Folding hinge and foldable electronic equipment

Abstract

The utility model discloses a folding hinge and a foldable electronic device. The folding hinge comprises a base, a hinge body and a connecting piece, the first middle plate is rotationally connected with the base, so that the first middle plate is overturned relative to the base through rotation; the second middle plate is rotationally connected with the base, and the second middle plate and the first middle plate are arranged in a spaced mode so that the second middle plate can be overturned relative to the base through rotation; the swing arm mechanism is movably connected with the base; the first door plate and the first middle plate are arranged in a spaced mode, and the first door plate is rotationally connected with the first middle plate through a swing arm mechanism so that the first door plate can overturn relative to the first middle plate and the base through rotation; the second door plate and the second middle plate are arranged in a spaced mode, and the second door plate is rotationally connected with the second middle plate through a swing arm mechanism so that the second door plate can overturn relative to the second middle plate and the base through rotation. According to the folding hinge, stress borne by the bottom of a screen water drop during falling can be reduced, and therefore the risk of screen failure is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of electronic device technology, specifically to a folding hinge and a foldable electronic device. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, foldable electronic devices have emerged to address the issues of large size and inconvenience in carrying traditional candybar electronic devices. Foldable electronic devices typically include a first housing, a second housing, and a folding hinge. The first and second housings are rotatably mounted on opposite sides of the folding hinge, allowing the device to switch between an unfolded and folded position. Existing folding hinges generally employ a three-plate hinge structure, combining two rotatable door panels with a fixed middle plate. During folding, the two door panels rotate a certain angle, forming a teardrop-shaped space with the middle plate to accommodate the bottom of the screen. However, when foldable electronic devices using a three-plate hinge structure are subjected to drop impacts, the center of the teardrop-shaped bottom of the screen often directly strikes the middle plate, leading to screen failure. Utility Model Content

[0003] In view of the above, it is necessary to propose a folding hinge and a foldable electronic device to reduce the stress on the bottom of the screen when a water droplet is dropped, thereby reducing the risk of screen failure.

[0004] This application provides a folding hinge, comprising: a base; a first middle plate disposed on one side of the base and rotatably connected to the base, so as to achieve the flipping of the first middle plate relative to the base by rotation; a second middle plate disposed on the other side of the base and spaced apart from the first middle plate, and rotatably connected to the base, so as to achieve the flipping of the second middle plate relative to the base by rotation; the first middle plate and the second middle plate can be brought together or separated by flipping; a swing arm mechanism disposed on the base and movably connected to the base; a first door panel disposed on the side of the base near the first middle plate and spaced apart from the first middle plate, and rotatably connected to the first middle plate by the swing arm mechanism, so as to achieve the flipping of the first door panel relative to the first middle plate by rotation; and a second door panel disposed on the side of the base near the second middle plate and spaced apart from the second middle plate, and rotatably connected to the second middle plate by the swing arm mechanism, so as to achieve the flipping of the second door panel relative to the second middle plate by rotation; the first door panel and the second door panel can be brought together or separated by flipping.

[0005] In some embodiments, the folding hinge further includes a damping mechanism; the first door panel is rotatably connected to the base via the damping mechanism; the second door panel is rotatably connected to the base via the damping mechanism.

[0006] In some embodiments, the damping mechanism includes two rocker arm assemblies, a first pushing member, a second pushing member, and a blocking member; the two rocker arm assemblies are symmetrically arranged at intervals, and each rocker arm assembly includes a first rocker arm, a second rocker arm, an elastic member, and a connecting rod; the connecting rod passes through the first pushing member, the first rocker arm, the second rocker arm, the second pushing member, the elastic member, the blocking member, and the base; the first pushing member is in contact with a cam on the first rocker arm; the second pushing member is in contact with a cam on the second rocker arm; in the rocker arm assembly near the first door panel, both the first rocker arm and the second rocker arm are slidably connected to the first door panel; in the rocker arm assembly near the second door panel, both the first rocker arm and the second rocker arm are slidably connected to the second door panel.

