CN222010744U - Hinge and foldable device - Google Patents

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a hinge and a foldable device. The hinge is used for the foldable equipment, wherein, the hinge includes middle frame fixed block and synchronous swing arm, the middle frame fixed block is used for fixing to the middle frame of foldable equipment, the first portion of middle frame fixed block constructs along hinge length direction's both sides has the sliding tray, constructs along hinge length direction's central authorities has the protruding portion, synchronous swing arm's first portion is followed hinge length direction's both sides have the joint convex part, along hinge length direction's central authorities have the mating groove, joint convex part relatively slidably couples to the sliding tray, protruding portion relatively slidably couples to the mating tray.

Hinge and foldable device

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of hinges and foldable devices, in particular hinges and mobile terminals.

Background

This section is intended to provide background information related to understanding the various techniques described herein. As implied by the headings in this section, this is a discussion of the related art that should not be implied in any way. Accordingly, it should be understood that any statement in this section should be read from this perspective and not as an admission of prior art.

In recent years, users have more and more multimode use forms of electronic products, and multimode electronic products are more and more favored by consumers, and become new development trend and new growing point of electronic products. The advent and development of multi-mode products has greatly led to ease of use for the user, and the core technology most strongly related to the mode of use is the hinge technology. Along with the continuous development of display technology, a folding display terminal gradually becomes a development trend of future mobile electronic products. Under the unfolding state, the folding display terminal can obtain a larger display area, and the film watching effect is improved. The folding display terminal can obtain smaller volume under the folding state, and is convenient for users to carry.

Disclosure of utility model

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided:

A hinge for a foldable apparatus, wherein the hinge includes a center fixing block for fixing to a center of the foldable apparatus, first portions of the center fixing block are configured with sliding grooves along both sides of a hinge length direction, protruding portions are configured along a center of the hinge length direction, first portions of the synchronization swing arms are configured with engaging protrusions along both sides of the hinge length direction, a mating groove is configured along a center of the hinge length direction, the engaging protrusions are relatively slidably engaged to the sliding grooves, and the protruding portions are relatively slidably engaged to the mating groove.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second portion of the synchronization swing arm is configured with cam portions along both sides of the hinge length direction.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the hinge further includes a cam plate having one side cam-engaged with the cam portion, a spring disposed between the other side of the cam plate and the synchronization fixing block, and a synchronization fixing block.

According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the hinge further comprises a synchronous sliding block, one end of the cam portion, facing the synchronous sliding block, is provided with a synchronous swing arm track surface, the synchronous sliding block is provided with a matching track surface, and the synchronous swing arm track surface is always in contact with the matching track surface.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, two synchronous swing arms are disposed on both sides of the synchronous sliding block along the length direction of the hinge, in the process of opening and closing the hinge, one of the two synchronous swing arms pushes the synchronous sliding block to move toward the other synchronous swing arm, and the synchronous sliding block presses the other synchronous swing arm to provide a driving force for opening and closing the other synchronous swing arm through the cooperation of the track surfaces.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the hinge further includes a rotation swing arm and a bottom cover, a first end of the rotation swing arm is rotatably connected with the second portion of the middle frame fixing block, the bottom cover is formed with a rotation space, and a second end of the rotation swing arm is connected in the rotation space and is rotatable in the rotation space.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the hinge further includes a latch that concatenates the synchronization swing arm, the cam plate, the spring, the synchronization fixing block, and the synchronization sliding block, the bottom cover is configured with a receiving groove, and a latch head of the latch is disposed in the receiving groove.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the hinge further includes a moving door panel configured with a seat configured with a recess, the center fixing block is configured with a flange relatively slidably engaged to the recess, the flange and the recess are configured in a circular arc shape, and a center of the flange and the recess is located outside the hinge.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the hinge further includes a door plate pin, the moving door plate is further configured with a protrusion, the protrusion is provided with a through hole, the rotating swing arm is connected with the protrusion through the door plate pin, in a flattened state of the hinge, the door plate pin is abutted to a first end of the through hole, and in a folded state of the hinge, the door plate pin is abutted to a second end of the through hole.

According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the hinge further comprises a hinge cover presenting a U-shape, the third portion of the synchronization swing arm being configured with a recess and an abutment surface, a limb of the U-shaped structure of the hinge cover being in abutment with the recess in the flattened state of the hinge, the abutment surface being in abutment with a face of the synchronization fixing block facing away from the hinge cover in the folded state of the hinge.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the hinge further includes a positioning column on which a plurality of the center fixing blocks are disposed in a length direction of the hinge, wherein two center fixing blocks are axially restrained from each other by the positioning column, and the positioning column is configured on one of the center fixing blocks.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the hinge further includes an FPC connection plate configured with lugs at both ends in a length direction of the hinge, the bottom cover is configured with a receiving space in which the lugs are disposed.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a foldable device is provided, wherein the foldable device comprises any one of the hinges described above.

