HINGE DEVICES AND FLEXIBLE DISPLAY DEVICES

A hinge device and a flexible display device are provided according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The hinge device includes a fixed trestle, a guide slider, and a support mechanism. The guide slider is rotatably connected with the fixed trestle, and the support mechanism is rotatably connected with the fixed trestle. When the hinge device folds or unfolds, the support mechanism and the guide slider rotate relative to fixed trestle, and the support mechanism slide relative to the guide slider, so as to drive the flexible screen to fold or unfold, thereby improving folding performance and folding effect of the panel.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of designs and preparation of display devices, and in particular, to hinge devices and flexible display devices.

BACKGROUND

With the development of technical fields of preparation of display devices, people have put forward higher requirements for the performance and quality of the display devices and display devices.

Flexible foldable display devices are applied in various fields since they can bend or fold to a certain extent. The flexible foldable display device prepared in related art requires a specific foldable structure when bending. For example, a foldable hinge is provided in the foldable display device to achieve the bending and deformation functions. When the flexible foldable device bends, the foldable hinge generally has only one rotation axis during a rotating process, a position of the rotation axis is fixed, and the fixed rotation axis cannot be well matched with other foldable components, so that linkage effect between the components of the foldable panel is reduced, thereby finally reducing folding performance of the flexible foldable display device, which is not conducive to improvement of comprehensive performance of the flexible foldable display device.

Accordingly, it is necessary to propose solutions to the problems in the related art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Technical Problems

In summary, when a flexible foldable display device prepared in the related art bends and folds, a foldable hinge thereof has a fixed rotation axis, resulting in poor linkage with other foldable components, thereby reducing folding performance of the flexible foldable display device.

Technical Solutions

In order to solve the above problems, hinge devices and flexible display devices are provided according to embodiments of the present disclosure to effectively relieve the problem of non-ideal folding effect of the flexible foldable device in a folding process in the related art, herein, the non-ideal folding effect is caused by a fixed rotation axis of the foldable hinge in the related art, which results in poor linkage with other foldable components.

In order to solve the above technical problems, technical solutions according to embodiments of the present disclosure are provided as following.

In a first aspect according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a hinge device is provided, and the hinge device includes:a fixed trestle;a guide slider disposed on a side of the fixed trestle and rotatably connected with the fixed trestle; anda support mechanism disposed on a side of the fixed trestle, rotatably connected with the fixed trestle, and slidably connected with the guide slider;herein, when the hinge device rotates, the support mechanism and the guide slider rotate relative to the fixed trestle, and the support mechanism slide relative to the guide slider; andherein, the hinge device further includes a torsion mechanism and a middle support plate, the torsion mechanism includes a first torsion mechanism and a second torsion mechanism, and the middle support plate is disposed between the first torsion mechanism and the second torsion mechanism.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the support mechanism rotates around a first virtual shaft, the guide slider connected with the support mechanism rotate around a second virtual shaft, and the first virtual shaft is parallel to the second virtual shaft.

