TWI855785B - Hinge module and electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

A hinge module includes a first shaft, a second shaft, a lock limiting member, and a switching component. The lock limiting member is connected to the first shaft and includes a first lock portion. The switching component includes a supporter, a linkage, a first sliding block, a second sliding block, and an elastic member. The linkage has a first end, a pivoting end which is pivotally connected to the supporter, and a second end in sequence. The first sliding block and the second sliding block are slidably disposed to the supporter, and are respectively connected to the first end and the second end. The first sliding block includes a second lock portion which is movably coupled to the first lock portion to lock the rotation of the first shaft or release the rotation restriction on the rotation of the first shaft. The elastic member is connected between the supporter and the second sliding block.

Description

Hinge modules and electronic devices

The present invention relates to a hinge module and an electronic device, and in particular to a hinge module and an electronic device having the hinge module.

With the continuous advancement of technology, electronic devices are developing towards diversified functions, thinness and high performance. Generally speaking, in a 360-degree flip electronic device, the display body and the logic body can be hinged on opposite sides of the connection body, and the connection body and the logic body are hinged through a hinge module, for example, to have a variety of operating modes such as a laptop mode and a tablet mode.

However, in the laptop mode, when the display body is closed to the logic body, the display body is located between the connection body and the logic body, and in the tablet mode, the connection body is located between the display body and the logic body. Therefore, in different operation modes, if the hinge module cannot switch the relative position between the connection body and the logic body in real time, it may be impossible to make the display surface of the display body parallel to the logic body in both the laptop mode (closed position) and the tablet mode.

The present invention provides a hinge module which can be switched between different operation modes and has better operability.

The present invention provides an electronic device having the hinge module mentioned above.

The hinge module of the present invention includes a first rotating shaft, a second rotating shaft, a locking limiter and a switching assembly. The locking limiter is connected to the first rotating shaft and includes a first locking portion. The switching assembly includes a support frame, a connecting rod, a first slider, a second slider and an elastic member. The connecting rod has a first end, a pivoting end pivoted to the support frame and a second end in sequence. The first slider is slidably disposed on the support frame. The first slider is connected to the first end. The first slider includes a second locking portion movably coupled to the first locking portion to lock the rotational movement of the first rotating shaft or release the restriction on the rotational movement of the first rotating shaft. The second slider is slidably disposed on the support frame. The second slider is connected to the second end. The elastic member is connected between the support frame and the second slider.

The electronic device of the present invention includes a first body, a second body, a connecting body and at least one hinge module. The connecting body has a first side and a second side opposite to each other. The first body is pivoted to the first side. The at least one hinge module includes a first rotating shaft, a second rotating shaft, a locking limiter and a switching assembly. The first rotating shaft is connected to the second side. The second rotating shaft is connected to the second body. The locking limiter is connected to the first rotating shaft and includes a first locking portion. The switching assembly includes a support frame, a connecting rod, a first slider, a second slider and an elastic member. The support frame is arranged on the connecting body. The connecting rod has a first end, a pivoting end pivoted to the support frame and a second end in sequence. The first slider is slidably arranged on the support frame. The first slider is connected to the first end. The first slider includes a second locking portion movably coupled to the first locking portion to lock the rotation of the first shaft or release the restriction on the rotation of the first shaft. The second slider is slidably arranged on the support frame. The second slider is connected to the second end. The elastic member is connected between the support frame and the second slider.

