Folding device and electronic device

Abstract

A folding device (1) and an electronic device including the folding device are provided. The folding device includes a main shaft (14), a first bracket (111) and a second bracket (112) positioned on both sides of the main shaft along the width direction, a first connecting rod (131) and a second connecting rod (132) positioned on both sides of the main shaft along the width direction, a first swing arm (121) and a second swing arm (122) positioned on both sides of the main shaft along the width direction, and a first support plate (171) and a second support plate (172) positioned on both sides of the main shaft along the width direction. When the first bracket and the second bracket rotate toward each other, the length of the accommodation space (174) of the folding device used to accommodate the folded portion (26) of the flexible display (2) can be extended. When the first bracket and the second bracket rotate back to back, the length of the accommodation space of the folding device used to accommodate the folded portion of the flexible display can be shortened, and a support surface used to support the flexible display can be further formed. In this way, forces such as stretching or compression are not induced on the flexible display in the folding or unfolding process of the folding device. This improves the use effect and safety of the electronic device.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present application relates to the field of electronic device technology, and in particular to folding devices and electronic devices. [Background technology]

[0002] The foldable electronic device includes a housing, a folding device, and a flexible display. The housing includes a left housing and a right housing that are separately arranged, a folding assembly is positioned between the left housing and the right housing, and a flexible display is attached to the left housing and the right housing. When the left housing and the right housing are folded under the driving of the folding assembly, the flexible display can be driven to fold, so that the electronic device is in a folded state. In the folded state, the volume of the electronic device is small, so that the electronic device is easy to store. When the left housing and the right housing are unfolded under the driving of the folding assembly, the flexible display is driven to unfold, so that the electronic device is in an unfolded state. In the unfolded state, the display of the electronic device is large, and the user experience can be improved.

[0003] At present, in the folding process of existing foldable electronic devices, the length of the folding device does not change. In the folding process of foldable electronic devices, the folding device cannot provide a sufficient screen-accommodating space for the flexible display, and the flexible display is pulled or compressed in the folding position, leading to harmful phenomena such as creases and even damage to the flexible display. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application provides a folding apparatus and electronic device for reducing tension or stress on a flexible display during the folding process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A first aspect of the present application provides a folding device, the folding device comprising: The main axis and a bracket assembly including a first bracket and a second bracket disposed on opposite sides of the main shaft along a width direction of the main shaft; a connecting rod assembly including a first connecting rod and a second connecting rod arranged on either side of a main shaft along a width direction of the main shaft, the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod being rotatable relative to the main shaft, the first connecting rod having a first outer end remote from the main shaft, the second connecting rod having a second outer end remote from the main shaft, a first bracket being slidable relative to the first connecting rod, and a second bracket being slidable relative to the second connecting rod; A swing arm assembly including a first swing arm and a second swing arm arranged on either side of a main shaft along a width direction of the main shaft, the first swing arm and the second swing arm being rotatable relative to the main shaft, the first bracket and the first swing arm being connected via a first rotating shaft, and the second bracket and the second swing arm being connected via a second rotating shaft; a support plate assembly including a first support plate and a second support plate arranged on either side of the main shaft along a width direction of the main shaft, the first support plate being rotatably connected to a first bracket, the first support plate being slidably connected to a first swing arm or a first connecting rod and capable of relative rotation, and the second support plate being rotatably connected to a second bracket, the second support plate being slidably connected to a second swing arm or a second connecting rod and capable of relative rotation; Including, The rotation axes of the first connecting rod and the first swing arm on the main shaft are parallel to each other and do not overlap, and the rotation axes of the second connecting rod and the second swing arm on the main shaft are parallel to each other and do not overlap, The folding device includes at least a folded state and an unfolded state, and when the folding device is in the unfolded state, the first outer end is in a first position, the second outer end is in a second position, an axis of the first rotating shaft is located on one side of the first position and away from the main shaft, and an axis of the second rotating shaft is located on one side of the second position and away from the main shaft; When the first bracket and the second bracket rotate relative to each other, the first bracket drives the first connecting rod and the first swing arm to rotate about the main axis and drives the end of the first support plate that is closer to the main axis to move along a direction away from the main axis, and the second bracket drives the second connecting rod and the second swing arm to rotate about the main axis and drives the end of the second support plate that is closer to the main axis to move along a direction away from the main axis, so that when the first support plate and the second support plate are in a folded state and the first support plate, the second support plate, and the main axis together surround the screen accommodating space, a preset included angle is formed.

[0006] In this solution, the distance between the first rotating shaft of the first swing arm and the main shaft and the distance between the second rotating shaft of the second swing arm and the main shaft are both increased, reducing the radian rotated by the end of the first swing arm close to the main shaft in the folding process of the folding device, reducing the radian rotated by the end of the second swing arm close to the main shaft, reducing the risk of interference between the first support plate and the end of the first swing arm close to the main shaft, and reducing the risk of interference between the second support plate and the end of the second swing arm close to the main shaft. In this way, the avoidance hole used to avoid the first swing arm does not need to be arranged on the first support plate, and the avoidance hole used to avoid the second swing arm does not need to be arranged on the second support plate. This improves the structural strength of the first support plate and the second support plate, and improves the support reliability of the first support plate and the second support plate for the flexible display. In addition, when the first rotating shaft is positioned outside (farther from the main shaft) than the first position, the first bracket is not fixed to the first connecting rod in the rotating process, and the distance between the first rotating shaft and the main shaft is increased. In the folding process of the folding device, the first swing arm and the first support plate can be prevented from being fixed to each other. When the second rotating shaft is positioned outside (farther from the main shaft) than the second position, the second bracket is not fixed to the second connecting rod in the rotating process, and the distance between the second rotating shaft and the main shaft is increased. In the folding process of the folding device, the second swing arm and the second support plate can be prevented from being fixed to each other. Therefore, in the present application, the positions of the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft enable the folding device to operate normally while preventing interference between the swing arm assembly and the support plate assembly, avoid placing an avoidance hole on the support plate assembly to avoid the swing arm assembly, and improve the supporting reliability of the folding device for flexible displays.

[0007] In one possible design, one of the first connecting rod and the first bracket is provided with a first sliding block, and the other is provided with a first track, and the first sliding block can slide along the first track; A second sliding block is provided on one of the second connecting rod and the second bracket, and a second track is provided on the other of the second connecting rod and the second bracket, and the second sliding block can slide along the second track; The first raceway has a third outer end remote from the main shaft, the second raceway has a fourth outer end remote from the main shaft, the axis of the first rotating shaft is located on one side of the third outer end remote from the main shaft, and the axis of the second rotating shaft is located on one side of the fourth outer end remote from the main shaft.

[0008] the first bracket has a fifth outer end remote from the axis and the second bracket has a sixth outer end remote from the axis; The first rotatable shaft is disposed at the fifth outer end, and the sixth rotatable shaft is disposed at the fourth outer end.

[0009] In this solution, when the axis of the first rotating shaft is located at the fifth outer end of the first bracket, which is the outer end of the first bracket, and the axis of the second rotating shaft is located at the sixth outer end of the second bracket, which is the outer end of the second bracket, and the sixth outer end is the outer end of the second bracket, which is the outer end of the second bracket, and the fifth outer end is the position where the distance between the first bracket and the main shaft is the maximum, and the sixth outer end is the position where the distance between the second bracket and the main shaft is the maximum, so that the distance between the first rotating shaft and the main shaft and the distance between the second rotating shaft and the main shaft can be increased. In this way, interference between the swing arm assembly and the support plate assembly can be prevented, and it is possible to avoid disposing an avoidance hole in the support plate assembly to avoid the swing arm assembly, and to improve the support reliability of the folding device for a flexible display.

[0010] In one possible design, the first swing arm has a seventh outer end remote from the main shaft and the second swing arm has an eighth outer end remote from the main shaft; The first rotatable shaft is disposed at the seventh outer end and the second rotatable shaft is disposed at the eighth outer end.

[0011] In this solution, when the axis of the first rotating shaft is located at the seventh outer end of the first swing arm, which is the outer end of the first swing arm and far from the main shaft, and the axis of the second swing arm is away from the eighth outer end of the main shaft, the seventh outer end is the position where the distance between the first swing arm and the main shaft is maximum, and the eighth outer end is the position where the distance between the second swing arm and the main shaft is maximum, so that the distance between the first rotating shaft (the rotating shaft between the first swing arm and the first bracket) and the main shaft and the distance between the second rotating shaft (the rotating shaft between the second swing arm and the second bracket) and the main shaft can be increased. In this way, interference between the swing arm assembly and the support plate assembly can be prevented, and it is possible to avoid disposing an avoidance hole in the support plate assembly to avoid the swing arm assembly, and to improve the support reliability of the folding device for a flexible display.

[0012] In one possible design, the first bracket has a fifth outer end remote from the main shaft, the second bracket has a sixth outer end remote from the main shaft, the first swing arm has a seventh outer end remote from the main shaft, and the second swing arm has an eighth outer end remote from the main shaft; The fifth outer end and the seventh outer end are rotatably connected via a first rotating shaft, and the sixth outer end and the eighth outer end are rotatably connected via a second rotating shaft.

[0013] In this solution, the position of the axis of the first rotating shaft is the position where both the distance between the first swing arm and the main shaft and the distance between the first bracket and the main shaft are maximum, and the position of the axis of the second rotating shaft is the position where both the distance between the second swing arm and the main shaft and the distance between the second bracket and the main shaft are maximum. Therefore, the distance between the first rotating shaft and the main shaft is large, and the distance between the second rotating shaft and the main shaft is large. In this way, interference between the swing arm assembly and the support plate assembly can be prevented, and it is possible to avoid disposing an avoidance hole in the support plate assembly that avoids the swing arm assembly, and to improve the support reliability of the folding device for a flexible display.

[0014] In one possible design, the first arc groove and the second arc groove are respectively arranged on both sides of the main shaft along the width direction, the first rotating part is arranged on the first swing arm, and the second rotating part is arranged on the second swing arm; The first rotating part is movable along a first arcuate groove, and the second rotating part is movable along a second arcuate groove.

[0015] In this solution, when the relative rotation between the first swing arm and the main shaft is implemented by the cooperation between the first rotating part and the first arc groove, and the relative rotation between the second swing arm and the main shaft is implemented by the cooperation between the second rotating part and the second arc groove, the reliability of the relative rotation between the first swing arm and the main shaft and between the second swing arm and the main shaft is high, and the rotation centers of the first swing arm and the second swing arm can be changed by changing the centers of the first arc groove and the second arc groove to facilitate the control of the motion trajectories of the first swing arm and the second swing arm. In addition, in the virtual axis connection method, the connection structure between the first swing arm and the main shaft may be hidden in the main shaft to improve the integration and use experience of the folding device.

[0016] In one possible design, the third arc groove is disposed on the first bracket, and the third rotating part is disposed on the first support plate, and the third rotating part can slide along the third arc groove, so that the first support plate rotates relative to the first bracket; The fourth arc groove is disposed on the second bracket, and the fourth rotating part is disposed on the second support plate, and the fourth rotating part can slide along the fourth arc groove, so that the second support plate rotates relative to the second bracket.

[0017] In this solution, when the relative rotation between the first support plate and the first bracket is implemented by cooperation between the third rotating part and the third arc groove, and the relative rotation between the second support plate and the second bracket is implemented by cooperation between the fourth rotating part and the fourth arc groove, the relative rotation between the first support plate and the first bracket, and between the second support plate and the second bracket is reliable, and the third rotating part, the third arc groove, the fourth rotating part, and the fourth arc groove can be hidden by using the virtual axis connection method, in order to improve the integrity of the folding device.

[0018] In one possible design, the folding device further includes a tensioning assembly, the tensioning assembly being configured to drive the first bracket and the second bracket to move back-to-back when the folding device is in the unfolded state.

[0019] In this solution, when the folding device is in the unfolded state, the tension assembly can provide tension to push the first bracket and the second bracket away from each other, so that the folding device remains in the unfolded state and the flexible display is flattened. In other words, the creases in the flexible display are flattened. This further reduces the creases in the electronic device.

[0020] In one possible design, the tension assembly includes two tension groups, one tension group disposed between the first connecting rod and the first bracket, and one tension group disposed between the second connecting rod and the second bracket, each tension group including a pressing piece and a driving piece; When the folding device is in an unfolded state, under the action of the driving piece of each tension group, the pressing piece of each tension group presses the first bracket and the second bracket separately to move them back to back.

[0021] In one possible design, each tension group further includes a guide piece, the guide piece of each tension group is provided with a guide hole, and the pressing piece of each tension group includes a sliding portion, which sliding portion of each tension group slidingly cooperates with the guide hole to limit the movement of the pressing piece of the tension group.

[0022] In this solution, in each tension group, the guide piece and the driving piece are located at both ends of the pressing piece. In other words, the guide piece is located at the end close to the bracket assembly. When the sliding part of the pressing piece is slidingly cooperated with the guide hole of the guide piece, the travel distance of the pressing piece can be limited by using the guide piece, so as to prevent the pressing piece from exerting an excessively large pressing force on the bracket assembly when the travel distance of the pressing piece is excessively large. This improves the reliability of the bracket assembly, and the guide piece guides the movement of the driving piece to prevent the pressing piece from being displaced.

[0023] In one possible design, the drive piece of each tension group is an elastic piece, one end of the elastic piece of each tension group is connected to the pressure piece of the tension group, and the other end of the elastic piece of each tension group is connected to the first connecting rod or the second connecting rod.

[0024] In this solution, when the folding device is in an unfolded state, the elastic part of each tension group is in a compressed state. In other words, the elastic part has an elastic force in the outward (away from the main axis) direction along the width direction of the main axis. The elastic force acts on the connecting rod assembly and the bracket assembly to drive the bracket assembly to move outward (away from the main axis) along the width direction of the main axis. This makes it easier for the folding device to be flattened. In the folding process of the folding device, since the bracket assembly slides outward (away from the main axis) relative to the connecting rod assembly, the amount of compression of the elastic part of each tension group can be reduced, driven to return to an initial state, or extended, thereby reducing the pressing force of the pressing piece of each tension group acting on the bracket assembly, or releasing the pressing force of the pressing piece of the bracket assembly. When the folding device is in a folded state, each piece of the tension assembly is drawn into the inner cavity of the bracket assembly and the connecting rod assembly. In other words, the tension assembly does not occupy space outside the folding device, thereby improving the integrity of the folding device.

