FOLDING MECHANISM AND FOLDING ELECTRONIC DEVICE

A folding mechanism is disclosed. A first connecting portion is connected to a first rotating shaft, a second connecting portion is connected to a second rotating shaft, the first and second rotating shaft are rotatably connected to a first elastic connector, a first gear is mounted on the first rotating shaft, a second gear is mounted on the second rotating shaft and meshed with the first gear, the first gear has a first distal edge and a first proximal edge, the second gear has a second distal edge and a second proximal edge, the first elastic connector is elongated or shortened with meshed rotation of the first gear and the second gear, and the folding mechanism has a first state in which the first distal edge is meshed with the second distal edge, and a second state in which the first proximal edge is meshed with the second proximal edge.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to the technical field of communication devices, and in particular, to a folding mechanism and a folding electronic device.

BACKGROUND

With the development of technology, the development of electronic devices is increasingly rapid, and requirements of users for electronic devices are increasingly high. At present, a flexible screen is also widely applied to electronic devices, to form folding electronic devices.

The folding electronic devices often have folding problems during folding. For example, when a folding electronic device is folded in, because a bending radius at a hinge is small, it is likely to cause crease or damage to the flexible screen by excessive extrusion. When the folding electronic device is folded out, because the bending radius at the hinge is excessive, it is likely to cause over pulling and deformation of the flexible screen, or even cause breaking of the flexible screen. It can be learned that, at present, the folding electronic device has a problem that the flexible screen is easily damaged during folding, finally resulting in a short service life of the flexible screen.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect, an embodiment of this application discloses a folding mechanism, applied to a folding electronic device, including a first rotating shaft, a second rotating shaft, a first gear, a second gear, a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion, and a first elastic connector, where

the first connecting portion is connected to the first rotating shaft, the second connecting portion is connected to the second rotating shaft, both the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft are rotatably connected to the first elastic connector, the first gear is mounted on the first rotating shaft, the second gear is mounted on the second rotating shaft, the first gear is meshed with the second gear, the first gear has a first distal edge and a first proximal edge, the second gear has a second distal edge and a second proximal edge, the first elastic connector is elongated or shortened with meshed rotation of the first gear and the second gear, and the folding mechanism has a first state in which the first distal edge is meshed with the second distal edge, and a second state in which the first proximal edge is meshed with the second proximal edge.

According to a second aspect, an embodiment of this application discloses a folding electronic device, including a flexible screen, a first housing, a second housing, and the folding mechanism described above, where

the first housing is connected to the first connecting portion and is rotatable with the first connecting portion, and the second housing is connected to the second connecting portion and is rotatable with the second connecting portion;

the flexible screen includes a first region, a second region, and a joint region, the first region is connected to the second region through the joint region, the first region is connected to the first housing, and the second region is connected to the second housing;

in a case that the first housing rotates relative to the second housing to a folded state of the electronic device, and the flexible screen is located between the first housing and the second housing, the first distal edge is meshed with the second distal edge; and in a case that the first housing rotates relative to the second housing to the folded state of the electronic device, and the first region and the second region are located on two opposite sides of the first housing and the second housing, the first proximal edge is meshed with the second proximal edge.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The specification and claims of this application, and terms “first” and “second” are used to distinguish similar objects, but are unnecessarily used to describe a specific sequence or order. It should be understood that the data in such a way are interchangeable in proper circumstances, so that the embodiments of this application can be implemented in other orders than the order illustrated or described herein. Objects distinguished by “first”, “second”, and the like are usually one type, and the number of objects is not limited. For example, the first object may be one or more than one. In addition, in the specification and the claims, “and/or” represents at least one of the connected objects, and the character “I” generally represents an “or” relationship between the associated objects.

An electronic device provided in the embodiments of this application are described below through specific embodiments and application scenarios thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown inFIG.1toFIG.11, an embodiment of this application discloses a folding mechanism, applied to a folding electronic device. The disclosed folding mechanism includes a first rotating shaft100, a second rotating shaft200, a first gear300, a second gear400, a first connecting portion500, a second connecting portion600, and a first elastic connector700.

The first elastic connector700is a mounting base of the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200. Both the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200are rotatably connected to the first elastic connector700. The first elastic connector700may be a rubber tube, a silica sleeve, or the like. A specific type of the first elastic connector700is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

Both the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200are rotatable about an axis of the first rotating shaft100and an axis of the second rotating shaft200. Optionally, a user may manually control the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200to rotate in a direction required by the user, to unfold or fold the folding electronic device.

