Patent Publication Number: US-2022217228-A1

Title: Foldable apparatus and electronic device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is a continuation application of International Application No. PCT/CN2020/124255, filed on Oct. 28, 2020, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201911041319.8, filed on Oct. 29, 2019, the entire disclosure of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to the field of communication devices, and in particular to a folding apparatus and an electronic device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     At present, in a foldable mobile phone, a display screen of a mobile phone is folded in half to realize miniaturization of the mobile phone and facilitate a user to carry the mobile phone. However, at present, during a folded process of the display screen, a bendable part of the display screen has a bending radius, such that the display screen is unable to be completely folded, two main bodies of the foldable mobile phone connected with two opposite parts of the display screen are unable to be completely folded. 
     SUMMARY 
     A foldable apparatus is provided in implementations of the present disclosure, where the foldable apparatus includes a rotating shaft base and two main bodies disposed at two opposite sides of the rotating shaft base. Each main body is provided with a rotating member rotatably connected with the rotating shaft base, a housing rotatably connected with the rotating member, a first support plate fixed to the housing, and a second support plate fixedly connected with the rotating member. When the two main bodies are folded relative to each other, two housings respectively drive two first support plates to stack relative to each other, and the second support plate rotates relative to the housing along with the rotating member to be inclined relative to the first support plate, and an accommodating space is defined between two second support plates. When the two main bodies are unfolded relative to each other, the two housings respectively drive the two first support plates to be flush with each other, and the second support plate rotates relative to the housing along with the rotating member to be flush with the first support plate. 
     An electronic device is provided in implementations of the present disclosure, where the electronic device includes a foldable apparatus and a flexible display screen. The foldable apparatus includes a rotating shaft base and two main bodies disposed at two opposite sides of the rotating shaft base, each main body is provided with a rotating member rotatably connected with the rotating shaft base, a housing rotatably connected with the rotating member, a first support plate fixed to the housing, and a second support plate fixedly connected with the rotating member. The flexible display screen has two parts which are able to be folded or unfolded relatively to each other and a bendable part connected between the two parts, and the two parts are respectively fixed to the two main bodies. When the two main bodies are folded relative to each other, two housings respectively drive two first support plates to stack relative to each other, and the second support plate rotates relative to the housing along with the rotating member to be inclined relative to the first support plate, and an accommodating space is defined between two second support plates. When the two main bodies are unfolded relative to each other, the two housings respectively drive the two first support plates to be flush with each other, and the second support plate rotates relative to the housing along with the rotating member to be flush with the first support plate. When the two main bodies are folded relative to each other, the two first support plates respectively drive the two parts to fold, and the bendable part is accommodated in the accommodating space between the two second support plates. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       In order to describe technical solutions of the disclosure more clearly, the following will give a brief introduction to the accompanying drawings used for describing the implementations. Apparently, the accompanying drawings hereinafter described are merely some implementations of the present disclosure. Based on these drawings, those of ordinary skill in the art can also obtain other drawings without creative effort. 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded schematic view illustrating an electronic device provided in implementations of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view illustrating a folded state of an electronic device provided in implementations of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded schematic view illustrating an unfolded state of an electronic device provided in implementations of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a partial schematic view illustrating an unfolded state of an electronic device provided in implementations of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a partial schematic view illustrating an electronic device provided in implementations of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the electronic device of  FIG. 4 , taken along VI-VI. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the electronic device of  FIG. 2 , taken along VII-VII. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Technical solutions of implementations of the present disclosure will be described clearly and completely, with reference to accompanying drawings in the implementations of the present disclosure. 
     Reference can be made to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 , and  FIG. 3 , an electronic device  1000  is provided in the present disclosure, and the electronic device  1000  includes a foldable apparatus  100  and a flexible display screen  200 . The flexible display screen  200  has a first part  210 , a second part  220  folded or unfolded relative to the first part  210 , and a bendable part  230  connected between the first part  210  and the second part  220 . The foldable apparatus  100  includes a rotating shaft base  110  and two main bodies  120  disposed at two opposite sides of the rotating shaft base  110 . The two main bodies  120  can rotate relative to the rotating shaft base  110 , which realizes that that the two main bodies  120  can respectively drive the first part  210  and the second part  220  to fold or unfold relative to each other. 
