Connecting device and an electronic apparatus

A connecting device configured to rotatably connect a first main body and a second main body of an electronic apparatus includes a rotating mechanism rotatably connecting the first main body and the second main body. A coating mechanism covering at least a part of the rotating mechanism is provided and a supporting component is provide to support an inner side wall of the coating mechanism so that the coating mechanism is bent without folds or crumples as the rotating mechanism is rotated. The connecting device improves man-machine interaction and enables the user to enjoy a better experience.

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201510432334.0 filed on Jul. 21, 2015 and to Chinese Patent Application No. 201510432393.8 filed on Jul. 21, 2015; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure relates to an electronic apparatus, in particular to a connecting device used for the electronic apparatus.

BACKGROUND

In the present era, science and technology is rapidly changing people's life style, wherein the improvement of electronic apparatuses is one of the crucial factors. Electronic apparatuses become more and more intelligent and bring a comfortable and convenient life for us. In addition, their man-machine interaction becomes better increasingly. For example, the structures of electronic apparatuses are optimized and esthetic in appearance increasingly.

Common electronic apparatuses, such as laptop PCs, tablet PCs, and cell phones, etc., usually include a first main body and a second main body that can rotate in relation to each other and are connected to each other via a connecting device. The applicant has been engaged in the research, development, and manufacturing of electronic apparatuses for long, and has made extensive and in-depth researches on electronic apparatuses and their connecting devices described above. For example, the applicant has put forth a connecting device that is usually referred to as a “watch band hinge”. The applicant has found that the existing connecting devices have drawbacks and must be improved further.

For example, folds and crumples may occur on the compressed surfaces of the connecting device when the first main body and the second main body are folded. When folds and crumples occur at the first main body and the second main body, not only may the connecting device be degraded quickly, but also inconvenience is introduced in the use of the apparatus and the appearance of the apparatus is compromised.

Hence, it is necessary to further optimize the connecting device for electronic apparatus, so as to improve product quality and man-machine interaction. Of course, generally there is always a demand for new solutions for electronic apparatuses.

SUMMARY

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an improved connecting device, to prevent occurrence of folds and crumples on compressed surfaces, and thereby improve man-machine interaction and enable the user to enjoy a better experience.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an improved electronic apparatus, which employs the connecting device disclosed in the present disclosure to improve product quality.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a connecting device configured to rotatably connect a first main body and a second main body of an electronic apparatus, the connecting device comprising: a rotating mechanism rotatably connecting the first main body and the second main body; a coating mechanism covering at least a part of the rotating mechanism; and a supporting component supporting an inner side wall of the coating mechanism so that the coating mechanism is bent without folds or crumples as the rotating mechanism is rotated.

The present disclosure further provides an electronic apparatus comprising the connecting device disclosed in the present disclosure, wherein at least one of the first main body and the second main body is fitted with a display screen, or the first main body and the second main body are fitted with an integral display screen, which can be bent freely at a part corresponding to the connecting device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter some embodiments of the connecting device provided in the present disclosure will be detailed with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The embodiments described here are specific embodiments of the present disclosure, and are provided only to explain the ideal of the present disclosure. All these embodiments are explanatory and exemplary, and shall not be interpreted as constituting any limitation to the embodiments and the scope of the present disclosure.

The accompanying drawings are schematic diagrams, which are provided to aid the description of the ideal in the present disclosure and schematically illustrate the shapes of the parts and the relations among the parts. It should be noted that the accompanying drawings may not be drawn at the same scale, for the purpose of clearly presenting the structures of the components in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Similar reference marks are used in the drawings to denote similar elements. In addition, in the description made with reference to the accompanying drawings, terms that denote directions or orientations, such as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, and “back”, etc., are used for the convenience of expression, but they don't constitute any particular limitation to the structures of the features.

