Hinge mechanism and intelligent terminal

Abstract

The utility model provides a hinge mechanism and an intelligent terminal.The hinge mechanism comprises a hinge device and a screen connecting device, the hinge device comprises a hinge base and two rotating assemblies, and the two rotating assemblies are arranged on the two opposite sides of the hinge base in the first direction respectively; the rotating assembly comprises a rotating arm and a connecting seat, the rotating arm is rotatably connected to the hinge base, an avoiding space is formed in the connecting seat, and the rotating arm is rotatably arranged in the avoiding space; the screen connecting device is used for connecting the rotating arm and the flexible display screen; the hinge mechanism is configured to switch between an unfolded state and a folded state. According to the technical scheme, by introducing the hinge mechanism and the screen connecting device, stable supporting of the flexible display screen in the unfolded state and the folded state is guaranteed, uniform distribution of pressure during folding is achieved through the two-plate type structure, creases are reduced, and the overall stability is guaranteed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of electronic device technology, and more particularly to a hinge mechanism and a smart terminal. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of smart devices, foldable screen terminals have emerged. Foldable screen terminals achieve screen folding and unfolding by adopting a flexible screen and hinge design. A foldable screen terminal includes a flexible screen, two support plates, and a lifting middle plate set between the two support plates. The flexible screen is mounted on the surface of the support plates and the lifting middle plate.

[0003] In conceiving and implementing this application, the inventors discovered at least the following problems: In some solutions, to ensure screen space, the lifting middle plate is designed to float, moving away from the screen when the device is folded. However, this design makes it difficult to control the position of the lifting middle plate. In some situations, excessive movement of the lifting middle plate can cause the screen to be pulled or squeezed, resulting in deeper creases or even damage to the screen.

[0004] The preceding description is intended to provide general background information and does not necessarily constitute prior art. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the above problems, this application provides a hinge mechanism and a smart terminal. By introducing a hinge mechanism and a screen connection device, the flexible display screen is stably supported in both the unfolded and folded states. The two-plate structure achieves uniform pressure distribution during folding, reduces creases, and ensures overall stability.

[0006] This application provides a hinge mechanism, including:

[0007] At least one hinge device, including a hinge base and a rotating assembly, wherein there are two rotating assemblies, and the two rotating assemblies are disposed on opposite sides of the hinge base along a first direction;

[0008] The rotating assembly includes a rotating arm and a connecting seat. The rotating arm is rotatably connected to the hinge base. The connecting seat has an clearance space, and the rotating arm is rotatably disposed in the clearance space.

[0009] A screen connection device for connecting the rotating arm and the flexible display screen;

[0010] The hinge mechanism is configured to switch between an unfolded state and a folded state. In the unfolded state, the screen connection device and the hinge base jointly support the flexible display screen. In the folded state, a portion of the surface of the hinge base supports the flexible display screen in the central region of the hinge base.

[0011] Optionally, the hinge base includes rotational spaces on both sides of the central axis along the first direction, and the rotating arm is rotatably disposed in the rotational space.

[0012] Optionally, the inner walls of the rotating space on both sides along the second direction are provided with arc-shaped rotating rails, and the outer walls of the rotating arm on both sides along the second direction are provided with rotating grooves. The rotating rails are fitted into the corresponding rotating grooves so that the rotating arm can rotate relative to the hinge base.

[0013] Optionally, the two rotation spaces are offset along the second direction.

[0014] Optionally, the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

[0015] Optionally, the screen connection device includes two support plates corresponding to the rotating assembly, the two support plates are hinged together, the support plates are used to support the flexible display screen, and the support plates are connected to the corresponding rotating arms;

[0016] In the unfolded state, the surfaces of the two support plates and a portion of the hinge base form a continuous surface in the central region of the hinge base and together support the flexible display screen.

[0017] Optionally, the connecting seat includes a base and a first connecting side plate disposed on the base, with a clearance space defined between the two first connecting side plates; the first connecting side plate is provided with a pivot hole, the rotating arm is provided with a pivot shaft, the rotating arm is located in the clearance space, and the pivot shaft passes through the pivot hole.

[0018] Optionally, the hinge device further includes a damping gear corresponding to the rotating assembly;

[0019] The rotating assembly further includes a gear arm that extends along the first direction. One end of the gear arm is provided with meshing teeth suitable for meshing with the damping gear, and the other end of the gear arm is slidably engaged with the connecting seat. The gear arm and the rotating arm are spaced apart along the second direction.

[0020] Optionally, the hinge mechanism further includes a limiting component located at one end of the hinge base along the second direction to limit the gear arm in the rotational direction.

[0021] Optionally, the limiting component includes a limiting bracket, which is fixedly disposed at one end of the hinge base facing the damping gear, and the damping gear is disposed on the limiting bracket.

[0022] Optionally, the limiting component further includes a limiting member disposed on the limiting bracket, the limiting member having a limiting notch, and the gear arm having a limiting protrusion; in the unfolded state, the limiting protrusion is located within the limiting notch; in the folded state, the limiting protrusion disengages from the limiting notch.

[0023] Optionally, the limiting component further includes an elastic element disposed on the limiting bracket, with one end abutting against the limiting component. During the unfolding and / or folding of the hinge mechanism, the length of the elastic element changes.

[0024] Optionally, the limiting bracket includes a support base and two fixed shafts; the support base includes end plates located at both ends of the base body along the second direction, one of the end plates being fixedly connected to the hinge base; the two fixed shafts are located at both ends of the end plates along the first direction, and one end of the gear arm with the meshing teeth is sleeved on the fixed shaft, so that the gear arm rotates around the corresponding fixed shaft.

