TWI912065B - Pivot module and electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

A pivot module including a bracket, a main shaft, a limiting member and a rotating assembly is provided. The main shaft is connected to the bracket. The limiting member is connected to the main shaft along a rotation axis and includes a protrusion. There is a first angle between a positioning axis and a limiting surface of the protrusion, and the positioning axis is different from the rotation axis. The rotating assembly is movably sleeved to the main shaft and includes a stop portion. When the pivot module is in a first state, there is a gap between the stop portion and the limiting surface. When the pivot module is in a second state, the stop portion contacts the limiting surface, and there is a second angle between the rotating assembly and the positioning axis, and the second angle is smaller than the first angle. In addition, an electronic device is also mentioned.

Description

pivot module and electronic device

This invention relates to a pivot module and an electronic device including the pivot module.

Modern electronic devices (e.g., laptops) may include a first body, a second body, a support frame, and a hinge. The support frame is rotatably connected to the first body via the hinge, and the second body is rotatably connected to the support frame. The hinge is free to rotate without a limiting structure. When a user accidentally touches the second body and the support frame, the second body and the support frame will easily rotate relative to the first body, making it impossible to display stably and increasing the risk of the second body colliding with the first body due to free rotation.

This invention provides a pivot module and electronic device that can switch between different states to limit rotation.

The pivot module of this invention includes a bracket, a main shaft, a limiting member, and a rotating component. The main shaft is connected to the bracket. The limiting member is connected to the main shaft along a rotation axis and includes a protrusion. A positioning axis and a limiting surface of the protrusion have a first angle, and the positioning axis is different from the rotation axis. The rotating component is movably fitted onto the main shaft and includes a stop. When the pivot module is in a first state, there is a gap between the stop and the limiting surface. When the pivot module is in a second state, the stop contacts the limiting surface, and a second angle is formed between the rotating component and the positioning axis, the second angle being smaller than the first angle.

The electronic device of the present invention includes a first body, a support frame, a second body, and at least one pivot module. The pivot module is connected to the first body and the support frame, and includes a bracket, a main shaft, a limiting member, and a rotating component. The bracket is connected to the first body. The main shaft is connected to the bracket. The limiting member is connected to the main shaft along a rotation axis and includes a protrusion. A first angle is formed between the positioning axis and the limiting surface of the protrusion, and the positioning axis is different from the rotation axis. The rotating component is movably fitted onto the main shaft and driven by the support frame, and includes a stop. When the pivot module is in a first state, there is a gap between the stop and the limiting surface. When the pivot module is in the second state, the stop part contacts the limiting surface, and there is a second angle between the rotating component and the positioning axis, which is smaller than the first angle.

Based on the above, the rotating component of the pivot module of the electronic device of the present invention can rotate relative to the main shaft and the support, and can move relative to the limiting member. When the pivot module is in the first state, there is a gap between the stop part of the rotating component and the limiting surface of the limiting member, thereby unlocking the pivot module. When the pivot module is in the second state, the stop part contacts the limiting surface to lock the pivot module. The first body and support frame of the electronic device can be stably switched between different states through the locking and unlocking of the pivot module, thereby improving the stability and ease of use of the electronic device.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a side view of the electronic device of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the pivot module of Figure 2. Figure 4 is an exploded view of the pivot module of Figure 3. Referring simultaneously to Figures 1 to 4, the electronic device 100 includes a first body 110, a support frame 130, a second body 120, at least one pivot module 200, and at least one rotating shaft R. The support frame 130 is movably connected to the first body 110 through the pivot module 200. The second body 120 is rotatably connected to the support frame 130 through the rotating shaft R. The electronic device 100 of this embodiment is, for example, a notebook computer, and the number of the pivot modules 200 is, for example, two, and the number of the rotating shafts R is, for example, two, but not limited thereto.

