Folding shell and folding electronic equipment
By employing an electromagnet structure with a magnetic core and coil in foldable electronic devices, the magnetic polarity is controlled to achieve easy unfolding and reliable closure, solving the problem of strong attraction caused by permanent magnet design, and improving user experience and shell rigidity.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520060011.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-10
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-17
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-01-10
AI Technical Summary
In existing foldable electronic devices, the strong attraction caused by the permanent magnet design makes the user experience poor when unfolding the screen. At the same time, replacing it with a large electromagnet would take up space and affect the rigidity and reliability of the casing.
It adopts an electromagnet structure including a magnetic core and a coil. The magnetic polarity is controlled by a control device, so that the electromagnet and the permanent magnet repel or attract each other, achieving easy unfolding and reliable closure. The shell structure itself eliminates the need for large-area processing.
It enables users to easily and effortlessly unfold the folding screen while ensuring the rigidity and reliability of the shell, reducing the risk of pinching fingers, and improving the user experience and device reliability.
Smart Images
Figure CN223928579U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of electronic device technology, and in particular to a foldable housing and a foldable electronic device. Background Technology
[0002] As flexible screen technology is increasingly used in electronic devices, the opening and closing experience of foldable screens is receiving more and more attention, and has become a key area for optimization in high-end foldable electronic devices.
[0003] Currently, the screen of foldable electronic devices is closed by installing one or more pairs of permanent magnets in the mid-frame. The attraction between the pairs of permanent magnets maintains the closed state of the foldable screen and prevents it from unfolding accidentally.
[0004] The design that uses permanent magnets to maintain the screen's magnetic attraction usually has a strong attraction force to prevent the foldable screen from unfolding accidentally. This means that users have to overcome the strong attraction force when they want to unfold the foldable screen, resulting in a poor user experience.
[0005] If an electromagnet is used to replace the permanent magnet, a larger electromagnet is required to ensure that it has sufficient attraction force. However, this will take up more space and require large-area machining of the middle frame to accommodate the electromagnet, which will affect the rigidity of the middle frame and the overall reliability of the machine. Utility Model Content
[0006] In view of this, this application provides a foldable housing and a foldable electronic device that can be easily unfolded in a closed state while ensuring the rigidity of the housing.
[0007] Specifically, the following technical solutions are included:
[0008] In a first aspect, this application provides a foldable housing, the foldable housing including a control device and a first housing and a second housing rotatably connected;
[0009] The first housing is equipped with a first magnetic module at its opening and closing end, and the second housing is equipped with a second magnetic module at its opening and closing end. The second magnetic module includes a magnetic core and a coil. The magnetic core is constructed on the second housing, and the coil is wound around the outer periphery of the magnetic core.
[0010] The control device is electrically connected to the coil and is used to control the direction of the current in the coil, thereby changing the magnetic polarity of the second magnetic module so that the second magnetic module attracts or repels the first magnetic module.
[0011] In an optional embodiment, the opening end of the second housing has a groove, the magnetic core protrudes from the bottom wall of the groove, and the coil is located in the groove.
[0012] In an optional embodiment, the groove is annular, and the portion of the second housing enclosed by the groove constitutes the magnetic core, wherein at least the magnetic core in the second housing is a ferromagnetic material.
[0013] In an optional embodiment, the magnetic core is made of a ferromagnetic material, and one end of the magnetic core is welded or thermally fused to the bottom wall of the groove.
[0014] In an optional embodiment, the first magnetic module is a permanent magnet.
[0015] In an optional embodiment, the foldable housing further includes a trigger electrically connected to the control device, the trigger being used to send an unfolding signal to the control device, thereby causing the control device to control the second magnetic module to be mutually exclusive with the first magnetic module.
[0016] In an optional embodiment, the foldable housing further includes a detection element electrically connected to the control device, the detection element being used to send a closing signal to the control device when the opening / closing ends of the first housing and the second housing approach each other, thereby causing the control device to control the second magnetic module to engage with the first magnetic module.
[0017] In an optional embodiment, the detection element is an angle sensor.
[0018] In an optional embodiment, there are multiple first magnetic modules and multiple second magnetic modules, with the multiple first magnetic modules spaced apart at the opening and closing ends of the first housing and the multiple second magnetic modules spaced apart at the opening and closing ends of the second housing.
