Hinge mechanism and electronic device

Abstract

This application provides a hinge mechanism and an electronic device. The hinge mechanism includes a main shaft, a synchronization assembly, and two swing arms. The two swing arms are respectively arranged on both sides of the main shaft, and the two swing arms are rotatably connected to the main shaft. In addition, along the axial direction of the hinge mechanism, the synchronization assembly is located between the two swing arms. The synchronization assembly includes two gear assemblies. Each gear assembly includes a gear member and a connecting rod. The gear member includes a gear and a connecting portion. The gear surfaces of the gears of the two gear assemblies are engaged with each other, and the two gears are located between the two connecting portions. Each connecting rod is located between one connecting portion and one swing arm, and each connecting rod is slidably connected to the connecting portion and rotatably connected to the swing arm. With respect to the gear member and the swing arm connected via the connecting rod, the axis of the gear of the gear member is parallel to and does not coincide with the axis about which the swing arm rotates around the main shaft. In the folding process of the electronic device using the hinge mechanism, the stress of the flexible display is relatively uniform, which helps to improve the structural reliability of the flexible display.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to Related Applications This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202310480957.X, titled "Hinge Mechanism and Electronic Device", filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on April 27, 2023, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This application relates to the field of electronic device technology, and particularly to a hinge mechanism and an electronic device.

Background Art

[0003] The gradual maturity of flexible display technology has brought about significant changes to the displays of electronic devices. Foldable mobile phones, tablet computers, or wearable electronic devices with flexible displays are an important trend in the development of future intelligent electronic devices.

[0004] An important component of a foldable electronic device is a flexible display characterized by continuity and foldability. The hinge mechanism, as a crucial component for folding a foldable electronic device, can drive the flexible display to be flattened or bent in the unfolding and folding processes of the foldable electronic device. Currently, with the improvement of the economy, users have set higher requirements for foldable electronic devices, and the structural reliability of the flexible display is an important factor affecting the user experience. Therefore, methods for improving the structural reliability of flexible displays are currently a topic widely studied by those skilled in the art.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a hinge mechanism and an electronic device to improve the structural reliability of the flexible display of the electronic device, and as a result, improve the structural reliability of the electronic device.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] According to a first aspect, the present application provides a hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism is used in a foldable electronic device. The hinge mechanism is disposed corresponding to a bendable portion of a flexible display of the electronic device, and the electronic device is deployed or folded via the hinge mechanism. Specifically, the hinge mechanism may include a synchronization assembly, a first swing arm, and a second swing arm. The first swing arm and the second swing arm are respectively disposed on both sides of the main shaft, and the first swing arm and the second swing arm are rotatably connected to the main shaft. The synchronization assembly is located between the first swing arm and the second swing arm along the axial direction of the hinge mechanism. The synchronization assembly includes a first gear assembly and a second gear assembly. The first gear assembly includes a first gear member and a first connecting rod. The first gear member includes a first gear and a first connecting portion. The first connecting portion is located at an end of the first gear facing the first swing arm. The first connecting rod is slidably connected to the first connecting portion and rotatably connected to the first swing arm. The axis of the first gear is parallel to and does not coincide with the axis about which the first swing arm rotates around the main shaft. The second gear assembly includes a second gear member and a second connecting rod. The second gear member includes a second gear and a second connecting portion. The gear surface of the second gear is engaged with the gear surface of the first gear. The second connecting portion is located at an end of the second gear facing the second swing arm. The second connecting rod is slidably connected to the second connecting portion and rotatably connected to the second swing arm. The axis of the second gear is parallel to and does not coincide with the axis about which the second swing arm rotates around the main shaft.

[0007] According to the hinge mechanism provided in the present application, in the process of the electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state, the first swing arm rotates clockwise around the main shaft in order to drive the first gear assembly to rotate along the same direction. In addition, since the first gear assembly is engaged with the second gear assembly via a gear, the first gear assembly rotates clockwise in order to drive the second gear assembly to rotate counterclockwise synchronously, and the second gear assembly rotates relative to the second swing arm in order to drive the second swing arm to rotate around the main shaft along the same direction. Thus, the first gear assembly and the second gear assembly rotate synchronously towards each other. In addition, in the process of the electronic device changing from the folded state to the unfolded state, the movement direction of each structure is opposite to the movement direction of each structure in the process of the electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state. Details are not described here. In this case, the first gear assembly and the second gear assembly rotate synchronously away from each other. In addition, in the hinge mechanism provided in the present application, a group of engaging gears are used in the synchronization assembly so that the first swing arm and the second swing arm move synchronously along opposite directions. In this case, in order to help improve the rotation reliability of the hinge mechanism, the transmission accuracy of the synchronization assembly is relatively high. In addition, since the structure of the synchronization assembly is relatively simple, the structure of the hinge mechanism can be effectively simplified. In addition, when the thickness of the hinge mechanism is fixed, the axis of the first gear is parallel to and does not coincide with the axis around which the first swing arm rotates around the main shaft so that the first gear and the first swing arm are indirectly transmitted via the first connecting rod, and the axis of the second gear is parallel to and does not coincide with the axis around which the second swing arm rotates around the main shaft so that the second gear and the second swing arm are indirectly transmitted via the second connecting rod. This helps to implement a compact design of the hinge mechanism.

[0008] In this application, since the axis of the first gear is parallel to but does not coincide with the axis about which the first swing arm rotates around the main shaft, in order for the first swing arm to drive the first gear to rotate about the axis of the first gear, and to enable it to rotate around the main shaft, a first insertion slot may be provided in the first connecting portion. In this case, the first connecting rod includes a first sliding portion, the first sliding portion is inserted into the first insertion slot, and the first sliding portion can slide along the first insertion slot. Similarly, a second insertion slot is provided in the second connecting portion, the second connecting rod includes a second sliding portion, the second sliding portion is inserted into the second insertion slot, and the second sliding portion can slide along the second insertion slot. In the process of the electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state, the first swing arm rotates counterclockwise around the main shaft to drive the first connecting rod to rotate counterclockwise synchronously. The first sliding portion of the first connecting rod first approaches the axis of the first gear and then slides in the first insertion slot along the direction away from the axis of the first gear in order to drive the first gear to rotate counterclockwise. In addition, since the first gear is engaged with the second gear, the first gear rotates clockwise to drive the second gear to rotate counterclockwise synchronously. In this case, when the second connecting rod rotates counterclockwise synchronously with the second gear, the second sliding portion of the second connecting rod first approaches the axis of the second gear and then can slide in the second insertion slot of the second connecting portion along the direction away from the axis of the second gear. In this way, the second connecting rod drives the second swing arm to rotate counterclockwise around the main shaft along the same direction, whereby the first gear assembly and the second gear assembly rotate synchronously towards each other. In addition, in the process of the electronic device changing from the folded state to the unfolded state, the movement directions of each structure are opposite to those of each structure in the process of the electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state. Details are not described here. In this case, the first gear assembly and the second gear assembly rotate synchronously away from each other.In the hinge mechanism provided in the present application, in order to implement rotational transmission between a gear and a swing arm having different rotation axes, a connecting rod slides within an insertion slot. This can improve the reliability of rotational transmission between the transmission-connected gear and the swing arm.

[0009] In a possible embodiment of the present application, the first insertion slot is a linear slot, and the first sliding portion is a linear sliding block. This helps to improve the smoothness of sliding of the first sliding portion along the first insertion slot in order to improve the smoothness of movement of the first gear by the first swing arm. Similarly, the second insertion slot is a linear slot, and the second sliding portion is a linear sliding block. This helps to improve the smoothness of sliding of the second sliding portion along the second insertion slot in order to improve the smoothness of movement of the second gear by the second swing arm.

[0010] In a possible embodiment of the present application, the hinge mechanism further includes a rotation module, and the rotation module includes a first rotation assembly, a second rotation assembly, a first housing mounting bracket, and a second housing mounting bracket. The first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket are respectively disposed on both sides of the main shaft. The first rotation assembly is located between the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket, and the second rotation assembly is located between the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket. The first rotation assembly may include a first swing arm, a first support arm, and a first connector. The first swing arm is rotatably connected to the main shaft, the first swing arm is slidably connected to the first housing mounting bracket, the first support arm is rotatably connected to the second housing mounting bracket, the first connector is located between the first swing arm and the first support arm, the first connector is rotatably connected to the first swing arm, and the first connector is rotatably connected to the first support arm. In addition, a first track slot is provided on the main shaft, and the first connector can move along the first track slot to limit the movement track of the first connector, whereby the track of the first swing arm pulling and moving the first support arm through the first connector can be limited. The second rotation assembly may include a second swing arm, a second support arm, and a second connector. The second swing arm is rotatably connected to the main shaft, the second swing arm is slidably connected to the second housing mounting bracket, the second support arm is rotatably connected to the first housing mounting bracket, the second connector is located between the second swing arm and the second support arm, the second connector is rotatably connected to the second swing arm, and the second connector is rotatably connected to the second support arm. In addition, a second track slot is provided on the main shaft, and the second connector can move along the second track slot to limit the movement track of the second connector, whereby the track of the second swing arm pulling and moving the second support arm through the second connector can be limited.

[0011] Based on the aforementioned hinge mechanism in this application, in the process of the electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state, the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket move towards each other. When the first housing mounting bracket drives the first swing arm to rotate clockwise around the main shaft, the first swing arm can drive the first connector to move towards the first swing arm within the first track slot of the main shaft in order to drive the first support arm to rotate counterclockwise around the main shaft. When the second housing mounting bracket drives the second swing arm to rotate counterclockwise around the main shaft, the second swing arm can drive the second connector to move towards the second swing arm within the second track slot of the main shaft in order to drive the second support arm to rotate clockwise around the main shaft. In the process of the electronic device changing from the folded state to the unfolded state, the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket move away from each other. When the first housing mounting bracket drives the first swing arm to rotate counterclockwise around the main shaft, the first swing arm can drive the first connector to move towards the first support arm within the first track slot of the main shaft in order to drive the first support arm to rotate clockwise around the main shaft. When the second housing mounting bracket drives the second swing arm to rotate clockwise around the main shaft, the second swing arm can drive the second connector to move towards the second support arm within the second track slot of the main shaft in order to drive the second support arm to rotate counterclockwise around the main shaft. In this way, the folding and unfolding functions of the hinge mechanism can be implemented.

[0012] In order to ensure the stability of the mechanism, some existing hinge mechanisms need to thicken the rotating assembly connected to the main shaft. In this way, both the main shaft and the hinge mechanism become very heavy. If the main shaft and the hinge mechanism are unreasonably thinned, the strength of the rotating assembly will easily become weak. As a result, the reliability of the hinge mechanism will be greatly affected, shortening the lifespan of the electronic device. The aforementioned hinge mechanism in the present application has a simplified structure. According to the aforementioned structural relationship, the first connector and the second connector slide within the main shaft to interlock the left and right first swing arms, second swing arms, first support arms, and second support arms. Therefore, the first connector and the second connector do not need to be manufactured to have a very thick thickness portion to move back and forth within the first track slot and the second track slot of the main shaft. In addition, since the first connector and the second connector are respectively connected to the first swing arm (second swing arm) and the first support arm (second support arm), the first connector (second connector) has a sufficient length range along the vertical axis direction to have sufficient strength. This can ensure the reliability of the hinge mechanism. In this way, the thickness of the main shaft and the overall thickness of the electronic device can be reduced, and the reliability of the hinge mechanism can be maintained. As a result, the entire hinge mechanism is lightweight, thin, and reliable.

[0013] In addition, since the first connector can move within the first track slot according to a specified track, and the second connector can move within the second track slot according to a specified track, in order to ensure the structural stability and motion stability of the entire hinge mechanism, uncontrolled movement of the first connector and the second connector throughout the folding and unfolding process can be avoided, and random movement of the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket can be further avoided. In some cases, the first track slot and the second track slot are appropriately designed such that the outer tangent of the hinge mechanism can maintain a constant length throughout the folding and unfolding process, and the flexible display covering the surface of the hinge mechanism can also basically maintain a constant length. In this way, compression or tension of the flexible display can be effectively avoided to improve the structural reliability of the flexible display and further improve the structural reliability of the electronic device.

[0014] In a possible embodiment of the present application, the main shaft includes a base and a cover. The cover covers the base. The base is provided with a first arc-shaped slot. The cover includes a first convex portion disposed towards the first arc-shaped slot. The gap between the surface of the first convex portion and the slot surface of the first arc-shaped slot can be used as the first track slot. In addition, the first connector may include a first arc-shaped surface and a second arc-shaped surface. When the electronic device is in the unfolded state and the folded state, the first arc-shaped surface abuts against the surface of the first convex portion, and the second arc-shaped surface abuts against the slot surface of the first arc-shaped slot. In this way, the surface of the first convex portion and the slot surface of the first arc-shaped slot limit the first connector to the first track slot, so that when the hinge mechanism is in the unfolded state and the folded state, the first connector is relatively stable without any shaking caused by the gap, and the reliability of the hinge mechanism is improved in the above two states.

