Folding device and electronic apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed in the present application are a folding device and an electronic apparatus, which aim to achieve a linkage flattening function of the electronic device. The foldable device comprises a first housing, a second housing, a third housing, a first rotating shaft mechanism, a second rotating shaft mechanism and a linkage device, wherein the first rotating shaft mechanism comprises a sliding arm, which is slidably connected to the second housing; and the linkage device comprises a first push rod, a second push rod and a transmission assembly, the first push rod being slidably connected to the second housing and fixedly connected to the sliding arm, the second push rod being slidably arranged in a sliding groove, the sliding groove comprising a first groove section arranged on the second housing and a second groove section arranged on the third housing, and the transmission assembly being in transmission connection with the first push rod and the second push rod. When the electronic apparatus is in a folded state, the second push rod is located in the first groove section, and when the electronic device is in an unfolded state, the second push rod is at least partially located in the second groove section.

Description

Folding device and electronic equipment

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on November 28, 2023, with application number 202311625399.8 and application name “A folding device and electronic device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

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

[0004] As flexible display technology matures, the way electronic devices display displays has undergone significant changes. Foldable flexible screen phones, tablets, and wearable electronic devices with foldable flexible screens are a major evolutionary direction for future smart electronic devices. To meet users' demands for large displays and portability, tri-folding devices are gradually being used in people's daily lives.

[0005] The hinge mechanism is a key component in achieving the folding function of foldable electronic devices. It flattens or bends the flexible display screen during the unfolding and closing process. Tri-fold electronic devices typically include three side-by-side housings, each driven by a different component of the hinge mechanism. However, the components supporting the left and right housings have an excessively long tolerance chain, which can affect the flatness of the electronic device in its unfolded state, thereby affecting its reliability.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present application provides a folding device and an electronic device, which utilize the folding device to realize a linked flattening function of the electronic device, thereby improving the reliability of the electronic device.

[0008] In a first aspect, the present application provides a folding device, which may include a first housing, a second housing, a third housing, a first rotating shaft mechanism, a second rotating shaft mechanism, and a linkage mechanism. The first housing and the second housing are rotatably disposed on either side of the first rotating shaft mechanism, and the second housing and the third housing are rotatably disposed on either side of the second rotating shaft mechanism. The first housing and the second housing can rotate relative to or away from each other under the action of the first rotating shaft mechanism, and the second housing and the third housing can rotate relative to or away from each other under the action of the second rotating shaft mechanism, thereby changing the use state of the folding device. The first rotating shaft mechanism may include a sliding arm, which is slidably connected to the second housing and can slide relative to the second housing during operation of the first rotating shaft mechanism. The linkage device may include a first push rod, a second push rod and a transmission assembly. The first push rod is slidably connected to the second shell, and the first push rod is fixedly connected to the sliding arm, so that the first push rod can slide synchronously with the sliding arm under the drive of the sliding arm; the second push rod can be slidably arranged in a slide groove, and the slide groove includes a first groove section arranged in the second shell and a second groove section arranged in the third shell; the transmission assembly is respectively connected to the first push rod and the second push rod, so that the first push rod and the second push rod can slide synchronously toward or away from each other through the transmission assembly.

[0009] When the folding device is in a closed state, the second push rod is located in the first groove section. During the process of switching the folding device from a closed state to an unfolded state, the side of the second shell away from the first rotating shaft mechanism rotates in the direction away from the first shell, and the sliding arm slides in the direction away from the third shell. Driven by the sliding arm, the first push rod also slides synchronously in the direction away from the third shell, and the first push rod drives the second push rod to slide in the direction close to the third shell through the transmission assembly. When the second push rod slides from the first groove section into the second groove section, the third shell will be flattened relative to the second shell under the support of the second push rod. Therefore, the linkage device can be used to achieve the linkage flattening of the first shell, the second shell and the third shell, thereby helping to improve the user experience.

[0010] When the folding device is in the unfolded state, the second push rod is at least partially located in the second groove section. In the process of switching the folding device from the unfolded state to the closed state, the side of the second shell away from the first rotating shaft mechanism rotates toward the direction close to the first shell, and the sliding arm slides toward the direction close to the third shell. Driven by the sliding arm, the first push rod also slides synchronously toward the direction close to the third shell, and the first push rod drives the second push rod to slide in the direction away from the third shell through the transmission assembly. When the second push rod slides completely into the second groove section, since the third shell no longer has the support of the second push rod, the third shell can be folded relative to the second shell, thereby achieving complete folding of the first shell, the second shell and the third shell.

[0011] In some embodiments, the linkage device may further include a magnetic assembly, which includes a first magnetic member and a plurality of second magnetic members, the first magnetic member being fixed to an end of the second push rod away from the third shell, and the plurality of second magnetic members being fixed to the second shell, and the plurality of second magnetic members being arranged in an array along the extension direction of the second push rod, and the axial projections of the plurality of second magnetic members on the folding device at least partially overlap with the axial projections of the first slot segment on the folding device. The axial direction of the folding device can be understood as the extension direction of the rotation axis of the first shell, the second shell or the third shell. During the closing process of the folding device, the magnetic assembly can provide a certain amount of assistance for the sliding of the second push rod, so that at the end of the sliding stroke in the direction away from the third shell, the second push rod can continue to slide until it completely enters the first slot segment by utilizing the magnetic attraction of the magnetic assembly, thereby helping to improve the reliability of the linkage device.

[0012] For example, in the magnetic assembly, the polarities of two adjacent second magnetic members facing one end of the first magnetic member are opposite, and the multiple second magnetic members can form a magnetic field. The polarity of the first magnetic member facing one end of the second magnetic member can be an N pole or an S pole. By reasonably designing the polarity direction of the two second magnetic members located at the edge of the multiple second magnetic members, the first magnetic member can be subjected to a magnetic attraction in the direction away from the third shell in the magnetic field formed by the multiple second magnetic members, thereby providing assistance for the second push rod to slide in the direction away from the third shell.

[0013] In some embodiments, the linkage device may further include an elastic member, the length direction of which is arranged along the sliding direction of the second push rod, one end of the elastic member is fixedly connected to the second push rod, and the other end of the elastic member is fixedly connected to the second shell or the third shell. When the folding device is in a closed state, the elastic member is in a stretched state, and the length of the elastic member is a first length. When the folding device is in an unfolded state, the length of the elastic member is a second length, and the second length is less than the first length. In the process of switching the folding device from a closed state to an unfolded state, the elastic member rebounds from the first length in the stretched state to the second length. Therefore, the elastic member can use the elastic potential energy released by it to provide a certain assisting effect for the sliding of the second push rod, so that at the end of the stroke of the second push rod sliding in the direction close to the third shell, it can use the pulling action of the elastic member to slide into the second groove section, thereby helping to improve the reliability of the linkage device.

[0014] Taking the example of the fixed connection between the elastic member and the second housing, the second housing is provided with a first fixing portion, which can be located on the side of the second housing close to the third housing, and the elastic member is fixedly connected to the second housing by connecting with the first fixing portion. The second push rod is provided with a second fixing portion, which can be located on the side of the second push rod facing the first push rod, and the elastic member is fixedly connected to the second push rod by connecting with the first fixing portion.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first push rod includes a first rack, the second push rod includes a second rack, and the transmission assembly includes a swing rod, with first and second gear teeth at either end of the swing rod, respectively. The first gear teeth are engageable with the first rack, and the second gear teeth are engageable with the second rack. Thus, as the first push rod slides along the sliding arm, it drives the swing rod to rotate, which in turn drives the second push rod to slide toward or away from the first push rod.