     Each main body  120  is provided with a rotating member  121  rotatably connected with the rotating shaft base  110 , a housing  122  rotatably connected with the rotating member  121 , a first support plate  123  fixed to the housing  122 , and a second support plate  124  fixedly connected with the rotating member  121 . When the two main bodies  120  are folded relative to each other, two housings  122  respectively drive two first support plates  123  to stack relative to each other, and the second support plate  124  rotates relative to the housing  122  along with the rotating member  121  to be inclined relative to the first support plate  123 , and an accommodating space is defined between two second support plates  124 . When the two main bodies  120  are unfolded relative to each other, the two housings  122  respectively drive the two first support plates  123  to be flush with each other, and the second support plate  124  rotates relative to the housing  122  along with the rotating member  121  to be flush with the first support plate  123 . 
     It can be understood that the two main bodies  120  can respectively carry the first part  210  and the second part  220 . The two main bodies  120  rotate relative to the rotating shaft base  110  to drive the first part  210  and/or the second part  220  to rotate relative to the rotating shaft base  110 , such that the first part  210  and the second part  220  are folded or unfolded relative to each other, and an electronic device  1000  can present two usage states of being folded or being unfolded. The electronic device  1000  may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, or other devices. 
     Each main body  120  of the foldable apparatus  100  is provided with the first support plate  123  and the second support plate  124  which is able to rotate relative to the first support plate  123 , and when the two main bodies  120  are folded relative to each other, the two first support plates  123  can be overlapped with each other, while the second support plate  124  is inclined relative to the first support plate  123 , and the accommodating space is defined between the two second support plates  124  and can be used to accommodate the bendable part  230 , such that an overall thinness of the foldable apparatus  100  can be reduced in a folded state. 
     In this implementation, the rotating shaft base  110  has two side portions rotatably connected with the two main bodies  120  respectively. The rotating shaft base  110  substantially has a rotating shaft structure of the two main bodies  120 , such that the two main bodies  120  can rotate relative to each other through the rotating shaft base  110 . The rotating shaft base  110  is in a rectangular rod shape. The rotating shaft base  110  is provided with a rotating shaft housing  111  and a bearing assembly  112  fixed in the rotating shaft housing  111 . The bearing assembly  112  is in rotating fit with rotation axes of the two main bodies  120  respectively. The rotating shaft housing  111  is configured to stabilize and protect the bearing assembly  112 . The rotating shaft housing  111  has a rotating-shaft bottom plate  1111  and two side plates  1112  fixed to the two opposite long edges of the rotating-shaft bottom plate  1111 . When the two main bodies  120  are folded relative to each other, the two main bodies  120  are substantially spliced with the two side plates  1112  respectively, such that the rotating shaft housing  111  substantially protects the bendable part  230  of the flexible display screen  200 . When the two main bodies  120  are unfolded relative to each other, the two main bodies  120  are substantially spliced and substantially cover the rotating shaft housing  111  to simplify an appearance structure of the electronic device  1000  in a folded state. 
     In this implementation, the main body  120  has a first edge  1201  and a second edge  1202  opposite to the first edge  1201 , and the second edge  1202  is adjacent to the rotating shaft base  110 . The first edge  1201  extends along a central axis parallel to a length direction of the rotating shaft base  110 . The second edge  1202  is parallel to the first edge  1201 . The first edges  1201  of the two main bodies  120  may be fixedly connected with an edge of the first part  210  and an edge of the second part  220  respectively. The first edges of the two main bodies  120  may also be slidably connected with the edge of the first part  210  and the edge of the second part  220  respectively. When the second support plate  124  rotates relative to the first support plate  123  to be flush with the first support plate  123 , the main body  120  can effectively and stably support the first part  210  of the flexible display screen  200 . When the second support plate  124  rotates relative to the first support plate  123  to be inclined relative to the first support plate  123 , the second support plate  124  can retract toward a bottom of the main body  120 , such that the accommodating space can be defined by yielding of the second support plates  124 , thus the bendable part  230  of a folded flexible display screen  200  is accommodated in the accommodating space. 