FIG. 1andFIG. 2show a problem in the connection between the main bodies of an existing electronic apparatus, whereinFIG. 2is a partially enlarged view of the structure shown inFIG. 1. The apparatus shown inFIG. 1includes a display side1and a system side2, i.e., a first main body and a second main body, which are connected together via a connecting device3. It can be seen inFIG. 1andFIG. 2: folds and crumples may occur on the compressed surfaces of the connecting device3when the display side1and the system side2are folded. When folds and crumples occur at the display side1and the system side2, not only the connecting device3may be degraded quickly, but also inconvenience is introduced in the use of the apparatus and the appearance of the apparatus is compromised.

FIG. 3is a 3D view of an embodiment of the electronic apparatus disclosed in the present disclosure. The electronic apparatus includes a first main body1, a second main body2, and a connecting device3configured to rotatably connect the first main body1and the second main body2, with pressing plates4configured to fix the connecting device3to the first main body1and the second main body2respectively. In this embodiment, the first main body1and the second main body2can be particularly embodied as a display side configured to display desired contents and a system side configured to manipulate the electronic apparatus.

First Embodiment of the Connecting Device of the Electronic Apparatus According to the Embodiment

A first embodiment of the connecting device employs a supporting component to attain the object of the present disclosure. Please seeFIGS. 4-11. First, an electronic apparatus with a first type of supporting components according to the present disclosure will be described hereinafter.

As shown inFIG. 4, the connecting device3includes a first coating element5, a second coating element6, and a first type of supporting components7that connect the inner side walls of the first coating element5and second coating element6. The supporting components7are in a cylindrical shape when they are not compressed, as shown in the coating mechanism3in a 180° unfolded state inFIG. 8. The connecting device3further includes a rotating mechanism8not shown inFIG. 4. But it should be noted that the rotating mechanism8is shown inFIGS. 9, 11, 12, and 18.

The rotating mechanism8in the connecting device3disclosed in the present disclosure can employ any structure known in the related art. The rotating mechanism8may have at least rotation axis in the axial direction, namely, the transverse direction of the electronic apparatus, and the rotation axes may be parallel to each other. The rotating mechanism8is in a strip shape generally. In the accompanying drawings, the rotating mechanism8is particularly embodied as a hinge, i.e., the so-called “watch band hinge” put forth by the applicant. As shown inFIGS. 9, 11, 12, and 18, the “watch band hinge” is formed into a strip shape generally. Since the rotating mechanism8is in a strip shape generally, both the first coating element5and the second coating element6that cover the outer sides of the rotating mechanism8have certain planar surface area. The larger the planar surface area is, the higher the possibility of occurrence of folds or crumples on the compressed coating elements will be, when the rotating mechanism8is bent.

The hinge is shown as having 2 sections inFIGS. 9, 12, and 18. It should be noted that the number of sections in the hinge shown in the accompanying drawings is only exemplary. In actual implementation, the number of sections can be determined according to the design requirement, and can be a natural number such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, alternatively. The structure of the rotating mechanism8will not be further detailed here. In brief, a structure known in the related art can be used for it.

FIG. 5is a 3D view of the coating mechanism comprising a first coating element and a second coating element in the first embodiment of the connecting device according to the present disclosure in a folded state;FIG. 6is a partially enlarged 3D sectional view of the structure shown inFIG. 5, showing supporting components7. In addition, the first coating element5and the second coating element6can also be seen clearly inFIG. 6.

Please seeFIGS. 3, 4, 9, and 11. The rotating mechanism8is fixedly connected to the first main body1and the second main body2via its connecting ends arranged in the transverse direction of the electronic apparatus, and the pressing plates4are fixed to the first main body1and the second main body2by fastening pieces (e.g., bolts) inserted into the through-holes in the pressing plates4and the first coating element5and the second coating element6. In the illustrated embodiment, these through-holes are also arranged in the transverse direction of the electronic apparatus.

FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10further show the structure of and the positional relation among the supporting components7. When the coating elements are not subjected to compression and stretching, i.e., both the first coating element5and the second coating element6are not subjected to compression, as shown inFIG. 8, the supporting components7are in a cylindrical shape.

In contrast, when the coating elements are subjected to compression and stretching, i.e., both the first coating element5and the second coating element6are bent, for example, when the coating mechanism3is in a folded state as shown inFIG. 7(namely, the first main body1and the second main body2are in a folded state accordingly), one coating element is stretched, while the other coating element is compressed. Apparently folds or crumples will not occur on a stretched coating element, but, in the related art, folds or crumples may occur on a compressed coating element. InFIG. 7, at the bending part, the first coating element5is subjected to stretching, while the second coating element6is subjected to compression. Since the supporting components7are connected to the inner side walls of the first coating element5and the second coating element6at least at the bending part, the second coating element6is under the tension force of the supporting components7when it is subjected to compression, and thereby no folds or crumples occur on the second coating element6at the bending part. Hence, the second coating element6can be bent smoothly when the rotating mechanism8is rotated, and thereby the occurrence of folds or crumples on the coating mechanism3can be prevented when the rotating mechanism8is rotated.

As shown inFIG. 7, when the coating mechanism3is bent, one end of the supporting component7near the tensioned coating element will be tensioned radially and thereby expand, while the other end of the supporting component7near the compressed coating element will be compressed radially and thereby shrink.

Please seeFIGS. 9 and 10further, the supporting components7are arranged into 4 rows exemplarily along the bending part of the coating mechanism3, and are divided into three groups corresponding to the structure of the rotating mechanism8. The longitudinal spacing and transverse spacing among the supporting components7are set to d1and d2respectively. However, it should be noted that such an arrangement is only exemplary. The grouping and arrangement of the supporting components7can be determined according to actual design requirements, as long as such grouping and arrangement can avoid the occurrence of folds or crumples on the coating mechanism3. That is to say, the quantity and arrangement of the supporting components7can be changed according to actual design requirements. For example, the supporting components7can be arranged into 1 row, or 2, 5, 6, 7 rows, etc. In addition, the spacing among the columns (including longitudinal spacing and transverse spacing) may be different, depending on the material of the supporting components7; moreover, the supporting components7can be distributed in a way that both the longitudinal spacing and the transverse spacing are unequal, or even the supporting components7are not aligned in lines, i.e., they are staggered.

It should be noted particularly: through the supporting components7are not shown as being distributed at positions corresponding to an axial section inFIG. 9, actually they can be distributed at positions corresponding to an axial section, i.e., the supporting components7can be arranged as passing through the rotating device8at positions on the periphery of the rotating device or through a gap in the middle of the rotating device, or through through-holes specially arranged in the rotating device8for the supporting components7to pass.

Hereunder a connecting device having a second type of supporting components7′ according to the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIGS. 12-16.

FIG. 12is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the connecting device in an unfolded state, wherein a coating element is removed;FIG. 13is a sectional view showing the positions of and relation among the supporting components7′ shown inFIG. 12.FIG. 15is a planar sectional view of the coating mechanism in a 180° folded state, showing the supporting components7′ in that state;FIG. 16is a planar sectional view of the coating mechanism shown inFIG. 5in an unfolded state.FIG. 14shows a 3D sectional view of the structure shown inFIG. 5, in order to present the shape of and positional relation among the supporting components7′ more clearly.

As shown inFIG. 12, the second type of supporting components7′ are also connected between the inner side walls of the two coating elements at the bending part of the coating mechanism, but, compared with the cylindrical supporting components7in the first embodiment, the difference is: the second type of supporting components7′ has a long bar-like cross-section with a lengthwise direction in the longitudinal direction of the electronic apparatus. Particularly, in the accompanying drawings, the supporting component7′ can be seen as having an oblong cross-section with the two arcuate ends and a rectangular middle portion there between. Of course, the bar-like shape of the supporting components7′ is not limited to the shape shown in the drawings. Those skilled in the art can design different bar-like shapes as required. For example, the bar-like shape can be designed as having a chamfered rectangular shape or even a non-chamfered rectangular shape at both ends, or the bar-like shape can be in a wavy shape in the lengthwise direction.