In one embodiment of the present invention, in the first switching mode, the connecting rod rotates and compresses the elastic member under the force applied by the first body, and the second locking part is linked to withdraw from the first locking part to release the lock on the first rotating shaft. In the second switching mode, the return of the elastic member drives the connecting rod to rotate, and at the same time links the second locking part to couple to the first locking part to limit the rotation of the first rotating shaft.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the switching assembly further comprises a third slider. The third slider is slidably disposed on the support frame. The third slider is connected to the third end of the connecting rod. The third end is located between the pivot end and the second end.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the second slider is a magnetic member.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the switching assembly further comprises a connecting member. The first end of the connecting rod has a sliding groove. The connecting member is connected to the first sliding block and slidably disposed in the sliding groove.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the switching assembly further comprises a guide post, which is arranged on the support frame, a second slider is slidably arranged on the guide post, and an elastic member is sleeved on the guide post.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the locking limiter is sleeved on the first shaft and the second shaft. The first shaft includes a first limiter. The second shaft includes a second limiter. The locking limiter includes a third limiter and a fourth limiter. The first limiter matches the third limiter. The second limiter matches the fourth limiter.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the hinge module further includes a torque member and a fixing member. The first rotating shaft includes a first fixing portion and a first shaft portion connected to each other. The second rotating shaft includes a second fixing portion and a second shaft portion connected to each other. The locking limit member and the torque member are sleeved on the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion. The fixing member is locked to the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion so that the locking limit member and the torque member are located between the fixing member and the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion.

In one embodiment of the present invention, in the first switching mode, the connecting rod is adapted to rotate under force and compress the elastic member, so as to link the second locking portion to withdraw from the first locking portion and release the lock on the first rotating shaft. In the second switching mode, the resetting of the elastic member drives the connecting rod to rotate, and at the same time links the second locking portion to couple to the first locking portion to limit the rotation of the first rotating shaft.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the switching assembly further includes a third slider. The third slider is slidably disposed on the support frame. The third slider is connected to the third end of the connecting rod. The third end is located between the pivot end and the second end. In the first switching mode, the first body pushes against the third slider to drive the connecting rod to rotate.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the first body includes a magnetic part. The second slider is a magnetic member. The magnetic part corresponds to the second slider and magnetically repels each other. In the first switching mode, the magnetic part and the second slider generate magnetic repulsion to drive the connecting rod to rotate.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when a display surface of the first body is closed to the second body, a receiving space for receiving the first body is provided between the second body and the connecting body.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the second body has at least one accommodating portion. When the first body is closed to the second body and a display surface of the first body is away from the second body, at least one hinge module is received in the at least one accommodating portion.

Based on the above, the hinge module of the present invention can switch the coupling state between the first locking part and the second locking part by setting a switching assembly, and adjust the relative position between the second body and the connecting body in the electronic device by controlling the rotation of the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft, so that the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft of the hinge module can present a specific angle when the electronic device is in different operating positions, thereby having better operability and achieving different usage experiences.

In order to make the above features and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, embodiments are specifically cited below and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A to FIG. 1D are partial perspective side views of some components of an electronic device in a closed position, an extended position, a conversion position, and a flat position according to an embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that the rectangular coordinates X-Y-Z are provided here to facilitate the subsequent description and reference of the components. In order to clearly illustrate the structure of the hinge module 100, FIG. 1A to FIG. 1D illustrate the second body 70 and the connecting body 80 with dotted lines. Furthermore, in the closed position P1 (FIG. 1A), the extended position P2 (FIG. 1B), the switching position P3 (FIG. 1C) and the tablet position P4 (FIG. 1D), the angles between the display surface 61 of the first body 60 of the electronic device 50 and the second body 70 are 0 degrees, 135 degrees (extended position P2, switching position P3) and 180 degrees respectively.

1A to 1D, the electronic device 50 of this embodiment includes a first body 60, a second body 70, a connecting body 80, and two hinge modules 100 (only one is shown) arranged symmetrically. The connecting body 80 has a first side 81 and a second side 82 opposite to each other, and has a first surface 83 and a second surface 84 opposite to each other. Here, the electronic device 50 is, for example, a notebook computer, the first body 60 is, for example, a body having a display unit, and the second body 70 is, for example, a logic body having an input module, but is not limited thereto.

