Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to the field of folding of foldable screens, and more particularly, to a rotating device capable of folding a flexible screen, a housing provided with the rotating device, and an electronic device provided with the housing.

Flexible display screens are widely favored by consumers due to their advantages such as bendability, curved surfaces, flexibility, and stretchability. Generally, existing flexible display screens are supported on a housing of an electronic device through hinges, such that the flexible display screens can be supported and folded. However, the existing hinges generally include several links, several rotation shafts, a damping mechanism, and the like. Accordingly, the existing hinges have a complex structure, and the manufacturing cost thereof is high. <CIT> discloses a bending hinge apparatus capable of converting body and display cases into one thin plate shape and an electronic apparatus including the same. <CIT> discloses an infolding flexible screen mobile terminal's hinge. <CIT> discloses a hinge mechanism suitable for a foldable electronic device.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a rotating device having a simple structure, a housing provided with the rotating device, and an electronic device provided with the housing.

To solve the above technical problems, the present disclosure provides a rotating device. The rotating device includes at least one pair of rotation assemblies, and a gear assembly located between the at least one pair of rotation assemblies. Each rotation assembly of the at least one pair of rotation assemblies includes a support frame and a rotating rack rotatably connected to the support frame. The rotating rack is provided with a driving gear engaging with the gear assembly. The rotating racks of one pair of rotation assemblies are synchronously rotatable by rotating the rotating rack relative to a corresponding support frame; driving, by the rotation of the rotating rack, a corresponding driving gear to rotate; and further rotating, by the rotation of the corresponding driving gear, the gear assembly. In each rotation assembly of the at least one pair of rotation assemblies, a rotation shaft between the support frame and the rotating rack is a virtual shaft, and an axis of the virtual shaft is located outside the rotation assembly.

In at least one embodiment, in each rotation assembly of the at least one pair of rotation assemblies, the support frame and the rotating rack are connected to each other through a first arc-shaped groove and a first rotating rib that are mutually matched with each other.

In at least one embodiment, the first arc-shaped groove is defined in the support frame, and the first rotating rib is provided on the rotating rack; or the first arc-shaped groove is defined in the rotating rack, and the first rotating rib is provided on the support frame; and the first rotating rib is slidably accommodated in the first arc-shaped groove.

In at least one embodiment, an accommodating space is defined in the support frame, the rotating rack includes a rotating block protruding from the rotating rack and rotatably accommodated in the accommodating space; and the rotating block and the support frame are connected to each other through the first arc-shaped groove and the first rotating rib.

In at least one embodiment, the gear assembly includes transmission gears engaging with each other and engaging with the driving gears of the rotating racks of one pair of rotation assemblies.

In at least one embodiment, the transmission gears include one pair of first transmission gears engaging with each other, the one pair of first transmission gears respectively engaging with the driving gears of the rotating racks of one pair of rotation assemblies; each first transmission gear of the one pair of first transmission gears is sleeved on a first rotation shaft, an axis of the first rotation shaft being parallel to an axis of the driving gear; and two opposite ends of the first rotation shaft are connected between the at least one pair of rotation assemblies.

In at least one embodiment, the transmission gears include one pair of first transmission gears parallel to and spaced apart from each other, and one pair of second transmission gears located between the one pair of first transmission gears; the one pair of first transmission gears respectively engage with the driving gears of the rotating racks of one pair of rotation assemblies; second transmission gears of the one pair of second transmission gears engage with each other and respectively engage with first transmission gears of the one pair of first transmission gears.

In at least one embodiment, each first transmission gear of the one pair of first transmission gears is sleeved on a first rotation shaft; each second transmission gear of the one pair of second transmission gears is sleeved on a second rotation shaft; the first rotation shaft is parallel to the second rotation shaft; and two opposite ends of each of the first rotation shaft and the second rotation shaft are connected between the at least one pair of rotation assemblies.

In at least one embodiment, the rotating device further include a shell, and the support frames of the at least one pair of rotation assemblies are fixed in the shell.

The present disclosure further provides a housing. The housing includes a first frame body, a second frame body, and the rotating device as described above. The rotating device is connected between the first frame body and the second frame body. The rotating device is configured to fold or unfold the first frame body and the second frame body.

In at least one embodiment, a first accommodating groove is defined on a side adjacent to the second frame body of the first frame body, a second accommodating groove is defined on a side adjacent to the first frame body of the second frame body, and the rotating device is accommodated in a space defined by the first accommodating groove and the second accommodating groove.

