Rotating shaft mechanism and electronic device

Abstract

A rotating shaft mechanism (100) and an electronic device are provided, which relate to the technical field of electronic devices with foldable displays. In order to improve the use performance of the electronic device, the length of the rotating shaft mechanism (100) can be changed when the flexible display (400) is folded. The rotating shaft mechanism (100) includes a body (14), a first door plate (12), a second door plate (13), a middle door plate (11), a first connecting rod assembly (15), and a second connecting rod assembly (16). The first connecting rod assembly (15) includes a first housing connecting rod (151), a first gear connecting rod (152), and a first secondary connecting rod (153). The rotating shaft mechanism (100) further includes a first meshing transmission structure (17). The first housing connecting rod (151), the first gear connecting rod (152), the first secondary connecting rod (153), the first door plate (12), and the body (14) form a crank slider structure to drive the first door plate (12) to rotate relative to the body (14). The first gear connecting rod (152) drives the intermediate door plate (11) to move relative to the body (14) using the first meshing transmission structure (17).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the priority of Chinese Patent Application No. 202111249416.3, titled "Rotating Shaft Mechanism and Electronic Device", filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on October 26, 2021, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This application relates to the field of electronic device technologies, and in particular, to a rotating shaft mechanism and an electronic device having the rotating shaft mechanism.

Background Art

[0003] Currently, foldable displays are widely used in portable terminals, such as foldable mobile phones or foldable tablets. In such portable terminals, the foldable display is mainly implemented by combining a flexible display and a rotating shaft mechanism. In the process of using the portable terminal, since the flexible display is repeatedly folded, the flexible display may be damaged.

[0004] In order to extend the life of the flexible display and improve the reliability of the foldable electronic device, the folding portion of the flexible display needs to perform specific curvature deformation. In addition, the curvature uniformity of all parts of the folding portion of the flexible display also has an important impact on extending the life of the flexible display. The key to implementing the curvature deformation and curvature uniformity of all parts of the folding portion of the flexible display lies in the rotating shaft mechanism of the electronic device. Therefore, how to design the rotating shaft mechanism to improve the reliability of the flexible display is an urgent problem to be solved currently.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a rotating shaft mechanism and an electronic device having the rotating shaft mechanism. The main objective is to provide a rotating shaft mechanism whose length can change when the electronic device is folded and unfolded.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] To achieve the above object, in the embodiments of this application, the following technical solutions are used.

[0007] According to a first aspect, this application provides a rotating shaft mechanism. The rotating shaft mechanism may be used in a foldable electronic device having a flexible display, and may be used in devices such as, for example, a foldable mobile phone or a foldable tablet computer.

[0008] The rotating shaft mechanism includes a main body, a first door plate, a second door plate, an intermediate door plate, a first connecting rod assembly, and a second connecting rod assembly. The first door plate, the second door plate, and the intermediate door plate are arranged on the same side of the main body, and the first door plate and the second door plate are arranged opposite to each other on both sides of the intermediate door plate. The first connecting rod assembly and the second connecting rod assembly are arranged opposite to each other on both sides of the main body. The rotating shaft mechanism further includes a first meshing transmission structure and a second meshing transmission structure.

[0009] The first connecting rod assembly includes a first housing connecting rod, a first gear connecting rod, and a first secondary connecting rod. One end of the first gear connecting rod close to the main body is rotatably connected to the main body, one end of the first gear connecting rod away from the main body is slidably connected to the first housing connecting rod, and one end of the first gear connecting rod close to the intermediate door plate is further meshed and connected to the intermediate door plate through a first meshing transmission structure. One end of the first door plate is rotatably connected to the first housing connecting rod, the other end of the first door plate is rotatably connected to one end of the first secondary connecting rod, the other end of the first secondary connecting rod is rotatably connected to the main body, and the first secondary connecting rod is slidably connected to the intermediate door plate. The second connecting rod assembly includes a second housing connecting rod, a second gear connecting rod, and a second secondary connecting rod. One end of the second gear connecting rod close to the main body is rotatably connected to the main body, one end of the second gear connecting rod away from the main body is slidably connected to the second housing connecting rod, and one end of the second gear connecting rod close to the intermediate door plate is further meshed and connected to the intermediate door plate through a second meshing transmission structure. One end of the second door plate is rotatably connected to the second housing connecting rod, the other end of the second door plate is rotatably connected to one end of the second secondary connecting rod, the other end of the second secondary connecting rod is rotatably connected to the main body, and the second secondary connecting rod is slidably connected to the intermediate door plate.

[0010] When the first gear connecting rod and the second gear connecting rod rotate towards each other, the first gear connecting rod and the intermediate door plate which are meshed and connected, and the second gear connecting rod and the intermediate door plate which are meshed and connected drive the intermediate door plate to move in the direction approaching the main body, the first housing connecting rod drives one end of the first door plate close to the main body to move in the direction away from the main body, and the second housing connecting rod drives one end of the second door plate close to the main body to move in the direction away from the main body.

[0011] When the first gear connecting rod and the second gear connecting rod rotate away from each other, the first gear connecting rod and the intermediate door plate that are meshed and connected, and the second gear connecting rod and the intermediate door plate that are meshed and connected drive the intermediate door plate to move away from the main body, and the first housing connecting rod drives one end of the first door plate close to the main body to move in the direction approaching the main body, and the second housing connecting rod drives one end of the second door plate close to the main body to move in the direction approaching the main body.

[0012] In the rotating shaft mechanism provided in the present application, the first door plate and the second door plate arranged on both sides of the intermediate door plate can rotate in opposite directions with respect to the main body under the drive of the corresponding first housing connecting rod and second housing connecting rod. In this way, the flexible display is arranged on the side of the first door plate, the intermediate door plate, and the second door plate away from the main body, and when the first door plate and the second door plate rotate towards each other with respect to the main body, the electronic device can be folded. On the other hand, when the first door plate and the second door plate rotate away from each other with respect to the main body, the electronic device can be unfolded.

[0013] In addition, in the rotating shaft mechanism provided in the present application, the intermediate door plate arranged between the first door plate and the second door plate can move relative to the main body. When the first door plate and the second door plate rotate towards each other, that is, when the electronic device switches from the flat state to the closed state, the intermediate door plate approaches the main body. In this way, the length size of the rotating shaft mechanism can be increased, and the first door plate, the intermediate door plate, and the second door plate form a receiving cavity that is close to a triangular structure by surrounding. The portion of the folded flexible display close to the rotating shaft mechanism is arranged in the formed receiving cavity and is not compressed. Therefore, the phenomenon that the flexible display is damaged due to multiple foldings and compressions can be avoided. When the first door plate and the second door plate rotate away from each other, that is, when the electronic device rotates from the closed state to the flat state, the intermediate door plate moves away from the main body. In this way, in order to support the flattened flexible display, the previously increased length of the rotating shaft mechanism can be shortened until the first door plate, the intermediate door plate, and the second door plate are in the same plane after moving.

[0014] In addition, the movement of the intermediate door plate here is implemented by the meshing transmission between the first gear connecting rod and the intermediate door plate, and the meshing transmission between the second gear connecting rod and the intermediate door plate. In this design, compared with frictional transmission, meshing transmission can accurately control the lowering and rising of the intermediate door plate, and further accurately control the length size of the rotating shaft mechanism, and form an appropriate receiving space by surrounding for the folded flexible display.

[0015] Furthermore, in the rotating shaft mechanism of the present application, a first secondary connecting rod and a second secondary connecting rod are introduced. The intermediate door plate slidably cooperates with the first secondary connecting rod, and the intermediate door plate slidably cooperates with the second secondary connecting rod, whereby the rotational positions of the first door plate and the second door plate can be accurately controlled. In addition, a first gear connecting rod that drives and rotates the first housing connecting rod meshes with and is connected to the intermediate door plate, and a second gear connecting rod that drives and rotates the second housing connecting rod also meshes with and is connected to the intermediate door plate, whereby the first housing connecting rod, the first meshing connecting rod, the first secondary connecting rod, the second housing connecting rod, the second meshing connecting rod, the second secondary connecting rod, the first door plate, the second door plate, and the intermediate door plate form a unified and adjusted mechanical linkage mechanism, and the length change of the rotating shaft mechanism and the moving positions of the first door plate, the second door plate, and the intermediate door plate are accurately controlled.

[0016] In a possible embodiment of the first aspect, the first meshing transmission structure includes a first gear formed at one end of the first gear connecting rod close to the intermediate door plate and a first rack formed on the intermediate door plate that meshes with the first gear on the outside, and / or the second meshing transmission structure includes a second gear formed at one end of the second gear connecting rod close to the intermediate door plate and a second rack formed on the intermediate door plate that meshes with the second gear on the outside. The rotation axis of the first gear is parallel to the rotation axis of the first gear connecting rod, the rotation axis of the second gear is parallel to the rotation axis of the second gear connecting rod, and the extending directions of both the first rack and the second rack are perpendicular to the length direction of the intermediate door plate.

[0017] In other words, the gear and the rack cooperate in transmission so that the intermediate door plate moves up and down relative to the body. The meshing transmission structure has a simple structure, occupies a small space, and the transmission is stable.

[0018] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the rotating shaft mechanism further includes a first screen pressing structure. When the first gear connecting rod and the second gear connecting rod rotate away from each other to drive the first door plate and the second door plate to rotate away from each other, the first screen pressing structure can apply a pressing force to the first housing connecting rod in a direction away from the first gear connecting rod.

[0019] The first screen pressing structure can apply a pressing force to the first housing connecting rod so as to be away from the first gear connecting rod. Since the housing with the flexible display is relatively fixed to the first housing connecting rod, the first screen pressing structure can further apply a pressing force to the first housing. In this way, for example, when the first door plate, the middle door plate, and the second door plate are in the same plane, the flexible display can be stretched to remove the wrinkle phenomenon of the flexible display, improve the flatness of the flexible display, and improve the user experience.

[0020] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the rotating shaft mechanism further includes a second screen pressing structure, and the second screen pressing structure is disposed between the second housing connecting rod and the second gear connecting rod. When the first gear connecting rod and the second gear connecting rod rotate away from each other to drive the first door plate and the second door plate to rotate away from each other until the first door plate, the middle door plate, and the second door plate are in the same plane, the second screen pressing structure can apply a pressing force to the second housing in a direction away from the second gear connecting rod.

[0021] Similar to the first screen pressing structure, the second screen pressing structure can stretch the flexible display, remove the wrinkle phenomenon, and improve the user experience.

[0022] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the first screen pressing structure includes a mounting hole provided in the first gear connecting rod and a support rod formed on the first housing connecting rod, the support rod being able to extend into the mounting hole. The first screen pressing structure further includes an elastic component. One end of the elastic component is sleeved on the support rod. When the first door plate, the second door plate, and the intermediate door plate are in the same plane, the support rod extends into the mounting hole, and the other end of the elastic component abuts against the mounting hole in order to apply an elastic force to the first housing connecting rod in a direction away from the first gear connecting rod.