The first gear300is mounted on the first rotating shaft100, and during rotation of the first rotating shaft100, the first gear300rotates with the first rotating shaft100. The second gear400is mounted on the second rotating shaft200, and during rotation of the second rotating shaft200, the second gear400rotates with the second rotating shaft200. Optionally, the first gear300and the first rotating shaft100may be an integrated structure, and the second gear400and the second rotating shaft200may be an integrated structure. Certainly, the first gear300may be fixed to the first rotating shaft100in a key connection manner and the second gear400may be fixed to the second rotating shaft200in the key connection manner. Specific assembling manners between the first gear300and the first rotating shaft100and between the second gear400and the second rotating shaft200are not limited in the embodiments of this application.

The first gear300is meshed with the second gear400to ensure that the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200rotate synchronously. The first gear300has a first distal edge and a first proximal edge, and the second gear400has a second distal edge and a second proximal edge. The first distal edge of the first gear300is farthest from a rotation center of the first gear300, and the first proximal edge is closest to the rotation center of the first gear300. Similarly, the second distal edge of the second gear400is farthest from a rotation center of the second gear400, and the second proximal edge of the second gear400is closest to the rotation center of the second gear400.

The first connecting portion500is connected to the first rotating shaft100, and the second connecting portion600is connected to the second rotating shaft200. The first connecting portion500is rotatable with the first rotating shaft100, and the second connecting portion600is rotatable with the second rotating shaft200. In a feasible operation mode, the user can manually rotate the first connecting portion500and the second connecting portion600, to implement rotation of the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200relative to the first elastic connector700, thereby implementing meshed rotation of the first gear300and the second gear400.

The folding mechanism has a first state and a second state. In the first state, the first distal edge is meshed with the second distal edge, an axis center distance between the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200increases, the first elastic connector700is stretched, a bending radius increases, and the folding electronic device is finally in a folded state (a first folded state) with the increase of the axis center distance between the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200. In this case, the folding electronic device can be folded in, thereby avoiding crease or damage caused by excessive extrusion of the folding electronic device. In the second state, the first proximal edge is meshed with the second proximal edge, the axis center distance between the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200decreases, the first elastic connector700is squeezed, and the bending radius decreases. In this case, the folding electronic device may be folded out, so that the folding electronic device is finally in a folded state (a second folded state). In this process, since the bending radius decreases, the folding electronic device can be prevented from being over pulled or torn.

The folding electronic device has an unfolded state. When bent in a first direction in the unfolded state, the folding electronic device can be folded out, and when bending in a second direction in the unfolded state, the folding electronic device can be folded in. The first direction is opposite to the second direction.

The first elastic connector700may be elongated or shortened with meshed rotation of the first gear300and the second gear400. Optionally, when the first gear300and the second gear400are driven to be meshed by rotation of the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200, a distance between the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200may be changed with the change of the axis center distance between the first gear300and the second gear400, to further drive the first elastic connector700to be elongated or shortened. That is, the first elastic connector700adapts to the change of the axis center distance between the first gear300and the second gear400during meshing by elastic deformation of the first elastic connector700, thereby ensuring normal rotation and meshing.

In the folding electronic device disclosed in the embodiments of this application, by improving the structure of the electronic device in the related art, the first gear300and the second gear400are mounted on the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200respectively, the first rotating shaft100is rotatably connected to the second rotating shaft200through the first elastic connector700, and under extension and compression of the first elastic connector700, the axis center distance between the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200changes. In a case that the folding mechanism is in the first state, the first distal edge is meshed with the second distal edge, so that the axis center distance increases and the bending radius increases, thereby ensuring that the folding electronic device can be folded in in a case of avoiding crease and damage caused by excessive extrusion of the folding electronic device. In a case that the folding mechanism is in the second state, the first proximal edge is meshed with the second proximal edge, so that the axis center distance decreases and the bending radius decreases, thereby ensuring that the folding electronic device can be folded out without being over pulled or broken. It can be learned that, in the folding electronic device disclosed in the embodiments of this application, by adjusting the axis center distance between the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200, the problem of the short service life of the flexible screen of the folding electronic device because the flexible screen is easily damaged during folding can be resolved.