[0025] Optionally, the two damping gears are located between the two fixed shafts, and the two ends of the limiting member are respectively sleeved on the two fixed shafts and located on the side of the gear arm away from the hinge base. The limiting member is adapted to move along the fixed shaft.

[0026] Optionally, the elastic element includes two corresponding to the fixed shaft, each elastic element is sleeved on the corresponding fixed shaft, and both ends are connected to the end plate and the limiting element respectively.

[0027] Optionally, in the unfolded state, both ends of the rotating rail extend beyond the surface of the rotating arm, the support plate is provided with clearance holes adapted to the ends of the rotating rail, the ends of the rotating rail extend into the clearance holes, and the end face of the rotating rail is flush with the side surface of the support plate facing away from the rotating arm.

[0028] Optionally, the hinge device includes at least two hinge devices, which are arranged at intervals along the second direction and are all connected to the screen connection device.

[0029] Optionally, the hinge mechanism further includes an outer trim piece disposed on the side of the hinge base facing away from the screen connection device, and the hinge base is fixedly connected to the outer trim piece.

[0030] This application also provides a smart terminal, including the hinge mechanism described in any of the above embodiments.

[0031] This application provides a hinge mechanism and a smart terminal. By eliminating the lifting middle plate design in traditional technology and introducing a hinge mechanism and a screen connection device, it achieves stable switching between the smart terminal's unfolded and folded states, ensuring uniform support for the flexible display screen in both states. Two rotating components are provided, each with a rotating arm. Thus, the screen connection device can form a two-plate structure by connecting the rotating arms.

[0032] In this application, the screen connection device and the hinge base together support the flexible display screen. When folded, the flexible display screens on both sides of the hinge base are closed, avoiding the phenomenon of the flexible display screen being raised when the lifting plate is folded in the traditional technology. It also achieves a uniform distribution of pressure when folding, thereby improving the overall stability.

[0033] The technical solution of this application also avoids the phenomenon of the flexible display screen being raised when the lifting middle plate is folded in the traditional technology, and also achieves a uniform distribution of pressure when folding, thereby improving the overall stability. Compared with the traditional design, this design also reduces the risk of damage caused by drops, reduces creases, and ensures overall stability. Attached Figure Description

[0034] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the hinge mechanism according to an embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the central hinge device in its unfolded state;

[0037] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the hinge device in its folded state;

[0038] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a smart terminal according to some embodiments of this application;

[0039] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a smart terminal from another perspective, representing some embodiments of this application.

[0040] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a mobile terminal provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0041] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of this application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0042] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element. Optionally, components, features, and elements with the same names in different embodiments of this application may have the same meaning or different meanings, the specific meaning of which needs to be determined by its interpretation in that specific embodiment or further in conjunction with the context of that specific embodiment.

[0043] It should be understood that in the description of this application, terms such as "inner" and "outer" indicate directions or positional relationships based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. This is merely for the convenience of description and does not indicate or imply that the device or component must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0044] Furthermore, it should be noted that, in the description of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection 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.

[0045] 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 technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0046] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this disclosure. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0047] It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of this application and are not intended to limit this application.

[0048] To facilitate understanding, the application scenarios applicable to the embodiments of this application will be described below.

[0049] With the development of smart devices, smart terminals have emerged, such as flexible display mobile phones. Smart terminals achieve screen folding and unfolding by adopting flexible screen and hinge design.

[0050] Traditional smart terminals include a screen, two support plates, and a lifting middle plate positioned between the two support plates. The screen is mounted on the surfaces of the support plates and the lifting middle plate. To ensure sufficient space for the screen and to avoid the screen being too high, the lifting middle plate is designed to float, moving away from the screen when the device is folded.

[0051] However, this design makes the position of the lifting middle plate difficult to control, resulting in a loose and uncontrolled overall structure. In certain scenarios, such as drops from a height, external impacts can cause the lifting middle plate to not float naturally. Excessive movement of the lifting middle plate can pull or squeeze the screen, deepening creases or even damaging the screen. The floating design of the lifting middle plate can also cause uneven pressure on the screen during folding, resulting in an arching phenomenon. The presence of the lifting middle plate usually increases the distance between the hinge and the screen, potentially affecting the screen's display quality.

[0052] In view of this, this application provides a hinge mechanism and a smart terminal. By eliminating the lifting middle plate design in the traditional technology and introducing a hinge mechanism and a screen connection device, the smart terminal can be stably switched between the unfolded state and the folded state, ensuring uniform support of the flexible display screen in both states. In addition, there are two rotating components, each with a rotating arm. Thus, the screen connection device can form a two-plate structure by connecting the rotating arms.

[0053] In this design, the screen connection device and hinge base work together to support the flexible display screen. During folding, the flexible display screen on both sides of the hinge base closes directly, avoiding the phenomenon of the flexible display screen being pushed up during folding that can occur with traditional lifting plates. This design also ensures even pressure distribution during folding, thereby improving overall stability. Compared to traditional designs, this design also reduces the risk of damage from drops, minimizes creases, and guarantees overall stability.

[0054] The following is combined with Figures 1-5 A hinge mechanism according to a first aspect embodiment of this application is described.

[0055] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 The hinge mechanism of this embodiment can be used in a smart terminal, which may include a flexible display screen 10. The hinge mechanism includes at least one hinge device 100 and a screen connection device 200.

[0056] The hinge device 100 includes a hinge base 110 and a rotating assembly 120. There are two rotating assemblies 120, which are respectively located on opposite sides of the hinge base 110 along a first direction and are both rotatable relative to the hinge base 110. The rotating assembly 120 is a component that connects the support plate 210 and the hinge base 110, allowing the support plate 210 to rotate on the hinge base 110 to realize the folding and unfolding of the flexible display screen 10.

