Foldable Electronic Device

A foldable electronic device that includes a first display area, a second display area, and a fourth display area, when the foldable electronic device is bent inwards to be in a folded state, shortcut information is displayed and interaction is performed using the fourth display area and the third display area to enable a user to view information and perform the interaction without unfolding the foldable electronic device.

This application claims priority to China National Intellectual Property Administration No. 202010142492.3, filed with China National Intellectual Property Administration on Mar. 4, 2020 and entitled “FOLDABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to the field of terminal technologies, and in particular, to a foldable electronic device.

BACKGROUND

As mobile devices such as mobile phones constantly develop, users have an increasingly strong demand for large-screen mobile phones. However, the large-screen mobile phones obviously are inconvenient to carry. Therefore, a foldable screen mobile phone with a screen that can be extended and deformed becomes main trends for improving carrying convenience. To meet differentiated requirements of different users, various foldable mobile phones with an inward folding screen or an outward folding screen emerge.

Currently, after the foldable mobile phone with an inward folding screen is folded, two display areas face each other. In an unfolding process, one end of each of the two display areas rotates around the other end to open. However, during use, if a user needs to view shortcut information, for example, time and a battery level, the user needs to unfold the foldable mobile phone to view the shortcut information. This is inconvenient for the user to view the shortcut information and affects user experience, and a service life of the foldable mobile phone is affected dues to multiple times of folding.

SUMMARY

This application provides a foldable electronic device, to help a user conveniently view information, reduce a quantity of folding times, and resolve a problem that it is inconvenient to view information on an existing foldable mobile phone with an inward folding screen and that a service life is affected due to multiple times of folding.

This application provides a foldable electronic device including a foldable display screen. The foldable display screen includes a first display area, a second display area, a third display area, and a fourth display area.

The fourth display area is located between the second display area and the third display area, and the second display area faces away from the third display area.

When the foldable electronic device is in a folded state, the first display area faces the second display area.

The rear side of the second display area includes a first area and a second area.

The foldable electronic device further includes at least one camera, and the at least one camera is disposed in the first area.

The third display area is fixedly disposed in the second area.

A button is further disposed in the fourth display area.

In the foldable electronic device provided in this embodiment of this application, the fourth display area is located between the second display area and the third display area, the second display area faces away from the third display area. When the foldable electronic device is in a folded state, the first display area faces the second display area. In this way, when the foldable electronic device is in a folded state, shortcut information may be displayed and interaction may be performed by using the fourth display area and the third display area, so that a user does not need to view information and perform interaction after unfolding the foldable electronic device, and a quantity of folding times of the foldable device are reduced. Therefore, the foldable electronic device provided in this embodiment of this application enables the user to conveniently view information when the foldable electronic device is in a folded state, increases a service life of the foldable electronic device, ensures that an interaction operation can be implemented when the foldable electronic device is in a folded state, and more items can be operated by the user when the mobile phone is in a folded state. This can resolve a problem that shortcut information cannot be conveniently viewed on an existing foldable mobile phone in a folded state and a service life of the foldable mobile phone is affected due to excessive folding times for viewing shortcut information.

In a possible implementation, the fourth display area is located on a first side edge of the foldable electronic device. In this way, the first side edge of the foldable electronic device may perform displaying by using the fourth display area, to allow more areas to perform displaying when the foldable electronic device is in a folded state.

In a possible implementation, the foldable display screen further includes a fifth display area, and the fifth display area is located between the first display area and the second display area.

In a possible implementation, the button is a virtual button.

In a possible implementation, the virtual button is configured as a volume button.

In a possible implementation, an indicator is disposed in the fourth display area.

In a possible implementation, the virtual button includes at least one of the following:

a dial button, a camera button, or a payment button.

In a possible implementation, the fourth display area displays first indication information, and the first indication information indicates a battery level of the electronic device.

In a possible implementation, the foldable electronic device further includes a distance sensor and/or an ambient optical sensor, and the distance sensor and/or the ambient optical sensor are/is disposed in the first area.

In a possible implementation, the foldable electronic device further includes a first structural part, a second structural part, and a first hinge. The first structural part supports the first display area of the foldable display screen.

The second structural part supports the second display area of the foldable display screen.

The first structural part and the second structural part rotate relative to the first hinge, so that when the foldable electronic device is in a folded state, the first display area faces the second display area.

