Pivot mechanism and foldable electronic device

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of foldable electronic devices. Provided are a pivot mechanism and a foldable electronic device, which can solve the problem in the related art of a display screen of a foldable electronic device being prone to being pulled and arching during folding and unfolding. The pivot mechanism comprises a base and a pair of swing arm assemblies connected to two opposite sides of the base, respectively, wherein each swing arm assembly comprises a first swing arm, a second swing arm, a transmission component and a connector. The first swing arm and the second swing arm are both rotatably connected to the base, and the first swing arm is slidably connected to the second swing arm; the transmission component is arranged on the second swing arm, and is connected to the first swing arm and the connector, respectively; when the swing arm assembly rotates from an unfolded position to a folded position, the first swing arm slides relative to the second swing arm in a first direction so as to rotate the transmission component to drive the connector to move closer to the base; and the first direction is a direction away from the base or a direction approaching the base. The present application can be used in electronic devices such as mobile phones.

Description

Hinge mechanism and foldable electronic device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office on November 24, 2023, with application number 202323204650.1 and application name “Hinge mechanism 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 technical field of foldable electronic devices, and in particular to a hinge mechanism and a foldable electronic device. Background Art

[0003] Foldable electronic devices, such as foldable phones and tablets, are increasingly popular among users due to their large display area when flattened and compact size when folded. Foldable electronic devices come in two forms: inward-folding, where the display is located on the inside of the device, and outward-folding, where the display is located on the outside. Outward-folding devices are increasingly popular due to their thinness and light weight.

[0004] A related art outward-folding foldable electronic device includes a display screen, two housings, and a hinge mechanism. The housings support the display screen, and the hinge mechanism is disposed at the junction of the two housings and is connected to each housing to enable the two housings to switch between an expanded state and a folded state. However, when the two housings of this foldable electronic device switch between the expanded and folded states, the display screen is prone to arching and being pulled by the housings, thereby affecting the normal operation of the display screen.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] Embodiments of the present application provide a hinge mechanism and a foldable electronic device, which are used to solve the problem in the related art that the display screen of the foldable electronic device is easily pulled and arched during the folding and unfolding process.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the embodiments of the present application adopt the following technical solutions:

[0008] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a hinge mechanism for a foldable electronic device, comprising a base and a pair of swing arm assemblies respectively connected to opposite sides of the base, wherein the swing arm assembly can rotate relative to the base between a folded position and an unfolded position, and when the swing arm assembly is in the folded position, a support surface of the swing arm assembly is located on the outside of the swing arm assembly, and the support surface is used to support the display screen of the foldable electronic device; the swing arm assembly comprises a first swing arm, a second swing arm, a transmission component and a connector for connecting to the shell of the foldable electronic device, the first swing arm and the second swing arm are both rotatably connected to the base, and the first swing arm and the second swing arm are rotatably connected to each other. The swing arm is slidably connected; the transmission component is rotatably arranged on the second swing arm, and the transmission component is connected between the first swing arm and the connecting member; when the swing arm assembly rotates from the deployed position to the folded position, the first swing arm slides relative to the second swing arm along a first direction, so that the transmission component rotates relative to the second swing arm to drive the connecting member to move closer to the base; the first direction is a direction away from the base or a direction close to the base; when the swing arm assembly rotates from the folded position to the deployed position, the first swing arm slides relative to the second swing arm along a second direction, so that the transmission component rotates relative to the second swing arm to drive the connecting member to move away from the base, and the second direction is opposite to the first direction.

[0009] In the embodiment of the present application, the rotating shaft mechanism is provided with a transmission component, and the transmission component can be rotatably provided on the second swing arm and connected between the first swing arm and the connecting member. In this way, when the swing arm assembly rotates from the deployed position to the folded position, the first swing arm slides relative to the second swing arm along the first direction, so that the transmission component rotates relative to the second swing arm to drive the connecting member to move closer to the base, and then the connecting member drives the shell to move closer to the base, which can avoid the shell from pulling the display screen, thereby preventing the display screen from being damaged by pulling; when the swing arm assembly rotates from the folded position to the deployed position, the first swing arm slides relative to the second swing arm along the second direction, so that the transmission component rotates relative to the second swing arm to drive the connecting member to move away from the base, and then the connecting member drives the shell away from the base, which can tension the display screen to prevent the display screen from arching due to relaxation, thereby affecting the display effect of the display screen. By adjusting the distance between the shell and the base through the transmission component, the distance between the ends of the two shells can be adjusted to well adapt to the changes in the length of the first area and the second area of ​​the display screen when the display screen is folded and unfolded, thereby achieving constant length control of the display screen during the unfolding and folding process, avoiding the display screen from being pulled and arched, and ensuring the normal operation of the display screen.

[0010] In some embodiments, the transmission component includes a rotating member rotatably connected to the second swing arm via a first rotating shaft. The rotating member has a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion arranged circumferentially along the first rotating shaft, the first connecting portion connected to the first swing arm, and the second connecting portion connected to the connecting member. When the first swing arm slides relative to the second swing arm in a first direction, the first swing arm drives the rotating member to rotate relative to the second swing arm along a first direction, causing the second connecting portion to drive the connecting member toward the base. When the first swing arm slides relative to the second swing arm in a second direction, the first swing arm drives the rotating member to rotate relative to the second swing arm along a second direction, causing the second connecting portion to drive the connecting member away from the base. The second direction is opposite to the first direction. This configuration can simplify the structure of the transmission component, thereby facilitating improved operational reliability of the rotating member.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are respectively located on opposite sides of the first rotating shaft. This arrangement can make the structure of the rotating member more compact and the rotating member occupies less space when rotating.

[0012] In some embodiments, the distance between the first connection portion and the central axis of the first rotating shaft is smaller than the distance between the second connection portion and the central axis of the first rotating shaft. This configuration allows the rotating member to amplify the relatively small movement distance between the first swing arm and the second swing arm, effectively meeting the requirement for constant length control of the display screen during folding and unfolding.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion each include a plurality of teeth arranged circumferentially along the first rotating shaft. A first rack is fixed to the first swing arm, and a second rack is fixed to the connecting member. Both the first rack and the second rack extend parallel to the first direction. The first rack meshes with the first connecting portion, and the second rack meshes with the second connecting portion. This arrangement can further secure the connection between the rotating member and the first swing arm and the connecting member.

[0014] In some embodiments, the second swing arm is slidably connected to the first swing arm via a first sliding structure; the first sliding structure includes a first sliding groove and a first limiting structure, the first sliding groove being provided on the first swing arm and extending in a direction parallel to the first direction; the second swing arm includes a swing arm segment rotatably connected to the base, and a sliding arm segment rotatably connected to the swing arm segment, both of which slide in engagement with the first sliding groove; the first limiting structure is configured to prevent the sliding arm segment from moving relative to the first sliding groove along the depth direction of the first sliding groove. This configuration allows the second swing arm to be better confined within the first sliding groove, reducing the space occupied by the second swing arm outside the first swing arm.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first limiting structure includes a first limiting groove and a first protrusion. The first limiting groove is disposed on one of the sidewall of the first chute or the slide arm section, and the first protrusion is disposed on the other of the sidewall of the first chute or the slide arm section. The first limiting groove extends in a direction parallel to the first direction, and the first limiting groove has two first groove walls arranged along the groove depth direction of the first chute. The first protrusion is slidably disposed between the two first groove walls. This configuration can simplify the first limiting structure, thereby helping to reduce the design and manufacturing costs of the rotating shaft mechanism.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first swing arm has a stopper, and the sliding arm segment has an abutment. The stopper is located on a side of the abutment that is closest to the base. When the swing arm assembly is in the folded position, the abutment abuts against the stopper. This arrangement effectively controls the rotation angle of the swing arm assembly when it is in the folded position, thereby preventing the sliding arm segment from causing damage to the base due to excessive rotation.

[0017] In some embodiments, the first swing arm includes two swinging portions spaced apart along the length of the base, the first slide groove is located between the two swinging portions, and the stop portion connects the two swinging portions. A transmission component is provided on one side of the sliding arm segment, and a boss is provided on the other side of the sliding arm segment. The boss serves as the abutment portion, and the stop portion and the abutment portion are located on the same side of the sliding arm segment. This arrangement allows the abutment portion and the stop portion to be located outside the range of motion of the transmission component, thereby preventing motion interference between the transmission component and the abutment portion and the stop portion.

[0018] In some embodiments, the second swing arms of the pair of swing arm assemblies are connected by an even number of gears, so that the pair of swing arm assemblies rotate synchronously relative to the base between the folded position and the unfolded position. In this way, the swing arm assemblies can rotate synchronously relative to the base.

[0019] In some embodiments, the connecting member is slidably connected to the first swing arm, and a damping device is provided on the connecting member. The damping device includes an elastic component and an abutment connected to the elastic component. The elastic component is used to apply an elastic force to the abutment to cause the abutment to abut against the first swing arm. When the connecting member slides relative to the first swing arm in a direction parallel to the first direction under the drive component, the abutment rubs against the first swing arm to apply a damping force to the connecting member. This configuration can ensure that the movement of the housing driven by the connecting member is smoother during the rotation of the swing arm assembly relative to the base.

[0020] In some embodiments, the first swing arm includes a proximal end surface disposed proximal to the base, a distal end surface disposed distal to the base, and a swing arm side surface connected between the proximal end surface and the distal end surface. The swing arm side surface is configured to abut the abutment, and a first guide slope is disposed between the swing arm side surface and the distal end surface. The first guide slope is disposed at an angle relative to the swing arm side surface. When the swing arm assembly is in the deployed position, the abutment abuts the first guide slope. With this configuration, the first guide slope can guide the abutment, allowing the abutment to slide along the first guide slope to the swing arm side surface, thereby facilitating smoother relative motion between the abutment and the first swing arm.

[0021] In some embodiments, the abutment head is provided with a second guide slope, which is inclined relative to the side of the swing arm. When the swing arm assembly is in the extended position, the second guide slope abuts the first guide slope. Thus, the second guide surface provided on the abutment head allows for smoother movement of the abutment head along the first guide slope.

[0022] In some embodiments, the connecting member has a first accommodating space, a second accommodating space, and a connecting hole connecting the first accommodating space and the second accommodating space. The first accommodating space and the second accommodating space are arranged along the length direction of the base. The first swing arm extends into the first accommodating space, the elastic component is arranged in the second accommodating space, and the abutment head extends into the first accommodating space through the connecting hole and abuts against the first swing arm.

