Patent Description:
With the progress of technologies and the development of electronic devices, users have greater demand for full-screen display electronic devices. Therefore, a full screen electronic device has gradually become a development trend.

Using a camera module as an example, the camera module can move relative to a housing, and the housing is provided with a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is fixedly connected to one side of the camera module, so that the drive mechanism can drive the camera module into and out of the housing. The camera module does not occupy a display area of the electronic device, thereby increasing a proportion of the screen of the electronic device. This is conducive to the development of full-screen electronic devices.

However, when the camera module goes in and out of the housing, the drive mechanism is located at one side of the camera, and both sides of the camera is subject to friction, resulting in uneven force when the camera extends or retracts and a problem of slanting.

Certainly, the foregoing problem is not limited to the camera module, but also other telescopic functional modules of the electronic device.

Document <CIT> discloses that the supporting assembly is provided on the terminal device, so that the static electricity generated during the sliding process of the metal sliding bracket can be discharged through the supporting assembly, and improving the effect of discharging the static electricity during the sliding process of the metal sliding bracket.

Document <CIT> discloses that an electronic device that includes a driving assembly, the driving assembly includes an elastic portion and a magnet, the elastic portion includes springs provided on both sides of the moving board, and one end of the spring is connected to the limiting portion, and the other end is connected to the moving board or the magnet.

This application discloses an electronic device, which can resolve a problem of slanting when a functional module extends and retracts.

To resolve the foregoing technical problem, this application is implemented as follows:
An electronic device, which is defined in claim <NUM>.

To describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or in the background more clearly, the following briefly describes the accompanying drawings for describing the embodiments or the background. Apparently, a person of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawings from these accompanying drawings without creative efforts.

Reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are as follows:.

To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following clearly and completely describes the technical solutions of this application with reference to the specific embodiments of this application and the corresponding accompanying drawings.

The technical solutions disclosed in the embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in <FIG>, an embodiment of this application discloses an electronic device. The disclosed electronic device includes a housing <NUM>, a functional module <NUM>, a drive mechanism and a rolling body <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> is a peripheral component of the electronic device. The housing <NUM> can provide an installation position for other components of the electronic device. In this embodiment of this application, the housing <NUM> is provided with an accommodating space <NUM>. The accommodating space <NUM> can provide a mounting position for the functional module <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is provided with a first opening <NUM> communicated with the accommodating space <NUM>. The functional module <NUM> can retract into the accommodating space <NUM> through the first opening <NUM>, thereby hiding the functional module <NUM>. At least portion of the functional module <NUM> can further extend out of the accommodating space <NUM> through the first opening <NUM>, so that the functional module <NUM> can play better corresponding functions.

Optionally, the accommodating space <NUM> may be a space enclosed by an outer surface of the housing <NUM>. For example, the outer surface of the housing <NUM> may enclose a concave. The concave may be the accommodating space <NUM>. In this case, the accommodating space <NUM> is a relatively independent space, thereby facilitating the installation of the functional module <NUM>. Certainly, the accommodating space <NUM> may also be a portion of an inner cavity of the housing <NUM>, which is not limited in this embodiment of this application.

Optionally, the first opening <NUM> may also be disposed in a middle frame of the housing <NUM>. The first opening <NUM> may also be disposed in another position of the housing <NUM>, which is not limited in this embodiment of this application.

The functional module <NUM> is movably disposed in the accommodating space <NUM>, so that the functional module <NUM> can retract into the accommodating space <NUM> through the first opening <NUM> or at least portion of the functional module <NUM> can extend out of the accommodating space <NUM>. The functional module <NUM> may include at least one of a camera module, a fit-in light module, a fingerprint recognition module, a universal serial bus USB interface, and a telephone receiver. Certainly, the functional module <NUM> may further include other types of functional components. The specific types of the functional module <NUM> are not limited in this embodiment of this application.

