US-12628296-B2 - Hinge mechanism and electronic device

Abstract

This application provides a hinge mechanism and an electronic device. One example hinge mechanism includes a base, and a first rotating assembly and a second rotating assembly that are respectively disposed on two sides of the base. When the first rotating assembly and the second rotating assembly rotate toward each other, a length of the hinge mechanism may be increased; or when the first rotating assembly and the second rotating assembly rotate opposite to each other, a length of the hinge mechanism may be shortened, and a support surface for supporting a flexible display can be formed.

Inventors

• Hewen SHEN
• Wen Fan
• Ding ZHONG
• Li Liao
• Xuechan Wang
• Lei Yu

Assignees

• HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20241003

Priority Date

20230331

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A hinge mechanism, wherein the hinge mechanism comprises a base, a first rotating assembly, and a second rotating assembly, and the first rotating assembly and the second rotating assembly are respectively disposed on two sides of the base; the first rotating assembly comprises: a first rotating shaft, disposed on a side of the base; a first rotating member, rotatably connected to the base through the first rotating shaft; a first sliding member, wherein an end is rotatably connected to the base, another end is slidably connected to the first rotating member, and the first sliding member is capable of sliding relative to the first rotating member in a direction parallel to the first rotating shaft; and a first housing support, slidably connected to the first rotating member, wherein the first housing support is capable of sliding relative to the first rotating member in a direction perpendicular to the first rotating shaft, wherein the first sliding member is provided with a first spiral rotating part, a first spiral groove is provided on a side that is of the base and that is close to the first sliding member, and the first spiral rotating part is accommodated in the first spiral groove and rotates in the first spiral groove, so that the first sliding member slides relative to the first rotating member in the direction parallel to the first rotating shaft; and one of the first housing support and the first sliding member is provided with a first slanting groove, the other of the first housing support and the first sliding member is provided with a first protrusion, and the first protrusion is capable of sliding in the first slanting groove, to push the first housing support to slide relative to the first rotating member in a direction away from the base when the first rotating assembly and the second rotating assembly rotate toward each other; and the second rotating assembly comprises: a second rotating shaft, disposed on another side of the base and disposed in parallel to the first rotating shaft; a second rotating member, rotatably connected to the base through the second rotating shaft; a second sliding member, wherein an end is rotatably connected to the base, another end is slidably connected to the second rotating member, and the second sliding member is capable of sliding relative to the second rotating member in a direction parallel to the second rotating shaft; and a second housing support, slidably connected to the second rotating member, wherein the second housing support is capable of sliding relative to the second rotating member in a direction perpendicular to the second rotating shaft, wherein the second sliding member is provided with a second spiral rotating part, a second spiral groove is provided on a side that is of the base and that is close to the second sliding member, and the second spiral rotating part is accommodated in the second spiral groove and rotates in the second spiral groove, so that the second sliding member slides relative to the second rotating member in the direction parallel to the second rotating shaft; and one of the second housing support and the second sliding member is provided with a second slanting groove, the other of the second housing support and the second sliding member is provided with a second protrusion, and the second protrusion is capable of sliding in the second slanting groove, to push the second housing support to slide relative to the second rotating member in a direction away from the base when the first rotating assembly and the second rotating assembly rotate toward each other.
2. 2 . The hinge mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the hinge mechanism further comprises a sliding connection member, wherein a first limiting notch is provided on a side that is of the first sliding member and that is close to the first rotating shaft, an end of the sliding connection member is limited in the first limiting notch and sleeved on the first rotating shaft, a second limiting notch is provided on a side that is of the second sliding member and that is close to the second rotating shaft, and another end of the sliding connection member is limited in the second limiting notch and sleeved on the second rotating shaft; and when the first rotating assembly and the second rotating assembly rotate toward or opposite to each other, at least one of the first sliding member and the second sliding member pushes the sliding connection member to slide in a same direction on the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft, so that the sliding connection member pushes the first sliding member and the second sliding member to synchronously slide in a same direction.
3. 3 . The hinge mechanism according to claim 2 , wherein the sliding connection member is in a cross shape or a straight shape.