[0015] In addition, the base may be further provided with a third arcuate slot, and the cover further includes a third convex portion disposed toward the third arcuate slot. The gap between the surface of the third convex portion and the slot surface of the third arcuate slot is used as the second track slot. The second connector includes a third arcuate surface and a fourth arcuate surface. When the electronic device is in the deployed state and the folded state, the third arcuate surface abuts against the surface of the third convex portion, and the fourth arcuate surface abuts against the slot surface of the third arcuate slot. In this way, the surface of the third convex portion and the slot surface of the third arcuate slot limit the second connector in the second track slot. Thereby, when the hinge mechanism is in the deployed state and the folded state, the second connector is relatively stable without any shaking caused by the gap, and the reliability of the hinge mechanism is improved in the above two states.

[0016] In a possible embodiment of the present application, in the process of the electronic device changing from the deployed state to the folded state, the first arcuate surface abuts against the surface of the first convex portion, and there is a gap between the second arcuate surface and the slot surface of the first arcuate slot. On the other hand, in the process of the electronic device changing from the folded state to the deployed state, the second arcuate surface abuts against the slot surface of the first arcuate slot, and there is a gap between the first arcuate surface and the surface of the first convex portion. Therefore, the movement trajectory of the first connector in the first track slot in the process of the electronic device changing from the deployed state to the folded state is different from the movement trajectory of the first connector in the first track slot in the process of the electronic device changing from the folded state to the deployed state. This helps to improve the design flexibility of the hinge mechanism.

[0017] In addition, in the process of the electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state, the third arcuate surface abuts against the surface of the third convex portion, and there is a gap between the fourth arcuate surface and the slot surface of the third arcuate slot. In the process of the electronic device changing from the folded state to the unfolded state, the fourth arcuate surface abuts against the slot surface of the third arcuate slot, and there is a gap between the third arcuate surface and the surface of the third convex portion. Therefore, the movement trajectory of the second connector within the second track slot in the process of the electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state is different from the movement trajectory of the second connector within the second track slot in the process of the electronic device changing from the folded state to the unfolded state. This helps to improve the design flexibility of the hinge mechanism.

[0018] In this application, it may be further possible that the movement trajectory of the first connector within the first track slot in the process of the electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state is the same as the movement trajectory of the first connector within the first track slot in the process of the electronic device changing from the folded state to the unfolded state. Specifically, the surface of the first convex portion may be equidistant from the slot surface of the first arc-shaped slot. In this case, the first track slot is an equal-width slot. In the process of the electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state and from the folded state to the unfolded state, the first arc-shaped surface abuts against the surface of the first convex portion, and the second arc-shaped surface abuts against the slot surface of the first arc-shaped slot. This can help improve the movement stability of the first connector within the first track slot. Similarly, the surface of the third convex portion may also be equidistant from the slot surface of the third arc-shaped slot. In this case, the second track slot is an equal-width slot. In addition, in the process of the electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state and from the folded state to the unfolded state, the third arc-shaped surface abuts against the surface of the third convex portion, and the fourth arc-shaped surface abuts against the slot surface of the third arc-shaped slot. In this way, the movement trajectory of the second connector within the second track slot in the process of the electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state is the same as the movement trajectory of the second connector within the second track slot in the process of the electronic device changing from the folded state to the unfolded state in order to improve the movement stability of the second connector within the third track slot.

[0019] In a possible embodiment of this application, the first arc-shaped surface of the first connector may be an arc surface, and the second arc-shaped surface may also be an arc surface. In this case, the sum of the radius of the first arc-shaped surface and the radius of the second arc-shaped surface may be equal to the distance between the surface of the first convex portion and the slot surface of the first arc-shaped slot in order to improve the smoothness of the movement of the first connector within the first track slot.

[0020] Similarly, the third arcuate surface of the second connector may be an arcuate surface, and the fourth arcuate surface may also be an arcuate surface. In this case, the sum of the radius of the third arcuate surface and the radius of the fourth arcuate surface may be equal to the distance between the surface of the third convex portion and the slot surface of the third arcuate slot in order to improve the smoothness of the movement of the second connector within the second track slot.

[0021] In the present application, the first swing arm is rotatably connected to the main shaft. For the rotatable connection between the first swing arm and the main shaft, a second arcuate slot is provided in the base. The first swing arm includes a first arcuate rotating block, and the first arcuate rotating block is received in the second arcuate slot and can slide along the slot surface of the second arcuate slot. Therefore, the first swing arm is rotatably connected to the main shaft by means of a virtual shaft method. This helps to reduce the space occupied by the first swing arm on the main shaft and helps to implement a compact design of the hinge mechanism.

[0022] In addition, the second swing arm is also rotatably connected to the main shaft. For the rotatable connection between the second swing arm and the main shaft, a fourth arcuate slot is further provided in the base. The second swing arm includes a second arcuate rotating block, and the second arcuate rotating block is received in the fourth arcuate slot and can slide along the slot surface of the fourth arcuate slot. Therefore, the second swing arm is rotatably connected to the main shaft by means of a virtual shaft method. This helps to reduce the space occupied by the second swing arm on the main shaft and helps to implement a compact design of the hinge mechanism.

[0023] In the case of an outer foldable electronic device, the first swing arm is rotatably connected to the main shaft via a virtual shaft or a solid shaft, and it can be understood that the axis about which the first swing arm rotates around the main shaft is located on one side of the main shaft away from the flexible display. When the second swing arm is rotatably connected to the main shaft by a virtual shaft or a solid shaft, the axis about which the second swing arm rotates around the main shaft is located on one side of the main shaft away from the flexible display.

[0024] In order to improve the reliability of the connection between the first swing arm and the main shaft, in the present application, the cover further includes a second convex portion arranged toward the second arc-shaped slot, and at least a part of the first arc-shaped rotating block is located between the second convex portion and the second arc-shaped slot. Thereby, the first swing arm is restricted by the second convex portion and the second arc-shaped slot to the main shaft, and the first swing arm can be prevented from falling off from the second arc-shaped slot.

[0025] In addition, the cover further includes a fourth convex portion arranged toward the fourth arc-shaped slot, and at least a part of the second arc-shaped rotating block is located between the fourth convex portion and the fourth arc-shaped slot. Thereby, the second swing arm is restricted by the fourth convex portion and the fourth arc-shaped slot to the main shaft, and the second swing arm can be prevented from falling off from the fourth arc-shaped slot.

[0026] In a possible embodiment of the present application, the first connector includes a first rotating shaft and a second rotating shaft. The first connector is rotatably connected to the first swing arm via the first rotating shaft, and the first connector is rotatably connected to the first support arm via the second rotating shaft. The axis of the first rotating shaft is parallel to and does not coincide with the axis of the second rotating shaft. Thereby, the first swing arm and the first support arm can perform a mutual tension movement via the first connector.

[0027] The second connector includes a third rotating shaft and a fourth rotating shaft. The second connector is rotatably connected to the second swing arm via the third rotating shaft, and the second connector is rotatably connected to the second support arm via the fourth rotating shaft. The axis of the third rotating shaft is parallel to but does not coincide with the axis of the fourth rotating shaft. Thus, the second swing arm and the second support arm can perform a mutual tension movement via the second connector.

[0028] Specifically, when the first swing arm is rotatably connected to the first connector via the first rotating shaft, a first mounting slot may be provided in the first arc-shaped rotating block. The slot opening of the first mounting slot is arranged toward the second arc-shaped slot. The first rotating shaft is attached to the first mounting slot. A part of the surface of the first rotating shaft contacts the slot surface of the first mounting slot, and a part of the surface of the first rotating shaft contacts the slot surface of the second arc-shaped slot. The first rotating shaft is attached to the first mounting slot of the first arc-shaped rotating block, whereby the size of the first arc-shaped rotating block can be effectively reduced. This helps in the compact design of the hinge mechanism.

[0029] In addition, the slot surface of the first mounting slot includes a first arc surface, the surface of the first rotating shaft that contacts the slot surface of the first mounting slot is a second arc surface, and the center of the first arc surface coincides with the center of the second arc surface. In this way, for the rotatable connection between the first swing arm and the first rotating shaft, in the process of the first arc-shaped rotating block sliding along the slot surface of the second arc-shaped slot, the first rotating shaft rotates relative to the first arc-shaped rotating block.

[0030] The slot surface of the second arcuate slot is a third arcuate surface, and the surface of the first rotating shaft that contacts the slot surface of the second arcuate slot is a fourth arcuate surface. The center of the third arcuate surface coincides with the center of the fourth arcuate surface. In this way, when the first rotating shaft slides along the slot surface of the second arcuate slot together with the first arcuate rotating block, the first rotating shaft can rotate further with respect to the first arcuate rotating block and the second arcuate slot in order to assist in implementing the movement of the first connector with respect to the main shaft.

[0031] Similarly, the second arcuate rotating block is provided with a second mounting slot. The slot opening of the second mounting slot is arranged towards the fourth arcuate slot. The third rotating shaft is mounted in the second mounting slot. A part of the surface of the third rotating shaft contacts the slot surface of the second mounting slot, and a part of the surface of the third rotating shaft contacts the slot surface of the fourth arcuate slot. The third rotating shaft is mounted in the second mounting slot of the second arcuate rotating block, whereby the size of the second arcuate rotating block can be effectively reduced. This helps with the compact design of the hinge mechanism.

[0032] The second mounting slot may include a fifth arcuate surface. The surface of the third rotating shaft that contacts the slot surface of the second mounting slot is a sixth arcuate surface. The center of the fifth arcuate surface coincides with the center of the sixth arcuate surface. In addition, the slot surface of the fourth arcuate slot is a seventh arcuate surface, and the surface of the third rotating shaft that contacts the slot surface of the fourth arcuate slot may be an eighth arcuate surface. In this case, the center of the seventh arcuate surface coincides with the center of the eighth arcuate surface. In this way, when the third rotating shaft slides along the slot surface of the fourth arcuate slot together with the second arcuate rotating block, the third rotating shaft can rotate further with respect to the second arcuate rotating block and the fourth arcuate slot in order to assist in implementing the movement of the second connector with respect to the main shaft.

[0033] In a possible embodiment of the present application, the first connector may include a plurality of first sub-connectors that are continuously rotatably connected. In addition, the plurality of first sub-connectors may be located between the first swing arm and the first support arm. The first swing arm may be rotatably connected to a first sub-connector adjacent to the first swing arm, and the first support arm may be rotatably connected to a first sub-connector adjacent to the first support arm. The first swing arm and the first support arm are connected via a plurality of first sub-connectors. This can effectively improve the speed uniformity in the process of the first swing arm and the first support arm rotating around the main shaft. As a result, the smoothness of the mutual tension movement of the first swing arm and the first support arm can be improved.

[0034] In addition, the second connector may include a plurality of second sub-connectors that are continuously rotatably connected. In addition, the plurality of second sub-connectors may be located between the second swing arm and the second support arm. The second swing arm may be rotatably connected to an adjacent second sub-connector, and the second support arm may be rotatably connected to an adjacent second sub-connector. The second swing arm and the second support arm are connected via a plurality of second sub-connectors. This can effectively improve the speed uniformity in the process of the second swing arm and the second support arm rotating around the main shaft. As a result, the smoothness of the mutual tension movement of the second swing arm and the second support arm can be improved.

[0035] According to a second aspect, the present application further provides an electronic device. The electronic device includes a first housing, a second housing, a flexible display, and the hinge mechanism in the first aspect. The first housing and the second housing are respectively disposed on both sides of the hinge mechanism, and the first housing and the second housing are rotatably connected to the hinge mechanism. The flexible display continuously covers the first housing, the second housing, and the hinge mechanism, and the flexible display is fixed to the first housing and the second housing. When the electronic device is in the unfolded state, the hinge mechanism, the first housing, and the second housing together support the flexible display flatly. This can ensure the complete form of the unfolded electronic device. In the process of the electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state, the two housings rotate synchronously towards each other to drive the flexible display to rotate, and in the process of the electronic device changing from the folded state to the unfolded state, the two housings rotate synchronously away from each other to drive the flexible display to rotate. This can effectively avoid the deformation of the flexible display and reduce the risk of damage to the flexible display.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0036]

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MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0037] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following will further describe this application in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms used in the following embodiments of this application are only intended to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application. The singular terms "one," "a," and "the" used in the specification and the appended claims of this application are intended to include expressions such as "one or more" as well, unless clearly specified otherwise in the context.

[0038] References to "an embodiment" or "some embodiments" as described herein indicate that one or more embodiments of this application include the specific features, structures, or characteristics described with reference to the embodiment. Therefore, descriptions such as "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in some other embodiments," and "in other embodiments" that appear in different places in this specification do not necessarily mean they refer to the same embodiment. Instead, unless otherwise particularly emphasized, these descriptions mean "one or more embodiments but not all." The terms "comprising," "having," and their variants all mean "including but not limited to" unless otherwise particularly emphasized.

[0039] To facilitate an understanding of the hinge mechanism provided in the embodiments of the present application, the following first describes the application scenario of the hinge mechanism. The use of the hinge mechanism may be in a foldable electronic device such as a mobile phone, a palmtop computer (personal digital assistant, PDA), a notebook computer, or a tablet computer, but is not limited thereto. In the present application, the electronic device may be an outer-foldable electronic device or an inner-foldable electronic device. In the process of the outer-foldable electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state, the flexible display is always located on the outer side of the electronic device. When the inner-foldable electronic device is in the folded state, the flexible display is located inside the electronic device. In the embodiments of the present application, the application of the hinge mechanism in the electronic device is described by taking the outer-foldable electronic device as an example. FIG. 1 is a diagram of the structure of a folded electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application. In addition to the hinge mechanism 1, the electronic device may further include two housings and a flexible display. For ease of explanation, the two housings may be named the first housing 2 and the second housing 3, respectively. The first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are located on both sides of the hinge mechanism 1 and can rotate around the hinge mechanism 1. When the electronic device is used, the electronic device can be folded or unfolded in different usage scenarios.

