JP2020133853A - Multi-shaft hinge device, and electronic apparatus employing the multi-shaft hinge device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a multi-shaft hinge device of which the configuration is further simplified so as to prevent a flexible display sheet which is mounted so as to be double-folded over a first housing and a second housing, from being folded in a connection location.SOLUTION: A multi-shaft hinge device comprises: a first slider 13 which is slidable along a first opening/closing member 9; a second slider 14 which is slidable along a second opening/closing member 10; and a connection mechanism 20 for connecting the first opening/closing member and the second opening/closing member by using multiple swivel gears transmitting swivel movements in series. The connection mechanism includes: a slide driving mechanisms 30 and 40 for sliding the first slider and the second slider to a front end side while being interlocked with operations of closing the first opening/closing member and the second opening/closing member; interlock means 25 which interlocks the swivel movements of the first opening/closing member and the second opening/closing member; friction means 50 which generates friction resistance with the swivel movements of the swivel gears during the opening/closing operations; and regulation means for regulating a maximum angle in the operations of opening the first opening/closing member and the second opening/closing member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention comprises, for example, a flexible display sheet made of an organic EL attached to both surfaces of a first housing and a second housing, for example, a mobile phone, an electronic notebook, a PDA, a netbook, a notebook computer, or the like. The present invention relates to a multi-axis hinge device suitable for use in the electronic device of the above, and an electronic device using this multi-axis hinge device.

In recent years, electronic devices such as mobile phones, in which one flexible display sheet made of organic EL is attached to both surfaces of the first housing and the second housing, have been developed and are on the market. An electronic device using two hinge pins is known in Patent Document 1 below as a hinge device for connecting the first housing and the second housing of such an electronic device so as to be openable and closable to each other. This known electronic device can maintain a constant radius of curvature so that the flexible display sheet does not break or break down when the first housing and the second housing are closed. In addition, it is configured so that the flexible display sheet is not strongly pulled toward the front end when the first housing and the second housing are opened to the maximum angle. Specifically, by forming the housing so as to be slidable in a nested manner and providing a spring mechanism, expansion and contraction and tension of the flexible display sheet are absorbed.

Further, a multi-axis hinge device using three hinge pins is known in Patent Document 2 below. In this known multi-axis hinge device, the first opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member are connected to each other so as to be openable / closable by a gear type connecting mechanism. This gear-type connecting mechanism uses a turning gear in which three hinge shafts are alternately connected by two to transmit the turning motion in series, and the first opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member are opened and closed. The turning motions of the opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member are linked.

International Publication No. 2016/08239 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-203524

In the electronic device of Patent Document 1, since the housing is formed so as to be slidable in a nested manner and a spring mechanism is provided, the thickness of the housing becomes large, which hinders the mounting of an electronic circuit or the like on the housing. The present invention attempts to solve the above problems, and the problem is in a multi-axis hinge device that connects a first housing and a second housing to which one flexible display sheet is attached so as to be openable and closable. , Flexible display The space X for bending the seat is expanded to the front end side in conjunction with the operation of closing the first housing and the second housing, and the flexible display is linked with the operation of opening the first housing and the second housing. A slide drive mechanism is provided to reduce the central region where the seat is not supported by the support surface. At the same time, the maximum angle of the operation of opening the first housing and the second housing is regulated, the opening and closing operations of the first housing and the second housing are linked, and the first housing and the second housing are further linked. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a multi-axis hinge device with good operability that can realize the technical requirement that the body must be formed as a free stop to give a comfortable response to the opening / closing operation with a simpler configuration.

The multi-axis hinge device according to claim 1 in order to solve the above problems is the flexible display sheet of an electronic device in which a flexible display sheet is attached across both surfaces of a first housing and a second housing. A multi-axis hinge device provided on the lower side that connects the first housing and the second housing to each other so as to be openable and closable, and has a support surface for a flexible display sheet and is a rear end of the first housing. It has a first slider fixed to a portion side, a first opening / closing member provided below the first slider and slidably supporting the first slider toward the front end side, and a support surface of a flexible display sheet. A second slider fixed to the rear end side of the second housing, and a second opening / closing member provided below the second slider and slidably supporting the second slider toward the front end side. A plurality of hinge shafts and a plurality of swivel gears provided by connecting two of the hinge shafts to each other and having driven gears at both ends to transmit swivel motion in series, the first It has a connecting mechanism that forms a space for bending the flexible display sheet between the opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member, and connects the first opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member so as to be openable. The connecting mechanism includes a slide drive mechanism that slides the first slider and the second slider toward the front end in conjunction with the operation of closing the first opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member, and the first opening / closing member. Interlocking means for interlocking the turning motions of the first opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member in the opening / closing operation of the second opening / closing member, and the turning of the turning gear in the opening / closing operation of the first opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member. It is characterized by having a friction means that generates frictional resistance with movement and a regulating means that regulates the maximum angle in the operation of opening the first opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member.

Next, in the invention according to claim 2, the slide drive mechanism has a drive gear and is provided on the first opening / closing member, and the turning motion of the first opening / closing member is transmitted to the turning gear. A second bracket having a bracket and a drive gear and provided on the second opening / closing member to transmit the turning motion of the second opening / closing member to the turning gear, and a second bracket provided on the first opening / closing member. A first input gear to which a swivel motion transmitted in series from a plurality of the swivel gears is input from a bracket, and a first amplification means for amplifying the rotation amount of the first input gear and converting it into a slide of the first slider. Amplifies the rotation amount of the second input gear provided on the second opening / closing member and input the turning motion transmitted in series from the first bracket and the second input gear. It is characterized by having a second amplification means that converts the slide into the slide of the second slider.

Further, in the invention according to claim 3, the first amplification means rotates by being driven by the first input gear, and a first lever member whose rotation end side is connected to the first slider is attached. The second amplification means has a second lever member that is driven by the second input gear and rotates, and the rotation end side thereof is connected to the second slider.

Further, in the invention according to claim 4, the interlocking means and the friction means are the first transmission row of the turning gear that transmits the turning motion of the first opening / closing member in series toward the second opening / closing member. The swivel gears are arranged and superposed on the first transmission row with a half pitch shift from the first transmission row, and the swivel motion of the second opening / closing member 10 is directed toward the first opening / closing member by the swivel gear. It is characterized by having a second transmission row that transmits in series and a pressurizing portion that is provided on the plurality of hinge shafts and pressurizes the overlap of the swivel gears of the first transmission row and the second transmission row. And.