In a second aspect according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a hinge device is provided, and the hinge device includes:a fixed trestle;a guide slider disposed on a side of the fixed trestle and rotatably connected with the fixed trestle; anda support mechanism disposed on a side of the fixed trestle, rotatably connected with the fixed trestle, and slidably connected with the guide slider;herein, when the hinge device rotates, the support mechanism and the guide slider rotate relative to the fixed trestle, and the support mechanism slide relative to the guide slider.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the support mechanism rotates around a first virtual shaft, the guide slider connected with the support mechanism rotate around a second virtual shaft, and the first virtual shaft is parallel to the second virtual shaft.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the guide slider is rotatably connected with the fixed trestle by a first slide chute structure;the support mechanism is rotatably connected with the fixed trestle by a second slide chute structure; andthe first slide chute structure includes first chutes, the second slide chute structure includes limit chutes, and a curvature of each of the first chutes is different from a curvature of each of the limit chutes.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the curvature of each of the first chutes ranges from 20 m−1to 30 m−1, and the curvature of each of the limit chutes ranges from 15 m−1to 19 m−1.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a length of each of the first chutes is less than a length of each of the limit chutes.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the support mechanism includes a first support mechanism and a second support mechanism disposed on a side of the first support mechanism, the first support mechanism has a first opening, the second support mechanism has a second opening, and the first opening and the second opening are dislocated.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the guide slider includes a first guide slider and a second guide slider;herein, the first guide slider is disposed in the first opening, the second guide slider is disposed in the second opening, the second virtual shaft which the first guide slider and the second guide slider rotate around changes as rotation of the support mechanism.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first guide slider and the second guide slider are each provided with the first chutes and second chutes thereon, the second chutes are disposed adjacent to the support mechanism, and the first chutes are disposed adjacent to the fixed trestle;herein, each of the second chutes is a linear chute, and each of the first chutes is an arc-shaped chute.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first support mechanism and the second support mechanism are each provided with first rails thereon, and the fixed trestle is provided with second rails thereon;herein, each of the second chutes on the first guide slider is mated with one of the first rails on the first support mechanism, and the first guide slider is configured to be translational with respect to the first support mechanism and along the second chutes thereon;each of the second chutes on the second guide slider is mated with one of the first rails on the second support mechanism, and the second guide slider is configured to be translational with respect to the second support mechanism along the second chutes thereon; andeach of the first chutes on the first guide slider and the second guide slider is correspondingly mated with one of the second rails on the fixed trestle.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the hinge device further includes a torsion mechanism disposed on at least one side of the fixed trestle and rotatably connected with the fixed trestle;herein, the support mechanism slides relative to the torsion mechanism by a third slide chute structure.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the torsion mechanism is provided with active grooves adjacent to the support mechanism;herein, each of the active grooves is arc-shaped.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the active grooves includes first arc portions and second arc portions, the second arc portions are disposed on both sides of each of first arc portions, and the second arc portions are smoothly connected with each of first arc portions;herein, a curvature of each of the first arc portions is less than a curvature of each of the second arc portions.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the torsion mechanism further includes axis pins, each of the axis pins includes an end fixed on the support mechanism and another end inserted into one of the active grooves;herein, when the hinge device rotates, the support mechanism is configured to drive the axis pins to slide in the active grooves and to drive the torsion mechanism to move relative to the support mechanism.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the torsion mechanism includes a first torsion mechanism and a second torsion mechanism opposite to the first torsion mechanism, the first torsion mechanism and the second torsion mechanism include torsion arms disposed on ends thereof, main shafts, and connection holes; andherein, the torsion arms are provided with cams and gears, each of the cams is disposed on a side of one of the gears, and each of the cams is disposed around one of the connection holes.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cams include a first cam and a second cam, the gears include a first gear and a second gear, the first cam and the first gear are disposed on one of the torsion arms of the first torsion mechanism, and the second cam and the second gear are disposed on one of the torsion arms of the second torsion mechanism.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the hinge device further includes an avoidance mechanism; herein, an end of the avoidance mechanism is connected with the fixed trestle, the avoidance mechanism is provided with a third gear and a fourth gear meshes with each other, and the third gear and the fourth gear each mesh with a corresponding one of the gears on the torsion arms;herein, when the hinge device rotates, the first gear and the second gear on the torsion arms are configured to drive the third gear and the fourth gear to rotate, so as to make the avoidance mechanism rise or fall relative to the torsion mechanism.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the torsion mechanism further includes: a third cam and a fourth cam, each of the third cam and the fourth cam being sleeved on a corresponding one of the main shafts; andsprings, each of the springs being sleeved on a corresponding one of the main shafts and abutting against one of the third cam and the fourth cam;herein, recesses of the first cam mesh with bulges of the third cam, recesses of the second cam mesh with bulges of the fourth cam, and the bulges rotate relative to the recesses when the torsion mechanism rotates.

In a third aspect according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a flexible display device is further provided, and the flexible display device includes:a flexible screen;a housing configured to support the flexible screen; andat least one hinge device, the flexible screen being laid on the hinge device, and the hinge device being connected with the housing;herein, the hinge device includes:a fixed trestle;a guide slider disposed on a side of the fixed trestle and rotatably connected with the fixed trestle; anda support mechanism disposed on a side of the fixed trestle, rotatably connected with the fixed trestle, and slidably connected with the guide slider;herein, when the hinge device rotates, the support mechanism and the guide slider rotate relative to the fixed trestle, and the support mechanism slide relative to the guide slider.

