Patent Publication Number: US-11032405-B2

Title: Flexible screen mobile terminal

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED DISCLOSURES 
     This is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/645,546, filed on Jul. 10, 2017, which is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/CN2016/081856, filed on May 12, 2016, claiming priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201510408563.9, filed on Jul. 13, 2015. The disclosures of the aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure belongs to a technical field of mobile terminals, and in particular, to a flexible screen mobile terminal. 
     BACKGROUND 
     With continuous innovation in mobile terminal function, a scope of application of a mobile terminal is expanding continuously, and requirement of a user for use of the mobile terminal is also comprehensively improved. As flexible screen technologies are gradually mature, terminal manufacturers are now gradually applying the technologies to their respective products to realize diversification of terminal form, especially to a terminal device that requires a changeable screen size. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a flexible screen mobile terminal is provided. The flexible screen mobile terminal includes: a first body, having a first surface for mounting a flexible screen; a second body, disposed at one end of the first body, and having a second surface for mounting the flexible screen; the flexible screen, lapped jointly on the first surface and the second surface; and a screen support, configured to fix the flexible screen, and enable the flexible screen to be movably connected to at least one of the first body and the second body. The first body and the second body are detachably connected in a plug-connection mode. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a flexible screen mobile terminal is provided. The flexible screen mobile terminal includes a first body, a second body, a flexible screen and a screen support. The screen support is configured to fix the flexible screen and the flexible screen is movably connected to at least one of the first body and the second body via the screen support. The first body and the second body are detachably connected in a plug-connection mode. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric, schematic diagram of a flexible screen mobile terminal in an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric, schematic diagram of the flexible screen mobile terminal in  FIG. 1 , but viewed from another aspect. 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric, schematic diagram of a first body and a second body in a separation state in an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric, schematic diagram of the first body and the second body in the separation state in  FIG. 3 , but viewed from another aspect. 
         FIG. 5  is a magnified diagram of I position in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of a screen support and a flexible screen in an assembly state in an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram of a screen support and a flexible screen in an assembly state in another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of a first body and a second body in an exploded state in an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of a screen support in an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram of a screen support located in a chute in an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic diagram of a third surface and a fourth surface in a mutual bonding state in an embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic diagram of the third surface and the fourth surface in the mutual bonding state in  FIG. 11 , but viewed from another aspect. 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of the third surface and the fourth surface in the mutual bonding state in  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Technical solutions of the present disclosure are further described as follows with reference to the accompanying drawings in specific implementation manners. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 13 , in an embodiment, a flexible screen mobile terminal in the present disclosure includes a first body, a second body, a flexible screen and a screen support. 
     The first body has a first surface for mounting the flexible screen. 
     The second body is disposed at one end of the first body, and has a second surface for mounting the flexible screen. 
     The flexible screen is lapped jointly on the first surface and the second surface. 
     The screen support is configured to fix the flexible screen, and enable the flexible screen to be movably connected to at least one of the first body and the second body. 
     The first body and the second body are detachably connected in a plug-connection mode, and the first body and the second body in a separation state are capable of rotating relatively around an axis parallel to a plane of the flexible screen. As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 and 11 to 13 , in the present disclosure, a mobile terminal is divided into a first body  100  and a second body  200 . The first body  100  and the second body  200  are separable and are capable of rotating or folding relatively. The first body  100  and the second body  200  have a common flexible screen  300  to realize a selective operation on a large-size screen and a small-size screen of the terminal, so as to enhance user experience. 
     Specifically, there may be many types of connection relationships between the flexible screen  300  and the first body  100  or the second body  200 . 
     For example, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the flexible screen  300  is fixedly connected to a first surface  101  of the first body  100 , and the flexible screen  300  and the second body  200  are relatively slidably connected at a second surface  201 . 
     Since an axis  700  around which the first body  100  and the second body  200  rotate relatively may not be completely lapped with a plane of the flexible screen  300 , in a process of relative rotation between the first body  100  and the second body  200 , if the flexible screen is fixedly connected on both of them, it is inevitable to produce a force on the flexible screen  300 , and the force may cause stretch or compression for the flexible screen  300  to a certain extent. When the flexible screen  300 , the first body  100  and the second body  200  are in a fixed connection state, it may pull or extrude the flexible screen  300  that the force is not released, resulting in stretch deformation or compression deformation of the flexible screen  300 , which affects a service life of the flexible screen  300 . However, in this embodiment, when the first body  100  and the second body  200  are relatively rotating, the flexible screen  300  and the second body  200  are relatively sliding, thereby avoiding damage caused by the stretch or compression. 
     In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a connection relationship between the flexible screen and the terminal may further be: the first body  100  and the flexible screen  300  are relatively slidably connected at a first surface  101 , and the second body  200  and the flexible screen  300  are fixedly connected at a second surface  201 . 
