Rotating Shaft Mechanism and Electronic Device

Abstract

A rotating shaft mechanism (030) and an electronic device are provided. The rotating shaft mechanism includes a base (100), a first driving part (200), a guide part (300), and a second driving part (400). The base includes a fastener (210) and two first rotating arms (230). The fastener is fixed to the base. One end of each first rotating arm is rotatably connected to the fastener, and the other end is fixed to the intermediate frame (053). The guide part includes two guide blocks (310). Each guide block is rotatably connected to the base, each guide block corresponds to one first rotating arm, and the guide blocks are connected to the first rotating arms. The second driving part includes two second rotating arms (410), the second rotating arms are fixed to the casing (051), and the second rotating arms are connected to the guide blocks. When the two second rotating arms rotate relative to each other, the two casings can be driven to switch from an unfolded state to a folded state, the guide drives the two first rotating arms to rotate relative to each other, and the relative rotation angle of the two first rotating arms is greater than the relative rotation angle of the two second rotating arms. The rotating shaft mechanism drives the intermediate frame and the casing to have different rotation angles.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202111473512.6, titled "Rotating Shaft Mechanism and Electronic Device", filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on November 29, 2021, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

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

Background Art

[0003] A foldable portable terminal (such as an electronic device like a foldable mobile phone, a foldable tablet, or a foldable computer) needs to meet high reliability, a good operation experience, and a good appearance design. In a foldable portable terminal, a flexible display can be continuously folded. In the process of moving synchronously with the casing where the flexible display is folded, the bending part has a large deformation amount. In addition, the two parts of the flexible display are almost parallel, so that the bending part of the flexible display has a large curvature. As a result, the flexible display has obvious creases. When the curvature of the bending part of the flexible display is reduced by the relative parallel movement of the two parts of the casing, the appearance of the portable terminal is seriously affected.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a rotating shaft mechanism and an electronic device such that the flexible display and the casing have different rotation angles.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A first aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a rotating shaft mechanism for use in a foldable electronic device. The electronic device includes a flexible display and two housings. The housing includes a casing and an intermediate frame. The two casings are rotatably connected. The intermediate frame is rotatably connected to the casing. The flexible display is placed on the surface of the intermediate frame. The rotating shaft mechanism includes a base, a first driving portion, a guiding portion, and a second driving portion. The first driving portion includes a fastener and two first rotating arms. The two first rotating arms are distributed on both sides of the base. The fastener is fixed to the base. One end of each first rotating arm is rotatably connected to the fastener, and the other end is configured to be fixed to the intermediate frame. The first rotating arm includes a first sliding portion. The guiding portion includes two guiding blocks. Each guiding block is rotatably connected to the base. Each guiding block corresponds to one first rotating arm on the same side. The guiding block includes a second sliding portion that slidably fits into the first sliding portion. The first sliding portion and the second sliding portion are fitted so as to guide the relative movement between the guiding block and the first rotating arm. The guiding block further includes a third sliding portion. The second driving portion includes two second rotating arms. The second rotating arms are configured to be fixed to the casing. The two second rotating arms are distributed on both sides of the base. Each second rotating arm corresponds to one guiding block on the same side. The second rotating arm includes a fourth sliding portion that slidably fits into the third sliding portion. The third sliding portion and the fourth sliding portion are fitted so as to guide the relative movement between the guiding block and the second rotating arm. When the two second rotating arms rotate relatively from a first relative position to a second relative position, the two casings can be driven to switch from an unfolded state to a folded state, and the guiding portion drives the two first rotating arms to rotate relative to each other, and the relative rotation angle of the two first rotating arms is larger than the relative rotation angle of the two second rotating arms. When the two casings are unfolded, the two intermediate frames are arranged on the same plane, and when the two casings are folded, the two intermediate frames are expanded at the ends close to the base.

[0006] In the rotating shaft mechanism, the first rotating arm and the second rotating arm are connected using a guide portion, and the first rotating arm and the second rotating arm can rotate synchronously. However, the rotation angles of the first rotating arm and the second rotating arm are different. Specifically, the rotation angle of the first rotating arm is larger than the rotation angle of the second rotating arm. In this way, when the casing driven by the second rotating arm rotates to fold, the intermediate frame driven by the second rotating arm can have a specific angle. In other words, the intermediate frame has the shape of an expanded opening at the end close to the base, whereby the flexible display connected to the intermediate frame can perform an arcuate transition to the bent position with a large arc angle. This can reduce wrinkles in the flexible display and alleviate the light shadow phenomenon at the fold of the flexible display. Here, the intermediate frame has the shape of an expanded opening at the end close to the base. In other words, the relative distance between the two intermediate frames at the end close to the base is larger than the relative distance between the two intermediate frames at the end away from the base.

[0007] Based on the first aspect, in a possible embodiment, the first rotating arm comprises an arc groove, and the fastener comprises an arc block. The arc block is slidably fitted into the arc groove so as to enable the first rotating arm to be rotatably connected to the fastener.

[0008] In this possible embodiment, the rotating shaft mechanism can perform a rotational connection between the first rotating arm and the fastener using the slidable fit between the arc block and the arc groove. In addition, both the arc block and the arc groove can be set to be slightly arcuate, whereby the intermediate frame can be disposed at a position below the rotating shaft of the first rotating arm and the fastener that rotate relative to each other, and the first rotating arm can further drive the intermediate frame to rotate substantially more than 90 degrees.

[0009] Based on the first aspect, in a possible embodiment, one of the first sliding part and the second sliding part is the first sliding groove, and the other is the first sliding block. One of the third sliding part and the fourth sliding part is the second sliding groove, and the other is the second sliding block.

