Rotating shaft assembly and foldable apparatus

Abstract

A rotating shaft assembly (10) and a foldable apparatus (100). The rotating shaft assembly (10) comprises a base (11) and a first swing assembly (12), wherein the first swing assembly (12) comprises a first swing arm (13), a first door panel (14) and a first connecting block (15); the first swing arm (13) comprises a first connecting portion (16) and a second connecting portion (17), the first connecting portion (16) is rotatably connected to the base (11), and the second connecting portion (17) defines a first clearance channel (K1); the first clearance channel (K1) is positioned offset relative to the first connecting portion (16) in a first direction (Y1); the first door panel (14) is provided with a first protruding portion (19) protruding from a first surface (P1) of the first door panel, the first protruding portion (19) passes through the first clearance channel (K1) and forms a high-pair fit with the second connecting portion (17) at the first clearance channel (K1); and the first connecting block (15) is movably connected to each of the first swing arm (13) and the first door panel (14), and the first protruding portion (19) can avoid an object element without squeezing and damaging the object element.

Description

Hinge assembly and foldable device

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to a Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on August 4, 2023, with application number 202310976508.4 and application name “Hinge assembly and foldable device,” the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of foldable devices, and in particular, to a hinge assembly and a foldable device. Background Art

[0004] The hinge assembly is an important structure for foldable devices to be folded or unfolded.

[0005] In some known technologies, the hinge assembly has a swing arm and a door panel that form a groove-pin high-pair fit that can slide and rotate relative to each other. When the hinge assembly is in a folded state, the protruding structure of the sliding groove set in the door panel will move relative to the swing arm and protrude from the outer surface of the swing arm and the connecting block, thereby squeezing the components arranged in the outer surface area of ​​the swing arm and the connecting block (such as the display cables of the screen of a foldable device), affecting the reliability of the product.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present application provides a hinge assembly and a foldable device to solve the problem in the prior art that the protruding structure of the door panel protrudes and squeezes other components of the foldable device when the hinge assembly is in the folded state.

[0008] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a hinge assembly for a foldable device. The hinge assembly includes a seat and a first swing assembly. The first swing assembly includes a first swing arm, a first door panel, and a first connecting block. The first swing arm includes a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, the first connecting portion is rotatably connected to the seat; the second connecting portion defines a first clearance channel, the position of the first clearance channel is staggered relative to the first connecting portion along a first direction, and the first direction is parallel to the rotation axis of the first connecting portion relative to the seat. The first door panel is located on the inner side of the second connecting portion; the first door panel has a first surface facing the second connecting portion, and the first door panel is provided with a first protrusion protruding from the first surface, the first protrusion passes through the first clearance channel, and forms a high-pair fit with the second connecting portion at the first clearance channel. The first connecting block is movably connected to the first swing arm and the first door panel, respectively.

[0009] When the hinge assembly in the embodiment of the present application is in use, the body of the foldable device is connected to the first connecting block. When the foldable device is folded or unfolded, the first door panel will move relative to the first swing arm, so that the first protrusion of the first door panel used to form a high-pair fit with the first swing arm moves out of the first makeshift channel. This solution makes the first makeshift channel of the second connecting part deviate from the first connecting part, so that the position of the first protrusion that moves through the first makeshift channel during the folding process of the foldable device deviates from the area of ​​the second connecting part corresponding to the first connecting part. In this way, the first protrusion can avoid this area and avoid squeezing other components arranged in this area (such as the wiring of the screen of the foldable device).

[0010] In one possible embodiment, the second connecting portion includes a first corresponding portion and a first extending portion, wherein the first corresponding portion is connected to an end of the first connecting portion away from the seat portion, and the first extending portion extends toward one side of the first corresponding portion along the first direction. The first clearance channel is provided in the first extending portion.

[0011] In this embodiment, the first make way channel is provided at the first extension portion, so that the first make way channel and the corresponding first protruding portion have a longer make way distance, which is conducive to obtaining more make way area.

[0012] In one possible embodiment, the first extension portion is connected to a sliding pin, and the first protrusion portion is provided with a sliding groove. The sliding pin is engaged with the sliding groove and can rotate within the sliding groove or slide along the extension direction of the sliding groove, so that the first protrusion and the second connection portion form a high-pair fit.

[0013] In this embodiment, a high-pair fit with two degrees of freedom, sliding and rotating, can be formed by the sliding groove and the sliding pin.

[0014] In one possible embodiment, the slide groove extends through the first protrusion along a first direction. The first extension defines a through groove serving as a first clearance passage, and the first protrusion movably engages with the through groove. A sliding pin is connected between two side groove surfaces of the through groove, passes through the slide groove, and is capable of rotating within the slide groove or sliding along the extension direction of the slide groove.

[0015] In this embodiment, the sliding pin is reliably connected, which helps to ensure the connection rigidity of the sliding pin.

[0016] In one possible embodiment, there are two slide grooves, each recessed from the two side surfaces of the first protrusion along the first direction. The first extension defines a through slot serving as a first clearance channel, and the first protrusion movably engages with the through slot. There are two sliding pins, each protruding from the two side surfaces of the through slot and extending into the two slide grooves, with the two sliding pins forming a high-pair fit with the two slide grooves.

[0017] This embodiment proposes another form of cooperation between the sliding pin and the sliding groove.

[0018] In one possible embodiment, a side surface of the first extension portion that is distal to the first connecting portion along the first direction serves as a second surface, and a space between the second surface of the first extension portion and the first connecting portion serves as a first clearance channel. A first protrusion is provided on one side of the first extension portion and corresponds to the second surface. The slide groove is formed as a recessed groove formed on the side surface of the first protrusion that is proximal to the second surface. A sliding pin protrudes from the second surface and extends into the slide groove, forming a high-pitch fit with the slide groove.

[0019] This embodiment proposes another form of cooperation between the sliding pin and the sliding groove, and has a simple structure and convenient connection.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the first corresponding portion and the first connecting portion are both symmetrical structures, and a symmetric plane of the first corresponding portion coincides with a symmetric plane of the first connecting portion, and the symmetric plane is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0021] In this embodiment, the symmetry plane of the first corresponding portion and the symmetry plane of the first connecting portion coincide with each other, which helps to balance the lateral force on the first swinging portion.

[0022] In one possible embodiment, the first connecting block is rotatably connected to one side of the first surface of the first door panel. The first swing arm further includes a third connecting portion connected to a side of the first corresponding portion away from the first connecting portion; the third connecting portion is rotatably connected to the first connecting block.

[0023] In this embodiment, a third connecting portion is provided to facilitate forming a rotational connection with the first connecting block.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the third connection portion is staggered relative to the first connection portion along the first direction.

[0025] In this embodiment, the third connection parts are staggered, which can reduce the possibility that the protrusion of the third connection parts affects other components.

[0026] In a possible implementation manner, the third connecting portion is connected to the first extending portion and corresponds to the first clearance channel and the first protruding portion.

[0027] In this embodiment, the third connecting portion is connected to the first extending portion, so that the third connecting portion has a longer yield distance, which is conducive to obtaining more yield area.

[0028] In a possible implementation manner, the third connecting portion is connected to the first corresponding portion.

[0029] In this embodiment, the third connecting part is connected to the first corresponding part, which is conducive to forming a collinear force transmission path from the first connecting part, the first corresponding part, the third connecting part to the first connecting block, and the first swing arm supports the first connecting block more reliably.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the second connection portion is offset relative to the first connection portion along a first direction, and the first clearance channel is located at a portion of the second connection portion that deviates from the first connection portion.

[0031] In this embodiment, the offset and staggered arrangement of the first yield channel is achieved by the offset of the second connecting portion, and the structure is simple.

[0032] In one possible embodiment, the first connecting block is rotatably connected to one side of the first surface of the first door panel. The first swing arm further includes a third connecting portion connected to a side of the second connecting portion away from the first connecting portion; the third connecting portion is rotatably connected to the first connecting block.