[0057] The rotating assembly 120 includes a rotating arm 121 and a connecting seat 122. The rotating arm 121 is rotatably connected to the hinge base 110. The connecting seat 122 has a clearance space 1223, and the rotating arm 121 is rotatably disposed in the clearance space 1223.

[0058] By designing the clearance space 1223, sufficient range of motion is provided for the rotation of the rotating arm 121, and the movement of the rotating arm 121 is also limited to a certain extent, ensuring that the rotating arm 121 moves within the preset trajectory, making the opening and closing process of the flexible display screen 10 more stable and controllable.

[0059] A screen connection device 200 is used to connect the rotating arm 121 and the flexible display screen 10. Optionally, the screen connection device 200 may include two support plates 210 for mounting the flexible display screen 10.

[0060] The hinge mechanism is configured to switch between an unfolded state and a folded state. In the unfolded state, the screen connection device 200 and the hinge base 110 jointly support the flexible display screen 10. In the folded state, a portion of the surface of the hinge base 110 supports the flexible display screen 10 in the central region of the hinge base 110.

[0061] Optionally, in the unfolded state, the screen connecting device 200 and the hinge base 100 can jointly form a continuous surface and jointly support the flexible display screen 10, ensuring the flatness of the surface of the flexible display screen 10; when folded, the screen connecting device 200 rotates relative to the hinge base 110 through the rotating arm 121, and the rotation enables the flexible display screen 10 to be folded up. In the folded state, part of the surface of the hinge base 110 supports the flexible display screen 10 in the central area of ​​the hinge base 110.

[0062] Thus, by eliminating the lifting middle plate design in traditional technology and introducing a hinge mechanism and screen connection device 200, a stable switching between the unfolded and folded states of the smart terminal is achieved, ensuring uniform support of the flexible display screen 10 in both states. It can be understood that there are two rotating components, and each rotating component is equipped with a rotating arm. In this way, the screen connection device can form a two-plate structure by connecting the rotating arms.

[0063] In this design, the screen connection device 200 and the hinge base 110 jointly support the flexible display screen 10. During folding, the flexible display screens on both sides of the hinge base are directly closed, avoiding the phenomenon of the flexible display screen 10 being pushed up during folding, which may occur with the lifting middle plate in traditional technologies. This design also achieves a uniform distribution of pressure during folding, thereby improving overall stability. Compared to traditional designs, this design also reduces the risk of damage from drops, minimizes creases, and ensures overall stability.

[0064] The two-plate structure reduces overall complexity, fewer parts, and lower assembly costs. Optionally, this design reduces the number of parts at the hinge mechanism of the flexible display phone to approximately 35. It also simplifies and stabilizes the overall structure, reduces creases, and improves the aesthetics and lifespan of the flexible display 10. The direct folding of the screen connector 200 reduces the folding gap, improves overall compactness, and also ensures the display effect of the flexible display 10, enhancing the user experience.

[0065] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4The screen connection device 200 includes two support plates 210 corresponding to the rotating component 120. Each support plate 210 is connected to the corresponding rotating component 120. The two support plates 210 are hinged together. The support plates 210 are used to install the flexible display screen 10 to ensure that the screen remains stable when folded and unfolded.

[0066] In the unfolded state, the surfaces of the two support plates 210 and part of the hinge base 110 form a continuous surface in the central region of the hinge base 110 and jointly support the flexible display screen 10. This continuous surface jointly supports the flexible display screen 10 to ensure the flatness of the surface of the flexible display screen 10.

[0067] In this design, the two support plates 210 form a two-plate structure, avoiding the phenomenon of the flexible display screen 10 being raised too high during folding, which may occur in traditional technologies where the lifting middle plate rises during folding. It also achieves uniform pressure distribution during folding, thereby improving overall stability. In situations such as device drops or impacts, the two-plate structure reduces the risk of damage from drops by providing uniform support and fewer moving parts, minimizing creases and ensuring overall stability. The two-plate structure reduces overall complexity, fewer parts, and lower assembly costs. For example, this design reduces the number of parts at the flexible display screen phone hinge mechanism to approximately 35. It also simplifies and stabilizes the overall structure, reduces creases, and improves the aesthetics and lifespan of the flexible display screen 10. The direct connection of the two support plates 210 reduces the folding gap, improves overall compactness, and ensures the display effect of the flexible display screen 10, enhancing the user experience.

[0068] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 2 and Figure 3 The hinge base 110 defines rotation spaces 111 located on both sides of the central axis along the first direction of the hinge base 110. The rotation spaces 111 provide a range of motion for the rotating arm 121, enabling the support plate 210 to be folded and unfolded. The design of the rotation spaces 111 can limit the excessive movement of the rotating arm 121, preventing it from causing unnecessary pulling or squeezing of the flexible display screen 10, thereby extending the service life of the flexible display screen 10.

[0069] The rotating assembly 120 includes a rotating arm 121, which is rotatably disposed in the rotating space 111. The support plate 210 is connected to the corresponding rotating arm 121. Optionally, the rotating arm 121 is attached to the side of the support plate 210 away from the flexible display screen 10, thereby improving the compactness of the hinge mechanism and the space utilization of the smart terminal. The attachment design between the rotating arm 121 and the support plate 210 can enhance the connection stability between the two.

