first housing of the foldable electronic device is mounted on the first fixed bracket, and the second housing is mounted on the second fixed bracket. During the folding or unfolding process of the foldable electronic device, the first fixed bracket of the first housing and the first rotating shaft assembly rotates synchronously relative to the base, and the second fixed bracket of the second housing and the second rotating shaft assembly rotates synchronously relative to the base.

[0013] The first fixed bracket is slidably connected to the first secondary swing arm, and the second fixed bracket is slidably connected to the second secondary swing arm. Therefore, when each secondary swing arm rotates relative to the base, the corresponding fixed bracket moves in a direction close to or away from the base, and the first housing and the second housing of the foldable electronic device also move in a direction close to or away from the base under the drive of the fixed bracket. The length of the folding device jointly constituted by the first housing, the second housing, and the hinge device can be adjusted, thereby compensating for the path difference between the display screen and the folding device during the rotation process of the foldable electronic device, avoiding the display screen being squeezed or stretched during the folding and unfolding processes, and preventing damage to the display screen.

[0014] Further, in the first rotating shaft assembly, the other end of the first main swing arm is slidably connected to the first fixed bracket. During the rotation process of the first main swing arm relative to the base, the other end of the first main swing arm slides relative to the first fixed bracket and the first support plate connected to the first fixed bracket, thereby changing the distance between the first main swing arm and the first support plate. When the first support plate rotates relative to the first fixed bracket, a relative displacement can be generated between the first main swing arm and the first support plate in the thickness direction of the first rotating shaft assembly to meet the rotation requirement of the first support plate and prevent interference between the two. The second rotating shaft assembly and the first rotating shaft assembly adopt an asymmetric design. Only relative rotation occurs between the second main swing arm and the second fixed bracket, and no relative displacement is generated between the two in the thickness direction of the second rotating shaft assembly, that is, there is no need to reserve space for relative displacement. The overall structure of the second rotating shaft assembly is more compact. Without changing the thickness (structural strength) of each component, the thickness of the second rotating shaft assembly can be thinner than that of the first rotating shaft assembly.

[0015] When the hinge device is in the unfolded state, each support plate is used to support the foldable part of the display screen. The first surface of the first support plate and the second surface of the second support plate are located in the same plane, making the display screen flat. When the hinge device is in the folded state, both the first support plate and the second support plate rotate relative to their respective fixed brackets, causing their respective first surfaces to be inclined relative to the first plane, guiding the foldable part of the display screen to bend. It can be understood that one end of the first support plate close to the base in its width direction is inclined towards the side close to the first fixed bracket (i.e., adducted), and one end of the second support plate close to the base in its width direction is also inclined towards the side close to the second fixed bracket. Therefore, the distance between the other end of the main swing arm and the end of the support plate far from the base in its width direction plays a decisive role in the maximum rotation angle that the support plate can reach during the folding process. Only relative rotation occurs between the second main swing arm and the second fixed bracket, and the distance between the end of the second support plate far from the base in its width direction and the other end of the second main swing arm can only be adjusted by the rotation of the second support plate relative to the second fixed bracket. The angle that the second support plate can rotate is small, and the angle it is inclined relative to the first plane is also small. The other end of the first main swing arm is slidably connected to the first fixed bracket. During the process of the hinge device switching from the unfolded state to the folded state, a relative displacement is generated between the first main swing arm and the first fixed bracket in a direction away from the first support plate. One end of the first support plate far from the base in its width direction can be further away from the first main swing arm, reserving more rotation space for the first support plate, and the angle that the first surface of the first support plate is inclined relative to the first plane is also larger, so as to better achieve the structural form of "the angle between the first surface of the first support plate and the first plane is greater than the angle between the first surface of the second support plate and the first plane". Or it can be understood that after the folding device is folded, an asymmetric accommodation space is formed (for example, an accommodation space shaped like a partial water droplet). The large inclination angle of the first support plate makes the space on that side larger, and the foldable part of the display screen is also bent into an asymmetric shape (for example, a partial water droplet shape) under the joint guidance of the first support plate and the second support plate, matching the accommodation space, so that it can be smoothly placed in the accommodation space.

[0016] Therefore, the hinge device provided by the present application can reduce the thickness of one side of the rotating shaft assembly on the basis of ensuring sufficient accommodation space for the display screen and ensuring the structural strength of the hinge device, so as to thin a part of the housing in the multi-foldable electronic device, making the foldable electronic device further thinner and lighter, and improving the user experience.

[0017] In some embodiments, the other end of the first main swing arm is slidably connected to the first fixed bracket through at least one first sliding structure. Wherein, each first sliding structure in the at least one first sliding structure includes a first slider and a first sliding groove that are slidably connected to each other. One of the first slider and the first sliding groove is arranged at the other end of the first main swing arm, and the other is correspondingly arranged on the first fixed bracket.

[0018] In some embodiments, a first groove that is recessed toward the other side of the first fixed bracket is formed on one side of the first fixed bracket close to the base, and the first groove penetrates the first fixed bracket along the thickness direction of the first fixed bracket. The other end of the first main swing arm is disposed opposite to the bottom surface of the first groove.

[0019] The at least one first sliding structure is two first sliding structures. The first sliding grooves of the two first sliding structures are respectively arranged to be recessed from both side surfaces of the first groove toward the inside of the first fixed bracket. The first sliders of the two first sliding structures are respectively arranged to protrude from both opposite sides of the first main swing arm in a direction away from the first main swing arm.

[0020] Wherein, when the first main swing arm rotates relative to the base, the first groove on the first fixed bracket allows the first main swing arm to pass through, and each first slider slides along the first sliding groove between a first position and a second position, so that the other end of the first main swing arm slides relative to the first fixed bracket in a direction close to or away from the first support plate; in the thickness direction of the first fixed bracket, the first position of the first sliding groove is closer to the first support plate than the second position.

[0021] Moreover, when the hinge device is in the unfolded state, each first slider is located at the first position of the corresponding first sliding groove. When the hinge device is in the folded state, each first slider is located at the second position of the corresponding first sliding groove.

[0022] With the above solution, the first sliding groove is arranged in the first groove, and the other end of the first main swing arm is correspondingly provided with a first slider. The first slider slides in the first sliding groove to drive the first main swing arm to move in the first groove, so as to adjust the distance between the first main swing arm and the first fixed bracket in the thickness direction of the first rotating shaft assembly and prevent interference between the two. When the first slider slides to the first position, the distance between the two is relatively close, and the structure of the first rotating shaft assembly is more compact. When the second slider slides to the second position, the two are relatively far apart, and the first support plate can rotate through a larger angle.

[0023] In some embodiments, each first sliding groove also penetrates the first fixed bracket in the thickness direction of the first fixed bracket and has a first end and a second end along its extending direction. The first end is the end of the first sliding groove close to the first support plate, and the second end is the end of the first sliding groove far from the first support plate. Wherein, the first position of the first sliding groove is the first end of the first sliding groove, and the second position of the first sliding groove is the second end of the first sliding groove.

[0024] The first sliding groove penetrates the first fixing bracket in the thickness direction of the first fixing bracket, so that the relative sliding distance between the first main swing arm and the first fixing bracket is maximized. When the first slider is located at the first end of the first sliding groove, the distance between the first main swing arm and the first support plate is minimized. When the first slider is located at the second end of the first sliding groove, the distance between the first main swing arm and the first support plate is maximized. When the hinge device is in the folded state, the angle between the first surface of the first support plate and the first plane is as large as possible, and the accommodating space is sufficient to accommodate the foldable part of the display screen.

[0025] In some embodiments, the first sliding groove extends along an oblique straight line, and in the width direction of the fixing bracket, the second position of the first sliding groove is located on the side closer to the base than the first position of the first sliding groove.

[0026] In some embodiments, the first fixing bracket is provided with a first limiting portion and a second limiting portion. In the width direction of the first fixing bracket, the second limiting portion is closer to the base than the first limiting portion. The first main swing arm is provided with a first limited portion and a second limited portion.

[0027] The first rotating shaft assembly further includes a connecting rod. One end of the connecting rod is rotatably connected to the first auxiliary swing arm. The other end of the connecting rod is provided with a limiting shaft, and is rotatably and slidably connected to the first fixing bracket and the first main swing arm respectively through the limiting shaft.

[0028] When the hinge device is in the unfolded state, the limiting shafts are respectively clamped to the first limiting portion of the first fixing bracket and the first limited portion of the first main swing arm. When the hinge device is in the folded state, the limiting shafts are respectively clamped to the second limiting portion of the first fixing bracket and the second limited portion of the first main swing arm.

[0029] Since the first sliding groove penetrates the first fixing bracket in the thickness direction of the first fixing bracket, during the relative sliding process of the first main swing arm and the first fixing bracket, the first slider is likely to slide out of the first sliding groove, resulting in the separation of the two. With the above solution, when the hinge device is in the unfolded state, the limiting shafts are respectively clamped to the first limiting portion and the first limited portion, restricting the first main swing arm from continuing to slide in the direction towards the first support plate until it disengages from the first sliding groove. When the hinge device is in the folded state, the limiting shafts are respectively clamped to the second limiting portion and the second limited portion, restricting the first main swing arm from continuing to slide in the direction away from the first support plate until it disengages from the first sliding groove. One end of the connecting rod is rotatably connected to the first auxiliary swing arm, so that when the first auxiliary swing arm rotates relative to the base, it can drive the other end of the connecting rod to slide relative to the first fixing bracket.

[0030] In some embodiments, the first fixing bracket is provided with a guiding surface. The first limiting portion is: a first limiting protrusion provided at one end of the guiding surface, and the second limiting portion is: a second limiting protrusion provided at the other end of the guiding surface. The first main swing arm is provided with a guiding groove, and the guiding groove forms a first portion to be limited and a second portion to be limited.

[0031] The limiting shaft penetrates through the other end of the connecting rod. One end of the limiting shaft is slidably and rotatably connected to the guiding groove, and the other end is slidably and rotatably connected to the guiding surface. When the connecting rod rotates relative to the first auxiliary swing arm, the connecting rod also slides relative to the first main swing arm and the first fixing bracket.

[0032] The guiding surface provided on the first fixing bracket enables the limiting shaft to slide between the first limiting portion and the second limiting portion, and the guiding groove provided on the first main swing arm enables the limiting shaft to slide between the first portion to be limited and the second portion to be limited. The first limiting portion and the second limiting portion are respectively provided as the first limiting protrusion and the second limiting protrusion, which are in a protrusion structure, facilitating the clamping connection with the limiting shaft. The connection area between the first slider and the first sliding groove is small, and the limiting shaft is connected to the guiding surface and the guiding groove, increasing the connection structure between the first main swing arm and the first fixing bracket and making the connection between the two more reliable.

[0033] In some embodiments, the surface of the first fixing bracket facing the first support plate forms a guiding surface. The first main swing arm and the first auxiliary swing arm are spaced apart in the length direction of the first fixing bracket, and a guiding groove is formed on the side surface of the first main swing arm close to the first auxiliary swing arm.

[0034] The connecting rod is arranged between the first main swing arm and the first auxiliary swing arm in the length direction of the first fixing bracket. The first fixing bracket is provided with a hollow portion penetrating through the first fixing bracket in its thickness direction for the connecting rod to pass through. The hollow portion makes the structure between the connecting rod and the first fixing bracket compact and without interference.

