Folding control mechanism with stop function

Abstract

This application provides a folding control mechanism. The folding control mechanism includes a base and a first rotating assembly. The first rotating assembly includes a first swing arm and a first housing fixing bracket. The first swing arm is rotatably connected to the base, and the first swing arm is slidably connected to the first housing fixing bracket. A first sliding groove is provided in the first housing fixing bracket. The first sliding groove extends in a first direction or a second direction. The first swing arm is installed in the first sliding groove and can slide in the first direction or the second direction within the first sliding groove. A first stop block is disposed between the first swing arm and the first housing fixing bracket. The first stop block is configured to prevent the first swing arm from being folded at a negative angle with respect to the base, thereby preventing the influence on the accuracy of the deployment angle and the user experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of terminal technology, and specifically to a folding control mechanism with a stop function.

Background Art

[0002] As flexible display technology gradually matures, the display method of electronic devices is changing significantly. Mobile phones with foldable flexible displays, tablet computers with foldable flexible displays, wearable electronic devices with foldable flexible displays, etc. are important evolutionary directions for future intelligent electronic devices.

[0003] A flexible display is an important component of a foldable electronic device and has the characteristics of continuity and foldability. A folding control mechanism is used as an important component for implementing the folding function of a foldable electronic device. In the process of unfolding and folding a foldable electronic device, the folding control mechanism can drive the flexible display to be unfolded or folded.

[0004] In the case of a foldable electronic device with high usage frequency, whether the electronic device can be accurately unfolded greatly affects the display effect of the content on the screen and the user experience. Therefore, how to control the angle and accuracy in the unfolded state is a problem that is currently attracting attention and needs to be solved.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a deployment state control mechanism. The deployment state control mechanism can effectively reduce the relative movement between the arc-shaped arm and the installation plate by using a stop block, accurately control the angle in the deployment state, and prevent overfolding or non-uniformity. In this way, the user experience is effectively improved and the product competitiveness is improved.

[0006] According to a first aspect, the present application provides a folding control mechanism. The folding control mechanism may be used in a folding electronic device and comprises a base and a first rotating assembly, the first rotating assembly being rotatably connected to the base. The first rotating assembly comprises a first swing arm and a first housing fixing bracket, the first swing arm being rotatably connected to the base and the first swing arm being slidably connected to the first housing fixing bracket. The first housing fixing bracket is provided with a first sliding groove, the first sliding groove extending in a first or second direction, the first swing arm being positioned within the first sliding groove and being able to slide within the first or second direction. The first direction is the direction in which the first housing fixing bracket moves toward the base, and the second direction is the direction in which the first housing fixing bracket moves toward the base. The folding control mechanism further includes a first stop block, which is configured to stop the sliding trajectory between the first swing arm and the first housing fixing bracket during the folding process of the folding control mechanism. By using the stop block, the folding control mechanism precisely controls the folded and unfolded states of the folding electronic device, thereby preventing folding at negative angles and effectively improving the user experience.

[0007] In possible implementations, the first swing arm has a first opening, and the first stop block passes through the first opening and comes into contact with the first stop surface to stop. The first opening is positioned to control the first stop block in order to control the deployment angle.

[0008] In possible implementations, the first housing fixing bracket includes a first stop surface, which is used to restrict the end of the first sliding groove. The first swing arm is fixed to the first stop block. The first swing arm moves in a second direction within the first sliding groove, sliding against the first housing fixing bracket until the first stop block contacts the first stop surface. The use of the first stop block allows for effective control of the folded state, and also allows for effective control of the folding angle through the design of the first stop block.

[0009] In possible implementations, the first stop block has a projection that slides within the first sliding groove until the projection contacts the first stop surface. The projection is used to allow the first stop block to slide within the first sliding groove. Since one end of the first sliding groove is not blocked and the other end is blocked by using a physical portion on the first housing fixing bracket, the sliding distance of the first stop block in the first sliding groove is effectively controlled, and the deployment angle is effectively controlled.