[0070] The coordinated design of the hinge base 110 and the rotating assembly 120 ensures the compactness and efficiency of the hinge mechanism. The rigid connection between the rotating arm 121 and the support plate 210 stabilizes the hinge mechanism, guaranteeing the safety of the flexible display screen 10 in situations such as drops or impacts. It also ensures that the rotating arm 121 moves within the limited rotation space 111, guaranteeing smooth and controllable movement of the screen during folding and unfolding, thus improving the durability of the smart terminal.

[0071] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 2 and Figure 3 The rotating space 111 has arc-shaped rotating rails 112 on both sides of the inner wall along the second direction, and the rotating arm 121 has rotating grooves 1211 on both sides of the outer wall along the second direction. The rotating rails 112 are fitted into the corresponding rotating grooves 1211 so that the rotating arm 121 can rotate relative to the hinge base 110.

[0072] The cooperation between the arc-shaped rotating rail 112 and the rotating groove 1211 ensures that the movement trajectory of the rotating arm 121 during rotation is controllable and predictable, which helps to maintain the stability and flatness of the screen during folding and unfolding. The arc-shaped rotating rail 112 can provide strong support for the rotating arm 121. During folding and unfolding, the rotating rail 112 can evenly distribute pressure, preventing the rotating arm 121 from deforming or being damaged due to uneven force.

[0073] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 2 The two rotation spaces 111 are offset along a second direction, with the first direction perpendicular to the second direction. By offsetting the two rotation spaces 111 along the second direction, interference between the two rotating arms 121 during folding and unfolding is prevented, which helps ensure that the screen can be folded and unfolded smoothly, while reducing friction and noise caused by interference. The offset rotation spaces 111 improve the structural stability of the hinge mechanism, allowing for a more even distribution of pressure on the screen during folding. In addition, it also enables the rational use of space in the smart terminal, reducing the overall size and improving portability.

[0074] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 2 and Figure 3The rotating assembly 120 also includes a connecting seat 122, which is connected to the rotating arm 121. The connecting seat 122 includes a base 1221 and a first connecting side plate 1222 disposed on the base 1221. There are two first connecting side plates 1222 arranged opposite to each other along a second direction, and a clearance space 1223 is defined between the two first connecting side plates 1222. The clearance space 1223 provides movement space for the rotating arm 121, ensuring the smoothness of the screen during folding and unfolding. Optionally, the first connecting side plate 1222 is provided with a pivot hole, and the rotating arm 121 is provided with a pivot shaft. The rotating arm 121 is located in the clearance space 1223, and the pivot shaft passes through the pivot hole.

[0075] By designing the connecting seat 122, the stability of the hinge mechanism is enhanced, and the rotating arm 121 can maintain a smooth movement trajectory during folding and unfolding. The design and molding of the pivot hole and pivot shaft are simple and cost-effective. The cooperation between the pivot hole and pivot shaft improves the transmission stability and ensures that the rotation of the rotating arm 121 is smooth and controllable. This helps to reduce creases and wear on the flexible display screen 10 and improve the durability of the device.

[0076] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 1 and Figure 2 The hinge device 100 also includes a damping gear 300. There are two damping gears 300 corresponding to the rotating component 120. The damping gear 300 is located at one end of the hinge base 110 along the second direction. The function of the damping gear 300 is to provide a certain resistance to control the speed of screen folding and unfolding.

[0077] Optionally, each rotating assembly 120 further includes a gear arm 130, which extends along a first direction. One end of the gear arm 130 is provided with meshing teeth 131 adapted to mesh with the damping gear 300, and the other end of the gear arm 130 is slidably engaged with the connecting seat 122. When the rotating assembly 120 rotates, the gear arm 130 can drive the damping gear 300 to rotate together. During rotation, the gear arm 130 has a certain displacement relative to the connecting seat 122 to adapt to folding and unfolding operations at different angles. The gear arm 130 and the rotating arm 121 are spaced apart along a second direction. In this way, the gear arm 130 and the rotating arm 121 will not interfere with each other during rotation, and the structural compactness and stability of the hinge mechanism are also ensured.

[0078] The design of the damping gear 300 allows users to control the folding and unfolding speed of the screen more smoothly. The damping gear 300 can also reduce the impact and noise caused by rapid folding and unfolding, protect the screen and hinge mechanism from damage, improve the structural stability and adjustability of the hinge mechanism, and ensure the user experience.

[0079] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 1 and Figure 2 The hinge mechanism also includes a limiting component 400, which is located at one end of the hinge base 110 along the second direction to limit the gear arm 130 in the rotation direction.

[0080] When the gear arm 130 rotates with the rotating component 120, when the gear arm 130 reaches the preset rotation angle, the limiting component 400 will apply a certain resistance to the gear arm 130 and prevent the gear arm 130 from continuing to rotate, thereby achieving auxiliary control of the screen folding and unfolding angle and improving the user experience.

[0081] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 1 and Figure 2 The limiting assembly 400 includes a limiting bracket 410 and a limiting member 420. Optionally, the limiting bracket 410 is fixedly disposed at one end of the hinge base 110 facing the damping gear 300, and the damping gear 300 is rotatably disposed on the limiting bracket 410. The limiting bracket 410 provides a support platform for the damping gear 300, ensuring the smooth rotation of the damping gear 300.

[0082] Optionally, a limiting member 420 is provided on the limiting bracket 410, and a limiting notch 421 is provided on the limiting member 420. A limiting protrusion 132 is provided on the gear arm 130. When the hinge mechanism is in the unfolded state, the limiting protrusion 132 is located within the limiting notch 421. When the hinge mechanism is in the folded state, the limiting protrusion 132 disengages from the limiting notch 421. The limiting notch 421 and the limiting protrusion 132 on the gear arm 130 cooperate to jointly control the rotation range of the gear arm 130.