[0033] In this embodiment, the first connecting block and the first swing arm are connected to the same side of the first door panel (the side of the first surface), and the first connecting block and the first swing arm can be staggered on the first surface, which is beneficial to reducing the total thickness occupied by the first connecting block, the first swing arm and the first door panel, and is beneficial to the thinning design of the foldable device.

[0034] In one possible embodiment, the second connecting portion has a first arc surface facing the first connecting block, and the first connecting block has a second arc surface facing the second connecting portion. The first arc surface and the second arc surface cooperate to form a virtual rotation pair, and the rotation axis of the virtual rotation pair is coaxial with the rotation axis of the rotation connection between the third connecting portion and the first connecting block; when the rotating shaft assembly is in a folded state, the first swing arm is supported between the connecting portion and the seat.

[0035] In this embodiment, by forming the above-mentioned virtual rotation pair, the first swing arm can provide additional support to the first connecting block, and the support is more reliable.

[0036] In one possible embodiment, there are two first arcuate surfaces, one located on either side of the third connecting portion along the first direction. A concave mating groove is provided on the side of the first connecting block facing the first swing arm, and the third connecting portion extends into the mating groove and is hingedly connected to the first connecting block within the mating groove. There are two second arcuate surfaces, one located on either side of the mating groove, and the two second arcuate surfaces mate with the two first arcuate surfaces on either side of the mating groove.

[0037] In this embodiment, the support of the first arc surface and the second arc surface distributed on both sides makes the support more balanced.

[0038] In one possible embodiment, the bottom surface of the mating groove protrudes outward to form a protruding block. The third connecting portion includes two connecting cylinders spaced apart along the first direction, defining a space between the two connecting cylinders. The protruding block extends into the space such that the two connecting cylinders are located on either side of the protruding block along the first direction; the two connecting cylinders and the protruding block are hingedly connected by a pin.

[0039] In this embodiment, the protruding block and the connecting cylinder of the third connecting portion are hinged by a pin, thereby ensuring a reliable rotational connection between the first swing arm and the first connecting block.

[0040] In a possible implementation, a first groove is formed on the first surface of the first door panel, and the connecting cylindrical portion is accommodated in the first groove.

[0041] In this embodiment, the first groove accommodating portion is provided to connect the cylinder, which can reduce the thickness space occupied by the third connecting portion, and is conducive to the thinning design of the foldable device.

[0042] In one possible embodiment, the seat includes a shaft cover and a seat plate, the seat plate being connected to the shaft cover and having an arcuate groove. The first connecting portion includes a sliding tongue that slidably engages with the arcuate groove, such that the first connecting portion is rotatably engaged with the seat about the central axis of the cylindrical surface defined by the arcuate groove.

[0043] In this embodiment, the rotational cooperation between the first swing arm and the seat portion can be reliably achieved through the cooperation between the sliding tongue and the arc-shaped groove.

[0044] In one possible embodiment, there are two arcuate grooves spaced apart along the first direction, with a stop hook disposed between them. There are two sliding tongues spaced apart along the first direction, with a stop latch disposed between them. The two sliding tongues slidably engage with the two arcuate grooves, respectively, and the stop hooks correspond to the stop latches to limit the range of rotation of the first connecting portion relative to the seat.

[0045] In this embodiment, the two sliding tongues are respectively connected to the seat portion to improve the reliability of the connection, and the arrangement of the stop hook corresponding to the stop clamp portion is beneficial to the stopping and anti-slipping of the first swing arm during the rotation process of the shaft assembly.

[0046] In a possible implementation manner, the two sliding tongues are symmetrical to each other, and the first clearance channel is staggered with the symmetry planes of the two sliding tongues.

[0047] In this embodiment, the two sliding tongues are symmetrically arranged to ensure balanced connection force.

[0048] In a possible implementation, the second connection portion is offset toward the outside of the first swing arm relative to the first connection portion to form an inner space inside the second connection portion, and the first door panel fits in the inner space.

[0049] In this embodiment, the first door panel is arranged in the inner space, which can make the first door panel positioned closer to the outside. While keeping the width of the seat (the dimension perpendicular to the first direction) unchanged, it ensures that the space inside the first door panel is sufficient to accommodate the folded flexible screen.

[0050] In a possible embodiment, a second groove is formed inwardly on the first surface of the first door panel, and the second connecting portion is partially accommodated in the second groove.

[0051] In this embodiment, part of the first protrusion is located in the second groove, which reduces the height of the first protrusion protruding from the first surface of the first connecting block and reduces the impact of the first protrusion on other components.

[0052] In a possible implementation, part of the first protrusion is located in the second groove.

[0053] In this embodiment, part of the first protrusion is located in the second groove, which reduces the height of the first protrusion protruding from the first surface of the first connecting block and reduces the impact of the first protrusion on other components.

[0054] In a possible embodiment, the shaft assembly defines an installation space for installing an object element of the foldable device. The installation space at least covers a portion of the second connecting portion facing the first connecting portion.

[0055] In this embodiment, the shaft assembly defines an installation space that can be used to arrange the object components.

[0056] In one possible embodiment, the object element is an external screen cable of a foldable device. The seat portion has a first end and a second end opposite to each other along a first direction, and the first swing arm and the first connecting block are located at the first end of the seat portion. The first swing arm and the first connecting block define an installation space between a surface on a side away from the first door panel and a middle frame of the foldable device. The first protrusion and the first clearance channel are offset relative to the first connecting portion along the first direction toward a side away from the first end to outside the installation space, so as to avoid the external screen cable.

[0057] In this embodiment, the first protrusion and the first clearance channel are deviated outside the installation space to avoid the external screen wiring, thereby preventing the first protrusion from movably protruding and squeezing the external screen wiring.

[0058] In one possible embodiment, the first swing arm assembly further includes a third swing arm and a third connecting block. The first door panel is a strip-shaped plate-like structure extending along the first direction, and is used to support the flexible screen of the foldable device. The first door panel is provided with a first connecting area and a second connecting area sequentially arranged along the first direction. The first swing arm and the first connecting block are connected to the first connecting area. The third swing arm and the third connecting block are connected between the seat and the second connecting area, and are used to enable the third connecting block to be rotatably connected to the seat. The first connecting block and the third connecting block are respectively used to connect one side body of the foldable device at different positions spaced apart along the first direction.

[0059] In this embodiment, the connection to the first door panel is achieved through the third swing arm and the third connecting block, and the first door panel can be supported at various locations along the length direction of the first door panel.

[0060] In one possible embodiment, there are multiple second connection areas, which are arranged sequentially along the first direction. There are multiple groups of one-to-one corresponding third swing arms and third connection blocks, and each group of corresponding third swing arms and third connection blocks is respectively connected to each second connection area.

[0061] In this embodiment, the plurality of third swing arms and the third connecting blocks can achieve more reliable support for the first door panel.

[0062] In a possible embodiment, the hinge assembly further includes a second swing assembly, and the second swing assembly and the first swing assembly are respectively connected to two sides of the seat portion for respectively connecting the two bodies of the foldable device.

[0063] In this embodiment, the second swing assembly and the first swing assembly are respectively connected to the two bodies, so that the two bodies can be folded or unfolded relative to each other.

[0064] In one possible embodiment, the second swing assembly includes a second door panel, a second swing arm, and a second connecting block. The second connecting block is rotatably connected to the second door panel. One end of the second swing arm is rotatably connected to the seat, and the other end is rotatably connected to the second connecting block. The second connecting block and the second door panel form a high-pair fit, so that the second connecting block can drive the second door panel to rotate relative to the second swing arm while rotating with the second swing arm relative to the seat.

[0065] In this embodiment, when the rotating shaft assembly is assembled, the second door panel of the second swing assembly supports the flexible screen, and the second connecting block is connected to one side body of the foldable device.

