Patent Description:
With the continuous advancement of screen technology, including large-scale production of foldable flexible screens, and the creation of <NUM> thick flexible display screens, the form of terminal products is becoming more and more diverse. From smart wearables to smart homes to smart phone terminals, ultra-thin flexible screens will cause multi-directional designs for future products, such as foldable mobile phones, ring mobile phones, specially curved terminal products, and the like. In the meanwhile, the advent of <NUM> will allow all smart products to be electrically connected and quantity of data transmitted between smarts products will be accelerated. In this way, some modules of smart terminal products, such as camera modules, BOX acoustic modules, and the like, can be separated from smart terminal products while still achieving their functions. With the further development of battery technology, the size of the terminal product can be smaller, the battery capacity can be higher, and the design form of the terminal product can be more flexible.

With growing interest in flexible screen products, especially when dealing with different tasks such as watching videos and making phone calls, user experience is improved when the display area may be increased or decreased depending on the user's activity. Currently, there are mainly two screen expansion structures: foldable screen structure and retractable screen structure.

<CIT> discloses an electronic device, which includes a housing assembly, a tensioning assembly and a flexible screen module. The housing assembly incldues a first housing and a second housing, the first housing having a first support surface, and the second housing having a second support surface that is flush with the first support surface. The tensioning assembly is connected to the housing assembly; the flexible screen module includes a fixed end and a free end, the fixed end being connected to the first housing, and the first support surface supporting the fixed end, the free end bypassing one end of the second housing far from the first housing and extending into the housing assembly, and the free end being connected to the tensioning assembly. The first housing can move relative to the second housing, such that at least part of the flexible screen module is unfolded on the second support surface or retracted within the housing assembly.

<CIT> provides electronic equipment, which includes a first shell, a second shell, a first driving device, a second driving device and a balance part, and is characterized in that the first shell is provided with an accommodating space; the second shell can move in the direction close to or away from the first shell relative to the first shell; one end of the flexible screen assembly is connected with the first shell, the other end of the flexible screen assembly is wound at one end, far away from the first shell, of the second shell, and the flexible screen assembly can move along with relative movement of the first shell and the second shell; the first driving device is arranged in the accommodating space; the second driving device is arranged in the accommodating space and is opposite to the first driving device; the balance part is connected with the first driving device and the second driving device and used for restraining the first driving device and the second driving device in the process that the first driving device and the second driving device jointly drive the first shell and the second shell to move relatively. According to the embodiment, the movement consistency of the relative movement of the two shells can be improved.

<CIT> provides a roll-slide mobile terminal in which a front area of a flexible display unit is variable, for solving a problem of an electric field portion narrowing due to a structure for the variation of the front area. The roll-slide mobile terminal includes a first frame; a second frame sliding in a first direction with respect to the first frame; the flexible display unit partially fixed to the front surface of the first frame, wound around an end portion of the second frame in the first direction to be provided over the rear surface of the second frame, and having the front area extending or contracting according to movement of the second frame; a first guide rail fixed to the first frame to be parallel to the front area of the flexible display unit and provided in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a first slider moving in the second direction along the first guide rail; and a link rotatably fastened to each of the first slider and the second frame to move the second frame according to movement of the first slider.

<CIT> discloses a mobile terminal including a first frame, a second frame slideably movable from the first frame in a first direction or a second direction opposite to the first direction, a slide frame movable in the first direction or the second direction with respect to the second frame, a flexible display including a first region coupled to the first frame, a second region coupled to the slide frame, and a third region disposed between the first region and the second region, the third region being bent in a manner of surrounding the second frame, and a first magnet positioned on a rear surface of the second frame and configured to provide magnetic force to pull the slide frame or the flexible display. The mobile terminal may allow the size of the screen to be adjusted as needed, thereby satisfying both portability and usability.

The present disclosure provides an electronic device to solve at least part of the problems in a related art.

According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an electronic device, including: a housing including a first housing and a second housing slidably arranged on the first housing along a first direction, the first housing and the second housing being enclosed to form a receiving structure with an opening, the first housing being provided with a first sliding portion arranged along the first direction; a flexible display screen having a first end located at a side close to a bottom of the housing and a second end connected to the first housing to cover the opening; and a sliding rail mechanism including a bracket connected to the flexible display screen, the bracket being provided with a second sliding portion matching the first sliding portion, the first sliding portion being one of a sliding rail and a sliding groove, the second sliding portion being the other of the sliding rail and the sliding groove; the sliding rail moving along the sliding groove such that the sliding rail mechanism drives the flexible display screen to slide along the first direction relative to the first housing.

In some possible implementations, the first sliding portion is a sliding groove and the second sliding portion is a sliding rail. Two sides of the first housing along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction are each provided with the first sliding portion. Two sides of the bracket along the second direction are each provided with the second sliding portion.

In some possible implementations, the electronic device further includes a driving mechanism arranged in the receiving structure and fixedly connected to the first housing, and the driving mechanism is connected to the bracket and configured to drive the bracket to move along the first direction; the driving mechanism drives the bracket to move along the first direction and the second housing and the first end of the flexible display screen are driven to move along the first direction relative to the first housing, such that the flexible display screen is switched between the retracted state and the expanded state.

In some possible implementations, two driving mechanisms are provided and symmetrically arranged on the first housing.

In some possible implementations, the driving mechanism includes a driving motor, a screw rod connected to the driving motor, and a nut fitted over the screw rod, the screw rod extends along the first direction, and the nut abuts against the bracket; the driving motor drives the screw rod to rotate, and then the nut and the bracket are driven to move along the first direction, thereby driving the sliding rail mechanism to move along the first direction.

In some possible implementations, the sliding rail mechanism further includes a sliding rail assembly, and the sliding rail assembly includes a fixed base, a sliding member, and an elastic assembly; the fixed base is fixedly connected to the bracket, the sliding member is slidably arranged on the fixed base along the first direction, a first end of the elastic assembly is connected to the fixed base, and a second end of the elastic assembly is connected to the sliding member; when the sliding member slides along the first direction relative to the fixed base, the second end of the elastic assembly and the flexible display screen are driven to move together.

In some possible implementations, the electronic device further includes a rotating shaft assembly; the rotating shaft assembly includes a rotating shaft support, a rotating shaft, and a rotating wheel, the rotating shaft support is connected to a side of the bracket, and the rotating shaft support is provided with a shaft hole; the rotating shaft passes through the shaft hole; the rotating wheel is fitted over the rotating shaft; the flexible display screen is wound around the rotating wheel; when the flexible display screen is expanded or retracted, the rotating wheel is driven to rotate.

In some possible implementations, the rotating shaft support includes a plurality of sub-supports arranged on the bracket and spaced apart; each sub-support is provided with a sub shaft hole; the sub shaft holes of the plurality of sub-supports are coaxially arranged to form the shaft hole, and the rotating shaft passes through the plurality of sub shaft holes.

The rotating wheel includes a plurality of sub rotating wheels, and a sub rotating wheel is arranged between two adjacent sub-supports.

In some optional embodiments, the sub-support includes a first hoop base and a second hoop base spliced with the first hoop base. The first hoop base and the second hoop base hoop on the two sides of the rotating shaft and are connected to each other.

