Patent Description:
A foldable display device is a display device with a display-screen folding function, and usually includes a hinge structure and a flexible display screen mounted on the hinge structure. The hinge structure may be configured to control folding of the flexible display screen.

<CIT> relates to a hinge, which pivots a cover to a base of an object, and consists of a sleeve, an acting counteraction bar, a passive counteraction bar, and an oil hydraulic member; the acting counteraction bar has a connecting section, and a slope section, and is fitted in one end of the sleeve, and joined to the cover at the connecting section; the passive counteraction bar has a slope section, and is held in the sleeve in a linearly slidable manner with its slope section touching the slope section of the acting counteraction bar; the hydraulic member has an acting end, and is pressed against other end of the passive counteraction bar; when the cover is being pivoted open, the slope section of the acting bar will slide on the slope section of the passive bar to push the passive bar for the hydraulic member to slow down the acting bar.

<CIT> relates to a hinge and a mobile terminal. The hinge includes a main body, and a first folding assembly and a second folding assembly that are symmetrically disposed along the main body. When the first folding assembly and the second folding assembly are rotated toward each other, a length of the hinge can be extended, and an accommodation space for accommodating the flexible display can be formed. When the first folding assembly and the second folding assembly are rotated away from each other, the length of the hinge can be reduced, and a support surface for supporting the flexible display can be formed, so that the flexible display cannot be stretched, compressed, or the like during folding and unfolding, thereby improving the use effect and safety of the mobile terminal.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a hinge structure and a foldable display device. The technical solution is described as follows.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a hinge structure is provided and includes a rotating shaft, a driving assembly and a connecting assembly. The driving assembly is connected to the connecting assembly and the rotating shaft. The driving assembly is configured to drive the connecting assembly to move relatively to the rotating shaft in a hydraulic manner and/or a pneumatic manner under drive of the rotating shaft when the rotating shaft rotates.

The driving assembly includes a pressure chamber and a driving member, the pressure chamber comprises a medium, and wherein the medium is a gas and/or a liquid. The driving member is movably inserted into a first end of the pressure chamber and linked with the rotating shaft, wherein the connecting assembly is movably inserted into a second end of the pressure chamber, wherein the driving member is configured to extend and retract in the pressure chamber under the drive of the rotating shaft, and wherein the driving member is configured to drive the connecting assembly to move relatively to the rotating shaft in the pressure chamber through the medium.

Optionally, the pressure chamber includes a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber interconnected with each other, the driving member is movably inserted into a first end of the first pressure chamber, the connecting assembly is movably inserted into a first end of the second pressure chamber, and a second end of the first pressure chamber is interconnected with a second end of the second pressure chamber. The first pressure chamber is arranged in the rotating shaft, wherein the driving assembly further includes a limit member arranged at the first pressure chamber, and wherein the limit member is connected to the driving member to allow the driving member to rotate synchronously with the rotating shaft.

Optionally, the hinge structure further includes a bracket, wherein the driving member includes a piston portion and a first connecting portion, and wherein the piston portion is movably inserted into the first end of the first pressure chamber. The first connecting portion is arranged at an end of the driving member away from the first pressure chamber and is threadedly connected with the bracket.

Optionally, the bracket includes a bracket body, an abutting portion and a rotating-shaft mounting portion, the abutting portion abuts against the bracket body and the rotating-shaft mounting portion, a side wall of the abutting portion, a side wall of the bracket body and a side wall of the rotating-shaft mounting portion define an accommodation space, and a part of the rotating shaft is arranged in the accommodation space. An end of the rotating shaft is inserted into the rotating-shaft mounting portion, wherein the abutting portion comprises a screw hole, and wherein the first connecting portion is threadedly connected in the screw hole.

Optionally, the limit member includes a limit slot formed in an inner wall of the first pressure chamber, and a length direction of the limit slot is parallel to a length direction of the driving member. The driving assembly further includes a limit member connected to an outer wall of the driving member and arranged in the limit slot.

Optionally, the limit slot is a through slot running through a chamber wall of the first pressure chamber or the limit slot is a groove in the inner wall of the first pressure chamber.

Optionally, the hinge structure further includes a connecting pipe having an end interconnected with the first pressure chamber and another end interconnected with the second pressure chamber.

Optionally, the hinge structure further includes a second connecting portion connected to the rotating shaft, the second pressure chamber is arranged to the second connecting portion, and the connecting pipe is arranged in the second connecting portion.

