Hinge structure and folding electronic device thereof

Abstract

The utility model provides a hinge structure and its folding electronic equipment, hinge structure includes the body and is provided with the slider, reset spring and swing piece on the body, the slider is slidably arranged along the virtual swing center line direction of swing structure, the first cam structure is provided with in the end of slider near one side of pivot joint, the second cam structure is provided with on the end face of pivot joint near one side of slider, reset spring tends to force the slider to be close to pivot joint, is used for swing piece in swing process's temporary spacing or locking. The utility model swing structure adopts the cooperation of arc plate shape or tile shape pivot joint and circular arc slot, its cross section is semicircle or small semicircle, relative to the pivot joint structure of full circle in the prior art, is lighter and thinner. The cam structure is processed in the tile or arc plate end of pivot joint, is simpler, and cost is lower.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of foldable electronic device technology, and in particular to a hinge structure and a foldable electronic device thereof. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the folding mechanism of foldable electronic devices typically uses a compression spring to press a locking assembly. This causes the concave and convex structures on the locking assembly to slide out and engage with a cam on the transmission arm, generating damping and enabling the folding and unfolding of the electronic device. Current hinge structures are relatively bulky, especially in terms of thickness, making it difficult to achieve a thinner profile. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a hinge structure and a foldable electronic device thereof to solve at least one of the aforementioned technical problems in the prior art.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides a hinge structure, including a body, and a slider, a return spring and a swinging component disposed on the body;

[0005] One end of the swinging component is provided with an arc-shaped plate-like pivot; the main body is provided with an arc-shaped slot, and the pivot can be slidably inserted into the arc-shaped slot to form a swinging structure; the swinging component can be swung on the main body through this swinging structure.

[0006] The slider is slidably disposed along the virtual swing center line of the swing structure; a first cam structure is provided at the end of the slider near the pivot part;

[0007] The pivot portion has a second cam structure that meshes with the first cam structure on the end face near the slider; the return spring tends to force the slider closer to the pivot portion, thereby maintaining the meshing state of the first cam structure and the second cam structure; the first cam structure and the second cam structure are arranged circumferentially along the virtual swing center line for temporary limiting or temporary locking of the swing component during the swing process.

[0008] The swing structure employed in this application uses an arc-shaped plate or tile-shaped pivot joint that engages with an arc-shaped slot. Its cross-section is semi-circular or slightly semi-circular, making it thinner and lighter compared to the full-circumference pivot joint structures in existing technologies. Furthermore, a second cam structure is circumferentially positioned at the end of the tile or arc-shaped plate of the pivot joint, engaging with the first cam structure of the slider. The first and second cam structures undulate along the virtual swing centerline, achieving temporary positioning and locking of the swing angle, while also increasing damping during swing and improving the user experience.

[0009] Furthermore, machining the cam structure at the end of the tile or arc plate of the pivot joint is simpler and less costly.

[0010] Furthermore, the swinging component is U-shaped in general, including an upper pivot part, a lower pivot part, and a middle part arranged face to face; a U-shaped receiving space is formed between the upper pivot part and the lower pivot part; the slider is disposed in the U-shaped receiving space; the second cam structure on the upper pivot part and the lower pivot part is arranged face to face inward.

[0011] The slider includes an upper slider and a lower slider arranged back to back; the first cam structures on the upper slider and the lower slider are arranged back to back facing outward; the return spring is provided between the upper slider and the lower slider to force the upper slider and the lower slider to abut against the upper pivot and the lower pivot respectively, thereby maintaining the meshing state of the upper and lower sets of first cam structures and second cam structures.

[0012] The symmetrical arrangement of the slider and the limiting structure of the pivot are more compact, but this also increases the cost of damping force and limiting force.

[0013] Furthermore, the upper and lower sliders are slidably mounted on the shaft; the return spring is mounted on the shaft, with its two ends abutting against the upper and lower sliders.

[0014] Furthermore, the oscillating component includes a left oscillating component and a right oscillating component arranged symmetrically on the left and right sides; the slider includes a left shaft sleeve, a right shaft sleeve, and an intermediate connecting part that are integrally formed; the left shaft sleeve and the right shaft sleeve are slidably fitted onto the two shafts respectively; the left shaft sleeve and the right shaft sleeve are respectively provided with a first cam structure that is adapted to the second cam structure on the left oscillating component and the right oscillating component.

[0015] Furthermore, the body includes a base and a cover plate. A first half-shaft rod is provided on the base, and a first arc working surface is provided on one side of the cover plate for the first half-shaft rod. A second arc working surface is provided on one side of the cover plate for the half-shaft rod. The cover plate is fixedly provided on the base, and the arc-shaped slot is formed between the first arc working surface and the second arc working surface.

[0016] Preferably, the body is also provided with a rear cover, and in the thickness direction, the base, the swinging component, the cover plate and the rear cover are arranged in sequence.

[0017] Furthermore, it also includes synchronous linkage components and screen support components;

[0018] The screen support includes a second plate.