[0023] In other words, when the first door plate and the second door plate are flattened, the distance between the first housing connecting rod and the first gear connecting rod becomes shorter. The elastic component is compressed and enters an energy storage state. The elastic component can generate an elastic force for pressing the first housing connecting rod outward. Since the first housing is fixedly connected to the first housing connecting rod and the flexible display is attached to the first housing, the function of stretching the flexible display and removing the folds can be implemented.

[0024] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, a fitting groove is provided in the first housing connecting rod. The first gear connecting rod is slidably disposed in the fitting groove. The support rod is disposed in the fitting groove. The extending direction of the support rod is consistent with the direction in which the first gear connecting rod slides with respect to the first housing connecting rod. The mounting hole is provided on the surface of the first gear connecting rod facing the support rod.

[0025] In this way, the relative sliding structure between the first housing connecting rod and the first gear connecting rod and the first screen pressing structure between the first housing connecting rod and the first gear connecting rod are intensively arranged, whereby the structure of the rotating shaft structure becomes more compact.

[0026] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the rotary shaft mechanism further includes a guiding structure configured to guide the intermediate door plate to move relative to the main body along a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the intermediate door plate.

[0027] The guiding structure is introduced to guide the intermediate door plate to move linearly up and down relative to the main body.

[0028] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the guiding structure includes a guiding hole provided in the main body and a guiding block slidably disposed in the guiding hole. The guiding hole extends along a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the intermediate door plate, and the guiding block is fixed to the intermediate door plate.

[0029] In the above technical solution, the guiding block is relatively fixed to the intermediate door plate, the guiding hole is provided in the main body, and the guiding block slides in the guiding hole to guide the intermediate door plate to move linearly. In another implementation, it can be understood that the guiding block is disposed on the main body and the guiding hole is provided in the intermediate door plate. In short, the guiding block slidably cooperates with the guiding hole to guide the intermediate door plate to move linearly.

[0030] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, there are a plurality of guiding structures. Some of the plurality of guiding structures are arranged along the length direction of the intermediate door plate, and the remaining guiding structures of the plurality of guiding structures are arranged along the width direction of the intermediate door plate.

[0031] The guiding structures are arranged in a plurality of directions, thereby further promoting the intermediate door plate to move linearly relative to the main body stably and evenly.

[0032] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the rotating shaft mechanism further includes a first braking structure, the first braking structure is disposed between the first housing connecting rod and the main body, one end of the first braking structure close to the first housing connecting rod is slidably connected to the first housing connecting rod, one end of the first braking structure close to the main body is rotatably connected to the main body, the first housing connecting rod drives the first door plate to rotate relative to the main body, and the first braking structure is configured to apply resistance to the first housing connecting rod.

[0033] In this way, when the first housing rotates, the first braking structure applies resistance to the first housing connecting rod, thereby enabling the first housing connecting rod to stay when rotating relative to the main body. In addition, since the first housing with the flexible display mounted thereon is fixedly connected to the first housing connecting rod, the staying requirement in the folding process of the flexible display can be met, and the user experience is improved.

[0034] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the first braking structure includes a first cam connecting rod, a first cam, a first braking pin shaft, and a first braking elastic component. The first braking pin shaft is fixed to the body, and the extending direction of the first braking pin shaft coincides with the direction of the rotation axis of the first gear connecting rod with respect to the body. The first cam is slidably disposed on the first braking pin shaft. One end of the first cam connecting rod close to the body is rotatably attached to the first braking pin shaft, and one end of the first cam connecting rod away from the body is slidably connected to the first housing connecting rod. One end of the first cam connecting rod close to the body has a first braking surface and a second braking surface facing the first cam, and the first cam has a third braking surface and a fourth braking surface. The first braking elastic component is sleeved on the first braking pin shaft. When the first housing connecting rod drives the first cam connecting rod to rotate until the first braking surface abuts against the third braking surface, the first braking elastic component is in an energy storage state to generate a force on the first cam connecting rod for flattening the first door plate. When the first housing connecting rod drives the first cam connecting rod to rotate until the second braking surface abuts against the fourth braking surface, the first braking elastic component is in an energy storage state to generate a force on the first cam connecting rod for closing the first door plate.

[0035] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the first cam connecting rod includes a cam portion, a first connecting rod portion, and a second connecting rod portion. The cam portion is rotatably attached to the first braking pin shaft. The first connecting rod portion and the second connecting rod portion are arranged in parallel. One end of the first connecting rod portion and one end of the second connecting rod portion are both connected to the cam portion. The other end of the first connecting rod portion and the other end of the second connecting rod portion are both slidably connected to the first housing connecting rod.

[0036] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the rotating shaft mechanism further includes a second braking structure, and the second braking structure includes a second cam connecting rod, a second cam, a second braking pin shaft, and a second braking elastic component. The second braking pin shaft is fixed to the main body, and the extending direction of the second braking pin shaft is the same as the extending direction of the first braking pin shaft. The second cam is slidably disposed on the second braking pin shaft. The first cam is connected to the second cam, whereby the first cam and the second cam move synchronously. One end of the second cam connecting rod close to the second cam is rotatably attached to the second braking pin shaft, and the other end is slidably connected to the second housing connecting rod.

[0037] The second cam of the second braking structure is connected to the first cam of the first braking structure, whereby when the first housing and the second housing rotate, both the first housing and the second housing receive braking force, and the flexible display becomes symmetric at the stationary position.

[0038] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, when the first gear connecting rod and the second gear connecting rod rotate away from each other to drive the first door plate and the second door plate to rotate to the first position away from each other, the first door plate, the intermediate door plate, and the second door plate are in the same plane so as to form a support surface.

[0039] In other words, driven by the first gear connecting rod and the second gear connecting rod, the first door plate, the intermediate door plate, and the second door plate can be in the same plane to support the flattened flexible display, and the user can perform operations on the flattened flexible display.

[0040] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the first gear connecting rod and the second gear connecting rod drive the first door plate and the second door plate to rotate towards each other to the second position. When rotating towards each other, the first door plate, the intermediate door plate, and the second door plate form a display accommodation space by enclosure. The first position here can be understood as the position where the first door plate and the second door plate are arranged when the electronic device is in the closed state. In this case, the first door plate and the second door plate can form a preset clamping angle, and the intermediate door plate descends to a preset position. An open space similar to a triangle can be formed between the first door plate, the intermediate door plate, and the second door plate, and the bending part of the flexible display is accommodated in this space.

[0041] In this way, when the first gear connecting rod and the second gear connecting rod rotate towards each other until the electronic device is in the closed state, it can be proposed that the length size of the rotating shaft mechanism is increased to increase the radius of curvature of the flexible display and prevent the flexible display from being compressed.

[0042] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the first secondary connecting rod has a first surface and a second surface facing in opposite directions. The first rotating shaft is arranged at a position on the first surface close to the first door plate, and a first rotating hole is provided at a position on the surface of the first door plate facing the main body and close to the first secondary connecting rod. The first rotating shaft rotates with respect to the first rotating hole, whereby the first door plate and the first secondary connecting rod are rotatably connected. The second rotating shaft is arranged at a position on the first surface close to the main body, and a second rotating hole is provided at a position on the main body close to the first secondary connecting rod. The second rotating shaft rotates with respect to the second rotating hole, whereby the main body and the first secondary connecting rod are rotatably connected.

[0043] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, an orbital groove is provided on the second surface, and a sliding pin is provided at a position of the intermediate door plate close to the first secondary connecting rod. The sliding pin slides with respect to the orbital groove, whereby the intermediate door plate is slidably connected to the first secondary connecting rod.

[0044] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the surface of the first door plate facing the main body has a first door plate arc-shaped bump extending toward the first housing connecting rod, and a first arc-shaped clamp groove for assembling the first door plate arc-shaped bump is provided on the first housing connecting rod. The first door plate arc-shaped bump slides with respect to the first arc-shaped clamp groove, whereby the first door plate is rotatably connected to the first housing connecting rod.

[0045] According to the second aspect, the present application further provides an electronic device. The electronic device includes a first housing, a second housing, a flexible display, and a rotating shaft mechanism in any implementation of the first aspect. The first housing is fixedly connected to the first housing connecting rod, and the second housing is fixedly connected to the second housing connecting rod. The first housing includes a first surface, the second housing includes a second surface, the flexible display continuously covers the first surface of the first housing, the rotating shaft mechanism, and the second surface of the second housing, and the flexible display is fixedly connected to each of the first surface of the first housing and the second surface of the second housing.

[0046] In the electronic device provided in the present application, since the rotary shaft mechanism of the first aspect is included, when the first housing and the second housing move toward each other, not only do the first door plate and the second door plate in the rotary shaft mechanism cause a rotational movement, but also the intermediate door plate disposed between the first door plate and the second door plate moves toward the main body. This avoids a sufficient accommodation space for the folded flexible display and prevents the flexible display from being compressed and deformed. On the other hand, when the first housing and the second housing move away from each other and are driven so that the flexible display is flattened, in order to support the flattened flexible display, the intermediate door plate moves away from the main body until the first door plate, the intermediate door plate, and the second door plate are in the same plane.

[0047] In addition, the intermediate door plate is driven to move relative to the main body by meshing transmission, whereby the accuracy of the movement of the intermediate door plate can be improved.

[0048] In a possible embodiment of the second aspect, the flexible display includes a first region, a second region, a third region, a fourth region, and a fifth region arranged continuously. The first region is fixedly connected to the first surface of the first housing. The second region is fixedly connected to the surface of the first door plate facing the flexible display. The third region is disposed with respect to the intermediate door plate, and the third region can move with respect to the intermediate door plate. The fourth region is fixedly connected to the surface of the second door plate facing the flexible display. The fifth region is fixedly connected to the second surface of the second housing.

[0049] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the rotating shaft mechanism includes a decorative cover. When the electronic device is flattened, the decorative cover is hidden by the first housing and the second housing. When the electronic device is folded, the decorative cover is exposed outside the first housing and the second housing so as to fill the gap between the first housing and the second housing.

[0050] In other words, regardless of whether the electronic device is in a folded state or a flat state, when viewed from the appearance of the electronic device, both the first housing and the second housing are seamlessly closed. This further improves the beauty of the appearance of the display device.

[0051] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the electronic device includes a portable terminal, and may be, for example, a foldable mobile phone, a foldable tablet, or a foldable e-book.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0053] The following describes embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0054] One embodiment of the present application provides a foldable electronic device. The foldable electronic device has a flexible display and may include various electronic devices that can change the unfolded or folded form of the flexible display and the foldable electronic device. Under different usage requirements, the foldable electronic device can be unfolded into a flat state, folded into a closed state, or in an intermediate state between the flat state and the closed state. In other words, the foldable electronic device has at least two states, namely a flat state and a closed state. In some cases, the foldable electronic device may further have a third state, namely an intermediate state between the flat state and the closed state. It can be understood that the intermediate state is not the only state and can be any one or more states between the flat state and the closed state of the electronic device.

[0055] For example, the foldable electronic device may be, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, an e - book reader, a camera, a wearable device, or a household electronic device. For the sake of easy understanding, in the embodiments of the present application, for example, the foldable electronic device is a mobile phone.

[0056] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a foldable electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application, and FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the foldable electronic device with the flexible display 400 removed according to an embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the foldable electronic device may include a rotary shaft mechanism 100, a first housing 200, a second housing 300, and a flexible display 400.

