Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to the field of communication device technologies, and in particular, to a hinge element, a hinge and a mobile terminal.

With the development of science and technology, portable electronic devices such as mobile phones and tablet computers have become more common. Currently, these electronic devices usually include integrated display devices, and many of them include dual displays. For example, a mobile device includes two independently arranged display devices. The two display devices can be folded or unfolded. However, a display surface formed by such a device is segmented, and visual experience is poor. Therefore, users hope to have a larger display screen for easy viewing. Therefore, display manufacturers begin to develop flexible displays. A flexible display can be used to provide a larger display surface. However, in the related art, a hinge structure used for installing a flexible screen on a mobile terminal is complex, which affects production costs of the mobile terminal.

<CIT> discloses that an electronic device comprises: a flexible display; a first body and a second body supporting the flexible display; and a hinge foldably connected with the first body by a first rotation shaft and foldably connected with the second body by a second rotation shaft, wherein, when the flexible display is folded or unfolded, the first body rotates about the first rotation shaft and slides along the hinge, and the second body rotates about the second rotation shaft and slides along the hinge, and thus the distance between the first and second rotation shafts changes.

<CIT> discloses that a display module for flexible display device comprises mutiple hinge bodies with flexibile displays installed thereon, and the mutiple hinge bodies are rotatably connected using the upper edge of the mutual connection as the axis; a guiding shaft, which are formed extrudingly from the surfaces of the double sides of the hinge body; a connection lever, which is formed with axle holes formed on the center of the connection lever for inserting the guiding shaft located in the middle of a hinge body; guiding holes which are equipped inclinedly at the double sides of the connection level for inserting the guiding shaft of the hinge bodies at the double sides of the hinge body, and when the hinge body rotates around the center of the upper edge, the guiding hole and the rotation track of the guiding shaft have the same track; an angle mantaining device which is installed below the hinge body, and when the hinge bodies rotate relatively and mutually, the flexible display bends, thereby the flexible display can maintain a certain bending angle.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a hinge element and a hinge, to solve a problem of a complex hinge structure in the related art, which affects production costs.

To solve the foregoing problem, the present disclosure is implemented as follows.

According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a hinge, which is defined in claim <NUM>.

According to a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a mobile terminal, which is defined in claim <NUM>.

Characteristics, advantages, and technical effects of embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, the diagrams are not drawn to actual scale. Reference numerals:.

The following clearly and completely describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Apparently, the described embodiments are some rather than all of the embodiments of the present disclosure. All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present disclosure without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

In the description of the present disclosure, it should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, "a plurality of" means two or more than two, and an orientation or positional relationship indicated by the term "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "inner", "outer", or the like is merely for ease of describing the present disclosure and simplifying the description, but does not indicate or imply that an apparatus or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present disclosure. In addition, the terms "first", "second", and the like are used only for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

In the description of the present disclosure, it should be further noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the term "install", "connect", and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, a connection may be a fixed connection, may be a detachable connection, or may be an integrated connection; and may be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand specific meanings of the foregoing terms in the present disclosure with reference to specific circumstances.

To help better understand the present disclosure, the following describes technical solutions in the embodiments of present disclosure with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> schematically shows a structure of a hinge element <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, the hinge element <NUM> in this embodiment has two connection holes <NUM>. Each connection hole <NUM> has a first locking hole <NUM> and a second locking hole <NUM> that are connected to each other. A communicating position between the first locking hole <NUM> and the second locking hole <NUM> narrows for transition. Both ends <NUM> in a length direction of the hinge element <NUM> in this embodiment are each provided with the connection hole. The hinge element <NUM> in this embodiment has an inner surface 10a and an outer surface 10b on two edges in the length direction. The inner surface 10a may be a curved surface or a flat surface. Each end <NUM> is provided with a connection hole <NUM>. The first locking hole <NUM> is close to a central area of the hinge element <NUM> relative to the second locking hole <NUM>, and the second locking hole <NUM> is close to an edge of the end <NUM>. In other words, in the length direction, a first distance between two first locking holes <NUM> is less than a second distance between two locking holes <NUM>. The first distance is a distance between centers of the two first locking holes <NUM>, or may be a distance between closest points of the two first locking holes <NUM>. The second distance is similar thereto.

