Edge protection assembly and foldable equipment
By using integrated elastic sheets and flexible body ribbons in foldable equipment, combined with the design of fixtures and connections, the problem of frangling and arching of edge protection components is solved, and uniform bending and high reliability protection of flexible screens are achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202410047842.6
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-11
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-11
AI Technical Summary
The edge protection components of related technologies are prone to creases and arches after long-term bending, which is difficult to restore to their natural form, affecting user experience and equipment reliability.
A belt-shaped part composed of an integrated elastic sheet and a flexible body is fixed on the rotating shaft assembly. The middle part of the belt-shaped part is limited by the projection of the fixing member, and the connecting part is slidably installed on the edge of the main body to achieve protection of the edge of the bending area of the flexible screen, reducing the release and deformation under the action of external forces.
In long-term repeated bending and high temperature and high humidity environments, the flexible inserts are less deformed and are not prone to creases or arches. They can be restored to flatness when flattened, improving user experience and equipment reliability and extending folding life.
Smart Images

Figure CN120299358A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the technical field of electronic devices, and in particular, to an edge protection component and a foldable device. Background Art
[0002] In the related art, the flexible screen of a foldable device can provide a large display area in the flattened state, and the whole machine has a compact structure and good portability in the closed state. An edge protection component can be arranged at the edge position of the bending area of the flexible screen to realize the shielding protection of the edge of the bending area of the flexible screen. The edge protection component in the related art is prone to plastic deformation after long-term bending, and it is difficult to return to the natural form in the flattened state, and problems such as creases and arching are likely to occur. Summary of the Invention
[0003] The embodiments of the present application provide an edge protection component and a foldable device, which solve the problems that the edge protection component in the related art is prone to creases and arching after long-term bending.
[0004] The embodiments of the present application adopt the following technical solutions:
[0005] In a first aspect, the edge protection component provided by the embodiments of the present application is applied to a foldable device having a rotating shaft component, a first main body, a second main body, and a flexible screen. The edge protection component includes a fixing member and a flexible insert. The fixing member is used to be fixed on the rotating shaft component. In the axial direction of the rotating shaft component, the projection of the fixing member covers a part of the side surface of the flexible screen. The fixing member has a protruding portion. The flexible insert includes an elastic sheet and a flexible body, and the elastic sheet and the flexible body are an integrally formed structure. The flexible body includes a strip portion, a first connecting portion, and a second connecting portion. The first connecting portion is connected to one end of the strip portion, the second connecting portion is connected to the other end of the strip portion, and the elastic sheet is embedded in the strip portion. The strip portion has a first surface and a second surface facing away from each other. The first surface faces the edge of the bending area of the display surface of the flexible screen, and the protruding portion and the second surface face each other in the middle of the length direction of the strip portion. The first connecting portion is used to be embedded in the edge of the first main body, and the second connecting portion is used to be embedded in the edge of the second main body.
[0006] Wherein, when the foldable device is in the flattened state, the arrangement direction of the first main body and the second main body is defined as the X direction, the width direction of the foldable device or the axial direction of the rotating shaft component is defined as the Y direction, and the thickness direction of the foldable device is defined as the Z direction. The thickness direction of the flexible screen in the flattened state is also the Z direction, and the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are perpendicular to each other in pairs.
[0007] The side surface of the flexible screen is the outer peripheral surface connecting the display surface and the back surface. The length direction (X direction) of the strip portion refers to the length direction of the strip portion when the foldable device is in the flattened state. The length direction (X direction) of the strip portion is perpendicular to the axial direction (Y direction) of the rotating shaft component.
[0008] In the edge protection component provided by the embodiment of the present application, the flexible insert is an integrally formed structure of an elastic sheet and a flexible body. The flexible body is easily bent and deformed, and the elastic sheet plays a reinforcing role. The elastic sheet is embedded in the strip portion of the flexible body, and the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are correspondingly connected to both ends of the strip portion. The first surface of the strip portion faces the edge of the bending area of the display surface of the flexible screen. The fixing member is fixed on the rotating shaft assembly, and the protruding portion of the fixing member faces the middle of the second surface of the strip portion, reducing the risk of the flexible insert being pulled out under external force. During the switching process between the unfolded state and the closed state of the foldable device, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are correspondingly embedded in the edges of the first main body and the second main body, so that the flexible insert follows the movement of the first main body and the second main body. The middle of the strip portion is limited by the protruding portion of the fixing member, and the strip portion can be bent around the protruding portion. When the angle between the first main body and the second main body is different, the strip portion can keep covering the edge of the bending area of the display surface of the flexible screen, realizing the protection of the bending area edge, reducing the entry of external foreign matters such as dust and water into the flexible screen, and also making the edge position of the flexible screen bending area more beautiful. Under long-term repeated bending, static bending or high-temperature and high-humidity environments, the deformation of the flexible insert is small, and it is not easy to appear creases, arching, or detachment. When in the unfolded state, it can be restored to a flat natural form, providing a good user experience, high reliability, and a long folding life. The flexible insert is beneficial to forming a uniform bending form when the flexible screen is bent, reducing the mutual extrusion force between the flexible insert and the flexible screen during the folding process, and reducing the occurrence of cracks and damage to the flexible screen caused by extrusion.
[0009] When the foldable device is in the closed state, the middle of the strip portion is limited by the protruding portion of the fixing member, and the strip portion can adapt to the bending area edge of the bent display surface of the flexible screen. When the cross-section of the bent flexible screen is a water droplet-shaped curved surface, the cross-section of the strip portion is roughly a water droplet-shaped curved surface, and the strip portion can better cover the edge of the bending area of the display surface of the flexible screen.
[0010] In an optional implementation manner, the fixing member and the rotating shaft assembly can be fixed by means such as colloidal bonding, snap connection, fasteners (such as screws), etc. The fixing member can be disposed near the end of the rotating shaft assembly.
[0011] In an optional implementation manner, the material of the fixing member can be metal or plastic. The fixing member is made of hard materials such as metal and plastic, which is convenient for the fixing member to be reliably connected to the rotating shaft assembly.
[0012] In an optional implementation manner, the fixing member can be generally in a plate shape, and the thickness direction of the fixing member is the axial direction (Y direction) of the rotating shaft assembly. Alternatively, the fixing member can also be in a block shape or other shapes.
[0013] In an alternative implementation, the fixing member may include a plugging portion and an assembling portion. The plugging portion and the assembling portion are connected to each other. The plugging portion is for plugging into the rotating shaft assembly, and the assembling portion is for connecting to the supporting member. The plugging portion and the assembling portion are generally in a T shape, which facilitates the plugging portion to be plugged into the rotating shaft assembly, and both ends of the assembling portion abut against the surface of the rotating shaft assembly to realize the limiting of the fixing member.
[0014] In an alternative implementation, the strip portion may be generally arranged in a long strip structure. The elastic sheet and the strip portion in the flexible insert can both extend along the edge of the bending area of the flexible screen, so that the elastic sheet and the strip portion are tightly connected to realize the shielding protection of the edge of the bending area of the display surface. The strip portion may be a straight, locally curved or arc-shaped long strip structure.
[0015] In an alternative implementation, the elastic sheet may be a plastic thin sheet or a metal thin sheet, the material of the flexible body may be a soft rubber, and the elastic sheet and the flexible body are an insert injection molding structure. The flexible body is easy to be injection molded, and the elastic sheet has certain rigidity and strength. The combination of the elastic sheet and the flexible body complements each other, the connection between the two is stable, an integrated flexible insert is formed, the overall thickness dimension and weight are small, and the reliability is high.
[0016] In an alternative implementation, the elastic sheet may be a plastic thin sheet, such as a polyethylene terephthalate thin sheet, a polyimide thin sheet, etc. The elastic sheet may also be a metal thin sheet, such as a steel sheet.
[0017] In an alternative implementation, the material of the flexible body may be a soft rubber that is resistant to high temperature and high humidity, such as silicone rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic polyurethane rubber, polyvinyl chloride soft rubber, rubber (such as silicone rubber, natural rubber, cis-1,4-polybutadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, etc.).
[0018] In an alternative implementation, the elastic sheet is arranged on the first surface of the strip portion. An integral molding process can be used to obtain a flexible insert with a smaller thickness. For example, the thickness of the flexible insert is about 0.1 mm, which is beneficial to reducing the thickness of the entire foldable device. The flexible body part serves as the appearance surface, making the flexible insert more beautiful.
[0019] In an alternative implementation, the first surface of the strip portion has a first groove, and the elastic sheet is embedded in the first groove. The flexible body covers one surface of the elastic sheet, increasing the connection area between the flexible body and the elastic sheet, and making the connection between the flexible body and the elastic sheet reliable.
[0020] In an alternative implementation, the strip portion has a first side facing the fixing member. The first connecting portion is provided at one end of the first side, and the second connecting portion is provided at the other end of the first side. The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are staggered along the axial direction (Y direction) of the rotating shaft assembly relative to the side surface of the flexible screen, facilitating the corresponding embedding of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion on the first main body and the second main body.
[0021] In an alternative implementation, the edge of the first main body near the rotating shaft assembly has a first sliding groove. The length direction of the first sliding groove is the same as the length direction (X direction) of the strip portion. The first connecting portion is slidably installed in the first sliding groove. The edge of the second main body near the rotating shaft assembly has a second sliding groove. The length direction of the second sliding groove is the same as the length direction (X direction) of the strip portion. The second connecting portion is slidably installed in the second sliding groove. During the switching process between the flattened state and the closed state of the foldable device, the first connecting portion is allowed to slide relative to the first main body, and the second connecting portion is allowed to slide relative to the second main body, so that the strip portion connected between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion can form a uniform bending shape.
[0022] In an alternative implementation, the sliding amount L of the first connecting portion in the first sliding groove ranges from 0.2 mm to 1 mm, and the sliding amount L of the second connecting portion in the second sliding groove ranges from 0.2 mm to 1 mm. It is convenient to correspondingly install the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion at both ends of the strip portion in the first sliding groove and the second sliding groove, enabling the strip portion to form a relatively uniform bending shape during the switching process between the flattened state and the closed state of the foldable device, and reducing the situation where the flexible insert comes out of the first main body and the second main body.