[0023] In some embodiments, the connecting member is slidably connected to the first swing arm via a second sliding structure; the second sliding structure includes a second slide groove, a sliding engagement portion, and a second limiting structure. The second slide groove is provided on one of the first swing arm and the connecting member, and the sliding engagement portion is provided on the other of the first swing arm and the connecting member. The second slide groove extends in a direction parallel to the first direction, and the sliding engagement portion slidably engages with the second slide groove. The second limiting structure is configured to prevent the sliding engagement portion from moving relative to the second slide groove along the depth direction of the second slide groove. This configuration allows the connecting member to move more smoothly toward and away from the base.

[0024] In some embodiments, the second limiting structure includes a second limiting groove and a second protrusion. The second limiting groove is disposed on one of the groove sidewall and the sliding fitting portion of the second chute, and the second protrusion is disposed on the other of the groove sidewall and the sliding fitting portion of the second chute. The second limiting groove extends in a direction parallel to the first direction, and the second limiting groove has two second groove walls arranged along the groove depth direction of the second chute. The second protrusion is slidably disposed between the two second groove walls. This configuration can simplify the second limiting structure, thereby helping to reduce the design and manufacturing costs of the shaft mechanism.

[0025] In some embodiments, the swing arm assembly further includes a support member rotatably connected to the base and slidably connected to the connecting member. The support member has a first curved support surface, and the connecting member has a second support surface. The second support surface and the first support surface together form a support surface for the swing arm assembly. This arrangement prevents the first area of ​​the display screen from sag, thereby making it easier for the display screen to remain flat.

[0026] In some embodiments, the connector includes a cover plate and a sub-connector detachably connected to the cover plate. The second support surface is located on the cover plate, the sub-connector is connected to the transmission component, and the sub-connector, the first swing arm, the second swing arm, and the transmission component are all located on a side of the cover plate facing away from the second support surface. This arrangement facilitates maintenance and replacement of components such as the first swing arm, the second swing arm, and the transmission component.

[0027] In some embodiments, the swing arm assembly further comprises a shielding member, the shielding member being located on the back side of the first swing arm, the second swing arm, and the connecting member, and the shielding member being fixedly connected to the first swing arm. In this manner, the shielding member can protect the first swing arm, the second swing arm, and the connecting member on the inner side.

[0028] In some embodiments, the connector is slidably connected to the shielding member via a third sliding structure; the third sliding structure includes a third sliding groove and a third protrusion. The third sliding groove is provided on one of the connector and the shielding member, and the third protrusion is provided on the other of the connector and the shielding member. The third sliding groove extends in a direction parallel to the first direction, and the third protrusion slidably engages with the third sliding groove. This arrangement can further reduce the shaking of the connector when approaching or moving away from the base, thereby making the connector move more smoothly when approaching or moving away from the base.

[0029] In the second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a foldable electronic device, comprising a display screen, at least two shells, and the hinge mechanism of the first aspect, wherein the shell is used to support the display screen, the hinge mechanism is located at the junction of two adjacent shells, and a pair of swing arm assemblies of the hinge mechanism are respectively connected to the corresponding shells.

[0030] The beneficial effects of the electronic device in the embodiment of the present application are the same as the beneficial effects of the hinge mechanism in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a foldable electronic device in the unfolded state in the related art;

[0032] FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of the foldable electronic device shown in FIG1 in a folded state;

[0033] FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of a foldable electronic device (mobile phone) in an unfolded state in some embodiments of the present application;

[0034] FIG4 is a schematic structural diagram of the foldable electronic device in FIG3 in a folded state;

[0035] FIG5 is an exploded view of the foldable electronic device in FIG3 ;

[0036] FIG6 is a top view of the foldable electronic device in an embodiment of the present application with the display screen removed;

[0037] FIG7 is an exploded view of the hinge mechanism and housing of the foldable electronic device in FIG6 ;

[0038] FIG8 a is a schematic diagram of a foldable electronic device (mobile phone) in an unfolded state according to the first embodiment of the present application;

[0039] FIG8 b is a schematic diagram of the foldable electronic device (mobile phone) in the folded state in the first embodiment of the present application;

[0040] FIG9 a is a schematic diagram of a foldable electronic device (mobile phone) in an unfolded state according to a second embodiment of the present application;

[0041] FIG9 b is a schematic diagram of a foldable electronic device (mobile phone) in a folded state according to the second embodiment of the present application;

[0042] FIG10 a is a schematic diagram of a foldable electronic device (mobile phone) in an unfolded state according to a third embodiment of the present application;

[0043] FIG10 b is a schematic diagram of a foldable electronic device (mobile phone) in a folded state according to the third embodiment of the present application;

[0044] FIG11 a is a schematic diagram of a foldable electronic device (mobile phone) in an unfolded state according to a fourth embodiment of the present application;

[0045] FIG11 b is a schematic diagram of a foldable electronic device (mobile phone) in a folded state according to a fourth embodiment of the present application;

[0046] FIG12 is a schematic structural diagram of a rotating shaft mechanism in a fourth embodiment of the present application;

[0047] FIG13 is an exploded view of the rotating shaft mechanism in FIG12 after the shielding member is removed;

[0048] FIG14 is a partial view of the rotating shaft mechanism in FIG12 with the cover plate of one side connecting member removed;

[0049] FIG15 is a top view of the rotating shaft mechanism in FIG14;

[0050] FIG16 is a partial view of the rotating shaft mechanism in FIG12 with the support members on both sides and the cover plate of the connecting member removed;

[0051] FIG17 is a top view of the rotating shaft mechanism of FIG16 with the shielding member removed;

[0052] FIG18 is a CC sectional view of the rotating shaft mechanism of FIG15 after the cover plate of the lower connecting member is installed;

[0053] FIG19 is a sectional view taken along line FF of the rotating shaft mechanism in FIG17 ;

[0054] FIG20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE of the rotating shaft mechanism in FIG17 ;

[0055] FIG21 is a front view of an assembly formed by the first swing arm, the second swing arm, and the base in the fourth embodiment of the present application;

[0056] FIG22 is a rear view of an assembly formed by the first swing arm, the second swing arm, and the base in the fourth embodiment of the present application;

[0057] FIG23 is a diagram showing the connection relationship between the first swing arm and the second swing arm in the fourth embodiment of the present application;

[0058] FIG24 is a schematic structural diagram of a second swing arm in a fourth embodiment of the present application;

[0059] FIG25 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the rotating shaft mechanism in FIG15 after the connector located on the lower side is installed on the cover plate;

[0060] FIG26 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of the rotating shaft mechanism in FIG15 after the connector located on the lower side is installed with a cover plate;

[0061] FIG27 is a schematic structural diagram of the back side of the connecting member of the rotating shaft mechanism in FIG12;

[0062] FIG28 is an exploded view of the connector shown in FIG27 ;

[0063] FIG29 is a partial enlarged view of FIG28;

[0064] FIG30 is a bottom view of the rotating shaft mechanism shown in FIG12;

[0065] FIG31 is a partial view of the rotating shaft mechanism in FIG30 with the shielding member on one side removed;

[0066] FIG32 is a partial view of the rotating shaft mechanism in FIG30 with shielding members on both sides removed;

[0067] FIG33 is a DD cross-sectional view of the rotating shaft mechanism in FIG25. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0068] The technical solutions in some embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0069] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a foldable electronic device in the related art in the unfolded state, and Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the foldable electronic device shown in Figure 1 in the folded state. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the foldable electronic device is an outward-folding foldable electronic device, and includes a display screen 01, two housings 02, and a hinge mechanism 03. The housing 02 has a support surface 021, which is used to support the display screen 01. The hinge mechanism 03 is arranged at the position where the two housings 02 meet and is respectively connected to the two housings 02, so that the two housings 02 can switch between the unfolded state (as shown in Figure 1) and the folded state (as shown in Figure 2).

[0070] The display screen 01 is a flexible display screen and includes a first area 011 covering the hinge mechanism 03 and a second area 012 covering the support surface 021 of the housing 02 .

[0071] The pivot mechanism 03 includes a base 031 and a pair of swing arm assemblies 032 connected to opposite sides of the base 031. The pair of swing arm assemblies 032 are connected to the two housings 02 in a one-to-one correspondence. The swing arm assembly 032 includes a swing arm 033 and a connector 034. The swing arm 033 is rotatably connected to the base 031, and the connector 034 is connected to both the swing arm 033 and the housing 02.

[0072] The swing arm assembly 032 is rotatable relative to the base 031 between a folded position and an extended position. As shown in FIG1 , when the swing arm assembly 032 is in the extended position, the two housings 02 are in an extended state, and the display screen 01 is unfolded. As shown in FIG2 , when the swing arm assembly 032 is in the folded position, the two housings 02 are in a folded state, and the display screen 01 is folded.

[0073] In the foldable electronic device of the related art, the first area 011 of the display screen 01 will gradually bend during the folding process. Since the display screen 01 is located on the outside of the shell 02, during the bending process, the length of the first area 011 of the display screen 01 is greater than the length of the first area 011 when unfolded, thereby reducing the length of the second area 012 covering the support surface 021 of the shell 02. At this time, in order to make the length of the second area 012 match the length of the support surface 021, the shell 02 will pull the display screen 01, and the display screen 01 is easily deformed and damaged under the pulling, and when the display screen 01 is unfolded, the pulled display screen 01 is easy to relax, which easily causes the display screen 01 to arch, thereby affecting the display effect of the display screen 01.

[0074] It can be seen that the hinge mechanism 03 of the foldable electronic device in the related art cannot adapt well to the changes in the length of the first area 011 and the second area 012 during the folding and unfolding of the display screen 01, which can easily cause the display screen 01 to be pulled and arched, thereby affecting the normal operation of the display screen 01.

[0075] To this end, an embodiment of the present application provides a hinge mechanism and a foldable electronic device, by arranging a transmission component between the swing arm and the connecting member of the hinge mechanism, so that when the swing arm assembly rotates from the unfolded position to the folded position, the swing arm drives the connecting member close to the base through the transmission component, and then the connecting member drives the shell close to the base; when the swing arm assembly rotates from the folded position to the unfolded position, the swing arm drives the connecting member away from the base through the transmission component, and then the connecting member drives the shell away from the base, so that the hinge mechanism can adapt to the changes in the length of the first area and the second area during the folding and unfolding process of the display screen, so as to avoid the display screen being pulled and arched.

