U.S. patent application number 16/093979 was filed with the patent office on 2021-07-22 for bendable mobile terminal.
This patent application is currently assigned to Wuhan China Star Optoelectronics Semiconductor Display Technology Co., Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is WUHAN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS SEMICONDUCTOR DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Wei BI, Juanjuan WANG, Shanghong YE.
Application Number | 20210223826 16/093979 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005693016 |
Filed Date | 2021-07-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210223826 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YE; Shanghong ; et
al. |
July 22, 2021 |
BENDABLE MOBILE TERMINAL
Abstract
A bendable mobile terminal is provided. The bendable mobile
terminal includes a hinge module, which includes a plurality of
rotating rods. A cross-section of one of the rotating rod includes
a top surface, a bottom surface, two vertical surfaces each
connected with two sides of the top surface, and two inclined
surfaces each connected between the vertical surface and the bottom
surface. When the mobile terminal is in a folded state, the two
case modules are folded, wherein the rotating rods are arranged in
an arc shape and the adjacent inclined surfaces are attached to
each other, so as to avoid damage of the flexible display body when
in the folded state.
Inventors: |
YE; Shanghong; (Wuhan,
CN) ; BI; Wei; (Wuhan, CN) ; WANG;
Juanjuan; (Wuhan, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
WUHAN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS SEMICONDUCTOR DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
CO., LTD. |
Wuhan, Hubei |
|
CN |
|
|
Assignee: |
Wuhan China Star Optoelectronics
Semiconductor Display Technology Co., Ltd.
Wuhan, Hubei
CN
|
Family ID: |
1000005693016 |
Appl. No.: |
16/093979 |
Filed: |
August 27, 2018 |
PCT Filed: |
August 27, 2018 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CN2018/102417 |
371 Date: |
December 5, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1652 20130101;
H04M 1/022 20130101; G06F 1/1616 20130101; G06F 1/1681
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 1/16 20060101
G06F001/16; H04M 1/02 20060101 H04M001/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 28, 2018 |
CN |
201810520174.9 |
Claims
1. A bendable mobile terminal, comprising: two case modules
configured to carry a flexible display body; a hinge module
disposed between the two case modules, such that the two case
modules are being able to be bent; and the flexible display body
fixedly disposed on the two case modules; wherein the hinge module
comprises two hinge assemblies connecting the two case modules
together and a plurality of rotating rods disposed between the two
hinge assemblies; one of the hinge assembly comprises a hinge body
formed by a plurality of chain segments; and the rotating rods are
fixedly connected with the hinge body and are correspondingly
rotated with a bend of the hinge body; a cross-section of one of
the rotating rod comprises a convex-arc-shape top surface located
near the flexible display body, a bottom surface located opposite
the top surface, two vertical surfaces each connected with two
sides of the top surface, and two inclined surfaces each connected
between the vertical surface and the bottom surface; when the
mobile terminal is in a flat state, the two case modules are
unfolded side by side, wherein the rotating rods are arranged side
by side, and the adjacent vertical surfaces are arranged in
parallel; and when the mobile terminal is in a folded state, the
two case modules are folded; wherein the rotating rods are arranged
in an arc shape and the adjacent inclined surfaces are attached to
each other, so as to reduce a pulling force on the flexible display
body; wherein a number of the rotating rods is an even number;
wherein two sides of the hinge module are respectively connected
with the two case modules by a spring module, wherein one side of
the spring module is fixedly connected with the hinge module, and
another side of the spring module is slidably connected to the case
module; the spring module comprises a bottom case, a plurality of
placement grooves formed on the bottom case, and a plurality of
springs disposed in the placement grooves; the case module
comprises an upper case for an arrangement of the flexible display
body, a lower case for an assembly with the upper case, and a
plurality of pressing portions disposed on the lower case and
inserted into the placement groove for pressing the spring; when
the mobile terminal is in the flat state, the case module is away
from the spring module, so that there is a sliding gap between the
case module and the spring module, and the spring has a first
elastic potential energy; when the mobile terminal is in the folded
state, the case module is close to the spring module, so that the
sliding gap between the case module and the spring module is
reduced, and the pressing portion presses the spring, thus the
spring has a second elastic potential energy; and the second
elastic potential energy is greater than the first elastic
potential energy.
2. The bendable mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the
spring module comprises sliding grooves alternately arranged with
the placement grooves; the case module comprises sliding portions
alternately arranged with the pressing portions; and the sliding
portions are slidably disposed in the sliding grooves.
3. The bendable mobile terminal according to claim 2, wherein the
sliding groove comprises a first sliding groove, and the first
sliding groove is symmetrically disposed at two end regions of the
lower case; and the sliding portion comprises a first sliding
portion, and the first sliding portion is correspondingly disposed
in the first sliding groove; and the spring module comprises a
cover plate disposed on the bottom case and a limiting opening
disposed on the cover plate; the first sliding portion has a
limiting block disposed facing the cover plate; and the limiting
block is slide and limited in the limiting opening.