Beneficial Effects

In summary, beneficial effects of embodiments of the present disclosure are as followings:

In the hinge devices and the flexible display devices provided according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the hinge device includes a fixed trestle, a support mechanism, and a rotation mechanism. Herein, an end of the rotation mechanism is fixedly connected with the support mechanism, and another end of the rotation mechanism is rotatably connected with the fixed trestle. The support mechanism is provided with guide rails, and the fixed trestle is provided with limit chutes. When the foldable hinge is in a folded state or an unfolded state, the rotation mechanism is translational with respect to the support mechanism, the guide rails of the support mechanism slide in the limit chutes, and the rotation mechanism is driven to rotate relative to the fixed trestle. During a rotating process, a rotation axis of the rotation mechanism can change. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, various components have better linkage and matching effect, which can better fold the flexible display device, and then effectively improve bending performance of the flexible display device.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The descriptions of the following embodiments refer to the accompanying drawings to illustrate the present disclosure may be implemented.

With the continuous development of preparation technology of flexible foldable display devices, people have put forward higher requirements for the bending and folding performance of flexible display devices.

As shown inFIG.1,FIG.1is a schematic structural view of a partial structure of a flexible foldable display device in the related art. When the flexible foldable display device100in the related art bends or folds, a hinge device is generally required to provide a drive force. The hinge device may have various structures, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the hinge device is illustrated by a foldable hinge102as an example. A flexible screen of the display device bends with the bending of the foldable hinge102, and finally the folding of the entire flexible screen is realized. During a folding process, a fixed rotation axis correspondingly inside the foldable hinge is a fixed rotation axis. Therefore, the fixed rotation axis cannot be changed when folding, which causes that a connection cover101in a folding area of the flexible panel cannot rise or fall in a certain extend relative to the flexible screen, and cannot provide an avoidance space for the flexible screen in the folding area, which causes the folding performance of the flexible foldable display device to decrease, which is not conducive to the improvement of the comprehensive performance of the flexible foldable display device.

Hinge devices and flexible display devices are provided according to embodiments of the present disclosure to effectively relieve the problem of non-ideal folding performance of the flexible device in a folding process in the related art, herein, the non-ideal folding effect is caused by a fixed rotation axis of the foldable structure, which results in poor linkage with other foldable components.

As shown inFIG.2,FIG.2is a schematic structural view of a partial structure of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, a position of a rotation axil of a foldable hinge102can change with folding of a flexible screen during a folding process of a flexible display device, and then an avoidance space is provided to other components during the changing process, so that the linkage with other components are ensured, and the folding performance of the flexible display device is effectively improved.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the foldable hinge is mainly applied in display devices such as electronic devices.

As shown inFIG.3toFIG.5,FIG.3toFIG.5are schematic structural views in different directions of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG.3for detail, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the flexible display device includes a flexible screen301, a housing302, and a foldable hinge102. Herein, the foldable hinge102is disposed inside the housing302and connected with sides of the housing302. The flexible screen301is laid and fixed on the housing302and the corresponding foldable hinge102.

Furthermore, the foldable hinge102is disposed in a bending area1021of the flexible display device, and the housing302further includes a first housing3021and a second housing3022. The first housing3021is disposed on a side of the second housing3022. The first housing3021and the second housing3022may be disposed symmetrically relative to the bending area1021. Herein, when the first housing3021and the second housing3022are fully unfolded, two long sides of the housing are equivalent to two middle frames of the flexible display device, thereby realizing the support of the flexible screen.

When the flexible display device bends, referring toFIG.4for detail, the first housing3021and the second housing3022are driven by the foldable hinge102to rotate relative to each other. After fully folding, the first housing3021and the second housing3022are in contact with each other, and the flexible screen301in an unfolded state is folded, thereby closing the foldable mobile phone to facilitate carrying.

Referring toFIG.5for detail, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, as rotation of the foldable hinge102, the bending area1021of the flexible display device is further provided with a hinge cover501. The hinge cover501can not only protect the foldable hinge102, but also move relative to the flexible screen301and the housing during the folding process to form a certain avoidance space, thereby ensuring movements of other components and effectively improving comprehensive performance of the flexible foldable device.