[0007] In some embodiments, the rocker arm assembly further includes a gear shaft; in each rocker arm assembly, the two ends of the gear shaft are rotatably connected between the base and the second pusher, and the gear face of the gear shaft meshes with the second rocker arm; the gear faces of the gear shafts in two rocker arm assemblies mesh with each other.

[0008] In some embodiments, in each rocker arm assembly, the first rocker arm has a first pin protruding toward the second rocker arm, and the second rocker arm has a second pin protruding toward the first rocker arm; in the rocker arm assembly near the first door panel, the first pin and the second pin are respectively inserted into pin seats on the first door panel; in the rocker arm assembly near the second door panel, the first pin and the second pin are respectively inserted into pin seats on the second door panel.

[0009] In some embodiments, the swing arm mechanism includes two swing arms; in the swing arm closer to the first door panel, one end of the swing arm is slidably connected to the first door panel, and the other end of the swing arm is movably connected to the first middle plate and the base respectively; in the swing arm closer to the second door panel, one end of the swing arm is slidably connected to the second door panel, and the other end of the swing arm is movably connected to the second middle plate and the base respectively.

[0010] In some embodiments, the swing arm has an arc-shaped portion facing the base, and the arc-shaped portion is movably engaged with an arc-shaped groove on the base; the swing arm has a swing pin protruding along the axial direction; the arc-shaped portion has a pivot pin protruding along the axial direction; in the swing arm near the first door panel, the swing pin is inserted into a swing pin seat on the first door panel, and the pivot pin is inserted into a pivot pin seat on the first middle plate; in the swing arm near the second door panel, the swing pin is inserted into a swing pin seat on the second door panel, and the pivot pin is inserted into a pivot pin seat on the second middle plate.

[0011] In some embodiments, the base is provided with two sliding pins; the sliding pin near the first middle plate is inserted into a sliding pin seat on the first middle plate; the sliding pin near the second middle plate is inserted into a sliding pin seat on the second middle plate.

[0012] In some embodiments, the folding hinge further includes two connectors; the connector disposed on the first door panel is rotatably connected to the swing arm mechanism; the connector disposed on the second door panel is rotatably connected to the swing arm mechanism.

[0013] The aforementioned folding hinge, by configuring it as a four-plate structure including a first middle plate, a second middle plate, a first door panel, and a second door panel, allows the first and second middle plates to rotate and form a teardrop-shaped screen-accommodating space to hold the bottom of the screen when folded. When the foldable electronic device using this hinge is dropped, the left and right portions of the bottom of the screen contact the first and second middle plates respectively. The teardrop-shaped screen-accommodating space formed by the first and second middle plates provides better containment of the bottom of the screen droplet. The first and second middle plates work together to increase the contact area of ​​the bottom of the screen droplet, reducing the stress on the bottom of the screen droplet during a drop, thereby reducing the risk of screen failure.

[0014] This application also provides a foldable electronic device, including a folding hinge as described in any of the preceding embodiments.

[0015] The aforementioned foldable electronic device features a four-plate structure for its folding hinge, comprising a first middle plate, a second middle plate, a first door panel, and a second door panel. When the hinge is folded, the first and second middle plates rotate to form a teardrop-shaped screen-accommodating space that holds the bottom of the screen. When the foldable electronic device is dropped, the left and right portions of the bottom of the screen contact the first and second middle plates respectively. The teardrop-shaped screen-accommodating space formed by the first and second middle plates provides better containment of the bottom of the screen. The first and second middle plates work together to increase the contact area of ​​the bottom of the screen, reducing the stress on the bottom of the screen during a drop and thus lowering the risk of screen failure. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the unfolded position of the foldable electronic device provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the state of the folding hinge, first housing, second housing, and decorative cover in the foldable electronic device during the folding process.

[0018] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the foldable electronic device in its folded position.

[0019] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 The foldable electronic device shown is a partial structural cross-sectional view along line IV-IV.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the folding hinge provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0021] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 An exploded view of region VI in the folding hinge shown.

[0022] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 A decomposition diagram of region VI in the folded anxiety shown from another perspective.