In the embodiments of this application, the first rotating shaft100is slidably sleeved with a first occlusion structure110, a surface of the first occlusion structure110facing the first gear300is provided with first occlusal teeth111, an end surface of the first gear300facing the first occlusion structure110is provided with second occlusal teeth310, and the first connecting portion500has a first limiting surface510facing the first gear300. Optionally, one end of a first elastic mechanism800may be positioned on the first limiting surface510, and the other end may be positioned on the first occlusion structure110. The first elastic mechanism800in a pre-pressed state is arranged between the first occlusion structure110and the first limiting surface510, the first occlusal teeth111are elastically meshed with the second occlusal teeth310, and the first gear300is in contact with the first elastic connector700; the first elastic mechanism800between the first occlusion structure110and the first limiting surface510may push the first occlusion structure110, so that the second occlusal teeth310and the first occlusal teeth111can maintain an meshed state, thereby facilitating hovering of the first connecting portion500, and finally implementing hovering of the folding electronic device at any angle during folding or unfolding.

The second rotating shaft200is slidably sleeved with a second occlusion structure210, an end surface of a second gear400facing the second occlusal teeth310is provided with third occlusal teeth410, an end surface of the second occlusion structure210facing the second gear400is provided with fourth occlusal teeth311, and the second connecting portion600has a second limiting surface610facing the second gear400. Optionally, one end of a second elastic mechanism900may be positioned on the second limiting surface610, and the other end may be positioned on the second occlusion structure210. The second elastic mechanism900in a pre-pressed state is arranged between the second occlusion structure210and the second limiting surface610, the third occlusal teeth410are elastically meshed with the fourth occlusal teeth311, and the second gear400is in contact with the first elastic connector700. The second elastic mechanism900between the second occlusion structure210and the second limiting surface610may push the second occlusion structure210, so that the fourth occlusal teeth311and the third occlusal teeth410can maintain an meshed state, thereby facilitating hovering of the second connecting portion600, and finally implementing hovering of the folding electronic device at any angle during folding or unfolding.

In this case, the first elastic mechanism800maintains elastic meshing of the first occlusal teeth111and the second occlusal teeth310, and the second elastic mechanism900maintains elastic meshing of the third occlusal teeth410and the fourth occlusal teeth311. The first elastic mechanism800and the second elastic mechanism900can maintain the first gear300and the second gear400at any meshed position, thereby ensuring that the folding mechanism can hover at will. The structure is beneficial to generating more obvious sense of mechanical operation when the user manually controls folding or unfolding, thereby improving sense of mechanical control of the user.

In an optional solution, one of the first occlusion structure110and the second occlusion structure210may be provided with a sleeve120, the other is provided with a sliding rod220, and the sliding rod220is in sliding fit with the sleeve120. In the process, the first occlusion structure110and the second occlusion structure210are slidably sleeved on the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200respectively, to rotate relative to the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200. However, the sliding rod220is sleeved inside the sleeve120, so that the first occlusion structure110and the second occlusion structure210do not rotate about axes of the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200, but may reciprocate in an extension direction of the sliding rod220, and the axis center distance between the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200changes while the sliding rod220slides. In this case, during folding of the folding electronic device, the axis center distance between the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200increases or decreases. In addition, the distance between the first occlusion structure110and the second occlusion structure210increases or decreases with sliding of the sliding rod220and the sleeve120, and the bending radius of the folding electronic device increases or decreases, so that the folding electronic device is smoother during folding, and the distance between the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200changes more accurately during rotation, thereby improving stability of folding deformation. A sliding fit direction between the sliding rod220and the sleeve120may be perpendicular to an axial direction of the first rotating shaft100or the second rotating shaft200.

In a further technical solution, the first elastic mechanism800may be arranged between the first limiting surface510and one of the sleeve120and the sliding rod220, that is, one end of the first elastic mechanism800fits one of the sleeve120and the sliding rod220, and the other end of the first elastic mechanism800fits the first limiting surface510. The second elastic mechanism900may be arranged between the second limiting surface610and the other one of the sleeve120and the sliding rod220, that is, one end of the second elastic mechanism900fits the other one of the sleeve120and the sliding rod220, and the other end of the second elastic mechanism900fits the second limiting surface610.