Optionally, the connecting assembly includes a connecting member, a piston rod and a sliding member, both the piston rod and the sliding member are arranged on the connecting member, and the piston rod is movably inserted into the first end of the second pressure chamber. The hinge structure further includes a sliding rail arranged on the second connecting portion, wherein a direction of the sliding rail is parallel to a length direction of the piston rod, and wherein the sliding member of the connecting assembly is slidably connected to the sliding rail.

Optionally, the connecting assembly further includes a relief notch formed in the connecting member, and the relief notch matches with an outer wall of the second pressure chamber and is configured to escape the second pressure chamber.

Optionally, the hinge structure further includes a synchronization assembly, the hinge structure comprises two hinge components, and each hinge component includes the rotating shaft, the driving assembly and the connecting assembly. The synchronization assembly is fitted with rotating shafts of the two hinge components, respectively, to allow the rotating shafts of the two hinge components to rotate synchronously and reversely.

Optionally, gear teeth are arranged on an outer side of the rotating shaft, the synchronization assembly includes two gears meshed with each other, and the two gears are meshed with the gear teeth on the rotating shafts of the two hinge components, respectively.

Optionally, the driving assembly is configured to drive the connecting assembly to move away from the rotating shaft under the drive of the rotating shaft when the rotating shaft rotates in a first direction, the driving assembly is further configured to drive the connecting assembly to move closer to the rotating shaft under the drive of the rotating shaft when the rotating shaft rotates in a second direction, and the second direction is opposite to the first direction.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a foldable display device is provided and includes: a hinge structure according to any one of the above embodiments and a flexible display panel arranged on the hinge structure.

The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present invention include at least following beneficial effects.

The hinge structure including the rotating shaft, the driving assembly and the connecting assembly is provided, wherein the driving assembly may drive the connecting assembly to move away from or closer to the rotating shaft in the hydraulic manner and/or the pneumatic manner when the rotating shaft rotates, such that the connecting assembly may control the flexible display panel when the rotating shaft rotates. In addition, the hinge structure drives the connecting member in the hydraulic manner and/or the pneumatic manner without being connected to an external control circuit, thereby occupying less space, which solves the problems of a complex structure and a large space occupation of an electric driving assembly and the external control circuit in the related art, and achieves the effect of reducing the space occupied by the hinge structure.

In addition, the driving assembly may provide a damping effect during the rotation of the rotating shaft. On the one hand, the experience of a user can be improved while the user rotates the rotating shaft. On the other hand, there is no need to provide an additional damping structure in the hinge structure, which further simplifies the hinge structure and reduces the space occupied by the hinge structure.

It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention.

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

These drawings and descriptions are not construed to limit the scope of the concept of the present invention in any way, but are intended to explain the concept of the present invention to those skilled in the related art by referring to specific embodiments.

Reference will now be described in detail to examples, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The examples described in the following do not represent all possible examples consistent with the present invention. Instead, they are merely examples of devices and methods consistent with aspects of the invention as detailed in the appended claims.

A foldable display device in the related art includes a hinge structure and a flexible display screen mounted on the hinge structure. The hinge structure includes a bracket, an electric driving assembly and two hinge components. The electric driving assembly and the hinge components are mounted on the bracket, and the hinge component has a retractable structure. The electric driving assembly is connected to a control circuit in the foldable display device, and is configured to drive the retractable structure of the hinge component to extend and retract under the control of the control circuit, so as to control a bent potion of the flexible display screen during the folding of the flexible display screen, thereby preventing the bent portion from being squeezed or reducing creases at the bent portion.

However, in the above hinge structure, the electric driving assembly needs to be connected with an external control circuit, while the structures of the electric driving assembly and the external control circuit are complex and occupy a large space.

<FIG> is a schematic view of a hinge structure according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. A hinge structure <NUM> includes a rotating shaft <NUM>, a driving assembly <NUM> and a connecting assembly <NUM>.

The driving assembly <NUM> is connected to the connecting assembly <NUM> and the rotating shaft <NUM>, respectively. The driving assembly <NUM> is configured to drive the connecting assembly <NUM> to move away from or closer to the rotating shaft <NUM> in a hydraulic and/or pneumatic manner under the drive of the rotating shaft <NUM> when the rotating shaft <NUM> rotates.