[0076] The foldable electronic device in the embodiments of the present application can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, wearable device, or other electronic device. The following uses a mobile phone as an example to illustrate the specific structure of the hinge mechanism in the foldable electronic device. The hinge mechanism in other foldable electronic devices can be configured similarly to the hinge mechanism in the mobile phone embodiment, and will not be described in detail here.

[0077] Figure 3 is a structural schematic diagram of a foldable electronic device (mobile phone) in some embodiments of the present application in an unfolded state, Figure 4 is a structural schematic diagram of the foldable electronic device in Figure 3 in a folded state, Figure 5 is an exploded view of the foldable electronic device in Figure 3, Figure 6 is a top view of the foldable electronic device in an embodiment of the present application after the display screen is removed, Figure 7 is a decomposition diagram of the hinge mechanism 100 and the shell 300 of the foldable electronic device in Figure 6, Figure 8a is a schematic diagram of the foldable electronic device (mobile phone) in the unfolded state in the first embodiment of the present application, and Figure 8b is a schematic diagram of the foldable electronic device (mobile phone) in the folded state in the first embodiment of the present application.

[0078] As shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the foldable electronic device in the embodiment of the present application includes a display screen 200, two shells 300 and a hinge mechanism 100. The shell 300 is used to support the display screen 200. The hinge mechanism 100 is arranged at the junction of the two shells 300 so that the two shells 300 can switch between an unfolded state (as shown in Figure 4) and a folded state (as shown in Figure 3).

[0079] The display screen 200 is inherently bendable and can bend and deform under external force. As shown in Figures 3 and 5 , when the two housings 300 are in the unfolded state, the display screen 200 is unfolded, exposing the display area of ​​the display screen 200 to facilitate displaying image information to the user. The display screen 200 includes a first area 210 and two second areas 220 located on opposite sides of the first area 210. The first area 210 overlies the hinge mechanism 100, and the second area 220 overlies the display screen support surface 310 of the housing 300.

[0080] Among them, the display screen 200 can be a completely flexible screen structure, for example, the first area 210 and the second area 220 of the display screen 200 are both flexible screen structures; of course, the display screen 200 can also have a flexible screen structure in the middle folding part and a hard screen structure on both sides, for example, the first area 210 of the display screen 200 is a flexible screen structure, and the second area 220 is a hard screen structure.

[0081] As shown in Figure 4, when the two shells 300 are in a folded state, the two shells 300 are stacked, and the display screen 200 is located on the outside of the shell 300. At this time, the cross-sectional shape of the first area 210 of the display screen 200 is an inverted U shape, and the two second areas 220 of the display screen 200 are parallel or approximately parallel (for example, the deviation is within 10°).

[0082] Of course, the foldable electronic device in the embodiment of the present application is not limited to having two shells 300, but may also have more than two shells 300, such as three shells 300, etc. The two adjacent shells 300 can be switched between the unfolded state and the folded state, and the hinge mechanism 100 is set at the junction of the two adjacent shells 300.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 5 , FIG. 8 a and FIG. 8 b , the rotating shaft mechanism 100 includes a base 1 and a pair of swing arm assemblies 2 .

[0084] The base 1 includes a base body 11 and a shaft cover 12 detachably disposed on the back side of the base body 11 (i.e., the side facing away from the display screen 200). The shaft cover 12 can be detachably connected to the base body 11 using fasteners (e.g., screws), but is not limited thereto. The shaft cover 12 can also be detachably connected to the base body 11 by means of a snap-fit ​​connection, a plug-in connection, or the like. Of course, the structure of the base 1 is not limited to comprising the base body 11 and the shaft cover 12; other structures may also be provided depending on actual circumstances.

[0085] The shaft cover 12 includes a shaft cover bottom wall 121 and a shaft cover side wall 122 disposed at the edge of the shaft cover bottom wall 121. Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the shaft cover 12 may also adopt other structures according to actual conditions.

[0086] As shown in Figures 8a and 8b, a pair of swing arm assemblies 2 are respectively connected to opposite sides of the base 1, and a pair of swing arm assemblies 2 are respectively connected to corresponding shells 300. For example, as shown in Figure 8a, the swing arm assembly 2 connected to the left side of the base 1 is connected to the shell 300 located on the left side, and the swing arm assembly 2 connected to the right side of the base 1 is connected to the shell 300 located on the right side.

[0087] Specifically, the pair of swing arm assemblies 2 are connected to opposite sides of the base 1. Specifically, the pair of swing arm assemblies 2 are connected to opposite sides of the base 1. For example, as shown in Figures 8a and 8b, one swing arm assembly 2 is connected to the left side of the base 1, and the other swing arm assembly 2 is connected to the right side of the base 1. In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 6 and 8a, the pair of swing arm assemblies 2 are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the midplane 10 of the base 1 along the width direction X thereof.

[0088] As shown in Figures 8a and 8b, the swing arm assembly 2 can rotate relative to the base 1 between a folded position (as shown in Figure 8b) and an unfolded position (as shown in Figure 8a), and as shown in Figure 8b, when the swing arm assembly 2 is in the folded position, the support surface of the swing arm assembly 2 is located on the outside of the swing arm assembly 2, and the support surface is used to support the display screen 200 of the foldable electronic device. The support surface includes a first support surface 80 and a second support surface 61 (which will be described in detail later).

[0089] As shown in Figure 8a, the swing arm assembly 2 includes a first swing arm 3, a second swing arm 4, a transmission component 5 and a connecting member 6 for connecting to the shell 300. The first swing arm 3 and the second swing arm 4 are both rotatably connected to the base 1, and the first swing arm 3 and the second swing arm 4 are slidingly connected; the transmission component 5 is rotatably set on the second swing arm 4, and the transmission component 5 is connected between the first swing arm 3 and the connecting member 6.

[0090] As shown in Figures 6 and 7 , the connector 6 is connected to the housing 300 via a connecting structure comprising a connecting bar 320 fixed to the housing 300 and a connecting groove 68 provided on the connector 6. The connecting bar 320 extends into the connecting groove 68 and is fixedly connected to the wall of the connecting groove 68. This arrangement allows the connecting groove 68 to limit the connecting bar 320, reducing its shaking and thereby strengthening the connection between the connector 6 and the housing 300.

[0091] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the connecting strip 320 is fixedly connected to the groove wall of the connecting groove 68 by fasteners (such as screws), but is not limited to this. The connecting strip 320 can also be fixedly connected to the groove wall of the connecting groove 68 by snapping, bonding, etc.

[0092] There may be one or more connecting bars 320, as shown in Figures 6 and 7 , where multiple connecting bars 320 (four connecting bars 320 are shown) are arranged along the length direction Y of the base 1. There may be one or more connecting grooves 68, the specific number of which corresponds to the number of connecting bars 320.

[0093] The positions of the connecting strip 320 and the connecting groove 68 can also be interchanged: that is, the connecting strip 320 is fixed on the connecting member 6 , and the connecting groove 68 is provided on the housing 300 .

[0094] As shown in Figures 8a and 8b, the rotational axis O1 of the first swing arm 3 is offset from the rotational axis O2 of the second swing arm 4. That is, the rotational axis O1 of the first swing arm 3 is not collinear with the rotational axis O2 of the second swing arm 4. With this arrangement, when the swing arm assembly 2 rotates relative to each other between the folded and unfolded positions, the first swing arm 3 can slide relative to the second swing arm 4 in a direction toward or away from the base 1.

[0095] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 8a and 8b, the first swing arm 3 and the second swing arm 4 are both rotatably connected to the base body 11. Along the height direction H of the base 1, the distance between the rotation center axis O1 of the first swing arm 3 and the shaft cover 12 is greater than the distance between the rotation center axis O2 of the second swing arm 4 and the shaft cover 12. The height direction H of the base 1 is perpendicular to the width direction X and the length direction Y of the base 1. As shown in Figures 8a and 8b, the distances between the rotation center axis O1 and the rotation center axis O2 and the shaft cover 12 specifically refer to the distances between the rotation center axis O1 and the rotation center axis O2 and the bottom wall 121 of the shaft cover.

[0096] By making the distance between the rotation center axis O1 of the first swing arm 3 and the shaft cover 12 greater than the distance between the rotation center axis O2 of the second swing arm 4 and the shaft cover 12, when the swing arm assembly 2 rotates, relative sliding will occur between the first swing arm 3 and the second swing arm 4. Specifically:

[0097] As shown in Figure 8a, when the swing arm assembly 2 rotates from the unfolded position to the folded position (that is, the swing arm assembly 2 rotates along the direction of R01 in the figure), the first swing arm 3 slides relative to the second swing arm 4 along the first direction M1, causing the transmission component 5 to rotate relative to the second swing arm 4 to drive the connecting member 6 to move closer to the base 1, and then the connecting member 6 drives the shell 300 to move closer to the base 1; wherein, the first direction M1 is the direction close to the base 1.

[0098] As shown in Figure 8b, when the swing arm assembly 2 rotates from the folded position to the unfolded position (that is, the swing arm assembly 2 rotates along the direction of R02 in the figure), the first swing arm 3 slides relative to the second swing arm 4 along the second direction M2, causing the transmission component 5 to rotate relative to the second swing arm 4 to drive the connecting member 6 to move away from the base 1, and then the connecting member 6 drives the shell 300 away from the base 1, wherein the second direction M2 is opposite to the first direction M1, that is, the second direction M2 is the direction away from the base 1.

[0099] As shown in Figures 8a and 8b, since the movement is relative, the sliding of the first swing arm 3 relative to the second swing arm 4 along the first direction M1 can also be understood as: the second swing arm 4 slides relative to the first swing arm 3 along the second direction M2; the sliding of the first swing arm 3 relative to the second swing arm 4 along the second direction M2 can also be understood as: the second swing arm 4 slides relative to the first swing arm 3 along the first direction M1.

[0100] Of course, the positions of the rotation center axis O1 and the rotation center axis O2 are not limited to the above settings. The rotation center axis O1 and the rotation center axis O2 can also be staggered in the width direction X of the base 1. Specifically: the distances between the rotation center axis O1 and the rotation center axis O2 and the shaft cover 12 are equal, and the distance between the rotation center axis O1 and the mid-plane 10 is smaller than the distance between the rotation center axis O2 and the mid-plane 10.