Specifically, in this embodiment, the first body 60 is hinged to the first side 81, and the second body 70 is hinged to the second side 82 through the hinge module 100 to switch between the closed position P1 (FIG. 1A), the extended position P2 (FIG. 1B), the conversion position P3 (FIG. 1C), and the flat position P4 (FIG. 1D). For example, when the electronic device 50 is in the closed position P1 (FIG. 1A) and the extended position P2 (FIG. 1B), the first body 60 is attached to the first surface 83 of the connecting body 80, and when the electronic device 50 is in the conversion position P3 (FIG. 1C) and the flat position P4 (FIG. 1D), the first body 60 is attached to the second surface 84 of the connecting body 80. In this embodiment, the second body 70 has a receiving portion 71, and the number of the receiving portions 71 corresponds to the number of the hinge modules 100. When the electronic device 50 is in the tablet position P4 (FIG. 1D), the display surface 61 of the first body 60 is away from the second body 70, and the hinge module 100 is stored in the receiving portion 71, so that the overall appearance of the electronic device 50 is neater.

It is worth mentioning that, please refer to Figures 1A to 1D. In the present embodiment, each hinge module 100 can switch between a first switching mode M1 (Figures 1A and 1B) and a second switching mode M2 (Figures 1C and 1D) to adjust the relative position between the second body 70 and the connecting body 80 so that there is an accommodating space AC (Figure 1A) for accommodating the first body 60 between the second body 70 and the connecting body 80 when they are in the closed position P1, and the connecting body 80 is close to the second body 70 when it is in the flat position P4 (Figure 1D) to prevent the first body 60 from being suspended or tilted relative to the second body 70.

The hinge module 100 is further described below.

Fig. 2 is a partial perspective view of the hinge module of Fig. 1A in the unfolded position. Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B are exploded views of the hinge module of Fig. 2. It should be noted that, in order to clearly illustrate the structure of the hinge module 100, Fig. 2 shows the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 in dotted lines.

2 to 3B , in this embodiment, the hinge module 100 includes a first shaft 110, a second shaft 120, a locking stopper 130, and a switching assembly 140. The first shaft 110 is connected to the second side 82 of the connecting body 80 (FIG. 1A to 1D), the second shaft 120 is connected to the second body 70 (FIG. 1A to 1D), the locking stopper 130 is connected to the first shaft 110, and includes a first locking portion LC1.

It should be noted here that, referring to FIG. 2 , in the present embodiment, the hinge module 100 further includes a first outer shell 101 and a second outer shell 102 , wherein a portion of the first rotating shaft 110 , a portion of the second rotating shaft 120 and a portion of the locking stopper 130 are accommodated in the first outer shell 101 , and a portion of the first rotating shaft 110 , a portion of the locking stopper 130 and the switching assembly 140 are accommodated in the second outer shell 102 , but not limited thereto.

Specifically, in this embodiment, the switching assembly 140 includes a support frame 141, a connecting rod 142, a first slider 143, a second slider 144 and an elastic member 145. The support frame 141 is disposed on the connecting body 80 (FIG. 1A to FIG. 1D). The connecting rod 142 sequentially has a first end E1, a pivot end EC pivotally connected to the support frame 141 along the Y axis, and a second end E2. The first slider 143 is slidably disposed on the support frame 141 along the Z axis, connected to the first end E1, and includes a second locking portion LC2 movably coupled to the first locking portion LC1. The second slider 144 is slidably disposed on the support frame 141 along the Z axis, and connected to the second end E2. The elastic member 145 is connected between the support frame 141 and the second sliding block 144 .

Here, it should be noted that, in the present embodiment, the first locking portion LC1 and the second locking portion LC2 are, for example, corresponding grooves and protrusions, but not limited thereto. In the present embodiment, the switching assembly 140 further includes a guide post 146, wherein the guide post 146 is disposed on the support frame 141, the second slider 144 is slidably disposed on the guide post 146 along the Z axis, and the elastic member 145 is sleeved on the guide post 146, so that the second slider 144 slides stably along the Z axis relative to the support frame 141, but not limited thereto.

More specifically, in this embodiment, the switching assembly 140 further includes a third slider 147. The third slider 147 is slidably disposed on the support frame 141 along the Z-axis direction and is connected to the third end E3 of the connecting rod 142, and the third end E3 is located between the pivot end EC and the second end E2. Thus, in the first switching mode M1 (FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 2) and the second switching mode M2 (FIG. 1C, FIG. 1D), the third slider 147 can drive the connecting rod 142 to rotate along the Y-axis by retracting into the second outer shell 102 (FIG. 2) and protruding from the second outer shell 102 (not shown), and simultaneously switch the coupling state between the first locking portion LC1 and the second locking portion LC2, so as to adjust the position of the connecting body 80 relative to the second body 70 in the Y-axis and Z-axis directions by controlling the rotation of the first rotating shaft 110 and the second rotating shaft 120.