In one embodiment, a hole wall of the connection hole <NUM> includes a first arc-shaped surface 11a, a second arc-shaped surface 11b, and a third arc-shaped surface 11c. Two ends of the first arc-shaped surface 11a are respectively smoothly and transitionally connected to the second arc-shaped surface 11b and the third arc-shaped surface 11c. The first arc-shaped surface 11a and the third arc-shaped surface 11c form a hole wall corresponding to the first locking hole <NUM>, and the first arc-shaped surface 11a and the second arc-shaped surface 11b form a hole wall corresponding to the second locking hole <NUM>. Two mutually adjacent ends of the second arc-shaped surface 11b and the third arc-shaped surface 11c are smoothly and transitionally connected to each other and form a protrusion 11d protruding toward the first arc-shaped surface 11a. The protrusion 11d is a deformable structure, so that when the protrusion 11d is subjected to an external force, the protrusion 11d itself can be deformed to make a highest point of the protrusion 11d be away from the first arc-shaped surface 11a, and make a distance from the first arc-shaped surface 11a become larger. At the connection between the first locking hole <NUM> and the second locking hole <NUM>, the highest point of the protrusion 11d corresponds to a highest point of the first arc-shaped surface 11a. The first arc-shaped surface 11a is curved toward the protrusion 11d.

In one embodiment, the second arc-shaped surface 11b includes a first circular arc segment, a second circular arc segment connected to the first circular arc segment, and a first transition segment connected to the second circular arc segment. The third arc-shaped surface 11c includes a third circular arc segment, a fourth circular arc segment connected to the third circular arc segment, and a second transition segment connected to the fourth circular arc segment. Two ends of the first circular arc segment and the third circular arc segment are smoothly and transitionally connected to form the protrusion 11d. The first transition segment and the second transition segment are respectively connected to two ends of the first arc-shaped surface 11a. In an example, the first transition segment and the first arc-shaped surface 11a are connected through circular arc transition, and the second transition segment and the first arc-shaped surface 11a are also connected through circular arc transition. On one side of a line connecting the highest point of the protrusion 11d and the highest point of the first arc-shaped surface 11a, the second circular arc segment is curved toward the outer surface 10b. A distance between a lowest point of the second circular arc segment and the highest point of the first arc-shaped surface 11a is greater than a distance between the highest point of the protrusion 11d and the highest point of the first arc-shaped surface 11a. On the other side of the line connecting the highest point of the protrusion 11d and the highest point of the first arc-shaped surface 11a, the fourth circular arc segment is also curved toward the outer surface 10b. A distance between a lowest point of the fourth circular arc segment and the highest point of the first arc-shaped surface 11a is greater than the distance between the highest point of the protrusion 11d and the highest point of the first arc-shaped surface 11a.

In an example, bending directions of the first arc-shaped surface 11a, the second arc-shaped surface 11b, and the third arc-shaped surface 11c are the same. A top surface of the protrusion 11d facing the first arc-shaped surface 11a is a circular arc surface, and a top surface of the first arc-shaped surface 11a facing the protrusion is a circular arc surface. In an example, the hinge element <NUM> further includes a concave portion <NUM> provided corresponding to the protrusion 11d. The concave portion <NUM> is recessed from an outer surface 10b of the hinge element <NUM> toward the connection hole <NUM>. Because the concave portion <NUM> is disposed, an area between the concave portion <NUM> and the protrusion 11d of the hinge element <NUM> becomes thinner than another area. Therefore, the area between the concave portion <NUM> and the protrusion 11d of the hinge element <NUM> has better elasticity and deformability, so that the protrusion 11d is more easily deformed when subjected to an external force.

In one embodiment, the hinge element <NUM> is of an arc-shaped structure as a whole, and the outer surface 10b and the inner surface 10a are both arc-shaped surfaces. The bending directions of the first arc-shaped surface 11a, the second arc-shaped surface 11b, and the third arc-shaped surface 11c are all from the inner surface 10a to the outer surface 10b. Optionally, the hinge element <NUM> is of a circular arc structure as a whole, and the outer surface 10b and the inner surface 10a are both circular arc surfaces. An outer peripheral surface of the end <NUM> in this embodiment may be a circular arc shape. The outer surface 10b, the outer peripheral surface of the end <NUM>, and the inner surface 10a are connected.

In one embodiment, the first locking hole <NUM> and the second locking hole <NUM> included in the hinge element <NUM> have a same structure, that is, has a same cross-sectional contour. Optionally, the first locking hole <NUM> and the second locking hole <NUM> are of mirror structures relative to each other. They are arranged symmetric about the line connecting the highest point of the protrusion 11d and the highest point of the first arc-shaped surface 11a.