[0016] In some embodiments, the swing arm can be rotatably mounted to the second housing via a hinge axis to enhance the swing arm's stability. Along the axial direction of the folding mechanism, the distance between the hinge axis and the first rack is smaller than the distance between the hinge axis and the second rack. This design allows the swing arm to achieve a certain degree of travel amplification, allowing the first push rod to achieve a relatively large travel with a relatively small travel, thereby meeting the second push rod's movement requirements.

[0017] In some embodiments, the second rack includes a first rack segment, a second rack segment, and a third rack segment. The first rack segment is disposed at an end of the second push rod proximate to the first housing, and the third rack segment is disposed at an end of the second push rod proximate to the third housing. The second rack segment is located between the first and third rack segments, and the second rack segment is spaced apart from the first and third rack segments, respectively. When the folding device is in a closed state, the second gear teeth of the swing arm can engage with the third rack segment. When the folding device is in an unfolded state, the second gear teeth of the swing arm can engage with the first rack segment.

[0018] Through the above solution, during the switching process of the folding device from the closed state to the unfolded state, after the first push rod slides to the maximum stroke in the direction away from the third shell, the second push rod can be disengaged from the rocker arm through the transition section between the second rack segment and the first rack segment, and the second push rod can continue to slide under the pulling force of the elastic member. After the second push rod slides to the maximum stroke in the direction close to the third shell, the second gear engages with the first rack segment, so that the second push rod can receive the driving force transmitted by the rocker arm when it slides in the opposite direction. During the switching process of the folding device from the unfolded state to the closed state, after the first push rod slides to the maximum stroke in the direction close to the third shell, the second push rod can be disengaged from the rocker arm through the transition section between the second rack segment and the third rack segment, and the second push rod can continue to slide under the suction force of the magnetic component. After the second push rod slides to the maximum stroke in the direction away from the third shell, the second gear engages with the third rack segment, so that the second push rod can receive the driving force transmitted by the rocker arm when it slides in the opposite direction.

[0019] In some embodiments, the first push rod includes a first rack, the second push rod includes a second rack, and the transmission assembly includes a gear set that meshes with the first rack and the second rack, respectively. When the first push rod slides along the sliding arm, the gear set is driven to rotate, thereby driving the second push rod to slide toward or away from the first push rod.

[0020] In some embodiments, the gear set includes a first sub-gear set and a second sub-gear set. The first sub-gear set includes a first gear and a second gear that are coaxially arranged and fixedly connected, the diameter of the first gear is smaller than the diameter of the second gear, and the first gear is meshed with the first rack; the second sub-gear set includes a third gear and a fourth gear that are coaxially arranged and fixedly connected, the diameter of the third gear is smaller than the diameter of the fourth gear, the third gear is meshed with the second gear, and the fourth gear is meshed with the second rack. Through this design, the linear velocity of the first gear can be made smaller than the linear velocity of the fourth gear. Since the linear velocity of the first gear is positively correlated with the displacement of the first push rod, and the linear velocity of the fourth gear is positively correlated with the displacement of the second push rod, the gear set can achieve a certain stroke amplification effect, so that the first push rod can drive the second push rod to achieve a relatively large motion stroke with a relatively small motion stroke to meet the motion requirements of the second push rod.

[0021] In some embodiments, the second rack includes a first rack segment, a second rack segment, and a third rack segment. The first rack segment is disposed at an end of the second push rod proximate to the first housing, and the third rack segment is disposed at an end of the second push rod proximate to the third housing. The second rack segment is located between the first and third rack segments, and the second rack segment is spaced apart from the first and third rack segments, respectively. When the folding device is in a closed state, the second gear teeth of the swing arm can engage with the third rack segment. When the folding device is in an unfolded state, the second gear teeth of the swing arm can engage with the first rack segment.

[0022] In some embodiments, one end of the second housing along the axial direction of the folding device extends beyond the second rotating shaft mechanism, and the first slot section is located in the portion of the second housing that extends beyond the second rotating shaft mechanism; and one end of the third housing along the axial direction of the folding device extends beyond the second rotating shaft mechanism. Therefore, the extension direction of the first slot section and the extension direction of the second slot section do not intersect with the second rotating shaft mechanism. Thus, the first slot section and the second slot section can be connected at a location that avoids the second rotating shaft mechanism, thereby allowing the second push rod to smoothly reciprocate within the first slot section and the second slot section.

[0023] In a second aspect, the present application further provides an electronic device comprising a flexible display and the electronic device according to any embodiment of the first aspect, wherein the flexible display can continuously cover a first housing, a first hinge mechanism, a second housing, a second hinge mechanism, and a third housing, and the flexible display is fixedly connected to the first housing, the second housing, and the third housing, respectively. During the unfolding process of the electronic device, the first housing, the second housing, and the third housing can be flattened in a coordinated manner through a linkage device, thereby improving the reliability of the electronic device and enhancing the user experience. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of an electronic device in a closed state provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] FIG2 is an exploded view of the electronic device shown in FIG1 in an unfolded state;

[0026] FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of the electronic device shown in FIG1 in an intermediate state;

[0027] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of an electronic device in an intermediate state provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] FIG5 is an exploded view of a partial structure of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of the first rotating shaft mechanism and the first housing in an assembled state according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of an electronic device provided by an embodiment of the present application in an unfolded state facing the flexible display screen;

[0031] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of an electronic device provided by an embodiment of the present application, in an unfolded state, facing away from the flexible display screen;

[0032] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of an electronic device provided by an embodiment of the present application, in a partially closed state, facing the flexible display screen;

[0033] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of the electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application, in a partially closed state, facing away from the flexible display screen;

[0034] FIG11 is a schematic structural diagram of a magnetic assembly provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] FIG12 is a schematic structural diagram of a linkage device provided by an embodiment of the present application when the electronic device is in an unfolded state;

[0036] FIG13 is a schematic structural diagram of a linkage device provided by an embodiment of the present application when the electronic device is in an intermediate state;

[0037] FIG14 is a schematic structural diagram of a linkage device provided by an embodiment of the present application when the electronic device is in a closed state;

[0038] FIG15 is a schematic structural diagram of another linkage device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0039] Reference numerals: 100 - first housing; 100a - supporting surface of first housing; 200 - second housing; 200a - supporting surface of second housing; 210 - groove; 220 - rack of second housing; 230 - slot; 240 - first slot section; 250 - first fixing portion; 260 - hinge shaft; 300 - third housing; 300a - supporting surface of third housing; 310 - second slot section; 400 - first rotating shaft mechanism; 400a - supporting surface of first rotating shaft mechanism; 410 - rotating shaft; 411 - first rotating shaft; 412 - second rotating shaft; 4121 - shaft section; 420 - rotating member; 421 - sliding arm; 422 - rack of rotating member; 430 - connecting member; 431 - first pin; 432 - second pin; 440 - compound gear; 500 - Second rotating shaft mechanism; 500a - Support surface of second rotating shaft mechanism; 600 - Flexible display screen; 700 - Linkage mechanism; 710 - First push rod; 711 - First rack; 720 - Second push rod; 721 - Second fixing portion; 722 - Second rack; 7221 - First rack segment; 7222 - Second rack segment; 7223 - Third rack segment; 730 - Transmission assembly; 730a - Rocker arm; 730b - Gear assembly; 731 - First gear tooth; 732 - Second gear tooth; 733 - Hinge hole; 734 - First sub-gear set; 7341 - First gear; 7342 - Second gear; 735 - Second sub-gear set; 7351 - Third gear; 7352 - Fourth gear; 740 - Slideway; 750 - Elastic member; 760 - magnetic component; 761 - first magnetic component; 762 - second magnetic component. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the example embodiments can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The same reference numerals in the figures represent the same or similar structures, and thus their repeated description will be omitted. The words expressing position and direction described in the embodiments of the present application are all explained using the accompanying drawings as examples, but changes may be made as needed, and the changes made are all included in the scope of protection of the present application. The drawings in the embodiments of the present application are only used to illustrate the relative position relationship and do not represent the true proportion.

