Folding electronic equipment

Abstract

The utility model discloses a folding electronic device. The electronic device comprises a flexible screen, a folding hinge assembly and a flexible supporting assembly. The flexible screen is provided with a first part, and the first part is used for facilitating bending of the flexible screen; the folding hinge assembly corresponds to the first part in position; the flexible supporting assembly is located between the first part and the folding hinge assembly, one side of the flexible supporting assembly is connected with the first part, the other side of the flexible supporting assembly makes contact with the folding hinge assembly, and the flexible supporting assembly is used for flexibly supporting the first part. According to the folding type electronic equipment, the flexible screen is not prone to being pressed by the folding hinge assembly to lose efficacy in the folding process, and the folding type electronic equipment has the better service life.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of flexible screen technology, and in particular to a foldable electronic device. Background Art

[0002] Foldable electronic devices, such as foldable mobile phones, have been widely welcomed because they meet the demand for small space and large screens for electronic devices. The basic structure of a foldable electronic device includes a folding hinge assembly and a flexible screen attached to the folding hinge assembly. During the folding and unfolding of the device, the stability of the flexible screen is crucial.

[0003] In related technologies, flexible screens are usually directly attached to folding hinge assemblies. However, flexible screens are generally fragile. During daily use and reliability testing, the rigid folding hinge assemblies can easily press against the flexible screen, causing damage to the flexible screen and affecting the service life of the electronic device. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, the present application provides a foldable electronic device, in which the flexible screen is not easily crushed and failed by the folding hinge assembly during the folding process, and has a better service life.

[0005] This application specifically adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] The embodiment of the present application provides a foldable electronic device, the electronic device comprising a flexible screen, a folding hinge assembly and a flexible support assembly;

[0007] The flexible screen has a first portion, and the first portion is used to facilitate bending of the flexible screen;

[0008] The folding hinge assembly corresponds to the position of the first part;

[0009] The flexible support component is located between the first part and the folding hinge component, and one side of the flexible support component is connected to the first part, and the other side is in contact with the folding hinge component. The flexible support component is used to flexibly support the first part.

[0010] Optionally, the flexible supporting assembly is elastically deformable in a height direction, and the height direction is parallel to a thickness direction of the flexible screen.

[0011] Optionally, the flexible support assembly includes a plurality of first flexible members, and the plurality of first flexible members are arranged in sequence along the length direction of the flexible screen;

[0012] At least one of the first flexible members is used to fill a gap generated during the rotation of the folding hinge assembly.

[0013] Optionally, the plurality of first flexible members are arranged at intervals;

[0014] One end of the first flexible member is connected to the first portion, and the other end of the first flexible member is against the folding hinge assembly.

[0015] Optionally, the width of the gap between two adjacent first flexible members is smaller than the width of the first flexible member.

[0016] Optionally, the flexible support assembly further includes a second flexible member;

[0017] One side of the second flexible member is connected to the first portion, and the other side of the second flexible member is connected to the plurality of first flexible members;

[0018] The plurality of first flexible members are arranged at intervals, and one end of the first flexible member away from the second flexible member abuts against the folding hinge assembly.

[0019] Optionally, the height of the first flexible member is greater than the height of the second flexible member.

[0020] Optionally, a avoidance structure is provided on the flexible support assembly, and the avoidance structure is used to avoid a target edge of the folding hinge assembly protruding toward the first part during the rotation process, so as to prevent the target edge from pressing the first part.

[0021] Optionally, at least one of the avoidance structures is a groove, the opening direction of the groove is toward the folding hinge assembly, and the position of the groove corresponds to the position of the target edge; and / or,

[0022] At least one of the avoidance structures is an opening, an opening direction of the opening is parallel to a thickness direction of the flexible screen, and a position of the opening corresponds to a position of the target edge.

[0023] Optionally, at least a portion of the flexible support component is foam.