Here, it should be noted that, please refer to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B , in this embodiment, the first slider 143 and the third slider 147 respectively have protrusions PT1 and PT2 (FIG. 3B) facing the support frame 141, and the support frame 141 has two slide grooves SL1 and SL2 corresponding to the protrusions PT1 and PT2 (FIG. 3B), but the present invention is not limited thereto. Please refer to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B , in this embodiment, the switching assembly 140 further includes a connecting member 148, wherein the first end E1 of the connecting rod 142 has a slide groove SL3, and the connecting member 148 is connected to the first slider 143 and slidably disposed in the slide groove SL3, so that the connecting rod 142 can stably rotate relative to the support frame 141, and the first slider 143 can stably move relative to the support frame 141, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

For details, please refer to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B . In this embodiment, the hinge module 100 further includes a torque member 150 and a fixing member 160. The first rotating shaft 110 includes a first fixing portion 111 and a first shaft portion 112 connected to each other, and the second rotating shaft 120 includes a second fixing portion 121 and a second shaft portion 122 connected to each other. The first fixing portion 111 is connected to the support frame 141, and the second fixing portion 121 is connected to the second body 70. The locking limiter 130 and the torque member 150 are sleeved on the first shaft portion 112 and the second shaft portion 122 , and the fixing member 160 is locked to the first shaft portion 112 and the second shaft portion 122 , so that the locking limiter 130 and the torque member 150 are located between the fixing member 160 and the first fixing portion 111 and the second fixing portion 121 .

Here, it should be noted that, please refer to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B , in this embodiment, the torque member 150 is, for example, S-shaped by wrapping the first rotating shaft 110 and the second rotating shaft 120 in different circumferential directions, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Please refer to FIG. 2 , in this embodiment, the torque member 150 and the fixing member 160 are accommodated in the first outer shell 101 , but the present invention is not limited thereto. Please refer to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B , in this embodiment, the diameter between the first shaft portion 112 and the second shaft portion 122 is, for example, of different sizes, so as to set the torque value of the first rotating shaft 110 and the second rotating shaft 120 through different friction areas between the first shaft portion 112 and the second shaft portion 122 , but the present invention is not limited thereto.

In more detail, please refer to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B . In this embodiment, the first rotating shaft 110 includes a first limiting portion 113 (FIG. 3B), and the first limiting portion 113 (FIG. 3B) is located between the first fixing portion 111 and the first shaft portion 112. The second rotating shaft 120 includes a second limiting portion 123 (FIG. 3B), and the second limiting portion 123 (FIG. 3B) is located between the second fixing portion 121 and the second shaft portion 122. The locking limiting member 130 includes a third limiting portion 131 and a fourth limiting portion 132, and the first limiting portion 113 cooperates with the third limiting portion 131, and the second limiting portion 123 cooperates with the fourth limiting portion 132. Here, the first limiting portion 113 and the third limiting portion 131 include, for example, matching protrusions and recesses, and the second limiting portion 123 and the fourth limiting portion 132 include, for example, matching protrusions and recesses, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Thus, through the arrangement of the first limiting portion 113, the second limiting portion 123, the third limiting portion 131 and the fourth limiting portion 132 and the cooperation of the torque member 150, the rotation sequence of the first rotating shaft 110 and the second rotating shaft 120 can be effectively controlled, and the actuation positioning of the first rotating shaft 110 and the second rotating shaft 120 can be precisely determined.

The operation of the hinge module 100 is further described below.

Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B are partial side views of some components of the first body and hinge module of Fig. 1A in the unfolded position and the switched position. Fig. 5A is a top view of Fig. 4A. Fig. 5B is a top view of Fig. 4B. It should be noted that, in order to clearly illustrate the structure of the hinge module 100, Fig. 4A to Fig. 5B omit the first housing 101 and the second housing 102.

