KR20230090876A - Hinge device of in-out foldable mobile device using flexible display panel - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention greatly simplifies the configuration for implementing in-folding and out-folding and minimizes the number of parts to improve assembly and productivity. Provided is a hinge device for an in-out folding type portable terminal using a flexible display panel capable of reducing the thickness of the.
The hinge device of the present invention includes a housing positioned between one end of a first body and a second body that are interlocked for relative movement; The housing is rotationally supported by the first and second hinge shafts, so that the first body and the second body are placed on the same horizontal line, an 'extended position', and an 'in-folding position' in which the inner surfaces of the first body and the second body face each other first hinge blades and second hinge blades rotating between the 'position' and the 'outfolding position' in which the outer surfaces of the first body and the second body face each other; And in conjunction with the first hinge wing and the second hinge wing, in the 'in-folding position', the first body and the second body are moved in a direction spaced apart from the first hinge axis and the second hinge axis, and the 'out-folding Position' comprises an interlocking mechanism for moving the first body and the second body in a direction approaching the first hinge shaft and the second hinge shaft.

Description

Hinge device of in-out foldable mobile device using flexible display panel}

The present invention relates to a hinge device for an in-out folding portable terminal using a flexible display panel, and more particularly, to an in-folding position or outer surface in which the inner surfaces of a foldable first body and a second body are in contact with each other in an unfolded position. It relates to a hinge device capable of being folded into an outfolding position in contact with each other.

Recently, portable terminals such as tablet PCs and smart phones have been applied with various functions added or improved to improve convenience due to the development of semiconductors, software, and communication fields.

For example, in the case of an in-out folding type portable terminal in which the portable terminal is divided into a first body and a second body, and the size can be reduced by folding the first body and the second body that can interoperate with each other, a flexible display panel By applying it, the screen of the flexible display panel was improved so that the screen of the flexible display panel can be seen in the unfolded position.

In order to apply the flexible display panel to such a foldable portable terminal, it is very important to form a predetermined radius of curvature in the foldable portion of the flexible display panel at the in-folding position (folding position) of the first body and the second body. When a predetermined radius of curvature is not formed on the folding portion, the flexible display panel is damaged due to a bending phenomenon, or the folding portion is deteriorated due to repeated folding operations, thereby shortening its lifespan.

Therefore, conventionally, a hinge device for forming a predetermined radius of curvature in a folding portion of a flexible display panel in an in-folding or out-folding position of the first body and the second body has been proposed.

For example, the 'hinge device for a flexible display that implements in-folding and out-folding simultaneously' disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2018-0071900 connects the foldable first body and the second body from the inside and outside It has an inner joint part and an outer joint part, and a plurality of joint units are configured to be connected to each other by links similar to a watch band, so that in-folding and out-folding operations are performed.

However, the link method using a plurality of joint units as described above has many and complicated configurations, which reduces assembly and productivity, and has a large radius of curvature formed by the inner joint or the outer joint in the in-folding or out-folding position. There is a downside to being thick.

The present invention is to solve the above conventional problems, and its object is to greatly simplify the configuration for implementing in-folding and out-folding, thereby minimizing the number of parts, thereby improving assembly and productivity, and in-folding or out-folding. An object of the present invention is to provide a hinge device for an in-out folding portable terminal using a flexible display panel capable of reducing the thickness of the portable terminal by minimizing the radius of curvature formed on the folding portion in the folding position.

A hinge device of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a housing positioned between one end of a first body and a second body that are interlocked for relative movement; The housing is rotationally supported by the first and second hinge shafts, so that the first body and the second body are placed on the same horizontal line, an 'expanded position', and an 'in-folding position' in which the inner surfaces of the first body and the second body face each other. first hinge blades and second hinge blades rotating between a 'position' and an 'outfolding position' in which the outer surfaces of the first body and the second body face each other; And in conjunction with the first hinge wing and the second hinge wing, in the 'in-folding position', the first body and the second body are moved in a direction spaced apart from the first hinge axis and the second hinge axis, and the 'out-folding Position' is characterized in that it comprises an interlocking mechanism for moving the first body and the second body in a direction closer to the first hinge axis and the second hinge axis.

In addition, in the present invention, the interlocking mechanism is a first axis located above the first hinge axis and the second hinge axis fixed to the housing and a second axis connected to one end of the first and second interlocking arms, respectively rotationally supported first and second rotation guidance members; And one end of the first and second rotation guide members is supported for rotation on a second shaft, and the other end is fixed to the first and second main bodies, respectively, and interlocks with the rotation of the first and second hinge wings to form a first and first and second interlocking arms for moving the second main body in a direction spaced apart from or close to the hinge axis.