4. 4 . The hinge mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the first sliding member is further provided with a first sliding groove parallel to the first rotating shaft, the first rotating member is provided with a first sliding part, and the first sliding part is accommodated in the first sliding groove and slides in the first sliding groove, to implement a sliding connection between the first rotating member and the first sliding member; and the second sliding member is provided with a second sliding groove parallel to the second rotating shaft, the second rotating member is provided with a second sliding part, and the second sliding part is accommodated in the second sliding groove and slides in the second sliding groove, to implement a sliding connection between the second rotating member and the second sliding member; or the first rotating member is provided with a third sliding groove parallel to the first rotating shaft, the first sliding member is further provided with a third sliding part, and the third sliding part is accommodated in the third sliding groove and slides in the third sliding groove, to implement a sliding connection between the first rotating member and the first sliding member; and the second rotating member is provided with a fourth sliding groove parallel to the second rotating shaft, the second sliding member is further provided with a fourth sliding part, and the fourth sliding part is accommodated in the fourth sliding groove and slides in the fourth sliding groove, to implement a sliding connection between the second rotating member and the second sliding member.
5. 5 . The hinge mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the first rotating member comprises a first frame body and a first rotating part, the first frame body encloses a first hollow area, the first frame body is separately slidably connected to the first sliding member and the first housing support, and the first rotating part is disposed on a side that is of the first frame body and that is close to the base, and is rotatably connected to the first rotating shaft; the first sliding member comprises a first sliding block body, wherein the first sliding block body is disposed in the first hollow area of the first frame body, and the first spiral rotating part is disposed on a side that is of the first sliding block body and that is close to the base; the second rotating member comprises a second frame body and a second rotating part, the second frame body encloses a second hollow area, the second frame body is separately slidably connected to the second sliding member and the second housing support, and the second rotating part is disposed on a side that is of the second frame body and that is close to the base, and is rotatably connected to the second rotating shaft; and the second sliding member comprises a second sliding block body, wherein the second sliding block body is disposed in the second hollow area of the second frame body, and the second spiral rotating part is disposed on a side that is of the second sliding block body and that is close to the base.
6. 6 . The hinge mechanism according to claim 5 , wherein the first housing support is provided with the first slanting groove, and the first protrusion is disposed on the first sliding block body of the first sliding member, passes through the first hollow area, and is slidably connected to the first slanting groove; and the second housing support is provided with the second slanting groove, and the second protrusion is disposed on the second sliding block body of the second sliding member, passes through the second hollow area, and is slidably connected to the second slanting groove.
7. 7 . The hinge mechanism according to claim 5 , wherein a shape of a cross section that is of the first protrusion and that is parallel to the first sliding block body is a circle, an ellipse, or a rectangle; and a shape of a cross section that is of the second protrusion and that is parallel to the second sliding block body is a circle, an ellipse, or a rectangle.
8. 8 . The hinge mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the first slanting groove extends in a direction away from the base from a side close to the base to a side away from the base, and forms a first included angle with the first rotating shaft, wherein the first included angle is an acute angle; the second slanting groove extends in a direction away from the base, and forms a second included angle with the second rotating shaft, wherein the second included angle is an acute angle; and when the first rotating assembly and the second rotating assembly rotate toward each other, the first protrusion slides in the first slanting groove in a direction close to the base, and the second protrusion slides in the second slanting groove in a direction close to the base.
9. 9 . The hinge mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the first housing support is further provided with a first limiting sliding groove, the first limiting sliding groove extends in a direction away from the base, the first rotating member is provided with a first limiting sliding part, and the first limiting sliding part is accommodated in the first limiting sliding groove and slides in the first limiting sliding groove, to implement a sliding connection between the first housing support and the first rotating member; and the second housing support is further provided with a second limiting sliding groove, the second limiting sliding groove extends in a direction away from the base, the second rotating member is provided with a second limiting sliding part, and the second limiting sliding part is accommodated in the second limiting sliding groove and slides in the second limiting sliding groove, to implement a sliding connection between the second housing support and the second rotating member; or the first housing support is further provided with a third limiting sliding part, the first rotating member is provided with a third limiting sliding groove, the third limiting sliding groove extends in a direction away from the base, and the third limiting sliding part is accommodated in the third limiting sliding groove and slides in the third limiting sliding groove, to implement a sliding connection between the first housing support and the first rotating member; and the second housing support is further provided with a fourth limiting sliding part, the second rotating member is provided with a fourth limiting sliding groove, the fourth limiting sliding groove extends in a direction away from the base, and the fourth limiting sliding part is accommodated in the fourth limiting sliding groove and slides in the fourth limiting sliding groove, to implement a sliding connection between the second housing support and the second rotating member.
