Patent Description:
In current foldable electronic devices, such as foldable cell phones, miniaturization of the cell phone is achieved by folding a display of the cell phone to make it easier for the user to carry. Conventional foldable cell phones typically include a first housing and a second housing pivotably connected to each other, and a flexible display that covers one side of the first housing and the second housing. The first housing and the second housing can be flipped to a stacked state, where the flexible display is folded. However, since edges of the flexible display are usually fixedly connected to the first housing and the second housing, when the flexible display is folded, a generally central area thereof will be subjected to a squeezing force from its edges and the first and second housings, and a support force from internal components of the electronic device. As a result, arching deformation occurs, and a direction of the arching deformation is opposite to the folding direction, such that the flexible display is prone to creasing or even peeling, which may easily lead to failure of the flexible display and reduction in the service life of the flexible display.

Embodiments of the present application provide a foldable electronic device and a rotating shaft mechanism therefor.

In a first aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a rotating shaft mechanism for use in a foldable electronic device. The rotating shaft mechanism includes a base and a rotating assembly that are rotatably connected to each other; the rotating assembly includes a support, a linkage member and a guide member. The support is spaced apart from the base; the linkage member is arranged between the base and the support. The linkage member includes a body and a driving portion provided at the body; one end of the body is rotatably connected to the base, the other end is slidably connected to the support. The guide member includes a connecting portion and a guiding portion. The connecting portion is arranged at one side of the support and is rotatably connected to the support. The guiding portion is arranged between the connecting portion and the support and is slidably connected to the driving portion of the linkage member.

In a second aspect, embodiments of the present application further provide a foldable electronic device including a first housing, a second housing, a foldable screen, and a rotating shaft mechanism as described above. The first housing is connected to one side of the rotating shaft mechanism. The second housing is connected to another side of the rotating shaft mechanism opposite to the one side. The foldable screen is connected to the first housing and the second housing, and is stacked over the guide member of the rotating shaft mechanism.

In order to illustrate technical solutions of the present application more clearly, a brief description of the accompanying drawings to be used in the embodiments will be introduced below. Apparently, the accompanying drawings in the following description only relate to some embodiments of the present application, and other accompanying drawings can be obtained from these drawings by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort.

Technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, but not all of them. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art without making creative effort fall within the scope of protection of this application.

A "communication terminal" (or simply "terminal") or an "electronic device", as used in the embodiments of the present application, includes, but is not limited to, a device that is configured to receive/transmit communication signals via a wired connection (e.g., via a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a digital subscriber line (DSL), a digital cable, a direct cable connection, and/or another data connection/network), and/or via a wireless interface (e.g., for a cellular network, a wireless local area network (WLAN), a digital television network such as a DVB-H network, a satellite network, an AM-FM radio transmitter, and/or of another communication terminal). The communication terminal configured to communicate through a wireless interface may be called a "wireless communication terminal", a "wireless terminal", and/or a "mobile terminal". Examples of mobile terminals or electronic devices include, but are not limited to: satellite or cellular telephones; personal communication system (PCS) terminals capable of combining cellular radio telephony with data processing, fax and data communication; PDA that can include radio telephones, pagers, Internet/Intranet access, web browsers, notepads, calendars, and/or global positioning system (GPS) receivers; and conventional lap-top and/or hand-held receivers, or other electronic devices that include a radiotelephone transceiver.

Current foldable electronic devices, such as cell phones, typically include a first housing and a second housing pivotably connected to each other, and a flexible display covering one side of the first housing and the second housing. The first housing and the second housing can be flipped to a stacked state, where the flexible display is folded. However, since edges of the flexible display are usually fixedly connected to the first and second housings, when the flexible display is folded, a generally central region thereof will be subjected to a squeezing force from its edges and the first and second housings, and a support force from internal components of the electronic device, such as the rotating shaft mechanism. As a result, arching deformation occurs.

In view of this, the inventors of the present application have devoted themselves to studying how to address the arching phenomenon of the flexible display, and to this end, the inventors propose a rotating shaft mechanism in which most structure of the rotating shaft mechanism is set at a side portion of the flexible display instead of below the flexible display. By setting the rotating shaft mechanism substantially at two ends of the flexible display along the direction of rotation axis, it avoids the situation that the rotating shaft mechanism is located below the flexible display but generates a supporting force or a squeezing force on the flexible display when bending, and can effectively alleviate the arching phenomenon of the flexible display when bending. However, after verification, the inventors further found that when the rotating shaft mechanism is set on the side portion of the flexible display, it will lead to significant thickening of a bezel of the electronic device, which is not conducive to achieving a large screen-to-body ratio.

