CN118658377A

CN118658377A - Foldable electronic device

Info

Publication number: CN118658377A
Application number: CN202411131582.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 杨德森; 臧永强; 吴崚; 霍国亮; 李匡
Original assignee: Honor Device Co Ltd
Current assignee: Honor Device Co Ltd
Priority date: 2024-08-19
Filing date: 2024-08-19
Publication date: 2024-09-17

Abstract

The application provides foldable electronic equipment, and relates to the technical field of electronic products. The foldable electronic equipment is characterized in that the back of the folding screen is provided with a plurality of rotating shaft mechanisms, so that the rotating shaft mechanisms are arranged in a pair-to-pair mode, and the two rotating shaft mechanisms which are arranged oppositely are positioned on the same straight line. Each shell is connected between every two adjacent rotating shaft mechanisms in the circumferential direction, and the middle connecting piece is connected between the near ends of the rotating shaft mechanisms which are close to each other. The middle connecting piece can be bent, and the middle connecting piece can realize that the foldable electronic equipment can be folded or unfolded around two rotating shaft mechanisms on the same straight line, and can also realize that the foldable electronic equipment can be folded or unfolded around rotating shaft mechanisms on different straight lines. Like this, collapsible electronic equipment can fold around the pivot mechanism that sets up relatively on the different straight lines, can realize that collapsible electronic equipment is folding along different directions, and collapsible electronic equipment's mode of use is more nimble, richer, can promote collapsible electronic equipment's competitiveness.

Description

Foldable electronic device

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of electronic products, and in particular, to a foldable electronic device.

Background

The folding screen has a bendable characteristic, so that the electronic device carrying the folding screen, namely the folding electronic device, can be switched between an unfolding state and a folding state. Foldable electronic devices have a large display area and are convenient to carry, and are increasingly popular with consumers.

The rotating shaft mechanism is used as a core functional structure of the foldable electronic equipment and is used for realizing relative rotation between two main body parts of the foldable electronic equipment, and unfolding or folding of the folding screen is realized through relative rotation between the two main body parts. When the two main body parts rotate to be coplanar, the foldable electronic equipment presents an unfolding state; at this time, the folding screen is in an unfolding state and has a larger display area. When the two main body parts rotate to be stacked, the foldable electronic equipment is in a folded state, and has smaller volume; at this time, the folding screen is in a folded state.

However, the existing foldable electronic device can only be folded unidirectionally, cannot realize multidirectional folding, and is single in use mode.

Disclosure of Invention

The foldable electronic equipment provided by the application can realize multidirectional folding, is flexible and rich in use mode, and can improve the competitiveness of the foldable electronic equipment.

The present application provides a foldable electronic device, comprising: folding the screen; the rotating shaft mechanisms are arranged on the back surface of the folding screen, are sequentially arranged along the circumferential direction of the folding screen, extend from the edge of the folding screen to the center of the folding screen, and are aligned on the same straight line in pairs; the plurality of shells are connected between every two rotating shaft mechanisms adjacent in the circumferential direction, and are in fit connection with the folding screen; and the bendable middle connecting piece is connected between the proximal ends of the rotating shaft mechanisms so that the foldable electronic equipment can be folded or unfolded around the rotating shaft mechanisms on different straight lines.

The foldable electronic device provided by the embodiment of the application comprises a folding screen, a plurality of rotating shaft mechanisms, a middle connecting piece and a plurality of shells. Through set up a plurality of pivot mechanisms at the back of folding screen, make each pivot mechanism set gradually along the circumference of folding screen, and each pivot mechanism extends by the edge of folding screen to the center of folding screen, each pivot mechanism pairwise opposite setting, and two pivot mechanisms that set up relatively are located same straight line. Each shell is connected between every two rotating shaft mechanisms adjacent in the circumferential direction, and is connected with the folding screen in a fitting way. The middle connecting piece is connected between the near ends of the rotating shaft mechanisms, which are close to each other, and can be bent, so that the middle connecting piece can realize folding or unfolding of the foldable electronic equipment around two rotating shaft mechanisms on the same straight line, and can also realize folding or unfolding of the foldable electronic equipment around rotating shaft mechanisms on different straight lines. Like this, collapsible electronic equipment can fold around the pivot mechanism that sets up relatively on the different straight lines, can realize that collapsible electronic equipment is folding along different directions, and collapsible electronic equipment's mode of use is more nimble, richer, can promote collapsible electronic equipment's competitiveness.

In one possible embodiment, the plurality of spindle mechanisms includes two first spindle mechanisms and two second spindle mechanisms, the two first spindle mechanisms being located on a first straight line and the two second spindle mechanisms being located on a second straight line.

Thus, the first straight line where the two first rotating shaft mechanisms are located is the rotating shaft of the foldable electronic device, and the second straight line where the two second rotating shaft mechanisms are located is also the rotating shaft of the foldable electronic device. The foldable electronic equipment can be folded around the two first rotating shaft mechanisms and can be folded around the two second rotating shaft mechanisms, and the foldable electronic equipment can be folded in two directions. In one possible embodiment, the intermediate connector is located in the center of the foldable electronic device when the foldable electronic device is in the unfolded state.

By arranging the middle connecting piece at the center of the foldable electronic device, the intersection point of the first straight line where the two first rotating shaft mechanisms are positioned and the second straight line where the two second rotating shaft mechanisms are positioned is the center point of the foldable electronic device. Therefore, the intersection point of the foldable electronic equipment when being folded along different directions is the center point of the foldable electronic equipment, the balance of the whole foldable electronic equipment is good, and the reliability is high.

In one possible embodiment, the first straight line is a center line in a length direction of the foldable electronic device, the second straight line is a center line in a width direction of the foldable electronic device, and the first straight line and the second straight line are perpendicular to each other.

Thus, the first straight line and the second straight line are symmetry axes of the foldable electronic device, and after the foldable electronic device is folded around the two first rotating shaft mechanisms or the two second rotating shaft mechanisms, two parts of the foldable electronic device are completely overlapped. The foldable electronic equipment has good structural symmetry and more balanced stress, and the folded electronic equipment has simple and elegant appearance effect.

In one possible implementation, the first straight line is a first diagonal of the foldable electronic device and the second straight line is a second diagonal of the foldable electronic device.

Therefore, after the foldable electronic equipment is folded around the two first rotating shaft mechanisms or the two second rotating shaft mechanisms, the folding forms of the foldable electronic equipment are triangular, the folded appearance effect is more unique, and the playability is good.

In one possible embodiment, the folding direction of the two spindle mechanisms located on the same straight line is the same, and the folding direction of the spindle mechanisms located on different straight lines is the same or different.

The two rotating shaft mechanisms positioned on the same straight line are arranged to be the same in folding direction, and each rotating shaft mechanism is arranged in a plurality of rotating shaft groups formed by two-to-two opposite directions, each rotating shaft group has a uniquely determined folding direction, so that the foldable electronic equipment can be switched between a folding state and an unfolding state smoothly by taking each rotating shaft group as a rotating shaft. The folding direction of each rotating shaft group is kept consistent, and the relative positions of the folding screen and the shell are consistent after the foldable electronic equipment is folded around any rotating shaft group. By enabling the folding directions of the different rotating shaft groups to be different, after the foldable electronic equipment is folded around the different rotating shaft groups, the relative positions of the folding screen and the shell are different.

In one possible embodiment, each of the spindle mechanisms is of a folded-out configuration.

Through all setting up each pivot mechanism as outer folding structure, but folding electronic equipment is around after the folding of arbitrary pivot group, and the folding screen all exposes outside the casing, and the folding screen is outside visible.

In one possible embodiment, the pivot means extends out of at least one first connecting portion towards one end of the intermediate connecting piece, the first connecting portion being connected to the intermediate connecting piece.

The rotating shaft mechanism is connected with the middle connecting piece through the first connecting part by arranging the first connecting part which extends out on the end face of the rotating shaft mechanism, which faces the middle connecting piece. The terminal surface of pivot mechanism can closely laminate with the terminal surface of intermediate junction spare, and intermediate junction spare orientation folding screen's side surface can be with pivot mechanism's this side surface parallel and level to guarantee intermediate junction spare steady support folding screen.

In one possible embodiment, the spindle mechanism includes: a first connecting part is arranged at one end of the main shaft facing the middle connecting piece; the connecting plate is movably connected to two sides of the spindle in the width direction.

In one possible embodiment, the end of the spindle facing away from the intermediate connection is provided with an end cap.

Through setting up the end cover in the one end that the main shaft deviates from intermediate junction spare, folding screen can butt on the terminal surface of end cover towards the main shaft, can utilize the end cover to fix a position folding screen. And, the end cover exposes the lateral wall at collapsible electronic equipment, helps promoting collapsible electronic equipment's outward appearance effect.

In one possible embodiment, the spindle mechanism further includes: the adapter plate is movably connected between the main shaft and the connecting plate, and one end of the adapter plate, which faces the middle connecting piece, is also provided with a first connecting part.