[0041] It should be noted that the following description sets forth specific details to facilitate understanding of the present application. However, the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in a variety of other ways than those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar generalizations without violating the connotations of the embodiments of the present application. Therefore, the present application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0042] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of an electronic device in a closed state provided by an embodiment of the present application, and FIG2 is an exploded view of the electronic device shown in FIG1 in an unfolded state. Referring to FIG1 and FIG2 together, the electronic device provided by the embodiment of the present application includes a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, or other foldable device. The electronic device of the embodiment shown in FIG1 is described using a mobile phone as an example. The electronic device may include a flexible display and a folding device. The folding device includes three housings and two hinge mechanisms. For ease of description, the three housings are named first housing 100, second housing 200, and third housing 300, respectively, and the two hinge mechanisms are named first hinge mechanism 400 and second hinge mechanism 500, respectively. The first housing 100 and the second housing 200 are rotatably disposed on either side of the first hinge mechanism 400, respectively, and the second housing 200 and the third housing 300 are rotatably disposed on either side of the second hinge mechanism 500, respectively. When the electronic device is in use, the first housing 100 and the second housing 200 can rotate relative to or away from each other under the action of the first hinge mechanism 400, and the second housing 200 and the third housing 300 can rotate relative to or away from each other under the action of the second hinge mechanism 500, thereby enabling the electronic device to be closed and unfolded according to different usage scenarios. As will be readily understood, when the electronic device is in the unfolded state, the first housing 100, the first hinge mechanism 400, the second housing 200, the second hinge mechanism 500, and the third housing 300 are arranged side by side in that order.

[0043] The first housing 100, the second housing 200, the third housing 300, the first hinge mechanism 400, and the second hinge mechanism 500 each have a support surface facing the flexible display screen 600. The flexible display screen 600 can continuously cover the support surface 100a of the first housing 100, the support surface 400a of the first hinge mechanism 400, the support surface 200a of the second housing 200, the support surface 500a of the second hinge mechanism 500, and the support surface 300a of the third housing 300. The first hinge mechanism 400 and the second hinge mechanism 500 are respectively disposed corresponding to the bendable portion of the flexible display screen 600, and the flexible display screen 600 is respectively fixedly connected to the support surface 100a of the first housing 100, the support surface 200a of the second housing 200, and the support surface 300a of the third housing 300, and the connection method includes but is not limited to bonding. When the electronic device is in the unfolded state, the support surface 100a of the first shell 100, the support surface 400a of the first hinge mechanism 400, the support surface 200a of the second shell 200, the support surface 500a of the second hinge mechanism 500, and the support surface 300a of the third shell 300 can be connected to form a flat support surface, thereby providing flat support for the flexible display screen 600.

[0044] FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of the electronic device shown in FIG1 in an intermediate state. Referring to FIG1 to FIG3 , in an embodiment of the present application, when the electronic device is in a closed state, the first shell 100 and the third shell 300 can be folded on both sides of the second shell 200, respectively. This folding method can be regarded as a "Z"-shaped folding or an "S"-shaped folding. At this time, the portion of the flexible display screen 600 corresponding to the first shell 100 can be exposed on the folded outer side of the electronic device, and the portion of the flexible display screen 600 corresponding to the second shell 200 and the third shell 300 is hidden on the folded inner side of the electronic device. That is, the portion of the flexible display screen 600 corresponding to the first shell 100 can serve as an exterior surface of the electronic device in a closed state.

[0045] Alternatively, in one embodiment, when the electronic device is in a closed state, the first housing 100 and the third housing 300 can be folded on the same side of the second housing 200, with the third housing 300 located between the first housing 100 and the second housing 200. This folding method can be considered a "G"-shaped fold. In this case, the electronic device can be an outward-folding electronic device, with portions of the flexible display 600 corresponding to the first housing 100 and the second housing 200 exposed on the outer side of the folded portion of the electronic device, and portions of the flexible display 600 corresponding to the third housing 300 hidden on the inner side of the folded portion of the electronic device. Alternatively, the electronic device can be an inward-folding electronic device, with the entire area of ​​the flexible display 600 hidden on the inner side of the folded portion of the electronic device.

[0046] Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present application, the electronic device can be deployed and closed by manual drive, electric drive, or a combination of manual and electric drive. Manual drive means that the electronic device is deployed and closed entirely by the force applied by the user; electric drive means that the electronic device is deployed and closed entirely by the driving force output by the motor; and manual and electric drive means that the electronic device is deployed and closed by both the force applied by the user and the driving force output by the motor.

[0047] In electronic devices that use electric drive or hybrid drive, the motor can be housed in the housing formed by the housing and the flexible display screen. The motor's output shaft is in transmission connection with the rotating mechanism, thereby driving the housing to rotate by driving the rotating shaft mechanism, thereby achieving the expansion and closure of the electronic device. In addition, the side frame of the electronic device can be provided with an operation button. When pressed, the operation button can be used to send an expansion or closure signal to the controller of the electronic device. After receiving the expansion or closure signal, the controller of the electronic device controls the motor to drive the rotating shaft mechanism to move. For example, the operation button can be provided on the first housing, or it can be provided on the third housing.

[0048] In the embodiment of the present application, the first hinge mechanism 400 and the second hinge mechanism 500 not only restrict the movement trajectory of the first housing 100 and the second housing 200, but also support the flexible display 600, ensuring that the bending portion of the flexible display 600 is evenly stressed in the unfolded, closed, and intermediate states of the electronic device, and maintaining the length of the flexible display 600 throughout the entire unfolding or closing process of the electronic device, thereby improving the reliability of the flexible display 600. The first hinge mechanism 400 and the second hinge mechanism 500 can have the same structure or different structures, which is not limited in this application.

[0049] In addition, in order to enable the first shell 100, the second shell 200, and the third shell 300 of the electronic device to achieve coordinated flattening, the embodiment of the present application also provides a linkage device that enables the first shell 100, the second shell 200, and the third shell 300 to achieve a linkage function, so as to improve the reliability of the electronic device and the user experience. In order to more clearly and completely present the linkage device in the embodiment of the present application, before introducing the specific structure of the linkage device, please refer to a specific implementation of the first hinge mechanism 400 shown in Figures 4 and 5. It should be noted that the following embodiment is only one possible implementation of the first hinge mechanism 400. The first hinge mechanism 400 can also be implemented in other ways. As long as it can achieve the expansion and folding of the first shell 100 and the second shell 200 and ensure that the flexible display 600 is uniformly stressed, it is within the scope of the embodiment of the present application. In addition, the second hinge mechanism 500 can be designed with reference to the first hinge mechanism 400, or it can also be implemented in other forms of structure, as long as it can meet the movement requirements of the second shell 200 and the third shell 300 and ensure that the flexible display 600 is uniformly stressed.