[0101] In the embodiment of the present application, the rotating shaft mechanism 100 is provided with a transmission component 5, and the transmission component 5 can be rotatably provided on the second swing arm 4 and connected between the first swing arm 3 and the connecting member 6. In this way, when the swing arm assembly 2 rotates from the unfolded position to the folded position, the first swing arm 3 slides relative to the second swing arm 4 along the first direction M1, so that the transmission component 5 rotates relative to the second swing arm 4 to drive the connecting member 6 to move closer to the base, thereby causing the connecting member 6 to drive the shell 300 to move closer to the base 1, thereby preventing the shell 300 from pulling the display screen 200, thereby preventing the display screen 200 from being damaged by pulling; when the swing arm assembly 2 rotates from the folded position to the unfolded position, the first swing arm 3 slides relative to the second swing arm 4 along the second direction M2, so that the transmission component 5 rotates relative to the second swing arm 4 to drive the connecting member 6 to move away from the base 1, thereby causing the connecting member 6 to drive the shell 300 to move away from the base 1, thereby tensioning the display screen 200 to prevent the display screen 200 from arching due to relaxation, thereby affecting the display effect of the display screen 200. By adjusting the distance between the shell 300 and the base 1 through the transmission component 5, the distance between the ends of the two shells 300 can be adjusted, so that the hinge mechanism 100 can adapt well to the changes in the length of the first area 210 and the second area 220 of the display screen 200 when the display screen 200 is folded and unfolded, thereby realizing constant length control of the display screen 200 during the unfolding and folding process (constant length specifically means that the length of the display screen 200 is constant during the unfolding and folding process, as shown in Figure 8a, the length of the display screen 200 refers to the distance between the a end and the b end of the display screen 200), avoiding the display screen 200 from being pulled and arched, and ensuring the normal operation of the display screen 200.

[0102] The structure of the transmission component 5 is not unique. Figures 8a and 8b show a first structure of the transmission component 5. In this embodiment, the transmission component 5 is a gear. There are multiple transmission components 5, and the multiple transmission components 5 can be rotatably set on the second swing arm 4, and the two adjacent transmission components 5 are engaged with each other. The transmission component 5 at one end is engaged with the rack c1 fixed on the first swing arm 3, and the transmission component 5 at the other end is engaged with the rack c2 fixed on the connecting member 6. When the swing arm assembly 2 rotates relative to the base 1, the first swing arm 3 slides relative to the second swing arm 4 to drive the transmission component 5 to rotate relative to the second swing arm 4. The transmission component 5 drives the connecting member 6 to move closer to or away from the base 1 through the rack c2, so that the connecting member 6 drives the shell 300 to move closer to or away from the base 1.

[0103] As shown in FIG8a and FIG8b , the number of transmission components 5 is an even number, for example, 2. In this way, the transmission components 5 can convert the movement of the first swing arm 3 away from the base 1 relative to the second swing arm 4 into the movement of the connecting member 6 away from the base 1, and convert the movement of the first swing arm 3 toward the base 1 relative to the second swing arm 4 into the movement of the connecting member 6 toward the base 1.

[0104] Figures 9a and 9b illustrate a second configuration of the transmission component 5, wherein Figure 9a is a schematic diagram of the foldable electronic device (mobile phone) in the unfolded state according to the second embodiment of the present application, and Figure 9b is a schematic diagram of the foldable electronic device (mobile phone) in the folded state according to the second embodiment of the present application. The main difference between the transmission components 5 in the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the number of transmission components 5 is different, as described below:

[0105] As shown in FIG. 9 a and FIG. 9 b , the number of the transmission components 5 is an odd number, such as three.

[0106] In the height direction H of the base 1, the distance between the rotation center axis O1 of the first swing arm 3 and the shaft cover 12 is shorter than the distance between the rotation center axis O2 of the second swing arm 4 and the shaft cover 12. Of course, this is not limiting, and the distances between the rotation center axis O1 and the shaft cover 12 may be equal, and the distance between the rotation center axis O1 and the mid-plane 10 may be longer than the distance between the rotation center axis O2 and the mid-plane 10.

[0107] In this way, as shown in Figure 9a, when the swing arm assembly 2 rotates from the unfolded position to the folded position (that is, the swing arm assembly 2 rotates along the direction of R01 in the figure), the first swing arm 3 slides relative to the second swing arm 4 along the first direction M1, so as to drive the odd number of transmission components 5 to rotate relative to the second swing arm 4, and the transmission component 5 drives the connecting member 6 to move closer to the base 1 through the rack c2, so that the connecting member 6 drives the shell 300 to move closer to the base 1; wherein, the first direction M1 is the direction away from the base 1.

[0108] As shown in Figure 9b, when the swing arm assembly 2 rotates from the folded position to the unfolded position (that is, the swing arm assembly 2 rotates along the direction of R02 in the figure), the first swing arm 3 slides relative to the second swing arm 4 along the second direction M2, so as to drive the odd number of transmission components 5 to rotate relative to the second swing arm 4, and the transmission component 5 drives the connecting member 6 to move away from the base 1 through the rack c2, thereby causing the connecting member 6 to drive the shell 300 to move away from the base 1, wherein the second direction M2 is the direction close to the base 1.

[0109] By setting the number of transmission components 5 to an odd number, the transmission components 5 can convert the movement of the first swing arm 3 relative to the second swing arm 4 away from the base 1 into the movement of the connecting member 6 approaching the base 1, and convert the movement of the first swing arm 3 relative to the second swing arm 4 approaching the base 1 into the movement of the connecting member 6 away from the base 1, thereby enabling the transmission components 5 to realize the function of adjusting the direction of movement.

[0110] Figures 10a and 10b illustrate a third structure of the transmission component 5, wherein Figure 10a is a schematic diagram of the foldable electronic device (mobile phone) in the third embodiment of the present application in an unfolded state, and Figure 10b is a schematic diagram of the foldable electronic device (mobile phone) in the third embodiment of the present application in a folded state. The main difference between the transmission component 5 in the third embodiment and the first embodiment is that the structure of the transmission component 5 is different, as described below:

[0111] The transmission component 5 includes a rotating member 51, which is rotatably connected to the second swing arm 4 through a first rotating shaft 52. The rotating member 51 has a first connecting portion 511 and a second connecting portion 512 arranged along the circumference of the first rotating shaft 52. The first connecting portion 511 is connected to the first swing arm 3, and the second connecting portion 512 is connected to the connecting member 6.

[0112] The first connection portion 511 and the second connection portion 512 are located on the same side of the first rotating shaft 52 . For example, as shown in FIG. 10 a and FIG. 10 b , the first connection portion 511 and the second connection portion 512 are located on the lower side of the first rotating shaft 52 .

[0113] In particular, along the height direction H of the base 1, the distance from the rotation center axis O1 of the first swing arm 3 to the shaft cover 12 is greater than the distance from the rotation center axis O2 of the second swing arm 4 to the shaft cover 12. Of course, this is not limited to this, and the distances from the rotation center axis O1 and the rotation center axis O2 to the shaft cover 12 can also be equal, and the distance from the rotation center axis O1 to the mid-plane 10 can be less than the distance from the rotation center axis O2 to the mid-plane 10.

[0114] In this arrangement, as shown in Figure 10a, when the swing arm assembly 2 rotates from the unfolded position to the folded position, when the first swing arm 3 slides relative to the second swing arm 4 along the first direction M1, the first swing arm 3 drives the rotating member 51 to rotate along the first direction R1, so that the second connecting portion 512 of the rotating member 51 gradually approaches the base 1, thereby driving the connecting member 6 to move closer to the base 1, and the connecting member 6 drives the shell 300 to move closer to the base 1; wherein, the first direction M1 is the direction close to the base 1.

[0115] As shown in Figure 10b, when the swing arm assembly 2 rotates from the folded position to the unfolded position, when the first swing arm 3 slides relative to the second swing arm 4 along the second direction M2, the first swing arm 3 drives the rotating member 51 to rotate along the second turning direction R2, so that the second connecting portion 512 of the rotating member 51 gradually moves away from the base 1, thereby driving the connecting member 6 to move away from the base 1, and the connecting member 6 drives the shell 300 away from the base 1, wherein the second direction M2 is the direction away from the base 1, and the second turning direction R2 is opposite to the first turning direction R1.

[0116] In this embodiment, the connecting member 6 is driven closer to or away from the base 1 by the rotation of the rotating member 51. This arrangement can simplify the structure of the transmission component 5, reduce the number of parts of the transmission component 5, and thus help improve the working reliability of the transmission component 5.

[0117] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 10a, the rotating member 51 has a first rotating arm 513 and a second rotating arm 514, the first rotating arm 513 is fixedly connected to the second rotating arm 514, and the first rotating arm 513 and the second rotating arm 514 are connected at an acute angle, such as 30 degrees. The corner formed by the connection between the first rotating arm 513 and the second rotating arm 514 is rotatably connected to the second swing arm 4, and the end of the first rotating arm 513 away from the corner is the first connecting portion 511, and the end of the second rotating arm 514 away from the corner is the second connecting portion 512.

[0118] Figures 11a, 11b, and 12 to 19 show a fourth structure of the transmission component 5, wherein Figure 11a is a schematic diagram of the foldable electronic device (mobile phone) in the fourth embodiment of the present application in an unfolded state, Figure 11b is a schematic diagram of the foldable electronic device (mobile phone) in the fourth embodiment of the present application in a folded state, Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the rotating shaft mechanism 100 in the fourth embodiment of the present application, Figure 13 is an exploded view of the rotating shaft mechanism 100 in Figure 12 after the shielding member 92 is removed, and Figure 14 is an exploded view of the rotating shaft mechanism 100 in Figure 12 FIG15 is a partial view of the rotating shaft mechanism 100 after the cover plate 63 of the connecting member 6 on one side is removed, FIG16 is a partial view of the rotating shaft mechanism 100 in FIG12 after the support members 8 on both sides and the cover plate 63 of the connecting member 6 are removed, FIG17 is a top view of the rotating shaft mechanism 100 in FIG16 after the shielding member 92 is removed, FIG18 is a CC sectional view of the rotating shaft mechanism 100 in FIG15 after the cover plate 63 of the connecting member 6 on the lower side is installed, and FIG19 is an FF sectional view of the rotating shaft mechanism 100 in FIG17.

[0119] The main difference between the transmission component 5 in the fourth embodiment and the third embodiment is that the first connecting portion 511 and the second connecting portion 512 are arranged at different positions relative to the first rotating shaft 52, as described below:

[0120] As shown in Figure 11a and Figures 14 to 17, the first connecting portion 511 and the second connecting portion 512 are located on opposite sides of the first rotating shaft 52. For example, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, the rotating member 51 is a strip-shaped structure, that is, the length of the rotating member 51 is greater than the width of the rotating member 51. The first connecting portion 511 is located at one end of the rotating member 51, and the second connecting portion 512 is located at the other end of the rotating member 51.