[0057] The first housing 200 and the second housing 300 are disposed on both sides of the rotary shaft mechanism 100 and are separately connected to the rotary shaft mechanism 100. The rotary shaft mechanism 100 can move such that the first housing 200 and the second housing 300 are folded or unfolded relative to each other.

[0058] The first housing 200 and / or the second housing 300 may separately form mounting spaces for attaching electronic components such as a circuit board, a battery, a receiver, a speaker, and a camera of the electronic device. The circuit board may incorporate electronic components such as a main controller, a memory unit, an antenna module, and a power management module of the electronic device. The battery may supply power to electronic components such as the flexible display 400, the circuit board, the receiver, the speaker, and the camera. The first housing 200 and the second housing 300 may be equal in terms of thickness or may not be equal in terms of thickness. This is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0059] In a possible design, the mounting space may be provided in each of the first housing 200 and the second housing 300 to distribute the electronic components of the electronic device to both housings. In another possible design, the mounting space may be provided only in the first housing 200 to centrally distribute the electronic components of the electronic device to the first housing 200, or the mounting space may be provided in each of the first housing 200 and the second housing 300, but most of the electronic components of the electronic device are arranged in the first housing 200 and a part of the electronic components are arranged in the second housing 300, whereby the second housing 300 is lighter and folding and unfolding may be more easily performed.

[0060] Please refer to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the back structure of a foldable electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment of the present application, the first housing 200 has a first surface 201 and a third surface 202 disposed away from the first surface 201, and the second housing 300 has a second surface 301 and a fourth surface 302 disposed away from the second surface 301. The first surface 201 of the first housing 200 and the second surface 301 of the second housing 300 may be used together to support the flexible display 400, and the third surface 202 of the first housing 200 and the fourth surface 302 of the second housing 300 may be used as the external appearance surfaces of the electronic device. In addition, in some application scenarios, it can be understood that the display may be further disposed on the third surface 202 of the first housing 200 and the fourth surface 302 of the second housing 300. The display may be a flexible display or a non-flexible display. This is not specifically limited here.

[0061] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the electronic device in which the first housing 200 and the second housing 300 are deployed flat with respect to each other. In this embodiment of the present application, when the first housing 200 and the second housing 300 are in the flat state, referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the first surface 201 of the first housing 200 and the second surface 301 of the second housing 300 are in the same plane. In this case, the included angle between the first surface 201 and the second surface 301 can be approximately 180° (a specific angular tolerance is also allowed, and the included angle between the first surface 201 and the second surface 301 is, for example, 165°, 177°, or 185°).

[0062] Furthermore, please refer to FIGS. 1 and 4. The flexible display 400 continuously covers the first surface 201 of the first housing 200 of the foldable electronic device, the rotary shaft mechanism 100, and the second surface 301 of the second housing 300. The flexible display 400 can be divided into continuous regions A, B, C, D, and E. Regions B, C, and D include bending portions when the flexible display 400 is folded. Region A corresponds to the first surface 201 of the first housing 200 and can be fixedly connected to the first surface 201 of the first housing 200. Region E corresponds to the second surface 301 of the second housing 300 and can be fixedly connected to the second surface 301 of the second housing 300. Note that the boundaries of regions B, C, and D shown in the figure are merely examples, and the boundaries of regions B, C, and D can be adjusted based on the specific design of the rotary shaft mechanism 100.

[0063] FIG. 5a is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device in which the first housing 200 and the second housing 300 are rotating relative to each other to an intermediate state (deployed or folded), and FIG. 5b is a side view of the electronic device in which the first housing 200 and the second housing 300 are rotating relative to each other to an intermediate state (deployed or folded). The flexible display 400 is omitted in FIG. 5a to show the form of the two housings in the intermediate state. In this case, the electronic device can be in any state between the flat state and the closed state. For example, the included angle between the first surface 201 of the first housing 200 and the second surface 301 of the second housing 300 may be in the range of, for example, 130° to 150°.

[0064] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the structure of an electronic device in which the first housing 200 and the second housing 300 are folded in a closed state with respect to each other. Refer to FIGS. 1 and 6. When the first housing 200 and the second housing 300 are in the closed state, the first surface 201 of the first housing 200 and the second surface 301 of the second housing 300 face each other or are separated from each other (this is specifically related to the folding method). In this case, the first surface 201 of the first housing 200 and the second surface 301 of the second housing 300 may form a small included angle, or may be parallel to each other so that the two housings can be completely closed (a specific angular tolerance is also allowed).

[0065] The flexible display 400 can be configured to display information and provide a user interface for interaction. In an embodiment of the present application, the flexible display 400 may be an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, an active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) display, a mini organic light-emitting diode display, a micro organic light-emitting diode display, a micro organic light-emitting diode display, or a quantum dot light emitting diode (QLED) display, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0066] As described above, the electronic device can switch between a flat state and a closed state by the movement of the rotary shaft mechanism 100, and the flexible display 400 can be folded or unfolded together with the first housing 200 and the second housing 300. Usually, the folding methods of foldable electronic devices include an outer folding method and an inner folding method. The outer folding method means that in the process of the electronic device switching from the flat state to the closed state, the flexible display 400 is arranged on the outside of the electronic device when the electronic device is in the closed state. That is, the flexible display 400 is still visible to the user during the folding process and in the closed state, and the user can further perform some operations on the flexible display 400 in the closed state. As described above, the first surface 201 of the first housing 200 and the second surface 301 of the second housing 300 can be separated from each other. When the first housing 200 and the second housing 300 are in the closed state, the first surface 201 of the first housing 200 and the second surface 301 of the second housing 300 are separated from each other. FIG. 7a is a schematic diagram of the structure of the outer folding electronic device in the flat state, and FIG. 7b is a schematic diagram of the structure of the outer folding electronic device in the closed state. When the electronic device is in the closed state, the flexible display 400 is arranged on the outside of the electronic device. It can be understood that in the folding process of the outer folding electronic device (that is, the process from FIG. 7a to FIG. 7b) without adjustment, the rotation radius of the flexible display 400 is larger than the rotation radius of the rotary shaft mechanism 100. This results in excessive stretching of the flexible display 400. Therefore, in the design of the outer folding rotary shaft mechanism 100, it is necessary to consider how to avoid such stretching or minimize it as much as possible.

[0067] On the one hand, the inner folding method means that in the process of the electronic device switching from the flat state to the closed state, the flexible display 400 is arranged inside the electronic device when the electronic device is in the closed state. That is, the flexible display 400 gradually becomes invisible to the user in the folding process until the flexible display 400 is completely hidden between the two housings in the closed state. As described above, the first surface 201 of the first housing 200 and the second surface 301 of the second housing 300 can approach each other. When the first housing 200 and the second housing 300 are in the closed state, the first surface 2001 of the first housing 200 and the second surface 3001 of the second housing 300 face each other. FIG. 8a is a schematic diagram of the structure of the inner folding electronic device in the flat state, and FIG. 8b is a schematic diagram of the structure of the inner folding electronic device in the closed state. When the electronic device is in the closed state, the flexible display 400 is arranged inside the electronic device. In the folding process of the inner folding electronic device (that is, the process from FIG. 8a to FIG. 8b), it can be understood that the flexible display 400 is folded in half. However, the maximum degree of bending that the flexible display 400 can withstand is limited. Therefore, there is a corresponding critical curvature radius R (or critical curvature radius range). If the curvature radius of the bending position of the flexible display 400 is smaller than the critical curvature radius R, the flexible display 400 is very likely to be damaged and cannot be used. In addition, even if the curvature radius of the bending position is larger than the critical curvature radius, problems such as wrinkles, folds, and inner layer displacement of the flexible display occur when the curvature radius of the rotation shaft mechanism 100 of the electronic device is excessively small. Therefore, in the design of the rotation shaft mechanism 100 of the inner folding electronic device, it is necessary to maximize the curvature radius of the bending position of the flexible display 400, and as a result, reduce the compression of the flexible display 400.

[0068] It is easy to understand that increasing the separation distance between the two housings in the folded state can increase the radius of curvature, thereby preventing the flexible display 400 from being directly folded in half. A larger separation distance between the two housings indicates a larger radius of curvature at the bending position of the flexible display 400 and less compression of the flexible display 400. A smaller separation distance between the two housings indicates a smaller radius of curvature at the bending position of the flexible display 400, greater compression of the flexible display 400, and clearer folds. In addition, a larger gap between the two housings indicates a greater thickness of the electronic device in the folded state. This affects the portability of the electronic device. In addition, dust and foreign objects can enter the gap and damage and wear the flexible display. This affects the lifespan of the flexible display and also affects the lifespan of the rotating shaft mechanism.

[0069] Based on the aforementioned problems of the foldable electronic device that folds inward, one embodiment of the present application provides a foldable electronic device and a rotating shaft mechanism applicable to the electronic device to improve the portability of the electronic device and also provide a large accommodation space for the flexible display 400 in the folding process and the closed state. This increases the radius of curvature at the bending position of the flexible display 400 and reduces the risk of the flexible display 400 being compressed and damaged.

[0070] First, the main components and related mechanisms related to the rotating shaft mechanism 100 provided in the present application will be briefly described below. Further, the specific structures and implementation principles of each part will be described in detail below.

[0071] Figures 9a and 9b are simple schematic diagrams of the rotating shaft mechanism 100 in two different states according to the present application. Figure 9a is a state diagram of the flexible display 400 and the rotating shaft mechanism 100 when the electronic device is in a flat state, and Figure 9b is a state diagram of the flexible display 400 and the rotating shaft mechanism 100 when the electronic device is in a closed state.

[0072] Refer to Figures 9a and 9b. The rotating shaft mechanism 100 provided in the present application includes a first door plate 12, a second door plate 13, and an intermediate door plate 11. The first door plate 12 and the second door plate 13 are disposed on both sides of the intermediate door plate 11, that is, the intermediate door plate 11 is sandwiched between the first door plate 12 and the second door plate 13. The rotating shaft mechanism 100 further includes a main body 14, and the first door plate 12, the intermediate door plate 11, and the second door plate 13 are arranged on the same side of the main body 14. In this way, as shown in Figure 9a, it can be understood that the first door plate 12 has opposite surfaces A1 and B1, the second door plate 13 has opposite surfaces A2 and B2, and the intermediate door plate 11 has opposite surfaces A3 and B3. The surfaces A1, A2, and A3 are on the same side, and the surfaces B1, B2, and B3 are on the same side. When the main body 14 is disposed on the side of the surfaces B1, B2, and B3, the flexible display 400 is disposed on the side of the surfaces A1, A2, and A3.

[0073] In the rotating shaft mechanism 100 provided in the present application, the first door plate 12 can rotate with respect to the main body 14, the second door plate 13 can also rotate with respect to the main body 14, and the rotation direction of the first door plate 12 is opposite to the rotation direction of the second door plate 13. The first door plate 12 and the second door plate 13 that rotate in opposite directions to each other can include two states. In the first state, when the electronic device is folded, the first door plate 12 and the second door plate 13 rotate toward each other (or are said to be relative to each other). In the second state, when the electronic device is unfolded, the first door plate 12 and the second door plate 13 rotate away from each other.