Please refer to FIG. 1A to FIG. 1D. In this embodiment, when the electronic device 50 is to be converted from the closed position P1 (FIG. 1A) to the flat position P4 (FIG. 1D), the hinge module 100 can be used to drive the first body 60 and the connecting body 80 to rotate relative to the second body 70 along the X-axis to the extended position P2 (FIG. 1B). Then, the first body 60 is rotated relative to the connecting body 80 along the X-axis and adhered to the second surface 84 of the connecting body 80, so that the electronic device 50 is in the conversion position P3 (FIG. 1C). Finally, the hinge module 100 is used to drive the first body 60 and the connecting body 80 to rotate relative to the second body 70 along the X-axis to the flat position P4 (FIG. 1D), and vice versa.

Specifically, please refer to Figures 1A, 1B, 4A and 5A. In this embodiment, when the electronic device 50 is in the closed position P1 (Figure 1A) and the extended position P2 (Figure 1B), the first body 60 is attached to the first surface 83 of the connecting body 80 (Figures 1A and 1B), and the first body 60 pushes against the third slider 147 to drive the connecting rod 142 to rotate along the Y-axis (Figures 4A and 5A), so that the hinge module 100 is in the first switching mode M1.

At this time, as shown in Figures 4A and 5A, in the first switching mode M1, since the first body 60 pushes against the third slider 147, the connecting rod 142 is rotated by the force applied by the first body 60 (the clockwise rotation arrow in Figure 5A), and the second slider 144 is driven to slide along the Z axis through the rotation of the connecting rod 142 to compress the elastic member 145 (the downward arrow in Figure 5A), and at the same time, the second locking portion LC2 of the first slider 143 is linked to withdraw from the first locking portion LC1 (the upward arrow in Figure 5A) to release the lock on the first rotating shaft 110.

Therefore, when the electronic device 50 switches between the closed position P1 (FIG. 1A) and the extended position P2 (FIG. 1B), the rotation sequence of the first rotation axis 110 and the second rotation axis 120 can be switched by disposing the first limiting portion 113, the second limiting portion 123, the third limiting portion 131, and the fourth limiting portion 132 (FIG. 3B), thereby adjusting the relative position between the second body 70 and the connecting body 80, so that when the second body 70 and the connecting body 80 are in the closed position P1 (FIG. 1A), there is an accommodating space AC (FIG. 1A) for accommodating the first body 60.

Please refer to Figures 1B, 1C, 4A to 5B. In this embodiment, when the electronic device 50 is to be transferred from the unfolded position P2 (Figure 1B) to the transfer position P3 (Figure 1C), since the first body 60 rotates along the X-axis relative to the connecting body 80 and adheres to the second surface 84 of the connecting body 80, the first body 60 will move away from the third slider 147 (Figures 4B and 5B), so that the hinge module 100 is in the second switching mode M2.

At this time, as shown in Figures 4B and 5B, in the second switching mode M2, since the first body 60 is away from the third slider 147, the elastic member 145 will reset and drive the second slider 144 to slide along the Z axis (the arrow pointing upward in Figure 5B), and drive the connecting rod 142 to rotate along the Y axis (the counterclockwise rotation arrow in Figure 5B). At the same time, the rotation of the connecting rod 142 links the second locking portion LC2 of the first slider 143 to couple to the first locking portion LC1 (the arrow pointing downward in Figure 5B) to limit the rotation of the first rotating shaft 110.

Therefore, when the electronic device 50 is switched from the unfolded position P2 (FIG. 1B) to the switching position P3 (FIG. 1C), and then switched between the switching position P3 (FIG. 1C) and the flat position P4 (FIG. 1D), the switching assembly 140 can be used to limit the rotation of the first rotation axis 110, thereby controlling the relative position between the second body 70 and the connecting body 80, so that the connecting body 80 is close to the second body 70 in the flat position P4 (FIG. 1D), thereby preventing the first body 60 from being suspended or tilted relative to the second body 70.