[0019] One end of the synchronous linkage component includes an arc-shaped plate-shaped rotating part, and the other end is provided with a connecting part; the synchronous linkage component is oscillatingly connected to the main body through the rotating part, and pivotally connected to the second plate through the connecting part; the two ends of the swinging component and the synchronous linkage component are pivotally connected to the main body and the second plate respectively, thereby forming a four-bar linkage structure, and the second plate is oscillatingly connected to the main body through the four-bar linkage structure.

[0020] Furthermore, the screen support also includes a first plate, which is disposed close to the folded portion of the flexible screen, and a second plate is disposed away from the folded portion, together forming the flexible screen support.

[0021] The first plate is fixedly connected to the synchronous linkage component and swings together with the synchronous linkage component; when the flexible screen is fully folded, the first plate is tilted, thereby creating a deformation space for the folded part of the flexible screen.

[0022] In this application, the two ends of the synchronous linkage component and the swing component are pivotally connected to the main body and the second plate, respectively, thereby forming a four-bar linkage structure. The four-bar linkage structure enables the screen support component and the flexible screen above it to unfold and fold. At the same time, during the folding process, an inverted trumpet-shaped deformation space is formed in the folded part, so that the flexible screen is teardrop-shaped in this space, avoiding the folded part from being completely folded in half and damaged.

[0023] The two ends of the synchronous linkage and the swinging component are respectively pivotally connected to the main body and the second plate. Specifically, the second plate is set on the main body through the four-bar linkage structure, and its process of flipping from horizontal to vertical is a composite motion of circumferential movement, rotation and translation around the main body.

[0024] Furthermore, in the horizontally unfolded state of the flexible screen, the first screen mounting surface on the first plate is flush with the second screen mounting surface on the second plate.

[0025] Furthermore, in the projection plane perpendicular to the virtual swing center line of the first plate, the horizontal direction is set as the X-axis and the vertical direction as the Y-axis. When the flexible screen is horizontally unfolded, the second screen mounting surface on the second plate is horizontally unfolded along the positive direction of the X-axis. When the flexible screen is completely folded, the second screen mounting surface of the second plate is vertically set along the positive direction of the Y-axis. The virtual intersection of the horizontally set second screen mounting surface and the vertically set second screen mounting surface is the origin of the coordinate system. The virtual swing center of the first plate, that is, the virtual pivot center of the synchronous linkage on the main body, is set in the positive and negative quadrants (i.e., the fourth quadrant) region.

[0026] When the virtual pivot center of the first plate, i.e. the virtual pivot center of the synchronous linkage on the main body, is set in the fourth quadrant of the above coordinate system, the pivot structure of the first plate and the synchronous linkage with the main body can be set below the horizontal X-axis, i.e. the second screen mounting surface on the second plate. At the same time, it provides a basis for the first screen mounting surface on the first plate and the second screen mounting surface on the second plate to be flush, and provides a basis for the first plate to tilt when the flexible screen is fully folded.

[0027] Furthermore, the virtual pivot center of the swinging component on the main body is set in the positive and negative quadrants (i.e., the fourth quadrant).

[0028] Similarly, the pivot component is positioned in the fourth quadrant to prevent its pivot structure on the main body from protruding above the first screen mounting surface and the second screen mounting surface.

[0029] Furthermore, the swing element is bent as a whole to prevent the entire swing element from protruding (or not exceeding) the first screen mounting surface on the first plate during the entire process from the horizontal unfolding of the flexible screen to its complete folding.

[0030] That is, the entire swing component needs to be designed to avoid any protrusion from the first screen mounting surface. In any swing position, it should be sunken or bent to prevent the swing component from protruding from the first screen mounting surface at any position and touching or damaging the flexible screen.

[0031] Furthermore, the screen support includes a left screen support and a right screen support arranged symmetrically on the left and right sides; the left screen support and the right screen support are respectively rotatably mounted on the main body through two sets of the four-bar linkage structure;

[0032] When the flexible screen is fully folded, the two second screen mounting surfaces on the second plates on the left and right sides are arranged in parallel and spaced apart (the flexible screens on the two second screen mounting surfaces can contact each other), and the gap between the two first screen mounting surfaces on the first plates on the left and right sides is arranged in a funnel shape (or wedge shape) with a smaller top and a larger bottom.

[0033] Furthermore, when the flexible screen is fully folded, the included angle between the two first screen mounting surfaces on the first plate on the left and right sides is 1-80°.

[0034] Typically, the width of the first plate is relatively small, such as 1-10mm, and it only needs to meet the requirement that the folded part of the flexible screen is not damaged or deformed. The width of the second plate is wider, which meets the support needs of other parts of the flexible screen except for the folded part.

[0035] Furthermore, the second plate on the left screen support is designated as the left plate; the second plate on the right screen support is designated as the right plate; a synchronization component is provided between the left and right plates to enable the left and right plates to rotate synchronously in opposite directions; the left and right plates are respectively rotatably connected to the main body via two sets of left-right arranged synchronization linkage components and swaying components.