Further, in the invention according to claim 5, the pressurizing portion is attached to every other hinge shaft including the hinge shaft inserted into the first bracket and the hinge shaft inserted into the second bracket. The hinge shafts provided and located between the other hinge shafts are characterized by being provided with a non-pressurized portion that has been subjected to a retaining process without pressurization.

Further, in the invention according to claim 6, the regulating means includes the first opening / closing member and the second opening / closing according to the formation range of the driven gear and the driving gear in the turning gear and the first bracket and the second bracket. It is characterized by regulating the turning motion of a member.

Further, the electronic device according to claim 7 is characterized in that the multi-axis hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is used.

When configured as in claim 1, the first housing and the second housing are inside a multi-axis hinge device that connects the first housing and the second housing to which one flexible display sheet is attached so as to be openable and closable. The first housing and the second housing are moved to the front end side in conjunction with the closing operation, and the first housing and the second housing are linked in conjunction with the opening operation of the first housing and the second housing. Can be provided with a slide drive mechanism for moving the rear end side. At the same time, the maximum angle of the operation of opening the first housing and the second housing is regulated, the opening and closing operations of the first housing and the second housing are linked, and further, the first housing and the second housing are linked. It is possible to provide a multi-axis hinge device with good operability that can realize the technical requirement that the housing must be formed as a free stop to give a comfortable response to the opening / closing operation with a simpler configuration.

That is, the slide drive mechanism causes the first opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member by sliding the first slider and the second slider toward the front end portion in conjunction with the operation of closing the first opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member. The space for bending the flexible display sheet facing the front end is expanded toward the front end. Then, in the slide drive mechanism, the first slider and the second slider are flexible by sliding the first slider and the second slider toward the rear end portion in conjunction with the operation of opening the first opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member. Reduce the central area that cannot support the underside of the display sheet.

At the same time, the connecting mechanism can hold the bent portion of the flexible display sheet from the outside by the envelope surface formed on the inner surface of the upper surface of the swivel gear and allow the bent portion to secure a predetermined radius of curvature. Therefore, when the first housing and the second housing are closed, the flexible display sheet can maintain a constant radius of curvature so that the flexible display sheet does not break or break down. ..

Further, the regulating means limits the swirlable range of the first opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member by the connecting mechanism, and regulates the maximum angle of the operation of opening the first housing and the second housing.

Further, the interlocking means interlocks the opening / closing operation of the first housing and the second housing by interlocking the opening / closing of the first opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member by the connecting mechanism.

Further, the friction means makes the opening / closing process of the first housing and the second housing free-stop by free-stopping the opening / closing of the first opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member by the connecting mechanism, and is comfortable for the opening / closing operation. A response can be given.

With these configurations, it is possible to provide a multi-axis hinge device with good operability that can realize the above-mentioned technical requirements with a simpler configuration. As in Patent Document 1, it is not necessary to form the housing in the first housing or the second housing so as to be slidable in a nested manner and to provide a spring mechanism. The thickness of the first housing and the second housing can be reduced, and the mounting of electronic circuits and the like on the first housing and the second housing becomes easy.

Next, according to the second aspect, the multi-axis hinge device can be configured with a small number of parts by sharing the parts between the connecting mechanism and the slide drive mechanism. Specifically, the turning motion transmitted in series from the second bracket to the plurality of turning gears is picked up on the first bracket side to drive the slide of the first slider with respect to the first opening / closing member, and a plurality of turning gears are transmitted from the first bracket. The turning motion transmitted in series with the turning gear can be picked up on the second bracket side to drive the slide of the second slider with respect to the second opening / closing member.

Further, the slide drive mechanism slides the first slider and the second slider by amplifying the rotation amount input to the input gear by transmitting a plurality of turning gears in series. Therefore, even if the amount of rotation input to the input gear is small, an appropriate amount of slide can be secured for the first slider and the second slider by changing the amplification factor of the amount of rotation.

Further, according to the third aspect, a mechanism for amplifying the rotation amount input to the input gear and sliding the first slider and the second slider is realized with a small number of parts, and the first lever member and the second lever member and the second slider are realized. By changing the length of the lever member, it is easy to adjust the amplification factor in the amplification of the amount of rotation.

Further, according to the fourth aspect, the multi-axis hinge device can be configured with a small number of parts by sharing the parts between the connecting mechanism, the interlocking means, and the friction means. Specifically, the interlocking means can be configured by superimposing the first transmission row of the turning gear and the second transmission row of the turning gear so that the turning gears are staggered and imparting frictional resistance by the friction means. ..

Further, according to the fifth aspect, the load of the driven gears of the front and rear turning gears is averaged on the hinge shafts located between the other hinge shafts, so that the load is concentrated on one turning gear. Is avoided.

Further, according to the sixth aspect, the multi-axis hinge device can be configured with a small number of parts by sharing the parts between the connecting mechanism and the regulating means.

Further, when the electronic device is configured as in claim 7, the first housing and the second housing are connected by a multi-axis hinge device incorporating a connecting mechanism, a slide driving mechanism, friction means, and interlocking means. The first housing and the second housing do not need to be provided with a spring mechanism by allowing the housings to slide in a nested state. Therefore, the thickness of the first housing and the second housing can be reduced, and the mounting of electronic circuits and the like on the first housing and the second housing becomes easy.