4. The bendable mobile terminal according to claim 3, wherein the
sliding groove comprises a second sliding groove, and the second
sliding groove has a fixing block; the sliding portion comprises a
second sliding portion, and the second sliding portion has
avoidance grooves facing the fixing block; the cover plate is
fixedly connected with the fixing block by a screw; and the second
sliding portion is correspondingly slidably disposed in the second
sliding groove; and when the mobile terminal is in the folded
state, the fixing block is located in the avoiding groove.
5. The bendable mobile terminal according to claim 4, wherein the
bottom case comprises a limiting strip, which is disposed in the
second sliding groove and at an end of the fixing block away from
the hinge module; the limiting strip is located in a sliding
direction of the avoidance groove; the second sliding portion
comprises a limiting groove disposed on a surface of the second
sliding portion back facing the cover plate; when the mobile
terminal is in the flat state, the limit strip is limited in the
avoiding groove; and when the mobile terminal is in the folded
state, the limit strip is limited in the limit groove.
6. The bendable mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the
hinge assembly comprises two connecting parts for connecting the
spring module on the two sides of the hinge body; a receiving
groove is disposed on one side of the spring module for receiving
the connecting part; and the connecting part is fixedly disposed in
the receiving groove.
7. The bendable mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the
hinge body comprises a plurality of connecting shafts for
connecting between the two adjacent chain segments or connecting
between the chain segment and a connecting part; and the rotating
rods are fixedly connected with the connecting shaft one to
one.
8. The bendable mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the
top surface and the vertical surface are connected by a round
corner; and the vertical surface and the inclined surface are
connected by a round corner.
9. A bendable mobile terminal, comprising: two case modules
configured to carry a flexible display body; a hinge module
disposed between the two case modules, such that the two case
modules are being able to be bent; and the flexible display body
fixedly disposed on the two case modules; wherein the hinge module
comprises two hinge assemblies connecting the two case modules
together and a plurality of rotating rods disposed between the two
hinge assemblies; one of the hinge assembly comprises a hinge body
formed by a plurality of chain segments; and the rotating rods are
fixedly connected with the hinge body and are correspondingly
rotated with a bend of the hinge body; a cross-section of one of
the rotating rod comprises a convex-arc-shape top surface located
near the flexible display body, a bottom surface located opposite
the top surface, two vertical surfaces each connected with two
sides of the top surface, and two inclined surfaces each connected
between the vertical surface and the bottom surface; when the
mobile terminal is in a flat state, the two case modules are
unfolded side by side, wherein the rotating rods are arranged side
by side, and the adjacent vertical surfaces are arranged in
parallel; and when the mobile terminal is in a folded state, the
two case modules are folded; wherein the rotating rods are arranged
in an arc shape and the adjacent inclined surfaces are attached to
each other, so as to reduce a pulling force on the flexible display
body.
10. The bendable mobile terminal according to claim 9, wherein a
number of the rotating rods is an even number.
11. The bendable mobile terminal according to claim 9, wherein two
sides of the hinge module are respectively connected with the two
case modules by a spring module, wherein one side of the spring
module is fixedly connected with the hinge module, and another side
of the spring module is slidably connected to the case module; the
spring module comprises a bottom case, a plurality of placement
grooves formed on the bottom case, and a plurality of springs
disposed in the placement grooves; the case module comprises an
upper case for an arrangement of the flexible display body, a lower
case for an assembly with the upper case, and a plurality of
pressing portions disposed on the lower case and inserted into the
placement groove for pressing the spring; when the mobile terminal
is in the flat state, the case module is away from the spring
module, so that there is a sliding gap between the case module and
the spring module, and the spring has a first elastic potential
energy; when the mobile terminal is in the folded state, the case
module is close to the spring module, so that the sliding gap
between the case module and the spring module is reduced, and the
pressing portion presses the spring, thus the spring has a second
elastic potential energy; and the second elastic potential energy
is greater than the first elastic potential energy.
12. The bendable mobile terminal according to claim 11, wherein the
spring module comprises sliding grooves alternately arranged with
the placement grooves; the case module comprises sliding portions
alternately arranged with the pressing portions; and the sliding
portions are slidably disposed in the sliding grooves.
13. The bendable mobile terminal according to claim 12, wherein the
sliding groove comprises a first sliding groove, and the first
sliding groove is symmetrically disposed at two end regions of the
lower case; and the sliding portion comprises a first sliding
portion, and the first sliding portion is correspondingly disposed
in the first sliding groove; and the spring module comprises a
cover plate disposed on the bottom case and a limiting opening
disposed on the cover plate; the first sliding portion has a
limiting block disposed facing the cover plate; and the limiting
block is slide and limited in the limiting opening.
14. The bendable mobile terminal according to claim 13, wherein the
sliding groove comprises a second sliding groove, and the second
sliding groove has a fixing block; the sliding portion comprises a
second sliding portion, and the second sliding portion has
avoidance grooves facing the fixing block; the cover plate is
fixedly connected with the fixing block by a screw; and the second
sliding portion is correspondingly slidably disposed in the second
sliding groove; and when the mobile terminal is in the folded
state, the fixing block is located in the avoiding groove.