To sum up, an illustrative embodiment of the present invention provides a hinge structure including a rotating shaft, a driving assembly and a connecting assembly, and the driving assembly may drive the connecting assembly to move away from or closer to the rotating shaft in a hydraulic manner and/or a pneumatic manner under the drive of the rotating shaft, when the rotating shaft rotates, such that the connecting assembly may control a flexible display panel when the rotating shaft rotates. In addition, the hinge structure drives the connecting assembly in the hydraulic manner and/or the pneumatic manner without being connected to an external control circuit, thereby occupying less space, which solves the problems of a complex structure and a large space occupation of an electric driving assembly and the external control circuit in the related art, and achieves the effect of reducing the space occupied by the hinge structure.

As illustrated in <FIG>, for example, the hinge structure <NUM> includes two hinge components 21a, and each hinge component 21a includes a rotating shaft <NUM>, a driving assembly <NUM> and a connecting assembly <NUM>. A schematic view of one hinge component 21a is shown in a dashed-line box of <FIG>. The driving assembly <NUM> includes a pressure chamber 2a and a driving member 2b, the pressure chamber 2a contains a medium, which is a gas and/or a liquid. The medium is a working medium for transmitting power and signals in the driving assembly <NUM>, and may be various mixed gases, a high water-based flame resistant hydraulic fluid, a water glycol hydraulic fluid, a phosphate ester hydraulic fluid, a fatty acid ester hydraulic fluid, an anti-wear hydraulic fluid, a petroleum hydraulic oil, a synthetic hydraulic oil and a non-flammable hydraulic oil, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present invention. Of course, the hinge structure <NUM> may also include more hinge components 21a, such as three, four, etc., which is not limited in the embodiments of the present invention.

The driving member 2b is movably inserted into one end of the pressure chamber 2a and linked with the rotating shaft <NUM>, and the connecting assembly <NUM> is movably inserted into the other end of the pressure chamber 2a. The driving member 2b is configured to extend and retract in the pressure chamber 2a under the drive of the rotating shaft <NUM>, and drives the connecting assembly <NUM> to move away from or closer to the rotating shaft <NUM> in the pressure chamber 2a through the medium. In this way, the driving member 2b can extend and retract to drive the connecting assembly <NUM> to move, thereby facilitating a folding control of the flexible display panel.

For example, the pressure chamber 2a includes a first pressure chamber 2a1 and a second pressure chamber 2a2 interconnected (i.e. communicated or in communication) with each other, the driving member 2b is movably inserted into one end of the first pressure chamber 2a1, and the connecting assembly <NUM> is movably inserted into one end of the second pressure chamber 2a2. Further, the other end of the first pressure chamber 2a1 is interconnected (i.e. communicated or in communication) with the other end of the second pressure chamber 2a2.

The first pressure chamber 2a1 is located in the rotating shaft <NUM>, and the driving assembly <NUM> further includes a limit member 2e located at the first pressure chamber 2a1. The limit member 2e is connected to the driving member 2b such that the driving member 2b rotates synchronously with the rotating shaft <NUM>. Since the limit member 2e is connected to the driving member 2b, when the driving member 2b rotates synchronously with the rotating shaft <NUM>, the driving member 2b can only extend and retract along an axial direction of the rotating shaft <NUM> without rotating relative to the rotating shaft <NUM>.

In an illustrative embodiment, the first pressure chamber 2a1 may also be located outside the rotating shaft <NUM>, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present invention.

In addition, the above limit member 2e is a means to link the driving member 2b with the rotating shaft <NUM>, while the driving member 2b and the rotating shaft <NUM> may also be linked by other means. For example, the hinge structure may also include a linkage gear, and the driving member 2b and the rotating shaft <NUM> may be linked through the linkage gear, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present invention.

<FIG> is an exploded view of the hinge structure shown in <FIG>. In an illustrative embodiment, the hinge structure <NUM> further includes a bracket <NUM>, the driving member 2b includes a piston portion 2b1 and a first connecting portion 2b2, and the piston portion 2b1 is movably inserted into one end of the first pressure chamber 2a1. In this way, the piston portion 2b1 may perform a piston movement in the first pressure chamber 2a1 to push the medium in the first pressure chamber 2a1 into the second pressure chamber 2a2, or suck the medium in the second pressure chamber 2a2 into the first pressure chamber 2a1.