[0074] In addition, in the rotating shaft mechanism 100 provided in the present application, in the rotation process of the first door plate 12 and the second door plate 13, the intermediate door plate 11 can move in a direction approaching the main body 14 or move in a direction away from the main body 14.

[0075] Please refer to FIGS. 4 and 9a. The flexible display 400 continuously covers the first housing 200, the rotating shaft mechanism 100, and the second housing 300 of the foldable electronic device. Region A corresponds to the first surface 2001 of the first housing 200 and can be fixedly connected to the first surface 201 of the first housing 200. Region E corresponds to the second surface 301 of the second housing 300 and can be fixedly connected to the second surface 3001 of the second housing 300. Region B is fixedly connected to the first door plate 12 of the rotating shaft mechanism, region D is fixedly connected to the second door plate 13 of the rotating shaft mechanism, region C corresponds to the intermediate door plate 11, and region C can move with respect to the intermediate door plate 11.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 9a, when the electronic device is in a flat state, the first door plate 12, the intermediate door plate 11, and the second door plate 13 are in the same plane and are configured to support the flattened flexible display 400. When the electronic device switches from the flat state to the closed state, as shown in FIGS. 9a and 9b, the first door plate 12 rotates with respect to the main body 14 along the rotation direction P1, and the second door plate 13 rotates with respect to the main body 14 along the direction P2 opposite to the direction P1. That is, the ends of the first door plate 12 and the second door plate 13 away from the main body 14 approach each other, and the ends of the first door plate 12 and the second door plate 13 close to the main body 14 move away from each other. Thereby, the flexible display 400 bends between the first door plate 12 and the second door plate 13. In addition, in the process in which the first door plate 12 and the second door plate 13 approach each other with respect to the main body 14, the intermediate door plate 11 approaches the main body 14 along the direction P3 shown in FIG. 9b. For example, the distance between the intermediate door plate 11 and the main body 14 may be reduced from D1 in FIG. 9a to D2 in FIG. 9b. Therefore, the first door plate 12, the intermediate door plate 11, and the second door plate 13 form an accommodation cavity similar to a triangle. The flexible display 400 is accommodated in the triangular accommodation cavity and can have a shape similar to a water droplet. In this way, it can be understood that in order to increase the radius of curvature of the bending position of the flexible display 400 and reduce the risk that the flexible display 400 is compressed and damaged, the intermediate door plate 11 moves toward the main body 14, whereby a sufficient accommodation space for the flexible display 400 can be avoided.

[0077] On the one hand, when the electronic device switches from the closed state to the flat state, as shown in FIGS. 9b and 9a, the first door plate 12 rotates relative to the main body 14 along a direction opposite to the rotation direction P1, and the second door plate 13 rotates relative to the main body 14 along a direction opposite to the direction P2. That is, the first door plate 12 and the second door plate 13 move away from each other, whereby the flexible display 400 is deployed. In the process where the ends of the first door plate 12 and the second door plate 13 move away from each other relative to the main body 14, the intermediate door plate 11 moves so that the first door plate 12, the intermediate door plate 11, and the second door plate 13 are in the same plane, and moves away from the main body 14 along a direction opposite to the direction P3 shown in FIG. 9b until it supports the flattened flexible display 400.

[0078] Based on the foregoing description of the structure of the rotating shaft mechanism 100 provided in the present application and the description of the movement relationship between the structures within the rotating shaft mechanism 100, in the rotating shaft mechanism 100 provided in the present application, not only can the first door plate 12 and the second door plate 13 rotate relative to the main body 14, but the intermediate door plate 11 can also move up or down relative to the main body 14, whereby it can be known that the length of the rotating shaft mechanism 100 can be changed. That is, when the flexible display 400 is folded, in order to avoid more accommodation space for the flexible display 400, the length of the rotating shaft mechanism 100 can be lengthened, and the radius of curvature of the bending position of the flexible display 400 is increased. This avoids compressing the portion of the flexible display 400 close to the rotating shaft mechanism 100. When the flexible display 400 is deployed, the length of the rotating shaft mechanism 100 can be shortened. In other words, the rotating shaft mechanism 100 can enable the flexible display 400 to be at any angle in the folding process, and the length size of the flexible display 400 remains basically unchanged, that is, the flexible display 400 is not compressed or stretched.

[0079] Figures 10 and 11 show the possible structures of the rotary shaft mechanism 100. Figure 10 is a diagram of the structure of the rotary shaft mechanism 100 when the electronic device is in a flat state, and Figure 11 is a diagram of the structure of the rotary shaft mechanism 100 when the electronic device is in a closed state. Referring to Figures 10 and 11, in addition to the first door plate 12, the second door plate 13, the intermediate door plate 11, and the main body 14, the rotary shaft mechanism 100 further includes a first connecting rod assembly 15 and a second connecting rod assembly 16. The first connecting rod assembly 15 and the second connecting rod assembly 16 are arranged opposite to each other on both sides of the main body 14, that is, the first connecting rod assembly 15 is arranged near the first door plate 12, and the second connecting rod assembly 16 is arranged near the second door plate 13.

[0080] Figure 12 is a diagram of a partial structure of the rotary shaft mechanism 100 with the first door plate 12 removed. Referring to Figure 12, the first connecting rod assembly 15 includes a first housing connecting rod 151, a first gear connecting rod 152, and a first secondary connecting rod 153. In addition, the rotary shaft mechanism 100 further includes a first meshing transmission structure 17.

[0081] FIG. 13 is a simple schematic diagram of the connection relationship between a first housing connecting rod 151, a first gear connecting rod 152, a first secondary connecting rod 153, a first meshing transmission structure 17, a main body 14, a first door plate 12, and an intermediate door plate 11. One end of the first gear connecting rod 152 close to the main body 14 is rotatably connected to the main body 14, one end of the first gear connecting rod 152 away from the main body 14 is slidably connected to the first housing connecting rod 151, one end of the first gear connecting rod 152 close to the intermediate door plate 11 is meshed and connected to the intermediate door plate 11 via the first meshing transmission structure 17, one end of the first door plate 12 is rotatably connected to the first housing connecting rod 151, the other end of the first door plate 12 is rotatably connected to one end of the first secondary connecting rod 153, the other end of the first secondary connecting rod 153 is rotatably connected to the main body 14, and the first secondary connecting rod 153 is slidably connected to the intermediate door plate 11.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 13, when the first gear connecting rod 152 rotates relative to the main body 14, under the action of the mechanical link of the first housing connecting rod 151, the first secondary connecting rod 153, the first gear connecting rod 152, and the first meshing transmission structure 17, the first door plate 12 is driven to rotate relative to the main body 14, and the intermediate door plate 11 is driven to move relative to the main body 14. This implements the expansion and contraction of the rotating shaft mechanism 100.

[0083] FIG. 14 shows the positions of the first gear connecting rod 152, the first housing connecting rod 151, the first secondary connecting rod 153, the first door plate 12, and the intermediate door plate 11 when the rotary shaft mechanism 100 is in two different states when the electronic device is folded. The solid black lines indicate the positions of the first gear connecting rod 152, the first housing connecting rod 151, the first secondary connecting rod 153, the first door plate 12, and the intermediate door plate 11, and the dashed black lines indicate other positions of the first gear connecting rod 152, the first housing connecting rod 151, the first secondary connecting rod 153, the first door plate 12, and the intermediate door plate 11.

[0084] From FIG. 14, since the first secondary connecting rod 153 is slidably connected to the intermediate door plate 11, it can be known that both ends of the first secondary connecting rod 153 are further rotatably connected to the first door plate 12 and the main body 14. In this way, the moving position of one end of the first door plate 12 close to the main body 14 can be restricted by the slidable connection. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, when the electronic device is folded, the intermediate door plate 11 sinks with respect to the main body 14 (i.e., moves from the position of the solid black line to the position of the dashed black line), drives and rotates the first secondary connecting rod 153, and one end of the first door plate 12 close to the main body 14 can be restricted to rotate from position C1 to position C2.

[0085] In addition, as shown in FIG. 14, one end of the first housing connecting rod 151 is rotatably connected to the first door plate 12, and the other end is slidably connected to the first gear connecting rod 152, whereby the moving position of one end of the first door plate 12 away from the main body 14 can be controlled. For example, when the electronic device is folded, the intermediate door plate 11 sinks with respect to the main body 14 (i.e., moves from the position of the solid black line to the position of the dashed black line). One end of the first door plate 12 away from the main body 14 can be restricted to rotate from position D1 to position D2. In other words, the moving position of the first door plate 12 can be accurately controlled by the mechanical link mechanism formed by the first gear connecting rod 152, the first housing connecting rod 151, the first secondary connecting rod 153, the first door plate 12, the intermediate door plate 11, and the main body 14.

[0086] Referring further to FIG. 14, since the first secondary connecting rod 153 is slidably connected to the intermediate door plate 11 and the first secondary connecting rod 153 is further rotatably connected to the first door plate 12, in such a design, the moving position of the intermediate door plate 11 can be associated with the rotational position of the first door plate 12, whereby the length change situation of the rotary shaft mechanism 100 can be accurately controlled. For example, when the electronic device is folded, the size of the formed display accommodation space can be accurately controlled to ensure appropriate space for the flexible display.

[0087] In addition, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, one end of the first gear connecting rod 152 close to the intermediate door plate 11 is meshed and connected to the intermediate door plate 11 via the first meshing transmission structure 17. In other words, when the first gear connecting rod 152 rotates with respect to the main body 14, the intermediate door plate 11 can be driven to move with respect to the main body 14 using the first meshing transmission structure 17.

[0088] The above-described technical means of implementing the movement of the intermediate door plate 11 using the meshing transmission structure can reduce the resistance of the movement of the intermediate door plate 11, improve the stability of the movement of the intermediate door plate 11, and further improve the accuracy of the movement of the intermediate door plate 11 compared with using frictional transmission. In addition, when the first gear connecting rod 152 rotates with respect to the main body 14, the intermediate door plate 11 can respond quickly, that is, can move quickly with respect to the main body 14. Furthermore, by using the meshing transmission structure, when the electronic device is folded multiple times, the reliability of using the rotary shaft mechanism 100 does not decrease rapidly. Therefore, using the meshing transmission structure to drive and move the intermediate door plate 11 can effectively improve the performance of the electronic device.

[0089] FIG. 15 shows the structure of the second connecting rod assembly 16. Specifically, the second connecting rod assembly 16 disposed near the second door plate 13 also includes a second housing connecting rod 161, a second gear connecting rod 162, and a second secondary connecting rod 163. In addition, the rotary shaft mechanism 100 further includes a second meshing transmission structure 18.

[0090] Similar to the first connecting rod assembly 15, in the second connecting rod assembly 16, one end of the second gear connecting rod 162 close to the main body 14 is rotatably connected to the main body 14, one end of the second gear connecting rod 162 away from the main body 14 is slidably connected to the second housing connecting rod 161, one end of the second gear connecting rod 162 close to the intermediate door plate 11 is meshed and connected to the intermediate door plate 11 via the second meshing transmission structure 18, one end of the second door plate 13 is rotatably connected to the second housing connecting rod 161, the other end of the second door plate 13 is rotatably connected to one end of the second secondary connecting rod 163, the other end of the second secondary connecting rod 163 is rotatably connected to the main body 14, and the second secondary connecting rod 163 is slidably connected to the intermediate door plate 11.