[0035] In some embodiments, the first fixing bracket is provided with a first auxiliary swing arm sliding groove. The other end of the first auxiliary swing arm is plate-shaped and is slidably connected to the corresponding first auxiliary swing arm sliding groove along a second direction.

[0036] The second fixing bracket is provided with a second auxiliary swing arm sliding groove. The other end of the second auxiliary swing arm is plate-shaped and is slidably connected to the second auxiliary swing arm sliding groove along a third direction.

[0037] Wherein, the second direction is perpendicular to the length direction of the first fixing bracket and is inclined with respect to the width direction and the thickness direction of the first fixing bracket, and the third direction is perpendicular to the length direction of the second fixing bracket and is inclined with respect to the width direction and the thickness direction of the second fixing bracket.

[0038] When the hinge device switches from the unfolded state to the folded state, the first fixed bracket slides away from the base relative to the first secondary swing arm in its width direction and also slides towards the first support plate relative to the first secondary swing arm in its thickness direction. The second fixed bracket slides away from the base relative to the second secondary swing arm in its width direction and also slides towards the second support plate relative to the second secondary swing arm in its thickness direction.

[0039] With the above solution, the fixed bracket and the secondary swing arm are matched through the chute structure to achieve relative sliding, so that the fixed bracket can displace towards or away from the base. The plate-like structure is simple and has a large contact area with the chute of the first secondary swing arm, with high reliability.

[0040] In some embodiments, first convex portions and second convex portions are provided on the second surfaces of the respective support plates of the first support plate and the second support plate, which are opposite to the first surfaces.

[0041] The first convex portions of the respective support plates are respectively slidably connected to the corresponding fixed brackets through second sliding structures. Among them, each second sliding structure includes a second slider and a second chute that are slidably connected to each other. Both the second slider and the second chute are arc-shaped. One of the second slider and the second chute is provided on the first convex portion of the corresponding support plate, and the other is provided on the corresponding fixed bracket, so that each support plate can rotate relative to the corresponding fixed bracket.

[0042] The second convex portions of the respective support plates are respectively slidably connected to the corresponding secondary swing arms through third sliding structures. Each third sliding structure includes a connecting column and a third chute that are slidably connected to each other. The connecting column is provided on the corresponding secondary swing arm, and the third chute is provided on the second convex portion of the corresponding support plate. The third chute extends in an arc shape, and the connecting column is slidably connected to the third chute along the extending direction of the third chute, so that when each secondary swing arm rotates relative to the base, it can drive the corresponding support plate to rotate relative to the fixed bracket.

[0043] With the above structure, the second sliding structure between the first convex portion and the corresponding fixed bracket enables the support plate to displace towards or away from the base during the unfolding or folding of the hinge device, and can rotate relative to the fixed bracket and the main swing arm to support the foldable part of the display screen during the unfolding and folding of the foldable electronic device. The second convex portion and the corresponding secondary swing arm are slidably connected through the third sliding structure. The connecting column provided on the secondary swing arm slides in the arc-shaped third chute provided on the second convex portion, so that the secondary swing arm can control the rotation angle of the support plate relative to the fixed bracket.

[0044] In some embodiments, the base is provided with a first arc-shaped slide rail and a second arc-shaped slide rail. One end of the first main swing arm is slidably connected to the first arc-shaped slide rail, so that the first main swing arm can rotate relative to the base about the first main axis. One end of the second main swing arm is slidably connected to the second arc-shaped slide rail, so that the second main swing arm can rotate relative to the base about the second main axis.

[0045] The radius of curvature of the first arc-shaped slide rail is smaller than that of the second arc-shaped slide rail. The second main axis is parallel to the first main axis, and in the thickness direction of the base, the second main axis is arranged between the first main axis and the top surface of the base.

[0046] The main swing arm is slidably connected to the arc-shaped slide rail. When the main swing arm rotates relative to the base, the other end of the main swing arm generates a displacement in the direction of approaching or departing from the base, so as to adapt to the displacement of the fixed bracket connected to the main swing arm relative to the auxiliary swing arm in the direction of approaching or departing from the base, ensuring that all parts always cooperate with each other during the rotation of the rotating shaft assembly. The radius of curvature of the first arc-shaped slide rail is smaller than that of the second arc-shaped slide rail, and in the thickness direction of the base, the second main axis is higher than the first main axis, so that during the process of the hinge device switching from the unfolded state to the folded state, the lifting amount of the first main swing arm is different from that of the second main swing arm, thereby adapting to different connection methods between the first fixed bracket and the first main swing arm and between the second fixed bracket and the second main swing arm.

[0047] In some embodiments, the hinge device further includes a damping structure, which is configured to apply a squeezing force to the first auxiliary swing arm in the direction of the first auxiliary axis and a squeezing force to the second auxiliary swing arm in the direction of the second auxiliary axis. The damping structure generates a damping force, so that the first rotating shaft assembly and the second rotating shaft assembly can hover relative to the base at a specific angle. Moreover, the damping force can also provide a feel for the user.

[0048] In some embodiments, a first gear is provided at one end of the first auxiliary swing arm, and a second gear is provided at one end of the second auxiliary swing arm. The hinge device further includes a synchronization mechanism arranged between the first gear and the second gear. The synchronization mechanism includes a third gear and a fourth gear that mesh with each other, and the third gear meshes with the first gear, and the fourth gear meshes with the second gear.

[0049] The first gear, the second gear, the third gear, and the fourth gear are arranged in sequence in the first direction, and the axes of each gear are all located in the second plane. The second plane is parallel to the length direction of the base and is inclined relative to the top surface of the base. In the thickness direction of the base, the vertical distance between the axis of the first gear and the top surface of the base is greater than the vertical distance between the axis of the second gear and the top surface of the base.

[0050] With the above structure, when any one of the first rotating shaft assembly and the second rotating shaft assembly rotates, the other rotating shaft assembly rotates synchronously under the action of the synchronization mechanism, which is more convenient to use and improves the user experience.

[0051] In some embodiments, one end of the first secondary swing arm is rotatably connected to the base through a first secondary shaft, one end of the second secondary swing arm is rotatably connected to the base through a second secondary shaft, and the other end of the second main swing arm is rotatably connected to the second fixing bracket through a first connecting shaft. The thickness of the first rotating shaft assembly is greater than that of the second rotating shaft assembly. From the side of the base close to the first rotating shaft assembly to the side close to the second rotating shaft assembly, the thickness of the base gradually decreases. The thickness of the first rotating shaft assembly being greater than that of the second rotating shaft assembly makes the installation space required for the second rotating shaft assembly smaller than that required for the first rotating shaft assembly. Therefore, the thickness of the second housing can be smaller than that of the first housing. The gradual decrease in the thickness of the base does not look obtrusive visually.

[0052] The embodiment of the present application also provides a folding device, including a first housing, a second housing, and the hinge device provided in any of the above embodiments. The first housing and the second housing are rotatably connected through the hinge device so that the first housing and the second housing can be folded relative to each other or unfolded relative to each other. Among them, the first housing is fixedly connected to the first fixing bracket, and the second housing is fixedly connected to the second fixing bracket. The folding device provided by the embodiment of the present application can thin one of the two housings of the folding device on the basis of ensuring sufficient display accommodation space and ensuring the structural strength of the hinge device, so that the thickness of the folding device in the folded state is thinner.

[0053] In some embodiments, the folding device further includes a third housing. Among them, the third housing is rotatably connected to the side of the first housing away from the second housing, or the third housing is rotatably connected to the side of the second housing away from the first housing.

[0054] Moreover, the thickness of the second housing is less than that of the first housing and less than that of the third housing.

[0055] The embodiment of the present application also provides a foldable electronic device, including a display screen, and further including the folding device provided in any of the above embodiments. The display screen is laid on the folding device. The foldable electronic device provided by the present application can make the thickness of the second housing less than that of other housings on the basis of ensuring sufficient display accommodation space and ensuring the structural strength of the hinge device. Therefore, the foldable electronic device is thinner and lighter in the folded state.

[0056] In some embodiments, when the folding device further includes a third housing, when the foldable electronic device is in a folded state, a part of the display screen is disposed on one side where the first housing and the second housing face each other, and the other part is disposed on the side of the third housing facing away from the first housing and the second housing. The foldable electronic device is partially folded inward and partially folded outward, so that the foldable electronic device can still be used in the folded state and is small in size and convenient to carry. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] Figure 1a FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a first foldable electronic device in an unfolded state;

[0058] Figure 1b FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a first folding device in a folded state;

[0059] Figure 1c FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional structural diagram of a first folding device;

[0060] Figure 2 FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional structural diagram of a second folding device;

[0061] Figure 3 FIG. 22 is a schematic cross-sectional structural diagram of a third folding device;

[0062] Figure 4a FIG. 26 is a schematic structural diagram of a second foldable electronic device in an unfolded state;

[0063] Figure 4b FIG. 30 is a schematic structural diagram of a folding device of a second foldable electronic device in a folded state;

[0064] Figure 5a FIG. 34 is a schematic structural diagram of a first implementation manner of a foldable electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application in an unfolded state;

[0065] Figure 5b FIG. 38 is a schematic structural diagram of a first implementation manner of a folding device according to an embodiment of the present application in a folded state;

[0066] Figure 5c FIG. 42 is a schematic structural diagram of a second implementation manner of a foldable electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application in an unfolded state;

[0067] Figure 5d FIG. 46 is a schematic structural diagram of a second implementation manner of a folding device according to an embodiment of the present application in a folded state;

[0068] Figure 6a FIG. 50 is a schematic diagram of the hinge device of the embodiment of the present application in an unfolded state;

[0069] Figure 6b FIG. 54 is a schematic diagram of the hinge device of the embodiment of the present application in a folded state;

[0070] Figure 7a Schematic three-dimensional structure diagram of the hinge device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0071] Figure 7b Schematic three-dimensional structure diagram of the hinge device according to an embodiment of the present application from another angle;

[0072] Figure 8 Exploded structure diagram of the hinge device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] Figure 9 Schematic three-dimensional structure diagram of the hinge device according to an embodiment of the present application without the first support plate;

[0074] Figure 10a Front view of the hinge device according to an embodiment of the present application in the unfolded state;

[0075] Figure 10b Rear view of the hinge device according to an embodiment of the present application in the unfolded state;

[0076] Figure 11a Front view of the hinge device according to an embodiment of the present application opened at a certain angle;

[0077] Figure 11b Side view of the hinge device according to an embodiment of the present application opened at a certain angle;

[0078] Figure 12a Front view of the hinge device according to an embodiment of the present application in the folded state;

[0079] Figure 12b Side view of the hinge device according to an embodiment of the present application in the folded state;

[0080] Figure 12c Schematic structure diagram of the display screen bending of the hinge device according to an embodiment of the present application in the folded state;

[0081] Figure 13a is Figure 10b Cross-sectional view along the A1-A1 direction in

[0082] Figure 13b is Figure 11b Cross-sectional view along the A2-A2 direction in

[0083] Figure 13c is Figure 12b Cross-sectional view along the A3-A3 direction in

[0084] Figure 14a is Figure 10b Cross-sectional view along the B1-B1 direction in

[0085] Figure 14b is Figure 11b Cross-sectional view along the B2-B2 direction in

[0086] Figure 14c is Figure 12b a sectional view along the B3 - B3 direction in

[0087] Figure 15a is Figure 10b a sectional view along the C1 - C1 direction in

[0088] Figure 15b is Figure 11b a sectional view along the C2 - C2 direction in

[0089] Figure 15c is Figure 12b a sectional view along the C3 - C3 direction in

[0090] Figure 16a a perspective structural view of the hinge device without the cover plate in the embodiment of the present application;

[0091] Figure 16b a top view of the hinge device in the unfolded state in the embodiment of the present application;

[0092] Figure 16c is Figure 16b a sectional view along the D - D direction in

[0093] Explanation of reference numerals:

[0094] The first solution:

[0095] 100', foldable electronic device;

[0096] 1', folding device; 11', housing; 12', hinge device; 121', base;

[0097] 122', rotating shaft assembly; 1221', main swing arm; 1222', fixed bracket; 1223', support plate;

[0098] 1A', accommodation space;

[0099] 2', display screen.

