Connection assembly, folding screen, and foldable electronic device

Abstract

Provided are a connection assembly, a folding screen and a foldable electronic device. The folding screen comprises: a display screen (401), a middle frame (101, 102), a rotating shaft (201), and a fixing member (3). The display screen (401) is provided above the middle frame (101, 102) and the rotating shaft (201), the middle frame (101, 102) and the rotating shaft (201) being connected by means of the fixing member (3). The middle frame (101, 102) comprises a first structural member (1) and the rotating shaft (201) comprises a second structural member (2), or the middle frame (101, 102) comprises the second structural member (2) and the rotating shaft (201) comprises the first structural member (1). The first structural member (1) is provided with a protruding portion (11), a bearing portion (13) and a threaded hole (15), the threaded hole (15) being at least partially provided in the protruding portion (11). A first through hole (21) is provided in the second structural member (2), the second structural member (2) being sleeved on the outer periphery of the protruding portion (11) by means of the first through hole (21). The second structural member (2) comprises a first end face (23) and a second end face (25) which are oppositely arranged, the first end face (23) abutting against the bearing portion (13). The fixing member (3) comprises a base body portion (31) and a thread portion (33), the fixing member (3) and the first structural member (1) being in fit connection by means of the thread portion (33) and the threaded hole (15), and a third end face (35) of the base body portion (31) abutting against the second end face (25). The technical solution can improve the connection reliability of different components of the folding screen.

Description

Connecting component, folding screen and foldable electronic device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on October 30, 2023, with application number 202311431062.3 and application name “A connection component, folding screen and foldable electronic device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of electronic devices, and more specifically, to a connection component, a foldable screen, and a foldable electronic device. Background Art

[0003] As flexible organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology matures, terminal devices with foldable displays (e.g., foldable mobile phones) will become the mainstream trend in the next few years. Flexible OLED is also called flexible screen.

[0004] Screws are often used to connect different components in foldable electronic devices. As the thickness of foldable electronic devices becomes thinner, the thickness of the two components that need to be connected also tends to decrease.

[0005] However, the reduction in thickness of the components leads to a reduction in the length of the mating threads, thereby affecting the reliability of the connection between the components.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present application provides a connection component, a folding screen and a foldable electronic device, which can improve the connection reliability and stability of different components in the folding screen.

[0008] In a first aspect, a folding screen is provided, comprising: a display screen, a middle frame, a rotating shaft and a fixing member; wherein the display screen is arranged above the middle frame and the rotating shaft, the middle frame and the rotating shaft are fixedly connected by the fixing member, the middle frame comprises a first structural member, the rotating shaft comprises a second structural member, or the middle frame comprises the second structural member, and the rotating shaft comprises the first structural member; wherein the first structural member is provided with a protrusion, a bearing portion and a threaded hole, the protrusion protrudes from the end face of the bearing portion, and the threaded hole is at least partially provided on the protrusion; a first through hole is provided in the second structural member, the second structural member is sleeved on the outer periphery of the protrusion through the first through hole, the second structural member comprises a first end face and a second end face arranged oppositely, the first end face abuts against the bearing portion; the fixing member comprises a base portion and a threaded portion, the threaded portion protrudes from the third end face of the base portion, the fixing member and the first structural member are matched and connected through the threaded portion and the threaded hole, and the third end face of the base portion abuts against the second end face of the second structural member.

[0009] There are two possible scenarios for the protrusion to protrude from the end surface of the bearing portion: 1. The protrusion may partially protrude from the end surface of the bearing portion, in which case the threaded hole may be partially or entirely located in the protrusion. 2. The protrusion may completely protrude from the end surface of the bearing portion, in which case the threaded hole includes a portion located in the protrusion and a portion located in the bearing portion, and both portions of the threaded hole may penetrate each other, thereby connecting with the threaded portion of the fixing member.

[0010] In this embodiment, since the first structural member is provided with a protrusion, and at least part of the threaded hole can be provided in the protrusion, the length of the threaded hole can extend beyond the end face of the bearing portion, and the length of the threaded hole of the first structural member is increased. In addition, the protrusion of the first structural member is accommodated in the first through hole of the second structural member. Compared with directly increasing the thickness of the first structural member and thereby increasing the length of the threaded hole, the thickness of the protrusion can be saved. The rotating shaft and the middle frame of the folding screen are connected in this way, with the rotating shaft provided with the first structural member and the middle frame provided with the second structural member, or with the rotating shaft provided with the second structural member and the middle frame provided with the first structural member, so that the rotating shaft and the middle frame can be reliably connected.

[0011] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, a difference between a diameter d2 of the first through hole and an outer diameter d3 of the protrusion is greater than a first threshold.

[0012] The difference between the outer diameters of the first through hole and the protrusion is greater than a first threshold, so that the relative position between the first structural member and the second structural member has an adjustable amount greater than the first threshold, which facilitates alignment of the first structural member and the second structural member.

[0013] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the second structural member includes a countersunk hole at one end close to the base portion 31, the second end face is the end face between the first through hole and the countersunk hole, and the second structural member is sleeved on the outer periphery of the base portion through the countersunk hole.