[0010] In possible implementations, the first stop block passes through the first opening and is fixed to the first swing arm by welding. The first swing arm and the first stop block are effectively fixed by welding, thereby fixing the first swing arm and the first stop block to form a whole. The first swing arm is fixed together with the first stop block and controls the position of the first swing arm.

[0011] In possible implementations, the first swing arm includes a first stop surface, which is located inside the end of the first opening. The first stop block is physically fixed to the end of the first sliding groove on the first housing fixing bracket. The first swing arm moves in a second direction within the first sliding groove, sliding against the first housing fixing bracket until the first stop block contacts the first stop surface, which is located inside the end of the first opening of the first swing arm, away from the base. The contact between the first stop surface and the first stop block effectively performs stopping and prevents the first housing fixing bracket from sliding against the first swing arm.

[0012] In possible implementations, the first stop block is fixed to the first housing fixing bracket by welding. The welding method ensures that the stop block and the first housing fixing bracket are fixed together to form a whole.

[0013] In possible implementations, the folding control mechanism further includes a second rotating assembly, which is rotatably connected to a base. The second rotating assembly includes a second swing arm and a second housing fixing bracket, the second swing arm being rotatably connected to the base and slidably connected to the second housing fixing bracket. The second housing fixing bracket is provided with a second sliding groove, which extends in a first or second direction, and the second swing arm is positioned within the second sliding groove and can slide within the second sliding groove in a first or second direction. The first direction is the direction in which the second housing fixing bracket approaches the base, and the second direction is the direction in which the first housing fixing bracket moves away from the base. The folding control mechanism further includes a second stop block, which is configured to stop the sliding trajectory between the second swing arm and the second housing fixing bracket during the process of folding the folding control mechanism. The implementation configuration of this part is the same as that of the first rotation assembly, and the two parts of the folding control mechanism can be controlled to unfold at the same unfolding angle.

[0014] In possible implementations, the second swing arm has a second opening, and the second stop block passes through the second opening and comes into contact with the second stop surface to stop. Here, the position and size of the second stop block can be controlled by controlling the size of the second opening.

[0015] In possible implementations, the second housing fixing bracket includes a second stop surface, which is configured to restrict the end of the second sliding groove. The second swing arm is fixed to the second stop block. The second swing arm moves in a second direction within the second sliding groove, sliding against the second housing fixing bracket until the second stop block contacts the second stop surface. The second stop block contacts the second stop surface, thereby stopping its sliding. In this way, the second swing arm fixed to the second stop block also stops sliding and is connected to the second housing fixing bracket via the second stop block to form an assembly.

[0016] In possible implementations, the second stop block has a projection that slides within the second sliding groove until the projection contacts the second stop surface. The projection of the second stop block contacts the end of the second sliding groove, stopping the sliding of the second stop block, and it connects to the first housing fixing bracket to form the whole.

[0017] In possible implementations, the second stop block passes through the second opening and is fixed to the second swing arm by welding. The welding method may allow the second stop block and the second swing arm to form a whole, thereby allowing the second swing arm to be controlled by the stopping method of the second stop block.

[0018] In possible implementations, the second swing arm includes a second stop surface, which is located inside the end of the second opening. The second stop block is physically fixed to the end of the second sliding groove on the second housing fixing bracket. The second swing arm moves in a second direction within the second sliding groove, sliding against the second housing fixing bracket until the second stop block contacts the second stop surface, which is located inside the end of the second opening of the second swing arm away from the base. The second stop surface is in contact with the second stop block. In this case, the second stop block and the second housing fixing bracket form a whole, i.e., the second swing arm forms a whole in contact with the second housing fixing bracket.

[0019] In possible implementations, the second stop block is fixed to the second housing fixing bracket by welding. Welding allows the second stop block and the second housing fixing bracket to be connected to form the entire assembly.