On the basis of arranging the first connecting part at the end part of the main shaft, the first connecting part is also arranged at the end parts of the adapter plates at the two sides of the main shaft. Like this, stretch out on the pivot mechanism and have three first connecting portion to be connected with the intermediate junction spare, can strengthen the joint strength of pivot mechanism and intermediate junction spare, and the size of single first connecting portion is all less, can not influence the bending property of intermediate junction spare.

In one possible embodiment, the intermediate connection piece has a connection hole, into which the first connection part protrudes for connection with the intermediate connection piece.

Through making the first connecting portion of pivot mechanism stretch into in the connecting hole of intermediate junction spare, all have certain distance between the both sides surface of first connecting portion and intermediate junction spare, can not cause the influence to folding screen and decoration. And the space occupied by the first connecting piece is smaller, so that the bending performance of the middle connecting piece is not affected.

In one possible embodiment, the first connecting portion includes a first main body portion and a first reinforcing portion, one end of the first main body portion is connected to an end of the rotating shaft mechanism, the first reinforcing portion is connected to the other end of the first main body portion, and the first reinforcing portion extends out of an outer periphery of the first main body portion.

The first reinforcing part is extended out of the outer periphery of the first main body part by providing the first reinforcing part at one end of the first main body part facing the intermediate connecting member. The first reinforcing part increases the contact area between the first connecting part and the middle connecting piece, and the first reinforcing part and the middle connecting piece are mutually pulled to form an anti-falling structure. In this way, the connection strength of the first connecting part and the middle connecting piece is enhanced, and the integrity and the reliability of the foldable electronic equipment are improved.

In one possible embodiment, the housing comprises: the middle frame is connected with the folding screen in a fitting way and is connected with the rotating shaft mechanism; and the rear cover is connected to one side of the middle frame, which is away from the folding screen.

In one possible embodiment, the end of the intermediate frame facing the intermediate connection piece is provided with at least one second connection piece, which is connected to the intermediate connection piece.

The middle frame is connected with the middle connecting piece through the second connecting part by arranging the second connecting part which extends out on the end face of the middle frame facing the middle connecting piece. The terminal surface of middle frame can closely laminate with the terminal surface of intermediate junction spare to strengthen the wholeness of middle frame and intermediate junction spare, promote collapsible electronic equipment's complete machine reliability.

In one possible embodiment, the end of the middle frame facing the middle connector has a first abutment wall and a second abutment wall, which respectively abut against corresponding side walls of the middle connector; the first abutting wall and the second abutting wall are respectively extended with a second connecting part.

The first abutting wall and the second abutting wall are arranged adjacently at the end part of the middle frame, and the second connecting parts on the first abutting wall and the second abutting wall are respectively connected with the two adjacent peripheral parts of the middle connecting piece. Therefore, the connection strength of the middle frame and the middle connecting piece can be increased, and the connection reliability of the middle frame and the middle connecting piece is improved. And, can guarantee that first butt wall and second butt wall all closely laminate with the intermediate junction spare, promote the wholeness of middle frame and intermediate junction spare.

In one possible embodiment, the intermediate connecting member has a connecting groove with a notch facing the folding screen, and the connecting groove is connected to a side wall of the intermediate connecting member, and the second connecting portion extends into the connecting groove to be connected with the intermediate connecting member.

The connecting groove is formed in the surface of one side, facing the folding screen, of the middle connecting piece, and the second connecting portion is embedded in the connecting groove, so that the second connecting portion is connected with the middle connecting piece. Therefore, the second connecting piece is convenient to connect with the middle connecting piece, the second connecting part on the middle frame is relatively fixed with the folding screen, and the folding screen and the middle connecting piece cannot be influenced.

In one possible embodiment, the second connection portion includes a second body portion and a second reinforcement portion, one end of the second body portion is connected to an end of the middle frame, the second reinforcement portion is connected to the other end of the second body portion, and the second reinforcement portion extends out of an outer periphery of the second body portion.

The second reinforcing part is extended out of the outer periphery of the second main body part by providing the second reinforcing part at one end of the second main body part facing the intermediate connecting member. The second reinforcing part increases the contact area between the second connecting part and the middle connecting piece, and the second reinforcing part and the middle connecting piece are mutually pulled to form an anti-falling structure. In this way, the connection strength of the second connecting part and the middle connecting piece is enhanced, and the integrity and the reliability of the foldable electronic equipment are improved.

In one possible implementation, the foldable electronic device further comprises: and each decoration piece is connected to one side surface of the middle connecting piece, which faces away from the folding screen.

Through at the side surface connection a plurality of decoration that the connecting piece deviates from folding screen in, each decoration can cover each region of intermediate junction spare to promote collapsible electronic equipment's outward appearance effect. And the folding screen and each decoration piece are respectively shielded on the two side surfaces of the middle connecting piece, so that the middle connecting piece can be comprehensively protected, and the reliability of the middle connecting piece is improved. Wherein, each decoration is mutually independent to avoid interfering the deformation of intermediate junction spare.

In one possible embodiment, the plurality of decorative pieces includes: the central decoration piece is connected to the central area of the middle connecting piece; the periphery decoration is arranged on the periphery of the central decoration in a surrounding mode, and a periphery decoration is arranged between every two adjacent shells in the circumferential direction.

The central area of the middle connecting piece is covered by the central decorating pieces, and the edge areas of the middle connecting piece are covered by the peripheral decorating pieces so as to fully cover the middle connecting piece and meet the bending demands of the middle connecting piece in different directions. The central decoration pieces are positioned between the shells, and the peripheral decoration pieces are positioned between the central decoration pieces and the rotating shaft mechanisms and are arranged between every two adjacent shells in the circumferential direction.

In one possible embodiment, the intermediate connection comprises a rubber part, a metal part, a fibre part.

By using the rubber piece, the metal piece or the fiber piece as the intermediate connecting piece, the intermediate connecting piece can be ensured to have enough deformation capability, and the use requirement that the intermediate connecting piece needs to be repeatedly bent is met. The metal piece can be a metal spring piece with a thinner thickness, so that the middle connecting piece is guaranteed to have good elasticity.

In one possible embodiment, the intermediate connection is a mesh.

Through setting up the intermediate junction spare as the net piece, the mesh in the intermediate junction spare can provide elasticity release space, strengthens the elasticity of intermediate running table spare, is favorable to the flexible of intermediate elastic component, satisfies the demand that intermediate elastic component warp along with pivot mechanism motion.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a view angle of a foldable electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of the foldable electronic device of FIG. 1 from another perspective;

fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of another foldable electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a third foldable electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a fourth foldable electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the foldable electronic device from the perspective of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the foldable electronic device from the perspective of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of an intermediate connector and trim pieces provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a spindle mechanism and an intermediate connector according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 10 is a partially exploded view of a hinge mechanism and an intermediate connector according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of the middle frame and the middle connector according to the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 12 is a partially exploded view of a middle frame and a middle connector according to an embodiment of the present application.

Reference numerals illustrate:

10-a foldable electronic device;

11-a first side; 12-a second side; 13-a first diagonal; 14-a second diagonal;

100-a rotating shaft mechanism;

100 a-a first spindle mechanism; 100 b-a second spindle mechanism; 100 c-a third spindle mechanism; 100 d-a fourth spindle mechanism;

110-a main shaft; 120-connecting plates; 130-an adapter plate; 140-decorative plate;

101-a first connection; 111-end caps;

1011-a first body portion; 1012-a first reinforcement;

200-a housing;

210-middle frame; 220-a rear cover;

201-mating part; 211-a second connection; 212-a first abutment wall; 213-a second abutment wall;

2111-a second body portion; 2112-a second reinforcement;

300-an intermediate connection;

301-mesh; 302-a connecting groove; 310-center part; 320-peripheral portion;

400-decoration parts;

410-a center trim piece; 420-a peripheral trim;

a-a first straight line; b-a second straight line; c-a third straight line; d-fourth line.

Detailed Description

The terminology used in the description of the embodiments of the application herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments of the application only and is not intended to be limiting of the application.

As described in the background art, existing foldable electronic devices can only be folded unidirectionally. For example, the foldable electronic device is folded in a lateral direction in which the foldable electronic device is opened and closed from left to right, or in a longitudinal direction in which the foldable electronic device is folded in a flip-up and down manner. However, the foldable electronic device can be folded only in one direction, so that the existing foldable electronic device is single in use mode, and the foldable electronic device is low in competitiveness.