An electronic device having a flexible display sheet using the multi-axis hinge device according to the present invention is shown, (a) is a perspective view of the first housing and the second housing closed, and (b) is the first housing. It is a perspective view which opened the 2nd housing. It is a partially disassembled perspective view of the flexible display sheet and the protective sheet removed with the electronic device shown in FIG. 1 open. It is explanatory drawing of the opening and closing state of the multi-axis hinge device which saw the electronic device shown in FIG. 1 from the side direction. (A) is a closed state, and (b) is an open state. It is a perspective view of the whole of the multi-axis hinge device mounted on the electronic device shown in FIG. It is an exploded perspective view of the multi-axis hinge device shown in FIG. It is a perspective view explaining the structure of the coupling mechanism in the multi-axis hinge device shown in FIG. 4, (a) shows the main part, and (b) shows the remaining part. It is explanatory drawing explaining the operation of the slide drive mechanism in the multi-axis hinge device shown in FIG. (A) is a side view showing the first opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member closed, and (b) is a side view showing the first opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member opened. It is explanatory drawing explaining the structure of the pressurizing part and the non-pressurizing part in the multi-axis hinge device shown in FIG. (A) is an enlarged side view, and (b) is an enlarged plan view. The first opening / closing member in the multi-axis hinge device shown in FIG. 4 is shown, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a sectional view taken along the line AA of (a). The second opening / closing member in the multi-axis hinge device shown in FIG. 4 is shown, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a sectional view taken along line BB of (a). The turning gear in the multi-axis hinge device shown in FIG. 4 is shown, (a) is a perspective view, and (b) is a plan view seen from the axial direction. It is a perspective view of the swing dummy in the multi-axis hinge device shown in FIG. The spacer in the multi-axis hinge device shown in FIG. 4 is shown, (a) is a plan view seen from the axial direction, and (b) is a cross-sectional view. The first slider and the second slider in the multi-axis hinge device shown in FIG. 4 are shown, (a) is a perspective view, and (b) is a bottom view. The slide guide in the multi-axis hinge device shown in FIG. 4 is shown, (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a bottom view. The spring washer in the multi-axis hinge device shown in FIG. 4 is shown, (a) is a plan view seen from the axial direction, and (b) is a cross-sectional view. The first input gear and the second input gear in the multi-axis hinge device shown in FIG. 4 are shown, (a) is a plan view seen from the axial direction, and (b) is a front view. The relay gear in the multi-axis hinge device shown in FIG. 4 is shown, FIG. 4A is a bottom view seen from the axial direction, and FIG. 4B is a front view. The main gear in the multi-axis hinge device shown in FIG. 4 is shown, (a) is a plan view seen from the axial direction, and (b) is a front view. The first lever member and the second lever member in the multi-axis hinge device shown in FIG. 4 are shown, (a) is a plan view, and (b) is a sectional view. The sub gear in the multi-axis hinge device shown in FIG. 4 is shown, (a) is a plan view seen from the axial direction, and (b) is a front view. The gear slider in the multi-axis hinge device shown in FIG. 4 is shown, (a) is a front view, and (b) is a plan view. It is explanatory drawing of the operation of the slide drive mechanism in the multi-axis hinge device shown in FIG. (A) is a partial plan view, and (b) is a partial cross-sectional view of (a). It is explanatory drawing of the operation of the slide drive mechanism in the multi-axis hinge device shown in FIG. (A) is a partial plan view, and (b) is a partial cross-sectional view of (a).

Hereinafter, a multi-axis hinge device according to the present invention and a mobile phone as an example of an electronic device using this multi-axis hinge device will be described as an example. However, the multi-axis hinge device according to the present invention is not used only for mobile phones, and as described above, one flexible surface such as an electronic organizer, a PDA, a netbook, and a notebook computer. It can be widely used in electronic devices having a configuration in which a first housing and a second housing to which a display sheet is attached are connected to each other so as to be openable and closable.

1 to 3 schematically show a mobile phone using the multi-axis hinge device according to the present invention. In the drawing, the side where the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are opened is the front end side of each, and the side connected by the multi-axis hinge device 6 is the rear end side of each. Further, the left and right directions when viewed from the front end side are referred to as the left side portion and the right side portion, and the vertical direction is referred to as the upper side and the lower side.

As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic device (mobile phone) 1 according to the present invention includes the first housing 2 and the second housing 3, and the upper side of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3. A pair of a flexible display sheet 5 made of, for example, an organic EL, which is attached via a flexible protective sheet 4 straddling the surface, and a pair of connecting the rear end sides of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3. It is composed of multi-axis hinge devices 6 and 6. The pair of multi-axis hinge devices 6 and 6 are the same, and as shown in FIG. 2, the lower side of the protective sheet 4 made of a resin sheet (the lower side of the flexible display sheet 5 and the rubber sheet 5a). ), The first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are connected so as to be openable and closable.

As shown in FIG. 2, a flexible cover plate 7 is provided under the multi-axis hinge devices 6 and 6 in contact with the rear end side of the first housing 2 and the rear end side of the second housing 3. It is attached. The cover plate 7 is, for example, a member capable of linear-U-shaped deformation by connecting a plurality of parallel elongated plate members in a bellows shape with rubber. The cover sheet 7 covers the lower side of the two multi-axis hinge devices 6 and 6 and the intermediate space between them, and expands and contracts along the outer peripheral surface of the multi-axis hinge device 6 to be opened and closed. It follows the opening and closing of the body 2 and the second housing 3. The cover plate 7 is devised so that the internal mechanism cannot be seen from the outside while protecting the mechanism of the multi-axis hinge device 6 from the external environment. Further, flexible side covers 8 and 8 are attached to the right side portion and the left side portion located on both outer sides of the multi-axis hinge device 6 in the left-right direction so as to cover the attachment portions 6b and 6c, respectively. The side covers 8 and 8 bend at the center with expansion and contraction to follow the operation of closing the first housing 2 and the second housing 3. The side covers 8 and 8 have an internal mechanism from the outside while covering the mounting portions 6b and 6c of the multi-axis hinge device 6 with the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 open to protect them from the external environment. It is devised so that it cannot be seen.

In FIG. 3, the cover plate 7 is not shown. As shown in FIG. 3A, the multi-axis hinge device 6 slides the first slider 13 and the second slider 14 toward the front end in conjunction with the operation of closing the first opening / closing member 9 and the second opening / closing member 10. By doing so, the space X for bending the flexible display sheet 5 in which the first opening / closing member 9 and the second opening / closing member 10 face each other is expanded toward the front end portion side. Then, by sliding the first slider 13 and the second slider 14 toward the rear end in conjunction with the operation of opening the first opening / closing member 9 and the second opening / closing member 10, the first slider 13 and the second slider 14 are moved. The central region Y that cannot support the lower surface of the flexible display sheet 5 is reduced.

Further, the multi-axis hinge device 6 is a drop-shaped hinge device 6 formed in a folded portion of a laminated body of a flexible display sheet 5, a rubber sheet 5a, and a protective sheet 4 by an envelope surface formed on the inner surface of a swivel gear 21 described later. The curvature can be held from the outside so that the curvature has a predetermined radius of curvature. Therefore, when the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are closed, a constant radius of curvature can be secured so that the flexible display sheet 5 does not break, wrinkle, or break down. ..