[0023] Key component symbols: Foldable electronic device 1, Folding hinge 100, Base 10, Arc-shaped slide rail 12, Sliding pin 14, First middle plate 20, Second middle plate 22, Rotating pin seat 24, Rotating pin hole 242, Sliding pin seat 26, Sliding pin slide rail 262, First door panel 30, Second door panel 32, Pin seat 34, Pin slide rail 342, Swing pin seat 36, Swing pin slide rail 362, Connecting seat 38, Connecting groove 382, ​​Swing arm mechanism 40. Swing arm 42, swing pin 422, arc-shaped part 424, pivot pin 426, rotating shaft 44, damping mechanism 50, first rocker arm 51, first pin 512, second rocker arm 52, second pin 522, first pusher 53, second pusher 54, stopper 55, elastic member 56, connecting rod 57, gear shaft 58, connector 60, connecting arc 62, first housing 200, second housing 300, screen 400, decorative cover 500. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The embodiments of this application are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application.

[0025] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms indicating orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the stated features. In the description of this application, it should be noted that "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0026] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the term "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between the two components; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can be the internal communication between two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0027] The following will describe some embodiments of this application in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Please see Figure 1 This application provides a foldable electronic device 1. The foldable electronic device 1 includes, but is not limited to, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, e-book readers, cameras, wearable devices, and home electronic devices. For ease of understanding, this application uses a mobile phone as an example to illustrate the foldable electronic device 1; however, this is not a specific limitation on the structural form of the foldable electronic device 1.

[0029] Please refer to the above. Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 , Figure 1 The diagram shows the foldable electronic device 1 in its unfolded position, where it is roughly rectangular in shape. It is understood that in other embodiments, the foldable electronic device 1 may also be roughly square, circular, or elliptical in its unfolded position. Figure 2 The diagram shows the state of some structures in the foldable electronic device 1 during the folding process. It can also be understood that the foldable electronic device 1 is in the middle position between the unfolded position and the folded position, that is, the foldable electronic device 1 is in the middle hovering state. Figure 3A schematic diagram showing the foldable electronic device 1 in the folded position is presented.

[0030] The foldable electronic device 1 includes a folding hinge 100, a first housing 200, a second housing 300, a screen 400, and a decorative cover 500. The folding hinge 100 can rotate between an unfolded position and a folded position. The first housing 200 and the second housing 300 are rotatably disposed on opposite sides of the folding hinge 100. The screen 400 is connected to the first housing 200 and the second housing 300. The screen 400 is a flexible display screen, which can be an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display screen, a micro OLED display screen, a quantum dot OLED display screen, etc. The screen 400 can be bent and deformed between the unfolded position and the folded position. In the unfolded position, the screen 400 is approximately laid flat on the folding hinge 100, thereby enabling the foldable electronic device 1 to achieve a large-screen display, providing users with richer information and a better user experience. In the middle position, the screen 400 can be folded to form an angle, the angle of which can range from 35° to 165° (or other angle ranges), to improve the ease of operation of the foldable electronic device 1. For example, one part of the screen 400 can be used to watch videos or make video calls, while the other part of the screen 400 can be used as a support for creating or editing documents. Please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 4 In the folded position, viewed from a perspective parallel to the screen 400, the middle of the screen 400 is roughly folded into a teardrop shape and located within the teardrop-shaped screen space formed by the folding hinge 100, thus making the foldable electronic device 1 smaller in size and easier to carry. A decorative cover 500 is connected to the folding hinge 100 and located between the first housing 200 and the second housing 300. The decorative cover 500 is used to decorate the folding hinge 100 to improve the aesthetics of the foldable electronic device 1.

[0031] Understandably, the foldable electronic device 1 can be an inward-folding electronic device, meaning that when the foldable electronic device 1 is in the folded position, the screen 400 is not visible to the user. Alternatively, the foldable electronic device 1 can be an outward-folding electronic device, meaning that when the foldable electronic device 1 is in the folded position, the screen 400 is visible to the user.