[0040] Figure 1 shows the relative positional relationship between the hinge mechanism 1 and the two housings when the electronic device is in the folded state. In this case, the first surface of the hinge mechanism 1, the first surface of the first housing, and the first surface of the second housing can be used together as a support surface for a flexible display (not shown in Figure 1). The flexible display is omitted in Figure 1. The first surface of the hinge mechanism 1 is the surface of the hinge mechanism 1 facing the flexible display. The first surface of the first housing 2 is the surface of the first housing 2 facing the flexible display. The first surface of the second housing 3 is the surface of the second housing 3 facing the flexible display. For ease of explanation, in this application, the first surface of the hinge mechanism 1 can be defined as the support surface 1a of the hinge mechanism 1, the first surface of the first housing 2 can be defined as the first support surface 2a, and the first surface of the second housing 3 can be defined as the second support surface 3a.

[0041] Figure 2a is a diagram of the structure of the electronic device in the unfolded state, and Figure 2a shows the structure of the first support surface 2a of the first housing 2 and the structure of the second support surface 3a of the second housing 3. In the unfolded state, the support surface 1a of the hinge mechanism 1, the first support surface 2a of the first housing 2, and the second support surface 3a of the second housing 3 can be connected to form a flat support surface.

[0042] Considering this, the flexible display can continuously cover the support surface 1a of the hinge mechanism 1, the first support surface 2a of the first housing 2, and the second support surface 3a of the second housing 3. The hinge mechanism 1 is arranged corresponding to the bendable part of the flexible display, and the flexible display can be fixedly connected to the first support surface 2a of the first housing 2 and the second support surface 3a of the second housing 3. The connection method of the flexible display may be, but is not limited to, adhesion. In this way, when the electronic device is in the unfolded state shown in Figure 2a, the hinge mechanism 1, the first housing 2, and the second housing 3 can support the flexible display flatly.

[0043] In addition, FIG. 2b is a diagram of another structure of the electronic device in the unfolded state according to an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 2b shows the structures of the second surface of the hinge mechanism 1, the second surface of the first housing 2, and the second surface of the second housing 3. The second surface of the hinge mechanism 1 is the surface of the hinge mechanism 1 that is away from the flexible display, the second surface of the first housing 2 is the surface of the first housing 2 that is away from the flexible display, and the second surface of the second housing 3 is the surface of the second housing 3 that is away from the flexible display. In this case, the first surface and the second surface of the hinge mechanism 1 are arranged on opposite sides of each other, the first surface and the second surface of the first housing 2 are arranged on opposite sides of each other, and the first surface and the second surface of the second housing 3 are arranged on opposite sides of each other. In the present application, the second surface of the hinge mechanism 1, the second surface of the first housing 2, and the second surface of the second housing 3 can be used as the outer appearance surfaces of the electronic device. For ease of explanation, the second surface of the first housing 2 can be defined as the first outer appearance surface 2b, the second surface of the second housing 3 can be defined as the second outer appearance surface 3b, and the second surface of the hinge mechanism 1 can be defined as the third outer appearance surface 1b. In the case of an outer foldable electronic device, it can be understood that when the electronic device is in the unfolded state, the outer appearance surface of the electronic device is exposed on the outside of the electronic device, and when the electronic device is in the folded state, the outer appearance surface of the electronic device is located inside the electronic device. In the present application, when the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 rotate relative to each other from the unfolded state shown in FIG. 2a or FIG. 2b to the folded state shown in FIG. 1, or from the folded state shown in FIG. 1 to the unfolded state shown in FIG. 2a or FIG. 2b, the flexible display can be bent or flattened together with the first housing 2 and the second housing 3. In addition, it can be understood that the process in which the electronic device changes from the unfolded state shown in FIG. 2a or FIG. 2b to the folded state shown in FIG. 1, or from the folded state shown in FIG. 1 to the unfolded state shown in FIG. 2a or FIG. 2b is a process in which the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 rotate around the hinge mechanism 1.

[0044] As an important functional component of a foldable electronic device, the hinge mechanism 1 can be arranged corresponding to the foldable part of the flexible display. In the process of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 of the electronic device rotating around the hinge mechanism 1, if the forces applied to the flexible display by the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are not synchronized, the stress of the flexible display is likely to be non-uniform. As a result, the flexible display is compressed, or pulled, or furthermore, the flexible display is damaged.

[0045] In consideration of this, in order to help the first housing and the second housing of the electronic device move synchronously towards or away from each other around the hinge mechanism, a synchronization assembly is arranged in the hinge mechanism provided in this application, whereby the part of the flexible display connected to the first housing and the part of the flexible display connected to the second housing can move synchronously towards or away from each other. This can improve the uniformity of the stress of the flexible display, effectively reduce the risk of the flexible display being compressed or pulled, extend the lifespan of the flexible display, and further improve the structural reliability of the electronic device. To facilitate the understanding of the hinge mechanism provided in the embodiments of this application, the following will describe in detail the specific structure of the hinge mechanism with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] Figure 3 is a diagram of the structure of the hinge mechanism 1 according to an embodiment of the present application. In the present application, the hinge mechanism 1 may include a main shaft 101 and a synchronization assembly 102. The number of the synchronization assemblies 102 of the hinge mechanism 1 is not limited in the present application. The hinge mechanism 1 may include only one synchronization assembly 102, or may include a plurality of synchronization assemblies 102. When the hinge mechanism 1 includes a plurality of synchronization assemblies 102, the plurality of synchronization assemblies 102 may be arranged at intervals along the length direction of the hinge mechanism 1. In the present application, the length direction of the hinge mechanism 1 is the extending direction of the axis around which the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 rotate with the hinge mechanism 1 shown in FIG. 2b as the center.

[0047] Figure 4 is an exploded view of the hinge mechanism 1 shown in FIG. 3. In the present application, the hinge mechanism 1 may further include a first swing arm 10511 and a second swing arm 10521. The first swing arm 10511 and the second swing arm 10521 are respectively arranged on both sides of the main shaft 101. The first swing arm 10511 is rotatably connected to the main shaft 101, and the second swing arm 10521 is rotatably connected to the main shaft 101. Please refer to FIGS. 3 and 4 together. The synchronization assembly 102 may be located between the first swing arm 10511 and the second swing arm 10521 along the axial direction of the hinge mechanism 1.

[0048] The synchronous assembly 102 may include a first gear assembly 1021 and a second gear assembly 1022. The first gear assembly 1021 is rotatably connected to a first swing arm 10511, and the axis about which the first swing arm 10511 rotates around the main shaft 101 is parallel to but does not coincide with the axis about which the first gear assembly 1021 rotates around the first swing arm 10511. In the process of the first swing arm 10511 rotating around the main shaft 101, the first gear assembly 1021 can be driven to rotate along the same direction with respect to the main shaft 101. The second gear assembly 1022 is rotatably connected to a second swing arm 10521, and the axis about which the second swing arm 10521 rotates around the main shaft 101 is parallel to but does not coincide with the axis about which the second gear assembly 1022 rotates around the second swing arm 10521. In the process of the second swing arm 10521 rotating around the main shaft 101, the second gear assembly 1022 can be driven to rotate along the same direction with respect to the main shaft 101.

[0049] Please further refer to FIG. 4. In this application, the first gear assembly 1021 may include a first gear member 10211 and a first connecting rod 10212, and the second gear assembly 1022 may include a second gear member 10221 and a second connecting rod 10222. Additionally, please refer to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram of the structure connecting the first swing arm 10511 to the synchronous assembly 102 according to an embodiment of this application. The first gear member 10211 includes a first gear 102111, the second gear member 10221 includes a second gear 102211, the gear surface of the first gear 102111 is engaged with the gear surface of the second gear 102211, the axis of the first gear 102111 is parallel to but does not coincide with the axis about which the first swing arm 10511 rotates around the main shaft 101. Similarly, the axis of the second gear 102211 is parallel to but does not coincide with the axis about which the second swing arm 10521 rotates around the main shaft 101 shown in FIG. 4.

[0050] In this application, the first gear member 10211 is detachably connected to the first connecting rod 10212. Please further refer to FIG. 5. In a specific implementation, the first gear member 10211 may further include a first connecting portion 102112, and the first connecting portion 102112 is located at an end of the first gear 102111 facing the first swing arm 10511. Additionally, please refer to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of the hinge mechanism 1 shown in FIG. 3. The first connecting portion 102112 is provided with a first insertion slot 1021121, and the first insertion slot 1021121 may be a linear slot, but is not limited thereto. Additionally, the first connecting rod 10212 may include a first sliding portion 102121, and the first sliding portion 102121 can be inserted into the first insertion slot 1021121. It can be understood that when the first insertion slot 1021121 is a linear slot, the first sliding portion 102121 may be a linear sliding block. This helps to improve the smoothness of the sliding of the first sliding portion 102121 along the first insertion slot 1021121. In this way, in the process of the first swing arm 10511 rotating around the main shaft 101, the first sliding portion 102121 can slide along the first insertion slot 1021121, whereby the first swing arm 10511 drives the first gear 102111 to rotate.

[0051] In this application, the first connecting rod 10212 rotates relative to the first swing arm 10511. It can be understood that the axis about which the first swing arm 10511 rotates around the main shaft 101 is parallel to, but does not coincide with, the axis about which the first connecting rod 10212 rotates around the first swing arm 10511. In order to implement the connection between the first connecting rod 10212 and the first swing arm 10511, a first insertion port (not shown in FIG. 5) may be provided on the first swing arm 10511. FIG. 7 is a diagram of the structure of the first connecting rod 10212 according to an embodiment of this application. The first connecting rod 10212 further includes a first rod portion 102122. The first rod portion 102122 can be inserted into the first insertion port, and the first rod portion 102122 can rotate relative to the first swing arm 10511 within the first insertion port.

[0052] When the second gear assembly 1022 is specifically arranged, the second gear member 10221 is detachably connected to the second connecting rod 10222. Please further refer to FIG. 5. The second gear member 10221 may further include a second connecting portion 102212, and the second connecting portion 102212 is located at an end of the second gear 102211 facing the second swing arm 10521. A second insertion slot 1022121 is provided in the second connecting portion 102212, and the second insertion slot 1022121 may be a linear slot, but is not limited thereto. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 7 may also show the structure of the second connecting rod 10222. The second connecting rod 10222 may include a second sliding portion 102221, and the second sliding portion 102221 may be inserted into the second insertion slot. It can be understood that when the second insertion slot 1022121 is a linear slot, the second sliding portion 102221 may be a linear sliding block. This helps to improve the smoothness of the sliding of the second sliding portion 102221 along the second insertion slot 1022121. In this way, in the process of the second swing arm 10521 rotating around the main shaft, the second sliding portion 102221 can slide along the second insertion slot 1022121, whereby the second swing arm 10521 drives the second gear 102211 to rotate.

[0053] In the present application, the second connecting rod 10222 rotates with respect to the second swing arm 10521. When the second connecting rod 10222 is rotatably connected to the second swing arm 10521, a second insertion port (not shown in FIG. 5) may be provided in the second arc-shaped rotating block 105211. As shown in FIG. 7, the second connecting rod 10222 may further include a second rod portion 102222. The second rod portion 102222 can be inserted into the second insertion port, and the second rod portion 102222 can rotate with respect to the second swing arm 10521 within the second insertion port. In the present application, it can be understood that the axis around which the second swing arm 10521 rotates around the main shaft 101 is parallel to but does not coincide with the axis around which the second connecting rod 10222 rotates around the second swing arm 10521.

[0054] Based on the foregoing description of the hinge mechanism 1 provided in the embodiments of the present application, in the process of the electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state, the first swing arm 10511 rotates clockwise about the main shaft 101 to drive the first connecting rod 10212 to rotate synchronously clockwise. The first sliding portion 102121 of the first connecting rod 10212 first approaches the axis of the first gear 102111 and then slides along the direction away from the axis of the first gear 102111 within the first insertion slot 1021121 of the first connecting portion 102112 to drive the first gear 102111 to rotate clockwise. In addition, since the first gear 102111 is engaged with the second gear 102211, the first gear 102111 rotates clockwise to drive the second gear 102211 to rotate synchronously counterclockwise. In this case, when the second connecting rod 10222 rotates synchronously counterclockwise with the second gear 102211, the second sliding portion 102221 of the second connecting rod 10222 first approaches the axis of the second gear 102211 and then slides along the direction away from the axis of the second gear 102211 within the second insertion slot 1022121 of the second connecting portion 102212, whereby the second connecting rod 10222 drives the second swing arm 10521 to rotate about the main shaft 101 along the same counterclockwise direction. As a result, the first gear assembly 1021 and the second gear assembly 1022 rotate synchronously towards each other. In addition, in the process of the electronic device changing from the folded state to the unfolded state, the movement directions of each structure are opposite to those of each structure in the process of the electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state. Details are not described here. In this case, the first gear assembly 1021 and the second gear assembly 1022 rotate synchronously away from each other.