[0121] As shown in Figures 11a, 18, and 19, along the height direction H of the base 1, the distance from the rotation center axis O1 of the first swing arm 3 to the shaft cover 12 is shorter than the distance from the rotation center axis O2 of the second swing arm 4 to the shaft cover 12. Of course, this is not limiting; the distances from the rotation center axis O1 and the rotation center axis O2 to the shaft cover 12 may be equal, and the distance from the rotation center axis O1 to the mid-plane 10 may be longer than the distance from the rotation center axis O2 to the mid-plane 10.

[0122] As shown in Figure 11a, when the swing arm assembly 2 rotates from the unfolded position to the folded position, when the first swing arm 3 slides relative to the second swing arm 4 along the first direction M1, the first swing arm 3 drives the rotating member 51 to rotate along the first direction R1, so that the second connecting portion 512 of the rotating member 51 gradually approaches the base 1, thereby driving the connecting member 6 to move closer to the base 1, and the connecting member 6 drives the shell 300 to approach the base 1; wherein, the first direction M1 is the direction away from the base 1.

[0123] As shown in Figure 11b, when the swing arm assembly 2 rotates from the folded position to the unfolded position, when the first swing arm 3 slides relative to the second swing arm 4 along the second direction M2, the first swing arm 3 drives the rotating member 51 to rotate along the second direction R2, so that the second connection part 512 of the rotating member 51 gradually moves away from the base 1, thereby driving the connecting member 6 to move away from the base 1, and the connecting member 6 drives the shell 300 away from the base 1, wherein the second direction M2 is the direction close to the base 1.

[0124] By arranging the first connecting portion 511 and the second connecting portion 512 on opposite sides of the first rotating shaft 52, the rotating member 51 can convert the movement of the first swing arm 3 away from the base 1 relative to the second swing arm 4 into the movement of the connecting member 6 toward the base 1, and convert the movement of the first swing arm 3 toward the base 1 relative to the second swing arm 4 into the movement of the connecting member 6 away from the base 1, thereby enabling the rotating member 51 to adjust the direction of movement. At the same time, arranging the first connecting portion 511 and the second connecting portion 512 on opposite sides of the first rotating shaft 52 can make the structure of the rotating member 51 more compact. For example, the rotating member 51 can be configured as a strip structure, which occupies less space when rotating, thereby facilitating the optimized layout of the various components in the swing arm assembly 2.

[0125] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 11a, 14, and 15, the distance L1 between the first connecting portion 511 and the central axis of the first rotating shaft 52 is less than the distance L2 between the second connecting portion 512 and the central axis of the first rotating shaft 52. With this arrangement, the rotating member 51 acts as a "lever" that amplifies the motion stroke. Specifically, the rotating member 51 can amplify the relatively small motion distance of the first swing arm 3 relative to the second swing arm 4, thereby achieving a relatively large motion distance of the connecting member 6 relative to the base 1. This effectively satisfies the requirement for constant length control of the display screen 200 during folding and unfolding.

[0126] As shown in Figures 11a, 14, and 15, L2 / L1 satisfies: 1≤L2 / L1≤3. For example, as shown in Figure 15, L2 / L1=1.5.

[0127] The structures of the first connecting portion 511 and the second connecting portion 512 are not unique. In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, the first connecting portion 511 and the second connecting portion 512 each include a plurality of teeth arranged along the circumference of the first rotating shaft 52. A first rack 30 is fixed to the first swing arm 3, and a second rack 60 is fixed to the connecting member 6. The first rack 30 and the second rack 60 both extend in a direction parallel to the first direction M1. The first rack 30 meshes with the first connecting portion 511, and the second rack 60 meshes with the second connecting portion 512. This arrangement not only simplifies the connection structure between the rotating member 51 and the first swing arm 3 and the connecting member 6, eliminating the need for other complex connection structures and reducing the manufacturing cost of the rotating shaft mechanism 100, but also makes the connection between the rotating member 51 and the first swing arm 3 and the connecting member 6 more secure, thereby improving the operating reliability of the rotating member 51.

[0128] As shown in Figures 14 and 15 , the first rack 30 and the first swing arm 3 are integrally formed, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The first rack 30 and the first swing arm 3 may also be designed as separate components and then assembled together. As shown in Figures 14 and 15 , the second rack 60 and the connecting member 6 are integrally formed, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The second rack 60 and the connecting member 6 may also be designed as separate components.

[0129] In other embodiments, the rotating member 51 may be connected to the first swing arm 3 and the connecting member 6 by magnetic attraction. Specifically, the first connecting portion 511 and the second connecting portion 512 are each magnetic members, such as magnets, provided on the rotating member 51. The first swing arm 3 and the connecting member 6 are each provided with a magnetic member, such as a metal block, that is attracted to the magnetic member. The first connecting portion 511 is attracted to the magnetic member on the first swing arm 3, and the second connecting portion 512 is attracted to the magnetic member on the connecting member 6.

[0130] In other embodiments, the rotating member 51 and the first swing arm 3 and the connecting member 6 can also be connected by a snap-fitting manner. Specifically, as shown in Figures 11a and 11b, the first connecting portion 511 and the second connecting portion 512 are respectively snap-fitting protrusions provided on the rotating member 51, and the first swing arm 3 and the connecting member 6 are respectively provided with snap-fitting grooves that can cooperate with the snap-fitting protrusions. The first connecting portion 511 extends into the snap-fitting groove on the first swing arm 3, and there is a gap between the first connecting portion 511 and the groove wall of the snap-fitting groove on the first swing arm 3 for the first connecting portion 511 to move in the groove; the second connecting portion 512 extends into the snap-fitting groove on the second swing arm 4, and there is a gap between the second connecting portion 512 and the groove wall of the snap-fitting groove on the connecting member 6 for the second connecting portion 512 to move in the groove.

[0131] Figure 21 is a front view of the assembly formed by the first swing arm 3, the second swing arm 4 and the base 1 in the fourth embodiment of the present application, Figure 22 is a back view of the assembly formed by the first swing arm 3, the second swing arm 4 and the base 1 in the fourth embodiment of the present application, Figure 23 is a connection relationship diagram of the first swing arm 3 and the second swing arm 4 in the fourth embodiment of the application, Figure 24 is a structural schematic diagram of the second swing arm 4 in the fourth embodiment of the application, Figure 25 is an AA cross-sectional view of the rotating shaft mechanism 100 in Figure 15 after the connecting member 6 located on the lower side is installed with the cover plate 63, and Figure 26 is a BB cross-sectional view of the rotating shaft mechanism 100 in Figure 15 after the connecting member 6 located on the lower side is installed with the cover plate 63.

[0132] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 21 , FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 , the first sliding structure 71 includes a first sliding groove 72 and a first limiting structure 73 . The first sliding groove 72 is provided on the first swing arm 3 and extends in a direction parallel to the first direction M1 .

[0133] As shown in Figures 21, 23, and 24, the second swing arm 4 includes a swing arm segment 41 rotatably connected to the base 1, and a slide arm segment 42 rotatably connected to the swing arm segment 41. Both the swing arm segment 41 and the slide arm segment 42 slideably engage with the first slide groove 72. The first limiting structure 73 is used to prevent the slide arm segment 42 from moving relative to the first slide groove 72 along the groove depth direction of the first slide groove 72. The groove depth direction of the first slide groove 72 is perpendicular to the first direction M1 and the groove width direction Y of the first slide groove 72.

[0134] In this embodiment, by setting the second swing arm 4 as a swing arm segment 41 and a sliding arm segment 42 rotatably connected to the swing arm segment 41, and setting a first limiting structure 73, during the rotation of the swing arm assembly 2 relative to the base 1, the swing arm segment 41 and the sliding arm segment 42 slide along the first sliding groove 72, while the swing arm segment 41 and the sliding arm segment 42 can rotate relative to each other. Such a design can better confine the second swing arm 4 in the first sliding groove 72, thereby increasing the overlapping area between the first swing arm 3 and the second swing arm 4, reducing the space occupied by the second swing arm 4 outside the first swing arm 3, and making the structure of the swing arm assembly 2 more compact.

[0135] The swing arm section 41 and the sliding arm section 42 can be rotatably connected by the following structure: as shown in FIG24 , the sliding arm section 42 is provided with a connecting ear 426, the swing arm section 41 is provided with a connecting ear receiving groove 416, the groove wall of the connecting ear receiving groove 416 is provided with a connecting hole 4161, the connecting ear 426 is provided with a connecting shaft, the connecting ear 426 extends into the connecting ear receiving groove 416, and the connecting shaft is rotatably engaged with the connecting hole 4161. Of course, this is not limited to this, and the swing arm section 41 and the sliding arm section 42 can also be rotatably connected by other structures.

[0136] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 21, 23, and 25, the first limiting structure 73 includes a first limiting groove 731 and a first protrusion 732. The first limiting groove 731 is provided on the slide arm section 42, and the first protrusion 732 is provided on the groove sidewall of the first slide groove 72. The first limiting groove 731 extends in a direction parallel to the first direction M1. The first limiting groove 731 has two first groove walls 7311 arranged along the groove depth direction of the first slide groove 72. The first protrusion 732 is slidably provided between the two first groove walls 7311. By configuring the first limiting structure 73 as a cooperation between the first protrusion 732 and the first limiting groove 731, the first limiting structure 73 can be made simpler, without the need for additional components, thereby helping to reduce the design and manufacturing costs of the rotating shaft mechanism 100.

[0137] 21 and 25 , the first protrusion 732 may be a rib extending in a direction parallel to the first direction M1 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first protrusion 732 may also be a limiting column.

[0138] Of course, the positions of the first limiting groove 731 and the first protrusion 732 can also be swapped with each other, that is: the first limiting groove 731 is set on the groove side wall of the first sliding groove 72, and the first protrusion 732 is set on the sliding arm section 42.

[0139] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 18, 22, and 24, the first swing arm 3 has a stopper 31, and the slide arm section 42 has an abutment 421. The stopper 31 is located on a side of the abutment 421 that is close to the base 1. When the swing arm assembly 2 is in the folded position, the abutment 421 abuts against the stopper 31. With this arrangement, the stopper 31 can act as a stopper for the abutment 421, effectively controlling the rotation angle of the swing arm assembly 2 when it is rotated to the folded position, thereby preventing the slide arm section 42 from squeezing and damaging the base 1 when the swing arm assembly 2 rotates at an excessive angle.

