CN114518783B

CN114518783B - Electronic device

Info

Publication number: CN114518783B
Application number: CN202011313784.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 刘继远; 林朝吉
Original assignee: Acer Inc; Leohab Enterprise Co Ltd
Current assignee: Acer Inc; Leohab Enterprise Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-11-20
Filing date: 2020-11-20
Publication date: 2023-08-08
Anticipated expiration: 2040-11-20
Also published as: CN114518783A

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an electronic device. The electronic device comprises a first module, a second module, a pivoting piece, a first rotating piece, a second rotating piece and a wire. The pivot piece is pivoted with the first module and the second module. The first rotating piece and the second rotating piece are connected with the pivoting piece and can rotate around a first shaft and a second shaft respectively relative to the pivoting piece. The wire passes through the first rotating member and the second rotating member and is electrically connected with the first module and the second module.

Description

Electronic device

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to electronic devices, and particularly to a foldable electronic device.

Background

Generally, a conventional mobile phone or tablet pc is provided with only a single display screen, which can increase the display screen area of the mobile phone or tablet pc to make the user more convenient to read or browse the web pages, but the size of the device is also increased, which is inconvenient to carry or store.

In view of this, it is an important issue to design an electronic device with multiple screens and convenient storage.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention is directed to an electronic device, which solves at least one of the above-mentioned problems.

In view of the foregoing conventional problems, an embodiment of the invention provides an electronic device including a first module, a second module, a pivot, a first rotating member, a second rotating member, and a wire. The pivot piece is pivoted with the first module and the second module. The first rotating piece is movably connected with the pivoting piece and can rotate around a first shaft relative to the pivoting piece. The second rotating piece is movably connected with the pivoting piece and can rotate around a second shaft relative to the pivoting piece, wherein the second shaft is parallel to the first shaft. The wire passes through the first rotating member and the second rotating member and is electrically connected with the first module and the second module.

In an embodiment, the first rotating member has two circular arc-shaped first sidewalls and two first grooves, the first grooves are located between the first sidewalls, and the wires pass through the first grooves.

In an embodiment, the second rotating member has two circular arc-shaped second sidewalls and two second grooves, the second grooves are located between the second sidewalls, and the wires pass through the first grooves and the second grooves.

In an embodiment, the electronic device further includes a third rotating member connected to the first rotating member and rotatable about the first axis relative to the pivot member, wherein the wire is limited between the first rotating member and the third rotating member.

In an embodiment, the first rotating member is formed with a circular groove, and the third rotating member is slidable in the groove.

In an embodiment, the electronic device further includes a locking member, the first module has a housing and a side frame connected to each other, and the third rotating member is formed with a recess, wherein the locking member passes through the side frame and extends into the recess.

In an embodiment, the electronic device further includes a fourth rotating member connected to the second rotating member and rotatable about the second axis relative to the pivot member, wherein the wire is limited between the second rotating member and the fourth rotating member.

In an embodiment, the second rotating member is formed with a circular groove, and the fourth rotating member is slidable in the groove.

In an embodiment, the electronic device further includes a locking member, the second module has a housing and a side frame connected to each other, and the fourth rotating member is formed with a recess, wherein the locking member passes through the side frame and extends into the recess.

In an embodiment, the pivot element is formed with two shaft holes, and the first rotating element and the second rotating element are respectively formed with a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion, wherein the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion are respectively pivoted in the shaft holes.

In an embodiment, the electronic device further includes a first fixing member, a second fixing member, and a plurality of gears, wherein the first fixing member and the second fixing member are respectively fixed on the first module and the second module, and the gears are connected to the pivoting member, the first fixing member, and the second fixing member.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view of a portion a in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the pivotal mechanism shown in fig. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing the second module rotated 90 degrees forward from the state shown in fig. 1 with respect to the first module.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic view of the drive mechanism of fig. 4.

Fig. 6 and 7 show exploded views of the driving mechanism of fig. 5 at different viewing angles.

Fig. 8 and 9 show exploded views of the first, second, third and fourth rotary members and the wires of fig. 6 and 7 from different viewing angles.

Fig. 10 is a schematic view showing the second module rotated 180 degrees forward from the state shown in fig. 1 with respect to the first module.