15. The bendable mobile terminal according to claim 14, wherein the
bottom case comprises a limiting strip, which is disposed in the
second sliding groove and at an end of the fixing block away from
the hinge module; the limiting strip is located in a sliding
direction of the avoidance groove; the second sliding portion
comprises a limiting groove disposed on a surface of the second
sliding portion back facing the cover plate; when the mobile
terminal is in the flat state, the limit strip is limited in the
avoiding groove; and when the mobile terminal is in the folded
state, the limit strip is limited in the limit groove.
16. The bendable mobile terminal according to claim 11, wherein the
hinge assembly comprises two connecting parts for connecting the
spring module on the two sides of the hinge body; a receiving
groove is disposed on one side of the spring module for receiving
the connecting part; and the connecting part is fixedly disposed in
the receiving groove.
17. The bendable mobile terminal according to claim 16, wherein the
upper case has an avoidance opening facing the hinge module to
avoid the connecting part.
18. The bendable mobile terminal according to claim 9, wherein the
hinge body comprises a plurality of connecting shafts for
connecting between the two adjacent chain segments or connecting
between the chain segment and a connecting part; and the rotating
rods are fixedly connected with the connecting shaft one to
one.
19. The bendable mobile terminal according to claim 9, wherein the
top surface and the vertical surface are connected by a round
corner; and the vertical surface and the inclined surface are
connected by a round corner.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technical field of
mobile terminals, and more particularly to a bendable mobile
terminal.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] With development of information society, requirements for
display devices increases, so as to push rapid development of an
AMOLED display industry. Because AMOLED displays have advantages of
being light and thin, unbreakable, bendable, foldable, and
portable, they are usually used in flexible products, such as smart
watches, VR headsets, and mobile phones.
[0003] For the mobile phones, a common flexible mobile phone
includes left and right case modules, a flexible display screen
disposed on the left and right case modules, and a single-shaft
hinge connected between left and right support structures to be
convenient for bend. During bending, the flexible display screen is
fixed on the left and right case modules and is affected by a
rotation radius of the single-shaft hinge, so that the flexible
display screen bears a pulling force at the bending place and is
broken.
[0004] Hence, it is necessary to provide a bendable mobile terminal
with a multi-shaft hinge module to solve the above-mentioned
technical problems.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0005] The present disclosure provides a bendable mobile terminal
with a multi-shaft hinge module to solve a technical problem that a
bendable area of a display screen is easily broken when a
conventional bendable mobile terminal is bent.
[0006] The present disclosure provides a bendable mobile terminal,
which comprises:
two case modules configured to carry a flexible display body; a
hinge module disposed between the two case modules, such that the
two case modules are being able to be bent; and the flexible
display body fixedly disposed on the two case modules; wherein the
hinge module comprises two hinge assemblies connecting the two case
modules together and a plurality of rotating rods disposed between
the two hinge assemblies; one of the hinge assembly comprises a
hinge body formed by a plurality of chain segments; and the
rotating rods are fixedly connected with the hinge body and are
correspondingly rotated with a bend of the hinge body; a
cross-section of one of the rotating rod comprises a
convex-arc-shape top surface located near the flexible display
body, a bottom surface located opposite the top surface, two
vertical surfaces each connected with two sides of the top surface,
and two inclined surfaces each connected between the vertical
surface and the bottom surface; when the mobile terminal is in a
flat state, the two case modules are unfolded side by side, wherein
the rotating rods are arranged side by side, and the adjacent
vertical surfaces are arranged in parallel; and when the mobile
terminal is in a folded state, the two case modules are folded;
wherein the rotating rods are arranged in an arc shape and the
adjacent inclined surfaces are attached to each other, so as to
reduce a pulling force on the flexible display body; wherein a
number of the rotating rods is an even number; wherein two sides of
the hinge module are respectively connected with the two case
modules by a spring module, wherein one side of the spring module
is fixedly connected with the hinge module, and another side of the
spring module is slidably connected to the case module; the spring
module comprises a bottom case, a plurality of placement grooves
formed on the bottom case, and a plurality of springs disposed in
the placement grooves; the case module comprises an upper case for
an arrangement of the flexible display body, a lower case for an
assembly with the upper case, and a plurality of pressing portions
disposed on the lower case and inserted into the placement groove
for pressing the spring; when the mobile terminal is in the flat
state, the case module is away from the spring module, so that
there is a sliding gap between the case module and the spring
module, and the spring has a first elastic potential energy; when
the mobile terminal is in the folded state, the case module is
close to the spring module, so that the sliding gap between the
case module and the spring module is reduced, and the pressing
portion presses the spring, thus the spring has a second elastic
potential energy; and the second elastic potential energy is
greater than the first elastic potential energy.
[0007] In the present disclosure, the spring module comprises
sliding grooves alternately arranged with the placement grooves;
the case module comprises sliding portions alternately arranged
with the pressing portions; and the sliding portions are slidably
disposed in the sliding grooves.