[0032] It is understood that in other embodiments, the foldable electronic device 1 may also include more folding hinges 100, housings, decorative covers 500, etc., that is, the foldable electronic device 1 may be a bi-fold screen electronic device, a tri-fold screen electronic device, a quad-fold screen electronic device, a penta-fold screen electronic device, etc., and this application embodiment does not specifically limit it in this way.

[0033] Please refer to the above. Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7In this embodiment, the folding hinge 100 includes a base 10, a first middle plate 20, a second middle plate 22, a first door panel 30, a second door panel 32, and a swing arm mechanism 40. Understandably, the base 10 can be a single integral structure to improve the structural strength of the folding hinge 100. Alternatively, the base 10 can be divided into multiple independent substructures to facilitate wiring and routing between the substructures, thereby improving the ease of assembly of the folding hinge 100. The base 10 is also used to connect with the decorative cover 500.

[0034] In this embodiment, the base 10 is divided into four independent substructures, each with a slightly different shape. Understandably, this is not a specific limitation on the structural form of the base 10.

[0035] The first middle plate 20 and the second middle plate 22 are symmetrically arranged. The first middle plate 20 is rotatably connected to the base 10, so that the first middle plate 20 can be unfolded or folded relative to the base 10 by rotation, that is, the first middle plate 20 can rotate relative to the base 10 between an unfolded position and a folded position; wherein, the first middle plate 20 is connected to all substructures of the base 10. The second middle plate 22 is rotatably connected to the base 10 and spaced apart from the first middle plate 20, so that the second middle plate 22 can be unfolded or folded relative to the base 10 by rotation, that is, the second middle plate 22 can rotate relative to the base 10 between an unfolded position and a folded position; wherein, the second middle plate 22 is connected to all substructures of the base 10.

[0036] The swing arm mechanism 40 is movably connected to the base 10. There may be multiple swing arm mechanisms 40; the number can be set according to actual conditions, and this embodiment does not impose a specific limitation on this.

[0037] The first door panel 30 and the second door panel 32 are symmetrically arranged. The first door panel 30 is spaced apart from the first middle plate 20, and the first door panel 30 is located on the side of the first middle plate 20 opposite to the second middle plate 22. The first door panel 30 is rotatably connected to the first middle plate 20 through a swing arm mechanism 40, so that the first door panel 30 can be unfolded or folded relative to the first middle plate 20 and the base 10 by rotation. The second door panel 32 is spaced apart from the second middle plate 22, and the second door panel 32 is located on the side of the second middle plate 22 opposite to the first middle plate 20. The second door panel 32 is rotatably connected to the second middle plate 22 through a swing arm mechanism 40, so that the second door panel 32 can be unfolded or folded relative to the second middle plate 22 and the base 10 by rotation. The first door panel 30 can be connected to the first housing 200, and the second door panel 32 can be connected to the second housing 300.

[0038] Understandably, when the base 10 is divided into multiple independent substructures, each substructure may be partially or fully connected to the swing arm mechanism 40. In this embodiment, there are three swing arm mechanisms 40, but this is not intended to limit the embodiments of this application.

[0039] The folding hinge 100 of this embodiment is configured as a four-plate structure including a first middle plate 20, a second middle plate 22, a first door panel 30, and a second door panel 32. When the hinge 100 is folded, the first middle plate 20 and the second middle plate 22 rotate to form a teardrop-shaped screen-accommodating space to accommodate the bottom of the screen 400. When the foldable electronic device 1 using the folding hinge 100 is dropped, the left and right parts of the bottom of the screen 400 contact the first middle plate 20 and the second middle plate 22 respectively. The teardrop-shaped screen-accommodating space formed by the first middle plate 20 and the second middle plate 22 provides better coverage of the bottom of the screen 400. The first middle plate 20 and the second middle plate 22 work together to increase the contact area of ​​the bottom of the screen 400, reducing the stress on the bottom of the screen 400 when the foldable electronic device 1 is dropped, thereby reducing the risk of screen 400 failure.