[0014] The countersunk hole is arranged on the outer periphery of the base part, which means that the base part is partially or completely accommodated in the countersunk hole. When the length of the threaded connection remains unchanged, the thickness of the second structural member can be appropriately increased, thereby improving the strength and reliability of the component in which the second structural member is arranged in the folding screen.

[0015] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, a chamfer is provided at an entrance of the threaded hole near the base portion.

[0016] The entrance of the threaded hole is chamfered to facilitate self-tapping of the thread in the threaded hole. In other words, the threaded hole of the first structural member can be pre-machined or can be self-tapping when the first structural member and the second structural member are installed through the fixing member.

[0017] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the length of the thread of the threaded hole is greater than three times the pitch length of the threaded hole.

[0018] In this way, the threads in the threaded hole are denser, and when the threaded portion cooperates with the threaded hole, the threaded contact area between the fixing member and the first structural member is also increased, making the connection between the first structural member and the second structural member connected by the fixing member more reliable.

[0019] Optionally, the length of the thread of the threaded hole may also be greater than 2 times or more than 2 times the pitch length of the threaded hole.

[0020] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the protrusion is a nut, and the bearing portion further includes a second through hole; the nut includes a head and a rod, the rod protrudes from the end face of the head, and the threaded hole is arranged in the nut; the nut is fixed in the second through hole, the rod extends out of the end face of the bearing portion, and the rod is accommodated in the first through hole.

[0021] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the threaded portion of the fixing member faces away from the display screen.

[0022] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the threaded portion of the fixing member faces the display screen.

[0023] The threaded portion of the fixing member faces the display screen, and the base portion of the fixing member is on the cover side of the folding screen. In this way, the fixing member can be easily removed through the base portion through the cover side, which facilitates the disassembly and maintenance of the folding screen.

[0024] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, an end portion of the threaded portion of the fixing member does not protrude beyond an end surface of the first structural member away from the second structural member.

[0025] The end of the threaded portion of the fixing member does not protrude beyond the end surface of the first structural member away from the second structural member, so the relatively sharp threaded portion will not damage other components close to the first structural member.

[0026] In a second aspect, a connection component is provided, which is applied to a foldable electronic device, and the connection component includes: a first structural member, a second structural member and a fixing member; the first structural member is provided with a protrusion, a bearing portion and a threaded hole, the protrusion protrudes from the end face of the bearing portion, and the threaded hole is at least partially provided on the protrusion; a first through hole is provided in the second structural member, and the second structural member is sleeved on the outer periphery of the protrusion through the first through hole, the second structural member includes a first end face and a second end face arranged opposite to each other, and the first end face abuts against the bearing portion; the fixing member includes a base portion and a threaded portion, the threaded portion protrudes from the third end face of the base portion, the fixing member is connected to the first structural member through the threaded portion and the threaded hole, and the third end face of the base portion abuts against the second end face of the second structural member.

[0027] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, a difference between a diameter d2 of the first through hole and an outer diameter d3 of the protrusion is greater than a first threshold.

[0028] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the second structural member includes a countersunk hole at one end close to the base portion, the second end face is the end face between the first through hole and the countersunk hole, and the second structural member is sleeved on the outer periphery of the base portion through the countersunk hole.

[0029] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, a chamfer is provided at an entrance of the threaded hole near the base portion.

[0030] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the length of the thread of the threaded hole is greater than three times the pitch length of the threaded hole.

[0031] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the protrusion is a nut, and the bearing portion further includes a second through hole; the nut includes a head and a rod, the rod protrudes from the end face of the head, and the threaded hole is arranged in the nut; the nut is fixed in the second through hole, the rod extends out of the end face of the bearing portion, and the rod is accommodated in the first through hole.

[0032] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, an end portion of the threaded portion of the fixing member does not protrude beyond an end surface of the first structural member away from the second structural member.

[0033] In a third aspect, a foldable electronic device is provided, comprising: a folding screen according to the first aspect or any implementation of the first aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] FIG1 is a top view of a foldable electronic device provided in the present application.

[0035] FIG2 is a side view of a foldable electronic device provided in the present application.

[0036] FIG3 is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of a foldable electronic device corresponding to FIG2 .

[0037] FIG4 is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of another foldable electronic device corresponding to FIG2 .

[0038] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating possible alignment issues that may arise with the foldable electronic device shown in FIG. 4 .

[0039] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a connection assembly provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0040] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of another connection component provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0041] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of another connection assembly provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0042] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of another connection assembly provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0043] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a folding screen provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0044] FIG11 is a top view of the folding screen corresponding to FIG10 .

[0045] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of another folding screen provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0046] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of another folding screen provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0047] FIG14 is a top view of the folding screen corresponding to FIG13 .

[0048] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of another folding screen provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] The technical solution in this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0050] The following describes embodiments of the present application in detail, and examples of the embodiments of the present application are shown in the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended only to explain the present application and are not to be construed as limiting the present application.

[0051] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood to indicate or imply relative importance or implicitly specify the number of the technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first," "second," or "third" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the described features. In the description of this application, "plurality" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0052] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "installed" and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections, electrical connections, or mutual communication; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; they can refer to internal communication between two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0053] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used herein shall have the ordinary meanings understood by persons having ordinary skills in the technical field to which this application belongs. In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer" and the like, indicating directions or positional relationships, are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operate in a specific direction, and therefore should not be understood as limiting this application.