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 22 and described in claim 1 of the claims of the present application, the multi-axis hinge device 6 according to the present invention is the first housing 2 and the second housing 3. It is provided under the flexible display sheet 5 of the electronic device 1 having the flexible display sheet 5 attached across both surfaces, and connects the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 to each other so as to be openable and closable. The multi-axis hinge device 6 is provided with a first slider 13 having a support surface 6d of the flexible display sheet 5 and being fixed to the rear end side of the first housing 2, and a lower side of the first slider 13. A second slider having a first opening / closing member 9 that slidably supports the first slider 13 toward the front end side and a support surface 6e of the flexible display sheet 5 and fixed to the rear end side of the second housing 3. 14, a second opening / closing member 10 provided below the second slider 14 and slidably supporting the second slider 14 toward the front end, and a plurality of hinge shafts 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 12A, 12B, 12C and two hinge shafts 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 12A, 12B, 12C are connected to each other, and a plurality of turning gears having a driven gear 21g at both ends to transmit turning motion in series. 21 and a space X for bending the flexible display sheet 5 is formed between the first opening / closing member 9 and the second opening / closing member 10, so that the first opening / closing member 9 and the second opening / closing member 10 can be opened and closed. It has a connecting mechanism 20 for connecting. The connecting mechanism 20 includes slide drive mechanisms 30 and 40 that slide the first slider 13 and the second slider 14 toward the front end in conjunction with the operation of closing the first opening / closing member 9 and the second opening / closing member 10, respectively. The interlocking means 25 that interlocks the turning motions of the first opening / closing member 9 and the second opening / closing member 10 in the opening / closing operation of the first opening / closing member 9 and the second opening / closing member 10, and the opening / closing operation of the first opening / closing member 9 and the second opening / closing member 10. It has a friction means 50 that generates frictional resistance with the turning motion of the turning gear 21 and a regulating means 60 that regulates the maximum angle in the operation of opening the first opening / closing member 9 and the second opening / closing member 10.

Since the multi-axis hinge device 6 according to the present invention is configured as described above, the multi-axis hinge that connects the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 to which one flexible display sheet 5 is attached can be opened and closed. Inside the device 6, the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are moved to the front end side in conjunction with the operation of closing the first housing 2 and the second housing 3, and the first housing 2 and the first housing 2 The slide drive mechanisms 30 and 40 that move the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 toward the rear end side in conjunction with the operation of opening the second housing 3 can be provided. At the same time, the maximum angle of the operation of opening the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 is regulated, the opening / closing operations of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are interlocked, and further, the first housing Providing a multi-axis hinge device with good operability that can realize the technical requirement that the body 2 and the second housing 3 must be formed in a free stop to give a comfortable response to the opening and closing operation with a simpler configuration. can do.

Next, each component of the multi-axis hinge device 6 described above will be described in more detail. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the multi-axis hinge device 6 is arranged on the rear end side of the first opening / closing member 9 and the lower side of the second slider 14 arranged on the lower side of the first slider 13. The rear end side of the second opening / closing member 10 is connected by a caterpillar-shaped connecting mechanism 20 that bends freely with opening / closing.

In the connecting mechanism 20, the swivel gear 21, the swivel dummy 22, and the spacer 23 are arranged alternately in a staggered pattern as shown in FIG. 6, and the shaft holes 21c of the swivel gear 21 and the shaft holes 21c of the swivel gear 21 are arranged. The shaft hole 17c of the first bracket 17, the shaft hole 21c of the swing gear 21, and the shaft hole 18c of the second bracket 18 are positioned as shown in FIG. 6, and the seven hinge shafts 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D are positioned. , 12A, 12B, 12C are inserted and integrally connected.

As shown in FIG. 9, the first opening / closing member 9 has six first brackets 17 projecting toward the rear end portion side. Each of the six first brackets 17 has a pair of friction surfaces 17b and a shaft hole 17c, and a drive gear 17g is formed. As shown in FIG. 10, the second opening / closing member 10 has six second brackets 18 projecting toward the rear end portion side. Each of the six second brackets 18 has a pair of friction surfaces 18b and a shaft hole 18c, and a drive gear 18g is formed. As shown in FIG. 11, the swivel gear 21 has an oblong columnar appearance in which driven gears 21g are formed at both ends, and has a pair of friction surfaces 21b and a pair of shaft holes 21c. As shown in FIG. 7, the swivel gear 21 meshes the driven gears 21g at both ends with each other to transmit the swivel of the swivel gear 21 in series to the adjacent swivel gear 21. As shown in FIG. 12, the swivel dummy 22 has an oblong columnar appearance excluding the driven gear 21g from the swivel gear 21, and has a pair of friction surfaces 22b and a pair of shaft holes 22c. As shown in FIG. 13, the spacer 23 has a columnar appearance and has a pair of friction surfaces 23b and a pair of shaft holes 22c. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the swivel dummy 22 and the spacer 23 form an envelope surface inside the connecting mechanism 20 without transmitting the swivel motion to the adjacent members. The swivel dummy 22 and the spacer 23 are used as spacers to fill the gap between the swivel gears 21 that are pressurized in the direction of penetrating the shaft holes 22c and 23c.

As shown in FIG. 5, the connecting mechanism 20 pressurizes in the axial direction by tightening the pressurizing portions 51A, 51B, 51C, 51D attached to both ends of the four hinge shafts 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D. Has been done. The pressurizing portions 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D pressurize the overlap of the first bracket 17, the second bracket 18, the swivel gear 21, the swivel dummy 22, and the spacer 23, and the overlapping friction surfaces 17b, 21b, 22b, 23b, Friction is generated during 18b. The hinge shafts 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D have male screws 11b formed at both ends of the shaft portion 11a. As shown in FIG. 8, the pressurizing portion 51D (51A, 51B, 51C) sandwiches four spring washers 54 between a pair of washers 55, attaches an octagon nut 53 to a male screw 11b, and tightens it with a torque wrench. As a result, the pressure is adjusted to be uniform. The reason for using the octagon nut 53 is to deal with the space problem, and the octagon nut 53 may be replaced with the hexagon nut.

On the other hand, both ends of the hinge shafts 12A, 12B and 12C located between the hinge shafts 11A, 11B, 11C and 11D are prevented from coming off by the non-pressurized portions 52A, 52B and 52C without being pressurized. In the hinge shafts 12A, 12B, and 12C, ring grooves 12b are formed at both ends of the shaft portion 12a. As shown in FIG. 8, the non-pressurized portions 52C (52A, 52B) are assembled without pressurization by mounting the E-ring 56 on the ring groove 12b so as to overlap the pair of washers 55. Therefore, friction hardly occurs on the friction surfaces 21b, 22b, and 23b located on the non-pressurized portions 52C (52A, 52B). This is to increase the flexibility and symmetry of the overall curvature of the coupling mechanism 20. As will be described later, the pressurized portions 51A, 51B, 51C, 51D and the non-pressurized portions 52A, 52B, 52C constitute the friction means 50.

