TW202407502A - Foldable electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

A foldable electronic device includes a first body, a second body and a hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism includes a base, a sliding member, two gears, two connecting rods and a gear shaft. The base is disposed on the first body. The sliding member is slidably disposed on the base. The two gears are pivoted on the base and are engaged with each other. One end of the two connecting rods are fixedly connected with the two gears, and the other end of the two connecting rods are slidably disposed on the base. The gear shaft is pivoted to the base and engages with one of the two gears. When the second body is unfolded relative to the first body, the gear shaft, the two gears, and the two connecting rods are driven in sequence, so that one end of each of the two connecting rods slides on the base in a direction away from each other, and the other end of each of the two connecting rods moves in a direction of one end of the two connecting rods, so that the sliding member and the gear shaft gradually move closer to the first body.

Description

Foldable electronic device

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

Generally speaking, a foldable electronic device includes a first body, a second body and a hinge mechanism. The first body and the second body can rotate relative to each other through the hinge mechanism, thereby achieving the unfolding and closing of the foldable electronic device. However, when the second body is expanded or closed relative to the first body, there will be a step difference between the second body and the first body, which affects the beautiful appearance.

The invention provides a foldable electronic device with beautiful appearance.

The foldable electronic device of the present invention includes a first body, a second body and a hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism connects the first body and the second body, so that the second body rotates relative to the first body through the hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism includes a base, a sliding member, a first gear, a first connecting rod, a second gear, a second connecting rod and a gear shaft. The base is arranged on the first body. The sliding part is slidably mounted on the base. The first gear is pivoted on the base. The first connecting rod has one end fixed to the first gear and the other end slidably mounted on the base. The second gear is pivoted on the base, and the second gear meshes with the first gear. The second connecting rod has one end fixed to the first gear and the other end slidably mounted on the base. The gear shaft is pivoted on the base, and the gear shaft meshes with the second gear. When the second body is deployed relative to the first body, the gear shaft rotates with the second body to drive the second gear, and the second gear drives the first gear to rotate. During the rotation of the first gear and the second gear, the first gear rotates. The gear and the second gear drive the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod to swing respectively, so that one end of the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod slides away from each other on the base, and the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod slide The other ends of each of the two connecting rods move in the direction of one end of the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod, so that the sliding member and the gear shaft gradually move closer to the first body.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned foldable electronic device is suitable for switching between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the second body is closed relative to the first body, and the sliding member is relatively away from the first body. In the second state, the second body is unfolded relative to the first body, and the sliding member is relatively close to the first body. In the process of converting the first state to the second state, the second body drives the gear shaft to rotate, the gear shaft drives the second gear to rotate, the second gear drives the second connecting rod to swing and the first gear to rotate, and the first gear drives the second gear to rotate. One link swings.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned base has a slide groove, the first link has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, and the second link has a third end and an opposite end. The third end and the fourth end. The first end and the third end are slidably arranged in the chute, the second end is fixed to the first gear, and the fourth end is fixed to the second gear.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned chute extends along an extending direction. The first end defines a first axis, the second end defines a second axis, the third end defines a third axis, and the fourth end defines a fourth axis. The second axis is projected onto the chute to define a first intersection perpendicular to the extension direction, and the fourth axis is projected onto the chute to define a second intersection perpendicular to the extension direction. The first axis, the second axis and the first intersection define a first triangle, and the third axis, the fourth axis and the second intersection define a second triangle. During the swing process of the first link and the second link, the first triangle is constant equal to the second triangle.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned second end and fourth end are suitable for synchronous reverse rotation.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned first gear and the second gear have the same specifications.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the lengths of the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod are the same.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned gear shaft has a third gear, and the third gear meshes with the second gear.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first gear and the second gear are spur gears meshing with each other, and the third gear is a worm gear meshing with the second gear.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned foldable electronic device further includes two guide rods. The two guide rods are arranged on the base. The sliding member passes through the two guide rods and is slidably disposed on the base along the two guide rods.