Drawings

The above and other features of the present disclosure will become apparent with reference to the drawings, in which,

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a hinge in a flattened state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a hinge in a folded state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a hinge in a folded state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of a hinge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view of a small assembly of a hinge in a flattened state, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of a small assembly of a hinge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic view of a center block according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic diagram of a synchronous swing arm from one perspective in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic diagram of a synchronization swing arm from another perspective, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 10 illustrates a mating relationship diagram of a center fixed block and a synchronization swing arm in a hinge flattened state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 illustrates a diagram of the mating relationship of a center fixed block and a synchronization swing arm in a hinge folded state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 illustrates a plan view of a torsion module of a small assembly of a hinge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 illustrates a cam engaged state diagram of a synchronous swing arm and cam plate in a hinge flattened state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 illustrates a cam engaged state diagram of a synchronization swing arm and cam plate in a hinge neutral state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 illustrates a cam engaged state diagram of a synchronization swing arm and cam plate in a hinge folded state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 illustrates a schematic diagram of a synchronous skid according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of a mating relationship of a synchronous swing arm track surface and a mating track surface of a synchronous slider, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 illustrates a mating relationship plan view of a synchronous swing arm track surface and a mating track surface of a synchronous slider according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 illustrates a plan view of a mating relationship of a synchronization swing arm and a synchronization slider in a hinge flattened state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 illustrates a plan view of a mating relationship of a synchronization swing arm and a synchronization slider in a hinge neutral state in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 21 illustrates a plan view of a cooperative relationship of a synchronization swing arm and a synchronization slider in a hinge folded state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 22 illustrates a schematic diagram of a track module of a small assembly of a hinge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 shows a schematic view of a bottom cover from one perspective in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 24 shows a schematic view of a bottom cover from another perspective, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 25 shows a schematic view of a latch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 26 illustrates a plan view of a latch in mating relationship with a bottom cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 27 illustrates a mating relationship of a latch and a synchronization block according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 28 illustrates a mating relationship of a latch and a synchronous slide according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 29 illustrates a schematic view of a motion door panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 30 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a kinematic door plate in mating relationship with a mid-frame fixed block according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing the mating relationship of a moving door panel and a center fixed block in a hinge flattened state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 32 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a kinematic door plate in mating relationship with a rotating swing arm according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 33 illustrates a schematic view of a hinge cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 34 illustrates a stop design for a synchronous swing arm and hinge cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 35 illustrates a stop design of a synchronization swing arm and center fixed block in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 36 illustrates a schematic view of a positioning column configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 37 shows a schematic view of an FPC connection board according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 38 illustrates a partial schematic view of a collapsible device in an open state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 39 illustrates a partially exploded view of a foldable device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Fig. 40 shows a partial schematic view of a collapsible device in a closed state, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

It is to be readily understood that, in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, those skilled in the art may devise various arrangements and implementations that may be interchanged without departing from the true spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the following detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the presently disclosed technology and are not to be considered as an all-or-as-limited or restrictive of the presently disclosed technology.

Terms of orientation such as up, down, left, right, front, rear, front, back, top, bottom, etc. mentioned or possible to be mentioned in the present specification are defined with respect to the configurations shown in the drawings, which are relative concepts, and thus may be changed according to different positions and different use states thereof. These and other directional terms should not be construed as limiting terms. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," "third," and the like are used for descriptive and distinguishing purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying a relative importance of the corresponding components.

Referring to fig. 1-11, wherein fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a hinge in a flattened state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a hinge in a folded state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a hinge in a folded state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of a hinge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view of a small assembly of a hinge in a flattened state, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of a small assembly of a hinge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic view of a center block according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic diagram of a synchronous swing arm from one perspective in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic diagram of a synchronization swing arm from another perspective, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 10 illustrates a mating relationship diagram of a center fixed block and a synchronization swing arm in a hinge flattened state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and fig. 11 shows a diagram of a mating relationship of a center fixing block and a synchronization swing arm in a hinge folded state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The hinge 100 is used for a foldable apparatus, wherein the hinge 100 includes a center fixing block 1 for fixing to a center 200 of the foldable apparatus, the first portion 11 of the center fixing block 1 is configured with a slide groove 111 along both sides of a length direction (see double arrow X of fig. 5) of the hinge 100, a protrusion 112 is configured along a center of the length direction, both sides of the first portion 21 of the synchronization swing arm 2 along the length direction are configured with an engagement protrusion 211, a mating groove 212 is configured along the center of the length direction, the engagement protrusion 211 is relatively slidably engaged to the slide groove 111, and the protrusion 112 is relatively slidably engaged to the mating groove 212.

The specific form of the foldable device is not particularly limited, and the intelligent terminal such as a folding mobile phone and a folding tablet can be applied. The folding manner of the foldable device is not particularly limited, and for example, the foldable device may be folded left and right along a central axis in a longitudinal direction of the device, or may be supported to be folded up and down along a central axis in a transverse direction of the device, and only the features such as the sizes of the parts of the hinge or the small components thereof need to be adaptively adjusted. Similarly, the middle frame described herein refers to a middle frame of a foldable device, such as a foldable smartphone. However, although not specifically illustrated herein, the center of other terminal devices, such as a foldable tablet computer or other notebook computer with a folding screen, may also be suitable.