The drive mechanism is disposed in the housing <NUM>. The drive mechanism is connected to the functional module <NUM>. The drive mechanism drives the functional module <NUM> to retract into the accommodating space <NUM> through the first opening <NUM> to hide the functional module <NUM>, or the drive mechanism can drive at least portion of the functional module <NUM> to extend out of the accommodating space <NUM> through the first opening <NUM> to enable the functional module <NUM> to work outside the accommodating space <NUM>, so that the function module <NUM> can play better functions. Certainly, the drive mechanism may be a hydraulic telescopic rod mechanism, a gear and rack mechanism, a lead screw drive mechanism, and the like, which is not limited in this embodiment of this application.

The rolling body <NUM> is disposed on a side wall of the accommodating space <NUM>. During a movement of the functional module <NUM> relative to the side wall of the accommodating space <NUM>, the rolling body <NUM> is in rotational contact with the functional module <NUM>. An extending direction of the side wall of the accommodating space <NUM> is parallel to a moving direction of the functional module <NUM>. In this case, because the rolling body <NUM> is in rotational contact with the functional module <NUM>, a telescopic effect of the functional module <NUM> can be improved to prevent the functional module <NUM> from being stuck in the accommodating space <NUM>.

It can be learned from the foregoing context that in the electronic device disclosed in this embodiment of this application, the rolling body <NUM> is disposed on the side wall of the accommodating space <NUM>, so that the functional module <NUM> can move more easily. Compared with current sliding fit between the functional module <NUM> and the side wall of the accommodating space <NUM>, in this embodiment of this application, because the functional module <NUM> is in rotational contact with the rolling body <NUM>, a contact surface between the functional module <NUM> and the rolling body <NUM> is smaller, and a rotating friction force is much smaller than a sliding friction force, so that the friction force on the functional module <NUM> can be reduced. This can improve movement stability of the functional module <NUM> to prevent the functional module <NUM> from being stuck in the accommodating space <NUM> during the movement, and also alleviate abrasion of the functional module <NUM>.

Optionally, the rolling body <NUM> may be a rolling ball. Compared with the rolling body <NUM> of other shapes (for example, a roller), the rolling ball can roll in more directions, so that the functional module <NUM> moves better. In addition, a contact area between the rolling ball and the functional module <NUM> is smaller, so that friction between the functional module <NUM> and the rolling body <NUM> is smaller, which is more conducive to the movement of the functional module <NUM>.

The electronic device disclosed in this embodiment of this application further includes an elastic piece <NUM>, a first end of the elastic piece <NUM> may be connected to the side wall of the accommodating space <NUM>, and a second end of the elastic piece <NUM> may be connected to the rolling body <NUM>. In this case, the elastic piece <NUM> can apply an elastic force to the functional module <NUM>, and a direction of the elastic force can intersect the moving direction of the functional module <NUM>. Therefore, during the movement of the functional module <NUM>, when the functional module <NUM> slants in a first direction, the elastic piece <NUM> can generate the elastic force on the functional module <NUM>, and the direction of the elastic force may be opposite the first direction, so that the functional module <NUM> can be pushed back to its original position, and the functional module <NUM> can move more stably towards the first opening <NUM>.

It can be learned from the foregoing context that in the electronic device disclosed in this embodiment of this application, the elastic piece <NUM> is disposed at an installation position of the functional module <NUM> (that is, the side wall of the accommodating space <NUM>), so that the functional module <NUM> is always subjected to the elastic force generated by the elastic piece <NUM> during the expanding and retracting process, and the direction of the elastic force is opposite the direction of the functional module <NUM>, so that the functional module <NUM> can move more stably towards the first opening <NUM>. Therefore, the friction between the functional module <NUM> and the side wall of the accommodating space <NUM> is further reduced to mitigate the damage to the functional module <NUM>. In addition, this can also prevent the functional module <NUM> from being stuck during movement.

