TWI858923B - Foldable electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

A foldable electronic device including two casings, a biaxial hinge structure, a supporting structure, a flexible screen, two positioning members respectively disposed in the two casings, two linking members respectively disposed in the two casings and slidingly connected to the two positioning members, two sliding members respectively fixed in the two casings and slidably connected to the two positioning members, and two synchronous assemblies respectively pivoted on the two positioning members is provided. The biaxial hinge structure and the supporting structure are disposed between the two casings. The flexible screen includes two stationary display portions respectively fixed on the two casings and a flexible display portion contacting the supporting structure. The two positioning members are connected to the biaxial hinge structure. The two linking members are connected to the supporting structure, and each linking member is provided with a rack portion. Each synchronous assembly includes a gear member engaged with the corresponding rack portion and a synchronous member slidably connected to the corresponding sliding member.

Description

Folding electronic devices

The present invention relates to an electronic device, and in particular to a foldable electronic device.

With the rapid development of display technology, retractable screens have been widely used in electronic devices such as smart phones, tablet computers or laptops. By folding the retractable screen, the above electronic devices can appropriately reduce the carrying size or increase the display size. According to the bending design of the retractable screen, it can be divided into an external folding screen and an internal folding screen. In detail, the display surface of the external folding screen is exposed to the outside after being bent, while the display surface of the internal folding screen is hidden inside after being bent.

Taking the application of an external folding screen to the above-mentioned electronic device as an example, the external folding screen includes two fixed display parts and a flexible display part located between the two fixed display parts, and the two fixed display parts are respectively fixed on two housings that are pivoted to each other. When the external folding screen switches between the unfolded state and the folded state, the two fixed display parts move synchronously with the two housings that flip relative to each other, and the flexible display part is driven by the two fixed display parts to be flattened or bent. In the process of the two housings flipping relative to each other, the flexible display part is easily pulled or squeezed excessively due to the travel difference between the two housings, causing damage.

The present invention provides a foldable electronic device, which can prevent the retractable screen from being damaged by excessive pulling or squeezing.

The present invention provides a foldable electronic device, comprising two housings, a double-axis hinge structure, a support structure, a retractable screen, two positioning members, two linking members, two sliding members and two synchronous groups. The double-axis hinge structure and the support structure are arranged between the two housings. The support structure is located on the double-axis hinge structure. The retractable screen comprises two fixed display parts and a retractable display part located between the two fixed display parts. The two fixed display parts are respectively fixed on the two housings, and the retractable display part contacts the support structure. Two positioning members are respectively arranged in two housings and are respectively connected to opposite sides of the double-axis hinge structure. Two linking members are respectively arranged in two housings and are respectively connected to opposite sides of the support structure. Two linking members are respectively slidably connected to the two positioning members, and each linking member is provided with a gear portion. Two sliding members are respectively fixed in two housings and are respectively slidably connected to the two positioning members. Two synchronous groups are respectively pivoted on the two positioning members. Each synchronous group includes a gear member and a synchronous member fixed on the gear member. Two gear members are respectively engaged with the two gear portions, and the two synchronous members are respectively slidably connected to the two sliding members.

In one embodiment of the present invention, each positioning member is provided with a first sliding pin and a second sliding pin. Each linking member has a first sliding groove, and the first sliding pin is slidably connected to the first sliding groove. Each sliding member has a second sliding groove, and the second sliding pin is slidably connected to the second sliding groove.

In one embodiment of the present invention, in the above-mentioned linking member and sliding member slidably connected to the same positioning member, the first sliding groove is parallel to the second sliding groove.

In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the above-mentioned housings has a third sliding groove overlapping the second sliding groove of the corresponding sliding member, and the third sliding groove of each housing is slidably connected to the second sliding pin of the corresponding positioning member.

In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the above-mentioned sliding members has a guide groove, and each of the same moving members has a guide pin slidably arranged in the corresponding guide groove.

In an embodiment of the present invention, in the above-mentioned connecting member and sliding member slidably connected to the same positioning member, the guide groove of the sliding member is perpendicular to the first sliding groove of the connecting member and the second sliding groove of the sliding member.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the foldable electronic device further comprises two springs. The two springs are respectively disposed in two housings. The opposite ends of each spring are respectively in contact with the corresponding housing and the positioning member.