     In this implementation, the first support plate  123  and the second support plate  124  can cover the housing  122  together. The first support plate  123  is adjacent to the first edge  1201  of the housing  122 , and the second support plate  124  is adjacent to the second edge  1202  of the housing  122 . When the second support plate  124  is inclined relative to the first support plate  123 , an edge of the second support plate  124  away from the first support plate  123  rotatably retract toward an inner side of the housing  122 . When the two first support plates  123  are in a folded state, edges of the two second support plates  124  close to the first support plates  123  are close to each other, while edges of the two second support plates  124  away from the two first support plates  123  are away from each other, such that the accommodating space substantially in a shape of a triangular column can be defined between the two second support plates  124 , which facilitates the bendable part  230  of the flexible display screen  200  being accommodated between the two second support plates  124 , facilitates a compensation for a bending radius of the bendable part  230  of the flexible display screen  200  when the electronic device  1000  is in a folded state, and ensures safety of the flexible display screen  200 . When the two second support plates  124  are flush with each other, the two second support plates  124  are spliced with each other and can substantially cover the rotating shaft base  110 , such that a middle bendable part  230  of the flexible display screen  200  in an unfolded state can be effectively stabilized at a position where the two second support plates  124  are spliced with each other. 
     In this implementation, the rotating member  121  is fixed to a side of the second support plate  124  facing the housing  122 . The rotating member  121  has a connecting end portion  1211  protruding relative to the second support plate  124 , and the connecting end portion  1211  is rotatably connected with the rotating shaft base  110 . A part of the rotating member  121  fixedly connected with the second support plate  124  can be rotatably connected with the housing  122 , so as to realize that the second support plate  124  can rotate relative to the first support plate  123  through the rotating member  121 . A rotation-axis line of the connecting end portion  1211  is set to be parallel to the second edge  1202 , such that the two main bodies  120  can be unfolded or folded relative each other. The main body  120  may be provided with multiple rotating members  121  arranged at regular intervals in a length direction of the second edge  1202 . The rotating members  121  of the two main bodies  120  may be rotatably connected with a same rotating shaft of the rotating shaft base  110 , or rotatably connected with different rotating shafts of the rotating shaft base  110  respectively. On the rotating shaft base  110 , the rotating members  121  of the two main bodies  120  may be symmetrically arranged along a central axis in a length direction of the rotating shaft base  110 , or arranged in alternation along the central axis in the length direction of the rotating shaft base  110 . 
     Furthermore, reference can be made to  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 6 , and  FIG. 7  together. The housing  122  is provided with a rotating limit pin  1221 , the rotating member  121  defines a curved sliding groove  1212 , a circular arc center of the curved sliding groove  1212  is at a boundary between the first support plate  123  and the second support plate  124 , and the rotating limit pin  1221  can be in sliding fit with the curved sliding groove  1212  to drive the rotating member  121  to rotate relative to the housing  122 . 
     In this implementation, the rotating limit pin  1221  is disposed at the housing  122  away from the first edge  1201 . A length direction of the rotating limit pin  1221  is substantially parallel to a rotation-axis direction of the rotating member  121 . The curved sliding groove  1212  is defined at a part of the rotating member  121  fixedly connected with the second support plate  124 . The curved sliding groove  1212  extends along a circular arc curve. The rotating limit pin  1221  has two opposite curved mating surfaces, and the curved sliding groove  1212  has two curved guide surfaces respectively in fit with the two curved mating surfaces. The rotating limit pin  1221  is slidably disposed along the curved sliding groove  1212 , such that the housing  122  and the first support plate  123  can rotate relative to the rotating member  121  and the second support plate  124 . A center of the circular arc curve in an extension direction of the curved sliding groove  1212  is at the boundary between the first support plate  123  and the second support plate  124 , such that the second support plate  124  can take an edge of the second support plate  124  close to the first support plate  123  as a rotation axis to rotate relative to the first support plate  123 . The curved sliding groove  1212  has two opposite closed ends which are configured to limit the rotating limit pin  1221 , so as to limit a rotation angle of the second support plate  124  relative to the first support plate  123 , which prevents the flexible display screen  200  from being damaged due to an excessive rotation angle of the second support plate  124  relative to the first support plate  123 . Of course, in other implementations, the housing  122  may define the curved sliding groove  1212  and the rotating member  121  may be provided with the rotating limit pin  1221 , to realize that the rotating member  121  can rotate relative to the housing  122 . 