[0025] In one possible design, the folding device further includes a synchronous gear group, the synchronous gear group including a first gear, a second gear, a third gear, and a fourth gear arranged along a width direction of the main shaft, the first gear is engaged with the third gear, the second gear is engaged with the fourth gear, and the third gear is engaged with the fourth gear; The main shaft includes a main inner shaft and a main outer shaft connected to each other, and the synchronous gear group is located between the main inner shaft and the main outer shaft along the height direction of the main shaft; The first support plate has a first extending segment extending toward the main shaft along the width direction of the main shaft, the second support plate has a second extending segment extending toward the main shaft along the width direction of the main shaft, and both ends of the main shaft along the width direction of the main shaft each have a first notch that fits into the first extending segment and a second notch that fits into the second extending segment; Along the length of the main shaft, a first gear is disposed on at least one end of a first connecting rod, the first gear being staggered with a first extension segment, and a second gear is disposed on at least one end of a second connecting rod, the second gear being staggered with a second extension segment.

[0026] In this solution, the first gear is located at at least one end of the first connecting rod along the length of the main shaft, so that the first gear alternates with the first notch along the length of the main shaft. The second gear is located at at least one end of the second connecting rod, so that the second gear alternates with the second notch along the length of the main shaft. In addition, the first support plate is provided with a first extension segment extending toward the main shaft along the width direction of the main shaft, and the second support plate is provided with a second extension segment extending toward the main shaft along the width direction of the main shaft, so that the first extension segment fits into the first notch of the main inner shaft and the second extension segment fits into the second notch of the main inner shaft, so that the first extension segment can fill the first notch and the second extension segment can fill the second notch. When the first support plate, the second support plate, and the main inner axis form a support surface used to support a flexible display, the opening of the support surface can be made smaller, which can improve the supporting reliability of the folding device.

[0027] In one possible design, the folding device further includes a synchronous gear group, the synchronous gear group including a first gear, a second gear, a third gear, and a fourth gear arranged along a width direction of the main shaft, the first gear is engaged with the third gear, the second gear is engaged with the fourth gear, and the third gear is engaged with the fourth gear; The main shaft includes a main inner shaft and a main outer shaft connected to each other, and along the height direction of the main shaft, the synchronous gear group is located between the main inner shaft and the main outer shaft, and both ends of the main inner shaft along the width direction of the main shaft respectively have a first notch and a second notch; A first platform is disposed at an end of the first connecting rod closer to the main axis, and a second platform is disposed at an end of the second connecting rod closer to the main axis, and when the folding device is in an unfolded state, at least a portion of the first platform is positioned within the first notch and at least a portion of the second platform is positioned within the second notch, such that the first platform, the second platform, the first support plate, and the second support plate form a support surface used to support a flexible display.

[0028] In this solution, when the folding device is in an unfolded state, the first platform fills the first notch of the main inner shaft (i.e., the gap between the first support plate and the main shaft), and the second platform fills the second notch of the main inner shaft (i.e., the gap between the second support plate and the main shaft). In other words, the first support plate, the first platform, the main shaft, the second platform, and the second support plate form a plane used to support the flexible display, and by arranging the first platform and the second platform, the support reliability of the folding device for the flexible display at the joint between the support plate assembly and the connecting rod assembly can be improved.

[0029] In one possible design, the first stopper and the third stopper are disposed on the first connecting rod, the second stopper and the fourth stopper are disposed on the second connecting rod, When the folding device is in an unfolded state, the first stopper presses the first bracket to restrict the relative movement between the first bracket and the first connecting rod along the width direction of the main shaft, and the second stopper presses the second bracket to restrict the relative movement between the second bracket and the second connecting rod along the width direction of the main shaft; When the folding device is in a folded state, the third stopper presses the first support plate to restrict relative movement between the first connecting rod and the first support plate along the height direction of the main shaft, and the fourth stopper presses the second support plate to restrict relative movement between the second connecting rod and the second support plate along the height direction of the main shaft.

[0030] In this solution, when the electronic device is dropped in an unfolded state, the first bracket and the second bracket are prevented from approaching each other along the width direction of the main shaft by using the first stopper and the first bracket which press each other, and the second stopper and the second bracket which press each other, so that the folding device maintains the unfolded state, and the reliability of the folding device and the electronic device in the unfolded state is improved. When the electronic device is dropped in a folded state, the third stopper and the first support plate which press each other, and the fourth stopper and the second support plate which press each other are used. In this way, when the first support plate and the second support plate are impacted by an impact force in the height direction of the main shaft, the main shaft is prevented from being impacted by the impact force, and the reliability of the folding device and the electronic device in the folded state can be improved.

[0031] In a particular embodiment, the first stopper and the third stopper protrude from the first connecting rod along the length of the main shaft, the second stopper and the fourth stopper protrude from the second connecting rod along the length of the main shaft, A fifth stopper is disposed on the first support plate and extends along the height direction of the spindle, and a sixth stopper is disposed on the second support plate and extends along the height direction of the spindle; When the folding device is in an unfolded state, the first stopper presses against an end surface of the first bracket that is closer to the main shaft, and the second stopper presses against an end surface of the second bracket that is closer to the main shaft; When the folding device is in the folded state, the third stopper presses against the fifth stopper, and the fourth stopper presses against the sixth stopper.

[0032] In this solution, when the folding device is in an unfolded state, the first stopper presses the end face of the first bracket that is closer to the main shaft, and the second stopper presses the end face of the second bracket that is closer to the main shaft, without changing the structures of the first bracket and the second bracket, simplifying the structure of the folding device. When the folding device is in a folded state, the fifth stopper is disposed on the first support plate, the sixth stopper is disposed on the second support plate, the third stopper presses the fifth stopper of the first support plate, and the fourth stopper presses the sixth stopper of the second support plate, so that the first connecting rod presses the first support plate, and the second connecting rod presses the second support plate.

[0033] In one possible design, a third track is disposed on the first support plate and a fourth track is disposed on the second support plate; A first hinge pin is disposed on the first connecting rod or the first swing arm, the first hinge pin being slidable along a third track, and a second hinge pin is disposed on the second connecting rod or the second swing arm, the second hinge pin being slidable along a fourth track; the third track has an oppositely disposed first end and a second end, the fourth track has an oppositely disposed third end and a fourth end, the second end being located between the first end and the main shaft, and the fourth end being located between the third end and the main shaft; When the folding device is in an unfolded state, the first hinge pin is located at a first end and the second hinge pin is located at a third end, and when the folding device is in a folded state, the first hinge pin is located at a second end and the second hinge pin is located at a fourth end.

[0034] In this solution, in the process in which the folding device is switched from the unfolded state to the folded state, i.e., the first bracket 11 and the second bracket rotate facing each other (in other words, the first bracket and the second bracket rotate close to each other), the first hinge pin slides from the first end of the third track to the second end of the third track, and the second hinge pin slides from the third end of the fourth track to the fourth end of the fourth track. Since the second end is closer to the main axis than the first end, in this process, the first support plate can slide in a direction away from the main axis relative to the first connecting rod or the first swing arm, and the second support plate can slide in a direction away from the main axis relative to the second connecting rod or the second swing arm, which can increase the contour length of the storage space. In the process in which the folding device switches from the folded state to the unfolded state, that is, in the process in which the first bracket and the second bracket rotate back to back, the first hinge pin slides from the second end of the third track to the first end of the third track, and the second hinge pin slides from the fourth end of the fourth track to the third end of the fourth track. Since the fourth end is closer to the main axis than the third end, in this process, the first support plate can slide in a direction closer to the main axis relative to the first connecting rod or the first swing arm, and the second support plate can slide in a direction closer to the main axis relative to the second connecting rod or the second swing arm, so that the contour length of the storage space can be shortened.

[0035] A second aspect of the present application provides an electronic device, the electronic device including a first housing, a second housing, a flexible display, and the folding device described above.

[0036] The first housing and the second housing are located on opposite sides of the folding device, the first housing is fixedly connected to a first bracket located on the same side, and the second housing is fixedly connected to a second bracket located on the same side; The flexible display covers the first housing, the second housing, and the folding device, and is fixedly connected to the first housing and the second housing.

[0037] In this solution, the electronic device can be in an unfolded state or a folded state driven by the folding device. In addition, in the process of the folding device switching from the unfolded state to the folded state, the first and second rotating racks connected to the first and second housings can rotate opposite to each other and move away from the mounting bracket, so that the storage space of the folding device in the folded state can be increased, and the pressure of the folding device on the flexible display when the electronic device is in the folded state can be reduced, thereby improving the reliability of the flexible display. In addition, when the storage space has enough space, the flexible display can be further prevented from arching in the storage space, thereby improving the flatness of the flexible display in the folded state.

[0038] In one possible design, the flexible display is fixedly connected to at least a portion of the support plate assembly.

[0039] In one possible design, the flexible display includes a third region, a fourth region, and a fifth region. The fifth region is located between the third region and the fourth region. The support plate assembly includes a first support plate and a second support plate arranged along the width direction of the mounting bracket, and the third region is not fixedly connected to the first support plate, the fourth region is not fixedly connected to the second support plate, and the fifth region is not fixedly connected to the folding device. In this solution, when the electronic device is in a folded state, the third region, the fourth region, and the fifth region are folded to form a waterdrop structure. In other words, the folded part is waterdrop-shaped, and the fifth region is semicircular arc-shaped after folding. In addition, since the third, fourth, and fifth regions of the flexible display are not fixedly connected to the folding device, the folding device is prevented from stretching the flexible display during the folding or unfolding process, thereby improving the reliability of the flexible display.

[0040] In one possible design, the flexible display includes a third region, a fourth region, and a fifth region. The fifth region is located between the third region and the fourth region. The support plate assembly includes a first support plate and a second support plate arranged along the width direction of the mounting bracket, the third region is fixedly connected to the first support plate, the fourth region is fixedly connected to the second support plate, and the fifth region is not fixedly connected to the support device. In this solution, when the electronic device is in a folded state, the fifth region surrounds a semicircular arc shape. When the third region is fixedly connected to the first support plate and the fourth region is fixedly connected to the second support plate, in the folding or unfolding process of the electronic device, the third region can move with the first support plate, and the fourth region can move with the second support plate. In other words, the third region does not move relative to the first support plate. This improves the flatness of the folded portion of the flexible display during the folding and unfolding process, reducing the risk of failure of the flexible display.

[0041] It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and are not restrictive of the present application. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0042] [Figure 1] 1A-1C are schematic diagrams illustrating the unfolding and folding of a portion of a flexible display in a specific embodiment in the prior art. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of a structure of an electronic device according to a specific embodiment of the present application, with the folding device in a folded state; [Diagram 3] 1 is an exploded view of an electronic device according to a specific embodiment of the present application, with the folding device in an unfolded state; [Figure 4] 3 is a partial view of a cross-sectional view of the electronic device of FIG. 2 in a specific embodiment. [Diagram 5] 3 is a partial view of a cross-sectional view of the electronic device of FIG. 2 in another specific embodiment. [Figure 6] 4 is a partial view of a cross-sectional view of the electronic device of FIG. 3 in a specific embodiment. [Figure 7] 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the folding device of FIG. 3 in a specific embodiment, the folding device being in an unfolded state; [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the folding device of FIG. 7 in a folded state. [Figure 10] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a partial structure of the folding device of FIG. 7. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the folding device shown in FIG. 10 in a specific embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the folding device shown in FIG. 10 in another specific embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 8 is a side view of FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a side view of FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the swing arm assembly of FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a side view of FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the folding device of FIG. 16 in an unfolded state. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first swing arm and the second swing arm of FIG. 17. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a side view of FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the cooperation between the components after the first support plate of FIG. 8 has been removed. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the folding device of FIG. 9 in a connecting rod assembly. [Figure 22] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the folding device of FIG. 20 in an unfolded state. [Diagram 23] FIG. 23 is a side view of FIG. 22. [Figure 24] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of FIG. [Diagram 25] FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating the principle of FIG. 24. [Figure 26] FIG. 25 is an exploded view of the tension assembly of FIG. [Figure 27] 25 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 24, showing the folding device in an unfolded state. [Figure 28] 28 is a cross-sectional view of the folding device of FIG. 27 in a folded state. [Figure 29] 8 is a cross-sectional view of a synchronous gear group of the folding device of FIG. 7. [Diagram 30] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the synchronous damping assembly of FIG. 20. [Diagram 31] FIG. 31 is an exploded view of FIG. [Diagram 32] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first connecting rod or the second connecting rod of FIG. 20 in a specific embodiment. [Diagram 33] FIG. 33 is a side view of FIG. 32. [Diagram 34] 31 is a partial view of FIG. 29, in which the first connecting rod or the second connecting rod has the structure shown in FIG. 33. [Diagram 35] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first connecting rod or the second connecting rod of FIG. 20 in another specific embodiment. [Diagram 36] 37 is a partial view of FIG. 29, in which the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod have the structure shown in FIG. 36. [Figure 37] 8 is a cross-sectional view of a first stopper and a second stopper of the folding device of FIG. 7. [Figure 38] FIG. 38 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first support plate or the second support plate of FIG. 37. [Figure 39] FIG. 39 is a side view of FIG. 38. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0043] The drawings accompanying this specification are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present application, and are used in conjunction with the present application to explain the principles of the present application.

[0044] In order to better understand the technical solutions of the present application, the following describes in detail the embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0045] FIG. 1 shows a partial structure of a flexible display 1' in the prior art. The partial structure is a part of the flexible display 1' that cooperates with the folding assembly. When the foldable electronic device is in an unfolded state, the outer length of the part of the flexible display 1' is L1, and the inner length of the part of the flexible display 1' is L2. In this case, L1=L2, that is, in the unfolded state, the lengths of the sides of the flexible display 1' are the same, and the flexible display 1' is not stretched or contracted. After the flexible display 1' is folded along the arrow shown in FIG. 1 under the driving of the folding assembly, the inner length L2 of the flexible display 1' changes to L4, and the outer length L1 of the flexible display 1' changes to L3, where L4<L2、L3> L1. In other words, in the folding process, the inside of the flexible display 1' is compressed and the outside is stretched, and the length of the middle layer of the flexible display 1' along the thickness direction changes in the folding process. Therefore, when the flexible display 1' is folded multiple times, there is a risk that the flexible display 1' will be damaged by multiple stretching.