In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the above-mentioned springs is a torsion spring.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the two springs are squeezed by the two housings that slide close to the double-axis hinge structure when the flexible display portion is transformed from the flat state to the bent state. Conversely, the two springs push the two housings to slide away from the double-axis hinge structure when the flexible display portion is transformed from the bent state to the flat state.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned double-axis hinge structure includes a base, two rotating shafts and two rotating parts, and the two rotating shafts are pivoted on the base. The two rotating parts are respectively fixed to the two rotating shafts, and the two positioning parts are respectively fixed to the two rotating parts.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the double-axis hinge structure further includes two gears coupled to each other, and the two gears are respectively fixed on two rotating shafts.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned double-axis hinge structure further includes two auxiliary gears meshed with each other, and the two auxiliary gears are pivotally arranged on the base. The two auxiliary gears are located between the two gears and mesh with the two gears respectively.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the supporting structure is pivotally connected to the base, and the base has a curved surface facing the supporting structure.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the supporting structure comprises a plurality of supporting members pivotally connected to each other, and each supporting member has a first surface in contact with the flexible display portion and a second surface facing the base. The second surfaces of the plurality of supporting members are separated from the arc surface in a flat state. Conversely, the second surfaces of the plurality of supporting members are in contact with the arc surface in a bent state.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first surfaces of the plurality of supporting members in a flat state form a planar supporting surface to flatten the flexible display portion. Conversely, the first surfaces of the plurality of supporting members in a bent state form an arcuate supporting surface to bend the flexible display portion.

In one embodiment of the present invention, in the above-mentioned linking member and sliding member slidably connected to the same positioning member, the extending direction of the toothed portion is parallel to the sliding direction of the sliding member.

In one embodiment of the present invention, in the above-mentioned connecting member and sliding member slidably connected to the same positioning member, the connecting member and the sliding member slide synchronously and in the same direction.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the two housings are slidably connected to the two positioning members through two sliding members, and each housing slides synchronously and in the same direction with the corresponding sliding member.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the two linking members are respectively disposed between the two positioning members and the two sliding members.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the two synchronous assemblies are respectively disposed between the two positioning members and the two sliding members.

Based on the above, when the foldable electronic device switches between the flat state and the folded state, the travel difference between the support structure and the flexible display part thereon and the two housings can be compensated or reduced, thereby preventing the flexible screen from being damaged by excessive pulling or squeezing.

In order to make the above features and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, embodiments are specifically cited below and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1A to 1C are side views of a foldable electronic device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is transformed from a flat state to a folded state. Referring to FIG. 1A to 1C , in this embodiment, the foldable electronic device 10 may be a display of a smart phone, a tablet computer or a notebook computer. In detail, the foldable electronic device 10 includes two housings 100, a dual-axis hinge structure 200, a support structure 300, and a retractable screen 400, wherein the dual-axis hinge structure 200 and the support structure 300 are disposed between the two housings 100, and the two housings 100 can be flipped relative to each other through the dual-axis hinge structure 200 to switch between a flat state and a folded state.

The flexible screen 400 is designed to fold outwards and includes two fixed display parts 410 and a flexible display part 420 located between the two fixed display parts 410. Specifically, the two fixed display parts 410 are fixed to the two housings 100, respectively, and the flexible display part 420 contacts the support structure 300. When the two housings 100 are flipped relative to each other, the two fixed display parts 410 move synchronously with the two housings 100, and the flexible display part 420 is flattened or bent by the two fixed display parts 410. At the same time, the support structure 300 is also flattened or bent by the two housings 100.

In the unfolded state shown in FIG. 1A , the flexible display portion 420 and the support structure 300 are both flat, and the support structure 300 can form a support plane to support the flexible display portion 420, which can not only prevent the flexible display portion 420 from collapsing, but also help improve the flatness of the flexible display portion 420 when flattened. In other words, the flexible display portion 420 is attached to the support plane formed by the support structure 300 to form a flat display area in accordance with the support plane.

