Patent Description:
With regard to the current development trend of electronic devices, foldable electronic devices such as screen-foldable mobile phones and screen-foldable computers will be the future development trend. With regard to the foldable electronic devices, rotating modules are very important, and the performance of the rotating modules will directly affect the function and experience of the whole electronic devices. Due to the lack of a damping sense during rotation, the rotating module only has locking functions for an opening position and a closing position. That is, the rotating module can only hover in an unfolded state or in a folded state, and does not have a hovering function in an intermediate state between the unfolded state and the folded state. Related technologies are known from <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

The disclosure provides a rotating module and an electronic device.

The present invention is defined in the independent claims, and the preferable features according to the present invention are defined in the dependent claims.

The technical solution provided by the embodiments of the disclosure may include the beneficial effects as follows.

As can be seen from the above embodiments, force interaction is generated between the first and second rotating members and the damping member during the relative rotation in the disclosure. A damping force which can maintain the state of the rotating member is generated between the rotating member and the damping member. The first rotating member and the second rotating member may stably hover at more positions during the relative rotation.

It should be understood that the above general descriptions and detailed descriptions below are only exemplary and explanatory and not intended to limit the disclosure.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the disclosure and, together with the specification, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

The implementations set forth in the following description of exemplary embodiments do not represent all implementations consistent with the disclosure. In contrast, they are only examples of devices described in details as the attached claims and consistent with some aspects of the disclosure.

Terms used in the present disclosure are merely for describing specific examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. The singular forms "one", "the", and "this" used in the present disclosure and the appended claims are also intended to include a multiple form, unless other meanings are clearly represented in the context. It should also be understood that the term "and/or" used in the present disclosure refers to any or all of possible combinations including one or more associated listed items.

It should be understood that although terms "first", "second", "third", and the like are used in the present disclosure to describe various information, the information is not limited to the terms. These terms are merely used to differentiate information of a same type. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, first information is also referred to as second information, and similarly the second information is also referred to as the first information. Depending on the context, for example, the term "if' used herein may be explained as "when" or "while", or "in response to. , it is determined that".

In the description of the disclosure, it should be understood that orientation or positional relationships indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer" and the like are orientation or positional relationships illustrated in <FIG>.

The disclosure provides a rotating module, which includes:.

The support <NUM> is disposed between the rotating member and the damping member <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the support <NUM> is configured to support the rotating member and the damping member <NUM>. Both the first rotating member <NUM> and the second rotating member <NUM> are rotatably connected to the support <NUM>. The relative rotation process of the first rotating member <NUM> and the second rotating member <NUM> is a process in which the first rotating member <NUM> rotates relative to the support <NUM> and/or the second rotating member <NUM> rotates relative to the support <NUM>. When the first rotating member <NUM> and the second rotating member <NUM> rotate towards each other relative to the support <NUM>, an included angle between the first rotating member <NUM> and the second rotating member <NUM> gradually decreases until the included angle is approximately <NUM>°. At this moment, the first rotating member <NUM> and the second rotating member <NUM> are in a folded state. When the first rotating member <NUM> and the second rotating member <NUM> rotate away from each other relative to the support <NUM>, an included angle between the first rotating member <NUM> and the second rotating member <NUM> gradually increases until the included angle is approximately <NUM>°. At this moment, the first rotating member <NUM> and the second rotating member <NUM> are in an unfolded state.

In some embodiments, a shaft sleeve is set on one of the rotating member and the support while a shaft core is set on the other one of the rotating member and the support, and the shaft core is coaxial with the shaft sleeve and is embedded in the shaft sleeve. The rotational connection of the first rotating member relative to the support and the rotational connection of the second rotating member relative to the support may be achieved through the cooperation of the shaft core and the shaft sleeve. It will be understood that the rotational connection of the rotating member relative to the support is not limited to the connection of the shaft core and the shaft sleeve.

In the embodiments of the disclosure, the rotating member is in contact with the damping member, and at least a friction force is generated between the rotating member and the damping member. At least the friction force can serve as a damping force for maintaining the state of the rotating member.