[0019] Secondly, this application provides a foldable electronic device, which includes the foldable housing provided in any embodiment of the first aspect.
[0020] The beneficial effects of the technical solution provided in this application include at least the following: by setting the second magnetic module as an electromagnet structure including a magnetic core and a coil, the magnetic polarity of the second magnetic module can be controlled by a control device. When the foldable shell needs to be unfolded, the second magnetic module and the first magnetic module repel each other, thereby allowing the user to unfold the first shell and the second shell more easily and effortlessly. When the foldable shell needs to be closed, the second magnetic module and the first magnetic module attract each other, thereby enabling the first shell and the second shell to reliably engage. Since the magnetic core is constructed on the second shell, the structure of the second shell itself is utilized, and there is no need to perform large-area processing on the second shell to install the device. This helps to ensure the structural strength and rigidity of the second shell and improve the reliability of the foldable shell and the foldable electronic device. Attached Figure Description
[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the foldable housing provided in some embodiments of this application;
[0023] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Sectional view along the middle AA direction;
[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the folding housing provided in some other embodiments of this application;
[0025] Figure 4 A side view of the foldable housing provided in the embodiment of this application in the closed state;
[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the foldable housing provided in the embodiment of this application when it is not in a closed state.
[0027] The reference numerals in the figure indicate:
[0028] 11-First housing; 111-Opening / closing end; 12-Second housing; 121-Slot; 13-First magnetic module; 14-Second magnetic module; 141-Magnetic core; 142-Coil; 15-Trigger element; 16-Detection element.
[0029] The accompanying drawings illustrate specific embodiments of this application, which will be described in more detail below. These drawings and descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the concept in any way, but rather to illustrate the concept of this application to those skilled in the art through reference to particular embodiments. Detailed Implementation
[0030] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0031] The directional terms used in the embodiments of this application, such as "up," "down," and "side," are generally based on the relative relationships shown in the figures. These directional terms are used merely to more clearly describe the relationships between structures, not to describe absolute directions. When the product is placed in different orientations, the orientation may change; for example, "up" and "down" may be interchanged.
[0032] Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used in the embodiments of this application have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0033] To make the technical solutions and advantages of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0034] like Figure 1 or Figure 3 As shown, this application embodiment provides a foldable housing, including a control device and a first housing 11 and a second housing 12 rotatably connected. The foldable housing has a closed state and an unfolded state, as shown... Figure 4 As shown, when the first shell 11 and the second shell 12 are stacked along the thickness direction, the folding shell is in a closed state; when the first shell 11 and the second shell 12 are arranged side by side and are approximately in the same plane, the folding shell is in an unfolded state.
[0035] like Figure 1 or Figure 3 As shown, a first magnetic module 13 is mounted on the opening / closing end 111 of the first housing 11, and a second magnetic module 14 is provided on the opening / closing end 111 of the second housing 12. The second magnetic module 14 includes a magnetic core 141 and a coil 142. The magnetic core 141 is constructed on the second housing 12, and the coil 142 is wound around the outer periphery of the magnetic core 141. In this embodiment, the second magnetic module 14 is an electromagnet structure, while the first magnetic module 13 can be a permanent magnet or an electromagnet.
[0036] In existing technologies, foldable electronic devices use permanent magnets to achieve the closing and attraction of the two screens. The attraction between these permanent magnets is relatively strong, posing a risk of finger pinching if not handled properly during the folding process. Furthermore, existing foldable electronic devices tend to retract due to the attraction between the permanent magnets when the unfolded angle is small, making it impossible to maintain that angle. In contrast, the second magnetic module 14 in this embodiment is an electromagnet structure, which allows for more precise control of the closing timing of the foldable shell through a control device, reducing the risk of finger pinching and maintaining the foldable shell at a smaller unfolded angle.
[0037] Specifically, the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are rotatably connected by a rotating shaft assembly, and the opening end 111 is the end of the first housing 11 or the second housing 12 that is away from the rotating shaft assembly.
[0038] The control device is installed in the first housing 11 or the second housing 12. The control device is electrically connected to the coil 142. The control device is used to control the direction of the current in the coil 142, thereby changing the magnetic polarity of the second magnetic module 14 so that the second magnetic module 14 attracts or repels the first magnetic module 13.