Specifically, as shown inFIG.6,FIG.6is a schematic structural view of a foldable hinge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The foldable hinge includes a fixed trestle60, at least one support mechanism62, and at least one rotation mechanism61. Specifically, the support mechanism62is disposed on both sides of the fixed trestle60, and the support mechanism62is rotatably connected with the fixed trestle60. At the same time, an end of the rotation mechanism61is fixedly connected with the support mechanism62, and another end of the rotation mechanism61is rotatably connected with the fixed trestle60.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotation mechanism61is illustrated by a guide slide structure as an example, and the rotation mechanism61achieve rotation through the guide slide structure. Specifically, when the rotation mechanism61is arranged, the rotation mechanism61has two virtual shafts relative to the fixed trestle60, and each virtual shaft has a virtual axis, for example, a first virtual axis and a second virtual axis. When the rotation mechanism61rotates and folds relative to the fixed trestle60, the rotation mechanism61and the support mechanism62simultaneously rotate relative to the first virtual axis and the second virtual axis. And during a rotating process, a position of the first virtual axis and a position of the second virtual axis will change with the change of a rotation position of the rotation mechanism61, so as to ensure that the foldable hinge has better folding performance. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first virtual axis may be parallel to the second virtual axis.

Specifically, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, in order to more clearly describe the above different mechanisms, in the following embodiments, the support mechanism62is illustrated by including a first support mechanism621and a second support mechanism622as an example, and the rotation mechanism61is illustrated by including a first rotation mechanism611and a second rotation mechanism612as an example. Herein, the first rotation mechanism611may correspondingly refer to a first guide slider, and the second rotation mechanism612may correspondingly refer to a second guide slider.

Herein, an upper surface of the first support mechanism621and an upper surface of the second support mechanism622have same support areas in two corresponding parts thereof, so as to ensure same effective areas acting on the flexible screen, and to ensure that the flexible screen on both sides has good consistency during a bending process.

Furthermore, in the above foldable hinge, a first opening71is further defined on the first support mechanism621, and a second opening72is further defined on the second support mechanism622. Herein, the first opening71is not aligned with the second opening72, that is, the first opening71and the second opening72are dislocated. At the same time, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the support mechanism is correspondingly connected with the fixed trestle, so the fixed trestle is provided with same openings at positions thereof corresponding to the first opening71and the second opening72, so as to achieve mutual matching.

Furthermore, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotation mechanism61includes a first guide slider611and a second guide slider612disposed on a side of the first guide slider. Herein, the first guide slider611is disposed in the first opening71, and the second guide slider612is disposed in the second opening. When the foldable hinge folds, a rotation axis of the first guide slider611relative to the fixed trestle is defined as a first virtual axis O1, and a rotation axis of the second guide slider612relative to the fixed trestle is defined as a second virtual axis O2.

Specifically, as shown inFIG.7,FIG.7is a schematic structural view of a partial structure of a foldable hinge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the foldable hinge is illustrated by half thereof as an example, and a structure of another half is same with the structure shown inFIG.7. Specifically, the first guide slider611is disposed in the first opening71, and the first guide slider611is correspondingly connected with the first support mechanism621and the fixed trestle60. The first opening71and the second opening72are misaligned. In this way, the linkage of various components of the foldable hinge is realized.

Referring toFIG.8toFIG.11for detail,FIG.8toFIG.11are schematic structural views corresponding to a support mechanism, a rotation mechanism, and a fixed trestle of a foldable hinge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first support mechanism621includes a support surface651configured to fix and support the flexible screen thereon.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the guide sliders of the hinge device is rotatably connected with the fixed trestle by a first slide chute structure, and the support mechanism is rotatably connected with the fixed trestle by a second slide chute structure. Specifically, the first slide chute structure includes first chutes all, and the second slide chute structure includes limit chutes c31.