In this way, by configuring the connecting rod 142, the first slider 143, the second slider 144, the elastic member 145 and the third slider 147 in the switching assembly 140, the hinge module 100 can be switched between the first switching mode M1 (FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B) and the second switching mode M2 (FIG. 1C, FIG. 1D) in a timely manner, so that the first rotating axis 110 and the second rotating axis 120 of the hinge module 100 of the electronic device 50 can present specific angles in different operating positions, thereby having better operability and achieving different usage experiences.

It should be noted that the following embodiments use the same component numbers and some contents of the previous embodiments, wherein the same number is used to represent the same or similar components, and the description of the same technical contents is omitted. The description of the omitted parts can refer to the previous embodiments, and the following embodiments will not be repeated.

FIG6 is a partial top view of a first body and a hinge module of an electronic device in another embodiment of the present invention, showing some components in the unfolded position. FIG7 is a partial top view of a first body and a hinge module of the electronic device of FIG6 in the conversion position. Please refer to FIG6 and FIG5A at the same time. The electronic device 50A of this embodiment is similar to the electronic device 50 of FIG5A. The difference between the two is that the first body 60A includes a magnetic part 62, the second slider 144A in the hinge module 100A is a magnetic part, and the third slider 147 is not included.

6 and 7 , in this embodiment, the first body 60A includes a magnetic portion 62 , the second slider 144A in the hinge module 100A is a magnetic member, and the magnetic portion 62 corresponds to the second slider 144A and magnetically repels each other.

Specifically, please refer to Figure 6. In this embodiment, when the electronic device 50A is in the closed position P1 (not shown) and the extended position P2 (Figure 6), the first body 60A is attached to the first surface 83 (not shown) of the connecting body 80, and the magnetic portion 62 of the first body 60A and the second slider 144A generate a magnetic repulsion force to drive the connecting rod 142 to rotate along the Y-axis, so that the hinge module 100A is in the first switching mode M1.

At this time, as shown in FIG6 , in the first switching mode M1, due to the magnetic repulsion generated by the magnetic portion 62 of the first body 60A and the second slider 144A, the second slider 144A is driven to slide along the Z-axis and compress the elastic member 145 (the arrow pointing downward in FIG6 ), causing the connecting rod 142 to rotate (the clockwise rotation arrow in FIG6 ), and at the same time, the second locking portion LC2 of the first slider 143 is linked to withdraw from the first locking portion LC1 (the arrow pointing upward in FIG6 ) to release the lock on the first rotating shaft 110.

Therefore, when the electronic device 50A switches between the closed position P1 (not shown) and the extended position P2 (FIG. 6), the rotation sequence of the first rotation axis 110 and the second rotation axis 120 can be switched by setting the first limiting portion 113, the second limiting portion 123, the third limiting portion 131 and the fourth limiting portion 132 (not shown), thereby adjusting the relative position between the second body 70 and the connecting body 80, so that when the second body 70 and the connecting body 80 are in the closed position P1 (not shown), there is an accommodating space AC (not shown) for accommodating the first body 60A.

Please refer to FIG. 7 . In the present embodiment, when the electronic device 50A is to be transferred from the unfolded position P2 ( FIG. 6 ) to the transfer position P3 ( FIG. 7 ), since the first body 60A rotates along the X-axis relative to the connecting body 80 and adheres to the second surface 84 (not shown) of the connecting body 80 , the magnetic portion 62 of the first body 60A will move away from the second slider 144A, so that the hinge module 100A is in the second switching mode M2.

At this time, as shown in Figure 7, in the second switching mode M2, since the magnetic part 62 of the first body 60A is away from the second slider 144A, the elastic member 145 will reset and drive the second slider 144A to slide along the Z axis (the arrow pointing upward in Figure 7), and drive the connecting rod 142 to rotate along the Y axis (the counterclockwise rotation arrow in Figure 7). At the same time, the rotation of the connecting rod 142 links the second locking part LC2 of the first slider 143 to couple to the first locking part LC1 (the arrow pointing downward in Figure 7) to limit the rotation of the first rotating shaft 110.