In addition, in the present invention, the interlocking mechanism rotates around the first axis and moves the second axis in the folding operation between the 'unfolding position' and the 'infolding position', and the 'expanding position' and the 'outfolding position' In the folding operation made between ', it is characterized in that the second shaft is fixed and rotated around the second shaft.

In the present invention, the interlocking mechanism forms a rectangular hole in the longitudinal direction in the first and second interlocking arms, and the first hinge axis and the second hinge axis of the first hinge wing and the second hinge wing It is characterized in that guide protrusions are formed on the installed first and second wing arms to be guided by being inserted into the rectangular holes.

In addition, in the present invention, the interlocking mechanism is connected to the first and second hinge wings, the first hinge axis, the second hinge axis and the first and second wing arms having guide protrusions are provided. to be characterized

In addition, the hinge device of the present invention interlocks by pressing during the rotational movement of the first hinge wing and the second hinge wing, so that each of the first body and the second body in the 'extended position' or 'outfolding position' A first swash plate and a second swash plate moving between a horizontal position coincident with a horizontal line and an inclined position inclined from the horizontal position of the first body and the second body in the 'in-folding position', respectively, further comprising characterized by being made.

In addition, in the present invention, the first swash plate and the second swash plate are interlocked by a pressing means, and the pressing means includes: inclined grooves formed on inner surfaces of the first body and the second body; and pressing protrusions formed on the first and second swash plates facing the inclined grooves, and when the first hinge wings and the second hinge wings rotate to an 'extended position' or an 'outfolding position', When the pressing protrusion contacts the inner surfaces of the first body and the second body so that the first and second inclined plates are in a horizontal position and the first and second hinge wings rotate to the 'in-folding position', the It is characterized in that the pressing protrusion is inserted into the inclined groove of the first body and the second body so that the first inclined plate and the second inclined plate are in an inclined position.

In the present invention, the inclined groove is characterized in that it is inclined in the direction of the center of rotation of the folding operation.

In the present invention, the first and second inclined plates are fixed to a rotation support member having arc grooves formed on both sides thereof, the rotation support member is installed in a fixing bracket, and is inserted into the arc grooves on both inner walls of the fixing bracket. It is characterized in that the circular arc protrusion is formed so that the rotation support member is installed to rotate at a predetermined angle within the fixing bracket.

In the present invention, the fixing bracket is characterized in that it is fitted and fixed to fixing holes formed in the first and second main bodies.

In addition, the hinge device of the present invention is installed in the housing, is installed between the first hinge wing and the second hinge wing, and transmits rotational power so that the first hinge wing and the second hinge wing interlock to move relative to each other. It is characterized in that it further comprises a means.

In addition, in the present invention, the power transmission means is disposed between the first gear and the second gear supported rotationally inserted into the first and second hinge shafts, and the first gear and the second gear Characterized in that it consists of two relay gears that transmit rotational power between the second gears.

In addition, the hinge device of the present invention maintains the first and second hinge wings of the first body and the second body in an 'expanded position', an 'infolding position' or an 'outfolding position', and at the same time, the first A tension mechanism designed to maintain the stationary state of the first and second hinge blades between the 'expanded position' and the 'infolding position' or between the 'expanded position' and the 'outfolding position' during the folding operation of the main body and the second main body. It is characterized by comprising more.

In the present invention, the tension mechanism is provided in the first and second gears, respectively, first and second tension members fitted to the first and second hinge shafts to rotate together with the first and second gears ; first and second tension movable members inserted into the first and second hinge shafts to be movable in an axial direction; And it is located between the first and second tension movable members and the housing and is installed to be inserted into the first and second hinge shafts, respectively, and the first and second tension movable members are always attached to the first and second tension members, respectively It is characterized in that it comprises first and second compression coil springs for imparting elastic force in the direction of close contact.

In addition, in the present invention, the tension mechanism is formed by protruding in the direction of the hinge axis, respectively, in the circumferential direction centered on the first and second hinge axes on the first and second tension movable members, In the first and second tension members, a plurality of second inclined projections that can be fitted therebetween are protruded and formed corresponding to the first inclined projections of the first and second tension movable members, and the first and second inclined projections is mutually fitted in the 'expanded position', 'infolding position' or 'outfolding position' of the first and second hinge wings, between the 'expanded position' and the 'infolding position' or between the 'expanded position' and It is characterized in that the protruding end surfaces of the first and second inclined projections are made to contact each other between the 'outfolding position'.

