Rotating shaft mechanism and electronic device
The rotary shaft mechanism with a length maintenance mechanism addresses the issue of flexible display deformation in foldable electronic devices by adjusting the distance between the sliding block and the fastening member, ensuring even pressure distribution and enhancing device reliability.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024519455
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-09-29
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-18
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-09-29
AI Technical Summary
Flexible displays in foldable electronic devices are prone to deformation during folding, leading to uneven pressure and potential damage, which reduces their lifespan and the reliability of the device.
A rotary shaft mechanism with a length maintenance mechanism is introduced, which includes a fastening member and swinging arms with sliding blocks and oscillating rods. This mechanism adjusts the distance between the sliding block and the fastening member, ensuring even pressure distribution and preventing deformation of the flexible display.
The rotary shaft mechanism effectively prevents deformation of the flexible display, extends its useful life, and enhances the reliability of foldable electronic devices by maintaining even pressure distribution during folding and unfolding.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] This application relates to the field of electronic device technology, and more particularly to rotating shaft mechanisms and electronic devices. [Background technology]
[0002] With the rapid development of communication and electronic technology, electronic devices such as mobile phones have become indispensable tools in people's daily lives. Currently, the functions provided by electronic devices are becoming more and more diverse, and users expect larger and wider displays to make better use of the functions. However, as the display becomes larger, the overall structure of the electronic device also becomes larger. As a result, the electronic device is less portable and less compact. At present, flexible display technology is becoming more and more mature, and foldable electronic devices can be realized. Foldable electronic devices are popular among consumers due to their large displays and portability.
[0003] The flexible display is an important component of the foldable electronic device and is relatively fragile. If the flexible display is deformed during the folding process, the pressure or tension applied to each part of the flexible display will be uneven, and in the worst case, the flexible display may be damaged. Therefore, how to avoid the deformation of the flexible display during the movement process of the foldable electronic device has become an urgent problem to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention
[0004] The present application provides a rotating shaft mechanism and an electronic device to avoid deformation of a flexible display, extend the service life of the flexible display, and improve the reliability of the electronic device.
[0005] According to a first aspect, the present application provides a rotating shaft mechanism. The rotating shaft mechanism may include a length maintaining mechanism and a main shaft assembly. In the present application, there may be a plurality of length maintaining mechanisms, which are spaced apart along the length of the rotating shaft mechanism to improve the operational stability of the rotating shaft mechanism. When the length maintaining mechanism is specifically arranged, the length maintaining mechanism may include a fastening member and two swing arms. The two swing arms are respectively arranged on both sides of the fastening member and rotatably connected to the fastening member. Each swing arm may include a sliding block, a swing rod, and a connection assembly. The sliding block may be used as a base of the swing arm and may be configured to be fixedly connected to a housing of an electronic device. The sliding block may be provided with a sliding slot, and the swing rod may be accommodated in the sliding slot and may slide in the sliding slot toward or away from the fastening member. Also, an end of the swing rod that is remote from the fastening member may be rotatably connected to the fastening member. The connection assembly is located on a side of the swing rod facing the fastener. The connection assembly may also be rotatably connected to the fastener. The swing rod and the connection assembly may be connected in a link manner such that rotation of the swing rod relative to the fastener allows the connection assembly to rotate about the fastener.
[0006] The main shaft assembly may include a cover plate, and the cover plate may include two support plates, each of which may cover a swing arm disposed on a corresponding side. The end of each support plate facing the fastening member may be rotatably connected to the connection assembly, and the end of the support plate away from the fastening member may be rotatably connected to the sliding block. By using the rotating shaft mechanism provided herein, the support plate can be moved toward or away from the fastening member during the process of the connection assembly rotating relative to the fastening member. During the process of the support plate moving, the sliding block and the swing rod can be slid toward or away from the fastening member relative to each other, and the distance between the sliding block and the fastening member can be adjusted.
[0007] In the present application, the main shaft assembly may further include a housing, and the surface of the housing may be used as the exterior surface of the rotating shaft mechanism. In the present application, the housing is provided with an accommodation groove, and the length maintaining mechanism can be accommodated in the accommodation groove, so that the housing can protect the length maintaining mechanism.
[0008] In addition, the cover plate may further include a main shaft fastening plate, which may be fixed to the housing, the two support plates may be respectively arranged on both sides of the main shaft fastening plate, and the fastening member may be positioned between the main shaft fastening plate and the housing, whereby the length-retaining structure is restricted to the accommodating groove of the housing by fixing the main shaft fastening plate to the housing.
[0009] In the present application, in order to allow the rocking rods to slide stably in the sliding slots, each rocking rod may be provided with a protrusion, and the sliding slots may be provided with a sliding rail. The protrusion may be accommodated in the corresponding sliding slot, and may slide in the corresponding sliding slot toward or away from the fastening member. In this way, the cooperative sliding between the protrusion and the sliding rail can provide a guide function for the movement of the rocking rod, improving the stability of the relative movement of the rocking rod and the sliding block. In some other embodiments of the present application, the protrusion may be arranged in the sliding slot, and the guide rail may be arranged on the rocking rod, instead, which can also provide a guide function for the movement of the rocking rod and the sliding block.
[0010] Each swing rod may be rotatably connected to the fastening member by using a rotating shaft. In a specific embodiment, the end of each swing rod remote from the sliding block may be provided with a rotating part, and the fastening member is provided with a first rotating shaft, whereby the rotatable connection between each swing rod and the sliding block is realized through the rotatable connection between the rotating part and the first rotating shaft. Since each swing rod is rotatably connected to the fastening member by using a physical shaft, the rotational stability of each swing rod can be effectively improved.
[0011] In a possible embodiment of the present application, there may be two rotating parts in each swing rod, and the two rotating parts are rotatably connected to the fastening member by means of a first rotating shaft, thereby improving the stability of rotation between each swing rod and the fastening member. Also, the two rotating parts can be spaced apart in the length direction of the rotating shaft mechanism to form a first mounting space between the two rotating parts, and at least a part of the connection assembly can be accommodated in the first mounting space, thereby making the structure of the rotating shaft mechanism compact. This helps to reduce the volume of the rotating shaft mechanism and realize the miniaturization design of the electronic device using the rotating shaft mechanism.
[0012] When each connection assembly is specifically arranged, each connection assembly may include a first connection member and a second connection member, and the second connection member may be arranged between the first connection member and the swing rod. From the above description, it can be seen that each connection assembly is rotatably connected to the fastening member. In a specific embodiment, the fastening member may be provided with a second rotating shaft, and the first connection member may be rotatably connected to the second rotating shaft. The first connection member may further be provided with a first slot and a second slot, and the second rotating shaft may be located between the first slot and the second slot, and the first slot is located at an end of the first connection member facing the fastening member relative to the second slot. The rotating part may be connected to the first connection member by means of a third rotating shaft passing through the first slot. In the process of the rotating part rotating around the first rotating shaft, the third rotating shaft can slide along the first slot to rotate the first connection member around the second rotating shaft.
[0013] In the present application, a connection part may be provided at an end part of the first connection member that is remote from the fastening member, and the connection part may be configured to be rotatably connected to the second rotating shaft. Also, there may be two connection parts, and the two connection parts may be spaced apart in the length direction of the rotating shaft mechanism to form a second mounting space between the two connection parts. At least a part of the second connection member may be accommodated in the second mounting space, so that the structure of the rotating shaft mechanism becomes compact. This helps to reduce the volume of the rotating shaft mechanism and realize a miniaturized design of an electronic device using the rotating shaft mechanism.
[0014] In addition, the second connecting member is rotatably connected to the fastening member, and the fastening member is further provided with a fourth rotating shaft, and the second connecting member is rotatably connected to the fourth rotating shaft. The second connecting member is further connected to the first connecting member by using a fifth rotating shaft that passes through the second long hole of the first connecting member. In the process in which the first connecting member rotates around the second rotating shaft, the fifth rotating shaft slides along the second long hole, and can rotate the second connecting member around the fourth rotating shaft.
[0015] In the present application, the connection between the connection assembly and the support plate can be realized through a connection between the second connection member and the support plate. Specifically, the second connection member is rotatably connected to an end portion of the support plate facing the fastening member by using a sixth rotating shaft. In this way, when the second connection member rotates around the fourth rotating shaft, the support plate is driven to rotate relative to the sliding block, and the support plate is driven to move in a direction toward or away from the fastening member. In the process of the support plate moving, the sliding block and the swing rod can be slid relative to each other in a direction toward or away from the fastening member, and the distance between the sliding block and the fastening member can be adjusted.