In at least one embodiment, a first mounting groove is defined in the first frame body, a second mounting groove is defined in the second frame body, the rotating racks of one pair of rotation assemblies of the rotating device are connected into the first mounting groove of the first frame body and the second mounting groove of the second frame body, respectively.

The present disclosure further provides an electronic device. The electronic device includes a flexible screen and the housing as described above. The flexible screen is arranged on the housing.

In at least one embodiment, a first flat plate is provided between the first frame body and the flexible screen, and a second flat plate is provided between the second frame body and the flexible screen, respectively; a support sheet is attached to a side surface of the flexible screen facing towards the housing, and the support sheet is attached to the first flat plate and the second plate.

In the present disclosure, the rotating device of the electronic device includes one pair of rotation assemblies and a gear assembly located between the one pair of rotation assemblies; the rotating rack of each rotation assembly is rotatably connected to the support frame; ends of the rotating racks of the one pair of rotating racks that are facing away from corresponding support frames are connected to a first frame body and a second frame body, respectively; and the driving gear on each rotating rack engages with the gear assembly. One rotating rack rotates relative to a corresponding support frame and drives a corresponding driving gear to rotate, the driving gear drives the rotation assembly to rotate, thereby allowing the rotating racks of one pair of rotation assemblies to synchronously rotate. In this way, the first frame body and the second frame body can be folded or unfolded, and the rotating device can realize synchronous linkage rotation, facilitate folding or unfolding of the electronic device, and the rotating device is convenient to use. In addition, the rotating device has a simple structure, which can be assembled and disassembled easily, thereby saving the time for assembly and disassembly and reducing the production costs.

In order to clearly explain technical solutions of embodiments of the present disclosure, drawings used in embodiments are briefly described below. The drawings as described below are merely some embodiments of the present disclosure. Based on these drawings, other obvious variants can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort.

The technical solutions according to the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below in combination with the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiments described below are only a part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than all of the embodiments. On basis of the embodiments in the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by a person skilled in the art without creative labor shall fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

<FIG> is a schematic perspective view of an electronic device according to Embodiment <NUM> of the present disclosure. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of an electronic device in <FIG>. <FIG> is an exploded view of a rotating device and a shell in <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM> of the present disclosure includes a housing <NUM> and a flexible screen <NUM> disposed on the housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> includes a first frame body <NUM>, a second frame body <NUM>, and a rotating device <NUM> connected between the first frame body <NUM> and the second frame body <NUM>. The flexible screen <NUM> is disposed on the first frame body <NUM>, the second frame body <NUM>, and the rotating device <NUM>. The flexible screen <NUM> has a foldable region <NUM> corresponding to the rotating device <NUM>, and two non-foldable regions <NUM> connected to two opposite sides of the foldable region <NUM>. The rotating device <NUM> is supported on a rear surface of the foldable region <NUM> of the flexible screen <NUM>. The rotating device <NUM> is configured to fold or unfold the first frame body <NUM> and the second frame body <NUM>. The rotating device <NUM> includes at least one pair of rotation assemblies <NUM>, a gear assembly <NUM> located between the at least one pair of rotation assemblies <NUM>, and a shell <NUM>. The rotation assembly <NUM> is fixed in the shell <NUM>. Each rotation assembly <NUM> includes a support frame <NUM>, and a rotating rack <NUM> rotatably connected to the support frame <NUM>. The rotating rack <NUM> is provided with a driving gear <NUM> engaging with the gear assembly <NUM>. The rotating racks <NUM> of the at least one pair of rotation assemblies <NUM> are fixed to the first frame body <NUM> and the second frame body <NUM>, respectively. The rotating rack <NUM> is rotatable relative to a corresponding support frame <NUM> to drive a corresponding driving gear <NUM> to rotate, and the corresponding driving gear <NUM> drives the gear assembly <NUM> to rotate, so as to allow two rotating racks <NUM> to rotate synchronically. In this way, the first frame body <NUM> and the second frame body <NUM> can synchronously rotate towards each other or away from each other. That is, the first frame body <NUM> and the second frame body <NUM> are folded or unfolded through a linkage mechanism.

In an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> is a mobile phone. It can be understood that, in other embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may be, but not limited to, a radio phone, a pager, a Web browser, a notebook, a calendar, and/or a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) of a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver.