[0011] Based on the first aspect, in a possible embodiment, the first sliding groove includes a continuous first segment and a second segment, and the second sliding groove includes a continuous third segment and a fourth segment. When the two second rotating arms rotate relative to each other so that the ends of the two second rotating arms away from each other can approach each other, the first sliding block enters from the first segment into the second segment, and the second sliding block enters from the third segment into the fourth segment. The first sliding groove and the second sliding groove are arranged as follows, that is, when the first sliding block slides within the first segment, the second sliding block slides within the third segment, and the rotation speed of the first rotating arm is equal to the rotation speed of the second rotating arm.

[0012] In this possible embodiment, when the first sliding block slides within the first segment, the second sliding block synchronously slides within the third segment. In this case, the rotation speeds of the first rotating arm and the second rotating arm are substantially the same. The difference in the rotation speeds of the first rotating arm and the second rotating arm is within 5%. In this form, the intermediate frame driven by the first rotating arm and the casing driven by the second rotating arm have a smoother and more stable relative movement, and the user does not see the relative movement of the intermediate frame and the casing. As a result, the deployment and folding processes can be made more beautiful.

[0013] Based on the first aspect, in a possible embodiment, when the first sliding block slides within the third segment, the second sliding block slides within the fourth segment so that the relative rotation speed of the two first rotating arms can be greater than the relative rotation speed of the two second rotating arms.

[0014] In this possible embodiment, the first sliding block slides within the second segment, and the second sliding block slides within the fourth segment, whereby the relative rotation of the first rotating arm and the second rotating arm is controlled. When the first sliding block slides within the second segment and the second sliding block slides within the fourth segment, the rotation speed of the first rotating arm is always greater than the rotation speed of the second rotating arm, whereby the total rotation angle of the first rotating arm is greater than the total rotation angle of the second rotating arm, and the first rotating arm and the second rotating arm have a smoother and more stable relative movement.

[0015] Based on the first aspect, in a possible embodiment, the rotating shaft mechanism further includes a synchronization assembly. The synchronization assembly is connected to two guide blocks via a transmission device and is configured to perform synchronous reverse rotation of the two guide blocks.

[0016] In this possible embodiment, the synchronization assembly enables the two guide blocks to move synchronously in opposite directions, and can drive the two first rotating arms to move synchronously and drive the two second rotating arms to move synchronously.

[0017] Based on the first aspect, in a possible embodiment, the synchronization assembly includes two engaged synchronization gears. The two synchronization gears correspond one-to-one with the two guide blocks, and the synchronization gears are fixed to the corresponding guide blocks.

[0018] In this possible embodiment, the synchronous movement of the two guide blocks is implemented using the engagement of the two synchronization gears, whereby the synchronous transmission connection of the two guide blocks is more stable and the two synchronization gears are not easily disengaged. Therefore, the synchronous movement of the two guide blocks is less likely to fail.

[0019] Based on the first aspect, in a possible embodiment, the synchronization assembly further includes an even number of interlocking gears, and the two synchronization gears are engaged using the even number of interlocking gears.

[0020] In this possible embodiment, even-numbered interlocking gears are added, whereby the reference circles of the synchronizing gear and the interlocking gears are designed to be smaller and do not occupy spatial positions.

[0021] Based on the first aspect, in a possible embodiment, the rotating shaft mechanism further includes a braking assembly. The braking assembly is connected to the guide block via a transmission device and is configured to provide a braking force when the two guide blocks rotate relative to each other.

[0022] In this possible embodiment, the braking force provided by the braking assembly may enable the two second rotating arms to be stabilized at the first relative position and / or the second relative position.

[0023] Based on the first aspect, in a possible embodiment, the braking assembly includes a first cam member, a second cam member, and an elastic braking member. A first protrusion is disposed on the surface of the first cam member facing the second cam member, and a first groove that fits the first protrusion is disposed on the second cam. One of the first cam member and the second cam member is circumferentially position-limitedly connected to the base, and the other is drivably fitted to the guide block and can rotate synchronously with the guide block. The elastic braking member is configured to provide an elastic force such that the first cam member and the second cam member approach each other relatively. In the process of the two second rotating arms rotating relatively from the first relative position to the second relative position, the first protrusion slides out of the first groove.

[0024] In this possible implementation, the braking assembly is in the form of the engagement between the first protrusion and the first groove. Thereby, when the two second rotating arms are in the first relative position, the two second rotating arms can be relatively stable in the first relative position. In this case, the two first rotating arms can also have a relatively stable relative position. In order to overcome the elastic force of the elastic braking member and enable the first protrusion to slide out of the first groove, a specific torque needs to be applied to the two second rotating arms. In other words, in order to enable the two second rotating arms to move from the first relative position to the second relative position, a specific torque needs to be applied.

[0025] Based on the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the second protrusion is arranged on the surface of the first cam member facing the second cam member, and the second groove engaged with the second protrusion is arranged on the second cam. In the process of the two second rotating arms rotating relatively from the second relative position to the first relative position, the second protrusion slides out of the second groove.

[0026] In this possible implementation, the braking assembly is in the form of the engagement between the second protrusion and the second groove. Thereby, when the two second rotating arms are in the second relative position, the two second rotating arms can be relatively stable in the second relative position. In this case, the two first rotating arms can also have a relatively stable relative position. In order to overcome the elastic force of the elastic braking member and enable the second protrusion to slide out of the second groove, a specific torque needs to be applied to the two second rotating arms. In other words, in order to enable the two second rotating arms to move from the second relative position to the first relative position, a specific torque needs to be applied.

[0027] Based on the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the rotating shaft mechanism further includes two elastic screen members. One end of the elastic screen member is connected to the guide block, and the other end is configured to be connected to the intermediate frame. The elastic screen member enables the intermediate frame to tend to move away from the guide block.

