CN111473041A

CN111473041A - Electronic device and hinge mechanism thereof

Info

Publication number: CN111473041A
Application number: CN201910063061.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 黄禹钦; 彭学致; 戴文杰; 廖文能; 林光华
Original assignee: Acer Inc
Current assignee: Acer Inc
Priority date: 2019-01-23
Filing date: 2019-01-23
Publication date: 2020-07-31
Anticipated expiration: 2039-01-23
Also published as: CN111473041B

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an electronic device and a hinge mechanism thereof. The hinge mechanism includes: base, magnetic component, torsion subassembly and correction component. The magnetic component is arranged in the base. The torsion assembly is connected to the base, and the torsion assembly comprises: base plate, first cylinder and second cylinder. The substrate is disposed in the base. The first column penetrates through the substrate and can rotate relative to the substrate. The second cylinder penetrates through the substrate and can rotate relative to the substrate and the first cylinder. The correction component is arranged between the magnetic component and the torsion component and is abutted against the magnetic component, the inner wall of the first column body and the inner wall of the second column body.

Description

Electronic device and hinge mechanism thereof

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an electronic device and a hinge mechanism thereof, and more particularly, to a hinge mechanism having a magnetic component and an electronic device having the same.

Background

With the continuous development of technology, the use of electronic products in daily life is becoming more and more popular, and notebook computers are one of them. The conventional notebook computer is generally provided with a hinge mechanism to allow a user to perform a rotating or opening/closing function. In some existing notebook computers, a 360-degree hinge is used to allow the screen to rotate 360 degrees relative to the keyboard. However. The durability of the 360 degree hinge used in the market can not meet the standard of commercial or military models, and the requirement of the general consumers for the durability of the electronic devices is higher and higher. Therefore, the existing 360-degree hinge cannot meet the requirements of users in various aspects.

Disclosure of Invention

Some embodiments of the invention provide a hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism includes: base, magnetic component, torsion subassembly and correction component. The magnetic component is arranged in the base. The torsion assembly is connected to the base, and the torsion assembly comprises: base plate, first cylinder and second cylinder. The substrate is disposed in the base. The first column penetrates through the substrate and can rotate relative to the substrate. The second cylinder penetrates through the substrate and can rotate relative to the substrate and the first cylinder. The correction member abuts against the magnetic assembly, the inner wall of the first column and the inner wall of the second column.

In one embodiment, the correcting member further includes a first shaft and a second shaft, the first shaft abuts against the inner wall of the first column, and the second shaft abuts against the inner wall of the second column. The first shaft body has a taper. The cross sections of the openings of the first shaft body and the first column body are irregular.

In one embodiment, the magnetic member includes a first magnet and a second magnet, and like magnetic poles of the first magnet and the second magnet face each other. In one embodiment, the hinge mechanism further includes a positioning member, the positioning member is connected to the substrate and the base and passes through the compensation member. The hinge mechanism further includes a first hinge rod and a second hinge rod, wherein the first hinge rod is connected to the first column, and the second hinge rod is connected to the second column.

In an embodiment, the hinge mechanism further includes a first gear and a second gear, wherein the first gear is sleeved outside the first cylinder, and the second gear is sleeved outside the second cylinder. The hinge mechanism further comprises an adjusting element disposed in the base, wherein the adjusting element abuts against the magnetic assembly.

Some embodiments of the invention provide an electronic device comprising: the first shell, the second shell and the hinge mechanism. The second shell can rotate relative to the first shell, and the second shell is pivoted to the first shell through the hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism includes: base, magnetic component, torsion subassembly and correction component. The magnetic component is arranged in the base. The torsion assembly is connected to the base, and the torsion assembly comprises: base plate, first cylinder and second cylinder. The substrate is disposed in the base. The first column penetrates through the substrate and can rotate relative to the substrate. The second cylinder penetrates through the substrate and can rotate relative to the substrate and the first cylinder. The correction member abuts against the magnetic assembly, the inner wall of the first column and the inner wall of the second column.

In order to make the aforementioned and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention comprehensible, preferred embodiments accompanied with figures are described in detail below.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the hinge mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of the hinge mechanism of fig. 2.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view along line a-a' of fig. 2.

Fig. 5A, 5B show schematic cross-sectional views of the hinge mechanism of fig. 2 in use.

Fig. 6A and 6B are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a first shaft and a first opening according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional schematic view of a hinge mechanism according to another embodiment of the invention.