In a possible implementation, the fifth display area is located at the first hinge.

In a possible implementation, the foldable display screen further includes a sixth display area and a seventh display area.

The seventh display area is located between the sixth display area and the first display area.

The sixth display area is fixedly disposed on the rear side of the first display area, or when the foldable electronic device is in a folded state, the sixth display area faces away from the first display area. In this way, when the foldable electronic device is in a folded state, the sixth display area, the seventh display area, the third display area, and the fourth display area all can display shortcut information, so that a user can view shortcut information more conveniently.

In a possible implementation, the seventh display area is located on a second side edge of the foldable electronic device. When the foldable electronic device is in an unfolded state, the first side edge faces the second side edge.

In a possible implementation, the foldable electronic device further includes a third structural part and a second hinge. The third structural part is rotationally connected to the first structural part by using the second hinge.

The seventh display area is located on the second hinge.

The third structural part supports the sixth display area.

In a possible implementation, an orthographic projection area that is on the rear side of the first display area and that is of the sixth display area partially or completely covers the rear side of the first display area.

In a possible implementation, the foldable electronic device further includes a rear cover, at least a part of an area of the rear cover is located in the first area, and an outer surface of the rear cover located in the first area is aligned with a display surface of the third display area. In this way, there is no height difference between the third display area and the part that is of the rear cover and that is located in the first area, and the third display area of the foldable electronic device and the part that is of the rear cover and that is located in the first area form a smooth outer surface.

In a possible implementation, an end surface of an end that is of the camera and that faces an object side protrudes from an outer surface of the rear cover located in the first area.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Terms used in implementations of this application are merely used to explain specific embodiments of this application, but are not intended to limit this application. The following describes implementations of embodiments of this application in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A foldable electronic device provided in embodiments of this application may include but is not limited to a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, an ultra-mobile personal computer (ultra-mobile personal computer, UMPC), a handheld computer, a handheld transceiver, a netbook, a POS terminal, a personal digital assistant (personal digital assistant, PDA), a dashboard camera, a security protection device, or another foldable mobile terminal or fixed terminal.

In embodiments of this application, an example in which a mobile phone is the foregoing foldable electronic device is used for description, and the mobile phone is a foldable mobile phone with an inward folding screen and an additional external screen.

In an existing foldable mobile phone with an inward folding screen, when the foldable mobile phone is folded, two display areas face each other. When a user needs to view shortcut information, the user needs to unfold the foldable mobile phone for viewing, which is inconvenient for the user to view the shortcut information. In addition, the foldable mobile phone needs to be unfolded each time of viewing, and consequently a service life of the foldable mobile phone is affected due to multiple times of folding.

In embodiments of this application, a third display area and a fourth display area are added to the foldable display screen. When the foldable mobile phone is in a folded state, the third display area and the fourth display area are exposed to the outside. In this way, the third display area and the fourth display area can display shortcut information, so that a user may view the shortcut information without unfolding the foldable mobile phone. This can reduce a quantity of folding times of the foldable mobile phone, and avoid a problem of inconvenience in viewing and excessive folding times that are caused when the user unfolds the mobile phone to view the short cut information.

A structure of the foldable mobile phone provided in embodiments of this application is described in detail by using the following scenarios.

FIG.1shows a structure of a foldable mobile phone in an unfolded state, andFIG.2is a schematic plan view of a structure of an unfolded foldable display screen.

As shown inFIG.1andFIG.2, the foldable mobile phone may include a foldable display screen10. The foldable display screen10may be an organic light-emitting diode (Organic Light-Emitting Diode, OLED) display screen, or may be another bendable flexible display screen.

As shown inFIG.2, the foldable display screen10may include a first display area11, a second display area12, a third display area13, and a fourth display area14. The fourth display area14is located between the second display area12and the third display area13, and the second display area12and the third display area13face away from each other. For example, as shown inFIG.1, when the foldable mobile phone is in an unfolded state, the second display area12and the third display area13face away from each other. As shown inFIG.3andFIG.4, when the foldable mobile phone is folded and the first display area11and the second display area12are at a specific angle (for example, the first display area11and the second display area12are at 30°, the second display area12and the third display area13still face away from each other. Therefore, in this embodiment of this application, when the foldable mobile phone is in an unfolded state or a folded state, a relative position of the third display area13to the second display area12is fixed, and the third display area13may be fixedly disposed on a rear side of the second display area12and located in a second area121bon the rear side of the second display area12(refer toFIG.6below). The third display area13and the second display area12may be fixedly disposed and cannot rotate relative to each other.