Further, in this embodiment of this application, to prevent the elastic piece <NUM> from affecting the expanding and retracting of the functional module <NUM>, optionally, the side wall of the accommodating space <NUM> may be provided with an installation space <NUM>, and the elastic piece <NUM> may be located in the installation space <NUM>. During installation, the first end of the elastic piece <NUM> can abut or be fastened at the bottom of the installation space <NUM>, the rolling body <NUM> can be movably disposed in the installation space <NUM>, and the installation space <NUM> has a second opening <NUM>. At least part of the rolling body <NUM> can extend out of the accommodating space <NUM> through the second opening <NUM>, and be in rotational contact with the functional module <NUM>, so as to generate the elastic force on the functional module <NUM>, thereby preventing the functional module <NUM> from being stuck.

In this case, the installation space <NUM> can provide installation positions for the elastic piece <NUM> and the rolling body <NUM>, so that the elastic piece <NUM> and a part of the rolling body <NUM> can be hidden in the installation space <NUM>, thereby preventing the foregoing components from extending too much affecting the extending and retracting of the functional module <NUM>. In addition, the installation space <NUM> can further play a guiding role, so that the elastic force generated by the elastic piece <NUM> may be in a direction along an axial direction of the installation space <NUM>. This can better prevent the functional module <NUM> from slanting.

To improve installation reliability of the rolling body <NUM>, an edge of the second opening <NUM> may be provided with a limiting protrusion <NUM>, and the limiting protrusion <NUM> may be in limiting fit with the rolling body <NUM>. In this case, the limiting protrusion <NUM> can limit part of the rolling body <NUM> in the installation space <NUM>, thereby improving installation stability of the rolling body <NUM> to prevent the rolling body <NUM> from falling into the accommodating space <NUM>. In addition, this method makes it unnecessary to fasten the rolling body <NUM> and the elastic piece <NUM>, thereby facilitating the installation. In addition, the limiting protrusion <NUM> can further prevent most protrusions of the rolling body <NUM> from affecting moving effect of the functional module <NUM>.

In addition, to make the rolling effect of the rolling body <NUM> better, the electronic device disclosed in this embodiment of this application further includes a guide piece <NUM>, and the second end of the elastic piece <NUM> may be connected to the rolling body <NUM> through the guide piece <NUM>. Compared with the second end of the elastic piece <NUM> directly connected to the rolling body <NUM>, this method makes the elastic piece <NUM> have better stability to generate the elastic force on the rolling body <NUM>. In addition, this method can further make the elastic piece <NUM> have a smaller impact on the rolling effect of the rolling body <NUM>, so that the rolling body <NUM> can roll better, thereby making movement stability of the functional module <NUM> better.

Certainly, the elastic piece <NUM> is a spiral telescopic spring. The spiral telescopic spring has a compact structure and is easy to manufacture, so that it can perform extending and retracting better, and save costs. In addition, the guide piece <NUM> includes a rod portion <NUM> and a limiting cap <NUM> that are connected. During installation, the rod portion <NUM> extends into the spiral telescopic spring, the limiting cap <NUM> is in limiting fit with an end portion of the spiral telescopic spring, and the limiting cap <NUM> is in rotational contact with the rolling body <NUM>. This method can improve assembly stability between the elastic piece <NUM> and the guide piece <NUM>.

In this embodiment disclosed in this application, to improve movement stability of the functional module <NUM>, the functional module <NUM> may be provided with a sliding groove <NUM> extending along a telescoping direction of the functional module <NUM>, and the rolling body <NUM> is in a running fit with the sliding groove <NUM>, that is, during movement of the functional module <NUM>, the rolling body <NUM> can roll on the sliding groove <NUM>. In this case, the sliding groove <NUM> can play the role of limiting, so that the sliding groove <NUM> can rotationally fit the rolling body <NUM> to make movement stability of the functional module <NUM> better. In addition, the sliding groove <NUM> further makes the rolling body <NUM> and the functional module <NUM> in good rotational contact to better prevent the functional module <NUM> from slanting in a direction other than the moving direction.