[0100] The second solution:

[0101] 3', folding device; 31', housing; 32', hinge device; 322', rotating shaft assembly; 3222', fixed bracket.

[0102] The third solution;

[0103] 4', folding device; 41', housing; 42', hinge device; 422', rotating shaft assembly; 4223', support plate;

[0104] 4A', accommodation space.

[0105] The fourth solution:

[0106] 500', Foldable electronic device;

[0107] 5', Folding device; 51', Housing; 511', Wedge-shaped housing;

[0108] 52', Hinge device.

[0109] This application:

[0110] 1001, Hinge device; 1002, Hinge device;

[0111] 1, First rotating shaft assembly;

[0112] 11, First main swing arm; 1121, First limited part; 1122, Second limited part;

[0113] 113, Guide groove;

[0114] 12, First auxiliary swing arm; 121, Connection part;

[0115] 13, First fixed bracket; 131, First groove; 131a, Bottom surface; 131b, Side surface;

[0116] 1321, First limiting part; 1322, Second limiting part;

[0117] 133, Guide surface; 1331, First limiting protrusion; 1332, Second limiting protrusion;

[0118] 134, Hollow part; 135, First auxiliary swing arm sliding groove;

[0119] 14, First support plate; 14a, First surface; 14b, Second surface;

[0120] 15, First auxiliary shaft; 16, Link; 17, Limiting shaft; 18, First gear;

[0121] 2, Second rotating shaft assembly; 21, Second main swing arm; 22, Second auxiliary swing arm;

[0122] 23, Second fixed bracket; 235, Second auxiliary swing arm sliding groove;

[0123] 24, Second support plate; 24a, First surface; 24b, Second surface;

[0124] 25, Second auxiliary shaft; 26, First connecting shaft; 27, Second gear;

[0125] 3, Base; 3A, Installation cavity;

[0126] 31. Base bracket; 311. First arc-shaped slide rail; 312. Second arc-shaped slide rail;

[0127] 32. Bottom plate; 33. Cover plate; 33a. Top surface;

[0128] 41. First sliding structure; 411. First slider; 412. First chute; 4121. First position; 4122. Second position; 412a. First end; 412b. Second end;

[0129] 42. Second sliding structure; 421. Second slider; 422. Second chute;

[0130] 43. Third sliding structure; 431. Connecting column; 432. Third chute;

[0131] 44. Damping structure; 441. Elastic structure; 442. Bush;

[0132] 45. Synchronization mechanism; 451. First gear; 452. Second gear;

[0133] 51. First boss part; 52. Second boss part; 53. Avoidance part; 54. Rotating arm; 54a. Inner wall surface;

[0134] 601. First housing; 602. Second housing; 603. Third housing;

[0135] 700. Folding device;

[0136] 800. Display screen; 811. First part; 812. Second part; 813. Third part;

[0137] 821. First foldable part; 822. Second foldable part;

[0138] 900. Foldable electronic device;

[0139] F1. First direction; F2. Second direction; F3. Third direction;

[0140] Z1. Thickness direction of the first rotating shaft assembly; Z2. Thickness direction of the second rotating shaft assembly; Z3. Thickness direction of the base;

[0141] X1. Width direction of the first fixed bracket; X2. Width direction of the second fixed bracket;

[0142] Y. Length direction of the hinge device

[0143] O1. First main axis; O2. Second main axis; O3. First sub-axis; O4. Second sub-axis;

[0144] M1, the first plane; M2, the second plane; 100A, accommodation space. Detailed implementation manners

[0145] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation manners of the present application. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present application from the content disclosed in this specification. Although the description of the present application will be introduced in combination with some embodiments, this does not mean that the features of this application are limited to this implementation manner. On the contrary, the purpose of introducing the application in combination with the implementation manner is to cover other alternatives or modifications that may be extended based on the claims of the present application. In order to provide a deep understanding of the present application, many specific details will be included in the following description. The present application can also be implemented without using these details. In addition, in order to avoid confusing or obscuring the key points of the present application, some specific details will be omitted in the description. It should be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments in the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0146] It should be noted that in this specification, similar reference numerals and letters indicate similar items in the following drawings. Therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent drawings.

[0147] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", "top", "bottom", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present application 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 therefore cannot be understood as a limitation to the present application. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0148] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to specific situations.

[0149] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that "electrically connected" in the present application can be understood as physical contact and electrical conduction between components; it can also be understood as a form of connection between different components in a circuit structure through an entity line such as a copper foil or a wire of a printed circuit board (PCB) that can transmit electrical signals.

[0150] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that the perpendicularity to each other in the present application is not absolute perpendicularity. The approximate perpendicularity caused by processing errors and assembly errors (for example, the included angle between two structural features is 89.9°) is also within the scope of the perpendicularity to each other in the present application. The parallelism to each other in the present application is not absolute parallelism. The approximate parallelism caused by processing errors and assembly errors (for example, the included angle between two structural features is 0.1°) is also within the scope of the parallelism to each other in the present application. The axisymmetry in the present application is not absolute axisymmetry. The approximate axisymmetry caused by processing errors and assembly errors (for example, a part of the structure deviates from the axis of symmetry by a certain distance or angle) is also within the scope of the axisymmetry in the present application. The central symmetry in the present application is not absolute central symmetry. The approximate central symmetry caused by processing errors and assembly errors (for example, a part of the structure deviates from the axis of symmetry by a certain distance or angle) is also within the scope of the central symmetry in the present application. The present application does not make specific limitations on this.

[0151] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present application clearer, the following will further describe the embodiments of the present application in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0152] Please refer to Figures 1a - 4b , Figure 1a is a schematic structural diagram of a first foldable electronic device in an unfolded state; Figure 1b is a schematic structural diagram of a first folding device in a folded state; Figure 1c is a schematic cross-sectional structural diagram of a first folding device;

[0153] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional structural diagram of a second folding device; Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional structural diagram of a third folding device; Figure 4a is a schematic structural diagram of a second foldable electronic device in an unfolded state; Figure 4b is a schematic structural diagram of a folding device of a second foldable electronic device in a folded state.

[0154] As shown in Figures 1a - 1bAs shown in the figure, the multi-foldable electronic device 100' has a folding device 1' and a display screen 2' laid on one side of the folding device 1'. Among them, the folding device 1' includes a plurality of housings 11' and a hinge device 12'. Each two adjacent housings 11' are rotatably connected by a hinge device 12', so that the adjacent housings 11' can rotate relative to each other to realize the unfolding and folding of the foldable electronic device 100'.

[0155] Taking the three-foldable electronic device 100' as an example. The three-foldable electronic device 100' includes three housings 11'. To meet the requirement of the whole machine being thin and light in the folded state, components such as circuit boards can be installed more concentratedly in one or two of the housings 11'. The remaining housings 11' contain fewer components, so the thickness of these housings 11' can be reduced. However, reducing the thickness of one housing 11' means that the installation space of this housing 11' in its thickness direction is reduced.

[0156] As Figure 1c shown in the figure, the traditional inner-fold hinge device 12' includes a base 121' and two rotating shaft assemblies 122' respectively arranged on both sides of the base 121'. Each rotating shaft assembly 122' includes a main swing arm 1221', a fixed bracket 1222' and a support plate 1223'. The main swing arm 1221' is rotatably connected to the base 121'. The two housings 11' rotatably connected by the hinge device 12' are respectively fixedly connected to the corresponding fixed brackets 1222'. The support plate 1223' is rotatably connected to the fixed bracket 1222' to guide the foldable part (not shown in the figure) of the display screen 2' to bend during the relative folding of the two housings 11'. After the hinge device 12' is folded, a water-drop-shaped accommodation space 1A' symmetrical on both sides is formed. The foldable part of the display screen 2' is bent into a symmetrical water-drop shape under the guidance of the support plate 1223' and is placed in the accommodation space 1A'. In the case where the thicknesses of the two housings 11' are different, the thinner housing 11' does not have enough installation space to accommodate the structure of the hinge device 12'. Therefore, the structure of the hinge device 12' needs to be adjusted.

[0157] As Figure 2 shown in the figure, one solution is to reduce the thickness of some structures in the rotating shaft assembly 322' of the hinge device 32' provided in the thinner housing 31'. For example, reduce the thickness of the fixed bracket 3222'. This solution reduces the thickness of the folding device 3' in the folded state, but will reduce the structural strength of the hinge device 32'.

[0158] As Figure 3As shown in the figure, another solution is to reduce the relative inclination angle between the two support plates 4223' of the hinge device 42' in the folded state, so as to increase the compactness of each component in each rotating shaft assembly 422', thereby minimizing the installation space of the housing 41' occupied by the rotating shaft assembly 422' as much as possible, and enabling the housing 41' to be thinned. If this structure is adopted, compared with the above folding device 1' and folding device 3', the accommodation space 4A' for the foldable part of the display screen formed after the folding device 4' is folded is reduced, and there is not enough space for the foldable part of the display screen to be placed, and it will be stretched or squeezed during the unfolding or folding process of the folding device 4', thus damaging the display screen.

[0159] As Figures 4a - 4b shown, there is also an existing technology in which one of the three housings 51' in the three-fold foldable electronic device 500' is made into a wedge-shaped housing 511'. The thickness of the end of the wedge-shaped housing 511' close to the hinge device 52' is the same as that of the other housings 51', and the thickness of the end away from the hinge device 52' is reduced, so that there is enough installation space on the thicker side of the wedge-shaped housing 511' to accommodate the hinge device 52'. However, this structure can only achieve a visually thinner effect, and the overall thickness of the wedge-shaped housing 511' is not thinned, and the actual thickness of the folding device 5' and the foldable electronic device 500' in the folded state is not reduced.

[0160] It can be seen that in the prior art, it is difficult for the folding device to thin the housing on the basis of ensuring sufficient accommodation space for the display screen and ensuring the structural strength of the hinge device, which in turn affects the thinness and lightness of the entire foldable electronic device, and the user experience is poor.

[0161] To solve the above technical problems, the embodiments of the present application provide a hinge device, through the improvement of the structure, so that the accommodation space for the display screen is sufficient, the structural strength of the hinge device is sufficient, and the thickness of the foldable electronic device in the folded state can be thinned.

[0162] The present application also provides a foldable electronic device, which may but is not limited to foldable electronic products such as multi-fold mobile phones, multi-fold computers, multi-fold e-book readers, and multi-fold wearable devices. The embodiments of the present application do not make special restrictions on the specific form of the above foldable electronic device, and the following will be described by taking a three-fold mobile phone as an example.