[0083] The engagement of the limiting protrusion 132 and the limiting notch 421 ensures that the screen maintains a stable position when unfolded, preventing folding or shaking caused by accidental touch or external force. When the hinge mechanism is in the folded state, the limiting protrusion 132 disengages from the limiting notch 421, allowing the gear arm 130 to continue rotating until the preset folding angle is reached. This ensures that the screen does not exceed the preset angle range during folding and unfolding, protecting the screen from damage and improving device reliability.

[0084] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 2 The limiting notch 421 may also be provided with at least two, and the at least two limiting notches 421 are located on the same circumference and are evenly spaced. The limiting notch 421 may be configured such that when the hinge mechanism is fully extended, when the hinge mechanism is fully folded, or when the hinge mechanism is folded to a preset angle, the limiting protrusion 132 is located in the limiting notch 421, and when the hinge mechanism changes from the above states, the limiting protrusion 132 disengages from the limiting notch 421.

[0085] Optionally, the circumferential angle between adjacent limiting notches 421 can be 15°-35°, such as 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, or 35°.

[0086] Thus, when the hinge mechanism is fully extended, fully folded, or folded to a preset angle, the limiting protrusion 132 will be accommodated within the corresponding limiting notch 421, thereby ensuring the stability of the flexible display screen 10 in that position. When the hinge mechanism needs to change from one stable state to another (e.g., from the fully extended state to the folded state to the preset angle state), the limiting protrusion 132 will first disengage from the current limiting notch 421, and then move into the next limiting notch 421 as the gear arm 130 rotates, ensuring a smooth transition and stability of the hinge mechanism during folding and unfolding.

[0087] The design of at least two limiting notches 421 enables the hinge mechanism to remain stable at multiple preset angle positions, enhancing the flexibility of the device. Users can select different folding angles according to actual needs, improving the user experience.

[0088] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 2 The limiting bracket 410 includes a support base 411 and a fixed shaft 412. At least two support bases 411 include end plates located at both ends of the base body along a second direction, one of which is fixedly connected to the hinge base 110, ensuring a stable connection between the limiting bracket 410 and the hinge base 110.

[0089] At least two fixed shafts 412 are provided, and the two fixed shafts 412 are respectively provided at both ends of the end plate along the first direction. The two ends of each fixed shaft 412 are respectively connected to the two end plates. The end of the gear arm 130 with meshing teeth 131 is sleeved on the fixed shaft 412 so that the gear arm 130 rotates around the corresponding fixed shaft 412. Two damping gears 300 are located between the two fixed shafts 412. The two ends of the limiting member 420 are respectively sleeved on the two fixed shafts 412 and are located on the side of the gear arm 130 away from the hinge base 110. The limiting member 420 is adapted to move along the fixed shaft 412.

[0090] At least two elastic elements 430 are corresponding to the fixed shaft 412. Each elastic element is sleeved on the corresponding fixed shaft 412, and its two ends are connected to the end plate and the limiting element 420, respectively. When the limiting protrusion 132 disengages from the limiting notch 421, the elastic element 430 is compressed and stores elastic potential energy. When the limiting protrusion 132 rotates to the next limiting notch 421, the elastic element 430 releases its potential energy, pushing the limiting element 420 to reset, ensuring that the limiting protrusion 132 falls into the limiting notch 421.

[0091] In the initial state, the limiting protrusion 132 is located in the limiting notch 421, and the flexible display screen 10 is at a stable angle. When it is necessary to change the folding angle of the flexible display screen 10, the user applies external force to rotate the gear arm 130. This causes the limiting protrusion 132 to disengage from the current limiting notch 421 and pushes the limiting member 420 to move away from itself along the fixed axis 412. During the process of the limiting protrusion 132 disengaging from the limiting notch 421, the elastic member 430 is compressed and stores elastic potential energy. When the limiting protrusion 132 rotates to the next limiting notch 421, the elastic member 430 releases its potential energy, pushing the limiting member 420 to reset, causing the limiting protrusion 132 to fall into the new limiting notch 421. During rotation, the damping gear 300 and the meshing teeth 131 of the gear arm 130 cooperate to produce a damping effect, slowing down the folding and unfolding speed of the screen and improving the user's operating experience.

[0092] As can be seen, the limiting bracket 410, through the cooperation of components such as the support base 411, the fixed shaft 412, the elastic element 430, the limiting element 420, the damping gear 300 and the gear arm 130, realizes the control of the folding angle of the flexible display screen 10, ensures the stability of the flexible display screen 10, and improves the durability of the equipment and the user experience.

[0093] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the unfolded state, both ends of the rotating rail 112 extend beyond the surface of the rotating arm 121. The support plate 210 has clearance holes that fit the ends of the rotating rail 112. The ends of the rotating rail 112 extend into the clearance holes, and the end face of the rotating rail 112 is flush with the side surface of the support plate 210 facing away from the rotating arm 121. This ensures that the rotating rail 112 can move smoothly within the clearance holes, and also guarantees the stability and smoothness of the hinge mechanism during folding and unfolding, improving the durability of the smart terminal and the user experience.

[0094] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 1 and Figure 4 There are at least two hinge devices 100, which are arranged at intervals along the second direction and are all connected to the screen connection device 200.

[0095] In a smart terminal, the number of hinge devices 100 can be appropriately selected according to the size of the smart terminal to ensure the stability and flexibility of the screen. Optionally, two, three or more hinge devices 100 can be used in a smart terminal. At least two hinge devices 100 work together to ensure the overall stability and consistency of the screen during folding and unfolding, thereby improving the durability of the smart terminal and the user experience.