[0046] In order to solve the technical problem, an embodiment of the present application provides an electronic device. An embodiment of the present application provides an electronic device as shown in FIG. 2. The electronic device includes any device with a foldable screen function, such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a notebook computer, an in-vehicle computer, a foldable display device, a foldable display, or a wearable device. The specific form of the aforementioned electronic device is not particularly limited in this embodiment of the present application. For ease of explanation, the following uses an example in which the electronic device is a mobile phone for explanation. The following describes the electronic device of the present application using a specific embodiment.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the electronic device includes a folding device 1, a screen, a first housing 31, and a second housing 32. The screen may be a flexible display 2, and the flexible display 2 is configured to display an image, a video, etc. The specific type of the flexible display 2 in this application is not limited. For example, the flexible display 2 may be an active matrix organic light-emitting diode or an active matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) display. The AMOLED display is used as a self-emitting display, and there is no need to arrange a backlight module (BLM). Therefore, if the substrate of the AMOLED display is made of a flexible resin material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the AMOLED display can have a bendable characteristic. For example, the flexible display 2 may alternatively be an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, a mini light-emitting diode display, a micro light-emitting diode display, a micro organic light-emitting diode display, or a quantum dot light emitting diodes (QLED) display, etc.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 3, the first housing 31 and the second housing 32 are distributed at intervals, and the first housing 31 and the second housing 32 may further be a frame structure of the electronic device. The first housing 31 and the second housing 32 are used to install components such as a battery, a circuit board, a camera, a headset, an earphone, a button, and a battery of the electronic device. The first housing 31 and the second housing 32 are further configured to support the flexible display 2. In other words, the flexible display 2 is fixedly connected (e.g., attached) to the first housing 31 and the second housing 32, so that the flexible display 2 is kept as flat as possible in the use process, and the non-display surface of the flexible display 2 is protected. The folding device 1 is located between the first housing 31 and the second housing 32 and connected to the first housing 31 and the second housing 32. 3, a first groove 311 is disposed in the first housing 31, a second groove 321 is disposed in the second housing 32, and a part of the folding device 1 is disposed in the first groove 311 and another part is disposed in the second groove 321. In some possible implementations, the folding device 1 may be connected to the first groove 311 and the second groove 321 using a screw or the like.

[0049] In the process of using the electronic device, the folding device 1 at least includes an unfolded state shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 and an unfolded state shown in FIG. 6. In the unfolded state, the first housing 31 and the second housing 32 are approximately located on the same plane, so that the flexible display 2 is approximately flat. In this case, the flexible display 2 is exposed, so that the user can operate the flexible display 2, and the flexible display 2 can display information such as images and videos, so that a large-screen display can be implemented and the user's viewing experience can be improved. In addition, when the folding device 1 is in the unfolded state, the first housing 31 and the second housing 32 can rotate facing each other (in other words, the first housing 31 and the second housing 32 can rotate close to each other), so that the folding device 1 can be folded. In the folding process, the end of the first housing 31, which is far from the folding device 1, and the end of the second housing 32, which is far from the folding device 1, are close to each other, so that the electronic device is in the folded state shown in FIG. 4. In addition, the electronic device of this embodiment is an inward folding structure of a flexible display. In the folded state, the flexible display 2 is located in the space surrounded by the folded first housing 31 and the second housing 32. In this case, the flexible display 2 is not exposed, and the user cannot operate the flexible display 2, which is easy to store and carry the electronic device. In addition, when the folding device 1 is in the folded state, the first housing 31 and the second housing 32 can rotate (the rotation direction is opposite to the rotation direction during folding) to drive the folding device 1 to unfold, so that the electronic device is in the unfolded state shown in FIG. 6. Therefore, in the present application, the folding device 1 is configured to implement folding and unfolding of the electronic device.

[0050] Those skilled in the art may understand that the schematic structure in this embodiment of the present application does not constitute any particular limitation on the electronic device. In other embodiments of the present application, the electronic device may include more or fewer components than those shown in the figures, may combine some components, may split some components, or may have a different component arrangement.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 3, the flexible display 2 may include a first portion 21, a second portion 22, and a third portion 23, a fourth portion 24, and a fifth portion 25 located between the first portion 21 and the second portion 22. The first portion 21 is correspondingly connected to a first housing 31, the second portion 22 is correspondingly connected to a second housing 32, and the third portion 23, the fourth portion 24, and the fifth portion 25 correspond to the folding device 1. In the folding process of the folding device 1, the third portion 23, the fourth portion 24, and the fifth portion 25 are folded to form a folded portion 26 of the flexible display 2 shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

[0052] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, after the folding device 1 is folded, an accommodation space 174 is formed, the folded portion 26 of the flexible display 2 is accommodated in the accommodation space 174, and the remaining portion of the flexible display 2 is accommodated in the first housing 31 and the second housing 32. In order to improve the service life and reliability of the flexible display 2, the pulling and squeezing of the folded portion 26 in the unfolding and folding processes needs to be reduced or eliminated. In other words, the folded portion 26 needs to be neither pulled by an external force in the unfolding process nor squeezed by an external force in the folding process.

[0053] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, when the folding device 1 is in the unfolded state, the portion of the folding device 1 that cooperates with the folded portion 26 of the flexible display 2 has a first length along the width direction Y of the main axis 14. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, when the folding device 1 is in the folded state, the folding device 1 forms an accommodation space 174 used to accommodate the folded portion 26 of the flexible display 2, and the contour length (circumference) of the accommodation space 174 is a second length, and the first length is shorter than the second length. Thus, in the process of the folding device 1 switching from the unfolded state shown in FIG. 6 to the folded state shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5, the contour length of the portion of the folding device 1 that cooperates with the folded portion 26 is increased, so that the folding device 1 can provide a sufficient space to accommodate the folded portion 26 of the flexible display 2 in the folded state. This reduces tension and pressure on the folded portion 26 during the folding process of the folding device 1, reducing the risk of malfunction of the flexible display 2.

[0054] In this application, specifically, the folding device 1 is used to ensure that the folded portion 26 is not compressed or stretched by an external force during the folding process. As shown in Figs. 7 to 9, the folding device 1 includes a main shaft 14, a bracket assembly connected to the main shaft 14, a connecting rod assembly 13, a swing arm assembly 12, and a support plate assembly. The main shaft 14 is fastened to a first housing 31 and a second housing 32 (see Fig. 5) of an electronic device, and the folding device 1 is folded or unfolded around the main shaft 14. The extension direction of the main shaft 14 is defined as a length direction X of the main shaft 14. In the electronic device in an unfolded state (see Fig. 6), the arrangement direction of the first housing 31 and the second housing 32 is defined as a width direction Y of the main shaft 14. The direction perpendicular to both the length direction X and the width direction Y of the main shaft 14 is defined as a height direction Z of the main shaft 14.

[0055] 8 and 9, the folding device 1 may include a plurality of the above-mentioned support assemblies, a plurality of swing arm assemblies 12, and a plurality of connecting rod assemblies 13, where the plurality of support assemblies are distributed in the length direction X of the main shaft 14, the plurality of swing arm assemblies 12 are distributed in the length direction X of the main shaft 14, and the plurality of connecting rod assemblies 13 are distributed in the length direction X of the main shaft 14. A first support plate 171 and a second support plate 172 are separately connected to the bracket assembly, the swing arm assembly 12, and the connecting rod assembly 13.

[0056] In addition, as shown in FIG. 10 to FIG. 12, the connecting rod assembly 13 includes a first connecting rod 131 and a second connecting rod 132 arranged on both sides of the main shaft 14 along the width direction Y of the main shaft 14. The first connecting rod 131 and the second connecting rod 132 can rotate with respect to the main shaft 14. That is, the first connecting rod 131 is rotatably connected to the main shaft 14 via a fifth rotating shaft 131e, and the second connecting rod 132 is rotatably connected to the main shaft 14 via a sixth rotating shaft 132e. The swing arm assembly 12 includes a first swing arm 121 and a second swing arm 122 arranged on both sides of the main shaft 14 along the width direction Y of the main shaft 14. The first swing arm 121 and the second swing arm 122 can rotate with respect to the main shaft 14. That is, the first swing arm 121 is rotatably connected to the main shaft 14 via the third rotating shaft 121d, and the second swing arm 122 is rotatably connected to the main shaft 14 via the fourth rotating shaft 122d. The bracket assembly includes a first bracket 111 and a second bracket 112 arranged on both sides of the main shaft 14 along the width direction Y of the main shaft 14. The first bracket 111 can slide along a first track 111a relative to the first connecting rod 131, and the first bracket 111 is rotatably connected to the first swing arm 121 via the first rotating shaft 121a, and the second bracket 112 can slide along a second track 112a relative to the second connecting rod 132, and the second bracket 112 is rotatably connected to the second swing arm 122 via the second rotating shaft 122a. The fifth rotating shaft 131e (the rotation center of the first connecting rod 131 relative to the main shaft 14) and the third rotating shaft 121d (the rotation center of the first swing arm 121 relative to the main shaft 14) are parallel to each other and do not overlap.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 10, the support plate assembly is configured to connect to the flexible display 2 of the electronic device, so that the flexible display 2 can be folded or unfolded under the driving of the folding device 1. The support plate assembly includes a first support plate 171 and a second support plate 172 arranged on both sides of the main shaft 14 along the width direction Y of the main shaft 14. The first support plate 171 and the second support plate 172 are used to connect to the flexible display 2 of the electronic device, and the first support plate 171, the second support plate 172, and the main shaft 14 form an accommodating space 174. Specifically, the first support plate 171 and the second support plate 172 are used to connect to the folded part of the flexible display 2 (the connection method may be adhesive). The first support plate 171 is rotatably connected to the first bracket 111. In other words, the first support plate 171 can rotate relative to the first bracket 111. In addition, the first support plate 171 is slidably connected to the first swing arm 121 or the first connecting rod 131 and can rotate relative thereto. The second support plate 172 is rotatably connected to the second bracket 112. In other words, the second support plate 172 can rotate with respect to the second bracket 112. In addition, the second support plate 172 is slidably connected to the second swing arm 122 or the second connecting rod 132 and can rotate relative thereto.

[0058] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. 12, in the folding device 1, the first swing arm 121, the first connecting rod 131, and the first bracket 111 form a sliding block mechanism, and the second swing arm 122, the second connecting rod 132, and the second bracket 112 form a sliding block mechanism. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 11, the first support plate 171 is slidably connected to the first swing arm 121 and can rotate relative to it, and the second support plate 172 is slidably connected to the second swing arm 122 and can rotate relative to it. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 12, the first support plate 171 is slidably connected to the first connecting rod 131 and can rotate relative to it, and the second support plate 172 is slidably connected to the second connecting rod 132 and can rotate relative to it. As an example, a sliding block mechanism formed by the first swing arm 121, the first connecting rod 131 and the first bracket 111 is used. When an external force acts on the first bracket 111 to rotate, the first bracket 111 cooperates with the first connecting rod 131 in a sliding manner, so that the first bracket 111 can drive the first connecting rod 131 to rotate around the fifth rotating shaft 131e. In addition, the first bracket 111 is rotatably connected to the first swing arm 121. Therefore, the first bracket 111 drives the first swing arm 121 to rotate around the third rotating shaft 121d in the rotating process. Since the fifth rotating shaft 131e and the third rotating shaft 121d do not overlap, the first bracket 111 slides relative to the first connecting rod 131, and as a result, the angle between the first bracket 111 and the first swing arm 121 changes (in other words, the first bracket 111 and the first swing arm 121 move relative to each other). In this way, the connecting rod mechanism formed by the first bracket 111 and the first swing arm 121 expands and contracts.

[0059] In addition, the first support plate 171 is rotatably connected to the first bracket 111, and the first support plate 171 is slidably connected to the first connecting rod 131 or the first swing arm 121, and can rotate relative to the first bracket 111. Therefore, in the rotation process of the first connecting rod 131 and the first swing arm 121, the first support plate 171 can be driven to rotate relative to the first bracket. Specifically, when the first swing arm 121 is slidably connected to the first support plate 171 and can rotate relative to the first bracket 111, after the included angle between the first swing arm 121 and the first bracket 111 is changed, the first swing arm 121 is slidably cooperated with the first support plate 171, so that the first support plate 171 can be driven to rotate and slide relative to the first bracket 111. When the first connecting rod 131 is slidably connected to the first support plate 171 and can rotate relative to it, after the first bracket 111 slides relative to the first connecting rod 131, the first connecting rod 131 is slidably cooperated with the first support plate 171, so that the first support plate 171 can be driven to rotate and slide relative to the first bracket 111.

[0060] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, when the folding device 1 is folded in the unfolded state, an external force acts on the first bracket 111 to rotate the first bracket 111 clockwise, and the first connecting rod 131 and the first swing arm 121 are driven to rotate clockwise. In this process, the angle between the first bracket 111 and the first swing arm 121 increases, so that the connecting rod mechanism formed by the first bracket 111 and the first swing arm 121 extends, driving the first support plate 171 to rotate and slide outward relative to the first bracket 111. The moving process of the second bracket 112, the second connecting rod 132, and the second swing arm 122 is similar to that described above, and the details will not be repeated in this specification. After the folding device 1 is folded, the state shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 is formed. By rotating and sliding outwardly the first support plate 171 and the second support plate 172, the contour length of the accommodation space 174 can be increased, so that the folding device 1 can provide sufficient space to accommodate the folded portion 26 of the flexible display 2 in the folded state, thereby reducing the pulling and squeezing of the folded portion 26 during the folding process of the folding device 1, and reducing the risk of functional failure of the flexible display 2.

[0061] In the unfolding process of the folding device 1, as shown in FIG. 13, an external force acts on the first bracket 111 to rotate the first bracket 111 counterclockwise, and drives the first connecting rod 131 and the second swing arm 121 to rotate counterclockwise. In this process, the included angle between the first bracket 111 and the first swing arm 121 is reduced, so that the connecting rod mechanism formed by the first bracket 111 and the first swing arm 121 is shortened, and the first support plate 171 is driven to rotate and slide inwardly relative to the first bracket 111. The moving process of the second bracket 112, the second connecting rod 132, and the second swing arm 122 is similar to that described above, and the details will not be repeated in this specification. After the folding device 1 is unfolded, the state shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 is formed. By rotating and sliding inwardly the first support plate 171 and the second support plate 172, the contour length of the storage space 174 can be shortened, and the folding device 1 can avoid pulling the flexible display 2 in the unfolded state, reducing the risk of functional failure of the flexible display 2.

[0062] 11 and 12, in a specific embodiment, the fifth rotating shaft 131e (the rotation center of the first connecting rod 131 with respect to the main shaft 14) and the third rotating shaft 121d (the rotation center of the first swing arm 121 with respect to the main shaft 14) being parallel to each other and not overlapping may specifically mean that there is a preset distance between the fifth rotating shaft 131e and the third rotating shaft 121d in the height direction Z of the main shaft 14. Of course, there may be a preset distance between the fifth rotating shaft 131e and the third rotating shaft 121d along other directions so that the fifth rotating shaft 131e and the third rotating shaft 121d do not overlap.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 15 to FIG. 17, and referring to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the first rotating shaft 121a is the rotation center of the first swing arm 121 that rotates around the first bracket 111. In the folding process of the folding device 1, the first swing arm 121 rotates around the first rotating shaft 121a. If the distance between the first rotating shaft 121a and the main shaft 14 is too small, the radian of rotation at the end of the first swing arm 121 that is far from the first rotating shaft 121a (i.e., the end close to the main shaft 14) becomes large. In this case, there is a risk that the end of the first swing arm 121 that is close to the main shaft 14 will interfere with the first support plate 171. When the end interferes with the first support plate 171, an avoidance hole needs to be arranged in the first support plate 171 to avoid the first swing arm 121. After the avoidance holes are arranged, the structural strength of the first support plate 171 and the supporting performance of the first support plate 171 to the flexible display 2 are reduced, and the service life of the electronic device is affected. Similarly, if the distance between the second rotating shaft 122a and the main shaft 14 is too small, the avoidance holes also need to be arranged in the second support plate 172. As a result, the structural strength of the second support plate 172 and the supporting performance of the second support plate 172 to the flexible display 2 are reduced.