According to the technical scheme, a user drives the middle frame fixing block to correspondingly move through the opening and closing movement of the display screen or the middle frame in the process of using the foldable equipment, and then the middle frame fixing block and the synchronous swing arm also perform the opening and closing movement, and meanwhile, the middle frame fixing block and the synchronous swing arm also slide relatively. Illustratively, during movement from the flattened state to the folded state of the hinge, the center fixed block moves outwardly relative to the synchronization swing arm, i.e., the center fixed block and the synchronization swing arm are pulled apart from each other. Wherein, the flattened state refers to a state/position where the hinge is fully opened, also referred to as an unfolded state, etc., and the folded state is a state/position where the hinge is fully closed, also referred to as a closed state, etc.

In order to support the relative sliding movement of the two, the above technical solution designs the synchronous swing arm and the middle frame fixing block to be matched with each other in a sliding groove manner, and designs grooves at the center of the synchronous swing arm and at two sides of the first part of the middle frame fixing block, so that the sliding matching of the two is realized in a staggered and comprehensive manner as seen along the length direction of the hinge through the matching of three pairs of sliding grooves, and the design can bring a better space, so that the size of the middle frame fixing block in the thickness direction (see double arrow Z in FIG. 7 or FIG. 30) is compressed or limited to support the realization of an ultrathin hinge, and the movement stability in the sliding process is also realized. The scheme can be also understood as a three-slide-rail scheme, and the stable support and sliding of the swing arm and the middle frame fixing block can be synchronized on the premise of ensuring the strength of the hinge structure.

In some embodiments, from the perspective of fig. 10, the two engaging protrusions 211 of the synchronization swing arm are supported by the sliding groove 111 of the middle frame fixing block at the lower side (inward side in the drawing) of the synchronization swing arm and support the relative sliding movement thereof, and the mating groove 212 of the synchronization swing arm is supported by the protrusion 112 of the middle frame fixing block at the upper side (outward side in the drawing) of the synchronization swing arm and support the relative sliding movement thereof. That is, as seen in the length direction of the synchronous swing arm, not only the sliding groove matching form is of staggered design, but also the matching surface with the middle frame fixing block is of a lower-upper-lower crossed design, so that the synchronous swing arm can be visually understood to be 'wrapped and held' by the middle frame fixing block, and the synchronous swing arm can stably slide under the premise of ensuring the structural strength. Those skilled in the art can adopt other wrapping type matching modes under the teaching of the technical proposal and realize the same or equivalent technical effects.

It should be understood that modifications to the slip fit design of the two, such as adjusting the slotted position, slotted object or number of slots, shape, etc. of the synchronization swing arm or center mount, may also be made if desired. Further, the first portion and the second portion (to be further explained later) of the center fixing block are divided substantially along the length direction of the hinge, and the first portion, the second portion (to be further explained later) and the third portion (to be further explained later) of the synchronization swing arm are divided substantially along the width direction of the synchronization swing arm, and the division manner is not particularly limited, and can be adjusted according to actual needs.

12-15, Wherein FIG. 12 illustrates a plan view of a torsion module of a small assembly of a hinge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 13 illustrates a cam engaged state diagram of a synchronous swing arm and cam plate in a hinge flattened state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 14 illustrates a cam engaged state diagram of a synchronization swing arm and cam plate in a hinge neutral state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and fig. 15 illustrates a cam engagement state diagram of a synchronization swing arm and a cam plate in a hinge folded state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The second portion 22 of the synchronization swing arm 2 is configured with cam portions 221 on both sides in the longitudinal direction. In some embodiments, the hinge 100 further includes a cam plate 3, a spring 4, and a synchronization fixing block 5, one side of the cam plate 3 is cam-engaged with the cam part 221, and the spring 4 is disposed between the other side of the cam plate 3 and the synchronization fixing block 5.

Thus, during the opening and closing movement of the hinge, the cam portion rotates, and the parts engaged with the cam portion, such as the cam plate, move along the length direction of the hinge by cam engagement, i.e., move slidingly inward, and the spring is pressed by the movement of the cam plate, so that the spring generates or enhances a reaction force to the spring, which is finally transmitted to the middle frame fixing block and the middle frame of the foldable device, and a force feedback and an operation feel are formed for the user, and the reaction force can also play a role of hovering of the hinge. The cam parts are designed to be at least two and are configured on both sides of the second part of the synchronous swing arm, so that the cam plates matched with the cam parts are correspondingly designed to be at least two. During the process from the flattened state of fig. 13 to the intermediate state of fig. 14, the two cam plates move in opposite directions and compress the respective springs, thereby enabling the enhancement of the force feedback and hover actions mentioned above. It should be appreciated that the force feedback force can be adjusted by modification of the shape design of the cam engagement, the material, number, size, etc. of the springs to provide the user with a suitable operating feel and hover action.

With respect to the specific design of the cam engagement, illustratively, in the flattened state of the hinge 100, the cam portion is engaged with the cam plate non-convexly, for example, concavely or convexly, or the inclined portions of the two cams abut each other on one side (fig. 13); in the folded state of the hinge 100, the cam portion is engaged with the cam plate in a non-convex manner, for example, in a concave-convex manner or in a convex-concave manner, or the inclined portions of the two cams are abutted against each other on the other side (fig. 15), and in an intermediate state between the flattened state and the folded state, the cam portion and the cam plate can be engaged in a convex manner, for example, the top portions of the two cams can be abutted against each other (fig. 14).