[0163] Please refer to Figures 5a - 5d , Figure 5a which is a schematic structural diagram of the first embodiment of the foldable electronic device of the embodiments of the present application in the unfolded state; Figure 5b which is a schematic structural diagram of the first embodiment of the folding device of the embodiments of the present application in the folded state; Figure 5cSchematic diagram of the second embodiment of the foldable electronic device according to the embodiment of the present application in the unfolded state; Figure 5d Schematic diagram of the second embodiment of the folding device according to the embodiment of the present application in the folded state.

[0164] As Figures 5a - 5d shown, the foldable electronic device 900 includes a display screen 800 and a folding device 700, and the display screen 800 is laid on one side of the folding device 700. The display screen 800 is used for imaging and realizing human-computer interaction, and can be, but is not limited to, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display screen, an active matrix organic light-emitting diode or an active matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) display screen, or a quantum dot light-emitting diode (QLED) display screen, etc. The present application does not limit this. It can be understood that the display screen 800 is connected to one side surface of the folding device 700, and the side surface facing away from the folding device 700 is its display surface, and the display surface is used for displaying information and providing an interaction interface for users.

[0165] The folding device 700 is used to mount the display screen 800 and accommodate other electronic components. As Figures 5a - 5d shown, the three-fold folding device 700 includes a first housing 601, a second housing 602, a third housing 603, and hinge devices 1001 and 1002 that connect two adjacent housings. Two adjacent housings are respectively disposed on both sides of the hinge device 1001 or the hinge device 1002 in the first direction F1. Among them, the first direction F1 can be the width direction of the base 3 of the hinge device 1001 (see Figures 6a - 6b , and the introduction of the base 3 will be described in detail below), or the length direction of the foldable electronic device 900 in the unfolded state. The first housing 601, the second housing 603, and the third housing 603 are used to mount the display screen 800 and various electronic components, and the hinge devices 1001 and 1002 are used to rotatably connect two adjacent housings, so that the foldable electronic device 900 can switch between different states. In one embodiment, the first housing 6001, the second housing 6002, and the third housing 6003 all have installation spaces inside to accommodate some electronic components. Among them, the electronic components can be, but are not limited to, circuit boards, batteries, camera modules, microphones, speakers, etc. The present application does not limit this.

[0166] The foldable electronic device 900 has an unfolded state and a folded state. As Figure 5a , Figure 5cAs shown, when the foldable electronic device 900 is in the unfolded state, the included angle between two adjacent housings is 180°. Those skilled in the art can understand that the opening angle between two adjacent housings of the foldable electronic device 900 can also be 90°, 120°, 210°, etc. This application does not limit this, and a slight deviation is allowed for the angles exemplified in this application. For example, when the foldable electronic device 900 is in the unfolded state, the angle between two adjacent housings can be 180°, or approximately 180°, such as 170°, 175°, 185°, or 190°, etc. The same understanding can be applied to other angles hereinafter. As Figure 5b , Figure 5d As shown, the foldable electronic device 900 is in the folded state, and at this time, the included angle between two adjacent housings can be regarded as 0°. It should be noted that the multi-foldable foldable electronic device includes multiple groups of two adjacent housings, and the included angle between each group of two adjacent housings can be the same or different. For example, for the three-foldable foldable electronic device 900, one hinge device can be opened 180°, so that the included angle between the two connected housings is 180°, and the other hinge device can be in the folded state, so that the two connected housings are stacked on top of each other, and the included angle is 0°.

[0167] As Figures 5a - 5d shown, in one embodiment, to meet the requirement of thinness and lightness of the foldable electronic device 900 in the folded state, devices such as circuit boards are installed relatively concentratedly in the first housing 601 and the third housing 603, and the second housing 602 only houses a small number of necessary electronic components, and its thickness is less than that of the first housing 601 and the third housing 603. As Figures 5a - 5b shown, in one embodiment, the first housing 601 and the second housing 602 are rotatably connected through the hinge device 1001, and the third housing 603 is arranged on the side of the first housing 601 away from the second housing 602 and is rotatably connected to the first housing 601 through the hinge device 1002. As Figures 5c - 5d shown, in one embodiment, the first housing 601 and the second housing 602 are rotatably connected through the hinge device 1001, and the third housing 603 is arranged on the side of the second housing 602 away from the first housing 601 and is rotatably connected to the second housing 602 through the hinge device 1002. In one embodiment, when the foldable electronic device 900 is in the folded state, a part of the display screen 800 is arranged on the side where the first housing 601 and the second housing 602 face each other, and the other part is arranged on the side of the third housing 603 away from the first housing 601 and the second housing 602. It can also be understood that the foldable electronic device 900 is partially folded inward and partially folded outward, that is, the hinge device 1001 is an inward folding type, and the hinge device 1002 is an outward folding type. This folding method enables the foldable electronic device 900 to still be used in the folded state and has a small volume and is convenient to carry.

[0168] It should be noted that the specific structure of the display screen 800 is not limited. In one embodiment, the display screen 800 includes a first part 811, a second part 812, a third part 813, a first foldable part 821 and a second foldable part 822. The first part 811 is fixedly connected to the first housing 601, the second part 812 is fixedly connected to the second housing 602, the third part 813 is fixedly connected to the third housing 603. The first foldable part 821 is located between the first part 811 and the second part 812 and is stacked with the hinge device 1001. The second foldable part 822 is located between the first part 811 and the third part 813, or the second foldable part 822 is located between the second part 812 and the third part 813 and is stacked with the hinge device 1002. During the use of the foldable electronic device, the first part 811, the second part 812 and the third part 813 always remain in a flat state, and the first foldable part 821 and the second foldable part 822 can be bent, so that the display screen 800 can be folded or unfolded along with the movement of the folding device 700. Exemplarily, the first part 811, the second part 812 and the third part 813 are made of rigid materials, and the first foldable part 821 and the second foldable part 822 are made of bendable flexible materials.

[0169] Those skilled in the art can understand that the thickness of the second housing 602 is small, that is, its installation space is small. Therefore, the in-fold hinge device 1001 is set to an asymmetric structure to adapt to the first housing 601 and the second housing 602 with unequal thicknesses. The structure and working principle of the hinge device 1001 will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0170] Please refer to Figures 6a - 6b , Figure 6a is the schematic diagram of the hinge device in the unfolded state according to the embodiment of the present application; Figure 6b is the schematic diagram of the hinge device in the folded state according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0171] It should be noted that Figures 6a - 6b is only a schematic diagram of the principle of the hinge device 1001 and does not represent the actual structure of the hinge device 1001. The possible structures of the hinge device 1001 will be described in detail below.

[0172] As Figures 6a - 6b shown, the hinge device 1001 includes a first rotating shaft assembly 1, a second rotating shaft assembly 2 and a base 3. The first rotating shaft assembly 1 and the second rotating shaft assembly 2 are respectively arranged on both sides of the base 3 in the first direction F1 and are rotatably connected to the base 3. Each rotating shaft assembly rotates relative to the base 3, so that the first rotating shaft assembly 1 and the second rotating shaft assembly 2 rotate relative to each other.

[0173] Furthermore, the first rotating shaft assembly 1 includes a first main swing arm 11, a first auxiliary swing arm 12, a first fixing bracket 13, and a first support plate 14 provided on one side of the first fixing bracket 13. One end of the first main swing arm 11 is slidably connected to the base 3, such that the first main swing arm 11 can rotate relative to the base 3 and can also slide relative to the base 3. One end of the first auxiliary swing arm 12 is rotatably connected to the base 3, such that the first auxiliary swing arm 12 can rotate relative to the base 3. The other ends of the first main swing arm 11 and the first auxiliary swing arm 12 are respectively slidably connected to the first fixing bracket 13, such that when the first main swing arm 11 and the first auxiliary swing arm 12 rotate relative to the base 3, the first fixing bracket 13 slides relative to the first auxiliary swing arm 12 to generate a displacement in a direction approaching or departing from the base 3, and the other end of the first main swing arm 11 slides relative to the first fixing bracket 13 to generate a displacement in a direction approaching or departing from the first support plate 14. The first support plate 14 is slidably connected to the first auxiliary swing arm 12 and is also slidably connected to the first fixing bracket 13, such that the first support plate 14 can rotate relative to the first fixing bracket 13 under the control of the first auxiliary swing arm 12.

[0174] The second rotating shaft assembly 2 includes a second main swing arm 21, a second auxiliary swing arm 22, a second fixing bracket 23, and a second support plate 24 provided on one side of the second fixing bracket 23. One end of the second main swing arm 21 is slidably connected to the base 3, such that the second main swing arm 21 can rotate relative to the base 3 and can also slide relative to the base 3. One end of the second auxiliary swing arm 22 is rotatably connected to the base 3, such that the second auxiliary swing arm 22 can rotate relative to the base 3. The other end of the second main swing arm 21 is rotatably connected to the second fixing bracket 23, and the other end of the second auxiliary swing arm 22 is slidably connected to the second fixing bracket 23, such that when the second main swing arm 21 and the second auxiliary swing arm 22 rotate relative to the base 3, the second fixing bracket 23 slides relative to the second auxiliary swing arm 22 to generate a displacement in a direction approaching or departing from the base 3. The second support plate 24 is slidably connected to the second auxiliary swing arm 22 and is also slidably connected to the second fixing bracket 23, such that the second support plate 24 can rotate relative to the second fixing bracket 23 under the control of the second auxiliary swing arm 22.

[0175] The hinge device 1001 provided in this application is used to implement the unfolding and folding of the foldable electronic device 900. The first housing 601 of the foldable electronic device 900 is fixedly connected to the first fixing bracket 13, and the second housing 602 is fixedly connected to the second fixing bracket 23. During the folding or unfolding process of the foldable electronic device 900, the first housing 601 and the first fixing bracket 13 of the first rotating shaft assembly 1 rotate synchronously relative to the base 3, and the second housing 602 and the second fixing bracket 23 of the second rotating shaft assembly 2 rotate synchronously relative to the base.

[0176] The first fixed bracket 13 is slidably connected to the first secondary swing arm 12, and the second fixed bracket 23 is slidably connected to the second secondary swing arm 22. Therefore, when each secondary swing arm rotates relative to the base 3, each fixed bracket moves in a direction approaching or departing from the base 3. The first housing 601 and the second housing 602 of the foldable electronic device 900 also move in a direction approaching or departing from the base 3 under the drive of the fixed brackets, thereby adjusting the length of the folding device 700, compensating for the path difference between the display screen 800 and the folding device 700 during the folding or unfolding process of the foldable electronic device 900, avoiding extrusion or stretching of the display screen 800 during the folding or unfolding process, and preventing damage to the display screen 800.