As shown in FIG. 6, the connecting mechanism 20 has a built-in interlocking means 25 that interlocks the turning motion accompanying the opening and closing of the first opening / closing member 9 and the second opening / closing member 10. The interlocking means 25 interlocks the opening and closing operations of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 by interlocking the opening and closing of the first opening / closing member 9 and the second opening / closing member 10 by the connecting mechanism 20. The interlocking means 25 has a first transmission row 25a that transmits the turning motion of the first opening / closing member 9 in series toward the second opening / closing member 10, and a turning motion of the second opening / closing member 10 toward the first opening / closing member 9. The second transmission rows 25b that transmit in series are alternately arranged in the axial direction. The swivel dummy 22 and the spacer 23 are alternately arranged in a staggered pattern between the three groups in which the first transmission row 25a and the second transmission row 25b are alternately arranged.

In the multi-axis hinge device 6, the swivel gear 21 of the first transmission row 25a and the swivel gear 21 of the second transmission row 25b are formed by alternately stacking the first transmission row 25a and the second transmission row 25b in the axial direction. It overlaps alternately. Therefore, with the opening / closing operation of the first opening / closing member 9 and the second opening / closing member 10, relative rotation occurs between the overlapping friction surfaces 21b and 21b, and friction occurs with the relative rotation.

In the first transmission row 25a, the turning motion of the first opening / closing member 9 is transmitted from the first bracket 17 to the turning gear 21, and the three turning gears 21 are transmitted in series toward the second opening / closing member 10. However, the final turning gear 21 of the first transmission row 25a and the second opening / closing member 10 are assembled in an idling state and the turning motion is not transmitted. Similarly, in the second transmission row 25b, the turning motion of the second opening / closing member 10 is transmitted from the second bracket 18 to the turning gear 21, and the three turning gears 21 are transmitted in series toward the first opening / closing member 9. To. However, the final turning gear 21 of the second transmission row 25b and the second opening / closing member 10 are assembled in an idling state and the turning motion is not transmitted. This is because in the multi-axis hinge device 6, the turning motion is transmitted by the turning gear 21 in order to control the bending process of the entire connecting mechanism 20, and it is not necessary to transmit the driving force to the opening / closing member on the opposite side. Is. Further, by not transmitting the turning motion to the opening / closing member on the opposite side, the load on the tooth surface of the driven gear 21g is reduced and the durability is improved.

However, as an exception to the transmission of such a turning motion, the third transmission rows 25c and 25d are provided. In the third transmission rows 25c and 25d, it is necessary to transmit the driving force to the opening / closing member on the opposite side. As shown in FIG. 7, in the third transmission row 25c, the slide drive mechanism 40 is operated by using the turning motion transmitted from the first opening / closing member 9 to the second opening / closing member 10 via the three turning gears 21 as a driving force. Let me. Similarly, in the third transmission row 25d, the slide drive mechanism 30 is operated by using the turning motion transmitted from the second opening / closing member 10 to the first opening / closing member 9 via the three turning gears 21 as a driving force.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the first slider 13 is slidable with respect to the first opening / closing member 9, and is interlocked with the opening / closing of the first opening / closing member 9 and the second opening / closing member 10. Slides toward the front end side or the rear end side of the first opening / closing member 9. The second slider 14 is slidable with respect to the second opening / closing member 10, and is linked to the opening / closing of the first opening / closing member 9 and the second opening / closing member 10, and the front end side or the rear end portion of the second opening / closing member 10. Slide to the side. The multi-axis hinge device 6 slides the first slider 13 and the second slider 14 toward the front end side in conjunction with the operation of closing the first opening / closing member 9 and the second opening / closing member 10, respectively, to form the first opening / closing member 9. The space X for bending the flexible display sheet 5 formed so as to face the second opening / closing member 10 is expanded toward the front end portion side. Then, the multi-axis hinge device 6 slides the first slider 13 and the second slider 14 toward the rear end in conjunction with the operation of opening the first opening / closing member 9 and the second opening / closing member 10, and the first slider 13 And the second slider 14 reduces the central region Y that cannot support the lower surface of the flexible display sheet 5.

As shown in FIG. 14 (a), attachment portions 6b to the first housing 2 are formed at both ends of the first slider 13 in the longitudinal direction, and as shown in FIG. 14 (b), the first slider 13 A pair of recesses 13a, 13a (14a, 14a) are formed on the inner wall surface of the (second slider 14) facing in the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 15A, a guide groove 15b is formed on the surface of the slide guide 15 on the opposite side where the convex portion 15a is formed. As shown by the broken line in FIG. 14B, the slide guide 15 presses the convex portion 15a into the recess 13a (14a) and is fixed to the first slider 13 (second slider 14). The facing guide grooves 15b of the pair of slide guides 15 attached to the first slider 13 (second slider 14) are guide protrusions of the first opening / closing member 9 (second opening / closing member 10) shown in FIG. 9 (FIG. 10). 9b, 9b (10a, 10b) are held slidably. Therefore, the first slider 13 (second slider 14) can slide toward the front end portion side and the rear end portion side of the first opening / closing member 9 (second opening / closing member 10).

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 17 to 22, the input gear 42 (32) and the relay gear 43 (33) have pins 42a and 43a (32a and 33a) connected to the shaft holes 42b and 43b of the input gear 42 (32). By inserting it through (32b, 33b) and press-fitting it into the pin holes 42c, 43c (32c, 33c) of the second bracket 18 (first bracket 17), the second opening / closing member 10 (first opening / closing member 9) is pressed. It is provided so that it can rotate freely. In the main gear 44 (34), the pin 44a (34a) is inserted into the shaft hole 44b (34d) of the main gear 44 (34), and the pin hole 44d (34d) of the second opening / closing member 10 (first opening / closing member 9) is inserted. ) Is rotatably provided with respect to the second opening / closing member 10 (first opening / closing member 9).

At the end of the second lever member 45 on the rotation center side, the flat annular convex portion 44e (34e) on the bottom surface of the main gear 44 (34) is press-fitted into the flat opening 44c (34c) to press the main gear 44 (34). ) Is fixed to the rotation stop. The sub gear 46 (36) inserts the pin 46a (36a) into the shaft hole 46b (36b) of the sub gear 46 (36) into the pin hole 46c (36c) on the rotating end side of the second lever member 45 (35). By press-fitting, it is rotatably provided with respect to the second lever member 45 (first lever member 35). By holding the pin 46a (36a) in the drive hole 46d (36d) on the ceiling of the second slider 14 (first slider 13), the rotating end of the second lever member 45 (first lever member 35) is second. It is connected to the slider 14 (first slider 13). The input gear 42 (32) and the relay gear 43 (33) mesh the spur gears 42 g and 43 g (32 g and 33 g) to transmit rotation. The relay gear 43 (33) and the main gear 44 (34) mesh the umbrella gears 43h and 44h (33h, 34h) to transmit rotation.