[0140] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 21 and 22, the first swing arm 3 includes two swing parts 32, the two swing parts 32 are arranged at intervals along the length direction Y of the base 1, the first slide groove 72 is located between the two swing parts 32, and the stop part 31 connects the two swing parts 32.

[0141] As shown in FIG18 , a transmission component 5 is provided on one side of the sliding arm section 42 , and a boss is provided on the other side of the sliding arm section 42 . The boss is an abutment portion 421 , and the stop portion 31 and the abutment portion 421 are located on the same side of the sliding arm section 42 .

[0142] By arranging the abutment portion 421, the stop portion 31 and the transmission component 5 on different sides of the sliding arm section 42 respectively, the abutment portion 421 and the stop portion 31 can be located outside the movement range of the transmission component 5, thereby avoiding movement interference between the transmission component 5 and the abutment portion 421 and the stop portion 31.

[0143] As shown in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 , the stopper 31 and the two swinging parts 32 are an integral structure; however, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the stopper 31 and the two swinging parts 32 may also be designed separately and then assembled together.

[0144] The first sliding structure 71 is also not limited to the above structure. For example, the first sliding structure 71 includes a pin groove provided on the first swing arm 3 and a pin shaft provided on the second swing arm 4. One end of the pin groove is close to the base 1, and the other end is away from the base 1. The swing arm section 41 and the sliding arm section 42 in the second swing arm 4 are an integrated structure, and the pin shaft slides in cooperation with the pin groove.

[0145] The specific structure of the rotatable connection between the first swing arm 3 and the base 1 is not unique. In some embodiments, the first swing arm 3 can be rotatably connected to the base 1 by means of a shaft-hole engagement. As shown in Figures 19 and 23, the first swing arm 3 is provided with a shaft hole 38, and the base 1 is provided with a second rotating shaft 19, and the second rotating shaft 19 is rotatably engaged with the shaft hole 38. Of course, this is not limited to the above. The first swing arm 3 can also be rotatably connected to the base 1 by means of a connecting groove and a connecting piece. Specifically, the base 1 is provided with an arc-shaped connecting groove, and the first swing arm 3 is provided with an arc-shaped connecting piece, and the connecting piece is slidably engaged with the connecting groove.

[0146] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 11 a and FIG. 18 , the second swing arms 4 of a pair of swing arm assemblies 2 are connected via an even number of gears 74 so that the pair of swing arm assemblies 2 rotate synchronously relative to the base 1 between the folded position and the unfolded position.

[0147] The even-numbered gears 74 can all be incomplete gears 74, all be complete gears 74, or a combination of incomplete and complete gears 74, without specific limitation. For example, as shown in FIG18 , both gears 74 are incomplete gears 74. An incomplete gear 74 has teeth and tooth grooves distributed along a portion of its circumferential surface; a complete gear 74 has teeth and tooth grooves distributed along its entire circumferential surface.

[0148] By connecting an even number of gears 74 between the second swing arms 4 of a pair of swing arm assemblies 2, when the second swing arm 4 of one of the swing arm assemblies 2 rotates a certain angle relative to the base 1, the second swing arm 4 can transmit power to the second swing arm 4 of the other swing arm assembly 2 through the even number of gears 74, so that the second swing arm 4 of the swing arm assembly 2 also rotates the same angle relative to the base 1, thereby realizing the synchronous rotation of the second swing arm 4 relative to the base 1, and then the synchronous rotation of the swing arm assembly 2 relative to the base 1.

[0149] As shown in Figures 11a and 18, the number of gears 74 can be two, and each gear 74 is fixedly connected to the corresponding second swing arm 4. When the second swing arm 4 includes a swing arm section 41 and a sliding arm section 42, each gear 74 is fixedly connected to the corresponding swing arm section 41. As shown in Figures 23 and 24, a third rotating shaft 49 is provided on the end face of the gear 74 fixedly connected to the swing arm section 41. The third rotating shaft 49 rotates with the hole on the base 1 to enable the swing arm section 41 to be rotatably connected to the base 1. The gear 74, the second swing arm 4, and the third rotating shaft 49 can be an integral structure or a separate design, which is not specifically limited here.

[0150] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 11a, 17, and 20, Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE of the rotating shaft mechanism 100 in Figure 17. The swing arm assembly 2 further includes a support member 8, which is rotatably connected to the base 1 and slidably connected to the connecting member 6. The support member 8 has an arcuate first supporting surface 80, and the connecting member 6 has a second supporting surface 61. The second supporting surface 61 and the first supporting surface 80 constitute the supporting surface of the swing arm assembly 2.

[0151] With this arrangement, the support member 8 and the connecting member 6 can jointly support the display screen 200, expanding the support area of ​​the hinge mechanism 100 for the display screen 200. This prevents the first region 210 of the display screen 200 from sag when the display screen 200 is unfolded, thereby making it easier for the display screen 200 to remain flat and improving the display quality of the display screen 200. Furthermore, the support member 8 has a curved first support surface 80. When the display screen 200 is folded, the first support surface 80 can effectively support the curved first region 210, thereby preventing deformation of the first region 210.

[0152] Among them, the support member 8 can be rotatably connected to the base 1 through the following structure: as shown in Figures 17 and 20, an arc-shaped groove 13 is provided on the base 1, and an arc-shaped piece 81 is provided on the support member 8. The arc-shaped piece 81 slides in conjunction with the arc-shaped groove 13 to enable the support member 8 to be rotatably connected to the base 1.

[0153] The support member 8 can be slidably connected to the connecting member 6 through the following structure: as shown in Figures 16 and 20, a sliding connection groove 67 is provided on the connecting member 6, one end of the sliding connection groove 67 is close to the base 1, and the other end of the sliding connection groove 67 is away from the base 1, and a sliding connection arm 82 is provided on the support member 8, and the sliding connection arm 82 slides with the sliding connection groove 67 to make the support member 8 and the connecting member 6 slidably connected.

[0154] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 11a and Figures 12 to 14, the connector 6 includes a cover plate 63, and a sub-connector 62 detachably connected to the cover plate 63, the second support surface 61 is located on the cover plate 63, the sub-connector 62 is connected to the transmission component 5, and the sub-connector 62, the first swing arm 3, the second swing arm 4 and the transmission component 5 are all located on the side of the cover plate 63 away from the second support surface 61.

[0155] By detachably connecting the sub-connector 62 to the cover plate 63, when the first swing arm 3, the second swing arm 4 and the transmission component 5 on the back side of the cover plate 63 are damaged, the cover plate 63 and the sub-connector 62 can be detached to facilitate the maintenance and replacement of the first swing arm 3, the second swing arm 4 and the transmission component 5, thereby helping to reduce the maintenance cost of the rotating shaft mechanism 100.

[0156] As shown in Figures 27, 28, and 29, Figure 27 is a schematic structural diagram of the back side of the connector 6 of the rotating shaft mechanism 100 in Figure 12, Figure 28 is an exploded view of the connector 6 shown in Figure 27, and Figure 29 is a partial enlarged view of Figure 28. The sub-connector 62 and the cover plate 63 are detachably connected by fasteners (such as screws), but the present invention is not limited thereto. The sub-connector 62 and the cover plate 63 can also be detachably connected by means of a snap connection or the like.

[0157] The number of sub-connectors 62 can be one or more, which can specifically correspond to the number of first swing arms 3. For example, as shown in Figures 14, 27 and 28, the number of sub-connectors 62 is two, and along the length direction Y of the base 1, the two sub-connectors 62 are respectively located at the two ends of the cover plate 63.

[0158] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 14, 15, and 25, the connecting member 6 is slidably connected to the first swing arm 3 via a second sliding structure 75. The second sliding structure 75 includes a second slide groove 76, a sliding engagement portion 77, and a second limiting structure 78. The second slide groove 76 is provided on the first swing arm 3, and the sliding engagement portion 77 is provided on the connecting member 6. The second slide groove 76 extends in a direction parallel to the first direction M1, and the sliding engagement portion 77 slides in engagement with the second slide groove 76. The second limiting structure 78 is configured to prevent the sliding engagement portion 77 from moving relative to the second slide groove 76 along the groove depth direction of the second slide groove 76. As shown in Figure 14, the groove depth direction of the second slide groove 76 is perpendicular to both the first direction M1 and the groove width direction Y of the second slide groove 76.

[0159] By slidingly engaging the sliding engagement portion 77 with the second slide groove 76, the shaking of the connecting member 6 relative to the first swing arm 3 along the groove width direction Y of the second slide groove 76 can be reduced. By setting the second limiting structure 78, the shaking of the connecting member 6 relative to the first swing arm 3 along the groove depth direction of the second slide groove 76 can be reduced, so that the connecting member 6 can be relatively stable in the process of moving towards and away from the base 1.

[0160] The sliding fitting portion 77 and the second slide groove 76 can be provided in one group or in multiple groups, and the multiple groups of sliding fitting portions 77 and the second slide groove 76 are arranged along the longitudinal direction Y of the base 1. For example, as shown in FIG14 , two groups of sliding fitting portions 77 and the second slide groove 76 are provided, and the two groups of sliding fitting portions 77 and the second slide groove 76 are distributed on opposite sides of the second swing arm 4 along the longitudinal direction Y of the base 1. Providing multiple groups of sliding fitting portions 77 and the second slide groove 76 can make the movement of the connecting member 6 toward and away from the base 1 more stable.

[0161] As shown in FIG. 14 , the sliding fitting portion 77 is a strip-shaped structure, but is not limited thereto. The sliding fitting portion 77 may also be a block-shaped structure, a spherical structure, etc., as long as it can ensure sliding fit with the second sliding groove 76 .

[0162] As shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 29 , the second rack 60 and the sliding fitting portion 77 are an integral structure, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The second rack 60 and the sliding fitting portion 77 may also be designed as separate bodies.

[0163] Of course, the positions of the second sliding groove 76 and the sliding fitting portion 77 can also be swapped with each other, that is: the second sliding groove 76 is provided on the connecting member 6 , and the sliding fitting portion 77 is provided on the first swing arm 3 .