In the present disclosure, the rotating device <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> includes one pair of rotation assemblies <NUM> and one gear assembly <NUM> located between the one pair of rotation assemblies <NUM>. A rotating rack <NUM> of each rotation assembly <NUM> is rotatably connected to a support frame <NUM>. For one pair of rotating racks <NUM>, ends of the rotating racks <NUM> facing away from the corresponding support frames <NUM> are connected to the first frame body <NUM> and the second frame body <NUM>, respectively. A driving gear <NUM> on each rotating rack <NUM> engages with the gear assembly <NUM>. One of the rotating racks <NUM> is rotated relative to the support frame <NUM> to drive a driving gear <NUM> to rotate, and the driving gear <NUM> drives the gear assembly <NUM> to rotate, so as to allow the one pair of rotating racks <NUM> to rotate synchronically, thereby folding or unfolding the first frame body <NUM> and the second frame body <NUM>. The rotating device <NUM> can realize a synchronous linkage rotation, which facilitates the folding or unfolding of the electronic device <NUM> and is convenient to use. In addition, the rotating device <NUM> has a simple structure, which can be assembled and disassembled conveniently, thereby saving the time for assembly and disassembly and reducing the production costs.

A rotation shaft between the support frame <NUM> and the rotating rack <NUM> of each rotation assembly <NUM> of the rotating device <NUM> is a virtual shaft. An axis of the virtual shaft is located outside the rotation assembly <NUM>. Specifically, the axes of the rotation shafts of the paired rotation assemblies <NUM> of the rotation device <NUM> are both located on a neutral layer of the flexible screen <NUM>, so as to improve a folding resistance of the flexible screen <NUM> and prevent the flexible screen <NUM> from being damaged to the greatest extent.

In the present disclosure, during a folding process of the flexible screen <NUM>, an outer layer of the flexible screen <NUM> is stretched, and an inner layer of the flexible screen <NUM> is squeezed. In a cross section of the flexible screen <NUM>, the neutral layer is a transition layer of the flexible screen <NUM> that is neither stretched nor squeezed and subjected to an insignificant stress. The axis of the rotation shaft of the rotation device <NUM> according to the present disclosure is located on the neutral layer when the electronic device <NUM> is folded or unfolded, thereby preventing the flexible screen <NUM> from being damaged to the greatest extent.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a first accommodating groove <NUM> is defined on a side of the first frame body <NUM> close to the second frame body <NUM>, and a second accommodating groove <NUM> is defined on a side of the second frame body <NUM> close to the first frame body <NUM>. When the first frame body <NUM> and the second frame body <NUM> are in an unfolded state, the rotating device <NUM> is accommodated in a space defined by the first accommodating groove <NUM> and the second accommodating groove <NUM>. A first mounting groove <NUM> is defined on a front surface of the first frame body <NUM> adjacent to the first accommodating groove <NUM>. The first mounting groove <NUM> is configured to mount one rotating rack <NUM>. A plurality of locking holes <NUM> is defined on a bottom surface of the first mounting groove <NUM>. A second mounting groove <NUM> is defined on a front surface of the second frame body <NUM> adjacent to the second accommodating groove <NUM>. The second mounting groove <NUM> is configured to mount another rotating rack <NUM>. Specifically, a plurality of locking holes <NUM> is defined on a bottom surface of the second mounting groove <NUM>.