[0020] According to a second embodiment, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a folding control mechanism, a first housing, a second housing, a flexible display, and the aforementioned folding control mechanism. The first housing and the second housing are arranged on two opposing sides of the folding control mechanism, respectively. A first housing fixing bracket is fixed to the first housing, a first swing arm is slidably connected to the first housing fixing bracket, and a first stop block is positioned between the first housing fixing bracket and the first swing arm. A second housing fixing bracket is fixed to the second housing, a second swing arm is slidably connected to the second housing fixing bracket, and a second stop block is positioned between the second housing fixing bracket and the second swing arm. The flexible display continuously covers the first housing, the second housing, and the folding control mechanism, and the flexible display is fixed to the first housing and the second housing. The electronic device controls the folding control mechanism by fixing a first stop block in the first rotation assembly to the first swing arm, or by fixing the first stop block to the first housing fixing bracket, and by fixing a second stop block in the second rotation assembly to the second swing arm, or by fixing the second stop block to the second housing fixing bracket. In this way, by adjusting the size of the stop blocks, the deployment angle and precision of the folding control mechanism can be effectively improved, thereby improving the user experience. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] [Figure 1a] This is a folding diagram of an externally foldable electronic device according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 1b] This is a diagram of an externally foldable electronic device according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 1c] This is a diagram showing the structure of a folding control mechanism for controlling an externally foldable electronic device according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2a] This is an exploded view of a folding control mechanism according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2b] Figure of the structure of a first composite swing arm in which a first swing arm 202 is fixed to a first stop block 203 according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2c] Figure of a three-dimensional structure in which a first composite swing arm is used in a folding control mechanism according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2d] Cross-sectional view of the folded state in which a first composite swing arm is used in a folding control mechanism according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2e] Cross-sectional view of the deployed state in which a first composite swing arm is used in a folding control mechanism according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 3a] Exploded view of another folding control mechanism according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 3b] Figure of the structure of a first composite housing fixing bracket in which a first housing fixing bracket 201 is fixed to a first stop block 203 according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 3c] Cross-sectional view of the three-dimensional structure of the folded state in which a first composite housing fixing bracket is used in a folding control mechanism according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 3d] Cross-sectional view of the three-dimensional structure of the deployed state in which a first composite housing fixing bracket is used in a folding control mechanism according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0022] 100: Base, 200: First rotation assembly, 201: First swing arm, 202: First housing fixing bracket, 203: First stop block, 2011: First sliding groove, 2012: First stop surface.

[0023] 300: Second rotation assembly, 301: Second swing arm, 302: Second housing fixing bracket, 303: Second stop block, 3011: Second sliding groove, and 3012: Second stop surface.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Embodiments of this application will be described in detail below. Examples of embodiments of this application are shown in the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar function. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are examples and are used solely to illustrate this application and should not be understood as limitations of this application.

[0025] The terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth" (if any) used in this application are intended to distinguish similar objects, but do not necessarily indicate a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that data referred to in this way are interchangeable in appropriate contexts.

[0026] In embodiments of this application, the term "and / or" describes only the association relationship for the purpose of describing the related objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may indicate the following three cases: A only exists, both A and B exist, and B only exists. In addition, the letter " / " in this specification generally indicates an "or" relationship between related objects. In addition, "at least one of A, B, and C" indicates that (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C) may exist.

[0027] To further clarify the technical problems to be solved, the technical solutions used, and the technical effects achieved in this application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is clear that the embodiments described are only a part of, and not all, of the embodiments of this application.

[0028] In the current market, there is little research on controlling the deployment state of electronic devices with flexible displays, and most of it focuses on how to fold and unfold the flexible display. There is little research in current technological directions regarding deployment angle, user experience in the deployed state, etc. Therefore, the folding control mechanism provided in this application is particularly important.

[0029] To improve the angular accuracy in the unfolded state, further enhance the sophistication of the folding mechanism, optimize the user experience, and improve overall product competitiveness, this application provides a folding control mechanism. Details are described below. [Embodiment 1]

[0030] To facilitate understanding of the folding control mechanism provided in the embodiments of this application, the application scenarios of the folding control mechanism will be described below. The folding control mechanism may be used in folding electronic devices such as mobile phones, palmtop computers (personal digital assistants, PDAs), notebook computers, or tablet computers, but is not limited to these. When the folding control mechanism provided in the embodiments of this application is used in an electronic device, the electronic device includes the folding control mechanism 1, two housings, and a flexible display 4 (dashed box shown in Figure 1a), as shown in Figure 1a. For ease of explanation, the two housings are the first housing 2 and 2nd It is sometimes called housing 3. The folding control mechanism includes a base, a first rotating assembly 200 (shown in Figure 1c), and a second rotating assembly 300 (shown in Figure 1c). In addition, the first housing 2 and 2nd The housing 3 is located on both sides of the folding control mechanism 1 and can rotate around the folding control mechanism. During use, the electronic device can be folded and unfolded in different usage scenarios.

