HK1092244B - Mobile terminal with synchronizing hinge - Google Patents

Description

Mobile terminal with synchronous hinge

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a mobile electronic device, and more particularly, to a folding electronic device.

Background

U.S. patent publication US2002/0154475A1 discloses a folding electronic device. The device has a first portion with a keyboard and a second portion with a display. The second part is connected to the first part by means of a double-jointed mechanical hinge. The second portion is movable between a first position opposite a first side of the first portion and a second position opposite a second side of the first portion.

Folding mobile phones, also called flip phones or clamshell phones, are becoming more and more popular in today's mobile phone market, especially asia. In a conventional folding mobile phone there is a cover with a display and pivoted about 160 and 180 degrees relative to the part of the phone with the keypad. The cover of the folding phone has two positions: either the closed position or the open position.

A new reconfigurable mobile phone is desired that can be configured similar to a conventional flip phone and that can also be reconfigured with the cover pivotable more than 180 degrees (e.g., 360 degrees). However, for such multi-open position folding mobile phones, it is desirable to provide a robust and compact design that provides a smooth opening and closing action for the user. This type of action will prevent the user from erroneously perceiving that the mobile phone has a fragile structure (i.e., may feel that opening and closing of the flip phone is too easy, or have a hinge that does not move in a consistent, repetitive manner).

Disclosure of Invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus including: a first portion having a keypad; a second portion having a display; and a connection mechanism movably connecting the second portion with the first portion. The linkage includes a first shaft that rotates with the first portion, an offset second shaft that rotates with the second portion, and a synchronizing member that coordinates rotation of the first portion relative to the linkage with rotation of the second portion relative to the linkage.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile communication device comprising: a housing; a radio transceiver in the housing; a keypad coupled to the housing; and a display coupled to the housing. The housing includes: a first part movably connected to a second part of the housing by means of a multi-axis hinge. The first axis of rotation of the hinge is disposed at the first portion of the housing. The biased second axis of rotation of the hinge is disposed at the second portion of the housing. The hinge includes means for synchronously rotating the first and second portions relative to the hinge through a path of about 360 degrees.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile communication device comprising: a housing having a first portion, a second portion, and a co-rotating multi-axis hinge connection connecting the first portion and the second portion; a radio transceiver located in the housing; a keypad coupled to the housing; a display coupled to the housing; and a flexible conductor extending through the hinge connection and connecting the electronic circuitry in the first portion of the housing with the electronic circuitry in the second portion of the housing. Synchronous rotation multiaxis hinged joint mechanism includes: a hinge frame; two hinge pins rotatably mounted in the hinge brackets; a synchronizing gear connecting the hinge pins to each other; a first frame member fixedly connecting the first hinge pin with the first portion of the housing; a second frame element fixedly connecting the second hinge pin with the second portion of the housing. The second portion of the housing is adapted to rotate about 360 degrees relative to the first portion of the housing.

Drawings

The foregoing aspects and other features of the invention are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device in a first closed position incorporating features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electronic device shown in FIG. 1 with the housing components moved to an intermediate flipped open position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the electronic device shown in FIG. 1 with the housing components moved to a 360 degree fully flipped open and folded position;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the electronic device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a hinge for use in the electronic device shown in FIG. 1, the hinge shown in a first closed position corresponding to the position shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the hinge shown in FIG. 5, the hinge being moved to a second intermediate position corresponding to the position shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the hinge shown in FIG. 5, the hinge being moved to a third position corresponding to the position shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the braking system with an alternative embodiment of the hinge of the braking system, showing a position corresponding to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 5;

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the braking system shown in FIG. 8, illustrating a position corresponding to the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 6;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the hinge shown in FIG. 5, viewed from the opposite side;

fig. 11 is an assembled view of the hinge shown in fig. 10.

Detailed Description

Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of an electronic device 10 incorporating features of the present invention is shown. While the present invention will be described with reference to the exemplary embodiments as illustrated in the drawings, it should be understood that the invention can be embodied in many alternate forms of embodiments. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elements or materials could be used.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the electronic equipment 10 generally comprises a mobile communication device, such as a mobile telephone. In alternative embodiments, the electronic equipment may comprise any suitable type of mobile communication device, for example, equipment that includes pager functionality or text transmission functionality. The electronic device 10 may include any suitable type of feature, including, for example, a digital camera feature.