[0008] In the present disclosure, the sliding groove comprises a
first sliding groove, and the first sliding groove is symmetrically
disposed at two end regions of the lower case; and the sliding
portion comprises a first sliding portion, and the first sliding
portion is correspondingly disposed in the first sliding groove;
and
the spring module comprises a cover plate disposed on the bottom
case and a limiting opening disposed on the cover plate; the first
sliding portion has a limiting block disposed facing the cover
plate; and the limiting block is slide and limited in the limiting
opening.
[0009] In the present disclosure, the sliding groove comprises a
second sliding groove, and the second sliding groove has a fixing
block; the sliding portion comprises a second sliding portion, and
the second sliding portion has avoidance grooves facing the fixing
block; the cover plate is fixedly connected with the fixing block
by a screw; and
the second sliding portion is correspondingly slidably disposed in
the second sliding groove; and when the mobile terminal is in the
folded state, the fixing block is located in the avoiding
groove.
[0010] In the present disclosure, the bottom case comprises a
limiting strip, which is disposed in the second sliding groove and
at an end of the fixing block away from the hinge module; the
limiting strip is located in a sliding direction of the avoidance
groove; the second sliding portion comprises a limiting groove
disposed on a surface of the second sliding portion back facing the
cover plate;
when the mobile terminal is in the flat state, the limit strip is
limited in the avoiding groove; and when the mobile terminal is in
the folded state, the limit strip is limited in the limit
groove.
[0011] In the present disclosure, the hinge assembly comprises two
connecting parts for connecting the spring module on the two sides
of the hinge body; a receiving groove is disposed on one side of
the spring module for receiving the connecting part; and the
connecting part is fixedly disposed in the receiving groove.
[0012] In the present disclosure, the upper case has an avoidance
opening facing the hinge module to avoid the connecting part.
[0013] In the present disclosure, the hinge body comprises a
plurality of connecting shafts for connecting between the two
adjacent chain segments or connecting between the chain segment and
a connecting part; and the rotating rods are fixedly connected with
the connecting shaft one to one.
[0014] In the present disclosure, the top surface and the vertical
surface are connected by a round corner; and the vertical surface
and the inclined surface are connected by a round corner.
[0015] The present disclosure further provides a bendable mobile
terminal, which comprises:
two case modules configured to carry a flexible display body; a
hinge module disposed between the two case modules, such that the
two case modules are being able to be bent; and the flexible
display body fixedly disposed on the two case modules; wherein the
hinge module comprises two hinge assemblies connecting the two case
modules together and a plurality of rotating rods disposed between
the two hinge assemblies; one of the hinge assembly comprises a
hinge body formed by a plurality of chain segments; and the
rotating rods are fixedly connected with the hinge body and are
correspondingly rotated with a bend of the hinge body; a
cross-section of one of the rotating rod comprises a
convex-arc-shape top surface located near the flexible display
body, a bottom surface located opposite the top surface, two
vertical surfaces each connected with two sides of the top surface,
and two inclined surfaces each connected between the vertical
surface and the bottom surface; when the mobile terminal is in a
flat state, the two case modules are unfolded side by side, wherein
the rotating rods are arranged side by side, and the adjacent
vertical surfaces are arranged in parallel; and when the mobile
terminal is in a folded state, the two case modules are folded;
wherein the rotating rods are arranged in an arc shape and the
adjacent inclined surfaces are attached to each other, so as to
reduce a pulling force on the flexible display body.
[0016] In the present disclosure, a number of the rotating rods is
an even number.
[0017] In the present disclosure, two sides of the hinge module are
respectively connected with the two case modules by a spring
module, wherein one side of the spring module is fixedly connected
with the hinge module, and another side of the spring module is
slidably connected to the case module;
the spring module comprises a bottom case, a plurality of placement
grooves formed on the bottom case, and a plurality of springs
disposed in the placement grooves; the case module comprises an
upper case for an arrangement of the flexible display body, a lower
case for an assembly with the upper case, and a plurality of
pressing portions disposed on the lower case and inserted into the
placement groove for pressing the spring; when the mobile terminal
is in the flat state, the case module is away from the spring
module, so that there is a sliding gap between the case module and
the spring module, and the spring has a first elastic potential
energy; when the mobile terminal is in the folded state, the case
module is close to the spring module, so that the sliding gap
between the case module and the spring module is reduced, and the
pressing portion presses the spring, thus the spring has a second
elastic potential energy; and the second elastic potential energy
is greater than the first elastic potential energy.
[0018] In the present disclosure, the spring module comprises
sliding grooves alternately arranged with the placement grooves;
the case module comprises sliding portions alternately arranged
with the pressing portions; and the sliding portions are slidably
disposed in the sliding grooves.
[0019] In the present disclosure, the sliding groove comprises a
first sliding groove, and the first sliding groove is symmetrically
disposed at two end regions of the lower case; and the sliding
portion comprises a first sliding portion, and the first sliding
portion is correspondingly disposed in the first sliding groove;
and
the spring module comprises a cover plate disposed on the bottom
case and a limiting opening disposed on the cover plate; the first
sliding portion has a limiting block disposed facing the cover
plate; and the limiting block is slide and limited in the limiting
opening.