[0040] In this embodiment, the folding hinge 100 further includes a damping mechanism 50. The first door panel 30 is rotatably connected to the base 10 via the damping mechanism 50, and the second door panel 32 is also rotatably connected to the base 10 via the damping mechanism 50. The damping mechanism 50 spans across the first middle plate 20 and the second middle plate 22, and provides damping force to the first door panel 30 and the second door panel 32. Thus, by providing damping force to the first door panel 30 and the second door panel 32 through the damping mechanism 50, the first door panel 30 and the second door panel 32 can remain in a suspended state when rotating between the unfolded and folded states, thereby enabling the foldable electronic device 1 to remain in a suspended state.

[0041] In this embodiment, the damping mechanism 50 includes a first rocker arm 51, a second rocker arm 52, a first pushing member 53, a second pushing member 54, a resisting member 55, an elastic member 56 and a string rod 57. The first rocker arm 51, the second rocker arm 52, the elastic member 56 and the string rod 57 form a rocker arm assembly. The numbers of the first rocker arm 51, the second rocker arm 52, the elastic member 56 and the string rod 57 are all two. That is, in this embodiment, the damping mechanism 50 includes two rocker arm assemblies. The two rocker arm assemblies are arranged symmetrically at intervals. That is, the two first rocker arms 51, the two second rocker arms 52, the two elastic members 56 and the two string rods 57 are all arranged symmetrically at intervals and respectively correspond to a door panel (that is, one of the first door panel 30 and the second door panel 32). The string rod 57 penetrates through the first pushing member 53, the first rocker arm 51 on the same side, the second rocker arm 52 on the same side, the second pushing member 54, the elastic member 56 on the same side, the resisting member 55 and the base 10. One ends of the two first rocker arms 51 are respectively slidably connected to their corresponding door panels, and the other ends of the two first rocker arms 51 are respectively arranged at intervals with the base 10. The two second rocker arms 52 are respectively arranged at intervals with the first rocker arms 51 on their same sides. The two second rocker arms 52 respectively correspond to a door panel (that is, one of the first door panel 30 and the second door panel 32). One end of the second rocker arm 52 is slidably connected to its corresponding door panel, and the other ends of the two second rocker arms 52 are respectively arranged at intervals with the base 10. The first pushing member 53 is in contact connection with a cam on the side of the first rocker arm 51背离 the second rocker arm 52. The second pushing member 54 is in contact connection with a cam on the side of the second rocker arm 52背离 the first rocker arm 51. The resisting member 55 is arranged on the side of the second pushing member 54背离 the second rocker arm 52. The elastic member 56 can be a spring. The elastic members 56 are arranged at intervals and are all abutted between the resisting member 55 and the second pushing member 54. In this embodiment, the number of the elastic members 56 is three. It can be understood that in other embodiments, the number of the elastic members 56 can also be more or less, and can be specifically set according to actual situations. The two string rods 57 are arranged at intervals. Each string rod 57 penetrates through the resisting member 55, the elastic member 56 on the same side as the string rod 57 among the plurality of elastic members 56, the second pushing member 54, the second rocker arm 52 on the same side as the string rod 57, the base 10, the first rocker arm 51 on the same side as the string rod 57 and the first pushing member 53. The cam contact connection can be understood as that both of the abutted members are provided with cam structures, and the two members approach or move away from each other through the mutual abutment between the cam structures, so as to realize reciprocating linear motion. It can be understood that in this embodiment, the shape of the base 10 connected to the damping mechanism 50 can be roughly in the shape of a "king" character.

[0042] Thus, by setting the specific structure of the damping mechanism 50, when the first door panel 30 and the second door panel 32 are unfolded or folded, the first door panel 30 and the second door panel 32 respectively drive the corresponding first rocker arm 51 and the second rocker arm 52 to rotate. The first rocker arm 51 and the second rocker arm 52 abut against the corresponding cam through the corresponding first push member 53 and the second push member 54, thereby compressing the elastic member 56, so that the elastic member 56 generates elastic force. The elastic member 56 generates elastic force to provide damping force for the first rocker arm 51 and the second rocker arm 52, so that the first rocker arm 51 and the second rocker arm 52 can be suspended relative to each other, thereby allowing the first door panel 30 and the second door panel 32 to be in a suspended state.