[0054] Figures 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams of a foldable screen of a foldable electronic device, wherein the XY plane is a top view, the XZ plane is a side cross-sectional view, and the foldable screen includes: a middle frame 101, a middle frame 102, a rotating shaft 201, screws 301, screws 302, screws 303, screws 304, a display screen 401 and a back cover 501.

[0055] Among them, the number of screws is shown schematically. The number of screws in the folding screen can be more or less than 4. The specific number can be set according to needs, and this application does not limit this.

[0056] The right side of the middle frame 101 and the left side of the middle frame 102 respectively have threaded holes for threaded connection, and the shaft 201 can be provided with a through hole. Screws 301, screws 302, screws 303 and screws 304 symmetrically fix the middle frame 101 and the middle frame 102 on both sides of the shaft 201. The display screen 401 is covered on the middle frame 101, the middle frame 102 and the shaft 201. The display screen 401 includes a flexible cover plate and a display panel, which has a bendable property and can be used to display information and provide an interactive interface for the user. The back cover 501 may include a portion corresponding to the middle frame 101 and the middle frame 102, and may also include a portion corresponding to the shaft 201, which is used to protect the internal structure of the folding screen.

[0057] A foldable electronic device can implement display functions through a graphics processing unit (GPU), a display screen 401, and an application processor. The GPU is a microprocessor for image processing and is connected to the display screen 401 and the application processor. The GPU is used to perform mathematical and geometric calculations for graphics rendering. The processor of a foldable electronic device may include one or more GPUs, which execute program instructions to generate or change display information. The display screen 401 is used to display images, videos, etc. The display screen 401 includes a display panel. The display panel can be a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), an active-matrix organic light-emitting diode or an active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED), a flexible light-emitting diode (FLED), a MiniLED, a MicroLED, a Micro-oLED, a quantum dot light-emitting diode (QLED), etc. The foldable electronic device can implement a camera function through an ISP, a camera, a video codec, a GPU, the display screen 401, and an application processor. In some embodiments, the foldable electronic device may include 1 or N display screens 401 , where N is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0058] Figure 3 is a partial enlarged view of the connection between the hinge 201 and the middle frame 101 of the foldable screen shown in Figure 2. This partial enlarged view includes screw 301, a portion of the hinge 201, and a portion of the middle frame 101. For example, the portion of the hinge 201 can be a mounting plate for the hinge 201, and the portion of the middle frame 101 can also be a mounting plate for the middle frame 101. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the hinge 201 refers to a portion of the hinge, and the middle frame 101 also refers to a portion of the middle frame. For example, the thickness of the hinge 201 refers to the thickness of the portion of the hinge 201, and the thickness of the middle frame 101 refers to the thickness of the portion of the middle frame 101, and does not refer to the total thickness or maximum thickness of the entire hinge 201 and the entire middle frame 101. Screw 301 is a pan head screw, and the lower end surface of its pan head portion (close to the end surface of the screw) abuts against the hinge 201, so that the lower end surface of the hinge 201 presses against the middle frame 101. Before screw 301 is installed, because the diameter of the through-hole of shaft 201 is larger than the outer diameter of the screw rod of screw 301, shaft 201 and middle frame 101 have a certain amount of adjustment. This adjustment can be used to align shaft 201 and middle frame 101, and then secure them using the pan head screw. When screw 301 is installed, the pan head portion of screw 301 is in surface contact with shaft 201, and screw 301 applies pressure in the Z direction to shaft 201. Shaft 201 is not subjected to force in the XY plane. Therefore, the relative position of the aligned shaft 201 and middle frame 101 in the XY plane will not be misaligned again due to the installation of the screw. Therefore, the use of pan head screws can prevent the alignment of shaft 201 and middle frame 101 from being affected.

[0059] The thickness H of the structure shown in Figure 3 is composed of the thickness H1 of the pan head of the screw 301, the thickness H2 of the shaft 201, and the thickness H3 of the middle frame 101. However, the screw shaft portion of the screw is fixedly connected through the threaded hole of the middle frame 101 and the through hole of the shaft 201. Therefore, the effective thread length of the screw 301 is only the length of the contact surface between it and the threaded hole of the middle frame 101, that is, the length of the maximum effective thread = H-H1-H2. The effective thread refers to the portion of the thread on the screw shaft of the screw 301 that cooperates with the threaded hole of the middle frame 101. When the foldable electronic device is extremely thin, since the head of the screw 301 needs to occupy a certain thickness, it may result in insufficient effective thread length, thereby compromising the reliability and stability of the structural connection of the foldable electronic device.

[0060] FIG4 is another partially enlarged view of the connection portion between the hinge 201 and the middle frame 101 of the foldable screen shown in FIG2 . The foldable electronic device includes: a screw 301, a hinge 201, and a middle frame 101. Among them, the screw 301 is a countersunk screw. Since the head of the screw 301 can be sunk into the through hole of the hinge 201, the thickness of the connection portion can be reduced by the thickness of the head of the screw 301, thereby increasing the thickness of the middle frame 101 and the length of the threaded hole provided therein, thereby improving the connection reliability between the hinge 201 and the middle frame 101.