The gear slider 47 (37) opens and closes second by inserting the screw 47a (37a) into the screw hole 47b (37b) of the gear slider 47 (37) and tightening it to the female screw 47c (37c) of the gear slider 47 (37). It is fixed to the bottom surface of the member 10 (first opening / closing member 9). The gear slider 47 (37) meshes the sub gear 46 (36) with the spur gears 46 g and 47 g (36 g and 37 g) to rotate the sub gear 46 (36) while rotating the second lever member 45 (first lever member 35). It rotates with the rotation of. The gear slider 47 (37) and the sub gear 46 (36) mesh the sub gear 46 (36) with the spur gears 46 g and 47 g (36 g, 37 g) to increase the support rigidity of the pin 46a (36a) to which a load is applied to the tip. There is.

As shown in FIG. 4, the third transmission row 25c provided with the slide drive mechanism 40 is among the second transmission rows 25b that transmit the turning motion of the first opening / closing member 9 in series toward the second opening / closing member 10. It is one of. Here, the operation of the third transmission row 25c provided with the slide drive mechanism 40 will be described, and the duplicated description of the third transmission row 25d provided with the slide drive mechanism 30 will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 4, the third transmission row 25d is provided rotationally symmetrically with the third transmission row 25c, and the first transmission that transmits the turning motion of the second opening / closing member 10 in series toward the first opening / closing member 9. It is one of columns 25a. The third transmission row 25d slides the first slider 13 by operating the slide drive mechanism 30 on the side of the first opening / closing member 9 driven by the turning motion of the second opening / closing member 10.

As shown in FIG. 7, the slide drive mechanism 40 is driven by the turning motion of the first opening / closing member 10 transmitted through the second transmission row 25b to operate the slide drive mechanism 40 on the second opening / closing member 10 side. The input gear 42 inputs the turning motion of the first opening / closing member 10 transmitted in series with the three turning gears 21 from the first bracket 17. The relay gear 43 transmits the rotation of the input gear 42 to the main gear 44 by engaging the umbrella gears 43h and 44h, and rotates the main gear 44 in the plane of the second opening / closing member 10. The second amplification means 41 amplifies the amount of rotation of the input gear 42 by using the second lever member 45, and slides the second slider 14 as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24.

As shown in FIG. 23B, the second lever member 45 rotates about the pin 44a to engage the sub gear 46 with the gear slider 47 and rotate the sub gear 46. As shown in FIG. 23A, the tip of the pin 46a of the sub gear 46 engages with the drive hole 46d on the ceiling of the second slider 14, and as the second lever member 45 rotates, the second slider 14 To move. Here, since the pin 46a is held in the drive hole 46d having a large diameter, the movement of the pin 46a perpendicular to the sliding direction of the second slider 14 accompanying the rotation of the pin 46a is within the range of the diameter difference between the two. After being absorbed, the second slider 14 slides in the vertical and vertical sliding directions in the drawing.

When the first opening / closing member 9 and the second opening / closing member 10 are open, as shown in FIG. 23B, the sub gear 46 rotates in a direction approaching the center side of the multi-axis hinge device 6, and the second slider 14 slides toward the rear end of the second opening / closing member 10. A pin 46a driven by the slide drive mechanism 40 holds the second slider 14 in a state of being slid toward the rear end portion side of the second opening / closing member 10 via the drive hole 46d. As a result, the second slider 14 approaches the center side of the multi-axis hinge device 6, and the gap between the second opening / closing member 10 and the second slider 14 on the rear end side of the second opening / closing member 10 becomes smaller.

On the other hand, when the first opening / closing member 9 and the second opening / closing member 10 are closed, the sub gear 46 rotates in a direction away from the center side of the multi-axis hinge device 6 as shown in FIG. The 2 slider 14 slides toward the front end portion of the second opening / closing member 10. A pin 46a driven by the slide drive mechanism 40 holds the second slider 14 in a state of being slid toward the front end portion side of the second opening / closing member 10 via the drive hole 46d. As a result, the second slider 14 moves away from the center side of the multi-axis hinge device 6, and the gap between the second opening / closing member 10 and the second slider 14 on the rear end side of the second opening / closing member 10 becomes large.

In parallel with the operation of the slide drive mechanism 40 on the second opening / closing member 10 side, a similar operation is executed by the slide drive mechanism 30 on the first opening / closing member 9 side. As a result, the sliding of the first slider 13 and the second slider 14 in conjunction with the opening and closing of the first opening / closing member 9 and the second opening / closing member 10 is realized.

Next, the operation of the multi-axis hinge device 6 according to the present invention will be described. When the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are closed, as shown in FIG. 3A, the first slider 13 and the second slider 14 slide toward the front end portion, and the first opening / closing member The space X formed at the facing distance between the 9 and the second opening / closing member 10 is expanded toward the front end portion side. Then, in this space X, the flexible display sheet 5 is folded and housed in a state where the radius of curvature required to prevent the flexible display sheet 5 from being broken is maintained.

When one of the second housings 3, for example, the second housing 3 is opened with respect to the first housing 2 from the state where the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are closed, the first transmission row 25a and the second transmission row 25b are opened. The first housing 2 is also opened at the same time. That is, when the second housing 3 is opened, in the first transmission row 25a, the turning motion of the first opening / closing member 9 is transmitted from the first bracket 17 to the turning gear 21, and is transmitted to the first bracket 17 via the driven gear 21g. The turning motion is transmitted so that the closer the turning gear 21 is, the larger the turning angle is. On the other hand, in the second transmission row 25a, the turning motion of the second opening / closing member 10 is transmitted from the second bracket 18 to the turning gear 21, and the turning gear 21 closer to the second bracket 18 has a larger turning angle via the driven gear 21g. The turning motion is transmitted so as to become. Then, the turning gear 21 of the first transmission row 25a and the turning gear 21 of the second transmission row 25b overlap to generate friction, so that the turning gear 21 of the first transmission row 25a and the turning gear of the second transmission row 25b The turning angles of 21 are averaged. Such adjustment of the turning angle proceeds simultaneously with the seven hinge shafts 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 12A, 12B, and 12C. By averaging the turning angles at the same time in the six sets of the first transmission row 25a and the second transmission row 25b in which the positions of the shaft holes 21c of the turning gear 21 are constrained, the first opening / closing member 9 side and the second opening / closing member A cylindrical enveloping surface symmetrical with the 10 side is formed inside the connecting mechanism 20 so as to gradually increase the radius of curvature.