[0091] FIG. 16 shows the positions of the second gear connecting rod 162, the second housing connecting rod 161, the second secondary connecting rod 163, the second door plate 13, and the intermediate door plate 11 when the rotation shaft mechanism 100 is in two different states when the electronic device is folded. The mechanism by which the second connecting rod assembly 16 and the second meshing transmission structure 18 drive the second door plate 13 to rotate and drive the intermediate door plate 11 to move is the same as the mechanism by which the first connecting rod assembly 15 and the first meshing transmission structure 17 drive the first door plate 12 to rotate and drive the intermediate door plate 11 to move, as shown in FIG. 14. Details will not be described again here.

[0092] In some embodiments, in order to improve the balance of the first door plate 12 and the second door plate 13 that rotate with respect to the main body 14, the first connecting rod assembly 15 and the second connecting rod assembly 16 may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the main body 14, and the first meshing transmission structure 17 and the second meshing transmission structure 18 may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the main body 14.

[0093] Similarly, to make the first door plate 12 and the second door plate 13 that rotate with respect to the main body 14 symmetrical and balance them, the rotation axis of the first gear connecting rod 152 that rotates with respect to the main body 14 may be parallel to the rotation axis of the second gear connecting rod 162 that rotates with respect to the main body 14, and the rotation axis of the first door plate 12 that rotates with respect to the first housing connecting rod 151 may be parallel to the rotation axis of the second door plate 13 that rotates with respect to the second housing connecting rod 152.

[0094] In some designs, one or more first housing connecting rods 151 may be included, and one or more first gear connecting rods 152 may also be included. In one embodiment of the present application, FIG. 17 is an exploded view of a partial structure of the rotating shaft mechanism 100. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 17, a rotating shaft mechanism 100 including one first housing connecting rod 151 and one first gear connecting rod 152 is provided. In another embodiment, when there is one first housing connecting rod 151 and a plurality of first gear connecting rods 152, the plurality of first gear connecting rods 152 may be slidably connected to one first housing connecting rod 151, or when there are a plurality of first housing connecting rods 151 and a plurality of first gear connecting rods 152, the plurality of first housing connecting rods 151 may be slidably connected to the plurality of first gear connecting rods 152 on a one-to-one basis.

[0095] For the number of the second housing connecting rod 161 and the second gear connecting rod 162 in the second connecting rod assembly 16, and the manner of arranging the second housing connecting rod 161 and the second gear connecting rod 162 in the second connecting rod assembly 16, refer to the relevant descriptions of the first housing connecting rod 151 and the first gear connecting rod 152. Details will not be described again here.

[0096] In some embodiments, one or more first secondary connecting rods 153 may be included. In this embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG. 17, there are two first secondary connecting rods 153, and the two first secondary connecting rods 153 may be arranged at intervals along the length direction of the main body 14 (for example, the direction S in FIG. 17).

[0097] For the number of the second secondary connecting rod 163 and the manner of arranging the second secondary connecting rod 163, refer to the relevant descriptions of the first secondary connecting rod 153. Details will not be described again here.

[0098] The following describes the possible structures of the first meshing transmission structure 17. For the possible structures of the second meshing transmission structure 18, please refer to the description of the first meshing transmission structure 17. In some embodiments, the possible structure of the second meshing transmission structure 18 may be the same as or different from that of the first meshing transmission structure 17.

[0099] The first meshing transmission structure 17 has a plurality of optional embodiments. The following provides at least two different first meshing transmission structures 17.

[0100] FIG. 18 shows a possible structure of the first meshing transmission structure 17, and FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a partial structure of the rotary shaft mechanism 100. As shown in FIG. 18, the first meshing transmission structure 17 includes a first gear 171 and a first rack 172 that meshes with the first gear 171. The first gear 171 is disposed at one end of the first gear connecting rod 152 close to the intermediate door plate 11, and the first rack 172 is formed on the intermediate door plate 11.

[0101] Referring to FIG. 18, the rotation axis of the first gear 171 is parallel to the rotation axis of the first gear connecting rod 152. For example, both the first gear 171 and the first gear connecting rod 152 may extend along the length direction of the intermediate door plate 11 (for example, the direction S in FIG. 18). The extending direction of the first rack 172 may be perpendicular to the intermediate door plate 11, that is, perpendicular to the length direction S of the intermediate door plate 11.

[0102] Based on the above description of the first meshing transmission structure 17 shown in FIG. 18, the operation process of the first meshing transmission structure 17 driving the intermediate door plate 11 to move is as follows. As shown in FIG. 18, in the folding process of the electronic device, when the first gear connecting rod 152 rotates relative to the main body 14 along the direction P1, the rotating first gear 171 drives the first rack 172 to move along the direction L1, whereby the intermediate door plate 11 moves in the direction approaching the main body 14. On the other hand, in the process of closing the electronic device, when the first gear connecting rod 152 rotates relative to the main body 14 along the direction opposite to the direction P1, the rotating first gear 171 drives the first rack 172 to move in the direction opposite to the direction of L1, whereby the intermediate door plate 11 moves in the direction away from the main body 14.

[0103] FIG. 19 is a structural diagram of a feasible structure of the first gear 171. In an optional embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, in order to form the first gear 171, meshing teeth may be formed at one end of the first gear connecting rod 152 close to the intermediate door plate 11. That is, the first gear 171 and the first gear connecting rod 152 are integrally formed parts. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the first gear 171 is fixedly connected to the first gear connecting rod 152 by a connecting part (for example, a bolt).

[0104] The first gear 171 shown in FIG. 19 has a complete gear structure with a circular cross-section. In some other embodiments, the structure may also be a partial structure cut from the complete gear structure shown in FIG. 19.

[0105] FIG. 20 is a structural diagram of a feasible structure of the first rack 172. In an optional embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20, the first rack 172 and the intermediate door plate 11 may be integrally formed parts, or may be fixedly connected to the intermediate door plate 11 by a connecting part (for example, a bolt), or may be fixedly connected to the intermediate door plate 11 using an adhesive.

[0106] The first meshing transmission structure 17 may alternatively use the following structure. For example, in addition to the first gear 171 and the first rack 172 shown in FIG. 17, the first meshing transmission structure 17 may further include a first driven gear. In addition, the first gear 171 meshes with the first driven gear on the outside, and the first driven gear further meshes with the first rack 172 on the outside. Alternatively, more gear structures may be further included. For example, a second driven gear may be further included, and the second driven gear and the first driven gear are arranged coaxially. The first gear 171 meshes with the first driven gear on the outside, and the second driven gear meshes with the first rack 172 on the outside.

[0107] The following specifically describes the connection structure between the first door plate 12, the first housing connection rod 151, the first gear connection rod 152, the first secondary connection rod 153, and the structure of the main body 14.

[0108] The slidable connection between the first housing connection rod 151 and the first gear connection rod 152 has a plurality of implementation structures. The following provides two different slidable connection structures. Of course, in addition to the two slidable connection structures, another slidable connection structure may also be used.

[0109] Example 1: FIG. 21 shows a slidable connection relationship. FIG. 21 is an exploded view of the first housing connection rod 151 and the first gear connection rod 152 that cooperates with the first housing connection rod 151. In this embodiment of the present application, a sliding groove 152a is formed in the first gear connection rod 152, and a sliding block 151a is formed in the first housing connection rod 151. To implement the slidable connection between the first housing connection rod 151 and the first gear connection rod 152, the sliding block 151a is assembled into the sliding groove 152a and can slide along the sliding groove 152a.

[0110] To improve the sliding stability of the first housing connecting rod 151 and the first gear connecting rod 152, as shown in FIG. 21, the first gear connecting rod 152 is provided with two sliding grooves 152a symmetrically arranged on both sides. Correspondingly, two sliding blocks 151a are arranged on the first housing connecting rod 151, and the two sliding grooves 152a are connected to the two sliding blocks 151a in a one-to-one correspondence so as to cooperate slidably.

[0111] In some designs, as shown in FIG. 21, an embedding groove 151b may be provided on the first housing connecting rod 151. The first gear connecting rod 152 is assembled into the embedding groove 151b, and the sliding block 151a is arranged on the wall surface of the embedding groove 151b. In this way, the first housing connecting rod 151 can be slidably connected to the first gear connecting rod 152 in the embedding groove 151b by using the combined sliding block 151a and the combined sliding groove 152a.

[0112] Example 2: The sliding block may be arranged on the first gear connecting rod 152, and the sliding groove may be provided on the first housing connecting rod 151. The sliding block of the first gear connecting rod 152 cooperates with the sliding groove of the first housing connecting rod 151 to implement the sliding between the first housing connecting rod 151 and the first gear connecting rod 152. In other words, compared with Example 1, in Example 2, the arrangement positions of the sliding block and the sliding groove are interchanged, whereby the same slidable connection effect can be implemented. Therefore, reference can be made to the structure of arranging the sliding groove and the sliding block in Example 1. Details will not be described again here.

[0113] Regarding the slidable connection structure between the second gear connecting rod 162 and the second housing connecting rod 161, reference can be made to the slidable connection structure between the first housing connecting rod 151 and the first gear connecting rod 152. Of course, another structure can also be selected to implement rotation.

[0114] The structure of the first gear connecting rod 152 may be diverse. For example, in FIG. 21, the first gear connecting rod 152 includes a sliding portion 1521 slidably connected to the first housing connecting rod 151 and a rotating portion 1522 rotatably connected to the main body 14. A sliding groove 152a is provided in the sliding portion 1521, and a first gear 171 used for meshing with the first rack 172 may be formed in the rotating portion 1522.

[0115] The second gear connecting rod 162 also has a plurality of structures. In order to balance the movement of the entire rotating shaft mechanism 100, the second gear connecting rod 162 may use the same structure as the first gear connecting rod 152. That is, an integrally formed rotating portion and a sliding portion are similarly included.

[0116] The rotatable connection between the first door plate 12 and the first housing connecting rod 151 has a plurality of implementation structures. For example, FIG. 22 is a diagram of the rotatable connection structure between the first door plate 12 and the first housing connecting rod 151, and FIG. 22 is a diagram of a partial structure of the rotating shaft mechanism 100 according to an embodiment of the present application. The surface of the first door plate 12 away from the flexible display 400 has a first door plate arc-shaped bump 12a extending in the direction of the first housing connecting rod 151. A first arc-shaped clamp groove 151c is provided in the first housing connecting rod 151. In order to implement the rotatable connection between the first door plate 12 and the first housing connecting rod 151, the first door plate arc-shaped bump is assembled into the first arc-shaped clamp groove 151c and can rotate with respect to the first arc-shaped clamp groove 151c. In another example, the arrangement positions of the first arc-shaped clamp groove and the first door plate arc-shaped bump may be interchanged, that is, the first door plate arc-shaped bump is arranged on the first housing connecting rod 151, and the first arc-shaped clamp groove is provided on the first door plate 12. Similarly, the first door plate 12 and the first housing connecting rod 151 may rotate relative to each other.