In view of the above, an embodiment of the present application provides a foldable electronic device, which includes a folding screen, a plurality of hinge mechanisms, an intermediate connector, and a plurality of housings. Through set up a plurality of pivot mechanisms at the back of folding screen, make each pivot mechanism set gradually along the circumference of folding screen, and each pivot mechanism extends by the edge of folding screen to the center of folding screen, each pivot mechanism pairwise opposite setting, and two pivot mechanisms that set up relatively are located same straight line. Each shell is connected between every two rotating shaft mechanisms adjacent in the circumferential direction, and is connected with the folding screen in a fitting way. The middle connecting piece is connected between the near ends of the rotating shaft mechanisms, which are close to each other, and can be bent, so that the middle connecting piece can realize folding or unfolding of the foldable electronic equipment around two rotating shaft mechanisms on the same straight line, and can also realize folding or unfolding of the foldable electronic equipment around rotating shaft mechanisms on different straight lines. Like this, collapsible electronic equipment can fold around the pivot mechanism that sets up relatively on the different straight lines, can realize that collapsible electronic equipment is folding along different directions, and collapsible electronic equipment's mode of use is more nimble, richer, can promote collapsible electronic equipment's competitiveness.

The foldable electronic device provided by the embodiment of the application is described in detail below.

Embodiments of the present application provide a foldable electronic device, including but not limited to foldable electronic products such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer (tablet personal computer), a laptop (laptop computer), a notebook computer, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a personal computer, a multimedia player, an electronic book reader, a vehicle-mounted device, or a wearable device. Wherein the wearable device includes, but is not limited to, a smart bracelet, a smart watch, a smart head mounted display, smart glasses, and the like.

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a view angle of a foldable electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 2 is a schematic structural view of the foldable electronic device of fig. 1 from another perspective.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, an embodiment of the present application provides a foldable electronic device 10, the foldable electronic device 10 including a folding screen (not shown) and a housing 200 assembly. One side surface of the folding screen is used for displaying information such as images and characters, and is generally defined as the front surface thereof, and the side surface opposite to the front surface thereof is the back surface of the folding screen. The housing 200 assembly is disposed around the periphery and back of the folding screen for supporting and securing the folding screen and providing protection. The front face of the folding screen is exposed outside of the housing 200 assembly for a user to view the content displayed by the folding screen or to perform input operations to the foldable electronic device 10.

The housing 200 assembly includes the housing 200 and the spindle mechanism 100, the spindle mechanism 100 is connected between adjacent housings 200, the adjacent housings 200 are rotatably connected by the spindle mechanism 100 to achieve relative rotation between the adjacent housings 200. The area that folding screen and casing 200 correspond is the non-bending area, and the non-bending area subsides of folding screen is installed on casing 200, and the non-bending area of folding screen is fixed relatively with casing 200, can not take place deformation, and casing 200 supports fixedly the non-bending area of folding screen. The area of the folding screen corresponding to the rotating shaft mechanism 100 is a bending area, the bending area of the folding screen is supported on the rotating shaft mechanism 100, the bending area of the folding screen is connected with part of the surface of the rotating shaft mechanism 100 or is not connected with the rotating shaft mechanism 100, and the bending area of the folding screen can deform along with the movement of the rotating shaft mechanism 100.

The adjacent shells 200 are driven to relatively move through the rotating shaft mechanism 100, so that the adjacent shells 200 are relatively unfolded or relatively folded. Meanwhile, the folding screen corresponds to the bending area of the rotating shaft mechanism 100 and also deforms along with the movement of the rotating shaft mechanism 100. The rotating shaft mechanism 100 may drive the adjacent shells 200 to relatively rotate in a direction away from each other until the adjacent shells 200 are coplanar. At this time, the housing 200 assembly is in the unfolded state, the folding screen is in the unfolded state along with the unfolding of the housing 200 assembly, and the foldable electronic device 10 can realize a large screen display. The rotating shaft mechanism 100 may also drive the adjacent housings 200 to relatively rotate in a direction approaching each other until the adjacent housings 200 are relatively stacked. At this time, the housing 200 assembly is in a folded state, and the folding screen is in a folded state along with the folding of the housing 200 assembly, so that the foldable electronic device 10 is small in size and convenient to carry.

With continued reference to fig. 1 and 2, in the present embodiment, the rear surface of the folding screen is provided with a plurality of spindle mechanisms 100, and the plurality of spindle mechanisms 100 are sequentially arranged in the circumferential direction of the folding screen. And, each hinge mechanism 100 extends from the edge of the folding screen toward the center of the folding screen. A plurality of housings 200 are provided on the rear surface of the folding screen, which are to be matched with the plurality of spindle mechanisms 100. A housing 200 is provided between each adjacent two of the hinge mechanisms 100 in the circumferential direction of the folding screen.

The number of the rotating shaft mechanisms 100 arranged on the back of the folding screen may be even, and each rotating shaft mechanism 100 is arranged in a pair of opposite directions, and the two rotating shaft mechanisms 100 arranged in opposite directions are located on the same straight line. That is, each two oppositely disposed spindle mechanisms 100 form a spindle group, and the spindle groups extend along a straight line. Taking the foldable electronic device 10 as an example, when in the unfolded state, the foldable electronic device 10 is rectangular, one end of the rotating shaft set is located at one side edge of the foldable electronic device 10, and the other end of the rotating shaft set is located at the opposite side edge of the foldable electronic device 10.

So configured, each two oppositely disposed hinge mechanisms 100 form a hinge assembly, one hinge assembly being a hinge of the foldable electronic device 10, and the housings 200 on both sides of the hinge assembly are capable of moving relatively around the hinge assembly. The housings 200 on either side of the hinge assembly may be relatively far apart to a coplanar condition to allow the foldable electronic device 10 to be in an unfolded condition. The housings 200 on either side of the hinge assembly may also be relatively close to one another in a stacked configuration to place the foldable electronic device 10 in a folded configuration.

In this embodiment, a plurality of spindle mechanisms 100 are sequentially disposed on the back of the folding screen along the circumferential direction, and the spindle mechanisms 100 are disposed on a straight line in pairs, so that at least two spindle groups can be formed. The at least two rotating shaft groups are positioned on different straight lines and mutually crossed. In this way, the foldable electronic device 10 can rotate around different rotation axis groups, and the foldable electronic device 10 has rotation axes with different extending directions, so that the foldable electronic device 10 can be folded along different directions. The foldable electronic device 10 is more flexible and richer in use mode, better in user experience and stronger in playability, and can promote the competitiveness of the foldable electronic device 10.

It should be noted that the folding directions of every two oppositely disposed spindle mechanisms 100 should be consistent, and the two oppositely disposed spindle mechanisms 100 are both of an inward folded structure or an outward folded structure. Thus, each of the hinge groups has a unique determined folding direction, so that the foldable electronic device 10 can be smoothly switched between the folded state and the unfolded state by using each of the hinge groups as a hinge.

In some examples, the folding direction of all of the sets of spindles may be kept uniform among the sets of spindles of each spindle mechanism 100. For example, all the hinge mechanisms 100 are in an outward folded structure, and when the foldable electronic device 10 is folded around any one of the hinge groups, the folding screen is exposed outside the housing 200 and is visible when the foldable electronic device 10 is in a folded state. Or all the spindle mechanisms 100 are of an inward folding structure, at this time, the foldable electronic device 10 is folded around any one spindle group, and when the foldable electronic device 10 is in a folded state, the folding screen is wrapped in the casing 200, and the folding screen is not visible to the outside.

In other examples, the folding direction of different sets of shafts may be different in a plurality of sets of shafts 100, each set including both an out-folded configuration and an in-folded configuration. When the foldable electronic device 10 is folded around the outward folding hinge group, the folding screen is exposed outside the housing 200 when the foldable electronic device 10 is in the folded state, and the folding screen is visible to the outside. When the foldable electronic device 10 is folded around the inward folding type rotating shaft set, the folding screen is wrapped in the casing 200, and the folding screen is not visible to the outside when the foldable electronic device 10 is in a folded state.

The present embodiment does not particularly limit the shape of the foldable electronic device 10 when in the unfolded state. By way of example, the foldable electronic device 10 may be rectangular, circular, regular polygonal, parallelogram, etc. when in the unfolded state.

The following description will take, as an example, a rectangular shape when the foldable electronic device 10 is in the unfolded state. Also, for convenience of description, the adjacent two sides of the rectangular foldable electronic device 10 are respectively defined as a first side 11 (a side extending in the X direction in fig. 1-5) and a second side 12 (a side extending in the Y direction in fig. 1-5), and the first side 11 and the second side 12 are perpendicular to each other. Also, two diagonal lines of the foldable electronic device 10 having a rectangular shape are defined as a first diagonal line 13 and a second diagonal line 14 (see fig. 4), respectively, and when the foldable electronic device 10 is square, the first diagonal line 13 and the second diagonal line 14 are perpendicular to each other.

The foldable electronic device 10 illustrated in fig. 1 and 2 includes four spindle mechanisms 100 disposed in order along the circumferential direction thereof, the four spindle mechanisms 100 including two first spindle mechanisms 100a and two second spindle mechanisms 100b, the two first spindle mechanisms 100a being disposed opposite to each other and located on a first straight line a, the two second spindle mechanisms 100b being disposed opposite to each other and located on a second straight line b, the first straight line a and the second straight line b intersecting.