[0023] In an alternative implementation, the first connecting portion includes a first supporting portion and a first sliding portion. The first supporting portion is connected between the first side and the first sliding portion. One end of the first supporting portion away from the first side is located in the first sliding groove, and the first sliding portion is located in the first sliding groove. The cross-sectional shapes of the first sliding portion and the first sliding groove in the direction perpendicular to the length direction of the strip portion are adapted to each other.
[0024] The first sliding portion can be offset by a certain distance in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the flexible screen, so that the first sliding portion can be slidably installed on the first main body at a predetermined distance from the display surface of the flexible screen. The first sliding portion can slide linearly and stably along the length direction of the first sliding groove.
[0025] In an alternative implementation, in the length direction (X direction) of the strip portion, the end surface of the first supporting portion close to the fixing member and the end surface of the first sliding groove are arranged facing each other. The movement range of the first connecting portion is limited, and the situation where the first connecting portion comes out of the first sliding groove is reduced.
[0026] In an alternative implementation, the cross-sectional shapes of the first sliding portion and the first sliding groove in a direction perpendicular to the length direction (X direction) of the strip portion are bent and extended. The first sliding portion is buckled on the first sliding groove along the axial direction (Y direction) of the rotating shaft assembly, so that the first sliding portion is not easily disengaged from the first main body along the axial direction (Y direction) of the rotating shaft assembly, and the flexible insert is held on the first main body.
[0027] In an alternative implementation, the cross-sectional shapes of the first sliding portion and the first sliding groove in a direction perpendicular to the length direction (X direction) of the strip portion are bent and extended shapes such as L-shaped and arc-shaped, which can enable the first sliding portion to be buckled on the first sliding groove along the axial direction (Y direction) of the rotating shaft assembly and not be easily disengaged.
[0028] In an alternative implementation, the second connecting portion includes a second supporting portion and a second sliding portion. The second supporting portion is connected between the first side edge and the second sliding portion. One end of the second supporting portion away from the first side edge is located in the second sliding groove, and the second sliding portion is located in the second sliding groove. The cross-sectional shapes of the second sliding portion and the second sliding groove in a direction perpendicular to the length direction (X direction) of the strip portion are adapted to each other. The second sliding portion can be offset by a certain distance along the thickness direction (Z direction) of the flexible screen, so that the second sliding portion can be slidably mounted on the second main body at a predetermined distance from the display surface of the flexible screen. The second sliding portion can slide linearly and stably along the length direction of the second sliding groove.
[0029] In an alternative implementation, in the length direction (X direction) of the strip portion, the end surface of the second supporting portion close to the fixing member and the end surface of the second sliding groove are arranged facing each other. Through the abutting and cooperating of the end surface of the second sliding groove and the end surface of the second supporting portion, the second supporting portion cannot move further, the moving range of the second connecting portion is limited, and the situation that the second connecting portion disengages from the second sliding groove is reduced.
[0030] In an alternative implementation, the cross-sectional shapes of the second sliding portion and the second sliding groove in a direction perpendicular to the length direction (X direction) of the strip portion are bent and extended. The second sliding portion is not easily disengaged from the second main body along the axial direction (Y direction) of the rotating shaft assembly, and the flexible insert is held on the second main body.
[0031] In an alternative implementation, the cross-sectional shapes of the second sliding portion and the second sliding groove in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the strip portion are bent and extended shapes such as L-shaped and arc-shaped, which can enable the second sliding portion to be buckled on the second sliding groove along the axial direction (Y direction) of the rotating shaft assembly and not be easily disengaged.
[0032] In an alternative implementation, in the length direction (X direction) of the strip portion, the fixing member can be located between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, so that the strip portion between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion can be made shorter, and the strip portion covering the bending area edge of the display surface of the flexible screen can be satisfied to achieve shielding protection.
[0033] In an alternative implementation, in the length direction (X direction) of the strip portion, the fixing member can be located between the first support portion in the first connecting portion and the second support portion in the second connecting portion, so that the thickness of the fixing member can be made thinner, and when fixed to the end of the rotating shaft assembly, it occupies less space of the rotating shaft assembly.
[0034] In an alternative implementation, in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the flexible screen, the first connecting portion is located between the first frame and the first main body, and the second connecting portion is located between the second frame and the second main body. This enables the strip portion and the elastic sheet between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion to be kept in a predetermined position and not easily come out, so that the flexible insert can be reliably assembled between the first main body and the second main body.
[0035] In an alternative implementation, a first limiting portion is connected to the side facing the flexible screen at the middle of the first side of the strip portion, and the first limiting portion is arranged facing the side surface of the flexible screen. Under an external force, the first limiting portion abuts against the side surface of the flexible screen, reducing the situation where the flexible insert comes out of the flexible screen under the external force, keeping the flexible insert in a predetermined position, shielding and protecting the edge of the bending area of the display surface of the flexible screen, and improving reliability.
[0036] In an alternative implementation, the side of the fixing member facing the flexible screen can have an avoidance groove, and at least part of the first limiting portion is embedded in the avoidance groove. This enables the axial dimension (Y direction) of the rotating shaft assembly of the foldable device to be made smaller. The first limiting portion and the inner wall of the avoidance groove are arranged facing each other. During the bending process of the strip portion driven by the first main body and the second main body, the first limiting portion and the inner wall of the avoidance groove gradually approach and abut against each other, which can limit the bending form of the strip portion.
[0037] In an alternative implementation, there is a safety gap between the strip portion and the protruding portion, and a second limiting portion is connected to the side of the middle of the first side facing away from the flexible screen. In the thickness direction (Z direction) of the flexible screen, the second limiting portion and the protruding portion are arranged facing each other.
[0038] When the foldable device is in a flattened state, there is a certain safety gap between the protruding portion and the strip portion in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the flexible screen. A second limiting portion is arranged at the middle of the first side of the strip portion. At the moment when the foldable device in the flattened state starts to fold, the second limiting portion will abut against the protruding portion, making the middle of the strip portion not easily arch back. Then the strip portion and the elastic sheet are gradually bent as a whole, enabling the flexible insert to have a better bending form during the bending process. When the flexible insert is affected by an external force, the second limiting portion can abut against the protruding portion of the fixing member, reducing the situation where the flexible insert comes out along the axial direction (Y direction) of the rotating shaft assembly and improving reliability.
[0039] In an alternative implementation, the side of the fixing member facing the flexible screen has an avoidance groove, and at least a part of the second limiting portion is embedded in the avoidance groove, so that the axial dimension (Y direction) of the folding device in the rotating shaft assembly can be made smaller.
[0040] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a folding device, including: a rotating shaft assembly, a first main body, a second main body, a flexible screen, and an edge protection assembly. The rotating shaft assembly is located between the first main body and the second main body, and the first main body and the second main body are connected through the rotating shaft assembly. The flexible screen has an opposite display surface and a back surface, and the back surface of the flexible screen is fixed on the first main body and the second main body.
[0041] In an alternative implementation, one end of the first main body and one end of the second main body can rotate relative to the rotating shaft assembly, and the end of the first main body away from the rotating shaft assembly and the end of the second main body away from the rotating shaft assembly can move closer to or away from each other. The flexible screen can be bent or unfolded following the position changes of the first main body and the second main body, so that the folding device can switch between a flattened state, an intermediate state, and a closed state.
[0042] In an alternative implementation, the folding device can be configured as an inner folding structure. When the rotating shaft assembly is in the closed state, a screen-containing space is formed between the first main body, the rotating shaft assembly, and the second main body, and the flexible screen is partially bent and located in the screen-containing space. The bending form of the flexible screen is affected by the rotating shaft assembly. When the rotating shaft assembly is in the closed state, the cross-section of the bent flexible screen can be in the shape of a water droplet-shaped curved surface or a U-shaped curved surface.
[0043] In an alternative implementation, the flexible screen has a first fixing area, a bending area, and a second fixing area connected in sequence. The first fixing area is fixed on the first main body, the second fixing area is fixed on the second main body, and the bending area is correspondingly arranged with the rotating shaft assembly. The connection between the first fixing area and the first main body, and the connection between the second fixing area and the second main body can be achieved by means of colloid bonding or other methods.
[0044] In an alternative implementation, the rotating shaft assembly may include a rotating shaft body, a rotating shaft shell, a first plate body, and a second plate body. The rotating shaft body and the rotating shaft shell both extend in the Y direction. The rotating shaft body is arranged close to the flexible screen, and the rotating shaft shell is arranged on the side of the rotating shaft body away from the flexible screen. The first plate body and the second plate body are respectively connected to both sides of the rotating shaft body in the X direction and can rotate relative to the rotating shaft body. The first plate body and the second plate body can be fixedly connected to the first main body and the second main body in a one-to-one correspondence by means of fasteners or other methods, so that the first main body and the second main body can rotate relative to the rotating shaft body.
[0045] In an alternative implementation, both the first main body and the second main body may include a middle shell and a rear shell. The middle shell can be referred to as a middle frame. The rear shell is arranged on the side of the middle shell away from the flexible screen. The middle shell and the rear shell can be an assembled structure. The middle shell and the rear shell can also be an integrally formed structure.
[0046] In an alternative implementation, a first frame is provided on the first body, and the first frame is disposed at the edge of the flexible screen corresponding to the first body. A second frame is provided on the second body, and the second frame is disposed at the edge of the flexible screen corresponding to the second body. The first frame can shield and protect the edge of the first fixed area of the flexible screen, and the second frame can shield and protect the edge of the second fixed area of the flexible screen, reducing damage to the edge of the flexible screen and improving the appearance effect.