In this embodiment of this application, the side wall includes a first sub side wall <NUM> and a second sub side wall <NUM>. The first sub side wall <NUM> and the second sub side wall <NUM> are provided with a rolling body <NUM>. In this case, two sides of the functional module <NUM> are in rotational contact with the rolling body <NUM> during movement of the functional module <NUM>, so that movement stability of the functional module <NUM> is better, and the functional module <NUM> is better prevented from being slanting during movement, thereby improving movement stability of the functional module <NUM>.

Further, to make the telescopic effect of the functional module <NUM> better, optionally, the rolling body <NUM> disposed on the first sub side wall <NUM> and the rolling body <NUM> disposed on the second sub side wall <NUM> may be disposed opposite each other in one-to-one correspondence, and may be both spaced apart along the moving direction of the functional module <NUM>. In this case, the two rolling bodies <NUM> disposed opposite can limit the functional module <NUM> to a specific moving position, so as to improve moving stability of the functional module <NUM> and prevent the functional module <NUM> from being slanting during movement.

Correspondingly, in the foregoing case, the rolling body <NUM> may be connected to the first sub side wall <NUM> or the second sub side wall <NUM> through the elastic piece <NUM>. In a specific working process, the functional module <NUM> slants towards the first sub side wall <NUM> or the second sub side wall <NUM> in a telescopic process. When the functional module <NUM> slants towards the first sub side wall <NUM>, the rolling body <NUM> of the first sub side wall <NUM> can generate a first elastic force on the functional module <NUM>, and the first elastic force can push the functional module <NUM> back to its original position, thereby preventing the functional module <NUM> from slanting towards the first sub side wall <NUM>. When the functional module <NUM> slants towards the second sub side wall <NUM>, the rolling body <NUM> of the second sub side wall <NUM> can generate a second elastic force on the functional module <NUM>, and the second elastic force can push the functional module <NUM> back to its original position, thereby preventing the functional module <NUM> from slanting towards the second sub side wall <NUM>.

It can be learned that the foregoing method enables the functional module <NUM> to be subjected to elastic forces in both the extending direction and the retracting direction, thereby preventing the functional module <NUM> from being slanting when the functional module <NUM> extends out of the accommodating space <NUM>, and preventing the functional module <NUM> from being slanting when the functional module <NUM> retracts in the accommodating space <NUM>, so that movement stability of the functional module <NUM> is improved.

Optionally, in the first sub side wall <NUM> and the second sub side wall <NUM>, the rolling body <NUM> and the elastic piece <NUM> on one side of the first sub side wall <NUM> and the second sub side wall <NUM> form an elastic assembly, and two elastic assemblies disposed opposite each other can form a group of elastic apparatus. The electronic device disclosed in this embodiment of this application may include a plurality of groups of elastic apparatus. The plurality of groups of elastic apparatus may be spaced apart along a telescoping direction of the functional module <NUM>. In this case, the plurality of groups of elastic apparatus can generate elastic forces at a plurality of positions of the functional module <NUM>, so as to better prevent the functional module <NUM> from slanting, thereby reducing friction between the functional module <NUM> and the side wall of the accommodating space <NUM>, and mitigating damages to the functional module <NUM>. In addition, this can prevent the functional module <NUM> from being stuck during movement.

In this embodiment disclosed in this application, optionally, one side of the first sub side wall <NUM> and the second sub side wall <NUM> may be provided with a plurality of elastic assemblies. The elastic assembly is an integral part of the rolling body <NUM> and the elastic piece <NUM>. In the telescoping direction of the functional module <NUM>, the plurality of elastic assemblies may be spaced apart on the first sub side wall <NUM> or the second sub side wall <NUM>. The plurality of elastic assemblies can generate great elastic forces on the functional module <NUM> in a certain direction, so as to better prevent the functional module <NUM> from being slanting in the certain direction, thereby improving movement stability of the functional module <NUM>.