The technical effect and design concept of the supporting component7′ are virtually the same as those of the supporting component7, except the difference in the shape of structure. Hence, the design concept of the supporting component7can be applied to the supporting component7′ similarly. Therefore, for the supporting component7, reference can be made to the above description of the supporting component7. Hereunder only two aspects will be explained.

As shown inFIG. 15andFIG. 16, since a plurality of supporting components are unnecessary in the longitudinal direction of the electronic apparatus, only one supporting component7′ exists in the plan views inFIG. 15andFIG. 16. InFIG. 15, at the bending part, the first coating element5is subjected to stretching, while the second coating element6is subjected to compression. Since the supporting components7′ are connected to the inner side walls of the first coating element5and the second coating element6at least at the bending part, the second coating element6is under the pulling action of the first coating element5by virtue of the connection with the supporting components7′ when it is subjected to compression, and thereby no folds or crumples occur on the second coating element6at the bending part. The principle of the action is identical to that of the supporting components7. Hence, the coating mechanism3in the present disclosure is beneficial for smooth bending of the rotating mechanism8in the rotating operation, and can prevent folds or crumples on the coating mechanism3when the rotating mechanism8is rotated.

Please seeFIG. 13. A plurality of supporting components7′ is arranged along the transverse direction of the electronic apparatus, forming spacing d between the supporting components7′. Similar to the case of the supporting component7, the arrangement of the supporting component7′ as shown inFIGS. 12-16is only exemplary. The grouping, quantity, and arrangement of the supporting components7′ can be determined according to actual design requirements, as long as such grouping, quantity and arrangement can avoid the occurrence of folds or crumples on the coating mechanism3. In addition, the spacing between the supporting components7′ may be different, depending on the material and hardness of the supporting components7′, and even the distribution of the supporting components7′ may be an unequally spaced one. Moreover, the supporting components7may not be aligned in lines, i.e., they are staggered.

In the description of the previous embodiment, the coating mechanism3includes two separate coating elements (the first coating element5and the second coating element6), which can be connected via the supporting components. Actually, the first coating element5and the second coating element6may be integral, as shown inFIG. 17andFIG. 18. Thus, even if the supporting components are removed, the first coating element5and the second coating element6are an integral piece.

In addition, in the description of the present disclosure, though the coating mechanism3and the rotating mechanism8are described as two separate members, those skilled in the art would appreciate that the coating mechanism3and the rotating mechanism8can be manufactured by integral molding, so as to form the connecting device disclosed in the present disclosure.

In the present disclosure, the first coating element5and the second coating element6of the coating mechanism3and the supporting components can be made of the same material or made of different materials. The coating mechanism3provides functions of protection, connection, and esthetic appearance. It can be made of any suitable organic material with appropriate toughness and elasticity, such as silica gel.

Though the through-holes for fixing purpose in the coating mechanism3are described as circular holes in the accompanying drawings, alternatively the coating mechanism3can be configured to have elongated holes for fixing purpose, the lengthwise direction of which is in the longitudinal direction of the electronic apparatus, in order to provide some freedom for the movement of the first coating element5and the second coating element6of the coating mechanism3during bending, so that the first coating element5and the second coating element6can slide in the longitudinal direction of the electronic apparatus during bending. On that basis, those skilled in the art can design a coating mechanism3with a different bending pattern.

Second Embodiment of the Connecting Device of the Electronic Apparatus According to the Embodiment

A second embodiment of the connecting device attains the object of the present disclosure by utilizing a feature that the strength of the inner side wall of the coating mechanism is lower than that of the outer side wall of the coating mechanism. Specifically, for example, the strength of a first material used to produce the inner side wall of the coating mechanism is lower than that of a second material used to produce the outer side wall of the coating mechanism, or at least one groove can be arranged on the inner side wall of the coating mechanism, so that the strength of the inner side wall is lower than that of the outer side wall.