In the folded state shown in FIG. 1C , the flexible display portion 420 and the supporting structure 300 are both bent, and the supporting structure 300 can form a supporting arc surface to support the flexible display portion 420, which can not only prevent the flexible display portion 420 from collapsing, but also help to improve the smoothness or curvature of the flexible display portion 420 when it is bent. In other words, the flexible display portion 420 is attached to the supporting arc surface formed by the supporting structure 300 to form a curved display area in accordance with the supporting arc surface.

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of the foldable electronic device of FIG. 1A in a three-dimensional perspective. FIG. 2B is a partially exploded schematic diagram of FIG. 2A. FIG. 3A is a partially front view schematic diagram of FIG. 2A. In order to clearly present the structural configuration, FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B and FIG. 3A omit the flexible screen 400, and the two housings 100 and the two sliding members 700 of FIG. 3A are shown as dashed lines. Referring to FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B and FIG. 3A, in this embodiment, the foldable electronic device 10 further includes two positioning members 500, two linking members 600 and two sliding members 700. Specifically, two positioning members 500 are disposed in two housings 100 , two linking members 600 are disposed in two housings 100 , and two sliding members 700 are fixed in two housings 100 .

FIG3B and FIG3C are partial cross-sectional schematic diagrams of FIG3A at section line A-A and section line B-B, respectively. As shown in FIG2B, FIG3A and FIG3B, two positioning members 500 are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the double-axis hinge structure 200 and are respectively connected to opposite sides of the double-axis hinge structure 200. Two connecting members 600 are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the support structure 300 and are respectively connected to opposite sides of the support structure 300. In addition, the support structure 300 is located on the double-axis hinge structure 200, wherein the two connecting members 600 are respectively arranged on the two positioning members 500 and are respectively slidably connected to the two positioning members 500.

As shown in FIG. 2B , FIG. 3A and FIG. 3C , two sliding members 700 are fixed in two housings 100 respectively and are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the double-axis hinge structure 200 or the supporting structure 300. In detail, the two sliding members 700 are slidably connected to the two positioning members 500 respectively, and the two housings 100 are slidably connected to the two positioning members 500 respectively through the two sliding members 700. In each housing 100, the linking member 600 is arranged on the positioning member 500, and the sliding member 700 is arranged on the linking member 600. That is, in each housing 100 , the linking member 600 is disposed between the positioning member 500 and the sliding member 700 , and the linking member 600 and the sliding member 700 can slide relative to the positioning member 500 .

As shown in FIGS. 2B , 3A and 3C , each linking member 600 is provided with a rack portion 610 on at least one side thereof. In this embodiment, each linking member 600 is provided with a rack portion on two opposite sides thereof. 610 (that is, each linking member 600 has two symmetrically arranged rack portions 610) for description, but is not limited thereto. On the other hand, the foldable electronic device 10 further includes a synchronization group 800 pivoted on each positioning member 500 . On each positioning member 500 , the synchronization group 800 is disposed corresponding to the rack portion 610 of the linking member 600 . In this embodiment, each positioning member 500 is provided with two cooperating groups 800 for illustration. In each casing 100 , the two cooperating groups 800 are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the linking member 600 .

In detail, in each housing 100, two synchronous groups 800 are disposed between the positioning member 500 and the sliding member 700, and each synchronous group 800 includes a gear member 810 pivotally mounted on the positioning member 500 and a synchronous member 820 fixed on the gear member 810. Therefore, each gear member 810 and the synchronous member 820 fixed thereto can rotate synchronously and in the same direction. On the other hand, in each housing 100, the two gear members 810 of the two synchronous groups 800 are respectively engaged with the two toothed portions 610 of the linking member 600, and the two synchronous members 820 are slidably connected to the sliding member 700. On each positioning member 500 , two moving members 820 are respectively disposed between the sliding member 700 and two corresponding gear members 810 .

Fig. 4A is a partial front view schematic diagram of Fig. 3A being transformed into an intermediate state. Fig. 4B and Fig. 4C are partial cross-sectional schematic diagrams of Fig. 3B and Fig. 3C being transformed into an intermediate state, respectively. Fig. 5A is a partial front view schematic diagram of Fig. 4A being transformed into a folded state. Fig. 5B and Fig. 5C are partial cross-sectional schematic diagrams of Fig. 4B and Fig. 4C being transformed into an intermediate state, respectively.