[0117] When the rotatable connection structure shown in Fig. 22 is used, the first arcuate clamp groove 151c may be a 1 / 4 circular arc groove or a 1 / 3 circular arc groove, etc. The first door plate arcuate bump 12a may be a 1 / 4 circular arc bump or a 1 / 3 circular arc bump, etc. Those skilled in the art can adaptively adjust the specific shapes of the first arcuate clamp groove 151c and the first door plate arcuate bump 12a based on actual requirements. This is not specifically limited in this application.

[0118] Regarding the rotatable connection structure between the second door plate 13 and the second housing connection rod 161, refer to the rotatable connection between the first door plate 12 and the first housing connection rod 151. For example, the second door plate 13 and the second housing connection rod 161 also rotate relative to each other by the rotatable cooperation between an arcuate bump and an arcuate clamp groove.

[0119] The rotatable connection between the first door plate 12 and the first secondary connection rod 153 also has multiple implementation structures. For example, FIG. 23 is a diagram of the rotatable connection structure between the first door plate 12 and the first secondary connection rod 153, and FIG. 23 is a diagram of a partial structure of the rotary shaft mechanism 100 according to an embodiment of the present application. In FIG. 23, the first rotation hole 12b is disposed at a position on the surface of the first door plate 12 away from the flexible display 400 and close to the first secondary connection rod 153. The first rotation hole 12b and the first door plate arcuate bump 12a may be disposed at both ends of the first door plate 12. A first rotation shaft 153a that can be rotatably disposed in the first rotation hole 12b is formed on the first secondary connection rod 153. The first rotation shaft 153a rotatably cooperates with the first rotation hole 12b, whereby the first door plate 12 is rotatably connected to the first secondary connection rod 153. In another example, the first rotation shaft is disposed on the first door plate 12, and the first rotation hole is provided on the first secondary connection rod 153. In another example, the first door plate 12 and the first secondary connection rod 153 perform the rotation of the first door plate 12 and the first secondary connection rod 153 by the rotatable cooperation between the arc block and the arc groove.

[0120] Regarding the rotatable connection between the second door plate 13 and the second secondary connection rod 163, refer to the rotatable connection structure between the first door plate 12 and the first secondary connection rod 153. Details will not be described again here.

[0121] The slidable connection structure between the first secondary connection rod 153 and the intermediate door plate 11 may use the connection method shown in FIG. 23. For example, a track groove 153c is provided on the first secondary connection rod 153, and a sliding pin 11a that can slide along the track groove 153c is disposed on the intermediate door plate 11. FIG. 23 shows only one embodiment of the slidable connection and does not constitute an absolute limitation on the slidable connection structure.

[0122] The rotatable connection structure between the first secondary connecting rod 153 and the main body 14 also has multiple embodiments. For example, as shown in FIG. 24, a second rotating shaft 153b is disposed at a position of the first secondary connecting rod 153 close to the main body 14, a second rotating hole for assembling the second rotating shaft 153b is provided in the main body 14, and the second rotating shaft 153b is rotatably disposed in the second rotating hole to implement a rotatable connection between the first secondary connecting rod 153 and the main body 14. In another example, the first secondary connecting rod 153 may be rotatably connected to the main body 14 by a rotatable cooperation between an arc-shaped groove and an arc-shaped bump.

[0123] In some designs, as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, FIG. 25 is a diagram of the structure of the first secondary connecting rod 153, and FIG. 26 is a diagram of the structure of the first secondary connecting rod 153 from another angle. The first secondary connecting rod 153 has a first surface F1 and a second surface F2 facing each other, the second rotating shaft 153b and the first rotating shaft 153a are both disposed on the first surface F1, and the track groove 153c is provided on the second surface F2. The track groove 153 may be a through groove penetrating the first surface F1 and the second surface F2, or may be a blind groove that does not penetrate the first surface F1 and the second surface F2 shown in FIGS. 25 and 26.

[0124] For the rotatable connection between the second door plate 13 and the second secondary connecting rod 163, the rotatable connection between the second secondary connecting rod 163 and the main body 14, and the slidable connection between the second secondary connecting rod 163 and the intermediate door plate 11, refer to the rotatable connection structure between the first door plate 12 and the first secondary connecting rod 153, the rotatable connection between the first secondary connecting rod 153 and the main body 14, and the slidable connection structure between the first secondary connecting rod 153 and the intermediate door plate 11. Details will not be described again here.

[0125] To enable the intermediate door plate 11 to move linearly relative to the main body 14, the rotary shaft mechanism 100 further includes a guiding structure 19. That is, when the intermediate door plate 11 is driven and moved using a meshing transmission structure, the guiding structure 19 can be used to guide the intermediate door plate 11 to move linearly.

[0126] FIG. 27 shows a feasible structure of the guiding structure 19, and FIG. 27 is an exploded view of the main body 14 and the intermediate door plate 11. Specifically, a guiding groove 14b is provided on the main body 14, a guiding post 11b is formed on the side surface of the intermediate door plate 11, the extending direction of the guiding groove 14b is perpendicular to the length direction of the intermediate door plate 11, and the guiding post 11b is slidably arranged in the guiding groove 14b to form the guiding structure 19. The arrangement positions of the guiding groove 14b and the guiding post 11b here may be interchanged, that is, the guiding groove is provided on the intermediate door plate 11, and the guiding post is formed on the main body 14. In this way, the guiding function can also be implemented.

[0127] In some embodiments, one guiding structure 19 may be arranged, or as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, a plurality of guiding structures 19 may be arranged. For example, referring to FIGS. 27 and 28, three guiding structures 19 are arranged, and two of the three guiding structures are arranged along the length direction of the intermediate door plate 11 (for example, the direction S in FIG. 28), and the other guiding structure 19 is arranged along the width direction of the intermediate door plate 11 (for example, the direction L in FIG. 28). In such a design, the guiding structures 19 are arranged at a plurality of different positions, whereby the stability of the linearly moving intermediate door plate 11 can be further imparted.

[0128] During specific implementation, when the electronic device is in a flat state, since the flexible display 400 has flexible characteristics, the flexible display 400 may be wrinkled and bent, and may not return to the flat state. For example, in some designs, when mechanical components such as the first door plate 12, the intermediate door plate 11, the second door plate 13, the first housing 200, and the second housing 300 are assembled, there are assembly gaps. In this case, when the electronic device is in a flat state, the first door plate 12, the intermediate door plate 11, the second door plate 13, the first housing 200, and the second housing 300 may be in the same plane. However, as shown in FIG. 29, between the first door plate 12 and the first housing 200 adjacent to the first door plate 12, and / or between the second door plate 12 and the second housing 300 adjacent to the second door plate 12, a gap d may exist. Therefore, a wrinkle phenomenon occurs in the flexible display 400 at the position with the gap d, and the flatness of the flexible display 400 decreases. In particular, when the operation position of the flexible display 100 is exactly at the position of the gap, the user experience is significantly reduced.

[0129] To enable the flexible display 400 to be fully opened and flattened when the electronic device is in a flat state, the rotation shaft mechanism 100 in the present application further includes a screen pressing structure. For example, as shown in FIG. 30, the first screen pressing structure 201 may be disposed at a position where the first housing connecting rod 151 and the first gear connecting rod 152 cooperate. FIG. 31 shows the screen pressing principle of the first screen pressing structure 201 in the present application. As shown in FIG. 31, the first screen pressing structure 201 is configured to apply a pressing force F to the first housing connecting rod 151 in a direction away from the first gear connecting rod 152. Since the first housing connecting rod 151 is fixedly connected to the first housing 200, when the pressing force F in the direction away from the first gear connecting rod 152 is applied to the first housing connecting rod 151, the pressing force F in the direction away from the first door plate 12 is applied to the first housing 200. In this case, when the electronic device is in a flat state, a pressing force is generated on a part of the flexible display 400 fixedly connected to the first housing 200, whereby the flexible display can be further opened and the folds can be removed, thus improving the user experience.

[0130] FIG. 32 shows a possible structure of the first screen pressing structure 201. The first screen pressing structure 201 applies an elastic force to the first housing connecting rod 151 by the first gear connecting rod 152 to eliminate the folding of the flexible display. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 32, the first screen pressing structure 201 includes a mounting hole 152b provided in the first gear connecting rod 152 and a support rod 151d formed on the first housing connecting rod 151, and the support rod 151d can extend into the mounting hole 152b. In addition, the first screen pressing structure 201 further includes an elastic component 201a, and one end of the elastic component 201a is sleeved on the support rod 151d. In one embodiment, the elastic component 201a here may be a spring or another telescopic component.

[0131] When the electronic device switches from the closed state to the flat state, the first gear connecting rod 152 and the second gear connecting rod 162 move away from each other. The first gear connecting rod 152 that rotates relative to the main body 14 drives the first housing connecting rod 151 to move. The support rod 151d that moves together with the first housing connecting rod 151 can extend into the mounting hole 152d. As a result, the end of the elastic component 201a abuts against the mounting hole 152d, entering an energy storage state. Therefore, an elastic pressing force in a direction away from the first gear connecting rod 152 is applied to the first housing connecting rod 151.

[0132] In this way, it can be understood that the screen pressing process of the first screen pressing structure 201 shown in FIG. 32 is such that when the electronic device is in the flat state, the first gear connecting rod 152 can apply an elastic force to the first housing connecting rod 151 using the first screen pressing structure 201 to remove wrinkles on the flexible display, and an elastic force can also be applied to the first housing connecting rod 151 when the electronic device is in the intermediate state or close to the flat state. In this way, when the electronic device is close to the flat state, the flexible display can be made to become flat under the action of the pressing force to reduce wrinkles.

[0133] In the aforementioned connection relationship between the first gear connection rod 152 and the first housing connection rod 151, it has been described that the first gear connection rod 152 is connected to the first housing connection rod 151 so as to slidably cooperate therewith. In addition, the first screen pressing structure 201 needs to be arranged at the cooperation position between the first gear connection rod 152 and the first housing connection rod 151. In order to simplify the structure and the assembly process, the structure used to slidably connect the first gear connection rod 152 and the first housing connection rod 151 and the first screen pressing structure 201 may be arranged by integration. As shown in FIG. 32, the support rod 151d is arranged in the embedding groove 151b, the first gear connection rod 152 is slidably arranged in the embedding groove 151b, the extending direction of the support rod 151d coincides with the direction in which the first gear connection rod 152 and the first housing connection rod 151 slide relative to each other, and the mounting hole 152d is provided on the surface of the first gear connection rod 152 facing the support rod 151d. In such a design, the connection structure can be greatly simplified in order to avoid these structures occupying a lot of space or the assembly process becoming complicated.

[0134] Referring to FIG. 31, in the present application, the second screen pressing structure 202 may be further arranged on the rotating shaft mechanism 100, and the second screen pressing structure 202 is arranged at the position where the second gear connection rod 162 and the second housing connection rod 161 cooperate. The second screen pressing structure 202 may use the first screen pressing structure shown in FIG. 32.

[0135] In some designs, the first screen pressing structure 201 and the second screen pressing structure 202 may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the main body 14 in order to improve the flatness of the entire flexible display.