[0047] In an alternative implementation, the first body and the first frame can be an assembled structure. For example, the first frame is fixed to the first body by bonding, snap-fitting or other means. The first body and the first frame can also be an integrally formed structure. The second body and the second frame can be an assembled structure. For example, the second frame is fixed to the second body by bonding, snap-fitting or other means. The second body and the second frame can also be an integrally formed structure.
[0048] In an alternative implementation, the flexible screen in the flattened state is generally in a rounded rectangle shape, and the outer shapes of the first body and the second body are generally in a plate-shaped cuboid shape. Both the first frame and the second frame extend substantially in a right-angled U shape, and the cross-sectional shape of the first frame and the second frame in the direction perpendicular to their extension direction can be substantially in an L shape or other shapes. The openings of the first frame and the second frame are arranged facing each other. The first frame and the second frame are respectively arranged corresponding to different edges of the flexible screen to achieve shielding and protection of the corresponding edge positions of the flexible screen.
[0049] In an alternative implementation, an edge protection component can be respectively arranged at both ends of the rotating shaft component to shield and protect the edges of the bending areas of the flexible screen corresponding to both ends of the rotating shaft component.
[0050] In an alternative implementation, in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the flexible screen, a first gap is formed between the first frame and the display surface of the flexible screen, and a second gap is formed between the second frame and the display surface of the flexible screen. One end of the strip portion is located in the first gap, and the other end of the strip portion is located in the second gap. To achieve the limit of both ends of the strip portion.
[0051] In an alternative implementation, in the axial direction (Y direction) of the rotating shaft component, a third gap is formed between the first frame and the side surface of the flexible screen, and a fourth gap is formed between the second frame and the side surface of the flexible screen; a part of the first connecting portion (i.e., the first supporting portion in the first connecting portion) is located in the third gap, and a part of the second connecting portion (i.e., the second supporting portion in the second connecting portion) is located in the fourth gap. To make both ends of the flexible insert follow the movement of the first body and the second body, the flexible insert is kept at the edge of the flexible screen and is not easily disengaged, achieving reliable shielding and protection of the edge of the flexible screen and reducing the disengagement of the flexible insert under the action of external force.
[0052] In an alternative implementation, the first frame has a first shielding portion near the rotating shaft assembly, and the second frame has a second shielding portion near the rotating shaft assembly; in the axial direction (Y direction) of the rotating shaft assembly, the projected portion of the first shielding portion covers the fixing member, and the projected portion of the second shielding portion covers the fixing member. This protects the fixing member, reduces the entry of external foreign objects such as particles into the gap between the fixing member and the rotating shaft assembly, improves reliability, and also enhances the appearance of the end portion of the rotating shaft assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0053] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the cooperation between the edge protection component and the flexible screen in the foldable device provided by the embodiment of the present application;
[0054] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the foldable device provided by the embodiment of the present application in the flattened state;
[0055] Figure 3 For Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the foldable device in the closed state;
[0056] Figure 4 For Figure 2 Exploded perspective view of the foldable device;
[0057] Figure 5 For Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the foldable device after removing the first frame;
[0058] Figure 6 For Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of the display screen, edge protection component and rotating shaft component in the foldable device;
[0059] Figure 7 For Figure 6 Assembly schematic diagram of the display screen, edge protection component and rotating shaft component;
[0060] Figure 8 Stereo assembly drawing of the edge protection component provided by the embodiment of the present application;
[0061] Figure 9 For Figure 8 Another perspective stereo assembly drawing of the edge protection component;
[0062] Figure 10 For Figure 8 Exploded perspective view of the edge protection component;
[0063] Figure 11 For Figure 2 Partial cross-sectional view of the foldable device along line A-A;
[0064] Figure 12 For Figure 2Partial cross-sectional view of the foldable device along line B-B;
[0065] Figure 13 is Figure 4 Exploded view of the edge protection component, the first body and the second body in the foldable device;
[0066] Figure 14 is Figure 13 Assembly diagram of the edge protection component disposed between the first body and the second body;
[0067] Figure 15 is Figure 8 Another perspective three-dimensional assembly drawing of the edge protection component;
[0068] Figure 16 is Figure 15 Three-dimensional exploded view of the edge protection component;
[0069] Figure 17 is Figure 8 Three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the edge protection component along line C-C.
[0070] Explanation of reference numerals:
[0071] 1 - Shielding member; 1a - Soft rubber; 1b - Steel sheet; 2 - Flexible screen;
[0072] 1000 - Foldable device; 100 - Edge protection component;
[0073] 110 - Fixing member; 111 - Protrusion; 112 - Insertion part; 113 - Assembly part; 114 - Avoidance groove;
[0074] 120 - Flexible insert; 121 - Elastic sheet; 122 - Flexible body; 1221 - Strip part; 1221a - End; 1221b - End; 1221c - First surface; 1221d - First groove; 1221e - Second surface; 1221f - Middle part; 1221g - First side; 1221h - Middle part; 1222 - First connection part; 1222a - First support part; 1222b - End face; 1222c - First sliding part; 1223 - Second connection part; 1223a - Second support part; 1223b - End face; 1223c - Second sliding part; 1224 - First limiting part; 1225 - Second limiting part;
[0075] 200 - Rotating shaft assembly; 200a - End part; 210 - Rotating shaft body; 220 - Rotating shaft shell; 230 - First plate body; 240 - Second plate body;
[0076] 300 - Flexible screen; 300a - Display surface; 300b - Back surface; 300c - Side surface; 301 - First fixing area; 302 - Bending area; 303 - Second fixing area;
[0077] 400 - First main body; 400a - Edge; 401 - First sliding groove; 401a - End face; 410 - Middle shell; 420 - Rear shell;
[0078] 500 - Second main body; 500a - Edge; 501 - Second sliding groove; 501a - End face;
[0079] 600 - First frame; 601 - Opening; 602 - First shielding part; 611 - First gap; 612 - Second gap; 613 - Third gap;
[0080] 700 - Second frame; 701 - Opening; 702 - Second shielding part. Detailed implementation mode
[0081] In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and beneficial effects to be solved by the present application clearer, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application. 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 mode. On the contrary, the purpose of introducing the implementation mode in combination with the application 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.
[0082] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or indirectly on the other element. When an element is referred to as "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or indirectly connected to the other element.
[0083] It should be understood that in the description of the embodiments of the present application, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms "installation" and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "connection" can be a detachable connection or a non-detachable connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. The orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and 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.
[0084] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. In the description of the present application, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.
[0085] In the embodiments of the present application, "and / or" is merely a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this article generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after.
[0086] Reference to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" etc. described in this specification means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in combination with the embodiment is included in one or more embodiments of the present application. Thus, the statements "in one embodiment", "in some embodiments", "in other some embodiments", "in still other embodiments", etc. that appear in different places in this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but mean "one or more but not all embodiments", unless otherwise specifically emphasized in other ways. The terms "comprise", "include", "have" and their variants all mean "including but not limited to", unless otherwise specifically emphasized in other ways.
[0087] Refer to Figure 1 , the embodiments of the present application provide an edge protection component, which can be applied to a foldable device. The edge protection component has a shielding member 1, and the shielding member 1 can shield and protect the edge of the bending area of the flexible screen 2. The shielding member 1 can adopt an integrally injection-molded structure in which a soft rubber 1a wraps a steel sheet 1b, and there is soft rubber 1a on both the upper and lower sides of the steel sheet 1b.
[0088] Refer toFigure 2 , Figure 3 , for the convenience of describing the position and direction of the foldable device 1000 and the edge protection component 100 in the embodiments of the present application, when the foldable device 1000 is in a flattened state, the arrangement direction of the first main body 400 and the second main body 500 is defined as the X direction, the width direction of the foldable device 1000 or the axial direction of the rotation shaft assembly 200 is defined as the Y direction, the thickness direction of the foldable device 1000 is defined as the Z direction, and the thickness direction of the flexible screen 300 in the flattened state is also the Z direction. The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are perpendicular to each other in pairs.
[0089] Refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3 , the embodiments of the present application provide a foldable device 1000, which may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, an e-book reader, a netbook, a personal digital assistant, a smart wearable device (such as a smart watch), etc.
[0090] In combination with Figure 4 , the embodiments of the present application provide a foldable device 1000, including: a rotation shaft assembly 200, a first main body 400, a second main body 500, a flexible screen 300, and an edge protection component 100. The rotation shaft assembly 200 is located between the first main body 400 and the second main body 500, and the first main body 400 and the second main body 500 are connected by the rotation shaft assembly 200. The flexible screen 300 has an opposite display surface 300a and a back surface 300b, and the back surface 300b of the flexible screen 300 is fixed to the first main body 400 and the second main body 500.
[0091] One end of the first main body 400 and one end of the second main body 500 can rotate relative to the rotation shaft assembly 200, and the end of the first main body 400 far from the rotation shaft assembly 200 and the end of the second main body 500 far from the rotation shaft assembly 200 can move closer to or away from each other. The flexible screen 300 can be bent or unfolded following the position changes of the first main body 400 and the second main body 500, so that the foldable device 1000 can switch between a flattened state, an intermediate state, and a closed state.
[0092] Refer to Figure 2 , when the foldable device 1000 is in a flattened state, the first main body 400 and the second main body 500 are unfolded on both sides of the rotation shaft assembly 200, and the angle between the first main body 400 and the second main body 500 is approximately 180°, and the flexible screen 300 is unfolded and supported on the first main body 400, the rotation shaft assembly 200, and the second main body 500.
[0093] Refer to Figure 3, when the foldable device 1000 is in the closed state, the first body 400 and the second body 500 are folded together to form a stacked structure, and the flexible screen 300 bends following the first body 400 and the second body 500. The intermediate state of the foldable device 1000 is the state between the flattened state and the closed state.
[0094] The foldable device 1000 can be configured as an inner-folded structure. When the rotating shaft assembly 200 is in the closed state, a screen-containing space is formed among the first body 400, the rotating shaft assembly 200, and the second body 500. The flexible screen 300 is partially bent and the flexible screen 300 is located in the screen-containing space. The bending form of the flexible screen 300 is affected by the rotating shaft assembly 200. When the rotating shaft assembly 200 is in the closed state, the cross-section of the bent flexible screen 300 can be in the shape of a water-drop curved surface or a U-shaped curved surface.