[0028] In this possible implementation, the elastic screen member allows the two intermediate frames to tend to move away from each other, whereby the flexible display on the intermediate frame is taut and the flexible display remains flat. In this way, the flexible display can be easily attached, and the flexible display can be kept flat when the casing is deployed.

[0029] A second aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides an electronic device including a flexible display, a rotating shaft mechanism provided in any of the embodiments of the first aspect, and two housings. The housing includes a casing and an intermediate frame. The two casings are rotatably connected, and the intermediate frame is rotatably connected to the casing. A part of the flexible display is connected to one intermediate frame, and the other part is connected to the other intermediate frame. One first rotating arm of the rotating shaft mechanism is fixed to one intermediate frame, and the other first rotating arm is fixed to the other intermediate frame. One second rotating arm of the rotating shaft mechanism is fixed to one casing, and the other second rotating arm is fixed to the other casing.

[0030] The two housings of the electronic device control the rotation using a rotating shaft mechanism such that the casing and the intermediate frame have different rotation angles. The intermediate frame is connected to the flexible display. When the two casings rotate for folding, i.e., when the two casings have an included angle of 180 degrees, since the rotation angle of the intermediate frame is larger than the rotation angle of the casing, the flexible display of the intermediate frame has an included angle larger than 180 degrees at the bending position, and the intermediate frame and the casing rotate by a specific angle so as to conform to the angle difference between the casing and the intermediate frame. Thereby, the flexible display can perform a smooth transition at the bending position. This reduces wrinkles in the flexible display and alleviates the light shadow phenomenon at the folds of the flexible display.

[0031] Based on the second aspect, in a possible embodiment, the housing further includes a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is rotatably disposed at an end of the casing away from the rotating shaft mechanism, and the intermediate frame is rotatably fitted to the rotating shaft.

[0032] In this possible embodiment, the relative rotation between the casing and the intermediate frame is implemented using a separate rotating shaft. This facilitates the assembly of the casing and the intermediate frame.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0033]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] The present application will be further described in the following specific embodiments with reference to the foregoing accompanying drawings.

[0035] Embodiments of the present application are described below in certain embodiments, and other advantages and effects of the present application can be easily understood by those skilled in the art from the content disclosed herein. The description of the present application is provided with reference to examples of embodiments, but this does not mean that the features of the present application are limited to this embodiment. On the contrary, the purpose of the description of the present application with reference to embodiments is to cover other alternatives or modifications that can be derived according to the claims of the present application. For a thorough understanding of the present application, the following description includes a plurality of specific details. The present application may alternatively be implemented without using these details. In addition, some specific details are omitted from the description to avoid confusion or obscurity of the focus of the present application. It should be noted that the embodiments and features of the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other when there is no contradiction.

[0036] Terms such as "first" and "second" below are used only for the purpose of explanation and should not be understood as indicating relative importance or implication, or as an implicit indication of the number of technical features shown. Therefore, features limited by "first", "second", etc. may explicitly indicate one or more such features or may implicitly include them. In the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, "a plurality of" means two or more. Directional terms such as "upper", "lower", "left", and "right" are defined with respect to the orientation of the components schematically arranged in the accompanying drawings, and these directional terms are relative concepts and are used for relative explanation and clarification, and it should be understood that they can be appropriately changed based on the change in the orientation in which the components are arranged in the accompanying drawings.

[0037] In the present application, when used, the term "connection" should be understood in a broad sense unless explicitly specified and limited otherwise. For example, "connection" may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection, or a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any combination and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0038] When the following embodiments are described in detail with reference to the schematic diagrams, for the sake of facilitating the description, the diagrams showing the partial structure of the device are not partially enlarged according to the general scale. In addition, the schematic diagrams are merely examples and do not limit the protection scope of this application.

[0039] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following will further describe the embodiments of this application in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0040] To facilitate the understanding of the rotating shaft mechanism provided in the embodiments of this application, the following will first describe the application scenario.

[0041] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a folding mobile terminal. The two housings 050 are in a folded state.

[0042] As shown in Figure 1, the rotating shaft mechanism 030 provided in this embodiment of this application can be used in a folding mobile terminal 001. The folding mobile terminal 001 specifically includes two parts that rotate relative to each other, and the form of the folding mobile terminal 001 is changed by folding or rotating the two parts, etc. Under different usage requirement conditions, the user can fold and unfold the mobile terminal 001 to meet different requirements of the user. When the user needs to carry the mobile terminal 001, the user can fold the mobile terminal 001 to reduce the size of the mobile terminal 001. This improves portability. When using the mobile terminal 001, the user can unfold the mobile terminal 001 to provide a larger display area and operation area. This improves the convenience of use. In actual application, the mobile terminal 001 can be classified into multiple types. For example, specifically, it may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, or an e-book, etc.

[0043] A mobile phone is used as an example. The mobile phone may include two housings 050 connected via a rotating shaft mechanism 030. Under the action of the rotating shaft mechanism 030, relative rotation, relative movement, and other movements can be performed between the two housings 050. The housing 050 includes a casing and an intermediate frame. The intermediate frame is disposed inside the casing, and a flexible display (e.g., an OLED screen) may be disposed on the surfaces of the two intermediate frames. When the mobile phone is unfolded, in order to provide a large display area and an operation area and improve the usage performance, the surfaces of the two housings 050 on which the flexible display is disposed are substantially flush with each other, and the flexible display is placed on the surfaces of the two housings 050. After the mobile phone is folded, the flexible display is also bent, and the flexible display can be wrapped between the rotating shaft mechanism 030 and the two housings 050 in order to provide a good protection function for the flexible display. As a result, it is possible to prevent the flexible display from being damaged under an external force and improve the safety performance of the mobile phone.