[0066] In one possible embodiment, the second door panel is a strip-shaped structure extending along a first direction, configured to support the flexible screen of a foldable device. Multiple sets of corresponding second swing arms and second connecting blocks are provided, each corresponding to a second swing arm and second connecting block connected to a different position of the second door panel spaced apart along the first direction.

[0067] In this embodiment, the plurality of second swing arms and second connecting blocks can achieve more reliable support for the second door panel.

[0068] In a possible implementation, the second swing assembly and the first swing assembly are symmetrically arranged with respect to the seat, and the second swing assembly has a second swing arm directly opposite to the first swing arm.

[0069] In this embodiment, the second swing assembly and the first swing assembly are symmetrically arranged, which can ensure that the forces on both sides of the rotating shaft assembly are balanced.

[0070] In a second aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a foldable device comprising a flexible screen, a first body, a second body, and the aforementioned hinge assembly. The first body and the second body are respectively connected to opposite sides of the hinge assembly to enable relative folding or unfolding; the first body is connected to a first connecting block. The flexible screen covers the first and second bodies and has a bendable portion, which is supported by a first door panel.

[0071] The foldable device in the embodiment of the present application adopts the aforementioned hinge assembly, and the installation area of ​​the hinge assembly can make way for the object components in the foldable device, without requiring the foldable device to reserve excessive thickness space, which is conducive to the thinning design of the foldable device.

[0072] In a possible embodiment, the first body has an external screen, the external screen is connected to an external screen cable, the external screen cable passes through the first swing arm and the first connecting block away from the side of the first door panel and avoids the first protrusion.

[0073] In this embodiment, the hinge assembly can avoid the external screen cable, preventing the first protrusion from protruding and squeezing the external screen cable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0074] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show certain embodiments of the present application and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other relevant drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0075] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a foldable device according to an embodiment of the present application, wherein the foldable device is in a partially unfolded state;

[0076] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the foldable device of FIG1 when fully unfolded;

[0077] FIG3 is a view of the foldable device of FIG2 from another perspective;

[0078] FIG4 is an enlarged view of point A of the foldable device in FIG3 ;

[0079] FIG5 is a cross-sectional view of the foldable device of FIG3 in a folded state, with the section line located at line BB of FIG3 ;

[0080] FIG6 is a partially enlarged view of the foldable device of FIG5 ;

[0081] FIG7 is a schematic structural diagram of a rotating shaft assembly according to an embodiment of the present application, wherein the rotating shaft assembly is in an expanded state;

[0082] FIG8 is a partially enlarged view of the shaft assembly of FIG7 , wherein the shaft assembly is in a folded state;

[0083] FIG9 is an exploded view of a portion of the structure of the shaft assembly of FIG7 , wherein the shaft assembly is in an expanded state;

[0084] FIG10 is a cross-sectional view of the shaft assembly along line CC of FIG8 ;

[0085] FIG11 is a three-dimensional view of the first swing arm of the rotating shaft assembly in FIG7 ;

[0086] FIG12 is a three-dimensional view of the second swing arm of the rotating shaft assembly in FIG7;

[0087] FIG13 is a cross-sectional view of the rotating shaft assembly along line DD of FIG8 , wherein the first swing arm assembly is in a folded state and the second swing arm assembly is in an unfolded state;

[0088] FIG14 is a cross-sectional view of the shaft assembly along line EE of FIG8 , wherein the first swing arm assembly is in a folded state and the second swing arm assembly is in an unfolded state;

[0089] FIG15 is a three-dimensional view of the matching relationship between the first swing arm and the first connecting block of the rotating shaft assembly in FIG7;

[0090] FIG16 is a three-dimensional view of the matching relationship between the first swing arm and the first connecting block of the rotating shaft assembly according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0091] FIG17 is a three-dimensional view of the matching relationship between the first swing arm and the first connecting block of the rotating shaft assembly according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0092] FIG18 is a three-dimensional view of the matching relationship of the first swing assembly of the rotating shaft assembly in FIG7;

[0093] FIG19 is a three-dimensional view of the mating relationship of the first swing assembly of the rotating shaft assembly according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0094] FIG20 is a three-dimensional view of the matching relationship of the first swing assembly of the rotating shaft assembly in yet another embodiment of the present application.

[0095] : Description of the main component symbols: Foldable device 100 Flexible screen 101 Body 102 First body 102a Second body 102b Bendable part 103 Middle frame 104 External screen 105 Main circuit board 106 Battery 107 External screen cable 108 Object component 108a Hinge assembly 10 Seat 11 First swing assembly 12 First swing arm 13 First door panel 14 First connecting block 15 First connecting portion 16 Second connecting portion 17 Third connecting portion 18 First protruding portion 19 First corresponding portion 20 First extension portion 21 Sliding pin 22 Protruding block 23 Connecting cylinder 24 Pin 25 Shaft cover 26 Seat plate 27 Sliding tongue 28 Stop hook 29 Stop clamping portion 30 First rotation matching portion 31 Second rotation matching portion 32 Third swing arm 33 Third connecting block 35 Shoulder 36 Second swing assembly 42 Second swing arm 43 Second door panel 44 Second connecting block 45 Second protrusion 49 Slide groove C1 Through grooveC2 Matching groove C3 First groove C4 Second groove C5 Arc groove C6 First end D1 Second end D2 First clearance channel K1 Second clearance channel K2 Rotation axis L1, L2, L3 First surface P1 Second surface P2 First arc surface P3 Second arc surface P4 Symmetrical surface P5 Large surface P6 Spacing space Q1 Inner space Q2 Installation space Q3 First connection area S1 Second connection area S2 Dashed box S3 First direction Y1 Second direction Y2

[0096] The following specific implementation methods will further illustrate the present application in conjunction with the above-mentioned drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0097] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments.

[0098] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may also be an element centered therein. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may also be an element centered therein. When an element is considered to be "set on" another element, it may be directly set on the other element or there may also be an element centered therein. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only.

[0099] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application belongs. The terms used herein in the specification of this application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application. The term "or / and" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the relevant listed items.

[0100] Some embodiments of the present application are described in detail. In the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and features of the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0101] In order to obtain thinner foldable devices (such as foldable mobile phones), the wall thickness of the middle frame of the foldable device may be compressed to the limit, so that there is not enough thickness space to allow the external screen cable to pass through. At this time, the external screen cable may need to occupy the space of the hinge assembly.

[0102] In some foldable devices, the external display cable runs through one axial end of the hinge assembly (see the area within the dashed box S3 in Figure 4). The cable can be made of a flexible printed circuit (FPC) for input and output of external display signals and powering the external display.

[0103] However, the hinge assembly is a movable structure. During the opening and closing of known hinge assemblies, parts of the hinge assembly may bulge outward along the thickness direction, squeezing the external display cable. In severe cases, this may damage and disable the external display cable. For example, in some known hinge assemblies, the main swing arm and the protruding block on the door panel form a high-pair fit via a slotted pin. When folded, the protruding block on the door panel protrudes beyond the larger surface of the hinge assembly's connecting block, squeezing the external display cable.

[0104] In fact, for foldable devices with a higher degree of thinness, the components are often stacked more tightly in the thickness direction. The state changes of the hinge assembly during movement may bring risks similar to the above-mentioned hinge assembly, where some components bulge outward and squeeze other components of the foldable device (such as the external screen cable).

[0105] In view of this, the present application provides a hinge assembly that can reduce or avoid the above-mentioned risks, and a foldable device using the hinge assembly, which will be exemplarily described below.

[0106] Example

[0107] 1 to 4 , this embodiment provides a foldable device 100, comprising a hinge assembly 10, a flexible screen 101 and two bodies 102 (respectively a first body 102a and a second body 102b). The first body 102a and the second body 102b are respectively connected to the two sides of the hinge assembly 10 to achieve relative folding or unfolding. The flexible screen 101 covers the first body 102a, the second body 102b and the hinge assembly 10, and can be folded or unfolded with the first body 102a and the second body 102b under the support of the hinge assembly 10. The flexible screen 101 has a bendable portion 103 at a position corresponding to the hinge assembly 10, which is used to support the hinge assembly 10 and be bent into a folding form such as a U-shape or a teardrop shape.