The pivot module 200 includes a bracket 210, a main shaft 220, a limiting member 230, and a rotating component 240. The bracket 210 is connected to the first body 110. The main shaft 220 is connected to the bracket 210. The limiting member 230 is connected to the main shaft 220 along a rotation axis L1 and includes a protrusion 231. A positioning axis L2 and a limiting surface 232 of the protrusion 231 have a first angle A1. The positioning axis L2 is different from the rotation axis L1. The rotation axis L1 is the central axis of the main shaft 220, and the positioning axis L2 is a virtual axis perpendicular to the rotation axis L1. The positioning axis L2 is parallel to a top surface 111 of the first body 110. The rotating component 240 is movably fitted onto the main shaft 220 and linked to the support frame 130. The rotating component 240 includes a stop 241.

When the support frame 130 rotates relative to the first body 110, the rotating component 240 is driven to rotate relative to the bracket 210. When the second body 120 rotates relative to the support frame 130, the stop portion 241 of the rotating component 240 is driven to move relative to the limiting member 230. The stop portion 241 can abut against the limiting surface 232 of the limiting member 230 to lock the pivot module 200, thereby limiting the rotation of the support frame 130 relative to the first body 110. The stop portion 241 can also move away from the limiting member 230 to unlock the pivot module 200, thereby unlocking the support frame 130. The rotation of the support frame 130 and the second body 120 allows the pivot module 200 to switch between a first state M1 and a second state M2 (Figure 8), and the electronic device 100 can stably switch between a closed state and an open state (Figure 7), thereby improving the stability and ease of use of the electronic device 100.

As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the support frame 130 includes an opening 131. The opening 131 corresponds to a protrusion 242 of the rotating component 240. The pivot module 200 includes a connector 250. The connector 250 is rotatably fitted onto the spindle body 220 and the support frame 130. The rotating component 240 is connected to the connector 250 to drive the support frame 130. The connector 250 includes a protrusion 251. The spindle body 220 includes a groove 223, which includes two opposing ends E1 and E2. The protrusion 251 is located in the groove 223 and is rotatable relative to the groove 223. The protrusion 251 can contact one end of the groove 223 to limit the rotation angle of the connector 250 relative to the main shaft 220, thereby limiting the rotation angle of the support frame 130 relative to the first body 110.

The limiting member 230 further includes a limiting body 233, to which the protrusion 231 is connected. The limiting body 233 is connected to the main shaft 220. The limiting member 230 is teardrop-shaped, but not limited to this. The extending direction of the limiting surface 232 of the protrusion 231 is different from that of the rotation axis L1 and the positioning axis L2, and is an inclined surface.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the rotating assembly 240 includes a rotating member 243, a sliding member 244, an elastic member 245, and a fixing member 246. One end of the rotating member 243 is rotatably fitted onto the main shaft 220 along the rotation axis L1 and is connected to the connecting member 250 via a fastener S, thereby linking the rotating member 243 with the support frame 130. The sliding member 244 is slidably connected to the rotating member 243. A stop portion 241 and a protrusion 242 are located at opposite ends of the sliding member 244, and the stop portion 241 is an inclined surface corresponding to the limiting surface 232. The fixing member 246 is connected to the rotating member 243, and the sliding member 244 is slidably inserted through the fixing member 246. The elastic element 245 is fitted onto the fixed element 246 and abuts against the sliding element 244. The elastic element 245 is, for example, a spring, but is not limited thereto.

The sliding member 244 of this embodiment includes a first limiting groove 2441, and the rotating member 243 includes a slot 2431 and a second limiting groove 2432. A portion of the sliding member 244 (e.g., a stop portion 241) passes through the slot 2431. The fixing member 246 includes a head portion 2461, a first portion 2462, and a second portion 2463. The first portion 2462 is connected between the head portion 2461 and the second portion 2463. The diameter of the head portion 2461 is larger than the diameter of the first portion 2462, and the diameter of the first portion 2462 is larger than the diameter of the second portion 2463. An elastic member 245 is sleeved on the first portion 2462. The second portion 2463 is connected to the second limiting groove 2432 of the rotating member 243, causing the first portion 2462 to abut against the rotating member 243. The first portion 2462 passes through the first limiting groove 2441 of the slider 244. This ensures that the exposed portion of the retainer 246 (i.e., the head 2461 and the first portion 2462) remains at a preset height when the assembly rotating component 240 is being assembled, thus facilitating assembly. The elastic member 245 presses against the head 2461 and the slider 244.

Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the pivot module 200 of this embodiment further includes two elastic members 260a and 260b, a fixing member 270, and a torque component 280. The torque component 280, the fixing member 270, and the two elastic members 260a and 260b are sequentially sleeved on the main shaft body 220. The two elastic members 260a and 260b are located between the limiting member 230 and the fixing member 270. One end 261 of the elastic member 260a is connected to a groove 234 of the limiting body 233 of the limiting member 230, and one end 262 of the elastic member 260b is connected to a groove 271 of the fixing member 270. The other end 263 of the elastic member 260a is adjacent to the other end 264 of the elastic member 260b. Torque component 280 provides torque. Two elastic components 260a and 260b provide preload to facilitate the opening of the second body 120. The main shaft 220 includes a first portion 221 and a second portion 222. In this embodiment, the diameter of the first portion 221 is smaller than the diameter of the second portion 222, but is not limited thereto. In an embodiment not shown, the main shaft 220 may include only the first portion 221 or the second portion 222. That is, the diameter of the main shaft 220 may remain the same.

Figures 1 to 3 show the electronic device 100 in the off state, at which time the pivot module 200 is in the first state M1. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the off state (first state M1), a display surface 121 of the second body 120 faces the first body 110. The support frame 130 is located in a receiving slot 122 of the second body 120, so that the second body 120 is positioned between the support frame 130 and the first body 110, and the second body 120 is parallel to the first body 110. The second body 120 covers the opening 131 of the support frame 130 and presses against the protrusion 242 (slider 244) of the rotating assembly 240, creating a gap G1 between the stop 241 (slider 244) of the rotating assembly 240 and the limiting surface 232 of the protrusion 231 of the limiting member 230. The stop 241 is offset from the limiting surface 232. The elastic member 245 is deformed by the sliding member 244 and accumulates elastic force. The protrusion 251 of the connecting member 250 contacts one end E1 of the groove 223 of the main shaft 220. Because there is a gap G1 between the stop 241 and the limiting surface 232, the pivot module 200 is unlocked, and the rotating component 240 can rotate relative to the bracket 210.

Figure 5 is a side view of the support frame of the electronic device in Figure 1 after rotation. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the pivot module in Figure 5. Referring to both Figure 5 and Figure 6, when the electronic device 100 is to be switched from the off state to the on state, the second body 120 can be subjected to force to drive the support frame 130 to rotate relative to the first body 110 to the position shown in Figure 5. During the rotation of the second body 120 and the support frame 130 relative to the first body 110, the connecting member 250 and the rotating component 240 are driven to rotate relative to the bracket 210 (main shaft 220) about the rotation axis L1, until the protrusion 251 of the connecting member 250 contacts the other end E2 of the groove 223 of the main shaft 220, thus restricting the rotation of the support frame 130 (second body 120) relative to the first body 110. At this time, the support frame 130 is still located in the receiving groove 122, and the second body 120 still presses against the protrusion 242 (slider 244) of the rotating component 240. The stop 241 (slider 244) is aligned with the limiting surface 232, and there is a gap G2.