[0031] In this application, the electronic device may be an outward-folding electronic device. In the process of switching the outward-folding electronic device from an unfolded state to a folded state, the flexible display 4 is always located on the outside of the electronic device. Figure 1a shows the relative positional relationship between the folding control mechanism 1 and the two housings when the electronic device is in the folded state. In this case, the first surface of the folding control mechanism 1, the first surface of the first housing 2, and the first surface of the second housing 3 can be jointly used as support surfaces for the flexible display 4. In Figure 1, the flexible display 4 is omitted. The first surface of the folding control mechanism 1 is the surface of the folding control mechanism 1 that faces the flexible display 4, the first surface of the first housing 2 is the surface of the first housing 2 that faces the flexible display 4, and the first surface of the second housing 3 is the surface of the second housing 3 that faces the flexible display 4. For the sake of clarity, in this application, the first surface of the folding control mechanism 1 may be defined as the seat surface 1a of the folding control mechanism 1, the first surface of the first housing 2 may be defined as the first support surface 2a, and the first surface of the second housing 3 may be defined as the second support surface 3a.

[0032] Please refer to Figure 1b. Figure 1b is a diagram showing the structure of the electronic device in its unfolded state, and it shows the structure of the first support surface 2a of the first housing 2 and the second support surface 3a of the second housing 3. In the unfolded state, the seat surface 1a of the folding control mechanism 1, the first support surface 2a of the first housing 2, and the second support surface 3a of the second housing 3 can be connected to form a flat support surface.

[0033] Based on this, the flexible display 4 has a seat surface 1a of the folding control mechanism 1, a first support surface 2a of the first housing 2, and the second housing 3The second support surface 3a can be continuously covered. The folding control mechanism 1 is positioned corresponding to the foldable portion of the flexible display 4, and the flexible display 4 can be fixed to the first support surface 2a of the first housing 2 and the second support surface 3a of the second housing 3. The method of connection may be adhesive, but is not limited thereto. In this way, when the electronic device is in the unfolded state shown in Figure 1b, the folding control mechanism 1, the first housing 2, and the second housing 3 can support the flexible display 4 flat.

[0034] The application scenarios and embodiments of the folding control mechanism have been described above. To explain the structure of the folding control mechanism more clearly, the specific structure of the folding control mechanism will be described in detail below. Figure 1c is a diagram of the rear structure of the first and second housings. This structure is called the folding control mechanism and is mainly configured to control the folding and unfolding of a foldable screen. Figure 1c is a diagram of the structure of the folding control mechanism for controlling an outward-folding electronic device. Figure 1c includes a base 100, a first rotation assembly 200, and a second rotation assembly 300. The first rotation assembly 200 includes a first housing fixing plate 201, a first swing arm 202, a first stop block 203, and a first sliding groove 2011. The first swing arm 202 is rotatably connected to the base 200, and the first housing fixing plate 201 is slidably connected to the first swing arm 202. The first housing fixing bracket 201 is provided with a first sliding groove 2011, the first sliding groove 2011 extends in a first direction or a second direction, and the first sliding groove 2011 is installed on the first swing arm 202. The first swingarm 202 is,The first sliding groove 2011 can slide in a first or second direction. The first direction is the direction in which the first housing fixing bracket 201 approaches the base 100, and the second direction is the direction in which the first housing fixing bracket 201 moves away from the base 100. One end of the first sliding groove 2011 is not blocked by a physical object. The other end may be blocked by a physical object to limit the distance it slides along the first sliding groove 2011. The end with the physical obstruction belongs to part of the first housing fixing bracket 201. The first stop block 203 may be fixed to the first swing arm 202 or to the first housing fixing plate 201. The first stop block 203 is configured to stop the sliding trajectory between the first swing arm 202 and the first housing fixing bracket in the process of folding the folding mechanism. Specific settings and specific implementation processes of the first stop block 203 are described in detail in the following embodiments. Details are again not described herein.