[0108] 5 and 6 , in this embodiment, the first body 102a includes a middle frame 104, an outer screen 105, a main circuit board 106, and a battery 107. The outer screen 105 is connected to the middle frame 104 and is located on the outer side of the first body 102a. The flexible screen 101 is partially connected to the middle frame 104 and is located on the inner side of the middle frame 104. The inner side refers to the side of the first body 102a facing the second body 102b in the folded state; the outer side refers to the side of the first body 102a facing away from the inner side. In both the folded and unfolded states, the outer screen 105 is exposed for easy use.

[0109] The main circuit board 106 is connected to the middle frame 104 and is located between the middle frame 104 and the flexible screen 101 .

[0110] In the folded state, the flexible screen 101 is folded between the first body 102a and the second body 102b, and the outer screen 105 is located on the outer side of the first body 102a, so that it can be used in the folded state.

[0111] The external screen 105 is connected to an external screen cable 108, which passes through the middle frame 104 and the space between the middle frame 104 and the hinge assembly 10 (see the installation space Q3 shown in Figure 6 and corresponding to the dotted box S3 in Figure 4) and then connects to the main circuit board 106. In this embodiment, the position where the external screen cable 108 passes is in the area at one axial end of the hinge assembly 10.

[0112] It should be noted that the stacking structure of the foldable device 100 described above is only an example. In other embodiments, the foldable device 100 may also adopt other stacking structures.

[0113] 7 to 14 , 15 and 18 show the rotating shaft assembly 10 in one embodiment of the present application.

[0114] 7-11 , the hinge assembly 10 of this embodiment includes a base 11, a first swinging assembly 12, and a second swinging assembly 42. The first swinging assembly 12 and the second swinging assembly 42 are rotatably connected to either side of the base 11, respectively. The first swinging assembly 12 is connected to the first body 102a (see FIG3 for details), and the second swinging assembly 42 is connected to the second body 102b (see FIG3 for details), thereby enabling the first body 102a and the second body 102b to be folded or unfolded relative to each other.

[0115] The seat portion 11 is generally in a bar-shaped structure extending along a first direction Y1 , wherein the first direction Y1 corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the foldable device 100 .

[0116] The first swing assembly 12 includes a first swing arm 13, a first door panel 14, and a first connecting block 15. One end of the first swing arm 13 is rotatably connected to the seat 11, and the other end is movably connected to the first door panel 14 and the first connecting block 15, respectively. The first door panel 14 and the first connecting block 15 are also movably connected. The specific connection methods will be described one by one below.

[0117] The second swing assembly 42 includes a second swing arm 43, a second door panel 44, and a second connecting block 45. One end of the second swing arm 43 is rotatably connected to the seat 11, and the other end is movably connected to the second door panel 44 and the second connecting block 45, respectively. The second door panel 44 and the second connecting block 45 are also movably connected.

[0118] When assembled in the foldable device 100, the first door panel 14 and the second door panel 44 respectively support the two sides of the bendable portion 103 of the flexible screen 101, and the first connecting block 15 and the second connecting block 45 respectively connect the first body 102a and the second body 102b. In this way, the hinge assembly 10 can realize the relative rotation and opening and closing of the first body 102a and the second body 102b and support the flexible screen 101. The second swing assembly 42 and the first swing assembly 12 can adopt the same transmission principle.

[0119] In actual use, the second swing assembly 42 and the first swing assembly 12 can be opened and closed synchronously via a synchronization mechanism provided on the shaft assembly 10. The shaft assembly 10 can also be provided with a damping mechanism to provide damping during the opening and closing process of the foldable device 100. Both the synchronization mechanism and the damping mechanism can adopt well-known technical solutions. For example, the synchronization mechanism can adopt a connecting rod mechanism, a synchronous gear mechanism, etc.; the damping mechanism can adopt friction damping or other damping methods.

[0120] 11 , the first swing arm 13 includes a first connecting portion 16 , a second connecting portion 17 and a third connecting portion 18 .

[0121] The first connecting portion 16 is rotatably connected to the seat 11, and the rotation axis L1 of the first connecting portion 16 relative to the seat 11 is parallel to the first direction Y1. The second connecting portion 17 is connected to the side of the first connecting portion 16 away from the seat 11 and is configured to form a high-pair fit with the first door panel 14. The third connecting portion 18 is connected to the side of the second connecting portion 17 away from the first connecting portion 16 and is configured to rotatably connect to the first connecting block 15.

[0122] In this embodiment, the seat 11 includes a shaft cover 26 and a seat plate 27. The seat plate 27 is connected to the shaft cover 26. The seat plate 27 is provided with an arcuate groove C6 (see Figures 13 and 14). The first connecting portion 16 includes a sliding tongue 28 that slidably engages with the arcuate groove C6, allowing the first connecting portion 16 to rotatably engage with the seat 11 about the central axis of the cylindrical surface defined by the arcuate groove C6 as the rotation axis L1. Optionally, there are two arcuate grooves C6, spaced apart along the first direction Y1, with a stop hook 29 disposed between the two arcuate grooves C6. There are two sliding tongues 28, spaced apart along the first direction Y1, with a stop latch 30 disposed between them. The two sliding tongues 28 slidably engage with the two arcuate grooves C6, respectively, and the stop hook 29 corresponds to the stop latch 30 to limit the rotation range of the first connecting portion 16 relative to the seat 11. Optionally, the two sliding tongues 28 are symmetrical to each other to improve lateral balance of force.

[0123] In this embodiment, the first connecting portion 16 is symmetrically provided with two sliding tongues 28 to achieve cooperation with the seat portion 11, which can more stably connect the seat portion 11. The stop clamping portion 30 between the two sliding tongues 28 cooperates with the stop hook 29 to prevent the first swing arm 13 from disengaging from the seat portion 11 when rotating.

[0124] In this embodiment, the second connection portion 17 defines a first clearance channel K1, and the position of the first clearance channel K1 is staggered relative to the first connection portion 16 along the first direction Y1. The first door panel 14 is located on the inner side of the second connection portion 17. The inner side refers to the side facing inward in the folded state. For example, when the foldable device 100 is in the folded state, the flexible screen 101 is located on the inner side of the first body 102a, and the outer screen 105 is located on the outer side of the first body 102a. The first door panel 14 has a first surface P1 facing the second connection portion 17. The first door panel 14 is provided with a first protrusion 19 protruding from the first surface P1. The first protrusion 19 is arranged at a position corresponding to the first clearance channel K1. The first protrusion 19 passes through the first clearance channel K1 and forms a high-pair fit with the second connection portion 17 at the first clearance channel K1. The first connecting block 15 is movably connected to the first swing arm 13 and the first door panel 14.

[0125] The first clearance channel K1 described above is offset relative to the first connection portion 16, that is, the setting position of the first clearance channel K1 deviates from the middle position of the first connection portion 16 along the first direction Y1, such as the symmetry plane P5 of the two sliding tongues 28 of the first connection portion 16. The position of the symmetry plane P5 coincides with the CC line in Figure 8. On this basis, the corresponding first protrusion 19 also deviates from the symmetry plane P5, so that the area near the symmetry plane P5 and the area away from the side of the first protrusion 19 will not be affected by the protrusion of the first protrusion 19 from the second connection portion 17 and the large surface P6 of the first connection block 15, thereby avoiding squeezing and damaging the object component 108a arranged in this area (such as the external screen cable 108 of the foldable device 100). For details, please refer to Figure 6. The first protrusion 19 is offset and will not protrude into the space (i.e., installation space Q3) between the first swinging assembly 12 and the middle frame 104 for accommodating the external screen cable 108, and will not squeeze and damage the external screen cable 108. However, the second swing assembly 42 that does not adopt the staggered arrangement has a protruding second protrusion 49 in the folded state.