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the electronic device of Figure 1 in the on state. Figure 8 is a side view of the electronic device of Figure 7. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the pivot module of Figure 8. Referring to Figures 7 to 9 simultaneously, the second body 120 of Figure 5 can then rotate relative to the support frame 130 under force. The second body 120 rotates away from the support frame 130, thereby switching the electronic device 100 to the on state. During the rotation of the second body 120 relative to the support frame 130, the second body 120 moves away from the opening 131 of the support frame 130, thereby releasing the protrusion 242 (slider 244) of the rotating component 240. The sliding member 244 moves relative to the rotating member 243 through the elastic force of the elastic member 245, causing the stop 241 to move towards the limiting member 230 until it contacts the limiting surface 232 of the limiting member 230. The pivot module 200 switches to the second state M2.

In the open state (second state M2), the second body 120 is opened relative to the first body 110 and the support frame 130, with the support frame 130 also open relative to the first body 110. The display surface 121 of the second body 120 faces outward. The support frame 130 is located outside the receiving groove 122 of the second body 120, and the second body 120 is away from the opening 131 of the support frame 130. The protrusion 251 of the connector 250 contacts the end E2 of the groove 223 of the spindle body 220. The protrusion 242 of the rotating assembly 240 passes through the opening 131 of the support frame 130 and protrudes from the opening 131, with the stop 241 contacting the limiting surface 232 of the limiting member 230. A second angle A2 exists between a top surface 2442 of the slider 244 of the rotating component 240 and the positioning axis L2. The second angle A2 is smaller than the first angle A1 between the limiting surface 232 and the positioning axis L2. The pivot module 200 is locked by the cooperation of the rotating component 240 and the limiting component 230, preventing the support frame 130 from rotating freely.

Since the second angle A2 is smaller than the first angle A1, when the pivot module 200 is in the second state M2 and the user wants to directly rotate the support frame 130 towards the first body 110, the limiting surface 232 of the limiting member 230 can stop the sliding member 244, so that the sliding member 244 is stably positioned in the position shown in Figure 8 and will not be pushed open, thereby limiting the rotation of the connecting member 250 and thus limiting the rotation of the support frame 130. The pivot module 200 can be stably maintained in the second state M2, and the support frame 130 will not rotate due to accidental touch by the user, so as to avoid the second body 120 from colliding with the first body 110.

When the electronic device 100 is switched from the on state to the off state (i.e., the pivot module 200 is switched from the first state M1 to the second state M2), the second body 120 is subjected to force and rotates relative to the support frame 130 and abuts against the support frame 130 (FIG. 5). During the rotation, the second body 120 pushes against the protrusion 242 (slider 244) of the rotating component 240, causing the slider 244 to slide away from the limiting member 230. There is a gap G2 between the stop 241 of the rotating component 240 and the limiting surface 232 of the limiting member 230. Thereby, the pivot module 200 is unlocked, and the support frame 130 can rotate relative to the first body 110. Next, the second body 120 is subjected to force, causing the support frame 130 to rotate relative to the first body 110. The connector 250 of the pivot module 200 is driven to rotate relative to the bracket 210, so that the protrusion 251 of the connector 250 contacts the end E1 of the groove 223 of the main shaft 220, the pivot module 200 switches to the first state M1, and the electronic device 100 switches to the off state.

In this way, the electronic device 100 can drive the stop portion 241 (slider 244) of the rotating component 240 of the pivot module 200 to slide relative to the limit member 230 through the rotation of the second body 120 relative to the first body 110 and the support frame 130, so as to lock or unlock the pivot module 200 (support frame 130) and make the electronic device 100 stably switch between the closed state and the open state.

In summary, the rotating component of the pivot module of the electronic device of the present invention can rotate relative to the main shaft and the support, and can move relative to the limiting member. When the pivot module is in the first state, there is a gap between the stop of the rotating component and the limiting surface of the limiting member, thereby unlocking the pivot module. When the pivot module is in the second state, the stop contacts the limiting surface to lock the pivot module. The first body and support frame of the electronic device can be stably switched between different states through the locking and unlocking of the pivot module, thereby improving the stability and ease of use of the electronic device.