Fig. 11 shows a schematic view of the drive mechanism of fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a schematic view showing the second module rotated by 90 degrees backward from the state shown in fig. 1 with respect to the first module.

Fig. 13 is a schematic view showing the second module rotated 180 degrees backward from the state shown in fig. 1 with respect to the first module.

The reference numerals are as follows:

100 electronic device

10 first Module

11 casing body

12 side frame

20 second module

21 casing body

22 side frame

30 pivoting mechanism

301 pivoting member

31 first fixing piece

32 second fixing piece

A1 first shaft

A2 second axis

D1 display screen

D2 display screen

H, shaft hole

N1 first groove

N2 second groove

N3 third groove

N4 fourth groove

P1:first side wall

P2:

p3:third side wall

P4 fourth side wall

R is accommodation space

R1 first rotating member

R11:first projection

R2:second rotating member

R21:second projection

R3 third rotating member

R30, concave hole

R4:fourth rotating member

R40 concave hole

S-shaped locking piece

V1 groove

V2 groove

W is wire

Detailed Description

The following describes an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. However, it will be readily appreciated that the embodiments of the invention provide many suitable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments disclosed are illustrative only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be appreciated that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

The foregoing and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. The directional terms mentioned in the following embodiments are, for example: upper, lower, left, right, front or rear, etc., are merely references to the directions of the attached drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used in the embodiments are for illustration and not for limitation of the present invention.

Referring first to fig. 1 and 2, fig. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device 100 according to an embodiment of the invention, and fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion a in fig. 1.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the electronic device 100 of the present embodiment is, for example, a foldable mobile phone, a tablet computer or a notebook computer, and mainly includes a first module 10, a second module 20 and two pivoting mechanisms 30, wherein the plurality of pivoting mechanisms 30 are disposed between the first and second modules 10, 20 for pivoting the first and second modules 10, 20; in this way, the second module 20 can rotate relative to the first module 10 to present different attitude angles.

In the present embodiment, the first module 10 has a housing 11 and a side frame 12, wherein the side frame 12 is fixed around the outer side of the housing 11, and a display screen D1 is disposed in the center of the housing 11 for displaying a digital image. Similarly, the second module 20 has a housing 21 and a side frame 22, wherein the side frame 22 is fixed around the outer side of the housing 21, and a display screen D2 for displaying a digital image is also disposed in the center of the housing 21; it should be understood that, in the electronic device 100 of the present embodiment, the display screens D1 and D2 are respectively disposed on the first and second modules 10 and 20, but the display screen may be disposed on only one of the first and second modules 10 and 20, which is not limited to the embodiment.

In addition, as can be seen from fig. 2, a receiving space R is formed between the first and second modules 10 and 20 for receiving the pivot mechanism 30, wherein two locking members S respectively pass through the side frames 12 and 22 of the first and second modules 10 and 20 for pivoting the first and second modules 10 and 20, and the pivot mechanism 30 is restricted in the receiving space R to prevent the pivot mechanism 30 from falling out of the receiving space R.

Referring to fig. 3, fig. 3 is a perspective view of the pivoting mechanism 30 shown in fig. 1 and 2. As shown in fig. 3, the pivot mechanism 30 of the present embodiment mainly includes a pivot member 301, a first fixing member 31 and a second fixing member 32, wherein the first fixing member 31 is locked on the first module 10, the second fixing member 32 is locked on the second module 20, and the pivot member 301 pivots the first and second fixing members 31, 32.

It should be noted that, the pivot mechanism 30 further includes a first rotating member R1, a second rotating member R2, a third rotating member R3, and a fourth rotating member R4, wherein the first and second rotating members R1, R2 are movably disposed on the pivot member 301 and can rotate around a first axis A1 and a second axis A2 respectively relative to the pivot member 301; in addition, the third and fourth rotating members R3 and R4 are respectively disposed on the first and second rotating members R1 and R2, and are rotatable about a first axis A1 and a second axis A2, respectively, relative to the pivot member 301, wherein the second axis A2 is parallel to the first axis A1.

It should be appreciated that a flexible wire W extends through the hollow first, second, third and fourth rotating members R1, R2, R3 and R4 for electrically connecting the first and second modules 10 and 20, thereby achieving the function of transmitting electronic signals.