[0061] Specifically, the thickness H' of the structure shown in Figure 4 is composed of the thickness H2' of the rotating shaft 201 and the thickness H3' of the middle frame 101. Since the shank portion of screw 301 is fixedly connected through the threaded hole in the middle frame 101, the effective thread length of screw 301 is the length of the contact surface between it and the middle frame 101. That is, the maximum effective thread length = H' - the thickness H2' of the mounting plate of rotating shaft 201 = H3'. Compared to Figure 3, the countersunk portion can be sunken into the rotating shaft 201. On the one hand, if the total thickness H' of the connection structure is the same as the total thickness H in Figure 3 and the thickness of rotating shaft 201 remains unchanged (H2' = H2), the thickness of the middle frame 101 can be increased, with the maximum increase being the thickness of the countersunk portion (i.e., H3' = H3 + H1). Consequently, the length of the threaded hole in the middle frame 101 can also be increased, thereby extending the effective thread length of screw 301 and improving the reliability and stability of the structural connection of the foldable electronic device. On the other hand, if the total thickness remains unchanged (H'=H) and the connection strength is not reduced (ie, the effective thread length H3' is the same as H3 in FIG. 3), the thickness of the shaft 201 can be increased and the reliability of the shaft can be improved.

[0062] However, to accommodate the countersunk head of screw 301, a chamfer is typically provided on the upper end surface of the through-hole of shaft 201. The countersunk head of screw 301 and the chamfered slope of shaft 201 are in positional contact, either in line contact or conical contact. Thus, in addition to the Z-direction force that compresses shaft 201 and middle frame 101, screw 301 also exerts force in the XY plane on shaft 201 through its head. The downward Z-direction pressure exerted by screw 301 on shaft 201 forces shaft 201 downward against middle frame 101, but the force in the XY plane causes relative displacement of the two in the XY plane. Thus, even if shaft 101 and middle frame 201 are aligned before they are fixed, the XY-plane force during fixing may cause their positions to shift. In conjunction with Figure 5 , the illustrated structural offset may occur when fixing middle frame 101, middle frame 102, and shaft 201.

[0063] However, the structures of Figures 3 and 4 either reduce the reliability of the connection due to the short effective thread length, or require sacrificing the adjustability of the two components in order to increase the effective thread length and thus improve the connection reliability. Therefore, the present application proposes a connection assembly that can improve the reliability of the connection without sacrificing the adjustability between the components.

[0064] FIG6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a connection assembly provided in an embodiment of the present application, wherein the connection assembly includes a first structural member 1 , a second structural member 2 and a fixing member 3 .

[0065] The first structural member 1 is provided with a protruding portion 11, a bearing portion 13, and a threaded hole 15. The protruding portion 11 protrudes from the end surface of the bearing portion, and the threaded hole 15 is at least partially provided in the protruding portion 11. The second structural member 2 has a first through hole 21 therein. The second structural member 2 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the protruding portion 11 through the first through hole 21. The second structural member 2 includes a first end face 23 and a second end face 25 arranged opposite to each other. The first end face 23 abuts against the bearing portion 13 of the first structural member 1. The fixing member 3 includes a base portion 31 and a threaded portion 33. The threaded portion 33 protrudes from the third end face 35 of the base portion 31. The fixing member 3 is connected to the first structural member 1 through the threaded portion 33 and the threaded hole 15. The third end face 35 of the base portion 31 of the fixing member 3 abuts against the second end face 25 of the second structural member 2. The first end surface 23 of the second structural member 2 abuts against the bearing portion 13 of the first structural member 1 , so that the fixing member 3 , the first structural member 1 and the second structural member 2 can be connected to each other through the abutting surfaces and the mating threaded surfaces.

[0066] The protrusion 11 of the first structural member 1 increases the vertical dimension of the first structural member 1, thereby increasing the length of the threaded hole 15. This increases the length of the threaded connection between the first structural member 1 (threaded hole 15) and the fixing member 3 (threaded portion 33), thereby enhancing the reliability of the connection between the first structural member 1, the second structural member 2, and the fixing member 3. In addition, because the second structural member 2 is sleeved around the outer periphery of the protrusion 11 of the first structural member 1 through the first through-hole 21, a certain amount of adjustability is provided between the second structural member 2 and the first structural member 1, facilitating alignment of the second structural member 2 with the first structural member 1.

[0067] In this embodiment, the first structural member 1 is stepped and includes an upper step surface and a lower step surface. The upper step surface is the surface of the first structural member 1 close to the third end surface 35 of the fixing member 3, and the lower step surface is the surface where the first end surface 23 of the first structural member 1 and the second structural member 2 abut. The protrusion 11 represents the portion of the first structural member 1 that protrudes from the lower step surface, that is, the portion between the upper step surface and the lower step surface. The bearing portion 13 may be the portion between the bottom surface of the first structural member 1 and the lower step surface. The protrusion 11 and the bearing portion 13 of the first structural member 1 are integrated. The protrusion 11 is arranged above the bearing portion 13, and the protrusion 11 is a boss column, which can also be called a screw column. The threaded hole 15 of the first structural member 1 includes a threaded hole located on the protrusion 11 and a threaded hole located on the bearing portion 13, and the diameters of the threaded holes of the two parts are equal.