[0126] When the hinge assembly 10 in this embodiment is in use, the body 102 of the foldable device 100 is connected to the first connecting block 15. When the foldable device 100 is folded or unfolded, the first door panel 14 will move relative to the first swing arm 13, so that the first protrusion 19 of the first door panel 14 used to form a high-pair fit with the first swing arm 13 can move out of the first makeshift channel K1. In this embodiment, the first makeshift channel K1 of the second connecting part 17 is offset relative to the first connecting part 16, so that the position of the first protrusion 19 that moves through the first makeshift channel K1 during the folding process of the foldable device 100 deviates from the area of ​​the second connecting part 17 corresponding to the first connecting part 16. In this way, the first protrusion 19 can avoid this area to avoid squeezing other components arranged in this area (such as the external screen cable 108 of the foldable device 100).

[0127] Mainly referring to Figure 10, in this embodiment, the second connecting part 17 is offset toward the outside of the first swing arm 13 relative to the first connecting part 16 to form an inner space Q2 on the inner side of the second connecting part 17, and the first door panel 14 is matched with the inner space Q2. In this way, the position of the first door panel 14 can be made closer to the outside, while keeping the width of the seat 11 (the dimension perpendicular to the first direction Y1) unchanged, ensuring that the space inside the first door panel 14 is sufficient to accommodate the flexible screen 101 in the folded state.

[0128] In order to achieve the staggered arrangement of the first clearance channel K1 and the first protrusion 19 , this embodiment adopts a specially designed first swing arm 13 .

[0129] Referring to FIG11 , in the first swing arm 13 of this embodiment, the second connection portion 17 includes a first corresponding portion 20 and a first extension portion 21. The first corresponding portion 20 is connected to the end of the first connection portion 16 away from the seat portion 11, that is, located between the first connection portion 16 and the third connection portion 18. The first extension portion 21 extends toward one side of the first corresponding portion 20 along the first direction Y1. The first clearance channel K1 is provided in the first extension portion 21. In this embodiment, by providing the first extension portion 21, the position of the first clearance channel K1 can be deviated from the corresponding position of the first connection portion 16 along the first direction Y1, thereby causing the high-pair matching structure of the first protrusion 19 and the first swing arm 13 to deviate from the corresponding area of ​​the first connection portion 16, thereby achieving avoidance of the object element 108a.

[0130] Referring to FIG15 , in this embodiment, the first extension portion 21 is connected to a sliding pin 22, and the first protruding portion 19 is provided with a sliding groove C1. The sliding pin 22 engages with the sliding groove C1 and can rotate within the sliding groove C1 or slide along the extension direction of the sliding groove C1, thereby forming a high-pair fit between the first protruding portion 19 and the second connecting portion 17. The sliding groove C1 can be an arcuate groove C6, and the sliding pin 22 can be a cylindrical pin. In this way, the sliding pin 22 can slide along the sliding groove C1 in an arcuate direction and rotate within the sliding groove C1, thereby forming a high-pair fit with two degrees of freedom.

[0131] In this embodiment, the first connecting block 15 is rotatably connected to the first surface P1 of the first door panel 14. That is, the first connecting block 15 and the first swing arm 13 are disposed on the same side of the first door panel 14. Furthermore, the first connecting block 15 is located on the side of the first swing arm 13 away from the seat portion 11. The third connecting portion 18 of the first swing arm 13 is connected to the side of the first corresponding portion 20 away from the first connecting portion 16 and is rotatably connected to the first connecting block 15.

[0132] Optionally, the first connecting block 15 is provided with a concave mating groove C3 on the side facing the first swing arm 13, and the bottom surface of the mating groove C3 is convex to form a protruding block 23. The third connecting portion 18 includes two connecting cylinders 24 spaced apart along the first direction Y1, and a spacing space Q1 is defined between the two connecting cylinders 24. The protruding block 23 extends into the spacing space Q1 so that the two connecting cylinders 24 are respectively located on both sides of the protruding block 23 along the first direction Y1. The two connecting cylinders 24 and the protruding block 23 are hingedly connected by a pin 25. By providing a concave mating groove C3 to accommodate the third connecting portion 18, the size occupied by the first swing arm 13 and the first connecting block 15 in the direction perpendicular to the first direction Y1 (i.e., the second direction Y2 shown in Figure 8) can be reduced.

[0133] In other embodiments, the first swing arm 13 and the first connecting block 15 may also form a relative rotation fit in other ways, which are not limited here.

[0134] Referring to Figure 13 or Figure 14, in this embodiment, the second connecting portion 17 has a first arc surface P3 facing the first connecting block 15, and the first connecting block 15 has a second arc surface P4 facing the second connecting portion 17. The first arc surface P3 and the second arc surface P4 cooperate to form a virtual rotation pair, and the rotation axis L2 of the virtual rotation pair and the rotation axis L3 of the rotation connection between the third connecting portion 18 and the first connecting block 15 are coaxial; when the shaft assembly 10 is in a folded state, the first swing arm 13 is supported between the connecting portion and the seat 11.

[0135] In this embodiment, the first arc surface P3 and the second arc surface P4 may be clearance fit or transition fit. There may also be a small gap between the first arc surface P3 and the second arc surface P4 to accommodate structural shape and position tolerances or dimensional tolerances.

[0136] In this embodiment, in addition to being hingedly connected by the aforementioned pin 25, the first swing arm 13 and the first connecting block 15 also form a coaxial virtual rotational pair through the first arc surface P3 and the second arc surface P4. The redundant rotational cooperation improves the stability of the connection between the two, and in the folded state, the first swing arm 13 supports the first connecting block 15 not only through the pin 25 but also through the first arc surface P3, greatly improving the supporting capacity, reducing the load requirement of the pin 25, and avoiding deformation of the pin 25 due to overload.

[0137] For example, when the foldable device 100 in the folded state accidentally falls or for other reasons, causing its seat 11 to hit the ground, the impact on the foldable device 100 can be directly transmitted to the first swing arm 13 by the first connecting block 15 through the abutment of the first arc surface P3 and the second arc surface P4, and then transmitted to the seat 11, thereby avoiding that all or most of the excessive impact load acts on the pin 25, causing the pin 25 to be overloaded, deformed and fail.

[0138] Optionally, there are two first arcuate surfaces P3, and the two first arcuate surfaces P3 are located on both sides of the third connecting portion 18 along the first direction Y1. The third connecting portion 18 extends into the mating groove C3 and is hingedly connected to the first connecting block 15 within the mating groove C3. There are two second arcuate surfaces P4, and the two second arcuate surfaces P4 are located on both sides of the mating groove C3, and the two second arcuate surfaces P4 are mated with the two first arcuate surfaces P3 on both sides of the mating groove C3. In this embodiment, the second connecting portion 17 can be provided with bosses 36 located on both sides of the third connecting portion 18 in the first direction Y1, and the two first arcuate surfaces P3 are the side surfaces of the two bosses 36 facing the first connecting block 15.

[0139] Referring to Figures 9 and 15 , in this embodiment, a first groove C4 is recessed into the first surface P1 of the first door panel 14. The first groove C4 is a strip-shaped groove with a semicircular cross-section and extends along the first direction Y1. Two connecting cylinders 24 are partially accommodated in the first grooves C4. By providing the first grooves C4 to partially accommodate the connecting cylinders 24, the overlap of the third connecting portion 18 with the thickness of the first door panel 14 can be reduced.

[0140] Optionally, the first surface P1 of the first door panel 14 is provided with a second concave groove C5, the shape of which can be adapted to the second connecting portion 17, and the second connecting portion 17 is partially accommodated in the second groove C5. The thickness direction portion of the second connecting portion 17 is accommodated in the second groove C5, which reduces the stacking thickness of the second connecting portion 17 and the first door panel 14. In this way, the second connecting portion 17 and the third connecting portion 18, which overlap with the first door panel 14 in the thickness direction, can be closer to the inner side surface of the first door panel 14, thereby reducing the overall thickness of the first swing arm 13 and the first door panel 14 after being superimposed, and freeing up more space in the thickness direction for the external screen cable 108 or other object components 108a.