[0035] The second rotation assembly 300 includes a second housing fixing plate 301, a second swing arm 302, a second stop block 303, and a second sliding groove 3011. The second housing fixing plate 301 is rotatably connected to the base 100, and the second housing fixing plate 301 is slidably connected to the second swing arm 302. The second housing fixing bracket 301 is provided with a second sliding groove 3011, which extends in a first or second direction, and the second sliding groove 3011 is installed on the second swing arm 302. The second swingarm 302 is,The second sliding groove 3011 can slide in a first or second direction. The first direction indicates the direction in which the second housing fixing bracket 301 approaches the base 100, and the second direction indicates the direction in which the second housing fixing bracket 301 moves away from the base 100. One end of the second sliding groove 3011 is not blocked by a physical object. The other end may be blocked by a physical object to limit the distance it slides along the second sliding groove 3011. The end with the physical obstruction belongs to part of the second housing fixing bracket 301. The second stop block 303 may be fixed to the second swing arm 302 or to the second housing fixing plate 301. The second stop block 303 is configured to stop the sliding trajectory between the second swing arm 302 and the second housing fixing bracket during the folding process of the folding mechanism. The two structures of the folding control mechanism have been briefly described above. The first stop block 203 of the first rotating assembly 200 and the second stop block 303 of the second rotating assembly 300 are important components for precisely controlling the folding and unfolding of the folding rotation mechanism. In the following embodiments, the structure of the folding control mechanism and the function of the stop blocks will be described separately in detail. [Embodiment 2]

[0036] Based on Embodiment 1, this embodiment discloses a folding control mechanism for stopping a first swing arm 202 by fixing it to a first stop block 203, as shown in Figure 1c. Figure 2a is an exploded view of a folding mechanism according to one embodiment of the present application. In the figure, the folding mechanism includes a base 100, a first rotation assembly 200, and a second rotation assembly 300. The first rotation assembly includes a first swing arm 202, a first opening 2021, a first housing fixing bracket 201, a first stop block 203, a first sliding groove 2011, and a first stop surface 2012. The second rotation assembly includes a second swing arm 302, a second opening 3021, a second housing fixing bracket 301, a second stop block 303, a second sliding groove 3011, and a second stop surface 3012. The first opening 2021 is located on the first swing arm 202, and the second opening 3021 is located on the second swing arm 302. The first rotational assembly 200 and the second rotational assembly 300 are identical assemblies and are distributed on both sides of the base 100. In this specification, the separate numbering of the first rotational assembly 200 and the second rotational assembly 300 is based on their positional relationship.