Thus, compared with the first embodiment of the connecting device according to the present disclosure, in the second embodiment of the connecting device according to the present disclosure, the connection between the connecting device and the first main body and the second main body, the material of the coating mechanism, and the structure of the rotating mechanism can be the same as those in the first embodiment, except that the supporting components is replaced by the feature that the strength of the inner side wall of the coating mechanism is lower than that of the outer side wall of the coating mechanism. Moreover, reference can be made toFIG. 17andFIG. 18for the external view and exploded view of the second embodiment of the connecting device. Hence, to simplify the description, hereunder the feature that the strength of the inner side wall of the coating mechanism is lower than that of the outer side wall, which is the difference from the first embodiment, will be mainly described, while all aspects that are the same as those in the first embodiment will not be described whenever possible. Reference can be made to the description of the first embodiment for those aspects.

As shown inFIG. 19andFIG. 20, the connecting device3includes a first coating element5, a second coating element6, and a plurality of grooves11extending along the transverse extension of the connecting device7on the inner side walls of the first coating element5and the second coating element6. The grooves11are arranged at the bending parts of the first coating element5and the second coating element6.

Furthermore,FIG. 21is a 3D view of the coating mechanism comprising a first coating element and a second coating element in the connecting device in this embodiment.FIG. 22is a partially enlarged 3D sectional view of the structure shown inFIG. 21, andFIG. 23is a planar sectional view of the structure shown inFIG. 21, showing the grooves11arranged on the two inner side walls (the inner side wall of the first coating element5and the inner side wall of the second coating element6) more clearly.

FIGS. 24-26show the structure of and positional relation among the components of the coating mechanism3and the rotating mechanism8according to the present disclosure.FIG. 24is a planar sectional view of the internal structure of the components of the coating mechanism3and rotating mechanism8according to the present disclosure in a 0° folded state;FIG. 25shows the internal structure of the components of the coating mechanism3and the rotating mechanism8in a 90° unfolded state;FIG. 26shows the internal structure of the components of the coating mechanism3and the rotating mechanism8in a 180° folded state.

In the state shown inFIG. 26, the coating mechanism3is not compressed or stretched; i.e., when both the first coating element5and the second coating element6are not subjected to compression, which corresponds to a neutral state of the rotating mechanism8in which the bent part of the rotating mechanism8is not bent.

In contrast, when the coating elements are subjected to compression and stretching; i.e., when both the first coating element5and the second coating element6are bent, for example, when the coating mechanism3is in a bent state as shown inFIGS. 22-25(namely, the first main body1and the second main body2are at an angle in relation to each other accordingly), one coating element is stretched, while the other coating element is compressed. Apparently folds or crumples will not occur on a stretched coating element, but, in the related art, folds or crumples may occur on a compressed coating element.

In the superposed and folded state shown inFIGS. 22-24, at the bending part, the first coating element5is subjected to stretching, while the second coating element6is subjected to compression. Since the grooves11are arranged on the inner side wall of the second coating element6corresponding to the bending part, the strength of the part of the inner side wall with grooves11is not only lower than the strength of other parts of the inner side wall but also lower than the strength of the outer side wall at the opposite side of the part of the second coating element6with grooves11, and may be bent more easily. Thus, when the second coating element6is in a bent state, the bending part of the second coating element6tends to bend inwardly under compression, owing to the existence of the grooves11. Hence, no folds or crumples will occur on the second coating element6at the bending part. In addition, since the inner side walls of the first coating element5and the second coating element6are provided with grooves11corresponding to the bending part, no folds or crumples will occur on the compressed coating element at the bending part, no matter whether the coating mechanism3is folded at 0° or is folded at 360°. Hence, the arrangement of the grooves11is beneficial for smooth bending of the rotating mechanism8in the rotating operation, and can prevent folds or crumples on the coating mechanism3when the rotating mechanism8is rotated.