In one embodiment, the hinge element <NUM> includes one sheet <NUM>. The connection hole <NUM> extends in a thickness direction of the hinge element <NUM> itself and penetrates the sheet <NUM>. In another embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the hinge element <NUM> includes at least two sheets <NUM>, and the at least two sheets <NUM> are arranged in an axial direction of the connection hole <NUM>. The connecting hole <NUM> extends in the thickness direction of the hinge element <NUM> itself and penetrates all the sheets <NUM>.

It is easy to understand that the hinge element <NUM> may alternatively have one connection hole <NUM>. In the two ends <NUM> included in the hinge element <NUM>, only one end <NUM> may be provided with the connection hole <NUM> of this embodiment, and the other end is provided with a conventional structure such as a cylindrical hole.

<FIG> schematically shows a structure of a hinge <NUM> in an unfolded state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> shows a breakdown structure of the hinge <NUM> in <FIG>. <FIG> schematically shows a structure of a hinge <NUM> in a bent state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a hinge <NUM> applied to a mobile terminal. The hinge <NUM> in this embodiment includes four hinge elements <NUM> arranged in sequence and connecting clevis pins <NUM> for connecting the four hinge elements <NUM> in sequence. Two adjacent hinge elements <NUM> are rotatably connected by using one connecting clevis pin <NUM>. Each hinge element <NUM> is provided with connection holes <NUM>. The hinge element <NUM> in this embodiment includes two ends <NUM> that are opposite to each other. Each end <NUM> is provided with the connection hole <NUM>. Respective ends <NUM> of two adjacent hinge elements <NUM> are stacked on each other, and their respective included connection holes <NUM> are aligned with each other, so that the connecting clevis pin <NUM> can be inserted into both the connection holes <NUM>. Each hinge element <NUM> can rotate around the connecting clevis pin <NUM>, to switch between an unfolded state and a bent state. In this embodiment, two hinge elements <NUM> at two ends of the hinge <NUM> are configured to connect to another structural member. In this embodiment, the two hinge elements <NUM> at two ends of the hinge <NUM> can be connected to another structural member through the connecting clevis pin <NUM>.

When the hinge element <NUM> in this embodiment rotates around the connecting clevis pin <NUM>, the connecting clevis pin <NUM> can be switched between a first locking hole <NUM> and a second locking hole <NUM> and locked in the first locking hole <NUM> or the second locking hole <NUM>. When the hinge element <NUM> is in the unfolded state, the connecting clevis pin <NUM> is located in the first locking hole <NUM> and locked in the first locking hole <NUM>, so that the hinge element <NUM> is stably kept in the unfolded state. Similarly, when the hinge element <NUM> is in a bent state, the connecting clevis pin <NUM> is located in the second locking hole <NUM> and locked in the second locking hole <NUM>, so that the hinge element <NUM> is stably kept in the bent state. When the hinge element <NUM> transitions from the unfolded state to the bent state, or from the bent state to the unfolded state, the connecting clevis pin <NUM> needs to cross a narrowed area of the connection hole <NUM> and be switched between the first locking hole <NUM> and the second locking hole <NUM>. In this embodiment, the first locking hole <NUM> is closer to a central area of the hinge element <NUM> than the second locking hole <NUM>. Therefore, the connecting clevis pin <NUM> can move and be switched between the first locking hole <NUM> and the second locking hole <NUM>, so that an axis of the connecting clevis pin <NUM> located in the first locking hole <NUM> is closer to a central area of the hinge element <NUM> than an axis of the connecting clevis pin <NUM> located in the second locking hole <NUM>.

In one embodiment, <FIG> schematically shows a connection status when a connecting clevis pin <NUM> is in a first locking hole <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> schematically shows a connection status when a connecting clevis pin <NUM> is in a second locking hole <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the hinge <NUM> includes at least two connecting clevis pins <NUM>. When the connecting clevis pin <NUM> is locked in the first locking hole <NUM>, an axis distance of two connecting clevis pins <NUM> connected to a same hinge element10 is H1, or when the connecting clevis pin <NUM> is locked in the second locking hole <NUM>, an axis distance between the two connecting clevis pins <NUM> is H2. In this case, the distance H1 is less than the distance H2. Correspondingly, during transition of the hinge element <NUM> from the bent state to the unfolded state, two adjacent hinge elements <NUM> move relative to each other. <FIG> schematically shows a total length L1 of all hinge elements <NUM> in an unfolded state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> schematically shows a total length L2 of all hinge elements <NUM> in a bent state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this way, the structural design of the hinge element <NUM> and the connecting clevis pin <NUM> in this embodiment can make the total length L1 of the hinge <NUM> in the unfolded state be less than the total length L2 of the hinge <NUM> in the bent state. When all the hinge elements <NUM> in this embodiment are in the unfolded state, the hinge elements <NUM> are roughly arranged in a straight line direction, and it is avoided that an unfolded length is equal to a folded length, preventing the hinge <NUM> in the unfolded state from having redundant length and wrinkles or bends.