[0037] The architecture of the first and second rotational assemblies located on either side of the base is symmetrical, and the function of the assemblies is consistent. Therefore, for the sake of simplicity, this specification uses one side as an example for detailed explanation. This embodiment of the present application mainly describes in detail how the first swing arm 202 is fixed to the first stop block 203 in Figure 2a. As shown in Figure 2b, Figure 2b shows the first swing arm 202 being fixed to the first stop block 203. The first stop block 203 has a projection 2031, which slides within the first sliding groove 2011. In addition, the first swing arm 202 has a first opening, and the first stop block 203 passes through the first opening and contacts the first stop surface 2012, i.e., the end of the first sliding groove 2011 having a physical portion, to achieve a stopping effect. One end of the first sliding groove 2011 is not blocked by a physical object. The other end is a physical portion. The physical part is located on the first housing fixing bracket 201 and is part of the first housing fixing bracket 203, and is configured to prevent the first stop block from sliding along the first sliding groove 2011. Thus, the length of the first sliding groove 2011 is controlled, thereby controlling the sliding distance of the first stop block 203 within the first sliding groove 2011. The first stop block 203 is fixed to the first swing arm 202 by welding or hinge connection, forming the whole. Figure 2c shows a clearer diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the folding control mechanism. As shown in Figure 2c, the first swing arm 202 is fixed to the first stop block 203. For distinction, here we refer to the first swing arm 202 fixed to the first stop block 203 as the first composite swing arm. The first composite swing arm is rotatably connected to the base 100, and the first housing fixing bracket 201 is slidably connected to the first composite swing arm, thereby allowing the first housing fixing bracket 201 to rotate around the base 100.The first housing fixing bracket 201 is provided with a first sliding groove 2011, which extends in a first or second direction, and is installed on the first composite swing arm, which can slide in the first or second direction within the first sliding groove 2011. The first direction indicates the direction in which the first housing fixing bracket 201 approaches the base 100, and the second direction indicates the direction in which the first housing fixing bracket 201 moves away from the base 100. In the process of the first housing fixing bracket 201 moving in the second direction, the first composite swing arm slides along the first sliding groove 2011, and the first composite swing arm slides against the first housing fixing bracket 201, with no contact between the first stop block 203 and the first stop surface 2012, and a gap in between. Figure 2d is a cross-sectional view of the folding control mechanism in the folded state. There is a gap between the first stop block 203 and the first stop surface 2012, and the first composite swing arm continues to slide along the first sliding groove 2011 until the first stop block 203 contacts the first stop surface 2012, and the first composite swing arm and the first housing fixing bracket are clamped together. Figure 2e is a cross-sectional view of the folding control mechanism in its deployed state. In this case, there is no gap between the first stop block 203 and the first stop surface 2012; specifically, the first stop block 203 is in contact with the first stop surface 2012. In Figure 2e, a portion of the first stop surface 2012 overlaps with a portion of the first stop block 203. In addition, the entire assembly, including the first housing fixing bracket 201 and the first composite swing arm, is in the deployed state together with the base 100. [Embodiment 3]

[0038] Based on the embodiments described above, this embodiment discloses a folding control mechanism that performs stopping by fixing a first housing fixing bracket 201 to a first stop block 203 in Figure 1c. Figure 3a is an exploded view of another folding mechanism according to one embodiment of the present application. In the figure, the folding mechanism includes a base 100, a first rotating assembly 200, and a second rotating assembly 300. The first rotating assembly includes a first swing arm 202, a first opening 2021, a first housing fixing bracket 201, a first stop block 203, a first sliding groove 2011, and a first stop surface 2012. The second rotating assembly includes a second swing arm 302, a second opening 3021, a second housing fixing bracket 301, a second stop block 303, a second sliding groove 3011, and a second stop surface 3012. The first opening 2021 is located on the first swing arm 202, and the second opening 3021 is located on the second swing arm 302. The first rotational assembly 200 and the second rotational assembly 300 are identical assemblies and are distributed on both sides of the base 100. In this specification, the separate numbering of the first rotational assembly 200 and the second rotational assembly 300 is based on their positional relationship.