In the present disclosure, the front surface refers to a surface facing towards a light-emitting surface of the flexible screen <NUM>, and the rear surface refers to a surface facing away from the light-emitting surface of the flexible screen <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the shell <NUM> includes a rectangular base plate <NUM> and two arc-shaped side plates <NUM> located on two opposite side edges of the base plate <NUM>. The base plate <NUM> and the two side plates <NUM> jointly define a mounting space <NUM>. The rotation assemblies <NUM> and the gear assembly <NUM> are accommodated in the mounting space <NUM>. A connecting block <NUM> is provided on each end of two opposite ends of inner surfaces of the two side plates <NUM> by protruding towards the mounting space <NUM>. A connecting hole <NUM> is defined in the connecting block <NUM>. One or more avoidance grooves <NUM> are provided on each inner surface of the shell <NUM> between the two connecting blocks <NUM>. The one or more avoidance grooves <NUM> are configured to avoid the gear assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded view of a rotating device in <FIG>, where the rotating device includes one pair of rotation assemblies; <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of one rotation assembly in <FIG>; and <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the other rotation assembly in <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the support frame <NUM> includes a front surface <NUM> and a rear surface. The front surface <NUM> is a flat surface. The rear surface can be attached to an inner surface of the shell <NUM>. A plurality of shaft holes <NUM> is defined on an end surface of the support frame <NUM>. The plurality of shaft holes <NUM> is configured to connect the gear assembly <NUM>. In an embodiment, four shaft holes <NUM> spacing apart from each other are provided on an end surface of the support frame <NUM>. A connection opening <NUM> is defined on the rear surface in correspondence to the connecting block <NUM> on the shell <NUM>. The connecting block <NUM> can be accommodated in the connection opening <NUM>. A through-hole <NUM> corresponding to the connecting hole <NUM> is defined on the front surface of the support frame <NUM>. The through-hole <NUM> is a countersunk hole for receiving a head of the locking member. Two accommodating grooves <NUM> that are parallel to and spaced apart from each other are defined in a middle portion of the front surface <NUM> of the support frame <NUM> and extend along an axial direction of the rotation shaft of the rotation assembly <NUM>. A cross section of each accommodating groove <NUM> has an arc shape. An accommodating space <NUM> and a guide groove <NUM> are respectively defined on two opposite ends of the front surface <NUM> of the support frame <NUM> in such a manner that the accommodating space <NUM> faces away from the shaft hole <NUM>, the guide groove <NUM> is adjacent to the shaft hole <NUM>, and the accommodating space <NUM> and the guide groove <NUM> both penetrate through the accommodating groove <NUM> and the rear surface. A positioning rod <NUM> is provided in the accommodating space <NUM> and on a side facing away from the through-hole <NUM>. Two opposite ends of the positioning rod <NUM> are connected to two opposite inner walls of the accommodating space <NUM>, respectively. The positioning rod <NUM> is spaced apart from the front surface <NUM>. One pair of arc-shaped first rotating ribs <NUM> is provided on the support frame <NUM> by protruding from two opposite inner walls of the accommodating space <NUM> towards the accommodating space <NUM>. An axis of each of the one pair of first rotating ribs <NUM> coincides with an axis of the rotation shaft of the rotation assembly <NUM>. A second rotating rib <NUM> is provided on the support frame <NUM> by protruding from an inner wall of the guide groove <NUM>. An axis of the second rotating rib <NUM> coincides with the axis of the rotation shaft of the rotation assembly <NUM>.

The rotating rack <NUM> includes a rotating piece <NUM> and a connecting piece <NUM>. The rotating piece <NUM> is substantially in a strip shape. A rotating block <NUM> protrudes from one end of the rotating piece <NUM>. A mold cross section of the rotating block <NUM> is in an arc shape. The rotating block <NUM> can be rotatably accommodated in the accommodating space <NUM> of the support frame <NUM>. One pair of first arc-shaped grooves <NUM> is defined on two opposite side surfaces of the rotating block <NUM>. The one pair of first arc-shaped grooves <NUM> corresponds to the one pair of first rotating ribs <NUM> in the accommodating space <NUM> of the support frame <NUM>. An axis of the first arc-shaped groove <NUM> coincides with the axis of the rotation shaft of the rotation assembly <NUM>. A connecting groove <NUM> is defined on a front surface of the rotating piece <NUM> corresponding to the rotating block <NUM>. A connecting hole is defined on a bottom surface of the connecting groove <NUM>. An end of the rotating piece <NUM> facing away from the rotating block <NUM> is provided with a mounting plate <NUM>. A plurality of mounting holes <NUM> is defined on a front surface of the mounting plate <NUM>. The mounting hole <NUM> is a through-hole with a countersunk head. A positioning groove is defined on the rear surface of the rotating piece <NUM> between the rotating block <NUM> and the mounting plate <NUM>. A reinforcing plate is provided on the front surface of the rotating piece <NUM> at a position corresponding to the positioning groove. The reinforcing plate can reinforce the rotating piece <NUM>.