[0064] In order to solve the technical problem, the distance between the first rotating shaft 121a of the first swing arm 121 and the main shaft 14 and the distance between the second rotating shaft 122a of the second swing arm 122 and the main shaft 14 are both increased, so as to reduce the radian rotated by the end of the first swing arm 121 close to the main shaft 14 in the folding process of the folding device, reduce the radian rotated by the end of the second swing arm 122 close to the main shaft 14, reduce the risk of interference between the first support plate 171 and the end of the first swing arm 121 close to the main shaft 14, and reduce the risk of interference between the second support plate 172 and the end of the second swing arm 122 close to the main shaft 14. In this way, it is not necessary to arrange an avoidance hole used to avoid the first swing arm 121 in the first support plate 171, and it is not necessary to arrange an avoidance hole used to avoid the second swing arm 122 in the second support plate 172. This improves the structural strength of the first support plate 171 and the second support plate 172, and also improves the supporting reliability of the first support plate 171 and the second support plate 172 of the flexible display 2.

[0065] Therefore, in this embodiment of the present application, the first rotating shaft 121a is located at any position that can prevent interference between the first swing arm 121 and the first support plate 171 in the folding process of the folding device 1, and the second rotating shaft 122a is located at any position that can prevent interference between the second swing arm 122 and the second support plate 172 in the folding process of the folding device 1. In order to further prevent interference between the first swing arm 121 and the first support plate 171 and between the second swing arm 122 and the second support plate 172, the longer the distance between the first rotating shaft 121a and the main shaft 14, the better, and the longer the distance between the second rotating shaft 122a and the main shaft 14.

[0066] In one possible design, as shown in Fig. 20, referring to Fig. 10, the first connecting rod 131 has a first outer end 131f far from the main shaft 14, and the second connecting rod 132 has a second outer end 132f far from the main shaft 14, and when the folding device 1 is in an unfolded state, the first outer end 131f is at a first position A and the second outer end 132f is at a second position (not shown). The first position A is a position where the distance between the first connecting rod 131 and the main shaft 14 is maximum in the folding or unfolding process of the folding device 1, and the second position is a position where the distance between the second connecting rod 132 and the main shaft 14 is maximum in the folding or unfolding process of the folding device 1. The axis L1 on which the first rotating shaft 121a is located is located on one side of the first position A, far from the main shaft 14, and the axis L2 on which the second rotating shaft 122a is located is located on one side of the second position A, far from the main shaft 14. In other words, the length of the first swing arm 121 extending in the width direction Y of the main shaft 14 is at least longer than the length of the first connecting rod 131 extending in the width direction Y of the main shaft 14, and the length of the second swing arm 122 extending in the width direction Y of the main shaft 14 is at least longer than the length of the second connecting rod 132 extending in the width direction Y of the main shaft 14.

[0067] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 20, when the first rotating shaft 121a is positioned outside the first position A (farther from the main shaft 14), the first bracket 111 is not fixed to the first connecting rod 131 in the rotating process, and the distance between the first rotating shaft 121a and the main shaft 14 is increased. In the folding process of the folding device 1, the first swing arm 121 and the first support plate 171 can be prevented from being fixed to each other. When the second rotating shaft 122a is positioned outside the second position (farther from the main shaft 14), the second bracket 112 is not fixed to the second connecting rod 132 in the rotating process, and the distance between the second rotating shaft 122a and the main shaft 14 is increased. In the folding process of the folding device 1, the second swing arm 122 and the second support plate 172 can be prevented from being fixed to each other. Therefore, in this embodiment, the positions of the first rotating shaft 121a and the second rotating shaft 122a enable the folding device 1 to operate normally while preventing interference between the swing arm assembly 12 and the support plate assembly, avoid placing an avoidance hole on the support plate assembly to avoid the swing arm assembly 12, and improve the supporting reliability of the folding device 1 for the flexible display 2.

[0068] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 21, referring to Fig. 10, the first connecting rod 131 and the first bracket 111 are provided with a first sliding block 131a on one side and a first track 111a on the other side, and the first sliding block 131a can slide along the first track 111a. The second connecting rod 132 and the second bracket 112 are provided with a second sliding block 132a on one side and a second track 112a on the other side, and the second sliding block 132a can slide along the second track 112a. The first track 111a has a third outer end C far from the main shaft 14, and the second track 112a has a fourth outer end D far from the main shaft 14. In this case, the axis L1 on which the first rotating shaft 121a is positioned is located on one side of the third outer end C, farther from the main shaft 14, and the axis on which the second rotating shaft 122a is positioned is located on one side of the fourth outer end D, farther from the main shaft 14.

[0069] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 21, the first track 111a is disposed on the first bracket 111, the first sliding block 131a of the first connecting rod 131 can slide along the first track 111a, and the second track 112a is disposed on the second bracket 112, the second sliding block 132a of the second connecting rod 132 can slide along the second track 112a. When the length of the first track 111a is insufficient, the sliding stroke of the first sliding block 131a is affected, thereby affecting the relative sliding distance between the first connecting rod 131 and the first bracket 111. As a result, the folding device 1 cannot operate normally. Similarly, when the length of the second track 112a is insufficient, the relative sliding distance between the second connecting rod 132 and the second bracket 112 is affected. To solve the technical problem, usually, the length of the first track 111a is equal to or greater than the sliding stroke of the first sliding block 131a, and the length of the second track 112a is equal to or greater than the sliding stroke of the second sliding block 132a.

[0070] Specifically, the third outer end C of the first raceway 111a is flush with the first outer end 131f of the first connecting rod 131, or the third outer end C is located on one side of the first outer end 131f, far from the main shaft 14. In this case, it can be ensured that the length of the first raceway 111a is sufficient, and the relative movement between the first connecting rod 131 and the first bracket 111 is not restricted. Similarly, the fourth outer end D of the second raceway 111a is flush with the second outer end 132f of the second connecting rod 132, or the fourth outer end D is located on one side of the second outer end 132f, far from the main shaft 14. In this case, it can be ensured that the length of the second raceway 112a is sufficient, and the relative movement between the second connecting rod 132 and the second bracket 112 is not restricted.

[0071] Based on this, when the axis of the first rotating shaft 121a and the first bracket 111 of the first swing arm 121 is located on one side of the third outer end C, far from the main shaft 14, the first rotating shaft 121a is located on one side of the first outer end 131f of the first connecting rod 131, far from the main shaft 14, and when the axis of the second rotating shaft 122a and the second bracket 112 of the second swing arm 122 is located on one side of the fourth outer end D, far from the main shaft 14, the second rotating shaft 122a is located on one side of the second outer end 132f of the second connecting rod 132, far from the main shaft. In this case, the positions of the first rotating shaft 121a and the second rotating shaft 122a in this embodiment allow the folding device 1 to operate normally (prevent sticking) while preventing interference between the swing arm assembly 12 and the support plate assembly, avoid placing an avoidance hole on the support plate assembly to avoid the swing arm assembly 12, and improve the supporting reliability of the folding device 1 for the flexible display 2.

[0072] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 21, a first track 111 a passes through the first bracket 111 and a second track 112 a passes through the second bracket 112 .

[0073] In another specific embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20, the first bracket 111 has a fifth outer end 111c far from the main shaft 14, and the second bracket 112 has a sixth outer end 112c far from the main shaft 14, the fifth outer end 111c being the contour line of the outermost end of the first bracket 111, and the sixth outer end 112c being the contour line of the outermost end of the second bracket 112. The first rotating shaft 121a is disposed at the fifth outer end 111c, and the second rotating shaft 122a is disposed at the sixth outer end 112c. In other words, the axis L1 of the first rotating shaft 121a is flush with the contour line of the fifth outer end 111c, and the axis of the second rotating shaft 122a is flush with the contour line of the sixth outer end 112c. In this case, the first outer end 131f (see FIG. 10) of the first bracket 111 is flush with the fifth outer end 111c of the first bracket 111. Alternatively, the fifth outer end 111c is located on one side of the first outer end 131f, away from the main shaft 14, and the second outer end 132f (see FIG. 10) of the second connecting rod 132 is flush with the sixth outer end 112c of the second bracket 112. Alternatively, the sixth outer end 112c is located on one side of the second outer end 132f, away from the main shaft 14.

[0074] In this embodiment, when the axis of the first rotating shaft 121a is located at the fifth outer end 111c on one side of the first bracket 111 and far from the main shaft 14, and the axis of the second rotating shaft 122a is located at the sixth outer end 112c of the second bracket 112 far from the main shaft 14, the fifth outer end 111c is the position where the distance between the first bracket 111 and the main shaft 14 is the maximum, and the sixth outer end 112c is the position where the distance between the second bracket 112 and the main shaft 14 is the maximum, so that the distance between the first rotating shaft 121a and the main shaft 14 and the distance between the second rotating shaft 122a and the main shaft 14 can be increased. In this way, interference between the swing arm assembly 12 and the support plate assembly can be prevented, and it is possible to avoid disposing an avoidance hole in the support plate assembly to avoid the swing arm assembly 12, and to improve the support reliability of the folding device 1 for a flexible display 2.

[0075] In addition, the first swing arm 121 has a seventh outer end 121e far from the main shaft 14, and the second swing arm 122 has an eighth outer end 122e far from the main shaft 14. The seventh outer end 121e is a contour line of the outermost end of the first swing arm 121, and the eighth outer end 122e is a contour line of the outermost end of the second swing arm 122. In addition, in this embodiment, the fifth outer end 111c of the first bracket 111 may be located on one side of the seventh outer end 121e of the first swing arm 121 and far from the main shaft 14, and the sixth outer end 112c of the second bracket 112 may be located on one side of the eighth outer end 122e of the second swing arm 122 and far from the main shaft 14.

[0076] In yet another specific embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, the first swing arm 121 has a seventh outer end 121e far from the main shaft 14, and the second swing arm 122 has an eighth outer end 122e far from the main shaft 14, the seventh outer end 121e being the contour line of the outermost end of the first swing arm 121, and the eighth outer end 122e being the contour line of the outermost end of the second swing arm 122. The first rotating shaft 121a is disposed at the seventh outer end 121e, and the second rotating shaft 122a is disposed at the eighth outer end 122e. In other words, the axis L1 of the first rotating shaft 121a is flush with the contour line of the seventh outer end 121e, and the axis of the second rotating shaft 122a is flush with the contour line of the eighth outer end 122e. In this case, the first outer end 131f (see FIG. 10) of the first connecting rod 131 is flush with the seventh outer end 121e of the first swing arm 121. Alternatively, the seventh outer end 121e is located on one side of the first outer end 131f, away from the main shaft 14, and the second outer end 132f (see FIG. 10) of the second connecting rod 132 is flush with the eighth outer end 122e of the second swing arm 122. Alternatively, the eighth outer end 122e is located on one side of the second outer end 132f, away from the main shaft 14.

[0077] In this embodiment, when the axis of the first rotating shaft 121a is positioned at the seventh outer end 121e far from the main shaft 14 of the first swing arm 121, and the axis of the second swing arm 122 is far from the eighth outer end 122e of the main shaft 14, the seventh outer end 121e is the position where the distance between the first swing arm 121 and the main shaft 14 is maximum, and the eighth outer end 122e is the position where the distance between the second swing arm 122 and the main shaft 14 is maximum, so the distance between the first rotating shaft 121a (the rotating shaft between the first swing arm 121 and the first bracket 111) and the main shaft 14, and the distance between the second rotating shaft 122a (the rotating shaft between the second swing arm 122 and the second bracket 112) and the main shaft 14 can be increased. In this way, interference between the swing arm assembly 12 and the support plate assembly can be prevented, and the need to place avoidance holes in the support plate assembly to avoid the swing arm assembly 12 can be avoided, thereby improving the support reliability of the folding device 1 for the flexible display 2.

[0078] In addition, in this embodiment, the seventh outer end 121e of the first swing arm 121 may be positioned on one side of the fifth outer end 111c of the first bracket 111, farther from the main shaft 14, and the eighth outer end 122e of the second swing arm 122 may be positioned on one side of the sixth outer end 112c of the second bracket 112, farther from the main shaft 14.

[0079] 17, the fifth outer end 111c of the first bracket 111 is rotatably connected to the seventh outer end 121e of the first swing arm 121 via the first rotating shaft 121a, and the sixth outer end 112c of the second bracket 112 is rotatably connected to the eighth outer end 122e of the second swing arm 122 via the second rotating shaft 122a. In other words, the axis of the first rotating shaft 121a is located on the contour line of the fifth outer end 111c and the contour line of the seventh outer end 121e, and the axis of the second rotating shaft 122a is located on the contour line of the sixth outer end 112c and the contour line of the eighth outer end 122e. In addition, in this embodiment, the seventh outer end 121e of the first swing arm 121 is flush with the fifth outer end 111c of the first bracket 111, and the eighth outer end 122e of the second swing arm 122 is flush with the sixth outer end 112c of the second bracket 112. In other words, the first swing arm 121 extends to the outer end of the first bracket 111 and is rotatably connected to the first bracket 111 at one of both ends, the end farther from the main shaft 14. In other words, the second swing arm 122 extends to the outer end of the second bracket 112 and is rotatably connected to the second bracket 112 at one of both ends, the end farther from the main shaft 14. In this case, the first outer end 131f (see FIG. 10) of the first connecting rod 131 is flush with the seventh outer end 121e of the first swing arm 121 and the fifth outer end 111c of the first bracket 111, or the seventh outer end 121e and the fifth outer end 111c are located on one side of the first outer end 131f, farther from the main shaft 14. The second outer end 132f (see FIG. 10) of the second connecting rod 132 is flush with the eighth outer end 122e of the second swing arm 122 and the sixth outer end 112c of the second bracket 112, or the eighth outer end 122e and the sixth outer end 112c are located on one side of the second outer end 132f, farther from the main shaft 14.