     In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the flexible screen  300  and the first body  100  are relatively slidably connected at a first surface  101 , and the flexible screen  300  and the second body  200  are relatively slidably connected at a second surface  201 . This connection structure may enable the flexible screen  300  to slide relative to the first body  100  and the second body  200  in the process of relative rotation between the first body  100  and the second body  200 , or selectively control a relative position of the fixed first body  100  and the flexible screen  300  or a relative position of the second body  200  and the flexible screen  300  by disposing a controllable clamping device. 
     In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, a first body  100  and a second body  200  are slidably connected via a screen support  400 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 13 , in an embodiment of the present disclosure, a screen support  400  is disposed at external of the flexible screen  300  for supporting the flexible screen  300 , the flexible screen  300  is disposed on an inside of a frame of the screen support  400 , and an outside of the frame of the screen support  400  is connected to the first body  100  and the second body  200 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 , in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second body  200  is provided with a chute  203  perpendicular to the axis  700 , enabling the screen support  400  to slide in the chute  203 , and the screen support  400  is slidably connected to the second body  200  via the chute  203 . The screen support  400  is provided with a second body limit block  405  for limiting a relative sliding distance between the screen support  400  and the second body  200 , and the second body limit block  405  is disposed at one end of the screen support  400  near the second body  200 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second body limit block  405  is a gear-like structure, and is rotatably mounted to the screen support  400  via a rotation shaft. The chute  203  is provided with a rack structure matched with the second body limit block  405 , and a relative position of the second body  200  and the screen support  400  is controlled by cooperation of a gear and a rack. 
     In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first body  100  is provided with a chute perpendicular to the axis  700 , enabling the screen support  400  to slide in the chute, and the screen support  400  is slidably connected to the first body  100  via the chute. The screen support  400  is provided with a first body limit block for limiting a relative sliding distance between the screen support  400  and the first body  100 , and the first body limit block is disposed at one end of the screen support  400  near the first body  100 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the screen support  400  further includes: a first support piece  401  and a second support piece  402  disposed perpendicular to the axis  700  around which the first body  100  and the second body  200  rotate relatively, where the first support piece  401  and the second support piece  402  are disposed in parallel to each other, respectively located on both sides of the flexible screen  300 , and fixedly connected to the flexible screen  300 . When the screen support  400  and the second body  200  are slidably connected, and the first body  100  and the second body are relatively rotating, the screen support  400  is bended, and the screen support  400  is configured to slidably connect the flexible screen  300  and the second body  200 . When the screen support  400  and the first body  100  are slidably connected, and the first body  100  and the second body  200  are relatively rotating, the screen support  400  is bended, and the screen support  400  is configured to slidably connect the flexible screen  300  and the first body  100 . 
     In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first support piece  401  and the second support piece  402  respectively include an upper support plate and a lower support plate parallel to each other, where the upper support plate and the lower support plate are made from a flexible material capable of being bent repeatedly, are respectively located on two surfaces of the flexible screen  300 , and clamp the flexible screen  300  tightly. 
     In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the upper support plate and the lower support plate are a unitary structure, and a connection plate is disposed between the upper support plate the lower support plate. The upper support plate, the lower support plate and the connection plate form a groove for mounting the flexible screen  300 , and the flexible screen  300  is fixedly mounted in the groove. The upper support plate, the lower support plate and the connection plate are made from a flexible material capable of being bent repeatedly. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , in an embodiment of the present disclosure, a third support piece  403  and a fourth support piece  404  for connecting the first support piece  401  and the second support piece  402  are disposed at two ends of the first support piece  401  and the second support piece  402 , respectively. In this embodiment, a structure, material and manufacturing method of the third support piece  403  and the fourth support piece  404  are same as those of the first support piece  401  and the second support piece  402 . 
     In another embodiment, since it is unnecessary to bend the third support piece  403  and the fourth support piece  404  in a length direction thereof, the third support piece  403  and the fourth support piece  404  may be formed using a material with relatively rigidity, and support of the third support piece  403  and the fourth support piece  404  may ensure reliable support of the screen support  400  to the flexible screen  300 . 
     In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first body  100  further includes a third surface  102  opposite to the first surface  101 , and a first body mounting space for mounting internal elements of the terminal is formed between the first surface  101  and the third surface  102 ; and the second body  200  further includes a fourth surface  202  opposite to the second surface  201 , and a second body mounting space for mounting the internal elements of the terminal is formed between the second surface  201  and the fourth surface  202 . 
     Conventional components in a traditional mobile phone, such as a first circuit board, a battery, a speaker, and an antennas, are disposed in the first body mounting space, and a second circuit board, a camera component  500 , a flash light, and a receiver are disposed in the second body mounting space. Signal transmission between the first circuit board and the second circuit board is performed via a cable  600 . 
     In an embodiment of the present disclosure, an independent power supply for supplying power to a second body portion may be disposed in the second body mounting space. When elements disposed in the second body mounting space are less, it may take full advantage of an internal space thereof to provide an independent power supply for supplying power to a flash light specially, and all elements disposed in the second body mounting space may also be supplied with the power via the independent power supply, so as to reduce consumption of battery power in the first body mounting space. 