The first connecting portion 2b2 is located at an end of the driving member 2b away from the first pressure chamber 2a1 and is threadedly connected with the bracket <NUM>. The first connecting portion 2b2 may have an external thread, that is, the first connecting portion 2b2 may be a screw rod, so as to be threadedly connected with the bracket <NUM>. For example, the driving member 2b may have a rod shape. Accordingly, the piston portion 2b <NUM> may be a piston rod, and the piston rod and the screw rod serving as the first connecting portion 2b2 are integral.

For example, the bracket <NUM> includes a bracket body <NUM>, an abutting portion <NUM> and a rotating-shaft mounting portion <NUM>. The abutting portion <NUM> abuts against the bracket body <NUM> and the rotating-shaft mounting portion <NUM>. A side wall of the abutting portion <NUM>, a side wall of the bracket body <NUM> and a side wall of the rotating-shaft mounting portion <NUM> define an accommodation space, and a part of the rotating shaft <NUM> is located in the accommodation space. The bracket body <NUM> and the rotating-shaft mounting portion <NUM> may be integral, and the abutting portion <NUM> may be welded to the rotating-shaft mounting portion <NUM>. An end of the rotating shaft <NUM> is inserted into the rotating-shaft mounting portion <NUM>.

The abutting portion <NUM> has a screw hole <NUM>, and the first connecting portion 2b2 is threadedly connected in the screw hole <NUM>. Since the piston portion 2b1 connected to the first connecting portion 2b2 is movably inserted into one end of the first pressure chamber 2a1 inside the rotating shaft <NUM>, the rotating shaft <NUM> can be limited by the first connecting portion 2b2 and the end of the rotating shaft <NUM> that is inserted into the rotating-shaft mounting portion <NUM>, so as to prevent the rotating shaft from being separated from the bracket <NUM>. In this way, when the rotating shaft <NUM> rotates, the driving member 2b moves away from the first pressure chamber 2a1 or closer to the first pressure chamber 2a1 under an action of the screw hole <NUM>, that is, the driving member 2b may extend and retract in the first pressure chamber 2a1, so as to push the medium out of the first pressure chamber 2a1 or suck the medium into the first pressure chamber 2a1.

For example, the limit member 2e includes a limit slot 2e1 formed in an inner wall of the first pressure chamber 2a1, and a length direction h of the limit slot 2e1 is parallel to a length direction of the driving member 2b. The limit slot 2e1 may have a strip shape.

The driving assembly <NUM> further includes a limit member 2f connected to an outer wall of the driving member 2b and located in the limit slot 2e1. Alternatively, the limit member 2f and the driving member 2b may be integral to improve the firmness between the limit member 2f and the driving member 2b.

The limit member 2e may be the limit slot 2e1, and the length direction of the limit slot 2e1 may be parallel to the length direction of the driving member 2b. In this way, the limit slot 2e1 may be fitted with the limit member 2f to limit a moving direction of the driving member 2b, such that the driving member 2b can only extend and retract in the length direction of the driving member 2b relative to the first pressure chamber 2a1.

In embodiments of the present invention, the limit slot may have at least two types of structures. One type of structure may be as illustrated in <FIG> is a schematic view of the rotating shaft <NUM> shown in <FIG> viewed along a direction f (i.e. the axial direction). The limit slot 2e1 may be a through slot running or extending through a chamber wall (which includes the inner side wall and also an outer side wall) of the first pressure chamber 2a1, and the limit member 2f on the driving member 2b may be located in the through slot to limit the driving member 2b. Due to its large depth, the limit slot 2e1 with this type of structure runs through the chamber wall of the first pressure chamber 2a1, such that the stability is relatively high. Thus, a small number (such as <NUM>-<NUM>) of the limit slots may be provided to stably limit the driving member 2b.

Another type of structure may be as illustrated in <FIG> is another schematic view of the rotating shaft in the hinge structure provided by an embodiment of the present invention, viewed along the axial direction. The limit slot 2e1 may also be a groove in the inner wall of the first pressure chamber 2a1. In the hinge structure provided by the embodiments of the present invention, the limit slot in the rotating shaft of the two hinge components may be any one of the above two structures.

The limit member may include at least two limit slots 2e1 (<FIG> shows a case that there are four grooves serving as the limit slots, however, there may be other numbers of limit slots, such as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc., which is not limited in the embodiments of the present invention). The driving assembly <NUM> further includes at least two limit elements in a one-to-one correspondence with the at least two limit slots 2e1. When the limit member is the groove in the inner wall of the first pressure chamber 2a1, the stability is reduced relative to the through slot. Therefore, at least two limit slots 2e1 and at least two limit elements in a one-to-one correspondence with the at least two limit slots 2e1 may be adopted to strengthen the stability. Moreover, when the limit member is the through slot in the inner wall of the first pressure chamber 2a1, at least two limit slots 2e1 and at least two limit elements in a one-to-one correspondence with the at least two limit slots 2e1 may also be adopted to strengthen the limit effect, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present invention.