Please refer to FIG. 3A, FIG. 4A and FIG. 5A, or FIG. 3B, FIG. 4B and FIG. 5B, or FIG. 3C, FIG. 4C and FIG. 5C. When the foldable electronic device 10 switches between the flat state and the folded state, the two positioning members 500 are synchronously flipped relative to each other through the double-axis hinge structure 200, and the flipping directions of the two are opposite to each other. During the process of the two positioning members 500 flipping relative to each other, the two housings 100, the two sliding members 700 and the two linking members 600 are flipped synchronously and in the same direction with the two positioning members 500. During the relative flipping of the two linking members 600 , the supporting structure 300 is driven by the two linking members 600 to be flattened or bent, and each linking member 600 slides relative to the corresponding positioning member 500 .

When the foldable electronic device 10 switches between the flat state and the folded state, on each positioning member 500, through the cooperation of the two synchronous groups 800 and the two tooth portions 610, the sliding member 700 can slide synchronously and in the same direction as the connecting member 600, and at the same time, the housing 100 can slide synchronously and in the same direction as the sliding member 700. Therefore, when the foldable electronic device 10 switches between the flat state and the folded state, the travel difference between the support structure 300 and the flexible display portion 420 thereon (see FIGS. 1A to 1C ) and the two housings 100 can be compensated or reduced, thereby preventing the flexible screen 400 (see FIGS. 1A to 1C ) from being excessively pulled or squeezed and thus being damaged.

3A , 4A and 5A , on each positioning member 500 , the extending direction ED of the two tooth portions 610 of the linking member 600 is parallel to the sliding direction SD of the sliding member 700 and the housing 100 .

Please refer to FIG. 2B and FIG. 3A , each positioning member 500 is provided with a first sliding pin 510 and a second sliding pin 520. On the other hand, each linking member 600 has a first sliding groove 620, and the first sliding pin 510 is slidably connected to the first sliding groove 620. Each sliding member 700 has a second sliding groove 710, and the second sliding pin 520 is slidably connected to the second sliding groove 710. Here, it is taken as an example that each positioning member 500 is provided with two first sliding pins 510 and four second sliding pins 520. Accordingly, each linking member 600 has two first sliding grooves 620, and each sliding member 700 has four second sliding grooves 710. In addition, the two first sliding grooves 620 are arranged in a straight line, and two second sliding grooves 710 arranged in a straight line are respectively provided on opposite sides of each sliding groove 620.

In the linking member 600 and the sliding member 700 slidably connected to the same positioning member 500, each first sliding groove 620 is parallel to each second sliding groove 710 and parallel to the extension direction ED of the two tooth portions 610. In addition, two second sliding pins 520 arranged in a straight line and a synchronous group 800 located between the two second sliding pins 520 are respectively provided on opposite sides of the linking member 600.

Please refer to FIG. 2A, FIG. 3A and FIG. 3C, or refer to FIG. 2B, FIG. 3A and FIG. 3C, each housing 100 has a third slide groove 110, and the third slide groove 110 overlaps with the second slide groove 710 of the corresponding sliding member 700. Here, it is taken as an example that each housing 100 has four third slide grooves 110. Specifically, the four third slide grooves 110 of each housing 100 are slidably connected to the four second sliding pins 520 of the corresponding positioning member 500, wherein each second sliding pin 520 passes through the corresponding second slide groove 710 and is inserted into the corresponding third slide groove 110. The cooperation of the four second sliding pins 520 , the four second sliding grooves 710 and the four third sliding grooves 110 helps to improve the stability and synchronization of each housing 100 and the sliding member 700 fixed therein when sliding relative to the corresponding positioning member 500 .

2B and 3A, each sliding member 700 has two symmetrically arranged guide grooves 720, and on each positioning member 500, two synchronous members 820 of two synchronous groups 800 have guide pins 821 respectively slidably arranged in the two guide grooves 720. In the linking member 600 and the sliding member 700 slidably connected to the same positioning member 500, each guide groove 720 is perpendicular to each first slide groove 620 and each second slide groove 710.