In one embodiment, the hinge element <NUM> has a deformable protrusion 11d. When the connecting clevis pin <NUM> passes over the protrusion 11d, the connecting clevis pin <NUM> applies stress to the protrusion 11d to elastically deform the protrusion 11d, ensuring that the connecting clevis pin <NUM> can pass successfully. Because a size of the connecting clevis pin <NUM> is greater than a size between the highest point of the protrusion 11d and the highest point of the first arc-shaped surface 11a, after the connecting clevis pin <NUM> passes over the protrusion 11d, the protrusion 11d can limit the connecting clevis pin <NUM>. Therefore, the connecting clevis pin <NUM> is locked in the first locking hole <NUM> or the second locking hole <NUM>. In one embodiment, when the hinge element <NUM> is switched between the unfolded state and the bent state, the connecting clevis pin <NUM> can swing relative to the highest point of the first arc-shaped surface 11a, so as to switch between the first locking hole <NUM> and the second locking hole <NUM>.

The hinge <NUM> in this embodiment of the present disclosure includes the hinge element <NUM> and the connecting clevis pin <NUM>. The hinge element <NUM> in this embodiment has connection holes <NUM>. The connection hole <NUM> has the first locking hole <NUM> and the second locking hole <NUM> that are both connected to each other. In a process when the hinge <NUM> is unfolded or bent, the connecting clevis pin <NUM> can freely move and switch between the first locking hole <NUM> and the second locking hole <NUM>. When the connecting clevis pin <NUM> is locked in the first locking hole <NUM>, an axis distance of two connecting clevis pins <NUM> connected to a same hinge element10 is H1, or when the connecting clevis pin <NUM> is locked in the second locking hole <NUM>, an axis distance H2 between the two connecting clevis pins <NUM> is H2. The distance H1 is less than H2. In this way, the total length L1 of the hinge <NUM> in the unfolded state is less than the total length L2 of the hinge <NUM> in the bent state, so that the hinge <NUM> in the unfolded state in this embodiment has no length redundancy, thereby preventing wrinkles or bends. The hinge <NUM> in this embodiment of the present disclosure has an overall simple structure and a small quantity of parts, processing and assembly difficulty is low, and production costs are low. When the hinge <NUM> in this embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a mobile terminal with a flexible screen, because the hinge <NUM> has no wrinkles or bends, a possibility of damage to a structure of the flexible screen <NUM> caused by the hinge <NUM> applying local stress to the flexible screen can be reduced.

It is easy to understand that a quantity of hinge elements <NUM> and a quantity of connecting clevis pins <NUM> in this embodiment are not limited to the quantities shown in the figures. The quantity of hinge elements <NUM> can alternatively be two, three, or at least five, and the quantity of connecting clevis pins <NUM> configured to connect the hinge elements <NUM> can alternatively be one, two, or at least four. The quantity of hinge elements <NUM> and the quantity of connecting clevis pins <NUM> can be flexibly selected according to actual product requirements.

In one embodiment, in two ends <NUM> included in the hinge element <NUM>, only one end <NUM> may be provided with the connection hole <NUM> of this embodiment, and the other end is provided with a conventional structure such as a cylindrical hole. The end <NUM> provided with the connection hole <NUM> of this embodiment is connected by using the connecting clevis pin <NUM> of this embodiment, and the end <NUM> provided with the cylindrical hole is connected by using a cylindrical clevis pin.

The first locking hole <NUM> and the second locking hole <NUM> in this embodiment have a same structure and are disposed symmetrically. Both the first locking hole <NUM> and the second locking hole <NUM> are consistent in terms of structures, which helps improve stability and smoothness of switching of the connecting clevis pin <NUM> between the first locking hole <NUM> and the second locking hole <NUM>, and reduce a possibility of occurrence of jamming or noise during a switching process. In addition, difficulty of processing and manufacturing the connection hole <NUM> can be reduced.