For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the hinge structure <NUM> further includes a connecting pipe <NUM> having an end interconnected (i.e. communicated or in communication) with the first pressure chamber 2a1 and another end interconnected (i.e. communicated or in communication) with the second pressure chamber 2a2. The connecting pipe <NUM> may communicate the first pressure chamber 2a1 with the second pressure chamber 2a2, and the medium may enter the first pressure chamber 2a1 or the second pressure chamber 2a2 through the connecting pipe <NUM>.

For example, the hinge component further includes a second connecting portion <NUM> connected to the rotating shaft <NUM>, the second pressure chamber 2a2 is arranged or connected to the second connecting portion <NUM>, and the connecting pipe <NUM> is located in the second connecting portion <NUM>. The second connecting portion <NUM> is connected to the rotating shaft <NUM> and may rotate along with the rotating shaft <NUM>. The connecting pipe <NUM> is arranged in the second connecting portion <NUM> to provide a flow channel for the medium to flow between the first pressure chamber 2a1 and the second pressure chamber 2a2 when the rotating shaft <NUM> rotates, without affecting a normal operation of the hinge structure. For example, the second connecting portion <NUM> may have a plate shape.

<FIG> shows a structure in which the connecting pipe <NUM> is located in the second connecting portion <NUM>. However, the connecting pipe <NUM> may also be arranged in other ways. For example, the connecting pipe <NUM> may be a pipeline located outside the second connecting portion <NUM>, for the communication between the first pressure chamber 2a1 and the second pressure chamber 2a2. This arrangement has the effect that the arrangement is less difficult and the hydraulic pipes can be easily replaced.

In another illustrative embodiment, the second connecting portion <NUM> may have a bent relief section <NUM> bent towards a side of the hinge structure (a bending direction may be perpendicular to an axis of the rotating shaft), the bent relief section <NUM> may be configured to escape other external structures located on the side of the hinge structure, such as a housing (not shown in <FIG>), and the housing may cover the side of the hinge structure, so as to protect an internal configuration of the hinge structure.

<FIG> is a schematic view of a hinge structure in a folded state according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a sectional view of the hinge structure shown in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the connecting assembly <NUM> includes a connecting member <NUM>, a piston rod <NUM> and a sliding member <NUM>. Both the piston rod <NUM> and the sliding member <NUM> are arranged on the connecting member <NUM>, and the piston rod <NUM> is movably inserted into one end of the second pressure chamber 2a2.

The hinge structure <NUM> further includes a sliding rail <NUM> located on the second connecting portion <NUM>, wherein a direction of the sliding rail <NUM> is parallel to a length direction n of the piston rod <NUM>, and wherein the sliding member <NUM> of the connecting assembly <NUM> is slidably connected to the sliding rail <NUM>. The sliding rail <NUM> may be configured to assist the piston rod <NUM> in limiting a moving direction of the connecting member <NUM>, such that the moving direction of the connecting member <NUM> is the same as that of the piston rod <NUM>.

As can be seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, the medium contained in the first pressure chamber 2a1 is pushed into the connecting pipe <NUM> by the driving member 2b, and the medium flows into the second pressure chamber 2a2 via the connecting pipe <NUM>, and pushes the piston rod <NUM> to move in the second pressure chamber 2a2, so as to achieve the sliding of the connecting portion <NUM> on the sliding rail <NUM>. Thus, the hinge structure can lift the flexible display panel when the flexible display panel is folded, so as to prevent a bent portion of the flexible display panel from be squeezed.

For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the connecting assembly <NUM> further includes a relief notch q formed in the connecting member <NUM>, and the relief notch q matches with an outer wall of the second pressure chamber 2a2 to escape the second pressure chamber 2a2. When the connecting assembly <NUM> moves closer to the rotating shaft <NUM>, the outer wall of the second pressure chamber 2a2 may enter the relief notch q to prevent the outer wall of the second pressure chamber 2a2 from blocking the connecting assembly <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the connecting assembly further includes a connecting terminal <NUM> arranged on the connecting member <NUM> for fixing the flexible display panel (for example, the connecting terminal <NUM> may be configured to be connected with a middle frame of the flexible display panel). For example, the connecting terminal <NUM> may have a ring shape to facilitate a bolted connection.