[0016] In the present application, the connection assembly may be arranged in another possible arrangement in addition to the arrangement described above. For example, in a possible embodiment of the present application, the connection assembly may be of an integral structure. The fastening member may be provided with a second rotating shaft, and the integral connection assembly may be rotatably connected to the second rotating shaft. Also, the connection assembly may be provided with a long hole, and the rotating part of the swing rod may be connected to the connection assembly by using a third rotating shaft. Specifically, the third rotating shaft may pass through the first rotating shaft and the long hole. In this way, during the process of rotating the rotating part, the third rotating shaft can slide along the long hole to rotate the connection assembly around the second rotating shaft.
[0017] The connection assembly may have two long holes, and the second rotating shaft may be located between the two long holes. The oscillating rod may have two rotating parts, and the two rotating parts may be connected to the two long holes in a one-to-one correspondence relationship in the length direction of the rotating shaft mechanism by using a third rotating shaft. The oscillating rod is connected to the connection assembly by using the two rotating parts. This improves the reliability of the interlocking operation of the connection assembly with the oscillating rod, and helps to improve the operational stability of the entire rotating shaft mechanism.
[0018] In the present application, the connection assembly may be rotatably connected to an end portion of the support plate facing the fastening member. In this way, in the course of the connection assembly rotating about the second rotating shaft, the support plate may be rotated relative to the sliding block, so that the support plate is driven to move toward or away from the fastening member. In the course of the support plate moving, the sliding block and the swing rod may be slid toward or away from the fastening member relative to each other, so that the distance between the sliding block and the fastening member may be adjusted.
[0019] Also, in this embodiment of the present application, the rotating part can rotate synchronously with a first rotating shaft, the cross section of which is a special-shaped cross section, the cross section of which is set to a special-shaped cross section, whereby the rotational position of the first rotating shaft can be adjusted by adjusting the special-shaped cross section.
[0020] According to a second aspect, the present application further provides an electronic device. The electronic device includes a flexible display, two housings, and the rotating shaft mechanism of the first aspect. The two housings may be disposed on both sides of the rotating shaft mechanism, respectively, and the sliding block of the swing arm of the length maintaining mechanism may be fixedly connected to the housing on the corresponding side. The flexible display may continuously cover the two housings and the rotating shaft mechanism, and the flexible display may be fixedly connected to the two housings.
[0021] When using the electronic device provided in the present application, the first and second swing arms of the rotating shaft mechanism are rotatably connected to the fastening member by using a physical shaft, so that the rotation stability of the rotating shaft mechanism can be improved, thereby improving the operation stability of the electronic device. In addition, in the process of the first and second housings of the electronic device rotating relative to each other, the relative sliding between the sliding block and the corresponding swing rod of the length maintaining mechanism can adjust the distance between the first or second housing and the fastening member, thereby preventing the flexible display fixed to the first and second housings from being compressed or pulled, thereby extending the service life of the flexible display and improving the reliability of the electronic device.
[0022] In a possible embodiment of the present application, an open groove is provided in the end portion of each housing facing the fastening member, and the sliding block of the swing arm may be located on the corresponding side of the open groove and is fixedly connected to the groove wall of the open groove.
[0023] In addition, when the electronic device is in an open state, the opening grooves of the two housings can be aligned and combined to form a storage part, and the rotating shaft mechanism can be hidden in the storage part. In this way, the electronic device can have an integrated design appearance effect, which improves the appearance aesthetics of the electronic device.
[0024] In the present application, the rotational position of the support plate around the sliding block can be limited to connect the surface of the support plate to the surface of the housing to form a flat support surface when the electronic device is in an open state. In a specific embodiment, the first support plate can be provided with a first limiting portion, and the sliding block is provided with a second limiting portion, and the first limiting portion is disposed corresponding to the second limiting portion. The first limiting portion can be a notch, and the second limiting portion can be a protrusion portion. Alternatively, the first limiting portion can be a protrusion portion, and the second limiting portion can be a notch. In this way, the protrusion portion can be received in the notch, and the protrusion portion is snapped into the notch to limit the rotational position of the first support plate. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0025] [Figure 1a] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of an electronic device in a closed state according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 1b] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of an electronic device in an open state according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2a] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of an electronic device in a closed state according to another embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2b] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of an electronic device in an open state according to another embodiment of the present application. [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a partial structure of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a length maintaining mechanism according to an embodiment of the present application. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a length maintenance mechanism according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a structure of a fastening member according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 7] 2 is a schematic diagram showing a structure of a first connection member according to an embodiment of the present application. FIG. [Figure 8] 4 is a schematic diagram showing a structure of a second connection member according to an embodiment of the present application. FIG. [Figure 9]FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing a partial structure of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 10a] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an electronic device in a closed state according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 10b] FIG. 10b is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device in the open state shown in FIG. [Figure 11a] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an electronic device in a closed state according to another embodiment of the present application. [Figure 11b] FIG. 11b is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device in the open state shown in FIG. [Figure 12a] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an electronic device in a closed state according to another embodiment of the present application. [Figure 12b] FIG. 12b is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device in the open state shown in FIG. [Figure 13a] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an electronic device in a closed state according to another embodiment of the present application. [Figure 13b] FIG. 13b is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device in the open state shown in FIG. 13a. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a partial structure of a rotating shaft mechanism according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a structure of a first rotating arm according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a length maintaining mechanism according to another embodiment of the present application. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a length maintenance mechanism according to another embodiment of the present application. [Figure 18]FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a structure of a first connection assembly according to another embodiment of the present application. [Reference symbols] 1: rotating shaft mechanism; 1a: length maintaining mechanism; 101: fastening member; 1011: first rotating shaft; 1012: second rotating shaft; 1013: third rotating shaft; 1014: fourth rotating shaft; 1015: fifth rotating shaft; 1016: sixth rotating shaft; 1017: seventh rotating shaft; 1018: first mounting groove; 10181: slot; 102: swing arm; 1021: sliding block; 10211: sliding slot; 102111: sliding rail; 10212: second limiting portion; 1022: first swing rod; 10221: protrusion; 10222: rotating portion; 10222a: first mounting hole; 10222b: second mounting hole; 10222c: third mounting hole; 10223: first mounting space; 1023: connection assembly; 10231: first connecting member; 10231A: first mounting hole; 10231B: second mounting hole; 10231C: third mounting hole; 102311: connection part; 102312: second mounting space; 10232: second connecting member; 102321: first mounting hole; 102322: second mounting hole; 102323: third mounting hole; 103: second swing arm; 1031: sliding block; 1032: swing rod; 1033: connection assembly; 1b: main shaft assembly; 104: housing; 1041: receiving groove; 105: cover plate; 1051: main shaft fastening plate; 10511: support portion; 1052: first support plate; 10521: first limiting portion; 1053: second support plate; 1c: synchronous damper assembly; 106: first rotating arm; 1061: first gear; 1061a: first cam structure; 1061b: second cam structure; 107: second rotating arm; 1071: second gear; 108: first fastening portion; 1081: first cavity structure; 109: second fastening portion; 1091: second cavity structure; 110: driven gear; 111: first connecting cam; 112: second connecting cam; 113: first gear shaft; 114: second gear shaft; 115: first stopper; 116: first elastic member; 117: second elastic member; 118: second stopper;119: intermediate gear shaft; 120: third elastic member; 2: first housing; 2a: first surface; 2b: second surface; 201: first opening groove; 3: second housing; 3a: first surface; 3b: second surface; 301: second opening groove; 4: flexible display. ; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the present application will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0027] In order to facilitate understanding of the rotating shaft mechanism 1 provided in the embodiment of the present application, the application scenario of the rotating shaft mechanism 1 will be described below first. The rotating shaft mechanism 1 can be used in foldable electronic devices, including but not limited to mobile phones, palmtop computers (personal digital assistants, PDAs), notebook computers, tablet computers, etc. For the case where the rotating shaft mechanism 1 provided in the embodiment of the present application is used in an electronic device, please refer to FIG. 1a. FIG. 1a is a schematic diagram showing a structure of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application. In addition to the rotating shaft mechanism 1, the electronic device may further include two housings and a flexible display (not shown in FIG. 1a). In the present application, for convenience of description, the two housings may be respectively represented as a first housing 2 and a second housing 3. The first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are located on both sides of the rotating shaft mechanism 1 and can rotate around the rotating shaft mechanism 1 relative to each other. During use, the electronic device can be opened and closed based on different usage scenarios. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1a, the electronic device is in a closed state, and Fig. 1a shows the relative positional relationship between the rotating shaft mechanism 1 and the two housings when the electronic device is in the closed state. In this case, the surface of the rotating shaft mechanism 1, the first surface 2a of the first housing 2, and the first surface 3a of the second housing 3 may be used as the exterior surfaces of the electronic device. The first surface 2a of the first housing 2 is the surface of the first housing 2 that faces away from the flexible display, and the first surface 3a of the second housing 3 is the surface of the second housing 3 that faces away from the flexible display.