[0136] When the electronic device provided in this application is folded, the flexible display may need to stop at a position that improves the user experience. Therefore, the rotation shaft mechanism provided in this application further includes a braking structure. For example, when the electronic device is in a flat state, a flattening force needs to be applied to the first housing 200 and the second housing 300 on which the flexible display 400 is placed using the braking structure so that the flexible display 400 remains in a flat state. In another example, when the electronic device is in a closed state, a closing force needs to be applied to the first housing 200 and the second housing 300 using the braking structure so that the flexible display 400 remains in a closed state.

[0137] The braking structure provided in this application includes a first braking structure 301 and a second braking structure 302. The first braking structure 301 is configured to apply braking to the first housing 200, and the second braking structure 302 is configured to apply braking to the second housing 300. The following uses the first braking structure 301 as an example to explain the components of the braking structure. For the second braking structure 302, please refer to the design of the first braking structure 301.

[0138] In some embodiments, the first braking structure 301 may be disposed between the first housing connecting rod 151 and the main body 14. When the first housing connecting rod 151 drives the first door plate 12 to rotate relative to the main body 14, the first braking structure 301 is configured to apply resistance to the first housing connecting rod 151. In addition, the first housing 200 on which the flexible display 400 is placed is relatively fixed to the first housing connecting rod 151. When the first braking structure 301 applies resistance to the first housing connecting rod 151, the first housing 200 on which the flexible display 400 is placed stops at a certain position.

[0139] FIG. 33 is a diagram of the structure of the first braking structure 301. The specific structure is shown in FIG. 33. The first braking structure 301 includes a first cam connecting rod 301a, a first cam 301b, a first braking pin shaft 301c, and a first braking elastic component 301d. The first braking pin shaft 301c is fixed to the main body 14, and the extending direction of the first braking pin shaft 301c coincides with the direction of the rotation axis of the first gear connecting rod 152 with respect to the main body 14. The first cam 301b is slidably disposed on the first braking pin shaft 301c. One end of the first cam connecting rod 301a close to the main body 14 is rotatably attached to the first braking pin shaft 301c, and one end of the first cam connecting rod 301a away from the main body 14 is slidably connected to the first housing connecting rod 151. The first braking elastic component 301d is sleeved on the first braking pin shaft 301c.

[0140] That is, when the first housing connecting rod 151 rotates, the first cam connecting rod 301a is slidably connected to the first housing connecting rod 151, whereby the first cam connecting rod 301a can be driven to rotate with respect to the main body 14.

[0141] FIG. 34 is a diagram of the structure of the braking principle of the first braking structure 301 in FIG. 33. As shown in FIG. 34, one end of the first cam connecting rod 301a close to the first cam 301b has a first braking surface A1 and a second braking surface A2 facing the first cam 301b, and the first cam 301b has a third braking surface B1 and a fourth braking surface B2 facing the first cam connecting rod 301a. Referring to FIGS. 33 and 34, when the first housing connecting rod 151 drives the first cam connecting rod 301a to rotate to the first position, the first braking surface A1 abuts against the third braking surface B1, the first braking elastic part 301d is in an energy storage state, and generates a compressive force f1 on the first cam connecting rod 301a. The compressive force f1 may enable the first cam connecting rod 301a to generate the flattening force f11 shown in FIG. 33. In this way, since the first cam connecting rod 301a cooperates slidably with the first housing connecting rod 151, the first housing connecting rod 151 receives the flattening force f11 applied by the first cam connecting rod 301a. Under the action of the flattening force f11, the first housing connecting rod 151 generates a flattening force on the first housing 200, and finally, a flattening force can be applied to the flexible display 400 to maintain the stationary flat state.

[0142] FIG. 35 is a diagram of the structure of the first braking structure 301 when the electronic device is in the closed state, and FIG. 36 is a diagram of the braking principle structure of the first braking structure 301 when the electronic device is in the closed state. Specifically, when the first housing connecting rod 151 drives the first cam connecting rod 301a to rotate to the second position, the second braking surface A2 abuts against the fourth braking surface B2, and the first braking elastic component 301d is in an energy storage state. As a result, a compressive force f2 is generated on the first cam connecting rod 301a. The compressive force f2 may enable the first cam connecting rod 301a to generate a closing force f21 shown in FIG. 35. Since the first cam connecting rod 301a cooperates slidably with the first housing connecting rod 151, the first housing connecting rod 151 receives the closing force f21 applied by the first cam connecting rod 301a. Under the action of the closing force f21, the first housing connecting rod 151 generates a closing force on the first housing 200, and finally, it may be possible to maintain the closed state where the flexible display stays.

[0143] FIG. 37 shows a feasible structure of the first cam connecting rod 301a, and FIG. 37 is an exploded view of the first cam connecting rod 301a and the first cam 301b. In FIG. 37, the first cam connecting rod 301a includes a cam portion 301a1, a first connecting rod portion 301a2, and a second connecting rod portion 301a3. Referring to FIGS. 35 and 37, the cam portion 301a1 is rotatably attached to the first braking pin shaft 301d, and the first braking surface A1 and the second braking surface A2 are formed on the surface of the cam portion 301a1 facing the first cam 301b. The first connecting rod portion 301a2 and the second connecting rod portion 301a3 are arranged in parallel. In addition, one end of the first connecting rod portion 301a2 and one end of the second connecting rod portion 301a3 are both connected to the cam portion 301a1, and the other end of the first connecting rod portion 301a2 and the other end of the second connecting rod portion 301a3 are both slidably connected to the first housing connecting rod 151.

[0144] When the first cam connecting rod 301a including the first connecting rod portion 301a2 and the second connecting rod portion 301a3 shown in FIG. 37 is used, here, both the first connecting rod portion 301a2 and the second connecting rod portion 301a3 can apply an acting force to the first housing connecting rod 151 so that the flexible display can stably stay at the staying position.

[0145] To implement a slidable connection between the first cam connecting rod 301a and the first housing connecting rod 151, in some designs, as shown in FIG. 37, the sliding block 301a4 may be formed at both ends of both the first connecting rod portion 301a2 and the second connecting rod portion 301a3 close to the first housing connecting rod 151. As shown in FIG. 38, the sliding groove 151e may be disposed at a corresponding position of the first housing connecting rod 151, and the sliding groove 151e has a first contact surface 151e1 and a second contact surface 151e2.

[0146] Referring to FIGS. 38 and 34, when the first braking surface A1 abuts against the third braking surface B1 to generate a compressive force f1, the sliding block 301a4 disposed in the sliding groove 151e abuts against the first contact surface 151e1 and applies the force f11 shown in FIG. 33 to the first housing connecting rod 151. Similarly, referring to FIGS. 38 and 36, when the second braking surface A2 abuts against the fourth braking surface B2 to generate a compressive force f2, the sliding block 301a4 disposed in the sliding groove 151e abuts against the second contact surface 151e2 and applies the force f21 shown in FIG. 35 to the first housing connecting rod 151.

[0147] In the structure of the first cam connecting rod 301a shown in FIG. 37, the cam portion 301a1, the first connecting rod portion 301a2, the second connecting rod portion 301a3, and the sliding block 301a4 may be formed using an integral molding process or may be connected by connecting components. For example, the cam portion 301a1, the first connecting rod portion 301a2, the second connecting rod portion 301a3, and the sliding block 301a4 may be connected to each other using threaded connecting components or adhesives.

[0148] FIG. 39 is a diagram of a partial structure of a rotating shaft mechanism 100 including a first braking structure 301 and a second braking structure 302. The second braking structure 302 is the same as the first braking structure 301 and similarly includes a second cam connecting rod 302a, a second cam 302b, a second braking pin shaft 302c, and a second braking elastic component 302d. The second braking pin shaft 302c and the first braking pin shaft 301c are similarly fixed to the main body 14. The extending direction of the second braking pin shaft 302c coincides with the extending direction of the first braking pin shaft 301c. The second cam 302b is slidably disposed on the second braking pin shaft 302c. One end of the second cam connecting rod 302a close to the main body 14 is rotatably attached to the second braking pin shaft 302c. One end of the second cam connecting rod 302a away from the main body 14 is slidably connected to the second housing connecting rod 161. The second braking elastic component 302d is sleeved on the second braking pin shaft 302c.

[0149] The braking principle of the second braking structure 302 shown in FIG. 39 may be the same as the braking principle of the first braking structure 301. Details will not be described again here.

[0150] In addition, in some designs, the first cam 301b of the first braking structure 301 may be connected to the second cam 302b of the second braking structure 302, for example, using the connecting rod 303 in FIG. 39. In this design, braking symmetry between the first housing 200 and the second housing 300 can be achieved.

[0151] In some embodiments, the first cam 301b, the second cam 302b, and the connecting rod 303 may be formed using an integral molding process. Of course, other connecting structures may also be used for connection.

[0152] As further shown in FIG. 39, not only the first braking pin shaft 301c and the second braking pin shaft 302c are included, but also the third braking pin shaft 304 and the fourth braking pin shaft 305 are included, or more braking pin shafts are included. A braking elastic component is disposed on each braking pin shaft. By arranging a plurality of braking pin shafts, the first cam 301b and the second cam 302b connected to each other can move stably and in a well-balanced manner. In addition, since the braking elastic components are disposed on each braking pin shaft, a large pressing force can be further applied to the first cam connecting rod 301a and the second cam connecting rod 301a so that the flexible display 400 is stably in the staying position. This improves the opening and closing experience in the intermediate state.

[0153] Figure 40 is an exploded view of an electronic device. The electronic device provided in this application further includes a decorative cover 21, and the main body 14 of the rotary shaft mechanism 100 is fixed on the decorative cover 21. Figure 41 is a diagram of the structure of the electronic device in a flat state, and Figure 42 is a diagram of the structure of the electronic device in a closed state. Referring to Figures 41 and 42, after the first housing 200 and the second housing 300 are unfolded, the end face of the first housing 200 approaches the end face of the second housing 300, and the rotary shaft mechanism 100 including the decorative cover 21 is hidden by the first housing 200 and the second housing 300, that is, the rotary shaft mechanism 100 can be made invisible from the appearance of the electronic device. In this way, the aesthetics of the appearance of the mobile terminal are improved. As shown in Figure 42, when the first housing 200 and the second housing 300 are folded and in a closed state, the decorative cover 21 of the rotary shaft mechanism 100 is exposed and fills the gap between the first housing 200 and the second housing 300. In this way, the aesthetics of the appearance of the electronic device are also ensured. That is, regardless of whether the electronic device is in a closed state or a flat state, the internal structure is hidden, the appearance of the overall structure is satisfactory, and the aesthetics are good.

[0154] In the description of this specification, specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more of the embodiments or examples.