<FIG> is a schematic view of a hinge structure in a folded state according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, viewed along the axis direction of the rotating shaft <NUM>. <FIG> is a sectional view of a hinge structure in an unfolded state according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The folded state may refer to a state of the hinge structure <NUM> when an included angle between the two second connecting portions <NUM> in the hinge structure <NUM> is less than a specified number of degrees (such as <NUM> degrees). The unfolded state refers to a state of the hinge structure when the included angle between the two second connecting portions <NUM> in the hinge structure of a foldable display device is greater than or equal to a specified number of degrees. Of course, the unfolded state further includes a fully unfolded state, which may refer to a state of the hinge structure when the flexible display panel connected to the hinge structure is in a flat state.

In an illustrative embodiment, both hinge components 21a in the hinge structure <NUM> may be driven by the above driving assembly <NUM>. When both hinge components are driven by the driving assembly <NUM>, a damping structure, a control circuit and an electric driving structure do not need to be provided additionally for the two hinge components, thus simplifying the structure and saving the space.

It should be noted that in the hinge structure provided by the embodiments of the present invention, one of the two hinge components <NUM> may be driven by the driving assembly, and the other hinge component may be driven by other means, for example, driven by the electric driving structure, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present invention.

For example, the hinge structure <NUM> further includes a synchronization assembly <NUM> fitted with the rotating shafts <NUM> of the two hinge components 21a respectively, such that the rotating shafts <NUM> of the two hinge components 21a may rotate synchronously and reversely. For example, one rotating shaft rotates counterclockwise and the other rotating shaft rotates clockwise.

The synchronization assembly <NUM> may maintain the rotating shafts <NUM> of the two hinge components 21a of the hinge structure <NUM> rotating synchronously and reversely, so as to achieve the folding or unfolding of the flexible display panel. Thus, rotation amplitudes of two sides of the flexible display panel rotating along the rotating shafts may be consistent during the folding and unfolding of the flexible display panel.

<FIG> is a bottom view of the hinge structure shown in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, gear teeth <NUM> are provided on an outer side the rotating shaft <NUM>. The synchronization assembly <NUM> includes two gears <NUM>, shafts c of the two gears <NUM> and spindles d of the rotating shafts <NUM> of the two hinge components 21a are arranged on the bracket <NUM>. The shaft c of the gear <NUM> and the spindle d of the rotating shaft <NUM> may have an effect of fixing the gear <NUM> and the rotating shaft <NUM>, the two gears <NUM> are meshed with each other, and the two gears <NUM> are meshed with the gear teeth <NUM> on the rotating shafts <NUM> of the two hinge components 21a, respectively. In this way, when the second connecting portion <NUM> in one hinge component 21a drives the rotating shaft <NUM> to rotate, the gear teeth <NUM> on the rotating shaft <NUM> may sequentially drive the two gears <NUM> in the synchronization assembly <NUM> to rotate. According to characteristics of gear transmission, in the two gears <NUM>, a rotation direction of the gear <NUM> meshed with the gear teeth <NUM> on the rotating shaft <NUM> is opposite to that of the rotating shaft <NUM>, and a rotation direction of the other gear <NUM> is the same with that of the rotating shaft <NUM>. Thus, a rotation direction of the rotating shaft in the other hinge component 21a meshed with the other gear <NUM> is opposite to that of the rotating shaft <NUM>. In this way, a function of synchronous and reverse rotation of the two hinge components 21a is achieved. With respect to the structure of the synchronization assembly <NUM> reference is also made to the content shown in <FIG>.

The embodiment of the present invention provides a structure in which the synchronization assembly <NUM> includes two gears. The synchronization assembly adopts a gear transmission means, such that the transmission accuracy is high, and a working structure of the hinge structure is reliable and has a long service life.

The flexible display panel may be folded in two ways, namely folded inwardly and folded outwardly, in which a display surface of the flexible display panel for displaying images may be divided into two sub display surfaces by a folded portion (i.e. the bent portion). When the flexible display panel is folded inwardly, the two sub display surfaces are located on an inner side of the flexible display panel, and when the flexible display panel is folded outwardly, the two sub display surfaces of the flexible display panel are located on an outer side of the flexible display panel. The hinge structure provided by the illustrative embodiment may be applied to these two ways of folding.