In some possible implementations, the rotating shaft assembly further includes two sets of first fasteners; an end of the rotating shaft is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft support through one set of the first fasteners, and the other end of the rotating shaft is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft support through the other set of the first fasteners.

In the electronic device according to the present disclosure, through the sliding fit of the first sliding portion and the second sliding portion, the sliding rail mechanism can move relative to the first housing and then the flexible display screen is driven to move, to realizing expanding and retracting of the flexible display screen.

It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are only exemplary and explanatory and cannot limit the present disclosure.

The drawings here are incorporated into the description and constitute a part of the description. The drawings show embodiments that conform to the present disclosure, and are used together with the description to explain the principle of the present disclosure.

Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein, examples of which are illustrated in accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to accompanying drawings, same numerals in different accompanying drawings refer to the same or similar elements, unless otherwise indicated. The implementations described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. Instead, they are merely examples of devices and methods consistent with some aspects, as detailed in the appended claims, of the present disclosure.

The terminology used in the present disclosure is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, but not intended to limit the present disclosure. Unless otherwise defined, the technical terms or scientific terms used in the present disclosure shall have the usual meanings understood by those of ordinary skills in the field to which the present disclosure belongs. Words, such as "first", "second", and the like used in the specification and claims of the present disclosure do not denote any sequence, quantity, or importance, but are merely for distinguishing different components. Similarly, the word such as "one", "an" or the like does not mean a quantity limit, but means "at least one". " a plurality of " or "several" means two or more. Unless otherwise indicated, words such as "front", "rear", "lower" and/or "upper", and the like are only for convenience of description, and do not mean limitation to one position or one spatial orientation. The word, such as "including", "comprising" or the like, means that a component or item prior to the word "including" or "comprising" encompasses any component or item listed behind the word or its equivalent, and does not exclude other components or items. "coupled" or "connected" and other similar words are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but may include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect.

The terminology used in the present disclosure is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, but not intended to limit the present disclosure. The singular forms "a", "said" and "the" as used in the present disclosure and the appended claims are also intended to include plural forms unless other meanings are otherwise explicitly indicated in the context. It also should be understood that the term "and/or" as used herein refers to encompassing any or all possible combinations of one or more associated listed items.

The present disclosure provides a driving mechanism and an electronic device. The sliding rail mechanism and the electronic device of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the case of no conflict, the features in the following embodiments and implementations may be combined with each other.

Referring to <FIG>, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an electronic device <NUM>, which may be a mobile phone, a mobile terminal, a tablet computer, a laptop, a handheld terminal device with a screen, a vehicle-mounted display device, and the like. The electronic device <NUM> may include a housing, a flexible display screen <NUM>, a sliding rail mechanism <NUM>, a rotating shaft assembly, and a driving mechanism <NUM>.

The sliding rail mechanism <NUM> includes a bracket <NUM> and a sliding rail assembly <NUM>. The sliding rail assembly <NUM> includes a fixed base <NUM>, a sliding member <NUM> configured to connect a flexible display screen <NUM> of a retractable screen structure, and an elastic assembly <NUM>. The fixed base <NUM> is fixedly connected to the bracket <NUM>, the sliding member <NUM> is slidably arranged on the fixed base <NUM> in a first direction X (a vertical direction illustrated in <FIG>), a first end <NUM> of the elastic assembly <NUM> is connected to the fixed base <NUM>, and a second end <NUM> of the elastic assembly <NUM> is connected to the sliding member <NUM>. When the sliding member <NUM> slides along the first direction X relative to the fixed base <NUM>, the second end of the elastic assembly <NUM> and the flexible display screen <NUM> are driven to move together. The elastic assembly <NUM> is stretched or compressed under the drive of the sliding member <NUM> to generate deformation, thereby generating a pre-tension on the flexible display screen <NUM>. It can be understood that the sliding member <NUM> slides relative to the fixed base <NUM> along a direction indicated by an arrow in <FIG>, and then the elastic assembly <NUM> is stretched to generate a reverse tension force.

Through the above arrangement, the sliding member <NUM> moves along the first direction X relative to the fixed base <NUM>, and then the flexible display screen <NUM> of the retractable screen structure can be driven to move together, thereby realizing the expanding and retracting of the flexible display screen <NUM>. The sliding member <NUM> drives the elastic member <NUM> to move together, and the elastic member <NUM> is stretched to generate a pre-tension on the flexible display screen <NUM> such that the flexible display screen <NUM> becomes flatter when expanded, thereby preventing visual problems such as bulging, swelling and distortion of the screen when the whole device is slid open.

In some possible implementations, the sliding rail assembly <NUM> further includes at least one guide rail <NUM>, the guide rail <NUM> is arranged on the fixed base <NUM> and extends along the first direction X, the sliding member <NUM> is provided with a sliding groove <NUM> corresponding to the guide rail <NUM>, and the sliding member <NUM> is slidably arranged on the guide rail <NUM> through the sliding groove <NUM>. In the present embodiment, two sets of guide rails <NUM> are provided and symmetrically arranged on the fixed base <NUM>, such that the sliding member <NUM> can slide more stably. In other examples, there may also be other numbers of guide rails <NUM>, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

In some possible implementations, the sliding rail assembly <NUM> further includes at least one limit stopper <NUM>, arranged at an end of the fixed base <NUM> away from the bracket <NUM> (i.e., an upper end in <FIG>). The sliding member <NUM> is provided with a limit portion <NUM> that abuts against and cooperates with the limit stopper <NUM>. The limit stopper <NUM> abuts against and cooperates with the limit portion <NUM> of the sliding member <NUM> to limit an initial position of the sliding member <NUM> and also prevent the sliding member <NUM> from separating from the guide rail <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the limit portion <NUM> can be understood as a groove, two limit stoppers <NUM> are provided and symmetrically arranged on the fixed base <NUM>, two limit portions <NUM> are provided and correspond to the limit stoppers <NUM>, and the present disclosure does not limit this. In the example illustrated in <FIG>, the limit stoppers <NUM> are arranged at the upper end of the fixed base <NUM>, and an initial position of the sliding member <NUM> is located at the upper end of the fixed base <NUM>. In this state, the elastic assembly <NUM> applies an elastic pre-tension on the sliding member <NUM> to keep the sliding member <NUM> at the initial position.

Referring to <FIG>, in some possible implementations, at least one side of the guide rail <NUM> is provided with an engaging portion <NUM>, and the sliding member <NUM> is provided with a first snap portion <NUM> snapped with the engaging portion <NUM>. The sliding member <NUM> is snapped with the engaging portion <NUM> of the guide rail <NUM> through the first snap portion <NUM>, such that the sliding member <NUM> can be more securely connected to the guide rail <NUM> and the sliding member <NUM> can more stably slide along the guide rail <NUM>. It can be understood that the engaging portion <NUM> may be of an inverted hook structure machined from a sheet metal part to prevent the sliding member <NUM> from separating from the guide rail <NUM>. In the present embodiment, two sides of the guide rail <NUM> are each provided with an engaging portion <NUM>, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, in some possible implementations, the side of the sliding member <NUM> is provided with a second snap portion <NUM> snapped with a side edge of the fixed base <NUM>. The sliding member <NUM> is snapped with the side edge of the fixed base <NUM> through the second snap portion <NUM> such that the sliding member <NUM> and the fixed base <NUM> are connected more stably and the sliding member <NUM> is prevented from separating from the fixed base <NUM> when sliding, thus improving the sliding stability of the sliding member <NUM>. Further, the sliding rail assembly <NUM> further includes a plastic snap <NUM>, covering and locked at the side edge of the fixed base <NUM>, and the second snap portion <NUM> is snapped with the plastic snap <NUM>. The plastic snap <NUM> can reduce friction between the second snap portion <NUM> and the side edge of the fixed base <NUM>, reduce wear and ensure smooth sliding. In the present embodiment, the plastic snap <NUM> can be made of POM (Polyoxymethylene) plastic which is a self-lubricating plastic. The sliding member <NUM> and the plastic snap <NUM> can be combined as one part by an insert-molding process. A design gap between the plastic snap <NUM> and the side edge of the fixed base <NUM> is <NUM> to ensure that the sliding member <NUM> can only slide along the extending direction of the guide rail <NUM>, i.e., the first direction X, thus improving the structural stability.

