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

At present, large screen mobile terminal is getting more and more popular. How to increase the screen area of mobile terminal on the premise that the overall dimension of mobile terminal is preset is an important research and development direction for current designers.

Mobile terminal manufacturers usually obtain large screen by increasing the screen-to-body ratio of mobile terminal. As a result, mobile terminals gradually develop towards the direction of ultra-narrow frame or even full screen mobile terminals. However, as the amount of functions continues to increase, more and more electronic devices are integrated into mobile terminals. The pursuit of reducing the frame width by adjusting the position of electronic devices or reduce their volume has reached the ultimate, which makes it more and more difficult to increase the screen-to-body ratio of mobile terminal.

In this case, more and more mobile terminals obtain large screen by using foldable screen. In order to improve the display effect, a one-piece flexible screen is used as the foldable screen of mobile terminals in related technology. The folding of flexible screen is realized through the bending of the flexible screen.

<FIG> are schematic structural diagrams of a common mobile terminal with flexible screen in folded and unfolded states. In the mobile terminals as shown in <FIG>, the first shell <NUM> and the second shell <NUM> are rotated by a shaft <NUM> connected with the shells. A flexible screen <NUM> is partially arranged on the first shell <NUM>, and its other part is arranged on the second shell <NUM> after crossing the shaft <NUM>.

Due to the existence of the shaft <NUM>, the distance between the first shell <NUM> and the second shell <NUM> in the unfolded state is smaller than the distance between the two in the folded state. As a result, when the mobile terminal is unfolded, the area of the flexible screen <NUM> and the shaft <NUM> is raised, resulting in the uneven surface of the flexible screen <NUM> and affecting the display effect.

D1 (<CIT>) discloses a device with a hinge. Referring to <FIG> of D1, the device includes a pair of frames <NUM> which are rotatably connected together by a hinge <NUM>. The frames <NUM> play the role of fixing and supporting a target object <NUM>, such as a flexible display. The hinge <NUM> includes two groups of cross linkages 41a and <NUM> b which are sleeved on the rod <NUM>. In one group of linkages 41a, each linkage 41a is connected to a corresponding linkage 42a at one end, and at the other end, the linkage 41a is connect to a frame arm 22b through a rod 43b. In the other group of linkages 41b, each linkage 41b is connected to a corresponding linkage 42b at one end, and at the other end, the linkage 41b is connect to a frame arm 22a through a rod 43a. The first frame 21a and 21b can rotate through the hinge <NUM>, so that the target object <NUM> can be folded and unfolded.

D2 (<CIT>) discloses a bi-folding device <NUM> consists of a display laminate <NUM> covering two case enclosure pieces <NUM> and <NUM> connected by two hinge layers. Referring to FIG. 1B of D2, each hinge layer is comprised of five link segments. Each link segment within the first hinge layer is paired with a link segment in the second hinge layer. For example, link segment <NUM> is paired with link segment <NUM>. The link segments are constructed in a manner that allows them to expand and contract. The hinge disclosed in D2 is able to project the neutral bend axis to a location above or below the hinge.

D3 (<CIT>) discloses a foldable display device. With reference to <FIG>, the foldable display device includes a main body structure <NUM> and a flexible screen <NUM> provided on a surface of the main body structure <NUM>, and the main body structure <NUM> includes two flat plate areas <NUM> and a bending area <NUM> connecting the two flat plate areas <NUM> and making the two flat plate areas <NUM> have an opening and closing angle of <NUM> degrees to at least <NUM> degrees. The bending area <NUM> includes a bending body <NUM> and a bending bracket group <NUM> provided in the bending body50. The bending bracket group <NUM> includes three or more T-shaped brackets <NUM> arranged successively. A pivot link <NUM> is provided between the bracket bodies <NUM> of any adjacent two T-shaped brackets <NUM>. The pivot link 62includes two pivoting rods <NUM> which are hinged together, and each pivoting rod <NUM> is hinged to a bracket body <NUM>. The pivot links <NUM> can ensure that the bending angle between any two T-shaped brackets <NUM> is not too large to further ensure that the bending radius conforms to the design requirements, avoiding damage to the flexible screen <NUM>.