[0164] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 14, 16, and 25, the second limiting structure 78 includes a second limiting groove 781 and a second protrusion 782. The second limiting groove 781 is provided on the sidewall of the second chute 76, and the second protrusion 782 is provided on the sliding fitting portion 77. The second limiting groove 781 extends in a direction parallel to the first direction M1 and has two second groove walls 7811 arranged along the groove depth direction of the second chute 76. The second protrusion 782 is slidably provided between the two second groove walls 7811. By configuring the second limiting structure 78 as a cooperation between the second protrusion 782 and the second limiting groove 781, the second limiting structure 78 can be made simpler without the need for additional components, thereby reducing the design and manufacturing costs of the rotating shaft mechanism 100.

[0165] 14 and 16 , the second protrusion 782 may be a rib extending in a direction parallel to the first direction M1 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first protrusion 732 may also be a limiting post.

[0166] Of course, the second limiting groove 781 and the second protrusion 782 may be positioned interchangeably, that is, the second limiting groove 781 is positioned on the sliding fitting portion 77 , and the second protrusion 782 is positioned on the side wall of the second sliding groove 76 .

[0167] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 11a, 12, and 16, the swing arm assembly 2 further includes a shielding member 92, which is located on the back side (the side facing away from the display screen 200) of the first swing arm 3, the second swing arm 4, and the connecting member 6, and the first swing arm 3 is fixedly connected to the shielding member 92. With such an arrangement, when the swing arm assembly 2 is in the unfolded position, the shielding member 92 can shield the first swing arm 3, the second swing arm 4, and the connecting member 6. Not only can the shielding member 92 protect the first swing arm 3, the second swing arm 4, and the connecting member 6 on the inside to prevent the first swing arm 3, the second swing arm 4, and the connecting member 6 from being damaged by collision with external objects, but it also makes the appearance of the foldable electronic device more beautiful when unfolded.

[0168] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 13, 14 and 25, the connecting member 6 is slidingly connected to the shielding member 92 through a third sliding structure 93; the third sliding structure 93 includes a third sliding groove 931 and a third protrusion 932, the third sliding groove 931 is arranged on the shielding member 92, and the third protrusion 932 is arranged on the connecting member 6, the third sliding groove 931 extends in a direction parallel to the first direction M1, and the third protrusion 932 slides in cooperation with the third sliding groove 931.

[0169] The connecting member 6 is slidably connected to the shielding member 92 via the third sliding structure 93, which further reduces the shaking of the connecting member 6 when approaching or moving away from the base 1, thereby making the connecting member 6 move more smoothly when approaching or moving away from the base 1. At the same time, the third sliding structure 93 is configured as a third protrusion 932 and a third sliding groove 931. This makes the third sliding structure 93 simpler and eliminates the need for additional components, thereby reducing the design and manufacturing costs of the rotating shaft mechanism 100.

[0170] 13 and 14 , the third protrusion 932 may be a rib extending in a direction parallel to the first direction M1 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the third protrusion 932 may also be a limiting column.

[0171] As shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 , the third protrusion 932 is provided on the cover plate 63 of the connector 6 , but the present invention is not limited thereto. The third protrusion 932 may also be provided on the sub-connector 62 .

[0172] Of course, the positions of the third sliding groove 931 and the third protrusion 932 can also be swapped with each other, that is: the third sliding groove 931 is set on the connecting member 6, and the third protrusion 932 is set on the shielding member 92.

[0173] As shown in Figures 30, 31, and 32, Figure 30 is a bottom view of the rotating shaft mechanism 100 shown in Figure 12, Figure 31 is a partial view of the rotating shaft mechanism 100 in Figure 30 with the shielding member 92 on one side removed, and Figure 32 is a partial view of the rotating shaft mechanism 100 in Figure 30 with the shielding members 92 on both sides removed. The first swing arm 3 and the shielding member 92 are fixedly connected by fasteners (such as screws), but the present invention is not limited thereto. The first swing arm 3 and the shielding member 92 can also be fixedly connected by means of snap connection, plug connection, bonding, etc.

[0174] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG17 and FIG31 to FIG33 , FIG33 is a DD cross-sectional view of the rotating shaft mechanism 100 in FIG25 . The connecting member 6 is slidably connected to the first swing arm 3 and is provided with a damping device 91. The damping device 91 includes an elastic component 911 and an abutting joint 912 connected to the elastic component 911. The elastic component 911 is used to apply an elastic force to the abutting joint 912, causing the abutting joint 912 to abut against the first swing arm 3. When the connecting member 6 slides relative to the first swing arm 3 in a direction parallel to the first direction M1 under the drive of the transmission component 5, the abutting joint 912 rubs against the first swing arm 3 to apply a damping force to the connecting member 6.

[0175] In this way, the damping device 91 slows down the relative sliding speed between the connecting member 6 and the first swing arm 3, so that when the swing arm assembly 2 rotates relative to the base 1, the connecting member 6 drives the movement of the shell 300 more smoothly, so as to better adapt to the changes in the length of the first area 210 and the second area 220 of the display screen 200 when the display screen 200 is folded and unfolded.

[0176] As shown in Figures 17 and 33 , the elastic component 911 includes a guide post 9111 and a spring 9112. One end of the guide post 9111 is connected to the connector 6, and the other end of the guide post 9111 is slidably engaged with the abutment 912. The spring 9112 is sleeved on the guide post 9111, with one end of the spring 9112 abutting the connector 6, and the other end of the spring 9112 abutting the abutment 912. The spring 9112 is in a compressed state to apply an elastic force to the abutment 912, causing the abutment 912 to abut against the first swing arm 3. Of course, the structure of the elastic component 911 is not limited to this, and other elastic components 911 may also be used according to actual conditions.

[0177] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG33 , the first swing arm 3 includes a proximal end surface 33 disposed proximal to the base 1, a distal end surface 34 disposed distal to the base 1, and a swing arm side surface 35 connected between the proximal end surface 33 and the distal end surface 34. The swing arm side surface 35 is configured to abut against the abutment 912, and a first guide slope 36 is disposed between the swing arm side surface 35 and the distal end surface 34. The first guide slope 36 is disposed obliquely relative to the swing arm side surface 35. When the swing arm assembly 2 is in the unfolded position, the abutment 912 abuts against the first guide slope 36. By providing the first guide slope 36, when the swing arm assembly 2 rotates toward the folded position, the first guide slope 36 can guide the abutment 912, allowing the abutment 912 to slide along the first guide slope 36 to the swing arm side surface 35, thereby making the relative movement between the abutment 912 and the first swing arm 3 smoother and preventing any jamming between the abutment 912 and the first swing arm 3.

[0178] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG33 , the abutment joint 912 is provided with a second guide slope 9121, which is inclined relative to the swing arm side surface 35. When the swing arm assembly 2 is in the deployed position, the second guide slope 9121 abuts against the first guide slope 36. Providing the second guide surface on the abutment joint 912 allows the abutment joint 912 to move along the first guide slope 36 more smoothly, thereby better preventing any jamming between the abutment joint 912 and the first swing arm 3.

[0179] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 32 and 33, the connecting member 6 has a first accommodating space 64, a second accommodating space 65, and a connecting hole 66 connecting the first accommodating space 64 and the second accommodating space 65. The first accommodating space 64 and the second accommodating space 65 are arranged along the length direction Y of the base 1, the first swing arm 3 extends into the first accommodating space 64, the elastic component 911 is arranged in the second accommodating space 65, and the abutment joint 912 extends into the first accommodating space 64 through the connecting hole 66 and abuts against the first swing arm 3.

[0180] By extending the first swing arm 3 into the first accommodating space 64 and disposing the elastic component 911 in the second accommodating space 65, the first swing arm 3 and the damping device 91 are prevented from excessively occupying the space outside the connecting member 6, thereby making the structure of the swing arm assembly 2 more compact and facilitating a reduction in the volume of the rotating shaft mechanism 100. By extending the abutting joint 912 through the connecting hole 66 into the first accommodating space 64 and abutting the first swing arm 3, the connecting hole 66 can limit the abutting joint 912, thereby reducing the shaking of the abutting joint 912 relative to the first swing arm 3, thereby allowing the abutting joint 912 to move more smoothly relative to the first swing arm 3 to provide a stable damping force.

[0181] As shown in FIG. 32 and FIG. 33 , the first accommodating space 64 , the second accommodating space 65 and the communicating hole 66 are all provided on the connector body 62 .

[0182] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 28 , FIG. 29 and FIG. 33 , the second accommodation space 65 is located on the cover plate 63 , and the first accommodation space 64 and the communicating hole 66 are both surrounded by the cover plate 63 and the sub-connector 62 .

[0183] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 32 and 33, the first swing arm 3 is slidably engaged with the first accommodating space 64. In this configuration, the first accommodating space 41 can limit the first swing arm 3, thereby reducing the shaking of the first swing arm 3 during its rotation relative to the base 1.

[0184] The types of hatching in the drawings of this application are for the purpose of distinguishing different components and should not be understood as limiting the materials of the components. The drawings of this application are for the purpose of illustrating the structural composition and are not shown to scale with the actual product.

[0185] Although the description of this application will be introduced in conjunction with some embodiments, this does not mean that the features of this application are limited to these embodiments. On the contrary, the purpose of introducing the application in conjunction with the embodiments is to cover other options or modifications that may be extended based on the claims of this application. In order to provide a deep understanding of this application, the above description will contain many specific details. This application can also be implemented without using these details. In addition, in order to avoid confusion or blurring the focus of this application, some specific details will be omitted in the description. It should be noted that the embodiments in this application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other unless there is a conflict.

[0186] In the embodiments of this application, 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 specified as "first," "second," or "third" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features.

[0187] In the embodiments of this application, "and / or" is simply a description of the association relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the related objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0188] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installation" and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "connection" can be a detachable connection or a non-detachable connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. The directional terms mentioned in the embodiments of the present application, such as "up", "down", "left", "right", "inside", "outside", etc., are only reference to the directions of the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used are for better and clearer explanation and understanding of the embodiments of the present application, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the embodiments of the present application. "Multiple" means at least two.

