Hinge mechanism and electronic device

1 . A hinge mechanism, configured to be used in a foldable electronic device, wherein the hinge mechanism comprises:

a main shaft;

a first rotating assembly; and

a second rotating assembly, wherein the first rotating assembly and the second rotating assembly are disposed opposite to each other on two sides of the main shaft;

wherein the first rotating assembly comprises a first rotating sub-assembly, a first mounting plate, a first magnetic piece, and a first magnetic fitting piece, wherein the first rotating sub-assembly and the first mounting plate are separately rotatably connected to the main shaft, the first rotating sub-assembly comprises a first rotating piece, a rotation axis of the first rotating piece relative to the main shaft is parallel to and does not overlap a rotation axis of the first mounting plate relative to the main shaft, and the first rotating piece is slidably connected to the first mounting plate, and wherein the first magnetic piece is on the first rotating sub-assembly, the first magnetic fitting piece is on the first mounting plate, and the first magnetic piece is configured to magnetically attract and fit the first magnetic fitting piece, wherein a first sliding groove extends in the first mounting plate, and a first slider of the first rotating piece is accommodated in the first sliding groove and is slidable in the first sliding groove to implement slidable connection between the first rotating piece and the first mounting plate, and the first magnetic piece is on the first rotating sub-assembly and spaced from the first sliding groove in a direction that is parallel to an axis of the main shaft;

wherein the second rotating assembly comprises a second rotating sub-assembly, a second mounting plate, a second magnetic piece, and a second magnetic fitting piece, wherein the second rotating sub-assembly comprises a second rotating piece, the second-rotating piece and the second mounting plate are separately rotatably connected to the main shaft, a rotation axis of the second rotating piece relative to the main shaft is parallel to and does not overlap a rotation axis of the second mounting plate relative to the main shaft, and the second rotating piece is slidably connected to the second mounting plate, and wherein the second magnetic piece is disposed on the second rotating sub-assembly, the second magnetic fitting piece is disposed on the second mounting plate, and the second magnetic piece is configured to magnetically attract and fit the second magnetic fitting piece; and

wherein the hinge mechanism is configured in a manner that:

when the first mounting plate slides relative to the first rotating piece in a direction away from the main shaft, and the second mounting plate slides relative to the second rotating piece in a direction away from the main shaft, the first magnetic piece and the first magnetic fitting piece move away from each other and provide a first resistance force for relative sliding between the first rotating piece and the first mounting plate, and the second magnetic piece and the second magnetic fitting piece move away from each other and provide a second resistance force for the second rotating piece and the second mounting plate; or

when the first mounting plate slides relative to the first rotating piece in a direction towards the main shaft, and the second mounting plate slides relative to the second rotating piece in a direction towards the main shaft, the first magnetic piece and the first magnetic fitting piece magnetically approach each other to drive relative sliding between the first rotating piece and the first mounting plate, and the second magnetic piece and the second magnetic fitting piece magnetically approach each other to drive relative sliding between the second rotating piece and the second mounting plate.

2 . The hinge mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein both the first magnetic piece and the first magnetic fitting piece are permanent magnets; or the first magnetic piece is a permanent magnet, and the first magnetic fitting piece is an electromagnet; and

wherein both the second magnetic piece and the second magnetic fitting piece are permanent magnets; or the second magnetic piece is a permanent magnet, and the second magnetic fitting piece is an electromagnet.

3 . The hinge mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein a first interface of the first magnetic piece is in contact with the first magnetic fitting piece through attraction and fitting, and the hinge mechanism is configured in a manner that, when the first mounting plate slides relative to the first rotating piece, the first magnetic piece and the first magnetic fitting piece move away from or approach each other in a direction parallel to the first interface; and

a second interface of the second magnetic piece is in contact with the second magnetic fitting piece through attraction and fitting, and the hinge mechanism is configured in a manner that, when the second mounting plate slides relative to the second rotating piece, the second magnetic piece and the second magnetic fitting piece move away from or approach each other in a direction parallel to the second interface.