[0020] In the present disclosure, the sliding groove comprises a
second sliding groove, and the second sliding groove has a fixing
block; the sliding portion comprises a second sliding portion, and
the second sliding portion has avoidance grooves facing the fixing
block; the cover plate is fixedly connected with the fixing block
by a screw; and
the second sliding portion is correspondingly slidably disposed in
the second sliding groove; and when the mobile terminal is in the
folded state, the fixing block is located in the avoiding
groove.
[0021] In the present disclosure, the bottom case comprises a
limiting strip, which is disposed in the second sliding groove and
at an end of the fixing block away from the hinge module; the
limiting strip is located in a sliding direction of the avoidance
groove; the second sliding portion comprises a limiting groove
disposed on a surface of the second sliding portion back facing the
cover plate;
when the mobile terminal is in the flat state, the limit strip is
limited in the avoiding groove; and when the mobile terminal is in
the folded state, the limit strip is limited in the limit
groove.
[0022] In the present disclosure, the hinge assembly comprises two
connecting parts for connecting the spring module on the two sides
of the hinge body; a receiving groove is disposed on one side of
the spring module for receiving the connecting part; and the
connecting part is fixedly disposed in the receiving groove.
[0023] In the present disclosure, the upper case has an avoidance
opening facing the hinge module to avoid the connecting part.
[0024] In the present disclosure, the hinge body comprises a
plurality of connecting shafts for connecting between the two
adjacent chain segments or connecting between the chain segment and
a connecting part; and the rotating rods are fixedly connected with
the connecting shaft one to one.
[0025] In the present disclosure, the top surface and the vertical
surface are connected by a round corner; and the vertical surface
and the inclined surface are connected by a round corner.
[0026] Compared with conventional mobile terminal, the bendable
mobile terminal of the present disclosure has a plurality of
rotating rods in a hinge module, and the plurality of rotating rods
are rotated with hinge assemblies when in a folded state, and
finally, it becomes an arc shape, so that the length of the
flexible display body in the folded state is almost the same as the
total length of the upper surfaces of the two case modules, such
that a sliding distance and a pulling force on the flexible display
body can be reduced, so as to prevent being broken. This solves the
technical problem that a bendable area of the display screen is
easily broken when the conventional bendable mobile terminal is
bent.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0027] In order to more dearly describe the embodiments of the
present invention or the conventional technical solutions, the
description is used to make a simple introduction of the drawings
used in the following embodiments. The following description of the
drawings are merely some embodiments of the present invention,
those of ordinary skill in the art can also obtain other drawings
based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0028] FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded structural view of a bendable
mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional structural view of the
bendable mobile terminal according to the embodiment of the present
disclosure in a flat state.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional structural view of a
hinge module of the bendable mobile terminal according to the
embodiment of the present disclosure in the flat state.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional structural view of the
bendable mobile terminal according to the embodiment of the present
disclosure in a folded state.
[0032] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional structural view of the
hinge module of the bendable mobile terminal according to the
embodiment of the present disclosure in the folded state.
[0033] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional structural view of a
bendable mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the
present disclosure showing rotating rods from a flat state to a
folded state.
[0034] FIG. 7 is a schematic exploded structural view of the hinge
module of the bendable mobile terminal according to the embodiment
of the present disclosure.
[0035] FIG. 8 is a schematic exploded structural view of a spring
module and a case module of the bendable mobile terminal according
to the embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0036] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a "B" part in FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0037] Referring to the drawings of the present invention, the same
component is labeled as the same number. The following description
is based on the particular illustrated embodiment of the present
invention, which should not be construed as limiting the present
invention.
[0038] Please refer to FIGS. 1 to 5 and FIG. 7, wherein FIG. 1 is a
schematic exploded structural view of a bendable mobile terminal
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A bendable
mobile terminal of the embodiment of the present disclosure
includes two case modules 200, a flexible display body 100, a hinge
module 400, and two spring modules 300.
[0039] Specifically, the two case modules 200 are used to carry the
flexible display body 100. The hinge module 400 is disposed between
the two case modules 200, so that the two case modules 200 can be
bent. The flexible display body 100 is fixedly disposed on the two
case modules 200.
[0040] Please refer to FIG. 7, the hinge module 400 includes two
hinge assemblies 410 connecting the two case modules 200 together
and a plurality of rotating rods 420 disposed between the two hinge
assemblies 410. A hinge assembly 410 includes a hinge body 411
formed by a plurality of chain segments, wherein the rotating rods
420 are fixedly connected with the hinge body 411 and are
correspondingly rotated with the bend of the hinge body 411.
[0041] The cross-section of a rotating rod 420 includes a
convex-arc-shape top surface 421 located near the flexible display
body 100, a bottom surface 422 located opposite the top surface
421, two vertical surfaces 423 each connected with two sides of the
top surface 421, and two inclined surfaces 424 each connected
between the vertical surface 423 and the bottom surface 422.