With continued reference to fig. 3, it can be seen from fig. 3 that concave holes R30 and R40 are formed on the end surfaces of the third rotating member R3 and the fourth rotating member R4, respectively, wherein the locking members S can respectively pass through the side frames 12 and 22 (as shown in fig. 2) of the first and second modules 10 and 20 and extend into the concave holes R30 and R40, so as to pivot the first and second modules 10 and 20, and limit the pivoting mechanism 30 in the accommodating space R shown in fig. 2.

Referring to fig. 4 and 5, fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the second module 20 rotated 90 ° forward relative to the first module 10 from the state shown in fig. 1, and fig. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the driving mechanism 30 in fig. 4.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, when the second module 20 is rotated 90 ° forward relative to the first module 10 from the state shown in fig. 1, an angle of 90 ° can be formed between the display screens D1 and D2, and since the first and second rotating members R1 and R2 in the driving mechanism 30 can rotate about the first axis A1 relative to the pivot member 301 and the third and fourth rotating members R3 and R4 can also rotate about the second axis A2 relative to the pivot member 301, the wire W passing through the first, second, third and fourth rotating members R1, R2, R3 and R4 can be bent moderately without mechanical interference with the driving mechanism 30.

Referring to fig. 6 and 7, fig. 6 and 7 show exploded views of the driving mechanism 30 of fig. 5 at different angles. As shown in fig. 6 and 7, in the driving mechanism 30 of the present embodiment, the first and second fixing members 31 and 32 can be coupled to each other by a plurality of gears G, so as to perform symmetrical rotation about the first axis A1 and the second axis A2 with respect to the pivot member 301, respectively.

It should be noted that, two shaft holes H are formed on the pivoting member 301, and can be used to pivot the first and second rotating members R1 and R2, respectively; in addition, a circular groove V1, V2 is formed on the first and second rotating members R1, R2, respectively, wherein the third rotating member R3 is slidably disposed in the groove V1 and is rotatable about the first axis A1 relative to the pivot member 301 and the first rotating member R1; similarly, the fourth rotating member R4 is slidably disposed in the groove V2 and is rotatable about the second axis A2 relative to the pivot member 301 and the second rotating member R2.

Next, please refer to fig. 8 and 9, wherein fig. 8 and 9 show exploded views of the first, second, third and fourth rotary members R1, R2, R3, R4 and the wire W in fig. 6 and 7 at different viewing angles.

As shown in fig. 8 and 9, the first rotating member R1 is formed with two circular arc-shaped first sidewalls P1 and two first grooves N1, wherein the first grooves N1 are located between the first sidewalls P1. Similarly, the second rotating member R2 is formed with two circular arc-shaped second sidewalls P2 and two second grooves N2, wherein the second grooves N2 are located between the second sidewalls P2, and the wires W extend through the first grooves N1 and the second grooves N2 after being assembled.

On the other hand, as can be seen from fig. 8 and 9, the third rotating member R3 is movably connected to the first rotating member R1, and is rotatable about the first axis A1 relative to the pivot member 301 and the first rotating member R1. It should be understood that the third rotating member R3 is formed with two circular arc-shaped third sidewalls P3 and two third grooves N3, wherein the third grooves N3 are located between the third sidewalls P3, and the wire W passes through the first grooves N1 and the third grooves N3 after being assembled, and is clamped between the first rotating member R1 and the third rotating member R3. Since the aforementioned third side wall P3 is slidable in the groove V1 of the first rotary member R1, the mechanical interference generated between the third rotary member R3 and the wire W can be reduced.

Similarly, the fourth rotating member R4 is movably connected to the second rotating member R2, and can rotate around the second axis A2 relative to the pivot member 301 and the second rotating member R2. It should be understood that the fourth rotating member R4 is formed with two circular arc-shaped fourth sidewalls P4 and two fourth grooves N4, wherein the fourth grooves N4 are located between the fourth sidewalls P4, and the wire W passes through the second grooves N2 and the fourth grooves N4 after being assembled, and is clamped between the second rotating member R2 and the fourth rotating member R4. Since the fourth side wall P4 is slidable in the groove V2 of the second rotary member R2, the mechanical interference generated between the fourth rotary member R4 and the wire W can be reduced.

