Mobile terminal and electronic apparatus

A mobile terminal including a left side face, a right side face, a front side face, a rear side face, and a top face. The mobile terminal is provided with a groove penetrating from the left side face to the right side face. The mobile terminal includes a sliding device slidable with respect to the groove, a first screen and a first camera. The first camera is arranged on the sliding device. When the sliding device carries the first camera to retract into the groove, the top wall forms at least a part of the top face, the left sidewall forms a part of the left side face, and the right sidewall forms a part of the right side face; when the sliding device carries the first camera to extend out of the groove, the first camera can be exposed out. An electronic apparatus is also provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priorities to Chinese Patent Application No. 201820234174.8, filed on Feb. 9, 2018, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The described embodiments relate to the technical field of mobile terminals.

BACKGROUND

At present, in order to pursue a better user experience, there is an increasing demand for large-screen display of a mobile phone. However, components such as cameras and the like are typically needed to be arranged at the front of the mobile phone; these components provide limitations to the layout space of displays of the mobile phone, and a screen ratio of the mobile phone is difficult to increase.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Apparently, the embodiments described below are merely some of the embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative efforts on the basis of the embodiments of the present disclosure shall fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the description of the following embodiments is provided with reference to the accompanying drawings for illustrating specific implementations which may be implemented in the present disclosure. Directional terms recited in the present disclosure, such as “top”, “bottom”, “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “inner”, “outer”, “side”, and the like, refer to the orientations in the accompanying drawings. Thus, the directional terms used here are only for better and more clearly describing and understanding the present disclosure, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the devices or the elements are disposed to locate at the specific directions or are structured and performed in the specific directions, which could not to be understood as limiting the present disclosure.

In the present disclosure, it should be noted that, unless specified or limited, otherwise, terms “mounted”, “connected”, “coupled”, “disposed”, and the like are used in a broad sense, and may include, for example, fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; may also be mechanical or electrical connections; may also be direct connections or indirect connections via intervening structures; may also be inner communications of two elements, as can be understood by those skilled in the art depending on specific contexts.

In the description of the present disclosure, it should be noted that, “a plurality of” means two or more, unless specified otherwise. If the term “process” appears in this specification, it means not only an independent process, but also when it is not clearly distinguishable from other processes, it is included in the term as long as the intended function of the process can be realized. In addition, the numerical range represented by “to” in the present disclosure is a range in which the numerical values described before and after “to” are respectively included as a minimum value and a maximum value. In the drawings, elements that are similar or identical in structure are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the present disclosure, a communication terminal configured to communicate by means of a wireless interface may be referred to as a “wireless communication terminal”, a “wireless terminal”, or a “mobile terminal”. As used herein, a “communication terminal” (or simply “terminal”) includes, but is not limited to, an apparatus receiving/transmitting communication signals via wired connection (for example, via a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a digital subscriber line (DSL), a digital cable, a direct cable, and/or another data connection/network), and/or via a wireless interface (for example, the wireless interface for a cellular network, a wireless local area network (WLAN), a digital television network such as DVB-H network, a satellite network, a AM-FM broadcast transmitter, and/or another communication terminal). Examples of the mobile terminal include, but are not limited to, a satellite or cellular telephone; a personal communication system (PCS) terminal that can combine a cellular radio telephone with functions of data processing, fax, and data communication; a radio telephone, a pager, an internet/intranet access, a web browser, a notepad, a calendar, and/or a global positioning system (GPS) receiver personal digital assistant (PDA); and a conventional laptop, and/or a palmtop receiver or other electronic apparatuses including radio telephone transceivers.

Referring toFIGS. 1-4, a mobile terminal100is provided in the present disclosure. The mobile terminal100may include a left side face101, a right side face102, a front side face103, a rear side face104, and a top side face105. The left side face101may be disposed opposite to the right side face102. The front side face103may be disposed opposite to the rear side face104. The front side face103may be connected between the left side face101and the right side face102. The rear side face104may be connected between the left side face101and the right side face102. The top face105may be connected between the front side face103and the rear side face104, and further connected between the left side face101and the right side102.