[0042] Refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, when the mobile terminal is in a
flat state, the two case modules 200 are unfolded side by side,
wherein the rotating rods 420 are arranged side by side, and the
adjacent vertical surfaces 423 are arranged in parallel.
[0043] Refer to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, when the mobile terminal is in a
folded state, the two case modules 200 are folded, wherein the
rotating rods 420 are arranged in an arc shape, and the adjacent
inclined surfaces 424 are attached to each other, so as to reduce a
pulling force on the flexible display body 100.
[0044] Specifically, when the mobile terminal is in a flat state,
the rotating rods 420 are arranged side by side, and the rotating
rods 420 compose a flat-width. The inclined surfaces 424 between
the adjacent rotating rods 420 have a gap of a predefined angle.
When the rotating rods 420 are rotated with the rotation of the
hinge assembly 410, the inclined surfaces 424 between the adjacent
rotating rods 420 gradually close to each other, the gap is
gradually decreased until the inclined surfaces 242 between the
adjacent rotating rods 420 are attached to each other, to form an
arc shape. At this moment, the arc length is almost equal to the
flat-width of the rotating rods 420.
[0045] Furthermore, the hinge module 400 is connected with the two
case modules 200, and the flexible display body 100 is attached on
the two case modules 200, so that the hinge module 400 is located
under a bending area of the flexible display body 100. That is, the
flexible display body 100 can be bent with the rotation of the
hinge module 400.
[0046] Therefore, in the bendable mobile terminal of the present
disclosure, because the shape of the rotating rods 420 in the hinge
module 400, when going to the folded state. the rotating rods 420
will be rotated with the rotation of the hinge assembly 410, and
finally become an arc shape, so that the length of the folded
flexible display body 100 and the total length of an upper surface
of the two case modules 200 are almost the same, thus a sliding
distance and a pulling force on the flexible display body 100 can
be reduced, so as to prevent being broken.
[0047] In the embodiment, when the mobile terminal is in the folded
state, the rotating rods 420 are rotated to form a semicircle,
wherein the number of the rotating rods 420 is from cutting the
semicircle. When there are more of the cutting numbers, the
flat-width of the rotating rods 420 will be more equal to the
folded arc length of the semicircle, and the inclined surfaces 424
remain inclined surfaces after the above-mentioned cutting action
according to the cutting lines.
[0048] Furthermore, the number of the rotating rods 420 is an even
number. When the rotating rods 420 is even numbers, on the one
hand, the rotating rods 420 in the semicircle can be in a
symmetrical state, and with the rotating rods 420 being changed
from the flat state to the folded state, each rotation angles of
the rotating rods 420 is the same, so as to improve the stability
of the module 400 and the flexible display body 100 when in folded
state; and on the other hand, by the arrangement of the even number
of rotating rods 420, the fixed connection between the rotating rod
420 and the hinge assembly 410 can be more convenient, so as to
improve the assembly efficiency.
[0049] Please refer to FIGS. 3 and 5, in the embodiment, the number
of the rotating rods 420 is four. Please refer to FIG. 6, in
another embodiment, the number of the rotating rods is six.
[0050] In the embodiment, the top surface 421 is a convex-arc-shape
surface. When the mobile terminal is in the folded state, the
convex-arc-shape surface forms an arc surface of a semicircle. When
the top surface 421 is a convex-arc-shape surface, it is convenient
for the top surfaces of the rotating rods 420 to support the
flexible display body 100, so that the flexible display body 100
can be smoothly bent in a bending area, so as to protect and
support the flexible display body 100.
[0051] In the embodiment, please refer to FIG. 7, the hinge body
411 includes a plurality of connecting shafts 413 for connecting
between the two adjacent chain segments or connecting between the
chain segment and a connecting part. The rotating rods 420 are
fixedly connected with the connecting shaft 413 one to one.
Specifically, a fixing portion is disposed at an end of the
connecting shaft 413 facing to the rotating rod 420, and connecting
holes are disposed at two ends of the rotating rod 420, so that the
fixing portion is fixedly disposed into the connecting hole,
wherein the fixing portion can be connected into the connecting
hole by a screwing connection, an engaging match, or a plug-n
match.
[0052] In the embodiment, the top surface 421 and the vertical
surface 423 are connected by a round corner, and the vertical
surface 423 and the inclined surface 424 are also connected by a
round corner. By disposing the round corners, the outer profile
surfaces of the rotating rod 420 are smoothly transited, and when
rotating the adjacent rotating rods 420, the wear between each of
the adjacent rotating rods 420 is avoided, so as to improve service
life.
[0053] Based on the above-mentioned structure, in an actual
operation, the flat-width of the rotating rods 420 is slightly
smaller than the arc length of the semicircle in the folded state,
so that when the mobile terminal is rotated, the case modules 200
further need to slide toward the hinge module 400 for a small
distance, so as to reduce influence of a pulling force when the
flexible display body 100 is bent, even when not influenced by the
pulling force.
