ELECTRONIC DEVICE

An electronic device includes: a casing, where the casing has a first surface and a second surface, the casing includes a top frame and a bottom frame; a flexible display screen, where an inner surface of the flexible display screen is provided with a plurality of transmission holes arranged at intervals, and the flexible display screen includes a first part and a second part that are connected; and a drive mechanism, where the drive mechanism is arranged in the casing, the drive mechanism includes a drive source and a rotating member, the rotating member is provided with a plurality of transmission parts, the transmission part cooperates with the transmission hole, and the driving source drives the flexible display screen to switch between a first state and a second state.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application belongs to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to an electronic device.

BACKGROUND

With the development of communication technologies, electronic devices constantly develop towards full screens, and sizes of display screens become larger and larger. Larger display screens can not only improve the aesthetics of electronic devices, but also bring better vision effect to users, for example, when playing games, browsing information or watching movies, users can have better experience.

However, as the size of the display screen becomes larger, the overall size of the electronic device becomes larger, which occupies a larger storage space, thereby causing inconvenience for users to carry. At the same time, as the overall size of the electronic device becomes larger, correspondingly its weight also becomes higher, which brings more inconvenience to the user operation. In order to solve this problem, foldable electronic devices have appeared on the market at present. A folding method of a display screen includes inner folding and outer folding. However, regardless of whether the display screen adopts an inner folding or outer folding structure, the overall thickness of the electronic device is relatively large.

SUMMARY

The embodiments of the present application provide an electronic device, including:a casing, where the casing has a first surface and a second surface that are arranged away from each other, the casing includes a top frame and a bottom frame, the top frame and the bottom frame are arranged away from each other in a first direction, the casing is provided with a first chute and a second chute, the first chute and the second chute are arranged in parallel, the first chute and the second chute are arranged at intervals in the first direction, the first chute is arranged on the top frame, and the second chute is arranged between the top frame and the bottom frame;a flexible display screen, where the flexible display screen is slidably fitted with the first chute and the second chute, an inner surface of the flexible display screen is provided with a plurality of transmission holes arranged at intervals, and the flexible display screen includes a first part and a second part that are connected; anda drive mechanism, where the drive mechanism is arranged in the casing, the drive mechanism includes a drive source and a rotating member, the rotating member is provided with a plurality of transmission parts, the plurality of transmission parts are arranged around a rotation axis of the rotating member, the transmission part cooperates with the transmission hole, and the driving source drives the flexible display screen to switch between a first state and a second state through the transmission part;where in a case that the flexible display screen is in the first state, the first part is located on a side where the first surface is located, and the second part is located on a side where the second surface is located; and in a case that the flexible display screen is in the second state, both the first part and the second part are located on the side where the first surface is located; andthe first direction is perpendicular to a sliding direction of the flexible display screen.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The terms “first”, “second”, and the like in the description and the claims of this application are used to distinguish between similar objects, and do not need to be used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that data used in this way may be interchangeable in appropriate cases, so that the embodiments of this application can be implemented in a sequence other than those shown or described herein. In addition, in the specification and the claims, “and/or” represents at least one of connected objects, and a character “/” generally represents an “or” relationship between associated objects.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, an electronic device provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail by using specific examples and application scenarios thereof.

Referring toFIG.1toFIG.8, an embodiment of the present application discloses an electronic device, which includes a casing100, a flexible display screen200, a drive mechanism300, a socket400, and a camera module500.

The casing100is a basic component of the electronic device, which can provide a foundation for other structures of the electronic device. The casing100has a first surface110and a second surface120that are arranged away from each other. The first surface110here can be the front surface of the electronic device and the second surface120may be the back surface of the electronic device, and the camera module500may be arranged on the second surface120.

The flexible display screen200is arranged on the casing100, and the flexible display screen200is slidably fitted with the casing100, that is, the flexible display screen200can slide relative to the casing100. The inner surface of the flexible display screen200is provided with a plurality of transmission holes240arranged at intervals. Optionally, the transmission holes240may be square transmission holes, circular transmission holes, etc., which are not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application. The flexible display screen200includes a first part260and a second part270that are connected, where the first part260and the second part270are arranged along a sliding direction of the flexible display screen200.