A receiving groove10may be defined in the mobile terminal100. The receiving groove10may be located between the front side face103and the rear side face104, and penetrate through from the left side face101to the right side face102. The mobile terminal100may include a sliding device1. The sliding device1may be retractable and slidable with respect to the receiving groove10. The sliding device1may include a left sidewall11, a right sidewall12, a front sidewall13, a rear sidewall14, and a top wall15. The left sidewall11may be disposed opposite to the right sidewall12. The front sidewall13may be connected between the left sidewall11and the right sidewall12. The rear sidewall14may be connected between the left sidewall11and the right sidewall12. The top wall15may be connected between the left sidewall11and the right sidewall12, and further between the front sidewall13and the rear sidewall14.

The mobile terminal100may include a first screen21and a first camera31. The first screen21may be disposed on the front side face103. The first camera31may be disposed on the sliding device1. When the sliding device1carries the first camera31to retract into the receiving groove10, the top wall15may form the whole top face105or a part of the top face105, that is to say, the top wall15may form at least a part of the top face105. The left sidewall11may form a part of the left side face101, and the right sidewall12may form a part of the right side face102. When the sliding device1carries the first camera31to extend out of the receiving groove10, and an image capturing surface of the first camera31can be exposed out of the receiving groove10. At this time, photographing may be performed with the first camera31.

In the present embodiment, the sliding device1can carry the first camera31to retract into or extend out of the receiving groove10; in this way, when the photographing is needed, the sliding device1may carry the first camera31to extend out of the receiving groove10to take a picture; when the photographing is not needed, the sliding device1may carry the first camera31to retract into the receiving groove10. Therefore, the first camera31does not need to occupy the space on the front side face103of the mobile terminal100, and the first screen21may be arranged as large as possible on the front side face103, such that the screen ratio of the mobile terminal100may be relatively high.

For example, the screen ratio of the mobile terminal100may be as high as 85% or even 95%. The screen ratio may refer to a display area of the screen of the mobile terminal100(such as the first screen21) and a projection area of the mobile terminal100as a whole in a plane perpendicular to a thickness direction of the mobile terminal100.

In the present embodiment, the first camera31may be retracted into the inside of the mobile terminal100when not in use, in order to obtain protection from the peripheral structure, and may be extended out of the mobile terminal100for photographing as required. In this way, the problems of wear, dust entering, and the like due to a long-term exposure may be avoided, and the quality of photographing of the first camera31may be effectively ensured. Since the receiving groove10penetrates through from the left side face101to the right side face102, the receiving groove10may have a large volume, and may be easily processed. The appearance and shape of the mobile terminal100may keep consistent. Similarly, since the receiving groove10have a large volume, a volume of the sliding device1that cooperates with the receiving groove10can also be set larger, so that the sliding device1may receive more functional components. In this way, the arrangement of the functional components of the mobile terminal100may be more flexible and diverse.

It can be understood that, “the image capturing surface of the first camera31can be exposed out” means that the image capturing surface of the first camera31will not be blocked by any component of the mobile terminal100that may have a light blocking effect (for example, a screen, and the like), so that the photographing may be performed successfully. Of course, it is also allowed that a light-transmitting lens and the like may cover the image capturing surface of the first camera31, in order to protect the first camera31.

In this case, the first screen21may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display.

In one embodiment, as shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 4, the sliding device1may be further provided with at least one of functional components selected from a group comprising a second camera32, an iris recognition module, a face recognition module, a flash, an earpiece33(also called as a receiver), a microphone (also called as MIC), a photoreceptor34, and a fingerprint module. When the second camera32needs to perform photographing, the sliding device1may carry the second camera32to extend out of the receiving groove10. The photographing directions respectively of the first camera31and the second camera32may be the same (either face to the front or the rear of the mobile terminal), or may be different (one faces to the front and the other faces to the rear). The functional devices (such as the earpiece33, the photoreceptor34, the fingerprint module, and the like) may be disposed in the sliding device1; in this way, the functional devices may be unfolded with respect to the first screen21when needed, and folded with respect to the first screen21when not in use. That is to say, the functional devices may be covered by the first screen21or may be seen from the outside of the mobile terminal. Therefore, it does not need to occupy the front space of the mobile terminal100, so that the first screen21may have a larger display area, and the screen ratio of the mobile terminal100may be increased. The functional components received in the sliding device1may be arranged in a misaligned manner to avoid a too large thickness of the mobile terminal100due to the overlapping placement.