When the flexible display panel is folded inwardly, and the two hinge components 21a are in the folded state, the flexible display panel is located on an inner side of the hinge structure <NUM> and the connecting assembly <NUM> is in an extended state. In this way, the flexible display panel may be pushed away by the connecting assembly <NUM> in the folded state, such that the folded portion of the flexible display panel is away from the hinge structure, thereby preventing the hinge structure and the flexible display panel from squeezing each other, so as not to damage the flexible display panel.

When the flexible display panel is folded outwardly, and the two hinge components 21a are in the folded state, the flexible display panel is located on outer side of the hinge structure <NUM> and the connecting assembly <NUM> is in a retracted state. In this way, the flexible display panel may be pushed away by the connecting assembly <NUM> in the folded state, such that the folded portion of the flexible display panel is away from the hinge structure, thereby preventing the hinge structure and the flexible display panel from squeezing each other, so as not to damage the flexible display panel. In addition, when the two hinge components 21a are in the unfolded state, the piston rod <NUM> is in the extended state, such that in the unfolded state, the folded portion of the flexible display panel may be stretched by the connecting assembly <NUM>, so as to reduce creases at the folded portion.

That is, when the flexible display panel is folded inwardly or outwardly, the hinge structure provided by the illustrative embodiment can prevent the folded portion of the flexible display panel from being squeezed, and when the flexible display panel is unfolded to be flat, the hinge structure provided by the illustrative embodiment can also reduce the creases at the folded portion by stretching the flexible display panel.

To sum up, an illustrative embodiment of the present invention provides a hinge structure including a rotating shaft, a driving assembly and a connecting assembly, and the driving assembly may drive the connecting assembly to move away from or closer to (approach) the rotating shaft in a hydraulic and/or pneumatic manner when the rotating shaft rotates, such that the connecting assembly may control the flexible display panel when the rotating shaft rotates. In addition, the hinge structure drives the connecting assembly in the hydraulic manner and/or the pneumatic manner without being connected to an external control circuit, thereby occupying less space, which solves the problems of a complex structure and a large space occupation of an electric driving assembly and the external control circuit in the related art, and achieves the effect of reducing the space occupied by the hinge structure.

In addition, the driving assembly may provide a damping effect during the rotation of the rotating shaft. On the one hand, the experience of a user may be improved while the user rotates the rotating shaft. On the other hand, there is no need to provide an additional damping structure in the hinge structure, which further simplifies the hinge structure and reduces the space occupied by the hinge structure.

Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention also provide a foldable display device. The foldable display device includes a flexible display panel and any one of the above hinge structures, and the flexible display panel is arranged on the hinge structure. The hinge structure may be arranged at a folded portion of the flexible display panel.

The foldable display device may include one or more hinge structures provided by the above embodiments, for example, two, three, four or more hinge structures may be provided, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present invention. For example, the larger the size of the flexible display panel, the more the number of hinge structures may be.

In addition, the flexible display panel may be an organic light emitting diode display panel or another display panel having flexibility.

The foldable display device may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, a notebook computer, an intelligent wearable device, etc..

The foldable display device may also include other components for realizing various functions, such as a processor, a memory, a device interface, a RF circuit, a camera component, an audio circuit, a positioning component, a power supply, one or more sensors (such as an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a pressure sensor, a fingerprint sensor, an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, etc.).

<FIG> is a schematic view of a foldable display device in a folded state provided by an embodiment of the present invention, in which the foldable display device is a foldable display device configured to be folded inwardly. As illustrated in <FIG>, the hinge structure <NUM> is located on an outer side of a flexible display panel <NUM>, and the connecting assembly <NUM> in the hinge structure <NUM> is connected to the flexible display panel <NUM> (of course, the connecting assembly <NUM> may also be indirectly connected to the flexible display panel <NUM> through other structures, for example, the flexible display panel <NUM> may be arranged on a frame, and the connecting assembly <NUM> may be connected to the frame). While the foldable display device is switched from an unfolded state to the folded state, the connecting assembly <NUM> may move away from the rotating shaft <NUM> in a direction f1 such that a folded portion z of the flexible display panel <NUM> is away from the hinge structure <NUM>, thereby preventing the flexible display panel <NUM> and the hinge structure from squeezing each other, and improving the protection effect for the flexible display panel <NUM> and the hinge structure <NUM>.