It should be appreciated that the male-female mating herein does not require that the top of one cam extend completely into the recess of the other cam. According to the technical scheme, convex-convex matching exists in the middle state. That is, from one extreme position (flattened or folded position), the non-convex engagement is converted into a convex engagement during opening and closing, and the feedback force is gradually increased to alert the user that the open and closed state of the foldable device is about to change, and thereby achieve a compression effect on the spring and provide corresponding force feedback and feel. In the convex-convex matching process, the force feedback has little or no change, and the force feedback is converted into the non-convex matching before or when reaching the other limit position, so that the compression of the spring is released, the spring force can become an actuating force for promoting the current opening and closing movement, and therefore, the user can be given a handfeel of arriving at the limit position in a homeotropic manner, and a completion signal for arriving at the limit position is given to the user. For this purpose, in the flattened state, the spring may be constructed to be already in a compressed state or in a pre-stressed state to provide an initial force value, and in the intermediate state, the compression spring is further compressed to generate a contact force, and when the component of the contact force relative to the two contact surfaces of the cam engagement is smaller than the maximum static friction force, the whole machine is in a hovering state, and when the component is larger than the maximum static friction force, the cam slides and moves to other angles, for example, continues to move in the direction of the folded state. In the folded state, the spring may also be similarly configured to be in a compressed state such that the spring is forced to provide a force value for the hinge closed state.

It should also be appreciated that the setting of the magnitude of the feedback force and the feel, and the point in time at which such feedback force changes or the correspondence with the current position of the hinge, may be adjusted by the design of the cam shape, such as the height and length of the cam lobe, the slope of the cam ramp, etc. In this case, as described above, in the unfolded state, the cam groups are engaged with the inclined portions of the cams in pairs abutting each other, so that when the hinge is to be closed from the unfolded state to the folded state, the feedback force is increased, and thus the required force is also increased, which is equivalent to providing a hovering effect. The cam-male engagement in the intermediate position will also provide a similar hover effect and the above-mentioned homeotropic effect before or upon shifting to the folded position and vice versa. In the opening and closing process, the method gives users a climbing, parallel and descending process and hand feeling.

The synchronization fixing block can be configured to be fixed in position. In this case, the synchronization fixing block can be connected with a hinge cover to be explained later to achieve a fixing effect. Specifically, the hinge also includes a weld pad 18, which is illustratively configured as a hollow torus. The synchronizing block is centrally provided with a through hole, which is a countersunk through hole, and the weld pad is arranged on a step of the countersunk through hole, and the hinge cover is correspondingly constructed with, for example, a cylindrical projection, which passes through the through hole and the weld pad to support a welded connection between the synchronizing block and the hinge cover. The reason for the welded connection is mainly that the welding is more stable. In other embodiments, the connection may be achieved by screw locking, plug connection, adhesive connection, etc. instead, and thus, depending on the connection, the use of a weld pad may be eliminated.

It will also be appreciated that two synchronization swing arms are provided along the width direction of the hinge (see double arrow Y of fig. 5) to form a torsion module or torsion assembly with the cam plate, spring, synchronization fixed block, capable of providing suitable feedback force and feel in a compact manner, and having a large adjustment space, improving adaptability and flexibility to different users or foldable device types.

Referring to fig. 16-21, wherein fig. 16 shows a schematic diagram of a synchronous skid according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of a mating relationship of a synchronous swing arm track surface and a mating track surface of a synchronous slider, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 18 illustrates a mating relationship plan view of a synchronous swing arm track surface and a mating track surface of a synchronous slider according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 19 illustrates a plan view of a mating relationship of a synchronization swing arm and a synchronization slider in a hinge flattened state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 20 illustrates a plan view of a mating relationship of a synchronization swing arm and a synchronization slider in a hinge neutral state in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and fig. 21 is a plan view showing a mating relationship of a synchronization swing arm and a synchronization slider in a hinge folded state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The hinge 100 further comprises a synchronous sliding block 6, one end of the cam part 221, facing the synchronous sliding block 6, is provided with a synchronous swing arm track surface 2211, the synchronous sliding block 6 is provided with a matching track surface 61, and the synchronous swing arm track surface 2211 is always in contact with the matching track surface 61.