[0177] Further, in the first rotating shaft assembly 1, the other end of the first main swing arm 11 is slidably connected to the first fixed bracket 13. During the rotation of the first main swing arm 11 relative to the base 3, the other end of the first main swing arm 11 slides relative to the first fixed bracket 13 and the first support plate 14 connected to the first fixed bracket 13, thereby changing the distance between the first main swing arm 11 and the first support plate 14. When the first support plate 14 rotates relative to the first fixed bracket 13 during the unfolding or folding process of the foldable electronic device 900, a relative displacement can be generated between the first main swing arm 11 and the first support plate 14 in the thickness direction Z1 of the first rotating shaft assembly to meet the need for the rotation of the first support plate 14 and prevent interference between the two. The thickness direction Z1 of the first rotating shaft assembly can be the thickness direction of the first fixed bracket 13. The second rotating shaft assembly 2 and the first rotating shaft assembly 1 adopt an asymmetric design. Only relative rotation occurs between the second main swing arm 21 and the second fixed bracket 23, and no relative displacement is generated between them in the thickness direction Z2 of the second rotating shaft assembly. That is, there is no need to reserve space for relative displacement. The overall structure of the second rotating shaft assembly 2 is more compact. When the thickness (structural strength) of each component remains unchanged, the thickness of the second rotating shaft assembly 2 can be thinner than the thickness of the first rotating shaft assembly 1. The thickness direction Z2 of the second rotating shaft assembly can be the thickness direction of the second fixed bracket 23.

[0178] When the hinge device 1001 is in the unfolded state, the first support plate 14 and the second support plate 24 are used to support the first foldable portion 821 of the display screen 800. The first surface 14a of the first support plate 14 and the second surface 24a of the second support plate 24 are located in the same plane, so that the display screen 800 is flat. Among them, the first surface 14a of the first support plate 14 is the surface of the first support plate 14 facing away from the first fixed bracket 13, and the first surface 24a of the second support plate 24 is the surface of the second support plate 24 facing away from the second fixed bracket 23. When the hinge device 1001 is switched from the unfolded state to the folded state, both the first support plate 14 and the second support plate 24 rotate relative to their respective fixed brackets, so that their respective first surfaces are inclined relative to the first plane M1, guiding the first foldable portion 821 of the display screen 800 to bend. The first plane M1 can be understood as a plane perpendicular to the first direction F1. It should be noted that when the foldable electronic device 900 is in the folded state, the first portion 811 and the second portion 812 of the display screen 800 are respectively located on both sides of the first plane M1. In one example, the first portion 811 and the second portion 812 of the display screen 800 may be symmetrically arranged with respect to the first plane M1.

[0179] Those skilled in the art can understand that one end of the first support plate 14 close to the base 3 along its width direction is inclined (i.e., adducted) towards the side close to the first main swing arm 11, and one end of the second support plate 24 close to the base 3 along its width direction is also inclined towards the side close to the second main swing arm 21. Therefore, the distance between the other end of the main swing arm and the end of the support plate far from the base 3 along its width direction plays a decisive role in the maximum rotation angle that the support plate can reach during the folding process. Only relative rotation occurs between the second main swing arm 21 and the second fixing bracket 23. The distance between the end of the second support plate 24 far from the base 3 along its width direction and the other end of the second main swing arm 21 can only be adjusted by the rotation of the second support plate 24 relative to the second fixing bracket 23. The angle that the second support plate 24 can rotate is small, and the angle it inclines relative to the first plane M1 is also small. The other end of the first main swing arm 11 is slidably connected to the first fixing bracket 13. During the process of the hinge device 1001 switching from the unfolded state to the folded state, a relative displacement is generated between the first main swing arm 11 and the first fixing bracket 13 in the direction away from the first support plate 14. The end of the first support plate 14 far from the base 3 along its width direction can be further away from the first main swing arm 11, reserving more rotation space for the first support plate 14. The angle that the first surface 14a of the first support plate 14 inclines relative to the first plane M1 is also larger, so as to better achieve the structural form that "the angle between the first surface 14a of the first support plate 14 and the first plane M1 in the folded state is greater than the angle between the first surface 24a of the second support plate 24 and the first plane M1". Or it can be understood that after the hinge device 1001 is folded, an asymmetric accommodation space 100A is formed (for example, a water-drop-shaped accommodation space). The large inclination angle of the first support plate 14 makes the space on this side larger. The first foldable part 821 of the display screen 800 is also bent into an asymmetric shape (for example, water-drop-shaped) under the joint guidance of the first support plate 14 and the second support plate 24, matching the accommodation space 100A, so that it can be smoothly placed in the accommodation space 100A.

[0180] It can be seen that the hinge device 1001 provided by the present application can reduce the thickness of the second rotating shaft assembly 2 on the basis of ensuring sufficient accommodation space 100A for the display screen and ensuring the structural strength of the hinge device 1001, so that the second housing 602 in the foldable electronic device 900 can be thinned, meeting the thin and light requirements of the foldable electronic device 900 in the folded state and improving the user experience.

[0181] The following systematically describes the movement relationships of the components in the hinge device 1001 in combination with the specific scenario when the user uses the foldable electronic device 900: When the foldable electronic device 900 switches from the unfolded state to the folded state, the user toggles the first housing 601 or the second housing 602 of the foldable electronic device 900 (it is also possible to toggle both housings simultaneously). Taking the toggling of the first housing 601 as an example, the toggled first housing 601 transmits the force applied by the user to the first fixed bracket 13, and then transmits the force to the first main swing arm 11 and the first auxiliary swing arm 12 through the first fixed bracket 13. Both the first main swing arm 11 and the first auxiliary swing arm 12 rotate around the base 3, so the first housing 601, the first fixed bracket 13, the first support plate 14, and the corresponding part of the display screen 800 relative to the first housing 601 rotate relative to the base 3. At the same time, the first fixed bracket 13 slides away from the base 3 relative to the first auxiliary swing arm 12, and the first support plate 14 rotates relative to the first fixed bracket 13 driven by the first auxiliary swing arm 12. Moreover, during the rotation of the first main swing arm 11 relative to the base 3, it also slides relative to the first fixed bracket 13 and generates a displacement in the direction away from the first support plate 14. Different from the first rotating shaft assembly 1, during the rotation of the second rotating shaft assembly 2 relative to the base 3, there is no relative sliding between the second main swing arm 21 and the second fixed bracket 23. When the foldable electronic device 900 switches from the folded state to the unfolded state, the movement paths of the components are opposite to the above paths.

[0182] This application does not limit the specific structures of the components in the hinge device 1001. The following examples the possible structures of the hinge device 1001 in combination with the accompanying drawings.

[0183] Please refer to Figure 7a - FIG. 15, Figure 7a which is a three-dimensional structure diagram of the hinge device according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 7b which is a three-dimensional structure diagram of the hinge device according to an embodiment of this application from another angle; Figure 8 which is an exploded structure diagram of the hinge device according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 9 which is a three-dimensional structure diagram of the hinge device according to an embodiment of this application without the first support plate; Figure 10a which is a front view of the hinge device according to an embodiment of this application in the unfolded state; Figure 10b which is a rear view of the hinge device according to an embodiment of this application in the unfolded state;

[0184] Figure 11a which is a front view of the hinge device according to an embodiment of this application opened at a certain angle; Figure 11b which is a side view of the hinge device according to an embodiment of this application opened at a certain angle; Figure 12a which is a front view of the hinge device according to an embodiment of this application in the folded state; Figure 12b which is a side view of the hinge device according to an embodiment of this application in the folded state; Figure 12cSchematic structural diagram of the bending of the display screen in the folded state of the hinge device according to an embodiment of the present application; Figure 13a is Figure 10b a cross-sectional view taken along the direction A1-A1 in Figure 13b is Figure 11b a cross-sectional view taken along the direction A2-A2 in Figure 13c is Figure 12b a cross-sectional view taken along the direction A3-A3 in Figure 14a is Figure 10b a cross-sectional view taken along the direction B1-B1 in Figure 14b is Figure 11b a cross-sectional view taken along the direction B2-B2 in Figure 14c is Figure 12b a cross-sectional view taken along the direction B3-B3 in Figure 15a is Figure 10b a cross-sectional view taken along the direction C1-C1 in Figure 15b is Figure 11b a cross-sectional view taken along the direction C2-C2 in Figure 15c is Figure 12b a cross-sectional view taken along the direction C3-C3 in

[0185] Those skilled in the art can understand that the specific sliding connection structure between the first fixing bracket 13 and the first main swing arm 11 is not limited. As Figure 7a , Figures 8 - 9 shown, in one embodiment, the other end of the first main swing arm 11 is slidably connected to the first fixing bracket 13 through at least one first sliding structure 41. Each first sliding structure 41 includes a first slider 411 and a first sliding groove 412 that are slidably connected to each other. The first slider 411 is disposed at the other end of the first main swing arm 11, and the first sliding groove 412 is disposed on the first fixing bracket 13. In alternative other embodiments, the first slider 411 may be disposed on the first fixing bracket 13, and the first sliding groove 412 may be disposed at the other end of the first main swing arm 11. The present application does not limit this. It should be noted that the number of the first sliding structures 41 is not limited and may be 1, 2, 4, etc. The present application does not limit this.

[0186] In one embodiment, on one side of the first fixing bracket 13 close to the base 3, there is a first groove 131 recessed toward the other side of the first fixing bracket 13. The first groove 131 penetrates the first fixing bracket 13 along the thickness direction Z1 of the first rotating shaft assembly, and the other end of the first main swing arm 11 is disposed opposite to the bottom surface 131a of the first groove 131. It can be understood that the first main swing arm 11 is disposed through the first groove 131, so that the first main swing arm 11 can displace relative to the first fixing bracket 13 in the thickness direction Z1 of the first rotating shaft assembly. The first groove 131 penetrates the first fixing bracket 13 along the thickness direction Z1 of the first rotating shaft assembly, so that the first main swing arm 11 can approach or move away from the first support plate 14 to the greatest extent. In an alternative embodiment, the first groove 131 may not penetrate the first fixing bracket 13.

[0187] As Figure 9 shown, in one embodiment, the other end of the first main swing arm 11 is slidably connected to the first fixing bracket 13 through two first sliding structures 41. The first sliding grooves 412 of the two first sliding structures 41 are respectively arranged to be recessed from the two side surfaces 131b of the first groove 131 along the length direction Y of the hinge device toward the inside of the first fixing bracket 13. The length direction Y of the hinge device may be the length direction of the base 3. The first sliding blocks 411 of the two first sliding structures 41 are respectively arranged to protrude from the opposite side surfaces of the first main swing arm 11 along the length direction Y of the hinge device.

[0188] As Figures 10a - 12b shown, those skilled in the art can understand that during the process of the hinge device 1001 switching from the unfolded state to the folded state, the first sliding block 411 slides in the first sliding groove 412, driving the first main swing arm 11 to move in the first groove 131, so as to adjust the distance between the first main swing arm 11 and the first support plate 14 in the thickness direction Z1 of the first rotating shaft assembly, and prevent interference between the first support plate 14 and the first main swing arm 11 when the first support plate 14 rotates relative to the first fixing bracket 13, resulting in the first support plate 14 being unable to continue rotating. As Figure 12a 、 Figure 12c shown, when the hinge device 1001 is in the folded state, an asymmetric partial water droplet-shaped accommodation space 100A is formed. The inclination angle of the first support plate 14 is large, making the space on this side larger. The first foldable part 821 of the display screen 800 is bent into an asymmetric partial water droplet shape under the guidance of the first support plate 14 and the second support plate 24 and is placed in the accommodation space 100A.