[0055] In the synchronization assembly 102 of the hinge mechanism 1 provided in this application, a group of engaging gears are used so that the first swing arm 10511 and the second swing arm 10521 move synchronously along opposite directions. In this case, in order to help improve the rotational reliability of the hinge mechanism 1, the transmission accuracy of the synchronization assembly 102 is high. In addition, since the structure of the synchronization assembly 102 is relatively simple, the structure of the hinge mechanism 1 can be effectively simplified. In addition, when the thickness of the hinge mechanism 1 is fixed, the axis of the first gear 102111 is parallel to and does not coincide with the axis about which the first swing arm 10511 rotates around the main shaft 101, so that the first gear 102111 and the first swing arm 10511 are indirectly transmitted through the first connecting rod 10212, and the axis of the second gear 102211 is parallel to and does not coincide with the axis about which the second swing arm 10521 rotates around the main shaft 101, so that the second gear 102211 and the second swing arm 10521 are indirectly transmitted through the second connecting rod 10222. This helps to implement a compact design of the hinge mechanism 1.

[0056] It should be noted that in this application, the axis of the first gear 102111 is parallel to and does not coincide with the axis about which the first swing arm 10511 rotates around the main shaft 101, and the axis of the second gear 102211 is parallel to and does not coincide with the axis about which the second swing arm 10521 rotates around the main shaft 101. In this case, during the rotation process of the electronic device, the sliding of the first connecting rod 10212 with respect to the first gear member 10211 implements the rotational transmission between the first gear 102111 and the first swing arm 10511, and the sliding of the second connecting rod 10222 with respect to the second gear member 10221 implements the rotational transmission between the second gear 102211 and the second swing arm 10521. Thereby, the reliability of the rotational transmission between the first swing arm 10511 and the first gear 102111 and the rotational transmission between the second swing arm 10521 and the second gear 102211 can be improved.

[0057] In addition to being used as a driving component of the synchronization assembly 102, the first swing arm 10511 may be further configured to implement the rotation function of the hinge mechanism 1. In a specific implementation, the hinge mechanism 1 may further include a rotation module 105. The number of rotation modules 105 of the hinge mechanism 1 is not limited in this application. The hinge mechanism 1 may include only one rotation module 105 or may include a plurality of rotation modules 105. Please further refer to FIGS. 3 and 4. When the hinge mechanism 1 includes a plurality of rotation modules 105, the plurality of rotation modules 105 may be arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the hinge mechanism 1.

[0058] To facilitate understanding of the structure of the rotation module 105, please further refer to FIG. 4. The rotation module 105 may include a first rotation assembly 1051, a second rotation assembly 1052, a first housing mounting bracket 103, and a second housing mounting bracket 104. The first housing mounting bracket 103 and the second housing mounting bracket 104 are respectively arranged on both sides of the main shaft 101. The first rotation assembly 1051 is located between the first housing mounting bracket 103 and the second housing mounting bracket 104, and the second rotation assembly 1052 is located between the first housing mounting bracket 103 and the second housing mounting bracket 104. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the main shaft 101 of the hinge mechanism 1 may be used as a supporting component of the first rotation assembly 1051 and the second rotation assembly 1052.

[0059] In an embodiment of the present application, when there are multiple rotation modules 105, it should be noted that the first rotation assembly 1051 and the second rotation assembly 1052 of the multiple rotation modules 105 can all use the same main shaft 101 as a support component to improve the integration degree of the hinge mechanism 1. In some other possible embodiments of the present application, one main shaft 101 may be correspondingly arranged for each rotation module 105 of the hinge mechanism 1 such that the corresponding main shaft 101 is used as a support component for the first rotation assembly 1051 and the second rotation assembly 1052 of each rotation module 105.

[0060] Please further refer to FIG. 4. In addition to including the first swing arm 10511, the first rotation assembly 1051 may further include a first support arm 10512 and a first connector 10513. The first connector 10513 is located between the first swing arm 10511 and the first support arm 10512. The first connector 10513 is rotatably connected to the first swing arm 10511, and the first connector 10513 is rotatably connected to the first support arm 10512. Thereby, the first swing arm 10511 and the first support arm 10512 perform a mutual tension movement via the first connector 10513. Considering this, it can be understood that the movement trajectory of the first connector 10513 plays an important role in the movement trajectory of the first rotation assembly 1051.

[0061] In the present application, the first connector 10513 is capable of moving relative to the main shaft 101. In fact, please refer to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the first connector 10513 of the hinge mechanism 1 when the electronic device is in a deployed state according to an embodiment of the present application. The main shaft 101 may be provided with a first track slot 1013, and the first connector 10513 is capable of moving along the first track slot 1013 to limit the movement trajectory of the first connector 10513.

[0062] FIG. 9 is a diagram of the structure of the main shaft 101 according to an embodiment of the present application. The main shaft 101 may further include a base 1011 and a cover 1012. The cover 1012 covers the base 1011, and the outer surface of the cover 1012 can be used as the third outer surface 1b of the hinge mechanism 1. FIG. 10 is a diagram of the structure of the base 1011 of the main shaft 101 shown in FIG. 9. A first arc-shaped slot 10111 may be provided in the base 1011. Please refer to FIGS. 8 and 10 together. The first connector 10513 is accommodated in the first arc-shaped slot 10111, and the first connector 10513 can slide along the slot surface 101111 of the first arc-shaped slot. In addition, please refer to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a diagram of the structure of the cover 1012 of the main shaft 101 shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 11 is used to show the structure of the side of the cover 1012 facing the base 1011. The cover 1012 includes a first convex portion 10121. As shown in FIG. 8, the first convex portion 10121 can be arranged toward the first arc-shaped slot 10111. There is a gap between the surface 101211 of the first convex portion and the slot surface 101111 of the first arc-shaped slot, and this gap is used as the first track slot 1013.

[0063] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the first connector 10513 of the hinge mechanism 1 when the electronic device is in the folded state according to an embodiment of the present application. Please refer to FIGS. 8 and 12 together. In the process of the electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state, the first connector 10513 can move in the first track slot 1013 toward the first swing arm 10511. In the process of the electronic device changing from the folded state to the unfolded state, the first connector 10513 can move in the first track slot 1013 toward the first support arm 10512. In this way, the first connector 10513 can move relative to the main shaft 101 according to a specified track.

[0064] Please refer to FIGS. 8 and 12 together. In the process of the electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state or from the folded state to the unfolded state, it can be recognized that the first swing arm 10511 and the first support arm 10512 can rotate around the main shaft 101. In addition, since the first swing arm 10511 and the first support arm 10512 perform a mutual tension movement via the first connector 10513, the first connector 10513 can rotate further with respect to the surface 101211 of the first convex portion and the slot surface 101111 of the first arc-shaped slot in the process of the first connector 10513 moving within the first track slot 1013 in order to improve the smoothness of the movement of the first rotation assembly 1051.

[0065] FIG. 13 is a diagram of the structure of the first connector 10513 according to an embodiment of the present application. In the present application, the first connector 10513 may include a first arc-shaped surface 105133 and a second arc-shaped surface 105134. In order to implement the rotation of the first connector 10513 with respect to the surface 101211 of the first convex portion and the slot surface 101111 of the first arc-shaped slot, the first arc-shaped surface 105133 and the second arc-shaped surface 105134 may be arc surfaces, and the center of the first arc-shaped surface 105133 may coincide with the center of the second arc-shaped surface 105134. The radii of the first arc-shaped surface 105133 and the second arc-shaped surface 105134 may or may not be equal, which is not limited in the present application. In addition, considering the design tolerance, the first arc-shaped surface 105133 and the second arc-shaped surface 105134 may also be arc surfaces in other possible forms such as elliptical arc surfaces as long as the first connector 10513 can rotate with respect to the surface 101211 of the first convex portion and the slot surface 101111 of the first arc-shaped slot.

[0066] Please further refer to FIGS. 8 and 12. When the electronic device is in the unfolded state shown in FIG. 8 and the folded state shown in FIG. 12, the first arcuate surface 105133 of the first connector 10513 can abut against the surface 101211 of the first convex portion, and the second arcuate surface 105134 can abut against the slot surface 101111 of the first arcuate slot. In this way, the surface 101211 of the first convex portion and the slot surface 101111 of the first arcuate slot limit the first connector 10513 in the first track slot 1013. Thereby, when the hinge mechanism 1 is in the unfolded state and the folded state, the first connector 10513 is relatively stable without any shaking caused by gaps, and the reliability of the hinge mechanism 1 is improved in the above-mentioned two states.

[0067] In the present application, when the electronic device is in the unfolded state shown in FIG. 8, the distance between the point where the surface 101211 of the first convex portion abuts against the first arcuate surface 105133 and the point where the slot surface 101111 of the first arcuate slot abuts against the second arcuate surface 105134 can be represented as d1. When the electronic device is in the folded state shown in FIG. 12, the distance between the point where the surface 101211 of the first convex portion abuts against the first arcuate surface 105133 and the point where the slot surface 101111 of the first arcuate slot abuts against the second arcuate surface 105134 can be represented as d2. When the electronic device is in the unfolded state and the folded state, the first arcuate surface 105133 of the first connector 10513 can abut against the surface 101211 of the first convex portion, and the second arcuate surface 105134 can abut against the slot surface 101111 of the first arcuate slot. Therefore, when both the first arcuate surface 105133 and the second arcuate surface 105134 are arcuate surfaces, d1 = d2 can be obtained.

[0068] In this application, the specific arrangement form of the surface 101211 of the first convex portion and the slot surface 101111 of the first arc-shaped slot is not limited. For example, the surface 101211 of the first convex portion may be an arc surface, and the slot surface 101111 of the first arc-shaped slot may be an arc surface. In addition, the center of the circle of the surface 101211 of the first convex portion coincides with the center of the circle of the slot surface 101111 of the first arc-shaped slot. In some other possible embodiments of this application, both the surface 101211 of the first convex portion and the slot surface 101111 of the first arc-shaped slot may be configured as planes so that the first track slot 1013 becomes a straight slot. Alternatively, both the surface 101211 of the first convex portion and the slot surface 101111 of the first arc-shaped slot may be other forms of curved surfaces so that the first track slot 1013 becomes a curved slot of any form, which should be understood to be within the protection scope of this application.

[0069] Please further refer to FIG. 8. In this application, the surface 101211 of the first convex portion may be equidistant from the slot surface 101111 of the first arc-shaped slot. In this case, the first track slot 1013 is an equi-width slot. In the process of the electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state and from the folded state to the unfolded state, the surface 101211 of the first convex portion maintains the contact state with the first arc surface 105133, and the slot surface 101111 of the first arc-shaped slot maintains the contact state with the second arc surface 105134. Therefore, in the process of the electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state and from the folded state to the unfolded state, the movement track of the first connector 10513 may be the same. This can improve the movement stability of the first connector 10513 and help improve the movement stability of the first rotating assembly 1051.

[0070] FIG. 14 is a diagram of an assembly structure of a first connector 10513 and a main shaft 101 according to an embodiment of the present application. In the present application, when the first track slot 1013 is an equal-width slot and the first arc-shaped surface 105133 and the second arc-shaped surface 105134 are arc surfaces, the sum of the radius R1 of the first arc-shaped surface 105133 and the radius R2 of the second arc-shaped surface 105134 is equal to the distance D between the surface 101211 of the first convex portion and the slot surface 101111 of the first arc-shaped slot. In addition, considering the smoothness of the movement of the first connector 10513 within the first track slot 1013, a specific design gap may be ensured between the first arc-shaped surface 105133 and the surface 101211 of the first convex portion, and / or between the second arc-shaped surface 105134 and the slot surface 101111 of the first arc-shaped slot.

[0071] In some other possible embodiments of the present application, the movement trajectory of the first connector 10513 in the process of the electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state may be different from the movement trajectory of the first connector 10513 in the process of the electronic device changing from the folded state to the unfolded state. In a specific implementation, in the process of the electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state, the first arc-shaped surface 105133 abuts against the surface 101211 of the first convex portion, and there is a gap between the second arc-shaped surface 105134 and the slot surface 101111 of the first arc-shaped slot. In addition, in the process of the electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state, the second arc-shaped surface 105134 abuts against the slot surface 101111 of the first arc-shaped slot, and there is a gap between the first arc-shaped surface 105133 and the surface 101211 of the first convex portion. In this embodiment, the surface 101211 of the first convex portion does not have to be equidistant from the slot surface 101111 of the first arc-shaped slot. In this case, the first track slot 1013 may be a non-equal-width slot.

[0072] From the foregoing description, it can be known that in the present application, the first swing arm 10511 can be rotatably connected to the main shaft 101, and the first swing arm 10511 can be rotatably connected to the main shaft 101 in the method of a virtual shaft. This helps to reduce the space occupied by the first swing arm 10511 on the main shaft 101, helps to reduce the volume of the rotation module 105, and enables the implementation of a compact design of the hinge mechanism 1. In addition, in the case of an outer folding electronic device, when the first swing arm 10511 is rotatably connected to the main shaft 101 in the method of a virtual shaft, it can be understood that the axis about which the first swing arm 10511 rotates around the main shaft 101 is located on one side of the main shaft 101 away from the flexible display.