The hinge device of the present invention having the above characteristic configuration greatly simplifies the configuration as in-folding and out-folding functions are implemented by the hinge wings, power transmission means, and interlocking mechanism installed between the first and second main bodies and the housing. The number of parts can be minimized to improve assembly and productivity, and the radius of curvature formed on the folding portion is minimized by the inclined plate operating at an angle in the in-folding or out-folding position, thereby reducing the thickness of the portable terminal. there is.

1 is a perspective view of a state in which a flexible display panel is separated from first and second bodies in an unfolded position of a portable terminal to which a hinge device according to the present invention is applied.
2 is a perspective view showing an in-folding state of a portable terminal to which a hinge device according to the present invention is applied;
3 is a perspective view showing an out-folding state of a portable terminal to which a hinge device according to the present invention is applied;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a state in which the hinge device according to the present invention and the first and second bodies of the portable terminal are separated.
5 is an exploded perspective view of a main part showing a hinge device according to the present invention.
Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the pressing means of the inclined plate in the hinge device according to the present invention.
7a and 7b are cross-sectional views showing an operating state of the inclined plate in FIG. 6;
Figure 8 is an enlarged view showing the power transmission means and the tension mechanism in Figure 5;
9a and 9b are operational state diagrams of the tension mechanism in FIG. 8;
10a to 10c are side views showing the unfolded position of the hinge device according to the present invention.
11a to 11c are side views showing an in-folding position of the hinge device according to the present invention.
12a to 12c are side views showing the out-folding position of the hinge device according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings. 1 is a perspective view showing a flexible display panel separated from an in-out folding portable terminal to which a hinge device according to the present invention is applied. Hinge device installed between the first and second bodies 10 and 20 to interlock the first and second bodies 10 and 20 to rotate them to 'extended position', 'infolding position' and 'outfolding' position (30) is provided.

The flexible display panel 11 is formed to a size capable of covering the inner surfaces of the first and second bodies 10 and 20 including the hinge device 30, and the first and second bodies excluding the hinge device 30. It is fixed to the inner surfaces of the main bodies 10 and 20 with an attachment means such as an adhesive.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the 'extended position' in which the first body 10 and the second body 20 are unfolded in the horizontal direction, the inner surfaces of the first body 10 and the second body 20 are located on the same horizontal line , The flexible display panel 11 installed on the inner surfaces of the first body 10 and the second body 20 is also maintained in a horizontal state so that a wide screen can be used.

2 and 3 show a state in which the first and second main bodies 10 and 20 are rotated into an 'in-folding position' and an 'out-folding position', and the hinge device 30 of the present invention, the 'unfolding position' In the 'position', the 'in-folding position' in which the inner surfaces of the first body 10 and the second body 20 face each other, and the outer surfaces of the first body 10 and the second body 20 face each other. It can be rotated to the 'outfolding position'.

4 is an exploded perspective view showing a coupled state of the hinge device 30 and the first and second bodies 10 and 20 according to the present invention, the hinge device 30 includes first and second interlocking arms (to be described later) 53 and 54), and screws (shown) using the assembly holes 41a, 42a, 43b, and 44b of the first and second interlocking arms 53 and 54 and the first and second bodies 10 and 20. The first and second bodies 10 and 20 and the hinge device 30 are coupled by fastening with each other, and the first and second inclined plates 34 and 35 of the hinge device 30 to be described later are And it is installed on the second main body (10, 20), respectively.

5 is an exploded perspective view showing a hinge device according to the present invention. As shown, the hinge device 30 of the present invention is provided with a housing 31 located between one end of the first body 10 and the second body 20 that are interlocked for relative movement, and the housing 31 At both ends of the housing 31, the first and second hinge shafts 43a and 44a are supported for rotation, respectively, so that the first body 10 and the second body 20 are in an 'unfolding position' and an 'infolding position' And the first and second hinge wings 41 and 42 rotating between the 'outfolding position' are installed.

The first and second hinge shafts 43a and 44a of the first and second hinge wings 41 and 42 are first and second wings formed at both ends of the first and second hinge wings 41 and 42 It is provided on the arms 43 and 44, and the first and second gears 32 and 33, which are power transmission means, are coupled to the first and second hinge shafts 43a and 44a, and are installed in the housing 31.

Between the first and second gears 32 and 33, two intermediate gears 32a and 33a meshed with each other are disposed and meshed with the first and second gears 32 and 33 so that the first and second gears ( 32 and 33 are interlocked, and the first and second hinge blades 41 and 42 are moved relative to each other by the interlocking of the first and second gears 32 and 33.