[0036] Furthermore, the synchronization component includes the synchronization linkage and the synchronization transmission; the synchronization transmission is disposed on the body and can only reciprocate along the direction of the virtual swing center line.

[0037] The synchronous linkage includes a left synchronous linkage and a right synchronous linkage respectively arranged on the left and right sides of the synchronous transmission component;

[0038] A helical transmission pair is provided between the back of the rotating part of the synchronous linkage and the bottom of the synchronous transmission component, which is used to realize the conversion and transmission between the swing motion of the synchronous linkage and the linear motion of the synchronous transmission component.

[0039] The left helical transmission pair between the left synchronous linkage and the synchronous transmission pair has the opposite helical direction to the right helical transmission pair between the right synchronous linkage and the synchronous transmission pair, and is used to realize the synchronous rotation of the left plate and the right plate in opposite directions (such as realizing the synchronous rotation of the left plate and the right support in counterclockwise and clockwise respectively, and the synchronous rotation during the opening and closing process).

[0040] Furthermore, the helical transmission pair includes a helical groove provided on the synchronous linkage or the synchronous transmission member, and a guide slider provided on the synchronous transmission member or the synchronous linkage member. The guide slider can be slidably inserted into the helical groove to realize the transmission between the synchronous linkage member and the synchronous transmission member.

[0041] When the arc-shaped synchronous linkage on one side rotates, the helical transmission pair on that side forces the synchronous transmission component to move in the direction of the virtual swing center. Then, through the helical transmission pair on the other side, the synchronous linkage component on the other side rotates synchronously in opposite directions, realizing the synchronous rotation of the synchronous linkage components on both sides. That is, the left and right synchronous linkage components on both sides achieve synchronous reverse or opposite swing through the middle synchronous transmission component, realizing the synchronous opening and closing action of the left plate and the right support component and the screens on the left and right sides.

[0042] Furthermore, the left helical drive pair and the right helical drive pair are arranged symmetrically on the left and right sides.

[0043] Furthermore, a second half-shaft rod is provided on the base, and a third arc working surface is provided on one side of the cover plate; a fourth arc working surface is provided on one side of the cover plate; the cover plate is fixedly provided on the base, and an arc-shaped limiting cavity is formed between the third and fourth arc working surfaces. An arc-shaped limiting plate is provided on the rotating part of the synchronous linkage component, and the limiting plate is slidably inserted into the arc-shaped limiting cavity to form a pivot structure between the synchronous linkage component and the body.

[0044] After the cover plate is fixedly installed on the base, the synchronous linkage component and the synchronous transmission component are clamped between the cover plate and the base.

[0045] Preferably, the synchronous transmission component includes a left arm extension and a right arm extension, and a left helical transmission pair and a right helical transmission pair are respectively provided between the left arm extension and the right arm extension and the left synchronous linkage component and the right synchronous linkage component.

[0046] The foldable electronic devices in this application include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and other electronic devices with hinged structures.

[0047] In this application, a set of sliders, a return spring, a swinging component, and a set of synchronization components constitute a hinge unit. This hinge unit has multiple functions, including temporary swing limit, providing damping force, and synchronous swinging of the left and right screens.

[0048] In the direction of the aforementioned virtual pivot center, a hinge structure may include multiple sets of hinge units, and multiple sets of hinge units can be connected in series by two connecting strips to achieve a relatively fixed connection between the pivoting parts and synchronous linkage parts on the same side of the multiple hinge units.

[0049] The second aspect of this application discloses a foldable electronic device with the aforementioned hinge structure.

[0050] By adopting the above technical solution, this utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0051] The hinge structure and foldable electronic device provided by this utility model feature a pivot structure with an arc-shaped plate or tile-shaped pivot that engages with an arc-shaped slot. Its cross-section is semi-circular or slightly semi-circular, making it thinner and lighter compared to the full-circumference pivot structures in existing technologies. Furthermore, a second cam structure is circumferentially positioned at the end of the tile or arc-shaped plate of the pivot, engaging with the first cam structure of the slider. The first and second cam structures undulate along the virtual pivot centerline, achieving temporary positioning and locking of the pivot angle, while also increasing damping during pivoting and improving user experience. Additionally, machining the cam structure at the end of the tile or arc-shaped plate of the pivot is simpler and less costly. Attached Figure Description

[0052] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of this utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0053] Figure 1 A perspective view of the hinge structure provided for an embodiment;

[0054] Figure 2 This is a front view of the hinge structure after the second plate has been removed in the embodiment;

[0055] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Sectional view of AA;

[0056] Figure 4 for Figure 2 BB section view;

[0057] Figure 5 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the decomposition process;

[0058] Figure 6 This is a front view of the hinge structure after removing the base and rear cover in the embodiment.