[0073] In this application, it should be noted that the virtual shaft is the axis of the arc-shaped structure. The two components connected rotatably can rotate with respect to the virtual shaft, and when the two components connected rotatably rotate with respect to each other, the position of the virtual shaft is fixed. For example, FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of the hinge mechanism 1 shown in FIG. 3. A first arc-shaped rotating block 105111 may be arranged at the end of the first swing arm 10511 facing the base 1011. In addition, refer to FIG. 10. The base 1011 may be provided with a second arc-shaped slot 10112. The first arc-shaped rotating block 105111 can be accommodated in the second arc-shaped slot 10112, and the first arc-shaped rotating block 105111 can slide along the slot surface of the second arc-shaped slot 10112. In this way, the rotation of the first swing arm 10511 around the main shaft 101 is implemented by the sliding of the first arc-shaped rotating block 105111 along the arc-shaped surface of the second arc-shaped slot 10112. In addition, in this application, the first arc-shaped rotating block 105111 may be an arc-shaped rotating block, but is not limited thereto, and the second arc-shaped slot 10112 may be an arc-shaped slot, but is not limited thereto. When the first arc-shaped rotating block 105111 is an arc-shaped rotating block, the surface of the first arc-shaped rotating block 105111 that contacts the slot surface of the second arc-shaped slot 10112 may be an arc surface, and the slot surface of the second arc-shaped slot 10112 is also an arc surface, and it can be understood that the centers of the two arc surfaces coincide with each other.

[0074] Please also refer to FIGS. 11 and 15 together. The cover 1012 may include a second convex portion 10122 disposed toward the second arcuate slot 10112, and at least a part of the first arcuate rotating block 105111 is located between the second convex portion 10122 and the second arcuate slot 10112, and the first arcuate rotating block 105111 may contact the surface 101221 of the second convex portion. In this way, the first arcuate rotating block 105111 can be restricted between the cover 1012 and the base 1011, and the rotational stability of the first arcuate rotating block 105111 with respect to the base 1011 can be effectively improved.

[0075] When the slot surface of the second arcuate slot 10112 is an arcuate surface, the portion of the surface 101221 of the second convex portion that contacts the first arcuate rotating block 105111 may also be an arcuate surface, and it should be noted that the centers of the two arcuate surfaces coincide with each other. In addition, if the first arcuate rotating block 105111 can rotate with respect to the second convex portion 10122, the surface 101221 of the first arcuate rotating block that faces the second convex portion may be a flat surface or an arcuate surface.

[0076] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a first swing arm 10511 of a hinge mechanism 1 when an electronic device is in a folded state according to an embodiment of the present application. In the present application, a first concave portion 1051111 may be further provided in the first arc-shaped rotating block 105111, and an opening of the first concave portion 1051111 is arranged toward the cover 1012. In addition, a first insertion portion 10123 may be arranged at an end of the cover 1012 facing the first swing arm 10511. In this case, in the folded state, the first insertion portion 10123 may be inserted into the first concave portion 1051111, and a surface of the first insertion portion 10123 facing the second arc-shaped slot 10112 abuts against at least a part of a surface of the first concave portion 1051111. In this way, in order to improve the reliability of the connection between the first swing arm 10511 and the main shaft 101 and improve the structural reliability of the entire hinge mechanism 1, the rotation of the first arc-shaped rotating block 105111 may be restricted, and the first arc-shaped rotating block 105111 may be prevented from falling off from the second arc-shaped slot 10112.

[0077] In the present application, in addition to being rotatably connected to the main shaft 101 by the method of a virtual shaft, the first swing arm 10511 may be rotatably connected to the main shaft 101 by the method of a solid shaft, and it should be noted that in this way, the first swing arm 10511 can be relatively surely connected to the main shaft 101. When the first swing arm 10511 is connected to the main shaft 101 by the method of a solid shaft, it can be understood that an axis about which the first swing arm 10511 rotates around the main shaft 101 is also located on one side of the main shaft 101 away from the flexible display.

[0078] In the present application, when the first swing arm 10511 is rotatably connected to the first connector 10513, please further refer to FIG. 13. The first connector 10513 may include a first rotating shaft 105131 and a second rotating shaft 105132, and an axis of the first rotating shaft 105131 is parallel to and does not coincide with an axis of the second rotating shaft 105132.

[0079] In addition, FIG. 17 is a diagram of the structure of the first rotating assembly 1051 according to an embodiment of the present application. The first connector 10513 is rotatably connected to the first swinging arm 10511 via the first rotating shaft 105131, and the first connector 10513 is rotatably connected to the first supporting arm 10512 via the second rotating shaft 105132. In this way, the first swinging arm 10511 and the first supporting arm 10512 can perform a mutual tension movement via the first connector 10513.

[0080] FIG. 18 is a diagram of the structure of the first swinging arm 10511 according to an embodiment of the present application. The first arc-shaped rotating block 105111 of the first swinging arm 10511 is provided with a first mounting slot 1051112. The slot opening of the first mounting slot 1051112 is arranged toward the second arc-shaped slot 10112, and the first rotating shaft 105131 can be mounted in the first mounting slot 1051112. In order to limit the first rotating shaft 105131 in the first mounting slot 1051112, a part of the surface of the first rotating shaft 105131 can contact the slot surface of the first mounting slot 1051112, and a part of the surface of the first rotating shaft 105131 contacts the slot surface of the second arc-shaped slot 10112.

[0081] Please further refer to FIGS. 15 and 18. The slot surface of the first mounting slot 1051112 may include a first arc surface 10511121, and the surface of the first rotating shaft 105131 that contacts the slot surface of the first mounting slot 1051112 is a second arc surface 1051311, and the center of the first arc surface 10511121 coincides with the center of the second arc surface 1051311. Additionally, please refer to FIG. 10. The slot surface of the second arc-shaped slot 10112 may be a third arc surface 101121. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, the surface of the first rotating shaft 105131 that contacts the slot surface of the second arc-shaped slot 10112 may be a fourth arc surface 1051312, and the center of the third arc surface 101121 coincides with the center of the fourth arc surface 1051312. In this way, please refer to FIGS. 15 and 16 together. When the first rotating shaft 105131 slides along the slot surface of the second arc-shaped slot 10112 together with the first arc-shaped rotating block 105111, the first rotating shaft 105131 may further rotate relative to the first arc-shaped rotating block 105111 in order to assist in implementing the movement of the first connector 10513 with respect to the main shaft 101.

[0082] It should be noted that when the first swinging arm 10511 is rotatably connected to the main shaft 101 via the first arc-shaped rotating block 105111, the first connecting rod 10212 of the first gear assembly 1021 in the synchronization assembly 102 may be rotatably connected to the first arc-shaped rotating block 105111. During specific implementation, a first insertion port may be provided on the first arc-shaped rotating block 105111, whereby the first rod portion 102122 of the first connecting rod 10212 can be inserted into the first insertion port, and the first rod portion 102122 can rotate relative to the first arc-shaped rotating block 105111 within the first insertion port. This can effectively reduce the size of the hinge mechanism 1 and help implement a compact design of the hinge mechanism 1.

[0083] In the present application, as shown in FIG. 17, when the first connector 10513 is rotatably connected to the first support arm 10512, the second rotating shaft 105132 can penetrate both the first connector 10513 and the first support arm 10512. In this case, the connection method between the first connector 10513 and the first support arm 10512 is relatively simple, which helps to simplify the structure of the first rotating assembly 1051, and thereby the structure of the hinge mechanism 1 can be simplified. It should be noted that when both the first arcuate surface 105133 and the second arcuate surface 105134 are arcuate surfaces, the centers of the first arcuate surface 105133, the center of the second arcuate surface 105134, and the axis of the second rotating shaft 105132 coincide with each other.

[0084] In the hinge mechanism 1 provided in the embodiment of the present application, it can be understood that the first connector 10513 includes a plurality of first connectors 10513 that are continuously rotatably connected. In addition, a plurality of first sub-connectors may be located between the first swing arm 10511 and the first support arm 10512. The first swing arm 10511 may be rotatably connected to a first sub-connector adjacent to the first swing arm 10511, and the first support arm 10512 may be rotatably connected to a first sub-connector adjacent to the first support arm 10512. For the method in which the first swing arm 10511 is rotatably connected to a first sub-connector adjacent to the first swing arm 10511 and the method in which the first support arm 10512 is rotatably connected to a first sub-connector adjacent to the first support arm 10512, refer to the above description of the rotatable connection between the first swing arm 10511 and the first support arm 10512 and the first connector 10513. Details will not be described again here. In the present application, the first connector 10513 is placed as a plurality of first sub-connectors that are continuously rotatably connected so that the first swing arm 10511 and the first support arm 10512 are connected via a plurality of first sub-connectors. This effectively improves the speed uniformity in the process of the first swing arm 10511 and the first support arm 10512 rotating around the main shaft 101, and as a result, the smoothness of the mutual tensile movement of the first swing arm 10511 and the first support arm 10512 can be improved.

[0085] Please further refer to FIG. 4. In the present application, the first swing arm 10511 can be further slidably connected to the first housing mounting bracket 103, whereby the first swing arm 10511 can rotate about the main shaft 101 to drive the first housing mounting bracket 103 to rotate along the same direction. In a specific implementation, a first sliding groove 1031 is provided in the first housing mounting bracket 103. The first sliding groove 1031 extends along a first direction, and the first swing arm 10511 can be attached to the first sliding groove 1031 and is capable of sliding along the first direction within the first sliding groove 1031. The first direction can be the direction in which the first housing mounting bracket 103 moves towards or away from the base 1011. In addition, in order to prevent the first swing arm 10511 from falling out of the first sliding groove 1031, a first sliding rail can be arranged on the sliding groove wall of the first sliding groove 1031, and a first sliding block can be arranged on the first swing arm 10511. In this way, in order to limit the first swing arm 10511 to the first sliding groove 1031, the first sliding block can be clamped to the first sliding rail, and the first sliding block is capable of sliding along the first sliding rail. In addition, the first sliding rail is arranged on the sliding groove wall of the first sliding groove 1031, which can guide the sliding of the first swing arm 10511 along the first sliding groove 1031 and improve the movement stability of the first swing arm 10511.

[0086] In the present application, the first support arm 10512 can be rotatably connected to the second housing mounting bracket 104. In a specific implementation, please further refer to FIG. 4. A second mounting portion 1042 is provided on the second housing mounting bracket 104. The end portion of the first support arm 10512 facing the second housing mounting bracket 104 is attached to the second mounting portion 1042, and the end portion of the first support arm 10512 facing the second housing mounting bracket 104 is rotatably connected to the second mounting portion 1042.

[0087] In the embodiments of the present application, the specific method by which the end of the first support arm 10512 facing the second housing mounting bracket 104 is rotatably connected to the second mounting portion 1042 is not limited. For example, further refer to FIG. 4. A first mounting hole may be provided in the second mounting portion 1042, and the second mounting hole is disposed at the end of the first support arm 10512 facing the second housing mounting bracket 104. In this case, the end of the first support arm 10512 facing the first housing mounting bracket 103 may be rotatably connected to the second mounting portion 1042 via a rotating shaft passing through both the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole.

[0088] FIG. 19 is a diagram of the principle of the movement mechanism of the hinge mechanism 1 according to an embodiment of the present application. Based on the hinge mechanism 1 provided in the foregoing embodiment of the present application, in the process of the electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state, the first housing mounting bracket 103 and the second housing mounting bracket 104 move toward each other. When the first housing mounting bracket 103 drives the first swing arm 10511 to rotate clockwise around the main shaft 101, the first swing arm 10511 can slide along the slot surface of the second arc-shaped slot 10112. Thereby, the first connector 10513 can be driven to move in the first track slot 1013 of the main shaft 101 toward the first swing arm 10511. In addition, since the first connector 10513 is rotatably connected to the first support arm 10512, in the process of the first connector 10513 moving in the first track slot 1013 of the main shaft 101 toward the first swing arm 10511, the first support arm 10512 can be driven to rotate counterclockwise around the main shaft 101. Thereby, the first support arm 10512 drives the second housing mounting bracket 104 to rotate counterclockwise around the main shaft 101. In the process of the electronic device changing from the folded state to the unfolded state, the first housing mounting bracket 103 and the second housing mounting bracket 104 move away from each other. When the first housing mounting bracket 103 drives the first swing arm 10511 to rotate counterclockwise around the main shaft 101, the first swing arm 10511 can drive the first connector 10513 to move in the first track slot 1013 of the main shaft 101 toward the first support arm 10512, and the first support arm 10512 can be driven to rotate clockwise around the main shaft 101. Thereby, the first support arm 10512 drives the second housing mounting bracket 104 to rotate clockwise around the main shaft 101. This implements the folding and unfolding functions of the hinge mechanism 1.

[0089] In order to ensure the stability of some existing hinge mechanisms, it is necessary to thicken the rotating assembly connected to the main shaft. In this way, both the main shaft and the hinge mechanism become very heavy. If the main shaft and the hinge mechanism are unreasonably thinned, the strength of the rotating assembly will easily become weak, resulting in a great impact on the reliability of the hinge mechanism and shortening the lifespan of the electronic device. The hinge mechanism 1 in the present application has a simplified structure. According to the above-mentioned structural relationship, the first connector 10513 can be manufactured to have a relatively small cross-section so as to move back and forth within the first track slot 1013 of the main shaft 101. In addition, the first connector 10513 has a sufficient length range along the vertical axis direction and has separate connection relationships with the first swing arm 10511 and the first support arm 10512, whereby the reliability of the hinge mechanism 1 can be guaranteed. In this way, the thickness of the main shaft 101 and the overall thickness of the electronic device can be reduced, and the reliability of the hinge mechanism 1 can be maintained. As a result, the entire hinge mechanism 1 is lightweight, thin, and reliable.