The drive mechanism300is arranged in the casing100, and the drive mechanism300includes a driving source310and a rotating member320. Optionally, the driving source310can be a motor, an air cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, piezoelectric ceramics, a shape memory alloy, a coil spring, etc. The motor has the characteristics of small size, high efficiency, and convenient control; the air cylinder and hydraulic cylinder have the characteristics of large output force and stable and reliable performance; and the piezoelectric ceramics, shape memory alloy, and coil spring have the characteristics of being green and environmentally friendly. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific form of the driving source310. The rotating member320can rotate under the drive of the driving source310, and is provided with a plurality of transmission parts326, and the plurality of transmission parts326are arranged around the rotation axis of the rotating member320. It should be noted that the rotation axis here refers to the rotation axis of the part of the rotating member320that is directly fitted with the transmission hole240. The transmission part326cooperates with the transmission hole240, in other words, during the rotation of the rotating member320, different transmission parts326cooperate with different transmission holes240, thereby driving the flexible display screen200to slide. Optionally, the transmission part326may be a columnar structure, and accordingly the transmission hole240is a circular transmission hole, and the transmission part326may be inserted into the transmission hole240to cooperate with the transmission hole240. The driving source310drives the flexible display screen200to switch between the first state and the second state through the transmission part326. Specifically, when the flexible display screen200is in the first state, that is, when the flexible display screen200is in the retracted state, the first part260is located on the side where the first surface110is located, and the second part270is located on the side where the second surface120is located. In this case, the effective display area of the flexible display screen200of the electronic device is small, which can meet the needs of users for calls and information viewing, and the overall size of the electronic device is small and the electronic device is easy to carry. When the flexible display screen200is in the second state, that is, when the electronic device is in an extended state, both the first part260and the second part270are located on the side where the first surface110is located. In this case, the first part260and the second part270together form a larger display area, so that the effective display area of the flexible display screen200of the electronic device is larger, so that users can watch movies and play games on a large screen, so as to provide users with better experience.

The casing100may include a top frame101and a bottom frame102, and the top frame101and the bottom frame102are arranged away from each other in a first direction, where the first direction is perpendicular to the sliding direction of the flexible display screen200. The casing100is provided with a first chute131and a second chute132, the first chute131and the second chute132are arranged in parallel, the first chute131and the second chute132are arranged at intervals in the first direction, the first chute131is arranged on the top frame101, the second chute132is arranged between the top frame101and the bottom frame102, and the flexible display screen200is slidably fitted with the first chute131and the second chute132respectively, that is, the arrangement direction of the first chute131and the second chute132is adapted to the sliding direction of the flexible display screen200, so that the first chute131and the second chute132can be used for the sliding of the flexible display screen200.

In the embodiments of the present application, the flexible display screen200is slidably fitted with the casing100, the inner surface of the flexible display screen200is provided with a plurality of transmission holes240arranged at intervals, and the transmission part326arranged on the rotating member320is fitted with the transmission hole240, so that the drive source310drives the flexible display screen200to switch between the first state and the second state through the transmission part326. The embodiments do not need to arrange the electronic device as two foldable parts, and only need to change the state of the flexible display screen200to change the display area, which can reduce the overall thickness of the electronic device. Therefore, the embodiments of the present application can solve the existing problem of the large thickness of the electronic device. In addition, the embodiment of the present application uses the transmission hole240to realize the transmission, and the transmission hole240does not occupy any additional space, so the space occupied by the entire drive mechanism is smaller.

In addition, the second chute132is arranged between the top frame101and the bottom frame102, and therefore there is a certain distance between the second chute132and the bottom frame102, so that the second chute132does not affect components to be arranged at the bottom frame102. In an optional embodiment, the bottom frame102may be provided with a socket400, and the socket400and the second chute132are arranged at intervals in the first direction. The socket400can be used to implement functions such as charging and data transmission. Optionally, the socket400can be a USB socket. After adopting the above-mentioned structure, the arrangement position of the socket400is not affected by the second chute132, and therefore the socket400can be arranged in the middle of the bottom frame102. This arrangement method is more in line with user usage habits, thereby providing users with better experience.

Only one drive mechanism300may be provided. In another optional embodiment, the number of drive mechanisms300is at least two, including a first drive mechanism and a second drive mechanism. The flexible display screen includes a display screen body210, a second guide member220, and a second guide member230, both the first guide member220and the second guide member230are connected to the display screen body210, and the first guide member220and the second guide member230and the display screen body210can be arranged as an integrated structure and can also be arranged as a split structure. If they are arranged as an integrated structure, when the display screen body210or the first guide member220or the second guide member230is damaged, it is inconvenient to maintain. Therefore, optionally, both the first guide member220and the second guide member230are arranged in separation to and connected to the display screen body210, and further optionally, both the first guide member220and the second guide member230can be connected to the display screen body210in a manner such as bonding, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application. Both the first guide member220and the second guide member230are provided with transmission holes240, the first guide member220is slidably fitted with the first chute131, the second guide member230is slidably fitted with the second chute132, the first drive mechanism is connected to the first guide member220through the transmission hole240, and the second drive mechanism is connected to the second guide member230through the transmission hole240. In this case, the first drive mechanism and the second drive mechanism simultaneously output the driving force, thereby driving the flexible display screen200to slide, and therefore the driving force received by the flexible display screen200is greater, and there are more places where the driving force acts, so that the drive mechanism300can drive the flexible display screen200to slide more smoothly.