[0044] When the flexible display moves in synchronization with the casing, when the two casings move 180 degrees relative to each other from the unfolded state to the folded state, the two parts of the flexible display also move 180 degrees relative to each other. As a result, the two parts of the flexible display are bent to a parallel position, and there is a transition part in the shape of an arc with a very small radius at the bent part. As a result, the local stress of the flexible display is large, and obvious creases are formed when the flexible display is repeatedly bent.

[0045] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application. The two housings 050 are in an unfolded state, the flexible display 010 is in an unfolded state, and the rotating shaft mechanism 030 corresponds to the unfolded state of the flexible display 010, that is, the two second rotating arms 410 are in a first relative position.

[0046] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application. The two housings 050 are in a deployed state, the flexible display 010 is in a folded state, and the rotary shaft mechanism 030 corresponds to the folded state of the flexible display 010, that is, the two second rotary arms 410 are in a second relative position.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the electronic device is a mobile phone. The electronic device includes a flexible display 010, a rotary shaft mechanism 030, and two housings 050.

[0048] The two housings 050 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the rotary shaft mechanism 030, and the rotary shaft mechanism 030 drives the two housings 050 to rotate relative to each other.

[0049] Each housing 050 includes a casing 051 and an intermediate frame 053 (processed to be transparent in the figure). The casing 051 has a housing cavity, and the intermediate frame 053 is arranged at the opening of the housing cavity. The housing 050 further includes a rotary shaft 055. A guide groove is arranged at the end of the casing 051 away from the rotary shaft mechanism 030. The rotary shaft 055 is rotatably fitted into the casing 051 using the guide groove. The intermediate frame 053 is rotatably connected to the rotary shaft 055. The casing 051 is rotatably fitted to the intermediate frame 053 using the rotary shaft 055. When the intermediate frame 053 and the casing 051 rotate relative to each other, the side of the intermediate frame 053 close to the rotary shaft mechanism 030 can sink into the housing cavity.

[0050] For ease of explanation, the two housings 050 are respectively referred to as a first housing 050a and a second housing 050b. Correspondingly, the casing 051 of the first housing 050a is a first casing 051a, the intermediate frame 053 of the first housing 050a is a first intermediate frame 053a, the casing 051 of the second housing 050b is a second casing 051b, and the intermediate frame 053 of the second housing 050b is a second intermediate frame 053b. The flexible display 010 is fixed to a surface of the intermediate frame 053 away from the accommodation cavity. Specifically, a part of the flexible display 010 is fixed to the first intermediate frame 053a, and the other part is fixed to the second intermediate frame 053b. The first housing 050a and the second housing 050b rotate relative to each other, whereby the flexible display 010 can be switched between a deployed state and a bent state. The guide groove extends further from a position near the rotary shaft mechanism 030 to a position a specific amount away from the rotary shaft mechanism 030, and the rotary shaft 055 can slide in the guide groove, whereby the intermediate frame 053 can further approach or move away from the rotary shaft mechanism 030. The intermediate frame 053 can relatively approach or move away from the rotary shaft mechanism 030, whereby the flexible display 010 can be conveniently attached, and the flexible display 010 can be smoothly deployed.

[0051] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the rotary shaft mechanism 030 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 4, the rotary shaft mechanism 030 includes a base 100, a first driving unit 200, a guiding unit 300, and a second driving unit 400. The base 100 is substantially in the shape of a long strip, the base 100 has a mounting cavity, and the first driving unit 200, the guiding unit 300, and the second driving unit 400 are all at least partially accommodated in the mounting cavity.

[0053] Please refer to FIGS. 3 and 4. The first casing 051a has a first rear surface, the second casing 051b has a second rear surface, and the first rear surface, the second rear surface, and the base 100 together form the surface of the electronic device away from the flexible display 010. When the first housing 050a and the second housing 050b are deployed, the first rear surface, the base 100, and the second rear surface are continuous, whereby the electronic device has a good appearance and the electronic device can also have good dust-proof performance.

[0054] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the structure of the first driving unit 200 according to an embodiment of the present application, where two first rotating arms 230 are in a deployed state.

[0055] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the structure of the first driving unit 200 according to an embodiment of the present application, where two first rotating arms 230 are in a folded state.

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first driving unit 200 includes fasteners 210 and two first rotating arms 230. The fastener 210 is fixed to the base 100 by a first bolt 250. The fastener 210 is provided with two arc blocks 211, and the two arc blocks 211 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the fastener 210. The first rotating arm 230 is provided with an arc groove 231, and the arc block 211 is slidably arranged in the arc groove 231. The arc block 211 slides in the arc groove 231, whereby the first rotating arm 230 can rotate with respect to the fastener 210. In the form of the arc groove 231 and the arc block 211, the rotating shaft of the first rotating arm 230 rotating around the fastener 210 is arranged outside the fastener 210.

[0057] Please refer to FIGS. 3 and 4. One end of the first rotating arm 230 away from the fastener 210 is fixed to the intermediate frame 053 by a second bolt 270. When the first rotating arm 230 rotates with respect to the fastener 210, the intermediate frame 053 is driven to rotate with respect to the fastener 210.

[0058] The first rotating arm 230 includes a first sliding portion, and the first sliding portion is disposed near the guide portion 300 and configured to drive the guide portion 300 to move.