10. 10 . The hinge mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the hinge mechanism further comprises a first door plate and a second door plate that are oppositely disposed on the two sides of the base, the first door plate and the second door plate are configured to support a flexible display of an electronic device, the first door plate is rotatably connected to the first housing support and slidably connected to the first rotating member, and the second door plate is rotatably connected to the second housing support and slidably connected to the second rotating member; and when the first rotating assembly and the second rotating assembly rotate toward each other, the first door plate rotates relative to the first housing support and slides relative to the first rotating member, and the second door plate rotates relative to the second housing support and slides relative to the second rotating member, so that the first door plate and the second door plate each are disposed at an included angle with the base when the hinge mechanism is in a folded state.
11. 11 . The hinge mechanism according to claim 10 , wherein there is a first support surface on a side that is of the first door plate and that faces the flexible display, there is a second support surface on a side that is of the second door plate and that faces the flexible display, and there is a third support surface on a side that is of the base and that faces the flexible display; and when the hinge mechanism is in an unfolded state, the first support surface, the second support surface, and the third support surface form a flat support surface for supporting the flexible display.
12. 12 . The hinge mechanism according to claim 10 , wherein a first arc-shaped rotating block is provided on a side that is of the first door plate and that is away from the flexible display, a first arc-shaped guiding groove is provided on a side that is of the first housing support and that faces the first door plate, and the first arc-shaped rotating block is accommodated in the first arc-shaped guiding groove and slides in the first arc-shaped guiding groove, to implement a rotating connection between the first door plate and the first housing support; and a second arc-shaped rotating block is provided on a side that is of the second door plate and that is away from the flexible display, a second arc-shaped guiding groove is provided on a side that is of the second housing support and that faces the second door plate, and the second arc-shaped rotating block is accommodated in the second arc-shaped guiding groove and slides in the second arc-shaped guiding groove, to implement a rotating connection between the second door plate and the second housing support.
13. 13 . The hinge mechanism according to claim 10 , wherein a first track groove is further provided on the side that is of the first door plate and that is away from the flexible display, the first rotating member is provided with a first pin, and the first pin is accommodated in the first track groove and slides in the first track groove, to drive the first door plate to move relative to the first housing support; and a second track groove is further provided on the side that is of the second door plate and that is away from the flexible display, the second rotating member is provided with a second pin, and the second pin is accommodated in the second track groove and slides in the second track groove, to drive the second door plate to move relative to the second housing support.
14. 14 . An electronic device, comprising a first housing, a second housing, a flexible display, and a hinge mechanism, wherein the first housing and the second housing are respectively disposed on two opposite sides of a base, the first housing is fastened to a first housing support, and the second housing is fastened to a second housing support; and the flexible display continuously covers the first housing, the second housing, and the hinge mechanism, and the flexible display is fastened to the first housing and the second housing; and wherein the hinge mechanism comprises a base, a first rotating assembly, and a second rotating assembly, and the first rotating assembly and the second rotating assembly are respectively disposed on two sides of the base; the first rotating assembly comprises: a first rotating shaft, disposed on a side of the base; a first rotating member, rotatably connected to the base through the first rotating shaft; a first sliding member, wherein an end is rotatably connected to the base, another end is slidably connected to the first rotating member, and the first sliding member is capable of sliding relative to the first rotating member in a direction parallel to the first rotating shaft; and a first housing support, slidably connected to the first rotating member, wherein the first housing support is capable of sliding relative to the first rotating member in a direction perpendicular to the first rotating shaft, wherein the first sliding member is provided with a first spiral rotating part, a first spiral groove is provided on a side that is of the base and that is close to the first sliding member, and the first spiral rotating part is accommodated in the first spiral groove and rotates in the first spiral groove, so that the first sliding member slides relative to the first rotating member in the direction parallel to the first rotating shaft; and one of the first housing support and the first sliding member is provided with a first slanting groove, the other of the first housing support and the first sliding member is provided with a first protrusion, and the first protrusion is capable of sliding