In fig. 1 and 2, taking an example that two first hinge mechanisms 100a each extend along the extending direction of the first side 11 of the foldable electronic device 10 and two second hinge mechanisms 100b each extend along the extending direction of the second side 12 of the foldable electronic device 10, in other words, a first straight line a where the two first hinge mechanisms 100a are located is parallel to the first side 11 of the foldable electronic device 10 and a second straight line b where the two second hinge mechanisms 100b are located is parallel to the second side 12 of the foldable electronic device 10. The first straight line a where the two first rotating shaft mechanisms 100a are located is located on the central line of the second side 12 of the foldable electronic device 10, the second straight line b where the two second rotating shaft mechanisms 100b are located is located on the central line of the first side 11 of the foldable electronic device 10, and the intersection point of the first straight line a and the second straight line b is the central point of the foldable electronic device 10.

In this way, the foldable electronic device 10 is symmetrical about the first straight line a where the two first axis mechanisms 100a are located, and after the foldable electronic device 10 is folded about the two first axis mechanisms 100a, the two parts of the foldable electronic device 10 are completely overlapped. Similarly, the foldable electronic device 10 is also symmetrical about the second straight line b where the two second rotating shaft mechanisms 100b are located, and after the foldable electronic device 10 is folded around the two second rotating shaft mechanisms 100b, the two parts of the foldable electronic device 10 are completely overlapped. In this way, the foldable electronic device 10 has good structural symmetry, more balanced stress and simple and elegant appearance after folding.

Fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of another foldable electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application. Referring to fig. 3, the foldable electronic device 10 is also illustrated as including four rotating shaft mechanisms 100 sequentially disposed along the circumferential direction thereof, and further, the four rotating shaft mechanisms 100 include two first rotating shaft mechanisms 100a and two second rotating shaft mechanisms 100b, where the two first rotating shaft mechanisms 100a are disposed opposite to each other and located on a first straight line a, and the two second rotating shaft mechanisms 100b are disposed opposite to each other and located on a second straight line b.

As with the foldable electronic device 10 shown in fig. 1 and 2, the foldable electronic device 10 shown in fig. 3, both the first hinge mechanisms 100a extend in the extending direction of the first side 11 of the foldable electronic device 10, and both the second hinge mechanisms 100b extend in the extending direction of the second side 12 of the foldable electronic device 10. Unlike the foldable electronic device 10 shown in fig. 1 and 2, in the foldable electronic device 10 shown in fig. 3, the first straight line a in which the two first hinge mechanisms 100a are located is offset from the center line of the second side 12 of the foldable electronic device 10, the second straight line b in which the two second hinge mechanisms 100b are located is offset from the center line of the first side 11 of the foldable electronic device 10, and the intersection point of the first straight line a and the second straight line b is offset from the center point of the foldable electronic device 10.

So configured, neither the first line a nor the second line b is the axis of symmetry of the foldable electronic device 10, and no matter whether the foldable electronic device 10 is folded about the two first hinge mechanisms 100a or the foldable electronic device 10 is folded about the two second hinge mechanisms 100b, the two folded portions of the foldable electronic device 10 do not completely overlap. In this way, the foldable electronic device 10 has an asymmetric structure, and the folded electronic device has more unique appearance and good playability.

In other examples, when both the first hinge mechanisms 100a extend along the extending direction of the first side 11 of the foldable electronic device 10 and both the second hinge mechanisms 100b extend along the extending direction of the second side 12 of the foldable electronic device 10, one of the first straight line a in which the two first hinge mechanisms 100a are located and the second straight line b in which the two second hinge mechanisms 100b are located may be located on the center line (or the symmetry line) of the foldable electronic device 10, and the other may be offset from the center line (or the symmetry line) of the foldable electronic device 10.

Fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a third foldable electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application. Referring to fig. 4, the foldable electronic device 10 is also illustrated as including four rotating shaft mechanisms 100 sequentially disposed along the circumferential direction thereof, and further, the four rotating shaft mechanisms 100 include two first rotating shaft mechanisms 100a and two second rotating shaft mechanisms 100b, where the two first rotating shaft mechanisms 100a are disposed opposite to each other and located on a first straight line a, and the two second rotating shaft mechanisms 100b are disposed opposite to each other and located on a second straight line b.

Unlike the foldable electronic device 10 shown in fig. 1 and 2, the foldable electronic device 10 shown in fig. 4 has two first hinge mechanisms 100a extending along a first diagonal 13 of the foldable electronic device 10 and two second hinge mechanisms 100b extending along a second diagonal 14 of the foldable electronic device 10. In other words, the first straight line a where the two first hinge mechanisms 100a are located is the first diagonal line 13 of the foldable electronic device 10, the second straight line b where the two second hinge mechanisms 100b are located is the second diagonal line 14 of the foldable electronic device 10, and the intersection point of the first straight line a and the second straight line b is the center point of the foldable electronic device 10.

So configured, the foldable electronic device 10 is triangular when folded about the two first hinge mechanisms 100a, and the foldable electronic device 10 is also triangular when folded about the two second hinge mechanisms 100 b. When the foldable electronic device 10 is square, the first straight line a where the two first rotating shaft mechanisms 100a are located and the second straight line b where the two second rotating shaft mechanisms 100b are located are both symmetry axes of the foldable electronic device 10, and whether the foldable electronic device 10 is folded around the two first rotating shaft mechanisms 100a or the foldable electronic device 10 is folded around the two second rotating shaft mechanisms 100b, the two folded parts of the foldable electronic device 10 are completely overlapped, and the foldable electronic device 10 is in an isosceles triangle shape when in a folded state.

Of course, in addition to the foldable electronic device 10 illustrated in fig. 1 to 4, when the foldable electronic device 10 has four hinge mechanisms 100, including two first hinge mechanisms 100a and two second hinge mechanisms 100b, the first straight line a where the two first hinge mechanisms 100a are located may not extend along the extending direction of the first side 11 of the foldable electronic device 10 or the first diagonal 13 of the foldable electronic device 10, the second straight line b where the two second hinge mechanisms 100b are located may not extend along the extending direction of the second side 12 of the foldable electronic device 10 or the second diagonal 14 of the foldable electronic device 10, and the intersection point of the first straight line a and the second straight line b may be the center point of the foldable electronic device 10 or may deviate from the center point of the foldable electronic device 10.

Fig. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a fourth foldable electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application. Referring to fig. 5, the foldable electronic device 10 is illustrated as including eight spindle mechanisms 100 disposed in order along the circumferential direction thereof, and the eight spindle mechanisms 100 further include two third spindle mechanisms 100c and two fourth spindle mechanisms 100d in addition to two first spindle mechanisms 100a and two second spindle mechanisms 100 b. The two first rotating shaft mechanisms 100a are disposed opposite to each other and located on the first straight line a, the two second rotating shaft mechanisms 100b are disposed opposite to each other and located on the second straight line b, the two third rotating shaft mechanisms 100c are disposed opposite to each other and located on the third straight line c, and the two fourth rotating shaft mechanisms 100d are disposed opposite to each other and located on the fourth straight line d.

Wherein, the two first rotating shaft mechanisms 100a extend along the extending direction of the first side 11 of the foldable electronic device 10, and the two second rotating shaft mechanisms 100b extend along the extending direction of the second side 12 of the foldable electronic device 10. The first straight line a where the two first rotating shaft mechanisms 100a are located is located on the central line of the second side 12 of the foldable electronic device 10, the second straight line b where the two second rotating shaft mechanisms 100b are located is located on the central line of the first side 11 of the foldable electronic device 10, and the intersection point of the first straight line a and the second straight line b is the central point of the foldable electronic device 10. The third straight line c where the two third rotating shaft mechanisms 100c are located is a first diagonal line 13 of the foldable electronic device 10, the fourth straight line d where the two fourth rotating shaft mechanisms 100d are located is a second diagonal line 14 of the foldable electronic device 10, and an intersection point of the third straight line c and the fourth straight line d is a center point of the foldable electronic device 10.

So configured, the foldable electronic device 10 can be folded about either the two first hinge mechanisms 100a or the two second hinge mechanisms 100b, and the foldable electronic device 10 has a folded state similar to the foldable electronic device 10 shown in fig. 1 and 2 after being folded. The foldable electronic device 10 may also be folded about two third hinge mechanisms 100c or two fourth hinge mechanisms 100d, with the foldable electronic device 10 having a folded state similar to the foldable electronic device 10 shown in fig. 4 after folding. In this way, the foldable electronic device 10 is more flexible in folding manner, having different folding configurations, and the playability of the foldable electronic device 10 is further improved.

Of course, in other embodiments, when eight spindle mechanisms 100 of the foldable electronic device 10 are sequentially disposed along the circumferential direction thereof, each spindle group formed by two spindle mechanisms 100 disposed opposite to each other may extend along other directions, and the intersection point of each spindle group may be deviated from the center point of the foldable electronic device 10. In addition, the foldable electronic device 10 may further be provided with six, ten or other rotating shaft mechanisms 100 in sequence along the circumferential direction thereof, and the number of the rotating shaft mechanisms 100, the extending direction of each rotating shaft group, and the intersection point position of each rotating shaft group may be variously designed according to the actual requirement, which is not limited in this embodiment.