[0028] Further, please refer to Fig. 1b. Fig. 1b is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the electronic device in an open state. Please note that in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b, the structure of the same side of the electronic device is shown. From Fig. 1b, it can be seen that the first surface 2a of the first housing 2 and the first surface 3a of the second housing 3 may be used as the exterior surface of the electronic device.
[0029] FIG. 2a is a schematic diagram showing the structure of an electronic device in a closed state according to another embodiment of the present application. FIG. 2a shows the structure of an open end of the electronic device. The open end is the end of the electronic device opposite to the rotating shaft mechanism 1 when the electronic device is in a closed state. Please refer to FIG. 2b. FIG. 2b is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the electronic device in an open state. FIG. 2b shows the structure of the side where the second surface 2b of the first housing 2 and the second surface 3b of the second housing 3 are located. The second surface 2b of the first housing 2 is a surface of the first housing 2 that is configured to support a flexible display, and the second surface 3b of the second housing 3 is a surface of the second housing 3 that is configured to support a flexible display. The flexible display may cover the second surface 2b of the first housing 2 and the second surface 3b of the second housing 3, and the flexible display may be fixedly connected to the second surface 2b of the first housing 2 and the second surface 3b of the second housing 3. The connection method may be, but is not limited to, adhesive. In this way, the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 can support the flexible display when the electronic device is in an open state. In the process of rotating the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 relative to each other from an open state to a closed state or from a closed state to an open state, the flexible display can be folded accordingly.
[0030] It can be understood that in the process of the electronic device changing from a closed state to an open state or from an open state to a closed state, the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 can rotate around the rotating shaft mechanism 1 to drive the flexible display to change from a folded state to an unfolded state or from an unfolded state to a folded state. When the electronic device is in a closed state, if the space formed between the first housing 2, the rotating shaft mechanism 1, and the second housing 3 cannot meet the folding requirements of the flexible display, or when the electronic device is in an open state, if the extension length of the support surface provided by the first housing 2, the rotating shaft mechanism 1, and the second housing 3 does not match the unfolded length of the flexible display, the flexible display may be squeezed or pulled. After folding the electronic device multiple times, the flexible display is likely to be damaged.
[0031] The rotating shaft mechanism 1 provided in the present application is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems. The length maintaining mechanism is arranged so that the display accommodating space formed by the first housing 2, the second housing 3, and the rotating shaft mechanism 1 can meet the folding requirements of the flexible display during the process in which the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 rotate relative to each other, and the extension length of the support surface formed by the first housing 2, the second housing 3, and the rotating shaft mechanism 1 in the open state can match the unfolded length of the flexible display. This can avoid deformation of the flexible display, reduce the compressive or tensile stress on the flexible display, extend the service life of the flexible display, and improve the reliability of the electronic device. In order to facilitate understanding of the rotating shaft mechanism 1 provided in the embodiment of the present application, the structure of the rotating shaft mechanism 1 will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.
[0032] Please note that the terms used in the following embodiments are merely intended to describe certain embodiments and are not intended to limit the present application. As used in this specification and the appended claims of this application, the singular terms "one, a", "the", "the forgoing", "this" and "the one" are intended to include forms such as "one or more" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0033] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" or the like in this specification indicate that one or more embodiments of the present application include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described with reference to the embodiment. Thus, phrases such as "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in some other embodiments," and "in other embodiments" appearing in different places in this specification do not necessarily mean to refer to the same embodiment. Instead, unless specifically emphasized otherwise, these phrases mean "one or more, but not all, embodiments." The terms "include," "comprise," "have," "including, including," and variations thereof all mean "including but not limited to," unless specifically emphasized otherwise.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a partial structure of the electronic device provided in FIG. 2b. From FIG. 3, it can be seen that the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are located on opposite sides of the rotating shaft mechanism 1. In the present application, the rotating shaft mechanism 1 may include a length maintaining mechanism 1a, and the length maintaining mechanism 1a may be multiple, and the multiple length maintaining mechanisms 1a may be arranged at intervals in the length direction of the rotating shaft mechanism 1. The first housing 2 and the second housing 3 may be rotatably connected using multiple length maintaining mechanisms 1a. Since the multiple length maintaining mechanisms 1a are arranged at intervals, the rotation stability of the rotating shaft mechanism 1 can be effectively improved, and the relative rotation stability of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 of the electronic device can be improved.
[0035] For a specific arrangement of the length maintaining mechanism 1a, please refer to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the length maintaining mechanism 1a according to a possible embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment, the length maintaining mechanism 1a may include a fastening member 101 and two swing arms. For ease of explanation, the two swing arms may be referred to as a first swing arm 102 and a second swing arm 103, respectively, in the present application. The first swing arm 102 and the second swing arm 103 are disposed on both sides of the fastening member 101, respectively, and are rotatably connected to the fastening member 101. In addition, the first swing arm 102 may be fixedly connected to the first housing 2, and the second swing arm 103 may be fixedly connected to the second housing 3. In this case, in the process in which the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 rotate relative to each other, the first swing arm 102 and the second swing arm 103 may be driven to rotate around the fastening member 101.
[0036] 5 is an exploded view of the length maintaining mechanism 1a shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the first swing arm 102 includes a sliding block 1021, a swing rod 1022, and a connection assembly 1023. The sliding block 1021 can be fixedly connected to the first housing 2 shown in FIG. 3, and the connection method may be a fixed connection using a fastener such as a screw, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the sliding block 1021 is provided with a sliding slot 10211, and the sliding slot 10211 may be, for example, a cavity structure formed in the sliding block 1021.
[0037] The swing rod 1022 is accommodated in the slide slot 10211 and can slide in the slide slot 10211 of the slide block 1021 in a direction approaching or away from the fastening member 101. In the present application, the swing rod may be provided with a protrusion 10221, and the protrusion 10221 may be one or more. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the swing rod 1022 is provided with two protrusions 10221. In addition, the slide slot 10211 may be provided with slide rails 102111, and the number of the slide rails 102111 is equal to or greater than the number of the protrusions 10221, so that each protrusion 10221 can be accommodated in one slide rail 102111 and can slide in the slide rail 102111 in a direction approaching or away from the fastening member 101. It will be understood that in some other possible embodiments of the present application, the sliding rail 102111 may be disposed on the swing rod 1022 instead, and the protrusion 10221 may be disposed in the sliding slot 10211. The cooperative sliding between the protrusion 10221 and the sliding rail 102111 can provide a guiding function for the sliding of the swing rod 1022 in the sliding slot 10211, and can improve the stability of the sliding of the swing rod 1022 in the sliding slot 10211. This helps to improve the operating stability of the entire rotating shaft mechanism 1 and improve the rotational stability of the electronic device using the rotating shaft mechanism 1.
[0038] Please continue to refer to FIG. 5. The end of the swing rod 1022, which is remote from the sliding block 1021, may be rotatably connected to the fastening member 101. In a specific embodiment, the end of the swing rod 1022, which is remote from the sliding block 1021, may be provided with a rotating portion 10222, and the rotating portion 10222 may be provided with a first mounting hole 10222a, which may be a round hole. Please further refer to both FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the fastening member 101 of FIG. 5. The fastening member 101 is provided with a first rotating shaft 1011, and the axial direction of the first rotating shaft 1011 may be the same as the length direction of the rotating shaft mechanism 1, and the first rotating shaft 1011 may pass through the first mounting hole 10222a, so that the rotating portion 10222 is rotatably connected to the first rotating shaft 1011.
[0039] Please continue to refer to Figures 5 and 6. In the present application, the swing rod 1022 may be provided with two rotating parts 10222, which are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft mechanism 1 and form a first mounting space 10223 between the two rotating parts 10222. The swing rod 1022 is rotatably connected to the fastening member 101 using the two rotating parts 10222. This may help to improve the stability of the rotation of the swing rod 1022 around the fastening member 101.
[0040] Please continue to refer to Fig. 5. In this embodiment of the present application, at least a part of the connection assembly 1023 may be accommodated in the first mounting space 10223 between the two rotating portions 10222 of the swing rod 1022. In this manner, the structure of the rotating shaft mechanism 1 can be made compact. The connection assembly 1023 may include a first connection member 10231 and a second connection member 10232.
[0041] 7 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the first connecting member 10231 according to a possible embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment, the first connecting member 10231 is provided with a first mounting hole 10231A, which may be a round hole. Please refer to both FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. The fastening member 101 is further provided with a second rotating shaft 1012, and the second rotating shaft 1012 passes through the first mounting hole 10231A, thereby rotatably connecting the first connecting member 10231 to the second rotating shaft 1012.