The term synchronous arm path and the counter path are understood to mean that the movement pattern of the associated component is influenced by the counter action between the two. The two track surfaces can be formed as a spiral or spiral, for example, and the design and interaction principle of the spiral can be understood with reference to the screw thread engagement in the threaded fastener. Therefore, one side of the cam part acts as a cam matching action with the cam plate, and the other side of the cam part is matched with the synchronous sliding block to realize track surface matching, so that dual functions are realized. In this case, the synchronous sliding block is disposed between the cam portions of the two synchronous swing arms, as seen in the length direction of the hinge, that is, it serves as a bridge between the two torsion modules, connecting the two. Meanwhile, according to the action of the matching of the track surfaces, the synchronous swing arm and the synchronous sliding block can be regarded as a synchronous module or a synchronous component, and the torsion module, the synchronous module and the track module which will be explained later can be regarded as a small component of the hinge. Further, the entire hinge may be constructed with multiple small components, e.g., two, disposed at each end of the hinge to provide balanced and comprehensive synchronization, torque provision, and track guiding. By the design of the subassemblies, it can be seen that each subassembly can for example comprise two track modules (generally indicated by the dashed box on the left side of fig. 5) and two synchronous torsion modules (generally indicated by the dashed box on the inner side of fig. 5) and can have eight cam mating groups, so that under the condition of limiting size or in the case of ultrathin design of the hinge, the hovering effect of the hinge is more stable by means of realizing multiple pairs of cams, and the strength of the synchronous swing arm is higher. It is understood that different numbers of track modules and torsion modules may be designed according to the actual size of the folding device, for example, 4 track modules and 4 synchronous torsion modules may be designed, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art based on the present technical solution.

Regarding the action of the track surface cooperation, during the opening and closing of the hinge 100, one of the two synchronous swing arms 2 pushes the synchronous sliding block 6 to move toward the other synchronous swing arm, and the synchronous sliding block 6 presses the other synchronous swing arm to provide a driving force for opening and closing the other synchronous swing arm through the track surface cooperation. Specifically, in the process of the hinge 100 from its flattened state to its folded state, one of the two synchronization swing arms pushes the synchronization slider 6 to move toward the other synchronization swing arm, and the synchronization slider 6 presses the other synchronization swing arm to provide a driving force for folding the other synchronization swing arm through the trajectory surface cooperation; conversely, in the process of the hinge 100 from the folded state to the flattened state, the other synchronization swing arm pushes the synchronization slider 6 to move toward the one synchronization swing arm, and the synchronization slider 6 presses the one synchronization swing arm to provide a driving force for flattening the one synchronization swing arm through the track surface cooperation.

In one embodiment, for example illustrated by fig. 5, the small assembly of the hinge illustratively comprises 4 synchronization swing arms, 2 synchronization swing arms arranged along the length of the hinge are each provided on each side in the width direction of the hinge, and 1 synchronization slider is located in the center of the structure enclosed by the 4 synchronization swing arms, that is, the synchronization slider comprises 4 mating track surfaces that mate with the synchronization swing arm track surfaces of the 1 synchronization swing arms, respectively. Based on the view angle of fig. 5, taking the example that the hinge starts to perform folding motion from the unfolded state, the upper left synchronous swing arm performs small displacement towards the synchronous sliding block along the length direction of the hinge and realizes track surface matching with the synchronous sliding block, so as to push the synchronous sliding block to move towards the right synchronous swing arm and press the right synchronous swing arm (namely, simultaneously press the two upper right and lower right synchronous swing arms), thereby providing folding driving force or auxiliary force through track surface matching. In addition, since the lower right synchronization swing arm is connected to the lower left synchronization swing arm through the lower right middle frame fixing block and the lower left middle frame fixing block, such a folding driving force is transmitted to the lower left synchronization swing arm. The synchronous opening and closing movement or the substantially synchronous opening and closing movement of the middle frames at the upper side and the lower side can be finally realized.

Further, in order to support displacement of the synchronization swing arm in the hinge length direction, in some embodiments, the size of the fitting groove 212 of the synchronization swing arm in the hinge length direction is larger than the size of the protrusion 112 of the center fixing block in the hinge length direction, and the largest size of the two sliding grooves 111 of the center fixing block (i.e., the two sliding grooves in the hinge length direction) in the hinge length direction is larger than the largest size of the two engaging protrusions 211 of the synchronization swing arm (i.e., the two engaging protrusions in the hinge length direction) in the hinge length direction, thereby being able to provide a movement space for the synchronization swing arm to make a displacement movement in the hinge length direction.

Therefore, even if a user performs the opening and closing movement of the middle frame and the synchronous swing arm of the foldable equipment on one side, the synchronous swing arm on the other side can be correspondingly moved through the matching design of the track surface, so that a better synchronous effect is realized, and the function of assisting the user in opening and closing movement of the foldable equipment is achieved. In addition, the spring force of the spring can promote the matching of the track surfaces, and the technical effect is improved.

Referring to fig. 22-24, wherein fig. 22 shows a schematic diagram of a track module of a small assembly of a hinge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 23 shows a schematic view of a bottom cover from one perspective in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; fig. 24 shows a schematic view of a bottom cover from another perspective, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The hinge 100 further comprises a rotation swing arm 7 and a bottom cover 8, wherein a first end of the rotation swing arm 7 is rotatably connected with the second portion 12 of the middle frame fixing block 1, a rotation space 81 is formed in the bottom cover 8, and a second end of the rotation swing arm 7 is connected in the rotation space 81 and can rotate in the rotation space 81.