[0095] The flexible screen 300 is used to display images and information. The flexible screen 300 can be an organic light-emitting diode display screen, an active matrix organic light-emitting diode display screen, a mini light-emitting diode display screen, a micro light-emitting diode display screen, a micro organic light-emitting diode display screen, a quantum dot light-emitting diode display screen, and so on. A touch layer can be arranged inside the flexible screen 300 to achieve the touch function.
[0096] Refer to Figure 2 , Figure 4 , the flexible screen 300 has a first fixed area 301, a bending area 302, and a second fixed area 303 that are connected in sequence. The first fixed area 301 is fixed on the first body 400, the second fixed area 303 is fixed on the second body 500, and the bending area 302 is correspondingly arranged with the rotating shaft assembly 200. Between the first fixed area 301 and the first body 400, and between the second fixed area 303 and the second body 500, they can be connected by colloid bonding or other means.
[0097] When setting the rotating shaft assembly 200, refer to Figure 4 , the rotating shaft assembly 200 can include a rotating shaft body 210, a rotating shaft shell 220, a first plate body 230, and a second plate body 240. Both the rotating shaft body 210 and the rotating shaft shell 220 extend along the Y direction. The rotating shaft body 210 is arranged close to the flexible screen 300, and the rotating shaft shell 220 is arranged on the side of the rotating shaft body 210 away from the flexible screen 300. The first plate body 230 and the second plate body 240 are respectively connected to both sides of the rotating shaft body 210 along the X direction and can rotate relative to the rotating shaft body 210. The first plate body 230 and the second plate body 240 can be fixedly connected to the first body 400 and the second body 500 in a one-to-one correspondence by means of fasteners or the like, so that the first body 400 and the second body 500 can rotate relative to the rotating shaft body 210.
[0098] When setting the first body 400 and the second body 500, refer toFigure 2 Both the first body 400 and the second body 500 may include a middle shell 410 and a rear shell 420. The middle shell 410 may be referred to as a middle frame. The rear shell 420 is disposed on a side of the middle shell 410 away from the flexible screen 300. The middle shell 410 and the rear shell 420 may be an assembled structure. For example, the rear shell 420 is fixed to the middle shell 410 by means of adhesion, snap fit, etc. The middle shell 410 and the rear shell 420 may also be an integrally formed structure. Devices such as a circuit board, a battery, a receiver, a speaker, a camera, and an antenna may be installed on the first body 400 and the second body 500. The circuit board may be provided with devices such as a processor and a storage unit.
[0099] In order to protect the edge of the flexible screen 300 from being blocked, in some embodiments, refer to Figure 2 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , a first frame 600 is provided on the first body 400. The first frame 600 is disposed at an edge 400a of the flexible screen 300 corresponding to the first body 400. A second frame 700 is provided on the second body 500. The second frame 700 is disposed at an edge 500a of the flexible screen 300 corresponding to the second body 500. The first frame 600 can protect the edge of the first fixed area 301 of the flexible screen 300 from being blocked, and the second frame 700 can protect the edge of the second fixed area 303 of the flexible screen 300 from being blocked, reducing damage to the edge of the flexible screen 300 and improving the appearance effect.
[0100] The first body 400 and the first frame 600 may be an assembled structure. For example, the first frame 600 is fixed to the first body 400 by means of adhesion, snap fit, etc. The first body 400 and the first frame 600 may also be an integrally formed structure. The second body 500 and the second frame 700 may be an assembled structure. For example, the second frame 700 is fixed to the second body 500 by means of adhesion, snap fit, etc. The second body 500 and the second frame 700 may also be an integrally formed structure.
[0101] When setting the shapes of the first body 400 and the second body 500 and the shapes of the first frame 600 and the second frame 700, they may be set according to the shape of the flexible screen 300. Exemplarily, refer to Figure 4, when in the flattened state, the flexible screen 300 is generally in a rounded rectangular shape, and the outer shapes of the first main body 400 and the second main body 500 are generally in the shape of a plate-like cuboid. Both the first frame 600 and the second frame 700 extend in a substantially right-angled U shape, and the cross-sectional shape of the first frame 600 and the second frame 700 perpendicular to their extension directions can be substantially in an L shape or other shapes. The openings 601 of the first frame 600 and the openings 701 of the second frame 700 are arranged facing each other. The first frame 600 and the second frame 700 are respectively arranged corresponding to different edges of the flexible screen 300 to achieve the shielding protection of the corresponding edge positions of the flexible screen 300. In addition, the first main body 400 and the second main body 500, the first frame 600 and the second frame 700 can be set into other forms according to the flexible screen 300.
[0102] Refer to Figure 2 , Figures 5 to 7 , there are bending situations at the edges of the bending area 302 of the flexible screen 300. Between the first frame 600 and the second frame 700, that is, between the first main body 400 and the second main body 500, an edge protection component 100 is provided to shield and protect the edges of the bending area 302 of the flexible screen 300, reducing the entry of external foreign matters such as dust and water into the inside of the flexible screen 300, and also making the edge positions of the bending area 302 of the flexible screen 300 more beautiful. An edge protection component 100 can be respectively provided at both ends 200a of the rotating shaft component 200 to shield and protect the edges of the bending area 302 of the flexible screen 300 corresponding to both ends 200a of the rotating shaft component 200.
[0103] Refer to Figures 8 to 11 , Figure 11 For Figure 2Partial cross-sectional view of the foldable device 1000 along line A-A. The edge protection component 100 provided by the embodiment of the present application is applied to the foldable device 1000 having a rotating shaft assembly 200, a first main body 400, a second main body 500, and a flexible screen 300. The edge protection component 100 includes a fixing member 110 and a flexible insert 120. The fixing member 110 is used to be fixed on the rotating shaft assembly 200. In the axial direction (Y direction) of the rotating shaft assembly 200, the projection of the fixing member 110 covers a partial side surface 300c of the flexible screen 300. The fixing member 110 has a protruding portion 111. The flexible insert 120 includes an elastic sheet 121 and a flexible body 122, and the elastic sheet 121 and the flexible body 122 are an integrally formed structure. The flexible body 122 includes a strip portion 1221, a first connecting portion 1222, and a second connecting portion 1223. The first connecting portion 1222 is connected to one end 1221a of the strip portion 1221, and the second connecting portion 1223 is connected to the other end 1221b of the strip portion 1221. The elastic sheet 121 is embedded in the strip portion 1221. The strip portion 1221 has a first surface 1221c and a second surface 1221e facing away from each other. The first surface 1221c is disposed facing the edge of the bending region 302 of the display surface 300a of the flexible screen 300, and the protruding portion 111 and the second surface 1221e are disposed facing each other at the middle portion 1221f in the length direction of the strip portion 1221. In combination Figures 12 to 14 , Figure 12 is Figure 2 partial cross-sectional view of the foldable device 1000 along line B-B, Figure 13 is an exploded schematic view of the edge protection component, the first main body, and the second main body, Figure 14 is an assembly schematic view of the edge protection component 100 disposed on the first main body and the second main body. The first connecting portion 1222 is used to be embedded in the edge 400a of the first main body 400, and the second connecting portion 1223 is used to be embedded in the edge 500a of the second main body 500.
[0104] Wherein, referring to Figure 4 , Figure 6 , Figure 11 , the side surface 300c of the flexible screen 300 is the outer peripheral surface connecting the display surface 300a and the back surface 300b. The display surface 300a of the flexible screen 300 is the light-emitting side of the flexible screen 300, and the display surface 300a may include a display area and a non-display area located at the edge of the display area. In the thickness direction (Z direction) of the flexible screen 300, the flexible insert 120 can block a partial edge of the non-display area without affecting the light-emitting display effect of the display area of the flexible screen 300.
[0105] The length direction (X direction) of the strip portion 1221 refers to the length direction of the strip portion 1221 when the foldable device 1000 is in a flattened state. The length direction (X direction) of the strip portion 1221 is perpendicular to the axial direction (Y direction) of the rotating shaft assembly 200. The middle portion 1221f of the second surface 1221e in the length direction (X direction) of the strip portion 1221 may not be the absolute middle position in the length direction, but the middle region of the second surface 1221e in the length direction of the strip portion 1221. Any position other than the two ends (1221a, 1221b) of the strip portion 1221 in the length direction can be understood as the middle portion 1221f in the length direction.
[0106] The edge 400a of the first main body 400 refers to the edge position of the first main body 400 on the side for connecting with the flexible screen 300. The edge 500a of the second main body 500 refers to the edge position of the second main body 500 on the side for connecting with the flexible screen 300.
[0107] The edge protection component 100 provided by the embodiment of the present application, the flexible insert 120 is an integrally formed structure of an elastic sheet 121 and a flexible body 122. The flexible body 122 is easily bent and deformed, and the elastic sheet 121 plays a reinforcing role. The elastic sheet 121 is embedded in the strip portion 1221 of the flexible body 122, and the first connecting portion 1222 and the second connecting portion 1223 are correspondingly connected to both ends (1221a, 1221b) of the strip portion 1221. The first surface 1221c of the strip portion 1221 faces the edge of the bending area 302 of the display surface 300a of the flexible screen 300. The fixing member 110 is fixed on the rotating shaft assembly 200, and the protruding portion 111 of the fixing member 110 faces the middle portion 1221f of the second surface 1221e of the strip portion 1221, reducing the risk of the flexible insert 120 being dug out under the action of external force. During the switching process of the foldable device 1000 between the flattened state and the closed state, the first connecting portion 1222 and the second connecting portion 1223 are correspondingly embedded in the edge 400a of the first main body 400 and the edge 500a of the second main body 500, so that the flexible insert 120 follows the movement of the first main body 400 and the second main body 500. The middle portion 1221f of the strip portion 1221 is limited by the protruding portion 111 of the fixing member 110, and the strip portion 1221 can be bent around the protruding portion 111. When the first main body 400 and the second main body 500 are at different included angles, the strip portion 1221 can keep covering the edge of the bending area 302 of the display surface 300a of the flexible screen 300, realizing the edge protection of the bending area 302, reducing the entry of external foreign matters such as dust and water into the flexible screen 300, and also making the edge position of the bending area 302 of the flexible screen 300 more beautiful. Under long-term repeated bending, static bending or high-temperature and high-humidity environments, the flexible insert 120 has less deformation, is not prone to creases, arching, and detachment, and can be restored to a flat natural form in the flattened state, providing a good user experience, high reliability, and a long folding life. The flexible insert 120 is beneficial to forming a uniform bending form when the flexible screen 300 is bent, reducing the mutual extrusion force between the flexible insert 120 and the flexible screen 300 during the folding process, and reducing the risk of crack damage to the flexible screen 300 caused by extrusion. Even when the bending radius of the flexible screen 300 reaches 1.5 mm, the flexible screen 300 is not easily damaged by the extrusion of the flexible insert 120 and does not generate cracks.