[0059] Figure 7 This is a front view of a hinge unit in the embodiment;

[0060] Figure 8 for Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the decomposition process;

[0061] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of the oscillating component in the embodiment;

[0062] Figure 10 This is a perspective view of the slider and the return spring in the embodiment;

[0063] Figure 11 An exploded view with the main subject as the subject;

[0064] Figure 12 This is a partial schematic diagram of the four-bar linkage structure in the embodiment;

[0065] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the four-bar linkage structure in the embodiment.

[0066] Figure 14 This is an exploded view of the four-bar linkage structure in the embodiment;

[0067] Figure 15 This is a perspective view of the synchronous transmission component in the embodiment;

[0068] Figure 16 A 3D view of the synchronous linkage components;

[0069] Figure 17 This is a partial schematic diagram of the four-bar linkage structure from a second perspective in the embodiment.

[0070] Figure label:

[0071] 10-Body; 11-Base; 11a-First half-shaft rod; 11b-Second half-shaft rod; 12-Cover plate; 12a-First arc working surface; 12b-Fourth arc working surface; 13-Rear cover; 10a-Arch-shaped slot; 20-Second plate; 20a-Left plate; 20b-Right plate; 21-Intermediate connecting seat; 25-First plate; 25a-Intermediate plate; 25b-Fixed plate; 26-First screen mounting surface; 27-Second screen mounting surface; 30-Slider; 30a-First cam structure; 30b-Upper Slider; 30c-Lower slider; 32-Left shaft sleeve; 31-Right shaft sleeve; 33-Intermediate connecting part; 35-Return spring; 40-Swinging component; 40a-Left swinging component; 40b-Right swinging component; 41-Pivot part; 41a-Second cam structure; 41b-Upper pivot part; 41c-Lower pivot part; 42-Intermediate part; 50-Synchronous linkage component; 50a-Left synchronous linkage component; 50b-Right synchronous linkage component; 51-Helical groove; 52-Rotating part; 53-Connecting part; 60-Synchronous transmission component; 61-Guide slider. Detailed Implementation

[0072] The technical solution of this utility model will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this utility model. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0073] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0074] like Figure 1-16As shown, this embodiment provides a hinge structure including a body 10, and a slider 30, a return spring 35 and a swing member 40 disposed on the body 10;

[0075] One end of the swinging component 40 is provided with an arc-shaped plate-like pivot portion 41; the body 10 is provided with an arc-shaped slot 10a, and the pivot portion 41 is slidably inserted into the arc-shaped slot 10a, thereby forming a swinging structure; specifically, the pivot portion 41 is provided with an arc-shaped guide plate, and the guide plate slides with the arc-shaped slot 10a to form a swinging structure. The swinging component 40 is rotatably mounted on the body 10 through this swinging structure; the swinging component 40 is connected to the screen support component to realize the swinging of the screen support component.

[0076] The slider 30 is slidably disposed along the virtual swing center line of the swing member 40; a first cam structure 30a is provided at the end of the slider 30 near the pivot 41; a second cam structure 41a is provided on the end face of the pivot 41 near the slider 30, which meshes with the first cam structure 30a; the return spring 35 tends to force the slider 30 closer to the pivot 41, thereby maintaining the meshing state of the first cam structure 30a and the second cam structure 41a; the first cam structure 30a and the second cam structure 41a are arranged circumferentially along the virtual swing center line for temporary limiting or locking of the swing member 40 during the swing process.

[0077] The swing structure employed in this application uses an arc-shaped plate-like or tile-like pivot portion 41 that mates with an arc-shaped slot 10a. Its cross-section is semi-circular or slightly semi-circular, making it thinner and lighter compared to the full-circumference pivot structures in existing technologies. Furthermore, a second cam structure 41a is circumferentially positioned at the end of the tile or arc-shaped plate of the pivot portion 41, engaging with the first cam structure 30a of the slider 30. The first cam structure 30a and the second cam structure 41a undulate along the virtual swing centerline, achieving temporary positioning and locking of the swing angle of the swing structure, while also increasing damping during swing and improving the user experience. Additionally, machining the cam structure at the end of the tile or arc-shaped plate of the pivot portion 41 is simpler and less costly.

[0078] See Figure 9 As shown, the oscillating component 40 is U-shaped, including an upper pivot 41b, a lower pivot 41c, and a middle portion 42 arranged face-to-face. Guide plates are provided at the two outer ends of the upper pivot 41b and the lower pivot 41c. A U-shaped receiving space is formed between the upper pivot 41b and the lower pivot 41c. The slider 30 is disposed within the U-shaped receiving space; the second cam structure 41a is disposed inside the U-shaped receiving space, with the second cam structures 41a on the upper pivot 41b and the lower pivot 41c facing inwards.

[0079] See Figure 10 As shown, the slider 30 includes an upper slider 30b and a lower slider 30c arranged back-to-back; the first cam structures 30a of the upper slider 30b and the lower slider 30c are arranged back-to-back outwards. A return spring 35 is provided between the upper slider 30b and the lower slider 30c to force the upper slider 30b and the lower slider 30c to abut against the upper pivot portion 41b and the lower pivot portion 41c respectively, thereby maintaining the meshing state of the two sets of first cam structures 30a and second cam structures 41a. The limiting structure of the vertically symmetrically arranged sliders 30 and pivot portions 41 is more compact, but at the same time, it increases the cost of damping force and limiting force.