Referring to <FIG>, in some possible implementations, the fixed base <NUM> is provided with a step portion <NUM> extending along the first direction X, and the sliding member <NUM> is provided with an abutting block <NUM> abutting against the step portion <NUM>; by cooperation of the abutting block <NUM> and the step portion <NUM>, the sliding member <NUM> can be further prevented from separating from the fixed base <NUM> when sliding.

Referring to <FIG>, the elastic assembly <NUM> includes a first rod <NUM>, a second rod <NUM>, and an elastic member <NUM>. The first rod <NUM> and the second rod <NUM> are inserted into each other and can slide relative to each other, and the elastic member <NUM> is connected between the first rod <NUM> and the second rod <NUM>. The first rod <NUM> is connected to the fixed base <NUM>, and the second rod <NUM> is connected to the sliding member <NUM>. The elastic member <NUM> may be configured as a spring, a tension spring, or the like, and has a pre-tension during assembly to keep the sliding member <NUM> at the initial position. When the first rod <NUM> and the second rod <NUM> are stretched, the spring starts to work. When the sliding member <NUM> slides relative to the fixed base <NUM>, the second rod <NUM> is driven to slide relative to the first rod <NUM> and cooperates with the first rod <NUM> to stretch or compress the elastic member <NUM> such that the elastic member <NUM> is deformed to generate an elastic force on the sliding member <NUM>.

Further, the first rod <NUM> and the second rod <NUM> are each provided with a sliding groove, and they are inserted into each other and can slide relatively. A first end (a lower end illustrated in <FIG>) of the first rod <NUM> is fixed to the fixed base <NUM> by a rivet, and a first end (an upper end illustrated in <FIG>) of the second rod <NUM> is fixed to the sliding member <NUM> by a rivet, a second end of the first rod <NUM> protrudes outward to form a first protrusion <NUM>, and a second end of the second rod <NUM> protrudes outward to form a second protrusion <NUM>; a plurality of elastic members <NUM> are provided and evenly arranged between the first protrusion <NUM> and the second protrusion <NUM>, which can provide sufficient elastic force. When the sliding member <NUM> slides relative to the fixed base <NUM>, the second rod <NUM> is driven to slide relative to the first rod <NUM> and cooperates with the first rod <NUM> to stretch the elastic member <NUM> such that the elastic member <NUM> is deformed to generate a reverse tension on the sliding member <NUM>, thus ensuring that the flexible display screen is in a "tightened" state.

In some possible implementations, a plurality of elastic assemblies <NUM> are provided, including a first elastic assembly 23A, a second elastic assembly 23B, and a third elastic assembly 23C. The second elastic assembly 23B and the third elastic assembly 23C are symmetrically arranged at two sides of the first elastic assembly 23A. The elastic member <NUM> of the first elastic assembly 23A extends along the first direction X, and the elastic members <NUM> of the second elastic assembly 23B and the third elastic assembly 23C are symmetrically arranged along the first direction X and inclined with respect to the first direction X.

Due to limited space, it is difficult for a single guide rail to achieve such a large elastic stroke. Based on the above arrangement, the three elastic assemblies can form a relay form to improve a sliding stroke of the elastic assemblies. The second elastic assembly 23B and the third elastic assembly 23C are of the same design and are arranged symmetrically at two sides of the elastic assembly 23A. An initial compression amount of the elastic member of the first elastic assembly 23A may be slightly greater than the initial compression amounts of the elastic members of the second elastic assembly 23B and the third elastic assembly 23C, thereby achieving a greater sliding stroke. Assuming that the designed total sliding stroke is <NUM>, the first elastic assembly 23A can start working after the sliding member <NUM> slides by <NUM>.

In some possible embodiments, the entire sliding rail assembly <NUM> may be fixed to the bracket <NUM> by riveting. An end of the bracket <NUM> may include a connecting plate <NUM>, and the fixed base <NUM> may be a stamped metal plate and fixed to the connecting plate <NUM> by a riveting process. The flexible display screen <NUM> is fixed to the sliding member <NUM> of the sliding rail assembly <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> can be made of an aluminum alloy to improve the structural strength. The sliding member <NUM> can be machined from an SUS stainless steel plate and a POM plastic by the insert-molding process. The stainless steel plate can serve as a body to play the role of strength support. The sliding groove can be made of the POM plastic by injection-molding and can slide relative to the fixed base <NUM> and the guide rail <NUM> to reduce friction. The limit stopper <NUM> can be made of a plastic material and can limit the initial position of the sliding member <NUM> and also prevent the sliding member <NUM> from separating from the guide rail <NUM>. The guide rail <NUM> can be machined from stainless steel by a stamping process and fixed to the fixed base <NUM> by spot welding. The guide rail <NUM> cooperates with the sliding groove <NUM> in the sliding member <NUM> to form an inverted hook structure to prevent the sliding member <NUM> from separating from the guide rail <NUM> when sliding. An exposed surface of the sliding member <NUM> can serve as an adhesive area <NUM> to be adhered and fixed to the flexible display screen <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a retractable screen structure, including the sliding rail mechanism <NUM> described in the above embodiment and the flexible display screen <NUM>. The rotating shaft assembly <NUM> is arranged at a side of the bracket <NUM> away from the sliding rail assembly <NUM>, and an axial direction of the rotating shaft assembly <NUM> is perpendicular to the first direction X. A first end of the flexible display screen <NUM> is connected to the sliding member <NUM>, and a second end of the flexible display screen <NUM> is wound around the rotating shaft assembly <NUM>.

The rotating shaft assembly <NUM> includes a rotating shaft support, a rotating shaft <NUM>, and a rotating wheel. The rotating shaft support is connected to a side of the bracket <NUM> away from the sliding rail assembly <NUM> and is provided with a shaft hole, and an axial direction of the shaft hole is perpendicular to the first direction X. The rotating shaft <NUM> passes through the shaft hole, and the rotating wheel is fitted over the rotating shaft <NUM>. The flexible display screen <NUM> is wound around the rotating wheel, and when the flexible display screen <NUM> is expanded or retracted, the rotating wheel is driven to rotate. It can be understood that the first end <NUM> of the flexible display screen <NUM> is connected to the sliding member <NUM> of the sliding rail assembly <NUM>, and the second end <NUM> of the flexible display screen <NUM> is wound around the rotating wheel. In the present embodiment, the flexible display screen <NUM> is formed by bonding a flexible OLED screen and a layer of extremely thin stainless steel mesh together and has great flexibility.