Therefore, the inventors made further research to seek an electronic device and a rotating shaft mechanism thereof that avoids the arching phenomenon of the flexible display when bending and that has a narrow bezel. The inventor's research includes, but is not limited to: studying the effect of different structures of the rotating shaft mechanism on the improvement of the above arching phenomenon and the effect on the bezel, studying the effect of different positions of the rotating shaft mechanism on the improvement of the above arching phenomenon and the effect on the bezel, etc. After extensive and repeated tests, the inventors propose a rotating shaft mechanism of the present application and a foldable electronic device applying such a rotating shaft mechanism. The rotating shaft mechanism includes a base and a rotating assembly rotatably connected to each other, and the rotating assembly includes a support, a linkage member and a guide member. The support is spaced apart from the base, and the linkage member is arranged between the base and the support. The linkage member includes a body and a driving portion provided at the body. One end of the body is rotatably connected to the base, the other end is slidably connected to the support. The guide member includes a connecting portion, which is arranged at one side of the support and is rotatably connected to the support, and a guiding portion, which is arranged between the connecting portion and the support and is slidably connected to the driving portion of the linkage member. The foldable electronic device includes a first housing, a second housing, a foldable screen, and a rotating shaft mechanism as described above. The first housing is connected to the support, the second housing is connected to the base. Alternatively, two rotating assemblies may be rotatably connected to two opposite sides of the base respectively, wherein the first housing is connected to the support of one of the two rotating assemblies, and the second housing is connected to the support of the other one of the two rotating assemblies. The first housing and the second housing are folded or unfolded through the relative rotation between the base and rotating assembly. The foldable screen is connected to the first housing and the second housing, and is stacked over the guide member.

In the electronic device and its rotating shaft mechanism provided in the present application, when the foldable screen is provided on the housing assembly and the rotating shaft mechanism, the first housing and the second housing can be rotated through the relative rotation between the base and the rotating shaft mechanism. At this point, the driving portion slides in the sliding groove to drive the guide member to rotate relative to the support, the guide member deflects when it rotates to form a certain "avoidance space". The avoidance space can prevent the rotating shaft mechanism from generating a resistance force or a support force on the backside of the foldable screen, and provides a space to accommodate a bending structure generated by the foldable screen during folding, so that the foldable screen can be avoided from a tendency to be deformed away from the rotating shaft mechanism, i.e., the foldable screen can deform concavely toward the rotating shaft mechanism in a natural bending state without external support for the arching. In this way, the foldable screen can be prevented from bending in a manner that is contrary to its natural bending tendency. Thus, the above-mentioned rotating shaft mechanism can protect the foldable screen when the foldable screen is folded, avoid damage to the foldable screen due to an irregular deformation of the foldable screen, and prolong the service life of the foldable screen.

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application.

Referring to <FIG>, an embodiment of the present application provides an electronic device <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may be, but is not limited to, an electronic device such as a cell phone, a tablet computer, a smart watch, etc. The electronic device <NUM> in this embodiment is illustrated with a cell phone as an example.

Referring to both <FIG> and <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> includes an electronic assembly <NUM>, a housing assembly <NUM>, a foldable screen <NUM>, and a rotating shaft mechanism <NUM>. The electronic assembly <NUM> is provided within the housing assembly <NUM>, the rotating shaft mechanism <NUM> is connected with the housing assembly <NUM>, and the foldable screen <NUM> is provided on the housing assembly <NUM> and the rotating shaft mechanism <NUM>. The housing assembly <NUM> and the foldable screen <NUM> can be folded or unfolded via the rotating shaft mechanism <NUM>. When the housing assembly <NUM> and the foldable screen <NUM> are folded, the size of the electronic device <NUM> is relatively small, which is easy to store and carry.

The housing assembly <NUM> includes a first housing <NUM> and a second housing <NUM>, the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> being connected to two sides of the rotating shaft mechanism <NUM> respectively. The second housing <NUM> can be folded or unfolded relative to the first housing <NUM>. The housing assembly <NUM> is configured to support the foldable screen <NUM>, and at the same time, protect the electronic assembly <NUM>. The first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> support two ends of the foldable screen <NUM>, respectively. The rotating shaft mechanism <NUM> can be folded or unfolded, and supports a portion of the foldable screen <NUM> located between two ends. In an example, the first housing <NUM> can be a rigid housing, and the second housing <NUM> may also be a rigid housing. The first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> can provide solid support for two ends of the flexible display <NUM>.