[0068] The thickness t1 of the portion of the second structural member 2 that abuts the first structural member 1 and the fixing member 3 is greater than the thickness t2 of the protrusion 11 of the first structural member 1. The diameter d1 of the base portion 31 of the fixing member 3 is greater than the diameter d2 of the first through hole 21 provided in the second structural member 2. This allows the third end surface 35 of the base portion 31 of the fixing member 3 to engage with the second end surface 25 of the second structural member 2. In other words, the third end surface 35 of the base portion 31 of the fixing member 3 compresses against the second end surface 25 of the second structural member 2, thereby securing the second structural member 2 and preventing the fixing member 3 from engaging with the upper end surface of the protrusion 11 of the first structural member 1, which would otherwise prevent the second structural member 2 from being secured. The outer diameter d3 of the protrusion 11 of the first structural member 1 is smaller than the diameter d2 of the first through hole 21 of the second structural member 2. This ensures that when the connection assembly is secured, the second structural member 2 is only subjected to the force applied by the fixing member 3 in the Z direction, thereby allowing a certain degree of adjustment of the relative position of the first structural member 1 and the second structural member 2 in the XY plane. Before the second structural member 2 is fixedly connected to the first structural member 1 , the relative position between the first structural member 1 and the second structural member 2 can be adjusted so that the first structural member 1 and the second structural member 2 are aligned first.

[0069] The threaded portion 33 of the fixing member 3 and the threaded hole 15 of the first structural member 1 are connected by a threaded fit. The surface where the threaded portion 33 of the fixing member 3 and the threaded hole 15 of the first structural member 1 meet and contact each other is the first contact surface. This first contact surface can be as long as the length of the threaded hole 15 of the first structural member 1. Because the protrusion 11 of the first structural member 1 increases the thickness of the first structural member, the length of the threaded hole 15 can also be increased, that is, the length of the first contact surface can be increased. Therefore, when the thickness of the connection component remains unchanged, the threaded fit between the first structural member 1 and the fixing member 3 enhances the reliability and stability of the connection.

[0070] It should be understood that the threaded hole 15 in FIG. 6 passes through the first structural member 1 . In fact, the threaded hole 15 may also be a blind hole, and the end surface of the first structural member 1 away from the second structural member may be closed.

[0071] In one embodiment, the difference between the diameter d2 of the first through hole 21 of the second structural member 2 and the outer diameter d3 of the protrusion of the first structural member 1 can be greater than a first threshold value, so that the central axis of the second structural member 2 can approach or move away from the central axis of the threaded hole, and the movable amount is the first threshold value.

[0072] In one embodiment, the sum of the thickness of the bearing portion 13 of the first structural member 1, the thickness of the second structural member 2, and the thickness of the base portion 31 of the fixing member 3 may not exceed a preset threshold. This minimizes the thickness of the connection assembly. For example, when the connection assembly is used in a foldable electronic device, the thickness of the foldable electronic device can also be minimized.

[0073] In some examples, after the fixing member 3 is fixedly connected to the first structural member 1, the threaded portion 33 of the fixing member 3 may not extend beyond the lower end surface of the first structural member 1 (the lower end surface of the first structural member 1 refers to the end surface of the first structural member 1 that is away from the base portion 31 of the fixing member 3), thereby preventing the relatively sharp threaded portion 33 from interfering with or damaging other structural components. For example, the threaded hole 15 may be a blind hole, or the threaded hole 15 may be a through hole, but the length of the threaded portion 33 of the fixing member 3 is such that when the threaded portion 33 is engaged with the threaded hole 15, the bottom of the threaded portion 33 does not protrude beyond the bottom end surface of the first structural member 1.

[0074] In some examples, the length of the thread of threaded hole 15 is greater than n times the pitch length of threaded hole 15 , where n is a positive number. For example, n can be greater than or equal to 3. For example, n can be 3, 4, 5, etc. This allows for a denser distribution of threads on threaded hole 15 , increasing the contact area per unit length of threaded hole 15 and threaded portion 33 , thereby improving the reliability of the connection between fixing member 3 and first structural member 1 . Of course, n can also be other positive numbers, such as 2, 2.5, etc., and this application does not limit this.

[0075] In some examples, as shown in FIG7 , the second structural member 2 further includes a countersunk hole 27 at one end close to the base portion 31 , wherein the diameter of the countersunk hole 27 is larger than the diameter of the base portion 31 , and the second structural member 2 is sleeved on the periphery of the base portion of the fixing member 3 through the countersunk hole 27 . Due to the presence of the countersunk hole 27 , part or all of the base portion 31 of the fixing member 3 can be set in the countersunk hole 27 . When the threaded connection length of the fixing member 3 and the first structural member 1 and the maximum thickness of the entire connection assembly remain unchanged, the thickness of the second structural member 2 can be increased by a maximum amount equal to the thickness of the base portion 31 of the fixing member 3 , thereby increasing the reliability of the second structural member 2 .

[0076] It should be understood that the base portion 31 of the fixing member 3 in FIG. 7 is completely covered by the countersunk hole 27 . In some embodiments, the depth of the countersunk hole 27 may be set so that the base portion 31 is partially covered.

[0077] The diameter d4 of the counterbore is larger than the diameter d1 of the base portion 31 . When the relative positions of the first structural member 1 and the second structural member 2 are adjusted by the connecting assembly shown in FIG. 7 , the fixing member 3 and the first structural member 1 move relative to the second structural member 2 as a whole.