The first guide member220can be a flat plate structure, which can be directly slidably fitted with the first chute131, thereby driving the flexible display screen200to slide, but the contact area between the flat plate structure and the casing100is small, and it is unstable during the sliding process. Therefore, optionally, the first guide member220includes a first plate segment221and a second plate segment222connected vertically, the first plate segment221is attached to the display screen body210, and the first plate segment221is provided with a transmission hole240. When the flexible display screen200switches between the first state and the second state, the first guide member220slides along the first chute131, and in this case, the first chute131provides a guiding function for the first guide member220, and a larger contact area can be formed between them, thereby improving the stability of the flexible display screen200during the sliding process.

Further, the driving source310of the first drive mechanism is a first driving source311, the rotating member320of the first drive mechanism includes a first bevel gear321and a second bevel gear322, and the first driving source311is provided with a first output shaft, the first bevel gear321is arranged coaxially with the first output shaft, the second bevel gear322is meshed with the first bevel gear321, and the second bevel gear322is meshed with the transmission hole240. In this case, the transmission part326may include the tooth of the second bevel gear322. Compared with the manner of transmission through spur gears, this embodiment uses bevel gears for transmission, and the first bevel gear321and the second bevel gear322can change the direction of power transmission, so that the arrangement of the first driving source311is not limited, so as to facilitate the arrangement of the first driving source311. In addition, this transmission manner has the characteristics of compact structure, high efficiency and long service life. Therefore, the use of this transmission manner can facilitate the layout of other structures in the casing100, and make the internal structure of the casing100more compact.

The second guide member230can be a flat plate structure, which can be directly slidably fitted with the second chute132, thereby driving the flexible display screen200to slide, but the contact area between the flat plate structure and the casing100is small, and it is unstable during the sliding process. Therefore, optionally, the second guide member230includes a third plate segment231and a fourth plate segment232connected vertically, the third plate segment231is attached to the display screen body210, and the fourth plate segment232is provided with a transmission hole240. When the flexible display screen200switches between the first state and the second state, the second guide member230slides along the second chute132, and in this case, the second chute132provides a guiding function for the second guide member230, and a larger contact area can be formed between them, thereby improving the stability of the flexible display screen200during the sliding process.

Further, the driving source310of the second drive mechanism is a second driving source312, the rotating member320of the second drive mechanism includes a third bevel gear323and a fourth bevel gear324, and the second driving source312is provided with a second output shaft, the third bevel gear323is arranged coaxially with the second output shaft, the fourth bevel gear324is meshed with the third bevel gear323, and the fourth bevel gear324is meshed with the transmission hole240. In this case, the transmission part326may include the tooth of the fourth bevel gear324. Compared with the manner of transmission through spur gears, this embodiment uses bevel gears for transmission, and the third bevel gear323and the fourth bevel gear324can change the direction of power transmission, so that the arrangement of the second driving source312is not limited, so as to facilitate the arrangement of the second driving source312. In addition, this transmission manner has the characteristics of compact structure, high efficiency and long service life. Therefore, the use of this transmission manner can facilitate the layout of other structures in the casing100, and make the internal structure of the casing100more compact.

Further optionally, the drive mechanism also includes a reducer, which can change the transmission ratio of the first output shaft and the second output shaft, and expand the variation range of the torque and rotational speed of the first output shaft and the second output shaft to adapt to the conditions required for the flexible display screen200to switch between the first state and the second state, to enable the driving source310to work in a better working condition.

Further optionally, the rotating member320also includes a bearing325. Optionally, the bearing325can be a ball bearing to withstand a relatively large load. Of course, it can also be other types of bearings325. This embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit this. At least one bearing325can be arranged between the first bevel gear321and the reducer, and/or between the third bevel gear323and the reducer, and this bearing325can provide a larger supporting force, making the entire drive mechanism300more stable to run.

Optionally, the opening side of the first chute131may face the opening side of the second chute132. In another optional embodiment, the opening side of the first chute131faces the second guide member230, and the opening side of the second chute132faces the display screen body210. The first guide member220also includes a first sliding part223, the second guide member230also includes a second sliding part233, the first sliding part223is arranged on the second plate segment222, the first sliding part223is fitted with the first chute131, the opening side of the first sliding part223faces the bottom surface of the first chute131, the second sliding part233is arranged on the third plate segment231, the second sliding part233is fitted with the second chute132, and the opening side of the second sliding part233faces the bottom surface of the second chute132. In this embodiment, since the opening sides of the first chute131and the second chute132have different orientations, correspondingly the structures of the first guide member220and the second guide member230can be different, so as to better adapt to the layout of other components of the electronic device and facilitate the structural design of the electronic device. In addition, the first plate segment221is provided with a transmission hole240, the second plate segment222is provided with a first sliding part223, the third plate segment231is provided with a second sliding part233, and the fourth plate segment232is provided with a transmission hole240. That is, the transmission hole240and the first sliding part223are arranged on different parts of the first guide member220, and the transmission hole240and the second sliding part233are arranged on different parts of the second guide member230, thereby preventing stress concentration in the first guide member220and the second guide member230, so as to prolong the service life of the first guide member220and the second guide member230. In addition, since the first sliding part223and the second sliding part233are groove-shaped structures, the contact area between the first sliding part223and the first chute131and the contact area between the second sliding part233and the second chute132are large, so that the flexible display screen200is more stable during the sliding process.