In a possible implementation, as shown inFIG.1andFIG.2, the foldable display screen may further include a fifth display area15, and the fifth display area15is located between the first display area11and the second display area12. A center axis of the fifth display area15coincides with a center axis of the foldable electronic device. As shown inFIG.1, when the foldable mobile phone is in an unfolded state, the fifth display area15is in a same plane with the first display area11and the second display area12. When the foldable mobile phone is folded, the first display area11and the second display area12may be folded around the center axis of the fifth display area15.

It should be noted that, the second display area12facing away from the third display area13means that a display surface of the second display area12faces away from a display surface of the third display area13. For example, the display surface of the second display area12faces away from the display surface of the third display area13.

In this embodiment of this application, as shown inFIG.5, when the foldable electronic device is in a folded state, the first display area11faces the second display area12. For example, a display surface of the first display area11faces a display surface of the second display area12. In other words, the display surface of the first display area11faces the display surface of the second display area12. In this way, when the foldable electronic device is in a folded state, the first display area11faces the second display area12, the third display area13and the fourth display area14are exposed to the outside (refer toFIG.4), and the third display area13and the fourth display area14may display shortcut information, so that a user can still view the shortcut information when the mobile phone is not unfolded. This can reduce a quantity of folding times of the foldable electronic device.

In this embodiment of this application, the foldable electronic device being in an unfolded state may be a state of the foldable electronic device when the first display area11and the second display area12are at 180° as shown inFIG.1. The folded state of the foldable electronic device may be a state of the foldable electronic device when the first display area11and the second display area12are at 0° as shown inFIG.5. When an angle between the first display area11and the second display area12in the foldable electronic device is greater than 0 and less than 180°, for example, when the angle between the first display area11and the second display area12is 90° or 135°, the foldable electronic device may be in a semi-unfolded state or a semi-folded state.

In this embodiment of this application, as shownFIG.6, a rear side121of the second display area12may include a first area121aand a second area121b.For example, the rear side121of the second display area12is divided into two areas by using a dashed line L inFIG.6, and one of the two areas is the first area121a,and the other is the second area121b.The first area121aand the second area121bmay be two long-strip-shaped structures arranged in parallel. In this embodiment, heights of the first area121aand the second area121bmay be the same, and widths of the first area121aand the second area121bmay be adjusted based on a width b of the third display area13.

When the third display area13faces away from the second display area12, the third display area13may be located in the second area121bon the rear side of the second display area12. In other words, in this embodiment of this application, when the third display area13is located in the rear side of the second display area12, the third display area13partially covers the rear side of the second display area12. Certainly in some other examples, the third display area13may also completely cover the rear side of the second display area12. In other words, the third display area13may be located in the first area1121aand the second area121b.In this way, the third display area13may be provided with a hole. The camera51may be located at a position of the hole in the third display area13, and the third display area13is used as a hole-punch display.

It should be noted that, in this embodiment of this application, a fourth display area14exists between the third display area13and the second display area12, so that when the third display area13and the second display area12are disposed facing away from each other, the fourth display area14allows a specific spacing between the third display area13and the second area121bof the second display area12. Therefore, the third display area13being located in the second area121bdoes not indicate that the third display area13is disposed on the second area121b.Instead, when the third display area13is disposed on the rear side of the second display area12, an orthographic projection area that is of the third display area13and that is on the rear side of the second display area12is located in the second area121b.For example, the orthographic projection area that is of the third display area13and that is on the rear side of the second display area12completely covers the second area121.

In this embodiment of this application, the foldable electronic device further includes at least one camera51. For example, there are three cameras51as shown inFIG.6. Certainly, in some other examples, at least four cameras may be disposed to implement a four-camera function. In this embodiment of this application, the at least one camera51is located in the first area121a.In this way, as shown inFIG.5, the camera51is located in the first area121aon the rear side of the second display area12, and the third display area13is located in the second area121bof the second display area12. It should be noted that, the camera51being located in the first area121ais specifically that an orthographic projection that is of the camera51and that is on the rear side of the second display area12is located in the first area121a,and a lens end of the camera51faces away from the display surface of the second display area12. In this embodiment of this application, the camera51may be used as a front-facing camera for taking a selfie when the mobile phone is in a folded state, or the camera51may be used as a rear-facing camera for photographing when the mobile phone is unfolded.