The connecting piece <NUM> includes a strip-shaped connecting plate <NUM>, and a guide plate <NUM> protruding from a rear surface of the connecting plate <NUM>. The driving gear <NUM> is arranged on a rear surface of one end of the connecting plate <NUM>. In an embodiment, the driving gear <NUM> has a cross section of a sector gear. That is, teeth of the driving gear <NUM> are not distributed in a complete circumferential array in an axial direction. The teeth of the driving gear <NUM> are arranged in an arcuate array on the rear surface of the connecting plate <NUM> along an axial circumference. A connecting block <NUM> protrudes from an end of the rear surface of the connecting plate <NUM> facing away from the driving gear <NUM>. A countersunk hole <NUM> is defined on a front surface of the connecting block <NUM>. The guide plate <NUM> is located between the driving gear <NUM> and the connecting block <NUM>. The guide plate <NUM> is perpendicular to a length direction of the connecting plate <NUM>. The guide plate <NUM> has a semicircular shape. The guide plate <NUM> is rotatably accommodated in the guide groove <NUM> of the support frame <NUM>. A side surface of the guide plate <NUM> is provided with a second arc-shaped groove <NUM> corresponding to the second rotating rib <NUM> in the guide groove <NUM> of the support frame <NUM>. An axis of the second arc-shaped groove <NUM> coincides with the axis of the rotation shaft of the rotation assembly <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the gear assembly <NUM> includes one pair of first transmission gears <NUM> that are parallel to and spaced apart from each other, and one pair of second transmission gears <NUM> located between the one pair of first transmission gears <NUM>. The paired first transmission gears <NUM> are respectively engaged with the driving gears <NUM> of the rotating racks <NUM> of the paired rotation assemblies <NUM>. The paired second transmission gears <NUM> engage with each other, and also engage with the paired first transmission gears <NUM> in a one-to-one correspondence. Each first transmission gear <NUM> is sleeved on one first rotation shaft <NUM>. Each second transmission gear <NUM> is sleeved on one second rotation shaft <NUM>. The first rotation shaft <NUM> is parallel to the second rotation shaft <NUM>. Two opposite ends of each of the first rotation shaft <NUM> and the second rotation shaft <NUM> are connected between the at least one pair of rotation assemblies <NUM>. Specifically, the two opposite ends of each of the first rotation shaft <NUM> and the second rotation shaft <NUM> are rotatably connected in the corresponding shaft holes <NUM>. In the present disclosure, each of the first transmission gear <NUM>, the second transmission gear <NUM>, and the driving gear <NUM> is a spur gear.

During the assembly of the rotating device <NUM>, each rotation assembly <NUM> is assembled first. Specifically, the connecting block <NUM> of the connecting piece <NUM> is placed in the connecting groove <NUM> of the rotating piece <NUM>. A locking member is provided to pass through the countersunk hole <NUM> and to be locked in the connecting hole on the bottom surface of the connecting groove <NUM>, thereby fixing the connecting piece <NUM> on the rotating piece <NUM>. A length direction of the connecting plate <NUM> is perpendicular to a length direction of the rotating piece <NUM>. Then, the rotating rack <NUM> is rotatably connected to the support frame <NUM>, i.e., the rotating block <NUM> and the guide plate <NUM> of the rotating rack <NUM> are inserted into the accommodating space <NUM> and the guide groove <NUM> of the support frame <NUM>, respectively. The driving gear <NUM> on the connecting plate <NUM> is accommodated in a corresponding accommodating groove <NUM>. The one pair of first rotating ribs <NUM> is slidably accommodated in the one pair of first arc-shaped grooves <NUM> of the rotating block <NUM>. The second rotating rib <NUM> is also slidably accommodated in the second arc-shaped groove <NUM> of the guide plate <NUM>. In this way, the rotating rack <NUM> is rotatably connected to the support frame <NUM>. Then, the gear assembly <NUM> is mounted between the one pair of rotation assemblies <NUM>. Specifically, the gear assembly <NUM> is placed between the one pair of rotation assemblies <NUM> in such a manner that the first rotation shafts <NUM> on the one pair of first transmission gears <NUM> directly face towards two shaft holes <NUM> on an outer side of each rotation assembly <NUM>, and two opposite ends of each first rotation shaft <NUM> are inserted into the corresponding shaft holes <NUM>; and the second rotation shafts <NUM> on the one pair of second transmission gears <NUM> directly face towards two middle shaft holes <NUM> of each rotation assembly <NUM>, and two opposite ends of each second rotation shaft <NUM> are inserted into the corresponding shaft holes <NUM>. The paired first transmission gears <NUM> engage with two driving gears <NUM>, respectively. The paired second transmission gears <NUM> engage with each other, and also engage with the paired first transmission gears <NUM>, respectively. Then, the one pair of rotation assemblies <NUM> and the gear assembly <NUM> are placed in the shell <NUM>. The two connecting blocks <NUM> are respectively inserted into the connecting openings <NUM> of the paired rotation assemblies <NUM>. Each of a plurality of locking members is provided to pass through a through-hole <NUM> of a corresponding support frame <NUM>, and is locked in a corresponding connecting hole <NUM>, such that the one pair of rotation assemblies <NUM> is fixed in the shell <NUM>, and an outer peripheral portion of each of the first transmission gear <NUM> and the second transmission gear <NUM> is accommodated in a corresponding avoidance groove <NUM>.