[0042] Please continue to refer to FIG. 7. The end portion of the first connecting member 10231 that is away from the fastening member 101 may be provided with a connecting portion 102311, and the first mounting hole 10231A may be provided in the connecting portion 102311. In addition, in the present application, the first connecting member 10231 may be provided with two connecting portions 102311, and the two connecting portions 102311 are arranged at an interval in the longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft mechanism 1, and a second mounting space 102312 is formed between the two connecting portions. The first connecting member 10231 is rotatably connected to the fastening member 101 using the two connecting portions 102311. This can effectively improve the stability of the rotation of the first connecting member 10231 around the fastening member 101.
[0043] A second mounting hole 10231B is provided in an end portion of the first connecting member 10231 facing the fastening member 101, and the second mounting hole 10231B is an elongated hole, and the second mounting hole 10231B is a through hole provided in the length direction of the rotating shaft mechanism 1. A third mounting hole 10231C is further provided in the connecting portion 102311 of the first connecting member 10231, and the third mounting hole 10231C is an elongated hole. In addition, on the same end surface of the first connecting member 10231, the first mounting hole 10231A is located between the second mounting hole 10231B and the third mounting hole 10231C. In this case, the second rotating shaft 1012 is located between the second mounting hole 10231B and the third mounting hole 10231C, and the long axis direction of the second mounting hole 10231B and the long axis direction of the third mounting hole 10231C may intersect.
[0044] Please refer to FIG. 5. The swing rod 1022 is further provided with a second mounting hole 10222b, which is located on the side of the first mounting hole 10222a facing the fastening member 101. The second mounting hole 10222b of the swing rod 1022 is connected to the second mounting hole 10231B of the first connecting member 10231 by using a third rotating shaft 1013, which may be, but is not limited to, a pin or the like. From the description of the above embodiment, it can be seen that the second mounting hole 10231B of the first connecting member 10231 may be located between the two rotating parts 10222 of the swing rod 1022. In this case, the third rotating shaft 1013 may pass through the second mounting hole 10222b of the two rotating parts 10222 of the swing rod 1022 and the second mounting hole 10231B of the first connecting member 10231. In the present application, the third rotating shaft 1013 may be rotatably connected to the two rotating parts 10222 of the swing rod. This is not limited in the present specification. In this manner, in the process of the swing rod 1022 rotating around the first rotating shaft 1011 of the fastening member 101, the third rotating shaft 1013 can slide along the second mounting hole 10231B of the first connecting member 10231, thereby driving the first connecting member 10231 to rotate around the second rotating shaft 1012. It will be understood that in the present application, the rotation trajectory of the first connecting member 10231 can be adjusted by adjusting the long axis direction of the second mounting hole 10231B.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 5, at least a part of the second connecting member 10232 may be located in the second mounting space 102312 of the first connecting member 10231. In this case, the second connecting member 10232 is located between the first connecting member 10231 and the swing rod 1022. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the second connecting member 10232 according to a possible embodiment of the present application. Please refer to both FIG. 5 and FIG. 8. A first mounting hole 102321 is formed on the side of the second connecting member 10232 facing the fastening member 101, and the first mounting hole 102321 may be a round hole. Please also refer to FIG. 6. The fastening member 101 is further provided with a fourth rotating shaft 1014, which passes through the first mounting hole 102321, so that the first mounting hole 102321 of the second connecting member 10232 is rotatably connected to the fastening member 101 by means of the fourth rotating shaft 1014. Please refer to both Figures 5 and 6. In the present application, the fourth rotating shaft 1014 is located on the side of the fastening member 101 facing the second connecting member 10232 with respect to the second rotating shaft 1012.
[0046] Please refer to Fig. 5 and Fig. 8 further. The second connecting member 10232 further includes a second mounting hole 102322 and a third mounting hole 102323. Both the second mounting hole 102322 and the third mounting hole 102323 may be round holes, the second mounting hole 102322 is located between the first mounting hole 102321 and the third mounting hole 102323, and the axes of the first mounting hole 102321, the second mounting hole 102322, and the third mounting hole 102323 may be parallel to each other. Also, in the present application, the second mounting hole 102322 of the second connecting member 10232 may be rotatably connected to the third mounting hole 10231C of the first connecting member 10231 using a fifth rotating shaft.
[0047] Please refer to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 for further details. In the present application, the second swing arm 103 and the first swing arm 102 may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the fastening member 101. The second swing arm 103 may include a sliding block 1031, a swing rod 1032, and a connection assembly 1033. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the sliding block 1031 may be fixed to the second housing 3 of the electronic device. For the specific arrangement, relative position, and connection relationship of the sliding block 1031, the swing rod 1032, and the connection assembly 1033, as well as the connection relationship between them and the fastening member 101, please refer to the first swing arm 102. The details will not be described again here.
[0048] In the present application, the rotating shaft mechanism 1 may further include a main shaft assembly 1b to prevent the length maintaining mechanism 1a from being exposed. FIG. 9 is an exploded view showing a partial structure of an electronic device according to the present application. From FIG. 9, it can be seen that the main shaft assembly 1b may include a cover plate 105. The cover plate 105 may include two support plates. For ease of explanation, the two support plates are represented as a first support plate 1052 and a second support plate 1053, respectively, in the present application. In addition, the cover plate 105 may further include a main shaft fastening plate 1051, and the length direction of the main shaft fastening plate 1051 is the same as the length direction of the rotating shaft mechanism 1. The first support plate 1052 and the second support plate 1053 may be located on both sides of the main shaft fastening plate 1051, and the length direction of the first support plate 1052 and the second support plate 1053 is the same as the length direction of the main shaft fastening plate 1051.
[0049] Further, the support portion 10511 is arranged separately on two side surfaces of the main shaft fastening plate 1051, the two side surfaces facing the first support plate 1052 and the second support plate 1053. A plurality of support portions 10511 may be located on the same side of the main shaft fastening plate 1051, and the plurality of support portions 10511 may be arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the main shaft fastening plate 1051. The side surfaces of the first support plate 1052 and the second support plate 1053 facing the main shaft fastening plate 1051 may be arranged separately on the surface of the corresponding support portion 10511 that is away from the housing 104, and may slide along the surface of the corresponding support portion 10511 that is away from the housing 104.
[0050] Please refer to FIG. 9 for further details. In the present application, the main shaft assembly 1b may further include a housing 104, and the housing 104 may be used as an external appearance member of the rotating shaft mechanism 1 to enhance the aesthetics of the rotating shaft mechanism 1. The housing 104 is provided with an accommodation groove 1041. The length maintaining mechanism 1a shown in FIG. 4 may be accommodated in the accommodation groove 1041 and fixed to the housing 104. The length maintaining mechanism 1a may be fixed to the housing 104 by fixing a fastening member 101 to the housing 104. The fastening member 101 may be fixedly connected to the housing 104 using a fastener such as a screw. This is not limited in the present specification. Also, the main shaft fastening plate 1051 is fixed to the housing 104. The length maintaining mechanism 1a may be located between the main shaft fastening plate 1051 and the housing 104, and the main shaft fastening plate 1051 is fixedly connected to the housing 104, so that the length maintaining mechanism 1a can be pressed into the housing 104 to reduce the wobble of the fastening member 101. It will be understood that when the rotating shaft mechanism 1 is used in an electronic device, the cover plate 105 can be configured to support a flexible display 4.
[0051] Please continue to refer to Fig. 9. In the present application, the first support plate 1052 can cover the first swing arm 102, and the end of the first support plate 1052 facing the fastening member 101 is rotatably connected to the third mounting hole 102323 of the second connecting member 10232 shown in Fig. 8 by using a sixth rotating shaft (not shown in Fig. 9). Also, the end of the first support plate 1052 away from the fastening member 101 is rotatably connected to the end of the sliding block 1021 away from the fastening member 101 by using a seventh rotating shaft (not shown in Fig. 9).
[0052] Similarly, the second support plate 1053 can cover the second swing arm 103, and an end of the second support plate 1053 facing the fastening member 101 is rotatably connected to the connection assembly 1033 of the second swing arm 103. Also, an end of the second support plate 1053 away from the fastening member 101 is rotatably connected to an end of the sliding block 1031 of the second swing arm 103 away from the fastening member 101.
[0053] From the description of the above embodiment, it can be seen that the sliding block 1021 may be fixed to the first housing 2 of the electronic device, and the sliding block 1031 may be fixed to the second housing 3 of the electronic device. Please continue to refer to FIG. 9. In the embodiment of the present application, the first housing 2 is provided on a side facing the second housing 3 with a first opening groove 201, and the second housing 3 is provided on a side facing the first housing 2 with a second opening groove 301. In this case, the sliding block 1021 may be located in the first opening groove 201 and is fixedly connected to the groove wall of the first opening groove 201. The sliding block 1031 may be located in the second opening groove 301 and is fixedly connected to the groove wall of the second opening groove 301.