[0043] To further ensure the hovering effect of the folding hinge 100, in this embodiment, the rocker arm assembly of the damping mechanism 50 also includes a gear shaft 58. There are two gear shafts 58, with their gear surfaces meshing and positioned between the two second rocker arms 52. The two ends of the gear shaft 58 along the axial direction are rotatably positioned between the base 10 and the second pusher member 54, respectively. The second rocker arm 52 meshes with the gear surface of the gear shaft 58 on the same side. Thus, by providing the gear shafts 58, the two second rocker arms 52 are rotatably connected via the two gear shafts 58, which provide support force to the second rocker arms 52, thereby ensuring the hovering effect of the folding hinge 100.

[0044] In this embodiment, a first pin 512 protrudes from one end of the first rocker arm 51 facing the second rocker arm 52 on the same side. A second pin 522 protrudes from one end of the second rocker arm 52 facing the first rocker arm 51 on the same side. Both the first door panel 30 and the second door panel 32 are provided with pin seats 34 located between the corresponding first rocker arm 51 and the corresponding second rocker arm 52. Pin seats 34 have pin grooves 342 on both sides facing the corresponding first rocker arm 51 and the corresponding second rocker arm 52, respectively. The pin grooves 342 are approximately arc-shaped, and the first pin 512 and the second pin 522 are respectively fitted into the corresponding pin grooves 342. Thus, by providing the first pin 512, the second pin 522, and the pin grooves 342, the first rocker arm 51 and the second rocker arm 52 are slidably connected to the first door panel 30 and the second door panel 32, respectively, ensuring that the first door panel 30 and the second door panel 32 can be folded and unfolded relative to the base 10.

[0045] In this embodiment, each swing arm mechanism 40 includes two swing arms 42. Each swing arm 42 corresponds to a door panel (i.e., one of the first middle plate 20 or the second middle plate 22). One end of the swing arm 42 is slidably connected to the corresponding door panel (i.e., the first door panel 30 or the second door panel), and the other end of the swing arm 42 is rotatably connected to the corresponding middle plate (i.e., the first middle plate 20 or the second middle plate 22). The other end of the swing arm 42 is slidably connected to the base 10.

[0046] Specifically, one end of the swing arm 42 has a swing pin 422 protruding along its rotation axis. Both the first door panel 30 and the second door panel 32 are provided with swing pin seats 36, which are spaced apart from the swing arm 42. A swing pin groove 362 is formed on the side of the swing pin seat 36 facing the swing arm 42, and the swing pin 422 is fitted into the groove. The other end of the swing arm 42 has an arc-shaped portion 424, and the base 10 has an arc-shaped groove 12 on the side facing the swing arm 42, with the arc-shaped portion 424 fitted into the groove. In this embodiment, each swing arm 42 has two spaced-apart arc-shaped portions 424 on its other end. One of the arc-shaped portions 424 has a pivot pin 426 protruding from it. Both the first middle plate 20 and the second middle plate 22 are provided with pivot pin seats 24. The pivot pin seats 24 are spaced apart from the arc-shaped part 424. A pivot pin hole 242 is opened on the side of the pivot pin seat 24 facing the arc-shaped part 424, and the pivot pin 426 is adapted to be disposed in the pivot pin hole 242.

[0047] Thus, by setting the aforementioned swing pin 422 and swing pin groove 362, the swing arm 42 achieves a sliding connection with the first door panel 30 and the second door panel 32; by setting the aforementioned arc-shaped portion 424 and arc-shaped groove 12, the swing arm 42 achieves a sliding connection with the base 10; by setting the aforementioned pivot pin 426 and pivot pin hole 242, the swing arm 42 achieves a rotatable connection with the first middle plate 20 and the second middle plate 22, thereby ensuring that the first door panel 30, the second door panel 32, the first middle plate 20 and the second middle plate 22 can each rotate independently relative to the base 10, so that the folding hinge 100 forms a teardrop-shaped screen space.