Description of reference numerals:

1 electronic device

10 first casing

20 second casing

30. 30' hinge mechanism

100 base

110 magnetic assembly

111 first magnet

112 second magnet

120 torsion subassembly

121 substrate

122 first cylinder

122A first opening

122B first inner wall

123 second column

123A second opening

123B second inner wall

124 locating element

125 first gear

126 second gear

127 center gear

130 correcting member

130A bottom surface

131 first shaft body

132 second shaft body

141 first hinge lever

142 second hinge lever

150 adjusting element

G gap

R, S arrow head

Position T

Detailed Description

The electronic device and the hinge mechanism thereof according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below. It should be appreciated, however, that the present embodiments provide many suitable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments disclosed are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the invention.

Unless defined otherwise, 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 understood 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.

Referring to fig. 1, fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an electronic device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. For example, the electronic device 1 is a notebook computer. In other embodiments, the electronic device 1 may be other electronic devices having a two-piece structure. As shown in fig. 1, the electronic apparatus 1 includes a first casing 10, a second casing 20, and two hinge mechanisms 30. The first casing 10 is pivotally connected to the second casing 20 by the hinge mechanism 30. The hinge mechanism 30 can generate enough torsion so that the first casing 10 can rotate 360 degrees relative to the second casing 20 with the hinge mechanism 30 as a rotation axis.

Referring to fig. 2, fig. 2 is a perspective view of a hinge mechanism 30 according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in fig. 2, the hinge mechanism 30 has a base 100 to accommodate components inside the hinge mechanism 30. The hinge mechanism 30 further includes a first hinge rod 141 and a second hinge rod 142, wherein the first hinge rod 141 and the second hinge rod 142 extend out of the base 100 and can rotate relative to the base 100. The different members are connected to the first hinge rod 141 and the second hinge rod 142, respectively, so that the members can be rotated with each other. For example, the first housing 10 is connected to the first hinge rod 141, and the second housing 20 is connected to the second hinge rod 142.

Next, referring to fig. 3, fig. 3 shows an exploded view of the hinge mechanism 30 of fig. 2. The hinge mechanism 30 further includes a magnetic component 110, a torsion component 120, and a correction member 130. In the present embodiment, the magnetic assembly 110 includes a first magnet 111 and a second magnet 112, wherein the first magnet 111 is connected to the base 100. The first magnet 111 and the second magnet 112 are arranged in a manner of generating repulsive force, that is, a gap is generated between the first magnet 111 and the second magnet 112, and the N-poles or S-poles of the two magnets face each other.

The torsion assembly 120 includes two base plates 121, a first cylinder 122, a second cylinder 123, a positioning member 124, a first gear 125, a second gear 126, and two central gears 127. The two substrates 121 are disposed in the susceptor 100 and form a space with the susceptor 100. The first column 122 and the second column 123 pass through the hole of the substrate 121 and can rotate relative to the substrate 121. For example, the first and

second pillars

122 and 123 may be formed by Metal Injection Molding (MIM). The positioning member 124 of the torsion assembly 120 is connected to the substrate 121 and the base 100, so as to control the distance between the torsion assembly 120 and the base 100 on the X-axis, and the torsion assembly 120 can be disposed at the correct position.

The first gear 125, the second gear 126 and the two central gears 127 are disposed in the space, that is, the first gear 125, the second gear 126 and the central gears 127 are disposed between the base plates 121, wherein the first gear 125 is disposed on the first cylinder 122, and the second gear 126 is disposed on the second cylinder 123. The central gears 127 are engaged with each other, wherein one central gear 127 is engaged with the first gear 125, and the other central gear 127 is engaged with the second gear 126. In this way, the first cylinder 122 and the second cylinder 123 can rotate in opposite rotation directions. For example, when the first cylinder 122 rotates clockwise, the second cylinder 123 rotates counterclockwise, and vice versa.

In addition, the correction member 130 is disposed between the magnetic assembly 110 and the torsion assembly 120. More specifically, the second magnet 112 is attached to the correction member 130 by an adhesive (not shown), and the correction member 130 abuts against the first column 122 and the second column 123 of the torsion assembly 120. The manner in which the correction member 130 abuts against the first column 122 and the second column 123 will be further described below with reference to fig. 4. In addition, the first hinge rod 141 and the second hinge rod 142 are respectively connected to the first cylinder 122 and the second cylinder 123, and can drive the first cylinder 122 and the second cylinder 123 to rotate.

Referring to fig. 4, fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of line a-a' of fig. 2. As shown in fig. 4, the first cylinder 122 has a first opening 122A, and the first cylinder 122 has a first inner wall 122B in the first opening 122A. Similarly, the second post 123 has a second opening 123A, and the second post 123 has a second inner wall 123B in the second opening 123A. The correcting member 130 includes a first shaft 131 and a second shaft 132, the first shaft 131 abuts against the first inner wall 122B of the first cylinder 122, and the second shaft 132 abuts against the second inner wall 123B of the second cylinder 123.