Taking the foldable electronic device 10 shown in fig. 1 and 2 as an example, the foldable electronic device 10 includes two first hinge mechanisms 100a and two second hinge mechanisms 100b. The first straight line a where the two first rotating shaft mechanisms 100a are located is parallel to the first side 11 of the foldable electronic device 10 and is located on the central line of the second side 12 of the foldable electronic device 10, the second straight line b where the two second rotating shaft mechanisms 100b are located is parallel to the second side 12 of the foldable electronic device 10 and is located on the central line of the first side 11 of the foldable electronic device 10, and the intersection point of the first straight line a and the second straight line b is the central point of the foldable electronic device 10.

Fig. 6 is an exploded structural view of the foldable electronic device in the view angle in fig. 1. Fig. 7 is an exploded structural view of the foldable electronic device from the perspective of fig. 2. As shown in connection with fig. 6 and 7, the housing 200 of the foldable electronic device 10 may include a center frame 210 and a rear cover 220. The middle frame 210 is located at a side of the case 200 facing the folding screen, the middle frame 210 may support the folding screen, and the middle frame 210 and the folding screen may be attached by an adhesive, so as to attach the folding screen to the middle frame 210. The rear cover 220 may be attached to a side of the middle frame 210 facing away from the folding screen. The middle frame 210 and the rear cover 220 together enclose a receiving cavity, and the receiving cavity is used for installing some functional devices such as a circuit board, a battery, a camera, a microphone, a loudspeaker and the like.

The rear cover 220 serves as an exterior member of the foldable electronic device 10, and the rear cover 220 is exposed to the outside at least when the foldable electronic device 10 is in the unfolded state. When the foldable electronic device 10 is folded around the inward folding hinge mechanism 100, the housing 200 is wrapped around the folding screen, and the rear cover 220 is exposed.

The spindle mechanism 100 is typically coupled to a center frame 210 in the housing 200, e.g., one side edge of the spindle mechanism 100 near the housing 200 is coupled to a side edge of the center frame 210. In this way, the hinge mechanism 100 is prevented from being connected to the rear cover 220, and the connection structure (e.g., a connection hole, a screw, a rivet, or the like) between the hinge mechanism 100 and the housing 200 is prevented from being directly exposed on the exterior surface of the foldable electronic device 10. The side edge of the rear cover 220 facing the rotating shaft mechanism 100 may slightly exceed the side edge of the middle frame 210, and the rear cover 220 may cover the connection structure between the rotating shaft mechanism 100 and the middle frame 210, so as to improve the appearance effect of the foldable electronic device 10 and protect the connection structure between the rotating shaft mechanism 100 and the middle frame 210.

With continued reference to fig. 6 or 7, to enable folding or unfolding of the foldable electronic device 10 about different sets of rotational axes, the foldable electronic device 10 further includes an intermediate connector 300, the intermediate connector 300 being connected between the proximal ends of the respective rotational axis mechanisms 100 (the ends of the respective rotational axis mechanisms 100 that are adjacent to each other). The middle connector 300 is bendable to enable the foldable electronic device 10 to fold or unfold about two hinge mechanisms 100 on a same line, ensuring that the foldable electronic device 10 can be switched between an unfolded state and a folded state. At the same time, folding or unfolding of the foldable electronic device 10 about the hinge mechanisms 100 on different lines, i.e., folding or unfolding about different hinge groups, may also be implemented, enabling multi-directional folding of the foldable electronic device 10.

The intermediate link 300 has a sufficient size in the width direction of the spindle mechanism 100. The intermediate connector 300 has a sufficient deformation length to meet the movement requirement of the intermediate connector 300 for deformation with movement of the spindle mechanism 100. In addition, the intermediate connector 300 may space enough between every two adjacent housings 200 (along the circumferential direction of the foldable electronic device 10), so as to ensure that each housing 200 has enough moving space, and avoid interference between the adjacent housings 200.

When the foldable electronic device 10 includes two first hinge mechanisms 100a and two second hinge mechanisms 100b, the proximal ends of the two first hinge mechanisms 100a and the proximal ends of the two second hinge mechanisms 100b are each connected to the intermediate connector 300. The two first hinge mechanisms 100a and the two second hinge mechanisms 100b separate four spaces in the circumferential direction of the foldable electronic device 10, the foldable electronic device 10 includes four housings 200, the four housings 200 are respectively disposed in the four spaces, one side edge of each housing 200 facing the first hinge mechanism 100a is connected to the first hinge mechanism 100a, and one side edge of each housing 200 facing the second hinge mechanism 100b is connected to the second hinge mechanism 100 b.

Taking an example that the first straight line a where the two first rotating shaft mechanisms 100a are located is parallel to the first side 11 of the foldable electronic device 10 and is located on the central line of the second side 12 of the foldable electronic device 10, the second straight line b where the two second rotating shaft mechanisms 100b are located is parallel to the second side 12 of the foldable electronic device 10 and is located on the central line of the first side 11 of the foldable electronic device 10, the proximal ends of the two first rotating shaft mechanisms 100a may be respectively connected to opposite sides of the intermediate connector 300, the proximal ends of the two second rotating shaft mechanisms 100b may be respectively connected to opposite sides of the intermediate connector 300, and the first rotating shaft mechanisms 100a and the second rotating shaft mechanisms 100b may be perpendicular to each other. The four housings 200 may have a rectangular shape, and the four housings 200 are symmetrical two by two with the first rotation axis mechanism 100a or the second rotation axis mechanism 100b as a symmetry axis, and the four housings 200 are symmetrical two by two with the middle connector 300 as a symmetry center.

In which fig. 6 shows the foldable electronic device 10 facing a side surface of the folding screen, the intermediate connector 300 may be directly supported on the rear surface of the folding screen. The region of the folding screen corresponding to the intermediate connector 300 may be deformed with the bending of the intermediate connector 300. The bending form of the intermediate connector 300 can be matched with the deformation state of the folding screen, the deformation of the folding screen is not interfered, and the folding screen can be ensured to be folded and unfolded smoothly.

Shown in fig. 7 is a side surface of the foldable electronic device 10 facing away from the folding screen, which side surface is exposed when the foldable electronic device 10 is in the unfolded state. In order to enhance the appearance of the foldable electronic device 10 in the unfolded state, a plurality of decorative pieces 400 may be further attached to a side surface of the intermediate connector 300 facing away from the folding screen. By covering the intermediate connector 300 with the plurality of decorative pieces 400, the intermediate connector 300 is prevented from being exposed, and the appearance effect of the foldable electronic device 10 can be improved. Meanwhile, the decoration pieces 400 and the folding screen are respectively shielded on the two side surfaces of the middle connecting piece 300, so that the middle connecting piece 300 can be comprehensively protected, the middle connecting piece 300 is prevented from being worn, scratched or even broken, the reliability of the middle connecting piece 300 is improved, and the service life of the middle connecting piece 300 is prolonged.

The decorative pieces 400 connected to the surface of the intermediate connector 300 are independent of each other, each decorative piece 400 is connected to the intermediate connector 300, and no connection exists between the decorative pieces 400. In this way, each of the decorative pieces 400 can move with the deformation of the intermediate connector 300 without interfering with the deformation of the intermediate connector 300 and without affecting the movement of the foldable electronic device 10. In addition, each decoration 400 is fixed relative to the intermediate connector 300, so that the decoration 400 and the intermediate connector 300 can be firmly connected.

Fig. 8 is an exploded view of the intermediate connector and the trim pieces provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. Referring to fig. 8, each of the decorative pieces 400 attached to the surface of the intermediate connector 300 may include a central decorative piece 410 and a plurality of peripheral decorative pieces 420. The center decoration 410 may be coupled to a center region of the intermediate connector 300, and the center decoration 410 covers the center region of the intermediate connector 300. Each of the peripheral decorative pieces 420 may be provided around the outer circumference of the central decorative piece 410, and each of the peripheral decorative pieces 420 covers the edge region of the intermediate connector 300. Thus, the central decoration 410 and the peripheral decoration 420 together cover the intermediate connector 300 entirely, and each decoration 400 can satisfy the bending demands of the intermediate connector 300 in different directions.

When the foldable electronic device 10 is in the unfolded state, the center decoration 410 may be located between the housings 200, each of the peripheral decoration 420 may be located between the proximal end of each of the hinge mechanisms 100 and the center decoration 410, and each of the peripheral decoration 420 is located between adjacent housings 200, one peripheral decoration 420 being provided between each of the adjacent two housings 200 that are disposed in sequence along the circumference of the foldable electronic device 10 (see fig. 2).