[0096] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 1 and Figure 5The hinge mechanism also includes an outer trim piece 500, which is located on the side of the hinge base 110 facing away from the screen connection device 200. The hinge base 110 is fixedly connected to the outer trim piece 500, and the support base 411 is fixedly connected to the outer trim piece 500. Optionally, the fixed connection method can be a bolt connection. Optionally, the material of the outer trim piece 500 can be selected from metal, plastic, glass, or other synthetic materials according to design requirements.

[0097] The design of the outer trim 500 enhances the overall aesthetics of the smart terminal and also provides a certain degree of protection, preventing the hinge base 110 from being damaged by the external environment, such as scratches, impacts, or corrosion. This helps extend the service life of the hinge mechanism and maintain the stability and reliability of the smart terminal.

[0098] The following is combined with Figure 4 and Figure 5 This application describes an embodiment of a smart terminal.

[0099] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The smart terminal includes the hinge mechanism, screen support assembly 20, and flexible display screen 10 as described in any of the above embodiments. There are two screen support assemblies 20, each connected to one of the two support plates 210 of the hinge mechanism. The surface of the support plate 210 is flush with the surface of the screen support assembly 20 to ensure the flatness and stability of the flexible display screen 10 during folding and unfolding.

[0100] The flexible display screen 10 is an important component of the smart terminal. It is usually made of flexible materials and can realize the folding and unfolding of the screen. The flexible display screen 10 includes at least two folding areas. A part of each folding area is connected to the screen support component 20 and the other part is connected to the support plate 210, which ensures that the flexible display screen 10 can maintain a stable shape and position during folding and unfolding.

[0101] The connection and coordinated operation between the hinge mechanism, screen support assembly 20 and flexible display screen 10 enable the smart terminal to achieve stable folding and unfolding functions, while maintaining the flatness and durability of the flexible display screen 10, improving the portability and flexibility of the smart terminal, and enhancing the user experience.

[0102] Optionally, the smart terminal can be implemented in various forms. For example, the smart terminal described in this application may include mobile terminals such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops, handheld computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable media players (PMPs), navigation devices, wearable devices, smart bracelets, pedometers, etc., as well as fixed terminals such as digital TVs and desktop computers.

[0103] The following description will use a mobile terminal as an example. Those skilled in the art will understand that, in addition to components specifically designed for mobile purposes, the construction according to the embodiments of this application can also be applied to fixed-type terminals.

[0104] Please see Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a mobile terminal implementing various embodiments of this application. The mobile terminal 1000 may include: an RF (Radio Frequency) unit 1010, a WiFi module 1020, an audio output unit 1030, an A / V (Audio / Video) input unit 1040, a sensor 1050, a display unit 1060, a user input unit 1070, an interface unit 1080, a memory 1090, a processor 1100, and a power supply 1110, etc. Those skilled in the art will understand that... Figure 6 The mobile terminal structure shown does not constitute a limitation on the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.

[0105] The following is combined with Figure 6 A detailed introduction to each component of the mobile terminal:

[0106] The radio frequency (RF) unit 1010 can be used for receiving and transmitting signals during information transmission or calls. Specifically, it receives downlink information from the base station and processes it with the processor 1100; additionally, it transmits uplink data to the base station. Typically, the RF unit 1010 includes, but is not limited to, an antenna, at least one amplifier, a transceiver, a coupler, a low-noise amplifier, and a duplexer. Furthermore, the RF unit 1010 can also communicate wirelessly with networks and other devices. The aforementioned wireless communications may use any communication standard or protocol, including but not limited to GSM (Global System of Mobile communication), GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), CDMA2000 (Code Division Multiple Access 2000), WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), TD-SCDMA (Time Division-Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access), FDD-LTE (Frequency Division Duplexing-Long Term Evolution), TDD-LTE (Time Division Duplexing-Long Term Evolution), 5G, and 6G.

[0107] WiFi is a short-range wireless transmission technology. Mobile terminals using the WiFi module 1020 can help users send and receive emails, browse web pages, and access streaming media, providing users with wireless broadband internet access. Although Figure 6 The WiFi module 1020 is shown, but it is understood that it is not a necessary component of the mobile terminal and can be omitted as needed without changing the nature of this application.

[0108] The audio output unit 1030 can convert audio data received by the radio frequency unit 1010 or the WiFi module 1020 or stored in the memory 1090 into audio signals and output them as sound when the mobile terminal 1000 is in call signal receiving mode, call mode, recording mode, voice recognition mode, broadcast receiving mode, etc. Furthermore, the audio output unit 1030 can also provide audio output related to specific functions performed by the mobile terminal 1000 (e.g., call signal receiving sound, message receiving sound, etc.). The audio output unit 1030 may include a speaker, a buzzer, etc.

[0109] The A / V input unit 1040 is used to receive audio or video signals. The A / V input unit 1040 may include a graphics processing unit (GPU) 1041 and a microphone 1042. The GPU 1041 processes image data of still images or videos acquired by an image capture device (such as a camera) in video capture mode or image capture mode. The processed image frames can be displayed on the display unit 1060. The image frames processed by the GPU 1041 can be stored in the memory 1090 (or other storage medium) or transmitted via the radio frequency unit 1010 or the WiFi module 1020. The microphone 1042 can receive sound (audio data) in operating modes such as telephone call mode, recording mode, and voice recognition mode, and can process such sound into audio data. The processed audio (voice) data can be converted into a format that can be transmitted to a mobile communication base station via the radio frequency unit 1010 in telephone call mode. Microphone 1042 can implement various types of noise cancellation (or suppression) algorithms to eliminate (or suppress) noise or interference generated during the reception and transmission of audio signals.