     Furthermore, reference can be made to  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 , and  FIG. 5  together. The housing  122  defines an accommodating groove  1222 , an end of the rotating member  121  is accommodated in the accommodating groove  1222 , the rotating limit pin  1221  penetrates through the accommodating groove  1222 , and the curved sliding groove  1212  is defined in an end of the rotating member  121  accommodated in the accommodating groove  1222 . 
     In this implementation, an opening direction of the accommodating groove  1222  is substantially perpendicular to the length direction of the rotating limit pin  1221 . The accommodating groove  1222  has two opposite mating inner walls which are in clearance fit with two outer walls of the end of the rotating member  121  to limit the rotating member  121 , which prevents the rotating member  121  from moving laterally in the length direction of the rotating limit pin  1221 . Two ends of the rotating limit pin  1221  respectively penetrate through the two mating inner walls, such that structures of the rotating member  121  and the housing  122  are stable. 
     Specifically, the housing  122  includes a back housing  1223  and a housing connecting member  1224  fixed in the back housing  1223 , the first support plate  123  covers the back housing  1223  and partially covers the housing connecting member  1224 , the accommodating groove  1222  is defined in the housing connecting member  1224 , and the rotating member  121  is rotatably connected with the housing connecting member  1224 . The back housing  1223  defines a fixed groove  1220 , and the housing connecting member  1224  is fixed in the fixed groove  1220 . The housing  122  may be provided with multiple housing connecting members  1224 , and each housing connecting member  1224  is rotatably connected with each rotating member  121 . The multiple housing connecting members  1224  may be arranged at regular intervals along an edge of the first support plate  123 . The back housing  1223  covers the first support plate  123 , an accommodating space can be defined between the back housing  1223  and the first support plate  123 , and the accommodating space can be used to accommodate a functional device, which may be a mainboard, an antenna, a speaker, a camera, etc. The housing connecting member  1224  is fixed in the accommodating space and an end of the housing connecting member  1224  protrudes relative to the edge of the first support plate  123 , to facilitate the housing connecting member  1224  being rotatably connected with the rotating member  121 . In other words, the accommodating groove  1222  and the rotating limit pin  1221  are both disposed at the end of the housing connecting member  1224  protruding relative to the first support plate  123 . 
     More specifically, the housing connecting member  1224  has two opposite fixed plates  1225 , the accommodating groove  1222  is defined between the two fixed plates  1225 , the two ends of the rotating limit pin  1221  are respectively fixed to the two fixed plates  1225 , and the fixed plates  1225  are in clearance fit with the rotating member  121 . The mating inner walls are disposed at the fixed plate  1225 . The two ends of the rotating limit pin  1221  respectively penetrate through the two fixed plates  1225 , and the rotating limit pin  1221  can be detachably connected with the two fixed plates  1225 . The end of the housing connecting member  1224  protruding relative to the edge of the first support plate  123  has an inclined mating surface  1229 . When the second support plate  124  rotates relative to the first support plate  123  to an inclined state, the second support plate  124  is substantially in fit with the inclined mating surface  1229 , to facilitate rotation of the second support plate  124  relative to the first support plate  123  and improve stability of the second support plate  124  and the housing connecting member  1224 . 