Through the rotatable design of being connected of rotation swing arm and center fixed block, realized the center fixed block respectively with synchronous swing arm and the linkage of rotation swing arm. That is, while the middle frame fixing block rotates and performs sliding motion relative to the synchronous swing arm, there is also relative rotational motion between the middle frame fixing block and the rotating swing arm, and thus, the whole small assembly of the hinge can be regarded as a multi-link mechanism (multi-link slider mechanism) with a slider. The method has the advantages that the relative sliding range between the middle frame fixing block and the synchronous swing arm can be indirectly defined through the rotation range of the rotary swing arm in the rotation space of the bottom cover, the definition mode is convenient and fast, the cost performance is high, the definition of the rotation angle of the small assembly can be finished through the design of the rotary swing arm and the bottom cover under the condition that the structure or the position relation of the middle frame fixing block and the synchronous swing arm is not changed, and the stability of core components such as the middle frame fixing block, the synchronous swing arm and the like is ensured. In addition, the swing arm is rotated, for example, the side of the second end of the swing arm facing the display screen can be designed in a large plane, so that the effective support of the screen during the hinge flattening is ensured.

Specifically, in order to facilitate the rotation, the second end of the rotation swing arm is configured with an arc portion, and the rotation space of the bottom cover is correspondingly configured or configured with an arc-shaped receiving portion, and the size of the arc circumference of both of them may be determined according to the angular range of rotation to be required. To support the rotation of the rotating swing arm relative to the center fixed block, the first end of the rotating swing arm is illustratively configured with an aperture, and the second portion of the center fixed block is configured with a receiving portion for receiving the first end and holes in corresponding communication with the first end aperture, whereby the holes are penetrated by the rotating swing arm pin 19 of the hinge to support such relative rotational movement. In addition, like the connection mode of the synchronous sliding block, the bottom cover can be further provided with a gasket seat for arranging the welding gasket, the welding gasket and the gasket seat are both provided with holes for the corresponding protruding parts of the hinge cover to pass through, and therefore the bottom cover can be welded with the hinge cover in a welded mode, and the connection strength is high and stable. The shape of the bottom cover can also be adaptively modified or adjusted according to different positional relationships or connection modes.

Referring to fig. 25-28, wherein fig. 25 shows a schematic view of a latch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 26 illustrates a plan view of a latch in mating relationship with a bottom cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 27 illustrates a mating relationship of a latch and a synchronization block according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; fig. 28 illustrates a mating relationship of a latch and a synchronous slide according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In fig. 28, the blocked portion is indicated by a light line.

The hinge 100 further comprises a latch 9, the latch 9 is connected in series with the synchronous swing arm 2, the cam plate 3, the spring 4, the synchronous fixed block 5 and the synchronous sliding block 6, the bottom cover 8 is configured with a containing groove 82, and a latch head 91 of the latch 9 is arranged in the containing groove 82.

It should be understood that in order to support such a serial connection, the parts involved may be configured with corresponding through holes. Illustratively, the body of the bolt is cylindrically configured with a chamfer at the tail. And each side of the synchronous torsion module is distributed with a bolt. Therefore, due to the serial connection design realized by the bolt, each part can be assembled compactly, the space is saved, and meanwhile, the cam plate and the spring can move and stretch along the extending direction of the bolt, so that movement guidance and limitation are provided for movement of the cam plate and the spring. To fix the latch, as can be seen with reference to fig. 26, the latch head of the latch is disposed in the receiving groove of the bottom cover. For this reason, the latch head is configured to be larger in size than the annular flange of the latch body structure, and the receiving groove of the bottom cover can be wound around the latch body (refer to fig. 26) through the wall portion 821 (refer to fig. 23) of the receiving groove while receiving the annular flange, and is abutted to the latch head, forming a limit for the latch head, ensuring the stability of these series of parts.

It should also be mentioned here that, with reference to fig. 27, the synchronizing block is constructed with a rectangular solid as the block body 51, with the extension seats 52 extending outwardly on both sides of the center in the hinge width direction, on which the ends of the springs facing away from the cam plate abut. This design provides sufficient space for the arrangement of, for example, four springs and two pins on both sides. After the bolt sequentially passes through the synchronous swing arm, the cam plate, the spring, the synchronous fixed block and other parts, the E buckle 20 of the hinge is adopted between the extension seats on the same side to fix the bolt and the synchronous fixed block, so that part movement is avoided. The E-shaped buckle, i.e. the buckle with the cross section in the shape of E, engages the latch at three peripheral angles through the intermediate space formed by the E-shaped buckle (see also fig. 35), so as to achieve a detachable and stable fixing effect. On the other hand, referring to fig. 28, as already mentioned before, the synchronous sliding block is a bridge between two synchronous torque modules, so that the tail portions of two pins, which are allocated to different synchronous torque modules, both extend into the synchronous sliding block and butt against each other to form a sliding shaft on which the synchronous sliding block can reciprocally slide, while the synchronous swing arms on both sides of the synchronous sliding block do not slide in the longitudinal direction of the pins, and the cams of the synchronous swing arms are in fixed positions.

Referring to fig. 29-31, wherein fig. 29 shows a schematic view of a sports door panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 30 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a kinematic door plate in mating relationship with a mid-frame fixed block according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and fig. 31 is a diagram showing a mating relationship between a moving door panel and a center fixed block in a hinge-flattened state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Wherein, the cooperation area between the middle frame fixed block and the moving door plate is marked by a dotted line circle in fig. 31.