[0039] Therefore, for the sake of simplicity, this specification uses one side as an example for detailed explanation. This embodiment of the present application mainly describes in detail a method for fixing the first housing fixing bracket 201 in Figure 3a to the first stop block 203. As shown in Figure 3b, Figure 3b shows the first housing fixing bracket 201 being fixed to the first stop block 203. The first stop block 203 includes a projection 2031 (shown in Figure 2b), which is located in the first sliding groove 2011 and is fixed to the end of the first sliding groove 2011 having a physical portion. The end of the first sliding groove 2011 having a physical portion belongs to a part of the first housing fixing bracket 201, and the physical portion is configured to be fixed to the first stop block 203. The fixing connection may be welded or hinged. Here, the first housing fixing bracket 201 fixed to the first stop block 203 is referred to as the first composite housing fixing bracket. It should be noted that the first composite housing fixing bracket can be assembled in the following way: first, the first housing fixing bracket 201 is installed, and then the first swing arm 202 is installed on the first housing fixing bracket 201. The first swing arm 202 has a first opening 2021, and the first stop block 203 passes through the first opening 2021 and is fixed to the first housing fixing bracket 201. The fixing connection may be fixed to the end of the first sliding groove 2011 on the first housing fixing bracket 201 by welding or hinge connection. Figure 3c is a diagram of a three-dimensional structure in which the first composite housing fixing bracket is used in a folding control mechanism. The first swing arm 202 is rotatably connected to the base 100, and the first composite housing fixing bracket is slidably connected to the first swing arm 202, thereby allowing the first housing fixing bracket 201 to rotate around the base 100. The first composite housing fixing bracket is provided with a first sliding groove 2011, which extends in a first or second direction, and the first sliding groove 2011 is installed on the first swing arm 202, and the first swing arm 202 can move in a first or second direction within the first sliding groove 2011.The first direction indicates the direction in which the first composite housing fixing bracket approaches the base 100, and the second direction indicates the direction in which the first composite housing fixing bracket moves away from the base 100. In the process of the first composite housing fixing bracket moving in the second direction, the first swing arm 202 slides along the first sliding groove 2011, and the first swing arm 202 slides against the first composite housing fixing bracket, and the first stop block 203 fixed to the first housing fixing bracket 201 moves within the first opening 2021 of the first swing arm 202 together with the first swing arm 202 in a direction toward the first stop surface 2012. The first stop surface 2012 is the inside of the end of the first opening 2021 on the first swing arm 202. Initially, there is no contact between the first stop block 203 and the first stop surface 2012, with a gap in between. The first swing arm 202 continues to slide along the first sliding groove 2011 until the first stop block 203 makes contact with the first stop surface 2012, and the first swing arm 202 and the first composite housing fixing bracket are clamped together. Figure 3d is a three-dimensional view of the unfolded state of the folding control mechanism. In this case, the first stop block 203 is in contact with the first stop surface 2012, specifically, the first stop surface 2012 overlaps with a portion of the first stop block 203. In addition, the entire assembly, including the first composite housing fixing bracket and the first swing arm 202, is in the unfolded state together with the base 100. [Embodiment 4]

[0040] An electronic device is provided based on the embodiments described above. The electronic device includes a first housing 2, a second housing 3, a flexible display 4, and the folding control mechanism described above (as shown in Figures 1a and 1b). The first and second housings are located on two opposing sides of the folding control mechanism, respectively. The folding control mechanism shown in Figure 1c is used as an example. The first and second rotating assemblies 200 and 300 are symmetrical, with the first housing fixing bracket 201 fixed to the first housing 2, the first swing arm 202 slidably connected to the first housing fixing bracket 201, and the first stop block 203 positioned between the first housing fixing bracket 201 and the first swing arm 202. The second housing fixing bracket is fixed to the second housing, the second swing arm 302 slidably connected to the second housing fixing bracket 301, and the second stop block 303 positioned between the second housing fixing bracket 301 and the second swing arm 302. The flexible display 4 continuously covers the first housing 2, the second housing 3, and the folding control mechanism, and the flexible display 4 is fixed to the first housing 2 and the second housing 3.

[0041] The first stop block 203 can be fixed separately to the first housing fixing bracket 201 and the first swing arm 202, as described in Embodiments 2 and 3. Further details are again not described herein.

[0042] The foregoing description represents only a specific implementation of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection. Any modifications or substitutions readily conceivable by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the technical scope disclosed herein shall fall within the scope of protection. Accordingly, the scope of protection of this application shall be subject to the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A folding control mechanism comprising a base and a first rotating assembly, the first rotating assembly being rotatably connected to the base, The first rotating assembly includes a first swing arm and a first housing fixing bracket, the first swing arm being rotatably connected to the base and the first swing arm being slidably connected to the first housing fixing bracket. The first housing fixing bracket is provided with a first sliding groove, the first sliding groove extends in a first direction or a second direction, the first swing arm is installed in the first sliding groove and can slide in the first direction or the second direction within the first sliding groove, the first direction being the direction in which the first housing fixing bracket approaches the base, and the second direction being the direction in which the first housing fixing bracket moves away from the base. The folding control mechanism further includes a first stop block, which is configured to stop the sliding trajectory between the first swing arm and the first housing fixing bracket during the process of folding the folding control mechanism. The first swing arm has a first opening, and the first stop block passes through the first opening and comes into contact with the first stop surface to stop. Folding control mechanism.