A1: First Angle A2: Second Angle E1, E2, 261, 262, 263, 264: Ends G1, G2: Clearance L1: Rotation Axis L2: Positioning Axis M1: First State M2: Second State R: Rotating Shaft S: Fastener 100: Electronic Device 110: First Body 111: Top Surface 120: Second Body 121: Display Surface 122: Receiving Slot 130: Support Frame 131: Opening 200: Spindle Module 210: Bracket 220: Main Shaft 221: First Part 222: Second Part 223: Slot 230: Limiting Component 231: Protrusion 232: Limiting surface 233: Limiting body 234, 271: Groove 240: Rotating component 241: Stop part 242: Protrusion 243: Rotating component 2431: Groove 2432: Second limiting groove 244: Sliding component 2441: First limiting groove 2442: Top surface 245: Elastic component 246: Fixing component 2461: Head 2462: First part 2463: Second part 250: Connecting component 251: Protrusion 260a, 260b: Elastic component 270: Fixing component 280: Torque component

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a side view of the electronic device of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the pivot module of Figure 2. Figure 4 is an exploded view of the pivot module of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a side view of the support frame of the electronic device of Figure 1 after rotation. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the pivot module of Figure 5. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the electronic device of Figure 1 in the on state. Figure 8 is a side view of the electronic device of Figure 7. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the pivot module of Figure 8.

A1: First Angle

A2: Second angle

L2: Positioning Axis

M2: Second State

100: Electronic Devices

110: First Machine

111: Top surface

120: Second Unit

121: Display Surface

130: Support frame

131: Opening

200: Pivot Module

210: Bracket

220: Spindle

230: Limiting component

231: Bump

232: Limiting Surface

240: Rotating component

241: Stop section

242: Protrusion

243: Rotating Components

244: Sliding component

2442: Top surface

245: Elastic component

250: Connector

Claims (22)