The hinge 100 further includes a moving door panel 10, the moving door panel 10 is configured with a support 101, the support 101 is configured with a notch 1011, the center fixing block 1 is configured with a flange 13, the flange 13 is relatively slidably engaged to the notch 1011, the flange 13 and the notch 1011 are configured in a circular arc shape, and the centers of the flange 13 and the notch 1011 are located outside the hinge 100.

The technical proposal describes the connection relation and the movement relation between the moving door plate and the middle frame fixed block, and prescribes how to move relatively between the two in the opening and closing process of the hinge. Specifically, in the flattened state, the flange of the middle frame fixing block slightly extends beyond the door panel support; in the folded state, the flange of the middle frame fixing block is flush or basically flush with the outer side of the door panel support, so that a certain relative rotation movement is generated between the flange and the door panel support during the opening and closing process. Also, for example, two flanges are configured in total for each center fixing block, and one moving door panel is provided on each side in the width direction of the hinge, that is, one moving door panel on each side simultaneously cooperates with four center fixing blocks. For each subassembly, a total of 8 sets of flanges fit into the recesses. The number and placement of the flanges and recesses can be flexibly adjusted. Furthermore, it can also be seen from fig. 30 that the flange and recess are configured as circular arcs with the center located outside of the hinge or without a physical center, which design helps to thin the hinge, and therefore, in some instances, such mating recess is sometimes referred to as a virtual slide rail.

Referring to fig. 32, a cross-sectional view of a kinematic door plate in mating relationship with a rotating swing arm according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Wherein the figure simultaneously shows the positional relationship of both the flattened state and the folded state.

The hinge 100 further comprises a door hinge pin 14, the moving door 10 further comprises a protrusion 102, the protrusion 102 is provided with a through hole 1021, the rotating swing arm 7 is connected with the protrusion 102 through the door hinge pin 14, in the flattened state of the hinge 100, the door hinge pin 14 is abutted to a first end of the through hole 1021, and in the folded state of the hinge 100, the door hinge pin 14 is abutted to a second end of the through hole 1021.

The technical scheme describes the matching mode of the moving door plate and the rotating swing arm in the hinge folding state and the hinge flattening state. The first end of the through-hole can be an end near the center fixed block, and the second end of the through-hole can be an end near the motion door panel body, for example. The through hole is configured as a kidney-shaped hole, and the first end and the second end are portions of two sides of the kidney-shaped hole. Illustratively, four protrusions are provided in total, as seen in the longitudinal direction of the moving door panel, to facilitate engagement with corresponding rotating swing arms. The number of protrusions on each side of the moving door panel can be matched to the number of rotating swing arms on that side. According to the technical scheme, the moving door plate is connected with the rotating swing arm through the door plate pin shaft, so that the movement of the moving door plate is restrained conveniently. In this regard, the fit between the door panel pin and the through hole may also be considered as a track slot fit for defining the motion track of the moving door panel.

Referring to fig. 33-35, wherein fig. 33 shows a schematic view of a hinge cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 34 illustrates a stop design for a synchronous swing arm and hinge cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and fig. 35 illustrates a stop design of a synchronization swing arm and center fixed block according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The hinge 100 further comprises a hinge cover 15 presenting a U-shape, the third portion 23 of the synchronization swing arm 2 is configured with a concave portion 231 and an abutment surface 232, in the flattened state of the hinge 100, the leg 151 of the U-shaped structure of the hinge cover 15 abuts against the concave portion 231, and in the folded state of the hinge 100, the abutment surface 232 abuts against a surface of the synchronization fixing block 5 facing away from the hinge cover 15.

It should be understood that in practical use, the hinge cover is a part of the outer appearance of the foldable device, whereby it can be constructed over the entire length of the hinge and cover or house parts located in the middle in the width direction of the hinge, such as the bottom cover, the second end of the swing arm, the cam plate, the spring, the synchronization slider, the synchronization fixing block, the FPC connection plate to be mentioned later, etc. At the same time, as already mentioned above, the hinge cover can be constructed with cylindrical projections for projecting into openings provided in the above-mentioned corresponding parts in order to achieve a fixed connection.

In addition, the technical proposal particularly designs a flattening stop position for the synchronous swing arm by means of the hinge cover and a folding stop position for the synchronous swing arm by means of the synchronous fixed block. Specifically, in the flattened state of the hinge, the U-shaped leg of the hinge cover (relative to the bottom of the U-shaped structure) abuts against the concave portion of the synchronization swing arm and thereby supports the synchronization swing arm and limits excessive deployment of the synchronization swing arm. The recess of the synchronization swing arm can extend illustratively along the length of the hinge and have a longer flat face to better form fit with the U-shaped rim of the hinge cover. In this case, the recess extends substantially over the entire length of the synchronization swing arm. On the other hand, for folding stopping, the design is also based on the synchronous swing arm, so that the synchronous swing arm participates in the two stopping positions, and multiple functions are realized. Specifically, in the folded state of the hinge, the abutting surface of the synchronous swing arm abuts against one surface of the synchronous fixed block, which is away from the hinge cover, so that the synchronous swing arm is prevented from being excessively folded. Similarly, the abutment surface of the synchronization swing arm may have a large length and be substantially flat in order to obtain a stable and comprehensive stop effect. Meanwhile, the synchronous fixed block can be designed to be larger, so that the surface of the synchronous fixed block can correspondingly provide a larger or longer abutting surface, and can better form surface matching with the abutting surface of the synchronous swing arm to play a role in supporting and limiting. In general, the mode of flattening and folding stopping gives the synchronous swing arm multiple functions, in other words, excessive parts are not needed to participate in stopping, the cost performance is high, the limiting is reliable, and the pressure during stopping can be well shared.