In this embodiment of this application, the foldable electronic device further includes at least one sensor52. The sensor52may be a distance sensor configured to detect a distance during photographing. Alternatively, the sensor52may be an ambient optical sensor configured to detect ambient light, to increase or decrease an exposure value during photographing.FIG.6shows one sensor52. In another example, a quantity of the sensors52includes but is not limited to one, or may be two. For example, the foldable electronic device includes a distance sensor and an ambient optical sensor. The at least one sensor may be located in the first area121aand disposed close to the camera51.

In this embodiment of this application, to support the foldable display screen10, as shown inFIG.6, the foldable electronic device may further include a first structural part21, a second structural part22, and a first hinge31. The first structural part21and the second structural part22rotate relative to the first hinge31. For example, one end of the first structural part21is rotationally connected to one end of the second structural part22by using the first hinge31, and the other end of the first structural part21and the other end of the second structural part22may rotate around the first hinge31. The first structural part21may support the first display area11of the foldable display screen, the second structural part22may support the second display area12of the foldable display screen, and the first hinge31may support the fifth display area15of the foldable display screen (refer toFIG.1). In this way, when the foldable electronic device is in a folded state, the first display area11faces the second display area12, and the fifth display area15bends at the first hinge31.

In this embodiment of this application, the second display area12is located on one side of the second structural part22, and the third display area13is located on the other side of the second structural part22. For example, an inner side of the second structural part22is configured to support the second display area12, an outer side of the second structural part22is configured to support the third display area13, and a side edge of the second structural part22is configured to support the fourth display area14.

Refer toFIG.6. The first structural part21may include a first middle plate211and a frame disposed around an outer edge of the first middle plate211. The frame may include a second side edge212, a first top edge214, a first bottom edge213, and a first side edge (not shown). The second structural part22may include a second middle plate221and a frame disposed around an outer edge of the second middle plate221. The frame may include a first side edge222, a second top edge224, a second bottom edge223, and a second side edge225. The first hinge31may be separately connected to the second side edge225of the second structural part22and the first side edge of the first structural part21.

In this embodiment of this application, each frame is fastened to the first middle plate211and the second middle plate221through injection and molding. The first middle plate211and the second middle plate221may be aluminum plates, aluminum alloys, or magnesium alloys. Each frame may be a metal frame, a glass frame, or a ceramic frame.

In a possible implementation, the first side edge of the foldable electronic device may be the first side edge222of the second structural part22. Refer toFIG.4andFIG.6. The fourth display area14may be located on the first side edge222of the second structural part22. In this way, the first side edge222of the second structural part22is covered by the fourth display area14, to perform displaying on the first side edge222of the second structural part22, so that no black edge exists on the second side edge222of the second structural part22in the third display area13, and a black edge area in the third display area13of the foldable electronic device is reduced, thereby ensuring that the foldable electronic device has a larger display area when the foldable electronic device is in a folded state. In this way, when the foldable electronic device is in a folded state, an exposed display area includes but is not limited to displaying shortcut information, and interaction, for example, WeChat chatting or web page browsing, may be further implemented in the display area. In addition, when the fourth display area14is located on the first side edge222, no black edge (refer toFIG.1) exists on the first side edge222in the second display area12, so that a display area of the second display area12is larger. In this way, after the foldable electronic device is unfolded, a screen-to-body ratio of a display screen including the first display area11and the second display area12is larger.

In a possible implementation, as shown inFIG.3andFIG.6, the foldable mobile phone may further include a rear cover40. The rear cover40may include a first rear cover41and a second rear cover42, and the first rear cover41and the second rear cover42may be independent rear covers shown inFIG.6. Certainly, in some other examples, the first rear cover41and the second rear cover42may be an integrated structure. The second rear cover42and the first display area may be respectively located on two sides of the first structural part21, and the first rear cover41and the third display area13are located on a same side of the second structural part22. In this embodiment, the first rear cover41may be located in the first area121aon the rear side of the second display area12.