     In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a power supply may be disposed only in the second body mounting space, and all elements in the first body mounting space and the second body mounting space are supplied with the power via the power supply disposed in the second body mounting space. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 3 and 12 , in an embodiment of the present disclosure, a camera component  500  is disposed in the second body mounting space, and a lens of the camera component  500  is located on the second surface  201 . The camera component  500  is disposed on the second surface  201 , and the lens of the camera component  500  is located on the same side as a display of the flexible screen  300  when the first body  100  and the second body  200  are connected without relative rotation, which is convenient to preview a photographed image when taking a selfie. When the camera is rotated in a direction towards an operator, within a certain range of rotation angle, an image taken by the camera may be previewed in the flexible screen  300 . When the camera is rotated in a direction away from the operator, the lens of the camera component  500  is gradually rotated to the back of the terminal, and a photographed image may be previewed in the flexible screen  300  while photographing a scene behind the terminal. 
     In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a relative rotation angle between the first body  100  and the second body  200  is 360 degree, that is, when taking a state that the first body  100  and the second body  200  are jointed to each other as a reference, the second body  200  is capable of rotating by 180 degree in a direction towards the first surface  101 , so that the first surface  101  and the second surface  201  are bonded to each other; similarly, as shown in  FIG. 13 , when taking a state that the first body  100  and the second body  200  are jointed to each other as a reference, the second body  200  is capable of rotating by 180 degree in a direction towards the third surface  102 , so that the third surface  102  and the fourth surface  202  are bonded to each other. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , in an embodiment of the present disclosure, connection components are disposed at a position where the first body  100  and the second body  200  are connected, and the connection components are a buckle  800  and a slot  900  which are matched and can be connected or separated selectively; where the buckle  800  is disposed on the second body  200 , and the slot  900  is disposed on the first body  100 . 
     The first body  100  and the second body  200  are connected by the buckle  800  and the slot  900 ; when it is unnecessary to rotate the first body  100  and the second body  200  relatively, both of them are fixedly connected via the buckle  800  and the slot  900 , so that the first body  100  and the second body  200  are connected tightly to form a structure similar to a conventional integration terminal. 
     When it is necessary to rotate the first body  100  and the second body  200  relatively, the buckle  800  is separated from the slot  900 , constraint on the first body  100  and the second body  200  from the buckle  800  and the slot  900  is released, and relative rotation between the first body  100  and the second body  200  may be performed. 
     Specifically, both the first body  100  and the second body  200  have a terminal connection surface, where when the first body  100  and the second body  200  are connected, terminal connection surfaces of the first body  100  and the second body  200  are opposite, the buckle  800  is a convex structure disposed protruding from the terminal connection surface, and the buckle  800  is provided with a limit hole penetrating the buckle  800 ; the slot  900  is a groove structure disposed corresponding to the buckle  800  and pitting in the terminal connection surface, and an elastic limit piece matched with the limit hole is disposed in the slot; a limit piece operation component for operating the elastic limit piece is disposed on a side wall of the slot  900 ; and the limit piece operation component controls the elastic limit piece to insert into or separate from the limit hole selectively, so as to realize clamping connection or separation. 
     It should be pointed out that arrangement forms of the buckle  800  and the slot  900  are not limited to the foregoing manner, and the buckle  800  may also be disposed on the first body  100 , and the slot  900  is disposed on the second body  200  in another embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 to 5 , and  FIGS. 11 to 13 , in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first body  100  and the second body  200  are connected in a plug-connection mode, the first body  100  and the second body  200  may relatively move in a direction perpendicular to a connection surface to be separated; when the two are separated, the first body  100  and the second body  200  are connected via a deformable screen support  400 , and thus a relative angle between the two may be changeable to realize relative rotation. 
     In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a driving device is disposed on the first body  100 , and the driving device enables the first body  100  and the second body to rotate relatively. Rotation of the second body  200  relative to the first body  100  is driven by the driving device, so as to automate the operation, and an angle of movement of the second body  200  relative to the first body  100  is controllable, which acts as definition to a relative position between the first body  100  and the second body  200 , so that the first body  100  and the second body  200  are relatively fixed at a position with any angle within a range of angle in which the two are capable of relatively rotating, and the angle may not change by itself to affect photographing effect in photographing with a camera. 
     In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the driving device for driving the rotation of the second body  200  relative to the first body  100  may also be disposed on the second body  200 . 
     In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the mobile terminal is a mobile phone. 
     In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the mobile terminal may also be other types of mobile terminal devices. 
     In the description herein, terms “first”, “second”, “third” and “fourth” are merely for distinguishing objects in description, without representing any special meaning. 
     It should be stated that the foregoing specific implementation manners are only optimal embodiments and applied technical principles of the present disclosure. Any change or substitution that is readily conceived for any skilled one who is familiar with this art within the technical scope disclosed by the present disclosure shall fall into the protection scope of the disclosure.