In the drawings described above, 6 grooves11parallel to each other are shown exemplarily as being arranged essentially on the entire bending part of the coating mechanism3. Apparently, such a specific arrangement in the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings is only illustrative and explanatory. The quantity, arrangement, and shape of the grooves11can be determined according to actual design requirements. A basic ideal of the present disclosure is to make the strength of the inner side wall of the coating element lower than that of the outer side wall of the coating element in the coating mechanism, so that the bending part of the coating element will tend to bend inwardly under compression, and thereby the occurrence of folds or crumples on the coating mechanism can be prevented. Hence, the quantity, arrangement, and shape of the grooves can be determined as required, as long as the basic ideal can be implemented. Thus it can be seen: according to the design requirements, the quantity of the grooves11can be a natural number, such as 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, . . . , the grooves11can be arranged parallel to the transverse direction of the connecting device or slightly deviate from the parallel direction, and the grooves11can have an equal distance or unequal distances between them. The grooves11care in a trapezoid shape, as shown in the drawings described above. However, there is no particular restriction on the shape of the grooves in the present disclosure, which is to say, the grooves11can be in any shape, such as rectangular, triangular, or arc shape, etc., as long as the strength of the inner side wall of the coating element is decreased and the inner side wall is prone to bend inwardly. The quantity, arrangement, and shape of the grooves11can be selected according to the material and hardness of the grooves11. Moreover, the grooves11can run across the coating element in the transverse direction of the coating mechanism3, or only occupy a portion of the coating element in the transverse direction; in addition, the grooves11can be continuous or discontinuous in the transverse direction. In a case that the coating mechanism3has a plurality of grooves11in its longitudinal direction, these grooves can be equal or unequal in length, and further can be arranged in a staggered manner in relation to the longitudinal direction. The grooves can be divided into discrete groups in the transverse direction of the coating mechanism3.

In the embodiment described above, the coating mechanism3includes two coating elements, i.e., a first coating element5and a second coating element6. The two coating elements can be separate pieces that are separate from each other, or can be an integral piece, for example, the two coating elements are connected into one piece at their ends in the longitudinal direction of the coating mechanism coating mechanism3.

In addition, in the description of the present disclosure, though the coating mechanism3and the rotating mechanism8are described as two separate members, those skilled in the art would appreciate that the coating mechanism3and the rotating mechanism8can be manufactured and assembled with a variety of manufacturing and assembling techniques in the art. Particularly, for example, they can be manufactured by integral molding, so that the coating mechanism is attached to the rotating mechanism at least at some parts, to form the connecting device disclosed in the present disclosure.

In the present disclosure, the first coating element5and the second coating element6of the coating mechanism3can be made of the same material or made of different materials. The coating mechanism3provides functions of protection, connection, and esthetic appearance. It can be made of any suitable organic material with appropriate toughness and elasticity, such as silica gel.

While a first embodiment and a second embodiment of the connecting device for electronic apparatus according to the present disclosure are described above, those skilled in the art should appreciate that the first embodiment and the second embodiment of the connecting device are for the same object of the present disclosure, and they can be used in combination in the electronic apparatus according to the present disclosure; which is to say, the connecting device for electronic apparatus according to the present disclosure can use the supporting components and the feature that the strength of the inner side wall of the coating mechanism is lower than the strength of the outer side wall of the coating mechanism together to attain the object of the present disclosure.