[0108] When the foldable device 1000 is in the closed state, the middle portion 1221f of the strip portion 1221 is limited by the protruding portion 111 of the fixing member 110, and the strip portion 1221 can adapt to the edge of the bending area 302 of the display surface 300a of the bendable flexible screen 300. When the cross-section of the bent flexible screen 300 is a water-drop-shaped curved surface, the cross-section of the strip portion 1221 is approximately a water-drop-shaped curved surface, and the strip portion 1221 can better cover the edge of the bending area 302 of the display surface 300a of the flexible screen 300.
[0109] When fixing the fixing member 110 to the rotating shaft assembly 200, refer to Figure 7 , Figure 11 , the fixing member 110 and the rotating shaft assembly 200 can be fixed by means such as colloidal bonding, snap connection, fasteners (such as screws), etc. The fixing member 110 can be arranged close to the end 200a of the rotating shaft assembly 200.
[0110] When setting the material of the fixing member 110, refer to Figures 8 to 10 , the material of the fixing member 110 can be metal or plastic. The fixing member 110 is made of hard materials such as metal and plastic, which is convenient for the fixing member 110 to be reliably connected to the rotating shaft assembly 200.
[0111] When the fixing member 110 is made of metal material, it has high strength and can achieve a good anti-collision effect. The metal material can be stainless steel, cast iron, aluminum alloy or magnesium alloy, etc.
[0112] Exemplarily, the fixing member 110 can be made by metal injection molding process, with high dimensional accuracy and good structural strength, and can provide a good protection effect for the edge of the flexible screen 300. Or, the fixing member 110 can also be made by die casting and other processes.
[0113] When setting the shape of the fixing member 110, refer to Figure 10 , it can be set as required according to the appearance and volume of the flexible screen 300 and the appearance and volume of the rotating shaft assembly 200. Exemplarily, the fixing member 110 can be generally plate-shaped, and the thickness direction of the fixing member 110 is the axial direction (Y direction) of the rotating shaft assembly 200. Or, the fixing member 110 can also be block-shaped or other shapes.
[0114] Exemplarily, refer to Figures 8 to 11 , the fixing member 110 can include a plugging portion 112 and an assembling portion 113, the plugging portion 112 and the assembling portion 113 are connected, combined with Figure 6 , Figure 7 , the plugging portion 112 is used for plugging into the rotating shaft assembly 200, and the assembling portion 113 is used for connecting with the support member. The length of the plugging portion 112 in the X direction is less than the length of the assembling portion 113 in the X direction, and the plugging portion 112 and the assembling portion 113 are generally T-shaped, which is convenient for the plugging portion 112 to be plugged into the rotating shaft assembly 200, and both ends of the assembling portion 113 abut against the surface of the rotating shaft assembly 200 to realize the limit of the fixing member 110.
[0115] When setting the shape of the strip portion 1221, it can be set as required according to the appearance and volume of the flexible screen 300. Exemplarily, refer to Figures 8 to 10, the strip portion 1221 can be generally set as a long strip structure. Both the elastic sheet 121 and the strip portion 1221 in the flexible insert 120 can extend along the edge of the bending area 302 of the flexible screen 300, so that the elastic sheet 121 and the strip portion 1221 are tightly connected to achieve the shielding protection of the edge of the bending area 302 of the display surface 300a. The strip portion 1221 can be a straight, partially curved or arc-shaped long strip structure. In addition, the elastic sheet 121 and the strip portion 1221 can also be set in other shapes.
[0116] When manufacturing the elastic sheet 121 and the flexible body 122, refer to Figures 8 to 10 , the elastic sheet 121 can be a plastic thin sheet or a metal thin sheet, and the material of the flexible body 122 can be a soft rubber. The elastic sheet 121 and the flexible body 122 are an insert injection molding structure.
[0117] The elastic sheet 121 and the flexible body 122 adopt an insert injection molding structure. Insert injection molding is to pre-fix the insert at a predetermined position in the mold, then inject plastic to form, and after opening the mold, the insert is wrapped in the product by the cooled and solidified plastic. The flexible body 122 is easy to be injection molded, and the elastic sheet 121 has a certain rigidity and strength. Taking the elastic sheet 121 as an insert, the flexible body 122 wrapping the elastic sheet 121 is obtained by injection molding. The elastic sheet 121 and the flexible body 122 complement each other, and the connection between the two is stable, forming an integrated flexible insert 120, with a small overall thickness dimension and weight, high reliability, capable of realizing long-term repeated bending and use in high-temperature and high-humidity environments, and not easily having creases, arching, or detachment.
[0118] The elastic sheet 121 can be a plastic thin sheet, such as a polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) thin sheet, a polyimide (PI) thin sheet, etc. The elastic sheet 121 can also be a metal thin sheet, such as a steel sheet.
[0119] The material of the flexible body 122 can be a soft rubber with high temperature and high humidity resistance, such as silica gel, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), thermoplastic urethane (TPU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) soft rubber, rubber (such as silicone rubber, natural rubber, cis-butadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, isopropyl rubber, etc.).
[0120] When setting the relative positions of the elastic sheet 121 and the strip portion 1221, refer to Figure 11 、 Figure 15 、 Figure 16, the elastic sheet 121 is disposed on the first surface 1221c of the strip portion 1221. In the thickness direction (Z direction) of the flexible screen 300, the strip portion 1221 covers the elastic sheet 121, and the elastic sheet 121 and the edge of the bending area 302 of the display surface 300a of the flexible screen 300 are disposed opposite to each other. By using an integrated molding process, a flexible insert 120 with a smaller thickness can be obtained. For example, the thickness of the flexible insert 120 is about 0.1 mm, which is beneficial to reducing the overall thickness of the foldable device 1000. The flexible body 122 serves as an appearance surface, and the top of the flexible body 122 can be seen from the outside while the elastic sheet 121 cannot be seen, making the flexible insert 120 more aesthetically pleasing.
[0121] In order to achieve a tight connection between the elastic sheet 121 and the strip portion 1221, in some embodiments, refer to Figure 11 , Figure 15 , Figure 16 , the first surface 1221c of the strip portion 1221 has a first groove 1221d, and the elastic sheet 121 is embedded in the first groove 1221d. The elastic sheet 121 is embedded in the first groove 1221d, so that the flexible body 122 serves as an appearance part, and the flexible body 122 covers one surface of the elastic sheet 121, increasing the connection area between the flexible body 122 and the elastic sheet 121 and making the connection between the flexible body 122 and the elastic sheet 121 reliable.
[0122] As in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , the shielding member 1 adopts an integrally injection-molded structure in which the steel sheet 1b is wrapped with the soft glue 1a. There is soft glue 1a on both the upper and lower sides of the steel sheet 1b. The total thickness D0 of the shielding member 1 is the sum of the thickness D2 of the two layers of soft glue 1a and the thickness D1 of one layer of steel sheet 1b. The thickness D2 of one layer of soft glue 1a made by the related process is much larger than the thickness D1 of one layer of steel sheet 1b (or plastic sheet), making the overall thickness D0 of the shielding member 1 shown in Figure 1 relatively large.
[0123] As in the embodiment shown in Figures 8 to 11 , the protruding portion 111 of the fixing member 110 can be a sheet-like body made of metal or plastic. As in the embodiment shown in Figures 8 to 11 , the thickness D11 of the protruding portion 111 can be equivalent to the thickness D1 of one layer of steel sheet in the shielding member shown in Figure 1 . As in the embodiment shown in Figures 8 to 11 , the total thickness D12 of the strip portion 1221 and the elastic sheet 121 in the flexible body 122 can be equivalent to the thickness D2 of one layer of soft glue in the shielding member shown in Figure 1 . Compared with the shielding member shown in (a) in Figure 1 , as in Figures 8 to 11The illustrated embodiment reduces one layer of thick soft glue, and the total thickness D10 of the protruding portion 111, the strip portion 1221, and the elastic sheet 121 is relatively small. Even when there is a safety gap D13 (such as 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm) between the protruding portion 111 and the strip portion 1221, the total thickness D10 is also relatively small, which is beneficial to reducing the overall thickness of the foldable device 1000 at the position of the middle portion 1221f of the strip portion 1221. In this embodiment, the position of the protruding portion 111 can be set relatively low to reduce the situation of the protruding portion 111 scratching the hand.
[0124] When setting the flexible body 122, referring to Figure 9 , Figure 10 , Figure 16 , the strip portion 1221 has a first side 1221g facing the fixing member 110. The first connecting portion 1222 is provided at one end of the first side 1221g, and the second connecting portion 1223 is provided at the other end of the first side 1221g. The first side 1221g can extend in the X direction.
[0125] The first side 1221g of the strip portion 1221 is a side surface with a certain area. One end and the other end of the first side 1221g are different regions with a certain area on the first side 1221g, so that the first connecting portion 1222 and the second connecting portion 1223 are respectively connected to both ends of the first side 1221g.