In addition, the hinge device 30 is installed between the first and second main bodies 10 and 20 and the first and second wing arms 43 and 44 of the first and second hinge wings 41 and 42, respectively. An interlocking mechanism 50 interlocking with the first and second hinge wings 41 and 42 is provided.

When the interlocking mechanism 50 is rotated from the 'open position' to the 'in-folding position' (see FIG. 11B), the first and second main bodies 10 and 20 with respect to the first and second hinge wings 41 and 42 ) is moved in a direction away from the first and second hinge shafts 43a and 44a and rotated from the 'unfolding position' to the 'outfolding position' (see FIG. 12b). The first and second hinge wings 41 , 42) to move the first and second bodies 10 and 20 in a direction approaching the first and second hinge shafts 43a and 44a.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 10B, the interlocking mechanism 50 is located above the first and second hinge shafts 43a and 44a, and the first shaft fixed to the side cover 31a of the housing 31 The first shafts 51a and 52a and the second shafts 51b so as to be rotationally supported by the second shafts 51b and 52b connected to the ends of the first and second interlocking arms 51a and 52a and the first and second interlocking arms 53 and 54, respectively. 52b) and the first and second rotation guide members 51 and 52 having respective holes, and one end of the first and second rotation guide members 51 and 52 is the second shaft 51 b and 52 b. , and the other ends are provided with first and second interlocking arms 53 and 54 fixed to the first and second main bodies 10 and 20, respectively.

In the interlocking mechanism 50, in the folding operation between the 'unfolding position' and the 'infolding position', the fixed first shafts 51a and 52a are rotated and the second shafts 51b and 52b are moved. , In the folding operation performed between the 'unfolding position' and the 'outfolding position', the second shafts 51b and 52b are fixed and rotated around the second shafts 51b and 52b.

The first and second interlocking arms 53 and 54 interlock with the rotation of the first and second wing arms 43 and 44 provided on the first and second hinge wings 41 and 42 to move the first and second interlocking arms 53 and 54. It performs a function of moving the two main bodies 10 and 20 in a direction that is spaced apart from or close to the first and second hinge shafts 43a and 44a.

That is, as shown in FIG. 10B, the first and second rotation guide members 51 and 52 are formed to extend radially from the first shafts 51a and 52a, and the first and second interlocking arms are formed at the extended portions. One ends of (53,54) are rotatably connected to the second shafts (51b, 52b), and one side surfaces of the first and second rotation guide members (51,52) are first and second interlocking arms (53,54). ) is in contact with one side of the

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the first and second interlocking arms 53 and 54 rotate from the 'unfolding position' to the 'infolding position', the first and second interlocking arms 53 and 54 and the first and second interlocking arms 53 and 54 Since the second rotation guide members 51 and 52 rotate together, the rotation centers of the first and second interlocking arms 53 and 54 become the first shafts 51a and 52a, so the first and second interlocking arms 53 , 54) may move the first and second bodies 10 and 20 fixed to the first and second hinge shafts 43a and 44a in a direction spaced apart from each other.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 12B, when the first and second interlocking arms 53 and 54 are rotated from the 'extended position' to the 'outfolding position', the first and second rotation guide members 51 and 52 rotate in the first And since it does not rotate in contact with the second hinge shafts 43a and 44a, and only the first and second interlocking arms 53 and 54 rotate about the second shafts 51b and 52b, the first and second The first and second bodies 10 and 20 fixed to the interlocking arms 53 and 54 may be moved in a direction approaching the first and second hinge shafts 43a and 44a.

At this time, the interlocking configuration of the first and second wing arms 43 and 44 of the first and second hinge wings 41 and 42 and the first and second interlocking arms 53 and 54 of the interlocking mechanism 50 is , as shown in FIGS. 5 and 10B, rectangular holes 53a and 54a are formed in the longitudinal direction in the first and second interlocking arms 53 and 54, and the first and second wing arms 43 and 44 It is made by forming guide protrusions 43c and 44c that are guided by being inserted into the rectangular holes 53a and 54a.

6, 7a and 7b show first and second swash plates 34 and 35 respectively installed on the first and second bodies 10 and 20, and the first and second swash plates 34 and 35 is interlocked by pressing during the rotational movement of the first and second hinge wings 41 and 42, and the horizontal line of the first body 10 and the second body 20 in the 'unfolding position' or 'outfolding position' The first body 10 and the second body 20 rotate to a horizontal position consistent with and form a folding space between the first hinge wing 41 and the second hinge wing 42 in the 'in-folding position' It performs a function of moving between inclined positions that are respectively inclined from the horizontal line of .