Further, in a optional installation process, the plurality of elastic assemblies may be located at a different side from the drive mechanism. In this case, during a process in which the functional module <NUM> extends out of the accommodating space <NUM>, when a driving force exerted by the drive mechanism on the functional module <NUM> makes the functional module <NUM> slant towards the elastic assembly, the elastic assembly can generate the elastic force on the functional module <NUM> to prevent the functional module <NUM> from slanting during the extending process. The plurality of elastic assemblies may also be installed on a same side with the drive mechanism. In this case, during a process in which the functional module <NUM> retracts to the accommodating space <NUM>, when the driving force exerted by the drive mechanism on the functional module <NUM> makes the functional module <NUM> slant towards the elastic assembly, the elastic assembly can generate the elastic force on the functional module <NUM> to prevent the functional module <NUM> from slanting during the retracting process.

In this embodiment of this application, optionally, the drive mechanism may be a lead screw drive mechanism. Specifically, the functional module <NUM> may include a module body <NUM> and a module bracket <NUM>. The module body <NUM> may be connected to the module bracket <NUM>. The drive mechanism may include a drive portion <NUM> and a lead screw <NUM>. The drive portion <NUM> may be a rotating motor. The drive portion <NUM> may be connected to the lead screw <NUM>, and a power output shaft of the drive portion <NUM> may be directly connected to the lead screw <NUM>. The drive portion <NUM> may also be connected to the lead screw <NUM> through a gear. This is not limited in this embodiment of this application.

Further, the module bracket <NUM> is movably disposed on the lead screw <NUM>, and the drive portion <NUM> can drive the lead screw <NUM> to rotate, thereby driving the module body <NUM> to move, so that the module body <NUM> can retract into the accommodating space <NUM> or at least portion of the module body <NUM> can extend out of the accommodating space <NUM> through the opening. Compared with the drive mechanism of other structures, the lead screw drive mechanism has the characteristics of high transmission efficiency and high positioning accuracy, which can make the functional module <NUM> have better movement stability.

The electronic device in this embodiment of this application may be a device, such as a smart phone, a tablet computer, an e-book reader, a wearable device (for example, a smart phone), and a video game console. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific type of the electronic device.

Claim 1:
An electronic device comprising:
a housing (<NUM>), wherein the housing (<NUM>) is provided with an accommodating space (<NUM>) and a first opening (<NUM>) communicated with the accommodating space (<NUM>); a side wall of the accommodating space (<NUM>) comprises a first sub side wall (<NUM>) and a second sub side wall (<NUM>) that are opposite each other, both the first sub side wall (<NUM>) and the second sub side wall (<NUM>) are provided with a rolling body (<NUM>), a spiral telescopic spring (<NUM>) and a guide piece (<NUM>); wherein the guide piece (<NUM>) comprises a rod portion (<NUM>) and a limiting cap (<NUM>) that are connected, the rod portion (<NUM>) extends into the spiral telescopic spring (<NUM>), the limiting cap (<NUM>) is in limiting fit with an end portion of the spiral telescopic spring (<NUM>), and the limiting cap (<NUM>) is in rotational contact with the rolling body (<NUM>); wherein a surface of the limiting cap (<NUM>) in rotational contact with the rolling body (<NUM>) is mutually perpendicular with an axis of the rod portion (<NUM>);
a functional module (<NUM>), wherein the functional module (<NUM>) is movably disposed in the accommodating space (<NUM>); and
a drive mechanism, wherein the drive mechanism is disposed in the housing (<NUM>), the drive mechanism is connected with the functional module (<NUM>), and the drive mechanism drives the functional module (<NUM>) to retract into the accommodating space (<NUM>) through the first opening (<NUM>), or drives at least portion of the functional module (<NUM>) to extend out of the accommodating space (<NUM>); wherein
during movement of the functional module (<NUM>) relative to the side wall of the accommodating space (<NUM>), the rolling body (<NUM>) is in rotational contact with the functional module (<NUM>), and an extending direction of the side wall is parallel to a moving direction of the functional module (<NUM>).