[0048] In this embodiment, a sliding pin 14 is provided on the base 10. There are two sliding pins 14, spaced apart. A sliding pin seat 26 is provided on both the first middle plate 20 and the second middle plate 22. Both sliding pin seats 26 are spaced apart from the base 10, and each sliding pin seat 26 has a sliding pin groove 262 on its side facing the base 10. The sliding pin 14 is fitted into the sliding pin groove 262 of the sliding pin seat 26, and the sliding pin groove 262 is approximately arc-shaped. Thus, by providing the aforementioned sliding pins 14 and sliding pin grooves 262, the first middle plate 20 and the second middle plate 22 achieve a sliding connection with the base 10, thereby allowing the first middle plate 20 and the second middle plate 22 to rotate relative to the base 10.

[0049] In this embodiment, the folding hinge 100 further includes two connectors 60. Connectors 60 on the first door panel 30 are rotatably connected to the swing arm mechanism 40; connectors 60 on the second door panel 32 are also rotatably connected to the swing arm mechanism 40. It is understood that connectors 60 are provided on both the first door panel 30 and the second door panel 32, and the connectors 60 are rotatably connected to the corresponding swing arm mechanism 40. The connectors 60 are used to connect to the first housing 200 and the second housing 300, that is, the first housing 200 and the second housing 300 are respectively connected to the corresponding first door panel 30 and the second door panel 32 via connectors 60. The number of connectors 60 can be multiple, and connectors 60 are usually arranged in pairs. In this embodiment, the number of connectors 60 is four. It is understood that in other embodiments, the number of connectors 60 can be more or fewer, depending on the actual situation. Thus, by providing the aforementioned connectors 60, the connection between the first housing 200 and the second housing 300 and the corresponding first door panel 30 and the second door panel 32 is achieved.

[0050] In this embodiment, both ends of the connector 60 are provided with connecting arcs 62, which are arc-shaped. The first door panel 30 and the second door panel 32 are each provided with two connecting seats 38. The two connecting seats 38 are spaced apart from the corresponding ends of the connector 60. Each connecting seat 38 has a connecting groove 382 on the side facing the corresponding connector 60, which is approximately arc-shaped. The connecting arcs 62 are fitted into the connecting grooves 382. One end of the swing arm 42 is rotatably connected to the connector 60 via a rotating shaft 44. Thus, by providing the connecting arcs 62 and connecting grooves 382, ​​the first door panel 30 and the second door panel 32 are slidably connected to the connector 60, allowing the first door panel 30 and the second door panel 32 to rotate relative to the first housing 200 and the second housing 300, increasing the rotatable range of the first door panel 30 and the second door panel 32, thereby ensuring that the folding hinge 100 forms a teardrop-shaped screen-accommodating space. By limiting one end of the swing arm 42 to be rotatably connected to the connector 60 via the rotating shaft 44, the connector 60 can rotate relative to the swing arm 42, thereby increasing the rotation range of the folding hinge 100.

[0051] The foldable electronic device 1 of this embodiment uses a four-plate structure for the folding hinge 100, comprising a first middle plate 20, a second middle plate 22, a first door panel 30, and a second door panel 32. When the hinge 100 is folded, the first middle plate 20 and the second middle plate 22 rotate to form a teardrop-shaped screen-accommodating space for the bottom of the screen 400. The first middle plate 20 and the second middle plate 22 respectively abut against the left and right sides of the bottom of the screen 400. When the foldable electronic device 1 is dropped, the left and right parts of the bottom of the screen 400 contact the first middle plate 20 and the second middle plate 22 respectively. The teardrop-shaped screen-accommodating space formed by the first middle plate 20 and the second middle plate 22 provides better coverage for the bottom of the screen 400. The first middle plate 20 and the second middle plate 22 work together to increase the contact area of ​​the bottom of the screen 400, reducing the stress on the bottom of the screen 400 during a drop, thereby reducing the risk of screen 400 failure.

[0052] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this application is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that this application can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of this application. Therefore, the embodiments should be regarded as exemplary and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of this application is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims are intended to be embraced within this application.

[0053] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application and are not intended to limit it. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of this application without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of this application.