It should be noted that the first shaft 131 and the first inner wall 122B, and the second shaft 132 and the second inner wall 123B have corresponding tapers respectively, that is, the first shaft 131 and the first inner wall 122B are narrower toward the inside of the first opening 122A, and the second shaft 132 and the second inner wall 123B are also narrower toward the inside of the second opening 123A. For example, the taper may range from about 1 degree to about 15 degrees. In some embodiments, the taper may range from about 2 degrees to about 5 degrees. By providing the first shaft 131 and the second shaft 132 with tapered shapes, the first shaft 131 and the second shaft 132 can be closely attached to the corresponding first opening 122A and the second opening 123A, and the stability of the hinge mechanism 30 can be improved. However, this embodiment is only an example, and in other embodiments, the first shaft 131 and the second shaft 132 may be configured in other different shapes according to design requirements.

Referring to fig. 5A, fig. 5A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the hinge mechanism 30 of fig. 2 worn after use. As shown in fig. 5A, when the first hinge rod 141 and the second hinge rod 142 rotate, friction is generated between the torsion assembly 120 and the correction member 130, so that the first shaft 131, the first inner wall 122B, the second shaft 132 and the second inner wall 123B are worn, and a gap G is generated between the first shaft 131 and the first inner wall 122B, and between the second shaft 132 and the second inner wall 123B. At this time, the bottom surface 130A of the correction member 130 does not abut against the first column 122 and/or the second column 123, so the correction member 130 can be pushed by the force generated by the magnetic assembly 110 to move toward the first column 122 and/or the second column 123 for correction. This will be further described with reference to fig. 5B.

It should be noted that the hardness of the first shaft 131, the first inner wall 122B, the second shaft 132 and the second inner wall 123B should be equal or similar, so that the wear of the first shaft 131, the first inner wall 122B, the second shaft 132 and the second inner wall 123B is similar, and a premature loss of one of the above components does not occur, thereby reducing the life cycle of the hinge mechanism 30. For example, the first shaft 131, the second shaft 132, the first cylinder 122, and the second cylinder 123 have a Rockwell hardness Number (scale C; HRC) on the C scale in a range from about 43 to about 46.

Next, referring to fig. 5B, fig. 5B is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the hinge mechanism 30 of fig. 2 automatically compensating the gap G after being worn. As shown in fig. 5B, a repulsive force is generated between the first magnet 111 and the second magnet 112 of the magnetic assembly 110, and the repulsive force pushes the compensating member 130 toward the first cylinder 122 and the second cylinder 123, so that the first shaft 131 and the second shaft 132 respectively enter the first opening 122A of the first cylinder 122 and the second opening 123A of the second cylinder 123. Therefore, the first shaft 131 and the second shaft 132 can continuously abut against the first inner wall 122B and the second inner wall 123B, and a sufficient torque force can be generated. Under normal usage conditions, the magnetic force of the magnetic assembly 110 hardly decreases with time. Compared with the torsion generated by the compensation member 130 pushed by an elastic element (such as a spring), the magnetic component 110 will not generate the problem of elastic fatigue, so as to greatly improve the durability of the hinge mechanism 30.

It should be noted that when the bottom surface 130A of the correcting member 130 abuts against the first column 122 and/or the second column 123, the magnetic assembly 110 cannot push the correcting member 130 to the first column 122 and/or the second column 123. In this case, the hinge mechanism 30 loses the effect of automatically correcting the gap G (as shown in fig. 5A), and thus the hinge mechanism 30 cannot provide a torque of a predetermined magnitude when the gap G occurs. In order to solve the above problem, the torsion assembly 120 may be removed, and a new compensating member 130 may be installed, such that the bottom surface 130A of the new compensating member 130 does not contact the first column 122 and the second column 123, and the hinge mechanism 30 may provide the torsion of the predetermined magnitude again.

Referring to fig. 6A, fig. 6A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the first column 122 and the first shaft 131 at predetermined positions according to an embodiment of the invention, as shown in fig. 6A, the cross-sections of the first shaft 131 and the first opening 122A along the Y-Z plane are both irregular shapes similar to circles, wherein the first shaft 131 and the first opening 122A have protrusions at two ends along the Y axis, respectively, and the center of the first shaft 131 has a hollow structure. By designing the cross-sections of the first shaft 131 and the first opening 122A to be irregular, the position of the first cylinder 122 can be fixed when the hinge mechanism 30 is not actuated. It should be noted that the present embodiment is only an example, and in other embodiments, the first shaft 131 and the first opening 122A may be configured in other different shapes according to design requirements. In addition, the second shaft 132 and the second opening 123A may be configured to have a similar shape or a different shape from the first shaft 131 and the first opening 122A.