The rotating shaft mechanism <NUM> may deform as the second housing <NUM> is folded or unfolded relative to the first housing <NUM>, and restrict the second housing <NUM> from detaching from the first housing <NUM>. The rotating shaft mechanism <NUM> is also configured to support the foldable screen <NUM> to prevent the foldable screen <NUM> from collapsing. The rotating shaft mechanism <NUM> is connected to the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> at two opposite sides thereof. The rotating shaft mechanism <NUM> makes use of its own rotatable characteristics to enable the first housing <NUM> to be flipped relative to the second housing <NUM>, such that the first housing <NUM> is stacked, or is angled, or is unfolded relative to the second housing <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the rotating shaft mechanism <NUM> includes a base <NUM> and a rotating assembly <NUM> that are rotatably connected to each other. The rotating assembly <NUM> is connected to the housing assembly <NUM>. The first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> of the housing assembly <NUM> are rotated relative to each other through the relative rotation between the base <NUM> and the rotating assembly <NUM>.

In this embodiment, there are two rotating assemblies <NUM> (only one is shown in the figures), the two rotating assemblies <NUM> are provided on two opposite sides of the base <NUM>, and two rotating assemblies <NUM> are connected to the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>, respectively. In other embodiments, there may be one rotating assembly <NUM>, such that one of the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> is connected to the base <NUM>, and the other one is connected to the rotating assembly <NUM>. Embodiments according to the present specification are illustrated with two rotating assemblies <NUM> in an exemplary manner. In this embodiment, two rotating assemblies <NUM> are provided substantially symmetrically about the base <NUM>, so that rotation states of the housing assembly <NUM>, the foldable screen <NUM> based on rotation of the rotating assembly <NUM> can be substantially symmetrical, and can have a symmetrical structure in the folded state, with a relatively small storage volume.

Referring to <FIG>, in this embodiment, the base <NUM> includes a seat <NUM> and a cover <NUM> stacked over the seat <NUM>. The seat <NUM> and cover <NUM> collectively form a structure that is rotatably connected to the rotating assembly <NUM>, to facilitate the installation of the rotating shaft mechanism <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in this embodiment, the seat <NUM> is substantially block-shaped, and is provided with a recess <NUM> on a side facing the cover <NUM>. The surface of the recess <NUM> is recessed relative to the surface of the remaining portion of the seat <NUM>. Further, the surface of the recess <NUM> is generally an arcuate surface, which may be, for example, a surface of partially cylindrical structure, so as to fit a pivot structure of the rotating assembly <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in this embodiment, the cover <NUM> is substantially plate-shaped, and is provided with a mating surface <NUM> on a side facing the recess <NUM>. The mating surface <NUM> is arranged opposite to, and apart from, the surface of the recess <NUM>, to define a pivoting groove <NUM> together with the recess <NUM>. The pivoting groove <NUM> is configured to accommodate a pivot structure of the rotating assembly <NUM>, to allow the rotating assembly <NUM> to rotate relative to the base <NUM>. Further, corresponding to the surface structure of the recess <NUM>, the mating surface <NUM> is substantially an arcuate surface, which may be, for example, a surface of partially cylindrical structure. The mating surface <NUM> is substantially parallel to the surface of the recess <NUM> such that the pivoting groove <NUM> is generally a slot having a partially cylindrical cross-sectional profile. The pivoting groove <NUM> defines an axis of rotation O, and when the rotating assembly <NUM> rotates relative to the base <NUM>, the rotating assembly <NUM> is substantially centered on the axis of rotation O.

The rotating assembly <NUM> includes a support <NUM>, a linkage member <NUM>, and a guide member <NUM>. The support <NUM> is spaced apart from the base <NUM>, the linkage member <NUM> is movably arranged between the support <NUM> and the base <NUM>, and the guide member <NUM> is rotatably connected to the support <NUM> and slidably mates with the linkage member <NUM>. When the base <NUM> and rotating assembly <NUM> are rotated relative to each other, the linkage member <NUM> drives the guide member <NUM> to rotate based on the slidable fitting structure, so that the guide member <NUM> can rotate to a certain tilt angle when the rotating shaft mechanism <NUM> is folded, so as to provide a certain accommodation space for the bending of the foldable screen <NUM>, thereby preventing the rotating shaft mechanism <NUM> from pushing the foldable screen <NUM> to make the foldable screen <NUM> arch. In this embodiment, the support <NUM> is connected to the first housing <NUM>, for example, the support <NUM> can be fixed in the first housing <NUM> by fasteners such as screws, and the support <NUM> is located between the foldable screen <NUM> and the first housing <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the support <NUM> is provided with a guiding groove <NUM>, and the guiding groove <NUM> is configured to accommodate partial structure of the linkage member <NUM>, so that the linkage member <NUM> is slidably connected to the support <NUM>. In this embodiment, the guiding groove <NUM> is substantially in a structure of straight slot, which runs through one side of the support <NUM> facing the base <NUM> to form an opening <NUM>, and the linkage member <NUM> is allowed to pass through the opening <NUM>. The guiding groove <NUM> extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation O.