Referring to fig. 2, the electronic device 10 as shown generally includes a housing 12, a keypad 14, a display 16, a transceiver 18, a battery 20, and other conventional components of a mobile telephone, such as a microprocessor and an antenna. Housing 12 generally includes a first portion 22, a second portion 24, and a coupling mechanism 26 that movably couples second portion 24 to first portion 22. In the embodiment shown, the keypad 14 is connected to a first portion 22 of the housing. The display 16 is connected to the second portion 24 of the housing. In alternate embodiments, the various electronic components of the telephone 10 may be located in any one of the housing sections.

Referring specifically to fig. 1-3, the housing 12 is movable to at least three different configurations. Fig. 1 shows the housing 12 in a closed, folded first configuration. In this closed, folded first configuration, the first and second portions 22, 24 are positioned adjacent one another with the display 16 and keypad facing one another. This provides a compact folded configuration in which the keypad 14 and display 16 are inaccessible to the user. In an alternative embodiment, first portion 22 may include display 16.

Fig. 2 shows the housing 12 in a first open position. More specifically, the connection mechanism 26 flips the second portion 24 of the housing open approximately 180 degrees relative to the first portion 22 of the housing in the direction indicated by arrow 32. In the illustrated embodiment, second portion 24 is substantially aligned with first portion 22 and attachment mechanism 26. However, in alternative embodiments, the first open position may include the second portion 24 at an angle of less than 180 degrees (e.g., about 160 degrees). This first open position allows the user to position the speaker or sound transducer 28 near the user's ear and the microphone 30 near the user's mouth.

Fig. 3 shows the housing 12 in a second open position. More specifically, the connection mechanism 26 enables the second portion 24 of the housing to be folded about 180 degrees relative to the first portion 22 of the housing in the direction indicated by arrow 34. In this fully open 360 degree flipped position, the first and second portions 22, 24 are folded over each other in the open folded position as shown, but in the opposite direction from the closed, folded position shown in fig. 1. In this second open position, the keypad 14 is located on the outward facing side of the first portion 22 and the display 16 is located on the outward facing side of the second portion 24. In the folded, fully open position as shown in fig. 3, a user is able to use the electronic device 10 in a folded, collapsed configuration, for example, when the electronic device includes a digital camera component or a game component that uses keys on the second portion 24, or when the display 16 includes a touch screen display.

Referring to fig. 4, an exploded perspective view of the electronic device 10 is shown. The connection mechanism 26 generally includes a synchronously rotating multi-axis hinge 27 and an electrically flexible conductor 48. The hinge 27 generally includes a hinge frame 36, two hinge modules or pins 38, a synchronizing gear 40, two frame members 42, 44, and a dust cover 46. The hinge frame 36 has a generally oval side profile. The hinge frame 36 includes two parallel pin receiving areas 50. The hinge frame 36 also includes a recess 52 at the entrance to the pin receiving area 50.

The hinge module 38 is rotatably located in the receiving area 50. The front portion 54 is keyed and is received in a keyed aperture 56 of the gear 40. The gears 40 are interlockingly connected with each other by their teeth and grooves. Since the gears 40 are mounted on the front 54 of the hinge module 38, the gears 40 are fixedly mounted on the hinge module 38 so as to rotate in synchronization with each other using the hinge module 38. The gear 40 is located in a recess 52 of the hinge bracket 36. The gear 40 forms a synchronizing element to facilitate synchronized movement of the hinge frame 36 relative to the first and second portions 22, 24 relative to one another. The hinge module is a commercially available product. The hinge module may include an internal braking system.

The front portion 54 of the hinge module 38 is also connected to the ends 58 of the frame members 42, 44. Specifically, a first one of the hinge modules 38 is fixedly and stably coupled to the front portion 54 of the first frame member 42, and a second one of the hinge modules 38 is fixedly and stably coupled to the front portion 54 of the second frame member 44. A dust cover 46 is preferably located between the gear 40 and the frame members 42, 44. The dust cover 46 helps prevent dust or debris from entering the receiving area 50 of the hinge frame 36 and interfering with the interlocking engagement of the teeth and slots of the gears. In the illustrated embodiment, the opposite ends 60 of the frame members 42, 44 are pivotally connected to pivot portions 66 (see fig. 10 and 11) extending from the hinge frame 36.

The first frame member 42 is fixedly and stably mounted to the first portion 22 of the housing. The second frame member 44 is fixedly and stably mounted to the second portion 24 of the housing. Fig. 5 shows the hinge 27 in a first position corresponding to the closed position of the electronic device as shown in fig. 1. For clarity, the dust cover 46 is not shown in FIGS. 5-7. It can be seen that the second frame member 44 is located adjacent the front side of the first frame member 42.