[0050] Next, an exemplary design of the first rotating shaft mechanism 400 is described in detail.

[0051] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of an electronic device in an intermediate state provided by an embodiment of the present application, and Figure 5 is an exploded view of a partial structure of an electronic device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figures 4 and 5 show the partial structures of the first housing 100, the second housing 200, and the first hinge mechanism 400. Referring to Figures 4 and 5 together, in the embodiment of the present application, the first hinge mechanism 400 includes a rotating assembly 410 and a support plate 420. The first housing 100 and the support plate 420 are rotationally connected via the rotating assembly 410, and the second housing 200 and the support plate 420 are slidingly connected.

[0052] In some embodiments, the second housing 200 is provided with a groove 210, and the support plate 420 is provided with a sliding arm 421 that cooperates with the groove 210. When the first housing 100 and the second housing 200 rotate around the rotating assembly 410, the sliding arm 421 can slide along the groove 210. When the electronic device is closed, the second housing 200 can slide relative to the support plate 420 in a direction closer to the rotating assembly 410. When the electronic device is unfolded, the second housing 200 can slide relative to the support plate 420 in a direction away from the rotating assembly 410. As a result, the second housing 200 can slide relative to the support plate 420 when the electronic device switches between states, thereby reducing the pulling force on the flexible display and avoiding excessive pulling force on the flexible display during closing or unfolding.

[0053] The support plate 420 may include a plurality of sliding arms 421, which are arranged along the axial direction of the electronic device. The widths of the plurality of sliding arms 421 along the axial direction of the electronic device may be the same or different. The design may be based on the spatial layout of the support plate 420, which is not limited in this application. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG5 , the widths of the two sliding arms 421 disposed near the two ends of the support plate 420 may be smaller than the widths of the other sliding arms 421. Accordingly, the second housing 200 may include a plurality of grooves 210 corresponding one to one with the sliding arms 421, and the plurality of sliding arms 421 are respectively slidably assembled in the corresponding grooves 210, thereby utilizing the cooperation between the plurality of pairs of sliding arms 421 and the grooves 210 to improve the relative movement reliability between the support plate 420 and the second housing 200. The axial direction of the electronic device is the axial direction of the folding device, that is, the extension direction of the rotation axis of the first housing, the second housing, or the third housing.

[0054] In some embodiments, the rotating assembly 410 includes a first rotating shaft 411 and a second rotating shaft 412, wherein the axis of the first rotating shaft 411 coincides with the axis of the second rotating shaft 412. The first rotating shaft 411 is connected to the first housing 100, and the second rotating shaft 412 is connected to the support plate 420. The second rotating shaft 412 can be sleeved around the first rotating shaft 411. For example, both the first rotating shaft 411 and the first housing 100 are provided with connection holes, and the first rotating shaft 411 and the first housing 100 can be detachably connected via a fixing member inserted into each connection hole.

[0055] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of the first rotating shaft mechanism and the first shell in the assembled state provided by an embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG5 and FIG6 , in the embodiment of the present application, the second rotating shaft 412 may include a plurality of shaft segments 4121, and the plurality of shaft segments 4121 are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the electronic device. Each shaft segment 4121 may be a hollow structure, and the first rotating shaft 411 may be sequentially passed through the hollow structures of the plurality of shaft segments 4121, so that the second rotating shaft 412 is sleeved on the circumference of the first rotating shaft 411. In addition, each shaft segment 4121 of the second rotating shaft 412 is clearance-fitted with the first rotating shaft 411, so that the second rotating shaft 412 and the first rotating shaft 411 can rotate relative to each other, thereby realizing a rotational connection between the support plate 420 and the first shell 100.

[0056] Continuing with reference to Figures 5 and 6, in the embodiment of the present application, the first rotating shaft mechanism 400 may further include a connector 430 and a composite gear 440. The movement of the second housing 200 is driven by the combination of the connector 430 and the composite gear 440. The first end of the connector 430 is fixedly connected to the first rotating shaft 411, and the second end of the connector 430 is rotatably connected to the composite gear 440. The connector 430 may be located between two adjacent shaft segments 4121 of the second rotating shaft 412 to improve the structural compactness of the first rotating shaft mechanism 400. For example, the connector 430 may be a chain, and the first end of the connector 430 may be the chain head. The first and second ends of the composite gear 440 each have gear teeth. The first end of the composite gear 440 meshes with the rack 220 of the second housing 200, and the second end of the composite gear 440 meshes with the rack 422 of the support plate 420.

[0057] In one implementation, a first pin 431 is provided at the first end of the connector 430, and a hole is provided at the first rotating shaft 411 for the first pin 431 to fit into. The first pin 431 can be fixedly disposed in the hole to fixedly connect the connector 430 to the first rotating shaft 411. When the first rotating shaft 411 rotates, the connector 430 can rotate accordingly. A second pin 432 is provided at the second end of the connector 430, and a hole is provided at the composite gear 440 for the second pin 432 to fit into. The second pin 432 can be rotatably disposed in the hole to rotationally connect the connector 430 and the composite gear 440. When the connector 430 rotates, the composite gear 440 can rotate accordingly, thereby driving the support plate 420 and the second housing 200 to slide relative to each other.

[0058] In an embodiment of the present application, the connecting member 430 and the composite gear 440 are used as a transmission mechanism. During the closing or unfolding of the electronic device, the second shell 200 is driven by the transmission mechanism formed by the connecting member 430 and the composite gear 440. The movement speed of the second shell 200 can be matched with the movement speed of the end of the flexible display screen, and the second shell 200 has rigid support in the direction of movement, thereby reducing the risk of the flexible display screen being arched or pulled.

[0059] After understanding the rotating shaft mechanism, the linkage device of the folding device will be further described with reference to FIG. 7 to FIG. 14 .

[0060] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of the partial structure of the electronic device shown in FIG1 to FIG3 in the unfolded state facing the flexible display screen, and FIG8 is a schematic diagram of the partial structure of the electronic device shown in FIG1 to FIG3 in the unfolded state facing away from the flexible display screen. Referring to FIG6 and FIG7 , in an embodiment of the present application, the linkage device 700 may include a first push rod 710, a second push rod 720, and a transmission assembly 730. The first push rod 710 is slidably mounted on the second housing 200 and fixedly connected to the sliding arm of the first rotating shaft mechanism, so that the first push rod 710 can slide synchronously with the sliding of the sliding arm. The second push rod 720 is slidably mounted on the second housing 200 and the third housing 300, or it can be understood that the sliding trajectory of the second push rod 720 can extend from the second housing 200 to the third housing 300. The transmission assembly 730 is respectively connected to the first push rod 710 and the second push rod 720. Along the axial direction of the electronic device, the transmission assembly 730 is arranged between the first push rod 710 and the second push rod 720. The first push rod 710 and the second push rod 720 can slide toward or away from each other synchronously through the transmission assembly 730.

[0061] In this embodiment, the folding device may include one linkage device 700 or multiple linkage devices 700. If the folding device includes one linkage device 700, the linkage device 700 may be provided corresponding to one sliding arm of the first rotating shaft mechanism. If the folding device includes multiple linkage devices, the multiple linkage devices 700 may be arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the electronic device, and the multiple linkage devices 700 may be provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the multiple rotating arms of the first rotating shaft mechanism.