[0024] In the foldable electronic device provided in the embodiment of the present application, a flexible support component is arranged between the flexible screen and the folding hinge component, one side of the flexible support component is connected to the first part of the flexible screen, and the other side is in contact with the folding hinge component, thereby isolating the rigid folding hinge component from the fragile flexible screen, and realizing flexible support for the first part of the flexible screen. That is to say, during the folding and opening process of the foldable electronic device, the flexible support component will protect the first part of the flexible screen, preventing the rotating folding hinge component from directly pressing on the first part of the flexible screen, thereby avoiding damage to the flexible screen and improving the service life of the foldable electronic device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0026] Figure 1 is a partial structural schematic diagram of a foldable electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a foldable electronic device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 3 is a structural schematic diagram of a flexible screen provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of a middle frame structure of a foldable electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the arrangement position of a flexible support component provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the structure and arrangement of a flexible support assembly provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the structure and arrangement of another flexible support assembly provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the setting position of an avoidance structure provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0034] Reference numerals:

[0035] 1. Flexible screen; 11. First part; 12. Second part; 13. Third part;

[0036] 2. Folding hinge assembly; 21. Gap; 22. Target edge;

[0037] 3. Flexible support assembly; 31. First flexible member; 311. Gap; 32. Second flexible member; 33. Avoidance structure;

[0038] 4. The first shell;

[0039] 5. The second shell. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0041] In addition, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present application described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0042] The present application embodiment provides a foldable electronic device, Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the local structure of the foldable electronic device in the folded state.

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, the foldable electronic device provided in the embodiment of the present application includes a flexible screen 1, a folding hinge assembly 2 and a flexible support assembly 3. The flexible screen 1 has a first part 11, and the first part 11 is used to facilitate the bending of the flexible screen 1. The folding hinge assembly 2 corresponds to the first part 11. The flexible support assembly 3 is located between the first part 11 and the folding hinge assembly 2, and one side of the flexible support assembly 3 is connected to the first part 11, and the other side is in contact with the folding hinge assembly 2, and the flexible support assembly 3 is used to flexibly support the first part 11. For example: one side of the flexible support assembly 3 is attached or indirectly attached to the first part 11.

[0044] It should be understood that the above-mentioned “first portion 11 is used to facilitate the bending of the flexible screen 1 ” means that during the folding process of the electronic device, the flexible screen 1 is easily bent at the first portion 11 .

[0045] Therefore, in the foldable electronic device provided in the embodiment of the present application, a flexible support component 3 is provided between the flexible screen 1 and the folding hinge component 2, one side of the flexible support component 3 is connected to the first part 11 of the flexible screen 1, and the other side is in contact with the folding hinge component 2, thereby isolating the rigid folding hinge component 2 from the fragile flexible screen 1, and realizing flexible support for the first part 11 of the flexible screen 1. That is to say, during the folding and opening process of the foldable electronic device, the flexible support component 3 will protect the first part 11 of the flexible screen 1, and prevent the rotating folding hinge component 2 from directly pressing on the first part 11 of the flexible screen 1, thereby avoiding damage to the flexible screen 1 and improving the service life of the foldable electronic device.

[0046] The foldable electronic device provided in the embodiment of the present application is described below.

[0047] It should be noted that the foldable electronic device provided in the embodiments of the present application includes electronic devices with foldable functions, such as mobile phones, laptop computers, tablet computers, foldable display devices, and e-books. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit the specific form of the foldable electronic device. For ease of understanding, the foldable electronic device is described by taking a foldable mobile phone as an example.

[0048] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the foldable electronic device provided in the embodiment of the present application includes a flexible screen 1, a foldable hinge assembly 2, a flexible support assembly 3, a first shell 4 and a second shell 5. The foldable electronic device can switch between a folded state and an unfolded state by rotating the foldable hinge assembly 2.

[0049] like Figure 4 As shown, the first shell 4 and the second shell 5 are connected to the two sides of the folding hinge assembly 2 respectively. Since the folding hinge assembly 2 can be rotated based on its own mechanism, the first shell 4 and the second shell 5 can be relatively opened and closed. Among them, the structures of the first shell 4 and the second shell 5 are relatively flat; the folding hinge assembly 2 is not completely flat due to its complex mechanism, but has structural features such as depressions and protrusions, such as Figure 4 The plurality of gaps 21 shown, and Figure 6 The raised target edge 22 is shown. In some embodiments, the first shell portion 4, the second shell portion 5 and the folding hinge assembly 2 together constitute a middle frame of an electronic device.