4 . The hinge mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein a first interface of the first magnetic piece is in contact with the first magnetic fitting piece through attraction and fitting, and the hinge mechanism is configured in a manner that, when the first mounting plate slides relative to the first rotating piece, the first magnetic piece and the first magnetic fitting piece move away from or approach each other in a direction perpendicular to the first interface; and

a second interface of the second magnetic piece is in contact with the second magnetic fitting piece through attraction and fitting, and the hinge mechanism is configured in a manner that, when the second mounting plate slides relative to the second rotating piece, the second magnetic piece and the second magnetic fitting piece move away from or approach each other in a direction perpendicular to the second interface.

5 . The hinge mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein:

the first rotating piece comprises a first arc-shaped rotating block and the first slider that are fastened to each other, and the first arc-shaped rotating block is located on a side of the first slider that is closest to the main shaft;

the first magnetic piece is connected to the first slider;

a first arc-shaped guiding groove extends in a side of the main shaft that faces the first rotating piece, and the first arc-shaped rotating block is accommodated in the first arc-shaped guiding groove and is slidable in the first arc-shaped guiding groove to implement rotatable connection between the first rotating piece and the main shaft;

the second rotating piece comprises a second arc-shaped rotating block and a second slider that are fastened to each other, and the second arc-shaped rotating block is located on a side of the second slider that is closest to the main shaft;

the second magnetic piece is connected to the second slider;

a second arc-shaped guiding groove extends in a side of the main shaft that faces the second rotating piece, and the second arc-shaped rotating block is accommodated in the second arc-shaped guiding groove and is slidable in the second arc-shaped guiding groove to implement rotatable connection between the second rotating piece and the main shaft; and

wherein a second sliding groove extends in the second mounting plate, and the second slider is accommodated in the second sliding groove and is slidable in the second sliding groove to implement slidable connection between the second rotating piece and the second mounting plate.

6 . The hinge mechanism according to claim 5 , wherein the hinge mechanism is configured in a manner that, when the first magnetic piece and the first magnetic fitting piece move away from or approach each other in a direction parallel to a contact interface for attraction and fitting, and the second magnetic piece and the second magnetic fitting piece move away from or approach each other in a direction parallel to the contact interface for attraction and fitting, the first magnetic piece is disposed on the first slider, the first magnetic fitting piece is disposed in the first sliding groove, the second magnetic piece is disposed on the second slider, and the second magnetic fitting piece is disposed in the second sliding groove.

7 . The hinge mechanism according to claim 5 , wherein the hinge mechanism is configured in a manner that, when the first magnetic piece and the first magnetic fitting piece move away from or approach each other in a direction perpendicular to a contact interface for attraction and fitting, and the second magnetic piece and the second magnetic fitting piece move away from or approach each other in a direction perpendicular to the contact interface for attraction and fitting, the first rotating sub-assembly further comprises a first bracket, the first bracket is located on a side of the first mounting plate that faces away from the main shaft, a first end of the first slider that is not a closest end to the first arc-shaped rotating block extends out of the first sliding groove and is fastened to the first bracket, the first magnetic piece is disposed on the first bracket and faces the first mounting plate, the first magnetic fitting piece is disposed on a side of the first mounting plate that faces away from the main shaft, and faces the first magnetic piece, the second rotating sub-assembly further comprises a second bracket, the second bracket is located on a side of the second mounting plate that faces away from the main shaft, a first end of the second slider that is not a closest end to the second arc-shaped rotating block extends out of the second sliding groove and is fastened to the second bracket, the second magnetic piece is disposed on the second bracket and faces the second mounting plate, and the second magnetic fitting piece is disposed on a side of the second mounting plate that faces away from the main shaft, and faces the second magnetic piece.

8 . The hinge mechanism according to claim 7 , wherein the first bracket and the first rotating piece are an integrated structure, and the second bracket and the second rotating piece are an integrated structure.

9 . The hinge mechanism according to claim 5 , wherein the first rotating piece and the second rotating piece are centro-symmetrical or axial-symmetrical with respect to the main shaft.