[0189] As Figures 13a - 13cAs shown, in one embodiment, the first chute 412 is provided with a first position 4121 and a second position 4122. In the thickness direction Z1 of the first rotating shaft assembly, the first position 4121 of the first chute 412 is closer to the first support plate 14 than the second position 4122. When the first main swing arm 11 rotates relative to the base 3, each first slider 411 slides along the first chute 412 between the first position 4121 and the second position 4122, so that the other end of the first main swing arm 11 slides in a direction approaching or departing from the first support plate 14. And, as Figure 13a shown, when the hinge device 1001 is in the unfolded state, each first slider 411 is located at the first position 4121 of the corresponding first chute 412, as Figure 13c shown, when the hinge device 1001 is in the folded state, each first slider 411 is located at the second position 4122 of the corresponding first chute 412.

[0190] As Figures 13a - 13c shown, in one embodiment, each first chute 412 also penetrates the first fixing bracket 13 in the thickness direction Z1 of the first rotating shaft assembly and has a first end 412a and a second end 412b along its extending direction. The first end 412a is the end of the first chute 412 close to the first support plate 14, and the second end 412b is the end of the first chute 412 far from the first support plate 14. It can be understood that the first position 4121 of the first chute 412 is the first end 412a of the first chute 412, and the second position 4122 of the first chute 412 is the second end 412b of the first chute 412. The first chute 412 penetrates the first fixing bracket 13 in the thickness direction Z1 of the first rotating shaft assembly, so that the relative sliding distance between the first main swing arm 11 and the first fixing bracket 13 is maximized. Specifically, when the first slider 411 is located at the first end 412a of the first chute 412, the distance between the first main swing arm 11 and the first support plate 14 is the smallest. When the first slider 411 is located at the second end 412b of the first chute 412, the distance between the first main swing arm 11 and the first support plate 14 is the largest, so that when the hinge device 1001 is in the folded state, the included angle between the first surface 14a of the first support plate 14 and the first plane M1 is as large as possible, and the accommodation space 100A is sufficient to accommodate the first foldable part 821 of the display screen 800.

[0191] In one embodiment, the first chute 412 extends along an oblique straight line, and in the width direction X1 of the first fixing bracket, the second position 4122 of the first chute 412 is located on the side of the first position 4121 of the first chute 412 close to the base 3.

[0192] As Figures 8 - 9 , Figures 13a - 13cAs shown, in one embodiment, the first main swing arm 11 and the first auxiliary swing arm 12 are spaced apart along the length direction Y of the hinge device. The first rotating shaft assembly 1 further includes a connecting rod 16, and the connecting rod 16 is disposed between the first main swing arm 11 and the first auxiliary swing arm 12 in the length direction Y of the hinge device. One end of the connecting rod 16 is rotatably connected to the first auxiliary swing arm 12, and a limiting shaft 17 is provided at the other end. The connecting rod 16 is respectively rotatably and slidably connected to the first fixed bracket 13 and the first main swing arm 11 through the limiting shaft 17. Among them, the specific structure of the rotational connection between the connecting rod 16 and the first auxiliary swing arm 12 is not limited. In one embodiment, the first auxiliary swing arm 12 is provided with a connecting portion 121. The connecting portion 121 is columnar and protrudes from the first auxiliary swing arm 12 toward the first main swing arm 11 along the length direction Y of the hinge device. One end of the connecting rod 16 is sleeved on the outer wall surface of the columnar connecting portion 121. The connecting portion 121 and the first auxiliary swing arm 12 can be a split structure or an integral structure, and the present application does not limit this.

[0193] The specific connection structure of the limiting shaft 17 with the first fixed bracket 13 and the first main swing arm 11 is not limited. In one embodiment, the first fixed bracket 13 is provided with a first limiting portion 1321 and a second limiting portion 1322. In the width direction X1 of the first fixed bracket, the second limiting portion 1322 is closer to the base 3 than the first limiting portion 1321. Correspondingly, the first main swing arm 11 is provided with a first limited portion 1121 and a second limited portion 1122. When the hinge device 1001 is in the unfolded state as shown in Figure 13a When in the unfolded state as shown, both ends of the limiting shaft 17 are respectively clamped to the first limiting portion 1321 of the first fixed bracket 13 and the first limited portion 1121 of the first main swing arm 11. When the hinge device is in the folded state as shown in Figure 13c When in the folded state as shown, both ends of the limiting shaft 17 are respectively clamped to the second limiting portion 1322 of the first fixed bracket 13 and the second limited portion 1122 of the first main swing arm 11. When the hinge device 1001 is in the unfolded state, both ends of the limiting shaft 17 are respectively clamped to the first limiting portion 1321 and the first limited portion 1121, restricting the first main swing arm 11 from continuing to slide in the direction toward the first support plate 14, thereby preventing the first slider 411 from sliding out of the first end 412a of the first chute 412. When the hinge device 1001 is in the folded state, both ends of the limiting shaft 17 are respectively clamped to the second limiting portion 1322 and the second limited portion 1122, restricting the first main swing arm 11 from continuing to slide in the direction away from the first support plate 14, thereby preventing the first slider 411 from sliding out of the second end 412b of the first chute 412.

[0194] The specific structures of the first limiting portion 1321, the second limiting portion 1322, the first limited portion 1121, and the second limited portion 1122 are not limited. As shown in Figures 8 - 9As shown, in one embodiment, the first fixing bracket 13 is provided with a guiding surface 133 such that one end of the limiting shaft 17 connected to the first fixing bracket 13 can slide on the guiding surface 133 and thus can slide between the first limiting portion 1321 and the second limiting portion 1322. The guiding surface 133 is disposed on the surface of the first fixing bracket 13 facing the first support plate 14. The first limiting portion 1321 is configured as a first limiting protrusion 1331 disposed at one end of the guiding surface 133, and the second limiting portion 1322 is configured as a second limiting protrusion 1332 disposed at the other end of the guiding surface 133. The first limiting portion 1321 and the second limiting portion 1322 are configured as protrusions, which facilitates the engagement with the limiting shaft 17. A guiding groove 113 is disposed on the surface of the first main swing arm 11 facing the first sub-swing arm 12. The guiding groove 113 is correspondingly disposed with the guiding surface 133 and is located between the two ends of the first main swing arm 11. The two ends of the guiding groove 113 respectively form a first limited portion 1121 and a second limited portion 1122, wherein the first limited portion 1121 is far from the base 3 and the second limited portion 1122 is close to the base 3. Those skilled in the art can understand that the guiding groove 113 enables one end of the limiting shaft 17 connected to the first main swing arm 11 to slide between the first limited portion 1121 and the second limited portion 1122. The limiting shaft 17 is connected to the guiding surface 133 and the guiding groove 113, which increases the connection structure between the first main swing arm 11 and the first fixing bracket 13 and makes the connection between the two more reliable.

[0195] As Figure 7a , Figure 9 shown, in one embodiment, the first fixing bracket 13 is provided with a hollow portion 134 penetrating the first fixing bracket 13 along the thickness direction Z1 of the first rotating shaft assembly for the connecting rod 16 to pass through.

[0196] As Figures 7b - 8 shown, in one embodiment, the second rotating shaft assembly 2 includes a first connecting shaft 26. The first connecting shaft 26 is disposed through the second main swing arm 21 and the second fixing bracket 23 such that the second main swing arm 21 and the second fixing bracket 23 are rotatably connected. The second main swing arm 21 and the second fixing bracket 23 may also be rotatably connected through other connection structures, and the present application does not limit this.

[0197] Those skilled in the art can understand that the specific structure of the sliding connection between the first fixing bracket 13 and the first sub-swing arm 12 and between the second fixing bracket 23 and the second sub-swing arm 22 is not limited. As Figures 7a - 9As shown, in one embodiment, the first fixed bracket 13 is provided with a first secondary swing arm chute 135. The other end of the first secondary swing arm 12 is plate-shaped and is slidably connected to the corresponding first secondary swing arm chute 135 along the second direction F2. The second fixed bracket 23 is provided with a second secondary swing arm chute 235. The other end of the second secondary swing arm 22 is plate-shaped and is slidably connected to the second secondary swing arm chute 235 along the third direction F3. The second direction F2 is perpendicular to the length direction Y of the hinge device and is inclined with respect to the thickness direction Z1 of the first rotating shaft assembly and the width direction X1 of the first fixed bracket. The third direction F3 is perpendicular to the length direction Y of the hinge device and is inclined with respect to the thickness direction Z2 of the second rotating shaft assembly and the width direction X2 of the second fixed bracket. The thickness direction Z2 of the second rotating shaft assembly may be the thickness direction of the second fixed bracket 23.

[0198] Those skilled in the art can understand that when the hinge device 1001 switches from the unfolded state to the folded state, the first fixed bracket 13 slides in the second direction F2 away from the base 3, and the second fixed bracket 23 slides in the third direction F3 away from the base 3. The fixed bracket and the secondary swing arm are cooperatively connected through the chute structure to achieve relative sliding, so that the fixed bracket can drive the housing connected thereto and generate a displacement in the direction close to or away from the base 3, adjust the overall length of the folding device 700, compensate for the path difference between the hinge device 1001 and the display screen 800 during the folding process of the foldable electronic device 900, and prevent the display screen 800 from being squeezed or stretched during the unfolding and folding processes. The fixed bracket with a plate-shaped structure has a simple structure, a large contact area with the secondary swing arm chute, and high reliability. Other sliding connection structures may also be adopted between the fixed bracket and the secondary swing arm, and the present application does not limit this.

[0199] As Figures 7a - 7b , Figures 14a - 15c shown, in one embodiment, the second surface 14b of the first support plate 14 opposite to the first surface 14a and the second surface 24b of the second support plate 24 opposite to the first surface 24a are both provided with a first boss portion 51 and a second boss portion 52. Each boss portion and the corresponding support plate may adopt an integral structure or a split structure, and the present application does not limit this. As Figures 14a - 14cAs shown, the first boss portions 51 of the respective support plates are respectively slidably connected to the corresponding fixed brackets through the second sliding structures 42. The specific structure of the second sliding structures 42 is not limited. In one embodiment, the second sliding structures 42 include a second slider 421 and a second chute 422 that are slidably connected to each other. Both the second slider 421 and the second chute 422 are arc-shaped. One of the second slider 421 and the second chute 422 is disposed on the first boss portion 51 of the corresponding support plate, and the other is disposed on the corresponding fixed bracket, so that each support plate can rotate relative to the corresponding fixed bracket. In one embodiment, the second slider 421 is disposed on the fixed bracket, and the second chute 422 is disposed on the first boss portion 51. In an alternative embodiment, the second slider 421 is disposed on the first boss portion 51, and the second chute 422 is disposed on the fixed bracket.

[0200] As Figures 15a - 15c shown, in one embodiment, the second boss portions 52 of the respective support plates are respectively slidably connected to the corresponding secondary swing arms through the third sliding structures 43. Each of the third sliding structures 43 includes a connecting column 431 and a third chute 432 that are slidably connected to each other. Among them, the connecting column 431 is disposed on the secondary swing arm, and the third chute 432 is disposed on the second boss portion 52 of the corresponding support plate. The third chute 432 extends in an arc shape, and the connecting column 431 is slidably connected to the third chute 432 along the extending direction of the third chute 432, so that when each secondary swing arm rotates relative to the base 3, it can drive the corresponding support plate to rotate relative to the fixed bracket.