     Furthermore, each main body  120  is further provided with a limit connecting member  125  rotatably connected with the rotating shaft base  110  and slidably connected with the housing  122 , and two limit connecting members  125  are configured to respectively limit rotation of the two main bodies  120  within an included angle range which is from being folded to being unfolded relative to each other. 
     In this implementation, the limit connecting member  125  is configured to limit a rotation angle of the main body  120  relative to the rotating shaft base  110 , such that the main body  120  rotates relative to the rotating shaft base  110  within a certain included angle range. The rotation angle of the main body  120  relative to the rotating shaft base  110  is approximately within an included angle range of  90  degrees. When the two main bodies  120  rotate to a state of a minimum included angle, the two main bodies  120  are substantially folded relative to each other, and the first part  210  and the second part  220  of the flexible display screen  200  can be attached to each other to reduce an overall thickness of the flexible display screen  200  in a folded state. When the two main bodies  120  rotate to a state of a maximum included angle, the two main bodies  120  are substantially unfolded relative to each other, such that the flexible display screen  200  is tiled on the two main bodies  120 , and the limit connecting members  125  limit the two main bodies  120  to continuously unfold to prevent the flexible display screen  200  from being damaged. A rotation axis of the limit connecting member  125  configured to rotate relative to the rotating shaft base  110  and a rotation axis of the rotating member  121  being connected with the rotating shaft base  110  are not coaxially disposed, so as to ensure that the limit connecting member  125  can effectively limit a rotation angle of the housing  122 . 
     Specifically, a limiting boss  1226  extends from a side of the housing connecting member  1224 . The limiting boss  1226  defines a limit sliding groove  1227  extending linearly, and an extension direction of the limit sliding groove  1227  is substantially parallel to the first support plate  123 . One end of the limit connecting member  125  is in sliding fit with the limit sliding groove  1227 , and the other end of the limit connecting member  125  is rotatably connected with the rotating shaft base  110 . The limit sliding groove  1227  has two closed limiting ends, and when one end of the limit connecting member  125  slides to one limiting end, the two main bodies  120  rotate relative to each other to a folded state or an unfolded state. The limiting boss  1226  has two opposite limiting plates  1228 , and an accommodating groove is defined between the two limiting plates  1228 . The limit sliding groove  1227  is defined in the limiting plate  1228 , an end of the limit connecting member  125  can be accommodated in the accommodating groove, and the end of the limit connecting member  125  has a sliding column which is in sliding fit with the limit sliding groove  1227 . The limiting boss  1226  is connected with the limit connecting member  125 , such that the limit connecting member  125  and the rotating member  121  can be staggered relative to each other, and the main body  120  can smoothly rotate relative to the rotating shaft base  110 , in addition, a thickness of the main body  120  can be reduced, and the limit connecting member  125  is avoided to be stacked with the rotating member  121  in a direction perpendicular to the flexible display screen  200 . Of course, in other implementations, the limit connecting member  125  may define the limit sliding groove  1227 , and the housing connecting member  1224  is provided with a sliding block which is in sliding fit with the limit sliding groove  1227 . 
     Furthermore, reference can be made to  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 6 , and  FIG. 7  together, the rotating shaft base  110  is provided with a synchronous transmission assembly  113 , and the synchronous transmission assembly  113  is connected with the two limit connecting members  125  to enable the two main bodies  120  to synchronously rotate relative to the rotating shaft base  110 . 
     In this implementation, the synchronous transmission assembly  113  is provided with a synchronous transmission gearset, and the synchronous transmission gearset is connected with the two limit connecting members  125  to enable the two limit connecting members  125  to synchronously rotate relative to the rotating shaft base  110 . Of course, the synchronous transmission assembly  113  may be provided with a synchronous transmission linkage to realize synchronous rotation of the two limit connecting members  125  relative to the rotating shaft base  110 . 