As shown inFIG.6, the at least one camera51and the sensor52may be located in the first rear cover41. The first rear cover41may be provided with an assembly hole (not shown) for assembling the at least one camera51and the sensor52. An end face of an end that faces an object side and that is of the at least one camera51and an end face of an end of the sensor52may protrude outwards from the assembly hole, so that the end face of the end that faces the object side and that is of the at least one camera51and the end face of the end of the sensor52are not in a same plane as an outer surface of the first rear cover41. Alternatively, an end face of an end that faces an object side and that is of the at least one camera51and an end face of an end of the sensor52extend into the assembly hole and are aligned with an outer surface of the first rear cover41. It should be noted that the end face of the end that faces the object side and that is of the camera51is specifically an exposed end face of the camera51in the first rear cover41inFIG.5, and the end face of the end of the sensor52is an exposed end face of the sensor52in the first rear cover41inFIG.5.

It should be noted that the camera51and the sensor52may be separately disposed in the first rear cover41. Alternatively, as shown inFIG.5, the camera51and the sensor52may be assembled on the mounting plate53to form an integrated structure, and the integrated structure is mounted in the first rear cover41. In this embodiment, as shown inFIG.5, an end face of the mounting plate53on the outer surface of the first rear cover41is higher than the outer surface of the first rear cover41. Alternatively, as shown in the followingFIG.7, the mounting plate53protrudes on the outer surface of the first rear cover41. Certainly, an outward-facing end face of the mounting plate53may also be aligned with the outer surface of the first rear cover41.

In this embodiment of this application, the first rear cover41and the second rear cover42may be metal, glass, plastic, or ceramic rear covers.

In a possible implementation, the first rear cover41and the third display area13are located on a same side of the second structural part22, the third display area13is located in the second area121bon the rear side of the second display area12, and the first rear cover41is located in the first area121aon the rear side of the second display area12. The outer surface of the first rear cover41is aligned with the display surface of the third display area13. For example, the display surface of the third display area13and the outer surface of the first rear cover41(that is, a surface facing away from the display surface of the second display area12) are on a same plane (refer toFIG.7below). In this way, when the foldable mobile phone is in a folded state, no mismatch exists between the outer surface of the first rear cover41and the display surface of the third display area13, and smooth transition occurs at a joint between the outer surface of the first rear cover41and the third display area13, so that an appearance of an outer surface formed by the first rear cover41and the third display area is smoother, and display effect is not affected. Certainly, in some other examples, the outer surface of the first rear cover41is closer to the second display area12than to the display surface of the third display area13. For example, there is a height difference between the outer surface of the first rear cover41and the display surface of the third display area13. The outer surface of the first rear cover41may be lower than the display surface of the third display area13, and the end face of the end that faces the object side and that is of the camera51and/or the end face of the end of the sensor52may be aligned with the display surface of the third display area13.

In a possible implementation, as shown inFIG.6, the foldable mobile phone may further include a circuit board60, a first battery71, and a second battery72. The circuit board60and the first battery71may be located on a surface that is of the second middle plate221of the second structural part22and that faces the third display area13. The second battery72may be located on a surface that is of the first middle plate211of the first structural part21and that faces the second rear cover42. Certainly, in some other examples, a quantity of the circuit boards60may include but is not limited to one. For example, two circuit boards60may be included, one circuit board60is located on the second middle plate221of the second structural part22and the other circuit board60is located on the first middle plate211of the first structural part21.

In this embodiment, the first battery71and the second battery72may be connected to the circuit board60by using a power supply management module and a charging management module. The power supply management module receives input of the first battery71, the second battery72, and/or the charging management module, and supplies power to a processor, an internal memory, an external memory, the foldable display screen10, a camera module, a communications module, and the like. The power management module may be further configured to monitor parameters such as capacities of the first battery71and the second battery72, cycles of the first battery71and the second battery72, and health statuses (leakage and impedance) of the first battery71and the second battery72. In some other embodiments, the power supply management module may alternatively be disposed in a processor of the circuit board60. In some other embodiments, the power supply management module and the charging management module may alternatively be disposed in a same component.