The linkage member <NUM> includes a body <NUM> and a driving portion <NUM> provided at the body <NUM>. One end of the body <NUM> is rotatably connected to the base <NUM>, and the other end is slidably connected to the support <NUM>. Further, in this embodiment, the body <NUM> includes a rotating portion <NUM> and a sliding portion <NUM>, the rotating portion <NUM> and the sliding portion <NUM> being located at two opposite ends of the body <NUM>.

The rotating portion <NUM> is rotatably connected to the base <NUM>, for example, the rotating portion <NUM> is rotatably connected to the seat <NUM> of the base <NUM> via a first pivot <NUM>. The structure of the first pivot <NUM> is not limited, and may be a substantially shaft-like structure formed directly onto the rotating portion <NUM>, or may be a pivot, a pin, or the like independent from the rotating portion <NUM>.

The sliding portion <NUM> has, essentially, the shape of a flat plate, and is slidably accommodated in the guiding groove <NUM> of the support <NUM>. When the base <NUM> drives the linkage member <NUM> to rotate, the sliding portion <NUM> can slide within the guiding groove <NUM> to avoid structural interference during rotation, so that rotation of the rotating shaft mechanism <NUM> is smoother. Further, in this embodiment, there are two sliding portions <NUM>, and the two sliding portions <NUM> are provided opposite to and apart from each other, and the two sliding portions <NUM> are collectively configured to fix the driving portion <NUM>. In some other embodiments, a structure between the sliding portion <NUM> and the guiding groove <NUM> may be replaced by other forms of guiding structures, for example, the support <NUM> may be provided with a structure such as a guiding groove, a guiding hole. The sliding portion <NUM> can slidably fit into the guiding groove, guide hole. Alternatively, the slidable fitting between the sliding portion <NUM> and the support <NUM> can be achieved in the form of a guide rail and a guiding groove.

Further, the body <NUM> may further include an avoidance portion <NUM>, which is connected between the rotating portion <NUM> and sliding portion <NUM>. In this embodiment, the avoidance portion <NUM> is bent relative to the sliding portion <NUM> to form, together with the sliding portion <NUM>, an accommodation space <NUM> for accommodating the guide member <NUM>. When the linkage member <NUM> drives the guide member <NUM> to rotate relative to the support <NUM>, the guide member <NUM> is tilted relative to the linkage member <NUM>, and the accommodation space <NUM> provides sufficient motion space for the tilted guide member <NUM> to avoid structural interference with the movement of the guide member <NUM> and to make an overall structure of the rotating shaft mechanism <NUM> more compact.

The driving portion <NUM> is connected to the sliding portion <NUM>, and the driving portion <NUM> is configured to drive movement of the guide member <NUM>. Further, in this embodiment, the driving portion <NUM> is substantially columnar in shape, and connected between two sliding portions <NUM>. In this way, a space formed between the two sliding portions <NUM> can slidably fit with the guide member <NUM>, and avoid interference with the movement of the guide member <NUM>, thereby making the fitting structure more compact.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the guide member <NUM> is provided on one side of the support <NUM> facing the foldable screen <NUM>. The guide member <NUM> is provided with a sliding groove <NUM> for slidably mating with the driving portion <NUM>. Further, the driving portion <NUM> is at least partially accommodated in the sliding groove <NUM>. When the base <NUM> and the rotating assembly <NUM> are rotated relative to each other, the driving portion <NUM> slides in the sliding groove <NUM> to drive the guide member <NUM> to rotate and tilt relative to the support <NUM>.