     Specifically, the rotating shaft base  110  is provided with two bearing blocks  114 , the rotating members  121  of the two main bodies  120  are rotatably connected with the two bearing blocks  114  respectively, a gap  115  is defined between the two bearing blocks  114 , an end of the limit connecting member  125  rotatably connected with the rotating shaft base  110  is located within the gap  115 , and the synchronous transmission assembly  113  is located within the gap  115 . A bearing block  114  defines a rotating shaft groove  116 , and the rotating shaft groove  116  defines a rotating guide groove  117  at an inner wall of the rotating shaft groove  116 . The rotating member  121  has a rotating wheel  1213  at an end of the rotating member  121  away from the housing  122 , and the rotating wheel  1213  is in rotating fit with the rotating shaft groove  116 . The rotating wheel  1213  has a rotating guide flange  1214  at an outer wall of the rotating wheel  1213  and in fit with the rotating guide groove  117 . The rotating shaft groove  116  of the bearing block  114  is in fit with the rotating wheel  1213  of the rotating member  121 , such that rotation angle of the rotating member  121  relative to the rotating shaft base  110  can be greater than  90  degrees, edges of the two second support plates  124  close to the first support plates  123  can be close to each other, and the accommodating space can be defined between the two second support plates  124 . The rotating guide groove  117  is in fit with the rotating guide flange  1214  to prevent the rotating wheel  1213  from disengaging with the rotating shaft base  110  and to increase smoothness of rotation of the rotating member  121  relative to the rotating shaft base  110 . 
     In this implementation, the second support plate  124  is substantially stacked with the rotating wheel  1213 , while two rotating wheels  1213  are staggered relative to each other, such that a distance between the two rotating wheels  1213  can be effectively reduced. When the two main bodies  120  are unfolded relative to each other, the two second support plates  124  are closer to each other, in other words, the two second support plates  124  are substantially spliced with each other. During a folded process of the two main bodies  120  from an unfolded state to a folded state, the rotating wheel  1213  rotates in a direction of rotating out of the rotating shaft groove  116 , and an edge of the second support plate  124  away from the first support plate  123  can slide relative to the rotating shaft base  110  along the inner wall of the rotating shaft groove  116 , such that the edge of the second support plate  124  away from the first support plate  123  can retract toward a bottom of the rotating shaft base  110 , and a larger accommodating space can be defined between the two second support plates  124  to accommodate the bendable part  230  of the flexible display screen  200 . 
     More specifically, the rotating members  121  of the two main bodies  120  are arranged in alternation at two opposite sides of the rotating shaft base  110 , the rotating shaft base  110  defines avoiding grooves  118  each at one side of a corresponding rotating shaft groove  116  facing a main body  120  at another side, and the avoiding groove  118  is for the edge of the second support plate  124  away from the first support plate  123  to retract relative to the bottom of the rotating shaft base  110 . The avoiding groove  118  is defined at the bearing block  114  and is side by side with the rotating shaft groove  116 . Each rotating guide groove  117  communicates with a corresponding avoiding groove  118 , such that structures of the rotating shaft groove  116  and the avoiding groove  118  on the bearing block  114  are more compact, a volume of the rotating shaft base  110  is reduced, and the electronic device  1000  can be thinner. A geometrically central axis of the avoiding groove  118  is coaxial with a geometrically central axis of the rotating shaft groove  116  of another bearing block  114 , and an inner diameter of the avoiding groove  118  is substantially the same as an inner diameter of the rotating shaft groove  116  of another bearing block  114 . Of course, in other implementations, the avoiding groove  118  may also be a rectangular groove. 
     Each main body  120  of the foldable apparatus  100  is provided with the first support plate  123  and the second support plate  124  which is able to rotate relative to the first support plate  123 , and when the two main bodies  120  are folded relative to each other, the two first support plates  123  can be overlapped with each other, while the second support plate  124  is inclined relative to the first support plate  123 , and the accommodating space is defined between the two second support plates  124  and can be used to accommodate a bendable part of a display screen, such that the overall thinness of the foldable apparatus  100  can be reduced in a folded state. 
     The above are the preferable implementations of the present disclosure. It should be noted that, for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from a concept of the present disclosure, several modifications and improvements can be made, and these modifications and improvements are also regard as the protection scope of the present disclosure.