10 . An electronic device, comprising:

a flexible display;

a first housing;

a second housing; and

a hinge mechanism;

wherein the first housing is fastened to a first mounting plate, the second housing is fastened to a second mounting plate, and the flexible display continuously covers the first housing, the second housing, and the hinge mechanism, and is separately fastened to the first housing and the second housing;

wherein the hinge mechanism comprises a main shaft, a first rotating assembly, and a second rotating assembly, and the first rotating assembly and the second rotating assembly are disposed opposite to each other on two sides of the main shaft;

wherein the first rotating assembly comprises a first rotating sub-assembly, the first mounting plate, a first magnetic piece, and a first magnetic fitting piece, wherein the first rotating sub-assembly and the first mounting plate are separately rotatably connected to the main shaft, the first rotating sub-assembly comprises a first rotating piece, a rotation axis of the first rotating piece relative to the main shaft is parallel to and does not overlap a rotation axis of the first mounting plate relative to the main shaft, and the first rotating piece is slidably connected to the first mounting plate, and wherein the first magnetic piece is disposed on the first rotating sub-assembly, the first magnetic fitting piece is disposed on the first mounting plate, and the first magnetic piece is configured to magnetically attract and fit the first magnetic fitting piece, wherein a first sliding groove extends in the first mounting plate, and a first slider of the first rotating piece is accommodated in the first sliding groove and is slidable in the first sliding groove to implement slidable connection between the first rotating piece and the first mounting plate, and the first magnetic piece is on the first rotating sub-assembly and spaced from the first sliding groove in a direction that is parallel to an axis of the main shaft;

wherein the second rotating assembly comprises a second rotating sub-assembly, the second mounting plate, a second magnetic piece, and a second magnetic fitting piece, wherein the second rotating sub-assembly and the second mounting plate are separately rotatably connected to the main shaft, the second rotating sub-assembly comprises a second rotating piece, a rotation axis of the second rotating piece relative to the main shaft is parallel to and does not overlap a rotation axis of the second mounting plate relative to the main shaft, and the second rotating piece is slidably connected to the second mounting plate, and wherein the second magnetic piece is disposed on the second rotating sub-assembly, the second magnetic fitting piece is disposed on the second mounting plate, and the second magnetic piece is configured to magnetically attract and fit the second magnetic fitting piece; and

wherein the hinge mechanism is configured in a manner that:

when the first mounting plate slides relative to the first rotating piece in a direction away from the main shaft, and the second mounting plate slides relative to the second rotating piece in a direction away from the main shaft, the first magnetic piece and the first magnetic fitting piece move away from each other and provide a first resistance force for relative sliding between the first rotating piece and the first mounting plate, and the second magnetic piece and the second magnetic fitting piece move away from each other and provide a second resistance force for the second rotating piece and the second mounting plate; or

when the first mounting plate slides relative to the first rotating piece in a direction towards the main shaft, and the second mounting plate slides relative to the second rotating piece in a direction towards the main shaft, the first magnetic piece and the first magnetic fitting piece magnetically approach each other to drive relative sliding between the first rotating piece and the first mounting plate, and the second magnetic piece and the second magnetic fitting piece magnetically approach each other to drive relative sliding between the second rotating piece and the second mounting plate.

11 . The electronic device according to claim 10 , wherein both the first magnetic piece and the first magnetic fitting piece are permanent magnets; or the first magnetic piece is a permanent magnet, and the first magnetic fitting piece is an electromagnet; and

wherein both the second magnetic piece and the second magnetic fitting piece are permanent magnets; or the second magnetic piece is a permanent magnet, and the second magnetic fitting piece is an electromagnet.

12 . The electronic device according to claim 10 , wherein a first interface of the first magnetic piece is in contact with the first magnetic fitting piece through attraction and fitting, and the hinge mechanism is configured in a manner that, when the first mounting plate slides relative to the first rotating piece, the first magnetic piece and the first magnetic fitting piece move away from or approach each other in a direction parallel to the first interface; and

wherein a second interface of the second magnetic piece is in contact with the second magnetic fitting piece through attraction and fitting, and the hinge mechanism is configured in a manner that, when the second mounting plate slides relative to the second rotating piece, the second magnetic piece and the second magnetic fitting piece move away from or approach each other in a direction parallel to the second interface.

