Damping Mechanism, Hinge Apparatus, and Foldable Electronic Device

A hinge apparatus, comprising:

• a damping mechanism comprising:
• a fixed base;
• a damping swing arm comprising a first end;
• at least one damping member disposed at the first end rotatably connected to the fixed base, configured to permit the damping swing arm to rotate between a folded position and an unfolded position around an axis relative to the fixed base and comprising:
• a circumferential outer wall surface;
• a first concave portion disposed on the circumferential outer wall surface;
• a second concave portion disposed on the circumferential outer wall surface;
• a protrusion positioned between the first concave portion and the second concave portion, wherein the protrusion comprises a guide surface inclined relative to the axis;
• and
• a rolling body configured to:
• abut the first concave portion when the damping swing arm is at the folded position;
• abut the second concave portion when the damping swing arm is at the unfolded position;
• and
• roll onto and abut the guide surface;
• and
• a push-pressing apparatus, wherein the push-pressing apparatus abuts against the rolling body and configured to apply an abut-pressing force to the damping member through the rolling body in response to the rolling body abutting against the first concave portion, the protrusion, and the second concave portion to move with the rolling body to squeeze the push-pressing apparatus in a direction along the axis when the damping swing arm rotates to a position between the folded position and the unfolded position.

A foldable electronic device, comprising:

• a first body;
• a second body;
• and
• a hinge apparatus configured to drive the first body and the second body to be unfolded or folded relative to each other, wherein the hinge apparatus comprises a damping mechanism, and wherein the damping mechanism comprises:
• a fixed base;
• a damping swing arm comprising a first end;
• a damping member disposed at the first end rotatably connected to the fixed base, configured to permit the damping swing arm to rotate between a folded position and an unfolded position around an axis relative to the fixed base and comprising:
• a circumferential outer wall surface;
• a first concave portion disposed on the circumferential outer wall surface;
• a second concave portion disposed on the circumferential outer wall surface;
• a protrusion positioned between the first concave portion and the second concave portion, wherein the protrusion comprises a guide surface inclined relative to the axis;
• and
• a rolling body configured to:
• abut the first concave portion when the damping swing arm is at the folded position;
• abut the second concave portion when the damping swing arm is at the unfolded position;
• and
• roll onto and abut the guide surface;
• and
• a push-pressing apparatus, wherein the push-pressing apparatus abuts against the rolling body and configured to apply an abut-pressing force to the damping member through the rolling body in response to the rolling body abutting against the first concave portion, the protrusion, or the second concave portion to move with the rolling body to squeeze the push-pressing apparatus in a direction along the axis when the damping swing arm rotates to a position between the folded position and the unfolded position.