A portion of the connecting clevis pin <NUM> in this embodiment is located in the first locking hole <NUM> or the second locking hole <NUM>. When the connecting clevis pin <NUM> in this embodiment is locked in the first locking hole <NUM>, a portion of the connecting clevis pin <NUM> is located in the first locking hole <NUM>, and another portion extends into the second locking hole <NUM>. Likewise, when the connecting clevis pin <NUM> in this embodiment is locked in the second locking hole <NUM>, a portion of the connecting clevis pin <NUM> is located in the second locking hole <NUM>, and another portion extends into the first locking hole <NUM>. The portion of the connecting clevis pin <NUM> located in the first locking hole <NUM> or the second locking hole <NUM> matches a shape of the first locking hole <NUM> or the second locking hole <NUM> and can fit each other, so that there is no clearance between the connecting clevis pin <NUM> and a hole wall of the first locking hole <NUM> or a hole wall of the second locking hole <NUM>, and the connecting clevis pin <NUM> is restricted and unable to waggle relative to the first locking hole <NUM> or the second locking hole <NUM>. This effectively improves position stability of the connecting clevis pin <NUM>, thereby improving position stability of each hinge element <NUM>, and reducing possibility of a waggle of the hinge element <NUM>.

Refer to <FIG> and <FIG> together. A cross section of the connecting clevis pin <NUM> in this embodiment is in a shape of a triangle, and a vertex angle and two base angles of the triangle are arc-shaped for transition. An outer peripheral surface of the connecting clevis pin <NUM> can closely fit the first arc-shaped surface 11a and the third arc-shaped surface 11c corresponding to the first locking hole <NUM>, or closely fit the first arc-shaped surface 11a and the second arc-shaped surface 11b corresponding to the second locking hole <NUM>. Optionally, the cross section of connecting clevis pin <NUM> is an isosceles triangle. It is easy to understand that a cross-sectional shape of the connecting clevis pin <NUM> is not limited to the triangle shown in <FIG> or <FIG>, and may alternatively be a shape capable of implementing a same function, such as a hexagon. Similarly, it needs to be ensured that a cross-sectional shape of the first locking hole <NUM> or the second locking hole <NUM> matches the cross-sectional shape of the connecting clevis pin <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the hinge element <NUM> in this embodiment has a concave portion <NUM> provided corresponding to the protrusion 11d. When the connecting clevis pin <NUM> passes over the protrusion 11d, the connecting clevis pin <NUM> can more easily deform the protrusion 11d, so that the connecting clevis pin <NUM> can pass over the protrusion 11d more successfully and more effortless.

In one embodiment, the hinge element <NUM> is of an arc-shaped structure. Because an inner surface 10a and an outer surface 10b of the hinge element <NUM> are both circular arc surfaces, when all hinge elements <NUM> are in the bent state, inner surfaces 10a and outer surfaces 10b of all the hinge elements <NUM> can be spliced to form a standard circular arc surface. Therefore, in one aspect, aesthetic appearance of the hinge <NUM> can be improved, and in another aspect, various areas of the hinge <NUM> can be smooth for transition. When the hinge <NUM> is applied to a mobile terminal with a flexible screen, it is not easy for the hinge <NUM> to cause local stress concentration on the flexible screen and consequent damage to a structure of the flexible screen. In addition, this reduces a possibility of causing pain in a user's body due to local stress concentration on the user's body, which helps improve user-friendliness.

As shown in <FIG>, the hinge <NUM> in this embodiment further includes a first fastening holder <NUM> and a second fastening holder <NUM>. Two hinge elements <NUM> at two ends of the hinge <NUM> are respectively connected to the first fastening holder <NUM> and the second fastening holder <NUM>. The hinge <NUM> can be detachably connected to another structural member through the first fastening holder <NUM> and the second fastening holder <NUM>. In this way, the hinge <NUM> in this embodiment does not need to be directly connected and fastened to the another structural member through the hinge element <NUM>, thereby effectively protecting the hinge element <NUM> and reducing wear and tear of the hinge element <NUM>. The first fastening holder <NUM> and the second fastening holder <NUM> in this embodiment each are provided with a mounting hole matching the shape of the connecting clevis pin <NUM>. After the connecting clevis pin <NUM> is plug into the mounting hole, the connecting clevis pin <NUM> cannot rotate in the mounting hole. The connecting clevis pin <NUM> and the mounting hole in this embodiment may use an interference fit. When an external force is applied to the first fastening holder <NUM> and the second fastening holder <NUM> so that the first fastening holder <NUM> and the second fastening holder <NUM> are close to or away from each other, the first fastening holder <NUM> and the second fastening holder <NUM> can jointly drive all hinge elements <NUM> to rotate around the connecting clevis pin <NUM>, and at the same time, the connecting clevis pin <NUM> moves and switches between the second locking hole <NUM> and the first locking hole <NUM>.