D4 (<CIT>) discloses a hinge apparatus. The hinge apparatus includes a plurality of shafts arranged side by side and multiple connecting elements. The multiple connecting elements are provided for rotatably connecting each two adjacent shafts so as to form a shaft chain. The hinge apparatus can achieve a flexible shaft effect and can place the two portions connected by it in the same plane.

The present disclosure discloses a hinge mechanism, with which the problem of partially raised flexible screen in mobile terminal can be solved.

In order to solve the above problem, the present disclosure adopts the following technical solution:.

The technical solution adopted in the present disclosure can achieve the following beneficial effects:
Operators can bend the entire hinge mechanism disclosed in the present disclosure to deform the linkage mechanism, and finally shorten the hinge mechanism by reducing the width of the gap between two adjacent shafts. When the hinge mechanism is pulled, the deformed linkage mechanism can lengthen the hinge mechanism by increasing the width of the gap between two adjacent shafts. As can be seen, the hinge mechanism disclosed in the present disclosure can change its length when it is bent or straight. Mobile terminal with such a hinge mechanism can undoubtedly avoid the problem of raised flexible screen when it is unfolded.

The accompanying drawings illustrated herein are provided to further understand the present disclosure and form a part of the present disclosure. The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and the descriptions thereof are used to explain the present disclosure and do not constitute an improper limitation on the present disclosure. In the accompanying drawings:.

Brief description of marks in the drawing:.

In order to make the objective, technical solution and advantages of the present disclosure clearer, the technical solution of the present disclosure will be described clearly and completely with reference to the specific embodiments of the present disclosure and the corresponding drawings. Apparently, the described embodiments are some but not all of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

The embodiments of the present disclosure are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in <FIG>, this embodiment of the present disclosure discloses a hinge mechanism, which can replace a shaft <NUM> described in the background, and realize the rotatable connection between the first shell <NUM> and the second shell <NUM>, and folding of the mobile terminal, and the flexible screen <NUM>.

The hinge mechanism disclosed in this embodiment of the present disclosure composes at least two shafts <NUM> arranged in a row, a linkage mechanism <NUM> and two connecting parts <NUM>.

At least two shafts <NUM> are arranged in a row to form a shaft row. Specifically, the axes of the two adjacent shafts <NUM> are parallel. The linkage mechanism <NUM> is configured to connect the two adjacent shafts <NUM>. The connecting parts <NUM> are configured to connect the hinge mechanism with other parts. The hinge mechanism is applied in the mobile terminal, and two connecting parts <NUM> can be connected with each of the first shell <NUM> and the second shell <NUM>.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, at least two shafts <NUM> are arranged in a row, and two adjacent shafts <NUM> are connected by the linkage mechanism <NUM>. The linkage mechanism 200includes a first linkage <NUM>, a second linkage <NUM> and two shafts <NUM> connected with each other. One of the shafts is hinged to the first end of the first linkage <NUM>, and the other is hinged to the first end of the second linkage <NUM>. In this case, the first linkage <NUM> and the second linkage <NUM> can rotate relative to two adjacent shafts <NUM>.

The second end of the first linkage <NUM> is hinged to the second end of the second linkage <NUM>. As the first linkage <NUM> and the second linkage <NUM> can be hinged to the two adjacent shafts <NUM> respectively, and the first linkage <NUM> and the second linkage <NUM> are hinged to each other, the integral component formed by two adjacent shafts <NUM> and the linkage mechanism <NUM> connecting the two shafts can be bent and deformed through the rotation of related parts.

When the hinge point where the first linkage <NUM> and the second linkage <NUM> are respectively hinged to two adjacent shafts <NUM> and the hinge point of the first linkage <NUM> and the second linkage <NUM> are in the same straight line, there is a gap <NUM> between the two adjacent shafts <NUM>. In this case, the first end of the first linkage <NUM> and the first end of the second linkage <NUM> may be considered to extend in the opposite direction, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. In this state, the hinge mechanism is extended to its longest length.