[0201] In one embodiment, the curvature of the third chute 432 on the first boss portion 51 of the first support plate 14 is greater than the curvature of the third chute 432 on the second boss portion 52 of the second support plate 24. Those skilled in the art can understand that the curvature of the third chute 432 is related to the angle through which the support plate rotates during the process of the hinge device 1001 switching from the unfolded state to the folded state. The angle through which the first support plate 14 rotates is large, and correspondingly, the curvature of the third chute 432 on the first support plate 14 is relatively large.

[0202] As Figures 7a - 7b shown, in one embodiment, the first boss portion 51 and the second boss portion 52 are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction Y of the hinge device. Both the first rotating shaft assembly 1 and the second rotating shaft assembly 2 are provided with avoidance portions 53 for the second boss portion 52 to pass through.

[0203] It should be noted that the specific structures of the first fixing bracket 13 and the second fixing bracket 23 are not limited. As long as when the hinge device 1001 switches from the unfolded state to the folded state, the first fixing bracket 13 can provide a space for the first support plate 14 to rotate and avoid interfering with it, and the second fixing bracket 23 can provide a space for the second support plate 24 to rotate and avoid interfering with it. In one embodiment, both the first fixing bracket 13 and the second fixing bracket 23 are wedge-shaped block structures, and the thickness of each fixing bracket at the end facing the base 3 along its width direction is less than the thickness at the end away from the base 3, so as to avoid interfering with the support plate during the rotation of the support plate relative to the fixing bracket.

[0204] Those skilled in the art can understand that the specific structure of the base 3 is not limited. As Figure 8 , Figures 13a - 13c shown, in one embodiment, the base 3 includes a base bracket 31, a bottom plate 32 and a cover plate 33. Among them, an installation cavity 3A is formed by surrounding the bottom plate 32 and the cover plate 33, and the base bracket 31 is arranged in the installation cavity 3A.

[0205] As Figures 13a - 13c shown, in one embodiment, a first arc-shaped slide rail 311 and a second arc-shaped slide rail 312 are arranged on the base 3. One end of the first main swing arm 11 is slidably connected to the first arc-shaped slide rail 311, so that the first main swing arm 11 can rotate relative to the base 3 around the first main axis O1. One end of the second main swing arm 21 is slidably connected to the second arc-shaped slide rail 312, so that the second main swing arm 21 can rotate relative to the base 3 around the second main axis O2. Those skilled in the art can understand that during the rotation of each main swing arm relative to the base 3, the end of the main swing arm connected to the base 3 approaches or moves away from the base in the first direction F1 to adapt to the displacement of the fixing bracket connected to the main swing arm relative to the sub-swing arm in the direction of approaching or moving away from the base, ensuring that all parts always cooperate with each other during the rotation of the rotating shaft assembly. In one embodiment, the first arc-shaped slide rail 311 and the second arc-shaped slide rail 312 are formed by surrounding the base bracket 31 and the cover plate 33.

[0206] In one embodiment, the radius of curvature of the first arc-shaped rail 311 is smaller than the radius of curvature of the second arc-shaped rail 312, and the second main axis O2 is parallel to the first main axis O1 and parallel to the length direction Y of the hinge device. In addition, in the thickness direction Z3 of the base, the second main axis O2 is disposed between the first main axis O1 and the top surface 33a of the base 3. The top surface 33a of the base 3 can be understood as a side surface of the cover plate 33 that is away from the bottom plate 32 along the thickness direction Z3 of the base. When the foldable electronic device 900 is in the unfolded state, the top surface 33a of the base 3 and the first surface 14a of the first support plate 14 and the first surface 24a of the second support plate 24 jointly support the first foldable portion 821 of the display screen 800. It can be understood by those skilled in the art that, in one example, the curvature of the first arc-shaped rail 311 is greater than the curvature of the second arc-shaped rail 312, that is, the curvature radius of the first arc-shaped rail 311 is smaller than the curvature radius of the second arc-shaped rail 312. In the thickness direction Z3 of the base, the first main axis O1 is higher than the second main axis O2, so that when the hinge device 1001 switches from the unfolded state to the folded state, the lifting amount of the first main swing arm 11 is different from the lifting amount of the second main swing arm 21, thereby adapting to the different connection methods between the first fixed bracket 13 and the first main swing arm 11 and between the second fixed bracket 23 and the second main swing arm 21.

[0207] like Figures 15a - 15c As shown, in one embodiment, in the thickness direction Z3 of the base, the thickness of the base 3 gradually decreases from the side of the base 3 close to the first hinge assembly 1 to the side close to the second hinge assembly 2. It can be understood by those skilled in the art that the thickness of the first hinge assembly 1 is greater than the thickness of the second hinge assembly 2, that is, the installation space required for the second hinge assembly 2 is smaller than the installation space required for the first hinge assembly 1, so the thickness of the second shell 602 can be smaller than the thickness of the first shell 601. The thickness of the base 3 gradually decreases from the side close to the first hinge assembly 1 to the side close to the second hinge assembly 2, which does not appear abrupt visually, making the appearance of the foldable electronic device 900 beautiful.

[0208] In one embodiment, the first rotating shaft assembly 1 further includes a first auxiliary shaft 15, and the second rotating shaft assembly 2 further includes a second auxiliary shaft 25. One end of the first auxiliary swing arm 12 is rotatably connected to the base 3 through the first auxiliary shaft 15, so that the first auxiliary swing arm 12 can rotate relative to the base 3 about the first auxiliary axis O3, and one end of the second auxiliary swing arm 22 is rotatably connected to the base 3 through the second auxiliary shaft 25, so that the second auxiliary swing arm 22 can rotate relative to the base 3 about the second auxiliary axis O4. In one embodiment, one end of the first auxiliary swing arm 12 is rotatably connected to the first auxiliary shaft 15, one end of the second auxiliary swing arm 22 is rotatably connected to the second auxiliary shaft 25, and the first auxiliary shaft 15 and the second auxiliary shaft 25 are respectively passed through and fixedly connected to the base bracket 31. In an alternative embodiment, the first auxiliary shaft 15 and the second auxiliary shaft 25 are rotatably connected to the base 3, one end of the first auxiliary swing arm 12 is fixedly connected to the first auxiliary shaft 15, and one end of the second auxiliary swing arm 22 is fixedly connected to the base 25. The present application does not limit this.

[0209] In one embodiment, the first auxiliary axis O3 and the second auxiliary axis O4 are parallel to the length direction Y of the hinge device, and in the thickness direction Z3 of the base, the second auxiliary axis O4 is disposed between the first auxiliary axis O3 and the top surface 33a of the base 3 to adapt to the structure of the base 3 with unequal thicknesses.

[0210] Please refer to Figures 16a - 16c , Figure 16a which is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the hinge device without the cover plate according to the embodiment of the present application; Figure 16b which is a top view of the hinge device in the unfolded state according to the embodiment of the present application; Figure 16c is Figure 16b a cross-sectional view taken along the D-D direction in

[0211] As Figures 16a - 16b shown, in one embodiment, the hinge device 1001 further includes a damping structure 44, and the damping structure 44 is configured to apply a squeezing force to the first auxiliary swing arm 12 in the direction of the first auxiliary axis O3 and a squeezing force to the second auxiliary swing arm 22 in the direction of the second auxiliary axis O4. The damping structure 44 can generate a damping force, so that the first rotating shaft assembly 1 and the second rotating shaft assembly 2 can hover relative to the base 3 at a specific angle. Moreover, the damping force can also provide a feel for the user.

[0212] Those skilled in the art can understand that the specific structure of the damping structure 44 is not limited. As Figures 16a - 16bAs shown, in one embodiment, the damping structure includes an elastic member 441 and two bushings 442. The two bushings 442 are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction Y of the hinge device, and both ends of each bushing 442 are respectively sleeved on the first secondary shaft 15 and the second secondary shaft 25. The elastic member 441 is disposed between the two bushings 442 in the longitudinal direction Y of the device, and is sleeved on the first secondary shaft 15 and the second secondary shaft 25. The first secondary swing arm 12 and the second secondary swing arm 22 are rotatably connected to one end of the base 3 and are both configured to be connected to the corresponding secondary shaft through two rotating arms 54. The two rotating arms 54 are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction Y of the hinge device and have inner wall surfaces 54a disposed facing each other. The inner wall surface 54a of the rotating arm 54 is an uneven surface. The damping structure 44 is disposed between the two rotating arms 54. The elastic member 441 applies an elastic force to the bushing 442 through its own deformation, so that when each secondary swing arm rotates relative to the base 3, the inner wall surface 54a of the rotating arm 54 and one side surface of the bushing 442 are mutually pressed to generate a damping force. The damping structure may also adopt other structures, and the present application does not limit this.

[0213] As Figures 16b - 16cAs shown, in one embodiment, the hinge device 1001 also includes a synchronization mechanism 45. The synchronization mechanism 45 allows the other rotation axis assembly 1 to rotate together with the first rotation axis assembly 1 and the second rotation axis assembly 2 under the action of the synchronization mechanism 45, that is, the user only needs to turn one of the first shell 601 and the second shell 602, and the other can be synchronously unfolded or folded, which is more convenient to use and improves the user experience. The specific structure of the synchronization mechanism 45 is not limited. In one embodiment, a first gear 18 is provided at one end of the rotating arm 54 of the first auxiliary swing arm 12, and a second gear 27 is provided at one end of the rotating arm 54 of the second auxiliary swing arm 22. The first gear 18 and the first auxiliary swing arm 12 can be an integrated structure or a split structure, and the second gear 27 and the second auxiliary swing arm 22 can be an integrated structure or a split structure, and the present application does not limit this. The synchronization mechanism 45 is disposed between the first gear 18 and the second gear 27, and the synchronization mechanism 45 includes a third gear 451 and a fourth gear 452 meshing with each other, the third gear 451 meshing with the first gear 18, and the fourth gear 452 meshing with the second gear 27. The first gear 18, the second gear 27, the third gear 451 and the fourth gear 452 are sequentially disposed in the first direction F1, and the axis of each gear is located on the second plane M2, the second plane M2 is parallel to the length direction Y of the hinge device, and is inclined relative to the first direction F1, and in the thickness direction Z3 of the base, the vertical distance between the axis of the first gear 18 and the top surface 33a of the base 3 is greater than the vertical distance between the axis of the second gear 27 and the top surface 33a of the base 3. It can be understood that the rotation of the first rotating shaft assembly 1 and the second rotating shaft assembly 2 relative to the base 3 can be transmitted through the synchronization mechanism 45, and the axis of each gear is located on the second plane M2 to adapt to the asymmetric first rotating shaft assembly 1 and the second rotating shaft assembly 2.

[0214] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and modifications of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and modifications.