Therefore, when the electronic device 50A is switched from the unfolded position P2 (FIG. 6) to the switching position P3 (FIG. 7), and then switched between the switching position P3 (FIG. 7) and the flat position P4 (not shown), the rotation of the first rotating shaft 110 can be limited by setting the switching assembly 140, thereby controlling the relative position between the second body 70 and the connecting body 80, so that the connecting body 80 is close to the second body 70 (not shown) when in the flat position P4, thereby preventing the first body 60A from being suspended or tilted relative to the second body 70.

In this way, through the arrangement of the connecting rod 142, the first slider 143, the second slider 144A and the elastic member 145 in the switching assembly 140, the hinge module 100A can be assisted to switch between the first switching mode M1 (FIG. 6) and the second switching mode M2 (FIG. 7) in a timely manner, so that the first rotating axis 110 and the second rotating axis 120 of the hinge module 100A can present specific angles when the electronic device 50A is in different operating positions, thereby having better operability and achieving different usage experiences.

In summary, the hinge module of the present invention can switch the coupling state between the first locking portion and the second locking portion through the setting of the switching assembly, and assist the hinge module to switch between the first switching mode and the second switching mode in a timely manner, so as to adjust the relative position between the second body and the connecting body in the electronic device by controlling the rotation of the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft, so that the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft of the hinge module can present specific angles when the electronic device is in different operating positions, thereby having better operability and achieving different usage experiences.

Although the present invention has been disclosed as above by the embodiments, they are not intended to limit the present invention. Any person with ordinary knowledge in the relevant technical field can make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be defined by the scope of the attached patent application.

50, 50A: electronic device 60, 60A: first body 61: display surface 62: magnetic part 70: second body 71: storage part 80: connecting body 81: first side 82: second side 83: first surface 84: second surface 100, 100A: hinge module 101: first outer shell 102: second outer shell 110: first rotating shaft 111: first fixing part 112: first shaft 113: first limiting part 120: second rotating shaft 121: second fixing part 122: second shaft 123: second limiting part 130: locking limiting member 131: third limiting part 132: Fourth limiter 140: Switching assembly 141: Support frame 142: Connecting rod 143: First slider 144, 144A: Second slider 145: Elastic member 146: Guide column 147: Third slider 148: Connecting member 150: Torque member 160: Fixing member E1: First end E2: Second end E3: Third end EC: Pivot end PT1, PT2: Protrusion SL1, SL2, SL3: Slide groove LC1: First locking part LC2: Second locking part AC: Accommodating space P1: Closed position P2: Expanded position P3: Switching position P4: Flat position M1: First switching mode M2: Second switching mode X-Y-Z: Cartesian coordinates

Figures 1A to 1D are partial perspective side views of some components of an electronic device in a closed position, an extended position, a switching position, and a flat position according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a partial perspective stereoscopic view of the hinge module of Figure 1A in the extended position. Figures 3A and 3B are exploded views of the hinge module of Figure 2. Figures 4A and 4B are partial side views of some components of the first body and hinge module of Figure 1A in the extended position and the switching position. Figure 5A is a top view of Figure 4A. Figure 5B is a top view of Figure 4B. Figure 6 is a partial top view of some components of the first body and hinge module of an electronic device in another embodiment of the present invention in the extended position. FIG. 7 is a partial top view of some components of the first body and hinge module of the electronic device of FIG. 6 in the conversion position.

100: hinge module 101: first housing 102: second housing 110: first shaft 120: second shaft 130: locking stopper 140: switching assembly 141: support frame 142: connecting rod 143: first slider 144: second slider 145: elastic member 146: guide column 147: third slider 148: connecting member 150: torque member 160: fixing member E1: first end E2: second end E3: third end EC: pivot end SL3: slideway LC1: first locking part LC2: second locking part M1: first switching mode X-Y-Z: Cartesian coordinates

Claims (14)