Based on the above arrangement, the flexible display screen <NUM> is wound around the rotating wheel of the rotating shaft assembly <NUM>. When the flexible display screen <NUM> is expanded or retracted, the rotating wheel is driven to rotate, that is, the rotating wheel rotates passively. The rotating wheel can function as a pulley such that the flexible display screen <NUM> can be expanded and retracted more smoothly; the friction and energy loss can be effectively reduced during the expanding and retracting process of the flexible display screen <NUM> such that the flexible display <NUM> can be expanded or retracted more smoothly.

In some possible implementations, the rotating shaft <NUM> is fixedly connected to the shaft hole, and the rotating wheel is rotatably connected to the rotating shaft <NUM>. It can be understood that the rotating shaft <NUM> is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft support, the rotating wheel is rotatable relative to the rotating shaft <NUM>, and the rotating shaft does not rotate relative to the rotating shaft support. When the flexible display screen <NUM> is expanded or retracted, only the rotating wheel is driven to rotate.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in some possible implementations, the rotating shaft support includes a plurality of sub-supports <NUM>, which are arranged on the bracket <NUM> and spaced apart along a direction perpendicular to the first direction X; each sub-support <NUM> is provided with a sub shaft hole; the sub shaft holes of the plurality of sub-supports <NUM> are coaxially arranged to form the shaft hole, and the rotating shaft <NUM> passes through the plurality of sub shaft holes so as to be fixedly connected with the plurality of sub-supports <NUM>. The rotating wheel includes a plurality of sub rotating wheels <NUM>, and a sub rotating wheel <NUM> is arranged between two adjacent sub-supports <NUM>. It can be understood that the rotating shaft support is configured to have a plurality of sub-supports <NUM>, the rotating wheel is configured to have a plurality of sub rotating wheels <NUM>, and the sub-supports <NUM> and the sub rotating wheels <NUM> are arranged alternately, which can ensure the rotation performance of the rotating wheel, enhance the strength of the rotating shaft support, and improve the overall structural strength. It can be understood that all the sub-supports <NUM> of the rotating shaft support are fixedly connected to the bracket <NUM>, and may also be integrally formed with the bracket <NUM>. It should be noted that all the sub-supports <NUM> can be different in size, for example, can be divided into small supports and large supports; the sub-supports located at both sides are small supports, and the sub-support located in the middle is a large support. All the sub rotating wheels <NUM> can also be different in size, for example, can be divided into large rotating wheels and small rotating wheels, which can be configured according to actual needs and will not be limited in the present disclosure.

In some possible implementations, the rotating shaft assembly <NUM> further includes a plurality of first bearings <NUM> fitted over the rotating shaft <NUM>, and a first bearing <NUM> is arranged on each of two sides of the sub rotating wheel <NUM>. The first bearing <NUM> includes an inner bearing ring and an outer bearing ring rotatably connected to the inner bearing ring, the inner bearing ring is connected to the rotating shaft <NUM>, and the outer bearing ring is connected to the sub rotating wheel <NUM>. It can be understood that the sub rotating wheel <NUM> rotates relative to the rotating shaft <NUM> through the first bearing <NUM>, and the first bearing <NUM> can reduce the friction loss caused by the rotation of the sub rotating wheel <NUM>. The inner bearing ring and the rotating shaft <NUM> may have a zero clearance fit design in a radial direction to ensure that the inner bearing ring will not rotate together with the sub rotating wheel <NUM>. The sub rotating wheel <NUM> and the rotating shaft <NUM> may have an avoidance design in the radial direction to ensure that a gap is formed between the sub rotating wheel <NUM> and the rotating shaft <NUM> to achieve rotation.

Referring to <FIG>, in order to prevent the inner bearing ring from rotating together with the sub rotating wheel <NUM>, that is, to ensure that the inner bearing ring does not rotate relative to the rotating shaft <NUM>, the rotating shaft assembly <NUM> further includes a plurality of bearing shims <NUM> fitted over the rotating shaft <NUM>, and each side of the first bearing <NUM> is provided with a bearing shim <NUM>. An end of the bearing shim <NUM> abuts against the inner bearing ring, and the other end of the bearing shim <NUM> abuts against the adjacent sub-support <NUM>. In this way, the inner bearing ring and the adjacent sub-support <NUM> can be pressed against each other to prevent the inner bearing ring from rotating together with the sub rotating wheel <NUM>, thus ensuring that the inner bearing ring does not rotate relative to the rotating shaft <NUM>. In this way, the rotation of the sub rotating wheel <NUM> completely relies on the rotation of the outer bearing ring and the friction loss is relatively low.

Optionally, in some possible implementations, the bearing shim <NUM> is made of copper or stainless steel, with a bowl-like cross section, and has a mechanical property that can be slightly compressed in a thickness direction. A bottom end of the bowl-like structure abuts against the inner bearing ring, and a bowl opening end of the bowl-like structure abuts against the adjacent sub-support <NUM>, thereby compressing the inner bearing ring and the adjacent sub-support <NUM> to each other.

In some possible implementations, the rotating shaft assembly <NUM> further includes two sets of first fasteners <NUM>; an end of the rotating shaft <NUM> is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft support through one set of the first fasteners <NUM>, and the other end of the rotating shaft <NUM> is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft support through another set of the first fasteners <NUM>. It can be understood that the first fastener <NUM> passes through the outermost sub-support <NUM> and is fixedly connected to the end of the rotating shaft <NUM>, thereby fixing the rotating shaft <NUM> and the rotating shaft support together. Optionally, a gasket <NUM> is further arranged between the first fastener <NUM> and the rotating shaft support. The first fastener <NUM> can be configured as a dual screw, and a gasket <NUM> is arranged between the first fastener <NUM> and the outermost sub-support <NUM> such that the rotating shaft <NUM> and the rotating shaft support can be connected more firmly. Further, a gap between the sub-support <NUM> and the inner bearing ring can be set to zero match or slight interference (depending on the material and the sizes of the parts); in this way, a pressure exists between the bearing shim <NUM> and the inner bearing ring through the locking force of the dual screws at the two ends, and this pressure can ensure that the inner bearing ring does not rotate relative to the rotating shaft <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the sub rotating wheel <NUM> can be made of the engineering plastic POM by injection-molding and has a through hole in the middle and grooves at two ends to place the first bearings <NUM>; the sub rotating wheel <NUM> is fitted over the rotating shaft <NUM>; after assembly, the sub rotating wheel <NUM> can be rotated passively on the rotating shaft <NUM> by the first bearings <NUM>. The rotating shaft <NUM> can be configured as a D-shaped shaft with a D-shaped cross section, and is mainly used to fix the inner bearing ring, thereby preventing the inner bearing ring from rotating relative to the rotating shaft. The rotating shaft <NUM> which may be made of stainless steel passes through the plurality of sub-supports <NUM>. Threads <NUM> may be formed on two ends of the rotating shaft <NUM> to realize fastening connection with the first fasteners126 and to be easily fixed to a middle frame of the electronic device <NUM>, thereby fixing the rotating shaft. The first fastener <NUM> may be made of a metal material and is configured as, for example, a dual screw. The first fastener <NUM> passes through the gasket <NUM> and is locked on the rotating shaft <NUM> to lock the rotating shaft <NUM> and the rotating shaft support. The first bearing <NUM> may be made of stainless steel or ceramic, and is assembled on the sub rotating wheel <NUM>. Two ends of each sub rotating wheel <NUM> are each equipped with a first bearing <NUM> and also equipped with a bearing shim <NUM>. The bearing shim <NUM> may be made of a metal material. During mounting of the sub rotating wheels on the rotating shaft, a bearing shim is placed on each of two sides of each rotating wheel, and the rotating shaft passes through the inner holes of the bearing shims; after the two ends of the rotating shaft are locked by the dual screws, the gasket functions to fix the inner bearing ring and prevent the inner bearing ring from rotating with the outer bearing ring, and also ground the first bearing and the bracket.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in some possible implementations, the rotating shaft <NUM> is rotatably connected with the shaft hole, and the rotating wheel is fixedly connected with the rotating shaft <NUM>. It can be understood that the rotating shaft <NUM> is fixedly connected to the rotating wheel, the rotating wheel does not rotate relative to the rotating shaft <NUM>, and the rotating shaft <NUM> can rotate relative to the rotating shaft support. When the flexible display screen <NUM> is expanded or retracted, the rotating wheel and the rotating shaft <NUM> are driven to rotate together.