[0080] The upper slider 30b and the lower slider 30c are slidably mounted on the shaft; the return spring 35 is mounted on the shaft, with its two ends abutting against the upper slider 30b and the lower slider 30c.

[0081] See Figure 8 As shown, the oscillating component 40 includes a left oscillating component 40a and a right oscillating component 40b arranged symmetrically on the left and right sides; see also Figure 10 As shown, the slider 30 includes a left shaft sleeve 32, a right shaft sleeve 31, and an intermediate connecting part 33, all integrally formed; the left shaft sleeve 32 and the right shaft sleeve 31 are slidably fitted onto two shafts respectively; the left shaft sleeve 32 and the right shaft sleeve 31 are respectively provided with a first cam structure 30a that is adapted to the second cam structure 41a on the left swing member 40a and the right swing member 40b.

[0082] See Figure 11 As shown, the body 10 includes a base 11 and a cover plate 12. A first half-shaft rod portion 11a is provided on the base 11. The first half-shaft rod portion 11a has a first arc working surface 12a on one side of the cover plate 12. The cover plate 12 has a second arc working surface on one side of the first half-shaft rod portion 11a. The cover plate 12 is fixedly disposed on the base 11. An arc-shaped slot 10a is formed between the first arc working surface 12a and the second arc working surface.

[0083] See Figure 5 As shown, preferably, the body 10 is also provided with a rear cover 13 for covering the internal structure such as the cover plate 12. In the thickness direction, the base 11, the swing member 40, the cover plate 12 and the rear cover 13 are arranged in sequence.

[0084] See Figure 1-8 As shown, this embodiment also includes a synchronization linkage component 50; the screen support component includes a second plate 20;

[0085] The synchronous linkage 50 includes an arc-shaped plate-like rotating part 52 at one end and a connecting part 53 at the other end. The synchronous linkage 50 is oscillatingly connected to the main body 10 via the rotating part 52 and pivotally connected to the second plate 20 via the connecting part 53. The two ends of the swinging member 40 and the synchronous linkage 50 are pivotally connected to the main body 10 and the second plate 20 respectively, thereby forming a four-bar linkage structure. The second plate 20 is oscillatingly connected to the main body 10 through this four-bar linkage structure.

[0086] More preferably, the screen support also includes a first plate 25, which is disposed close to the folded portion of the flexible screen, and a second plate 20 is disposed away from the folded portion, together forming the flexible screen support.

[0087] See Figure 12 , 13 As shown in Figure 17, the first plate 25 is fixedly connected to the synchronous linkage 50 and swings together with the synchronous linkage 50. When the flexible screen is fully folded, the first plate 25 is tilted, thereby creating a deformation space for the folded part of the flexible screen.

[0088] In this application, the two ends of the synchronous linkage 50 and the swinging component 40 are pivotally connected to the main body 10 and the second plate 20, respectively, thereby forming a four-bar linkage structure. The four-bar linkage structure enables the screen support component and the flexible screen above it to unfold and fold. At the same time, during the folding process, an inverted trumpet-shaped deformation space is formed in the folded part, so that the flexible screen is teardrop-shaped in the space, avoiding the folded part from being completely folded in half and damaged.

[0089] The two ends of the synchronous linkage 50 and the swinging component 40 are respectively pivotally connected to the main body 10 and the second plate 20. Specifically, the second plate 20 is set on the main body 10 through the four-bar linkage structure. Its process of flipping from horizontal to vertical is a composite motion of circumferential movement, rotation and translation around the main body 10.

[0090] In the horizontally unfolded state of the flexible screen, the first screen mounting surface 26 on the first plate 25 and the second screen mounting surface 27 on the second plate 20 are flush. In the projection plane perpendicular to the virtual swing center line of the first plate 25, let the horizontal direction be the X-axis and the vertical direction be the Y-axis. In the horizontally unfolded state of the flexible screen, the second screen mounting surface 27 on the second plate 20 is horizontally unfolded along the positive direction of the X-axis. In the fully folded state of the flexible screen, the second screen mounting surface 27 on the second plate 20 is vertically positioned along the positive direction of the Y-axis. The virtual intersection of the horizontally positioned second screen mounting surface 27 and the vertically positioned second screen mounting surface 27 is the origin O of the coordinate system. The first virtual swing center A1 of the first plate 25, that is, the virtual pivot center of the synchronous linkage 50 on the body 10, is set in the positive and negative quadrants (i.e., the fourth quadrant). This allows the pivot structure of the first plate 25 and the synchronous linkage 50 with the main body 10 to be set below the second screen mounting surface 27 on the second plate 20 on the horizontal X-axis. It also provides a basis for the first screen mounting surface 26 on the first plate 25 and the second screen mounting surface 27 on the second plate 20 to be flush, and provides a basis for the first plate 25 to tilt when the flexible screen is fully folded.