Please refer to FIG. 3A , FIG. 4A and FIG. 5A , when the foldable electronic device 10 switches between the flat state and the folded state, each linking member 600 slides relative to the corresponding positioning member 500 and drives the two synchronous groups 800 to rotate synchronously in opposite directions through the two toothed parts 610. At the same time, the two synchronous members 820 of the two synchronous groups 800 can synchronously push the sliding member 700 through the two guide pins 821, so that the housing 100 and the sliding member 700 fixed therein slide synchronously and in the same direction with the linking member 600, so as to compensate or reduce the travel difference between the supporting structure 300 and the flexible display part 420 thereon (see FIG. 1A to FIG. 1C ) and the two housings 100.

By compensating or reducing the travel difference between the supporting structure 300 and the flexible display portion 420 thereon (see FIGS. 1A to 1C ) and the two housings 100 , not only can the flexible screen 400 (see FIGS. 1A to 1C ) be prevented from being damaged by excessive pulling or squeezing, but the flatness of the flexible screen 400 after being flattened (see FIG. 1A ) and the smoothness of the flexible screen 400 after being bent (see FIG. 1C ) can also be improved.

Please refer to FIG. 2B , FIG. 3A , FIG. 4A and FIG. 5A . In this embodiment, each housing 100 is provided with a spring 900 . Here, each housing 100 is provided with two torsion springs arranged in pairs as an example, but the invention is not limited thereto. In other examples, each housing 100 may be provided with one torsion spring, two compression springs arranged in pairs or one compression spring.

Please refer to Figures 2B and 3A. In each housing 100, the opposite ends of each spring 900 respectively abut against the housing 100 and the positioning member 500. Please refer to Figures 3A, 4A and 5A, or refer to Figures 3B, 4B and 5B. When the foldable electronic device 10 is transformed from the flat state to the folded state, the flexible display portion 420 (see Figures 1A to 1C) is transformed from the flat state to the bent state. Each housing 100 slides relative to the positioning member 500 and approaches the double-axis hinge structure 200, and squeezes the corresponding two springs 900. On the contrary, when the foldable electronic device 10 is transformed from the folded state to the flat state, the flexible display portion 420 (see FIGS. 1A to 1C ) is transformed from the bent state to the flat state, and each housing 100 is pushed by the elastic restoring force of the corresponding two springs 900 to slide away from the double-axis hinge structure 200 .

Under the elastic force of each spring 900, the two housings 100 can be completely unfolded, and each housing 100 can drive the connecting member 600 to slide synchronously through the corresponding sliding member 700 and the two synchronous groups 800, so that the two connecting members 600 drive the supporting structure 300 to be completely unfolded, so as to improve the flatness of the unfolded flexible screen 400 (see FIG. 1A ).

Please refer to FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 4B and FIG. 5B, or refer to FIG. 3A, FIG. 3C, FIG. 4C and FIG. 5C. In this embodiment, the double-axis hinge structure 200 includes a base 210, two rotating shafts 220 arranged in parallel, and two rotating members 230 respectively fixed to the two rotating shafts 220. In detail, the two rotating shafts 220 are pivoted on the base 210, and the two positioning members 500 are respectively fixed to the two rotating members 230. In other words, the two positioning members 500 are respectively connected to the two rotating shafts 220 through the two rotating members 230 to rotate synchronously with the two rotating shafts 220.

Furthermore, the double-axis hinge structure 200 further includes two gears 240 coupled to each other, and the two gears 240 are respectively fixed on the two rotating shafts 220. Therefore, the two rotating shafts 220 can rotate synchronously and in opposite directions, and drive the two housings 100 to rotate synchronously and in opposite directions through the two positioning members 500. In this embodiment, the double-axis hinge structure 200 further includes two auxiliary gears 250 engaged with each other, and the two auxiliary gears 250 are pivoted on the base 210. Specifically, the two auxiliary gears 250 are located between the two gears 240 and are engaged with the two gears 240 respectively. That is, the two gears 240 are coupled to each other through the two auxiliary gears 250, and the two shafts 220 can rotate synchronously and in opposite directions through the gear set formed by the two gears 240 and the two auxiliary gears 250.

3A, 3B, 4B and 5B, or 3A, 3C, 4C and 5C, in this embodiment, the support structure 300 is pivoted to the base 210, and the base 210 has a curved surface 211 facing the support structure 300. Further, the support structure 300 includes a plurality of support members 310 pivoted to each other, and each support member 310 has a first surface 311 in contact with the flexible display portion 420 (see FIGS. 1A to 1C ) and a second surface 312 facing the curved surface 211 of the base 210.