In some possible implementations, the rotating shaft support includes a plurality of sub-supports <NUM>, which are arranged on the bracket <NUM> and spaced apart along a direction perpendicular to the first direction X; each sub-support <NUM> is provided with a sub shaft hole; the sub shaft holes of the plurality of sub-supports <NUM> are coaxially arranged to form the shaft hole, and the rotating shaft <NUM> passes through the plurality of sub shaft holes to be fixedly connected with the plurality of sub-supports <NUM>. The rotating shaft includes a plurality of sub rotating wheels <NUM>, and a sub rotating wheel <NUM> is arranged between two adjacent sub-supports <NUM>. It can be understood that the rotating shaft support is configured to have a plurality of sub-supports <NUM>, the rotating wheel is configured to have a plurality of sub rotating wheels <NUM>, and the sub-supports <NUM> and the sub rotating wheels <NUM> are arranged alternately, which can ensure the rotation performance of the rotating wheel, enhance the strength of the rotating shaft support, and improve the overall structural strength. It can be understood that all the sub-supports <NUM> of the rotating shaft support are fixedly connected to the bracket <NUM>, and may also be integrally formed with the bracket <NUM>. It should be noted that all the sub-supports <NUM> can be different in size, for example, can be divided into small supports and large supports; the sub-supports located at both sides are small supports, and the sub-support located in the middle is a large support. All the sub rotating wheels <NUM> can also be different in size, for example, can be divided into large rotating wheels and small rotating wheels, which can be configured according to actual needs and will not be limited in the present disclosure.

In some possible implementations, the rotating shaft assembly <NUM> further includes two second bearings <NUM> which are respectively fitted over two ends of the rotating shaft <NUM>, and the ends of the rotating shaft <NUM> are rotatably connected with the rotating shaft support through the second bearings <NUM>. The second bearing <NUM> includes an inner bearing ring and an outer bearing ring rotatably connected to the inner bearing ring, the inner bearing ring is connected to the rotating shaft support, and the outer bearing ring is connected to the rotating shaft <NUM>. It can be understood that the rotating shaft <NUM> rotates relative to the sub-support <NUM> of the rotating shaft support through the second bearing <NUM>, and the second bearing <NUM> can reduce the friction loss caused by the rotation of the rotating shaft <NUM>. The sub rotating wheel <NUM> and the rotating shaft <NUM> may have a zero clearance fit design in the radial direction to ensure that the sub rotating wheel <NUM> rotates as the rotating shaft <NUM> rotates. The sub-support <NUM> of the rotating shaft support and the rotating shaft <NUM> may have an avoidance design in the radial direction to ensure that a gap is formed between the sub-support <NUM> and the rotating shaft <NUM> to achieve rotation. In the present embodiment, only two second bearings <NUM> are needed to realize the rotation of the rotating shaft <NUM> relative to the rotating shaft support, which reduces the number of bearings and simplifies the model design.

In some possible implementations, the rotating shaft assembly <NUM> further includes two shaft covers <NUM>; one of the shaft covers <NUM> abuts against an inner ring of the adjacent rotating shaft <NUM> from an end of the shaft hole, and the other shaft cover <NUM> abuts against the inner ring of the adjacent rotating shaft <NUM> from the other end of the shaft hole; the inner bearing ring is pressed by the shaft covers <NUM> to limit the rotating shaft <NUM> in the axial direction, thereby preventing the rotating shaft <NUM> from being displaced in the axial direction.

In some possible embodiments, the rotating shaft assembly <NUM> further includes a plurality of second fasteners <NUM>, and the second fasteners <NUM> pass through the sub rotating wheels <NUM> and are fixedly connected with the rotating shaft <NUM>. It can be understood that one sub rotating wheel <NUM> may be fixedly connected to the rotating shaft <NUM> through a second fastener <NUM>, or may also be fixedly connected to the rotating shaft <NUM> through a plurality of second fasteners <NUM>, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an electronic device <NUM>, which may be a mobile phone, a mobile terminal, a tablet computer, a laptop, a handheld terminal device with a screen, a vehicle-mounted display device, and the like. The electronic device <NUM> includes a housing, a retractable screen structure as described in the above embodiment, and a driving mechanism <NUM>.

The housing includes a first housing <NUM> and a second housing <NUM> slidably arranged on the first housing <NUM> along the first direction X, the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> are enclosed to form a receiving structure <NUM> with an opening <NUM>. The retractable screen structure is arranged in the receiving structure <NUM>, the rotating shaft assembly <NUM> is located at a side close to the second housing <NUM>, a first end <NUM> of the flexible display screen <NUM> is located at a side close to the bottom of the housing, and a second end <NUM> of the flexible display screen <NUM> is connected to the first housing <NUM> to cover the opening <NUM>. The driving mechanism <NUM> is arranged in the receiving structure <NUM>. The driving mechanism <NUM> is connected to the sliding rail mechanism <NUM> and configured to drive the sliding rail mechanism <NUM> to move along the first direction X. Optionally, the first housing <NUM> may be provided with a support plate <NUM>, the second end of the flexible display screen <NUM> is connected to the support plate <NUM>, and the support plate <NUM> can support and protect the flexible display screen <NUM>.

The driving mechanism <NUM> includes a frame body <NUM>, as well as a driving assembly and a transmission assembly mounted on the frame body <NUM>. The frame body <NUM> may be provided with a mounting member <NUM> to be connected with a middle frame of the electronic device <NUM>, and the mounting member <NUM> is fixed to the middle frame by a fastener, such that the driving mechanism <NUM> is mounted on the middle frame. Optionally, the number of driving mechanisms <NUM> can be set according to actual needs. In an example illustrated in <FIG>, two driving mechanisms <NUM> are provided and symmetrically arranged on the first housing <NUM>; in this way, the sliding rail mechanism <NUM> can be driven to move more stably such that the two sides of the sliding rail mechanism <NUM> are stressed evenly and the sliding rail mechanism <NUM> can move more stably.