[0039] For example, the positions of the first magnetic module 13 and the second magnetic module 14 are adapted, that is, in the closed state of the folded shell, the positions of the first magnetic module 13 and the second magnetic module 14 are opposite, so that they can be better attracted or repelled.
[0040] For example, foldable housings are used in foldable electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops, tablets, wearable devices, and in-vehicle devices, where the foldable housing serves as the mid-frame of the foldable electronic device.
[0041] For example, the control device includes control components such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a SoC (System on Chip), as well as a power module and a switching switch. The control components, power module, and switching switch are electrically connected to each other. The power module supplies power to the coil 142, and the switching switch changes the direction of the current input to the coil 142. Specifically, the control component sends an electrical signal to the switching switch, causing the switching switch to change the direction of the current input from the power module to the coil 142 after receiving the electrical signal, thereby changing the magnetic polarity of the second magnetic module 14, causing the second magnetic module 14 to attract or repel the first magnetic module 13.
[0042] When the folding shell needs to be switched from the closed state to the unfolded state, the control device controls the coil 142 to be energized, and makes the end of the second magnetic module 14 near the first magnetic module 13 and the end of the first magnetic module 13 near the second magnetic module 14 the same magnetic pole. At this time, the second magnetic module 14 and the first magnetic module 13 repel each other, causing the first shell 11 and the second shell 12 to automatically spring outward at a certain angle and move away from each other, making it easier for the user to unfold the folding shell. During the process of switching the folding shell from the unfolded state to the closed state, the control device controls the coil 142 to be energized, and makes the end of the second magnetic module 14 near the first magnetic module 13 and the end of the first magnetic module 13 near the second magnetic module 14 the opposite magnetic pole. At this time, the second magnetic module 14 and the first magnetic module 13 attract each other, causing the first shell 11 and the second shell 12 to move closer to each other, and the folding shell automatically closes.
[0043] The magnetic core 141 is constructed on the second housing 12. The magnetic core 141 has high magnetic permeability and high saturation magnetic induction intensity. Specifically, the magnetic core 141 is a soft magnetic material.
[0044] It should be noted that the magnetic core 141 is constructed on the second housing 12, meaning that the magnetic core 141 and the second housing 12 are integrally formed and connected, or the magnetic core 141 is fixed to the second housing 12 by welding, bonding, or other methods. This arrangement reduces the processing area of the second housing 12, eliminating the need to process large holes in the second housing 12, which helps to improve the rigidity and production efficiency of the second housing 12.
[0045] The foldable housing provided in this application embodiment, by setting the second magnetic module 14 as an electromagnet structure including a magnetic core 141 and a coil 142, can switch the magnetic polarity of the second magnetic module 14 using a control device. When the foldable housing needs to be unfolded, the second magnetic module 14 and the first magnetic module 13 repel each other, thereby allowing the user to unfold the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 more easily and effortlessly. When the foldable housing needs to be closed, the second magnetic module 14 and the first magnetic module 13 attract each other, thereby enabling the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 to reliably engage. Since the magnetic core 141 is constructed on the second housing 12, the structure of the second housing 12 itself is utilized, eliminating the need for large-area processing of the second housing 12 to accommodate devices. This helps to ensure the structural strength and rigidity of the second housing 12 and improves the reliability of the foldable housing and foldable electronic devices.
[0046] Specifically, such as Figure 2 As shown, the second housing 12 has a slot 121 at the opening end 111, the magnetic core 141 protrudes from the bottom wall of the slot 121, and the coil 142 is located in the slot 121.
[0047] With this setup, the second magnetic module 14 does not require additional stacking space, improving the space utilization of the foldable housing.
[0048] In an optional embodiment, the groove 121 is annular, and the portion of the second housing 12 enclosed by the groove 121 constitutes a magnetic core 141, wherein at least the magnetic core 141 in the second housing 12 is a ferromagnetic material.
[0049] For example, the second housing 12 is made of a ferromagnetic material and has high permeability and high saturation magnetic induction intensity as a whole; or, the second housing 12 is formed by combining multiple materials, and the magnetic core 141 is made of a ferromagnetic material with high permeability and high saturation magnetic induction intensity to ensure the function of the magnetic core 141.