In a further optional embodiment, the first chute131has a first inner wall surface131aand a second inner wall surface131bthat are opposite to each other, the first inner wall surface131ais provided with a first limiting protrusion, the second inner wall surface131bis provided with a second limiting protrusion, the first sliding part223has a first limiting groove and a second limiting groove arranged opposite to each other, the first limiting protrusion is fitted with the first limiting groove in a limiting manner, and the second limiting protrusion is fitted with the second limiting groove in a limiting manner, to prevent the first sliding part223from detaching from the first chute131. Similarly, the second chute132has a third inner wall surface132aand a fourth inner wall surface132bthat are opposite to each other, the third inner wall surface132ais provided with a third limiting protrusion, the fourth inner wall surface132bis provided with a fourth limiting protrusion, the second sliding part233has a third limiting groove and a fourth limiting groove arranged opposite to each other, the third limiting protrusion is fitted with the third limiting groove in a limiting manner, and the fourth limiting protrusion is fitted with the fourth limiting groove in a limiting manner, to prevent the second sliding part233from detaching from the second chute132. It can be seen from this that the use of this limiting structure in the embodiments of the present application can further ensure that the first guide member220always slides precisely along the preset direction of the first chute131and the second chute132, avoiding the offset of the flexible display screen200, and this limiting structure is simpler.

In an optional embodiment, the flexible display screen further includes a support member250, and the edge of the support member250extends to the edge of the display screen body210, that is, the shape of the support member250is the same as that of the display screen body210, and the area of the support member250is substantially equal to that of the display screen body210. Both the first guide member220and the second guide member230are connected to the display screen body210of the support member250. In the direction perpendicular to the second part270(that is, the thickness direction of the electronic device), orthographic projections of the first guide member220and the second guide member230are both located within the orthographic projection of the support member250, that is, the area of the first guide member220and the area of the second guide member230are both smaller than the area of the support member250. In this case, the area of the support member250is greater than the area of the first guide member220and the area of the second guide member230, and therefore, the support member250provides support for the entire display region of the display screen body210, so that the display screen body210presents a better display effect, and this facilitates the user to implement touch operation. In addition, the area of the first guide member220and the area of the second guide member230are smaller than the area of the support member250, and therefore spaces can be provided around the first guide member220and the second guide member230, and these spaces can be used to arrange structures (such as the first sliding part223and the second sliding part233) that are fitted with the chute, which can reduce the difficulty of structural design of the electronic device.

In a further optional embodiment, the support member250includes a rigid part, and when the flexible display screen200is in the second state, the rigid part protrudes relative to the casing100, that is, when the flexible display screen200is in the extended state, the part corresponding to the protruding part of the flexible display screen200in the support member250can be set as a rigid part, while the other part of the flexible display screen200can be set as a flexible part, so that the flexible display screen200can be bent during the sliding process. When the flexible display screen200is in the second state, since the rigid part has a stronger supporting effect, the rigid part protrudes out of the casing100, and can provide a strong supporting force for the display screen body210, so that the part is not easy to be broken. In addition, the rigid part can enable the user to perform touch operations more powerfully in entertainment, movie viewing or game scenarios, while maintaining the flatness of the display screen body210to obtain better user experience.

In an optional embodiment, the arrangement direction of the transmission holes240of the first guide member220is parallel to the sliding direction of the flexible display screen200, when the driving source310drives the flexible display screen200to switch between the first state and the second state, the transmission part326is fitted with the transmission hole240, and the direction of the driving force output by the driving source310is the arrangement direction of each transmission hole240, thereby driving the flexible display screen200to slide. In this case, the drive mechanism300can use a smaller driving force to change the effective display area of the flexible display screen200. Therefore, this arrangement of the transmission holes240can improve the working efficiency of the driving source310, and at the same time, this arrangement is relatively simple, which is beneficial to the structural design of the rotating member320. Similarly, the arrangement direction of the transmission holes240of the second guide member230is parallel to the sliding direction of the flexible display screen200.

The electronic device disclosed in this embodiment of the present application may be a smart phone, a tablet computer, an ebook reader, a wearable device (for example, a smart watch), a video game console, and the like. A specific type of the electronic device is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.