[0054] Based on the above-mentioned situation, please refer to FIG.
2 and FIG. 4, in the embodiment, two sides of the hinge module 400
are respectively connected with the two case modules 200 by a
spring module 300, wherein one side of the spring module 300 is
fixedly connected with the hinge module 400, and another side of
the spring module 300 is slidably connected to the case module
200.
[0055] In the embodiment, when the mobile terminal is bent and the
hinge module 400 is simultaneously rotated. Because the flat-width
of the rotating rods 420 is slightly smaller than the arc length of
the semicircle, the flexible display body 100 fixedly disposed on
the case module 200 bears a slight pulling force. Therefore, in
order to overcome the pulling force, the two case modules 200 is
slide toward the spring module 300, so as to avoid a damage of the
flexible display body 100.
[0056] Specifically, please refer to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the spring
module 300 includes a bottom case 330, a plurality of placement
grooves 331 formed on the bottom case 330, and a plurality of
springs 320 disposed in the placement grooves 331.
[0057] The case module 200 includes an upper case 210 for an
arrangement of the flexible display body 100, a lower case 220 for
an assembly with the upper case 210, and a plurality of pressing
portions 230 disposed on the lower case 220 and inserted into the
placement groove 331 for pressing the spring 320.
[0058] When the mobile terminal is in a flat state, the case module
200 is away from the spring module 300, so that there is a sliding
gap "a" between the case module 200 and the spring module 300, and
the spring 320 has a first elastic potential energy.
[0059] When the mobile terminal is in a folded state, the case
module 200 is close to the spring module 300, so that the sliding
gap "a" between the case module 200 and the spring module 300 is
reduced, and the pressing portion 230 presses the spring 320, thus
the spring 320 has a second elastic potential energy.
[0060] The second elastic potential energy is greater than the
first elastic potential energy.
[0061] Because the second elastic potential energy is greater than
the first elastic potential energy, when the mobile terminal is
changed from the flat state to the folded state, the spring 320
will provide an outward recovery force, so as to ensure that the
case module 200 can slide back to the original position.
[0062] In the present embodiment, the spring module 300 includes
sliding grooves alternately arranged with the placement grooves
331. The case module 200 includes sliding portions alternately
arranged with the pressing portions 230, and the sliding portions
are slidably disposed in the sliding grooves.
[0063] The placement grooves 331 and the sliding grooves are
alternately arranged, so that the space arrangement of the
placement groove 331 and the sliding groove is more reasonable and
balanced. Furthermore, because the sliding portion is slidably
disposed in the sliding groove, the sliding connection between the
sliding portion and the bottom case 330 is more balanced. In the
same way, the balance of the force on the lower case 220 is
improved.
[0064] In the embodiment, the sliding groove includes a first
sliding groove 332, and the first sliding groove 332 is
symmetrically disposed at two end regions of the lower case 220;
and the sliding portion includes a first sliding portion 240, and
the first sliding portion 240 is correspondingly disposed in the
first sliding groove 332.
[0065] The spring module 300 includes a cover plate 310 disposed on
the bottom case 330 and a limiting opening 311 disposed on the
cover plate 310. The first sliding portion 240 has a limiting block
241 disposed facing the cover plate 310, and the limiting block 241
is slide and limited in the limiting opening 311.
[0066] The limiting block 241 and the limiting opening 311 can
avoid an excessive sliding of the case module 200.
[0067] In the embodiment, the sliding groove includes a second
sliding groove 333, and the second sliding groove 333 has a fixing
block 334. The sliding portion includes a second sliding portion
250, and the second sliding portion 250 has avoidance groove 251
facing the fixing block 334. The cover plate 310 is fixedly
connected with the fixing block 334 by a screw.
[0068] The second sliding portion 250 is correspondingly slidably
disposed in the second sliding groove 333. When the mobile terminal
is in the folded state, the fixing block 334 is located in the
avoiding groove 251.
[0069] The fixing block 334, on the one hand, is used to support
the cover plate 310 so as to improve the stability of the cover
310; on the other hand, it is used to fixedly connect with the
cover plate 310 so as to improve the stability of the spring module
300.
[0070] The avoidance groove 251, on the one hand, is used to
prevent the second sliding portion 250 from touching the fixing
block 334 when sliding in the second sliding groove 333, thereby to
affect the sliding of the second sliding groove 333, wherein the
size of the avoiding groove 261 is greater than the size of the
fixing block 334; on the other hand, the arrangement space of the
second sliding portion 250 in the second sliding groove 333 is
saved.
[0071] Specifically, the fixing block 334 has a threaded hole, and
the corresponding position of the cover plate 310 has a through
hole, and a screw is screwed into the threaded hole through the
through hole.
[0072] Furthermore, when the mobile terminal is in the folded
state, the spring 320, in a pressed state, has an elastic recovery
force, which will push the pressing portion 230 to an opposite
direction, so as to lead the sliding portion to reversely slide, so
that the influence of the sliding portion due to the recovery force
of the spring 320 is reduced.