[0090] In addition, since the first connector 10513 can move within the first track slot 1013 according to a specified track, in order to ensure the structural stability and motion stability of the entire hinge mechanism 1, the uncontrolled movement of the first connector 10513 during the entire folding and unfolding process can be avoided, and the random movement of the first housing mounting bracket 103 and the second housing mounting bracket 104 can be further avoided. In some cases, the first track slot 1013 is appropriately designed so that the outer tangent of the hinge mechanism 1 can maintain a certain length during the entire folding and unfolding process, and the flexible display covering the surface of the hinge mechanism 1 can also basically maintain a constant length. In this way, in order to improve the structural reliability of the flexible display and further improve the structural reliability of the electronic device, the compression or tension of the flexible display can be effectively avoided.

[0091] Please further refer to FIG. 4. The second rotating assembly 1052 is structured in the same way as the first rotating assembly 1051 and is placed to be located between the first housing mounting bracket 103 and the second housing mounting bracket 104. Further, in addition to including the second swing arm 10521, the second rotating assembly 1052 may further include a second support arm 10522 and a second connector 10523. The second connector 10523 is located between the second swing arm 10521 and the second support arm 10522. The second connector 10523 is rotatably connected to the second swing arm 10521, and the second connector 10523 is rotatably connected to the second support arm 10522. In this application, the second connector 10523 may be rotatably connected to the second swing arm 10521 and the first support arm 10512 with reference to the way the first connector 10513 is rotatably connected to the second swing arm 10521 and the second support arm 10522. For example, please refer to FIG. 13. FIG. 13 may also be used to show the structure of the second connector 10523 according to this embodiment of this application. The second connector 10523 may include a third rotating shaft 105231 and a fourth rotating shaft 105232. The axis of the third rotating shaft 105231 is parallel to but does not coincide with the axis of the fourth rotating shaft 105232. The second connector 10523 may be rotatably connected to the second swing arm 10521 via the third rotating shaft 105231, and the second connector 10523 may be rotatably connected to the second support arm 10522 via the fourth rotating shaft 105232. Thereby, the second swing arm 10521 and the second support arm 10522 perform a mutual tension movement via the second connector 10523.

[0092] In addition, please refer to FIG. 9. The main shaft 101 may be provided with a second track slot 1014, and the second connector 10523 can move along the second track slot 1014 to limit the movement track of the second connector 10523. Actually, please refer to FIG. 10. The base 1011 may be provided with a third arc-shaped slot 10113, and the second connector 10523 is received in the third arc-shaped slot 10113, and the second connector 10523 can slide along the slot surface of the third arc-shaped slot 10113. In addition, please refer to FIG. 11. The cover 1012 includes a third convex portion 10124. The third convex portion 10124 may be arranged towards the third arc-shaped slot 10113. There is a gap between the surface 101241 of the third convex portion and the slot surface 101131 of the third arc-shaped slot, and this gap is used as the second track slot 1014.

[0093] In the present application, as shown in FIG. 13, the second connector 10523 may include a third arc-shaped surface 105233 and a fourth arc-shaped surface 105234. When the electronic device is in the unfolded state and the folded state, the third arc-shaped surface 105233 of the second connector 10523 may contact the surface 101241 of the third convex portion, and the fourth arc-shaped surface 105234 may contact the slot surface 101131 of the third arc-shaped slot. In this way, the surface 101241 of the third convex portion and the slot surface 101131 of the third arc-shaped slot limit the second connector 10523 to the second track slot 1014. As a result, when the hinge mechanism 1 is in the unfolded state and the folded state, the second connector 10523 is relatively stable without any shaking caused by the gap, and the structural reliability of the hinge mechanism 1 is improved in the above-mentioned two states.

[0094] In this embodiment of the present application, the third arcuate surface 105233 of the second connector 10523 may be arranged with reference to the first arcuate surface 105133 of the first connector 10513, and the fourth arcuate surface 105234 may be arranged with reference to the second arcuate surface 105134 of the first connector 10513. Details will not be described again here. In addition, the second track slot 1014 may be placed with reference to the first track slot 1013. Briefly speaking, the distance between the surface 101241 of the third convex portion and the slot surface 101131 of the third arcuate slot is equal, whereby the second track slot 1014 is an equal-width slot. In this case, in the process of the electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state and from the folded state to the unfolded state, the surface 101241 of the third convex portion maintains a contact state with the third arcuate surface 105233, and the slot surface 101131 of the third arcuate slot maintains a contact state with the fourth arcuate surface 105234. Therefore, in the process of the electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state and from the folded state to the unfolded state, the movement trajectory of the second connector 10523 within the second track slot 1014 is the same. Alternatively, in the process of the electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state, the third arcuate surface 105233 abuts against the surface 101241 of the third convex portion, and there is a gap between the fourth arcuate surface 105234 and the slot surface 101131 of the third arcuate slot. In the process of the electronic device changing from the folded state to the unfolded state, the fourth arcuate surface 105234 abuts against the slot surface 101131 of the third arcuate slot, and there is a gap between the third arcuate surface 105233 and the surface 101241 of the third convex portion. In this way, the movement trajectory of the second connector 10523 in the process of the electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state is different from the movement trajectory of the second connector 10523 in the process of the electronic device changing from the folded state to the unfolded state.

[0095] In the present application, the second swing arm 10521 is rotatably connected to the main shaft 101. The second swing arm 10521 and the main shaft 101 can be rotatably connected by a virtual shaft method. In fact, please refer to FIG. 10. The base 1011 may be provided with a fourth arc-shaped slot 10114. In addition, please refer to FIGS. 4 and 18. FIG. 18 may also show the structure of the second swing arm 10521. At the end of the second swing arm 10521 facing the base 1011, a second arc-shaped rotating block 105211 is arranged. The second arc-shaped rotating block 105211 may be an arc-shaped rotating block, but is not limited thereto. The fourth arc-shaped slot 10114 may be an arc-shaped slot, but is not limited thereto. The second arc-shaped rotating block 105211 can be received in the fourth arc-shaped slot 10114 and can slide along the slot surface of the fourth arc-shaped slot 10114. In this way, the rotation of the second swing arm 10521 around the base 1011 is implemented by the sliding of the second arc-shaped rotating block 105211 along the slot surface of the fourth arc-shaped slot 10114. This helps to reduce the space occupied by the second swing arm 10521 in the main shaft 101, helps to reduce the volume of the rotation module 105, and enables the implementation of a compact design of the hinge mechanism 1. In the case of an outer folding electronic device, when the second swing arm 10521 is rotatably connected to the main shaft 101 by a virtual shaft method, it can be understood that the axis about which the second swing arm 10521 rotates around the main shaft 101 is located on one side of the hinge mechanism 1 away from the flexible display.

[0096] In addition, in the present application, the second arcuate rotating block 105211 may be an arcuate rotating block, but is not limited thereto, and the fourth arcuate slot 10114 may be an arcuate slot, but is not limited thereto. When the second arcuate rotating block 105211 is an arcuate rotating block, the surface of the second arcuate rotating block 105211 that contacts the slot surface of the fourth arcuate slot 10114 may be an arcuate surface, and the slot surface of the fourth arcuate slot 10114 is also an arcuate surface, and it can be understood that the centers of the two arcuate surfaces coincide with each other.

[0097] In the present application, in order to improve the rotational stability of the second swing arm 10521 centered on the main shaft 101, as shown in FIG. 11, the cover 1012 further includes a fourth convex portion 10125 disposed toward the fourth arcuate slot 10114, and at least a part of the second arcuate rotating block 105211 is located between the fourth convex portion 10125 and the fourth arcuate slot 10114, and the surface of the second arcuate rotating block 105211 facing the fourth convex portion 10125 can contact the surface 101251 of the fourth convex portion. In this way, the second arcuate rotating block 105211 can be restricted between the cover 1012 and the base 1011, and the rotational stability of the second arcuate rotating block 105211 with respect to the base 1011 can be effectively improved. In addition, when the slot surface of the fourth arcuate slot 10114 is an arcuate surface, the portion of the surface 101251 of the fourth convex portion that contacts the second arcuate rotating block 105211 may also be an arcuate surface, and the centers of the two arcuate surfaces coincide with each other. In the present application, in the process of the second arcuate rotating block 105211 sliding along the slot surface of the fourth arcuate slot 10114, if the second arcuate rotating block 105211 can rotate with respect to the fourth convex portion 10125, the surface of the second arcuate rotating block 105211 facing the fourth convex portion 10125 may be a flat surface or an arcuate surface.

[0098] In order to improve the reliability of the connection between the second swing arm 10521 and the base 1011, a second concave portion 1052111 may be further provided in the second arcuate rotating block 105211, and the opening of the second concave portion 1052111 is arranged toward the cover 1012. In addition, a second sliding portion 102221 (not shown in FIG. 4) may be arranged at the end of the cover 1012 facing the second housing mounting bracket 104. In this case, in the folded state, the second sliding portion 102221 may be inserted into the second concave portion 1052111, and the surface of the second sliding portion 102221 facing the fourth arcuate slot 10114 abuts against at least a part of the surface of the second concave portion 1052111. In this way, the rotation of the rotating portion of the second arcuate rotating block 105211 can be restricted, and the second arcuate rotating block 105211 can be prevented from falling off from the fourth arcuate slot 10114.

[0099] In the present application, in addition to being rotatably connected to the main shaft 101 by the method of a virtual shaft, the second swing arm 10521 may be rotatably connected to the main shaft 101 by the method of a solid shaft, and it should be noted that in this way, the first swing arm 10511 can be connected to the main shaft 101 relatively reliably. In the case of an outer folding electronic device, when the second swing arm 10521 is rotatably connected to the main shaft 101 by the method of a solid shaft, the axis about which the second swing arm 10521 rotates around the main shaft 101 is also located on one side of the hinge mechanism away from the flexible display.

[0100] Specifically, when the second connector 10523 is rotatably connected to the second swing arm 10521 via the third rotating shaft 105231, as shown in FIG. 18, a second mounting slot 1052112 is provided in the second arc-shaped rotating block 105211, and the slot opening of the second mounting slot 1052112 is arranged toward the fourth arc-shaped slot 10114. In this case, in order to limit the third rotating shaft 105231 to the second mounting slot 1052112, the third rotating shaft 105231 can be attached to the second mounting slot 1052112, a part of the surface of the third rotating shaft 105231 can contact the slot surface of the second mounting slot 1052112, and a part of the surface of the third rotating shaft 105231 contacts the slot surface of the fourth arc-shaped slot 10114.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 18, in the present application, the slot surface of the second mounting slot 1052112 may include a fifth arc surface 10521121. As shown in FIG. 13, the surface of the third rotating shaft 105231 that contacts the slot surface of the second mounting slot 1052112 is a sixth arc surface 1052311, and the center of the fifth arc surface 10521121 coincides with the center of the sixth arc surface 1052311. In addition, the slot surface of the fourth arc-shaped slot 10114 is a seventh arc surface 101141, and the surface of the third rotating shaft 105231 that contacts the slot surface of the fourth arc-shaped slot 10114 may be an eighth arc surface 1052312, and the center of the seventh arc surface 101141 coincides with the center of the eighth arc surface 1052312. In this way, when the third rotating shaft 105231 slides along the slot surface of the fourth arc-shaped slot 10114 together with the second arc-shaped rotating block 105211, the third rotating shaft 105231 can rotate further with respect to the second arc-shaped rotating block 105211 in order to assist in implementing the movement of the second connector 10523 with respect to the main shaft 101.

[0102] When the second swing arm 10521 is rotatably connected to the main shaft 101 via the second arcuate rotating block 105211, it should be noted that the second connecting rod 10222 of the second gear assembly 1022 in the synchronization assembly 102 can be rotatably connected to the second arcuate rotating block 105211. During specific implementation, a second insertion port may be provided in the second arcuate rotating block 105211, whereby the second rod portion 102222 of the second connecting rod 10222 can be inserted into the second insertion port, and the second rod portion 102222 can rotate relative to the second arcuate rotating block 105211 within the second insertion port. This can effectively reduce the size of the hinge mechanism 1 and help implement a compact design of the hinge mechanism 1.

[0103] In the embodiment of the present application, specifically, when the second connector 10523 is rotatably connected to the second support arm 10522 via the fourth rotating shaft 105232, the fourth rotating shaft 105232 can penetrate through the second connector 10523 and the second support arm 10522 simultaneously. In this case, the connection method between the second connector 10523 and the second support arm 10522 is relatively simple, which helps simplify the structure of the second rotating assembly 1052, and thereby the structure of the hinge mechanism 1 can be simplified.

[0104] In the hinge mechanism 1 provided by the embodiment of the present application, it can be understood that the second connector 10523 may include a plurality of second sub-connectors that are continuously rotatably connected. In addition, the plurality of second sub-connectors may be located between the second swing arm 10521 and the second support arm 10522. In this case, the second swing arm 10521 may be rotatably connected to an adjacent second sub-connector. For how the second swing arm 10521 is rotatably connected to an adjacent second sub-connector and how the second support arm 10522 is rotatably connected to an adjacent second sub-connector, refer to the foregoing description of the rotatable connection between the second swing arm 10521 and the second support arm 10522 and the second connector 10523. Details will not be described again here. In the present application, the second connector 10523 is placed as a plurality of second sub-connectors that are continuously rotatably connected so that the second swing arm 10521 and the second support arm 10522 are rotatably connected via the plurality of second sub-connectors. This effectively improves the speed uniformity in the process of the second swing arm 10521 and the second support arm 10522 rotating around the main shaft 101, and as a result, the smoothness of the mutual tensile movement of the second swing arm 10521 and the second support arm 10522 can be improved.