[0110] The mobile terminal 1000 also includes at least one sensor 1050, such as a light sensor, a motion sensor, and other sensors. Optionally, the light sensor includes an ambient light sensor and a proximity sensor. Optionally, the ambient light sensor can adjust the brightness of the display panel 1061 according to the ambient light level, and the proximity sensor can turn off the display panel 1061 and / or backlight when the mobile terminal 1000 is moved to the ear. As a type of motion sensor, the accelerometer sensor can detect the magnitude of acceleration in various directions (generally three axes), and can detect the magnitude and direction of gravity when stationary. It can be used for applications that recognize the phone's posture (such as landscape / portrait switching, related games, magnetometer posture calibration), vibration recognition related functions (such as pedometer, tapping), etc. Other sensors that may be configured in the phone, such as fingerprint sensors, pressure sensors, iris sensors, molecular sensors, gyroscopes, barometers, hygrometers, thermometers, and infrared sensors, will not be described in detail here.

[0111] The display unit 1060 is used to display information input by the user or information provided to the user. The display unit 1060 may include a display panel 1061, which may be configured in the form of a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), or the like.

[0112] The user input unit 1070 can be used to receive input numerical or character information, and generate key signal inputs related to user settings and function control of the mobile terminal. Optionally, the user input unit 1070 may include a touch panel 1071 and other input devices 1072. The touch panel 1071, also known as a touch screen, can collect touch operations performed by the user on or near it (such as operations performed by the user using a finger, stylus, or any suitable object or accessory on or near the touch panel 1071), and drive the corresponding connection devices according to a pre-set program. The touch panel 1071 may include a touch detection device and a touch controller. Optionally, the touch detection device detects the user's touch position and the signal generated by the touch operation, and transmits the signal to the touch controller; the touch controller receives touch information from the touch detection device, converts it into touch point coordinates, and sends it to the processor 1100, and can also receive and execute commands sent by the processor 1100. In addition, the touch panel 1071 can be implemented using various types such as resistive, capacitive, infrared, and surface acoustic wave. In addition to the touch panel 1071, the user input unit 1070 may also include other input devices 1072. Optionally, other input devices 1072 may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: physical keyboard, function keys (such as volume control buttons, power buttons, etc.), trackball, mouse, joystick, etc., without being specifically limited here.

[0113] Optionally, the touch panel 1071 may cover the display panel 1061. When the touch panel 1071 detects a touch operation on or near it, it transmits the information to the processor 1100 to determine the type of touch event. Subsequently, the processor 1100 provides corresponding visual output on the display panel 1061 based on the type of touch event. Although in Figure 6 In this embodiment, the touch panel 1071 and the display panel 1061 are two independent components to realize the input and output functions of the mobile terminal. However, in some embodiments, the touch panel 1071 and the display panel 1061 can be integrated to realize the input and output functions of the mobile terminal. The specific implementation is not limited here.

[0114] Interface unit 1080 serves as an interface through which at least one external device can connect to mobile terminal 1000. For example, the external device may include a wired or wireless headset port, an external power supply (or battery charger) port, a wired or wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device with an identification module, an audio input / output (I / O) port, a video I / O port, a headphone port, and so on. Interface unit 1080 may be used to receive input (e.g., data, power, etc.) from the external device and transmit the received input to one or more elements within mobile terminal 1000, or it may be used to transmit data between mobile terminal 1000 and the external device.

[0115] The memory 1090 can be used to store software programs and various data. The memory 1090 may primarily include a program storage area and a data storage area. Optionally, the program storage area may store the operating system, applications required for at least one function (such as sound playback, image playback, etc.), etc.; the data storage area may store data created based on the use of the mobile phone (such as audio data, phonebook, etc.). Furthermore, the memory 1090 may include high-speed random access memory, and may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device, flash memory device, or other volatile solid-state storage device.

[0116] The processor 1100 is the control center of the mobile terminal. It connects various parts of the mobile terminal via various interfaces and lines. By running or executing software programs and / or modules stored in the memory 1090, and by calling data stored in the memory 1090, it performs various functions and processes data of the mobile terminal, thereby providing overall monitoring of the mobile terminal. The processor 1100 may include one or at least two processing units; preferably, the processor 1100 may integrate an application processor and a modem processor. Optionally, the application processor mainly handles the operating system, user interface, and applications, while the modem processor mainly handles wireless communication. It is understood that the modem processor may not be integrated into the processor 1100.

[0117] The mobile terminal 1000 may also include a power supply 1110 (such as a battery) that supplies power to various components. Preferably, the power supply 1110 can be logically connected to the processor 1100 through a power management system, thereby enabling functions such as charging, discharging, and power consumption management through the power management system.

[0118] although Figure 6 As not shown, the mobile terminal 1000 may also include a Bluetooth module, etc., which will not be described in detail here.

[0119] The units / modules in the terminal of this application embodiment can be merged, divided, and deleted according to actual needs.

[0120] In this application, the same or similar terms, concepts, technical solutions and / or application scenario descriptions are generally described in detail only when they appear for the first time. When they appear again, they are generally not repeated for the sake of brevity. When understanding the technical solutions and other contents of this application, the same or similar terms, concepts, technical solutions and / or application scenario descriptions that are not described in detail later can be referred to their previous relevant detailed descriptions.

[0121] In this application, the descriptions of the various embodiments have different focuses. For parts that are not described in detail or recorded in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0122] The technical features of the present application can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of the present application.

[0123] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this application and do not limit the patent scope of this application. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made using the content of this application's specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of this application.