[0091] Furthermore, the second virtual pivot center A2 of the swing member 40 on the body 10 is located within the positive and negative quadrants (i.e., the fourth quadrant). Similarly, the swing member 40 is located within the fourth quadrant to prevent its pivot structure on the body 10 from protruding above the first screen mounting surface 26 and the second screen mounting surface 27. The swing member 40 is bent as a whole to prevent the entire swing member 40 from protruding (or not exceeding) the first screen mounting surface 26 on the first plate 25 during the entire process from the horizontal unfolding of the flexible screen to its complete folding. That is, the swing member 40 as a whole needs to be designed to avoid protruding from the first screen mounting surface 26 at any swing position, and to be sunken or bent to prevent the swing member 40 from protruding from the first screen mounting surface 26 at any position, thus preventing it from touching or damaging the flexible screen.

[0092] The screen support includes a left screen support and a right screen support arranged symmetrically on the left and right sides; the left screen support and the right screen support are respectively rotatably mounted on the body 10 through two sets of four-bar linkages.

[0093] When the flexible screen is fully folded, the two second screen mounting surfaces 27 on the second plates 20 on both the left and right sides are arranged in parallel and spaced apart (the flexible screens on the two second screen mounting surfaces 27 can contact each other), and the gap between the two first screen mounting surfaces 26 on the first plates 25 on both the left and right sides is arranged in a funnel shape (or wedge shape) with a smaller gap at the top and a larger gap at the bottom. The included angle between the two first screen mounting surfaces 26 on the first plates 25 on both the left and right sides is 1-80°.

[0094] Typically, the width of the first plate 25 is relatively small, such as 1-10mm, and it only needs to meet the requirement that the folded part of the flexible screen is not damaged or deformed. The width of the second plate 20 is relatively large, which meets the support needs of other parts of the flexible screen except for the folded part.

[0095] In this embodiment, the second plate 20 on the left screen support is designated as the left plate 20a; the second plate 20 on the right screen support is designated as the right plate 20b; a synchronization component is provided between the left plate 20a and the right plate 20b to enable the left plate 20a and the right plate 20b to rotate synchronously in opposite directions; the left plate 20a and the right plate 20b are rotatably connected to the main body 10 through two sets of left-right arranged synchronization linkage components 50 and swinging components 40.

[0096] See Figure 14 As shown, the synchronization component includes the synchronization linkage 50 and the synchronization transmission 60; the synchronization transmission 60 is disposed on the body 10 and can only reciprocate along the direction of the virtual swing center line; the synchronization linkage 50 includes a left synchronization linkage 50a and a right synchronization linkage 50b respectively disposed on the left and right sides of the synchronization transmission 60.

[0097] A helical transmission pair is provided between the back of the rotating part 52 of the synchronous linkage 50 and the bottom of the synchronous transmission member 60, which is used to realize the conversion and transmission between the swing motion of the synchronous linkage 50 and the linear motion of the synchronous transmission member 60; wherein, the left helical transmission pair between the left synchronous linkage 50a and the synchronous transmission member 60 and the right helical transmission pair between the right synchronous linkage 50b and the synchronous transmission member 60 have opposite helical directions, which is used to realize the synchronous swing of the left plate 20a and the right plate 20b in opposite directions (such as realizing the synchronous swing of the left plate 20a and the right support member in counterclockwise and clockwise respectively, and the synchronous swing during the opening and closing process).

[0098] Among them, see Figure 15-16 As shown, the helical transmission pair includes a helical groove 51 provided on the rotating part 52 of the synchronous linkage 50 or the synchronous transmission member 60, and a guide slider 61 provided on the synchronous transmission member 60 or the rotating part 52 of the synchronous linkage 50. The guide slider 61 can be slidably inserted into the helical groove to realize the transmission between the synchronous linkage 50 and the synchronous transmission member 60.

[0099] When the arc-shaped synchronous linkage 50 on one side rotates, the synchronous transmission 60 is forced to move in the direction of the virtual swing center through the helical transmission pair on that side. Then, the synchronous linkage 50 on the other side is made to rotate synchronously in opposite directions through the helical transmission pair on the other side, so as to realize the synchronous rotation of the synchronous linkage 50 on both sides. That is, the left synchronous linkage 50a and the right synchronous linkage 50b on both sides realize synchronous reverse or opposite swing through the middle synchronous transmission 60, so as to realize the synchronous opening and closing action of the left plate 20a, the right support and the screens on the left and right sides.