The driving assembly includes a driving member <NUM> and a reduction gearbox structure <NUM> connected to the driving member <NUM>, and both the driving member <NUM> and the reduction gearbox structure <NUM> are mounted on the frame body <NUM>. Optionally, the driving member <NUM> may be a driving motor or an electric motor.

The transmission assembly includes a first transmission member <NUM> and a second transmission member <NUM> movably connected to the first transmission member <NUM>. The first transmission member <NUM> is mounted on the frame body <NUM> and connected to the reduction gearbox structure <NUM>. The second transmission member <NUM> is configured to be drivingly connected with the flexible display screen of the retractable screen structure.

The driving member <NUM> outputs a first torque to the reduction gearbox structure <NUM>, and the reduction gearbox structure <NUM> converts the first torque into a second torque and outputs the second torque to the first transmission member <NUM> to drive the first transmission member <NUM> to rotate, and the second transmission member <NUM> moves relative to the first transmission member <NUM> to drive the flexible display screen to move. The first torque is less than the second torque. It is understood that the driving mechanism drives the sliding rail mechanism <NUM> to move along the first direction X and then the second housing <NUM>, the sliding rail assembly <NUM>, the first end of the flexible display screen <NUM>, and the sliding member <NUM> are driven to move along the first direction X relative to the first housing <NUM>, such that the flexible display screen <NUM> is switched between the expanded state and the retracted state.

Based on the above arrangement, the driving mechanism <NUM> converts the first torque output by the driving member into a higher second torque through the reduction gearbox structure, and then transmits the second torque to the first transmission member and the first transmission member is then rotated, thereby driving the flexible display screen to move. In this way, the low torque of the driving member can be converted into a high torque to drive the first transmission member to rotate, to better drive the flexible display screen to move.

In some possible implementations, the driving assembly may further include a control circuit board <NUM> connected to the driving member <NUM> and configured to control the driving member <NUM> according to an instruction. The control circuit board <NUM> may be a FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) board. The control circuit board <NUM> is communicated with a terminal main board of the electronic device <NUM>. When the flexible display screen needs to be expanded, the terminal main board transmits a command "expand" to the control circuit board <NUM>. The control circuit board <NUM> controls the driving motor to rotate, and the driving motor amplifies the torque of the driving motor through the reduction gearbox structure <NUM> and drives the second transmission member <NUM> to move linearly relative to the first transmission member <NUM>. The second transmission member <NUM> drives the flexible display screen to stretch outward, thus completing the expanding action of the flexible display screen. When the flexible display screen needs to retract, a user can tap on the display screen of the electronic device <NUM> to send a command "retract" to the terminal main board. The terminal main board transmits the command "retract" to the control circuit board <NUM>, and the control circuit board <NUM> then controls the driving motor to rotate in a direction opposite to the direction of expanding rotation. The driving motor amplifies the torque of the driving motor through the reduction gearbox structure <NUM> and drives the second transmission member <NUM> to move linearly relative to the first transmission member <NUM>. The second transmission member <NUM> drives the flexible display screen to retract to an initial position. In the present embodiment, the control circuit board <NUM> is connected to the driving motor by welding, and the control circuit board <NUM> is communicated with the terminal main board, or communicated with the main board terminal through a BTB connector to realize that the driving motor is powered, and the driving motor is controlled to rotate by the control signal.

In some possible implementations, the driving motor may be configured as a DC stepper motor which is an open-loop control motor that converts an electric pulse signal into an angular displacement or a linear displacement. In the case of non-overload, the speed and stop position of the motor only depend on the frequency and pulse number of the pulse signal, and are not affected by load changes. When receiving a pulse signal, the stepper driver drives the stepper motor to rotate by a fixed angle in a set direction. The stepper motor rotates step by step at a fixed angle. The angular displacement can be controlled by controlling the pulse number, to achieve the purpose of accurate positioning. In the meanwhile, the rotation speed and acceleration of the motor can be controlled by controlling the pulse frequency, to achieve the purpose of speed regulation and rotating torque input.

The first transmission member <NUM> is configured as a screw rod, the second transmission member <NUM> is configured as a nut threaded with the screw rod, and two ends of the screw rod are connected to the frame body <NUM> through bearings <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> of the retractable screen structure is provided with a transmission member <NUM>. The screw rod extends along the first direction X, and the nut abuts against the transmission member <NUM>. The driving motor drives the screw rod to rotate, and then the nut and the transmission member are driven to move along the first direction X, thereby driving the sliding rail mechanism <NUM> to move along the first direction X. It should be noted that the first transmission member and the second transmission member may also adopt structures such as gear racks, worm gears, and the like, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

In some possible implementations, the driving mechanism <NUM> further includes a guide rod <NUM> arranged on the frame body <NUM>, and the guide rod <NUM> is arranged in parallel with the screw rod. The nut includes a first fitting part <NUM> and a second fitting part <NUM>, the first fitting part <NUM> is threaded with the screw rod, and the second fitting part <NUM> is fitted over the guide rod <NUM>. The second transmission member <NUM> is further provided with a protrusion <NUM> for abutting against the transmission member <NUM> of the bracket <NUM> of the retractable screen structure. It can be understood that the nut is threaded with the screw rod through the first fitting part <NUM>, and when the screw rod rotates, the nut linearly moves relative to the screw rod. During the movement, the second fitting part <NUM> moves along the guide rod <NUM> to guide the nut.

In some possible implementations, the driving member <NUM> includes an output shaft <NUM>, and the reduction gearbox structure <NUM> includes a first reduction gearbox and a second reduction gearbox. The first reduction gearbox includes a first gear <NUM>, the second reduction gearbox includes a second gear <NUM> and a third gear <NUM> (which can be understood as a screw rod gear) mating with the second gear <NUM>, the third gear <NUM> is connected with the first transmission member <NUM>, the second gear <NUM> mates with the first gear <NUM>, and the first gear <NUM> is connected with the output shaft <NUM>. The output shaft <NUM> outputs a first torque to the first gear <NUM>, and the first torque is converted into a second torque by the second gear <NUM> and the third gear <NUM> and output to the first transmission member <NUM>. Through the gear mating of the first gear <NUM>, the second gear <NUM>, and the third gear <NUM>, the low torque output by the driving motor can be converted into a high torque.

In some possible implementations, the reduction gearbox structure <NUM> further includes a reduction gearbox end cover <NUM> fixedly connected to a side of the frame body <NUM>. Optionally, a side frame <NUM> configured to be fixedly connected with the reduction gearbox end cover <NUM> is arranged on a side of the frame body <NUM>, and the reduction gearbox end cover <NUM> is fixed to the side frame <NUM>. The gearbox end cover <NUM> is fixed to the side frame <NUM> by a plurality of fasteners <NUM> (e.g., screws). The first gear <NUM> and the second gear <NUM> are both connected to the reduction gearbox end cover <NUM>, the third gear <NUM> is connected to the reduction gearbox end cover <NUM> through the first transmission member <NUM>, and the reduction gearbox end cover <NUM> functions to fix the first gear <NUM>, the second gear <NUM>, the third gear <NUM> and the first transmission member <NUM>.