In the disclosure, the damping member includes an elastic member with elasticity.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the support <NUM> is not illustrated in <FIG>. During the relative rotation, force interaction is generated between the first and second rotating members <NUM>, <NUM> and the damping member <NUM> to make the damping member <NUM> deformed in the disclosure. The deformed damping member <NUM> can generate an elastic force serving as a damping force which can maintain the state of the rotating member, and the first rotating member <NUM> and the second rotating member <NUM> may stably hover at more positions during the relative rotation.

In a specific example, both of the first rotating member and the second rotating member may rotate between <NUM>° and <NUM>°. When both rotation angles of the first rotating member and the second rotating member are <NUM>°, the first rotating member and the second rotating member are in a folded state. When both the rotation angles of the first rotating member and the second rotating member are <NUM>°, the first rotating member and the second rotating member are in an unfolded state. According to the rotating module provided by the embodiments of the disclosure, the first rotating member and the second rotating member may stay at any angle between <NUM>° and <NUM>° respectively by utilizing the damping force provided by the damping member. For example, the first rotating member and/or the second rotating member may stay at an angle of <NUM>°, <NUM>°, or <NUM>° and the like without depending on any support structure.

In some embodiments, the damping member is in a compressive deformation state or a stretching deformation state when the first rotating member and the second rotating member are between the unfolded state and the folded state. That is, the interaction between the rotating member and the damping member may include: the rotating member compresses the damping member, or the rotating member stretches the damping member.

The damping member includes, but is not limited to, an elastic member with elasticity such as a spring, an elastic piece or the like. The spring may be a compression spring or a tension spring. Compared with the spring, the elastic piece occupies less space and is more suitable for being used in limited space in an electronic device.

Non-restrictively, the contact of the second end of the damping member with the rotating member includes: the second end of the damping member abuts against the rotating member or is fixedly connected to the rotating member. For example, when the damping member is a compression spring or an elastic piece, the rotating member may abut against the damping member. For example, when the damping member is a tension spring, the second end of the tension spring needs to be fixed to the rotating member in order to stretch the tension spring during rotation.

In a specific example, the second end of the damping member abuts against the rotating member, and the second end of the damping member is in sliding contact with the rotating member during the rotation of the rotating member relative to the support. The sliding contact ensures the continuity of the damping force provided by the damping member, the sliding friction force generated in the sliding process may further increase the damping force, the damping sense in the use process of the electronic device is improved, the hovering effect is further ensured, and the user experience is optimized.

In a specific example, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the damping member <NUM> is disposed within the range of the support <NUM>. That is, an outer surface of the damping member <NUM> is smoothly transited to an outer surface of the support <NUM>. The damping member <NUM> is within an orthographic projection range of the support <NUM>, and the damping member <NUM> does not extend out of the outer surface of the support <NUM>. This structural feature reduces the occupied space of the damping member <NUM> and improves the integrity of the damping member <NUM> and the support <NUM>.

There are at least two damping members <NUM>. <FIG> schematically shows two damping members <NUM>. The two damping members <NUM> are in contact with the first rotating member <NUM> and the second rotating member <NUM> respectively.

The first end <NUM> of the damping member is fixed to the support, so that the positional stability of the damping member can be maintained, and the movement or displacement of the damping member in the use process of the rotating module is reduced. Non-restrictively, the damping member may be fixed by welding, or by fasteners such as screws passing through the damping member and the support respectively.

In some embodiments, the rotating module further includes a shell which covers the support and the damping member, and serves as the outer surface of the rotating module. Dust and the like in an external environment can be prevented from entering the rotating module, the damping member can be further limited between the support and the shell, and the connection of the damping member and the support is further strengthened.

According to the embodiments of the disclosure, the damping force is provided by utilizing the elasticity of the damping member, so that a larger damping force can be obtained, and the requirement of a large-screen electronic device can be met. Moreover, damping forces with different magnitudes can be obtained flexibly and conveniently by adjusting the magnitude of the elastic force. Furthermore, when the friction force serves as the damping force, a plurality of parts are required for cooperation, and the occupied space of the rotating module may be increased due to the addition of the parts. In the embodiments of the disclosure, only the damping member and the rotating member need to cooperate, so that the number of parts in the rotating module is reduced, and the occupied space of the rotating module is favorably reduced.

The second end of the damping member <NUM> includes : at least one elastic arm <NUM> protruding towards the rotating member; and the elastic arm <NUM> is in contact with the first rotating member <NUM> and/or the second rotating member <NUM>.