[0100] See Figure 11 As shown, a second half-shaft rod portion 11b is provided on the base 11, and a third arc working surface is provided on one side of the cover plate 12 on the second half-shaft rod portion 11b; a fourth arc working surface 12b is provided on one side of the cover plate 12; the cover plate 12 is fixedly mounted on the base 11, and an arc-shaped limiting cavity is formed between the third arc working surface and the fourth arc working surface 12b. An arc-shaped limiting plate portion 54 is provided on the rotating part 52 of the synchronous linkage member 50, and the limiting plate portion 54 is slidably inserted into the arc-shaped limiting cavity, forming a pivotal connection structure between the synchronous linkage member 50 and the body 10. After the cover plate 12 is fixedly mounted on the base 11, the synchronous linkage member 50 and the synchronous transmission member 60 are clamped between the cover plate 12 and the base 11.

[0101] Preferably, the synchronous transmission member 60 includes a left arm extension and a right arm extension, and a left helical transmission pair and a right helical transmission pair are respectively provided between the left arm extension and the right arm extension and the left synchronous linkage member 50a and the right synchronous linkage member 50b.

[0102] The foldable electronic devices in this application include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and other electronic devices with hinged structures.

[0103] Specifically, on the cross-section perpendicular to the half-shaft section, the arc of the arc working surface of the half-shaft section, the guide plate, and the limiting plate section 54 is π / 4 to π. More preferably, it is π / 3 to 2π / 3. Thus, the cross-section of the half-shaft section, the guide plate, and the limiting plate section 54 is a small semicircle, resulting in a thinner and lighter structure.

[0104] In this application, a set of sliders 30, a return spring 35, a swinging component 40, and a set of synchronization components constitute a hinge unit. The hinge unit has multiple functions, including temporary swing limit, providing damping force, and synchronous swinging of the left and right screens.

[0105] In the direction of the aforementioned virtual pivot center, a hinge structure may include multiple sets of hinge units, and multiple sets of hinge units can be connected in series by two connecting strips to achieve a relatively fixed connection between the pivot component 40 and the synchronous linkage component 50 on the same side of the multiple hinge units.

[0106] The first plate 25 can be manufactured as a single piece or as separate pieces. Preferably, see [reference needed]. Figure 6 As shown, the first plate 25 includes a fixed plate 25b fixedly disposed on the synchronous linkage member 50, and an intermediate plate 25a disposed between two adjacent synchronous linkage members 50 in the direction of the virtual swing center; wherein, more preferably, the fixed plate 25b can also be integrally made with the synchronous linkage member 50, specifically manifested as a support surface disposed flush with the intermediate plate 25a.

[0107] This embodiment also includes an intermediate connecting seat 21. The swing member 40 and the synchronous linkage member 50 serve as two connecting rods, with their other ends pivotally connected to the intermediate connecting seat 21. The second plate 20 is fixedly connected to the intermediate connecting seat 21.

[0108] pass Figure 1 As shown, the distances between the pivot axis centerline on the intermediate connecting seat 21 and the virtual swing center are unequal. The pivot axis centerlines of the swing component 40 and the synchronous linkage component 50 are also staggered from the pivot axis centerline of the main body 10.

[0109] The second aspect of this application discloses a foldable electronic device with the aforementioned hinge structure.

[0110] The hinge structure and foldable electronic device provided by this utility model employ an arc-shaped plate or tile-shaped pivot portion 41 that engages with an arc-shaped slot 10a. Its cross-section is semi-circular or slightly semi-circular, making it thinner and lighter compared to the full-circumference pivot structures in the prior art. Furthermore, a second cam structure 41a is circumferentially arranged at the end of the tile or arc-shaped plate of the pivot portion 41, engaging with the first cam structure 30a of the slider 30. The first cam structure 30a and the second cam structure 41a undulate along the virtual swing center line, achieving temporary positioning and locking of the swing angle of the pivot structure, while also increasing damping during swing and improving the user experience. Additionally, machining the cam structure at the end of the tile or arc-shaped plate of the pivot portion 41 is simpler and less costly.

[0111] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and are not intended to limit it. Although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. A hinge structure, characterized in that, Includes the main body, as well as the slider, return spring and swinging component installed on the main body; One end of the swinging component is provided with an arc-shaped plate-like pivot; the main body is provided with an arc-shaped slot, and the pivot can be slidably inserted into the arc-shaped slot to form a swinging structure; the swinging component can be swung on the main body through this swinging structure. The slider is slidably disposed along the virtual swing center line of the swing structure; a first cam structure is provided at the end of the slider near the pivot part; The pivot portion has a second cam structure that meshes with the first cam structure on the end face near the slider; the return spring tends to force the slider closer to the pivot portion, thereby maintaining the meshing state of the first cam structure and the second cam structure; the first cam structure and the second cam structure are arranged circumferentially along the virtual swing center line of the swing structure, and are used for temporary limiting or locking of the swing component during the swing process.

2. The hinge structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The swinging component is U-shaped in general, including an upper pivot joint, a lower pivot joint, and a middle part arranged face to face; a U-shaped receiving space is formed between the upper pivot joint and the lower pivot joint; the slider is set in the U-shaped receiving space; the second cam structures on the upper pivot joint and the lower pivot joint are arranged face to face inward; The slider includes an upper slider and a lower slider arranged back to back; the first cam structures on the upper slider and the lower slider are arranged back to back outward; the return spring is provided between the upper slider and the lower slider to force the upper slider and the lower slider to abut against the upper pivot and the lower pivot respectively, thereby maintaining the meshing state of the upper and lower sets of first cam structures and second cam structures.