[0059] Please refer to FIG. 4. The guide portion 300 includes a first mounting base 110 and two guide blocks 310. The first mounting base 110 is fixed to the base 100, and the guide block 310 is rotatably fitted to the first mounting base 110, whereby the guide block 310 is rotatably connected to the base 100. Each guide block 310 corresponds to one first rotating arm 230. The guide block 310 includes a second sliding portion, and the second sliding portion is slidably fitted to the first sliding portion. When the first rotating arm 230 rotates relative to the fastener 210, the slidable fitting between the first sliding portion and the second sliding portion enables the guide block 310 to rotate relative to the base 100.

[0060] The first sliding portion is the first sliding groove 233, and the second sliding portion is the first sliding block 311. The first sliding groove 233 extends in a direction from a position close to the fastener 210 to a position away from the fastener 210. The first sliding block 311 is a cylindrical sliding block. The first sliding block 311 can slide in the extending direction of the first sliding groove 233 and can rotate within the first sliding groove 233. When the first rotating arm 230 rotates relative to the fastener 210, the first sliding block 311 slides within the first sliding groove 233 to drive the guide portion 300 to rotate relative to the base 100.

[0061] The guide block 310 further includes a third sliding portion, and the third sliding portion is disposed on the side of the guide block 310 away from the first rotating arm 230 and configured to drive the second driving portion 400 to move.

[0062] The second driving part 400 includes two second rotating arms 410. Each second rotating arm 410 corresponds to one guiding block 310. The second rotating arm 410 includes a fourth sliding part, and the fourth sliding part is slidably fitted to the third sliding part. When the guiding block 310 rotates with respect to the base 100, the slidable fitting between the third sliding part and the fourth sliding part enables the second rotating arm 410 to rotate with respect to the base 100.

[0063] The third sliding part is the second sliding block 313, and the fourth sliding part is the second sliding groove 411. The first sliding groove 233 extends in a direction from a position close to the base 100 to a position away from the base 100. The second sliding block 313 is a cylindrical sliding block. The second sliding block 313 can slide in the extending direction of the second sliding groove 411 and can rotate within the second sliding groove 411. When the guiding block 310 rotates with respect to the base 100, the second sliding block 313 slides within the second sliding groove 411 to drive the second rotating arm 410 to rotate with respect to the base 100.

[0064] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first rotating arm 230 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0065] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, the shape design of the first sliding groove 233 and the second sliding groove 411 can control the relative rotation speed of the first rotating arm 230 and the second rotating arm 410. Specifically, the first sliding groove 233 includes a continuous first segment 2331 and a second segment 2333, and the second sliding groove 411 includes a continuous third segment 4111 and a fourth segment 4113. The extending directions of the third segment 4111 and the fourth segment 4113 are the same, that is, the whole of the second sliding groove 411 extends in the same linear direction. The angle between the first segment 2331 and the second segment 2333 in the first sliding groove 233 is set, whereby the relative movement speed of the first rotating arm 230 and the second rotating arm 410 is controlled. In this way, the design difficulty can be reduced, and the second rotating arm 410 can move more smoothly.

[0066] When the first housing 050a and the second housing 050b are deployed, the two second rotating arms 410 are arranged in a first relative position. When the first housing 050a and the second housing 050b are folded, the two second rotating arms 410 are arranged in a second relative position. In the process where the two first rotating arms 230 rotate relative to each other so as to enable the two second rotating arms 410 to switch from the first relative position to the second relative position, the first sliding block 311 moves from the end of the first segment 2331 away from the second segment 2333 to the end of the second segment 2333 away from the first segment 2331, and the second sliding block 313 moves from the end of the third segment 4111 away from the fourth segment 4113 to the end of the fourth segment 4113 away from the third segment 4111.

[0067] When the first sliding block 311 moves within the first segment 2331, the second sliding block 313 moves within the third segment 4111. In this case, the rotation speed of the first rotating arm 230 is substantially equal to the rotation speed of the second rotating arm 410. Specifically, the difference between the rotation speed of the first rotating arm 230 and the rotation speed of the second rotating arm 410 is not greater than 5%. Thereby, the intermediate frame 053 driven by the first rotating arm 230 and the casing 051 driven by the second rotating arm 410 have substantially the same rotation speed. Therefore, when the first sliding block 311 moves within the first segment 2331 and the second sliding block 313 moves within the third segment 4111, the first intermediate frame 053a can be kept parallel to the first back surface, and the second intermediate frame 053b can be kept parallel to the second back surface. In this case, the effect on the user's view is that the flexible display 010 fixed to the surface of the intermediate frame 053 moves in synchronization with the casing 051, and the folding process of the entire electronic device looks very smooth.

[0068] When the first sliding block 311 enters the second segment 2333, the second sliding block 313 enters the fourth segment 4113. When the first sliding block 311 moves within the second segment 2333 and the second sliding block 313 moves within the fourth segment 4113, the rotational speed of the first rotating arm 230 is greater than the rotational speed of the second rotating arm 410. In this way, when the first rotating arm 230 rotates by a specific angle, the second rotating arm 410 rotates by a smaller angle. In other words, when the second rotating arm 410 rotates by a specific angle, the first rotating arm 230 rotates by a larger angle.

[0069] When the second rotating arm 410 drives the casing 051 to rotate for folding, the first casing 051a and the second casing 051b come into contact to accommodate the flexible display 010. In this case, the second rotating arm 410 moves by an angle of approximately 90 degrees from the first relative position to the second relative position. In other words, one second rotating arm 410 drives the first casing 051a to rotate by approximately 90 degrees, and the other second rotating arm 410 drives the second casing 051b to rotate by approximately 90 degrees, and the first casing 051a and the second casing 051b change from the unfolded state to the folded state. There is a rotational speed difference between the first rotating arm 230 and the second rotating arm 410. Since the intermediate frame 053 is rotatably fitted to the casing 051, the angle by which the second rotating arm 410 drives the intermediate frame 053 to rotate is greater than 90 degrees. As a result, the first intermediate frame 053a and the second intermediate frame 053b are in an open state in the direction from a position away from the base 100 to a position closer to the base 100. On the other hand, at the bending position of the flexible display 010, that is, at a position of the flexible display 010 closer to the base 100, a bending angle with a large radius can exist, whereby the curvature of a part of the flexible display 010 is reduced. This can reduce wrinkles in the flexible display 010 and alleviate the light shadow phenomenon at the creases of the flexible display 010.