[0054] Further, please refer to both FIG. 3 and FIG. 9. When the electronic device is in an open state, the first opening groove 201 and the second opening groove 301 are arranged to be aligned and combined with each other to form a storage part between the first housing 2 and the second housing 3. From FIG. 3, it can be seen that when the electronic device is in an open state, the entire rotating shaft mechanism 1 can be hidden in the storage part. Further, please refer to both FIG. 1b and FIG. 3. The first surface 2a of the first housing 2 and the first surface 3a of the second housing 3 of the electronic device can be connected with each other, so that the electronic device has a flat appearance surface with relatively few gaps, which can improve the integrated design of the appearance of the electronic device and improve the aesthetics of the appearance of the electronic device.
[0055] In order to facilitate understanding of the interlocking relationship between various mechanisms when the rotary shaft mechanism 1 provided in the present application is used in an electronic device, the states of the mechanism when the electronic device is in a closed state and an open state will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that in the present application, the structures of the first swing arm 102 and the second swing arm 103 may be the same, and the connection relationship between the first swing arm 102 and the fastening member 101 may be the same as the connection relationship between the second swing arm 103 and the fastening member 101. For the sake of simplicity, the following embodiments of the present application mainly specifically describe the first swing arm 102, and the second swing arm 103 may be arranged with reference to the first swing arm 102. Details will not be described again here.
[0056] First, please refer to FIG. 10a. FIG. 10a is a cross-sectional view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 10a is a cross-sectional view of the swing rod 1022 of the electronic device in a closed state. In this embodiment, the end of the first support plate 1052 that is configured to be connected to the second connection member 10232 is located on the side of the main shaft fastening plate 1051 facing the first housing 2 relative to the end of the first support plate 1052 that is configured to be connected to the sliding block 1021, so that the first support plate 1052 is inclined away from the main shaft fastening plate 1051. Similarly, the second support plate 1053 is also inclined away from the main shaft fastening plate 1051. Please continue to refer to FIG. 10a. Ends of the first support plate 1052 and the second support plate 1053 that are connected to corresponding connecting members are disposed apart from each other, and ends of the first support plate 1052 and the second support plate 1053 that are connected to corresponding sliding blocks are disposed close to each other to form a display accommodating space between the first support plate 1052 and the second support plate 1053. A folded portion of the flexible display 4 can be accommodated in the display accommodating space.
[0057] FIG. 10b is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device in the open state shown in FIG. 10a. From the comparison between FIG. 10a and FIG. 10b, it can be seen that in the process from the open state shown in FIG. 10a to the open state shown in FIG. 10b, the swing rod 1022 can rotate around the first rotating shaft 1011, and at the same time, the position of the swing rod 1022 in the sliding slot 10211 of the sliding block 1021 changes. In this case, the sliding block 1021 slides relative to the swing rod 1022 in a direction approaching the fastening member 101. Therefore, the distance between the sliding block 1021 and the fastening member 101 is adjusted by sliding, and thereby the distance between the first support plate 1052 and the fastening member 101 is adjusted. In this way, the display accommodating space formed between the first support plate 1052 and the second support plate 1053 can be adjusted by appropriately designing the sliding distance, so that the display accommodating space meets the folding requirements of the flexible display 4. Therefore, the flexible display 4 can be prevented from being compressed or pulled during the folding process of the electronic device, and the service life of the flexible display 4 can be extended.
[0058] Next, please refer to Fig. 11a. Fig. 11a is a cross-sectional view of an electronic device according to another embodiment of the present application. Fig. 11a is a cross-sectional view of the first connection member 10231 of the electronic device in a closed state. In this state, the third rotating shaft 1013 is located on the side of the second mounting hole 10231B of the first connection member 10231 that is closer to the housing 104 of the main shaft assembly 1b, and the third mounting hole 10231C is located on the side away from the housing 104 of the main shaft assembly with respect to the second mounting hole 10231B.
[0059] 11b is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device in the open state shown in FIG. 11a. From the description of the above embodiment, it can be seen that the swing rod 1022 is rotatably connected to the first connecting member 10231 by using the third rotating shaft 1013. In this case, when the swing rod 1022 rotates in the process from the open state shown in FIG. 11a to the open state shown in FIG. 11b, the third rotating shaft 1013 slides in the second mounting hole 10231B of the first connecting member 10231, thereby driving the first connecting member 10231 to rotate around the second rotating shaft 1012. Also, from the comparison between FIG. 11a and FIG. 11b, it can be seen that in this process, the first connecting member 10231 can rotate in a counterclockwise direction. It will be understood that since the first swing arm 102 and the second swing arm 103 can be arranged symmetrically with respect to the fastening member 101, in the above-mentioned process, the component of the second swing arm 103 that is arranged to correspond to the first connecting member 10231 can rotate in a clockwise direction.
[0060] Next, please refer to FIG. 12a. FIG. 12a is a cross-sectional view of an electronic device according to another embodiment of the present application. FIG. 12a is a cross-sectional view of the second connection member 10232 of the electronic device in a closed state. From the description of the above embodiment, it can be seen that the third mounting hole 102323 of the second connection member 10232 is rotatably connected to the first support plate 1052 using the sixth rotating shaft 1016. As shown in FIG. 12a, in the closed state, the second mounting hole 102322 of the second connection member 10232 is located on the side facing the main shaft fastening plate 1051 with respect to the first mounting hole 102321, and the third mounting hole 102323 is located on the side facing the sliding block 1021 with respect to the second mounting hole 102322. In this case, the first support plate 1052 is inclined away from the main shaft fastening plate 1051 due to the action of the second connection member 10232. Similarly, the second support plate 1053 is also inclined away from the main shaft fastening plate 1051. Please continue to refer to FIG. 12a. The ends of the first support plate 1052 and the second support plate 1053 that are configured to be connected to the corresponding connecting members are arranged apart from each other, and the ends of the first support plate 1052 and the second support plate 1053 that are configured to be connected to the corresponding sliding blocks are arranged close to each other, forming a display accommodating space between the first support plate 1052 and the second support plate 1053. A folded portion of the flexible display 4 can be accommodated in the display accommodating space.
[0061] Figure 12b is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device in the open state shown in Figure 12a. From the description of the above embodiment, it can be seen that the second mounting hole 102322 of the second connecting member 10232 is rotatably connected to the third mounting hole 10231C of the first connecting member 10231 shown in Figure 11b by using the fifth rotating shaft 1015. In the process from the open state shown in Figure 12a to the open state shown in Figure 12b, when the first connecting member 10231 rotates counterclockwise, the second connecting member 10232 is driven to rotate around the fourth rotating shaft 1014. Also, from the comparison between Figure 12a and Figure 12b, it can be seen that in this process, the second connecting member 10232 can rotate in a clockwise direction. It will be understood that since the first swing arm 102 and the second swing arm 102 can be arranged symmetrically with respect to the fastening member 101, in the above-mentioned process, the component of the second swing arm that is arranged to correspond to the second connecting member 10232 can rotate in a counterclockwise direction.
[0062] Please continue to refer to Figures 12a and 12b. In the process from the open state shown in Figure 12a to the open state shown in Figure 12b, the second connection member 10232 drives the first support plate 1052 to move in a direction approaching the main shaft fastening plate 1051. In addition, since the end of the first support plate 1052 that is away from the main shaft fastening plate 1051 is rotatably connected to the sliding block 1021, and the sliding block 1021 is fixedly connected to the first housing 2, in the process of the first support plate 1052 moving in a direction approaching the main shaft fastening plate 1051, the sliding block 1021 can be driven to slide relative to the swing rod 1022, and the distance between the first housing 2 and the fastening member 101 can be adjusted by adjusting the sliding distance.
[0063] 12b, it can be seen that when the electronic device is in an open state, the first support plate 1052, the second support plate 1053, and the main shaft fastening plate 1051 can be connected to form a flat surface. In this way, the first support plate 1052, the second support plate 1053, and the main shaft fastening plate 1051 can provide a relatively complete support for the part of the flexible display 4 that covers the cover plate 105, so as to avoid the collapse of the flexible display 4 at this position and reduce the deformation of the flexible display 4. This helps to improve the reliability of the structure of the flexible display 4.
[0064] Finally, please refer to FIG. 13a. FIG. 13a is a cross-sectional view of an electronic device according to another embodiment of the present application. FIG. 13a is a cross-sectional view of the first support plate 1052 of the electronic device in a closed state. From the description of the above embodiment, it can be seen that the first support plate 1052 can rotate around the seventh rotation shaft 1017 by rotating the second connecting member 10232. In the present application, a limiting structure can be disposed between the first support plate 1052 and the sliding block 1021 to align the surface of the first support plate 1052 and the second surface 2b of the first housing 2 when the electronic device is in an open state, thereby connecting the first support plate 1052 and the second surface 2b of the first housing 2 to form a flat surface. The limiting structure is disposed so that the rotational position of the first support plate 1052 is limited when the electronic device is in an open state.