Further, the guide member <NUM> includes a connecting portion <NUM> and a guiding portion <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the connecting portion <NUM> is substantially plate-shaped, provided on one side of the support <NUM> facing the foldable screen <NUM>, and is rotatably connected to the support <NUM>. The connecting portion <NUM> can also be used to support the foldable screen <NUM> so as to present the foldable screen <NUM> from collapsing in the unfolded state. Furthermore, the rotating and sliding connection among the guide member <NUM>, the linkage member <NUM>, the support <NUM> and the base <NUM> enables the rotating shaft mechanism <NUM> to be set directly on the non-display side (i.e., the backside) of the foldable screen <NUM> and to support the foldable screen <NUM>, preventing the rotating shaft mechanism <NUM> from being set on peripheral edges of the foldable screen <NUM> and occupying a bezel space of the electronic device <NUM>, which is conducive to achieving a larger screen-to-body ratio.

In some embodiments, one side of the connecting portion <NUM> away from the support <NUM> may be fixedly connected (e.g., attached, etc.) to the foldable screen <NUM>, so that when the connecting portion <NUM> is rotated and tilted, it can drive the foldable screen <NUM> to bend in a direction towards the rotating shaft mechanism <NUM>, playing a guidance role for the bending state of the foldable screen <NUM>, so that the foldable screen <NUM> bends in a predetermined direction in a folded state, so as to avoid abnormal arching or bending deformation of the foldable screen <NUM> when it is folded.

The guiding portion <NUM> is arranged between the connecting portion <NUM> and the support <NUM>. The sliding groove <NUM> is provided in the guiding portion <NUM> to allow the guiding portion <NUM> to slidably mate with the driving portion <NUM> of the linkage member <NUM>. Further, the guiding portion <NUM> is connected to one side of the connecting portion <NUM> facing the support <NUM>, and protrudes relative to the surface of the connecting portion <NUM>, so that the guiding portion <NUM> is at least partially accommodated in a space between two sliding portions <NUM>, and the driving portion <NUM> passes through the sliding groove <NUM> to allow for a more compact mating structure between the guide member <NUM> and the linkage member <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in this embodiment, the sliding groove <NUM> in the guiding portion <NUM> is generally a slot set at an angle relative to the connecting portion <NUM>. The sliding groove <NUM> has a first end <NUM> adjacent to the base <NUM>, and a second end <NUM> that is opposite to the first end <NUM> and away from the base <NUM>. That is, the second end <NUM> is further away from the base <NUM> than the first end <NUM>. The first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM> collectively define an extension direction of the sliding groove <NUM>, i.e., the extension direction of the sliding groove <NUM> may be understood as a direction pointing from the first end <NUM> to the second end <NUM>, or may be understood as a direction pointing from the second end <NUM> to the first end <NUM>. The extension direction of the sliding groove <NUM> is substantially the same as the extension direction of the guiding groove <NUM>, both extending from the support <NUM> toward the base <NUM>. Further, the extension direction of the sliding groove <NUM> is substantially set at an angle relative to the connecting portion <NUM>, such that the driving portion <NUM>, when sliding in the sliding groove <NUM>, can slide between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM> to drive the connecting portion <NUM> to rotate and incline.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, a distance between the first end <NUM> and the connecting portion <NUM> is less than a distance between the second end <NUM> and the connecting portion <NUM>, based on the inclined structure of the sliding groove <NUM>, so that when the rotating shaft mechanism <NUM> is folded, the linkage member <NUM> rotates relative to the base <NUM> and moves in a direction away from the support <NUM>, and the driving portion <NUM> slides from the second end <NUM> to the first end <NUM>, thereby driving the guide member <NUM> to rotate and incline relative to the support <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in this embodiment, the rotating assembly <NUM> may further include a connecting member <NUM>, one end of which is rotatably connected to the base <NUM> and the other end of which is rotatably connected to the support <NUM>, to maintain the relative position between the base <NUM> and the support <NUM> substantially unchanged and to facilitate improved stability of rotation of the rotating shaft mechanism <NUM>. In this embodiment, the connecting member <NUM> and the linkage member <NUM> are arranged substantially side by side, and the connecting member <NUM> is rotatably connected to the base <NUM> via a second pivot <NUM>. The second pivot <NUM> is arranged substantially coaxially with the first pivot <NUM>, whereby the connecting member <NUM> and the linkage member <NUM> are connected to the base <NUM> substantially coaxially. In this way, rotation of the connecting member <NUM> does not interfere with rotation of the linkage member <NUM>, such that rotations of multiple members of the rotating shaft mechanism <NUM> can be consistent during rotation, and the members are not dislocated causing damage to the foldable screen <NUM>. It should be understood that in this application, "side by side" should be instructed that the two are set approximately apart, commonly referred to as "abreast", and are not required to be set apart on the same plane. For example, an edge of the connector <NUM> can be spaced from an edge of the linkage member <NUM>, and when the rotating assembly <NUM> is rotated, either one of the connecting member <NUM> and the linkage member <NUM> can rotate, while the relative distance between them may remain fixed.