In the flattened state shown in FIG3B , the second surfaces 312 of the plurality of supporting members 310 are separated from the curved surface 211, and the first surfaces 311 form a planar supporting surface 301 to flatten the flexible display portion 420 (see FIG1A ). Furthermore, the flexible display portion 420 (see FIG1A ) contacts and adheres to the planar supporting surface 301, so it has good flatness.

In the bent state shown in FIG5B , the second surfaces 312 of the plurality of supporting members 310 contact and adhere to the curved surface 211, and the first surfaces 311 form a curved supporting surface 302 to bend the flexible display portion 420 (see FIG1C ). Furthermore, the flexible display portion 420 (see FIG1C ) contacts and adheres to the curved supporting surface 302, so it has a good roundness or curvature.

In summary, when the foldable electronic device switches between the flat state and the folded state, the travel difference between the support structure and the flexible display part thereon and the two housings can be compensated or reduced by the cooperation of the positioning parts, the linkage parts, the sliding parts and the synchronous groups in each housing, so as to prevent the flexible screen from being damaged by excessive pulling or squeezing. In addition, by compensating or reducing the travel difference between the support structure and the flexible display part thereon and the two housings, the flatness of the flexible screen after flattening and the smoothness of the flexible screen after bending can also be improved.

Although the present invention has been disclosed as above by the embodiments, they are not intended to limit the present invention. Any person with ordinary knowledge in the relevant technical field can make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be defined by the scope of the attached patent application.

10: Folding electronic device 100: Casing 110: Third slide 200: Double-axis hinge structure 210: Base 211: Arc surface 220: Rotating shaft 230: Rotating member 240: Gear 250: Auxiliary gear 300: Support structure 301: Planar support surface 302: Arc support surface 310: Support member 311: First surface 312: Second surface 400: Flexible screen 410: Fixed display unit 420: Flexible display unit 500: Positioning member 510: First sliding pin 520: Second sliding pin 600: Linking member 610: Gear part 620: First slide groove 700: Sliding member 710: Second slide groove 720: Guide groove 800: Synchronous group 810: Gear member 820: Synchronous member 821: Guide pin 900: Spring A-A, B-B: Section line ED: Extension direction SD: Sliding direction

Figures 1A to 1C are schematic side views of a folding electronic device of an embodiment of the present invention that is transformed from a flat state to a folded state. Figure 2A is a schematic view of the folding electronic device of Figure 1A in a three-dimensional perspective. Figure 2B is a partial exploded schematic view of Figure 2A. Figure 3A is a partial front view schematic view of Figure 2A. Figures 3B and 3C are partial cross-sectional schematic views of Figure 3A at section lines A-A and B-B, respectively. Figure 4A is a partial front view schematic view of Figure 3A transformed into an intermediate state. Figures 4B and 4C are partial cross-sectional schematic views of Figures 3B and 3C transformed into intermediate states, respectively. Figure 5A is a partial front view schematic view of Figure 4A transformed into a folded state. Figure 5B and Figure 5C are partial cross-sectional schematic diagrams of Figure 4B and Figure 4C transitioning to the intermediate state, respectively.

10: Folding electronic devices

100: Chassis

110: The third chute

300: Support structure

500: Positioning piece

510: First sliding pin

520: Second sliding pin

600: Linkage

610: Tooth section

620: First chute

700: Sliding parts

710: Second chute

720:Guide groove

800: Synchronous group

810: Gear parts

820: Same moving part

821: Guide pin

900: Spring

A-A, B-B: section line

ED: extension direction

SD: sliding direction

Claims (20)