[0105] In the present application, the second swing arm 10521 may be slidably connected to the second housing mounting bracket 104, and the second swing arm 10521 rotates around the main shaft 101 to drive the second housing mounting bracket 104 to rotate along the same direction. In addition, since the first swing arm 10511 and the second swing arm 10521 are transmission-connected via the synchronization assembly 102, when the first swing arm 10511 and the second swing arm 10521 rotate synchronously towards or away from each other, the first housing mounting bracket 103 and the second housing mounting bracket 104 may rotate towards or away from each other.

[0106] When the second swing arm 10521 can be slidably connected to the second housing mounting bracket 104, specifically, a second sliding groove 1041 is provided in the second housing mounting bracket 104. The second sliding groove 1041 and the second mounting portion 1042 are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the hinge mechanism 1. The second sliding groove 1041 extends along the second direction, and the second swing arm 10521 can be attached to the second sliding groove 1041 and is capable of sliding along the second direction within the second sliding groove 1041. The second direction can be the direction in which the second housing mounting bracket 104 moves towards or away from the base 1011. In addition, in order to prevent the second swing arm 10521 from falling out of the second sliding groove 1041, a second sliding rail can be arranged on the sliding groove wall of the second sliding groove 1041, and a second sliding block can be arranged on the second swing arm 10521. In this way, in order to limit the second swing arm 10521 to the second sliding groove 1041, the second sliding block can be clamped to the second sliding rail, and the second sliding block is capable of sliding along the second sliding rail. In addition, the second sliding rail is arranged on the sliding groove wall of the second sliding groove 1041, which can guide the sliding of the second swing arm 10521 along the second sliding groove 1041 and improve the movement stability of the second swing arm 10521.

[0107] In addition, the second support arm 10522 can be rotatably connected to the first housing mounting bracket 103. During specific implementation, a first mounting portion 1032 is provided on the first housing mounting bracket 103. Along the length direction of the hinge mechanism 1, the first mounting portion 1032 and the third sliding groove are arranged at intervals. The end portion of the second support arm 10522 facing the first housing mounting bracket 103 is attached to the first mounting portion 1032, and the end portion of the second support arm 10522 facing the first housing mounting bracket 103 is rotatably connected to the first mounting portion 1032.

[0108] In an embodiment of the present application, the specific method by which the end of the second support arm 10522 facing the first housing mounting bracket 103 is rotatably connected to the first mounting portion 1032 is not limited. For example, further refer to FIG. 4. A third mounting hole may be provided in the first mounting portion 1032, and the fourth mounting hole is disposed at the end of the second support arm 10522 facing the first housing mounting bracket 103. In this case, the end of the second support arm 10522 facing the first housing mounting bracket 103 may be rotatably connected to the first mounting portion 1032 via a rotating shaft passing through both the third mounting hole and the fourth mounting hole.

[0109] Based on the hinge mechanism 1 provided in the foregoing embodiment of the present application, in the process of the electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state, the first housing mounting bracket 103 and the second housing mounting bracket 104 move towards each other. When the second housing mounting bracket 104 drives the second swing arm 10521 to rotate counterclockwise about the main shaft 101, the second swing arm 10521 can drive the second connector 10523 to move in the second track slot 1014 of the main shaft 101 towards the second swing arm 10521. In addition, since the second connector 10523 is rotatably connected to the second support arm 10522, in the process of the second connector 10523 moving in the second track slot 1014 of the main shaft 101 towards the second swing arm 10521, the second support arm 10522 can be driven to rotate clockwise about the main shaft 101, whereby the second support arm 10522 drives the first housing mounting bracket 103 to rotate clockwise about the main shaft 101. In the process of the electronic device changing from the folded state to the unfolded state, the first housing mounting bracket 103 and the second housing mounting bracket 104 move away from each other. When the second housing mounting bracket 104 drives the second swing arm 10521 to rotate clockwise about the main shaft 101, the second swing arm 10521 can drive the second connector 10523 to move in the second track slot 1014 of the main shaft 101 towards the second support arm 10522, and the second support arm 10522 can be driven to rotate counterclockwise about the main shaft 101, whereby the second support arm 10522 drives the first housing mounting bracket 103 to rotate counterclockwise about the main shaft 101. In this way, the folding and unfolding functions of the hinge mechanism 1 are implemented.

[0110] In order to ensure the stability of the mechanism, some existing hinge mechanisms need to thicken the rotating assembly connected to the main shaft. In this way, both the main shaft and the hinge mechanism become very heavy. If the main shaft and the hinge mechanism are unreasonably thinned, the strength of the rotating assembly will easily become weak, resulting in a great impact on the reliability of the hinge mechanism and shortening the lifespan of the electronic device. The hinge mechanism 1 in the present application has a simplified structure. According to the above-mentioned structural relationship, the second connector 10523 can be manufactured to have a relatively small cross-section so as to move back and forth within the second track slot 1014 of the main shaft 101. In addition, the second connector 10523 has a sufficient length range along the vertical axis direction and has a separate connection relationship with the second swing arm 10521 and the second support arm 10522, whereby the reliability of the hinge mechanism 1 can be guaranteed. In this way, the thickness of the main shaft 101 and the overall thickness of the electronic device can be reduced, and the reliability of the hinge mechanism 1 can be maintained. As a result, the entire hinge mechanism 1 is lightweight, thin, and reliable.

[0111] Since the second connector 10523 can move according to the specified track, in order to ensure the structural stability and motion stability of the entire hinge mechanism 1, the uncontrolled motion of the second connector 10523 during the entire folding and unfolding process can be avoided, and the random motion of the first housing mounting bracket 103 and the second housing mounting bracket 104 can be further avoided. In some cases, the second track slot 1014 is appropriately designed so that the outer tangent of the hinge mechanism 1 can maintain a certain length during the entire folding and unfolding process, and the flexible display covering the surface of the hinge mechanism 1 can also basically maintain a constant length. In this way, in order to improve the structural reliability of the flexible display and further improve the structural reliability of the electronic device, the compression or tension of the flexible display can be effectively avoided.

[0112] FIG. 20 is a diagram of a partial structure of the hinge mechanism 1 according to an embodiment of the present application. The main shaft 101 is omitted in FIG. 20 to assist in explaining the relationship of the mutual tensile movement between the first rotating assembly 1051 and the second rotating assembly 1052. In the present application, the first swing arm 10511 is slidably connected to the first housing mounting bracket 103, the first support arm 10512 is rotatably connected to the second housing mounting bracket 104, and the first swing arm 10511 can pull the first support arm 10512 via the first connector 10513 and move along a specified track. The second swing arm 10521 is slidably connected to the second housing mounting bracket 104, the second support arm 10522 is rotatably connected to the first housing mounting bracket 103, and the second swing arm 10521 can pull the second support arm 10522 via the second connector 10523 and move along a specified track. This can limit the movement distances of the first housing mounting bracket 103 and the second housing mounting bracket 104 towards or away from the main shaft 101, so that the distance between the first housing mounting bracket 103 and the main shaft 101 is equal to the distance between the second housing mounting bracket 104 and the main shaft 101 regardless of the folding state of the electronic device. In addition, in the process of the electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state and from the folded state to the unfolded state, the first housing mounting bracket 103 can move at an equal distance with respect to the main shaft 101, and the second housing mounting bracket 104 can move at an equal distance with respect to the main shaft 101.In this way, when the hinge mechanism 1 can be used in the electronic device shown in FIG. 2b, the extension length of the support surface formed by the first housing 2, the second housing 3, and the hinge mechanism 1 in the deployed state can be adapted to the flattening length of the flexible display. When the electronic device is in the folded state, the folding requirements of the foldable portion of the flexible display can be satisfied. Thereby, the deformation of the flexible display can be avoided, the compressive or tensile stress of the flexible display can be reduced, the life of the flexible display can be extended, and the reliability of the electronic device can be improved.

[0113] According to the hinge mechanism 1 provided in the present application, the rotation function of the hinge mechanism 1 can be implemented by the mutual tensile movement of the swing arm, the support arm, and the connector. In addition, the two housing mounting brackets can rotate synchronously toward or away from each other by arranging the synchronous assembly 102. In addition, since the structure of the mechanism for implementing the rotation function and the synchronous function of the hinge mechanism 1 is simple, the first swing arm 10511 and the second swing arm 10521 for implementing the rotation function of the hinge mechanism 1 can also function as a drive mechanism for the synchronous function, and the overall structure of the hinge mechanism 1 can be effectively simplified to implement a compact design of the hinge mechanism 1 and help reduce the cost of the hinge mechanism 1.

[0114] The hinge mechanism 1 provided in the foregoing embodiment of the present application can be used, for example, in the outer folding electronic device shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2a. The first housing mounting bracket 103 can be fixed to the housing located on the same side of the main shaft 101, and the second housing mounting bracket 104 can be fixed to another housing. For example, the first housing mounting bracket 103 can be configured to be fixed to the first housing 2 of the electronic device shown in FIG. 2a, and the second housing mounting bracket 104 can be configured to be fixed to the second housing 3 of the electronic device shown in FIG. 2a. Considering this, it can be understood that the process in which the first housing mounting bracket 103 and the second housing mounting bracket 104 rotate synchronously toward or away from each other is the process in which the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 rotate synchronously toward or away from each other.

[0115] In addition, the flexible display of the electronic device can be fixed to the first housing 2 and the second housing 3, and the connection method may be, but is not limited to, adhesion. In a specific implementation, the flexible display can be adhered to a part of the first support surface 2a of the first housing 2, and the flexible display can be adhered to a part of the second support surface 3a of the second housing 3. In this way, when the electronic device is in the unfolded state, the bearing surface 1a of the hinge mechanism 1, the first support surface 2a of the first housing 2, and the second support surface 3a of the second housing 3 can support the flexible display flatly together. Therefore, it can be guaranteed that the form of the unfolded electronic device is complete. In the process of the electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state, the synchronous rotation of the two housings can drive the synchronous rotation of the parts of the flexible display fixed to the two housings, thereby effectively avoiding the deformation of the flexible display and making the stress of the flexible display relatively uniform in order to reduce the risk of damage to the flexible display.

[0116] It should be noted that the synchronous assembly 102 described in the foregoing embodiments of the present application can be further used in the hinge mechanism 1 of the inner-foldable electronic device shown in FIG. 21. FIG. 21 is a diagram of the structure of an inner-foldable electronic device in a folded state according to an embodiment of the present application. In the process of the electronic device changing from the unfolded state to the folded state, the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 rotate synchronously towards each other, whereby the portions of the flexible display 4 fixed to the two housings can be driven to rotate synchronously. In this way, in order to effectively avoid the deformation of the flexible display 4 and reduce the risk of damage to the flexible display 4, the stress of the flexible display 4 can be made relatively uniform. In addition, when the electronic device is in the folded state, a display adaptation space 5 can be formed in the hinge mechanism 1, and the foldable portion of the flexible display can be accommodated in the display adaptation space 5. In addition, in the process of the electronic device changing from the folded state to the unfolded state, the first housing and the second housing rotate synchronously away from each other, whereby the portions of the flexible display 4 fixed to the two housings can be driven to rotate synchronously. In addition, when the electronic device is in the unfolded state, the support surface 1a of the hinge mechanism 1, the first support surface 2a of the first housing 2, and the second support surface 3a of the second housing 3 together support the flexible display 4 flatly. This can ensure the complete form of the electronic device in the unfolded state.