[0050] like Figure 3 As shown, the flexible screen 1 includes a first portion 11, a second portion 12 and a third portion 13, and the second portion 12 and the third portion 13 are respectively located on opposite sides of the first portion 11, that is, the first portion 11 is located in the middle area of ​​the flexible screen 1. Figure 2 As shown, the flexible screen 1 covers the first shell 4, the second shell 5 and the folding hinge assembly 2. Among them, the second part 12 corresponds to the position of the first shell 4, and the third part 13 corresponds to the position of the second shell 5. The second part 12 and the third part 13 can be directly bonded to the first shell 4 and the second shell 5 respectively by back glue or dispensing; the first part 11 corresponds to the position of the folding hinge assembly 2, so that the flexible screen 1 can be effectively bent.

[0051] In some embodiments, the first portion 11 is obtained by softening the middle region of the flexible screen 1 , for example, by etching the base layer of the middle region of the flexible screen 1 .

[0052] like Figure 2As shown, the flexible support component 3 is arranged between the flexible screen 1 and the folding hinge component 2, one side of the flexible support component 3 is connected to the first part 11, and the other side is against the folding hinge component 2, so as to support the first part 11. Optionally, one side of the flexible support component 3 can be directly attached to the first part 11 to adapt to the shape change of the first part 11 during the bending process, so as to achieve a better flexible support effect. Due to the flexible characteristics of the flexible support component 3 itself, it can protect the first part 11 while supporting the first part 11, and balance the structural features such as depressions and protrusions generated by the folding hinge component 2 during the rotation process, thereby alleviating the screen failure caused by the above-mentioned structural features such as depressions and protrusions in the scenario of the electronic device falling or the screen being pressed, that is, avoiding damage to the flexible screen 1 and improving the service life of the foldable electronic device.

[0053] In some embodiments of the present application, see Figure 1 The flexible support component 3 can be elastically deformed in the height direction, wherein the height direction is parallel to the thickness direction of the flexible screen 1 .

[0054] Exemplarily, the flexible support component 3 is in an elastically compressed state, and the two ends of the flexible support component 3 are elastically against the first portion 11 and the folding hinge component 2. When the folding hinge component 2 is depressed during the rotation process, the flexible support component 3 will stretch based on its own elasticity to fill the depression, thereby preventing the screen at the depressed position from being pressed and failing; when the folding hinge component 2 is protruding during the rotation process, the flexible support component 3 will compress based on its own elasticity to compensate for the protrusion, thereby preventing the screen at the protruding position from being pressed and failing.

[0055] It should be noted that the elastic force applied by the flexible support component 3 to the first part 11 is much smaller than the tolerable pressure of the first part 11 , so the elastic force will not cause the flexible screen 1 to fail.

[0056] In some embodiments of the present application, Figure 5 As shown, the flexible support assembly 3 includes a plurality of first flexible members 31, and the plurality of first flexible members 31 are sequentially arranged along the length direction of the flexible screen 1, and at least one first flexible member 31 is used to fill the gap 21 generated during the rotation of the folding hinge assembly 2. Figure 4 shown.

[0057] It is easy to understand that when the electronic device is folded, the flexible screen 1 is generally bent along the length direction. In order to match the bending direction of the flexible screen 1, multiple first flexible parts 31 are arranged in sequence along the length direction of the flexible screen 1. Therefore, during the folding process of the electronic device, the multiple first flexible parts 31 can play a flexible supporting role for various parts of the first part 11 in dynamic bending, thereby ensuring the protection effect of the first part 11.

[0058] In some embodiments of the present application, Figure 6 As shown, a plurality of first flexible members 31 are arranged at intervals; one end of the first flexible member 31 is connected to the first portion 11 , and the other end of the first flexible member 31 abuts against the folding hinge assembly 2 .