[0080] In this embodiment, the position of the axis of the first rotating shaft 121a is the position where both the distance between the first swing arm 121 and the main shaft 14 and the distance between the first bracket 111 and the main shaft 14 are maximum, and the position of the axis of the second rotating shaft 122a is the position where both the distance between the second swing arm 122 and the main shaft 14 and the distance between the second bracket 112 and the main shaft 14 are maximum. Therefore, the distance between the first rotating shaft 121a and the main shaft 14 is large, and the distance between the second rotating shaft 122a and the main shaft 14 is large. In this way, interference between the swing arm assembly 12 and the support plate assembly can be prevented, and it is possible to avoid disposing an avoidance hole in the support plate assembly to avoid the swing arm assembly 12, and to improve the support reliability of the folding device 1 for the flexible display 2.

[0081] Of course, the positions of the first rotating shaft 121a and the second rotating shaft 122a include, but are not limited to, those described in the above embodiments. Any position that can prevent interference between the swing arm assembly 12 and the support plate assembly is within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0082] The connection structure between the connecting rod assembly 13 and the main shaft, and the connection structure between the connecting rod assembly 13 and the bracket assembly will be described in detail below.

[0083] 10, the first connecting rod 131 is slidably connected to the first bracket 111 using a first sliding block 131a and a first track 111a, and the second connecting rod 132 is slidably connected to the second bracket 112 using a second sliding block 132a and a second track 112a. The first sliding block 131a may be disposed on the first connecting rod 131, the first track 111a may be disposed on the first bracket 111, the second sliding block 132a may be disposed on the second connecting rod 132, and the second track 112a may be disposed on the second bracket 112.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 21 , the first track 111a and the second track 112a are arranged diagonally so that the first bracket 111 slides diagonally relative to the first connecting rod 131 and the second bracket 112 slides diagonally relative to the second connecting rod 132, thereby reducing the risk that the first bracket 111 gets stuck to the first connecting rod 131 and the second bracket 112 gets stuck to the second connecting rod 132 during the unfolding or folding process of the folding device 1.

[0085] In addition, the cross-sectional shapes of the first sliding block 131a, the first track 111a, the second sliding block 132a, and the second track 112a may be cross, trapezoid, triangle, etc. This is not limited in the present application.

[0086] In addition, as shown in Fig. 20, the main shaft 14 is provided with an axial hole (not shown), and the first connecting rod 131 is connected to the fifth rotating shaft 131e, and the fifth rotating shaft 131e passes through the axial hole to realize a rotational connection between the first connecting rod 131 and the main shaft 14. The fifth rotating shaft 131e may be a hinge pin or other structure. In this embodiment, the rotational connection structure between the second connecting rod 132 and the main shaft 14 may be the same as the rotational connection structure between the first connecting rod 131 and the main shaft 14, and the details will not be described again in this specification.

[0087] The connection structure between the swing arm assembly 12 and the main shaft, and the connection structure between the swing arm assembly 12 and the bracket assembly will be described in detail below. One end of the first swing arm 121 is rotatably connected to the main shaft 14, and the other end is rotatably connected to the first bracket 111, and one end of the second swing arm 122 is rotatably connected to the main shaft 14, and the other end is rotatably connected to the second bracket 112.

[0088] In a specific embodiment, the first swing arm 121 and the main shaft 14, and the second swing arm 122 and the main shaft 14 may be connected in a virtual axis manner. The specific structure is as follows.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the first arc groove 143 and the second arc groove 144 are respectively arranged on both sides of the main shaft 14 along the width direction Y. As shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, the first rotating part 121b is arranged on the first swing arm 121, and the second rotating part 122b is arranged on the second swing arm 122. The first rotating part 121b can move in the first arc groove 143, and the second rotating part 122b can move in the second arc groove 144. The first arc groove 143 and the second arc groove 144 may be 1 / 4 arc or 1 / 3 arc, etc. Those skilled in the art may adaptively adjust the specific parameters of the first arc groove 143 and the second arc groove 144 based on the actual requirements. This is not particularly limited in the present application.

[0090] In this embodiment, the first swing arm 121 and the main shaft 14 rotate relative to each other through cooperation between the first rotating part 121b and the first arc groove 143. In other words, in the process in which the first rotating part 121b moves along the first arc groove 143, the first swing arm 121 rotates relative to the main shaft 14, and the rotation center of the first swing arm 121 and the main shaft 14 is the center of the first arc groove 143. In other words, the center of the first arc groove 143 is the third rotating shaft 121d. Therefore, the third rotating shaft 121d is a virtual axis. The second rotating part 122b and the second arc groove 144 rotate relative to each other between the second swing arm 122 and the main shaft 14. In other words, in the process in which the second rotating part 122b moves along the second arc groove 143, the second swing arm 122 rotates with respect to the main shaft 14, and the rotation center of the second swing arm 122 and the main shaft 14 is the center of the second arc groove 144. In other words, the center of the second arc groove 144 is the fourth rotating shaft 122d. Therefore, the fourth rotating shaft 122d is a virtual axis.

[0091] 15 and 16, when the first swing arm 121 rotates relative to the second swing arm 122 (when the folding device 1 switches from the unfolded state to the folded state), at least a part of the first rotating part 121b disengages from the first arc groove 143, and at least a part of the second rotating part 122b disengages from the second arc groove 144. As shown in FIG. 17, when the first swing arm 121 and the second swing arm 122 rotate back to back (when the folding device 1 switches from the folded state to the unfolded state), at least a part of the first rotating part 121b enters the first arc groove 143, and at least a part of the second rotating part 122b enters the second arc groove 144. 17, the first swing arm 121 is restricted to the first position because the first rotating portion 121b fits into the first arc groove 143. The second swing arm 122 is restricted to the first position because the second rotating portion 122b fits into the second arc groove 144. This improves the reliability of the folding device in the unfolded state.

[0092] Therefore, when the relative rotation between the first swing arm 121 and the main shaft 14 is implemented by the cooperation between the first rotating part 121b and the first arc groove 143, and the relative rotation between the second swing arm 122 and the main shaft 14 is implemented by the cooperation between the second rotating part 122b and the second arc groove 144, the reliability of the relative rotation between the first swing arm 121 and the main shaft 14 and between the second swing arm 122 and the main shaft 14 is high, and the rotation centers of the first swing arm 121 and the second swing arm 122 can be changed by changing the centers of the first arc groove 143 and the second arc groove 144 to facilitate the control of the motion trajectories of the first swing arm 121 and the second swing arm 122. In addition, in the virtual axis connection manner, the connection structure between the first swing arm 122 and the main shaft 14 may be hidden in the main shaft 14 to improve the integration and use experience of the folding device 1.

[0093] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 15 to Fig. 17, the main shaft 14 may include a main inner shaft 141 and a main outer shaft 142 that are separately arranged and fixedly connected. An arc protrusion is arranged on one of the main inner shaft 141 and the main outer shaft 142, and an arc recess is arranged on the other, and the arc protrusion and the arc recess surround a first arc groove 143 and a second arc groove 144. Alternatively, the main shaft 14 may be of a one-piece structure. When the main shaft 14 includes the main inner shaft 141 and the main outer shaft 142 that are separately arranged, the connection between the swing arm assembly 12 and the connecting rod assembly 13 and the main shaft 14 is performed.

[0094] Additionally, in other particular embodiments, the first swing arm 121 and the main shaft 14 and the second swing arm 122 and the main shaft 14 may alternatively be connected in other ways, such as with a hinge pin connection.

[0095] In the above-mentioned embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16 , the folding device 1 may further include a rotating shaft cover 131, where the main shaft 14 is installed in an accommodating cavity of the rotating shaft cover 131, and at least a portion of the first bracket 111 and the second bracket 112 extend from the rotating shaft cover 131.

[0096] In addition, in a specific embodiment, the first swing arm 121 and the first bracket 111, and the second swing arm 122 and the second bracket 112 may be specifically connected in a rotational manner using a hinge pin. The specific structure is as follows.

[0097] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 15 to Fig. 17, the first swing arm 121 is rotatably connected to the first bracket 111 via the first rotating shaft 121a. In other words, the rotation center of the first swing arm 121 and the first bracket 111 is the first rotating shaft 121a. The second swing arm 122 is rotatably connected to the second bracket 112 via the second rotating shaft 122a. In other words, the rotation center of the second swing arm 122 and the second bracket 112 is the second rotating shaft 122a.

[0098] 18 and 19, an axial hole is arranged at the end of the first swing arm 121 far from the main shaft 14, an axial hole is also arranged in the first bracket 111, and a first rotating shaft 121a (which may be a hinge pin) penetrates through the two axial holes, so that the first bracket 111 and the first swing arm 121 can rotate relatively around the first rotating shaft 121a. Similarly, an axial hole is arranged at the end of the second swing arm 121 far from the main shaft 14, an axial hole is also arranged in the second bracket 112, and a second rotating shaft 122a (which may be a hinge pin) penetrates through the two axial holes, so that the second bracket 112 and the second swing arm 122 can rotate relatively around the second rotating shaft 122a.

[0099] In another specific embodiment, the first bracket 111 and the first swing arm 121, and the second bracket 112 and the second swing arm 122 may alternatively be connected in another manner, for example, the virtual axis connection manner described above, which is not particularly limited in this application.

[0100] The connection structure between the support plate assembly and the bracket assembly will be described in detail below. In a specific embodiment, the first support plate 171 may be connected to the first bracket 111 via a virtual axis, and the second support plate 172 may also be connected to the second bracket 112 via a virtual axis.

[0101] 13, 14, and 20, the first bracket 111 has a third arc groove 111b disposed therein, the first support plate 171 has a third rotating portion 1711 disposed therein, and the third rotating portion 1711 can slide along the third arc groove 111b, so that the first support plate 171 rotates relative to the first bracket 111. The second bracket 112 has a fourth arc groove 112b disposed therein, and the second support plate 172 has a fourth rotating portion 1721 disposed therein, so that the second support plate 172 rotates relative to the second bracket 112.

[0102] In this embodiment, when the relative rotation between the first support plate 171 and the first bracket 111 is implemented by cooperation between the third rotating part 1711 and the third arc-shaped groove 111b, and the relative rotation between the second support plate 172 and the second bracket 112 is implemented by cooperation between the fourth rotating part 1721 and the fourth arc-shaped groove 112b, the relative rotation between the first support plate 171 and the first bracket 111, and between the second support plate 172 and the second bracket 112 is reliable, and the third rotating part 1711, the third arc-shaped groove 111b, the fourth rotating part 1721, and the fourth arc-shaped groove 112b can be hidden by using a virtual axis connection manner, in order to improve the integrity of the folding device 1.

[0103] In another particular embodiment, the first support plate 171 and the first bracket 111, and the second support plate 172 and the second bracket 112 may alternatively be connected in another manner, for example with a hinge pin connection.

[0104] In addition, in the folding device 1, the sliding connection and relative rotation between the first support plate 171 and the first connecting rod 131 or the first swing arm 121, and the sliding connection and relative rotation between the second support plate 172 and the second connecting rod 132 or the second swing arm 122 are implemented using the following structure.

[0105] 16, 22, and 23, the third track 1713 is disposed on the first support plate 171, the first hinge pin 121c is disposed on the first connecting rod 131 or the first swing arm 121, and the first hinge pin 121c is slidably cooperated with the third track 1713. The fourth track 1723 is disposed on the second support plate 172, the second hinge pin 122c is disposed on the second connecting rod 132 or the second swing arm 122, and the second hinge pin 122c is slidably cooperated with the fourth track 1723. In the process in which the first bracket 111 and the second bracket 112 rotate toward each other (the first bracket 111 and the second bracket 112 rotate close to each other), the first hinge pin 121c slides from the end of the third track 1713, which is far from the main shaft 14, to the end of the third track 1713, which is closer to the main shaft 14, and the second hinge pin 122c slides from the end of the fourth track 1723, which is far from the main shaft 14, to the end of the fourth track 1723, which is closer to the main shaft 14. In addition, the third track 1713 is used to guide relative sliding between the first support plate 171 and the first connecting rod 131 or the first swing arm 121, and the fourth track 1723 is used to guide relative sliding between the second support plate 172 and the second connecting rod 132 or the second swing arm 122.

[0106] Of course, the third raceway may alternatively be located on the first connecting rod or the first swing arm, the first hinge pin may alternatively be located on the first support plate, the fourth raceway may alternatively be located on the second connecting rod or the second swing arm, and the second hinge pin may alternatively be located on the second support plate. The locations for locating the raceways and hinge pins are not limited in this application.

[0107] In addition, a plurality of third tracks 1713 may be arranged on the first support plate 171 along the longitudinal direction X of the main shaft 14. Correspondingly, a plurality of first hinge pins 121c may be arranged on the first connecting rod 131 or the first swing arm 121. The first hinge pins 121c cooperate with the third tracks 1713 to correspond to each other, and the reliability of the sliding connection between the first support plate 171 and the first connecting rod 131 or the first swing arm 121 may be improved. Along the longitudinal direction X of the main shaft 14, a plurality of fourth tracks 1723 may be arranged on the second support plate 172, and a plurality of second hinge pins 122c may be arranged on the second connecting rod 132 or the second swing arm 122, and the second hinge pins 122c cooperate correspondingly with the fourth tracks 1723, so that the reliability of the sliding connection between the second support plate 172 and the second connecting rod 132 or the second swing arm 122 can be improved.

[0108] In a particular embodiment, as shown in Figures 16, 22, and 23, the third track 1713 has a first end and a second end disposed oppositely, and the fourth track 1723 has a third end and a fourth end disposed oppositely. The second end is closer to the main axis 14 than the first end, and the fourth end is closer to the main axis 14 than the third end. When the folding device 1 is in the unfolded state shown in Figures 23 and 24, the first hinge pin 121c cooperates with the third track 1713 at the first end, and the second hinge pin 122c cooperates with the fourth track 1723 at the third end. When the folding device 1 is in the folded state shown in FIG. 17, the first hinge pin 121c cooperates with the third track 1713 at a second end, and the second hinge pin 122c cooperates with the fourth track 1723 at a fourth end.