[0155] The foregoing description is only a specific embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the protection scope of this application. Any modification or substitution that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application shall be within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0156] 100 Rotary shaft mechanism 200 First housing 201 First surface 202 Third surface 300 Second housing 301 Second face 302 Fourth face 400 Flexible display 11 Intermediate door plate 11a Sliding pin 11b Guide post 12 First door plate 12a First door plate arc bump 12b First rotation hole 13 Second door plate 14 Body 14b Guide groove 15 First connecting rod assembly 151 First housing connecting rod 151a Sliding block 151b Embedding groove 151c First arc clamp groove 151d Support rod 151e Sliding groove 151e1 First contact surface 151e2 Second contact surface 152 First gear connecting rod 152a Sliding groove 152b Mounting hole 1521 Sliding part 1522 Rotating part 153 First secondary connecting rod 153a First rotating shaft 153b Second rotating shaft 153c Track groove 16 Second connecting rod assembly 161 Second housing connecting rod 161a Sliding block 162 Second gear connecting rod 162a Sliding groove 163 Second secondary connecting rod 17 First meshing transmission structure 171 First gear 172 First rack 18 Second meshing transmission structure 19 Guide Structure 201 First Screen Pressing Structure 201a Elastic Component 202 Second Screen Pressing Structure 301 First Braking Structure 301a First Cam Link Rod 301a1 Cam Portion 301a2 First Link Rod Portion 301a3 Second Link Rod Portion 301a4 Sliding Block 301b First Cam 301c First Braking Pin Shaft 301d First Braking Elastic Component 302 Second Braking Structure 302a Second Cam Link Rod 302b Second Cam 302c Second Braking Pin Shaft 302d Second Braking Elastic Component 303 Link Rod 304 Third Braking Pin Shaft 305 Fourth Braking Pin Shaft 21 Decorative Cover

Claims

1. a main body, a first door plate, a second door plate, and an intermediate door plate, wherein the first door plate, the second door plate, and the intermediate door plate are arranged on the same side of the main body, and the first door plate and the second door plate are arranged opposite to each other on both sides of the intermediate door plate, the first door plate, the second door plate, and the intermediate door plate; a first connecting rod assembly and a second connecting rod assembly, wherein the first connecting rod assembly and the second connecting rod assembly are arranged opposite to each other on both sides of the main body, the first connecting rod assembly and the second connecting rod assembly; a first meshing transmission structure and a second meshing transmission structure; comprising the first connecting rod assembly includes a first housing connecting rod, a first gear connecting rod, and a first secondary connecting rod; one end of the first gear connecting rod close to the main body is rotatably connected to the main body, one end of the first gear connecting rod away from the main body is slidably connected to the first housing connecting rod, one end of the first gear connecting rod close to the intermediate door plate is further meshed and connected to the intermediate door plate through the first meshing transmission structure, one end of the first door plate is rotatably connected to the first housing connecting rod, the other end of the first door plate is rotatably connected to one end of the first secondary connecting rod, the other end of the first secondary connecting rod is rotatably connected to the main body, and the first secondary connecting rod is slidably connected to the intermediate door plate; the second connecting rod assembly includes a second housing connecting rod, a second gear connecting rod, and a second secondary connecting rod; One end of the second gear connecting rod close to the main body is rotatably connected to the main body, one end of the second gear connecting rod away from the main body is slidably connected to the second housing connecting rod, and one end of the second gear connecting rod close to the intermediate door plate is further meshed and connected to the intermediate door plate through the second meshing transmission structure. One end of the second door plate is rotatably connected to the second housing connecting rod, the other end of the second door plate is rotatably connected to one end of the second secondary connecting rod, the other end of the second secondary connecting rod is rotatably connected to the main body, and the second secondary connecting rod is slidably connected to the intermediate door plate. When the first gear connecting rod and the second gear connecting rod rotate towards each other, the first gear connecting rod and the intermediate door plate which are meshed and connected, and the second gear connecting rod and the intermediate door plate which are meshed and connected, drive the intermediate door plate to move in a direction approaching the main body. The first housing connecting rod drives one end of the first door plate close to the main body to move in a direction away from the main body, and the second housing connecting rod drives one end of the second door plate close to the main body to move in a direction away from the main body, or When the first gear connecting rod and the second gear connecting rod rotate away from each other, the first gear connecting rod and the intermediate door plate which are meshed and connected, and the second gear connecting rod and the intermediate door plate which are meshed and connected, drive the intermediate door plate to move in a direction away from the main body. The first housing connecting rod drives one end of the first door plate close to the main body to move in a direction approaching the main body, and the second housing connecting rod drives one end of the second door plate close to the main body to move in a direction approaching the main body. Rotating shaft mechanism. **Claim 2** The rotating shaft mechanism further comprises a first screen pressing structure. When the first gear connecting rod and the second gear connecting rod rotate away from each other to drive the first door plate and the second door plate to rotate away from each other, the first screen pressing structure is configured to apply a pressing force to the first housing connecting rod in a direction away from the first gear connecting rod. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 1.

3. The first screen pressing structure is a mounting hole provided in the first gear connecting rod and a support rod disposed on the first housing connecting rod, the support rod being capable of extending into the mounting hole. comprising The first screen pressing structure further comprises an elastic component, one end of the elastic component being sleeved on the support rod. When the first door plate and the second door plate rotate away from each other, the support rod can extend into the mounting hole, and the other end of the elastic component abuts against the mounting hole to apply an elastic pressing force to the first housing connecting rod in a direction away from the first gear connecting rod. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 2.

4. A fitting groove is provided in the first housing connecting rod, the first gear connecting rod is slidably disposed in the fitting groove, the support rod is disposed in the fitting groove, the extending direction of the support rod coincides with the direction in which the first gear connecting rod and the first housing connecting rod slide relative to each other, and the mounting hole is provided on a surface of the first gear connecting rod facing the support rod. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 3.

5. The first meshing transmission structure includes a first gear provided at one end of the first gear connecting rod close to the intermediate door plate and a first rack disposed on the intermediate door plate that meshes with the first gear on the outside, and / or The second meshing transmission structure includes a second gear provided at one end of the second gear connecting rod close to the intermediate door plate and a second rack disposed on the intermediate door plate that meshes with the second gear on the outside. The rotation axis of the first gear is parallel to the rotation axis of the first gear connecting rod, the rotation axis of the second gear is parallel to the rotation axis of the second gear connecting rod, and both the extending direction of the first rack and the extending direction of the second rack are perpendicular to the length direction of the intermediate door plate. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 1.

6. The rotating shaft mechanism is a guiding structure configured to guide the intermediate door plate to move relative to the main body along a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the intermediate door plate. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising the same.

7. The guiding structure is a guiding groove provided on the main body and a guiding post slidably disposed in the guiding groove. The guiding structure comprises The guiding groove extends along the direction perpendicular to the length direction of the intermediate door plate, and the guiding post is fixed to the intermediate door plate. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 6.

8. The rotating shaft mechanism further comprises a first braking structure disposed between the first housing connecting rod and the main body. One end of the first braking structure close to the first housing connecting rod is slidably connected to the first housing connecting rod, and one end of the first braking structure close to the main body is rotatably connected to the main body. The first housing connecting rod drives the first door plate to rotate relative to the main body, and the first braking structure is configured to apply resistance to the first housing connecting rod. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 1.

9. The first braking structure is composed of a first cam connecting rod, a first cam, a first braking pin shaft, and a first braking elastic component. The first braking structure comprises The first braking pin shaft is fixed to the main body, and the extending direction of the first braking pin shaft coincides with the direction of the rotation axis of the first gear connecting rod relative to the main body. The first cam is slidably disposed on the first braking pin shaft. One end of the first cam connecting rod, which is close to the main body, is rotatably attached to the first brake pin shaft. The other end of the first cam connecting rod, which is away from the main body, is slidably connected to the first housing connecting rod. One end of the first cam connecting rod, which is close to the main body, has a first braking surface and a second braking surface facing the first cam. The first cam has a third braking surface and a fourth braking surface. The first braking elastic component is sleeved on the first brake pin shaft. When the first housing connecting rod drives the first cam connecting rod to rotate until the first braking surface abuts against the third braking surface, the first braking elastic component enters an energy storage state to generate a force on the first cam connecting rod for flattening the first door plate, or When the first housing connecting rod drives the first cam connecting rod to rotate until the second braking surface abuts against the fourth braking surface, the first braking elastic component enters an energy storage state to generate a force on the first cam connecting rod for closing the first door plate. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 8.

10. The first cam connecting rod has a cam portion rotatably attached to the first brake pin shaft, and a first connecting rod portion and a second connecting rod portion. The first connecting rod portion and the second connecting rod portion are arranged in parallel. Both one end of the first connecting rod portion and one end of the second connecting rod portion are connected to the cam portion. Both the other end of the first connecting rod portion and the other end of the second connecting rod portion are slidably connected to the first housing connecting rod. The first connecting rod portion and the second connecting rod portion are provided. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 9.

11. The first secondary connecting rod has a first surface and a second surface facing in opposite directions. The first rotating shaft is arranged at a position on the first surface close to the first door plate. The first rotating hole is provided at a position on the surface of the first door plate facing the main body and close to the first secondary connecting rod. The first rotating shaft rotates relative to the first rotating hole, whereby the first door plate is rotatably connected to the first secondary connecting rod. The second rotating shaft is disposed at a position on the first surface close to the main body, and a second rotating hole is provided at a position on the main body close to the first secondary connecting rod. The second rotating shaft rotates with respect to the second rotating hole, whereby the main body is rotatably connected to the first secondary connecting rod. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 1.

12. A track groove is provided on the second surface, and a sliding pin is disposed at a position on the intermediate door plate close to the first secondary connecting rod. The sliding pin slides with respect to the track groove, whereby the intermediate door plate is slidably connected to the first secondary connecting rod. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 11.

13. The surface of the first door plate facing the main body has a first door plate arcuate bump extending toward the first housing connecting rod, and a first arcuate clamp groove for assembling the first door plate arcuate bump is provided on the first housing connecting rod. The first door plate arcuate bump slides with respect to the first arcuate clamp groove, whereby the first door plate is rotatably connected to the first housing connecting rod. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 1.

14. When the first gear connecting rod and the second gear connecting rod rotate away from each other to drive the first door plate and the second door plate to rotate to a first position away from each other, the first door plate, the intermediate door plate, and the second door plate are arranged in the same plane so as to form a support surface. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 1.

15. When the first gear connecting rod and the second gear connecting rod rotate toward each other to drive the first door plate and the second door plate to rotate to a second position toward each other, the first door plate, the intermediate door plate, and the second door plate form a display accommodation space by enclosure. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 1.

16. A first housing, a second housing, a flexible display, and the rotating shaft mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 15 are provided. The first housing is fixedly connected to a first housing connecting rod, and the second housing is fixedly connected to a second housing connecting rod. The first housing has a first surface, the second housing has a second surface, and the flexible display continuously covers the first surface of the first housing, the rotary shaft mechanism, and the second surface of the second housing. The flexible display is fixedly connected to each of the first surface of the first housing and the second surface of the second housing. An electronic device. **Claim 17** The flexible display includes a first region, a second region, a third region, a fourth region, and a fifth region arranged in sequence. The first region is fixedly connected to the first surface of the first housing. The second region is fixedly connected to the surface of the first door plate facing the flexible display. The third region is disposed opposite the intermediate door plate and can move relative to the intermediate door plate. The fourth region is fixedly connected to the surface of the second door plate facing the flexible display. The fifth region is fixedly connected to the second surface of the second housing. The electronic device according to claim 16.

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