In a possible implementation, the foldable mobile phone further includes a supporting steel sheet80, and the supporting steel sheet80is configured to support the foldable display screen10.FIG.6shows one supporting steel sheet80. The supporting steel sheet80is configured to support the third display area13of the foldable display screen10. In some other examples, the first display area11and the second display area12are disposed to support the foldable display screen10. As shown inFIG.5, the supporting steel sheet80is located on the circuit board60and the first battery71, the third display area13is located on the supporting steel sheet80, and the circuit board60and the first battery71are disposed on the surface that is of the second middle plate221of the second structural part22and that faces the third display area13. The circuit board60and the first battery71are disposed in parallel on the second middle plate221. A part of the second middle plate221, the circuit board60, the first battery71, and the supporting steel sheet80may be disposed between the third display area13and the second area121bthat is on the rear side of the second display area12. An orthographic projection that is of the circuit board60and that is on the rear side of the second display area12may be located in the second area121b,may be located in the first area121a,or may be located in the first area121aand the second area121b.An orthographic projection that is of the first battery71and that is on the rear side of the second display area12may be located in the second area121b,may be located in the first area121a,or may be located in the first area121aand the second area121b.Disposing positions of the first battery71and the circuit board60are specifically adjusted based on an actual requirement, and this is not limited in this embodiment of this application. Certainly, in some other examples, the first middle plate211and the second middle plate221may respectively support the first display area11and the second display area12, so that the supporting steel sheet80is not disposed on a rear side of the first display area11and the rear side of the second display area12.

In this embodiment of this application, as shown inFIG.7, a button is further disposed in the fourth display area14. The button may be a virtual button. For example, the button may be a virtual touch button, and the virtual button is displayed in the fourth display area14. The virtual button shown inFIG.7may be configured as a volume button141. For example, at least one volume button141may be displayed in the fourth display area14.FIG.7shows two volume buttons141, one volume touch button111is configured to increase volume, and the other volume touch button141is configured to decrease the volume. For example, one of the volume touch buttons141may be pressed and held to increase the volume, and the other volume touch button141may be pressed and held to decrease the volume. Certainly, in some other examples, one volume button141may be disposed. For example, sliding up the volume button141is to increase volume, and sliding down the volume button141is to decrease the volume.

In another possible implementation, as shown inFIG.8, at least one virtual shortcut button is disposed in the fourth display area14, for example, a shortcut button142a,a shortcut button142b,and a shortcut button142c.The plurality of shortcut buttons may include at least one of a dial button, a camera button, or a payment button. Certainly, the shortcut button includes but is not limited to a dial button, a camera button, or a payment button.

In another possible implementation, at least one indicator may be further disposed in the fourth display area14. As shown inFIG.9, the fourth display area14has multiple display indicators of different colors, for example, a display indicator143a,a display indicator143b,a display indicator143c,a display indicator143d,a display indicator143e,and a display indicator143f.When the display indicators are turned on, ring flashing effect is formed, so that the mobile phone is cooler. The multiple display indicators of different colors may be red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and purple display indicators, to form a rainbow color. Alternatively, in this embodiment, each display indicator may display multiple colors, and multiple display indicators perform ring-flashing in a rainbow color after being lit.

In another possible implementation, the fourth display area14displays first indication information, the first indication information indicates a battery level of the electronic device. The first indication information may be a battery level display box144shown inFIG.10. The battery level display box144may display the battery level and display a charging status in a charging process. In some other examples, the first indication information may alternatively be a digital identifier. For example, when a battery level is 30%, the first indication information is displayed as 30%. Alternatively, the first indication information may include a battery level display box144and a digital identifier. For example, the digital identifier is displayed on the battery level display box144.

In this embodiment of this application, when the foldable mobile phone is used, the fourth display area14may display a battery level, time, a virtual button, and the like, and the third display area13may implement an interaction function. For example, as shown inFIG.11, when the foldable electronic device is in a folded state, WeChat voice chatting or video chatting may be performed in the third display area13. Alternatively, as shown inFIG.12, when the foldable electronic device is in an unfolded state, WeChat chatting may be performed in the third display area13, in this embodiment, through interaction in the third display area13a user can perform interaction only after unfolding the foldable mobile phone.