[0070] In addition, since the first rotating arm 230 is rotatably connected to the fixture 210 in the form of an arc groove 231 and an arc block 211, the flexible display 010 can move closer to the base 100. Compared with the form in which the first rotating arm 230 is rotatably connected to the fixture 210 via a physical rotating shaft, the form of the arc groove 231 and the arc block 211 can avoid the problem of positional collision between the flexible display 010 and the physical rotating shaft.

[0071] It can be understood that the first sliding part and the second sliding part may alternatively be set as follows, that is, the first sliding part is the first sliding block 311 and the second sliding part is the first sliding groove 233. Similarly, the relative movement between the first rotating arm 230 and the guide block 310 may be controlled.

[0072] It can be understood that the third sliding part and the fourth sliding part may alternatively be set as follows, that is, the third sliding part is the second sliding groove 411 and the fourth sliding part is the second sliding groove 411. Similarly, the relative movement between the second rotating arm 410 and the guide block 310 may be controlled.

[0073] The driving order of the electronic device may alternatively be understood as the reverse order. Specifically, the second rotating arm 410 drives the movement of the guide block 310 using the engagement of the third sliding part and the fourth sliding part, and the guide block 310 drives the movement of the first rotating arm 230 using the engagement of the first sliding part and the second sliding part.

[0074] Two sets of first drive units 200, two sets of guide parts 300, and two sets of second drive units 400 are arranged within the electronic device and correspond to both ends of the base 100. The two sets of first drive units 200, the two sets of guide parts 300, and the two sets of second drive units 400 enable the casing 051 and the intermediate frame 053 to withstand more balanced forces. Each second rotating arm 410 of the two sets of second drive units 400 is fixed via the door plate 500. Specifically, the second rotating arm 410 of the two sets of second drive units 400 close to the first housing 050a is fixed via one door plate 500, and the second rotating arm 410 of the two sets of second drive units 400 close to the second housing 050b is fixed via the other door plate 500. This can improve the integrity of the two sets of second drive units 400 and the strength of the second rotating arm 410.

[0075] Referring to FIG. 4, the rotating shaft mechanism 030 further includes a synchronization assembly. The synchronization assembly includes two synchronization gears 610 and two linkage gears 630. The synchronization gear 610 and the guide block 310 are integrally formed, and the axis of the synchronization gear 610 is coaxial with the rotating shaft of the guide block 310, that is, the guide block 310 rotates around the axis of the synchronization gear 610. For ease of explanation, the synchronization gear 610 close to the first housing 050a is called the first synchronization gear 610, and the synchronization gear 610 close to the second housing 050b is called the second synchronization gear 610. The linkage gear 630 close to the first housing 050a is called the first linkage gear 630, and the linkage gear 630 close to the second housing 050b is called the second linkage gear 630.

[0076] The two interlocking gears 630 are arranged between the two synchronizing gears 610. The first synchronizing gear 610 engages with the first interlocking gear 630, the first interlocking gear 630 engages with the second interlocking gear 630, and the second interlocking gear 630 engages with the second synchronizing gear 610. The fastener 210 is equipped with two jacks, and the interlocking gear 630 is rotatably fitted to the fastener 210 using the jacks of the fastener 210. The first mounting base 110 also has jacks corresponding to the interlocking gears 630, and the interlocking gear 630 is rotatably fitted to the first mounting base 110 using the jacks of the first mounting base 110. In addition, the first mounting base 110 and the base 100 can be fixed in relative positions using the fastener 210 and the interlocking gears 630. The first mounting base 110 further has jacks corresponding to the synchronizing gears 610, and the synchronizing gear 610 is rotatably fitted to the first mounting base 110 using the jacks of the first mounting base 110, that is, the synchronizing gear 610 is rotatably fitted to the base 100.

[0077] When the first synchronizing gear 610 rotates, the first interlocking gear 630 rotates, the first interlocking gear 630 drives the second interlocking gear 630 to rotate, and the second interlocking gear 630 drives the second synchronizing gear 610 to rotate. Since there are an even number of interlocking gears 630 between the first synchronizing gear 610 and the second synchronizing gear 610, the rotation directions of the first synchronizing gear 610 and the second synchronizing gear 610 are opposite to each other. Therefore, when one guide block 310 is rotated, the other guide block 310 can rotate in reverse synchronously.

[0078] The synchronization assembly enables the two guide blocks 310 to rotate in reverse synchronously. Correspondingly, the two first rotating arms 230 also rotate in reverse synchronously, the two second rotating arms 410 also rotate in reverse synchronously, the first casing 051a and the second casing 051b rotate in reverse synchronously, and the first intermediate frame 053a and the second intermediate frame 053b rotate in reverse synchronously.

[0079] Two synchronizing gears 610 and two interlocking gears 630 are arranged, whereby the reference pitch diameters of the respective gears can be designed to be smaller, and the mounting cavity space of the base 100 is appropriately utilized.

[0080] Alternatively, it can be understood that the number of interlocking gears 630 may be four, six, or another even number so that the two synchronizing gears 610 can rotate synchronously and in opposite directions.

[0081] Figure 8 is a partially enlarged view of region A in Figure 4.