Optionally, the sleeve120and the sliding rod220may be mounted on the first occlusion structure110and the second occlusion structure210in two ways. In a case that the first occlusion structure110is provided with the sleeve120and the second occlusion structure210is provided with the sliding rod220, the first elastic mechanism800is arranged between the sleeve120and the first limiting surface510, and the second elastic mechanism900is arranged between the sliding rod220and the second limiting surface610; and in a case that the first occlusion structure110is provided with the sliding rod220and the second occlusion structure210is provided with the sleeve120, the first elastic mechanism800is arranged between the sliding rod220and the first limiting surface510, and the second elastic mechanism900is arranged between the sleeve120and the second limiting surface610. In this case, the sleeve120and the sliding rod220may be used to assist in mounting the first elastic mechanism800and the second elastic mechanism900, thereby implementing positioning of the first elastic mechanism800and the second elastic mechanism900.

In an optional solution, a screw hole may be provided on a contact part between the first limiting surface510and the first rotating shaft100, threads are arranged on an outer contact surface between the first rotating shaft100and the first limiting surface510, and the first rotating shaft100is connected to the first connecting portion500through screw-threaded fit. In an optional solution, a screw hole is provided at a contact part between the second limiting surface610and the second rotating shaft200, and threads are arranged on an outer contact surface between the second rotating shaft200and the second limiting surface610, and the second rotating shaft200may be connected to the second limiting surface610through screw-threaded fit. Certainly, the first rotating shaft100and the first connecting portion500, and the second rotating shaft200and the second connecting portion600may be assembled in manners such as bonding, welding, and riveting.

To make more standard elastic deformation of the first elastic mechanism800and the second elastic mechanism900, in an optional solution, the first elastic mechanism800may be sleeved on the first rotating shaft100. Similarly, the second elastic mechanism900may be sleeved on the second rotating shaft200. The first elastic mechanism800and the second elastic mechanism900may be springs or other components capable of elastic deformation (for example, an elastic block or an elastic sheet), and specific structures of the first elastic mechanism800and the second elastic mechanism900are not limited in the embodiments of this application.

In an optional solution, both the first elastic mechanism800and the second elastic mechanism900may be helical scaling springs.

In this case, when the user folds the folding electronic device, the deformation of the first elastic mechanism800is changed through a change in a meshing state of the first occlusal teeth111and the second occlusal teeth310. The maintenance of the deformation of the first elastic mechanism800causes hovering and damping of the first rotating shaft100. The second elastic mechanism900and the first elastic mechanism800are stretched or compressed synchronously, and the second elastic mechanism900is always tightly connected to the second occlusion structure210and the second limiting surface610. The deformation of the second elastic mechanism900is changed through a change in a meshing state of the third occlusal teeth410and the fourth occlusal teeth311. The maintenance of the deformation of the second elastic mechanism900causes hovering and damping of the second rotating shaft200, and finally the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200synchronously hover and damp, thereby avoiding the damage to the folding electronic device caused by excessive force or sudden removal by the user.

As described above, one end of the first elastic mechanism800may be fixed to the first limiting surface510, and the other end of the first elastic mechanism800may be fixed to the first occlusion structure110. One end of the second elastic mechanism900may be fixed to the second limiting surface610, and the other end of the second elastic mechanism900may be fixed to the second occlusion structure210. Therefore, in an optional solution, the first elastic mechanism800may be sleeved on the first rotating shaft100, or the second elastic mechanism900may be sleeved on the second rotating shaft200. In this case, the first elastic mechanism800, the first occlusion structure110, and the first limiting surface510are all arranged on the first rotating shaft100, and the second elastic mechanism900, the second occlusion structure210, and the second limiting surface610are all arranged on the second rotating shaft200. This arrangement is convenient for workers to assemble and reduces labor costs. In addition, neither the first limiting surface510nor the second limiting surface610is directly and fixedly connected to other components, so that the first limiting surface510and the second limiting surface610are not fixed stably with other components, thereby prolonging the service life of the folding electronic device.

In another optional technical solution, the folding mechanism may further include a second elastic connector1000, and a material and a manufacturing process of the second elastic connector1000may be the same as those of the first elastic connector700, thereby reducing models during production and improving production efficiency. Both the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200are in sliding fit with the second elastic connector1000, the first gear300and the first elastic mechanism800are arranged between the first elastic connector700and the second elastic connector1000, and the second gear400and the second elastic mechanism900are arranged between the first elastic connector700and the second elastic connector1000. That is, the first gear300is located on one side of the first elastic connector700facing the first elastic mechanism800, and the first elastic mechanism800is located on one side of the second elastic connector1000facing the first gear300; and the second gear400is located on one side of the first elastic connector700facing the first elastic mechanism800, and the second elastic mechanism900is located on one side of the second elastic connector1000facing the second gear400. In this case, both the first elastic connector700and the second elastic connector1000can adapt to a change in the distance between the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200through deformation, and the first elastic connector700and the second elastic connector1000are spaced apart, thereby improving the balance of support. In addition, the first elastic connector700and the second elastic connector1000are spaced apart, which is more beneficial to maintaining a relative angle between the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200. Generally, the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200are arranged in parallel, and in this case, an angle between the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200is zero.