Fig. 6B is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the rotation of the first cylinder 122 relative to the first shaft 131. In this embodiment, the first cylinder 122 is rotated in a clockwise direction (as indicated by arrow R) relative to the first shaft 131. In this case, the first inner wall 122B abuts against the protrusion of the first shaft 131, and thus a torsion force is generated. Since the center of the first shaft 131 has a hollow structure, when the first cylinder 122 rotates, the first inner wall 122B does not block the protruding portion of the first shaft 131, so that the first cylinder 122 cannot rotate.

It should be understood that the first cylinder 122 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction (as indicated by arrow S) such that the position T of the first inner wall 122B passes through the protrusion of the first shaft body 131. Since the first opening 122A is designed with a corresponding protrusion, the first cylinder 122 will automatically return to the predetermined position as shown in fig. 6A. With this design, after the user closes the electronic device 1 provided with the hinge mechanism 30 within a certain angle, the electronic device 1 can be automatically closed.

Referring to fig. 7, fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hinge mechanism 30' according to another embodiment of the invention. It should be noted that the hinge mechanism 30' may include the same or similar elements as the hinge mechanism 30 shown in fig. 2, and hereinafter the same or similar elements will be denoted by the same or similar reference numerals and will not be described in detail. The hinge mechanism 30 'differs from the hinge mechanism 30 shown in fig. 2 in that the hinge mechanism 30' further comprises two adjustment elements 150, which are arranged in the base 100 and abut against the first magnet 111 of the magnetic assembly 110. When the hinge mechanism 30 'is manufactured, a tolerance is generated between different hinge mechanisms 30', and the tolerance causes a difference in the torsion generated by the compensation member 130 and the first and

second columns

122, 123. In order to solve the above problem, the adjusting element 150 can be used to adjust the distance between the first magnet 111 and the second magnet 112, thereby correcting the tolerance generated by manufacturing the hinge mechanism 30' and increasing the yield rate of production.

In summary, embodiments of the present invention provide a hinge mechanism having a magnetic component and an electronic device having the hinge mechanism. The correcting member can be continuously pushed by the repulsive force generated by the magnetic component, so that the hinge mechanism can still provide the torque with the preset magnitude after being used for a period of time. The cross sections of the shaft body and the opening are designed into irregular shapes, so that the position of the shaft body can be fixed when the hinge mechanism does not act. In addition, after the user closes the electronic device provided with the hinge mechanism within a certain angle, the electronic device can be automatically closed.

Although the embodiments of the present invention and their advantages have been disclosed, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Moreover, 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 it is to be understood that any process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, method and steps, presently existing or later to be developed, that will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure, may be utilized according to the present invention, and that all the same functions or advantages of the disclosed embodiments may be accomplished by the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present application includes the processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, and steps described in the specification. In addition, each claim constitutes a separate embodiment, and the scope of protection of the present invention also includes combinations of the respective claims and embodiments.

Claims

1. A hinge mechanism, comprising:

a base;

a magnetic component arranged in the base;

a torsion assembly connected to the base, comprising:

a substrate disposed in the base;

a first column passing through the substrate and capable of rotating relative to the substrate;

the second column body penetrates through the substrate and can rotate relative to the substrate and the first column body; and

and the correction component is arranged between the magnetic component and the torsion component and is abutted against the inner wall of the first column body and the inner wall of the second column body.

2. The hinge mechanism of claim 1, wherein the compensating member further comprises a first shaft abutting the inner wall of the first post and a second shaft abutting the inner wall of the second post.

3. The hinge mechanism of claim 2, wherein the first shaft has a taper.

4. The hinge mechanism of claim 2, wherein the cross-sections of the openings of the first shaft and the first post are irregularly shaped.

5. The hinge mechanism of claim 1, wherein the magnetic assembly comprises a first magnet and a second magnet, and like poles of the first magnet and the second magnet face each other.

6. The hinge mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a positioning member coupled to the base and passing through the compensating member.

7. The hinge mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a first hinge rod and a second hinge rod, wherein the first hinge rod is connected to the first post and the second hinge rod is connected to the second post.

8. The hinge mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a first gear and a second gear, wherein the first gear is disposed outside the first cylinder, and the second gear is disposed outside the second cylinder.

9. The hinge mechanism of claim 1, further comprising an adjustment element disposed in the base, wherein the adjustment element abuts the magnetic assembly.

10. An electronic device, comprising:

a first housing;

a second housing rotatable relative to the first housing; and

the hinge mechanism of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the second housing is pivotally coupled to the first housing by the hinge mechanism.