The plurality of elastic arms <NUM> facilitate improvement of the damping force and further meet the hovering requirements of a large-screen electronic device.

<FIG> schematically shows two elastic arms <NUM> on each damping member <NUM>, and the elastic arms <NUM> are spaced apart. It will be understood that the damping member <NUM> in contact with the first rotating member <NUM> and the damping member <NUM> in contact with the second rotating member <NUM> may or may not have the same number of elastic arms <NUM>. However, the same elastic arms <NUM> on the plurality of damping members <NUM> can provide more uniform damping forces, so that the damping sense of the first rotating member <NUM> in the rotating process is similar to the damping sense of the second rotating member <NUM> in the rotating process, and the use sense of a user is improved.

In a specific example, the damping member is an elastic piece, and the magnitude of the damping force may be adjusted by adjusting the bending degree of the elastic arm. For example, with regard to damping members of the same material and the same specification, as the degree of the elastic arm bending towards the rotating member is larger, the elastic arm may generally provide a larger elastic damping force, and vice versa.

In other alternative embodiments, the elastic arm <NUM> in contact with the first rotating member <NUM> and the elastic arm <NUM> in contact with the second rotating member <NUM> are oriented towards a central position of the support <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the second end of the damping member <NUM> is close to the central position of the support <NUM>, and the first end <NUM> of the damping member <NUM> is close to an edge position of the support <NUM>. The elastic arm <NUM> is close to the central position of the support <NUM>, the deformation process of the elastic arm <NUM> may not extend beyond the support <NUM>, the inner space of the support <NUM> is fully utilized, the structure is more compact, and the size of the rotating module is reduced. Moreover, in practical use, the part of the rotating piece far away from the support <NUM> also needs to be connected to components such as an electronic device shell <NUM>, the elastic arm <NUM> is close to the central position of the support <NUM>, and the influence of the electronic device shell <NUM> on the elastic arm <NUM> is reduced.

In other alternative embodiments, the damping member <NUM> in contact with the first rotating member <NUM> and the damping member <NUM> in contact with the second rotating member <NUM> are of an integrated structure.

The integrated structure can increase the strength of the damping member and is also convenient to mount. By taking two damping members as illustrated in <FIG> as an example, when the integrated structure is mounted, the contact between two rotating members and damping members is achieved by using one mounting step, and the two damping members do not need to be mounted respectively by using two steps, so that the mounting steps are saved, and the assembly efficiency can be improved.

It will be understood that a plurality of damping members may also be of separate structures independent of each other.

In other alternative embodiments, a track groove <NUM> is set on the first rotating member <NUM> and the second rotating member <NUM> respectively.

The first end <NUM> of the damping member <NUM> is at least partially embedded in the track groove <NUM> and is in contact with the rotating member in the track groove <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the damping member <NUM> has a convex portion <NUM> protruding towards the track groove <NUM>. The convex portion <NUM> is embedded in the track groove <NUM> and is in contact with the rotating member in the track groove <NUM>. The convex portion <NUM> of the damping member <NUM> is in contact with the track groove <NUM> on the rotating member, which is advantageous for increasing the friction force between the damping member <NUM> and the support <NUM> of the rotating member, and improving the damping force during the rotation of the rotating member. Moreover, the track groove <NUM> is formed by grooving the rotating member, which is also advantageous for reducing the weight of the rotating member. Embedding the convex portion into the track groove <NUM> can further increase the compactness of the assembly of the damping member <NUM> with the rotating member.

The track groove <NUM> plays a guiding role in the sliding of the damping member <NUM> relative to the rotating member and improves the stationarity and smoothness of the sliding process. Embedding the convex portion <NUM> into the track groove <NUM> can also further limit separation of the damping member <NUM> from the rotating member.

In other alternative embodiments, the track groove <NUM> includes a first groove wall <NUM> and a second groove wall <NUM>. A movement track of the track groove <NUM> is formed between the second groove wall <NUM> and the first groove wall <NUM>.

The first rotating member <NUM> and the second rotating member <NUM> are unfolded, and the part, embedded in the track groove <NUM>, of the first end <NUM> of the damping member <NUM> abuts against the first groove wall <NUM> of the track groove <NUM>.