13 . The electronic device according to claim 10 , wherein a first interface of the first magnetic piece is in contact with the first magnetic fitting piece through attraction and fitting, and the hinge mechanism is configured in a manner that, when the first mounting plate slides relative to the first rotating piece, the first magnetic piece and the first magnetic fitting piece move away from or approach each other in a direction perpendicular to the first interface; and

wherein a second interface of the second magnetic piece is in contact with the second magnetic fitting piece through attraction and fitting, and the hinge mechanism is configured in a manner that, when the second mounting plate slides relative to the second rotating piece, the second magnetic piece and the second magnetic fitting piece move away from or approach each other in a direction perpendicular to the second interface.

14 . The electronic device according to claim 13 , wherein the first rotating piece and the second rotating piece are centro-symmetrical or axial-symmetrical with respect to the main shaft.

15 . The electronic device according to claim 10 , wherein the first rotating piece comprises a first arc-shaped rotating block and the first slider that are fastened to each other, and the first arc-shaped rotating block is located on a side of the first slider that is closest to the main shaft; the first magnetic piece is connected to the first slider; a first arc-shaped guiding groove extends in a side that is of the main shaft and that faces the first rotating piece, and the first arc-shaped rotating block is accommodated in the first arc-shaped guiding groove and is slidable in the first arc-shaped guiding groove to implement rotatable connection between the first rotating piece and the main shaft; and

wherein the second rotating piece comprises a second arc-shaped rotating block and a second slider that are fastened to each other, and the second arc-shaped rotating block is located on a side of the second slider that is closest to the main shaft; the second magnetic piece is connected to the second slider; a second arc-shaped guiding groove extends in a side of the main shaft that faces the second rotating piece, and the second arc-shaped rotating block is accommodated in the second arc-shaped guiding groove and is slidable in the second arc-shaped guiding groove to implement rotatable connection between the second rotating piece and the main shaft; and a second sliding groove extends in the second mounting plate, and the second slider is accommodated in the second sliding groove and is slidable in the second sliding groove to implement slidable connection between the second rotating piece and the second mounting plate.

16 . The electronic device according to claim 15 , wherein the hinge mechanism is configured in a manner that, when the first magnetic piece and the first magnetic fitting piece move away from or approach each other in a direction parallel to a contact interface for attraction and fitting, and the second magnetic piece and the second magnetic fitting piece move away from or approach each other in a direction parallel to the contact interface for attraction and fitting, the first magnetic piece is disposed on the first slider, the first magnetic fitting piece is disposed in the first sliding groove, the second magnetic piece is disposed on the second slider, and the second magnetic fitting piece is disposed in the second sliding groove.

17 . The electronic device according to claim 15 , wherein the hinge mechanism is configured in a manner that, when the first magnetic piece and the first magnetic fitting piece move away from or approach each other in a direction perpendicular to a contact interface for attraction and fitting, and the second magnetic piece and the second magnetic fitting piece move away from or approach each other in a direction perpendicular to the contact interface for attraction and fitting, the first rotating sub-assembly further comprises a first bracket, the first bracket is located on a side of the first mounting plate that faces away from the main shaft, a first end of the first slider that is not closest to the first arc-shaped rotating block extends out of the first sliding groove and is fastened to the first bracket, the first magnetic piece is disposed on the first bracket and faces the first mounting plate, the first magnetic fitting piece is disposed on a side of the first mounting plate that faces away from the main shaft, and faces the first magnetic piece, the second rotating sub-assembly further comprises a second bracket, the second bracket is located on a side of the second mounting plate that faces away from the main shaft, a first end of the second slider that is not closest to the second arc-shaped rotating block extends out of the second sliding groove and is fastened to the second bracket, the second magnetic piece is disposed on the second bracket and faces the second mounting plate, and the second magnetic fitting piece is disposed on a side of the second mounting plate that faces away from the main shaft, and faces the second magnetic piece.

18 . The electronic device according to claim 17 , wherein the first bracket and the first rotating piece are an integrated structure, and the second bracket and the second rotating piece are an integrated structure.