When the foldable mobile phone is in an unfolded state, as shown inFIG.13, a photo may be simultaneously displayed in the second display area12, the first display area11, and the fifth display area15. Alternatively, when the foldable mobile phone is in an unfolded stale, as shown inFIG.14, an application icon is displayed in the second display area12. When a finger of a user touches an icon, for example, a clock icon inFIG.14, an image after touching is displayed in the first display area11. The second display area12and the first display area11may display different content. In this way, for example, the user may chat in the second display area12by using WeChat, watch a video in the first display area11. The user may simultaneously select two different operations.

In a possible implementation, as shown inFIG.15, the rear cover40may be a bendable rear cover. For example, the rear cover40is a flexible cover. In this way, the rear cover40may be an integrated plate, and the first rear cover41and the second rear cover41may be an integrated structure. The rear cover40may include three parts. A first part of the rear cover40is located in the first area121aon the rear side of the second display area12, and is aligned with the display surface of the third display area13. Alternatively, in another example, an outer surface that is of the rear cover40and that is located in the first area121ais closer to the second display area12than to the display surface of the third display area13. For example, the outer surface that is of the rear cover40and that is located in the first area121ais lower than the display surface of the third display area13. The end face of the end that faces the object side and that is of the camera51and/or the end face of the end of the sensor51may be aligned with the display surface of the third display area13. A second part of the rear cover40is located at the first hinge31. The second part of the rear cover40and the fifth display area15are respectively located on two sides of the first hinge. A third part of the rear cover40is located on an outer side of the first structural part21and faces away from the first display area11. When the foldable mobile phone is in a folded state, as shown inFIG.16, the rear cover40bends at the first hinge31. The first structural part21and the second structural part22are connected to the rear cover40.

In a possible implementation, in this embodiment of this application, as shown in FIG.17, the first middle plate211of the first structural part21may replace the second rear cover42. For example, the first middle plate211and each edge that are of the first structural part21form a rear cover with a frame, in other words, the first structural part21may be a rear cover. In this way, the second rear cover42may be omitted, and only the first rear cover41is disposed. For example, the rear cover40only includes the first rear cover41, so that the entire rear cover40(that is, the first rear cover41) is located in the first area121aon the rear side of the second display area12. As shown inFIG.17, the first middle plate211of the first structural part21and each edge form a cavity, and the second battery72may be located in the cavity. As shown inFIG.18, the second battery72is located between the first display area11and the first middle plate211, and the second battery72is located between the first display area11and the second middle plate221.

In this scenario, as shown inFIG.19, the foldable display screen may further include a sixth display area16and a seventh display area17. The seventh display area17is located between the sixth display area16and the first display area11. Refer toFIG.20. The sixth display area16is fixedly disposed on the rear side of the first display area11. For example, when the foldable mobile phone is in a semi-folded state (as shown inFIG.20) or an unfolded state (as shown inFIG.21), the sixth display area16keeps facing away from the first display area11, and a relative position of the sixth display area16to the first display area11is fixed.

In this embodiment of this application, when the foldable mobile phone is in an unfolded state, the sixth display area16and the third display area13may be located on a same side and in a same plane. When the foldable mobile phone is in a folded state, the sixth display area16and the third display area13face away from each other. For example, a display surface of the sixth display area16faces away from a display surface of the third display area13. In this way, after the mobile phone in a folded stale is placed, a user can view shortcut information or perform interaction by using either the sixth display area16or the third display area13. This avoids a case in which when the user places the mobile phone in a folded state with the third display area13facing away from the user, the user needs to turn over the mobile phone to view the shortcut information in the third display area13or perform interaction.

In this embodiment of this application, when the foldable mobile phone is in an unfolded state, as shown inFIG.21, the sixth display area16and the third display area13may display different content. For example, a shortcut icon may be displayed in the sixth display area16, and WeChat chatting or other interaction may be performed in the third display area13.

In this embodiment of this application, as shown inFIG.20, an orthographic projection that is of the sixth display area16and that is on the rear side of the first display area11may partially cover the rear side of the first display area11. For example, the rear side of the first display area11may include two areas. The sixth display area16is located in one of the two areas, and the second rear cover is located in the other area. A display surface of the sixth display area16is aligned with an outer surface of the second rear cover, to ensure that no mismatch exists between the sixth display area16and the second rear cover, and the sixth display area16and the second rear cover form a smooth outer surface.