Referring to fig. 7 and 8, taking the first straight line a where the two first rotating shaft mechanisms 100a are located and the first side 11 of the foldable electronic device 10 are parallel, the second straight line b where the two second rotating shaft mechanisms 100b are located and the second side 12 of the foldable electronic device 10 are parallel, the first rotating shaft mechanisms 100a and the second rotating shaft mechanisms 100b are perpendicular to each other as an example, the intermediate connector 300 may be designed as a cross-shaped structure, and the intermediate connector 300 includes a central portion 310 and four peripheral portions 320 located at the periphery of the central portion 310, where the four peripheral portions 320 are disposed two by two, and adjacent peripheral portions 320 are perpendicular to each other. In accordance therewith, each of the decorative pieces 400 may include a central decorative piece 410 and four peripheral decorative pieces 420, the central decorative piece 410 being connected to the central portion 310 of the intermediate connector 300, the four peripheral decorative pieces 420 being connected to the four peripheral portions 320 of the intermediate connector 300, respectively, and each of the decorative pieces 400 may be rectangular blocks.

The intermediate connector 300 may be a rubber member with good elasticity and wear resistance, and strong tear resistance, and meets the requirement that the intermediate connector 300 needs to be repeatedly bent. For example, the intermediate connector 300 may be made of common rubber or silicone rubber.

The intermediate connecting piece 300 may also be a metal piece, and the metal piece may be a metal elastic sheet with a thinner thickness, so as to ensure that the metal piece has good elasticity and meet the use requirement of the intermediate connecting piece 300. For example, the intermediate connector 300 may be made of stainless steel, manganese steel, brass, or the like.

The intermediate connector 300 may also be a fiber member, which is a highly flexible material, meeting the requirement that the intermediate connector 300 can be bent in different directions. For example, the intermediate connector 300 may be made of natural fibers (e.g., cotton, flax, hemp, etc.), synthetic fibers (e.g., nylon, polyester, etc.), carbon fibers, glass fibers, etc.

Also, the intermediate connection member 300 may be designed as a mesh member, for example, the intermediate connection member 300 may be staggered in the transverse direction to form a plurality of mesh holes 301 (see fig. 8). The mesh 301 provides more elastic release space for the intermediate connector 300, which can enhance the elasticity of the intermediate connector 300 and facilitate the expansion and contraction of the intermediate connector 300. In this way, the middle connector 300 has better bending performance, so that the middle connector 300 can be ensured to deform along with the movement of the rotating shaft mechanism 100, and the foldable electronic device 10 can be ensured to be folded and unfolded smoothly.

In addition, in order to improve the alignment accuracy of the foldable electronic device 10 in the folded state, especially when the middle connector 300 is made of a high-flexibility material like a fiber member, a positioning structure such as a fastening structure and a magnetic structure may be further disposed on the housing 200 (e.g., the rear cover 220) of the foldable electronic device 10, so as to ensure the alignment accuracy of two parts of the foldable electronic device 10, and improve the stability and reliability of the foldable electronic device 10 in the folded state.

Fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of the cooperation between the rotating shaft mechanism and the intermediate connecting piece according to the embodiment of the present application. Fig. 10 is a partially exploded view of a hinge mechanism and an intermediate connector according to an embodiment of the present application.

Referring to fig. 9, the spindle mechanism 100 generally includes at least a main shaft 110 and a connection plate 120, and the main shaft 110 and the connection plate 120 each extend along a length direction of the spindle mechanism 100. The spindle 110 may be located at a center portion 310 in the width direction of the spindle mechanism 100 as a main body supporting structure of the spindle mechanism 100. The connecting plates 120 are movably connected to two sides of the spindle 110 in the width direction, and the connecting plates 120 on two sides of the spindle 110 are respectively connected to the middle frames 210 on two sides of the spindle mechanism 100. The main shaft 110 corresponds to the rotation shafts of the shells 200 at the two sides of the rotation shaft mechanism 100, and in the process of moving the rotation shaft mechanism 100, the main shaft 110 can be regarded as fixed, and the connecting plates 120 at the two sides of the main shaft 110 synchronously move relative to the main shaft 110 to drive the shells 200 at the two sides of the rotation shaft mechanism 100 to relatively and synchronously move.

Wherein an end of the main shaft 110 facing the side wall of the foldable electronic device 10 may be provided with an end cap 111, in other words, an end of the main shaft 110 facing away from the intermediate connector 300 may be provided with an end cap 111. The end cap 111 may be integrally formed at the end of the main shaft 110, or the end cap 111 may be adhered or attached to the end of the main shaft 110 by a fastener such as a screw, a rivet, or the like. The side walls of the folding screen may abut against the end face of the end cap 111 facing the spindle 110 to locate the folding screen by the end cap 111. Also, the cover 111 is exposed at the side wall of the foldable electronic device 10, which helps to enhance the appearance effect of the foldable electronic device 10.

In this embodiment, the oppositely disposed spindle mechanisms 100 are connected by the intermediate connector 300. Thus, the end of the main shaft 110 facing the intermediate connection 300 may not be provided with a shaft cover to facilitate connection of the end of the main shaft 110 with the intermediate connection 300.

It should be noted that, in fig. 9, taking the hinge mechanism 100 as an example of an outward folding structure, after the foldable electronic device 10 is folded around the hinge mechanism 100, the folding screen is wrapped around the hinge mechanism 100. At this time, the bending radius of the folding screen is large, and the width of the deformation area of the folding screen is large. The width of the hinge mechanism 100 matched with the folding screen should also be large, and the hinge mechanism 100 should also stably support the folding screen in an arbitrary bending posture.

Therefore, the folding-out rotating shaft mechanism 100 may further include an adapter plate 130, where the adapter plate 130 is movably connected between the spindle 110 and the connecting plate 120. By adding the adapter plate 130 between the main shaft 110 and the connecting plate 120, the width space occupied by the whole rotating shaft mechanism 100 is increased, and the rotating shaft mechanism 100 is enough to support the deformation area of the folding screen. In addition, the adapting plate 130 can change the posture along with the morphological change of the deformation area of the folding screen, so that the deformation area of the folding screen can be supported along with the shape.

In addition, the adapter plate 130 is added between the spindle 110 and the connecting plate 120, so that the overall width of the spindle mechanism 100 is large. When the foldable electronic device 10 is in the unfolded state, the surface of the spindle mechanism 100 exposed outside the housing 200 is more. In order to enhance the appearance of the foldable electronic device 10, the exposed area of the hinge mechanism 100 needs to be shielded. Meanwhile, when the foldable electronic device 10 is in the folded state, the folding screen is wrapped outside the housing 200, and the housings 200 on both sides of the spindle mechanism 100 are close to each other, so that a sufficient moving space needs to be reserved for the housings 200.

In this regard, a decorative plate 140 (see fig. 2) may be disposed on a side of the hinge mechanism 100 facing away from the folding screen, the decorative plate 140 may be connected to the adapter plate 130, and the decorative plate 140 moves synchronously with the adapter plate 130. When the foldable electronic device 10 is in the unfolded state, the decorative plates 140 connected to the adapter plates 130 on both sides of the main shaft 110 are coplanar, and the decorative plates 140 on both sides shield the surface area of the hinge mechanism 100 exposed between the adjacent housings 200, so that the appearance effect of the foldable electronic device 10 can be improved. When the foldable electronic device 10 is in the folded state, the decorative plates 140 on both sides of the spindle 110 move away from each other along with the movement of the adapter plate 130, so as to avoid the movement space of the housing 200, and ensure that the housing 200 on both sides of the spindle mechanism 100 can be folded smoothly.

When the hinge mechanism 100 is in an inward folding structure, the foldable electronic device 10 is folded around the inward folding hinge mechanism 100, and the hinge mechanism 100 is wrapped outside the folding screen. At this time, the bending radius of the folding screen is small, the width of the deformed area of the folding screen is small, and the width of the spindle mechanism 100 matched with the folding screen can also be small. Therefore, the folded-in rotating shaft mechanism 100 may only include the main shaft 110 and the connecting plates 120 movably connected to both sides of the main shaft 110.

In addition, after the foldable electronic device 10 is folded around the inward folding spindle mechanism 100, the area of the spindle 110 on the spindle mechanism 100 is exposed. In order to enhance the appearance effect of the foldable electronic device 10, a shaft cover is generally disposed on a side of the main shaft 110 away from the folding screen, and the shaft cover may be fixedly connected to the main shaft 110 by bonding or screw locking. In this way, the shaft cover is used as an appearance piece of the rotating shaft mechanism 100, and can shield the main shaft 110, so that the appearance effect of the whole foldable electronic device 10 is improved.

With continued reference to fig. 9, as for the connection of the spindle mechanism 100 to the intermediate connection member 300, one end of the spindle mechanism 100 near the intermediate connection member 300 may be connected to an edge portion of the intermediate connection member 300. For example, the spindle mechanism 100 is connected to an edge portion of the peripheral portion 320 of the intermediate connector 300. After the spindle mechanism 100 is connected to the intermediate connector 300, the end surface of the spindle mechanism 100 may abut against the end surface of the intermediate connector 300. In this way, the rotation shaft mechanism 100 and the intermediate link 300 are not overlapped in the plane direction except for the connection portion of the rotation shaft mechanism 100 and the intermediate link 300, and are in the same plane space.