In an optional solution, the first elastic connector700and the second elastic connector1000are arranged at both ends of the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200respectively. When the user applies a force to the folding electronic device for folding, since both ends of the folding electronic device are arranged with elastic connectors in a folding direction, folding degrees of the both ends of the folding electronic device are the same during folding of the folding electronic device, thereby avoiding the damage of the folding electronic device caused by different folding degrees of the both ends during folding of the folding electronic device.

In the embodiments of this application, the first connecting portion500may be fixedly connected to the first rotating shaft100, and the first connecting portion500may be provided with a first notch530. Optionally, the first rotating shaft100may be fixed to an edge of a length of the first connecting portion500, a diameter of the first rotating shaft100may be less than a thickness of the first connecting portion500, the first notch530may be provided at the edge of the length of the first connecting portion500, both ends of the first rotating shaft100are connected at two opposite edges of the first notch530, and the two edges of the first notch530may be drilled to fix the first rotating shaft100in holes at the two edges of the first notch530. The first rotating shaft100and the first notch530form a first accommodating space, and a part of the first gear300is located in the first accommodating space. Such a structure enables the first connecting portion500to sacrifice a partial structure of the first connecting portion500to form a space for accommodating at least a part of the first gear300, so that the folding mechanism is more compact in structure and occupies less space.

The second connecting portion600may be fixedly connected to the second rotating shaft200, and the second connecting portion600may be provided with a second notch630. Optionally, the second rotating shaft200may be fixed to an edge of a length of the second connecting portion600, a diameter of the second rotating shaft200may be less than a thickness of the second connecting portion600, the second notch630may be provided at the edge of the length of the second connecting portion600, both ends of the second rotating shaft200are connected at two opposite edges of the second notch630, and the two edges of the second notch630may be drilled to fix the second rotating shaft200in holes of the two edges of the second notch630. The second rotating shaft200and the second notch630form a second accommodating space, and a part of the second gear400is located in the second accommodating space. Such a structure enables the second connecting portion600to sacrifice a partial structure of the second connecting portion600to form a space for accommodating at least a part of the second gear400, so that the folding mechanism is more compact in structure and occupies less space.

In this case, the first accommodating space and the second accommodating space have a relative space, and at least part of the first gear300and the second gear400may be placed in the space, thereby reducing occupation of another space inside the folding electronic device, and being beneficial to reducing a size of the whole device and reducing material loss on the premise that all functions of the folding electronic device can be implemented.

In the embodiments of this application, the first gear300may be a first convex gear, the second gear400may be a second convex gear, and the first convex gear and the second convex gear are not circular gears. During meshing of the first convex gear and the second convex gear, the distance between a rotation center of the first convex gear and a rotation center of the second convex gear changes, the first elastic connector700is stretched or compressed at the same time, the axis center distance between the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200also increases or decreases, and the bending radius of the folding electronic device also increases or decreases.

Certainly, the first gear300may be a first eccentric gear, and the second gear400may be a second eccentric gear. Compared with the convex gear, the eccentric gear is still a circular gear, but a rotation center of the eccentric gear is not a geometric center of the circular gear. Because the eccentric gear is still a circular gear, the eccentric gear has an advantage of simple manufacture.

Based on the folding mechanism disclosed in the embodiments of this application, an embodiment of this application discloses a folding electronic device, which may include a flexible screen1100, a first housing, a second housing, and the folding mechanism described above.

The flexible screen1100may be a light-emitting diode (Light-Emitting Diode, LED) flexible display screen, which has the advantages of strong flexibility, high resolution, and low power consumption. In addition, a mounting process is simple, and the flexible screen1100may be mounted by methods such as magnet adsorption and bonding, which simplifies the mounting and disassembling process, is also convenient for maintenance, and greatly reduces the mounting and maintenance costs.