[0141] Optionally, a portion of the first protrusion 19 is located within the second groove C5, or in other words, the first protrusion 19 protrudes from the bottom surface of the second groove C5. In this way, the first protrusion 19 is partially located within the second groove C5, reducing the height of the first protrusion 19 protruding from the first surface P1 of the first connecting block 15, thereby reducing the impact of the protrusion of the first protrusion 19 on other components.

[0142] 15 and 18 , in this embodiment, the first door panel 14 is provided with two first rotational engagement portions 31 spaced apart along a first direction Y1, and the first connecting block 15 is provided with two second rotational engagement portions 32. The first connecting block 15 is rotatably connected to the two first rotational engagement portions 31 of the first door panel 14 via the two second rotational engagement portions 32. The first rotational engagement portions 31 and the second rotational engagement portions 32 can adopt a suitable rotational engagement pair, such as an arc-slot slider engagement, a pin-hole engagement, etc., which is not limited herein.

[0143] 15 , 16 and 17 show three different embodiments of the first protrusion 19 forming a high-pair fit with the first extension 21 of the first swing arm 13 at the first clearance channel K1 .

[0144] Referring to Figure 15 , in this embodiment, the first protrusion 19 has a sliding groove C1 extending through the first protrusion 19 along the first direction Y1. The first extension 21 defines a through groove C2, serving as a first clearance channel K1. Through groove C2 extends through the first extension 21 along its thickness. The first protrusion 19 movably extends into through groove C2. A sliding pin 22 is connected between the two side surfaces of through groove C2. The sliding pin 22 extends through the sliding groove C1 and can rotate within the groove C1 or slide along the extension direction of the groove C1.

[0145] As shown in Figure 16, the first protrusion 19 has two slide grooves C1, which are recessed from the two side surfaces of the first protrusion 19 along the first direction Y1. The first extension 21 is provided with a through groove C2, which serves as a first clearance channel K1. The through groove C2 extends through the first extension 21 along the thickness direction. The first protrusion 19 can movably extend into the through groove C2. There are two sliding pins 22, which protrude from the two side groove surfaces of the through groove C2 and extend into the two slide grooves C1, and the two sliding pins 22 form a high-pair fit with the two slide grooves C1. Optionally, the two slide grooves C1 extend through the protruding ends of the first protrusion 19 along the extension direction of the slide groove C1. In this way, when the first swing arm 13 is installed on the first door panel 14, the two sliding pins 22 can slide directly into the slide groove C1 from the outer end of the slide groove C1 in the extension direction, facilitating installation.

[0146] Referring to Figure 17 , the side surface of the first extension portion 21 away from the first connection portion 16 along the first direction Y1 is defined as the second surface P2, and the space between the second surface P2 of the first extension portion 21 and the first connection portion 16 serves as the first clearance channel K1. The first protrusion 19 is located on one side of the first extension portion 21 and corresponds to the second surface P2. The slide groove C1 is formed by a recessed shape from the side surface of the first protrusion 19 near the second surface P2, or it can be recessed to extend through the first protrusion 19. The sliding pin 22 protrudes from the second surface P2 and extends into the slide groove C1, forming a high-pair fit with the slide groove C1. In this embodiment, the first extension portion 21 is shortened, and the sliding pin 22 is directly connected to the end surface (second surface P2) of the first extension portion 21, resulting in a relatively simple structure.

[0147] In addition to the three high-pair matching modes shown in Figures 15, 16 and 17, in other embodiments, other suitable high-pair matching modes can be adopted between the first protrusion 19 and the first swing arm 13, which are not limited here.

[0148] In the embodiments shown in Figures 15-17 , the third connection portion 18 is not offset relative to the first connection portion 16, that is, the symmetry plane of the third connection portion 18 coincides with the symmetry plane P5 of the first connection portion 16. For example, the first corresponding portion 20 and the first connection portion 16 are both symmetrical structures, and the symmetry plane of the first corresponding portion 20 coincides with the symmetry plane P5 of the first connection portion 16, and the symmetry plane P5 is perpendicular to the first direction Y1. As a result, the third connection portion 18 and the first connection portion 16 can be directly opposite, which facilitates the first swing arm 13 to transmit force in the second direction Y2 in a collinear manner.

[0149] 18 to 20 show three other embodiments, in which the third connecting portion 18 is offset and staggered relative to the first connecting portion 16 .

[0150] Referring to Figure 18 , the second connecting portion 17 of the first swing arm 13 similarly includes a first corresponding portion 20 and a first extending portion 21. The first protrusion 19 and the first clearance channel K1 are also located on the first extending portion 21. However, the first corresponding portion 20 is not symmetrical, but rather roughly forms a right-angled trapezoid that is tilted to the left. The first extending portion 21 is located on the right side of the trapezoid. The first corresponding portion 20 of the trapezoid has a shorter top side connecting to the third connecting portion 18 and a longer bottom side connecting to the first connecting portion 16. This causes the symmetry plane P5 of the third connecting portion 18 to be offset to one side relative to the first connecting portion 16. This offset of the third connecting portion 18 further reduces the impact of the protruding portion of the third connecting portion 18 (such as the aforementioned connecting cylinder 24) on the target element 108a. While remaining within the extension range of the first connecting portion 16 along the first direction Y1, the third connecting portion 18 still ensures reliable force transmission along the second direction Y2.

[0151] The embodiment shown in Figure 19 builds on the embodiment shown in Figure 18 by eliminating the first extension 21 and positioning the first protrusion 19 and the first clearance channel K1 within the first corresponding portion 20 offset from the symmetry plane P5 of the first connecting portion 16. Specifically, in this embodiment, the second connecting portion 17 is formed as a right-angled trapezoid, thereby offsetting the second connecting portion 17 and facilitating the staggered alignment of the first protrusion 19 and the first clearance channel K1. As shown, the symmetry planes of the first clearance channel K1 and the third connecting portion 18 face each other along the second direction Y2. To provide balanced support for the first connecting block 15, a shoulder 36 is formed on one side of the right-angled waist of the right-angled trapezoid of the second connecting portion 17. This shoulder 36 is provided with the aforementioned first arcuate surface P3, which mates with the second arcuate surface P4 of the first connecting block 15.

[0152] The embodiment shown in Figure 20 is that, on the basis of the embodiment shown in Figure 18, the third connecting portion 18 is offset to a position on the first extension portion 21 that is opposite to the first make way channel K1 along the second direction Y2. The right side of the third connecting portion 18 has a larger make way space, and it is convenient to connect the spacing space Q1 and the first make way channel K1 and process them in one go.

[0153] In summary, in this embodiment, the second connecting portion 17 can be set to the form as shown in Figure 15 (that is, including the first corresponding portion 20 and the first extension portion 21 formed by extension), or the extended first extension portion 21 may not be set (as shown in Figures 18 and 20), and only part of the first corresponding portion 20 is retained and the first corresponding portion 20 is set in an asymmetrical form, so that the second connecting portion 17 as a whole is offset to one side along the first direction Y1 (as shown in Figure 19).

[0154] At the same time, the third connecting portion 18 can be arranged opposite the first connecting portion 16 (as shown in Figures 15, 16 and 17), or it can be connected to the first corresponding portion 20 offset to one side (as shown in Figures 18 and 19), or it can be offset to a greater extent and arranged on the first extension portion 21.

[0155] The first clearance channel K1 and the first protrusion 19 can be offset and staggered by being directly set on the first extension portion 21 or outside the first extension portion 21 (as shown in Figures 15-18 and 20), or by being set on the offset second connecting portion 17 (as shown in Figure 19).