When the second portion 24 of the housing is moved from the closed position shown in fig. 1 to the intermediate flipped open position shown in fig. 2, the two frame members 42, 44 are repositioned relative to each other as shown in fig. 6. Since the hinge module 38 is stably connected to the respective frame members 42, 44 and the gear 40 is stably connected to the hinge module 38, the hinge frame 36 is rotated approximately 90 degrees from the position shown in fig. 5 to the position shown in fig. 6. The hinge module 38 is also rotated about 90 degrees relative to each other, but the two frames 42, 44 are rotated about 180 degrees relative to each other.

Because the hinge frame 36 includes a generally oval shaped side profile, the hinge frame 36 is able to span the gap between the connection areas with the frame members 42, 44 when the first and second portions 22, 24 are configured in a folded, thicker configuration as shown in fig. 1 and 3. However, when they are reconfigured to an intermediate flipped open position of lesser thickness as shown in FIG. 2, the hinge frame 36 can be vertically aligned with the first and second portions 22, 24. This provides the electronic device with a low thickness profile at hinge 27 when the device is in the intermediate flip open position. This also helps to match the thickness of the reconfigured hinge frame to the thickness of the housing portions 22, 24; or at least does not protrude significantly. This also provides a better appearance of the device when flipped open to the intermediate flipped open position. Alternatively, if the intermediate flipped open position is less than 180 degrees, the hinge frame 36 can provide a relatively harmless hinge transition point between the first and second portions 22, 24.

When the second portion 24 of the housing is moved from the intermediate flipped open position shown in fig. 2 to the 360 degree fully flipped open and folded position shown in fig. 3, the two frame members 42, 44 are repositioned relative to each other as shown in fig. 7. The second frame member 44 is positioned opposite the rear side of the first frame member 42. Since the hinge module 38 is stably connected to the respective frame elements 42, 44 and the gear 40 is stably connected to the hinge module 38, the hinge frame 36 is rotated another 90 degrees from the position shown in fig. 6 to the position shown in fig. 7. The hinge modules 38 are also rotated about another 90 degrees relative to each other, but the two frame members 42, 44 are rotated about 180 degrees relative to each other. The two frame members 42, 44 are rotated approximately 360 degrees from the position shown in fig. 5 to the position shown in fig. 7. In this manner, the electronic device 10 is reconfigurable from the folded closed position shown in FIG. 1 to the 360 degree fully flipped open and folded position shown in FIG. 3.

Referring again to fig. 4, as mentioned above, the connection mechanism 26 includes a flexible conductor 48, such as a flexible printed circuit. The flexible conductor 48 connects the circuitry in the first portion 22 with the circuitry in the second portion 24. The flexible conductor 48 extends through the hinge connection. In one embodiment, the hinge frame 36 may include a receiving area for receiving a portion of the flexible conductor 48. In another embodiment, the flexible conductor 48 may be mounted on the outside of the hinge frame 36.

The present invention provides a completely novel concept for different types of flip phones. A mobile phone incorporating features of the present invention may include 360 degree rotation of one housing portion relative to another housing portion. The present invention can provide a 360 degree hinge and more particularly, a novel synchronization mechanism that can be incorporated into a hinge of a foldable device. By means of the invention, the synchronization mechanism can be incorporated into the hinge of a fully folding device. One housing part of the device can be smoothly and synchronously rotated 360 degrees around the other housing part of the device with the movement of the hinge frame.

The hinge synchronization mechanism may be comprised of a hinge frame, two synchronizing gears, two hinge modules or pins, and a dust cap. When the hinge is rotated from the closed starting position, the synchronizing gears are connected to each other, and both hinge shafts are rotated by a similar angle. Both shafts are likewise rotated about 180 degrees. The present invention provides a controlled and synchronized 360 degree articulation. Due to the present invention, the applicability of the product is recognized. The invention provides a robust and compact construction and prevents dust and particles from entering the mechanism.

To maintain the position of first and second portions 22, 24 relative to one another, hinge 27 may include sufficient frictional resistance, such as a friction assembly, as is known in the art. Referring to fig. 8 and 9, an alternative embodiment of the brake positioning system of the first and second portions relative to each other is shown. In this embodiment, the hinge comprises a leaf spring 62. The hinge module 38 includes an exterior flat surface 64. Fig. 8 illustrates the interaction between the spring 62 and the outer surface of the hinge on the module 38. In this position, the detent spring 62 is deflected by contact with the outer surface of the hinge module 38.