[0109] 16 from the unfolded state shown in FIG. 22 and FIG. 23, that is, in the process in which the first bracket 111 and the second bracket 112 rotate facing each other (in other words, the first bracket 111 and the second bracket 112 rotate close to each other), the first hinge pin 121c slides from the first end of the third track 1713 to the second end of the third track 1713, and the second hinge pin 122c slides from the third end of the fourth track 1723 to the fourth end of the fourth track 1723. Since the second end is closer to the main shaft 14 than the first end, in this process, the first support plate 171 can slide in a direction away from the main shaft 14 relative to the first connecting rod 131 or the first swing arm 121. The moving process of the second support plate 172 is similar to that of the first support plate 171, and the details will not be described again in this specification. This increases the contour length of the storage space 174. In the process in which the folding device 1 switches from the folded state shown in FIG. 16 to the unfolded state shown in FIG. 22 and FIG. 23, that is, in the process in which the first bracket 111 and the second bracket 112 rotate back to back, the first hinge pin 121c slides from the second end of the third track 1713 to the first end of the third track 1713, and the second hinge pin 122c slides from the fourth end of the fourth track 1723 to the third end of the fourth track 1723. Since the fourth end is closer to the main shaft 14 than the third end, in this process, the first support plate 171 can slide in a direction closer to the main shaft 14 relative to the first connecting rod 131 or the first swing arm 121. The moving process of the second support plate 172 is similar to that of the first support plate 171, and the details will not be described again in this specification. This shortens the contour length of the accommodation space 174.

[0110] 16, 22, and 23, the third track 1713 has an arc structure or an inclined structure, and the fourth track 1723 has an arc structure or an inclined structure. In this case, the third track 1713 allows the first support plate 171 to rotate relative to the first connecting rod 131 or the first swing arm 121 while sliding relative to the first connecting rod 131 or the first swing arm 121, preventing the first support plate 171 and the first connecting rod 131 or the first swing arm 121 from being stuck. The fourth track 1723 allows the second support plate 172 to rotate relative to the second connecting rod 132 or the second swing arm 122 while sliding relative to the second connecting rod 132 or the second swing arm 122, preventing the second support plate 172 and the second connecting rod 132 or the second swing arm 122 from becoming stuck.

[0111] In addition, the first hinge pin 121c may be disposed on the first connecting rod 131 or the first swing arm 121, and the second hinge pin 122c may be disposed on the second connecting rod 132 or the second swing arm 122. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, FIG. 22, and FIG. 23, the first hinge pin 121c is disposed on the first swing arm 121, and the second hinge pin 122c is disposed on the second swing arm 122. The first swing arm 121 and the second swing arm 122 are rotatable with respect to the main shaft 14 and can slide with respect to the main shaft 14 (the first rotating portion 121b moves along the first arc groove 143, and the second rotating portion 122b moves along the second arc groove 144). Therefore, by placing the first hinge pin 121c on the first swing arm 121 and the second hinge pin 122c on the second swing arm 122, the size of the third track 1713 and the fourth track 1723 can be reduced.

[0112] In a specific embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24 and FIG. 25, the folding device 1 further includes a tension assembly 15. The tension assembly 15 is disposed between the connecting rod assembly 13 and the support plate assembly. When the folding device 1 is in the unfolded state, the tension assembly 15 can provide tension to push the first bracket 111 and the second bracket 112 away from each other, so that the folding device 1 remains in the unfolded state and the flexible display 2 is flattened. In other words, the creases of the flexible display 2 are flattened. This further reduces the creases of the electronic device. The specific structure of the tension assembly 15 will be specifically described below.

[0113] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 26 to FIG. 28, the tension assembly 15 has two tension groups, one tension group is disposed between the first connecting rod 131 and the first bracket 111, and the other tension group is also disposed between the second connecting rod 132 and the second bracket 112, and each tension group includes a pressing piece 151 and a driving piece 152. The driving piece 152 of each tension group is connected to the connecting rod assembly 13. When the folding device 1 is in the unfolded state shown in FIG. 27, the driving piece 15 of each tension group can apply a first pressing force to the pressing piece 151 of the tension group to move the pressing piece 151 of the tension group in a direction away from the main shaft 14. Specifically, the driving piece 152 of the tension group arranged between the first connecting rod 131 and the first bracket 111 is connected to the first connecting rod 131, and the driving piece 152 of the tension group arranged between the second connecting rod 132 and the second bracket 112 is connected to the second connecting rod 131. When the folding device 1 is in a folded state, the pressing pieces 151 of the two tension groups respectively press the first bracket 111 and the second bracket 112 so as to move them away from each other.

[0114] In a specific embodiment, as shown in Figures 26 to 28, the driving piece 152 in each tension group is an elastic piece, one end of the driving piece 152 in each tension group is connected to the first connecting rod 131 and the second connecting rod 132, and the other end is connected to the pressing piece 151 in the tension group. Specifically, the first connecting rod 131 or the second connecting rod 132 has a mounting cavity 134, a mounting post 134a is disposed in the mounting cavity 134, the pressing piece 151 of each tension group has a convex plate 151a, one end of the driving piece 152 of each tension group can be sleeved on the mounting post 134a, and the other end presses the convex plate 151a of the pressing piece 151 of the tension group.

[0115] When the folding device 1 is in the unfolded state shown in FIG. 27, the driving piece 152 (elastic piece) of each tension group is in a compressed state. In other words, the driving piece 152 has an elastic force outward (away from the main shaft 14) along the width direction Y of the main shaft 14. The elastic force acts on the connecting rod assembly 13 and the bracket assembly to drive the bracket assembly to have a tendency to move outward (away from the main shaft 14) along the width direction Y of the main shaft 14. This promotes the folding device 1 to be flattened. In the folding process of the folding device 1, the bracket assembly slides outward (away from the main shaft 14) relative to the connecting rod assembly 13, so that the compression amount of the driving piece 152 of each tension group is reduced, or the driving piece 152 is driven to recover to the initial state, or to be unfolded, so that the pressing force of the pressing piece 151 of the tension group against the bracket assembly can be reduced, or the pressing force of the pressing piece 151 of the tension group against the bracket assembly can be released. 28, each portion of the tension assembly 15 is retracted into the inner cavity of the bracket assembly and the connecting rod assembly 13. In other words, the tension assembly 15 does not occupy any external space of the folding device 151. This improves the integrity of the appearance of the folding device 1.

[0116] Of course, the driving piece 152 of each tension group may be implemented by using another structure, for example, a magnetic piece or an elastomer. Specifically, the pressing piece 151 of each tension group is connected to a first magnetic piece, the bracket assembly is connected to a second magnetic piece, and the first magnetic piece and the corresponding second magnetic piece of each tension group are mutually exclusive. When the folding device 1 is in an unfolded state, the first magnetic piece and the corresponding second magnetic piece in each tension assembly are close to each other and mutually exclusive to promote the folding device 1 to be flattened. When the folding device 1 is in a folded state, the first magnetic piece and the corresponding second magnetic piece in each tension assembly are separated from each other, and the exclusive force between the first magnetic piece and the corresponding second magnetic piece is reduced. Therefore, the specific structure of the driving piece 152 in each tension group is not limited in this application.

[0117] More specifically, as shown in Figures 26 to 28, each tension group further includes a guide piece 153, in which a guide hole 153a is arranged, and the pressing piece 151 in each tension group includes a sliding portion 151b, in which the sliding portion 151b in each tension group cooperates slidably with the guide hole 153a.

[0118] In this embodiment, in each tension group, the guide piece 153 and the driving piece 152 are located at both ends of the pressing piece 151. In other words, the guide piece 153 of each tension group is located at the end close to the bracket assembly. When the sliding portion 151b of the pressing piece 151 of each tension group is slidably cooperated with the guide hole 153a of the guide piece 153 of the tension group, the guide piece 153 of the tension group can be used to limit the movement stroke of the pressing piece 151. This prevents an excessively large pressing force from acting on the bracket assembly when the movement stroke of the pressing piece 151 in each tension group is excessively large, improving the reliability of the bracket assembly. In addition, the guide piece 153 in the tension group can further guide the movement of the pressing piece 151 in the tension group, and can prevent the pressing piece 151 from being displaced.

[0119] In the above embodiment, as shown in Fig. 29, the folding device 1 may further include a synchronous gear group. The synchronous gear group is used to transmit the motion between the first connecting rod 131 and the second connecting rod 132, so that the first connecting rod 131 and the second connecting rod 132 move synchronously in the folding and unfolding process, and the first bracket 111 and the second bracket 112 move synchronously, improving the stability and reliability of the folding device 1 and the electronic device in the folding and unfolding process.

[0120] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 29, the synchronous gear group includes a first gear 161 and a second gear 162 that are engaged with each other. The first gear 161 is connected to the first connecting rod 131 through a fifth rotating shaft 131e. In the process of rotating the first gear 161, the first connecting rod 131 can rotate around the fifth rotating shaft 131e. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 29, the second gear 162 is connected to the second connecting rod 132 through a sixth rotating shaft 132e. In the process of rotating the second gear 162, the second connecting rod 132 can rotate around the sixth rotating shaft 132e.

[0121] In this embodiment, the first gear 161 and the first connecting rod 131 rotate around the same rotating shaft (the fifth rotating shaft 131e), and the second gear 162 and the second connecting rod 132 rotate around the same rotating shaft (the sixth rotating shaft 132e), so that the first gear 161 and the first connecting rod 131 rotate in synchronization, and the second gear 162 and the second connecting rod 132 rotate in synchronization. The first connecting rod 131 is connected to the first bracket 111, and the second connecting rod 132 is connected to the second bracket 112. In this way, the first bracket 111 and the second bracket 112 rotate in synchronization.

[0122] As shown in FIG. 29, the synchronous gear group may further include a third gear 163 and a fourth gear 164. The third gear 163 is engaged with the first gear 161, the fourth gear 164 is engaged with the second gear 162, the third gear 163 is engaged with the fourth gear 164, and the first gear 161, the third gear 163, the fourth gear 164, and the second gear 162 are arranged along the width direction Y of the main shaft 14. In this embodiment, the third gear 163 and the fourth gear 164 engaged with the first gear 161 and the second gear 162 are additionally arranged, so that the diameters of the first gear 161 and the second gear 162 can be reduced when the first gear 161 and the second gear 162 are engaged with each other. This reduces the space occupied by the synchronous gear group along the width direction Y and thickness direction Z of the main shaft 14, making it easier to make the folding device 1 smaller and thinner.

[0123] Of course, the above-mentioned synchronous gear group does not have to be implemented using four inter-engaging gears, but may be of another structure, for example, two inter-engaging gears or more than four inter-engaging gears. The specific structure of the synchronous gear group is not limited by this application.

[0124] In a specific embodiment, as shown in FIG. 30 and FIG. 31 , the folding device 1 further includes a synchronous damping assembly 16. The synchronous damping assembly 16 is connected to the first bracket 111 and the second bracket 112 (including a direct connection or an indirect connection). When the folding device 1 is in the unfolded state, the synchronous damping assembly 16 can provide a first damping force, and the first synchronous damping force can act on the first bracket 111 and the second bracket 112. Thus, a resistance force is provided against the first bracket 111 and the second bracket 112 rotating toward each other (the first bracket 111 and the second bracket 112 rotating close to each other), so that the folding device 1 can be maintained in the unfolded state. In addition, when the folding device 1 needs to be switched from the unfolded state to the folded state, the user needs to apply a driving force capable of overcoming the first damping force to the first bracket 111 and the second bracket 112, so that the first bracket 111 and the second bracket 112 can overcome the first damping force. In this way, the folding device 1 is switched to the folded state. When the folding device 1 is in the folded state, the first damping component 191 can provide a second damping force, which acts on the first bracket 111 and the second bracket 112 to provide resistance to the first bracket 111 and the second bracket 112 rotating back to back, so that the folding device 1 can maintain the folded state. In addition, when the folding device 1 needs to be switched from the folded state to the unfolded state, the user needs to apply a driving force capable of overcoming the second damping force to the first bracket 111 and the second bracket 112. In this way, the first bracket 111 and the second bracket 112 can overcome the second damping force, so that the folding device 1 is switched to the unfolded state.In addition, in the process of folding or unfolding the folding device 1 when the first bracket 111 and the second bracket 112 rotate face to face (the first bracket 111 and the second bracket 112 rotate close to each other) or back to back (the first bracket 111 and the second bracket 112 are away from each other), the first damping component 191 can further provide a third damping force to provide torque to the electronic device in the unfolding and folding process, and improve the user experience in the unfolding and folding process. The first damping force and the second damping force may be the same or different, and the third damping force may be smaller than the first damping force and the second damping force.

[0125] The folding apparatus 1 may include a plurality of synchronized damping assemblies 16 , which are spaced apart along the length direction X of the main axis 14 .

[0126] A specific structure of the synchronous damping assembly 16 will be described below.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 30 and FIG. 31, the synchronous damping assembly 16 includes the aforementioned synchronous gear group and cam 169, and the cam 169 and the first gear 161 and the second gear 162 of the synchronous gear group are distributed along the length direction X of the main shaft 14. The cam 169 may be disposed on both sides of the first gear 161 and the second gear 162 along the length direction X of the main shaft 14, and the cam 169 and the synchronous gear group are disposed opposite to each other along the length direction X of the main shaft 14. As shown in FIG. 32, a first uneven surface is disposed on an end of the cam 169 that faces the synchronous gear group along the length direction X of the main shaft 14. Correspondingly, a second uneven surface 165 is disposed on an end of the synchronous gear group that is opposite to the cam 169, and the first uneven surface can be engaged with the second uneven surface 165.

[0128] In addition, as shown in FIG. 30 and FIG. 31, the synchronous damping assembly 16 may further include a first elastic piece 167. The elastic deformation direction of the first elastic piece 167 is parallel to the longitudinal direction X of the main shaft 14, the first elastic piece 167 is located on one side of the cam 169, far from the synchronous gear group, one end of the first elastic piece 167 is connected to the cam 169 along the longitudinal direction Y of the main shaft 14, and the other end is connected to the main shaft 14. In other words, when the first elastic piece 167 is elastically deformed, an elastic force can be applied to the cam 169 along the longitudinal direction X of the main shaft 14. When there are cams 169 on both sides of the synchronous gear group along the longitudinal direction X of the main shaft 14, the synchronous damping assembly 16 includes two groups of first elastic pieces 167, and the two groups of first elastic pieces 167 cooperate with the two groups of cams 169, respectively. The first elastic piece 167 is in a compressed state.

[0129] It will be understood that the process in which the first uneven surface of the cam 169 engages with the second uneven surface 165 of the synchronous gear group includes at least the following three cases: in the first case, the convex surface of the first uneven surface fits into the convex surface of the second uneven surface 165. In this case, the cam 169 moves toward the corresponding first elastic piece 167 and compresses the first elastic piece 167, so that the first elastic piece 167 has a first deformation amount. In this case, the first elastic piece 167 in the compressed state can apply a first elastic force to the synchronous gear group using the cam 169. In the second case, the convex surface of the first uneven surface fits into the concave surface of the second uneven surface 165, or the concave surface of the first uneven surface fits into the convex surface of the second uneven surface 165. In this case, the first elastic piece 167 in the compressed state can apply a second elastic force to the synchronous gear group using the cam 169. The first elastic piece 167 has a second deformation amount, the second deformation amount is less than the first deformation amount, and the second elastic force is less than the first elastic force. In a third case, the concave surface of the first uneven surface fits into the concave surface of the second uneven surface 165. In this case, the first elastic piece 167 in the compressed state can apply a third elastic force to the synchronous gear group using the cam 169. The first elastic piece 167 has a third deformation amount, the third deformation amount is less than the first deformation amount and less than the second deformation amount, and the third elastic force is less than the first elastic force and less than the second elastic force.