By the arrangement, no lap joint exists between the middle connecting piece 300 and the rotating shaft mechanism 100, the thickness of the area where the middle connecting piece 300 is positioned can not be increased on the basis that the middle connecting piece 300 is ensured to have enough thickness, and the whole flatness of the foldable electronic equipment 10 can be ensured. The side surface of the middle connecting piece 300 facing the folding screen can be flush with the side surface of the rotating shaft mechanism 100, and the middle connecting piece 300 can play a good supporting role on the corresponding area of the folding screen so as to improve the overall flatness of the folding screen. And, when the foldable electronic device 10 moves, the acting force is transmitted between the spindle mechanism 100 and the intermediate connecting piece 300 along the plane where the spindle mechanism and the intermediate connecting piece lie. The intermediate connecting piece 300 is easier to deform along with the movement of the rotating shaft mechanism 100, and the intermediate connecting piece 300 does not interfere with the movement of the rotating shaft mechanism 100, so that the rotating shaft mechanism 100 can be ensured to be folded and unfolded smoothly.

Specifically, referring to fig. 10, at least one first connection portion 101 may protrude from an end surface of the rotation shaft mechanism 100 facing the intermediate connection member 300, and the rotation shaft mechanism 100 and the intermediate connection member 300 may be connected to each other through the first connection portion 101. The first connection portion 101 is located in the coverage area of the intermediate connection member 300, so that the end surface of the spindle mechanism 100 can be closely attached to the end surface of the intermediate connection member 300.

Illustratively, the first connecting portion 101 may extend into the middle connector 300 to be connected with the middle connector 300. At this time, the inside of the intermediate connection member 300 may be formed with a connection hole (not shown in the drawing), and the first connection portion 101 is inserted into the connection hole to be connected with the wall of the connection hole. In this way, the first connection part 101 is not exposed on a side surface of the intermediate connection member 300 facing the folding screen, and a distance may be provided between the first connection member and the side surface of the intermediate connection member 300. The first connection portion 101 does not contact the folding screen, and damage to the folding screen caused by the first connection portion 101 can be avoided. Also, the first connection part 101 is not exposed on a side surface of the intermediate connection member 300 facing the decoration 400, and a certain distance may be provided between the first connection member and the side surface of the intermediate connection member 300, and the first connection part 101 does not affect the connection of the decoration 400 and the intermediate connection member 300. In addition, the first connecting portion 101 occupies a small space of the intermediate connector 300, and does not affect the bending performance of the intermediate connector 300.

In the spindle mechanism 100, the end of the spindle 110 may extend out of the first connection portion 101. Taking the outwards folded rotating shaft mechanism 100 shown in fig. 9 and 10 as an example, the end portions of the adapter plates 130 on both sides of the main shaft 110 may also extend out of the first connecting portion 101, in addition to the first connecting portion 101 provided at the end portion of the main shaft 110. In this way, the rotating shaft mechanism 100 is provided with three first connecting portions 101 extending out to be connected with the intermediate connecting member 300, so that the connection strength between the rotating shaft mechanism 100 and the intermediate connecting member 300 can be enhanced, and the size of each single first connecting portion 101 is smaller, so that the bending performance of the intermediate connecting member 300 is not affected. Similarly to the outward folding spindle mechanism 100, when the spindle mechanism 100 is of inward folding structure, on the basis of the first connection portions 101 provided at the end of the spindle 110, the connection plates 120 at both sides of the spindle 110 may also extend out to have the first connection portions 101, and all three first connection portions 101 may be connected to the intermediate connection member 300.

With continued reference to fig. 10, the first connection portion 101 provided at the end of the rotation shaft mechanism 100 may include a first body portion 1011, and the first body portion 1011 may extend straight from the end surface of the rotation shaft mechanism 100 toward the intermediate connection member 300. In other words, the first body 1011 may have a linear structure, one end of the first body 1011 is connected to the end surface of the rotation shaft mechanism 100, and the other end of the first body 1011 extends toward the intermediate connector 300.

On the basis, the first connecting portion 101 may further include a first reinforcing portion 1012, and the first reinforcing portion 1012 may be connected to an end of the first body portion 1011 extending toward the intermediate connecting member 300. The first reinforcing portion 1012 extends beyond the outer periphery of the first body portion 1011. In this way, the first reinforcing portion 1012 increases the surface area of the first connecting portion 101, so that the contact area of the first connecting portion 101 and the intermediate connecting member 300 increases. More importantly, in the butting direction of the spindle mechanism 100 and the intermediate connector 300, the first connecting portion 101 is pulled by the first reinforcing portion 1012 and the intermediate connector 300, and the first reinforcing portion 1012 and the intermediate connector 300 cooperate to form an anti-drop structure. With this arrangement, the connection strength between the first connection portion 101 and the intermediate connection member 300 can be enhanced, and the integrity and reliability of the foldable electronic device 10 can be improved.

For example, the first reinforcing portion 1012 may protrude at both sides of the first body portion 1011 in the plane direction of the intermediate connector 300. At this time, the first connecting portion 101 has a T-shaped structure, and the first connecting portion 101 is flat, occupies a small space, and meets the internal space requirement of the intermediate connecting member 300. Of course, if the thickness space of the intermediate connector 300 is sufficient, the first reinforcing portion 1012 may extend over the entire periphery of the first body portion 1011. For example, the surface shape of the first reinforcing portion 1012 may be a circle, an ellipse, or the like, and the projection of the first body portion 1011 on the surface of the first reinforcing portion 1012 may be located in the central region of the first reinforcing portion 1012.

In addition, when the first connecting portion 101 extends into the intermediate connecting member 300 to be connected with the intermediate connecting member 300, particularly when the first connecting portion 101 includes the first reinforcing portion 1012, if the intermediate connecting member 300 is an injection-moldable structural member such as the rubber member or the stopper, the first connecting portion 101 may be integrally injection-molded into the intermediate connecting member 300 when the intermediate connecting member 300 is injection-molded. In this way, the first connection portion 101 is easily connected inside the intermediate connection member 300. In addition, the first connection part 101 and the intermediate connection member 300 form an integral structure, so that the connection strength of the first connection part 101 and the intermediate connection member 300 can be enhanced, and the first connection part 101 and the intermediate connection member 300 have good integrity and high reliability.

For example, the first connection portion 101 may be formed separately. Then, the first connection part 101 is integrally injection-molded in the intermediate connection member 300. Finally, the first connection portion 101 is fixedly connected with the rotating shaft mechanism 100, so as to realize connection between the rotating shaft mechanism 100 and the intermediate connection member 300.

Fig. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of the middle frame and the middle connector according to the embodiment of the present application. Fig. 12 is a partially exploded view of a middle frame and a middle connector according to an embodiment of the present application.

Referring to fig. 11, in this embodiment, the middle frame 210 may be further connected to the middle connector 300 on the basis that the middle frame 210 is connected to the spindle mechanism 100. That is, the middle frame 210 and the hinge mechanism 100 are both connected to the intermediate connector 300. So arranged, the middle frame 210, the rotating shaft mechanism 100 and the middle connecting piece 300 are mutually connected in pairs, so that the foldable electronic device 10 has better integrity and higher reliability. In addition, in the process of switching between the unfolded state and the folded state of the foldable electronic device 10, the middle frame 210 and the rotating shaft mechanism 100 generate acting force on the middle connecting piece 300, and the middle frame 210 and the rotating shaft mechanism 100 pull the middle connecting piece 300 together to drive the middle connecting piece 300 to deform. In this way, the deformation of the intermediate connector 300 is more facilitated, and the degree of deformation of the intermediate connector 300 is more matched to the movement state of the foldable electronic device 10.

As shown in fig. 11 and 12, when the intermediate connector 300 has a cross-shaped structure, the corner portion of the middle frame 210 may be designed with a matching portion 201, the matching portion 201 may be matched with a space between two adjacent peripheral portions 320 of the intermediate connector 300, and the matching portion 201 may be embedded in the space to be connected with the intermediate connector 300 in a matching manner.

Specifically, referring to fig. 12, similar to the connection of the rotation shaft mechanism 100 and the intermediate connection member 300, the middle frame 210 protrudes toward the end of the intermediate connection member 300 with at least one second connection portion 211, and the middle frame 210 and the intermediate connection member 300 may be connected to each other through the second connection portion 211. The second connection portion 211 is located in the coverage area of the intermediate connection member 300 so that the end surface of the intermediate frame 210 can be closely attached to the end surface of the intermediate connection member 300. In this way, the integrity of the middle frame 210 and the middle connector 300 can be enhanced, and the overall reliability of the foldable electronic device 10 can be improved. In addition, the middle frame 210 and the intermediate connector 300 are not overlapped in the plane direction except for the connection portion of the middle frame 210 and the intermediate connector 300, and are located in the same plane space.