The first and second inclined plates 34 and 35 are fixed to a rotation support member 73 having arc grooves 73a formed on both sides thereof, and the rotation support member 73 is installed in a fixing bracket 72. Circular protrusions 72a fitted into the circular arc grooves 73a are formed on inner walls of both sides of the fixing bracket 72 so that the rotation support member 73 rotates at a predetermined angle within the fixing bracket 73, and the fixing bracket 72 is inserted into the fixing hole 71 formed in the first and second bodies 10 and 20 to fix the first and second inclined plates 34 and 35 to the first and second bodies 10 and 20. can be installed on

In addition, the pressing means for pressing the first and second inclined plates 34 and 35 forms inclined grooves 36a and 36b formed on the inner surfaces of the first and second hinge wings 41 and 42, and Pressing protrusions 37a and 37b are formed on the first and second inclined plates 34 and 35 opposite to the grooves 36a and 36b.

Therefore, when the first and second hinge wings 41 and 42 rotate to the 'unfolded position' or 'outfolding position', the pressing protrusions 37a and 37b rotate to the first and second main bodies 10 and 20. The pressing protrusion ( 37a and 37b) are inserted into the inclined grooves 36a and 36b of the first and second bodies 10 and 20 so that the first and second inclined plates 34 and 35 are in an inclined position, thereby allowing the first and second inclined plates to be inclined. A wide folding space may be formed between (34 and 35) such that a predetermined radius of curvature is formed in the folding portion of the flexible display panel 11.

In addition, the pressing means is elastically installed between the first and second swash plates 34 and 35 and the first and second bodies 10 and 20 so that the first and second swash plates 34 and 35 are always in an inclined position. The operation of the first and second swash plates 34 and 35 may be performed more smoothly by further including an elastic member for imparting an elastic force so as to be.

8, 9a and 9b show a tension mechanism in the hinge device of the present invention, and the tension mechanism 60 is linked to the first and second main bodies 10 and 20 of the relative movement. While maintaining the second hinge wings 41 and 42 in the 'expanded position', 'infolding position' or 'outfolding position', the first body 10 and the second body 20 are folded during operation A pre-stop function is performed to maintain the stopped state of the first and second hinge blades 41 and 42 between the 'unfolding position' and the 'infolding position' or between the 'expanding position' and the 'outfolding position'.

The tension mechanism 60 is provided on the first and second gears 32 and 33, respectively, and is fitted to the first and second hinge shafts 43a and 44a together with the first and second gears 32 and 33. Rotating first and second tension members 61 and 62, and first and second tension movable members 63 and 64 installed to be movable in the axial direction by being inserted into the first and second hinge shafts 43a and 44a ), and is located between the first and second tension movable members 63 and 64 and the housing 31 to be inserted into the first and second hinge shafts 43a and 44a, respectively, and the first and second 2 The tension movable members 63 and 64 always include first and second compression coil springs 65 and 66 that provide elastic force in a direction in close contact with the first and second tension members 61 and 62, respectively. .

In addition, the tension mechanism 60 includes a plurality of first inclined projections 61a in the circumferential direction centered on the first and second hinge shafts 43a and 44a on the first and second tension members 61 and 62. 62a) is formed to protrude in the direction of the hinge axis, respectively, and the first and second tension movable members 63 and 64 are formed on the first inclined projections 61a and 62a of the first and second tension members 61 and 62. Correspondingly, a plurality of second inclined protrusions 63a and 64a that can be fitted therebetween are protrudingly formed.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9A, the first and second inclined protrusions 61a, 62a, 63a, and 64a are in an 'unfolded position', an 'infolding position', or a position of the first and second hinge wings 41 and 42. By setting the first and second hinge wings 41 and 42 of the first body 10 and the second body 20 to be mutually fitted in the 'outfolding position', the 'expanded position' and 'infolding position' Alternatively, it can be kept motionless in an 'outfolding position'.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 9B, the first and second inclined projections 61a, 62a, 63a, and 64a protrude between the 'expanded position' and the 'infolding position' or between the 'expanded position' and the 'outfolding position'. By setting the end surfaces to be in contact with each other, during the folding operation of the first body 10 and the second body 20, between the 'expanded position' and the 'infolding position' or between the 'expanded position' and the 'outfolding position' The stationary state of the first and second hinge wings 41 and 42 can be maintained.

The operation of the hinge device according to the present invention having such a configuration will be described as follows.

First, an in-folding operation will be described.