[0126] Correspondingly connect the first connecting portion 1222 and the second connecting portion 1223 to the opposite ends of the first side 1221g of the strip portion 1221 facing the fixing member 110, and in combination with Figure 12 , make the first connecting portion 1222 and the second connecting portion 1223 stagger and avoid each other along the axial direction (Y direction) of the rotating shaft assembly 200 with respect to the side surface 300c of the flexible screen 300, which is convenient for correspondingly embedding the first connecting portion 1222 and the second connecting portion 1223 on the first main body 400 and the second main body 500. The strip portion 1221 shields and protects the edge of the bending area 302 in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the flexible screen 300.
[0127] In order to make the flexible insert 120 form a uniform bending shape during the bending process, in some embodiments, referring to Figure 4 , Figure 13 , Figure 14, at the edge 400a of the first main body 400 near the rotating shaft assembly 200, there is a first sliding groove 401. The length direction of the first sliding groove 401 is the same as the length direction (X direction) of the strip portion 1221, and the first connecting portion 1222 is slidably installed in the first sliding groove 401. At the edge 500a of the second main body 500 near the rotating shaft assembly 200, there is a second sliding groove 501. The length direction of the second sliding groove 501 is the same as the length direction (X direction) of the strip portion 1221, and the second connecting portion 1223 is slidably installed in the second sliding groove 501.
[0128] During the switching process between the flattened state and the closed state of the foldable device 1000, it is allowed that the first connecting portion 1222 slides relative to the first main body 400, and the second connecting portion 1223 slides relative to the second main body 500, so that the strip portion 1221 connected between the first connecting portion 1222 and the second connecting portion 1223 can form a uniform bending shape. There is no fixed connection between the first connecting portion 1222 and the first main body 400, and there is no fixed connection between the second connecting portion 1223 and the second main body 500. Under long-term repeated bending, static bending, or high-temperature and high-humidity environments, the deformation of the flexible insert 120 is small, and it is not easy to appear creases or arching, and it can be restored to a flat natural shape when in the flattened state.
[0129] When setting the sliding amounts of the first connecting portion 1222 and the second connecting portion 1223, refer to Figure 14 , the sliding amount L range of the first connecting portion 1222 in the first sliding groove 401 is from 0.2 mm to 1 mm, and the sliding amount L range of the second connecting portion 1223 in the second sliding groove 501 is from 0.2 mm to 1 mm.
[0130] Among them, the sliding amount of the first connecting portion 1222 in the first sliding groove 401 refers to the movable distance of the first connecting portion 1222 when the first connecting portion 1222 is installed in the first sliding groove 401. The sliding amount of the second connecting portion 1223 in the second sliding groove 501 refers to the movable distance of the second connecting portion 1223 when the second connecting portion 1223 is installed in the second sliding groove 501.
[0131] Setting the sliding amount range to the above range is convenient for correspondingly installing the first connecting portion 1222 and the second connecting portion 1223 at both ends (1221a, 1221b) of the strip portion 1221 in the first sliding groove 401 and the second sliding groove 501. It can make the strip portion 1221 form a relatively uniform bending shape during the switching process between the flattened state and the closed state of the foldable device 1000, and reduce the situation that the flexible insert 120 comes out of the first main body 400 and the second main body 500. Make the area of the first main body 400 with the first sliding groove 401 and the area of the second main body 500 with the second sliding groove 501 have a certain structural strength, and improve the structural reliability.
[0132] Exemplarily, the above-mentioned sliding amount L can be 0.2 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.8 mm, 0.9 mm, 1 mm, and is specifically set as required.
[0133] When setting the first connecting portion 1222, refer to Figure 9 , Figure 10 , Figure 13 , Figure 14 , the first connecting portion 1222 includes a first supporting portion 1222a and a first sliding portion 1222c. The first supporting portion 1222a is connected between the first side 1221g and the first sliding portion 1222c. Combining Figure 12 , one end of the first supporting portion 1222a away from the first side 1221g is located in the first chute 401, the first sliding portion 1222c is located in the first chute 401, and the cross-sectional shapes of the first sliding portion 1222c and the first chute 401 in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the strip portion 1221 are adapted to each other.
[0134] The first supporting portion 1222a is connected between the first side 1221g and the first sliding portion 1222c, which means that a region with a certain area on the first side 1221g is connected to the first sliding portion 1222c through the first supporting portion 1222a. The first supporting portion 1222a is connected between the first side 1221g of the strip portion 1221 and the first sliding portion 1222c, enabling the first sliding portion 1222c to offset a certain distance in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the flexible screen 300, so that the first sliding portion 1222c can be slidably mounted on the first main body 400 at a predetermined distance from the display surface 300a of the flexible screen 300. The first supporting portion 1222a can be set as a cuboid or other shapes. The cross-sectional shapes of the first sliding portion 1222c and the first chute 401 in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the strip portion 1221 are adapted to each other, which means that their shapes are substantially the same, enabling the first sliding portion 1222c to slide linearly stably along the length direction of the first chute 401.
[0135] When setting the first supporting portion 1222a and the first sliding portion 1222c, the lengths of the first supporting portion 1222a and the first sliding portion 1222c in the X direction can be equal or unequal, and are set as required. The length L1 of the first supporting portion 1222a in the X direction is the distance between two opposite end faces of the first supporting portion 1222a in the X direction. The length L2 of the first sliding portion 1222c in the X direction is the distance between two opposite end faces of the first sliding portion 1222c in the X direction. Exemplarily, refer to Figure 9 , the length L1 of the first supporting portion 1222a in the X direction is greater than the length L2 of the first sliding portion 1222c in the X direction.
[0136] In order to reduce the risk of the first connecting portion 1222 disengaging from the first sliding groove 401 and improve reliability, in some embodiments, refer to Figure 9 , Figure 10 , Figure 13 , Figure 14 , on the length direction (X direction) of the strip portion 1221, the end face 1222b of the first supporting portion 1222a close to the fixing member 110 is arranged to face the end face 401a of the first sliding groove 401. During the switching process of the foldable device 1000 between the flattened state and the closed state, the first connecting portion 1222 is slidably installed in the first sliding groove 401. By the abutting cooperation between the end face 401a of the first sliding groove 401 and the end face 1222b of the first supporting portion 1222a, the first supporting portion 1222a cannot move further, thus limiting the movement range of the first connecting portion 1222 and reducing the situation where the first connecting portion 1222 disengages from the first sliding groove 401.
[0137] When setting the cross-sectional shapes of the first sliding portion 1222c and the first sliding groove 401, refer to Figure 9 , Figure 10 , Figure 12 , the cross-sectional shapes of the first sliding portion 1222c and the first sliding groove 401 are bent and extended respectively in a direction perpendicular to the length direction (X direction) of the strip portion 1221. When the first sliding portion 1222c is installed in the first sliding groove 401, the first sliding portion 1222c is buckled on the first sliding groove 401 along the axial direction (Y direction) of the rotating shaft assembly 200, so that the first sliding portion 1222c is not easily disengaged from the first main body 400 along the axial direction (Y direction) of the rotating shaft assembly 200, and the flexible insert 120 is kept on the first main body 400.
[0138] Exemplarily, refer to Figure 12 , the cross-sectional shapes of the first sliding portion 1222c and the first sliding groove 401 in a direction perpendicular to the length direction (X direction) of the strip portion 1221 are bent and extended shapes such as L-shaped and arc-shaped, which can realize that the first sliding portion 1222c is buckled on the first sliding groove 401 along the axial direction (Y direction) of the rotating shaft assembly 200 and is not easily disengaged.
[0139] When setting the second connecting portion 1223, refer to Figure 9 , Figures 13 to 15 , the second connecting portion 1223 includes a second supporting portion 1223a and a second sliding portion 1223c. The second supporting portion 1223a is connected between the first side edge 1221g and the second sliding portion 1223c. One end of the second supporting portion 1223a far from the first side edge 1221g is located in the second sliding groove 501, the second sliding portion 1223c is located in the second sliding groove 501, and the cross-sectional shapes of the second sliding portion 1223c and the second sliding groove 501 in a direction perpendicular to the length direction (X direction) of the strip portion 1221 are adapted to each other.
[0140] The second support portion 1223a is connected between the first side 1221g and the second sliding portion 1223c, which means that there is a connection between a region with a certain area on the first side 1221g and the second sliding portion 1223c through the second support portion 1223a.
[0141] The second support portion 1223a is connected between the first side 1221g of the strip portion 1221 and the second sliding portion 1223c, enabling the second sliding portion 1223c to offset a certain distance in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the flexible screen 300, so that the second sliding portion 1223c can be slidably mounted on the second main body 500 at a predetermined distance from the display surface 300a of the flexible screen 300. The second support portion 1223a can be set as a cuboid or other shapes. The cross-sectional shapes of the second sliding portion 1223c and the second sliding groove 501 in the direction perpendicular to the length direction (X direction) of the strip portion 1221 are adapted to each other, which means that their shapes are substantially the same, enabling the second sliding portion 1223c to slide linearly and stably along the length direction of the second sliding groove 501.
[0142] When setting the second support portion 1223a and the second sliding portion 1223c, the lengths of the second support portion 1223a and the second sliding portion 1223c in the X direction can be equal or unequal, which can be set as needed. The length of the second support portion 1223a in the X direction is the distance between two opposite end faces of the second support portion 1223a in the X direction. The length of the second sliding portion 1223c in the X direction is the distance between two opposite end faces of the second sliding portion 1223c in the X direction. Exemplarily, refer to Figure 9 , the length of the second support portion 1223a in the X direction is greater than the length of the second sliding portion 1223c in the X direction.