By means of the arrangement, the middle connecting piece 300 and the surface of one side facing the folding screen can be flush with the middle frame 210, when the foldable electronic device 10 is in the unfolded state, the middle connecting piece 300 and the middle frame 210 support the folding screen together, and therefore the overall flatness of the folding screen can be improved. In addition, when the foldable electronic device 10 moves, the acting force is transmitted between the middle frame 210 and the middle connecting piece 300 along the plane where the middle frame 210 and the middle connecting piece are located, so that the middle connecting piece 300 is easier to deform along with the movement of the middle frame 210, and smooth folding and unfolding of the foldable electronic device 10 are ensured. In addition, the first connecting portion 101 occupies a small space of the intermediate connector 300, and does not affect the bending performance of the intermediate connector 300.

When the intermediate connector 300 has a cross-shaped structure, the mating portion 201 of the middle frame 210 may have a first abutting wall 212 and a second abutting wall 213, and the first abutting wall 212 and the second abutting wall 213 may be adjacent side walls of the mating portion 201 facing the two sides of the intermediate connector 300, and the first abutting wall 212 and the second abutting wall 213 abut against the side walls of the two adjacent peripheral portions 320 of the intermediate connector 300. At this time, the first abutting wall 212 and the second abutting wall 213 of the middle frame 210 may each have a second connecting portion 211 protruding therefrom, and the middle frame 210 is connected to two adjacent peripheral portions 320 of the intermediate connector 300 through the second connecting portions 211 of the first abutting wall 212 and the second abutting wall 213, respectively. In this way, the connection strength between the middle frame 210 and the middle connector 300 can be increased, and the reliability of the connection between the two can be improved. In addition, the first abutting wall 212 and the second abutting wall 213 can be tightly attached to the middle connecting piece 300, and the integrity of the middle frame 210 and the middle connecting piece 300 is improved.

Since the area of the folding screen corresponding to the middle frame 210 is fixedly attached to the middle frame 210, the second connection portion 211 extending from the end surface of the mating portion 201 of the middle frame 210 may be relatively fixed to the folding screen, and the second connection portion 211 does not affect the bending performance of the intermediate connection member 300. Thus, the connecting groove 302 may be formed on a side surface of the intermediate connector 300 facing the folding screen, the notch of the connecting groove 302 facing the folding screen, and the connecting groove 302 communicating with the side wall of the intermediate connector 300

The second connection portion 211 is embedded in the connection groove 302, so that the second connection portion 211 is connected to the intermediate connection member 300. In this way, the connection of the second connector with the intermediate connector 300 is facilitated. At this time, the second connection portion 211 may be integrally formed on the end surface of the fitting portion 201 of the middle frame 210, and the second connection portion 211 may be formed on the middle frame 210 by a process such as cutting, die casting, or the like.

With continued reference to fig. 12, similar to the first connection portion 101 of the end of the spindle mechanism 100, the second connection portion 211 protruding on the end surface of the middle frame 210 may include a second body portion 2111, and the second body portion 2111 may protrude straight from the end surface of the middle frame 210 toward the intermediate connection member 300. On this basis, the second connection portion 211 may further include a second reinforcement portion 2112, the second reinforcement portion 2112 may be connected at an end of the second body portion 2111 extending toward the intermediate connection member 300, and the second reinforcement portion 2112 may extend at an outer circumference of the second body portion 2111.

For example, the second reinforcement portion 2112 may extend out of both sides of the second body portion 2111 along the plane direction of the intermediate connection member 300, the second connection portion 211 may have a "T" shape, and the second connection portion 211 may be flat as a whole. Alternatively, the surface shape of the second reinforcement portion 2112 may be circular, elliptical, or the like, and the projection of the second body portion 2111 onto the surface of the second reinforcement portion 2112 may be located in the central region of the second reinforcement portion 2112. And will not be described in detail herein.

In describing embodiments of the present application, it should be noted that, unless explicitly stated or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "coupled" should be construed broadly, and may be, for example, fixedly coupled, indirectly coupled through an intermediary, in communication between two elements, or in an interaction relationship between two elements. The specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of the present application will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art according to specific circumstances.

The terms first, second, third, fourth and the like in the description and in the claims and in the above-described figures, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order.

Claims

1. A foldable electronic device, comprising:

Folding the screen;

The rotating shaft mechanisms are arranged on the back surface of the folding screen, are sequentially arranged along the circumferential direction of the folding screen, extend from the edge of the folding screen to the center of the folding screen, and are aligned on the same straight line in pairs;

each shell is connected between every two rotating shaft mechanisms adjacent in the circumferential direction, and each shell is in fit connection with the folding screen;

A bendable intermediate connector connected between the proximal ends of the spindle mechanisms, so that the foldable electronic device can be folded or unfolded around the rotating shaft mechanism on different straight lines.

2. The foldable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of spindle mechanisms includes two first spindle mechanisms and two second spindle mechanisms, two of the first spindle mechanisms being located on a first straight line and two of the second spindle mechanisms being located on a second straight line.

3. The foldable electronic device of claim 2, wherein the intermediate connector is located in the center of the foldable electronic device when the foldable electronic device is in the unfolded state.

4. The foldable electronic device of claim 3, wherein the first straight line is a center line of the foldable electronic device in a length direction, the second straight line is a center line of the foldable electronic device in a width direction, and the first straight line and the second straight line are perpendicular to each other.

5. The foldable electronic device of claim 3, wherein the first straight line is a first diagonal of the foldable electronic device and the second straight line is a second diagonal of the foldable electronic device.

6. The foldable electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the folding directions of two hinge mechanisms on the same straight line are the same, and the folding directions of the hinge mechanisms on different straight lines are the same or different.

7. The foldable electronic device of claim 6, wherein each of the hinge mechanisms is an out-folded configuration.

8. The foldable electronic device of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the hinge mechanism has at least one first connection portion extending toward an end of the intermediate connector, the first connection portion being connected to the intermediate connector.

9. The foldable electronic device of claim 8, wherein the hinge mechanism comprises:

The main shaft is provided with the first connecting part towards one end of the middle connecting piece;

the connecting plates are movably connected to two sides of the spindle in the width direction.

10. The foldable electronic device of claim 9, wherein an end of the spindle facing away from the intermediate connector is provided with an end cap.

11. The foldable electronic device of claim 9, wherein the spindle mechanism further comprises:

the adapter plate is movably connected between the main shaft and the connecting plate, and one end, facing the middle connecting piece, of the adapter plate is also provided with the first connecting part.

12. The foldable electronic device of claim 8, wherein the intermediate connector has a connection hole, and the first connection portion extends into the connection hole to connect with the intermediate connector.

13. The foldable electronic device of claim 12, wherein the first connection portion includes a first body portion and a first reinforcement portion, one end of the first body portion is connected to an end of the rotation shaft mechanism, the first reinforcement portion is connected to the other end of the first body portion, and the first reinforcement portion protrudes from an outer periphery of the first body portion.

14. The foldable electronic device of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the housing comprises:

the middle frame is connected with the folding screen in a fitting way and is connected with the rotating shaft mechanism;

and the rear cover is connected to one side of the middle frame, which is away from the folding screen.

15. The foldable electronic device of claim 14, wherein the end of the middle frame facing the middle connector extends out of at least one second connector, the second connector being connected to the middle connector.

16. The foldable electronic device of claim 15, wherein an end of the middle frame facing the middle connector has a first abutment wall and a second abutment wall, the first and second abutment walls respectively abutting corresponding side walls of the middle connector;

Wherein, the first abutting wall and the second abutting wall are both extended with the second connecting part.

17. The foldable electronic device of claim 15, wherein the intermediate connector has a connecting slot, a notch of the connecting slot faces the folding screen, the connecting slot is connected to a side wall of the intermediate connector, and the second connecting portion extends into the connecting slot to connect with the intermediate connector.

18. The foldable electronic device of claim 17, wherein the second connection portion includes a second body portion and a second reinforcement portion, one end of the second body portion is connected to an end of the middle frame, the second reinforcement portion is connected to the other end of the second body portion, and the second reinforcement portion protrudes from an outer periphery of the second body portion.

19. The foldable electronic device of any one of claims 1-5, further comprising:

And each decoration piece is connected to one side surface of the middle connecting piece, which faces away from the folding screen.

20. The foldable electronic device of claim 19, wherein the plurality of decorative pieces comprises:

The central decoration piece is connected to the central area of the middle connecting piece;

the periphery decoration is surrounded by the center decoration, and one periphery decoration is arranged between every two adjacent shells in the circumferential direction.

21. The foldable electronic device of any of claims 1-5, wherein the intermediate connector comprises a rubber member, a metal member, a fiber member.

22. The foldable electronic device of claim 21, wherein the intermediate connector is a mesh.