[0050] Since the groove 121 is annular, after the groove 121 is machined, the inner ring of the groove 121 naturally forms a magnetic core 141 that protrudes relative to the bottom wall of the groove 121. Then, the coil 142 is simply installed in the groove 121 and wrapped around the outer periphery of the magnetic core 141 to form the second magnetic module 14.
[0051] In this embodiment, the mechanism of the second housing 12 itself is fully utilized. There is no need to process the second housing 12 extensively. The arrangement of the second magnetic module 14 can be completed simply by opening an annular groove 121 and embedding the coil 142. This not only reduces processing steps, improves processing efficiency, and reduces production costs, but also helps to improve the rigidity and reliability of the second housing 12.
[0052] In another alternative embodiment, the magnetic core 141 is made of ferromagnetic material, and one end of the magnetic core 141 is welded or thermally fused to the bottom wall of the groove 121.
[0053] In this embodiment, the second housing 12 can be made of a material other than ferromagnetic material, with only the magnetic core 141 being a ferromagnetic material component. The connection between the two different materials is achieved by welding or hot-melting one end of the magnetic core 141 to the bottom wall of the groove 121.
[0054] In one embodiment, the first magnetic module 13 is a permanent magnet with high energy density and stability, and can maintain its magnetism for a long time. The first magnetic module 13, which is a permanent magnet, and the second magnetic module 14, which is an electromagnet, are used together to ensure that there is sufficient magnetic force between the first magnetic module 13 and the second magnetic module 14 for attraction or repulsion, and to avoid the risk of pinching fingers due to excessive attraction between the first magnetic module 13 and the second magnetic module 14.
[0055] In one embodiment, the folding housing further includes a trigger 15 electrically connected to a control device, the trigger 15 being used to send an unfolding signal to the control device, thereby causing the control device to control the second magnetic module 14 to be mutually exclusive with the first magnetic module 13.
[0056] For example, the trigger 15 is a button assembly, specifically a physical button mounted on the first housing 11 or the second housing 12, or a virtual button on the display screen. When the folding housing is in the closed state, after the user presses the trigger 15, the trigger 15 sends an unfolding signal to the control device. After receiving the unfolding signal, the control device energizes the control coil 142, causing the second magnetic module 14 to repel the first magnetic module 13. The first housing 11 and the second housing 12 automatically spring outward at a certain angle and move away from each other, allowing the user to unfold the folding housing more effortlessly.
[0057] Optionally, the trigger 15 can also be a voice recognition module, which can recognize the voice commands issued by the user and send an unfolding signal to the control device.
[0058] By setting the trigger 15, when the folding shell needs to be unfolded, there is no need to manually find the middle position between the first shell 11 and the second shell 12 and then unfold it manually. Just operate the trigger 15, and the control device can control the second magnetic module 14 and the first magnetic module 13 to repel each other, so that the first shell 11 and the second shell 12 can automatically pop open. The operation is simple, easy and labor-saving, which helps to improve the user experience.
[0059] In one embodiment, the foldable housing further includes a detection element 16 electrically connected to a control device. The detection element 16 is used to send a closing signal to the control device when the opening and closing ends 111 of the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 approach each other, thereby causing the control device to control the second magnetic module 14 to engage with the first magnetic module 13.
[0060] The detection element 16 is installed on the first housing 11 or the second housing 12. The detection element 16 is used to detect the relative position of the first housing 11 and the second housing 12. When the detection element 16 detects that the folding housing is switching from the unfolded state to the closed state, it sends a closing signal to the control device. After receiving the closing signal, the control device controls the coil 142 to be energized and causes the second magnetic module 14 and the first magnetic module 13 to attract each other, thereby realizing the automatic adsorption and closure of the first housing 11 and the second housing 12, preventing the folding housing from accidentally unfolding in the closed state.
[0061] The detection element 16 can be a distance sensor, an angle sensor, etc. In a specific embodiment, the detection element 16 is an angle sensor; please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 5 The detection element 16 is used to detect the angle α between the first housing 11 and the second housing 12, which is the unfolding angle of the folding housing.