When the first and second main bodies 10 and 20 are rotated from the 'unfolded position' as shown in Figs. 1 and 10a to the 'infolded position' as shown in Figs. 2 and 11a, the first and second hinge wings ( 41 and 42) rotates so that the first and second wing arms 43 and 44 rotate about the first and second hinge shafts 43a and 44a, and the guide protrusions 43c and 44c and the rectangular hole 53a , 54a), the first and second interlocking arms 53 and 54 of the interlocking mechanism 50 interlock and rotate together.

In this way, when the first and second interlocking arms 53 and 54 are rotated to the 'in-folding position', one side of the first and second interlocking arms 53 and 54 is in contact with each other as shown in FIGS. 10B and 11B. Since the first and second rotation guide members 51 and 52 rotate together, the first and second interlocking arms 53 and 54 rotate about the first shafts 51a and 52a.

Therefore, the position of the second shafts 51b and 52b connecting the first and second interlocking arms 53 and 54 and the first and second rotation guide members 51 and 52 is at the first hinge shaft 43a. 11b, the first and second interlocking arms 53 and 54 and the first and second main bodies 10 and 20 fixed thereto, as shown in FIG. The first and second wing arms 43 and 44 move a predetermined distance in a direction away from the first and second hinge shafts 43a and 44a.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, when the first and second main bodies 10 and 20 move in the direction of the arrow with respect to the first and second hinge wings 41 and 42, the first and second hinge wings 41, 42), the pressing protrusions 37a and 37b of the first and second swash plates 34 and 35 are located in the inclined grooves 36a and 36b, and at this time, the first and second swash plates 34 Since the flexible display panel 11 (see FIG. 1) is in close contact with the upper surface of the 35), the first and second inclined plates 34 form a predetermined radius of curvature at the folding portion of the flexible display panel 11 in the in-folding position. ,35) is pushed toward the inclined grooves 36a and 36b.

Therefore, since the first and second inclined plates 34 and 35 move from the horizontal position to the inclined position while rotating by the arc protrusion 72a and the arc groove 73b, the flexible display panel 11 is moved in the 'infolding position'. A wide folding space capable of forming a predetermined radius of curvature is formed in the folding portion (see FIG. 11c).

In this in-folding operation, as shown in FIGS. 10C and 11C, the first and second hinge shafts 43a and 44a of the first and second wing arms 43 and 44 are power transmission means of first and second gears. (32,33), and since the first and second gears 32 and 33 can transmit power to each other by the two intermediate gears 32a and 33a, the first body 10 or the second body ( 20), it is possible to perform an in-folding operation by interlocking the other side even if only one side is rotated.

Next, the outfolding operation will be described.

When the first and second main bodies 10 and 20 are rotated from the 'unfolded position' as shown in Figs. 1 and 10a to the 'outfolded position' as shown in Figs. 3 and 12a, the first and second hinge wings ( 41 and 42) rotates so that the first and second wing arms 43 and 44 rotate about the first and second hinge shafts 43a and 44a, and the guide protrusions 43c and 44c and the rectangular hole 53a , 54a), the first and second interlocking arms 53 and 54 of the interlocking mechanism 50 interlock and rotate together.

In this way, when the first and second interlocking arms 53 and 54 rotate to the 'outfolding position', the second rotation guide members 51 and 52 do not rotate as shown in FIGS. Since only the two interlocking arms 53 and 54 rotate, the first and second interlocking arms 53 and 54 rotate about the second shafts 51b and 52b.

Therefore, the first and second interlocking arms 53 and 54 and the first and second main bodies 10 and 20 fixed thereto are provided with the first and second hinge wings 41 and 42 and the first and second wing arms With respect to (43, 44), the first and second hinge shafts (43a, 44a) are relatively moved in a direction closer to each other by a predetermined distance.

As shown in FIG. 7A, when the first and second main bodies 10 and 20 move in the opposite direction of the arrow, the first and second inclined plates ( Since the pressing protrusions 37a and 37b of 34 and 35 continue to contact the inner surfaces, the horizontal positions of the first and second inclined plates 34 and 35 can be maintained.

In this outfolding operation, as shown in FIGS. 10C and 12C, the first and second hinge shafts 43a and 44a of the first and second wing arms 43 and 44 are power transmission means of first and second gears. (32,33), and since the first and second gears 32 and 33 can transmit power to each other by the two intermediate gears 32a and 33a, the first body 10 or the second body ( 20), it is possible to perform an outfolding operation by interlocking the other side even if only one side is rotated.

Next, the function of maintaining the first body 10 and the second body 20 in the 'unfolded position', 'infolding position' or 'outfolding position' will be described.

When the first and second hinge shafts 43a and 44a of the first and second wing arms 43 and 44 are rotated by the folding operation of the first and second bodies 10 and 20, as shown in FIG. Since the first and second gears 32 and 33 coupled to the first and second hinge shafts 43a and 44a rotate, the tension mechanism 60 provided on the first and second gears 32 and 33 The first and second tension members 61 and 62 also rotate together.