Specifically, a curvature of the first chute all is different from a curvature of the limit chute c31. Herein, the curvature of the first chute is greater than the curvature of the limit chute c31. Among them, the curvature of the first chute ranges from 20 m−1 to 30 m−1, and the curvature of the limit chute ranges from 15 m−1 to 19 m−1. Preferably, the curvature of the first chute may be 25 m−1, and the curvature of the limit chute is set to 18 m−1.

At the same time, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, in order to ensure that the hinge device has a good rotating effect, when the first chutes all and the limit chutes a31are arranged, a length of the first chute is less than a length of the limit chute, so as to ensure that the limit chutes on both sides can provide a large sliding distance during a sliding process.

At the same time, the first guide slider611is further provided with second chutes b11. Herein, the second chutes b11are provided adjacent to the first support mechanism621, and the first chutes all are provided adjacent to the fixed trestle.

When the above first chutes all and the second chutes b11are arranged, the first chute all is arranged as an arc-shaped chute structure, and the second chute b11is arranged as a linear chute structure. Accordingly, first rails a21are further provided in the first opening71and on the first support mechanism621.

At the same time, the fixed trestle60are further provided with second rails b00correspondingly in each of the openings thereof. Herein, each of the second rail b00is mated with one of the first chutes all of the first guide slider and the first chutes all of the second guide slider. That is, the second rail b00is slidably disposed in the first chute all. When the first guide slider and the second guide slider of the rotation mechanism rotate, the second guide rail b00slides along the first chute all, thereby realizing the folding of the foldable hinge.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the second rail b00is also arranged as an arc guide, and an arc length of the second rail b00is correspondingly greater than an arc length of the first chute all, thereby preventing the first guide slider611from sliding out of the first chutes all, which may result in failure of the flexible panel.

Furthermore, the first rail a21of the first support mechanism621is correspondingly inserted into the second chute b11of the first guide slider611when matching. Because the first guide rail a21and the second chute b11are linear structures, the first guide rail a21can penetrate into the second chute b11. When the first support mechanism621rotates, the first guide slider611can move along the second chute b11and relative to the first support mechanism621. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, since the second chute b11is a linear chute, the first guide slider611is translational with respect to the first support mechanism621during a moving process. Specifically, during the translational moving process, an end of the first guide slider611can be close to or away from an inner side of the first opening71. At the same time, the upper surface of the first guide slider611in the embodiment of the present disclosure is also level with the support surface651, thereby providing a better supporting effect for the flexible screen.

Furthermore, the first guide slider611correspondingly has the first virtual shaft O1when rotating relative to the fixed trestle60, and the second guide slider on another side has the second virtual shaft O2relative to the fixed trestle. The first virtual shaft O1correspondingly refers to the first virtual axis, and the second virtual shaft O2correspondingly refers to the second virtual axis. When connection parts rotate, the rotation axis will change with the rotation of the connection parts, and when the axis changes, the motion positions will also change, so as to effectively provide an avoidance space for other components and improve the folding performance of the flexible panel.

Accordingly, an arrangement of the second support mechanism and the second guide slider is similar that of the first support mechanism and the first guide slider, and will not be further explained here. The difference therebetween is that the first guide slider and the second guide slider are arranged at different portions of the fixed trestle.

As shown inFIG.12,FIG.12is a schematic structural view of a foldable hinge when unfolding according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Combined with the structure inFIG.11, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first support mechanism is provided with guide rails c32.

Herein, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the limit chute c31is defined on a surface corresponding to a side of the fixed trestle60, the guide rail c32is disposed at a side of the support mechanism, and the guide rail c32can be inserted into the limit chute c31when connecting and can slide along the limit chute c31, so that the rotation of the support mechanism is limited by the limit chute c31, and a foldable function is realized. Since the guide rail c32and the first rail a21are disposed on the support mechanism, the guide rail c32and the first rail a21can slide synchronously, thereby ensuring the folding effect of the flexible screen. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the limit chute c31is provided as an arc chute.

At the same time, when the support mechanism, the rotation mechanism, and the fixed trestle rotate relative to each other. For example, when the foldable hinge is in the folded state, the guide rail c32moves away from a center of the fixed trestle; and when the foldable hinge is in a fully unfolded state, the guide rail c32is close to the center of the fixed trestle.