Alternatively, as shown inFIG.22, an orthographic projection that is of the sixth display area16and that is on the rear side of the first display area11may completely cover the rear side of the first display area11. For example, a display area of the sixth display area16may be the same as the display surface of the first display area11. In this way, when a user uses the foldable mobile phone, and the mobile phone is in a folded state, a display surface of the sixth display area16is larger. Therefore, the sixth display area16can satisfy most interactions and functions. When the user needs to watch a video or play a game on a large screen, the user may unfold the foldable mobile phone.

In this embodiment of this application, a second side edge of the foldable electronic device may be the second side edge212of the first structural part21. Therefore, the seventh display area17may be located on the second side edge212of the first structural part21(refer toFIG.17). In this way, the seventh display area17and the fourth display area14are respectively located on two sides of the foldable mobile phone, so that both the two sides of the foldable mobile phone can perform display, no black edge exists on the first side edge222in the first display area11and on the second side edge212in the second display area12, and a screen-to-body ratio is larger when the mobile phone is in an unfolded state. In addition, no black edge exists on the first side edge222in the third display area13and on the second side edge212in the sixth display area16, so that display surfaces of the third display area13and the sixth display area16are larger.

In the foregoing scenario 2, the sixth display area16is fixedly disposed. However, in this scenario, a relative position of the sixth display area16to the first display area11may change. For example, the sixth display area16may be disposed rotationally relative to the first display area11. As shown inFIG.23, the foldable mobile phone may further include a third structural part23and a second hinge32. The third structural part23is rotationally connected to the first structural part21by using the second hinge32, and the third structural part23supports the sixth display area16. As shown inFIG.23andFIG.24, the seventh display area17is located at the second hinge32.

It should be noted that, when the foldable mobile phone includes the first hinge31and the second hinge32, rotation directions of the first display area11and the second display area12may be different from rotation directions of the sixth display area16and the first display area11. For example, as shown inFIG.25, the first display area11and the second display area12may rotate between 0° and 180°, and the sixth display area16and the first display area11may rotate between 180° and 360°. In this embodiment of this application, the foldable mobile phone being in an unfolded state is a state shown inFIG.23in which the first display area11and the second display area12are at 180° and the first display area11and the sixth display area16are at 180°. The foldable mobile phone being in a folded state is a state in which the first display area11and the second display area12are at 0° and the first display area11and the sixth display area16are at 360°.

In this embodiment of this application, as shown inFIG.25, the rear cover40may further include a third rear cover43. The third rear cover43and the sixth display area16are respectively located on two sides of the third structural part23. The third rear cover43is located in an entire area on a rear side of the sixth display area16, and the second rear cover42is located in the entire area on the rear side of the first display area11. When the first structural part21and the third structural part23are in a folded state, the third rear cover43faces the second rear cover42. In this embodiment of this application, the third rear cover43and the second rear cover42may be disposed independently of each other. Alternatively, the third rear cover43and the second rear cover42may be an integrated structure. The integrated structure may be a bendable plate, for example, may be a flexible plate, a part of the flexible plate is used as the third rear cover43, and another part of the flexible plate is used as the second rear cover42.

When the foldable mobile phone is in an unfolded state, as shown inFIG.23, the sixth display area16and the display surface of the first display area11are in a same plane. When the first structural part21and the third structural part23that are of the foldable mobile phone are folded together. For example, as shown inFIG.26, the sixth display area16faces away from the first display area11, that is, when the folded mobile phone is in a folded state, the display surface of the sixth display area16faces away from the display surface of the first display area11.

In this embodiment, as shown inFIG.26, when the sixth display area16faces away from the first display area11, the sixth display area16completely covers the second rear cover42. In this way, when the three structural parts of the foldable mobile phone are folded together, a side on which the sixth display area16is located is a stable structure and has no step from the second rear cover42, thereby ensuring aesthetic appearance of the foldable electronic device.

In descriptions of embodiments of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms “installation”, “connection to”, and “connection” should be understood in a broad sense. For example, the connection may be a fixed connection, may be an indirect connection by using an intermediate medium, or may be an internal connection between two elements or an interaction relationship between two elements. For a person of ordinary skill in the art, specific meanings of the foregoing terms in embodiments of this application may be understood according to a specific situation.

In the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of embodiments of this application, the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “fourth”, and so on (if any) are intended to distinguish between similar objects but do not necessarily indicate a specific order or sequence.