[0059] Since the flexible support component 3 is directly connected to the first part 11 of the flexible screen 1, the first part 11 will undergo a certain deformation during the bending process of the flexible screen 1, which requires that the flexible support component 3 needs to be able to adapt to the deformation, otherwise the flexible support component 3 will be pulled and damaged, and thus lose its protective effect on the screen; and the flexible support component 3 may also cause the first part 11 to be damaged during the pulling process, thereby causing the screen to fail.

[0060] In this embodiment, there are multiple gaps 311 between the multiple first flexible members 31 arranged along the length direction, so that during the bending process of the flexible screen 1, the multiple first flexible members 31 can be moved closer to or farther away from each other through the gaps 311, thereby preventing the first flexible members 31 from being pulled and broken, and further preventing the screen from failing.

[0061] Furthermore, since the plurality of first flexible members 31 are spaced apart, each first flexible member 31 will move and deform following the bending of the first portion 11, thereby ensuring that each bending position on the first portion 11 has a first flexible member 31 that can effectively fit the shape of the screen, thereby enhancing the protective effect.

[0062] Optionally, continue to see Figure 6 , wherein the width of the gap 311 between two adjacent first flexible members 31 is smaller than the width of the first flexible member 31 .

[0063] On the one hand, since the width of the first flexible part 31 is larger, it can provide greater supporting force for the first part 11, thereby ensuring the supporting strength of the flexible support component 3 for the flexible screen 1, and avoiding screen pressing failure; on the other hand, since the gap 311 is small enough, it can achieve full coverage of the folding hinge assembly 2, and there will be no leakage of structural features such as protrusions and depressions during the rotation of the folding hinge assembly 2, thereby ensuring all-round protection of the first part 11.

[0064] In other embodiments of the present application, Figure 7 As shown, the flexible support component 3 also includes a second flexible member 32; one side of the second flexible member 32 is connected to the first part 11, and the other side of the second flexible member 32 is connected to multiple first flexible members 31; wherein, multiple first flexible members 31 are arranged at intervals, and one end of the first flexible member 31 away from the second flexible member 32 is against the folding hinge component 2.

[0065] In this embodiment, the second flexible member 32 in the flexible support component 3 is directly connected to the first part 11, and the first flexible member 31 is arranged at intervals. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the flexible support component 3 directly connected to the first part 11 from being pulled and broken during the folding process of the flexible screen 1, and it is also possible to avoid the screen breakage and failure caused by the flexible support component 3 pulling the first part 11.

[0066] Optionally, one side of the second flexible member 32 may be directly attached to the first portion 11. For example, the second flexible member 32 itself is adhesive and may be directly attached to the first portion 11.

[0067] Optionally, one side of the second flexible member 32 may be indirectly attached to the first portion 11 through other film layers. For example, the second flexible member 32 is bonded to the first portion 11 through an adhesive layer (not shown in the figure), or a protective film layer (not shown in the figure) is further provided between the second flexible member 32 and the first portion 11.

[0068] Optionally, continue to see Figure 7 The height of the first flexible member 31 is greater than the height of the second flexible member 32 , and the height direction is parallel to the thickness direction of the flexible screen 1 .

[0069] It is easy to understand that the higher the height of the first flexible member 31 and the second flexible member 32, the greater the supporting force that can be provided and the better the supporting effect; the lower the height of the first flexible member 31 and the second flexible member 32, the easier it is to deform. In this embodiment, by setting the height of the first flexible member 31 to be higher and the height of the second flexible member 32 to be lower, the supporting strength of the flexible support component 3 to the flexible screen 1 is ensured, and the flexible support component 3 itself is not easy to break and fail.

[0070] In some embodiments of the present application, an avoidance structure 33 is further provided on the flexible support assembly 3 , which is used to avoid the target edge 22 protruding toward the flexible portion during the rotation of the folding hinge assembly 2 to prevent the target edge 22 from pressing the first portion 11 .

[0071] As mentioned above, since not all structures of the folding hinge assembly 2 are always on the same horizontal plane during the rotation, the avoidance structure 33 can be used to perform characteristic avoidance for structures that may be significantly higher than the rest of the parts during the rotation. The height difference of the folding hinge assembly 2 itself during the rotation process can be compensated by the height and compressibility of the flexible support assembly 3, thereby ensuring the flatness of the space under the screen during the rotation of the folding hinge assembly 2, thereby ensuring a good appearance effect and the service life of the screen.