[0082] Figure 9 is a partially enlarged view of region B in Figure 4.

[0083] Refer to Figure 4. The rotating shaft mechanism 030 further includes a braking assembly, and the braking assembly is connected to the guide block 310 and is configured to provide a braking force when the two guide blocks 310 rotate relative to each other. Specifically, the braking assembly includes a first cam member 710, a second cam member 730, and an elastic braking member 750. Refer to Figure 8. On the surface of the first cam member 710 facing the second cam member 730, a first protrusion 711 and a second protrusion 713 are arranged. Refer to Figure 9. On the second cam, a first groove 731 and a second groove 733 are arranged, the first groove 731 fits with the first protrusion 711, and the second groove 733 fits with the second protrusion 713.

[0084] Please refer to FIG. 4. The first cam member 710 is drivably fitted to the guide block 310. When the guide block 310 rotates, the first cam member 710 rotates synchronously. The second cam member 730 is circumferentially position-limitedly fitted to the first mounting base 110, and the second cam member 730 can approach or move away from the first cam member 710 relatively. The elastic braking member 750 is a compression spring. One end of the elastic braking member 750 acts on the second cam member 730, and the other end acts on the second mounting base 130, and the second mounting base 130 is fixed to the base 100. The elastic force of the elastic braking member 750 acts on the second cam member 730, whereby the second cam member 730 tends to approach the first cam member 710.

[0085] Specifically, the adjacent second cam members 730 are fixed, and each second cam member 730 corresponds to one interlocking gear 630 or one synchronous gear 610. Therefore, the rotation shafts of any two second cam members 730 are parallel but not coaxial. After all the second cam members 730 are fixed, none of the second cam members 730 can rotate about the axis of the second cam member 730, but can slide along the axis of the second cam member 730.

[0086] When the two second rotating arms 410 are arranged at the first relative position, the first protrusion 711 is arranged in the first groove 731. In the process of the two second rotating arms 410 rotating relatively from the first relative position to the second relative position, the first protrusion 711 slides out of the first groove 731, but the elastic force provided by the elastic braking member 750 is converted into a braking force that prevents the first protrusion 711 from sliding out of the first groove 731. This can improve the user experience when the user folds the electronic device.

[0087] When the two second rotating arms 410 are arranged at the second relative position, the second protrusion 713 is arranged in the second groove 733. In the process of the two second rotating arms 410 rotating relative to each other from the second relative position to the first relative position, the second protrusion 713 slides out of the second groove 733, and the elastic force provided by the elastic braking member 750 is converted into a braking force that prevents the second protrusion 713 from sliding out of the second groove 733. This can improve the user experience when the user deploys the electronic device.

[0088] The electronic device further includes two elastic screen members 800, and the elastic screen members 800 are compression springs. One end of the elastic screen member 800 is connected to the guide block 310, and the other end is connected to the intermediate frame 053. The elastic screen member 800 enables the intermediate frame 053 to tend to move away from the guide block 310. Under the action of the guide groove, the intermediate frame 053 can move relative to the casing 051 and can approach or move away from the guide block 310 relatively within a specific range.

[0089] When the flexible display 010 is attached to the intermediate frame 053, the flexible display 010 may be fixed at a position of the intermediate frame 053 relatively close to the guide block 310, and then the intermediate frame 053 moves away from the guide block 310 using the elasticity of the elastic screen member 800. In this process, the flexible display 010 is deployed to reduce wrinkles in the flexible display 010.

[0090] It can be understood that the rotating shaft 055 may alternatively slide relative to the casing 051 without using the guide groove. A sliding block may be arranged on the casing 051, and the sliding block can slide in the casing 051 so as to approach or move away from the rotating shaft mechanism 030. The rotating shaft 055 is rotatably fitted to the sliding block to implement the relative displacement between the rotating shaft 055 and the casing 051.

[0091] Two housings 050 of the electronic device control rotation using a rotary shaft mechanism 030 such that the casing 051 and the intermediate frame 053 have different rotation angles. The intermediate frame 053 is connected to the flexible display 010. When the two casings 051 rotate for folding, that is, when the two casings 051 have an included angle of 180 degrees, since the rotation angle of the intermediate frame 053 is larger than the rotation angle of the casing 051, the flexible display 010 of the intermediate frame 053 has an included angle larger than 180 degrees at the bending position, and the intermediate frame 053 and the casing 051 rotate by a specific angle so as to conform to the angle difference between the casing 051 and the intermediate frame 053. Thereby, the flexible display 010 can perform a smooth transition at the bending position. This reduces wrinkles of the flexible display 010 and alleviates the light shadow phenomenon at the fold of the flexible display 010.

[0092] The foregoing description is only a specific embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the protection scope of the present application. Any modification or substitution within the technical scope disclosed in the present application shall be within the protection scope of the present application.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0093] 001 Portable terminal and electronic device 010 Flexible display 030 Rotary shaft mechanism 050 Housing 050a First housing 050b Second housing 051 Casing 051a First casing 051b Second casing 053 Intermediate frame 053a First intermediate frame 053b Second intermediate frame 055 Rotary shaft 100 Base 110 First Mounting Base 130 Second Mounting Base 200 First Driving Part 210 Fastener 231 Arc Groove 230 First Rotating Arm 211 Arc Block 233 First Sliding Groove 2331 First Segment 2333 Second Segment 250 First Bolt 270 Second Bolt 300 Guide 310 Guide Block 311 First Sliding Block 313 Second Sliding Block 400 Second Driving Part 410 Second Rotating Arm 411 Second Sliding Groove 4111 Third Segment 4113 Fourth Segment 500 Door Plate 610 Synchronous Gear 630 Interlocking Gear 710 First Cam Member 711 First Projection 713 Second Projection 730 Second Cam Member 731 First Groove 733 Second Groove 750 Elastic Braking Member 800 Elastic Screen Member