Referring toFIGS. 5-8, when the sliding device1retracts into the receiving groove10, the relative positional relationships between the sliding device1and the receiving groove10in different embodiments are different. Examples are given below.

In the first embodiment, as shown inFIG. 5andFIG. 6, when the sliding device1retracts into the receiving groove10, the front sidewall13and the rear sidewall14are both completely received in the receiving groove10. In this case, as shown inFIG. 5, the front sidewall13and the rear sidewall14may be planar, and the front sidewall13and the rear sidewall14may be parallel to each other. When the sliding device1retracts into the receiving groove10, the top wall15may form a part of the top face105.

Of course, in other embodiments, both the front sidewall13and the rear sidewall14may be planar, and the front sidewall13may be arranged at an angle to the rear sidewall14, and the angle may be less than or equal to 45°. Optionally, both the front sidewall13and the rear sidewall14may be curved. Optionally, as shown inFIG. 6, the front sidewall13may include two adjacent planes connected to each other, and the rear sidewall14may include two adjacent planes connected to each other. When the sliding device1retracts into the receiving groove10, the top wall may form the top face105.

In this case, a groove wall of the receiving groove10may include a first wall face10aand a second wall face10b. A shape of the first wall face10amay match with that of the front sidewall13. A shape of the second wall face10bmay match with that of the rear sidewall14. When the sliding device1retracts into the receiving groove10, the front sidewall13may contact with the first wall face10a, and the rear sidewall14may contact with the second wall face10b.

In the second embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, the front sidewall13may include a first portion131and a second portion132connected to the first portion131. When the sliding device1retracts into the receiving groove10, the first portion131may be received in the receiving groove10, and the second portion132may be located outside the receiving groove10and form a part of the front side face103. The top wall15may form the top face105. In other words, when the sliding device1retracts into the receiving groove10, a part of the sliding device1may be received in the receiving groove10and a part of the sliding device1may be located outside the receiving groove10. At this time, the user may drive the sliding device to retract into or extend out of the receiving groove10by clamping or pushing the second portion132.

The front sidewall13may further include a third portion133connected between the first portion131and the second portion132. The third portion133may extend at an angle to the first potion131, and the angle is greater than or equal to 90° and less than 180°. For example, as shown inFIG. 7, the third portion133may be perpendicular to the first portion131. Optionally, as shown inFIG. 8, the angle formed between the third portion133and the first portion131may be 135°. In the present embodiment, the third portion133may provide a restriction to the sliding device1when the sliding device1retracts into the receiving groove10, so that the sliding device1may be positioned accurately. Besides, it is possible to prevent the sliding device1from excessively entering the receiving groove10, which may prevent an impact and damage to the components inside the mobile terminal100due to the excessively entering of the sliding device1.

The groove wall of the receiving groove10may include the first wall face10a. If the third portion133is perpendicular to the first portion131, the shape of the first wall face10amay match with that of the first portion131. When the sliding device1retracts into the receiving groove10, the first portion131may contact with the first wall face10a. However, if an obtuse angle is formed between the third portion133and the first portion131, the shape of the first wall face10amay match with the shapes respectively of the first portion131and the third portion133. When the sliding device1retracts into the receiving groove10, the first portion131and the third portion133may contact with the first wall face10a.

In this case, the rear sidewall14may include a fourth portion141and a fifth portion142. When the sliding device1retracts into the receiving groove10, the fourth portion141may be received in the receiving groove10, and the fifth portion142may be located outside the receiving groove10and form a part of the rear side face104. In other words, when the sliding device1retracts into the receiving groove10, a part of the sliding device1may be received in the receiving groove10and a part of the sliding device1may be located outside the receiving groove10. At this time, the user may drive the sliding device to retract into or extend out of the receiving groove10by clamping or pushing the fifth portion142.

The rear sidewall14may further include a sixth portion143connected between the fourth portion141and the fifth portion142. The sixth portion143may extend at an angle to the fourth portion141, and the angle is greater than or equal to 90° and less than 180°. For example, as shown inFIG. 7, the sixth portion143may be perpendicular to the fourth portion141. Optionally, as shown inFIG. 8, the angle formed between the sixth portion143and the fourth portion141may be 135°. In the present embodiment, the sixth portion143may provide a restriction to the sliding device1when the sliding device1retracts into the receiving groove10, so that the sliding device1may be positioned accurately. Besides, it is possible to prevent the sliding device1from excessively entering the receiving groove10, which may prevent an impact and damage to the components inside the mobile terminal100due to the excessively entering of the sliding device1.