[0130] In this embodiment, the magnitude of the damping force applied by the synchronous damping assembly 16 is determined by the magnitude of the elastic force of the first elastic piece 167. In addition, when the first bracket 111 and the second bracket 112 rotate the first connecting rod 131 and the second connecting rod 132, the synchronous gear group can rotate accordingly, so that the fitting position between the first uneven surface and the second uneven surface 165 changes, and the fitting position between the first uneven surface and the second uneven surface 165 is switched in the above three cases.

[0131] In the first specific embodiment, the first case may be implemented when the folding device 1 is in a folded state or an unfolded state. In this case, when the folding device 1 needs to switch between the folded state and the unfolded state, the applied external force needs to overcome the first elastic force of the first elastic piece 167. In addition, in the process of the folding device 1 switching between the folded state and the unfolded state, the second case or the third case may be implemented. In other words, in the folding or unfolding process, the synchronous damping assembly 16 can provide a damping force of the same magnitude as the second elastic force or the third elastic force. In the second specific embodiment, the second case may be implemented when the folding device 1 is in a folded state or an unfolded state. In this case, when the folding device 1 needs to switch between the folded state and the unfolded state, the applied external force needs to overcome the second elastic force of the first elastic piece 167. In addition, in the process of the folding device 1 switching between the folded state and the unfolded state, the third case may be implemented. In other words, during the folding or unfolding process, the synchronized damping assembly 16 can provide a damping force as large as the third elastic force.

[0132] In addition, in the above process in which the first uneven surface is engaged with the second uneven surface 165, the slopes of the first uneven surface and the second uneven surface 165 cooperate with each other. In other words, the interaction force between the first uneven surface and the second uneven surface 165 is perpendicular to the slopes (concave or convex) of the first uneven surface and the second uneven surface 165. The interaction force acting on the slopes (concave or convex) can generate a partial force that rotates the synchronous gear group. In this way, a driving force is generated that drives the first connecting rod 131 and the second connecting rod 132 to rotate opposite to each other (the first connecting rod 131 and the second connecting rod 132 rotate close to each other) or back to back (the first connecting rod 131 and the second connecting rod 132 rotate away from each other), thereby allowing the folding device 1 to automatically fold or unfold.

[0133] The synchronized damping assembly 16 may include multiple cams 169, and the number of cams 169 may be equal to the number of synchronized gear groups such that each synchronized gear group can receive a damping force.

[0134] In addition, as shown in Figures 30 and 31, the synchronous damping assembly 16 further includes a clamp piece 166 and a plurality of third hinge pins 168 extending along the length direction X of the main shaft 14. The third hinge pin 168 passes through the synchronous gear group, so that the synchronous gear group can rotate around the third hinge pin 168, and the cam 169 and the first resilient piece 167 are sleeved onto the third hinge pin 168. In addition, a clamp slot 168a is disposed at the end of the third hinge pin 168 away from the synchronous gear group, and the clamp slot 168a is used to clamp to the clamp piece 166, so that each component of the synchronous damping assembly 16 is clamped using the clamp piece 166 and the first resilient piece 167 is in a compressed state. The clamp piece 166 is connected to a gasket 1661 that is configured to decelerate the impact force between the clamp piece 166 and the third hinge pin 168 .

[0135] In a specific embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the main shaft 14 includes a main inner shaft 141 and a main outer shaft 142, and the main inner shaft 141 and the main outer shaft 142 are connected to surround the receiving cavity. The synchronous gear group is located in the receiving cavity. The first gear 161 and the second gear 162 of the synchronous gear group are connected to the first connecting rod 131 and the second connecting rod 132, respectively. Typically, the first gear 161 is disposed midway through the first connecting rod 131 along the length direction X of the main shaft 14. The second gear 162 is disposed midway through the second connecting rod 132 along the length direction X of the main shaft 14. In order to prevent the main inner shaft 141 from interfering with the first gear 161 and the second gear 162, the first notch 141a and the second notch 141b need to be disposed at both ends of the main inner shaft 141 along the width direction Y of the main shaft 14. The first notch 141a is used to avoid the first gear 161 of the first connecting rod 131, and the second notch 141b is used to avoid the second gear 162 of the second connecting rod 132. Therefore, the support surface formed by the folding device 1 and used to support the flexible display 2 has openings (i.e., the first notch 141a and the second notch 141b) at the positions of the first gear 161 and the second gear 162, and therefore the support reliability of the flexible display 2 is low.

[0136] To solve the technical problem, as shown in Figures 32 to 34, a first gear 161 is located at at least one end of the first connecting rod 131 along the longitudinal direction X of the main shaft 14, so that the first gear 161 is staggered with the first notch 141a along the longitudinal direction X of the main shaft 14, and a second gear 162 is located at at least one end of the second connecting rod 132, so that the second gear 162 is staggered with the second notch 141b along the longitudinal direction X of the main shaft 14. In addition, as shown in Figures 8 and 22, the first support plate 171 is provided with a first extension segment 1714 extending toward the main shaft 14 along the width direction Y of the main shaft 14, and the second support plate 172 is provided with a second extension segment 1724 extending toward the main shaft 14 along the width direction Y of the main shaft 14. In addition, the first extension segment 1714 fits into the first notch 141a of the main inner shaft 141, and the second extension segment 1724 fits into the second notch 141b of the main inner shaft 141. In this way, the first extension segment 1714 can fill the first notch 141a, and the second extension segment 1724 can fill the second notch 141b. When the first support plate 171, the second support plate 172, and the main inner shaft 14 form a support surface used to support the flexible display 2, the opening of the support surface can be made smaller, which can improve the support reliability of the folding device 1.

[0137] 20 , when the first gears 161 are disposed at both ends of the first connecting rod 131 in the longitudinal direction X of the main shaft 14, the first extension segment 1714 of the first support plate 171 is positioned between the two first gears 161. Similarly, when the second gears 162 are disposed at both ends of the second connecting rod 132 in the longitudinal direction X of the main shaft 14, the second extension segment 1724 of the second support plate 172 is positioned between the two second gears 162. When the first gears 161 are disposed at the ends of the first connecting rod 131 along the longitudinal direction X of the main shaft 14, the first extension segment 1714 of the first support plate 171 and the first gears 161 are disposed along the longitudinal direction X of the main shaft 14. When the second gear 162 is disposed at the end of the second connecting rod 132 along the longitudinal direction X of the main shaft 14, the second extension segment 1724 of the second support plate 172 and the second gear 162 are disposed along the longitudinal direction X of the main shaft 14.

[0138] In another specific embodiment, as shown in Figures 35 and 36, the first platform 131b is disposed at an end of the first connecting rod 131 closer to the main shaft 14, and the second platform 132b is disposed at an end of the second connecting rod 132 closer to the main shaft 14. When the folding device 1 is in the unfolded state, at least a portion of the first platform 131b is positioned in the first notch 141a of the main inner shaft 141, and at least a portion of the second platform 132b is positioned in the second notch 141b of the main inner shaft 141. Thus, the first platform 131b, the second platform 132b, the first support plate 171, and the second support plate 172 are flush with each other.

[0139] In this embodiment, when the folding device 1 shown in FIG. 36 is in the unfolded state, the first platform 131b fills the first notch 141a of the main inner shaft 141 (i.e., the gap between the first support plate 171 and the main shaft 14), and the second platform 132b fills the second notch 141b of the main inner shaft 141 (i.e., the gap between the second support plate 172 and the main shaft 14). In other words, the first support plate 171, the first platform 131b, the main shaft 14, the second platform 132b, and the second support plate 172 form a plane used to support the flexible display 2, and by arranging the first platform 131b and the second platform 132b, the supporting reliability of the folding device 1 for the flexible display 2 at the joint between the support plate assembly and the connecting rod assembly 13 can be improved.

[0140] The function of the first platform 131b in this embodiment is similar to that of the first extension segment 1714 of the first support plate 171, and the function of the second platform 132b is similar to that of the second extension segment 1724 of the second support plate 172.

[0141] Of course, the specific structures of the first extension segment 1714, the second extension segment 1724, the first platform 131b, and the second platform 132b are not limited in this application, so long as the first notch 141a and the second notch 141b of the main inner shaft 141 can be filled.

[0142] In conclusion, the folding device 1 in the present application does not need to be provided with a through hole used to avoid the swing arm assembly 12 on the support plate assembly, and improves the supporting reliability of the folding device 1 for the flexible display 2 at the joint between the swing arm assembly 12 and the support plate assembly. In addition, the folding device 1 reduces the gap between the support plate assembly and the main shaft 14, improves the supporting reliability of the folding device 1 for the flexible display 2 at the joint between the connecting rod assembly 13 and the support plate assembly, and reduces the damage to the flexible display 2 caused by the hole in the folding device 1 in the process of using the electronic device.

[0143] In a specific embodiment, as shown in Fig. 32 and Fig. 37, the first stopper 131c is disposed on the first connecting rod 131, and the second stopper 132c is disposed on the second connecting rod 132. When the folding device 1 is in the unfolded state shown in Fig. 38, the first stopper 131c presses the first bracket 111 and limits the relative movement of the first connecting rod 131 and the first bracket 111 in the unfolded state along the width direction Y of the main shaft 14. The second stopper 132c presses the second bracket 112 and limits the relative movement of the second connecting rod 132 and the second bracket 112 in the unfolded state in the width direction Y of the main shaft 14. In this case, when the electronic device falls, the first bracket 111 and the second bracket 112 can be prevented from approaching each other along the width direction Y of the main shaft 14 by using the first stopper 131c and the first bracket 111 which press against each other, and the second stopper 132c and the second bracket 112 which press against each other, so that the folding device 1 maintains the unfolded state shown in FIG. 37, and the reliability of the folding device 1 and the electronic device in the unfolded state is improved. In this case, the force transmission chain of the folding device 1 is the bracket assembly, the connecting rod assembly 13 and the swing arm assembly 12, and the main shaft 14. By using the bracket assembly and the connecting rod assembly 13 which press against each other, the impact force transmitted to the main shaft 14 can be reduced.

[0144] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 32, the first stopper 131c protrudes from the first connecting rod 131 along the length direction X of the main shaft 14, and the second stopper 132c protrudes from the second connecting rod 132 along the length direction X of the main shaft 14. The first stopper 131c may be disposed at both ends of the first connecting rod 131 along the length direction X of the main shaft 14, and the second stopper 132c may be disposed at both ends of the second connecting rod 132. With reference to Figs. 20 and 37, when the folding device 1 is in the unfolded state, the first stopper 131c presses the end face of the first bracket 111 that is close to the main shaft 14, and the second stopper 132c presses the end face of the second bracket 112 that is close to the main shaft 14.

[0145] In this embodiment, the arrangement position, arrangement amount, and specific shape of the first stopper 131c on the first connecting rod 131 are not limited as long as the first stopper 131c can press the first bracket 111 in the unfolded state. In addition, the pressing position between the first bracket 111 and the first stopper 131c in the unfolded state is not limited. For example, a stopper adapted to the first stopper 131c may be arranged on the first bracket 111, and the stopper does not contact the first stopper 131c of the first connecting rod 131 when the folding device 1 is in the folded state, and presses the first stopper 131c of the first connecting rod 131 when the folding device 1 is in the unfolded state. Similarly, the second stopper 132c of the second connecting rod 131 is not limited, and the position at which the second stopper 132c presses the second bracket 112 is not limited.

[0146] As shown in Fig. 32, a third stopper 131d is further arranged on the first connecting rod 131, and a fourth stopper 132d is further arranged on the second connecting rod 132. When the folding device 1 is in the folded state shown in Fig. 21, the third stopper 131d presses the first support plate 171 and limits the movement of the first connecting rod 131 along the height direction Z of the main shaft 14 when the folding device 1 is in the folded state. The fourth stopper 132d presses the second support plate 172 and limits the movement of the second connecting rod 132 along the height direction Z of the main shaft 14 when the folding device is in the folded state. In this case, when the electronic device falls, the third stopper 131d and the first support plate 171, which press against each other, and the fourth stopper 132d and the second support plate 172, which press against each other, are used. In this way, when the first support plate 171 and the second support plate 172 are impacted by an impact force along the arrow direction shown in FIG. 21, the main shaft 14 is prevented from being impacted by the impact force, and the reliability of the folding device 1 and the electronic device in the folded state can be improved. In this case, the force transmission chain of the folding device 1 is the bracket assembly, the support plate assembly, the connecting rod assembly 13 and the swing arm assembly 12, and the main shaft 14, and by using the support plate assembly and the connecting rod assembly 13, which press against each other, the impact force transmitted to the main shaft 14 can be reduced.

[0147] 32, the third stopper 131d may protrude from the first connecting rod 131 along the length direction X of the main shaft 14, the fourth stopper 132d may protrude from the second connecting rod 132 along the length direction X of the main shaft 14, the third stopper 131d may be disposed at both ends of the first connecting rod 131 along the length direction X of the main shaft 14, and the fourth stopper 132d may be disposed at both ends of the second connecting rod 132. As shown in FIGS. 38 and 39, the fifth stopper 1712 may be disposed on the first support plate 171, the sixth stopper 1722 may be disposed on the second support plate 172, and the fifth stopper 1712 and the sixth stopper 1722 may extend downward along the height direction Z of the main shaft 14.

[0148] When the folding device 1 is in the unfolded state shown in FIG. 38, the fifth stopper 1712 of the first support plate 171 and the third stopper 131d of the first connecting rod 131 are spaced apart (the fifth stopper 1712 of the first support plate 171 and the third stopper 131d of the first connecting rod 131 are out of contact), and the sixth stopper 1722 of the second support plate 172 and the fourth stopper 132d of the second connecting rod 132 are spaced apart (the sixth stopper 1722 of the second support plate 172 and the fourth stopper 132d of the second connecting rod 132 are out of contact). When the folding device 1 is in the folded state shown in FIG. 22, the fifth stopper 1712 of the first support plate 171 presses the third stopper 131d of the first connecting rod 131, and the sixth stopper 1722 of the second support plate 172 presses the fourth stopper 132d of the second connecting rod 132, so that the first support plate 171 presses the first connecting rod 131 and the second support plate 172 presses the second connecting rod 132.