The first housing and the second housing may be metal housings or non-metal housings, and specific materials of the first housing and the second housing are not limited in the embodiments of this application. The first connecting portion500is connected to the first housing, and the second connecting portion600is connected to the second housing. During folding of the folding mechanism, the first housing and the second housing are rotatable relative to each other with relative rotation between the first connecting portion500and the second connecting portion600, thereby driving the flexible screen1100of the folding electronic device to be folded or unfolded.

As described above, the first housing is connected to the first connecting portion500, and rotatable with the first connecting portion500, and the second housing is connected to the second connecting portion600, and rotatable with the second connecting portion600. The flexible screen1100includes a first region, a second region, and a joint region, the first region is connected to the second region through the joint region, the first region is connected to the first housing, and the second region is connected to the second housing. Optionally, the first region and the second region may be connected to surfaces of the first housing and the second housing in a bonding manner, and areas of surfaces of the first housing and the second housing bonded to the first region and the second region are the same as areas of the first region and the second region, to support the flexible screen1100.

In a case that the first housing rotates relative to the second housing to a folded state of the folding electronic device and the flexible screen1100is located between the first housing and the second housing, the first distal edge is meshed with the second distal edge. Optionally, when the user does not use the folding electronic device, the flexible screen1100is meshed with the first gear300and the second gear400on the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200, the first distal edge of the first gear300is meshed with the second distal edge of the second gear400, the first elastic connector700and the second elastic connector1000are stretched, and the first elastic mechanism800and the second elastic mechanism900push the first occlusion structure110and the second occlusion structure210respectively to implement hovering and damping when the folding electronic device rotates. The axis center distance between the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200increases, and bending radiuses at the first connecting sheet and the second connecting sheet increase, so that the flexible screen1100of the folding electronic device is located between the first housing and the second housing, which can avoid direct contact between the flexible screen1100and an external environment, and avoid damage or friction of the flexible screen1100, thereby prolonging the service life of the flexible screen1100.

In a case that the first housing rotates relative to the second housing to a folded state of the folding electronic device and the first region and the second region are located on two opposite sides of the first housing and the second housing, the first proximal edge is meshed with the second proximal edge. Optionally, when the user uses the electronic device, the flexible screen1100is meshed with the first gear300and the second gear400on the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200, the first proximal edge of the first gear300is meshed with the second proximal edge of the second gear400, the first elastic connector700and the second elastic connector1000are compressed, and the first elastic mechanism800and the second elastic mechanism900push the first occlusion structure110and the second occlusion structure210respectively to implement hovering and damping when the folding electronic device rotates. The axis center distance between the first rotating shaft100and the second rotating shaft200decreases, so that the first region and the second region of the flexible screen1100of the folding electronic device are located on two opposite sides of the first housing and the second housing. Certainly, a suitable folding degree may be rotated by according to requirements of the user, so that the user can use the folding electronic device more comfortably according to preference of the user.

In a further technical solution, the first connecting portion500may be a first connecting sheet fixedly connected to the first housing, and the second connecting portion600may be a second connecting sheet fixedly connected to the second housing. In an optional solution, the first connecting sheet and the first housing, and the second connecting sheet and the second housing may be connected in manners such as bonding, welding, and riveting. Materials of the first connecting sheet and the second connecting sheet may be sheet metal materials, and specific materials of the first connecting sheet and the second connecting sheet are not limited in the embodiments of this application.

The folding and unfolding of the folding electronic device described above may be implemented through a manual operation. Certainly, the folding electronic device may further include a driving mechanism. The driving mechanism is connected to the first rotating shaft100or the second rotating shaft200to drive the first rotating shaft100or the second rotating shaft200to rotate, thereby implementing unfolding or folding of the folding mechanism. Compared with manual driving, mechanical driving is mainly reflected in that it is easier for the user when using the folding electronic device.

The folding electronic device disclosed in the embodiments of this application may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, an e-book reader, a game console, a wearable device, or the like. A specific type of the folding electronic device is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

The foregoing embodiments of this application focus on describing differences between the embodiments. As long as different optimization features of the embodiments are not contradictory, the embodiments can be combined to form a better embodiment, and details are not described herein for the brevity of the text.

The foregoing descriptions are merely embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit this application. For a person skilled in the art, various modifications and variations may be made to this application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, or improvement made without departing from the spirit and principle of this application shall fall within the scope of the claims of this application.