[0065] Please continue to refer to FIG. 13a. In a particular embodiment, the first support plate 1052 is provided with a first limiting portion 10521 and the sliding block 1021 is provided with a second limiting portion 10212, the first limiting portion 10521 being arranged to correspond to the second limiting portion 10212. In a possible embodiment, the first limiting portion 10521 may be a notch and the second limiting portion 10212 may be a protruding portion. In this way, the protruding portion can be accommodated in the notch, whereby the protruding portion snaps into the notch to limit the rotational position of the first support plate 1052. Indeed, in some other possible embodiments of the present application, the notch may alternatively be provided in the sliding block 1021 and the protruding portion may be located on the first support plate 1052. This may also limit the rotational position of the first support plate 1052. It will be understood that the rotational position of the second support plate 1053 may also be limited using a similar design.
[0066] 13b is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device in the open state shown in FIG. 13a. In the open state shown in FIG. 13b, when the first support plate 1052, the second support plate 1053, and the main shaft fastening plate 1051 form a flat surface, the first support plate 1052 is connected to the second surface 2b of the first housing 2, and the second support plate 1053 is connected to the second surface 3b of the second housing 3, so as to form a flat surface. Therefore, the electronic device provided in the present application can fully support the flexible display 4 when the electronic device is in the open state. This can improve the flatness of the flexible display 4, reduce the deformation of the flexible display 4, and improve the structural reliability of the entire electronic device.
[0067] When the rotating shaft mechanism 1 provided in the present application is used, the first swing arm 102 and the second swing arm 103 are rotatably connected to the fastening member 101 by using a physical shaft, so that the rotation stability of the rotating shaft mechanism 1 can be improved. In addition, when the rotating shaft mechanism 1 provided in the present application is used in an electronic device and the electronic device is in an open state, the rotating shaft mechanism 1 can be hidden between the first housing 2 and the second housing 3, so that the electronic device has an appearance effect of an integrated design. The cover plate 105 of the rotating shaft mechanism 1, the first housing 2, and the second housing 3 can jointly form a flat support surface to provide a relatively complete support for the flexible display 4, avoid the collapse of the flexible display 4, and reduce the deformation of the flexible display 4. During the process of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 of the electronic device rotating relative to each other, the display accommodating space formed between the first support plate 1052 and the second support plate 1053 can be adjusted through the relative sliding between the sliding block and the corresponding swinging rod of the length maintaining mechanism 1a, so that the display accommodating space meets the folding requirements of the flexible display, thereby preventing the flexible display 4 fixed to the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 from being compressed or pulled, and thereby extending the service life of the flexible display 4 and improving the reliability of the electronic device.
[0068] In some embodiments of the present application, in addition to the above-mentioned structure, the rotating shaft mechanism 1 may further be provided with another possible structure. For example, see FIG. 14. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a partial structure of the rotating shaft mechanism 1 according to an embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment, the rotating shaft mechanism 1 may further include a synchronous damper assembly 1c. The synchronous damper assembly 1c is arranged so that the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 can rotate synchronously to avoid applying an instantaneous force to the flexible display. Furthermore, the synchronous damper assembly 1c can be configured to provide a certain damping force in the process of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 rotating relative to each other, so that the user can feel the folding or unfolding process of the electronic device relatively clearly. In addition, by arranging the synchronous damper assembly 1c, it is also possible to avoid accidental opening and closing of the electronic device, and the two housings can be suspended in a predetermined position.
[0069] Please refer to both Fig. 3 and Fig. 14. In the present application, a plurality of synchronous damper assemblies 1c may be present, and the plurality of synchronous damper assemblies 1c may be arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft mechanism 1, and the plurality of synchronous damper assemblies 1c may be accommodated in the accommodation groove 1041 of the housing 104 of the main shaft assembly 1b. Also, the synchronous damper assembly 1c may be arranged in pairs with the length maintaining mechanism 1a, or may be arranged separately. For example, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the synchronous damper assembly 1c and the length maintaining mechanism 1a may be arranged in pairs at both ends of the longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft mechanism 1.
[0070] For a specific arrangement of the synchronous damper assembly 1c, please continue to refer to FIG. 14. The synchronous damper assembly 1c includes a first rotating arm 106 and a second rotating arm 107. The first rotating arm 106 and the second rotating arm 107 may be symmetrically arranged, and the end of the first rotating arm 106 facing the first housing 2 shown in FIG. 3 may be slidably connected to the first housing 2, and the end of the second rotating arm 107 facing the second housing 3 shown in FIG. 3 may be slidably connected to the second housing 3. As shown in FIG. 14, in some embodiments of the present application, the synchronous damper assembly 1c may include a first fastening portion 108 and a second fastening portion 109. The first fastening portion 108 is fixedly connected to the first housing 2, and the connection method may be, but is not limited to, a screw connection. The first fastening part 108 is provided with a first cavity structure 1081, and the end of the first rotating arm 106, which faces the first housing 2, can be accommodated in the first cavity structure 1081 and can be slid along the first cavity structure in a direction toward or away from the first housing 2. Similarly, the second fastening part 109 is fixedly connected to the second housing 3, and the connection method may be, but is not limited to, a screw connection. The second fastening part 109 is provided with a second cavity structure 1091, and the end of the second rotating arm 107, which faces the second housing 3, can be accommodated in the second cavity structure 1091 and can be slid along the second cavity structure 1091 in a direction toward or away from the second housing 3.
[0071] Further, please refer to FIG. 15. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the first rotating arm 106 according to a possible embodiment of the present application. Please refer to both FIG. 14 and FIG. 15. The end of the first rotating arm 106 facing the second rotating arm 107 is provided with a first gear 1061. Similarly, the end of the second rotating arm 107 facing the first rotating arm 106 is provided with a second gear 1071, and the first gear 1061 can be connected to the second gear 1071 via a transmission. In this way, in the process of the first housing 2 rotating relative to the second housing 3, the second gear 1071 rotates in the opposite direction due to the rotation of the first gear 1061, so that the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 rotate synchronously.
[0072] Further refer to Fig. 14. In this embodiment of the present application, the driven gear 110 may be disposed between the first gear 1061 and the second gear 1071, and the number of the driven gears 110 may be an even number. The first gear 1061 and the second gear 1071 are connected through a transmission using the driven gear 110 to ensure the rotational stability of the synchronous damper assembly 1c.
[0073] The synchronous damper assembly 1c may further include a first connecting cam 111 and a second connecting cam 112. In the longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft mechanism 1, the first gear 1061 and the second gear 1071 are located between the first connecting cam 111 and the second connecting cam 112. Please refer to FIG. 15. A first cam structure 1061a is provided on an end face of the first gear 1061 that faces the first connecting cam 111, and a second cam structure 1061b is provided on an end face of the first gear 1061 that faces the second connecting cam 112. Similarly, a first cam structure is provided on an end face of the second gear 1071 that faces the first connecting cam 111, and a second cam structure is provided on an end face of the second gear 1071 that faces the second connecting cam 112. In addition, the first cam structure and the second cam structure are provided on the end face of the first connecting cam 111 facing the first gear 1061 and the second gear 1071, and the first cam structure and the second cam structure are provided on the end face of the second connecting cam 112 facing the first gear 1061 and the second gear 1071. It should be noted that in the present application, the cam structure includes a plurality of convex portions and concave portions. When the convex portion of one cam structure is positioned in the concave portion of the other cam structure, the two cam structures engage with each other. When the protrusion of one cam structure and the protrusion of the other cam structure come into contact with each other in the two cam structures consisting of two cams arranged opposite to each other, the two cam structures abut against each other.
[0074] The first cam structure 1061a of the first gear 1061 may be disposed opposite the first cam structure of the first connecting cam 111, and the second cam structure 1061b of the first gear 1061 may be disposed opposite the first cam structure of the second connecting cam 112. The first cam structure of the second gear 1071 may be disposed opposite the second cam structure of the first connecting cam 111, and the second cam structure of the second gear 1071 may be disposed opposite the second cam structure of the second connecting cam 112.