Referring to fig. 36, a schematic view of the construction of a positioning column according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

The hinge 100 further includes a positioning column 16, in which a plurality of the center fixing blocks 1 are provided in the length direction, wherein two center fixing blocks 1 are axially restrained from each other by the positioning column 16, and the positioning column 16 is configured on one of the center fixing blocks 1. It should be understood that an even number or an odd number of middle frame fixing blocks may be provided for the middle frame fixing blocks at one side of the hinge, and the structures of the respective middle frame fixing blocks are not required to be exactly the same. Here, each small component of the hinge is provided with four middle frame fixing blocks, two middle frame fixing blocks on the same side are connected with each other through positioning columns, and the positioning columns are constructed on one middle frame fixing block. That is, the connection between the two synchronous torsion modules is realized through the middle frame fixing block, and the participation of other parts is not needed. The positioning post may be configured as a cylinder by way of example, and the mating middle frame fixing block is configured with a through hole for the positioning post to pass through, wherein the through hole is configured as a waist-shaped hole.

Here, this technical scheme has specifically designed two center fixed blocks and has carried out axial restraint through the reference column. It should be understood that axial constraint here refers to limiting the center block along the length of the hinge, whereby the locating posts and through holes are essentially free of play in the axial direction, but may have small play in the width direction, which is also the effect achieved by the waist-shaped holes. Of course, it is also possible to have the positioning posts fit completely without play with the through holes. The technical scheme mainly aims at assembling Fang Bianzhong frame fixing blocks.

Referring to fig. 37, a schematic diagram of an FPC connection board according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

The hinge 100 further includes an FPC connection board 17, the FPC connection board 17 being configured with lugs 171 at both ends in the length direction, the bottom cover 8 being configured with accommodation spaces 83, the lugs 171 being disposed in the accommodation spaces 83.

Wherein the FPC in the FPC connection board refers to Flexible Printed Circuit, i.e., a flexible printed circuit board, sometimes also referred to as an FPC clip or FPC cap. Through the effect of FPC connecting plate, not only physically played the effect of connecting two subassemblies of hinge, specifically be in the same place with the bottom of two subassemblies through the FPC connecting plate, also can be through setting up the mode welded connection of welding pad, the FPC connecting plate can also transmit energy and data when required moreover, gives the hinge more functions and effects. Specifically, the FPC connecting plate is provided with two lugs in the longitudinal direction, the lugs are provided with round through holes, the lugs are arranged in the accommodating space of the bottom cover, and the accommodating space is also provided with round through holes, so that corresponding protrusions of the hinge cover can conveniently penetrate and connect. Therefore, the bottom cover is arranged on the outer side of the hinge along the length direction of the hinge, has certain strength and can have good anti-falling effect.

Finally, it can also be mentioned that the parts of the hinge can be grooved or perforated in order to meet the requirements of light weight and weight reduction. For example, the side of the synchronous swing arm, which is away from the display screen, and the side of the synchronous sliding block, which is towards the hinge cover, can do the processing, so that the weight reduction is realized. In addition, in order to increase the strength, it is also possible to construct reinforcing structures for the individual parts of the hinge, for example, a plurality of reinforcing structures can be designed in the longitudinal direction of the moving door panel. And will not be described in detail herein.

Referring to fig. 38-40, wherein fig. 38 shows a partial schematic view of a foldable device in an open state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 39 illustrates a partially exploded view of a foldable device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and fig. 40 shows a partial schematic view of a collapsible device in a closed state, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure also relates to a foldable device, wherein the foldable device comprises any of the hinges 100 described above. Regarding the specific embodiments of the foldable device and the various technical effects that can be achieved, it can be understood with reference to the disclosure above regarding the hinge, and thus, the foldable device should inherit the various embodiments and technical effects of the hinge, which are not described herein. As mentioned before, the foldable device may be an intelligent terminal such as a foldable mobile phone or a foldable tablet computer, and the folding manner is not limited, for example, left and right folding along a central axis of a longitudinal direction of the device, up and down folding along a central axis of a transverse direction of the device, and the like, and after appreciating the technical spirit of the present disclosure, those skilled in the art can adaptively modify the number, shape, layout position, and the like of the hinge parts as required to meet the actual needs.

It should be understood that all of the above preferred embodiments are exemplary and not limiting, and that various modifications or variations to the specific embodiments described above, which would be within the spirit of the present disclosure, would be within the legal scope of the present disclosure by those skilled in the art.