Claims

1. A hinge device, comprising a base, a first rotating shaft assembly and a second rotating shaft assembly. The first rotating shaft assembly and the second rotating shaft assembly are respectively arranged on both sides of the base in a first direction. It is characterized in that: The first rotating shaft assembly includes a first main swing arm, a first auxiliary swing arm, a first fixed bracket and a first support plate arranged on one side of the first fixed bracket. One end of the first main swing arm is slidably connected to the base, so that the first main swing arm can rotate relative to the base around a first main axis. One end of the first auxiliary swing arm is rotatably connected to the base, so that the first auxiliary swing arm can rotate relative to the base around a first auxiliary axis. The other ends of the first main swing arm and the first auxiliary swing arm are respectively slidably connected to the first fixed bracket, so that when the first main swing arm and the first auxiliary swing arm rotate relative to the base, the first fixed bracket slides relative to the first auxiliary swing arm to generate a displacement in a direction close to or away from the base, and the other end of the first main swing arm slides relative to the first fixed bracket to generate a displacement in a direction close to or away from the first support plate. The first support plate is slidably connected to the first auxiliary swing arm and is slidably connected to the first fixed bracket, so that the first support plate can rotate relative to the first fixed bracket; The second rotating shaft assembly includes a second main swing arm, a second auxiliary swing arm, a second fixed bracket and a second support plate arranged on one side of the second fixed bracket. One end of the second main swing arm is slidably connected to the base, so that the second main swing arm can rotate relative to the base around a second main axis. One end of the second auxiliary swing arm is rotatably connected to the base, so that the second auxiliary swing arm can rotate relative to the base around a second auxiliary axis. The other end of the second main swing arm is rotatably connected to the second fixed bracket, and the other end of the second auxiliary swing arm is slidably connected to the second fixed bracket, so that when the second main swing arm and the second auxiliary swing arm rotate relative to the base, the second fixed bracket slides relative to the second auxiliary swing arm to generate a displacement in a direction close to or away from the base. The second support plate is slidably connected to the second auxiliary swing arm and is slidably connected to the second fixed bracket, so that the second support plate can rotate relative to the second fixed bracket; When the hinge device is in an unfolded state, the first surfaces of the first support plate and the second support plate are located in the same plane; when the hinge device is in a folded state, the angle at which the first surface of the first support plate is inclined relative to the first plane is greater than the angle at which the first surface of the second support plate is inclined relative to the first plane, and the first plane is perpendicular to the first direction. Wherein, the first surface of the first support plate is the surface of the first support plate facing away from the first fixed bracket, and the first surface of the second support plate is the surface of the second support plate facing away from the second fixed bracket.

2. The hinge device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The other end of the first main swing arm is slidably connected to the first fixed bracket through at least one first sliding structure. Wherein, each first sliding structure in the at least one first sliding structure includes a first slider and a first sliding groove that are slidably connected to each other. One of the first slider and the first sliding groove is arranged at the other end of the first main swing arm, and the other is correspondingly arranged on the first fixed bracket.

3. The hinge device according to claim 2, wherein On one side of the first fixed bracket close to the base, a first groove recessed towards the other side of the first fixed bracket is formed, and the first groove penetrates the first fixed bracket along the thickness direction of the first fixed bracket. The other end of the first main swing arm is arranged opposite to the bottom surface of the first groove; The at least one first sliding structure is two first sliding structures. The first sliding grooves of the two first sliding structures are respectively arranged to be recessed from the two side surfaces of the first groove towards the inside of the first fixed bracket. The first sliders of the two first sliding structures are respectively arranged to protrude from the two opposite sides of the first main swing arm in a direction away from the first main swing arm; Wherein, when the first main swing arm rotates relative to the base, the first groove on the first fixed bracket allows the first main swing arm to pass through, and each first slider slides between a first position and a second position along the first sliding groove, so that the other end of the first main swing arm slides relative to the first fixed bracket in a direction approaching or departing from the first support plate; in the thickness direction of the first fixed bracket, the first position of the first sliding groove is closer to the first support plate than the second position; And when the hinge device is in the unfolded state, each first slider is located at the first position of the corresponding first sliding groove. When the hinge device is in the folded state, each first slider is located at the second position of the corresponding first sliding groove.

4. The hinge device according to claim 3, characterized in that, Each first sliding groove also penetrates the first fixed bracket in the thickness direction of the first fixed bracket and has a first end and a second end along its extending direction. The first end is the end of the first sliding groove close to the first support plate, and the second end is the end of the first sliding groove far from the first support plate; wherein, the first position of the first sliding groove is the first end of the first sliding groove, and the second position of the first sliding groove is the second end of the first sliding groove.

5. The hinge device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The first sliding groove extends along an oblique straight line, and in the width direction of the fixed bracket, the second position of the first sliding groove is located on the side of the first position of the first sliding groove close to the base.

6. The hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The first fixed bracket is provided with a first limiting portion and a second limiting portion. In the width direction of the first fixed bracket, the second limiting portion is closer to the base than the first limiting portion. The first main swing arm is provided with a first limited portion and a second limited portion; The first rotating shaft assembly further includes a connecting rod. One end of the connecting rod is rotatably connected to the first auxiliary swing arm. The other end of the connecting rod is provided with a limiting shaft and is respectively rotatably and slidably connected to the first fixed bracket and the first main swing arm through the limiting shaft; When the hinge device is in the unfolded state, the limit shafts are respectively clamped to the first limit portion of the first fixed bracket and the first limited portion of the first main swing arm. When the hinge device is in the folded state, the limit shafts are respectively clamped to the second limit portion of the first fixed bracket and the second limited portion of the first main swing arm.

7. The hinge device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first fixed bracket is provided with a guiding surface. The first limit portion is a first limit protrusion provided at one end of the guiding surface, and the second limit portion is a second limit protrusion provided at the other end of the guiding surface. The first main swing arm is provided with a guiding groove, and the guiding groove forms the first limited portion and the second limited portion. The limit shaft penetrates through the other end of the connecting rod. One end of the limit shaft is slidably and rotatably connected to the guiding groove, and the other end is slidably and rotatably connected to the guiding surface, so that when the connecting rod rotates relative to the first secondary swing arm, the connecting rod also slides relative to the first main swing arm and the first fixed bracket.

8. The hinge device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The surface of the first fixed bracket facing the first support plate forms the guiding surface. The first main swing arm and the first secondary swing arm are spaced apart in the length direction of the first fixed bracket, and a guiding groove is formed on the side surface of the first main swing arm close to the first secondary swing arm. The connecting rod is arranged between the first main swing arm and the first secondary swing arm in the length direction of the first fixed bracket. The first fixed bracket is provided with a hollow portion that penetrates through the first fixed bracket along its thickness direction, and the hollow portion allows the connecting rod to pass through.

9. The hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The first fixed bracket is provided with a first secondary swing arm sliding groove. The other end of the first secondary swing arm is plate-shaped and is slidably connected to the corresponding first secondary swing arm sliding groove along a second direction. The second fixed bracket is provided with a second secondary swing arm sliding groove. The other end of the second secondary swing arm is plate-shaped and is slidably connected to the second secondary swing arm sliding groove along a third direction. Wherein, the second direction is perpendicular to the length direction of the first fixed bracket and is inclined relative to the width direction and the thickness direction of the first fixed bracket, and the third direction is perpendicular to the length direction of the second fixed bracket and is inclined relative to the width direction and the thickness direction of the second fixed bracket. When the hinge device switches from the unfolded state to the folded state, the first fixed bracket slides away from the base relative to the first secondary swing arm along its width direction, and also slides towards the first support plate relative to the first secondary swing arm along its thickness direction. The second fixed bracket slides away from the base relative to the second secondary swing arm along its width direction, and also slides towards the second support plate relative to the second secondary swing arm along its thickness direction.

10. The hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The second surfaces of the first support plate and the second support plate, which are opposite to the first surfaces of the respective support plates, are both provided with a first boss portion and a second boss portion. The first boss portions of the respective support plates are respectively slidably connected to corresponding fixed brackets through second sliding structures. Wherein, each of the second sliding structures includes a second slider and a second chute that are slidably connected to each other. The second slider and the second chute are both arc-shaped. One of the second slider and the second chute is disposed on the first boss portion of the corresponding support plate, and the other is disposed on the corresponding fixed bracket, so that each support plate can rotate relative to the corresponding fixed bracket; The second boss portions of the respective support plates are respectively slidably connected to corresponding secondary swing arms through third sliding structures. Each of the third sliding structures includes a connecting column and a third chute that are slidably connected to each other. The connecting column is disposed on the corresponding secondary swing arm, and the third chute is disposed on the second boss portion of the corresponding support plate. The third chute extends in an arc shape, and the connecting column is slidably connected to the third chute along the extending direction of the third chute, so that when each secondary swing arm rotates relative to the base, it can drive the corresponding support plate to rotate relative to the fixed bracket.

11. The hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The base is provided with a first arc-shaped slide rail and a second arc-shaped slide rail. One end of the first main swing arm is slidably connected to the first arc-shaped slide rail, so that the first main swing arm can rotate relative to the base about the first main axis. One end of the second main swing arm is slidably connected to the second arc-shaped slide rail, so that the second main swing arm can rotate relative to the base about the second main axis; The radius of curvature of the first arc-shaped slide rail is smaller than the radius of curvature of the second arc-shaped slide rail. The second main axis is parallel to the first main axis, and in the thickness direction of the base, the second main axis is disposed between the first main axis and the top surface of the base.

12. The hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The hinge device further includes a damping structure, and the damping structure is configured to apply a squeezing force to the first secondary swing arm along the direction of the first secondary axis and a squeezing force to the second secondary swing arm along the direction of the second secondary axis.

13. The hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, One end of the first secondary swing arm is provided with a first gear, and one end of the second secondary swing arm is provided with a second gear. The hinge device further includes a synchronization mechanism disposed between the first gear and the second gear. The synchronization mechanism includes a third gear and a fourth gear that are meshed with each other, and the third gear is meshed with the first gear, and the fourth gear is meshed with the second gear; The first gear, the second gear, the third gear, and the fourth gear are sequentially disposed in the first direction, and the axes of each gear are all located in a second plane. The second plane is parallel to the length direction of the base and is inclined relative to the top surface of the base. And in the thickness direction of the base, the vertical distance between the axis of the first gear and the top surface of the base is greater than the vertical distance between the axis of the second gear and the top surface of the base.

14. The hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that, One end of the first auxiliary swing arm is rotatably connected to the base via a first auxiliary shaft, one end of the second auxiliary swing arm is rotatably connected to the base via a second auxiliary shaft, and the other end of the second main swing arm is rotatably connected to the second fixed bracket via a first connecting shaft; The thickness of the first rotating shaft component is greater than the thickness of the second rotating shaft component; The thickness of the base gradually decreases from a side of the base close to the first rotating shaft assembly to a side close to the second rotating shaft assembly.

15. A folding device, characterized in that, It includes a first shell, a second shell and a hinge device as described in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the first shell and the second shell are rotatably connected by the hinge device so that the first shell and the second shell can be relatively folded or relatively unfolded, wherein the first shell is fixedly connected to the first fixed bracket, and the second shell is fixedly connected to the second fixed bracket.

16. The folding device according to claim 15, characterized in that, The folding device further comprises a third shell; wherein the third shell is rotatably connected to a side of the first shell away from the second shell, or the third shell is rotatably connected to a side of the second shell away from the first shell; Furthermore, the thickness of the second shell is smaller than the thickness of the first shell, and smaller than the thickness of the third shell.

17. A foldable electronic device, including a display screen, characterized in that, It also includes a folding device as described in claim 15 or 16, and the display screen is laid on the folding device.

18. The foldable electronic device according to claim 17, wherein When the folding device also includes a third shell, when the foldable electronic device is in a folded state, a portion of the display screen is arranged on a side where the first shell and the second shell are arranged facing each other, and the other portion is arranged on a side of the third shell away from the first shell and the second shell.

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