After the assembly, the support frame <NUM> and the rotating rack <NUM> of each rotation assembly <NUM> can rotate with respect to each other through a connection between the first arc-shaped groove <NUM> and the first rotating rib <NUM> that are mutually fitted to each other. The first arc-shaped groove <NUM> is defined on the rotating rack <NUM>. The first rotating rib <NUM> is provided on the support frame <NUM>, and the rotation shaft between the rotating rack <NUM> and the support frame <NUM> is a virtual shaft. The axis of the virtual shaft is located outside each rotation assembly <NUM>. The axis of the virtual shaft coincides with the axis of the first arc-shaped groove <NUM> and the axis of the second arc-shaped groove <NUM>.

In other embodiments, the first arc-shaped groove can also be defined on the support frame <NUM>, and the first rotating rib can be provided on the rotating rack <NUM>. Specifically, the first arc-shaped groove is defined on an inner wall of the accommodating space <NUM> of the support frame <NUM>, and the first rotating rib protrudes from the rotating block <NUM>. The first rotating rib is slidably accommodated in the first arc-shaped groove, such that the rotating rack <NUM> and the support frame <NUM> are rotatably connected to each other.

In other embodiments, the second arc-shaped groove may also be defined on the support frame <NUM>, and the second rotating rib may also be provided on the rotating rack <NUM>. Specifically, the second arc-shaped groove is defined on an inner wall of the guide groove <NUM> of the support frame <NUM>, and the second rotating rib is provided by protruding from a side surface of the guide plate <NUM>. The second rotating rib is slidably accommodated in the second arc-shaped groove.

In other embodiments, the connecting piece <NUM> may be fixed to the rotating piece <NUM> through a snap connection, or an adhesive connection.

In other embodiments, the connecting piece <NUM> and the rotating piece <NUM> may be formed as one piece.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> further includes two planar plates <NUM> respectively attached to front surfaces of the first frame body <NUM> and the second frame body <NUM>, and a support sheet <NUM> attached to the flexible screen <NUM>. A first receiving groove <NUM> and the second receiving groove <NUM> are defined on the two cover plates <NUM>, respectively. The first receiving groove <NUM> corresponds to the reinforcing plate on a front surface of the rotating rack <NUM>. The second receiving groove <NUM> corresponds to the connecting plate <NUM>. The support sheet <NUM> is a flexible support sheet. The support sheet <NUM> may be a thin metal sheet such as a copper foil, a liquid metal sheet, a memory alloy sheet, a plastic sheet; or a sheet made of other suitable materials. In an embodiment, the support sheet <NUM> is a thin steel sheet.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a partially assembled electronic device in <FIG>. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of an electronic device in <FIG>, which is further assembled. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, during the assembly of the electronic device <NUM>, the first frame body <NUM> and the second frame body <NUM> are flush with each other in such a manner that the first accommodating groove <NUM> of the first frame body <NUM> and the second accommodating groove <NUM> of the second frame body <NUM> define a space, in which the rotating device <NUM> is placed to respectively accommodate the mounting plates <NUM> of the one pair of rotation assemblies <NUM> into the first mounting groove <NUM> and the second mounting groove <NUM>. A number of locking members each penetrates the mounting holes <NUM> on the mounting plate <NUM>, and is locked in corresponding locking holes <NUM>, <NUM>. In this case, the first frame body <NUM> and the second frame body <NUM> are in an unfolded state, and each rotating piece <NUM> is positioned on a corresponding positioning rod <NUM>, i.e., the positioning rod <NUM> is positioned in the positioning groove between the rotating block <NUM> and the mounting plate <NUM> on a rear surface of the rotating piece <NUM>. The two planar plates <NUM> are attached to the front surfaces of the first frame body <NUM> and the front surface of the second frame body <NUM>, respectively. The reinforcing plate and the connecting plate <NUM> of each rotation assembly <NUM> are accommodated in the first accommodating groove <NUM> and the second accommodating groove <NUM>, respectively. Ahead of the locking member on the electronic device <NUM> is accommodated in a corresponding countersunk hole, allowing the front surfaces of the two planar plates <NUM> to be on a same plane, which is conducive to reducing an overall thickness of the electronic device <NUM>. A front surface of the support sheet <NUM> is attached to the rear surface of the flexible screen <NUM>, and the rear surface of the support sheet <NUM> is attached to the front surfaces of the two planar plates <NUM>. In this way, the assembly of the electronic device <NUM> is completed.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a folded state of an electronic device in <FIG>. <FIG> is an exploded view of an electronic device in <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, when the electronic device <NUM> needs to be folded, a folding force F1 is applied to at least one of the first frame body <NUM> and the second frame body <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>, for example, a folding force F1 applied to the second frame body <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, allowing the rotating pieces <NUM> connected to the first frame body <NUM> and the second frame body <NUM> to rotate to approach to each other. Specifically, the rotating piece <NUM> fixed on the second frame body <NUM> rotates counterclockwise towards the first frame body <NUM>, so as to drive the driving gear <NUM> of the rotating piece <NUM> to rotate counterclockwise; the driving gear <NUM> drives a corresponding first transmission gear <NUM> to rotate clockwise; the first transmission gear <NUM> drives a corresponding second transmission gear <NUM> to rotate counterclockwise; the corresponding second transmission gear <NUM> drives another second transmission gear <NUM> to rotate clockwise; this second transmission gear <NUM> drives another corresponding first transmission gear <NUM> to rotate counterclockwise; and this first transmission gear <NUM> drives another corresponding driving gear <NUM> to rotate clockwise. That is, the first frame body <NUM> and the second frame body <NUM> can approach to each other through a linkage of the rotating devices <NUM>, thereby achieving the folding.