[0117] In the case of an in - foldable electronic device, when the first swing arm 10511 and the second swing arm 10521 are rotatably connected to the main shaft 101 via a virtual shaft, it can be understood that the axes about which the first swing arm 10511 and the second swing arm 10521 rotate around the main shaft 101 are located on one side of the main shaft 101 facing the flexible display. In addition, when the synchronization assembly 102 is used in the hinge mechanism 1 of the in - foldable electronic device, each of the two swing arms can be slidably connected to the corresponding housing mounting bracket, and it should be noted that each of the two swing arms can also be rotatably connected to the corresponding housing mounting bracket via a rotating shaft. Alternatively, each of the two swing arms may also be fixedly connected to the corresponding housing mounting bracket, and the fixed connection method may be welding, riveting, or screw connection, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0118] The foregoing description is only a specific embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the protection scope of the present application. Any deformation or substitution that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present application shall be within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be in accordance with the protection scope of the claims.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0119] 1 Hinge mechanism 1a Support surface 1b Third outer surface 101 Main shaft 1011 Base 10111 First arc - shaped slot 101111 Slot surface of the first arc - shaped slot 10112 Second arc - shaped slot 101121 Third arc surface 10113 Third arc - shaped slot 101131 Slot surface of the third arc - shaped slot 10114 Fourth arc - shaped slot 101141 7th arcuate surface 1012 Cover 10121 1st convex part 101211 Surface of the 1st convex part 10122 2nd convex part 101221 Surface of the 2nd convex part 10123 1st insertion part 10124 3rd convex part 101241 Surface of the 3rd convex part 10125 4th convex part 101251 Surface of the 4th convex part 1013 1st track slot 1014 2nd track slot 102 Synchronization assembly 1021 1st gear assembly 10211 1st gear member 102111 1st gear 102112 1st connecting part 1021121 1st insertion slot 10212 1st connecting rod 102121 1st sliding part 102122 1st rod part 1022 2nd gear assembly 10221 2nd gear member 102211 2nd gear 102212 2nd connecting part 1022121 2nd insertion slot 10222 2nd connecting rod 102221 2nd sliding part 102222 2nd rod part 103 1st housing mounting bracket 1031 1st sliding groove 1032 1st mounting part 104 2nd housing mounting bracket 1041 2nd sliding groove 1042 2nd mounting part 105 Rotation module 1051 1st rotation assembly 10511 First swing arm 105111 First arcuate rotating block 1051111 First recess 1051112 First mounting slot 10511121 First arc surface 10512 First support arm 10513 First connector 105131 First rotating shaft 1051311 Second arc surface 1051312 Fourth arc surface 105132 Second rotating shaft 105133 First arcuate surface 105134 Second arcuate surface 1052 Second rotating assembly 10521 Second swing arm 105211 Second arcuate rotating block 1052111 Second recess 1052112 Second mounting slot 10521121 Fifth arc surface 10522 Second support arm 10523 Second connector 105231 Third rotating shaft 1052311 Sixth arc surface 1052312 Eighth arc surface 105232 Fourth rotating shaft 105233 Third arcuate surface 105234 Fourth arcuate surface 2 First housing 2a First support surface 2b First appearance surface 3 Second housing 3a Second support surface 3b Second appearance surface 4 Flexible display 5 Display accommodation space

Claims

1. A hinge mechanism for use in a foldable electronic device, the hinge mechanism being disposed facing a foldable portion of a flexible display of the electronic device, the electronic device being unfolded or folded via the hinge mechanism, the hinge mechanism comprising a main shaft, a synchronization assembly, a first swing arm, and a second swing arm, the first swing arm and the second swing arm being disposed on either side of the main shaft, respectively, the first swing arm and the second swing arm being rotatably connected to the main shaft, the synchronization assembly being located between the first swing arm and the second swing arm along an axial direction of the hinge mechanism, the synchronizing assembly comprises a first gear assembly and a second gear assembly, the first gear assembly comprises a first gear member and a first connecting rod, the first gear member comprises a first gear and a first coupling portion, the first coupling portion is located at an end of the first gear facing the first swing arm, the first connecting rod is slidably connected to the first coupling portion, the first connecting rod is rotatably connected to the first swing arm, an axis of the first gear is parallel to and does not coincide with an axis about which the first swing arm rotates about the main shaft, the second gear assembly comprises a second gear member and a second connecting rod, the second gear member comprises a second gear and a second connecting portion, a gear surface of the second gear engages with a gear surface of the first gear, the second connecting portion is located at an end of the second gear facing the second swing arm, the second connecting rod is slidably connected to the second connecting portion, the second connecting rod is rotatably connected to the second swing arm, and an axis of the second gear is parallel to and non-coincident with an axis about which the second swing arm rotates about the main shaft.

2. The first connecting portion is provided with a first insertion slot, and the first connecting rod has a first sliding portion, the first sliding portion is inserted into the first insertion slot, and the first sliding portion is capable of sliding along the first insertion slot; 2. The hinge mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the second connecting portion is provided with a second insertion slot, the second connecting rod includes a second sliding portion, the second sliding portion is inserted into the second insertion slot, and the second sliding portion is capable of sliding along the second insertion slot.

3. 3. The hinge mechanism of claim 2, wherein the first insertion slot is a linear slot, the first sliding portion is a linear sliding block, the second insertion slot is a linear slot, and the second sliding portion is a linear sliding block.

4. the hinge mechanism further comprises a rotation module, the rotation module comprising a first rotation assembly, a second rotation assembly, a first housing mounting bracket, and a second housing mounting bracket, the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket being disposed on either side of the main shaft, the first rotation assembly being located between the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket, and the second rotation assembly being located between the first housing mounting bracket and the second housing mounting bracket; the first rotating assembly comprises a first support arm, a first connector, and the first swing arm, the first swing arm rotatably coupled to the main shaft, the first swing arm slidably coupled to the first housing mounting bracket, the first support arm rotatably coupled to the second housing mounting bracket, the first connector located between the first swing arm and the first support arm, the first connector rotatably coupled to the first swing arm, the first connector rotatably coupled to the first support arm, the main shaft is provided with a first track slot, the first connector is movable along the first track slot to limit a track of motion of the first connector, 4. The hinge mechanism of claim 1, wherein the second rotating assembly comprises a second support arm, a second connector, and a second swing arm, the second swing arm rotatably coupled to the main shaft, the second swing arm slidably coupled to the second housing mounting bracket, the second support arm rotatably coupled to the first housing mounting bracket, the second connector is located between the second swing arm and the second support arm, the second connector is rotatably coupled to the second swing arm, the second connector is rotatably coupled to the second support arm, the main shaft is provided with a second track slot, and the second connector is movable along the second track slot to limit a track of motion of the second connector.

5. the main shaft includes a base and a cover, the base is provided with a first arcuate slot and a third arcuate slot, the cover covers the base, the cover includes a first protrusion disposed toward the first arcuate slot and a third protrusion disposed toward the third arcuate slot, a gap between a surface of the first protrusion and a slot surface of the first arcuate slot is used as the first track slot, the first connector has a first arcuate surface and a second arcuate surface, and when the electronic device is in an unfolded state and a folded state, the first arcuate surface abuts against the surface of the first protrusion and the second arcuate surface abuts against the slot surface of the first arcuate slot; 5. The hinge mechanism of claim 4, wherein a gap between a surface of the third protrusion and a slot surface of the third arcuate slot is used as the second track slot, the second connector has a third arcuate surface and a fourth arcuate surface, and when the electronic device is in the unfolded state and the folded state, the third arcuate surface abuts against the surface of the third protrusion and the fourth arcuate surface abuts against the slot surface of the third arcuate slot.

6. During a process in which the electronic device changes from the unfolded state to the folded state, the first arcuate surface abuts against the surface of the first protrusion, and a gap exists between the second arcuate surface and the slot surface of the first arcuate slot; during a process in which the electronic device changes from the folded state to the unfolded state, the second arcuate surface abuts against the slot surface of the first arcuate slot, and a gap exists between the first arcuate surface and the surface of the first protrusion; 6. The hinge mechanism of claim 5, wherein, during the process of changing the electronic device from the unfolded state to the folded state, the third arcuate surface abuts against the surface of the third convex portion, and a gap exists between the fourth arcuate surface and the slot surface of the third arcuate slot, and, during the process of changing the electronic device from the folded state to the unfolded state, the fourth arcuate surface abuts against the slot surface of the third arcuate slot, and a gap exists between the third arcuate surface and the surface of the third convex portion.

7. 6. The hinge mechanism of claim 5, wherein the surface of the first protrusion is equidistant from the slot surface of the first arcuate slot, and the first arcuate surface abuts against the surface of the first protrusion and the second arcuate surface abuts against the slot surface of the first arcuate slot during a process in which the electronic device changes from the unfolded state to the folded state and from the folded state to the unfolded state, and the surface of the third protrusion is equidistant from the slot surface of the third arcuate slot, and the third arcuate surface abuts against the surface of the third protrusion and the fourth arcuate surface abuts against the slot surface of the third arcuate slot during a process in which the electronic device changes from the unfolded state to the folded state and from the folded state to the unfolded state.

8. the first arcuate surface is a circular arcuate surface, the second arcuate surface is a circular arcuate surface, and a sum of a radius of the first arcuate surface and a radius of the second arcuate surface is equal to a distance between the surface of the first protrusion and the slot surface of the first arcuate slot; 6. The hinge mechanism of claim 5, wherein the third arcuate surface is a circular arcuate surface, the fourth arcuate surface is a circular arcuate surface, and a sum of a radius of the third arcuate surface and a radius of the fourth arcuate surface is equal to a distance between the surface of the third protrusion and the slot surface of the third arcuate slot.

9. The main shaft includes the base, and the base is provided with a second arc-shaped slot and a fourth arc-shaped slot; for rotatably connecting the first swing arm and the main shaft, the first swing arm includes a first arc-shaped rotating block, the first arc-shaped rotating block is received in the second arc-shaped slot, and the first arc-shaped rotating block can slide along a slot surface of the second arc-shaped slot; 9. The hinge mechanism according to claim 4, wherein for the rotatable connection between the second swing arm and the main shaft, the second swing arm comprises a second arc-shaped rotating block, the second arc-shaped rotating block is received in the fourth arc-shaped slot, and the second arc-shaped rotating block is capable of sliding along a slot surface of the fourth arc-shaped slot.

10. The main shaft further includes the cover, the cover covers the base, the cover includes a second protrusion disposed toward the second arc-shaped slot, and at least a portion of the first arc-shaped rotation block is located between the second protrusion and the second arc-shaped slot; 10. The hinge mechanism of claim 9, wherein the cover further comprises a fourth protrusion disposed toward the fourth arcuate slot, and at least a portion of the second arcuate rotation block is located between the fourth protrusion and the fourth arcuate slot.

11. The first connector comprises a first rotating shaft and a second rotating shaft, the first connector is rotatably coupled to the first swing arm via the first rotating shaft, the first connector is rotatably coupled to the first support arm via the second rotating shaft, an axis of the first rotating shaft is parallel to and does not coincide with an axis of the second rotating shaft, 11. The hinge mechanism of claim 9 or 10, wherein the second connector comprises a third rotating shaft and a fourth rotating shaft, the second connector is rotatably connected to the second swing arm via the third rotating shaft, and the second connector is rotatably connected to the second support arm via the fourth rotating shaft, and an axis of the third rotating shaft is parallel to and does not coincide with an axis of the fourth rotating shaft.

12. The first arcuate rotating block is provided with a first mounting slot, a slot opening of the first mounting slot is disposed toward the second arcuate slot, the first rotating shaft is mounted in the first mounting slot, a portion of a surface of the first rotating shaft contacts a slot face of the first mounting slot, and a portion of the surface of the first rotating shaft contacts the slot face of the second arcuate slot; 12. The hinge mechanism of claim 11, wherein the second arcuate rotating block is provided with a second mounting slot, a slot opening of the second mounting slot being disposed toward the fourth arcuate slot, the third rotating shaft is mounted in the second mounting slot, a portion of a surface of the third rotating shaft contacts a slot face of the second mounting slot, and a portion of the surface of the third rotating shaft contacts the slot face of the fourth arcuate slot.

13. the slot face of the first mounting slot comprises a first arcuate surface, the surface of the first rotatable shaft in contact with the slot face of the first mounting slot is a second arcuate surface, the center of the first arcuate surface coincides with the center of the second arcuate surface; 13. The hinge mechanism of claim 12, wherein the slot surface of the second mounting slot comprises a fifth arcuate surface, the surface of the third rotating shaft in contact with the slot surface of the second mounting slot is a sixth arcuate surface, and a center of the fifth arcuate surface coincides with a center of the sixth arcuate surface.

14. the slot surface of the second arcuate slot is a third arcuate surface, the surface of the first rotatable shaft in contact with the slot surface of the second arcuate slot is a fourth arcuate surface, and a center of the third arcuate surface coincides with a center of the fourth arcuate surface; 14. The hinge mechanism of claim 13, wherein the slot surface of the fourth arcuate slot is a seventh arcuate surface, the surface of the third rotating shaft in contact with the slot surface of the fourth arcuate slot is an eighth arcuate surface, and a center of the seventh arcuate surface coincides with a center of the eighth arcuate surface.

15. The first arc-shaped rotation block is provided with a first insertion port, the first connecting rod has a first rod portion, and the first rod portion is inserted into the first insertion port; 15. The hinge mechanism of claim 9, wherein the second arcuate pivot block is provided with a second plug, and the second connecting rod has a second rod portion, the second rod portion being inserted into the second plug.

16. The first connector includes a plurality of first sub-connectors rotatably connected in series, the plurality of first sub-connectors being located between the first swing arm and the first support arm, the first swing arm being rotatably connected to a first sub-connector adjacent to the first swing arm, and the first support arm being rotatably connected to a first sub-connector adjacent to the first support arm; 16. A hinge mechanism according to any one of claims 4 to 15, wherein the second connector comprises a plurality of second sub-connectors rotatably connected in series, the plurality of second sub-connectors being located between the second oscillating arm and the second support arm, the second oscillating arm being rotatably connected to an adjacent second sub-connector, and the second support arm being rotatably connected to an adjacent second sub-connector.

17. 16. The hinge mechanism according to claim 1, wherein an axis about which the first oscillating arm rotates around the main shaft is located on one side of the main shaft away from the flexible display, and an axis about which the second oscillating arm rotates around the main shaft is located on one side of the main shaft away from the flexible display.

18. 18. An electronic device comprising a first housing, a second housing, a flexible display, and the hinge mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 17, the first housing and the second housing are disposed on either side of the hinge mechanism, respectively, and the first housing and the second housing are rotatably coupled to the hinge mechanism; The electronic device, wherein the flexible display continuously covers the first housing, the second housing, and the hinge mechanism, and the flexible display is secured to the first housing and the second housing.

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