[0143] In order to reduce the second connection portion 1223 from disengaging from the second sliding groove 501 to improve reliability, in some embodiments, refer to Figure 9 、 Figure 13 、 Figure 14 , in the length direction (X direction) of the strip portion 1221, the end face 1223b of the second support portion 1223a close to the fixing member 110 and the end face 501a of the second sliding groove 501 are arranged to face each other. During the process of the foldable device 1000 switching between the flattened state and the closed state, the second connection portion 1223 is slidably mounted in the second sliding groove 501, and through the abutting cooperation between the end face 501a of the second sliding groove 501 and the end face 1223b of the second support portion 1223a, the second support portion 1223a cannot move further, limiting the movement range of the second connection portion 1223 and reducing the situation where the second connection portion 1223 disengages from the second sliding groove 501.
[0144] When setting the cross-sectional shapes of the second sliding portion 1223c and the second sliding groove 501, refer toFigure 9 , Figure 13 , Figure 14 , when the second sliding part 1223c and the second chute 501 are respectively bent and extended in a cross-sectional shape in a direction perpendicular to the length direction (X direction) of the strip part 1221. When the second sliding part 1223c is installed in the second chute 501, the second sliding part 1223c is buckled on the second chute 501 along the axial direction (Y direction) of the rotating shaft assembly 200, so that the second sliding part 1223c is not easily disengaged from the second main body 500 along the axial direction (Y direction) of the rotating shaft assembly 200, and the flexible insert 120 is held on the second main body 500.
[0145] Exemplarily, refer to Figure 9 , Figure 13 , Figure 14 , the cross-sectional shapes of the second sliding part 1223c and the second chute 501 in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the strip part 1221 are respectively bent and extended shapes such as an L shape and an arc shape, so that the second sliding part 1223c can be buckled on the second chute 501 along the axial direction (Y direction) of the rotating shaft assembly 200 and is not easily disengaged.
[0146] When setting the positions of the fixing part 110, the first connecting part 1222 and the second connecting part 1223, refer to Figure 9 , in the length direction (X direction) of the strip part 1221, the fixing part 110 can be located between the first connecting part 1222 and the second connecting part 1223, so that the strip part 1221 between the first connecting part 1222 and the second connecting part 1223 can be made shorter, and the bending area 302 edge of the display surface 300a of the flexible screen 300 covered by the strip part 1221 can be shielded and protected. In the length direction (X direction) of the strip part 1221, the fixing part 110 can be located between the first supporting part 1222a in the first connecting part 1222 and the second supporting part 1223a in the second connecting part 1223, so that the thickness of the fixing part 110 can be made thinner, and it is fixed at the end 200a of the rotating shaft assembly 200, occupying a smaller space of the rotating shaft assembly 200.
[0147] When assembling the first connecting part 1222 and the second connecting part 1223 in the flexible insert 120, refer to Figure 12 , in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the flexible screen 300, the first connecting part 1222 is located between the first frame 600 and the first main body 400, combined with Figure 5 , Figure 9 , the second connecting part 1223 is located between the second frame 700 and the second main body 500.
[0148] When the first connecting portion 1222 is held between the first frame 600 and the first main body 400, and the second connecting portion 1223 is held between the second frame 700 and the second main body 500, the strip portion 1221 and the elastic sheet 121 between the first connecting portion 1222 and the second connecting portion 1223 can be held in a predetermined position and are not easily disengaged, enabling the flexible insert 120 to be reliably assembled between the first main body 400 and the second main body 500, so that the flexible insert 120 can fold and protect the edge of the bending area 302 of the display surface 300a of the flexible screen 300.
[0149] In order to reduce the flexible insert 120 from disengaging from the flexible screen 300, in some embodiments, referring to Figure 8 , Figure 10 , Figure 11 , Figure 17 , a first limiting portion 1224 is connected to the middle portion 1221h of the first side 1221g of the strip portion 1221 on the side facing the flexible screen 300, and the first limiting portion 1224 and the side surface 300c of the flexible screen 300 are arranged facing each other.
[0150] The connection of the middle portion 1221h of the first side 1221g to the first limiting portion 1224 on the side facing the flexible screen 300 means that a region with a certain area on the side of the middle portion 1221h of the first side 1221g facing the flexible screen 300 is connected to the first limiting portion 1224.
[0151] Through the first limiting portion 1224 in the middle of the strip portion 1221 and the side surface 300c of the flexible screen 300 facing each other and being spaced apart, there is a certain avoidance distance between the first limiting portion 1224 and the side surface 300c of the flexible screen 300 without contact. Under the action of an external force, the first limiting portion 1224 abuts against the side surface 300c of the flexible screen 300, reducing the situation of the flexible insert 120 disengaging from the flexible screen 300 under the action of an external force, keeping the flexible insert 120 in a predetermined position, shielding and protecting the edge of the bending area 302 of the display surface 300a of the flexible screen 300, and improving reliability. The first limiting portion 1224 can be in a sheet shape or other shapes. The first limiting portion 1224 and the strip portion 1221 can be an integrally formed structure and can be made of the same material.
[0152] On the basis of connecting the first limiting portion 1224 to the middle portion 1221h of the first side 1221g of the strip portion 1221, referring to Figure 8 , Figure 10 , Figure 11, on the side of the fixing member 110 facing the flexible screen 300, there may be an avoidance groove 114, and at least a part of the first limiting portion 1224 is embedded in the avoidance groove 114. By partially embedding the first limiting portion 1224 in the avoidance groove 114 of the fixing member 110 and utilizing the space in the thickness direction of the fixing member 110, the axial dimension (Y direction) of the foldable device 1000 in the rotating shaft assembly 200 can be made smaller. The first limiting portion 1224 and the inner wall of the avoidance groove 114 are arranged facing each other. During the bending process of the strip portion 1221 driven by the first main body 400 and the second main body 500, the first limiting portion 1224 and the inner wall of the avoidance groove 114 gradually approach and abut against each other, which can limit the bending form of the strip portion 1221.
[0153] In some other embodiments, the middle portion 1221h of the first side 1221g of the strip portion 1221 may not be provided with the first limiting portion 1224. By arranging the first supporting portion 1222a and the second supporting portion 1223a facing the side surface 300c of the flexible screen 300 respectively, the flexible insert 120 can be prevented from coming out of the flexible screen 300.
[0154] To improve the drop reliability of the foldable device 1000 and enable the flexible insert 120 to have a better bending form, in some embodiments, refer to Figure 8 , Figure 10 , Figure 11 , Figure 17 , there is a safety gap D13 between the strip portion 1221 and the protruding portion 111. A second limiting portion 1225 is connected to the side of the middle portion 1221h of the first side 1221g facing away from the flexible screen 300. In the thickness direction (Z direction) of the flexible screen 300, the second limiting portion 1225 and the protruding portion 111 are arranged facing each other.
[0155] The connection of the second limiting portion 1225 to the side of the middle portion 1221h of the first side 1221g facing away from the flexible screen 300 means that there is a certain area region on the side of the middle portion 1221h of the first side 1221g facing away from the flexible screen 300 that is connected to the second limiting portion 1225.
[0156] When the foldable device 1000 is in a flattened state, in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the flexible screen 300, there is a certain safety gap D13 between the protruding portion 111 and the strip portion 1221, such as 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm. There is a certain avoidance distance between the protruding portion 111 and the second limiting portion 1225, such as 0.1 mm. When the foldable device 1000 drops, the flexible screen 300 is allowed to have a certain amount of deformation and jitter, reducing the situation where the flexible screen 300 is squeezed and damaged by the protruding portion 111 of the fixing member 110. The second limiting portion 1225 is provided in the middle 1221h of the first side 1221g of the strip portion 1221. At the moment when the foldable device 1000 in the flattened state starts to fold, the second limiting portion 1225 will abut against the protruding portion 111, making it not easy for the middle 1221f of the strip portion 1221 to arch back. Then, the strip portion 1221 and the elastic sheet 121 are gradually bent as a whole, enabling the flexible insert 120 to have a better bending shape during the bending process, and the user experience is better. When the flexible insert 120 is subjected to an external force, the second limiting portion 1225 can abut against the protruding portion 111 of the fixing member 110, reducing the situation where the flexible insert 120 disengages along the axial direction (Y direction) of the rotating shaft assembly 200 and improving the reliability. The second limiting portion 1225 can be in the shape of a rectangular block or other shapes. In the thickness direction (Z direction) of the flexible screen 300, the second limiting portion 1225 is located below the protruding portion 111, and the second limiting portion 1225 is blocked by the protruding portion 111, making it not easy to see the second limiting portion 1225 from the outside and not affecting the appearance effect. The second limiting portion 1225 and the strip portion 1221 can be an integrally formed structure and can be made of the same material.
[0157] On the basis that the second limiting portion 1225 is connected to the middle 1221h of the first side 1221g, refer to Figure 8 、 Figure 10 、 Figure 11 ., one side of the fixing member 110 facing the flexible screen 300 has an avoidance groove 114, and at least a part of the second limiting portion 1225 is embedded in the avoidance groove 114. By partially embedding the second limiting portion 1225 in the avoidance groove 114 of the fixing member 110 and utilizing the space in the thickness direction of the fixing member 110, the dimension of the foldable device 1000 in the axial direction (Y direction) of the rotating shaft assembly 200 can be made smaller.
[0158] In some other embodiments, the second limiting portion 1225 may not be connected to the side of the middle 1221h of the first side 1221g facing away from the flexible screen 300.
[0159] In some embodiments, refer to Figure 2 、 Figure 12, in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the flexible screen 300, a first gap 611 is formed between the first frame 600 and the display surface 300a of the flexible screen 300, and a second gap 612 is formed between the second frame 700 and the display surface 300a of the flexible screen 300. One end 1221a of the strip portion 1221 is located in the first gap 611, and the other end 1221b of the strip portion 1221 is located in the second gap 612.
[0160] One end 1221a of the strip portion 1221 is arranged between the first frame 600 and the flexible screen 300, and the other end 1221b is arranged between the second frame 700 and the flexible screen 300, so as to limit both ends of the strip portion 1221. Both ends (1221a, 1221b) of the strip portion 1221 are covered by the first frame 600 and the second frame 700, improving the appearance effect.