The position shown in fig. 8 corresponds to the structure of the electronic device shown in fig. 1. The flat surface 64 is spaced from the spring 62. When the electronic device is reconfigured to the position shown in fig. 2, the flat surface 64 is aligned with the detent spring 62 as shown in fig. 9. The detent spring 62 returns to the undeflected position to form a biased detent to hold the first and second portions 22, 24 in the intermediate flipped open position shown in fig. 2. In alternate embodiments, any suitable type of detent structure positioning system may be provided. For example, in one type of alternative embodiment, the hinge module 38 may include an internal braking system, such as when each hinge module includes more than a single element.

Referring now to fig. 10 and 11, the hinge 27 of fig. 4-7 is shown from the opposite side. In this embodiment, the flexible conductor 48 is mounted inside the hinge frame. The hinge frame 36 has two pivot portions 66 extending from opposite sides 70. Each pivot portion 66 has a central passage 72. The hinge frame 36 includes a slot 68 into a side 70. Which extends through the pivot portion 66 and connects the two central passages 72 to each other. The flexible conductor 48 has a central portion 74 and two end portions 76. The central portion is inserted into the slot 68 and extends out of two central passages 72. Once out of the central passage 72, the ends 76 extend in opposite directions. The two ends 76 of the flexible conductor are connected to the circuitry in the first and second portions 22, 24. The flexible conductor 48 may flex when the first and second portions 22, 24 are moved relative to each other. The relatively long length of the flexible conductor 48 helps prevent metal fatigue of the conductor and failure of the flexible insulating matrix in the flexible conductor 48.

The flexible conductor 48 is inserted into the slot 68 before the frame members 42, 44 are mounted to the pivot portion 66. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame members 42, 44 have slots 78 extending from mounting holes 80, as shown in fig. 11, which facilitate mounting of the frame members 42, 44 on the flexible conductors 48. Once assembled, the frame members 42, 44 block the exit of the central portion 74 from the center of the slot 68, thereby ensuring assembly together. However, in alternate embodiments, any suitable type of assembly retention system could be provided.

The frame members 42, 44 are useful when assembled and used in robust construction. However, in alternative embodiments, the frame elements 42, 44 may not be provided. The hinge frame and the synchronizing mechanism can be mounted directly to the housing parts 22, 24. Similar to the current type of mobile camera-phones, the invention may comprise a camera in the connection between the two mobile housing parts. More specifically, the present invention can be adapted to provide a camera in the hinge frame 36. Power plugs and/or other external connectors may alternatively or additionally be integrated into the hinge frame 36. In alternative embodiments, the electrical connection from the hinge between folds to the housing portions 22, 24 may be provided by any suitable electrical connection, for example, by a metal slip connection or by a plug connector. Both solutions can be selected according to the metal connection pads on both folds and the spring connector in contact with said connection pads.

It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (24)

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a first portion having a keypad;

a second portion having a display; and

a connection mechanism for movably connecting the second part to the first part, the connection mechanism comprising a frame having a first axis of rotation with the first part and a second axis of rotation with the second part, and a synchronizing element located within the frame for coordinating the rotation of the first part relative to the frame with the rotation of the second part relative to the frame, characterised in that the second axis of rotation is offset from the first axis of rotation.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises a mobile communication device having a radio transceiver located in one of the first or second portions.

3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions comprise: the keypad and display are in a first position adjacent the first and second portions, the second portion is in a second position rotated 180 degrees relative to the first portion, the second portion is rotated 360 degrees relative to the first portion and the keypad and display are in a third position on an opposite, outwardly facing surface of the electronic device.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the connection mechanism comprises: a hinge frame having an oval side profile and two parallel pin receiving holes.

5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the hinge frame includes a recess for receiving the synchronization element.

6. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a flexible circuit extending across the connection mechanism and electrically connecting the electronic circuitry in the first section with the electronic circuitry in the second section.

7. An electronic device, comprising:

a first portion;

a second portion having a display; and

a coupling mechanism movably coupling the second part to the first part, the coupling mechanism comprising a first shaft rotatable with the first part, an offset second shaft rotatable with the second part, and a synchronizing member for rotating the first part relative to the second part, wherein the synchronizing member comprises two gears coupled to each other.

8. An electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the connection mechanism comprises two hinge pins rotatably mounted in the pin receiving holes, each hinge pin having one of said gears associated therewith, each hinge pin being stably connected to a respective one of the first and second portions.

9. An electronic device, comprising:

a first portion;

a second portion having a display; and

a linkage movably connecting the second portion to the first portion, the linkage comprising a first shaft rotatable with the first portion, an offset second shaft rotatable with the second portion, a synchronizing element rotating the first portion relative to the second portion, wherein the linkage comprises a detent positioning system for locking a position of the second portion relative to the first portion at an intermediate position between the fully closed position and the fully open position.