[0062] For example, when the detection element 16 detects that the included angle α between the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 gradually decreases and the included angle α is less than or equal to a preset angle, the detection element 16 sends a closing signal to the control device. For example, the preset angle is less than 10°, for example, the preset angle is 5°. With this setting, when the unfolded angle of the folding housing is greater than the preset angle, the folding housing can remain stationary at that unfolded angle. When the unfolded angle of the folding housing gradually decreases to less than or equal to the preset angle, the first magnetic module 13 and the second magnetic module 14 will attract each other, causing the folding housing to switch to the closed state. At the same time, because the preset angle is relatively small, fingers cannot be pinched when the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 automatically attract and close, reducing the risk of finger pinching.
[0063] In an optional embodiment, there are multiple first magnetic modules 13 and multiple second magnetic modules 14. The multiple first magnetic modules 13 are spaced apart at the opening and closing ends 111 of the first housing 11, and the multiple second magnetic modules 14 are spaced apart at the opening and closing ends 111 of the second housing 12.
[0064] For example Figure 1 As shown, there are two first magnetic modules 13 and two second magnetic modules 14. The two first magnetic modules 13 are distributed at intervals at the opening and closing ends 111 of the first housing 11, and the two second magnetic modules 14 are distributed at intervals at the opening and closing ends 111 of the second housing 12.
[0065] This design ensures that the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are reliably engaged, preventing the foldable housing from being accidentally unfolded when closed.
[0066] In another alternative embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, there is one first magnetic module 13 and one second magnetic module 14. The size of the first magnetic module 13 and the second magnetic module 14 can be set according to actual needs, as long as the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 can be reliably attracted together.
[0067] This application also provides a foldable electronic device, including the foldable housing provided in any of the above embodiments.
[0068] For example, foldable electronic devices include mobile phones, laptops, tablets, wearable devices, in-vehicle devices, etc.
[0069] In this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. The term "multiple" refers to two or more unless otherwise expressly defined.
[0070] Other embodiments of this application will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the application disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this application that follow the general principles of this application and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only.
[0071] It should be understood that this application is not limited to the precise structure described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of this application is limited only by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A foldable case, characterized by, The foldable housing includes a control device and a first housing (11) and a second housing (12) that are rotatably connected; The first housing (11) has a first magnetic module (13) installed at its opening end (111), and the second housing (12) has a second magnetic module (14) provided at its opening end (111). The second magnetic module (14) includes a magnetic core (141) and a coil (142). The magnetic core (141) is constructed on the second housing (12), and the coil (142) is wound around the outer periphery of the magnetic core (141). The control device is electrically connected to the coil (142). The control device is used to control the current direction of the coil (142), thereby changing the magnetic polarity of the second magnetic module (14) so that the second magnetic module (14) attracts or repels the first magnetic module (13).
2. The foldable case of claim 1, wherein, The second housing (12) has a slot (121) at its opening end (111), the magnetic core (141) protrudes from the bottom wall of the slot (121), and the coil (142) is located in the slot (121).
3. The foldable case of claim 2, wherein, The groove (121) is annular, and the portion of the second housing (12) enclosed by the groove (121) constitutes the magnetic core (141). At least the magnetic core (141) in the second housing (12) is a ferromagnetic material.
4. The foldable case of claim 2, wherein, The magnetic core (141) is made of ferromagnetic material, and one end of the magnetic core (141) is welded or hot-melted to the bottom wall of the groove (121).
5. The folding housing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first magnetic module (13) is a permanent magnet.
6. The folding housing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The foldable housing also includes a trigger (15) electrically connected to the control device. The trigger (15) is used to send an unfolding signal to the control device, thereby causing the control device to control the second magnetic module (14) to be mutually exclusive with the first magnetic module (13).
7. The folding housing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The foldable housing also includes a detection element (16) electrically connected to the control device. The detection element (16) is used to send a closing signal to the control device when the opening and closing ends (111) of the first housing (11) and the second housing (12) are close to each other, so that the control device controls the second magnetic module (14) to be attracted to the first magnetic module (13).
8. The folding housing according to claim 7, characterized in that, The detection component (16) is an angle sensor.
9. The folding housing according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are multiple first magnetic modules (13) and multiple second magnetic modules (14). Multiple first magnetic modules (13) are distributed at intervals at the opening and closing ends (111) of the first housing (11), and multiple second magnetic modules (14) are distributed at intervals at the opening and closing ends (111) of the second housing (12).
10. A foldable electronic device, characterized in that, The foldable electronic device includes the foldable housing as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.