As shown in FIG. 9A by the rotation of the first and second tension members 61 and 62, the first inclined projections 61a and 62a of the first and second tension members 61 and 62 and the first and second When the second inclined projections 63a and 64a of the tension movable members 63 and 64 are mutually fitted, a force greater than the compressive force of the first and second compression coil springs 65 and 66 must be applied to the first and second The main bodies 10 and 20 can be rotated.

Therefore, by setting the first and second inclined protrusions 63a and 64a to fit each other in the 'unfolded position', 'infolding position' or 'outfolding position', the first and second bodies 10 and 20 ) can be maintained in the 'unfolding position', 'infolding position' or 'outfolding position'.

In addition, when the first and second tension members 61 and 62 of the tension mechanism 60 rotate from the state of FIG. 9B to the state of FIG. 9A during the folding operation of the first body 10 and the second body 20 Since the elastic force of the first and second compression coil springs 65 and 66 is reduced, a smooth folding operation can be performed even with a small force. Therefore, during the folding operation of the first body 10 and the second body 20, the first and second tension members 61 and 62 of the tension mechanism 60 provided in the first and second gears 32 and 33 ) is also rotated together, and the folding operation is performed while repeating the state of FIGS. 9A and 9B.

In addition, during the folding operation of the first body 10 and the second body 20, the first and second bodies ( 10 and 20) of the first and second tension members 61 and 62, as shown in FIG. 9B, by the rotation of the first and second tension members 61 and 62. While the second inclined projections 63a and 64a of the first and second tension movable members 63 and 64 are separated from the first inclined projections 61a and 62a, both end faces contact each other, and the first and second tension movable members 63 and 64 come into contact with each other. The members 63 and 64 compress the first and second compression coil springs 65 and 66 while moving in the hinge axial direction.

As a result, the elastic force of the first and second compression coil springs 65 and 66 in which the first and second tension movable members 63 and 64 press the first and second tension members 61 and 62 is increased, With this increased elastic force, the first and second bodies 10 and 20 can be kept stationary during rotation.

Therefore, the free stop function is set by setting the contact position between the end faces of the first and second inclined projections 63a and 64a between the 'expanded position' and the 'infolding position' or between the 'expanded position' and the 'outfolding position'. can be performed.

The hinge device of the present invention can be used in various devices to which a hinge structure is applied, such as a laptop computer, in addition to a portable terminal such as a mobile phone.

As described above, the optimal embodiment has been disclosed in the drawings and specifications. Although specific terms have been used herein, they are only used for the purpose of describing the present invention and are not used to limit the scope of the present invention described in the claims. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

10,20: first and second body 11: flexible display panel
30: hinge device 31: housing
32,33: first and second gears 34,35: first and second inclined plates
36a, 36b: inclined groove 37a, 37b: pressing protrusion
41,42: first and second hinge wings 43,44: first and second hinge wings
43a, 44a: first and second hinge shafts 50: interlocking mechanism
51 and 52: first and second rotation guide members 53 and 54: first and second interlocking arms
60: tension mechanism 61,62: first and second tension members
63,64: first and second tension movable members 65,66: first and second compression coil springs

Claims (15)