[0124] It is understood that the above scenarios are merely examples and do not constitute a limitation on the application scenarios of the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. The technical solutions of this application can also be applied to other scenarios. For example, as those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0125] The sequence numbers of the embodiments in this application are for descriptive purposes only and do not represent the superiority or inferiority of the embodiments.

[0126] The units in the device of this application embodiment can be merged, divided, and deleted according to actual needs.

[0127] In this application, the same or similar terms, concepts, technical solutions and / or application scenario descriptions are generally described in detail only when they appear for the first time. When they appear again, they are generally not repeated for the sake of brevity. When understanding the technical solutions and other contents of this application, the same or similar terms, concepts, technical solutions and / or application scenario descriptions that are not described in detail later can be referred to their previous relevant detailed descriptions.

[0128] In this application, the descriptions of the various embodiments have different focuses. For parts that are not described in detail or recorded in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0129] The technical features of the present application can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of the present application.

[0130] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this application and do not limit the patent scope of this application. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made using the content of this application's specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A hinge mechanism, characterized in that, include: At least one hinge device (100) includes a hinge base (110) and a rotating assembly (120), wherein there are two rotating assemblies (120), and the two rotating assemblies (120) are disposed on opposite sides of the hinge base (110) along a first direction; The rotating assembly (120) includes a rotating arm (121) and a connecting seat (122). The rotating arm (121) is rotatably connected to the hinge base (110). The connecting seat (122) has an clearance space (1223), and the rotating arm (121) is rotatably disposed in the clearance space (1223). A screen connection device (200) is used to connect the rotating arm (121) and the flexible display screen (10); The hinge mechanism is configured to switch between an unfolded state and a folded state. In the unfolded state, the screen connection device (200) and the hinge base (110) jointly support the flexible display screen (10). In the folded state, a portion of the surface of the hinge base (110) supports the flexible display screen (10) in the central region of the hinge base (110).

2. The hinge mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hinge base (110) includes rotation spaces (111) on both sides of the central axis along the first direction, and the rotating arm (121) is rotatably disposed in the rotation space (111). The rotating space (111) has arc-shaped rotating rails (112) on its inner walls on opposite sides along the second direction, and the rotating arm (121) has rotating grooves (1211) on its outer walls on opposite sides along the second direction. The rotating rails (112) fit into the corresponding rotating grooves (1211) so that the rotating arm (121) can rotate relative to the hinge base (110); or, In the unfolded state, both ends of the rotating rail (112) extend beyond the surface of the rotating arm (121). The screen connecting device (200) includes two support plates (210) corresponding to the rotating assembly (120). The support plates (210) are provided with clearance holes adapted to the ends of the rotating rail (112). The ends of the rotating rail (112) extend into the clearance holes, and the end face of the rotating rail (112) is flush with the side surface of the support plate (210) facing away from the rotating arm (121).

3. The hinge mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The screen connection device (200) includes two support plates (210) corresponding to the rotating assembly (120); the two support plates (210) are hinged together, the support plates (210) are used to support the flexible display screen (10), and the support plates (210) are connected to the corresponding rotating arms (121); In the unfolded state, the surfaces of the two support plates (210) and a portion of the surface of the hinge base (110) form a continuous surface in the central region of the hinge base (110) and together support the flexible display screen (10).

4. The hinge mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting seat (122) includes a base (1221) and a first connecting side plate (1222) disposed on the base (1221), and the clearance space (1223) is defined between the two first connecting side plates (1222); The first connecting side plate (1222) is provided with a pivot hole, the rotating arm (121) is provided with a pivot shaft, the rotating arm (121) is located in the clearance space (1223), and the pivot shaft passes through the pivot hole.

5. The hinge mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The hinge device (100) further includes a damping gear (300) corresponding to the rotating assembly (120); The rotating assembly (120) further includes a gear arm (130), one end of which is provided with meshing teeth (131) that mesh with the damping gear (300), and the other end of which is slidably engaged with the connecting seat (122). The gear arm (130) and the rotating arm (121) are spaced apart along a second direction.

6. The hinge mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes a limiting component (400) disposed at one end of the hinge base (110) along the second direction to limit the gear arm (130) in the rotational direction.

7. The hinge mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that, The limiting component (400) includes at least one of the following: A limiting bracket (410) is fixedly disposed on one end of the hinge base (110) facing the damping gear (300), and the damping gear (300) is disposed on the limiting bracket (410). A limiting member (420) is provided on the limiting bracket (410). The limiting member (420) has a limiting notch (421), and the gear arm (130) has a limiting protrusion (132). In the unfolded state, the limiting protrusion (132) is located within the limiting notch (421), and in the folded state, the limiting protrusion (132) is disengaged from the limiting notch (421). An elastic element (430) is provided on the limiting bracket (410), with one end abutting against the limiting element (420). During the unfolding and / or folding of the hinge mechanism, the length of the elastic element (430) changes.

8. The hinge mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that, The limiting bracket (410) includes: Support base (411), the support base (411) includes end plates located at both ends of the base body along a second direction, one of the end plates being fixedly connected to the hinge base (110); Two fixed shafts (412) are provided at both ends of the end plate along the first direction. The end of the gear arm (130) with the meshing teeth (131) is sleeved on the fixed shaft (412) so that the gear arm (130) rotates around the corresponding fixed shaft (412).

9. The hinge mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hinge mechanism also includes an outer trim piece (500), which is disposed on the side of the hinge base (110) facing away from the screen connection device (200), and the hinge base (110) is fixedly connected to the outer trim piece (500).

10. A smart terminal, characterized in that, Includes the hinge mechanism as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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