During the folding of the electronic device <NUM>, a folding force can also be applied to the first frame body <NUM>, allowing the rotating piece <NUM> fixed to the first frame body <NUM> to rotate clockwise towards the second frame body <NUM>, thereby driving a corresponding driving gear <NUM> to rotate clockwise. Then, this corresponding driving gear <NUM> drives a corresponding first transmission gear <NUM> to rotate counterclockwise. The first transmission gear <NUM> drives a corresponding second transmission gear <NUM> to rotate clockwise. This corresponding second transmission gear <NUM> drives another second transmission gear <NUM> to rotate counterclockwise. This second transmission gear <NUM> drives another corresponding first transmission gear <NUM> to rotate clockwise. This first transmission gear <NUM> drives a corresponding another driving gear <NUM> to rotate counterclockwise. That is, the first frame body <NUM> and the second frame body <NUM> can approach to each other through a linkage of the rotating devices <NUM>, thereby achieving the folding.

During the folding of the electronic device <NUM>, a folding force can also be applied to both the first frame body <NUM> and the second frame body <NUM>, in order to rotate the rotating piece <NUM> connected to the first frame body <NUM> and the second frame body <NUM> to approach to each other.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating an unfolding process of an electronic device according to Embodiment <NUM> of the present disclosure. Referring to <FIG>, when the electronic device <NUM> needs to be unfolded, an unfolding force F2 is applied to at least one of the first frame body <NUM> and the second frame body <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>, for example, an unfolding force F2 applied to the second frame body <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, so as to rotate the rotating pieces <NUM> connected to the first frame body <NUM> and the second frame body <NUM> in a direction facing away from each other. Specifically, the rotating piece <NUM> fixed to the second frame body <NUM> rotates clockwise in a direction facing away from the first frame body <NUM>, thereby driving the driving gear <NUM> of the rotating piece <NUM> to rotate clockwise; this driving gear <NUM> drives a corresponding first transmission gear <NUM> to rotate counterclockwise; this corresponding first transmission gear <NUM> drives a corresponding second transmission gear <NUM> to rotate clockwise; this corresponding second transmission gear <NUM> drives another second transmission gear <NUM> to rotate counterclockwise; this second transmission gear <NUM> drives another corresponding first transmission gear <NUM> to rotate clockwise; and this first transmission gear <NUM> drives a corresponding another driving gear <NUM> to rotate counterclockwise. That is, the first frame body <NUM> and the second frame body <NUM> are moved away from each other through the linkage of the rotating devices <NUM>, thereby achieving the unfolding.

During the unfolding of the electronic device <NUM>, the unfolding force can also be applied to the first frame body <NUM> to rotate the rotating piece <NUM> fixed to the first frame body <NUM> counterclockwise in a direction facing away from the second frame body <NUM>, thereby allowing the driving gear <NUM> fixed to the rotating piece <NUM> to rotate counterclockwise. The driving gear <NUM> drives a corresponding first transmission gear <NUM> to rotate clockwise. The corresponding first transmission gear <NUM> drives a corresponding second transmission gear <NUM> to rotate counterclockwise. This corresponding second transmission gear <NUM> drives another second transmission gear <NUM> to rotate clockwise. This second transmission gear <NUM> drives another corresponding first transmission gear <NUM> to rotate counterclockwise. This first transmission gear <NUM> drives another corresponding driving gear <NUM> to rotate clockwise. That is, the first frame body <NUM> and the second frame body <NUM> are moved away from each other through the linkage of the rotating devices <NUM>, thereby achieving the unfolding.