A pivot module includes: a bracket; a main shaft connected to the bracket; a limiting member connected to the main shaft along a rotation axis and including a protrusion, a positioning axis having a first angle with a limiting surface of the protrusion, the positioning axis being different from the rotation axis; and a rotating component movably fitted onto the main shaft and including a stop portion, wherein when the pivot module is in a first state, there is a gap between the stop portion and the limiting surface, and when the pivot module is in a second state, the stop portion contacts the limiting surface, and the rotating component has a second angle with the positioning axis, the second angle being smaller than the first angle and less than 90 degrees. The pivot module as described in claim 1, wherein the positioning axis is perpendicular to the rotation axis. The pivot module as described in claim 1, wherein the rotating component includes a rotating member and a sliding member, the rotating member being rotatably mounted on the main shaft along the rotation axis, the sliding member being slidably connected to the rotating member, the stop portion being located on the sliding member, and when the pivot module is in the second state, a top surface of the sliding member having the second angle with the positioning axis. The pivot module as described in claim 3 further includes a connector rotatably fitted onto the main shaft and connected to the rotating component. The pivot module as described in claim 3, wherein the rotating component further includes an elastic member and a fixing member, the fixing member being connected to the rotating member, the sliding member being slidably disposed on the fixing member, the elastic member being sleeved on the fixing member and pressing against the sliding member, and when the pivot module is in the first state, the elastic member deforms and accumulates elastic force. The pivot module as described in claim 3, wherein the rotating component further includes an elastic member and a fixing member, the fixing member including a head, a first part and a second part connected in sequence, the diameter of the head being larger than the diameter of the first part, the diameter of the first part being larger than the diameter of the second part, the elastic member being fitted onto the first part, and the first part abutting against the rotating component. The pivot module as described in claim 1 further includes a connector rotatably fitted onto the spindle body, the spindle body including a groove having two opposing ends, the connector including a protrusion located in the groove, wherein when the pivot module is in the first state, the protrusion contacts one of the two ends, and when the pivot module is in the second state, the protrusion contacts the other of the two ends. The pivot module as described in claim 1, wherein the limiting member further includes a limiting body, the protrusion is connected to the limiting body, the limiting body is connected to the main shaft, and the extending direction of the limiting surface of the protrusion is different from the rotation axis and the positioning axis. The pivot module as described in claim 1 further includes two elastic members and a fixing member, the fixing member and the two elastic members being sleeved on the main shaft, the two elastic members being located between the limiting member and the fixing member, one end of one of the two elastic members being connected to the limiting member, and one end of the other of the two elastic members being connected to the fixing member. The pivot module as described in claim 1 further includes a torque component fitted onto the spindle body to provide torque. An electronic device includes: a first body; a support frame rotatably connected to the first body; a second body rotatably connected to the support frame; and at least one pivot module connected to the first body and the support frame, each of the at least one pivot module including: a bracket connected to the first body; a main shaft connected to the bracket; a limiting member connected to the main shaft along a rotation axis and including a protrusion, a positioning axis having a first angle with a limiting surface of the protrusion, the positioning axis being different from the rotation axis; and a rotating component movably sleeved on the main shaft and connected to the support frame, the rotating component including a stop portion. When the pivot module is in a first state, there is a gap between the stop and the limiting surface. When the pivot module is in a second state, the stop contacts the limiting surface, and there is a second angle between the rotating component and the positioning axis. The second angle is smaller than the first angle and is less than 90 degrees. The electronic device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the positioning axis is perpendicular to the rotation axis. The electronic device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the rotating component includes a rotating member and a sliding member, the rotating member being rotatably mounted on the main shaft along the rotation axis, the sliding member being slidably connected to the rotating member, the stop portion being located on the sliding member, and when the pivot module is in the second state, a top surface of the sliding member having the second angle with the positioning axis. The electronic device as claimed in claim 13, wherein each of the at least one pivot module further includes a connector rotatably fitted onto the main shaft and connected to the second body and the rotating component. The electronic device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the rotating component further includes an elastic member and a fixing member, the fixing member being connected to the rotating component, the sliding member being slidably disposed on the fixing member, the elastic member being sleeved on the fixing member and pressing against the sliding member, wherein when the pivot module is in the first state, the elastic member deforms and stores elastic force. The electronic device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the rotating component further includes an elastic member and a fixing member, the fixing member including a head, a first portion and a second portion connected in sequence, the diameter of the head being greater than the diameter of the first portion, the diameter of the first portion being greater than the diameter of the second portion, the elastic member being fitted onto the first portion, and the first portion abutting against the rotating component. The electronic device as claimed in claim 11 further includes a connector rotatably fitted onto the spindle body, the spindle body including a groove having two opposing ends, the connector including a protrusion located in the groove, the protrusion contacting one of the two ends when the spindle module is in the first state, and the protrusion contacting the other of the two ends when the spindle module is in the second state. The electronic device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the limiting member further includes a limiting body, the protrusion is connected to the limiting body, the limiting body is connected to the main shaft, and the extending direction of the limiting surface of the protrusion is different from the rotation axis and the positioning axis. The electronic device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the rotating component includes a protrusion, the support includes an opening, and when the pivot module is in the first state, the second body covers the opening and presses against the protrusion, and when the pivot module is in the second state, the second body moves away from the opening, and the protrusion is exposed from the opening. The electronic device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the second body includes a receiving slot, and when the pivot module is in the first state, the support is located in the receiving slot, a display surface of the second body faces the first body, and when the pivot module is in the second state, the support is located outside the receiving slot, and the display surface faces outward. The electronic device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the pivot module includes two elastic members and a fixing member, the fixing member and the two elastic members are sleeved on the main shaft, the two elastic members are located between the limiting member and the fixing member, one end of one of the two elastic members is connected to the limiting member, and one end of the other of the two elastic members is connected to the fixing member. The electronic device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the pivot module further includes a torque component fitted onto the spindle body to provide torque.