[0078] In one embodiment, the amount of adjustment between the first structural member 1 and the second structural member 2 is determined by the difference between the diameter d4 of the counterbore 27 and the diameter d1 of the base portion 31. During adjustment, the side surface of the base portion 31 of the fixing member 3 contacts the wall of the counterbore 27, limiting further relative movement between the first structural member 1 and the second structural member 2.

[0079] In another embodiment, the adjustable amount between the first structural member 1 and the second structural member 2 is determined by the difference between the diameter d2 of the first through hole 21 and the outer diameter d3 of the protrusion 11. During adjustment, the contact between the protrusion 11 and the wall of the first through hole 21 limits further relative movement between the first structural member 1 and the second structural member 2.

[0080] That is, the position adjustment amount between the first structural member 1 and the second structural member 2 is c≤(d4-d1) and c≤(d2-d3).

[0081] In some examples, as shown in Figure 8 , the threaded hole 15 of the first structural member 1 is provided with a chamfer 17 near the entrance of the base portion 31. This facilitates self-tapping to obtain the threads of the threaded hole 15. The chamfer 17 is provided on the inner diameter of the upper end surface of the threaded hole 15 of the first structural member 1, facilitating the securement of the fixing member 3 along the threaded hole of the first structural member 1. In other words, the threaded hole 15 can be pre-machined on the first structural member 1 or self-tapped when the fixing member 3 is connected to the first structural member 1.

[0082] It should be understood that the countersunk hole 27 and the chamfer 17 can be provided simultaneously, so that the first structural member 1 and the second structural member 2 in the connecting assembly can be connected more conveniently, and the thickness of the second structural member 2 in the connecting assembly can be appropriately increased. For details, please refer to the above description and will not be repeated here.

[0083] As shown in Figure 9(a), in another embodiment, the structure of the connection assembly 1 may differ somewhat from the aforementioned embodiment. The connection assembly may still include a first structural member 1, a first structural member 2, and a fixing member 3. The first structural member 1 also includes a nut, which is equivalent to the protrusion 11 mentioned above. In other words, the protrusion 11 and the bearing portion 13 are separate components.

[0084] The bearing portion 13 also includes a second through-hole 131. The nut also includes a head 111 and a shank 113. The shank 111 protrudes from the end surface of the head 113, and a threaded hole is provided in the nut. The nut is secured in the second through-hole 131, with the shank 113 extending beyond the end surface of the bearing portion 13. This allows the first through-hole 21 of the second structural member 2 to be positioned outside the end of the shank away from the head 111.

[0085] The nut 11 may be formed by combining the nut with the bearing portion 13 from the bottom of the first structural member 1 through, for example, riveting or pressing.

[0086] It should be understood that in FIG9 (a), the head 111 and the stem 113 of the nut are both fixed in the second through hole 131, and the second through hole 131 includes a portion for accommodating the head 111 and a portion for accommodating the stem 113 (the second through hole 131 is a stepped hole). In this way, the head 111 of the nut does not exceed the bottom end surface of the load-bearing portion 13, which can reduce the impact on other components connected to the connecting assembly. However, in some embodiments, the head 111 of the nut may not be accommodated or not be completely accommodated in the second through hole 131. In this way, the upper end surface of the head 111 of the nut (the end surface of the nut head 111 close to the stem 113) can abut against the bottom end surface of the load-bearing portion 13 (that is, the end surface of the load-bearing portion 13 away from the second structural member 2).

[0087] In addition, the nut in FIG9 (a) is secured by the sidewalls of the stem 113 mating with the sidewalls of the second through-hole 131 of the support portion 13. In some embodiments, the nut can also be secured by the sidewalls of the head 111 mating with the sidewalls of the second through-hole 131 of the support portion 13. As shown in FIG9 (b), the sidewalls of the second through-hole 131 abut against the side surfaces of the head 111 of the nut, thereby securing it to the support portion 13.

[0088] In (b) of Figure 9 , the thickness of the head 111 of the nut is the same as the thickness of the bearing portion 13 of the first structural member 1. In some embodiments, the end surface between the nut head 111 and the rod 113 may not exceed the upper end surface of the bearing portion 13, that is, the portion of the rod 113 on which the nut is mounted in the second through hole 131.

[0089] For the connection assembly shown in Figure 9, the diameter of the nut rod portion 113 is smaller than the diameter of the first through hole 21 of the second structural member 2, and the diameter of the base portion 31 of the fixing member 3 is larger than the diameter of the first through hole 21, so that there is a certain amount of adjustment between the first structural member 1 and the second structural member 2, and the fixing member 3 presses tightly against the second end face of the second structural member 2.

[0090] In some embodiments, a difference between a diameter of the first through hole 21 and a diameter of the nut shank 113 may be greater than a first threshold.

[0091] In one embodiment, the sum of the thickness of the bearing portion 13 of the first structural member 1, the thickness of the second structural member 2, and the thickness of the base portion 31 of the fixing member 3 may not exceed a preset threshold, thereby minimizing the thickness of the connection component, such as a foldable electronic device.

[0092] In one embodiment, the nut head 111 may not exceed the end surface of the bearing portion 13 , thereby reducing the impact of the nut on adjacent components of the connection assembly.