in the first slanting groove, to push the first housing support to slide relative to the first rotating member in a direction away from the base when the first rotating assembly and the second rotating assembly rotate toward each other; and the second rotating assembly comprises: a second rotating shaft, disposed on another side of the base and disposed in parallel to the first rotating shaft; a second rotating member, rotatably connected to the base through the second rotating shaft; a second sliding member, wherein an end is rotatably connected to the base, another end is slidably connected to the second rotating member, and the second sliding member is capable of sliding relative to the second rotating member in a direction parallel to the second rotating shaft; and a second housing support, slidably connected to the second rotating member, wherein the second housing support is capable of sliding relative to the second rotating member in a direction perpendicular to the second rotating shaft, wherein the second sliding member is provided with a second spiral rotating part, a second spiral groove is provided on a side that is of the base and that is close to the second sliding member, and the second spiral rotating part is accommodated in the second spiral groove and rotates in the second spiral groove, so that the second sliding member slides relative to the second rotating member in the direction parallel to the second rotating shaft; and one of the second housing support and the second sliding member is provided with a second slanting groove, the other of the second housing support and the second sliding member is provided with a second protrusion, and the second protrusion is capable of sliding in the second slanting groove, to push the second housing support to slide relative to the second rotating member in a direction away from the base when the first rotating assembly and the second rotating assembly rotate toward each other.
15. 15 . The electronic device according to claim 14 , wherein the hinge mechanism further comprises a sliding connection member, wherein a first limiting notch is provided on a side that is of the first sliding member and that is close to the first rotating shaft, an end of the sliding connection member is limited in the first limiting notch and sleeved on the first rotating shaft, a second limiting notch is provided on a side that is of the second sliding member and that is close to the second rotating shaft, and another end of the sliding connection member is limited in the second limiting notch and sleeved on the second rotating shaft; and when the first rotating assembly and the second rotating assembly rotate toward or opposite to each other, at least one of the first sliding member and the second sliding member pushes the sliding connection member to slide in a same direction on the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft, so that the sliding connection member pushes the first sliding member and the second sliding member to synchronously slide in a same direction.
16. 16 . The electronic device according to claim 15 , wherein the sliding connection member is in a cross shape or a straight shape.
17. 17 . The electronic device according to claim 14 , wherein the first sliding member is further provided with a first sliding groove parallel to the first rotating shaft, the first rotating member is provided with a first sliding part, and the first sliding part is accommodated in the first sliding groove and slides in the first sliding groove, to implement a sliding connection between the first rotating member and the first sliding member; and the second sliding member is provided with a second sliding groove parallel to the second rotating shaft, the second rotating member is provided with a second sliding part, and the second sliding part is accommodated in the second sliding groove and slides in the second sliding groove, to implement a sliding connection between the second rotating member and the second sliding member; or the first rotating member is provided with a third sliding groove parallel to the first rotating shaft, the first sliding member is further provided with a third sliding part, and the third sliding part is accommodated in the third sliding groove and slides in the third sliding groove, to implement a sliding connection between the first rotating member and the first sliding member; and the second rotating member is provided with a fourth sliding groove parallel to the second rotating shaft, the second sliding member is further provided with a fourth sliding part, and the fourth sliding part is accommodated in the fourth sliding groove and slides in the fourth sliding groove, to implement a sliding connection between the second rotating member and the second sliding member.
18. 18 . The electronic device according to claim 14 , wherein the first rotating member comprises a first frame body and a first rotating part, the first frame body encloses a first hollow area, the first frame body is separately slidably connected to the first sliding member and the first housing support, and the first rotating part is disposed on a side that is of the first frame body and that is close to the base, and is rotatably connected to the first rotating shaft; the first sliding member comprises a first sliding block body, wherein the first sliding block body is disposed in the first hollow area of the first frame body, and the first spiral rotating part is disposed on a side that is of the first sliding block body and that is close to the base; the second rotating member comprises a second frame body and a second rotating part, the second frame body encloses a second hollow area, the second frame body is separately slidably connected to the second sliding member and the second housing support, and the second rotating part is disposed on a side that is of the second frame body and that is close to the base, and is rotatably connected to the second rotating shaft; and the second sliding member comprises a second sliding block body, wherein the second sliding block body is disposed in the second hollow area of the second frame body, and the second spiral rotating part is disposed on a side that is of the second sliding block body and that is close to the base.