The first rotating member <NUM> and the second rotating member <NUM> are folded, the part, embedded in the track groove <NUM>, of the first end <NUM> of the damping member <NUM> abuts against the second groove wall <NUM> of the track groove <NUM>, and the first groove wall 161and the second groove wall <NUM> are oppositely disposed.

The convex portion cooperates with the groove wall of the track groove to limit the rotating process of the rotating member.

The rotation angle of the rotating member is defined to be minimum in a folded state, and the rotation angle of the rotating member is defined to be maximum in an unfolded state. By abutment of the damping member <NUM> against the groove wall of the track groove <NUM>, a user will also perceive that the rotating member has been in a limit/maximum unfolded state.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, when the first rotating member <NUM> and the second rotating member <NUM> rotate from the folded state to the unfolded state, the convex portion <NUM> moves within the track groove <NUM>. Usually, the track groove <NUM> is substantially arc-shaped in order to cooperate with the rotation process. When the convex portion <NUM> abuts against the first groove wall <NUM> of the track groove <NUM>, the convex portion <NUM> prevents the rotating member from continuing to rotate, and the rotating member stays due to the limit of the convex portion <NUM>. The first groove wall <NUM> of the track groove <NUM> may be configured to define a maximum angle at which the rotating member can rotate. When the first rotating member <NUM> and the second rotating member <NUM> rotate from the unfolded state to the folded state, the second groove wall <NUM> of the track groove <NUM> may be configured to define a minimum angle at which the rotating member can rotate.

In other alternative embodiments, both the first rotating member <NUM> and the second rotating member <NUM> include: a first portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> protrudes towards the support <NUM> and includes a sliding groove <NUM>, the sliding groove <NUM> is arc-shaped, and a groove wall outer surface <NUM> of the sliding groove <NUM> is in contact with the second end of the damping member <NUM>. The second portion <NUM> is connected to the first portion <NUM> and includes a mounting position <NUM>, the mounting position <NUM> is configured to mount a shell <NUM> of an electronic device.

The support <NUM> includes a sliding rail <NUM>. The sliding rail <NUM> has an arc-shaped cross section. The sliding rail <NUM> is embedded in the sliding groove <NUM> and movable in the sliding groove <NUM> along an arrangement direction of the sliding groove <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, during the rotation of the rotating member, the sliding rail <NUM> slides in the sliding groove <NUM>. Since the sliding groove <NUM> is arc-shaped, a rotating track of the rotating member is also arc-shaped.

When the first rotating member and the second rotating member rotate relatively, the sliding rail slides in the sliding groove, the second end of the damping member may simultaneously slide along the groove wall of the sliding groove, and a continuous damping force is provided for the rotating process. The damping member not only generates a damping force through elastic deformation, but also generates a sliding friction force when sliding relative to the rotating member. The sliding friction force also provides the damping force for the relative rotation process of the first rotating member and the second rotating member.

Non-restrictively, the mounting position includes a mounting hole for passage of a fastener such as a screw and the like. The fastener such as the screw and the like is configured to fix the shell <NUM> of the electronic device and the second portion.

In some embodiments, the track groove is disposed on the first portion, and the shape of the track groove may be the same as the shape of the sliding groove. When the rotating member rotates, the sliding rail slides in the sliding groove, and meanwhile, the convex portion of the damping member also slides along the track groove.

In other alternative embodiments, the groove wall outer surface <NUM> of the sliding groove <NUM> is an arc surface.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the radius of curvature of the arc-shaped groove wall outer surface <NUM> is equal at each position, the damping force provided by the damping member <NUM> is equal during the relative rotation of the first rotating member <NUM> and the second rotating member <NUM>, and the stable damping force is advantageous for improving the user experience.

In other alternative embodiments, both a first surface and a second surface of the first portion <NUM> include the sliding groove <NUM>. The second surface is an opposite surface to the first surface.

As illustrated in <FIG>, two opposite surfaces of the first portion <NUM> are both connected to the sliding rail <NUM> of the support <NUM> through the sliding groove <NUM>, so that the contact area of the rotating member and the support <NUM> is increased, and the stability of the rotating process can be improved.