Further, when the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are opened and reach 180 degrees, as shown in FIGS. 7 (b) and 9 to 11, the stopper 17h of the first bracket 17 and a plurality of turns The stopper 21h of the gear 21 and the stopper 17h of the second bracket 18 abut each other to stop the transmission of the turning motion. As a result, the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are set to an opening angle of 180 degrees, and the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are prevented from being opened more than 180 degrees. Since the friction means 50 shown in FIG. 8 causes the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 to stop friction in a flat state, the screen becomes large, the image on the flexible display sheet 5 can be enjoyed, and the image appearing on the screen can be enjoyed. You can perform operations.

When the user stops using the electronic device 1 and begins to close the first housing 2 and the second housing 3, the first transmission row 25a and the first transmission row 25a are formed in the same manner as when the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are opened. The second transmission row 25b is interlocked, and a cylindrical enveloping surface symmetrical on the first opening / closing member 9 side and the second opening / closing member 10 side is formed inside the connecting mechanism 20 so as to gradually reduce the radius of curvature. Will be done. In this way, the flexible display sheet 5 is folded from the flat state to the folded state of being folded in half as shown in FIG. 3A. That is, when either the first housing 2 or the second housing 3 is closed with respect to the other, the other is similarly rotated in the opposite direction and closed.

Further, the multi-axis hinge device 6 realizes a free stop function that enables the first opening / closing member 9 and the second opening / closing member 10 to be stopped at an arbitrary opening angle by the friction means 50 shown in FIG. As described above, the friction means 50 uses the pressurizing portions 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D to form the swivel gear 21, the swivel dummy 22, the spacer 23, the first bracket 17, and the second bracket 18 on which the friction surfaces are superposed on each other. Friction is generated between the overlapping swivel gear 21, swivel dummy 22, spacer 23, first bracket 17, and second bracket 18 to maintain the swivel angle. For this reason, the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 in the closed state may open naturally, or the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 in the opened state may naturally close. There is nothing to do.

In the multi-axis hinge device 6 of the first embodiment, the slide drive mechanisms 30 and 40 have a drive gear 17g and are provided on the first opening / closing member 9, and transmit the turning motion of the first opening / closing member 9 to the turning gear 21. The second bracket 18 having the first bracket 17 and the drive gear 18g and provided on the second opening / closing member 10 and transmitting the turning motion of the second opening / closing member 10 to the turning gear 21 and the first opening / closing member 9 are provided. The rotation amount of the first input gear 32 and the first input gear 32, which are input to the turning motion transmitted in series from the second bracket 18 to the plurality of turning gears 21, is amplified and moved to the slide of the first slider 13. A first amplification means for conversion, a second input gear 42 provided on the second opening / closing member 9 and input with a turning motion transmitted in series from a plurality of turning gears 21 from the first bracket 17, and a second input gear. It has a second amplification means that amplifies the amount of rotation of the 42 and converts it into a slide of the second slider 14.

Therefore, the connecting mechanism 20 and the slide drive mechanisms 30 and 40 can share parts, and the multi-axis hinge device 6 can be configured with a small number of parts. Specifically, the turning motion transmitted in series from the second bracket 18a to the plurality of turning gears 21 is picked up on the first bracket 17a side to drive the slide of the first slider with respect to the first opening / closing member 9, and the first. The turning motion transmitted in series from the bracket 17a to the plurality of turning gears 21 can be picked up on the second bracket 18a side to drive the slide of the second slider with respect to the second opening / closing member 9.

In the multi-axis hinge device 6 of the first embodiment, the slide drive mechanisms 30 and 40 amplify the amount of rotation input to the input gears 32 and 42 by transmitting a plurality of turning gears 21 in series, respectively, by the amplification means 31 and 41. Then, the first slider 13 and the second slider 14 are slid. Therefore, even if the amount of rotation input to the input gears 32 and 42 is small, an appropriate amount of slide can be secured for the first slider 13 and the second slider 14 by changing the amplification factor of the amount of rotation. ..

In the multi-axis hinge device 6 of the first embodiment, the first amplification means is driven by the first input gear 32 to rotate, and the rotation end side of the first lever member 35 is connected to the first slider 13. The second amplification means has a second lever member 45 that is driven by a second input gear 42 to rotate and has its rotation end side connected to a second slider 14. Therefore, a mechanism for amplifying the amount of rotation input to the input gears 32 and 42 and sliding the first slider 13 and the second slider 14 is realized with a small number of parts, and the first lever member 35 and the second lever member By changing the length of 45, it is easy to adjust the amplification factor in the amplification of the amount of rotation. The amplification means for amplifying the rotation amount of the input gear 42 and sliding the second slider may be replaced with a speed-increasing gear train, a combination of a pinion and a rack gear, a speed-up cam, or the like.

In the multi-axis hinge device 6 of the first embodiment, the interlocking means 25 and the friction means 50 are the first transmission row 25a of the turning gear 21 that transmits the turning motion of the first opening / closing member 9 in series toward the second opening / closing member 10. The swivel gears 21 are arranged and superposed on the first transmission row 25a with a half pitch shift from the first transmission row 25a, and the swivel movement of the second opening / closing member 10 is directed toward the first opening / closing member 9 by the swivel gear 21. A pressurizing unit provided on the second transmission row 25b that transmits in series and a plurality of hinge shafts 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D and pressurizes the overlap of the swivel gear 21 of the first transmission row 25a and the second transmission row 25b. It has 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D. Therefore, the friction means 50 opens and closes the first housing and the second housing as free stops by opening and closing the first opening and closing member 9 and the second opening and closing member 10 by the connecting mechanism 20 as free stops. It is possible to give a comfortable response to the operation. Then, the connecting mechanism 20, the interlocking means 25, and the friction means 50 can share the parts, and the multi-axis hinge device 6 can be configured with a small number of parts. Specifically, the first transmission row 25a of the swivel gear 21 and the second transmission row 25b of the swivel gear 21 are overlapped so that the swivel gears 21 are staggered, and frictional resistance is applied by the friction means 50 to provide the interlocking means. Can be configured.

In the multi-axis hinge device 6 of the first embodiment, the pressurizing portions 51A, 51B, 51C, 51D include a hinge shaft 11A inserted into the first bracket 17a and a hinge shaft 11D inserted into the second bracket 18a. The hinge shafts 12A, 12B, 12C provided on every other hinge shaft 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D and located between these every other hinge shaft were subjected to a retaining treatment without pressurization. Non-pressurized portions 52A, 52B and 52C are provided. Therefore, the load of the driven gear 21g of the front and rear turning gears 21 is averaged on the hinge shafts 12A, 12B, 12C located between the hinge shafts 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D every other one. It is avoided that the load is concentrated on the turning gear 21.