[0156] Referring again to Figure 7, in this embodiment, the first swing arm 13 assembly further includes a third swing arm 33 and a third connecting block 35. The first door panel 14 is a strip-shaped plate-like structure extending along the first direction Y1, and is used to support the flexible screen 101 of the foldable device 100. The first door panel 14 is provided with a first connecting area S1 and a second connecting area S2 arranged in sequence along the first direction Y1. The first swing arm 13 and the first connecting block 15 are connected to the first connecting area S1. The third swing arm 33 and the third connecting block 35 are connected between the seat 11 and the second connecting area S2, and are used to rotatably connect the third connecting block 35 to the seat 11. The first connecting block 15 and the third connecting block 35 are respectively used to connect to different positions of the side body 102 of the foldable device 100 spaced apart along the first direction Y1. Optionally, there are multiple second connecting areas S2, and the multiple second connecting areas S2 are arranged in sequence along the first direction Y1. There are multiple groups of one-to-one corresponding third swing arms 33 and third connecting blocks 35, and each group of corresponding third swing arms 33 and third connecting blocks 35 is respectively connected to each second connecting area S2.

[0157] By setting multiple swing arms (including the first swing arm 13 and the third swing arm 33) and multiple connecting blocks (including the first connecting block 15 and the third connecting block 35) to connect and support the first door panel 14 at different positions, it can ensure that the first door panel 14 is uniformly stressed and reliably supports the flexible screen 101 at all locations.

[0158] The second swing assembly 42 includes a second door panel 44, a second swing arm 43, and a second connecting block 45. The second connecting block 45 is rotatably connected to the second door panel 44. One end of the second swing arm 43 is rotatably connected to the seat 11, and the other end is rotatably connected to the second connecting block 45 and forms a high-pair fit with the second door panel 44, so that the second connecting block 45 can drive the second door panel 44 to rotate relative to the second swing arm 43 while rotating with the second swing arm 43 relative to the seat 11. The second door panel 44 is a strip-shaped plate-like structure extending along the first direction Y1, which is used to support the flexible screen 101 of the foldable device 100. There are multiple groups of one-to-one corresponding second swing arms 43 and second connecting blocks 45, and the second swing arms 43 and second connecting blocks 45 corresponding to each group are respectively connected to different positions of the second door panel 44 along the first direction Y1.

[0159] Optionally, the second swing assembly 42 and the first swing assembly 12 are arranged symmetrically about the seat 11, and one of the second swing arms 43 of the second swing assembly 42 is opposite to the first swing arm 13, and the other second swing arms 43 correspond to each third swing arm 33. In this way, it can be ensured that the two sides of the shaft assembly 10 are symmetrically and evenly stressed.

[0160] 9 and 12 , the second swing arm 43 and the second connecting block 45 in this embodiment differ from the first swing arm 13 and the first connecting block 15 in that the second clearance channel K2 provided in the second swing arm 43 and the second protrusion 49 on the second connecting block 45 are not offset, so that the second swing arm 43 is symmetrical as a whole and has better force balancing performance.

[0161] In this embodiment, the hinge assembly 10 defines an installation space Q3 for mounting an object component 108a (e.g., the external display cable 108) of the foldable device 100. The installation space Q3 covers at least the portion of the second connection portion 17 that faces the first connection portion 16. For example, the installation space Q3 covers the area within the dashed box S3 shown in FIG. 4 .

[0162] The base 11 has a first end D1 and a second end D2 that oppose each other along a first direction Y1. A first swing arm 13 and a first connecting block 15 are located at the first end D1 of the base 11. A mounting space Q3 is defined between the first swing arm 13 and the first connecting block 15 on a side facing away from the first door panel 14 and the middle frame 104 of the foldable device 100. The first protrusion 19 and the first clearance channel K1 are offset relative to the first connecting portion 16 along the first direction Y1, away from the first end D1, and outside of the mounting space Q3 to provide clearance for the external display cable 108.

[0163] When the hinge assembly 10 in this embodiment is assembled to the foldable device 100, the first connecting block 15 and multiple third connecting blocks 35 of the first swinging assembly 12 are respectively connected to different positions of the first body 102a along the first direction Y1, and the multiple second connecting blocks 45 are connected to different positions of the second body 102b along the first direction Y1. In this way, when the first body 102a and the second body 102b rotate relative to the seat 11, they can drive the first swinging assembly 12 and the second swinging assembly 42 to rotate relative to the seat 11, so that the first door panel 14 and the second door panel 44 support the flexible screen 101.

[0164] Referring to Figure 6 again, in the folded state, the space (installation space Q3) between the middle frame 104 and the first swing arm 13 and the first connecting block 15 of the first swing assembly 12 away from the surface of one side of the flexible screen 101 is used to allow the external screen cable 108. Since the first protrusion 19 has been offset outside the installation space Q3 through which the external screen cable 108 passes, during the rotation of the hinge assembly 10, the first protrusion 19 will not protrude and squeeze the external screen cable 108, ensuring the normal use of the external screen cable 108.

[0165] The third swing arm 33 and the third connecting block 35 in this embodiment may adopt the same structure as the second swing arm 43 and the second connecting block 45 .

[0166] In other embodiments, if an avoidance design is also required at a third swing arm 33 and a third connecting block 35 or a second swing arm 43 and a second connecting block 45, the corresponding third swing arm 33 and a third connecting block 35 or a second swing arm 43 and a second connecting block 45 may also refer to the high-pair matching offset setting form of the first swing arm 13 and the first connecting block 15.

[0167] In summary, the hinge assembly 10 in this embodiment can prevent the hinge assembly 10 from squeezing other components due to the offset first protrusion 19 and the first clearance channel K1, thereby reducing the amount of additional clearance space reserved in the thickness direction and facilitating the thinning design of the foldable device 100.

[0168] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the above preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent replacements of the technical solutions of the present application should not depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present application.

Claims

1. A hinge assembly for a foldable device, characterized in that: comprising a seat portion and a first swing assembly; The first swing assembly comprises: a first swing arm, the first swing arm comprising a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, the first connecting portion being rotatably connected to the seat portion; the second connecting portion defining a first clearance channel, the position of the first clearance channel being staggered relative to the first connecting portion along a first direction, the first direction being parallel to a rotation axis of the first connecting portion relative to the seat portion; a first door panel, the first door panel being located at the inner side of the second connecting portion; the first door panel having a first surface facing the second connecting portion, the first door panel being provided with a first protruding portion protruding from the first surface, the first protruding portion passing through the first clearance channel and forming a high-pair fit with the second connecting portion at the first clearance channel; The first connecting block is movably connected to the first swing arm and the first door panel respectively.

2. The shaft assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second connecting portion includes a first corresponding portion and a first extending portion, the first corresponding portion is connected to an end of the first connecting portion away from the seat portion, and the first extending portion extends toward one side of the first corresponding portion along the first direction; The first clearance channel is arranged on the first extension portion.

3. The shaft assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first extension portion is connected with a sliding pin, and the first protrusion portion is provided with a sliding groove; The sliding pin is matched with the sliding groove and can rotate in the sliding groove or slide along the extension direction of the sliding groove, so that the first protruding part and the second connecting part form the high-pair fit.

4. The shaft assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The slide groove passes through the first protrusion along the first direction; The first extension portion is provided with a through slot serving as the first clearance passage, and the first protrusion can be movably matched with the through slot; The sliding pin is connected between the two side groove surfaces of the through groove. The sliding pin passes through the sliding groove and can rotate in the sliding groove or slide along the extension direction of the sliding groove.

5. The shaft assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: There are two slide grooves, and the two slide grooves are respectively formed by being recessed from two side surfaces of the first protrusion along the first direction; The first extension portion is provided with a through slot serving as the first clearance passage, and the first protrusion can be movably matched with the through slot; There are two sliding pins, which protrude from the two side groove surfaces of the through groove and extend into the two sliding grooves respectively, and the two sliding pins respectively form the high pair cooperation with the two sliding grooves.