The groove wall of the receiving groove10includes a second wall face10b. If the sixth portion143is perpendicular to the fourth portion141, the shape of the second wall face10bmay match with that of the fourth portion141. When the sliding device1retracts into the receiving groove10, the fourth portion141may contact with the second wall face10b. However, if an obtuse angle is formed between the sixth portion143and the fourth portion141, the shape of the second wall face10bmay match with the shapes respectively of the fourth portion141and the sixth portion143. When the sliding device1retracts into the receiving groove10, the fourth portion141and the sixth portion143may contact with the second wall face10b.

In one embodiment, referring toFIG. 1andFIG. 9, the mobile terminal100may further include a second screen22. The second screen22may be disposed on the rear side face104. The second screen22may be used as another screen of the mobile terminal100, such that the mobile terminal100has two screens on opposite sides. The first screen21and the second screen22may both have touch and display functions.

In one embodiment, the sliding direction of the sliding device1may be parallel to the left side face101. Of course, the sliding direction of the sliding device1may also be parallel to the right side face102. In other words, the sliding device1may be retractable and slidable in the longitudinal direction of the mobile terminal100.

In one embodiment, referring toFIGS. 1-4andFIG. 9, the mobile terminal100may include a middle frame4connected between the first screen21and the second screen22, or between the first screen21and the back shell. A left side41of the middle frame4may form a part of the left side face101, and a right side42of the middle frame4may form a part of the right side face102. The first screen21may be fixed to the middle frame4. A top of the middle frame4may be lower than tops respectively of the front side face101and the rear side face102, such that the receiving groove10may be located above the middle frame4, or the receiving groove may be formed at the top of the middle frame4. When the sliding device1retracts into the groove10, the sliding device1may contact with or abut against the top of the middle frame4.

The second screen22may be fixed to one side of the middle frame4that is away from the first screen21. Of course, in other embodiments, a rear cover may also be used in the mobile terminal100to replace the second screen22. The rear cover may be made of glass or metal. Optionally, the mobile terminal100may also have the second screen22and the rear cover at the same time, and the second screen22may be fixed to the rear cover.

When the front and rear sides of the receiving groove10penetrate through the middle frame4(that is, extend to the front and rear sides of the middle frame4), the receiving groove10may be located above the middle frame4. At this time, the first screen21, the top of the middle frame4, and the rear cover (or the second screen22) may cooperatively enclose the receiving groove10. Optionally, in other embodiments, it is possible that one or both of the front and rear sides of the receiving groove10do not penetrate through the front and rear sides of the middle frame4, and the receiving groove10is formed at the top of the middle frame4. For example, the front side of the receiving groove10may penetrate through the front side of the middle frame4, while the rear side of the receiving groove10does not penetrate the rear side of the middle frame4; in this case, the first screen21and the middle frame4may enclose the receiving groove10. Optionally, the front side of the receiving groove10may not penetrate the front side of the middle frame4, while the rear side of the receiving groove10may penetrate the rear side of the middle frame4; in this case, the middle frame4and the rear cover (or the second screen22) may enclose the receiving groove10. Optionally, the front side of the receiving groove10may not penetrate the front side of the middle frame4, and the rear side of the receiving groove10may not penetrate the rear side of the middle frame4; in this case, the middle frame4may individually define the receiving groove10.

The left side41of the middle frame4may be flush with the left sidewall11of the sliding device1. The right side42of the middle frame4may be flush with the right sidewall12of the sliding device1. At this time, the mobile terminal100may have a high appearance consistency. At the same time, it is also possible to prevent external dust, dirt, and the like from being trapped between the sliding device1and the middle frame4.