Claims

1. A rotary shaft mechanism used in a foldable electronic device, wherein the electronic device includes a flexible display and two housings, the housing includes a casing and an intermediate frame, the two casings are rotatably connected, the intermediate frame is rotatably connected to the casing, the flexible display is placed on the surface of the intermediate frame, and the rotary shaft mechanism includes a base, a first driving part including a fastener and two first rotating arms, the two first rotating arms are distributed on both sides of the base, the fastener is fixed to the base, one end of each of the first rotating arms is rotatably connected to the fastener, and the other end is configured to be fixed to the intermediate frame, and the first rotating arm includes a first sliding part, the first driving part; a guiding part including two guiding blocks, the two guiding blocks are distributed on both sides of the base, each of the guiding blocks is rotatably connected to the base, each of the guiding blocks corresponds to one of the first rotating arms on the same side, the guiding block includes a second sliding part slidably fitted to the first sliding part, and the first sliding part and the second sliding part are fitted to guide the relative movement between the guiding block and the first rotating arm, and the guiding block further includes a third sliding part, the guiding part; a second driving part including two second rotating arms, the second rotating arms are configured to be fixed to the casing, the two second rotating arms are distributed on both sides of the base, each of the second rotating arms corresponds to one of the guiding blocks on the same side, the second rotating arm includes a fourth sliding part slidably fitted to the third sliding part, and the third sliding part and the fourth sliding part are fitted to guide the relative movement between the guiding block and the second rotating arm, the second driving part comprising. When the two second rotating arms rotate relative to each other from the first relative position to the second relative position, the two casings can be driven to switch from the deployed state to the folded state. The guiding part drives the two first rotating arms to rotate relative to each other, and the relative rotation angle of the two first rotating arms is larger than the relative rotation angle of the two second rotating arms. When the two casings are deployed, the two intermediate frames are arranged on the same plane. When the two casings are folded, the two intermediate frames are expanded at the ends close to the base. Rotating shaft mechanism.

2. The first rotating arm is provided with an arc groove, and the fastener is provided with an arc block. The arc block is slidably fitted into the arc groove to enable the first rotating arm to be rotatably connected to the fastener. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 1.

3. One of the first sliding part and the second sliding part is a first sliding groove, and the other is a first sliding block. One of the third sliding part and the fourth sliding part is a second sliding groove, and the other is a second sliding block. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 1.

4. The first sliding groove includes a continuous first segment and a second segment, and the second sliding groove includes a continuous third segment and a fourth segment. When the two second rotating arms rotate relative to each other so that the ends of the two second rotating arms away from each other can approach each other, the first sliding block enters from the first segment into the second segment, and the second sliding block enters from the third segment into the fourth segment. The first sliding groove and the second sliding groove are arranged such that when the first sliding block slides within the first segment, the second sliding block slides within the third segment, and the rotation speed of the first rotating arm is equal to the rotation speed of the second rotating arm. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 3.

5. ​ When the first sliding block slides within the third segment, the second sliding block slides within the fourth segment so as to enable the relative rotational speed of the two first rotating arms to be greater than the relative rotational speed of the two second rotating arms. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 4.

6. Further comprising a synchronization assembly, The synchronization assembly is connected to the two guide blocks via a transmission device and is configured to perform synchronous reverse rotation of the two guide blocks. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 1.

7. The synchronization assembly includes two engaged synchronization gears, The two synchronization gears correspond one-to-one with the two guide blocks, and the synchronization gears are fixed to the corresponding guide blocks. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 6.

8. The synchronization assembly further includes an even number of interlocking gears, and the two synchronization gears are engaged using the even number of interlocking gears. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 7.

9. Further comprising a braking assembly, The braking assembly is connected to the guide block via a transmission device and is configured to provide a braking force when the two guide blocks rotate relative to each other. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 1.

10. The braking assembly includes a first cam member, a second cam member, and an elastic braking member. On the surface of the first cam member facing the second cam member, a first protrusion is arranged, and on the second cam, a first groove fitting the first protrusion is arranged. One of the first cam member and the second cam member is connected to the base so as to limit the circumferential position, and the other is drivably fitted to the guide block and can rotate synchronously with the guide block. The elastic braking member is configured to provide an elastic force so that the first cam member and the second cam member approach each other relatively. In the process of the two second rotating arms rotating relatively from the first relative position to the second relative position, the first protrusion slides out of the first groove. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 9.

11. The rotating shaft mechanism further comprises two elastic screen members, one end of the elastic screen member is connected to the guide block, and the other end is configured to be connected to the intermediate frame. The elastic screen member enables the intermediate frame to tend to move away from the guide block. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 1.

12. An electronic device comprising a flexible display and two housings, further comprising the rotating shaft mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the housing comprises a casing and an intermediate frame, the two casings are rotatably connected, and the intermediate frame is rotatably connected to the casing, a part of the flexible display is connected to one of the intermediate frames, and the other part is connected to the other intermediate frame, one of the first rotating arms of the rotating shaft mechanism is fixed to one of the intermediate frames, and the other first rotating arm is fixed to the other intermediate frame, one of the second rotating arms of the rotating shaft mechanism is fixed to one of the casings, and the other second rotating arm is fixed to the other casing, Electronic device.

13. The housing further comprises a rotating shaft, the rotating shaft is rotatably disposed at an end of the casing away from the rotating shaft mechanism, and the intermediate frame is rotatably fitted to the rotating shaft, The electronic device according to claim 12.

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