[0062] The first rotating shaft mechanism 400 may be of the structure shown in Figures 4 to 6 , and the sliding arm may be the sliding arm 421 in the support plate 420 of the first rotating shaft mechanism 400. For example, when there is only one linkage device 700, the first push rod of the linkage device 700 may be fixedly connected to a sliding arm 421 disposed near the end of the support plate 420 to prevent interference between the linkage device 700 and the structure in the middle area of ​​the second housing 200.

[0063] Of course, in some other embodiments, the first rotating shaft mechanism 400 can also be implemented using other structures. Accordingly, the sliding arm of the first rotating shaft mechanism 400 can also be of other structural forms. As long as the sliding arm can slide relative to the second shell 200 during the operation of the first rotating shaft mechanism 400, it can be used as a structure to drive the first push rod 710 to slide in the embodiments of the present application.

[0064] In some embodiments, the first push rod 710 can be directly fixed to one side of the sliding arm 421 along the axial direction of the electronic device by bonding, welding or riveting. Alternatively, the first push rod 710 and the sliding arm can also be an integrally formed structure, and it can also be understood that the first push rod 710 can be directly formed on the side of the sliding arm to simplify the manufacturing and assembly process of the electronic device. The second shell 200 is provided with a slot 230, which extends from the side of the second shell 200 close to the first rotating shaft mechanism 400 to the side of the second shell 200 close to the second rotating shaft mechanism 500. The first push rod 710 can be assembled in the slot 230 to achieve a sliding connection with the second shell 200.

[0065] In some embodiments, the second housing 200 is provided with a first slot section 240, and the third housing 300 is provided with a second slot section 310. The first slot section 240 and the second slot section 310 extend in the same direction, and when the electronic device is in the unfolded state, the first slot section 240 and the second slot section 310 can be connected, and the two together form a slide groove 740. The second push rod 720 can be slidably disposed in the slide groove 740, so that the second push rod 720 can slide from the first slot section 240 to the second slot section 310, or from the second slot section 310 to the first slot section 240 during the process of sliding with the first push rod 710, thereby achieving a sliding connection between the second push rod 720 and the second housing 200 and the third housing 300.

[0066] In the embodiment of the present application, one end of the second housing 200 along the axial direction of the electronic device may be disposed beyond the second rotating shaft mechanism 500, and the first slot section 240 may be located in the portion of the second housing 200 that extends beyond the second rotating shaft mechanism 500. Similarly, one end of the third housing 300 along the axial direction of the electronic device may also be disposed beyond the second rotating shaft mechanism 500, and the second slot section 310 may be located in the portion of the third housing 300 that extends beyond the second rotating shaft mechanism 500. With this design, the extension direction of the first slot section 240 and the extension direction of the second slot section 310 do not intersect with the second rotating shaft mechanism 500. Therefore, the first slot section 240 and the second slot section 310 can be connected at a position that avoids the second rotating shaft mechanism 500, allowing the second push rod 720 to smoothly reciprocate within the first slot section 240 and the second slot section 310.

[0067] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the partial structure of the electronic device shown in Figures 1 to 3, facing the flexible display screen in a partially closed state. Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the partial structure of the electronic device shown in Figures 1 to 3, facing away from the flexible display screen in a partially closed state. It should be noted that the partially closed state of the electronic device can be understood as a state in which the first shell and the second shell are relatively folded, and the second shell and the third shell are relatively flattened. Referring also to Figures 7 to 10, when the electronic device is in a partially closed state or a closed state, the second push rod 720 is located within the first slot section 240. During the process of switching the electronic device from a closed state to an expanded state, the side of the second shell 200 away from the first rotating shaft mechanism rotates toward the direction away from the first shell 100, and the sliding arm drives the first push rod 710 to slide in the direction away from the third shell 300. The first push rod 710 drives the second push rod 720 to slide in the direction close to the third shell 300 through the transmission assembly 730. When the second push rod 720 slides from the first groove section 240 into the second groove section 310, based on the rigid structural characteristics of the second push rod 720, the third shell 300 will be flattened relative to the second shell 200 under the support of the second push rod 720. Therefore, the linkage device 700 can be used to achieve the linked flattening of the first shell, the second shell 200 and the third shell 300, thereby helping to improve the user experience.

[0068] When the electronic device is in the expanded state, at least a portion of the second push rod 720 is located within the second slot section 310. For example, the second push rod 720 may be partially located within the first slot section 240 and partially located within the second slot section 310. During the process of switching the electronic device from the expanded state to the closed state, the side of the second housing 200 away from the first hinge mechanism rotates toward the first housing, and the sliding arm drives the first push rod 710 to slide toward the third housing 300. The first push rod 710 then drives the second push rod 720 to slide away from the third housing 300 via the transmission assembly 730. When the second push rod 720 completely slides into the first slot section 240, the third housing 300 no longer has the support of the second push rod 720, so the third housing 300 can be folded relative to the second housing 200, thereby achieving complete folding of the three housings of the electronic device.

[0069] Referring again to FIG. 7 , in this embodiment of the present application, the linkage device 700 may further include an elastic member 750 , one end of which is fixedly connected to the second push rod 720 , and the other end of which is fixedly connected to the second housing 200 or the third housing 300 . For example, FIG. 7 illustrates a case in which the elastic member 750 is fixedly connected to the second housing 200 . For example, the elastic member 750 may be a spring. The second housing 200 is provided with a first fixing portion 250 , which is located on a side of the second housing 200 proximal to the third housing 300 . The elastic member 750 may be fixedly connected to the second housing 200 by connecting with the first fixing portion 250 . The second push rod 720 is provided with a second fixing portion 721 , which may be located on a side of the second push rod 720 facing the first push rod 710 . The elastic member 750 may be fixedly connected to the second push rod 720 by connecting with the second fixing portion 721 .

[0070] Referring to Figures 7 to 10 , when the electronic device is in the closed state, the second push rod 720 is entirely within the first slot 240. At this point, the elastic member 750 is in a stretched state, exerting a pulling force on the second push rod 720 toward the third housing 300. When the electronic device switches from the closed state to the expanded state, the elastic member 750 gradually rebounds from its stretched state, and the second push rod 720 slides toward the third housing 300 under the combined action of the drive assembly 730 and the tension of the elastic member 750 until the second push rod 720 partially or completely slides into the second slot 310 of the third housing 300. The first, second, and third housings 200 and 300 then unfold in unison, and the electronic device switches from the closed state to the expanded state.

[0071] The length of the elastic member 750 when the electronic device is in the closed state is defined as a first length, and the length of the elastic member 750 when the electronic device is in the expanded state is defined as a second length. As will be readily understood, the second length is less than the first length. During the transition from the closed state to the expanded state, the elastic member 750 gradually rebounds from the first length in the stretched state to the second length, releasing its accumulated elastic potential energy during this process. Therefore, when the electronic device is in the closed state, the elastic member 750 is in an energy-released state or a partially released state under slight stretching. It can be seen that during the expansion of the electronic device, the elastic potential energy released by the elastic member 750 can provide a certain amount of assistance to the sliding of the second push rod 720, enabling the second push rod 720 to slide into the second slot section 310 at the end of its sliding stroke toward the third housing 300, leveraging the pulling action of the elastic member 750. This helps improve the reliability of the linkage device 700.