Based on the above, in the foldable electronic device of the present invention, when the second body is unfolded relative to the first body, the gear shaft rotates with the second body to drive the second gear, and the second gear drives the first gear to rotate. During the rotation of the first gear and the second gear, the first gear and the second gear drive the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod to swing respectively, so that each end of the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod faces on the base. Slide away from each other, and the other ends of the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod move toward one end of the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod, so that the sliding member and the gear shaft gradually move closer to the first body , thereby eliminating the step difference produced when the second body is expanded or closed relative to the first body, thereby increasing the beauty of the appearance.

In order to make the above-mentioned features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, embodiments are given below and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic three-dimensional view of a foldable electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic view of area A of the foldable electronic device in FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is an exploded schematic view of the hinge mechanism of FIG. 1 . FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the foldable electronic device in FIG. 1 transitioning to a second state. Cartesian coordinates X-Y-Z are also provided here for ease of description. Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 . The foldable electronic device 100 is, for example, a notebook computer, but is not limited thereto. The foldable electronic device 100 includes a first body 110 , a second body 120 and a hinge mechanism 130 . The hinge mechanism 130 connects the first body 110 and the second body 120, so that the second body 120 can rotate relative to the first body 110 through the hinge mechanism 130, and thereby can be in a first state shown in Figure 1 (for example, closed). state) and a second state (for example, the unfolded state) shown in FIG. 4 .

With further reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 , the hinge mechanism 130 includes a base 131 , a sliding member 132 , a first gear 133 , a first connecting rod 134 , a second gear 135 , a second connecting rod 136 and a Gear shaft 137. The base 131 is provided on the first body 110 . The sliding member 132 is slidably mounted on the base 131 . The first gear 133 is pivoted on the base 131 . One end of the first connecting rod 134 is fixed to the first gear 133 , and the other end of the first connecting rod 134 is slidably mounted on the base 131 . The second gear 135 is pivoted on the base 131 , and the second gear 135 meshes with the first gear 133 . One end of the second connecting rod 136 is fixed to the first gear 133 , and the other end of the second connecting rod 136 is slidably mounted on the base 131 . The gear shaft 137 is pivoted on the base 131 , and the gear shaft 137 meshes with the second gear 135 .

FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic view of area B of the foldable electronic device in FIG. 4 . Please refer to Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5. When the second body 120 is deployed relative to the first body 110, the gear shaft 137 rotates with the second body 120 to drive the second gear 135, and the second gear 135 The first gear 133 is driven to rotate. During the rotation of the first gear 133 and the second gear 135, the first gear 133 and the second gear 135 respectively drive the first connecting rod 134 and the second connecting rod 136 to swing, so that the first gear 133 and the second gear 135 rotate. One end of each of the connecting rod 134 and the second connecting rod 136 slides in a direction away from each other on the base 131, and the other ends of each of the first connecting rod 134 and the second connecting rod 136 face the first connecting rod 134 and the second connecting rod 136. The direction of one end of the connecting rod 136 moves so that the sliding member 132 and the gear shaft 137 gradually move closer to the first body 110, thereby eliminating the step difference generated when the second body 120 is unfolded or closed relative to the first body 110, increasing the The foldable electronic device 100 has a beautiful appearance.

Please refer to FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , the foldable electronic device 100 further includes two guide rods 138 . The two guide rods 138 pass through the base 131 along the Y-axis direction and are further disposed on the base 131 .

The sliding member 132 has at least one first penetration portion 132a and at least one second penetration portion 132b. In order to improve the stability of each component when moving, the first penetration portion 132a and the second penetration portion 132b are arranged along the X-axis direction. There are two arrangement settings. The sliding member 132 passes through the two guide rods 138 along the Y-axis direction through the two first penetration portions 132a, so as to be slidably disposed on the base 131 along the two guide rods 138 in the Y-axis direction.