<FIG> schematically shows a structure of a hinge <NUM> according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> schematically shows a structure of a hinge <NUM> according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, in two adjacent hinge elements <NUM>, one hinge element <NUM> includes a sheet <NUM>, and the other adjacent hinge element <NUM> includes two sheets <NUM> spaced in an axial direction of the connecting clevis pin <NUM>. One connecting clevis pin <NUM> is connected to three hinge elements <NUM> at the same time. In another embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, in two adjacent hinge elements <NUM>, each hinge element <NUM> includes two sheets <NUM> stacked in an axial direction of the connecting clevis pin <NUM>. One connecting clevis pin <NUM> is connected to four hinge elements <NUM> at the same time. It is easy to understand that, in two adjacent hinge elements <NUM>, a quantity of sheets <NUM> included in one hinge element <NUM> may be equal to or different from a quantity of sheets <NUM> included in the other hinge element <NUM>, so that the quantity of sheets <NUM> can be selected flexibly according to actual product requirements.

<FIG> schematically shows a structure of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal in this embodiment includes a flexible screen <NUM>, a first support <NUM>, a second support <NUM>, and the hinge <NUM> according to the foregoing embodiment. The first support <NUM> and the second support <NUM> are both connected to a non-display surface of the flexible screen <NUM> to provide support for the flexible screen <NUM>. Two hinge elements <NUM> at two ends of the hinge <NUM> are respectively connected to the first support <NUM> and the second support <NUM>. In one embodiment, two hinge elements <NUM> at two ends of the hinge <NUM> are directly connected to the first support <NUM> and the second support <NUM>, respectively. In another embodiment, two hinge elements <NUM> at two ends of the hinge <NUM> are indirectly connected to the first support <NUM> and the second support <NUM> through a first fastening holder <NUM> and a second fastening holder <NUM>, respectively. The first support <NUM> and the second support <NUM> can be close to or far away from each other, so as to open or fold the flexible screen <NUM> and keep the hinge element <NUM> in a bent state or an open state.

According to the mobile terminal in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the hinge <NUM> included in the mobile terminal can ensure that a total length L1 of the hinge <NUM> in an unfolded state is less than a total length L2 of the hinge <NUM> in the bent state. Therefore, the hinge <NUM> in the unfolded state has no length redundancy, preventing wrinkles or bends when the hinge is in the unfolded state, and reducing a possibility of damage to a structure of the flexible screen <NUM> caused by the hinge <NUM> applying local stress to the flexible screen <NUM>. In addition, the hinge <NUM> in this embodiment has a simple structure, and processing and manufacturing difficulty is low, so that production costs of the hinge <NUM> are low and overall production costs of the mobile terminal are low.

Claim 1:
A hinge (<NUM>), comprising a hinge element (<NUM>) and a connecting clevis pin (<NUM>), characterized in that
the hinge element (<NUM>) comprises: at least one connection hole (<NUM>), wherein the connection hole (<NUM>) comprises a first locking hole (<NUM>) and a second locking hole (<NUM>) that are connected to each other, and a communicating position between the first locking hole (<NUM>) and the second locking hole (<NUM>) narrows for transition;
a number of hinge elements (<NUM>) is greater than two, and at least two of the hinge elements (<NUM>) are arranged one after another;
two adjacent hinge elements (<NUM>) are rotatably connected by using the connecting clevis pin (<NUM>), and the connecting clevis pin (<NUM>) is switchable between the first locking hole (<NUM>) and the second locking hole (<NUM>) and locked in the first locking hole (<NUM>) or the second locking hole (<NUM>); and
when the hinge (<NUM>) is in an unfolded state, the connecting clevis pin (<NUM>) is locked in the first locking hole (<NUM>), or when the hinge (<NUM>) is in a bent state, the connecting clevis pin (<NUM>) is locked in the second locking hole (<NUM>); and a total length of the hinge (<NUM>) in the unfolded state is less than a total length of the hinge (<NUM>) in the bent state.