19. 19 . The electronic device according to claim 18 , wherein the first housing support is provided with the first slanting groove, and the first protrusion is disposed on the first sliding block body of the first sliding member, passes through the first hollow area, and is slidably connected to the first slanting groove; and the second housing support is provided with the second slanting groove, and the second protrusion is disposed on the second sliding block body of the second sliding member, passes through the second hollow area, and is slidably connected to the second slanting groove.
20. 20 . The electronic device according to claim 18 , wherein a shape of a cross section that is of the first protrusion and that is parallel to the first sliding block body is a circle, an ellipse, or a rectangle; and a shape of a cross section that is of the second protrusion and that is parallel to the second sliding block body is a circle, an ellipse, or a rectangle.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/CN2024/078193, filed on Feb. 22, 2024, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202310383872.X, filed on Mar. 31, 2023. The disclosures of the aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. TECHNICAL FIELD This application relates to the field of electronic device technologies, and in particular, to a hinge mechanism and an electronic device. BACKGROUND With gradual maturation of flexible display technologies, a display mode of an electronic device changes greatly. A mobile phone with a foldable flexible display, a tablet computer with a foldable flexible display, a wearable electronic device with a foldable flexible display, and the like are an important evolution direction of intelligent electronic devices in the future. An existing foldable electronic device includes a flexible display and a hinge, and the flexible display is unfolded and folded through the hinge. In addition to changing a folding state of the electronic device, the hinge is further configured to provide support for the flexible display of the electronic device in different folding states. An inward foldable electronic device is used as an example. In a folding or unfolding process, the flexible display is located on an inner side of rotation of the hinge. Because a rotation radius of the flexible display is less than a rotation radius of the hinge, the flexible display is prone to be pulled or arched. Consequently, the flexible display is damaged after being used for a long time. In addition, the current hinge usually includes a rotating assembly and a sliding assembly. The rotating assembly is configured to fold and unfold the hinge, and the sliding assembly is configured to limit a rotation direction of the rotating assembly. However, a structure of such a hinge is complex, a requirement on manufacturing precision is high, and manufacturing costs are high. SUMMARY This application provides a hinge mechanism and an electronic device, so that a rotating assembly implements both rotation and sliding functions, to reduce a quantity of parts of the hinge mechanism. According to a first aspect, this application provides a hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism includes a base, a first rotating assembly, and a second rotating assembly, where the first rotating assembly and the second rotating assembly are respectively disposed on two sides of the base. Specifically, the first rotating assembly includes a first rotating shaft, a first rotating member, a first sliding member, and a first housing support. The first rotating shaft is disposed on a side of the base. The first rotating member is rotatably connected to the base through the first rotating shaft. An end of the first sliding member is rotatably connected to the base, another end of the first sliding member is slidably connected to the first rotating member, and the first sliding member is capable of sliding relative to the first rotating member in a direction parallel to the first rotating shaft. The first housing support is slidably connected to the first rotating member, and the first housing support is capable of sliding relative to the first rotating member in a direction perpendicular to the first rotating shaft. The first sliding member is provided with a first spiral rotating part, and a first spiral groove is provided on a side that is of the base and that is close to the first sliding member. The first spiral rotating part is accommodated in the first spiral groove and rotates in the first spiral groove, so that the first sliding member slides relative to the first rotating member in the direction parallel to the first rotating shaft. One of the first housing support and the first sliding member is provided with a first slanting groove, the other of the first housing support and the first sliding member is provided with a first protrusion, and the first protrusion is capable of sliding in the first slanting groove, to push the first housing support to slide relative to the first rotating member in a direction away from the base when the first rotating assembly and the second rotating assembly rotate toward each other. Specifically, the first housing support is provided with the first slanting groove, the first sliding member is further provided with the first protrusion, and the first protrusion is limited in the first slanting groove. Correspondingly, the second rotating assembly includes a second rotating shaft, a second rotating member, a second sliding member, and a second housing support. The second rotating shaft is disposed on another side of the base, and the second rotating shaft and the first rotating shaft are disposed in parallel. The second rotating member is rotatably connected to the base through the second rotating shaft. An end of the second sliding member is rotatably connected to the base, and an