[0072] In addition, the linkage device 700 may further include a magnetic assembly 760, which includes a first magnetic member 761 and a plurality of second magnetic members 762, wherein the first magnetic member 761 may be fixed to an end of the second push rod 720 away from the third housing 300, and the plurality of second magnetic members 762 may be fixed to the second housing 200. The plurality of second magnetic members 762 are arranged in an array along the extension direction of the second push rod 720, and the plurality of second magnetic members 762 may be located on the side of the first slot section 240 facing the first push rod 710. The projections of the plurality of second magnetic members 762 in the axial direction of the electronic device at least partially overlap with the projections of the first slot section 240 in the axial direction of the electronic device, that is, the projections of the plurality of second magnetic members 762 in the axial direction of the electronic device all or partially fall within the range of the projections of the first slot section 240 in the axial direction of the electronic device.

[0073] FIG11 is a schematic structural diagram of a magnetic component provided by an embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG11 , in one implementation, the polarities of two adjacent second magnetic members 762 facing one end of the first magnetic member 761 are opposite. For example, the polarities of the multiple second magnetic members 762 facing one end of the first magnetic member 761 can be distributed in the manner of ...-SNSNS-... in sequence. In this way, the multiple second magnetic members 762 can form a magnetic field. The polarity of the first magnetic member 761 facing one end of the multiple second magnetic members 762 can be an N pole or an S pole, and this application does not limit this. By reasonably designing the polarity direction of the first second magnetic member 762 and the last second magnetic member 762 among the multiple second magnetic members 762, the first magnetic member 761 can be subjected to a magnetic attraction in the direction away from the third shell in the magnetic field formed by the multiple second magnetic members 762.

[0074] Referring again to Figures 7 to 10 , when the electronic device switches from the expanded state to the closed state, the second push rod 720, driven by the transmission assembly 730, slides in a direction away from the third housing 300. When the second push rod 720 slides until the first magnetic member 761 approaches the plurality of second magnetic members 762, the plurality of second magnetic members 762 exert an attractive force on the first magnetic member 761 in a direction away from the third housing 300, causing the second push rod 720 to slide completely into the first slot 240, thereby allowing the electronic device to switch from the expanded state to the closed state. It can be seen that during the closing process of the electronic device, the cooperation between the first magnetic member 761 and the plurality of second magnetic members 762 provides a certain amount of assistance to the sliding of the second push rod 720. At the end of its sliding stroke away from the third housing 300, the second push rod 720 can continue to slide completely into the first slot 240 by utilizing the magnetic attraction of the magnetic assembly 760, thereby helping to improve the reliability of the linkage device 700.

[0075] It should be understood that in some other embodiments, the relative positions of the elastic member 750, the magnetic assembly 760 and the second push rod 720 can be interchanged, that is, one end of the elastic member 750 is fixedly connected to the end of the second push rod 720 away from the third shell 300, the other end of the elastic member 750 is fixedly connected to the second shell 200, the first magnetic member 761 of the magnetic assembly 760 is fixed to the end of the second push rod 720 close to the third shell 300, the multiple second magnetic members 762 of the magnetic assembly 760 are fixed to the third shell 300, and the axial projections of the multiple second magnetic members 762 on the electronic device at least partially overlap with the axial projections of the second slot section 310 on the electronic device. At this time, when the electronic device is in the process of unfolding, at the end of the stroke when the second push rod 720 slides in the direction close to the third shell 300, the magnetic component 760 can provide assistance for the sliding of the second push rod 720, so that the second push rod 720 slides into the second groove section 310; when the electronic device is in the process of closing, the elastic member 750 can jointly drive the second push rod 720 with the transmission component 730 to slide in the direction away from the third shell 300, and at the end of the stroke when the second push rod 720 slides in the direction away from the third shell 300, the elastic member 750 can continue to provide assistance for the sliding of the second push rod 720, so that the second push rod 720 can slide completely into the first groove section 240.

[0076] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a linkage device provided in an embodiment of the present application when the electronic device is in an extended state, FIG13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a linkage device provided in an embodiment of the present application when the electronic device is in an intermediate state, and FIG14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a linkage device provided in an embodiment of the present application when the electronic device is in a closed state. Referring to FIG12 to FIG14 , in the embodiment of the present application, the first push rod 710 includes a first rack 711, which is located on the side of the first push rod 710 facing the second push rod 720 along the axial direction of the electronic device; the second push rod 720 includes a second rack 722, which is located on the direction of the second push rod 720 facing the first push rod 710 along the axial direction of the electronic device; and the transmission assembly 730 includes a swing rod 730a, with first gear teeth 731 and second gear teeth 732 provided at both ends of the swing rod 730a, respectively, the first gear teeth 731 meshing with the first rack 711, and the second gear teeth 732 meshing with the second rack 722. In this way, when the first push rod 710 slides along with the sliding arm, it can drive the swing rod 730a to rotate, and then the swing rod 730a drives the second push rod 720 and the first push rod 710 to slide toward or away from each other.

[0077] For example, during the process of unfolding the electronic device, when the first push rod 710 slides with the sliding arm toward the direction away from the third shell 300, the first push rod 710 can drive the rocker arm 730a to rotate counterclockwise, and the rocker arm 730a further drives the second push rod 720 to slide toward the direction close to the third shell 300, thereby enabling the second push rod 720 to slide from the first slot section 240 into the second slot section 310; during the process of closing the electronic device, when the first push rod 710 slides with the sliding arm toward the direction close to the third shell 300, the first push rod 710 can drive the rocker arm 730a to rotate clockwise, and the rocker arm 730a further drives the second push rod 720 to slide toward the direction away from the second shell 200, thereby enabling the second push rod 720 to slide from the second slot section 310 to the first slot section 240.

[0078] In some embodiments, the rocker arm 730a may also be provided with a hinge hole 733, and accordingly, the second shell 200 may be provided with a hinge shaft 260, which can be rotatably set in the hinge hole 733 of the rocker arm 730a, thereby rotatably connecting the rocker arm 730a with the second shell 200 to improve the movement stability of the rocker arm 730a, and thereby improve the transmission connection reliability of the first push rod 710 and the second push rod 720. In a specific implementation, along the axial direction of the electronic device, the distance between the hinge shaft 260 and the first rack 711 is smaller than the distance between the hinge shaft 260 and the second rack 722. This design can enable the rocker arm 730a to achieve a certain stroke amplification effect, that is, the movement stroke of the end where the second gear tooth 732 of the rocker arm 730a is located is greater than the movement stroke of the end where the first gear tooth 731 is located, and the movement stroke of the end where the first gear tooth 731 of the rocker arm 730a is located is determined by the displacement of the first push rod 710, and the movement stroke of the end where the second gear tooth 732 of the rocker arm 730a is located determines the displacement of the second push rod 720.

[0079] Because both the first push rod 710 and the sliding arm are slidably assembled within the second housing 200, their sliding space is limited by the structure and dimensions of the second housing 200. Consequently, the travel of the first push rod 710 and the sliding arm is relatively limited. However, the sliding path of the second push rod 720 extends from the second housing 200 to the third housing 300, resulting in a relatively large travel of the second push rod 720. Through the aforementioned travel amplification effect of the linkage device 700, the first push rod 710 can achieve a relatively large travel of the second push rod 720 with a relatively small travel, thereby satisfying the movement requirements of the second push rod 720.