Furthermore, the guide rail c32of the first support mechanism621is limited to the limit chute c31of the fixed trestle, and the first guide slider611is connected with the first support mechanism through the first chutes all. The first guide slider611is connected with the fixed trestle further by the second chutes b11.

Therefore, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, since a side of the first support mechanism621is limited by the limit chute c31, during the rotation of the first support mechanism relative to the fixed trestle, the limit chute c31will provide a force acting on the first support mechanism621, and the first guide slide611is driven by the force to rotate relative to the fixed trestle, the first guide slider611is driven to be translational with respect to the first support mechanism along the second chute b11at the same time, thereby providing the avoidance space for components such as the fixed trestle during translational movement for better folding.

Furthermore, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, during the moving process, the first guide slider611will be subjected to simultaneous action of different forces in a plurality of directions, thereby causing the first guide slider to have different relative movements relative to different parts, and then improving the folding effect of the foldable hinge.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the guide rail c32may be provided as a guide pin disposed at an edge of the support mechanism, and the guide pin is inserted into the limit chute c31, so as to achieve mutual match.

Furthermore, as shown inFIG.13toFIG.15,FIG.13toFIG.15are schematic structural views of a foldable hinge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The hinge device further includes at least one torsion mechanism82. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the torsion mechanism82may include a first torsion mechanism821and a second torsion mechanism822symmetrically disposed relative to a central axis of the foldable hinge. There is a gap between the first torsion mechanism821and the second torsion mechanism822to provide a bending and avoidance space for the flexible screen.

At the same time, the first torsion mechanism821is connected to an end of the first support mechanism621. Specifically, when connecting, an end of the first torsion mechanism821is provided with an active groove84, a corresponding side of the first support mechanism621is provided with a fixed end86having a connection shaft hole861. When matching, an end of an axis pin83of the foldable hinge is inserted into the active groove84, and another end of the axis pin83is simultaneously inserted into the connection shaft hole861of the first support mechanism621, and the two ends of the axis pin83are symmetrically fixed to prevent the axis pin83from falling off during the rotation of the foldable hinge, thereby improving the reliability and quality of the flexible device.

Furthermore, since the torsion mechanism and the support mechanism are connected through the axis pins83, and the torsion mechanism is provided with arc-shaped active grooves84, when the support mechanism rotates, it will drive the axis pins83to move, and then make each axis pin83slide in the active groove84, and make the torsion mechanism move relative to the support mechanism.

Referring toFIG.21for detail, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the active grooves84are defined, the active groove84may be arranged as an arc structure. Specifically, the active groove84may include first arc portions841and second arc portions842.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first arc portions841are smoothly connected with the second arc portions842, and the second arc portions842are provided on both sides of the first arc portion841. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the active groove84may be a symmetrical structure. For example, the active groove84may be arranged symmetrically relative to a geometric center of the active groove84.

At the same time, a curvature of the first arc portion841is less than a curvature of the second arc portion842. Preferably, the curvature of the first arc portion841is 5.4 m−1, and the curvature of the second arc portion842is 75 m−1. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first arc portion841is a main active path of the axis pin83. Therefore, an arc length of the first arc portion841may be greater than an arc length of the second arc portion842.

Preferably, the flexible display device further includes a middle support plate85disposed between the first torsion mechanism821and the second torsion mechanism822, and the support for the flexible screen is achieved through the support of the middle support plate85.

Preferably, the torsion mechanism82further includes torsion arms88, main shafts89, and connection holes881. Herein, the main shaft89is disposed in the connection hole881, and the torsion arm88is disposed at an end of the torsion mechanism82.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, each torsion arm is further provided with a cam81and a gear87. Specifically, the cams include a first cam811and a second cam812, and the gears include a first gear871and a second gear872. Herein, the first cam811and the first gear871are correspondingly disposed on the first torsion mechanism821, and the second cam812and the second gear872are correspondingly disposed on the second torsion mechanism822. The first cam811is disposed on a side of the first gear871, and the second cam812is disposed on a side of the second gear872. When rotating, the first gear871and the second gear872rotate along opposite directions. The cam is arranged around the connection hole881.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first gear871and the second gear872may be set as half gears, and bulges and recesses of the first cam811and the second cam812are parallel to an axis of the main shaft89.