In addition, the base 131 has a slide groove 131a, and the slide groove 131a extends along an extension direction (as shown in the drawings, it extends along the X-axis direction). The first link 134 has a first end 134a and a second end 134b opposite the first end 134a, and the second link 136 has a third end 136a and a fourth end 136b opposite the third end 136a, wherein The first end 134a and the third end 136a are both slidably disposed in the slide groove 131a along the X-axis direction. The first gear 133 and the second gear 135 pivoted on the base 131 can both rotate around the Z-axis, and the second end 134b is fixed to the first gear 133, and the fourth end 136b is fixed to the second gear 135. Therefore, both the second end 134b and the fourth end 136b can rotate around the Z-axis, and the first gear 133 and the second gear 135 are suitable for synchronous reverse rotation, so that the second end 134b and the fourth end 136b fixed thereon Also suitable for synchronous reverse rotation.

The gear shaft 137 has a third gear 137a, a pivot shaft 137b and a bracket 137c. The third gear 137a is arranged around the outer periphery of the pivot shaft 137b. One end of the pivot shaft 137b is connected to the bracket 137c. The other end of the pivot shaft 137b is provided with a The torsion assembly 140 is connected to the third gear 137a and the second gear 135 is engaged with the third gear 137a. The pivot shaft 137b passes through the two second penetration parts 132b of the sliding member 132 along the X-axis direction, so that the entire gear shaft 137 can rotate around the X-axis on the two second penetration parts 132b through the pivot shaft 137b. The second body 120 is connected to the bracket 137c, so that the second body 120 and the gear shaft 137 can rotate around the X-axis synchronously.

In this embodiment, the first gear 133 and the second gear 135 are spur gears meshing with each other, and the third gear 137a is a worm gear meshing with the second gear 135. The first gear 133 and the second gear 135 The specifications are the same (for example, the number of teeth, module number, and pitch circle diameter are the same), but this is not a limitation. In addition, the first connecting rod 134 and the second connecting rod 136 have the same length.

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged top view of the foldable electronic device in FIG. 1 . FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged schematic top view of the foldable electronic device of FIG. 4 . Please refer to Figure 3, Figure 6 and Figure 7. In order to more clearly illustrate the spirit of the present invention, the first end 134a defines a first axis AX1, the second end 134b defines a second axis AX2, and the third end 136a defines a third axis AX3, and the fourth end 136b defines a fourth axis AX4, in which the first axis AX1, the second axis AX2, the third axis AX3 and the fourth axis AX4 are parallel to the Y-axis.

The second axis AX2 is projected along the negative Y-axis direction to define a first intersection P1 on the chute 131a perpendicular to the extension direction of the chute 131a (ie, the X-axis direction), and the fourth axis AX4 is projected along the negative Y-axis direction. A second intersection point P2 perpendicular to the extension direction of the chute 131a (ie, the X-axis direction) is defined on the chute 131a.

The first axis AX1, the second axis AX2 and the first intersection point P1 define a first triangle T1, and the third axis AX3, the fourth axis AX4 and the second intersection point P2 define a second triangle T2. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , during the swing process of the first link 134 and the second link 136 , the first triangle T1 is constant equal to the second triangle T2 . In other words, the first gear 133 and the first link 134 are symmetrically arranged with the second gear 135 and the second link 136 .

Please refer to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 6. In the first state, the second body 120 is closed relative to the first body 110, and the sliding member 132 is relatively away from the first body 110, the chute 131a, and the slider 132 in the Y-axis direction. The first end 134a and the third end 136a.

Please refer to Figures 3, 4, 5 and 7. In the second state, the second body 120 is unfolded relative to the first body 110, and the sliding member 132 is relatively close to the first body 110, the chute 131a, and the first body 110 in the Y-axis direction. The first end 134a and the third end 136a.

During the process of transitioning from the first state (closed state) shown in Figures 1, 2 and 6 to the second state (expanded state) shown in Figures 4, 5 and 7, the second body 120 rotates around the negative axis rotates, the second body 120 synchronously drives the gear shaft 137 to rotate around the negative X axis. When the gear shaft 137 rotates around the negative X axis, the third gear 137a drives the second gear 135 to rotate around the negative Z axis. 135 drives the second connecting rod 136 to swing on the XY plane and synchronously drives the first gear 133 to rotate around the positive Z axis. During the rotation of the first gear 133 around the positive Z axis, the first gear 133 drives the first connecting rod at the same time. 134 swings on the XY plane, where the first link 134 and the second link 136 swing in opposite directions to each other on the XY plane. To put it another way, the third gear 137a only drives the second gear 135 and has no meshing or driving relationship with the first gear 133.