In one embodiment, referring toFIG. 9andFIG. 10, the middle frame4may include a partition wall43configured to divide the inner space of the mobile terminal100into a receiving chamber44and the receiving groove10. The receiving chamber44may be located inside the middle frame4. A through hole430may be defined in the partition wall43; the receiving chamber44and the receiving groove10may communicate with each other through the through hole430. A plurality of through holes430may be provided. The partition wall43may be configured to prevent dust in the external environment from entering the receiving chamber44. Of course, in other embodiments, the receiving chamber44and the receiving groove10may also directly communicate to each other without a partition wall arranged therebetween.

In one embodiment, referring toFIG. 4andFIG. 9, a main board51, a processor52disposed on the main board SI, a battery53electrically connected to the main board51, and the like may be received in the receiving chamber44. The first screen21may be connected (including an electrical connection and a signal connection) to the main board51. The first camera31in the sliding device1may be connected (including an electrical connection and a signal connection) to the main board51and other functional components. The mobile terminal100may further include a connection line35(such as a cable or a flexible circuit board) connected between the first camera31(and other functional components) and the main board51. The connecting wire35may extend into the receiving chamber44through one of the through holes430.

In one embodiment, referring toFIG. 9andFIG. 10, the mobile terminal100may further include a driving assembly6. A part of the driving assembly6may be fixed to the sliding device1, and a part of the driving assembly6may be received inside the middle frame4. In other words, a part of the drive assembly6may be received in the receiving chamber44. The drive assembly6may be configured to drive the sliding device1to extend out of or retract into the receiving groove10. The drive assembly6may be connected (including an electrical and a signal connections) to the main board51. The drive assembly6may operate under the control of the main board51.

A trigger button45may be disposed on the right side face102. The trigger button45may be disposed in the middle frame4. The trigger button45may be connected (including an electrical and a signal connections) to the main board51. When a user presses or touches the trigger button45, the trigger button45may send a trigger signal to the processor52on the main board51, and the processor52may control the drive unit6, so that the sliding device1may retract into or extend out of the receiving groove10under the control of the drive assembly6. Of course, in other embodiments, the trigger button45may also be disposed on the left side face101. Optionally, each of the left side face101and the right side face102amay be provided with the trigger button45.

In other embodiments, the trigger button45may be a touch icon disposed on the first screen21or the second screen22. When clicking the touch icon, it is possible to send a trigger signal to the processor52of the main board51. The processor52may receive the trigger signal and control the drive assembly6to drive the sliding device1to slide.

For example, the trigger button45may be a photograph-starting button and a photograph-ending button arranged on the first screen21or the second screen22. When the photograph-starting button is touched, the photograph-starting button may send a first trigger signal to the processor52of the main board51, and the processor52may receive the first trigger signal and control the driving assembly6to drive the sliding device1to extend out of the receiving groove10, so that the first camera31(or the second camera32) may perform the photographing under a photographing signal. When the photograph-ending button is touched, the photograph-ending button may send a second trigger signal to the processor52of the main board51, and the processor52may receive the second trigger signal and control the driving assembly6to drive the sliding device1to retract into the receiving groove10.

For example, the trigger button45may be a phone answering button and a phone hanging-up button arranged on the first screen21or the second screen22. When the phone answering button is touched to make the phone get through, the phone answering button may send a third trigger signal to the processor52of the main board51, and the processor52may receive the third trigger signal and control the driving assembly6to drive the sliding device1to extend out of the receiving to groove10. When the phone is hung up by touching the phone hanging-up button, the phone hanging-up button may send a fourth trigger signal to the processor52of the main board51, and the processor52may receive the fourth trigger signal and control the drive assembly6to drive the sliding device1to retract into the receiving groove10.

A plurality of drive assembly6may be provided, and the plurality of drive assemblies6may be spaced apart to drive the sliding device1more steadily. For example, two drive assemblies6may be provided.

Referring toFIGS. 9-13, the driving assembly6may be achieved by a plurality of driving modes.

In one embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, the drive assembly6may include a sliding block611, a lead screw612, and a motor613. The sliding block611may be fixed to the sliding device1. The lead screw612and the motor613may be received in the middle frame4. A periphery of the lead screw612may define a spiral groove6121. The sliding block611may be partially embedded in the spiral groove6121and slidable with respect to the lead screw612. The sliding block611may be substantially in shape of a strip. One end of the sliding block611may be fixed to the sliding device1, and the other end of the sliding block611may be embedded in the spiral groove6121. More specially, the sliding block611may include a connection portion6111fixed to the sliding device1and a hook portion6112connected to the connection portion6111. The hook portion6112may be slidable along the spiral groove6121. The motor613may be configured to drive the lead screw612to rotate, so that the sliding block611may carry the sliding device1to slide. The motor613may be electrically connected to the main board51, and the processor52on the main board51may control the action of the motor613(including a rotation direction, a rotation speed, a rotation angle, and the like).