Referring toFIG.16andFIG.17for detail,FIG.16andFIG.17are schematic structural views in different directions of a partial structure of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the torsion mechanism further includes a third cam813, a fourth cam814, a first spring815, and a second spring816.

Specifically, the third cam813and the fourth cam814are each sleeved on one corresponding main shaft. The third cam813is arranged opposite to the first cam811, bulges8132of the third cam813mesh with recesses8111of the first cam811, recesses8131of the third cam813mesh with bulges8112of the first cam811, and a flat end of the third cam813is in contact with the first spring815. At the same time, the fourth cam814is arranged opposite to the second cam812, bulges8142of the fourth cam814mesh with recesses8121of the second cam812, recesses8141of the fourth cam814mesh with bulges8122of the second cam812, and a flat end of the fourth cam814is in contact with the second spring816. When rotating, the bulges8112of the first cam811rotate relative to the recesses8131of the third cam813.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the foldable hinge rotates, the torsion mechanism will be correspondingly driven to rotate, and the first cam811and the second cam812will be driven to rotate. At the same time, the first cam811rotates relative to the third cam813, and the second cam812rotates relative to the fourth cam814. During the rotating process, for example, during the process from unfolding to folding of the foldable hinge, combined withFIGS.17-18andFIGS.21-22, when the foldable hinge is fully unfolded, as shown inFIG.21, the flexible screen is fully unfolded, a rotation angle of the flexible screen301is defined as 0°, and when the foldable hinge is rotated to the angle shown inFIG.22, the rotation angle of the flexible screen301is defined as 90°, in which the rotation angle of the flexible screen301is based on the horizontal plane. During the process of the flexible screen folding from 0° to 90°, the first cam is configured to rotate relative to the third cam, which shows that the bulges of the first cam are gradually detached or embedded from the recesses of the third cam.

Furthermore, during a rotating process of the rotation angle of the flexible screen ranging from 0° to 15°, an area of a contact part of the first cam and the third cam gradually changes. With the increase of the rotation angle, an extrusion pressure of the first spring on a side of the third cam gradually increases. At the same time, in the rotating process, different contact states between the first cam and the third cam will further limit the rotation of the torsion mechanism. During a rotating process of the rotation angle of the flexible screen ranging from 15° to 75°, the bulges of the first cam rotate to be in contact with the bulges of the third cam, a pressure angle between the first cam and the third cam is zero at the moment, the first spring and the second spring are in a maximum compression state, and the elastic force reaches the maximum. In this state, hovering of the hinge device is realized.

With further folding of the foldable device, during a rotating process of the rotation angle of the flexible screen ranging from 75° to 90°, the area of the contact part of the first cam and the third cam further changes, for example, the contact between the first cam and the third cam changes from a bulge-to-bulge contact to a bulge-to-recess contact. At this moment, the hinge is provided with a closing force to be automatically closed.

Therefore, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, during folding process of the foldable hinge, the hinge can be hovered and automatically closed in different positions, thereby effectively improving the folding performance of the foldable hinge.

Furthermore, as shown inFIG.18,FIG.18is a schematic structural view of a partial structure of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Combined with the structural view in a different direction shown inFIG.16, the flexible display device further includes at least one avoidance mechanism91. Herein, an end of the avoidance mechanism91is connected to the support mechanism, and the avoidance mechanism91is further provided with a third gear921and a fourth gear922. Specifically, the third gear921meshes with the fourth gear922, the first gear871meshes with the third gear921simultaneously, and the second gear872meshes with the fourth gear922. When the first gear and the second gear of the torsion mechanism rotate, it will correspondingly drive the third gear and the fourth gear to move synchronously. Because the third gear921and the fourth gear922will rotate correspondingly around the first gear and the second gear, when rotating, the third gear921and the fourth gear922will make the avoidance mechanism to move, such as making the avoidance mechanism91to rise or fall relative to the first gear871and the second gear872, thereby providing avoidance space for the folding of the flexible screen and realizing folding and unfolding of the foldable hinge.