Further, in this embodiment, the connecting member <NUM> and linkage member <NUM> are provided substantially side by side, the guide member <NUM> is arranged on the same side of the connecting member <NUM> and linkage member <NUM>. One side of the connecting member <NUM> facing the guide member <NUM> is provided with an avoidance space <NUM>, which is configured to partially accommodate the guide member <NUM>. When the linkage member <NUM> drives the guide member <NUM> to rotate relative to the support <NUM>, the guide member <NUM> is tilted relative to the linkage member <NUM>, and the avoidance space <NUM> can provide sufficient motion space for the tilted guide member <NUM> to avoid structural interference with the movement of the guide member <NUM>, and can make the overall structure of the rotating shaft mechanism <NUM> more compact.

Further, in this embodiment, the connecting member <NUM> may include a first pivot portion <NUM>, a second pivot portion <NUM>, and a transition portion <NUM> connected between the first pivot portion <NUM> and the second pivot portion <NUM>. The first pivot portion <NUM> is rotatably connected to the base <NUM>, the second pivot portion <NUM> is rotatably connected to the support <NUM>, and the transition portion <NUM> has a bent structure to form the above-described avoidance space <NUM>. It should be understood that the designations "first pivot portion", "second pivot portion" shall not limit specific structure of the connecting portion <NUM>. For example, the first pivot portion <NUM> and second pivot portion <NUM> should be understood as parts of the connecting portion <NUM> with rotary connection, which can also be collectively called "pivot portion". In order to describe the connection relationship between the connecting portion <NUM> and the base <NUM> as well as the support <NUM>, the terms "first pivot portion" and "second pivot portion" are used to distinguish the parts having a rotary connection.

Further, the first pivot portion <NUM> may serve as the above-described second pivot <NUM> for achieving a rotational connection between the connecting portion <NUM> and the base <NUM>. The first pivot portion <NUM> has an arcuate structure and is slidably accommodated in the pivoting groove <NUM> of the base <NUM>, and when the first pivot portion <NUM> slides in the pivoting groove <NUM>, the connecting member <NUM> rotates based on the axis of rotation O. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the first pivot portion <NUM> may substantially be partially cylindrical, and may also be considered as being rotatably accommodated in the pivoting groove <NUM>. Two surfaces of the first pivot portion <NUM> that run from each other are provided opposite to the recess <NUM> and the mating surface <NUM>, respectively. For example, the surface of the first pivot portion <NUM> can be substantially superimposed on the recess <NUM> and the mating surface <NUM>, so as to prevent the first pivot portion <NUM> from loosening when it rotates in the pivoting groove <NUM>, thereby providing a smoother rotation of the rotating shaft mechanism <NUM>.

Further, the connecting member <NUM> may further include a positioning portion <NUM>, which is provided on the first pivot portion <NUM>, and which is used for mating with a structure of the base <NUM> to achieve fixing of a relative angle between the rotating assembly <NUM> and the base <NUM>. Accordingly, the base <NUM> may further include a mating portion <NUM>, which may be provided in the pivoting groove <NUM> for embedding fitting with the positioning portion <NUM> to fix an angle between the rotating assembly <NUM> and the base <NUM>. Specifically, the positioning portion <NUM> may be a raised structure protruding from the surface of the first pivot portion <NUM>, and the mating portion <NUM> may be a recessed structure provided in the recess <NUM> or a recessed structure provided in the mating surface <NUM>. When the first pivot portion <NUM> slides in the pivoting groove <NUM>, the positioning portion <NUM> may selectively embedding fits with the mating portion <NUM>. When there is no external force, the positioning portion <NUM> may be stably accommodated in the mating portion <NUM>, such that the angle between the rotating assembly <NUM> and the base <NUM> can be fixed. Further, there can be a plurality of positioning portions <NUM> or/and mating portions <NUM>, and the plurality of positioning portions <NUM> or/and mating portions <NUM> may be spaced along the direction of rotation of the first pivot portion <NUM>, i.e., spaced along the direction around the axis of rotation O, so as to achieve fixing of multiple angles between the rotating assembly <NUM> and the base <NUM>. In some other embodiments, the recessed and raised structures between the positioning portion <NUM> and the mating portion <NUM> can be interchanged, for example, the positioning portion <NUM> is recessed and the mating portion <NUM> is raised, etc., so long as the two can cooperate with each other to achieve angular positioning between the rotating assembly <NUM> and the base <NUM>, which will not be repeated in this specification.