[0080] Of course, in some implementations, even if the movement stroke of the second push rod 720 is amplified by the stroke amplification effect of the linkage device 700, it is still possible that after the first push rod 710 slides to the maximum stroke in the direction close to the third shell 300, the second push rod 720 does not slide completely into the first slot section 240, or after the first push rod 710 slides to the maximum stroke in the direction away from the third shell 300, the second push rod 720 does not slide into the second slot section 310.

[0081] In response to the above situation, in an embodiment of the present application, the second rack 722 may include a first rack segment 7221, a second rack segment 7222 and a third rack segment 7223, wherein the first rack segment 7221 is arranged at the end of the second push rod 720 away from the third shell 300, the third rack segment 7223 is arranged at the end of the second push rod 720 close to the third shell 300, the second rack segment 7222 is located between the first rack segment 7221 and the third rack segment 7223, and the second rack segment 7222 is spaced apart from the first rack segment 7221 and the third rack segment 7223, respectively, or it can be understood that there are transition sections between the second rack segment 7222 and the first rack segment 7221, and between the second rack segment 7222 and the third rack segment 7223 without gear teeth. When the electronic device is in the closed state, the second gear teeth 732 of the rocker arm 730a can engage with the third rack segment 7223 of the second push rod 720. When the electronic device is in the unfolded state, the second gear teeth 732 of the second push rod 720 can engage with the first rack segment 7221 of the second push rod 720.

[0082] Through the above design, when the electronic device switches from the closed state to the expanded state, the second push rod 720 overcomes the magnetic attraction of the magnetic component 760 under the joint drive of the elastic member 750 (see Figure 8) and the rocker arm 730a, and slides toward the direction close to the third shell 300. The second gear 732 transitions from being engaged with the third rack segment 7223 to being engaged with the second rack segment 7222. After the first push rod 710 slides to the maximum stroke in the direction away from the third shell 300, the first push rod 720 is engaged with the second rack segment 7222. Rod 710 can no longer drive second push rod 720 via rocker arm 730a. Instead, second push rod 720 can continue to slide under the tension of the elastic member. Due to the transition section between second rack segment 7222 and first rack segment 7221, second push rod 720 and rocker arm 730a are disengaged. Therefore, continued sliding of second push rod 720 does not react on first push rod 710 via rocker arm 730a, allowing first push rod 710 to remain stationary and preventing damage to the first push rod 710. When second push rod 720 reaches its maximum travel, toward third housing 300, second gear teeth 732 mesh with first rack segment 7221, allowing second push rod 720 to receive the driving force transmitted by rocker arm 730a when sliding in the opposite direction. It should be noted that although the transition section between the second rack segment 7222 and the first rack segment 7221 is not provided with gear teeth, it still has a certain degree of roughness. When the second push rod 720 slides in the opposite direction, the second gear teeth 732 of the rocker arm 730a can maintain a static friction relationship with the transition section, so that the second gear teeth 732 can smoothly engage with the second rack segment 7222 through the transition section.

[0083] Similarly, in the process of switching the electronic device from the unfolded state to the closed state, the second push rod 720 overcomes the pulling force of the elastic member under the drive of the rocker arm 730a and slides in the direction away from the third shell 300. The second gear 732 transitions from meshing with the first rack segment 7221 to meshing with the second rack segment 7222. After the first push rod 710 slides to the maximum stroke in the direction close to the third shell 300, the first push rod 710 can no longer drive the second push rod 720 through the rocker arm 730a. The second push rod 720 can continue to slide under the magnetic attraction of the magnetic component 760. Since a transition section is provided between the second rack segment 7222 and the first rack segment 7221, the second push rod 720 is disengaged from the rocker arm 730a. Therefore, the continued sliding of the second push rod 720 will not react to the first push rod through the rocker arm 730a, so that the first push rod 710 can still remain stationary, avoiding rigid damage to the first push rod 710. When the second push rod 720 slides to its maximum travel away from the third housing 300, the second gear teeth 732 mesh with the third rack segment 7223, allowing the second push rod 720 to receive the driving force transmitted by the rocker arm 730a when sliding in the opposite direction. Similarly, although the transition section between the second rack segment 7222 and the third rack segment 7223 is not equipped with gear teeth, it still has a certain degree of roughness. When the second push rod 720 slides in the opposite direction, the second gear teeth 732 of the rocker arm 730a can maintain a static friction relationship with this transition section, allowing the second gear teeth 732 to mesh with the second rack segment 7222 through this transition section.

[0084] FIG15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another linkage device 700 provided in an embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG15 , in this embodiment of the present application, the first push rod 710 may also include a first rack 711. Similarly, the second push rod 720 may also include a second rack 722. Along the axial direction of the electronic device, the first rack 711 is located on the side of the first push rod 710 facing the second push rod 720, and the second rack 722 is located in the direction from the second push rod 720 facing the first push rod 710. The transmission assembly 730 includes a gear set 730b, which meshes with the first rack 711 and the second rack 722, respectively. Thus, as the first push rod 710 slides with the sliding arm, it drives the gear set 730b to operate, which in turn drives the second push rod 720 to slide toward or away from the first push rod 710.

[0085] In some embodiments, the gear set 730b may include a first sub-gear set 734 and a second sub-gear set 735. The first sub-gear set 734 includes a first gear 7341 and a second gear 7342, which are coaxially arranged and fixedly connected. The diameter of the first gear 7341 is smaller than that of the second gear 7342, and the first gear 7341 is meshed with the first rack 711. The second sub-gear set 735 includes a third gear 7351 and a fourth gear 7352, which are coaxially arranged and fixedly connected. The diameter of the third gear 7351 is smaller than that of the fourth gear 7352, and the third gear 7351 is meshed with the second gear 7342, and the fourth gear 7352 is meshed with the second rack 722.

[0086] Referring to Figures 7 and 15 , when the first push rod 710 slides with the sliding arm away from the third housing 300, it drives the first gear 7341 to rotate counterclockwise, which in turn causes the first gear 7341 to synchronously rotate the second gear 7342 counterclockwise. Due to the meshing relationship between the second gear 7342 and the third gear 7351, the third gear 7351, driven by the second gear 7342, rotates clockwise, which in turn causes the fourth gear 7352 to rotate clockwise. Finally, the fourth gear 7352 drives the second push rod 720 to slide toward the third housing 300, allowing the second push rod 720 to slide from the first slot 240 into the second slot 310. When the first push rod 710 slides with the sliding arm toward the third housing 300, it drives the first gear 7341 to rotate clockwise, which in turn causes the first gear 7341 to synchronously rotate the second gear 7342 clockwise. Based on the meshing relationship between the second gear 7342 and the third gear 7351, the third gear 7351 can rotate counterclockwise under the drive of the second gear 7342, and further drive the fourth gear 7352 to rotate counterclockwise synchronously. Finally, the fourth gear 7352 drives the second push rod 720 to slide in the direction away from the third shell 300, thereby enabling the second push rod 720 to slide from the second groove section 310 to the first groove section 240.