[0075] Please refer to Fig. 14 for further details. The first gear 1061 is connected to the first connecting cam 111 and the second connecting cam 112 by using a first gear shaft 113. The first gear shaft 113 is disposed on the axis of the first cam structure 1061aa, the second cam structure 1061bb, the first cam structure 1061a1, and the third cam 3, and passes through the first gear 1061, the first connecting cam 111, and the second connecting cam 112. In addition, the second gear 1071 is connected to the first connecting cam 111 and the second connecting cam 112 by using a second gear shaft 114. The second gear shaft 114 is arranged on the axis of the first cam structure 1061aA, the second cam structure 1061bB, the second cam structure 1061b2, and the fourth cam 4, and passes through the first gear 1061, the first connecting cam 111, and the second connecting cam 112.
[0076] A first stopper 115 is provided on the side of the first connecting cam 111 away from the first gear 1061 and the second gear 1071, and the first stopper 115 is fixed to the first gear shaft 113 and the second gear shaft 114. The first stopper 115 may be, but is not limited to, a circlip. The first stopper 115 is disposed so as to press the first connecting cam 111 against the first gear 1061 and the second gear 1071 and prevent the first connecting cam 111 from falling off the first gear shaft 113 and the second gear shaft 114, thereby improving the reliability of the rotating shaft mechanism 1.
[0077] In addition, a first elastic member 116 and a second elastic member 117 are provided on the side of the second connecting cam 112 away from the first gear 1061 and the second gear 1071, and the first elastic member 116 and the second elastic member 117 can be configured to press the second connecting cam 112 against the first gear 1061 and the second gear 1071. For example, the first elastic member 116 and the second elastic member 117 may be springs, and the first elastic member 116 can be sleeved on the first gear shaft 113, and the second elastic member 117 can be sleeved on the second gear shaft 114. Please continue to refer to FIG. 14. A second stopper 118 may be provided on the side of the first elastic member 116 and the second elastic member 117 away from the second connecting cam 112, and the second stopper 118 may be, but is not limited to, a circlip, fixed to the first gear shaft 113 and the second gear shaft 114. The second stopper 118 is arranged so as to prevent the first elastic member 116 and the second elastic member 117 from falling off the first gear shaft 113 and the second gear shaft 114, and to press the second connecting cam 112 against the gear 1061 and the second gear 1071.
[0078] In this way, as the first rotating arm 106 and the second rotating arm 107 rotate relative to each other together with the first housing 2 and the second housing 3, the cam structures of the first gear 1061 and the second gear 1071 and the corresponding cam structures of the first connecting cam 111 and the second connecting cam 112 can switch between an engaged state and an abutment state. The first elastic member 116 and the second elastic member 117 can apply an elastic force to the second connecting member 10232 to press the second connecting cam 112 against the first gear 1061 and the second gear 1071, so that when the cam structures arranged opposite to each other are in an engaged or abutting state, even if the external force is removed, the second connecting cam 112 can still be held in the corresponding rotational position due to the elastic force of the elastic member and the frictional force between the second connecting cam 112 and the cam structures of the first gear 1061 and the second gear 1071, thereby allowing the first rotating arm 106 and the second rotating arm 107 to be kept in the corresponding rotational positions.
[0079] Please continue to refer to FIG. 14. In some embodiments of the present application, the cam structure may be disposed on an end surface of the driven gear 110 facing the first connecting cam 111 and the second connecting cam 112, and the cam structure may also be disposed on the corresponding positions of the first connecting cam 111 and the second connecting cam 112, so that the driven gear 110 can be connected to the first connecting cam 111 and the second connecting cam 112 using matched cam structures. In addition, an intermediate gear shaft 119 may be disposed on the axis of the matched cam structures of the driven gear 110, the first connecting cam 111, and the second connecting cam 112, and the intermediate gear shaft 119 may be disposed to pass through the driven gear 110, the first connecting cam 111, and the second connecting cam 112. In addition, the third elastic member 120 may be sleeved on the intermediate gear shaft 119. For a specific arrangement of the third elastic member 120, please refer to the first elastic member 116 and the second elastic member 117. In this manner, the third elastic member 120 applies an elastic force to press the second connecting cam 112 against the first gear 1061 and the second gear 1071. This contributes to an increase in the damping force in the process in which the first rotating arm 106 and the second rotating arm 107 of the synchronous damper assembly 1c rotate relative to each other, thereby improving the operational stability of the rotating shaft mechanism 1.
[0080] In addition to the arrangement methods provided in the above-mentioned embodiments, the length maintaining mechanism 1a of the rotating shaft mechanism 1 provided in the present application may alternatively be arranged in another possible manner. For example, see FIG. 16. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a length maintaining mechanism 1a according to another embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment, the length maintaining mechanism 1a includes a fastening member 101, a first swing arm 102, and a second swing arm 103. The first swing arm 102 and the second swing arm 103 are arranged on both sides of the fastening member 101 and can be rotatably connected to the fastening member 101. The first swing arm 102 includes a sliding block 1021, a swing rod 1022, and a connection assembly 1023, and the second swing arm 103 includes a sliding block 1031, a swing rod 1032, and a connection assembly 1023. It should be noted that sliding block 1021 and sliding block 1031 are not shown in FIG. 16 and may be positioned with reference to sliding block 1021 and sliding block 1031 in the length maintenance mechanism 1a of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0081] Further, please refer to FIG. 17. FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the length maintaining mechanism 1a shown in FIG. 16. In this embodiment, the end of the swing rod 1022 facing the fastening member 101 can be rotatably connected to the fastening member 101. In a specific embodiment, the swing rod 1022 is provided with a first mounting hole 10222a. However, in this embodiment, unlike the above-mentioned embodiment, the first mounting hole 10222a of the swing rod 1022 is a special-shaped hole. Also, the fastening member 101 is provided with a first mounting groove 1018. In the longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft mechanism 1, one slot 1018 is provided in each of two groove walls arranged opposite to each other in the first mounting groove 1018, and the swing rod 1022 and the fastening member 101 are rotatably connected using a first rotating shaft 1011 that passes through the first mounting hole 10222a and the slot 10181.
[0082] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the first rotating shaft 1011 is the same as the shape of the first mounting hole 10222a. In this case, since the cross-section of the first rotating shaft 1011 is a non-circular cross-section, the first rotating shaft 1011 can rotate synchronously with the swing rod 1022. In addition, the slot 10181 provided in the groove wall of the first mounting groove 1018 may also be a non-circular hole. The first rotating shaft 1011 can rotate within the slot 10181, and the rotational position of the first rotating shaft 1011 can be adjusted by adjusting the cross-sectional shape of the first rotating shaft 1011 and the shape of the slot 10181.
[0083] Please continue to refer to Fig. 17. The swing rod 1022 may be provided with two rotating parts 10222, which are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft mechanism 1 and form a first mounting space 10223 between the two rotating parts 10222. The swing rod 1022 is rotatably connected to the fastening member 101 using the two rotating parts 10222. This may help to improve the stability of the rotation of the swing rod 1022 around the fastening member 101.
[0084] At least a part of the first connection member 10231 of the connection assembly 1023 can be accommodated in the first mounting space 10223 between the two rotating portions 10222 of the swing rod 1022. In this way, it is possible to make the structure of the rotating shaft mechanism 1 compact. Unlike the previous embodiment, in this embodiment, the connection assembly 1023 has an integral structure.
[0085] 18 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a connection assembly 1023 according to an embodiment of the present application. The connection assembly 1023 is provided with a first mounting hole 10231A, which may be a round hole, and the first mounting hole 10231A may be rotatably connected to the fastening member 101 using the second rotating shaft 1012 shown in FIG.
[0086] Further, the connection assembly 1023 is further provided with a second mounting hole 10231B, which is an elongated hole. Please refer to both Fig. 17 and Fig. 18. The connection assembly 1023 is provided with two mounting holes 10231B. In the length direction of the rotating shaft mechanism 1, the two second connection holes 10231B are located on both sides of the first mounting hole 10231A. Please refer to Fig. 17. The first rotating shaft 1011 is provided with a second mounting hole 10222b, which is connected to the second mounting hole 10231B of the connection assembly 1023 by using a third rotating shaft (not shown in Fig. 17). The third rotating shaft may be, but is not limited to, a pin, and the third rotating shaft may pass through the second mounting hole 10222b and the second mounting hole 10231B of the connection assembly 1023. In this manner, in the process of the swing rod 1022 rotating around the first rotating shaft 1011 of the fastening member 101, the third rotating shaft can slide along the second mounting hole 10231B of the connection assembly 1023, thereby driving the connection assembly 1023 to rotate around the second rotating shaft 1012. It will be understood that in the present application, the rotation trajectory of the connection assembly 1023 can be adjusted by adjusting the longitudinal direction of the second mounting hole 10231B.