[0149] In this embodiment, the position, amount, and specific shape of the third stopper 131d on the first connecting rod 131 are not limited as long as the third stopper 131d can press the first support plate 171 in the folded state. In addition, the position where the first support plate 171 presses the first stopper 131c in the folded state is not limited. Similarly, the fourth stopper 132d of the second connecting rod 131 is not limited, and the position where the fourth stopper 132d presses the second support plate 172 is not limited.

[0150] In another specific embodiment, the first stopper 131c and the third stopper 131d may be further arranged on the first swing arm 121, and correspondingly, the second stopper 132c and the fourth stopper 132d may be further arranged on the second swing arm 122. Thus, when the folding device 1 is in the unfolded state, the first swing arm 121 presses the first bracket 111 using the first stopper 131c, and the second swing arm 122 presses the second bracket 112 using the second stopper 132c. When the folding device 1 is in the folded state, the first swing arm 121 presses the first support plate 171 using the third stopper 131d, and the second swing arm 122 presses the second support plate 172 using the fourth stopper 132d.

[0151] In addition, an embodiment of the present application further provides an electronic device. As shown in Fig. 3, the electronic device includes any one of the folding devices 1 in the above-mentioned embodiments, and further includes a first housing 31, a second housing 32, and a flexible display 2 fixedly connected to the two housings. The first housing 31 and the second housing 32 are located on both sides of the folding device 1, and the first housing 31 is fixedly connected to a first bracket 111 located on the same side.

[0152] As shown in FIG. 3, the flexible display 2 includes a first region 21, a second region 22, a third region 23, a fourth region 24, and a fifth region 25. The first region 21 is connected to the first housing 31 (specifically, may be glued), and the second region 22 is connected to the second housing 32 (specifically, may be glued). The third region 23, the fourth region 24, and the fifth region 25 correspond to the folding device 1. Specifically, the accommodation space 174 of the folding device 1 is used to accommodate the third region 23, the fourth region 24, and the fifth region 25. In other words, the third region 23, the fourth region 24, and the fifth region 25 form the folded portion 26 of the flexible display 2. Specifically, the third region 23 corresponds to the first support plate 171 , the fourth region 24 corresponds to the second support plate 172 , and the fifth region 25 corresponds to the main shaft 14 .

[0153] A specific connection manner between the support plate 17 and the flexible display 2 is described below.

[0154] In a particular embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, the third region 23 is not fixedly connected to the first support plate 171, the fourth region 24 is not fixedly connected to the second support plate 172, and the fifth region 25 is not fixedly connected to the main shaft 14. In this embodiment, when the electronic device is in a folded state, the third region 23, the fourth region 24, and the fifth region 25 are folded to form a waterdrop structure. In other words, the folded portion 26 is waterdrop-shaped, and the fifth region 25 is semicircular arc-shaped after being folded.

[0155] 5, the third region 23 is fixedly connected (and may be specifically glued) to the first support plate 171, the fourth region 24 is fixedly connected (and may be specifically glued) to the second support plate 172, and the fifth region 25 is not fixedly connected to the main shaft 14. In this case, when the electronic device is in the folded state, the fifth region 25 surrounds a semicircular arc.

[0156] In this embodiment, when the third region 23 is fixedly connected to the first support plate 171 and the fourth region 24 is fixedly connected to the second support plate 172, in the folding or unfolding process of the electronic device, the third region 23 can move with the first support plate 171 and the fourth region 24 can move with the second support plate 172. In other words, the third region 23 does not move relative to the first support plate 171. This improves the flatness of the folded portion 26 of the flexible display 2 in the folding and unfolding process and reduces the risk of failure of the flexible display 2.

[0157] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. Any variation or replacement that is easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application shall fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application shall be subject to the scope of protection of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0158] 1' flexible display, 1 folding device, 111 first bracket, 111a first track, 111b third arc groove, 111c fifth outer end, 112 second bracket, 112a second track, 112b fourth arc groove, 112c sixth outer end, 113 rotating shaft cover, 12 swing arm assembly, 121 first swing arm, 121a first rotating shaft, 121b first rotating part, 121c first hinge pin, 121d third rotating shaft, 121e seventh outer end, 122 second swing arm, 122a second rotating shaft, 122b second rotating part, 122c second hinge pin, 122d fourth rotating shaft, 122e eighth outer end, 13 connecting rod assembly, 131 First connecting rod, 131a First sliding block, 131b First platform, 131c First stopper, 131d Third stopper, 131e Fifth rotating shaft, 131f First outer end, 132 Second connecting rod, 132a Second sliding block, 132b Second platform, 132c Second stopper, 132d Fourth stopper, 132e Sixth rotating shaft, 132f Second outer end, 134 Mounting cavity, 134a Mounting column, 14 Main shaft, 141 Main inner shaft, 141a First notch, 141b Second notch, 142 Main outer shaft, 143 First arc groove, 144 Second arc groove, 15 Tension assembly, 151 Pressing piece, 151a Convex plate, 151b Sliding portion, 152, driving piece, 153, guide piece, 153a, guide hole, 16, synchronous damping assembly, 161, first gear, 162, second gear, 163, third gear, 164, fourth gear, 165, second concave and convex surface, 166, clamp piece, 1661, gasket, 167, first elastic piece, 168, third hinge pin, 168a, clamp slot, 169, cam, 171, first support plate, 1711, third rotating portion, 1712, fifth stopper, 1713, third track, 1714, first extension segment, 172, second support plate, 1721, fourth rotating portion, 1722, sixth stopper, 1723, fourth track, 1724, second extension segment, 174, accommodation space, 2, flexible display, 21 First area, 22Second region, 23 Third region, 24 Fourth region, 25 Fifth region, 26 Folded portion, 31 First housing, 311 First groove, 32 Second housing, 321 Second groove, A First position, B Second position, C Third outer end, D Fourth outer end

Claims

1. A folding device, comprising: The main axis and a bracket assembly including a first bracket and a second bracket disposed on opposite sides of the main shaft along a width direction of the main shaft; a connecting rod assembly comprising a first connecting rod and a second connecting rod arranged on either side of the main shaft along the width direction of the main shaft, the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod being rotatable relative to the main shaft, the first connecting rod having a first outer end remote from the main shaft, the second connecting rod having a second outer end remote from the main shaft, the first bracket being slidable relative to the first connecting rod, and the second bracket being slidable relative to the second connecting rod; a swing arm assembly including a first swing arm and a second swing arm arranged on either side of the main shaft along the width direction of the main shaft, the first swing arm and the second swing arm being rotatable relative to the main shaft, the first bracket and the first swing arm being connected via a first rotating shaft, and the second bracket and the second swing arm being connected via a second rotating shaft; a support plate assembly comprising a first support plate and a second support plate arranged on both sides of the main shaft along the width direction of the main shaft, the first support plate being rotatably connected to the first bracket, the first support plate being slidably connected to the first swing arm or the first connecting rod and capable of relative rotation, and the second support plate being rotatably connected to the second bracket, the second support plate being slidably connected to the second swing arm or the second connecting rod and capable of relative rotation; Equipped with The first connecting rod and the first swing arm have rotational axes parallel to each other on the main shaft and do not overlap, and the second connecting rod and the second swing arm have rotational axes parallel to each other on the main shaft and do not overlap, the folding device includes at least a folded state and an unfolded state, and when the folding device is in the unfolded state, the first outer end is in a first position, the second outer end is in a second position, an axis of the first rotating shaft is located on one side of the first position and away from the main shaft, and an axis of the second rotating shaft is located on one side of the second position and away from the main shaft; When the first bracket and the second bracket rotate relative to each other, the first bracket drives the first connecting rod and the first swing arm to rotate around the main axis and drives an end of the first support plate that is closer to the main axis to move along a direction away from the main axis, and the second bracket drives the second connecting rod and the second swing arm to rotate around the main axis and drives an end of the second support plate that is closer to the main axis to move along a direction away from the main axis, so that when the first support plate and the second support plate are in the folded state and the first support plate, the second support plate, and the main axis together surround a screen accommodating space, a preset included angle is formed. Folding device.

2. a first sliding block is provided on one of the first connecting rod and the first bracket, a first track is provided on the other, and the first sliding block can slide along the first track; a second sliding block is provided on one of the second connecting rod and the second bracket, and a second track is provided on the other, and the second sliding block can slide along the second track; the first raceway has a third outer end far from the main shaft, the second raceway has a fourth outer end far from the main shaft, the axis of the first rotating shaft is located on one side of the third outer end far from the main shaft, and the axis of the second rotating shaft is located on one side of the fourth outer end far from the main shaft; 2. The folding device according to claim 1.

3. the first bracket has a fifth outer end remote from the axis, and the second bracket has a sixth outer end remote from the axis; the first rotating shaft is disposed at the fifth outer end and the sixth rotating shaft is disposed at the fourth outer end.

3. The folding device according to claim 2.

4. the first swing arm has a seventh outer end remote from the main shaft, and the second swing arm has an eighth outer end remote from the main shaft; the first rotating shaft is disposed at the seventh outer end, and the second rotating shaft is disposed at the eighth outer end.

3. A folding device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. the first bracket has a fifth outer end remote from the main shaft, the second bracket has a sixth outer end remote from the main shaft, the first swing arm has a seventh outer end remote from the main shaft, and the second swing arm has an eighth outer end remote from the main shaft; The fifth outer end portion and the seventh outer end portion are rotatably connected via the first rotating shaft, and the sixth outer end portion and the eighth outer end portion are rotatably connected via the second rotating shaft.

3. A folding device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. 6. The folding device of claim 1, further comprising a tension assembly, the tension assembly being configured to drive the first bracket and the second bracket to move back-to-back when the folding device is in the unfolded state.

7. The tension assembly includes two tension groups, one tension group is disposed between the first connecting rod and the first bracket, and one tension group is disposed between the second connecting rod and the second bracket, each tension group including a pressing piece and a driving piece; When the folding device is in the unfolded state, under the action of the driving piece of each tension group, the pressing piece of each tension group presses the first bracket and the second bracket separately to move them back to back.

7. The folding device according to claim 6.

8. The folding device of claim 7, wherein each tension group further comprises a guide piece, the guide piece of each tension group is provided with a guide hole, the pressing piece of each tension group comprises a sliding portion, and the sliding portion of each tension group cooperates with the guide hole in a sliding manner to limit the movement of the pressing piece of the tension group.

9. 9. The folding device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the driving piece of each tension group is an elastic piece, one end of the elastic piece of each tension group is connected to the pressing piece of the tension group, and the other end of the elastic piece of each tension group is connected to the first connecting rod or the second connecting rod.

10. the folding device further comprises a synchronous gear group, the synchronous gear group comprising a first gear, a second gear, a third gear, and a fourth gear arranged along the width direction of the main shaft, the first gear being engaged with the third gear, the second gear being engaged with the fourth gear, and the third gear being engaged with the fourth gear; The main shaft includes a main inner shaft and a main outer shaft which are connected to each other, and the synchronous gear group is located between the main inner shaft and the main outer shaft along the height direction of the main shaft; the first support plate has a first extending segment extending along the width of the main shaft toward the main shaft, the second support plate has a second extending segment extending along the width of the main shaft toward the main shaft, and both ends of the main shaft along the width of the main shaft have a first notch that fits into the first extending segment and a second notch that fits into the second extending segment, Along the length of the main shaft, the first gear is disposed on at least one end of the first connecting rod, the first gear being staggered with the first extension segment, and the second gear is disposed on at least one end of the second connecting rod, the second gear being staggered with the second extension segment. A folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. the folding device further comprises a synchronous gear group, the synchronous gear group comprising a first gear, a second gear, a third gear, and a fourth gear arranged along the width direction of the main shaft, the first gear being engaged with the third gear, the second gear being engaged with the fourth gear, and the third gear being engaged with the fourth gear; The main shaft includes an inner main shaft and an outer main shaft which are connected to each other, and the synchronous gear group is located between the inner main shaft and the outer main shaft along a height direction of the main shaft, and both ends of the inner main shaft along the width direction of the main shaft respectively have a first notch and a second notch; a first platform is disposed on an end of the first connecting rod proximal to the main axis, and a second platform is disposed on an end of the second connecting rod proximal to the main axis, and when the folding device is in an unfolded state, at least a portion of the first platform is positioned within the first notch and at least a portion of the second platform is positioned within the second notch, such that the first platform, the second platform, the first support plate, and the second support plate form a support surface used to support a flexible display. A folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

12. A first stopper and a third stopper are disposed on the first connecting rod, and a second stopper and a fourth stopper are disposed on the second connecting rod; When the folding device is in the unfolded state, the first stopper presses the first bracket to restrict the relative movement between the first bracket and the first connecting rod along the width direction of the main shaft, and the second stopper presses the second bracket to restrict the relative movement between the second bracket and the second connecting rod along the width direction of the main shaft, When the folding device is in the folded state, the third stopper presses the first support plate to restrict the relative movement between the first connecting rod and the first support plate along the height direction of the main shaft, and the fourth stopper presses the second support plate to restrict the relative movement between the second connecting rod and the second support plate along the height direction of the main shaft. A folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. the first stopper and the third stopper protrude from the first connecting rod along a longitudinal direction of the main shaft, and the second stopper and the fourth stopper protrude from the second connecting rod along the longitudinal direction of the main shaft; A fifth stopper extending along the height direction of the spindle is disposed on the first support plate, and a sixth stopper extending along the height direction of the spindle is disposed on the second support plate, When the folding device is in the unfolded state, the first stopper presses against an end surface of the first bracket that is closer to the main shaft, and the second stopper presses against an end surface of the second bracket that is closer to the main shaft, When the folding device is in the folded state, the third stopper presses against the fifth stopper, and the fourth stopper presses against the sixth stopper.

13. The folding device according to claim 12.

14. a third track disposed on the first support plate and a fourth track disposed on the second support plate; A first hinge pin capable of sliding along the third track is disposed on the first connecting rod or the first swing arm, and a second hinge pin capable of sliding along the fourth track is disposed on the second connecting rod or the second swing arm, the third track has oppositely disposed first and second ends, the fourth track has oppositely disposed third and fourth ends, the second end being located between the first end and the main shaft, and the fourth end being located between the third end and the main shaft; When the folding device is in the unfolded state, the first hinge pin is located at the first end and the second hinge pin is located at the third end, and when the folding device is in the folded state, the first hinge pin is located at the second end and the second hinge pin is located at the fourth end. A folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. An electronic device comprising a first housing, a second housing, a flexible display, and a folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, the first housing and the second housing are located on opposite sides of the folding device, the first housing is fixedly connected to the first bracket located on the same side, and the second housing is fixedly connected to the second bracket located on the same side; the flexible display covers the first housing, the second housing, and the folding device, and is fixedly connected to the first housing and the second housing. Electronic devices.

16. The electronic device of claim 15 , wherein the flexible display is fixedly connected to at least a portion of the support plate assembly.

Images