[0093] In one embodiment, the length of the internal thread of the nut is greater than n times the pitch, for example, n can be 3 or other values.

[0094] Of course, countersunk holes and / or chamfers can also be provided in the connection structure shown in Figure 9. Specifically, the countersunk hole can be provided on the second structural member 2, and the chamfer can be provided at the entrance of the threaded hole 15 near the base portion 31. The specific details can be referred to the above description and will not be repeated here.

[0095] The present application also provides a folding screen, and FIG10 is a schematic diagram of the XZ cross section of the folding screen.

[0096] The folding screen includes: a display screen 401, a middle frame 101, a middle frame 102, a hinge 201, a back cover 501 and a plurality of screws. The plurality of screws may include, for example, screws 301, screws 302, screws 303 and screws 304, and the screws are equivalent to the fixing member 3 mentioned above. The display screen 401 is arranged above the middle frame 101, the middle frame 102 and the hinge 201, and the middle frame 101, the middle frame 102 and the hinge 201 are fixedly connected by the fixing member 3. The middle frame 101 and the middle frame 102 include a first structural member 1, and the hinge 201 includes a second structural member 2 connected to the middle frame 101 and the middle frame 102. Among them, the display screen 401 is arranged on the side of the fixing member 3 close to the threaded portion 33, and the back cover 501 is arranged on the side of the fixing member close to the base portion 31.

[0097] In some embodiments, a countersunk hole can be set on the second structural member 2 of the rotating shaft 201, so that the head of the screw can be partially set in the countersunk hole. When the length of the connecting thread and the total thickness of the connecting part remain unchanged, the thickness of at least the second structural member 2 of the rotating shaft 201 can be appropriately increased.

[0098] Chamfers may also be provided at the entrances of the threaded holes 15 of the first structural members 1 of the middle frames 101 and 102 , thereby facilitating the connection between the rotating shaft 201 and the middle frames 101 and 102 .

[0099] The first structural members 1 of the middle frame 101 and the middle frame 102 may also include nuts, which may be set in the through holes of the bearing portion 13 of the first structural member 1 by riveting or pressure.

[0100] The specific structures of the first structural member 1 , the second structural member 2 and the fixing member 3 may refer to the above description of FIG. 6 to FIG. 9 , which will not be repeated here.

[0101] Since the base portion 31 of the fixing member 3 (that is, the head of the screw) is arranged on one side of the back cover 501 (that is, the threaded portion 33 of the fixing member 3 extends toward the display screen side), when the folding screen needs to be repaired, the back cover can be directly opened to expose the head of the screw, making it easier to disassemble and repair the display screen from the head.

[0102] Figure 11 shows a top view of the display side of the foldable screen, corresponding to Figure 10. As can be seen from Figure 11, two sets of connecting components are used to connect the hinge 201 to the middle frame 101 and the middle frame 102, respectively. These connecting components include screws 301, 302, 303, and 304. Furthermore, on the display side, the threaded portions of screws 301 to 304 are located closer to that side, and the heads of the screws are located closer to the back cover, making it easier to remove the foldable screen after opening the back cover.

[0103] The present application provides another embodiment of a folding screen, as shown in Figure 12. Compared with the folding screen shown in Figure 10, the first structural member 1 is arranged on the rotating shaft 201, and the second structural member 2 is arranged on the middle frame 101 and the middle frame 102. Among them, for example, the material of the first structural member 1 of the rotating shaft 201 can be an iron-based metal material, and the second structural member 2 of the middle frame 101 and the middle frame 102 can be a lightweight material such as an aluminum-based metal material, a magnesium-based metal material, etc. The setting of the countersunk hole allows the thickness of the middle frame 101 and the middle frame 102 to be appropriately increased, thereby improving the strength of the middle frame 101 and the middle frame 102. The specific details of the first structural member 1, the second structural member 2 and the fixing member 3 can refer to the description of Figures 6 to 10, which will not be repeated here. The top view of the display screen side corresponding to the folding screen shown in Figure 12 can refer to Figure 11.

[0104] The present application provides another embodiment of a folding screen, as shown in FIG13. Similar to the folding screen shown in FIG10, in the folding screen in FIG13, a first structural member 1 including threaded holes is provided on the middle frame 101 and the middle frame 102, and a second structural member 2 is provided on the rotating shaft 201. However, in the folding screen shown in FIG13, the base portion of the fixing member (the head of the screw) is close to the display screen, that is, the threaded portion of the fixing member extends away from the display screen, as shown in the top view of the folding screen in FIG14, the head of the screw can be seen in the top view of the display screen.

[0105] The present application provides another embodiment of a folding screen, as shown in Figure 15 . This embodiment differs from the folding screen shown in Figure 13 in that the first structural member 1 is disposed on the hinge 201, while the second structural member 2 is disposed on the middle frame 101 and the middle frame 102. For a top view of the display screen side corresponding to the folding screen shown in Figure 15 , refer to Figure 14 .

[0106] It should be understood that the embodiments of this application only use the example of the first structural member 1 and the second structural member 2 being disposed on the rotating shaft and the middle frame to illustrate the connection between different components of the foldable screen. The first structural member 1 and the second structural member 2 can also be disposed in other components of the foldable screen, and this application does not limit this. Of course, the connection structure of the first structural member 1 and the second structural member 2 can also be used to connect components in non-foldable electronic devices, and this application does not limit this.