Finally, one end of each of the first link 134 and the second link 136 (ie, the first end 134a and the third end 136a) slides away from each other on the base 131 (the first end 134a moves toward the negative X axis , the third end 136a moves toward the positive The groove 131a, the first end 134a of the first link 134 and the third end 136a of the second link 136 move in the negative Y-axis direction, so that the sliding member 132 and the gear shaft 137 gradually move along the negative Y-axis direction. The relative movement is close to the first body 110, the chute 131a, the first end 134a and the third end 136a, thereby eliminating the step difference generated when the second body 120 is unfolded relative to the first body 110, thereby increasing the appearance of the foldable electronic device 100. Beautiful on the surface.

On the contrary, when the second body 120 is converted from the second state (expanded state) shown in Figures 4, 5 and 7 to the first state (closed state) shown in Figures 1, 2 and 6 relative to the first body 110 The principle of the process of state) is also the same. Finally, due to the action of the hinge mechanism 130, the sliding member 132 and the gear shaft 137 will gradually move relative to the positive Y-axis direction away from the first body 110, the chute 131a, the first end 134a and the third The three ends 136a can thereby eliminate the step difference produced when the second body 120 is closed relative to the first body 110, thereby increasing the aesthetic appearance of the foldable electronic device 100.

In addition, the design of the gears and connecting rods used in the hinge mechanism 130 of the present invention enables the entire foldable electronic device 100 to have a smaller height in the Z-axis direction, which helps to make the foldable electronic device 100 thinner and lighter.

Furthermore, the hinge mechanism 130 of the present invention uses very few parts, has a simple structure, is easy to manufacture and assemble, and has low manufacturing cost.

In particular, the present invention uses the guide rod 138 as a means to guide the sliding member 132 to slide back and forth in the Y-axis direction. However, the actual method of sliding the sliding member 132 on the base 131 along the Y-axis direction is not the same. This is the limit.

In other embodiments, one of the base and the sliding member may be provided with a recessed slide rail, and the other of the base and the sliding member may be provided with a protruding slide block, and the slide block is slidably disposed on the slide rail. , so that the sliding member can slide on the base along the Y-axis direction.

In addition, in this embodiment, the first end 134a and the third end 136a are moved to the end point of the chute 131a to stop the first link 134 and the second link 136 to achieve the purpose of blocking the second body. 120 has a limiting function relative to the limit of expansion of the first body 110. In Figure 5, the sliding member 132 does not have any contact with the base 131. However, the present invention has a limiting effect on the expansion limit of the second body 120 relative to the first body 110. The means of limiting the limit are not limited to this.

In other embodiments, the base and the sliding member can be used as a stop by abutting against each other.

To sum up, in the foldable electronic device of the present invention, when the second body is unfolded relative to the first body, the gear shaft rotates with the second body to drive the second gear, and the second gear drives the first gear to rotate. During the rotation of the first gear and the second gear, the first gear and the second gear drive the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod to swing respectively, so that one end of the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod is on the base. slide in the direction away from each other, and the other ends of the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod move in the direction of one end of the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod, so that the sliding member and the gear shaft gradually move closer to the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod. One machine body can eliminate the step difference produced when the second machine body is expanded or closed relative to the first machine body, thereby increasing the beauty of the appearance.

Although the present invention has been disclosed above through embodiments, they are not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone with ordinary knowledge in the technical field may make some modifications and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, The protection scope of the present invention shall be determined by the appended patent application scope.