As shown in fig. 9, a first protrusion R11 and a second protrusion R21 are respectively formed on the end surfaces of the first rotating member R1 and the second rotating member R2, wherein the first protrusion R11 and the second protrusion R21 are respectively pivoted in the shaft hole H of the pivot member 301 during assembly.

Referring to fig. 10 and 11, fig. 10 is a schematic view of the second module 20 rotated 180 ° forward relative to the first module 10 from the state shown in fig. 1, and fig. 11 is a schematic view of the driving mechanism 30 shown in fig. 10.

As shown in fig. 10 and 11, when the second module 20 is rotated 180 ° forward relative to the first module 10 from the state shown in fig. 1, the display screen D2 faces the display screen D1, so that the electronic device 100 assumes a closed state. At this time, since the first and second rotating members R1, R2 of the driving mechanism 30 can rotate about the first axis A1 relative to the pivotal member 301, and the third and fourth rotating members R3, R4 can rotate about the second axis A2 relative to the pivotal member 301, the wire W extending through the first, second, third and fourth rotating members R1, R2, R3, R4 can be bent moderately without mechanical interference with the driving mechanism 30.

Referring to fig. 12 and 13, fig. 12 is a schematic view of the second module 20 rotated by 90 ° backward from the state shown in fig. 1 with respect to the first module 10, and fig. 13 is a schematic view of the second module 20 rotated by 180 ° backward from the state shown in fig. 1 with respect to the first module 10.

As shown in fig. 12 and 13, the electronic device 100 of the present embodiment may also allow the second module 20 to rotate 90 degrees backward from the state shown in fig. 1 with respect to the first module 10 (fig. 12); alternatively, the second module 20 may further rotate 180 degrees backward relative to the first module 10 from the state shown in fig. 1 (fig. 13), and make the display screens D1 and D2 of the first and second modules 10 and 20 face to opposite sides of the electronic device 100, respectively, so as to facilitate the user to perform functions such as video call, reading or presentation.

Although embodiments of the present invention and their advantages have been disclosed above, it should be understood that those skilled in the art may make modifications, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification, but only to the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification for use in accordance with the present invention.

Accordingly, the scope of the present application includes such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps. In addition, each claim constitutes a separate embodiment, and the scope of the invention also includes combinations of the individual claims and embodiments.

Although the invention has been described with respect to the preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention thereto, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that many changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a first module;

a second module;

a pivoting member pivotally connecting the first module and the second module;

the first rotating piece is movably connected with the pivoting piece and can rotate around a first shaft relative to the pivoting piece;

the second rotating piece is movably connected with the pivoting piece and can rotate around a second shaft relative to the pivoting piece, wherein the second shaft is parallel to the first shaft; and

a wire passing through the first rotating member and the second rotating member for electrically connecting the first module and the second module;

the electronic device further comprises a third rotating member, the third rotating member is connected with the first rotating member and can rotate around the first shaft relative to the pivoting member, the conducting wire is limited between the first rotating member and the third rotating member, the first rotating member is provided with a circular groove, the third rotating member can slide in the groove, the electronic device further comprises a fourth rotating member, the fourth rotating member is connected with the second rotating member and can rotate around the second shaft relative to the pivoting member, the conducting wire is limited between the second rotating member and the fourth rotating member, the second rotating member is provided with a circular groove, the fourth rotating member can slide in the groove, and the first module and the second module are respectively provided with a display screen.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first rotating member has two circular arc-shaped first sidewalls and two first grooves, a plurality of the first grooves are located between the first sidewalls, and the wire passes through the first grooves.

3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the second rotating member has two circular arc-shaped second sidewalls and two second grooves, a plurality of the second grooves are located between a plurality of the second sidewalls, and the wire passes through a plurality of the first grooves and a plurality of the second grooves.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a locking member, wherein the first module has a housing and a side frame connected to each other, and the third rotating member is formed with a recess, and the locking member passes through the side frame and extends into the recess.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a locking member, wherein the second module has a housing and a side frame connected to each other, and the fourth rotating member is formed with a recess, and the locking member passes through the side frame and extends into the recess.

6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the pivot member has two shaft holes, and the first rotating member and the second rotating member have a first protrusion and a second protrusion, respectively, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion are pivoted in the shaft holes, respectively.