10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the fully open position comprises a 360 degree fully open position.

11. An electronic device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the synchronization element is adapted to synchronize the rotation of the first part relative to the connection with the rotation of the second part relative to the connection.

12. A mobile communication device, comprising:

a housing;

a radio transceiver in the housing;

a keypad coupled to the housing; and

a display coupled to the housing;

characterized in that the housing comprises: a first part movably connected to a second part of the housing by means of a multi-axis hinge, wherein a first axis of rotation of the hinge is provided at the first part of the housing, an offset second axis of rotation of the hinge is provided at the second part of the housing, and the hinge comprises means for synchronously rotating the first and second parts through a 360 degree path relative to the hinge.

13. The mobile communication device of claim 12, wherein the first and second portions comprise: the keypad and display are in a first position proximate the first and second portions, the second portion is rotated 180 degrees relative to the first portion such that the first portion is in a second position in line with the second portion and the hinge frame of the hinge, the second portion is rotated 360 degrees relative to the first portion and the keypad and display are in a third position on an opposite outward facing surface of the mobile communication device.

14. The mobile communication device of claim 12, wherein the hinge comprises a hinge frame having an oval side profile and two parallel pin receiving holes.

15. The mobile communication device of claim 14, wherein the means for synchronizing rotation of the first and second portions relative to the hinge comprises gears coupled to one another.

16. A mobile communications device as in claim 15 wherein the hinge comprises two hinge pins rotatably mounted in the pin receiving holes, each hinge pin having one of said gears attached thereto, each hinge pin being fixedly attached to a respective one of the first and second portions.

17. A mobile communication device as recited in claim 12, further comprising a flexible circuit extending across the hinge and electrically connecting the electronic circuitry in the first portion with the electronic circuitry in the second portion.

18. The mobile communication device of claim 12, wherein there is a connection mechanism at the multi-axis hinge that includes a detent positioning system for locking the position of the second portion relative to the first portion at an intermediate position between the fully closed position and the 360 degree fully open position.

19. A mobile communication device, comprising:

a housing having a first portion, a second portion, and a co-rotating multi-axis hinge connection connecting the first portion and the second portion;

a radio transceiver located in the housing;

a keypad coupled to the housing;

a display coupled to the housing; and

a flexible conductor extending through the hinge connection and connecting the electronic circuitry in the first portion of the housing with the electronic circuitry in the second portion of the housing,

it is characterized in that, this synchronous rotation multiaxis hinge connection mechanism includes:

a hinge frame;

two hinge pins rotatably mounted in the hinge brackets;

a synchronizing gear connecting the hinge pins to each other;

a first frame member fixedly connecting the first hinge pin with the first portion of the housing;

a second frame member fixedly connecting a second one of the hinge pins with the second portion of the housing,

wherein the second portion of the housing is adapted to rotate 360 degrees relative to the first portion of the housing.

20. The mobile communication device of claim 19, wherein the connection mechanism comprises a detent positioning system for locking the position of the second portion relative to the first portion at an intermediate position rotated 180 degrees between the fully closed position and the 360 degree fully open position.

21. The mobile communication device of claim 19, wherein the first and second portions comprise: the keypad and display are in a first position adjacent the first and second portions, the second portion is in a second position rotated 180 degrees relative to the first portion, the second portion is rotated 360 degrees relative to the first portion and the keypad and display are in a third position on the opposite outward facing surface of the mobile communication device.

22. The mobile communication device of claim 19, wherein the hinge frame has an oval side profile and two parallel pin receiving holes.

23. An electronic device, comprising:

a first portion;

a second portion having a display; and

a linkage movably coupling the second portion to the first portion, the linkage including a first shaft rotatable with the first portion, a second rotatable shaft spaced from the second portion, and a synchronizing member for coordinating rotation of the first portion relative to the linkage with rotation of the second portion relative to the linkage.

24. A mobile communication device, comprising:

a housing;

a radio transceiver in the housing;

at least one key connected to the housing; and

a display coupled to the housing;

characterised in that the housing comprises a first part movably connected to a second part of the housing by means of a multi-axis hinge, wherein a first axis of rotation of the hinge is provided to the first part of the housing and an offset second axis of rotation of the hinge is provided to the second part of the housing, wherein the multi-axis hinge comprises a synchronisation system for synchronising rotation of the first and second parts through a path of at least 180 degrees relative to the multi-axis hinge.