A foldable electronic device, comprising: Two housings; A double-axis hinge structure, disposed between the two housings; A support structure, disposed between the two housings and located on the double-axis hinge structure; A retractable screen, comprising two fixed display parts and a retractable display part located between the two fixed display parts, wherein the two fixed display parts are respectively fixed on the two housings, and the retractable display part contacts the support structure; Two positioning members, respectively disposed in the two housings, and respectively connected to opposite sides of the double-axis hinge structure; Two connecting members are respectively arranged in the two housings and respectively connected to the opposite sides of the supporting structure, wherein the two connecting members are respectively slidably connected to the two positioning members, and each connecting member is provided with a toothed portion; Two sliding members are respectively fixed in the two housings and respectively slidably connected to the two positioning members; and Two synchronous groups are respectively pivoted on the two positioning members, each of the synchronous groups includes a gear member and a synchronous member fixed on the gear member, wherein the two gear members are respectively engaged with the two toothed portions, and the two synchronous members are respectively slidably connected to the two sliding members. A folding electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein each of the positioning members is provided with a first sliding pin and a second sliding pin, each of the connecting members has a first sliding groove, and the first sliding pin is slidably connected to the first sliding groove, and each of the sliding members has a second sliding groove, and the second sliding pin is slidably connected to the second sliding groove. A foldable electronic device as described in claim 2, wherein in the connecting member and the sliding member that are slidably connected to the same positioning member, the first sliding groove is parallel to the second sliding groove. A foldable electronic device as described in claim 2, wherein each of the casings has a third slide groove, the third slide groove overlaps the second slide groove of the corresponding sliding member, and the third slide groove of each of the casings is slidably connected to the second sliding pin of the corresponding positioning member. A foldable electronic device as described in claim 2, wherein each of the sliding members has a guide groove, and each of the sliding members has a guide pin slidably disposed in the corresponding guide groove. A foldable electronic device as described in claim 5, wherein in the connecting member and the sliding member that are slidably connected to the same positioning member, the guide groove of the sliding member is perpendicular to the first sliding groove of the connecting member and the second sliding groove of the sliding member. The foldable electronic device as described in claim 1 further includes: Two springs, respectively disposed in the two housings, wherein the opposite ends of each spring abut against the corresponding housing and the positioning member respectively. A foldable electronic device as described in claim 7, wherein each of the springs is a torsion spring. A foldable electronic device as described in claim 7, wherein the two springs are squeezed by the two casings that slide close to the double-axis hinge structure when the flexible display portion is transformed from the flat state to the bent state, and the two springs push the two casings to slide away from the double-axis hinge structure when the flexible display portion is transformed from the bent state to the flat state. A foldable electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein the double-axis hinge structure includes a base, two rotating shafts and two rotating parts, and the two rotating shafts are pivoted on the base, the two rotating parts are respectively fixed to the two rotating shafts, and the two positioning parts are respectively fixed to the two rotating parts. A foldable electronic device as described in claim 10, wherein the double-axis hinge structure further includes two gears coupled to each other, and the two gears are respectively fixed on the two rotating shafts. A foldable electronic device as described in claim 11, wherein the double-axis hinge structure further includes two auxiliary gears meshed with each other, and the two auxiliary gears are pivotally mounted on the base, and the two auxiliary gears are located between the two gears and meshed with the two gears respectively. A foldable electronic device as described in claim 10, wherein the supporting structure is pivotally connected to the base, and the base has a curved surface facing the supporting structure. A foldable electronic device as described in claim 13, wherein the support structure includes a plurality of support members pivotally connected to each other, and each of the support members has a first surface in contact with the flexible display portion and a second surface facing the base, the second surfaces of the support members are separated from the curved surface in a flat state, and the second surfaces of the support members are in contact with the curved surface in a bent state. A foldable electronic device as described in claim 13, wherein the support structure includes a plurality of support members pivotally connected to each other, and each of the support members has a first surface in contact with the flexible display portion and a second surface facing the base, the first surfaces of the support members in a flat state constitute planar support surfaces to flatten the flexible display portion, and the first surfaces of the support members in a bent state constitute arcuate support surfaces to bend the flexible display portion. A foldable electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein in the connecting member and the sliding member that are slidably connected to the same positioning member, the extension direction of the tooth portion is parallel to the sliding direction of the sliding member. A foldable electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein the connecting member and the sliding member are slidably connected to the same positioning member, and the connecting member and the sliding member slide synchronously and in the same direction. A foldable electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein the two housings are slidably connected to the two positioning members through the two sliding members, respectively, and each housing slides synchronously and in the same direction with the corresponding sliding member. A foldable electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein the two connecting parts are respectively arranged between the two positioning parts and the two sliding parts. A foldable electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein the two synchronous groups are respectively arranged between the two positioning members and the two sliding members.

Images