During the unfolding of the electronic device <NUM>, the unfolding force can also be applied to both of the first frame body <NUM> and the second frame body <NUM>, such that the rotating piece <NUM> connected to the first frame body <NUM> and the second frame body <NUM> can rotate to approach to each other.

Due to a frictional damping force present between gears in the gear assembly <NUM>, the rotating device <NUM> can be positioned in any one of possible folding states between an unfolding state and a fully folded state in absence of an external force.

The present disclosure adopts engagement and linkage of spur gears, which does not require extremely high manufacturing accuracy and can reduce the cost effectively and improve the production efficiency, when compared with the situation using engagement and linkage of helical gears.

<FIG> is a schematic perspective view of a rotation assembly of an electronic device according to Embodiment <NUM> of the present disclosure. <FIG> is an exploded view of a rotation assembly in <FIG>. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a structure of the electronic device according to Embodiment <NUM> of the present disclosure is similar to that of Embodiment <NUM>, except that a rotation assembly 250a in Embodiment <NUM> is structurally different from the rotation assembly <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM>. Specifically, a rotation assembly 250a includes a support frame 251a and a rotating rack 253a. In the support frame 251a, the guide groove <NUM> and the second rotating rib <NUM> included in the support frame <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM> are omitted. The rotating rack 253a includes a rotating piece 255a and a connecting piece 257a. The rotating piece 255a and the connecting piece 257a are formed as one piece.

In Embodiment <NUM> of the present disclosure, the structures of the support frame 251a and the rotating rack 253a of the electronic device are simpler, thereby reducing cost of production.

In some embodiments, the one pair of second transmission gears <NUM> in the gear assembly <NUM> can be omitted. That is, the transmission gears of the gear assembly <NUM> merely include one pair of first transmission gears <NUM>. Specifically, the gear assembly <NUM> includes one pair of first transmission gears engaging with each other, and the one pair of first transmission gears respectively engage with the driving gears of the rotating racks of one pair of rotation assemblies. Each first transmission gear is sleeved on a first rotation shaft. An axis of the first rotation shaft is parallel to an axis of the driving gear. Two opposite ends of the first rotation shaft are connected between the at least one pair of rotation assemblies. Specifically, an end surface of the support frame <NUM> has two shaft holes <NUM> defined thereon. The two opposite ends of the first rotation shaft <NUM> are rotatably connected to the shaft holes <NUM> of the corresponding support frames <NUM>, respectively. During the folding or unfolding of the rotating device, the rotating rack <NUM> can be rotated relative to the corresponding support frame <NUM> to drive the driving gear <NUM> to rotate, and the driving gear <NUM> drives the one pair of first transmission gears <NUM> to rotate, thereby enabling the rotating racks <NUM> of one pair of rotation assemblies <NUM> to rotate synchronically.

Claim 1:
A rotating device (<NUM>), comprising:
at least one pair of rotation assemblies (<NUM>); and
a gear assembly (<NUM>) located between the at least one pair of rotation assemblies (<NUM>),
wherein each rotation assembly (<NUM>) of the at least one pair of rotation assemblies (<NUM>) comprises a support frame (<NUM>) and a rotating rack (<NUM>) rotatably connected to the support frame (<NUM>), the rotating rack (<NUM>) is provided with a driving gear (<NUM>) engaging with the gear assembly (<NUM>); and
the rotating racks (<NUM>) of one pair of rotation assemblies (<NUM>) are synchronously rotatable by rotating the rotating rack (<NUM>) relative to a corresponding support frame (<NUM>); driving, by the rotation of the rotating rack (<NUM>), a corresponding driving gear (<NUM>) to rotate; and further rotating, by the rotation of the corresponding driving gear (<NUM>), the gear assembly (<NUM>), characterized in that,
in each rotation assembly (<NUM>) of the at least one pair of rotation assemblies (<NUM>), a rotation shaft between the support frame (<NUM>) and the rotating rack (<NUM>) is a virtual shaft, and an axis of the virtual shaft is located outside the rotation assembly (<NUM>).