[0107] The present application also provides a foldable electronic device, comprising the folding screen of the above embodiment.

[0108] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A folding screen, characterized in that: include: Display screen, middle frame, rotating shaft and fixing parts (3); in The display screen is arranged above the middle frame and the rotating shaft, the middle frame and the rotating shaft are fixedly connected via the fixing member (3), the middle frame comprises a first structural member (1), the rotating shaft comprises a second structural member (2), or the middle frame comprises the second structural member (2), and the rotating shaft comprises the first structural member (1); wherein The first structural member (1) is provided with a protruding portion (11), a bearing portion (13) and a threaded hole (15), wherein the protruding portion (11) protrudes from an end surface of the bearing portion (13), and the threaded hole (15) is at least partially provided on the protruding portion (11); The second structural member (2) has a first through hole (21) therein, and the second structural member (2) is sleeved on the outer periphery of the protruding portion (11) through the first through hole (21). The second structural member (2) comprises a first end face (23) and a second end face (25) which are arranged opposite to each other, and the first end face (23) is in contact with the bearing portion (13); The fixing member (3) comprises a base portion (31) and a threaded portion (33); the threaded portion (33) protrudes from a third end face (35) of the base portion (31); the fixing member (3) is connected to the first structural member (1) through the threaded portion (33) and the threaded hole (15); the third end face (35) of the base portion (31) abuts against a second end face (25) of the second structural member (2).

2. The folding screen according to claim 1, characterized in that: The difference between the diameter d2 of the first through hole (21) and the outer diameter d3 of the protruding portion (11) is greater than a first threshold value.

3. The folding screen according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: One end of the second structural member (2) close to the base portion 31 comprises a countersunk hole (27); the second end surface (25) is an end surface between the first through hole (21) and the countersunk hole (27); and the second structural member (2) is sleeved on the outer periphery of the base portion (31) through the countersunk hole (27).

4. The folding screen according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The threaded hole (15) is provided with a chamfer near the entrance of the base portion (31).

5. The folding screen according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The length of the thread of the threaded hole (15) is greater than three times the pitch length of the threaded hole (15).

6. The folding screen according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The protruding portion (11) is a nut, and the bearing portion (13) further comprises a second through hole (131); The nut comprises a head (111) and a stem (113), the stem (113) protruding from an end surface of the head (111), and the threaded hole (15) is arranged in the nut; The nut is fixed in the second through hole (131), the rod portion (113) extends out of the end surface of the bearing portion (13), and the rod portion (113) is accommodated in the first through hole (21).

7. The folding screen according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The threaded portion (33) of the fixing member (3) faces away from the display screen or faces the display screen.

8. The folding screen according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The end of the threaded portion (33) of the fixing member (3) does not protrude from the end surface of the first structural member (1) away from the second structural member (2).

9. A connection component, applied to a foldable electronic device, characterized in that: The connection assembly comprises: a first structural member (1), a second structural member (2) and a fixing member (3); The first structural member (1) is provided with a protruding portion (11), a bearing portion (13) and a threaded hole (15), wherein the protruding portion (11) protrudes from an end surface of the bearing portion (13), and the threaded hole (15) is at least partially provided on the protruding portion (11); The second structural member (2) has a first through hole (21) therein, and the second structural member (2) is sleeved on the outer periphery of the protruding portion (11) through the first through hole (21). The second structural member (2) comprises a first end face (23) and a second end face (25) which are arranged opposite to each other, and the first end face (23) is in contact with the bearing portion (13); The fixing member (3) comprises a base portion (31) and a threaded portion (33); the threaded portion (33) protrudes from a third end face (35) of the base portion (31); the fixing member (3) is connected to the first structural member (1) through the threaded portion (33) and the threaded hole (15); the third end face (35) of the base portion (31) abuts against a second end face (25) of the second structural member (2).

10. The connection assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that: The difference between the diameter d2 of the first through hole (21) and the outer diameter d3 of the protruding portion (11) is greater than a first threshold value.

11. The connection assembly according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that: One end of the second structural member (2) close to the base portion (31) comprises a countersunk hole (27); the second end surface (25) is an end surface between the first through hole (21) and the countersunk hole (27); and the second structural member (2) is sleeved on the outer periphery of the base portion (31) through the countersunk hole (27).

12. The connection assembly according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that: The threaded hole (15) is provided with a chamfer near the entrance of the base portion (31).

13. The connection assembly according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that: The length of the thread of the threaded hole (15) is greater than three times the pitch length of the threaded hole (15).

14. The connection assembly according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that: The protruding portion (11) is a nut, and the bearing portion (13) further comprises a second through hole (131); The nut comprises a head (111) and a stem (113), the stem (113) protruding from an end surface of the head (111), and the threaded hole (15) is arranged in the nut; The nut is fixed in the second through hole (131), the rod portion (113) extends out of the end surface of the bearing portion (13), and the rod portion (113) is accommodated in the first through hole (21).

15. The connection assembly according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that: The end of the threaded portion (33) of the fixing member (3) does not protrude from the end surface of the first structural member (1) away from the second structural member (2).

16. A foldable electronic device, characterized in that: include: The folding screen according to any one of claims 1 to 8 above.

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