[0189] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" in this specification mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with that embodiment is included in one or more embodiments of the present application. Thus, phrases such as "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," and "in yet other embodiments" appearing in various places in this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but rather mean "one or more but not all embodiments," unless otherwise specifically emphasized. The terms "including," "comprising," "having," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0190] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. These modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A hinge mechanism for a foldable electronic device, characterized in that: The foldable electronic device comprises a base (1), and a pair of swing arm assemblies (2) respectively connected to opposite sides of the base (1); the swing arm assemblies (2) can rotate relative to the base (1) between a folded position and an unfolded position, and when the swing arm assemblies (2) are located in the folded position, a support surface of the swing arm assemblies (2) is located outside the swing arm assemblies (2), and the support surface is used to support a display screen (200) of the foldable electronic device; The swing arm assembly (2) comprises a first swing arm (3), a second swing arm (4), a transmission component (5) and a connecting piece (6) for connecting to a housing (300) of the foldable electronic device; the first swing arm (3) and the second swing arm (4) are both rotatably connected to the base (1); the first swing arm (3) and the second swing arm (4) are slidably connected; the transmission component (5) is rotatably arranged on the second swing arm (4), and the transmission component (5) is connected between the first swing arm (3) and the connecting piece (6); When the swing arm assembly (2) rotates from the unfolded position to the folded position, the first swing arm (3) slides relative to the second swing arm (4) along a first direction (M1), the transmission component (5) rotates relative to the second swing arm (4), and the connecting member (6) moves closer to the base (1); the first direction (M1) is a direction away from the base (1) or a direction closer to the base (1); When the swing arm assembly (2) rotates from the folded position to the unfolded position, the first swing arm (3) slides relative to the second swing arm (4) along a second direction (M2), the transmission component (5) rotates relative to the second swing arm (4), and the connecting member (6) moves away from the base (1), and the second direction (M2) is opposite to the first direction (M1).

2. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transmission component (5) comprises a rotating member (51), the rotating member (51) being rotatably connected to the second swing arm (4) via a first rotating shaft (52), the rotating member (51) having a first connecting portion (511) and a second connecting portion (512) arranged along the circumference of the first rotating shaft (52), the first connecting portion (511) being connected to the first swing arm (3), and the second connecting portion (512) being connected to the connecting member (6); When the first swing arm (3) slides relative to the second swing arm (4) along the first direction (M1), the rotating member (51) rotates relative to the second swing arm (4) along the first turning direction (R1), the second connecting portion (512) gradually approaches the base (1), and the connecting member (6) moves closer to the base (1); When the first swing arm (3) slides relative to the second swing arm (4) along the second direction (M2), the rotating member (51) rotates relative to the second swing arm (4) along the second turning direction (R2), the second connecting portion (512) gradually moves away from the base (1), and the connecting member (6) moves away from the base (1); the second turning direction (R2) is opposite to the first turning direction (R1).

3. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first connecting portion (511) and the second connecting portion (512) are respectively located on two opposite sides of the first rotating shaft (52).

4. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The distance between the first connecting portion (511) and the central axis of the first rotating shaft (52) is smaller than the distance between the second connecting portion (512) and the central axis of the first rotating shaft (52).

5. The rotating shaft mechanism according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: The first connecting portion (511) and the second connecting portion (512) both include a plurality of teeth arranged along the circumference of the first rotating shaft (52); a first rack (30) is fixed on the first swing arm (3); and a second rack (60) is fixed on the connecting member (6); The first rack (30) and the second rack (60) both extend in a direction parallel to the first direction (M1); the first rack (30) is meshed with the first connecting portion (511), and the second rack (60) is meshed with the second connecting portion (512).

6. The rotating shaft mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The second swing arm (4) is slidably connected to the first swing arm (3) via a first sliding structure (71); The first sliding structure (71) comprises a first sliding groove (72) and a first limiting structure (73); the first sliding groove (72) is arranged on the first swing arm (3) and extends in a direction parallel to the first direction (M1); The second swing arm (4) comprises a swing arm section (41) rotatably connected to the base (1), and a sliding arm section (42) rotatably connected to the swing arm section (41), and both the swing arm section (41) and the sliding arm section (42) are slidably matched with the first sliding groove (72); The first limiting structure (73) is used to prevent the slide arm section (42) from moving relative to the first slide groove (72) along the groove depth direction of the first slide groove (72).

7. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first limiting structure (73) comprises a first limiting groove (731) and a first protrusion (732), wherein the first limiting groove (731) is arranged on one of the groove side wall of the first sliding groove (72) and the sliding arm section (42), and the first protrusion (732) is arranged on the other of the groove side wall of the first sliding groove (72) and the sliding arm section (42); The first limiting groove (731) extends in a direction parallel to the first direction (M1), and the first limiting groove (731) has two first groove walls (7311) arranged along the groove depth direction of the first sliding groove (72), and the first protrusion (732) is slidably arranged between the two first groove walls (7311).

8. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: The first swing arm (3) has a stop portion (31), the sliding arm section (42) has a contact portion (421), the stop portion (31) is located on a side of the contact portion (421) close to the base (1), and when the swing arm assembly (2) is located in the folded position, the contact portion (421) stops at a position with the stop portion (31).

9. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that: The first swing arm (3) comprises two swing parts (32), the two swing parts (32) are arranged at intervals along the length direction (Y) of the base (1), the first slide groove (72) is located between the two swing parts (32), and the stopper (31) connects the two swing parts (32); The transmission component (5) is provided on one side of the sliding arm section (42), and a boss is provided on the other side of the sliding arm section (42), wherein the boss is the abutting portion (421), and the stop portion (31) and the abutting portion (421) are located on the same side of the sliding arm section (42).

10. The rotating shaft mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The second swing arms (4) of a pair of the swing arm assemblies (2) are transmission-connected via an even number of gears (74), so that the pair of the swing arm assemblies (2) can rotate synchronously relative to the base (1) between the folded position and the unfolded position.

11. The rotating shaft mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The connecting member (6) is slidably connected to the first swing arm (3); a damping device (91) is provided on the connecting member (6); the damping device (91) comprises an elastic component (911) and an abutting joint (912) connected to the elastic component (911); the elastic component (911) is used to apply an elastic force to the abutting joint (912) so that the abutting joint (912) abuts against the first swing arm (3); When the connecting member (6) slides relative to the first swing arm (3) in a direction parallel to the first direction (M1), the abutment head (912) rubs against the first swing arm (3) to apply a damping force to the connecting member (6).

12. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 11, characterized in that: The first swing arm (3) comprises a close end surface (33) arranged close to the base (1), a far end surface (34) arranged far from the base (1), and a swing arm side surface (35) connected between the close end surface (33) and the far end surface (34), the swing arm side surface (35) being used to abut against the abutment joint (912), and a first guiding inclined surface (36) being arranged between the swing arm side surface (35) and the far end surface (34), the first guiding inclined surface (36) being inclined relative to the swing arm side surface (35); when the swing arm assembly (2) is located in the unfolded position, the abutment joint (912) abuts against the first guiding inclined surface (36).

13. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 12, characterized in that: The abutment joint (912) is provided with a second guiding bevel (9121), and the second guiding bevel (9121) is arranged obliquely relative to the swing arm side surface (35). When the swing arm assembly (2) is located in the unfolded position, the second guiding bevel (9121) abuts against the first guiding bevel (36).

14. The rotating shaft mechanism according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that: The connecting member (6) comprises a first accommodating space (64), a second accommodating space (65), and a connecting hole (66) connecting the first accommodating space (64) and the second accommodating space (65); the first accommodating space (64) and the second accommodating space (65) are arranged along the length direction of the base (1); the first swing arm (3) extends into the first accommodating space (64); the elastic component (911) is arranged in the second accommodating space (65); the abutment head (912) passes through the connecting hole (66) and extends into the first accommodating space (64), and abuts against the first swing arm (3).

15. The rotating shaft mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that: The connecting member (6) is slidably connected to the first swing arm (3) via a second sliding structure (75); The second sliding structure (75) comprises a second sliding groove (76), a sliding matching portion (77) and a second limiting structure (78), wherein the second sliding groove (76) is arranged on one of the first swing arm (3) and the connecting member (6), and the sliding matching portion (77) is arranged on the other of the first swing arm (3) and the connecting member (6); The second slide groove (76) extends in a direction parallel to the first direction (M1), and the sliding fitting portion (77) is slidingly fitted with the second slide groove (76); the second limiting structure (78) is used to prevent the sliding fitting portion (77) from moving relative to the second slide groove (76) along the groove depth direction of the second slide groove (76).

16. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 15, characterized in that: The second limiting structure (78) comprises a second limiting groove (781) and a second protruding portion (782), wherein the second limiting groove (781) is arranged on one of the groove side wall of the second sliding groove (76) and the sliding matching portion (77), and the second protruding portion (782) is arranged on the other of the groove side wall of the second sliding groove (76) and the sliding matching portion (77); The second limiting groove (781) extends in a direction parallel to the first direction (M1), and the second limiting groove (781) has two second groove walls (7811) arranged along the groove depth direction of the second sliding groove (76), and the second protrusion (782) is slidably fitted between the two second groove walls (7811).

17. The rotating shaft mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that: The swing arm assembly (2) further comprises a support member (8), wherein the support member (8) is rotatably connected to the base (1) and is also slidably connected to the connecting member (6), wherein the support member (8) has a first arc-shaped supporting surface (80), and the connecting member (6) has a second supporting surface (61), and the second supporting surface (61) and the first supporting surface (80) constitute the supporting surface of the swing arm assembly (2).

18. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 17, characterized in that: The connecting member (6) comprises a cover plate (63) and a sub-connecting member (62) detachably connected to the cover plate (63); the second supporting surface (61) is located on the cover plate (63); the sub-connecting member (62) is connected to the transmission component (5); and the sub-connecting member (62), the first swing arm (3), the second swing arm (4) and the transmission component (5) are all located on a side of the cover plate (63) facing away from the second supporting surface (61).

19. The rotating shaft mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that: The swing arm assembly (2) further comprises a shielding member (92), wherein the shielding member (92) is located on the back side of the first swing arm (3), the second swing arm (4) and the connecting member (6), and the shielding member (92) is fixedly connected to the first swing arm (3).

20. The rotating shaft mechanism according to claim 19, characterized in that: The connecting member (6) is slidably connected to the shielding member (92) via a third sliding structure (93); The third sliding structure (93) comprises a third sliding groove (931) and a third protruding portion (932), wherein the third sliding groove (931) is arranged on one of the connecting member (6) and the shielding member (92), and the third protruding portion (932) is arranged on the other of the connecting member (6) and the shielding member (92); The third sliding groove (931) extends in a direction parallel to the first direction (M1), and the third protrusion (932) is slidably matched with the third sliding groove (931).

21. A foldable electronic device, characterized in that: The invention comprises a display screen (200), at least two shells (300), and a hinge mechanism (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the shell (300) is used to support the display screen (200), the hinge mechanism (100) is located at the junction of two adjacent shells (300), and a pair of swing arm assemblies (2) of the hinge mechanism (100) are respectively connected to the corresponding shells (300).

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