Referring to <FIG> is a structural schematic view of the rotating shaft mechanism <NUM>, illustrating a general structure of the rotating shaft mechanism <NUM> and housing assembly <NUM> in a modular drawing way, and serve as no structural limitation on the electronic device <NUM> in the embodiments of this application. In this embodiment, the rotating shaft mechanism <NUM> further includes a rotating shaft housing <NUM>, which is configured to accommodate the base <NUM> to provide overall protection for the rotating shaft mechanism <NUM>, and to form a modular assembly scheme that facilitates the transportation and well as assembly. Specifically, the rotating shaft housing <NUM> is provided with an accommodation cavity <NUM>. The base <NUM> is provided in the accommodation cavity <NUM> and can be secured to the rotating shaft housing by fasteners such as screws. Further, the rotating shaft housing <NUM> may also serve as a housing assembly of the electronic device <NUM>, and form a cosmetic surface of the electronic device <NUM> together with the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>, when the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> are provided on opposite sides of the rotating shaft housing <NUM> respectively.

In this embodiment, one rotating shaft mechanism <NUM> may include two rotating assemblies <NUM>, i.e., a first rotating assembly <NUM> and a second rotating assembly <NUM>, which are arranged on two opposite sides of the base <NUM> respectively and are substantially symmetrically arranged about the base <NUM>. The first rotating assembly <NUM> is connected to the first housing <NUM>, and the second rotating assembly <NUM> is connected to the second housing <NUM>. Accordingly, the pivoting groove <NUM> of the base <NUM> may also be implemented as two, wherein one pivoting groove <NUM> is used to accommodate a pivot structure of the first rotating assembly <NUM>, and the other one pivoting groove <NUM> is used to accommodate a pivot structure of the second rotating assembly <NUM>. The first rotating assembly <NUM> and the second rotating assembly <NUM> can rotate relative to the base <NUM> under an external force to be in a folded state close to each other or in an unfolded state away from each other, so that the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> can be folded or unfolded relative to each other in a relatively smoother way, and have a relatively small size when folded. The electronic device <NUM> may include a plurality of rotating shaft mechanisms <NUM>. The plurality of rotating shaft mechanisms <NUM> are arranged sequentially along the direction of their rotation axis O, and are connected to the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> to make rotation of the electronic device <NUM> more balanced and stable.

In some other embodiments, one rotating shaft mechanism <NUM> may include only one rotating assembly <NUM>, and two rotating shaft mechanisms <NUM> can be employed to achieve a rotational connection between the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>, when assembled to the housing assembly <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, one of the rotating shaft mechanisms <NUM> can have the rotating assembly <NUM> connected to the first housing <NUM> and the base <NUM> connected to the second housing <NUM>, and the other rotating shaft mechanism <NUM> can have the rotating assembly <NUM> connected to the second housing <NUM>. Of course, there can be a plurality of rotating shaft mechanisms <NUM>, for example, four, six, eight, etc., to make rotation of the electronic device <NUM> more balanced and stable.

Referring again to <FIG>, the electronic assembly <NUM> includes a first electronic module <NUM>, a second electronic module <NUM>, and a flexible circuit board <NUM>. The first electronic module <NUM> is provided in the first housing <NUM>, the second electronic module <NUM> is provided in the second housing <NUM>, and the flexible circuit board <NUM> is electrically connected to the first electronic module <NUM> and second electronic module <NUM>. Further, the first electronic module <NUM> may be a main board, and a central processor, memory, antenna, camera and receiver provided on the main board, etc. The second electronic module <NUM> may consist of a printed circuit board and a functional module provided on the printed circuit board. The second electronic module <NUM> is different from the first electronic module <NUM>, and the second electronic module <NUM> may be a battery, a connector, a fingerprint module, etc..

The foldable screen <NUM> is laid on the first housing <NUM>, the rotating shaft mechanism <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> in series. In this embodiment, the foldable screen <NUM> includes a flexible display <NUM>. The flexible display <NUM> is bent or unfolded as the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> are flipped over each other. The flexible display <NUM> is electrically connected to the electronic assembly <NUM>, to enable the electronic assembly <NUM> to control operation of the flexible display <NUM>.