Furthermore, referring toFIG.19,FIG.19is a schematic structural view of a partial structure of another flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, the flexible display device is further provided with fixing grooves141on the torsion mechanism. The fixing groove141is connected to a side of the hinge cover501. The hinge cover501is snapped by the fixing grooves141. Furthermore, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, since the fixed groove141is disposed on the torsion mechanism, when the hinge cover501is snapped in the fixed grooves, a thickness of the torsion mechanism effectively increase, so that the torsion mechanism has higher strength to prevent problems such as fracture during rotating, thereby effectively improving the reliability of the foldable hinge.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, since the hinge cover501is correspondingly connected to the torsion mechanism of the foldable hinge, when the flexible display device folds, the hinge cover will move accordingly. At the same time, since the rotation mechanism in the embodiment of the present disclosure is provided with chutes with different curvatures, during a sliding process thereof, the rotating axis thereof will change accordingly, thereby making the hinge cover to fall or rise relative to the housing of the flexible display device, while providing avoidance space for other components. Furthermore, a gap between a frame of the housing and the hinge cover after closing the flexible display device is narrowed, and a sealing effect inside the panel is ensured at the same time.

Furthermore, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the foldable hinge of the flexible display device is a wedge-shaped structure, and the foldable hinge is a bilateral synchronous movement structure, thereby effectively ensuring that the flexible screen will not be squeezed and pulled during the unfolding or folding process thereof. In addition, the foldable hinge has functions such as automatic closing, automatic expansion, and real-time stop during rotation, thereby further improving the folding effect and performance of the flexible display device.

Preferably, referring toFIG.20,FIG.20an exposed view of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. At the same time, the structures correspond to the above-mentioned components shown in other structural views. The flexible foldable device further includes at least one fixing member146connected with the middle support plate85. Threaded holes851are correspondingly provided on the middle support plate85and the fixing member146to fix the middle support plate85and the fixing member146.

Furthermore, the flexible display device in the embodiment of the present disclosure further includes gaskets05and at least one engaging member142. The engaging member142is sleeved on the main shafts89to fix the springs. In the embodiment, the engaging member142is arranged to include the third cam813and the fourth cam814and is configured to achieve folding effect through the third cam813and the fourth cam814.

Specifically, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, protruding ends on both sides of the fixing member146respectively abut against the first spring815and the second spring816. In this way, one end of the first spring815abuts against the third cam813, and the other end of the first spring815abuts against the fixing member146. Through the limitation of the fixing member146and the engaging member142, the first spring815forms an elastic pressure to control the folding effect of the foldable hinge. At the same time, the gaskets05mainly fixe the main shafts and the axis pins to improve the reliability of connection.

Furthermore, as shown inFIGS.21and22,FIG.21andFIG.22are schematic structural views of a flexible display device in different states according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the flexible screen301is fully unfolded, the foldable hinge102correspondingly opens, and the axis pin83of the torsion mechanism is close to the foldable hinge at this moment; when the flexible screen301is fully folded, the axis pin83moves in the corresponding active groove84during the folding process and moves away from the foldable hinge. At the same time, during the folding process, the hinge cover501will rise or fall relative to the housing of the flexible screen, thereby ensuring the folding effect and performance of the flexible display device.

Preferably, as shown inFIG.23toFIG.25,FIG.23toFIG.25are schematic structural views in different directions of a partial structure of a flexible display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The foldable hinge inside the flexible display device in the embodiment of the present disclosure may be arranged as a symmetrical structure. The foldable hinge is correspondingly disposed on and connected with the frames of the two housings. When the foldable hinge rotates, the flexible screen and the corresponding frames will be flipped, and the flexible display device is folded.

In the above embodiments, the flexible foldable mobile phone is taken as an example to illustrate, preferably, the flexible display device may also be an OLED panel, a mobile phone, a computer, an electronic paper, a monitor, a laptop, a digital photo frame, or other products or components with display and bending or folding functions, and the specific type is not specifically limited.

The hinge devices and flexible display devices according to embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above in detail. Specific examples are used to illustrate the principle and implementation mode of the application in the present disclosure. The illustration of the above embodiments is intended only to assist in understanding the technical solutions and core ideas of the present disclosure. Those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that: they may still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or replace some of the technical features equivalently, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the scope of the technical solutions according to embodiments of the present disclosure.