[0087] Further, please refer to FIG. 18. The connection assembly 1023 may further include a third mounting hole 10231C, and the number of the third mounting holes 10231C may be one or more. When the rotating shaft mechanism 1 provided in this embodiment is used in an electronic device, the third mounting hole 10231C of the connection assembly 1023 may be configured to be rotatably connected to an end portion of the first support plate 1052 shown in FIG. 9, which is an end portion facing the fastening member 101. In this manner, in the process in which the connection assembly 1023 rotates around the second rotating shaft 1012, the first support plate 1052 is driven to move in a direction approaching the main shaft fastening plate 1051.
[0088] In addition, the end of the first support plate 1052 that is away from the main shaft fastening plate 1051 is rotatably connected to the sliding block 1021, and the sliding block 1021 is fixedly connected to the first housing 2. Therefore, as the first support plate 1052 moves in a direction approaching the main shaft fastening plate 1051, the sliding block 1021 can be driven to slide against the oscillating rod 1022, thereby adjusting the sliding distance and thereby adjusting the distance between the first housing 2 and the fastening member 101.
[0089] It is understood that in this embodiment of the present application, the specific arrangement method of the second oscillating arm 103 should refer to the first oscillating arm 102. Details will not be described again here. In addition, other structures of the rotating shaft mechanism 1 provided in this embodiment can be arranged with reference to the above-mentioned embodiments. For example, the rotating shaft mechanism 1 of this embodiment may also include a main shaft assembly 1b, and the length maintaining mechanism 1a may be accommodated in the main shaft assembly 1b. In addition, the rotating shaft mechanism 1 may further be provided with a damper mechanism. Details will not be described again here.
[0090] By using the rotating shaft mechanism 1 provided in this embodiment of the present application, the first swing arm 102 and the second swing arm 103 are rotatably connected to the fastening member 101 by using a physical shaft, so that the rotation stability of the rotating shaft mechanism 102 can be improved. In addition, when the rotating shaft mechanism 1 provided in the present application is used in an electronic device and the electronic device is in an open state, the rotating shaft mechanism 1 can be hidden between the first housing 2 and the second housing 3, so that the electronic device has an appearance effect of an integrated design. In addition, the cover plate 105 of the rotating shaft mechanism 1, the first housing 2, and the second housing 3 can jointly form a flat support surface to support the flexible display 4 relatively completely, avoid the collapse of the flexible display 4, and reduce the deformation of the flexible display 4. During the process of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 of the electronic device rotating relative to each other, the display accommodating space formed between the first support plate 1052 and the second support plate 1053 can be adjusted through the relative sliding between the sliding block and the corresponding swinging rod of the length maintaining mechanism 1a, so that the display accommodating space meets the folding requirements of the flexible display, preventing the flexible display 4 fixed to the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 from being compressed or pulled, lengthening the service life of the flexible display 4, and improving the reliability of the electronic device.
[0091] It is obvious that a person skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the present application without departing from the scope of protection of the present application. The present application intends to cover these modifications and variations of the present application as long as they are within the scope defined by the claims of the present application and their equivalent technologies.
Claims
1. A rotating shaft mechanism including a length maintenance mechanism and a main shaft assembly, The length maintaining mechanism includes a fastening member and two swing arms, the two swing arms being disposed on either side of the fastening member and rotatably connected to the fastening member; Each swing arm includes a sliding block, a swing rod, and a connection assembly, the sliding block having a sliding slot; the swing rod is received in the slide slot and is slidable within the slide slot toward or away from the fastener, and an end of the swing rod that is away from the slide block is rotatably connected to the fastener; the connection assembly is located on a side of the swing rod facing the fastening member, the connection assembly is rotatably connected to the fastening member, and the swing rod can rotate relative to the fastening member to rotate the connection assembly relative to the fastening member; A rotating shaft mechanism, wherein the main shaft assembly includes a cover plate, which includes two support plates, each support plate covering a corresponding side of the swing arm, an end of each support plate facing the fastening member being rotatably connected to the connection assembly, and an end of each support plate away from the fastening member being rotatably connected to the sliding block, and each connection assembly can rotate relative to the fastening member to rotate the support plate relative to the sliding block and move each support plate in a direction toward or away from the fastening member.
2. 2. The rotating shaft mechanism of claim 1, wherein the swing rod is provided with a protrusion, the slide slot is provided with a slide rail, the protrusion is accommodated within the slide rail, and the protrusion is slidable within the slide rail in a direction toward or away from the fastening member.
3. 2. The rotating shaft mechanism of claim 1, wherein an end of each swing rod that is away from the sliding block is provided with a rotating part, and the fastening member is provided with a first rotating shaft, and the rotating part is rotatably connected to the fastening member by means of the first rotating shaft.
4. 4. The rotating shaft mechanism of claim 3, wherein each swing rod includes two rotating portions spaced apart along the length of the rotating shaft mechanism, and wherein two connection portions define a first mounting space, and at least a portion of the connection assembly is received within the first mounting space.
5. Each connection assembly includes a first connection member and a second connection member, the second connection member being located between the first connection member and the swing rod, the fastening member further includes a second rotating shaft, and the first connection member is rotatably connected to the second rotating shaft; 4. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the first connecting member is provided with a first elongated hole and a second elongated hole, the second rotating shaft is located between the first elongated hole and the second elongated hole, the first elongated hole is located at an end of the first connecting member facing the fastening member with respect to the second elongated hole, the rotating part is connected to the first connecting member by means of a third rotating shaft passing through the first elongated hole, and when the rotating part rotates around the first rotating shaft, the third rotating shaft slides along the first elongated hole and can rotate the first connecting member around the second rotating shaft.
6. the fastening member is further provided with a fourth rotating shaft, the second connecting member is rotatably connected to the fourth rotating shaft, the second connecting member is connected to the first connecting member by a fifth rotating shaft passing through the second long hole, and when the first connecting member rotates around the second rotating shaft, the fifth rotating shaft slides along the second long hole to rotate the second connecting member around the fourth rotating shaft; 6. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the second connecting member is rotatably connected to an end portion of the support plate facing the fastening member by means of a sixth rotating shaft, and when the second connecting member rotates around the fourth rotating shaft, the support plate is driven to rotate relative to the sliding block and the support plate is driven to move in a direction toward or away from the fastening member.
7. 6. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 5, wherein an end portion of the first connecting member remote from the fastening member is provided with a connecting portion, the connecting portion being rotatably connected to the second rotating shaft.
8. 8. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 7, wherein the first connecting member includes two connecting portions spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft mechanism, the two connecting portions defining a second mounting space, and at least a portion of the second connecting member being accommodated within the second mounting space.
9. The fastener further includes a second rotating shaft, the connection assembly being rotatably connected to the second rotating shaft; 4. The rotating shaft mechanism of claim 3, wherein the connection assembly is provided with a slot, and the rotating part is connected to the connection assembly using a third rotating shaft, the third rotating shaft passing through the first rotating shaft and the slot, and when the rotating part rotates, the third rotating shaft slides along the slot and can rotate the connection assembly around the second rotating shaft.
10. the connection assembly includes two long holes, and the second rotating shaft is located between the two second long holes in the longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft mechanism; 10. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 9, wherein there are two rotating parts, and in the longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft mechanism, the two rotating parts are respectively connected in a one-to-one correspondence with the two long holes by means of the third rotating shaft.
11. 10. The rotating shaft mechanism of claim 9, wherein the connection assembly is rotatably connected to an end portion of the support plate facing the fastening member, and when the connection assembly rotates about the second rotating shaft, the support plate is driven to rotate relative to the sliding block and the support plate is driven to move toward or away from the fastening member.
12. 10. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 9, wherein the rotating portion rotates synchronously with the first rotating shaft, and the cross section of the first rotating shaft is a contoured cross section.
13. 2. The rotating shaft mechanism of claim 1, wherein the main shaft assembly further includes a housing, the housing being provided with a receiving groove, and the length maintaining mechanism being received within the receiving groove.
14. 14. The rotating shaft mechanism of claim 13, wherein the cover plate further includes a main shaft fastening plate, the main shaft fastening plate is fastened to the fastening member, the two support plates are respectively disposed on both sides of the main shaft fastening plate, and the fastening member is located between the housing and the main shaft fastening plate.
15. 15. An electronic device comprising a flexible display, two housings and a rotating shaft mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 14, The two housings are disposed on both sides of the rotating shaft mechanism, respectively, and the sliding block of the swing arm of the length maintaining mechanism is fixedly connected to the housing on the corresponding side; the flexible display continuously covers the two housings and the rotating shaft mechanism, and the flexible display is fixedly connected to the two housings; electronic equipment.
16. 16. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein an open groove is provided in an end portion of each housing facing the fastening member, and the sliding block is located on a corresponding side in the open groove and is fixedly connected to a groove wall of the open groove.
17. 17. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein when the electronic device is in an open state, the rotating shaft mechanism is hidden within a housing portion formed by aligning and combining the two open grooves of the two housings.
Citation Information
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