[0087] In the above-described gear set, since the first gear 7341 and the second gear 7342 are coaxially arranged, and the diameter of the first gear 7341 is smaller than that of the second gear 7342, the angular velocity of the second gear 7342 is the same as that of the first gear 7341, and the linear velocity of the second gear 7342 is greater than that of the first gear 7341. The third gear 7351 is meshed with the second gear 7342, and the linear velocity of the third gear 7351 is the same as that of the second gear 7342. Since the third gear 7351 and the fourth gear 7352 are coaxially arranged, and the diameter of the third gear 7351 is smaller than that of the fourth gear 7352, the angular velocity of the fourth gear 7352 is the same as that of the third gear 7351, and the linear velocity of the fourth gear 7352 is greater than that of the third gear 7351. In other words, the linear velocity of the first gear 7341 < the linear velocity of the second gear 7342 = the linear velocity of the third gear 7351 < the linear velocity of the fourth gear 7352. Furthermore, because the linear velocity of the first gear 7341 is positively correlated with the displacement of the first push rod 710, and the linear velocity of the fourth gear 7352 is positively correlated with the displacement of the second push rod 720, the displacement of the second push rod 720 is greater than the displacement of the first push rod 710. In other words, the gear set 730b provided in the embodiment of the present application can achieve a certain stroke amplification effect, enabling the first push rod 710 to drive the second push rod 720 to achieve a relatively large motion stroke with a relatively small motion stroke, thereby meeting the motion requirements of the second push rod 720.

[0088] It should be understood that the gear set 730b provided in the embodiment of the present application is not limited to the above-mentioned structure. Gear sets 730b that adopt other forms and can achieve the stroke amplification effect can also be applied to the embodiment of the present application to transmit the first push rod 710 and the second push rod 720 to connect and realize the transmission of force and displacement between the two.

[0089] Furthermore, similar to the linkage device utilizing a rocker arm provided in the aforementioned embodiment, in order to enable the second push rod 720 to slide to its maximum travel in both sliding directions, in this embodiment of the present application, the second rack 722 may include a first rack segment, a second rack segment, and a third rack segment. The first rack segment is disposed at the end of the second push rod proximate to the first housing, the third rack segment is disposed at the end of the second push rod proximate to the third housing, the second rack segment is positioned between the first and third rack segments, and the second rack segment is spaced apart from the first and third rack segments, respectively. When the electronic device is in a closed state, the gear set 730b may engage with the third rack segment of the second push rod 720. When the electronic device is in an unfolded state, the gear set 730b may engage with the first rack segment of the second push rod 720. The specific motion process and motion principle of the first push rod 710, the second push rod 720, and the linkage device 700 can be referred to the description in the aforementioned embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0090] The above are only specific embodiments of the present application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A folding device, characterized in that: The invention comprises a first housing, a second housing, a third housing, a first rotating shaft mechanism, a second rotating shaft mechanism and a linkage device, wherein the first housing and the second housing are rotatably arranged on both sides of the first rotating shaft mechanism, the second housing and the third housing are rotatably arranged on both sides of the second rotating shaft mechanism, and the first rotating shaft mechanism comprises a sliding arm, and the sliding arm is slidably connected to the second housing; wherein: The linkage device comprises a first push rod, a second push rod and a transmission assembly, wherein the first push rod is slidably connected to the second housing, and the first push rod is fixedly connected to the sliding arm, the second push rod is slidably arranged in a slide slot, the slide slot comprises a first slot section arranged in the second housing and a second slot section arranged in the third housing, and the transmission assembly is transmission-connected to the first push rod and the second push rod respectively; When the folding device is in a closed state, the second push rod is located in the first slot section. During the process of the folding device switching from the closed state to the unfolded state, the second shell rotates in a direction away from the first shell, the sliding arm slides in a direction away from the third shell, the first push rod slides in a direction away from the third shell, and the second push rod slides in a direction close to the third shell. When the second push rod slides into the second slot section, the third shell is flattened relative to the second shell. When the folding device is in the unfolded state, the second push rod is at least partially located in the second groove section. During the process of the folding device switching from the unfolded state to the closed state, the second shell rotates toward the direction close to the first shell, the sliding arm slides toward the direction close to the third shell, the first push rod slides toward the direction close to the third shell, and the second push rod slides toward the direction away from the third shell. When the second push rod completely slides into the first groove section, the third shell is folded relative to the second shell.

2. The folding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The linkage device also includes a magnetic component, which includes a first magnetic component and a plurality of second magnetic components, wherein the first magnetic component is fixed to an end of the second push rod away from the third shell, the plurality of second magnetic components are fixed to the second shell, and the plurality of second magnetic components are arranged in an array along the extension direction of the second push rod, and the axial projections of the plurality of second magnetic components in the folding device at least partially overlap with the axial projections of the first slot segment in the folding device.

3. The folding device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The linkage device further comprises an elastic member, one end of which is fixedly connected to the second push rod, and the other end of which is fixedly connected to the second housing or the third housing; When the folding device is in the closed state, the elastic member is in a stretched state, and the length of the elastic member is a first length. When the folding device is in the unfolded state, the length of the elastic member is a second length, and the second length is smaller than the first length.

4. The folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The first push rod includes a first rack, the second push rod includes a second rack, the transmission assembly includes a swing rod, and both ends of the swing rod include a first gear tooth and a second gear tooth respectively, the first gear tooth is meshed with the first rack, and the second gear tooth is meshed with the second rack.

5. The folding device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The swing arm is rotatably disposed on the second shell via a hinge shaft, and along the axial direction of the folding device, the distance between the hinge shaft and the first rack is smaller than the distance between the hinge shaft and the second rack.

6. The folding device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: The second rack includes a first rack segment, a second rack segment and a third rack segment, the first rack segment is arranged at one end of the second push rod close to the first housing, the third rack segment is arranged at one end of the second push rod close to the third housing, the second rack segment is located between the first rack segment and the third rack segment, and the second rack segment is spaced from the first rack segment and the third rack segment respectively; When the folding device is in a closed state, the second gear teeth are meshed with the third rack segment, and when the folding device is in an unfolded state, the second gear teeth are meshed with the first rack segment.

7. The folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The first push rod includes a first rack, the second push rod includes a second rack, and the transmission assembly includes a gear set, which are respectively meshed with the first rack and the second rack.

8. The folding device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The gear set includes a first sub-gear set and a second sub-gear set; The first sub-gear set comprises a first gear and a second gear which are coaxially arranged and fixedly connected, the diameter of the first gear is smaller than the diameter of the second gear, and the first gear is meshed with the first rack; The second sub-gear set includes a third gear and a fourth gear that are coaxially arranged and fixedly connected, the diameter of the third gear is smaller than the diameter of the fourth gear, the third gear is meshed with the second gear, and the fourth gear is meshed with the second rack.

9. The folding device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The second rack includes a first rack segment, a second rack segment and a third rack segment, the first rack segment is arranged at one end of the second push rod close to the first housing, the third rack segment is arranged at one end of the second push rod close to the third housing, the second rack segment is located between the first rack segment and the third rack segment, and the second rack segment is spaced from the first rack segment and the third rack segment respectively; When the folding device is in a closed state, the gear set is meshed with the third rack segment, and when the folding device is in an unfolded state, the gear set is meshed with the first rack segment.

10. The folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: One end of the second housing along the axial direction of the folding device is arranged beyond the second rotating shaft mechanism, and the first groove section is located at a portion of the second housing that exceeds the second rotating shaft mechanism; One end of the third shell along the axial direction of the folding device is arranged beyond the second rotating shaft mechanism, and the second groove section is located at a portion of the third shell that exceeds the second rotating shaft mechanism.

11. An electronic device, characterized in that: It includes a flexible display screen and a folding device as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the flexible display screen continuously covers the first shell, the first hinge mechanism, the second shell, the second hinge mechanism and the third shell, and the flexible display screen is fixedly connected to the first shell, the second shell and the third shell respectively.

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