[0073] Therefore, a limiting strip 336 is disposed in the second
sliding groove 333 and at an end of the fixing block 334 away from
the hinge module 400, and a limiting groove is disposed on a bottom
surface of the second sliding portion 250. When the mobile terminal
is in the folded state, the limit strip 336 is limited in the limit
groove (not shown in the figure) to reduce or overcome the recovery
force of the spring 320, so as to ensure the stability of the
mobile terminal in the folded state.
[0074] Furthermore, the limiting strip 336 is located in a sliding
direction of the avoidance groove 251 of the second sliding portion
250. By such an arrangement, when the mobile terminal is in the
flat state, only to enlarge the length of the avoiding groove 251,
the limiting strip 336 can be located in the avoidance groove 251,
thereby to reduce the manufacturing process and to improve the
efficiency.
[0075] In the present embodiment, the hinge assembly 400 includes
two connecting parts 412 for connecting the spring module 300 on
the two sides of the hinge body 411. A receiving groove 335 is
disposed on one side of the spring module 300 for receiving the
connecting part 412. The connecting part 412 is fixedly disposed in
the receiving groove 335.
[0076] In the embodiment, the connecting part 412 has a first
through hole, and the bottom surface of the receiving groove 335
has a hole corresponding to the first through hole, so that the
connecting part 412 can be fixedly connected with the receiving
groove 335 by a screw, or the connecting part 412 is fixedly
connected with the receiving groove 335 by a rivet, wherein the
screw or the rivet passes through the first through hole and the
hole.
[0077] In the embodiment, the upper case 210 has an avoidance
opening facing the hinge module 400 to avoid the connecting part
412.
[0078] The operation steps of the embodiment are that:
[0079] When the mobile terminal is in a flat state, the flexible
display body 100 is flatted and attached on the two upper cases 210
of the two case modules 200, and is located above the spring
modules 300 and the hinge module 400.
[0080] Wherein, the four rotating rods 420 of the hinge module 400
are arranged side by side, and the vertical surfaces 423 of the
four rotating rods 420 are all arranged in parallel or being
attached together. The four rotating rods 420 have a flat-width,
and there is a certain sliding gap "a" between the case modules 200
and the spring modules 300, and the pressing portion 230 is
inserted into the positioning groove 331 and away from the hinge
module 400, and the sliding portion is located at one end of the
sliding groove away from the hinge module 400.
[0081] When the mobile terminal is in the folded state, the
flexible display body 100 is bent, and the two case modules 200 are
folded together;
[0082] Wherein, the four rotating rods 420 of the hinge module 400
are rotated with the rotation of the hinge assembly 410, and
finally, the inclined surfaces 424 of the adjacent rotating rods
420 are attached to each other to form a semicircle shape, and the
four rotating rods 420 have an arc length of the semicircle. The
case module 200 slides toward the hinge module 400 under a pulling
of the flexible display body 100, so that the sliding gap between
the case modules 200 and the spring modules 300 is reduced. At the
same time, the pressing portion 230 moves in the placement groove
331 and pushes the spring 320 to make the spring 320 in a pressed
state, and the fixing block 241 is limited in the avoidance groove
334.
[0083] When the mobile terminal is changed from the folded state to
the flat state, the springs 320 will provide an outward recovery
force to push the case modules 200 back to the original
position.
[0084] The operation steps of the embodiment is finished.
[0085] Compared with conventional mobile terminal, the bendable
mobile terminal of the present disclosure has a plurality of
rotating rods in a hinge module, and the plurality of rotating rods
are rotated with hinge assemblies when in a folded state, and
finally, it becomes an arc shape, so that the length of the
flexible display body in the folded state is almost the same as the
total length of the upper surfaces of the two case modules, thereby
a sliding distance and a pulling force on the flexible display body
can be reduced, so as to prevent being broken. This solves the
technical problem that a bendable area of the display screen is
easily broken when the conventional bendable mobile terminal is
bent.
[0086] Moreover, despite one or more implementations relative to
the present disclosure being illustrated and described, equivalent
alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the
art upon reading and understanding this specification and the
annexed drawings. The present disclosure comprises such
modifications and variations, and is to be limited only by the
terms of the appended claims. In addition, although a particular
feature of the disclosure may have been disclosed with respect to
only one of several implementations, such a feature may be combined
with one or more other features of the other implementations as may
be desired and advantageous for any given or particular
application. Also, to the extent that the terms "including,"
"includes", "having", "has", "with" or variants thereof are used in
the detailed description or in the claims, such terms are intended
to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising".
[0087] As mentioned above, the present invention has been disclosed
in the above embodiments, and the serial numbers before the
embodiments, such as "first", "second", etc., are used for
convenience of description only, and the order of the embodiments
of the present invention is not limited. Furthermore, the present
disclosure has been described with preferred embodiments thereof
and it is understood that many changes and modifications to the
described embodiment can be carried out without departing from the
scope and the spirit of the invention that is intended to be
limited only by the appended claims.
* * * * *