To that end, based on the above description of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, it is seen that different arrangements can be used when the structure of supporting component and the feature that the strength of the inner side wall of the coating mechanism is lower than the strength of the outer side wall are utilized in combination. For example, a set of the supporting components and a set of the grooves described in the present disclosure can be arranged alternatively along the transverse axis of the rotating mechanism; or, a set of the supporting components and a set of the grooves described in the present disclosure can be arranged alternatively in a direction orthogonal to the transverse axis of the rotating mechanism. For example, the connection of the supporting component with the inner side wall in the present disclosure can be a connection of the supporting component with a ridge of the groove. For example, the strength of a first material used to produce the inner side wall of the coating mechanism can have lower strength than a second material used to produce the outer side wall, and the supporting component can be connected to the inner side wall simply. In general, the combination of the structure of supporting component and the feature that the strength of the inner side wall of the coating mechanism is lower than that of the outer side wall can be designed according to actual design requirements, as long as the object of the present disclosure can be attained.

The rotating mechanism described in the present disclosure can avoid the occurrence of folds and crumples on the compressed surfaces of the coating mechanism, and thereby the rotation of the rotating mechanism is smoother and has high quality. Thus, the man-machine interaction can be improved, and the use can enjoy a better experience. As shown inFIGS. 27-30, with the rotating mechanism disclosed in the present disclosure, smooth and high-quality rotation up to 360° between the first main body1and the second main body2is realized in the electronic apparatus according to the present disclosure.

In the accompanying drawings described above, the first main body1and the second main body2are illustrated as display side and system side, which are quite different in appearance from each other. However, the shape design of the first main body1and the second main body2and the overall design of the electronic apparatus can be in different solutions and have variations, as briefly described below.

As shown inFIG. 31andFIG. 32, the electronic apparatus also includes a first main body1, a second main body2, and a rotating mechanism3disposed between the first main body1and the second main body2. However, in appearance, the electronic apparatus employs an integral display screen, which can be rotated up to 360° by means of the rotating mechanism3. Apparently, the electronic apparatus can be embodied as a tablet PC.

Please seeFIG. 33, wherein at least the first main body1is provided with a display screen and forms a display part, and the second main body2is provided with a physical keyboard structure. Please note: on the back of the electronic apparatus, a small display screen is fitted at a part corresponding to the rotating mechanism3, to display information that contains prompting or aiding content. In addition, as an alternative option, at the same side as the first main body1and the display screen, an additional small display screen can be fitted at a part corresponding to the rotating mechanism3, to display information that contains prompting or aiding content.

Please seeFIG. 34, wherein the electronic apparatus is fitted with a small display screen at a part corresponding to the rotating mechanism3, and both the first main body1and the second main body2of the electronic apparatus can be fitted with a display screen, such as a touch screen. Similarly, as an alternative option, on the back of the electronic apparatus, an additional small display screen can be fitted at a part corresponding to the rotating mechanism3, between the two separate display screens on the first main body1and the second main body2, to display information that contains prompting or aiding content.

Moreover, though the electronic apparatus shown inFIG. 31andFIG. 32is fitted with an integral display screen, a separate small display screen can be presented by means of electronic control at a part corresponding to the rotating mechanism, to display information that contains prompting or aiding content. In addition, as an alternative option, just like the embodiment shown inFIG. 33andFIG. 34, on the back of the electronic apparatus, an additional small display screen can be fitted at a part corresponding to the rotating mechanism3.

The connecting device put forth in the present disclosure can prevent occurrence of folds and crumples on compressed surfaces, and thereby improves man-machine interaction and enables the user to enjoy a better experience.

Moreover, since the electronic apparatus put forth in the present disclosure employs the connecting device disclosed in the present disclosure, it has improved product quality, improved man-machine interaction, and obtains new functions.

Some embodiments of the connecting device and electronic apparatus disclosed in the present disclosure are described above. The specific features of the connecting device and electronic apparatus disclosed in the present disclosure, such as shape, size, and position, can be configured specifically on the basis of the features disclosed above, and all these designs can be envisaged by those skilled in the art. In addition, the technical features disclosed above are not limited to the disclosed combinations with other features. Those skilled in the art can make various other combinations among the technical features for the purpose of the present disclosure, as long as the objects of the present disclosure can be attained.