In the multi-axis hinge device 6 of the first embodiment, the regulating means 60 limits the swirlable range of the first opening / closing member 9 and the second opening / closing member 10 by the connecting mechanism 20, and the first housing 2 and the second housing. The maximum angle of the movement to open the body 3 is regulated. The regulating means 60 regulates the turning motion of the first opening / closing member 9 and the second opening / closing member 10 according to the forming range of the driven gear 21g and the driving gears 17g and 18g in the turning gear 21, the first bracket 17, and the second bracket 18. Therefore, the connecting mechanism 20 and the regulating means 60 can share the parts, and the multi-axis hinge device 6 can be configured with a small number of parts. The regulating means may be realized by a known suction mechanism composed of a pair of cam surfaces that are pressurized and face each other in the axial direction.

According to the electronic device 1 of the first embodiment, the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are provided by the multi-axis hinge device 6 incorporating the connecting mechanism 20, the slide driving mechanisms 30, 40, the friction means 50, and the interlocking means 25. The first housing 2 and the second housing 3 do not need to be provided with a spring mechanism by allowing the housings to slide in a nested state. Therefore, the thickness of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 can be reduced, and the mounting of electronic circuits and the like on the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 becomes easy.

Since the present invention is configured as described above, the first housing and the second housing that are openably and closably connected can be opened and closed synchronously, friction torque is generated at the time of opening and closing, and the free stop can be stopped. It is suitably used as a multi-axis hinge device capable of forming a radius of curvature required for a folded portion of a flexible display sheet provided over both surfaces of a housing and a second housing, and as an electronic device using this multi-axis hinge device. It is a thing.

1 Mobile phone (electronic device)
2 1st housing 3 2nd housing 4 Protective sheet 5 Flexible display sheet 6 Multi-axis hinge device 7 Cover plate 8 Side cover 9 1st opening / closing member 10 2nd opening / closing member 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D Hinge shaft 12A, 12B , 12C hinge shaft 13 1st slider 14 2nd slider 15 slide guide 17 1st bracket 17b friction surface 17c shaft hole 17g driven gear 18 2nd bracket 18b friction surface 18c shaft hole 20 connecting mechanism 21 swivel gear 21b friction surface 21c shaft hole 21g Driven gear 21h Stopper 22 Swivel dummy 23 Spacer 25 Interlocking means 25a 1st transmission row 25b 2nd transmission row 25c, 25d 3rd transmission row 30,40 Slide drive mechanism 31,41 Amplification means 32,42 Input gear 32a, 42a Pin 33, 43 relay gear
33a, 43a Pin 34, 44 Main gear 34a, 44a Pin 35, 45 Lever member 36, 46 Sub gear 36a, 46a Pin 37, 47 Gear slider 50 Friction means 51A, 51B, 51C, 51D Pressurizing part 52A, 52B, 53C Non Pressurizing part 53 Octagon nut 54 Spring washer 55 Washer 56 E-ring 60 Regulatory means

Claims (7)

An electronic device having a flexible display sheet attached across both surfaces of the first housing and the second housing is provided under the flexible display sheet, and the first housing and the second housing are attached to each other. A multi-axis hinge device that can be opened and closed.
A first slider having a support surface of a flexible display sheet and fixed to the rear end side of the first housing,
A first opening / closing member provided below the first slider and slidably supporting the first slider toward the front end.
A second slider having a support surface of the flexible display sheet and fixed to the rear end side of the second housing,
A second opening / closing member provided below the second slider and slidably supporting the second slider toward the front end.
The first opening / closing member includes a plurality of hinge shafts and a plurality of swing gears which are provided by connecting two hinge shafts at a time and have driven gears at both ends to transmit a turning motion in series. It has a connecting mechanism that forms a space for bending the flexible display sheet between the second opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member, and connects the first opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member so as to be openable and closable.
The connecting mechanism
A slide drive mechanism that slides the first slider and the second slider toward the front end in conjunction with the operation of closing the first opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member.
Interlocking means for interlocking the turning motions of the first opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member in the opening / closing operation of the first opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member.
A friction means that generates frictional resistance with the turning motion of the turning gear in the opening / closing operation of the first opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member.
It is characterized by having a first opening / closing member and a regulating means for regulating a maximum angle in an operation of opening the second opening / closing member.
Multi-axis hinge device. The slide drive mechanism is
A first bracket having a drive gear and provided on the first opening / closing member and transmitting the turning motion of the first opening / closing member to the turning gear.
A second bracket having a drive gear and provided on the second opening / closing member and transmitting the turning motion of the second opening / closing member to the turning gear.
A first input gear provided on the first opening / closing member and input with a turning motion transmitted in series from the second bracket.
A first amplification means that amplifies the amount of rotation of the first input gear and converts it into a slide of the first slider.
A second input gear provided on the second opening / closing member and input with a turning motion transmitted in series from the first bracket 17 to the plurality of turning gears.
It is characterized by having a second amplification means that amplifies the rotation amount of the second input gear and converts it into a slide of the second slider.
Multi-axis hinge device. The first amplification means has a first lever member that is driven by the first input gear to rotate and has its rotation end side connected to the first slider.
The second amplification means is characterized by having a second lever member that is driven by the second input gear to rotate and whose rotation end side is connected to the second slider.
The multi-axis hinge device according to claim 2. The interlocking means and the friction means
The first transmission row of the turning gear that transmits the turning motion of the first opening / closing member in series toward the second opening / closing member, and
The swivel gears are arranged and superposed on the first transmission row with a half pitch shift from the first transmission row, and the swivel motion of the second opening / closing member is serialized by the swivel gear toward the first opening / closing member. The second transmission column to transmit and
The multi-axis according to claim 2, further comprising a pressurizing portion provided on the plurality of hinge shafts and pressurizing the superposition of the swivel gears of the first transmission row and the second transmission row. Hinge device. The pressurizing portion is provided on every other hinge shaft including the hinge shaft inserted into the first bracket and the hinge shaft inserted into the second bracket.
The hinge shafts located between the every other hinge shaft are provided with a non-pressurized portion that has been subjected to a retaining process without pressurization.
The multi-axis hinge device according to claim 4. The regulating means is characterized in that the turning motion of the first opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member is regulated by the forming range of the driven gear and the drive gear in the turning gear and the first bracket and the second bracket. To do
The multi-axis hinge device according to claim 2. The multi-axis hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is used.
Electronics.

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