2. The first housing fixing bracket includes the first stop surface, which is configured to restrict the end of the first sliding groove. The first swing arm is fixed to the first stop block, The first swing arm moves in the first sliding groove in the second direction, and the first swing arm slides against the first housing fixing bracket until the first stop block contacts the first stop surface. The folding control mechanism according to claim 1.

3. The folding control mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the first stop block has a protrusion, and the protrusion slides within the first sliding groove until the protrusion contacts the first stop surface.

4. The folding control mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the first stop block passes through the first opening and is fixed to the first swing arm by welding.

5. The first swing arm includes the first stop surface, which is located inside the end of the first opening. The first stop block is fixed to the end of the first sliding groove on the first housing fixing bracket, The first swing arm moves in the first sliding groove in the second direction, and the first swing arm slides against the first housing fixing bracket until the first stop block contacts the first stop surface, the first stop surface being located inside the end of the first opening of the first swing arm away from the base. The folding control mechanism according to claim 1.

6. The folding control mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the first stop block is fixed to the first housing fixing bracket by welding.

7. The folding control mechanism further includes a second rotating assembly, the second rotating assembly being rotatably connected to the base, The second rotation assembly includes a second swing arm and a second housing fixing bracket, the second swing arm being rotatably connected to the base and the second swing arm being slidably connected to the second housing fixing bracket. The second housing fixing bracket is provided with a second sliding groove, the second sliding groove extends in a first direction or a second direction, the second swing arm is installed in the second sliding groove and can slide in the first direction or the second direction within the second sliding groove, the first direction being the direction in which the second housing fixing bracket approaches the base, and the second direction being the direction in which the second housing fixing bracket moves away from the base. The folding control mechanism further includes a second stop block, which is configured to stop the sliding trajectory between the second swing arm and the second housing fixing bracket during the process of folding the folding control mechanism. The folding control mechanism according to claim 6.

8. The second swing arm has a second opening, and the second stop block passes through the second opening and comes into contact with the second stop surface to stop. The folding control mechanism according to claim 7.

9. The second housing fixing bracket includes the second stop surface, which is configured to restrict the end of the second sliding groove. The second swing arm is fixed to the second stop block, The second swing arm moves in the second sliding groove in the second direction, and the second swing arm slides against the second housing fixing bracket until the second stop block contacts the second stop surface. The folding control mechanism according to claim 8.

10. The folding control mechanism according to claim 9, wherein the second stop block has a protrusion, and the protrusion slides within the second sliding groove until the protrusion contacts the second stop surface.

11. The folding control mechanism according to claim 9, wherein the second stop block passes through the second opening and is fixed to the second swing arm by welding.

12. The second swing arm includes the second stop surface, which is located inside the end of the second opening. The second stop block is fixed to the end of the second sliding groove on the second housing fixing bracket, The second swing arm moves in the second sliding groove in the second direction, and the second swing arm slides against the second housing fixing bracket until the second stop block contacts the second stop surface, the second stop surface being located inside the end of the second opening of the second swing arm away from the base. The folding control mechanism according to claim 8.

13. The folding control mechanism according to claim 12, wherein the second stop block is fixed to the second housing fixing bracket by welding.

14. An electronic device comprising a first housing, a second housing, a flexible display, and a folding control mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 13, The first housing and the second housing are arranged on two opposing sides of the folding control mechanism, The first housing fixing bracket is fixed to the first housing, the first swing arm is slidably connected to the first housing fixing bracket, and the first stop block is positioned between the first housing fixing bracket and the first swing arm. The second housing fixing bracket is fixed to the second housing, the second swing arm is slidably connected to the second housing fixing bracket, and the second stop block is positioned between the second housing fixing bracket and the second swing arm. The flexible display continuously covers the first housing, the second housing, and the folding control mechanism, and the flexible display is fixed to the first housing and the second housing. Electronic devices.

Images