In addition, <FIG> is a schematic view of a foldable display device in a folded state provided by an embodiment of the present invention, in which the foldable display device is a foldable display device configured to be folded outwardly. As illustrated in <FIG>, the hinge structure <NUM> is located on an inner side of the flexible display panel <NUM>, and the connecting assembly <NUM> in the hinge structure <NUM> is connected to the flexible display panel <NUM> (of course, the connecting assembly <NUM> may also be indirectly connected to the flexible display panel <NUM> through other structures, for example, the flexible display panel <NUM> may be arranged on the frame (such as a middle frame), and the connecting assembly <NUM> may be connected to the frame). While the foldable display device is switched from the unfolded state to the folded state, the connecting assembly <NUM> may move closer to the rotating shaft <NUM> in a direction f2 such that the folded portion z of the flexible display panel <NUM> is away from the hinge structure <NUM>, thereby preventing the flexible display panel <NUM> and the hinge structure from squeezing each other, and improving the protection effect for the flexible display panel <NUM> and the hinge structure <NUM>.

In addition, <FIG> is a schematic view of a foldable display device in an unfolded state provided by an embodiment of the present invention, in which the foldable display device is a foldable display device configured to be folded outwardly. As illustrated in <FIG>, while the foldable display device is switched from the folded state to the unfolded state, the connecting assembly <NUM> may move away from the rotating shaft <NUM> in a direction f to stretch the folded portion z of the flexible display panel <NUM>, so as to reduce or eliminate creases at the folded portion z, and improve the display effect of the flexible display panel.

It should be noted that in order to clearly show the hinge structure <NUM> in <FIG>, the hinge structure <NUM> is arranged at an edge of the flexible display panel <NUM>. However, these drawings do not limit the position of the hinge structure <NUM>. The folded portion of the flexible display panel may be a strip area, and the hinge structure <NUM> may also be connected to other parts of the strip area.

To sum up, an illustrative embodiment of the present invention provides a display device including a flexible display panel and a hinge structure, the flexible display panel is arranged on the hinge structure, and the hinge structure includes a rotating shaft, a driving assembly and a connecting assembly. The driving assembly may drive the connecting assembly to move away from or closer to the rotating shaft in a hydraulic manner and/or a pneumatic manner under the drive of the rotating shaft, when the rotating shaft rotates, such that the connecting assembly may control the flexible display panel when the rotating shaft rotates. In addition, the hinge structure drives the connecting assembly in the hydraulic manner and/or the pneumatic manner without being connected to an external control circuit, thereby occupying less space, which solves the problems of a complex structure and a large space occupation of an electric driving assembly and the external control circuit in the related art, and achieves the effect of reducing the space occupied by the hinge structure.

Terms used in the present invention are merely for describing specific examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. The singular forms "one", "the", and "this" used in the present invention and the appended claims are also intended to include a multiple form, unless other meanings are clearly represented in the context. The term "and/or" in the present invention only represent an association relationship describing the associated objects, which means that there may be three relationships. For example, A and/or B may mean that there are three situations: A alone, A and B, and B alone. In addition, the character "j" herein generally means that the front and rear associated objects are in an "or" relationship.

Claim 1:
A hinge structure (<NUM>), comprising:
a rotating shaft (<NUM>) and a connecting assembly (<NUM>); and
a driving assembly (<NUM>) connected to the connecting assembly (<NUM>) and the rotating shaft (<NUM>), wherein the driving assembly (<NUM>) is configured to drive the connecting assembly (<NUM>) to move relatively to the rotating shaft (<NUM>) in a hydraulic manner or a pneumatic manner under drive of the rotating shaft (<NUM>) when the rotating shaft (<NUM>) rotates,
wherein the driving assembly (<NUM>) comprises:
a pressure chamber (2a) comprising a medium, the medium being a gas or a liquid; and
a driving member (2b) movably inserted into a first end of the pressure chamber (2a),
wherein the driving member (2b) is configured to extend and retract in the pressure chamber (2a) under the drive of the rotating shaft (<NUM>),
characterized in that,
the driving member (2b) is linked with the rotating shaft (<NUM>);
the connecting assembly (<NUM>) is movably inserted into a second end of the pressure chamber (2a); and
the driving member (2b) is configured to drive the connecting assembly (<NUM>) to move relatively to the rotating shaft (<NUM>) in the pressure chamber (2a) through the medium.