In the electronic device and the rotating shaft mechanism thereof provided in the embodiments of the present application, when the foldable screen is provided on the housing assembly and the rotating shaft mechanism, the first housing and the second housing can be rotated relative to each other through the relative rotation between the base and the rotating assembly. At this point, the driving portion slides in the sliding groove to drive the guide member to rotate relative to the support, and the guide member deflects when rotating to form a certain avoidance space. The avoidance space can enable the rotating shaft mechanism to avoid generating a resistance force or a support force on the backside of the foldable screen, and can provide a space to accommodate the bending structure created when the foldable screen is folded (as shown in <FIG>). In this way, a tendency of the foldable screen to deform away from the rotating shaft mechanism can be avoided, i.e., the foldable screen can deform concavely toward the rotating shaft mechanism in a natural bending state without external support for the arching, thereby preventing the foldable screen from deforming in a way that is not in accordance with its bending tendency. Therefore, the above-mentioned rotating shaft mechanism is able to protect the foldable screen when the foldable screen is folded, avoid damage to the foldable screen due to irregular deformation of the foldable screen, and prolong service life of the foldable screen.

Further, the connecting portion may also be configured to support the foldable screen, so as to prevent the foldable screen from collapsing in the unfolded state. Through the rotating and sliding connection relationship among the guide member, the linkage member, the support and the base, the rotating shaft mechanism can be directly set on the non-display side (i.e., backside) of the foldable screen and can support the foldable screen, to prevent the rotating shaft mechanism from being arranged on the surrounding edges of the foldable screen and occupying a bezel space of the electronic device, which is conducive to achieving a larger screen-to-body ratio.

In embodiments of the present application, the electronic device <NUM> can be a multipurpose phone that implements a small screen display, or a large screen display, or a bent screen display, and present multiple usage functions. For example, when the flexible display <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> is in a folded state, the first housing <NUM> can be stacked over the second housing <NUM>, and the electronic device <NUM> can be used as a cell phone, which is convenient for the user to carry and also occupies little space. When the flexible display <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> is bent at a certain angle, the first housing <NUM> is unfolded relative to the second housing <NUM>, and is angled relative to each other, the electronic device <NUM> can be used as a laptop computer. And when the flexible display <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> is unfolded, the first housing <NUM> is unfolded relative to the second housing <NUM>, and the two are flush with each other, the electronic device <NUM> can be used as a tablet computer to increase the display area, access to more display content, and improve the user experience. Of course, the electronic device <NUM> may also be a multipurpose tablet computer, or a multipurpose laptop computer, or other multi-functional electronic devices with multiple switching modes.

Referring to <FIG>, the flexible display <NUM> in this embodiment includes a first display portion <NUM> attached to the first housing <NUM>, a second display portion <NUM> attached to the second housing <NUM>, and a bent display portion <NUM> connected between the first display portion <NUM> and the second display portion <NUM>. The first display portion <NUM> and the second display portion <NUM> may be folded or unfolded relative to each other, along with the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> respectively. The bent display portion <NUM> is bent or unfolded as the first display portion <NUM> is folded or unfolded relative to the second display portion <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first display portion <NUM>, the second display portion <NUM>, and the bent display portion <NUM> may be of an integral structure so that the flexible display <NUM> is a whole-piece flexible display. Alternatively, in some other embodiments, the bent display portion <NUM> is a bendable flexible portion, while the first display portion <NUM>, the second display portion <NUM> may be a non-flexible portion, and the first display portion <NUM>, and the second display <NUM> are folded or unfolded relative to each other through the bent display portion <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A rotating shaft mechanism (<NUM>) for use in a foldable electronic device (<NUM>), comprising a base (<NUM>) and a rotating assembly (<NUM>) that are rotatably connected to each other, wherein the rotating assembly (<NUM>) comprises:
a support (<NUM>), spaced apart from the base (<NUM>);
a linkage member (<NUM>), arranged between the base (<NUM>) and the support (<NUM>); wherein the linkage member (<NUM>) comprises a body (<NUM>) and a driving portion (<NUM>) provided at the body (<NUM>), one end of the body (<NUM>) being rotatably connected to the base (<NUM>), the other end of the body (<NUM>) being slidably connected to the support (<NUM>); and
a guide member (<NUM>), comprising a connecting portion (<NUM>) and a guiding portion (<NUM>), wherein the connecting portion (<NUM>) is arranged at one side of the support (<NUM>) and is rotatably connected to the support (<NUM>), and the guiding portion (<NUM>) is arranged between the connecting portion (<NUM>) and the support (<NUM>) and is slidably connected to the driving portion (<NUM>) of the linkage member (<NUM>).