Because the first linkage <NUM> and the second linkage <NUM> are hinged, different intersection angles between the first linkage <NUM> and the second linkage <NUM> may generate different distances between two adjacent shafts <NUM>. It can be seen that in this embodiment, the distance between two adjacent shafts <NUM> can be adjusted by the linkage mechanism <NUM>, so that the length of the entire hinge mechanism can be adjusted. When the first end of the first linkage <NUM> and the first end of the second linkage <NUM> extend in the opposite direction, the hinge mechanism is longest, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. When the first linkage <NUM> and the second linkage <NUM> rotate relative to each other till the two adjacent shafts <NUM> come into contact with each other, the hinge mechanism is shortest, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

It can be seen from the above description that, operators can bend the entire hinge mechanism disclosed in the present disclosure to deform the linkage mechanism <NUM>, and finally shorten the hinge mechanism by reducing the width of the gap <NUM> between two adjacent shafts <NUM>. When the hinge mechanism is pulled, the deformed linkage mechanism <NUM> can lengthen the hinge mechanism by increasing the width of the gap <NUM> between two adjacent shafts <NUM>. As can be seen, the hinge mechanism disclosed in this embodiment of the present disclosure can change its length when it is bent or straight. Mobile terminal with such a hinge mechanism can undoubtedly avoid the problem of raised flexible screen when it is unfolded.

In order to improve the deformation stability of the linkage mechanism <NUM>, in the hinge mechanism disclosed in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the linkage mechanism <NUM> can also comprise a third linkage <NUM> and a fourth linkage <NUM>. In the two adjacent shafts <NUM>, one is hinged to the first end of the third linkage <NUM>, and the other is hinged to the first end of the fourth linkage <NUM>. The second end of the third linkage <NUM> is hinged to the second end of the fourth linkage <NUM>.

In this case, the linkage mechanism <NUM> comprises more linkages. The third linkage <NUM> and the fourth linkage <NUM> can work together with the first linkage <NUM> and the second linkage <NUM> to adjust the length of hinge mechanism, without affecting the operation of the first linkage <NUM> and the second linkage <NUM>. Of course, it can also be considered as a redundant design. With the structure, when the first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM> fail, the third linkage <NUM> and the fourth linkage <NUM> can still realize the normal operation of the hinge mechanism. Of course, this design can also avoid the problem of too flexible deformation between the two adjacent shafts <NUM> that are merely connected by the first linkage <NUM> and the second linkage <NUM>.

The first linkage component is formed by the first linkage <NUM> and the second linkage <NUM>, and the second linkage component is formed by the third linkage <NUM> and the fourth linkage <NUM>. To realize more coordinated deformation of the first linkage component and the second linkage component during work, in an optional scheme, the hinge mechanism disclosed in this embodiment of the present disclosure may also comprise a fifth linkage <NUM>. The fifth linkage <NUM> is connected between the first linkage component and the second linkage component, the first end of the fifth linkage <NUM> may be hinged to the hinged point of the third linkage <NUM> and the fourth linkage <NUM>, and the second end of the fifth linkage <NUM> can be hinged to the hinged point of the first linkage <NUM> and the second linkage <NUM>. The fifth linkage <NUM> plays a connecting role and can easily realize a more consistent deformation trend of the first linkage component and the second linkage component.

In an optional scheme, the third linkage <NUM> and the fourth linkage <NUM> may be symmetrically arranged along the axis of the fifth linkage <NUM>. Similarly, the first linkage <NUM> and the second linkage <NUM> may also be symmetrically arranged with the fifth linkage <NUM> as the center. The symmetrical distribution manner is undoubtedly more conducive to the more stable deformation of the linkage mechanism <NUM>.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the shaft <NUM> can be an ordinary cylindrical shaft or other shaped shaft and its specific shape is not limited in the embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, in a specific embodiment, the shafts <NUM> are camshafts that include convex portion, and the convex portion of each camshaft is located on the same side of the shaft row formed by at least two shafts <NUM>. The shafts <NUM> are camshafts that can make the combination between adjacent shafts <NUM> more compact when the hinge mechanism is folded, and are conducive to improving the stability of the hinge mechanism in the folded state. In the optional scheme, when the hinge mechanism is in a bending state (as shown in <FIG>), the convex portions of two adjacent shafts <NUM> abut on each other. Undoubtedly hinge mechanism in bending state can therefore achieve the best bending effect, and make the entire hinge mechanism more compact and stable in bending state.