In this case, the motor613may be received in the receiving chamber44. The lead screw612may be received in the receiving chamber44. One end of the sliding block611may enter the receiving chamber44through the through hole430defined in the partition wall43to connect to the lead screw612. In one embodiment, the lead screw612may also partially protrude out of the receiving chamber44through the through hole430, in order to increase a stroke of the sliding device1. A corresponding recess configured to receive a part of the lead screw612when the sliding device1retracts into the receiving groove10may be further defined in the sliding device1.

When the motor613drives the lead screw612to rotate in the first direction, the sliding block611may be driven by the lead screw612to carry the sliding device1to slide away from the receiving chamber, such that the sliding device1may extend out of the receiving groove10. When the motor613drives the lead screw612to rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the sliding block611may be driven by the lead screw612to carry the sliding device1to slide towards the receiving chamber, such that the sliding device1may retract into the receiving groove10.

In one embodiment, as shown inFIG. 11, the drive assembly6may include a magnet621, an electromagnet622, and a controller623. The magnet621may be fixed to the sliding device1. The electromagnet622may be fixed in the middle frame4. The controller623may be received in the middle frame4. The controller623may be configured to change a magnetic field of the electromagnet622, such that the electromagnet622may attract or repel the magnet621. The electromagnet622may include an iron piece6221and a coil6222wound around a periphery of the iron piece6221. The coil6222may be electrically connected to the controller623. The controller623may change the magnetic field of the electromagnet622by controlling the current flow in the coil6222.

The controller623may be received in the receiving chamber44. The controller623may be fixed to the main board51. The controller623may be electrically connected to the processor52. The electromagnet622may be fixed to the partition wall43. The electromagnet622may be fixed to one side of the partition wall43that faces towards the receiving chamber44or that is away from the receiving chamber44.

When a front end of the electromagnet622that faces towards the magnet621has a same magnetic pole with an end of the magnet621that is away from the sliding device1, the electromagnet622may repel the magnet621, and the sliding device1may extend out of the receiving groove10. When the front end of the electromagnet622has the magnetic pole opposite to the end of the magnet621, the electromagnet622may attract the magnet621, and the sliding device1may retract into the receiving groove10.

In one embodiment, as shown inFIG. 12, the drive assembly6may include a sleeve631, a transmission rod632, and a motor633. The sleeve631may be fixed to the sliding device1. The transmission rod632and the motor633may be received in the middle frame4. The sleeve631may be sleeved on a periphery of the transmission rod632and screwed to the transmission rod632. The sleeve631may rotate with respect to the transmission rod632, and move with respect to the middle frame4. The motor633may be configured to drive the transmission rod632to rotate, so that the sleeve631may carry the sliding device1to slide. The motor633may be electrically connected to the main board51, and the processor52on the main board51may control the action of the motor633(including the rotation direction, the rotation speed, the rotation angle, and the like).

In this case, the motor633may be received in the receiving chamber44. The transmission rod632may be received in the receiving chamber44. One end of the sleeve631may enter the receiving chamber44through a through hole defined in the partition wall43to connect the transmission rod632. In an embodiment, the transmission rod632may also partially protrude out of the receiving chamber44through the through hole portion, in order to increase the stroke of the sliding device1. A corresponding recess configured to receive a part of the transmission rod632when the sliding device1retracts into the receiving groove10may be further defined in the sliding device1.

When the motor633drives the transmission rod632to rotate in the third direction, the sleeve631may be driven by the transmission rod632to carry the sliding device1to slide away from the receiving chamber, such that the sliding device1may extend out of the receiving groove10. When the motor633drives the transmission rod632to rotate in a fourth direction opposite to the third direction, the sleeve631may be driven by the transmission rod632to carry the sliding device1to slide towards the receiving chamber, such that the sliding device1may retract into the receiving groove10.