6. The shaft assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: A side surface of the first extension portion away from the first connection portion along the first direction is a second surface, and a space at a position of the second surface of the first extension portion away from the first connection portion serves as the first clearance channel; The first protrusion is disposed on one side of the first extension portion and corresponds to the second surface; the slide groove is formed by being concavely formed from a side surface of the first protrusion close to the second surface; The sliding pin protrudes from the second surface and extends into the sliding groove to form the high pair fit with the sliding groove.

7. The shaft assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first corresponding portion and the first connecting portion are both symmetrical structures, and the symmetry plane of the first corresponding portion and the first connecting portion are The symmetry planes of a connecting portion coincide with each other, and the symmetry planes are perpendicular to the first direction.

8. The shaft assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that: The first connecting block is rotatably connected to one side of the first surface of the first door panel; The first swing arm further includes a third connecting portion, which is connected to a side of the first corresponding portion away from the first connecting portion; the third connecting portion is rotatably connected to the first connecting block.

9. The shaft assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that: The third connection portion is staggered relative to the first connection portion along a first direction.

10. The shaft assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that: The third connecting portion is connected to the first extending portion and corresponds to the first clearance channel and the first protruding portion.

11. The shaft assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that: The third connecting portion is connected to the first corresponding portion.

12. The shaft assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second connection portion is offset relative to the first connection portion along the first direction, and the first clearance channel is located at a portion of the second connection portion that deviates from the first connection portion.

13. The shaft assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that: The first connecting block is rotatably connected to one side of the first surface of the first door panel; The first swing arm further includes a third connecting portion, which is connected to a side of the second connecting portion away from the first connecting portion; the third connecting portion is rotatably connected to the first connecting block.

14. The shaft assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that: The second connecting portion has a first arc surface facing the first connecting block, and the first connecting block has a second arc surface facing the second connecting portion. The first arc surface and the second arc surface cooperate to form a virtual rotation pair, and the rotation axis of the virtual rotation pair is coaxial with the rotation axis of the rotation connection between the third connecting portion and the first connecting block; when the rotating shaft assembly is in a folded state, the first swing arm is supported between the connecting portion and the seat portion.

15. The shaft assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that: There are two first arc surfaces, and the two first arc surfaces are respectively located on two sides of the third connecting portion along the first direction; The first connecting block is provided with a concave mating groove on one side facing the first swing arm, and the third connecting portion extends into the mating groove and is hingedly connected to the first connecting block in the mating groove; there are two second arc surfaces, the two second arc surfaces are respectively located on both sides of the mating groove, and the two second arc surfaces are respectively mated with the two first arc surfaces on both sides of the mating groove.

16. The shaft assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that: The bottom surface of the matching groove is convex outward to form a protruding block; The third connecting portion includes two connecting cylinders spaced apart along the first direction, and a spacing space is defined between the two connecting cylinders; The protruding block extends into the spacing space so that the two connecting cylinders are respectively located on both sides of the protruding block along the first direction; the two connecting cylinders and the protruding block are hingedly connected by a pin.

17. The shaft assembly according to claim 16, characterized in that: A first groove is formed on the first surface of the first door panel, and the connecting cylindrical portion is accommodated in the first groove.

18. The shaft assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that: The seat portion includes a shaft cover and a seat plate, wherein the seat plate is connected to the shaft cover and is provided with an arc groove; The first connecting portion comprises a sliding tongue, and the sliding tongue can be slidably matched with the arc groove, so that the first connecting portion can be rotatably matched with the seat portion with the central axis of the cylindrical surface defined by the arc groove as the rotation axis.

19. The shaft assembly according to claim 18, characterized in that: There are two arc-shaped grooves, which are spaced apart along the first direction, and a stop hook is provided between the two arc-shaped grooves; There are two sliding tongues, the two sliding tongues are spaced apart along the first direction, and a stopper is provided between the two sliding tongues; The two sliding tongues are respectively slidably matched with the two arc-shaped grooves, and the stop hook corresponds to the stop hook portion, which is used to limit the rotation range of the first connecting portion relative to the seat portion.

20. The shaft assembly according to claim 19, characterized in that: The two sliding tongues are symmetrical to each other, and the first giving way channel is staggered with the symmetry planes of the two sliding tongues.

21. The shaft assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second connection portion is offset toward the outside of the first swing arm relative to the first connection portion to form an inner space inside the second connection portion, and the first door panel is matched with the inner space.

22. The shaft assembly according to claim 21, characterized in that: The first surface of the first door panel is provided with a second groove which is concave inwardly, and the second connecting portion is partially accommodated in the second groove.

23. The shaft assembly according to claim 22, characterized in that: A portion of the first protrusion is located in the second groove.

24. The shaft assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shaft assembly defines a mounting space, the mounting space being used to mount an object element of the foldable device; The installation space at least covers a portion of the second connection portion that faces the first connection portion.

25. The shaft assembly according to claim 24, characterized in that: The object element is an external screen cable of the foldable device; The seat portion has a first end and a second end opposite to each other in a first direction, and the first swing arm and the first connecting block are located at the first end of the seat portion; The installation space is defined between the first swing arm and the first connecting block on one side away from the first door panel and the middle frame of the foldable device; The first protrusion and the first clearance channel are offset relative to the first connection portion along the first direction toward a side away from the first end to outside the installation space for avoiding the external screen wiring.

26. The shaft assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 25, characterized in that: The first swing arm assembly also includes a third swing arm and a third connecting block; The first door panel is a strip-shaped plate-like structure extending along the first direction, and is used to support the flexible screen of the foldable device. The first door panel is provided with a first connection area and a second connection area sequentially arranged along the first direction; The first swing arm and the first connecting block are connected to the first connecting area; The third swing arm and the third connecting block are connected between the seat and the second connecting area, and are used to rotatably connect the third connecting block to the seat; The first connecting block and the third connecting block are respectively used to connect different positions of a side body of the foldable device spaced apart along the first direction.

27. The shaft assembly according to claim 26, characterized in that: There are a plurality of the second connection areas, and the plurality of the second connection areas are arranged in sequence along the first direction; There are multiple groups of the third swing arms and the third connecting blocks corresponding to each other, and the third swing arms and the third connecting blocks corresponding to each group are respectively connected to each of the second connecting areas.

28. The shaft assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 27, characterized in that: The rotating shaft assembly also includes a second swinging assembly, and the second swinging assembly and the first swinging assembly are respectively connected to two sides of the seat portion, and are used to respectively connect the two bodies of the foldable device.

29. The shaft assembly according to claim 28, characterized in that: The second swing assembly includes a second door panel, a second swing arm and a second connecting block; The second connecting block is rotatably connected to the second door panel, and one end of the second swing arm is rotatably connected to the seat portion, and the other end is rotatably connected to the second connecting block and forms a high-pair fit with the second door panel, so that the second connecting block can drive the second door panel to rotate relative to the second swing arm while rotating with the second swing arm relative to the seat portion.

30. The shaft assembly according to claim 29, characterized in that: The second door panel is a strip-shaped plate-like structure extending along the first direction, and is used to support the flexible screen of the foldable device; There are multiple groups of the second swing arms and the second connecting blocks corresponding to each other, and the second swing arms and the second connecting blocks corresponding to each group are respectively connected to different positions of the second door panel spaced apart along the first direction.

31. The shaft assembly according to claim 29, characterized in that: The second swing assembly and the first swing assembly are symmetrically arranged with respect to the seat, and the second swing assembly has the second swing arm directly opposite to the first swing arm.

32. A foldable device, characterized in that: include: The shaft assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 31; A first body and a second body, wherein the first body and the second body are respectively connected to two sides of the rotating shaft assembly to achieve relative folding or unfolding; the first body is connected to the first connecting block; A flexible screen covers the first body and the second body, and the flexible screen has a bendable portion, and the bendable portion is supported on the first door panel.

33. The foldable device according to claim 32, characterized in that: The first body has an external screen, and the external screen is connected to an external screen cable. The external screen cable passes through the first swing arm and the first connecting block away from one side of the first door panel and avoids the first protrusion.

Images