a housing positioned between one end of the first body and the second body, which move in conjunction with each other;
The housing is rotationally supported by the first and second hinge shafts, so that the first body and the second body are placed on the same horizontal line, an 'expanded position', and an 'in-folding position' in which the inner surfaces of the first body and the second body face each other. first hinge blades and second hinge blades rotating between a 'position' and an 'outfolding position' in which the outer surfaces of the first body and the second body face each other; and
In conjunction with the first hinge wing and the second hinge wing, in the 'in-folding position', the first body and the second body are moved in a direction spaced apart from the first hinge axis and the second hinge axis, and the 'out-folding position In ', the hinge device characterized in that it comprises an interlocking mechanism for moving the first body and the second body in a direction closer to the first hinge axis and the second hinge axis.
The method of claim 1, wherein the interlocking mechanism,
First and second rotation guide members supported for rotation by a first shaft positioned above the first hinge shaft and the second hinge shaft and fixed to the housing and a second shaft connected to ends of the first and second interlocking arms, respectively ; and
One ends of the first and second rotation guide members are supported for rotation on a second axis, respectively, and the other ends are fixed to the first and second main bodies, respectively, and interlocked with the rotation of the first and second hinge wings to rotate the first and second hinge wings. A hinge device comprising first and second interlocking arms for moving the second main body in a direction spaced apart from or close to the hinge axis.
The method of claim 2, wherein the interlocking mechanism,
In the folding operation performed between the 'unfolding position' and the 'infolding position', the first axis rotates and the second axis moves, and in the folding operation between the 'unfolding position' and the 'outfolding position', the second axis moves. A hinge device characterized in that it is fixed and rotated about a second axis.
The method of claim 1, wherein the interlocking mechanism,
A rectangular hole is formed in the first and second interlocking arms in the longitudinal direction, and the first and second hinge shafts of the first hinge wing and the second hinge wing are installed in the first and second wing arms. Hinge device characterized in that formed by forming a guide protrusion that is inserted into the hole and guided.
The method of claim 1, wherein the interlocking mechanism,
A hinge device comprising first and second wing arms connected to the first and second hinge wings and having first and second hinge shafts and guide protrusions.
According to claim 1,
Interlocked by pressing during the rotational movement of the first hinge wing and the second hinge wing, the horizontal position corresponding to the respective horizontal lines of the first body and the second body in the 'expanded position' or 'outfolding position' , In the 'in-folding position', the first and second swash plates are moved between inclined positions respectively inclined from the respective horizontal lines of the first body and the second body.
According to claim 6,
The first swash plate and the second swash plate are interlocked by a pressing means,
The pressure means,
inclined grooves formed on inner surfaces of the first body and the second body; and
It consists of a pressing protrusion formed on a first inclined plate and a second inclined plate located opposite to the inclined groove,
When the first hinge wing and the second hinge wing rotate to the 'expanded position' or 'outfolding position', the pressing protrusions contact the inner surfaces of the first body and the second body so that the first and second inclined plates are horizontal position, and when the first and second hinge wings rotate to the 'in-folding position', the pressing protrusions are inserted into the inclined grooves of the first body and the second body, so that the first and second inclined plates A hinge device characterized in that it is in an inclined position.
The method of claim 7, wherein the inclined groove,
A hinge device characterized in that it is inclined in the direction of the rotation center of the folding operation.
The method of claim 6, wherein the first and second inclined plates,
It is fixed to a rotation support member having arc grooves formed on both sides, the rotation support member is installed in a fixing bracket, and arc protrusions are formed on inner walls of both sides of the fix bracket to fit into the arc grooves, so that the rotation support member is installed in the fixing bracket. A hinge device characterized in that it is installed to rotate at a predetermined angle.
According to claim 9,
The hinge device, characterized in that the fixing bracket is inserted into the fixing holes formed in the first and second bodies.
According to claim 1,
It is installed in the housing and is installed between the first hinge wing and the second hinge wing to transmit rotational power so that the first hinge wing and the second hinge wing interlock to move relative to each other. Hinge device made of.
The method of claim 1, wherein the power transmission means,
The first and second gears inserted into the first and second hinge shafts and supported for rotation, and disposed between the first gear and the second gear to transmit rotational power between the first gear and the second gear Hinge device, characterized in that consisting of a relay gear.
According to claim 1,
Folding operation of the first body and the second body while maintaining the first and second hinge wings of the first body and the second body in the 'expanded position', 'infolding position' or 'outfolding position' Characterized in that it further comprises a tension mechanism to maintain the stationary state of the first and second hinge wings between the 'expanded position' and the 'infolding position' or between the 'expanded position' and the 'outfolding position' hinge device.
The method of claim 13, wherein the tension mechanism,
first and second tension members respectively provided on the first and second gears and inserted into the first and second hinge shafts to rotate together with the first and second gears;
first and second tension movable members inserted into the first and second hinge shafts to be movable in an axial direction; and
It is located between the first and second tension movable members and the housing and is installed to be inserted into the first and second hinge shafts, respectively, and the first and second tension movable members are always in close contact with the first and second tension members, respectively Hinge device characterized in that it comprises first and second compression coil springs for imparting elastic force in the direction.
The method of claim 14, wherein the tension mechanism,
Forming a plurality of first inclined projections protruding in the direction of the hinge axis in the circumferential direction centered on the first and second hinge axes on the first and second tension movable members, respectively;
In the first and second tension members, a plurality of second inclined projections that can be fitted therebetween are protruded to correspond to the first inclined projections of the first and second tension movable members,
The first and second inclined projections are mutually fitted at the 'expanded position', 'infolding position' or 'outfolding position' of the first and second hinge wings, and the 'expanded position' and the 'infolding position' The hinge device characterized in that the protruding end faces of the first and second inclined projections are in contact with each other between 'extended position' and 'outfolding position'.

Images