In some possible implementations, the first reduction gearbox includes a first bushing <NUM> fixed to the reduction gearbox end cover <NUM>, and the first gear <NUM> is mounted on the first bushing <NUM>. Optionally, the reduction gearbox end cover <NUM> is provided with a first through hole <NUM>, the first bushing <NUM> is fixed to the first through hole <NUM>, and the first gear <NUM> is a sun gear and mounted on the first bushing <NUM>. The second reduction gearbox includes a limit post <NUM> fixed to the reduction gearbox end cover <NUM>, the second gear <NUM> is mounted on the limit post <NUM>, and the limit post <NUM> functions to limit and fix the second gear <NUM>.

In some possible implementations, the first transmission member <NUM> is configured as a screw rod, an end of the screw rod is connected to the reduction gearbox end cover <NUM> through the bearing <NUM>, and the third gear <NUM> mates with the screw rod. Optionally, the reduction gearbox end cover <NUM> is further provided with a second through hole <NUM>, the bearing <NUM> is mounted in the second through hole <NUM>, and an end of the screw rod is mounted on the bearing <NUM> to be fixed to the frame body <NUM>.

In some possible implementations, the first reduction gearbox further includes: a fixed gear ring <NUM>, a driving gear <NUM>, a planetary gear carrier <NUM> and a planetary gear <NUM>.

The fixed gear ring <NUM> is connected to the driving member <NUM>, and the output shaft <NUM> extends into the fixed gear ring <NUM>.

The driving gear <NUM> is mounted in the fixed gear ring <NUM> and fixed to the output shaft <NUM>. Optionally, the first reduction gearbox further includes a second bushing <NUM>, and the driving gear <NUM> is mounted on the second bushing <NUM> to protect and limit the driving gear <NUM>.

The planetary gear carrier <NUM> is mounted in the fixed gear ring <NUM> and is mated with and fixed to the first gear <NUM>. Optionally, the first reduction gearbox further includes a third bushing <NUM>, and the planetary gear carrier <NUM> is mounted on the third bushing <NUM> to protect and limit the planetary gear carrier <NUM>.

The planetary gear <NUM> is mounted on the planetary gear carrier <NUM> and mates with the driving gear <NUM>.

The output shaft <NUM> outputs a first torque to the driving gear <NUM>, and the first torque is reduced by the driving gear <NUM>, the planetary gear <NUM>, and the planetary gear carrier <NUM> and then transmitted to the first gear <NUM>, achieving a first-stage reduction effect. Then, the torque is reduced by the first gear <NUM> and then transmitted to the second gear <NUM>, achieving a second-stage reduction effect. Then, the torque is reduced by the second gear <NUM> and then converted to the second torque and the second torque is transmitted to the third gear <NUM>, achieving a third-stage reduction effect. The third gear <NUM> transmits the second torque to the first transmission member <NUM> to drive the first transmission member <NUM> to rotate.

Based on the above arrangement, a first-stage reduction gearbox is formed by the gear mating of the driving gear <NUM>, the planetary gear carrier <NUM> and the planetary gear <NUM>. Through the gear mating of the first gear <NUM>, the second gear <NUM> and the third gear <NUM>, second- and third-stage reduction gearboxes are formed. The planetary gear <NUM> can function as a first-stage reduction gear, the first gear <NUM> can function as a second reduction gear, the second gear <NUM> can function as a third reduction gear, and the third gear <NUM> can function as a screw rod gear.

It can be understood that the first reduction gearbox is a core component of the driving mechanism. An end of the first reduction gearbox is mounted on and welded to the driving motor, and the other end of the first reduction gearbox is fixed to the frame body <NUM> by welding. The first reduction gearbox includes an output shaft <NUM> of the driving motor, the driving gear <NUM>, the second bushing <NUM>, the planetary gear <NUM>, the planetary gear carrier <NUM>, the third bushing <NUM>, the fixed gear ring <NUM>, and the first gear <NUM>. All parts are fixed by gear mating; the output shaft <NUM>, the driving gear <NUM>, the second bushing <NUM>, the planetary gear <NUM>, the planetary gear carrier <NUM>, the third bushing <NUM> and the first gear <NUM> are all fixedly fitted inside the fixed gear ring; the driving gear <NUM> is fixed to the output shaft <NUM> of the driving motor, and the planetary gear carrier <NUM> and the first gear <NUM> mate with each other and are fixed. The other end of the first gear <NUM> is fixed to the first bushing <NUM>, and is fixed to the reduction gearbox end cover <NUM> through the first bushing <NUM>. The second gear <NUM> is fixed to the frame body <NUM> and the reduction gearbox end cover <NUM> through the limit post <NUM>. The third gear <NUM> is fixed to the first transmission member <NUM>, an end of the first transmission member <NUM> is fixed to the frame body <NUM> through a bearing <NUM>, and the other end of the first transmission member <NUM> is also fixed to the reduction gearbox end cover <NUM> through a bearing <NUM>. The reduction gearbox end cover <NUM> is fixed to the frame body <NUM> by a fastener <NUM>, and the three gears (the first gear <NUM>, the second gear <NUM> and the third gear <NUM>) form second- and third-stage reduction gearboxes by gear mating. The torque output by the driving motor is reduced by the first reduction gearbox and the second reduction gearbox, and then a torque that is several or several tens of times greater than the output torque is output to the screw rod to drive the screw rod to rotate. The screw rod drives the nut to move. The reduction gearbox structure mainly functions to convert the low torque output by the driving motor into a high torque.

In some alternative implementations, the frame body <NUM> may be manufactured by MIM (Metal Injection Modeling), and the aperture and part dimensions need to be processed by a lathe or a CNC machining center. The frame body <NUM> mainly functions to fix the reduction gearbox structure, the screw rods, the nut, the bearing, the guide rod and other components. Therefore, the precision requirement and the flatness requirement for the frame body <NUM> are both relatively high. The precision of the frame body <NUM> directly affects the stability of the entire driving mechanism. The entire frame body <NUM> can be fixed to the first housing <NUM> of the middle frame of the electronic device <NUM>.

The nut can be made by MIM and plastic double-shot molding, and the plastic employs engineering plastic (POM material is commonly used), which has a self-lubricating effect. A side of the nut is fixed to the guide rod, and another end of the nut is fixed to the screw rod and a screw rod guide groove needs to be designed at the end fixed to the screw rod, to drive the nut to move linearly. According to the structural requirements of the push-out assembly, a bone position is designed on the nut such that the nut is connected and fixed to the side sliding member to push the sliding member to move. The guide rod can be made of stainless steel. The guide rod requires relatively high surface roughness and functions to guide and fix the nut. The screw rod is generally made of high-strength tool steel and is machined many times through a lathe or a machining center. Bearings are fixed at two ends of the screw rod, an end of the screw rod is fixed to the frame body, and the other end of the screw rod is fixed to the reduction gearbox end cover. The driving motor drives the screw rod to rotate through the reduction gearbox structure, and the screw rod drives the nut to move linearly. Therefore, the strength and precision of the screw rod directly affect the stability and smoothness of the sliding member pushed by the nut.

Referring again to <FIG>, due to the pre-tension of the elastic member of the elastic assembly, the sliding member <NUM> is pre-tensioned by the elastic assembly at the initial position, and due to the existence of the limit stopper <NUM>, the sliding member <NUM> is kept at the initial position in a static state and the flexible display screen <NUM> is in a retracted state.