100: Foldable electronic devices 110:First body 120:Second body 130:Hinge mechanism 131:Pedestal 131a:Chute 132:Sliding parts 132a: The first penetration department 132b: Second penetration department 133:First gear 134:First connecting rod 134a: first end 134b:Second end 135: Second gear 136:Second connecting rod 136a:Third end 136b: fourth end 137:Gear shaft 137a: Third gear 137b:Pivot 137c: Bracket 138:Guide rod 140:Torque component A, B: area AX1: first axis AX2: Second axis AX3: The third axis AX4: The fourth axis P1: first intersection point P2: second intersection point T1: first triangle T2: The second triangle X-Y-Z: Cartesian coordinates

FIG. 1 is a schematic three-dimensional view of a foldable electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic view of area A of the foldable electronic device in FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is an exploded schematic view of the hinge mechanism of FIG. 1 . FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the foldable electronic device in FIG. 1 transitioning to a second state. FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic view of area B of the foldable electronic device in FIG. 4 . FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged top view of the foldable electronic device in FIG. 1 . FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged schematic top view of the foldable electronic device of FIG. 4 .

130:Hinge mechanism

131:Pedestal

131a:Chute

132:Sliding parts

132a: The first penetration department

132b: Second penetration department

133:First gear

134:First connecting rod

134a: first end

134b:Second end

135: Second gear

136:Second connecting rod

136a:Third end

136b: fourth end

137:Gear shaft

137a: Third gear

137b:Pivot

137c: Bracket

138:Guide rod

140:Torque component

X-Y-Z: Cartesian coordinates

Claims (10)

A foldable electronic device including: a first organism; a second organism; and A hinge mechanism connects the first body and the second body so that the second body rotates relative to the first body through the hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism includes: A base is provided on the first body; A sliding member is slidably mounted on the base; a first gear pivoted on the base; A first connecting rod with one end fixed to the first gear and the other end slidably mounted on the base; a second gear, pivoted on the base and engaged with the first gear; a second connecting rod with one end fixed to the first gear and the other end slidably mounted on the base; and a gear shaft, pivoted on the base and engaged with the second gear; Wherein, when the second body is deployed relative to the first body, the gear shaft rotates with the second body to drive the second gear, and the second gear drives the first gear to rotate. When the first gear and During the rotation of the second gear, the first gear and the second gear drive the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod to swing respectively, so that one end of each of the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod is at The base slides in the direction away from each other, and the other ends of the first link and the second link move in the direction of one end of the first link and the second link, so that the sliding The components and the gear shaft gradually move closer to the first body. The foldable electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the foldable electronic device is adapted to switch between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the second body is relative to the first body. closed, and the sliding member is relatively far away from the first body. In the second state, the second body is unfolded relative to the first body, and the sliding member is relatively close to the first body. In the first state, it is converted to the During the second state, the second body drives the gear shaft to rotate, the gear shaft drives the second gear to rotate, the second gear drives the second connecting rod to swing and the first gear to rotate, and the first gear The first connecting rod is driven to swing. The foldable electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base has a slide groove, the first link has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, and the second link has a A third end and a fourth end opposite to the third end. The first end and the third end are slidably arranged in the chute. The second end is fixed to the first gear, and the fourth end is fixed to the The second gear. The foldable electronic device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the slide groove extends along an extending direction, the first end defines a first axis, the second end defines a second axis, and the third end defines a The third axis, the fourth end defines a fourth axis, the second axis projects onto the chute to define a first intersection perpendicular to the extending direction, and the fourth axis projects onto the chute. Define a second intersection perpendicular to the extension direction, wherein the first axis, the second axis and the first intersection define a first triangle, the third axis, the fourth axis and the second The intersection defines a second triangle, and during the swing process of the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod, the first triangle is always equal to the second triangle. The foldable electronic device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second end and the fourth end are adapted to rotate in opposite directions synchronously. The foldable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first gear and the second gear have the same specifications. The foldable electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first link and the second link have the same length. The foldable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the gear shaft has a third gear, and the third gear meshes with the second gear. The foldable electronic device of claim 8, wherein the first gear and the second gear are spur gears meshing with each other, and the third gear is a worm gear meshing with the second gear. The foldable electronic device as described in claim 1 further includes: Two guide rods are provided on the base, and the sliding member is passed through the two guide rods so as to be slidably disposed on the base along the two guide rods.

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