In the optional scheme, the first end of the third linkage <NUM> and the first end of the fourth linkage <NUM> are hinged to the end surface of each of the convex portion of the two adjacent shafts <NUM>, the first end of the first linkage <NUM> and the first end of the second linkage <NUM> are hinged to the center of each of the end surfaces of the two adjacent shafts <NUM>. In this case, there is enough distance between the first linkage <NUM> and the third linkage <NUM> as well as between the second linkage <NUM> and the fourth linkage <NUM>, which is more conducive to the deformation of the entire linkage mechanism <NUM>. The length of the fifth linkages <NUM> is less than the distance between two hinged points in the shaft <NUM>. In this case, it is easier to realize a more consistent deformation trend of the first linkage component and the second linkage component.

As described above, a connecting part <NUM> is fixedly connected with a shaft <NUM>. In order to reduce assembly workload and improve the strength of the components, in the optional scheme, a connecting part <NUM> and the shaft <NUM> connected with it can be an integrated structure.

The connecting part <NUM> can be provided with a connecting piece or a connecting structure. Specifically, the connecting part <NUM> may be provided with a connecting hole <NUM>. A variety of connecting part <NUM> structures can be used. In a specific embodiment, the connecting part <NUM> may be a connecting plate.

Hinge joint can be realized in many forms. Specifically, a hinge shaft A can be fixed to the end surface of the shaft <NUM>, and the shaft <NUM> can be matched with the hinge holes in the first linkage <NUM>, the second linkage <NUM>, the third linkage <NUM> or the fourth linkage <NUM> through the hinge shaft A, realizing a rotation fit. Similarly, rotation fit is realized respectively between the first linkage <NUM> and the second linkage <NUM>, between the fifth linkage <NUM> and each of the first linkage <NUM> and the second linkage <NUM>, between the third linkage <NUM> and the fourth linkage <NUM>, and between the fifth linkage <NUM> and each of the third linkage <NUM> and the fourth linkage <NUM> through the through hole sheathed on the hinge shaft B.

Based on the hinge mechanism disclosed in this embodiment of the present disclosure, this embodiment of the present disclosure discloses a mobile terminal comprising a flexible screen, a first shell, a second shell and a hinge mechanism described above. The first shell is fixedly connected to a connecting part <NUM>, and the second shell is fixedly connected with the other connecting part <NUM>. The flexible screen is installed in the mounting area formed by the first shell, the second shell and the hinge mechanism.

A mobile terminal disclosed in this embodiment of the present disclosure may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, an e-book reader, a wearable device or other mobile terminal with flexible screen. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the specific type of mobile terminals is not limited.

The above embodiments of the present disclosure mainly describe the differences between various embodiments. As long as the different optimization features of the various embodiments are not contradictory, the various embodiments can be combined to form a better embodiment. Considering the brevity of the text, details are not described herein again.

Claim 1:
A hinge mechanism comprising at least three shafts (<NUM>) arranged in a row, a linkage mechanism (<NUM>) and two connecting parts (<NUM>), characterized in that the two connecting parts (<NUM>) are fixedly connected to two shafts (<NUM>) on outermost sides, respectively; two adjacent shafts (<NUM>) are connected by the linkage mechanism (<NUM>); the linkage mechanism (<NUM>) comprises a first linkage (<NUM>) and a second linkage (<NUM>); one of the two adjacent shafts (<NUM>) is hinged to a first end of the first linkage (<NUM>), another shaft of the two adjacent shafts (<NUM>) is hinged to a first end of the second linkage (<NUM>), and a second end of the first linkage (<NUM>) is hinged to a second end of the second linkage (<NUM>); and when hinge points where the first linkage (<NUM>) and the second linkage (<NUM>) are respectively hinged to the two adjacent shafts (<NUM>) and a hinge point between the first linkage (<NUM>) and the second linkage (<NUM>) are in a same straight line, there is a gap (<NUM>) between the two adjacent shafts (<NUM>); wherein
the shafts (<NUM>) are camshafts, and convex portions of the camshafts are located on a same side of the row in which the at least three shafts (<NUM>) are arranged.