A hinge module includes: a first rotating shaft; a second rotating shaft; a locking stopper connected to the first rotating shaft and including a first locking portion, the locking stopper being sleeved on the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft; and a switching assembly including: a support frame; a connecting rod having a first end, a pivoting end pivotally connected to the support frame, and a second end in sequence; a first sliding block , slidably mounted on the support frame, connected to the first end, and including a second locking portion movably coupled to the first locking portion to lock the rotational movement of the first shaft or release the restriction on the rotational movement of the first shaft; a second slider, slidably mounted on the support frame, and connected to the second end; and an elastic member, connected between the support frame and the second slider. The hinge module as described in claim 1, wherein the switching assembly further includes a third slider, the third slider is slidably disposed on the support frame and connected to a third end of the connecting rod, and the third end is located between the pivot end and the second end. The hinge module as described in claim 1, wherein the second slider is a magnetic member. The hinge module as described in claim 1, wherein the switching assembly further includes a connecting member, the first end of the connecting rod has a sliding groove, and the connecting member is connected to the first sliding block and slidably disposed in the sliding groove. The hinge module as described in claim 1, wherein the switching assembly further includes a guide post, the guide post is disposed on the support frame, the second slider is slidably disposed on the guide post, and the elastic member is sleeved on the guide post. The hinge module as described in claim 1, wherein the first rotating shaft includes a first limiting portion, the second rotating shaft includes a second limiting portion, the locking limiting member includes a third limiting portion and a fourth limiting portion, the first limiting portion cooperates with the third limiting portion, and the second limiting portion cooperates with the fourth limiting portion. The hinge module as described in claim 1 further includes a torque member and a fixing member, the first rotating shaft includes a first fixing portion and a first shaft portion connected to each other, and the second rotating shaft includes a second fixing portion and a second shaft portion connected to each other, wherein the locking limit member and the torque member are sleeved on the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion, and the fixing member is locked to the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion so that the locking limit member and the torque member are located between the fixing member and the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion. The hinge module as described in claim 1, wherein in a first switching mode, the connecting rod is adapted to rotate and compress the elastic member under force, linking the second locking portion to withdraw from the first locking portion, releasing the lock on the first rotating shaft, and in a second switching mode, the resetting of the elastic member drives the connecting rod to rotate, and simultaneously links the second locking portion to couple to the first locking portion, so as to limit the rotation of the first rotating shaft. An electronic device comprises: a first body; a second body; a connecting body having a first side and a second side opposite to each other, wherein the first body is hinged to the first side; and at least one hinge module, comprising: a first rotating shaft connected to the second side; a second rotating shaft connected to the second body; a locking stopper connected to the first rotating shaft and comprising a first locking portion; and a switching assembly, comprising: a support frame disposed on the connecting body; a connecting rod , having a first end, a pivotal end pivotally connected to the support frame, and a second end in sequence; a first slider slidably disposed on the support frame, connected to the first end, and including a second locking portion movably coupled to the first locking portion to lock the rotational movement of the first shaft or release the restriction on the rotational movement of the first shaft; a second slider slidably disposed on the support frame, and connected to the second end; and an elastic member connected between the support frame and the second slider, wherein. An electronic device as described in claim 9, wherein in a first switching mode, the connecting rod is rotated by the force applied by the first body and compresses the elastic member, driving the second locking portion to withdraw from the first locking portion and release the lock on the first rotating shaft; in a second switching mode, the resetting of the elastic member drives the connecting rod to rotate, and at the same time drives the second locking portion to couple to the first locking portion to limit the rotation of the first rotating shaft. The electronic device as described in claim 10, wherein the switching assembly further includes a third slider, the third slider is slidably disposed on the support frame and connected to a third end of the connecting rod, and the third end is located between the pivot end and the second end. In the first switching mode, the first body pushes against the third slider to drive the connecting rod to rotate. As described in claim 10, the first body includes a magnetic part, the second slider is a magnetic member, the magnetic part corresponds to the second slider and magnetically repels each other, and in the first switching mode, the magnetic part and the second slider generate magnetic repulsion to drive the connecting rod to rotate. An electronic device as described in claim 10, wherein when a display surface of the first body is closed to the second body, there is a storage space between the second body and the connecting body for accommodating the first body. The electronic device as described in claim 10, wherein the second body has at least one accommodating portion, and when the first body is closed to the second body and a display surface of the first body is away from the second body, the at least one hinge module is accommodated in the at least one accommodating portion.

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