In one embodiment, as shown inFIG. 13, the drive assembly6may include a rack641, a gear642, and a motor643. The rack641may be fixed to the sliding device1. The gear642and the motor643may be received in the middle frame4. The gear642may be engaged with the rack641. The gear642may be received in the receiving chamber44. One end of the rack641may be fixed to the sliding device1, and the other end of the rack641may extend into the receiving chamber44through a through hole in the partition wall43. The motor643may be received in the receiving chamber44. The motor643may be configured to drive the gear642to rotate, such that the rack641may carry the sliding device1to slide. The motor643may be electrically connected to the main board51. The processor52on the main board51may control the action of the motor643(including the direction of rotation, the rotational speed, the angle of rotation, and the like).

When the motor643drives the gear642to rotate in the fifth direction, the rack641may be driven by the gear642to carry the sliding device1to slide away from the receiving chamber, such that the sliding device1may extend out of the receiving groove10. When the motor643drives the gear642to rotate in a sixth direction opposite to the fifth direction, the rack641may be driven by the gear642to carry the sliding device1to slide towards the receiving chamber, such that the sliding device1may retract into the receiving groove10.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS. 1-4, the mobile terminal may include a front shell, a back shell opposite to the front shell, a screen21mounted on the front shell, a frame4, a slidable device1, and a camera31. The frame4may include a pair of spaced and parallel external walls41and42engaged with the front shell and the back shell. Each of the external walls41and42may have a top lower than tops of the front shell and the back shell. The tops respectively of the external walls41and42, the front shell and the back shell cooperatively define a storage space10. The slidable device1may be received in the storage space10and configured to move between a first position at which the slidable device1extends out of the storage space10and a second position at which the slidable device1retracts into the storage space10. The camera31may be arranged on the slidable device1. When the slidable device1is at the first position, the camera31may be exposed out of the storage space10. However, when the slidable device1is at the second position, the camera31may be received in the storage space10and covered by the screen21.

In some embodiments, the frame4further comprises a partition wall43connected between the pair of external walls41and42. The partition wall43, the tops respectively of the external walls41and42, the front shell and the back shell may cooperatively define the storage space10.

In some embodiments, the sliding device1may include a front13and a rear14opposite to each other. When the sliding device1is at the second position, the front13and the rear14may be both completely received in the storage space10.

In some embodiments, the sliding device1may include an embedding portion131,141and a protruding portion132,142connected to the embedding portion131,141. The embedding portion131,141may be received in the storage space10, while the protruding portion132,142may protrude out of the storage space10. When the sliding device1is at the second position, the protruding portion132,142may abut against the tops respectively of the front shell and the back shell.

In some embodiments, the sliding device1may further include a restricting portion133,143connected between the embedding portion and the protruding portion. The restricting portion133,143may extend at an angle from the embedding portion, and the angle is greater than or equal to 90 and less than 180°.

In some embodiments, an electronic apparatus may be further provided. As shown inFIGS. 1-4, the electronic apparatus may include a front shell, a back shell opposite to the front shell, a screen21mounted on the front shell and having a display area, a frame4, a slidable device1, and a camera31. The frame4may include a pair of spaced and parallel external walls41and42engaged with the front shell and the back shell to enclose a receiving chamber44. Each of the external walls41and42may have a top lower than tops of the front shell and the back shell. A partition wall43may be connected between the pair of external walls41and42. In this case, the front shell, the back shell and the partition wall43cooperatively define a storage space10. The slidable device1may be received in the storage space10and configured to move between a first position at which the slidable device1extends out of the storage space10and a second position at which the slidable device1retracts into the storage space10. The camera31may be arranged on the slidable device1. When the slidable device1is at the first position, the camera31may be exposed out of the storage space10. However, when the slidable device1is at the second position, the camera31may be received in the storage space10and covered by the screen21. The electronic apparatus may further includes a driving mechanism6. The driving mechanism6may be partially received in the receiving chamber44and configured to drive the slidable device1with the camera31to move between the first position and the second position.

The embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, and the principles and implementations of the present disclosure are described in the specific examples. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help with the understanding of the method of the present disclosure and its core ideas. Those skilled in the art may make modification in the specific embodiments and the scope of the present disclosure based on the idea of the present disclosure. In summary, the content of the present disclosure should not be construed as a limitation to the present disclosure.