In a specific example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first portion <NUM> has a semicircular cross section. The first surface and the second surface refer to two opposite end surfaces of the first portion <NUM>, respectively. A track groove <NUM> is provided on a circumferential surface of the first portion <NUM>, and a surface of the circumferential surface of the first portion <NUM> other than the track groove <NUM> is in contact with the damping member <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, an embodiment of the disclosure provides an electronic device, which includes: the rotating module described in any one of the above embodiments; a first shell <NUM>, mounted on the first rotating member <NUM>; and a second shell <NUM>, mounted on the second rotating member <NUM>.

In the embodiments of the disclosure, there may be one or at least two rotating modules. The plurality of rotating modules are distributed in parallel in folding regions of the first shell <NUM> and the second shell <NUM>.

Generally, the electronic device refers to a foldable or unfoldable device, including, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a laptop, or the like.

The relative positional relationship between the first shell <NUM> and the second shell <NUM> is the same as the relative positional relationship between the first rotating member and the second rotating member. For example, when the first rotating member and the second rotating member are in an unfolded state, the first shell <NUM> and the second shell <NUM> are also in an unfolded state. When the first rotating member and the second rotating member are in a folded state, the first shell <NUM> and the second shell <NUM> are also in a folded state.

In some embodiments, the electronic device further includes: a foldable screen. A back surface of the foldable screen covers the first shell <NUM>, the second shell <NUM>, and the rotating module. The foldable screen and the support are disposed on two opposite surfaces of the rotating member respectively. When the first rotating member and the second rotating member rotate relatively, the first shell <NUM> and the second shell <NUM> are driven to rotate relatively, and the foldable screen rotates along with the relative rotation of the first shell <NUM> and the second shell <NUM>.

In practical application, since the damping member may provide a large damping force, a large screen for the electronic device not only means that the size of the foldable screen is large enough, but also the corresponding sizes of the first shell <NUM> and the second shell <NUM> are large, so that the weights borne by the first rotating member and the second rotating member respectively are large. The damping force in the embodiments of the disclosure may provide a sufficient damping force to meet the hovering function of the large-screen electronic device.

In a specific example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the electronic device is a mobile phone. A left rotating member (also referred to as the second rotating member <NUM>) and a right rotating member (also referred to as the first rotating member <NUM>) are disposed on the support <NUM>. The support <NUM> has a semicircular sliding rail <NUM> thereon. The left rotating member has a semicircular sliding groove <NUM> thereon. The right rotating member also has the identical sliding groove <NUM>. Therefore, left and right rotating blocks/members may freely rotate on the support <NUM>. An elastic piece is disposed on the support <NUM> and is fixed to the support <NUM>. The elastic piece is an elastic material. The elastic piece has an elastic arm <NUM> thereon. The elastic arm <NUM> is in contact with an upper cylindrical surface of the rotating member (i.e. a groove wall outer surface <NUM> of the sliding groove <NUM>). When the elastic piece is fixed to the support <NUM>, the elastic arm <NUM> is compressed to elastically deform, thereby generating pressure and a damping force. The solution is more efficient in production and manufacture, low in cost, less in occupied space, and simple to assemble. The solution also has a more stable and continuous damping force, can adapt to larger screens, and can generate better user experience.

The features disclosed in the several product embodiments provided by the disclosure may be combined arbitrarily without conflict so as to obtain new product embodiments.

Claim 1:
A rotating module, wherein the rotating module comprises:
a support (<NUM>);
a rotating member, comprising a first rotating member (<NUM>) and a second rotating member (<NUM>), the first rotating member (<NUM>) and the second rotating member (<NUM>) being connected to the support (<NUM>) respectively; and
a damping member (<NUM>), a first end (<NUM>) of the damping member (<NUM>) being fixed to the support (<NUM>), a second end of the damping member (<NUM>) being in contact with the rotating member to provide the first rotating member (<NUM>) and the second rotating member (<NUM>) with a damping force for relative rotation of the first rotating member (<NUM>) and the second rotating member (<NUM>), the second end being an opposite end of the first end (<NUM>);
characterised in that
the support (<NUM>) is disposed between the rotating member and the damping member (<NUM>);
and in that the second end of the damping member (<NUM>) comprises:
at least one elastic arm (<NUM>), protruding towards the rotating member, the at least one elastic arm (<NUM>) being in contact with at least one of the first rotating member (<NUM>) or the second rotating member (<NUM>).