3. The hinge structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The upper and lower sliders are slidably mounted on the shaft; the return spring is mounted on the shaft, with its two ends abutting against the upper and lower sliders.

4. The hinge structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The oscillating component includes a left oscillating component and a right oscillating component arranged symmetrically on the left and right sides; the slider includes a left shaft sleeve, a right shaft sleeve, and a middle connecting part that are integrally formed; the left shaft sleeve and the right shaft sleeve are slidably fitted onto the two shafts respectively; the left shaft sleeve and the right shaft sleeve are respectively provided with a first cam structure that is adapted to the second cam structure on the left oscillating component and the right oscillating component.

5. The hinge structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main body includes a base and a cover plate. A first half-shaft rod is provided on the base. The first half-shaft rod has a first arc working surface on one side of the cover plate. The cover plate has a second arc working surface on one side of the first half-shaft rod. The cover plate is fixedly installed on the base. The arc-shaped slot is formed between the first arc working surface and the second arc working surface.

6. The hinge structure according to claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes synchronization linkage components and screen support components; The screen support includes a second plate. One end of the synchronous linkage component includes an arc-shaped plate-shaped rotating part, and the other end is provided with a connecting part; the synchronous linkage component is oscillatingly connected to the main body through the rotating part, and pivotally connected to the second plate through the connecting part; the two ends of the swinging component and the synchronous linkage component are pivotally connected to the main body and the second plate respectively, thereby forming a four-bar linkage structure, and the second plate is oscillatingly connected to the main body through the four-bar linkage structure.

7. The hinge structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, The screen support also includes a first plate, which is disposed close to the folded portion of the flexible screen, and a second plate is disposed away from the folded portion, together forming the flexible screen support. The first plate is fixedly connected to the synchronous linkage component and swings together with the synchronous linkage component; when the flexible screen is fully folded, the first plate tilts, thereby creating a deformation space for the folded part of the flexible screen.

8. The hinge structure according to claim 7, characterized in that, The screen support includes a left screen support and a right screen support arranged symmetrically on the left and right sides; the left screen support and the right screen support are respectively rotatably mounted on the main body through two sets of the four-bar linkage structure; When the flexible screen is fully folded, the two second screen mounting surfaces on the second plates on the left and right sides are arranged in parallel and spaced apart, and the gap between the two first screen mounting surfaces on the first plates on the left and right sides is arranged in a funnel shape with a smaller gap at the top and a larger gap at the bottom.

9. The hinge structure according to claim 8, characterized in that, Let the second plate on the left screen support be the left plate; let the second plate on the right screen support be the right plate; a synchronization component is provided between the left plate and the right plate to realize the left plate and the right plate rotating synchronously in opposite directions; the left plate and the right plate are respectively rotatably connected to the main body through two sets of left and right arranged synchronization linkage components and swaying components.

10. The hinge structure according to claim 9, characterized in that, The synchronization component includes the synchronization linkage component and the synchronization transmission component; the synchronization transmission component is disposed on the body and can only reciprocate along the direction of the virtual swing center line. The synchronous linkage includes a left synchronous linkage and a right synchronous linkage respectively arranged on the left and right sides of the synchronous transmission component; A helical transmission pair is provided between the back of the rotating part of the synchronous linkage and the bottom of the synchronous transmission component, which is used to realize the conversion and transmission between the swing motion of the synchronous linkage and the linear motion of the synchronous transmission component. The left helical transmission pair between the left synchronous linkage and the synchronous transmission member has the opposite helical direction to the right helical transmission pair between the right synchronous linkage and the synchronous transmission member, and is used to realize the synchronous rotation of the left plate and the right plate towards each other or synchronously in opposite directions.

11. The hinge structure according to claim 10, characterized in that, The helical transmission pair includes a helical groove provided on the synchronous linkage or the synchronous transmission member, and a guide slider provided on the synchronous transmission member or the synchronous linkage member. The guide slider can be slidably inserted into the helical groove to realize the transmission between the synchronous linkage member and the synchronous transmission member.

12. The hinge structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, The base is provided with a second half-shaft rod, and the second half-shaft rod is provided with a third arc working surface on one side of the cover plate; the cover plate is provided with a fourth arc working surface on one side of the second half-shaft rod; the cover plate is fixedly mounted on the base, and the third and fourth arc working surfaces enclose an arc-shaped limiting cavity. The rotating part of the synchronous linkage is provided with an arc-shaped limiting plate, which is slidably inserted into the arc-shaped limiting cavity to form a pivot structure between the synchronous linkage and the body.

13. A foldable electronic device having the hinge structure according to any one of claims 1-12.

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