Claims

1. A folding hinge, characterized in that, include: Base; A first middle plate is disposed on one side of the base and rotatably connected to the base so that the first middle plate can be flipped relative to the base by rotation; The second middle plate is disposed on the other side of the base and spaced apart from the first middle plate, and is rotatably connected to the base so that the second middle plate can be flipped relative to the base by rotation; the first middle plate and the second middle plate can be brought together or separated by flipping. A swing arm mechanism is mounted on the base and is movably connected to the base; A first door panel is disposed on the side of the base near the first middle plate and spaced apart from the first middle plate. It is also rotatably connected to the first middle plate via the swing arm mechanism, so that rotation allows the first door panel to flip relative to the first middle plate. The second door panel is disposed on the side of the base near the second middle plate and spaced apart from the second middle plate. It is also rotatably connected to the second middle plate through the swing arm mechanism so that the second door panel can be flipped relative to the second middle plate by rotation. The first door panel and the second door panel can be brought together or separated by flipping.

2. The folding hinge as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The folding hinge also includes a damping mechanism; the first door panel is rotatably connected to the base through the damping mechanism; the second door panel is rotatably connected to the base through the damping mechanism.

3. The folding hinge as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The damping mechanism includes two rocker arm assemblies, a first pushing member, a second pushing member, and a blocking member; The two rocker arm assemblies are symmetrically arranged at intervals. Each rocker arm assembly includes a first rocker arm, a second rocker arm, an elastic element, and a connecting rod. The connecting rod passes through the first pushing member, the first rocker arm, the second rocker arm, the second pushing member, the elastic element, the blocking member, and the base. The first pushing member is in contact with a cam on the first rocker arm. The second pushing member is in contact with a cam on the second rocker arm. In the rocker arm assembly near the first door panel, both the first rocker arm and the second rocker arm are slidably connected to the first door panel. In the rocker arm assembly near the second door panel, both the first rocker arm and the second rocker arm are slidably connected to the second door panel.

4. The folding hinge as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The rocker arm assembly further includes a gear shaft; in each rocker arm assembly, the two ends of the gear shaft are rotatably connected between the base and the second pusher, and the gear surface of the gear shaft meshes with the second rocker arm; the gear surfaces of the gear shafts in the two rocker arm assemblies mesh with each other.

5. The folding hinge as described in claim 3, characterized in that, In each of the rocker arm assemblies, the first rocker arm has a first pin protruding towards the second rocker arm, and the second rocker arm has a second pin protruding towards the first rocker arm; in the rocker arm assembly near the first door panel, the first pin and the second pin are respectively inserted into the pin seat on the first door panel; in the rocker arm assembly near the second door panel, the first pin and the second pin are respectively inserted into the pin seat on the second door panel.

6. The folding hinge as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The swing arm mechanism includes two swing arms; in the swing arm closer to the first door panel, one end of the swing arm is slidably connected to the first door panel, and the other end of the swing arm is movably connected to the first middle plate and the base respectively; in the swing arm closer to the second door panel, one end of the swing arm is slidably connected to the second door panel, and the other end of the swing arm is movably connected to the second middle plate and the base respectively.

7. The folding hinge as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The swing arm has an arc-shaped portion facing the base, and the arc-shaped portion is movably engaged with the arc-shaped sliding groove on the base; the swing arm has a swing pin protruding along the axial direction; the arc-shaped portion has a pivot pin protruding along the axial direction. In the swing arm near the first door panel, the swing pin is fitted into the swing pin seat on the first door panel, and the pivot pin is fitted into the pivot pin seat on the first middle plate; in the swing arm near the second door panel, the swing pin is fitted into the swing pin seat on the second door panel, and the pivot pin is fitted into the pivot pin seat on the second middle plate.

8. The folding hinge as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The base is provided with two sliding pins; the sliding pin near the first middle plate is inserted into a sliding pin seat on the first middle plate; the sliding pin near the second middle plate is inserted into a sliding pin seat on the second middle plate.

9. The folding hinge as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The folding hinge also includes two connectors; the connector on the first door panel is rotatably connected to the swing arm mechanism; the connector on the second door panel is rotatably connected to the swing arm mechanism.

10. A foldable electronic device, characterized in that, Includes the folding hinge as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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