[0072] Optionally, at least one avoidance structure 33 is a groove (not shown in the figure), the opening direction of the groove is toward the folding hinge assembly 2, and the position of the groove corresponds to the position of the target edge 22.

[0073] Alternatively, if Figure 8 As shown, at least one avoidance structure 33 is an opening, the opening direction of the opening is parallel to the thickness direction of the flexible screen 1 , and the position of the opening corresponds to the position of the target edge 22 .

[0074] Here, "corresponding to the position of the target edge 22" means that the groove or opening is directly opposite to the position of the target edge 22, including both the case where the target edge 22 is outside the corresponding groove or opening and the case where at least a portion of the target edge 22 extends into the corresponding groove or opening.

[0075] In some embodiments of the present application, at least a portion of the flexible support component 3 is foam.

[0076] Optionally, the first flexible member 31 is foam, and the second flexible member 32 is also foam, and the foam is bonded to the flexible screen 1 .

[0077] The cost of the foam is low and the material is relatively hard, so it can be used to conform to the structure of the folding hinge assembly 2 and has stronger coverage, thereby improving the protection of the screen at a lower cost.

[0078] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are 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 on the present application. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features.

[0079] The above description is only for the purpose of facilitating those skilled in the art to understand the technical solution of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A foldable electronic device, characterized in that: The electronic device comprises a flexible screen (1), a folding hinge assembly (2) and a flexible support assembly (3); The flexible screen (1) comprises a first part (11), wherein the first part (11) is used to facilitate bending of the flexible screen (1); The folding hinge assembly (2) corresponds to the first part (11) in position; The flexible support component (3) is located between the first part (11) and the folding hinge component (2), and one side of the flexible support component (3) is connected to the first part (11), and the other side is in contact with the folding hinge component (2), and the flexible support component (3) is used to flexibly support the first part (11).

2. The foldable electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible support component (3) is elastically deformable in a height direction, and the height direction is parallel to a thickness direction of the flexible screen (1).

3. The foldable electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The flexible support assembly (3) comprises a plurality of first flexible members (31), and the plurality of first flexible members (31) are arranged in sequence along the length direction of the flexible screen (1); At least one of the first flexible members (31) is used to fill a gap (21) generated during the rotation of the folding hinge assembly (2).

4. The foldable electronic device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The plurality of first flexible members (31) are arranged at intervals; One end of the first flexible member (31) is connected to the first part (11), and the other end of the first flexible member (31) is against the folding hinge assembly (2).

5. The foldable electronic device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The width of the gap (311) between two adjacent first flexible members (31) is smaller than the width of the first flexible member (31).

6. The foldable electronic device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The flexible support assembly (3) further comprises a second flexible member (32); One side of the second flexible member (32) is connected to the first part (11), and the other side of the second flexible member (32) is connected to the plurality of first flexible members (31); The plurality of first flexible members (31) are arranged at intervals, and one end of the first flexible member (31) away from the second flexible member (32) abuts against the folding hinge assembly (2).

7. The foldable electronic device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The height of the first flexible member (31) is greater than the height of the second flexible member (32).

8. The foldable electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The flexible support component (3) is provided with an avoidance structure (33), and the avoidance structure (33) is used to avoid a target edge (22) of the folding hinge component (2) protruding toward the first part (11) during the rotation process, so as to prevent the target edge (22) from pressing the first part (11).

9. The foldable electronic device according to claim 8, characterized in that: At least one of the avoidance structures (33) is a groove, the opening direction of the groove is toward the folding hinge assembly (2), and the position of the groove corresponds to the position of the target edge (22); and / or, At least one of the avoidance structures (33) is an opening (331), the opening direction of the opening (331) is parallel to the thickness direction of the flexible screen (1), and the position of the opening (331) corresponds to the position of the target edge (22).

10. The foldable electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least a portion of the flexible support component (3) is foam.

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