[0161] In order to prevent the flexible insert 120 from easily slipping out of the edge of the flexible screen 300, in some embodiments, refer to Figure 9 , Figure 12 , in the axial direction (Y direction) of the rotating shaft assembly 200, a third gap 613 is formed between the first frame 600 and the side surface 300c of the flexible screen 300. Combining Figure 5 , a fourth gap (not shown in the figure) is formed between the second frame 700 and the side surface 300c of the flexible screen 300; a part of the first connecting portion 1222 (i.e., the first supporting portion 1222a in the first connecting portion 1222) is located in the third gap 613, and a part of the second connecting portion 1223 (i.e., the second supporting portion 1223a in the second connecting portion 1223) is located in the fourth gap.
[0162] During the switching process of the foldable device 1000 between the flattened state and the closed state, the middle portion 1221f of the strip portion 1221 of the flexible insert 120 is limited by the protruding portion 111 of the fixing member 110. A part of the first connecting portion 1222 (a part of the second connecting portion 1223) of the flexible body 122 is arranged in the gap between the first frame 600 (the second frame 700) and the side surface 300c of the flexible screen 300, so that both ends of the flexible insert 120 follow the movement of the first main body 400 and the second main body 500. The flexible insert 120 is kept at the edge of the flexible screen 300 and is not easily slipped out, realizing reliable shielding protection for the edge of the flexible screen 300 and reducing the risk of the flexible insert 120 slipping out under external force.
[0163] In order to protect the fixing member 110, in some embodiments, refer to Figure 2 , Figure 4 , Figure 5, at the position where the first frame 600 is close to the rotating shaft assembly 200, there is a first shielding portion 602, and at the position where the second frame 700 is close to the rotating shaft assembly 200, there is a second shielding portion 702; in the axial direction (Y direction) of the rotating shaft assembly 200, the projected portion of the first shielding portion 602 covers the fixing member 110, and the projected portion of the second shielding portion 702 covers the fixing member 110. Figure 5 It shows that after the first frame 600 is disassembled from the foldable device 1000, the fixing member 110 is not shielded by the first shielding portion 602, the second frame 700 is installed on the second main body 500, and a partial surface of the fixing member 110 is shielded by the second shielding portion 702 of the second frame 700.
[0164] In the axial direction (Y direction) of the rotating shaft assembly 200, the first shielding portion 602 of the first frame 600 and the second shielding portion 702 of the second frame 700 can cover a partial surface of the side of the fixing member 110 away from the flexible screen 300. It can protect the fixing member 110, reduce the entry of external foreign matters such as particles into the gap between the fixing member 110 and the rotating shaft assembly 200, improve the reliability, and also improve the appearance of the end portion 200a of the rotating shaft assembly 200. The first shielding portion 602 and the second shielding portion 702 can be strip-shaped. When the foldable device 1000 is in a flattened state, the end portion 200a of the first shielding portion 602 and the end portion 200a of the second shielding portion 702 are arranged oppositely.
[0165] When confirming the edge protection assembly 100 and the foldable device 1000 of the embodiments of the present application, disassembly analysis can be performed. When the object to be confirmed is the edge protection assembly 100, it is confirmed that the flexible insert 120 in the edge protection assembly 100 includes an elastic sheet 121 and a flexible body 122, and the elastic sheet 121 and the flexible body 122 are an integrally formed structure. The flexible body 122 includes a strip portion 1221, a first connecting portion 1222, and a second connecting portion 1223. The first connecting portion 1222 is connected to one end 1221a of the strip portion 1221, the second connecting portion 1223 is connected to the other end 1221b of the strip portion 1221, and the elastic sheet 121 is embedded in the strip portion 1221. The first surface 1221c of the strip portion 1221 is arranged facing the edge of the bending area 302 of the display surface 300a of the flexible screen 300, and the protruding portion 111 of the fixing member 110 and the second surface 1221e of the strip portion 1221 face each other at the middle portion 1221f in the length direction of the strip portion 1221. When the object to be confirmed is the device, it is confirmed that the device has a foldable flexible screen 300, and the above-mentioned edge protection assembly 100 is provided between the first main body 400 and the second main body 500.
[0166] Finally, it should be noted that the above is only the specific implementation manner of this application, but the protection scope of this application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be covered within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims described above.
Claims
1. An edge protection component, characterized in that, Applied to a foldable device having a rotating shaft assembly, a first body, a second body, and a flexible screen, the rotating shaft assembly is located between the first body and the second body, and the first body and the second body are connected by the rotating shaft assembly; The flexible screen has a display surface and a back surface facing away from each other, and the back surface of the flexible screen is fixed to the first body and the second body; the edge protection assembly includes a fixing member and a flexible insert; The fixing member is used to be fixed on the rotating shaft assembly; in the axial direction of the rotating shaft assembly, the projection of the fixing member covers a part of the side surface of the flexible screen; the fixing member has a protruding portion; The flexible insert includes an elastic sheet and a flexible body, and the elastic sheet and the flexible body are an integrally formed structure; the flexible body includes a strip portion, a first connecting portion, and a second connecting portion; the first connecting portion is connected to one end of the strip portion, the second connecting portion is connected to the other end of the strip portion, and the elastic sheet is embedded in the strip portion; The strip portion has a first surface and a second surface facing away from each other, the first surface is disposed facing the bending area edge of the display surface of the flexible screen, and the protruding portion and the second surface are disposed facing each other in the middle in the length direction of the strip portion; The first connecting portion is used to be embedded in the edge of the first body, and the second connecting portion is used to be embedded in the edge of the second body.
2. The edge protection component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic sheet is a plastic thin sheet or a metal thin sheet, the material of the flexible body is soft rubber, and the elastic sheet and the flexible body are an insert injection molding structure.
3. The edge protection component according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The elastic sheet is disposed on the first surface; And / or, the first surface has a first groove, and the elastic sheet is embedded in the first groove.
4. The edge protection component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The strip portion has a first side edge facing the fixing member, the first connecting portion is disposed at one end of the first side edge, and the second connecting portion is disposed at the other end of the first side edge.
5. The edge protection component according to claim 4, characterized in that, The edge of the first body near the rotating shaft assembly has a first sliding groove, the length direction of the first sliding groove is the same as the length direction of the strip portion, and the first connecting portion is slidably installed in the first sliding groove; The edge of the second body near the rotating shaft assembly has a second sliding groove, the length direction of the second sliding groove is the same as the length direction of the strip portion, and the second connecting portion is slidably installed in the second sliding groove.
6. The edge protection component according to claim 5, characterized in that, The sliding amount range of the first connecting portion in the first sliding groove is 0.2 mm to 1 mm, and the sliding amount range of the second connecting portion in the second sliding groove is 0.2 mm to 1 mm.
7. The edge protection component according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The first connecting portion includes a first supporting portion and a first sliding portion, the first supporting portion is connected between the first side edge and the first sliding portion, one end of the first supporting portion away from the first side edge is located in the first sliding groove, the first sliding portion is located in the first sliding groove, and the cross-sectional shapes of the first sliding portion and the first sliding groove in the direction perpendicular to the length direction of the strip portion are adapted to each other.
8. The edge protection component according to claim 7, characterized in that, In the length direction of the strip portion, the end surface of the first supporting portion close to the fixing member and the end surface of the first sliding groove are disposed facing each other; And / or, the cross-sectional shapes of the first sliding part and the first sliding groove are bent and extended in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the strip part.
9. The edge protection component according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that A first limiting part is connected to one side of the middle part of the first side edge facing the flexible screen, and the first limiting part and the side surface of the flexible screen are arranged opposite to each other; And / or, a safety gap is provided between the strip part and the protruding part, and a second limiting part is connected to the side of the middle part of the first side edge facing away from the flexible screen. In the thickness direction of the flexible screen, the second limiting part and the protruding part are arranged opposite to each other.
10. The edge protection component according to claim 9, characterized in that The side of the fixing part facing the flexible screen has an avoidance groove, and at least part of the first limiting part and / or at least part of the second limiting part is embedded in the avoidance groove.
11. A foldable device, characterized in that, Comprising: A rotating shaft assembly, a first main body, a second main body, a flexible screen and the edge protection assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10; The rotating shaft assembly is located between the first main body and the second main body, and the first main body and the second main body are connected through the rotating shaft assembly; The flexible screen has a display surface and a back surface facing away from each other, and the back surface of the flexible screen is fixed to the first main body and the second main body; The first connecting part is embedded in the edge of the first main body, and the second connecting part is embedded in the edge of the second main body.
12. The foldable device according to claim 11, wherein, A first frame is provided on the first main body, and the first frame is arranged at the edge of the flexible screen corresponding to the first main body; a second frame is provided on the second main body, and the second frame is arranged at the edge of the flexible screen corresponding to the second main body; The flexible insert is located between the first frame and the second frame.
13. The foldable device according to claim 12, wherein, In the thickness direction of the flexible screen, the first connecting part is located between the first frame and the first main body, and the second connecting part is located between the second frame and the second main body.
14. The foldable device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, In the thickness direction of the flexible screen, a first gap is formed between the first frame and the display surface of the flexible screen, and a second gap is formed between the second frame and the display surface of the flexible screen; one end of the strip part is located in the first gap, and the other end of the strip part is located in the second gap.
15. The foldable device according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that, In the axial direction of the rotating shaft assembly, a third gap is formed between the first frame and the side surface of the flexible screen, and a fourth gap is formed between the second frame and the side surface of the flexible screen; a part of the first connecting part is located in the third gap, and a part of the second connecting part is located in the fourth gap.
16. The foldable device according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that, The first frame has a first shielding part near the rotating shaft assembly, and the second frame has a second shielding part near the rotating shaft assembly; in the axial direction of the rotating shaft assembly, the projection of the first shielding part covers part of the fixing part, and the projection of the second shielding part covers part of the fixing part.
Citation Information
Cited By
Edge protection assembly and foldable device
WO2025148732A1