As the power source, the driving mechanism is fixed to the middle frame (i.e., the housing) of the whole device. After receiving an instruction through a UI, the electronic device <NUM> controls the driving mechanism to drive the sliding rail mechanism <NUM> to move along the first direction X (to the left as illustrated in <FIG>) such that the whole sliding rail mechanism <NUM> slides out relative to the first housing <NUM> in a direction away from the first housing <NUM>. In this process, the first end of the flexible display screen <NUM> slides together with the sliding member <NUM>, and the rotating wheel of the rotating shaft assembly is passively rotated by the force of the flexible display screen <NUM>; because the second end of the flexible display screen <NUM> is connected with the first housing <NUM>, as the sliding rail mechanism <NUM> gradually slides out, an effect of gradually expanding the flexible display screen <NUM> can be achieved, as illustrated in <FIG>. In the sliding process of the sliding rail mechanism <NUM>, the sliding member <NUM> can be pulled by the flexible display screen to move from an end of the fixed base <NUM> to the other end, which can further extend the expanding length of the flexible display screen <NUM>. In addition, in the sliding process, the elastic assembly is pulled by the sliding member <NUM> to generate on the sliding member <NUM> an elastic tension in a direction opposite to the sliding direction. The flexible display screen <NUM> is always subjected to the tension in the opposite direction, which is equivalent to pulling the flexible display screen <NUM> to the right, such that the flexible display screen <NUM> stretched out becomes flatter. In this way, it is ensured that the flexible display screen <NUM> can move along a curving track according to the design intent, thereby preventing the visual problems such as bulging, swelling and distortion of the screen when the whole device is slid open.

It can be understood that in the whole process, the sliding member <NUM> is pulled by the second end of the flexible display screen <NUM> to move from one end of the fixing base <NUM> to the other end. Assuming that the sliding stroke of the sliding rail mechanism <NUM> relative to the first housing <NUM> is S and the sliding stroke of the sliding member <NUM> is S, the first end of the flexible display screen <NUM> moves a distance of <NUM> relative to the first housing <NUM> along with the sliding rail mechanism <NUM>.

When the whole device retracts after receiving an external instruction, the drive motor starts to provide a drive in the reverse direction to retract the sliding rail mechanism <NUM> and the flexible display screen. In this process, the bracket and the fixed base are driven by the driving mechanism to move in the reverse direction. The flexible display screen and the sliding member are gradually retracted under the elastic force of the elastic assembly, and the sliding member returns to the initial position under the elastic force of the elastic assembly, thereby restoring the flexible display screen to the retracted state. Therefore, the use of the sliding rail mechanism <NUM> of the present disclosure can smoothly and effectively ensure that the flexible display screen maintains the curved shape in appearance during the sliding-open and retracting of the whole device, and ensure that the power loss caused by the friction generated during the sliding-open and retracting of the screen is at a relatively low level; this solution is operable and easy to implement and the product reliability can be ensured.

Referring to <FIG>, in some optional embodiments, the housing includes a first housing <NUM> and a second housing <NUM> slidably arranged on the first housing <NUM> along the first direction X, the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> are enclosed to form a receiving structure <NUM> with an opening <NUM>. The first housing <NUM> is provided with a first sliding portion <NUM> arranged along the first direction X. A first end <NUM> of the flexible display screen <NUM> is located at a side close to the bottom of the housing, and a second end <NUM> of the flexible display screen <NUM> is connected to the first housing <NUM> to cover the opening <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the opening <NUM> is located at the top of the housing. Optionally, decorative members <NUM> may be arranged on the outer sides of the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> to take a protective and decorative effect.

The sliding rail mechanism <NUM> includes a bracket <NUM> connected to the first end <NUM> of the flexible display screen <NUM>, and the bracket <NUM> is provided with a second sliding portion <NUM> matching the first sliding portion <NUM>. The first sliding portion <NUM> is one of a sliding rail or a sliding groove, and the second sliding portion <NUM> is the other of the sliding rail and the sliding groove. The sliding rail moves along the sliding groove, such that the sliding rail mechanism <NUM> drives the flexible display screen <NUM> to slide along the first direction X relative to the first housing <NUM>, thus realizing the expanding and retracting of the flexible display screen. Optionally, the first sliding portion <NUM> and the first housing of the middle frame housing are integrally formed, which is convenient for production and processing. In the examples illustrated in <FIG>, the first sliding portion <NUM> is a sliding groove, and the second sliding portion <NUM> is a sliding rail. Two sides of the first housing <NUM> are each provided with the first sliding portion <NUM> along the second direction (direction Y in <FIG>) perpendicular to the first direction X (direction X in <FIG>). Two sides of the bracket <NUM> along the second direction are each provided with the second sliding portion <NUM>. By arranging two sets of the first sliding portions <NUM> and the second sliding portions <NUM>, the sliding rail mechanism <NUM> can move more stably relative to the first housing <NUM>, and the stability of the whole device can be improved.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>), comprising:
a housing comprising a first housing (<NUM>) and a second housing (<NUM>) slidably arranged on the first housing (<NUM>) along a first direction (X), the first housing (<NUM>) and the second housing (<NUM>) being enclosed to form a receiving structure (<NUM>) with an opening (<NUM>), the first housing (<NUM>) being provided with a first sliding portion (<NUM>) arranged along the first direction (X);
a flexible display screen (<NUM>) having a first end arranged at a side close to a bottom of the housing and a second end connected to the first housing (<NUM>) to cover the opening (<NUM>); and
a sliding rail mechanism (<NUM>) comprising a bracket (<NUM>) connected to the flexible display screen (<NUM>), the bracket (<NUM>) being provided with a second sliding portion (<NUM>) matching the first sliding portion (<NUM>), the first sliding portion (<NUM>) being one of a sliding rail and a sliding groove, the second sliding portion (<NUM>) being the other of the sliding rail and the sliding groove; the sliding rail moving along the sliding groove such that the sliding rail mechanism (<NUM>) drives the flexible display screen (<NUM>) to slide along the first direction (X) relative to the first housing (<NUM>),
wherein the sliding rail mechanism (<NUM>) further comprises a sliding rail assembly (<NUM>), and the sliding rail assembly (<NUM>) comprises a fixed base (<NUM>), a sliding member (<NUM>), and an elastic assembly (<NUM>); the fixed base (<NUM>) is fixedly connected to the bracket (<NUM>), the sliding member (<NUM>) is slidably arranged on the fixed base (<NUM>) along the first direction (X), the elastic assembly (<NUM>) has a first end connected to the fixed base (<NUM>) and a second end connected to the sliding member (<NUM>); when the sliding member (<NUM>) slides along the first direction (X) relative to the fixed base (<NUM>), the second end of the elastic assembly (<NUM>) and the flexible display screen (<NUM>) are driven to move together,
characterized in that the elastic assembly (<NUM>) comprises a first rod (<NUM>), a second rod (<NUM>), and an elastic member (<NUM>); the first rod (<NUM>) and the second rod (<NUM>) are inserted into each other and slidable relative to each other, and the elastic member (<NUM>) is connected between the first rod (<NUM>) and the second rod (<NUM>); and the first rod (<NUM>) is connected to the fixed base (<NUM>), and the second rod (<NUM>) is connected to the sliding member (<NUM>).