JP2021038774A - Hinge device and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a hinge device capable of suppressing the deterioration of appearance quality and an electronic apparatus equipped with the hinge device.SOLUTION: A hinge device 14 includes: a first bracket 30; a second bracket 31; a first coupling arm 32 that has a first end portion rotatably coupled to the first bracket 30 through a first shaft 36; a second coupling arm 33 that has a first end portion rotatably coupled to the second bracket 31 through a second shaft 37; a first link arm 34 that has a first end portion rotatably coupled to the first bracket 30 through a third shaft 38, and has a second end portion rotatably coupled to a second end portion of the second coupling arm 33 through a fourth shaft 39; a second link arm 35 that has a first end portion rotatably coupled to the second bracket 31 through a fifth shaft 40, and has a second end portion rotatably coupled to a second end portion of the first coupling arm 32 through a sixth shaft 41; and a seventh shaft 42 that rotatably coupling a part between the first end portion and the second end portion of the first coupling arm 32, and a part between the first end portion and the second end portion of the second coupling arm 33.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7A

Description

The present invention relates to a hinge device and an electronic device provided with the hinge device.

In recent years, electronic devices such as tablet PCs and smartphones, which have a touch panel type liquid crystal display and do not have a physical keyboard, have rapidly become widespread. While it is desirable that the display of this type of electronic device be large when it is used, it is desired that it be miniaturized when it is carried. Therefore, the applicant has proposed an electronic device in which not only the housing but also the display can be folded by using a flexible display such as an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ..

Japanese Patent No. 6507183

In the configuration of Patent Document 1, the center of rotation when the housing is folded by the hinge device is aligned with the surface of the display, so that the display can be smoothly bent. Therefore, due to the structure of the hinge device, some of the components of the hinge device are arranged so as to project above the surface of the display. As a result, the hinge device is exposed on the upper surface of the housing, which deteriorates the appearance quality.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hinge device capable of suppressing deterioration of appearance quality and an electronic device provided with the hinge device.

The hinge device according to the first aspect of the present invention is a hinge device, which is provided with a first bracket for fixing to the first housing of the electronic device and the first bracket so as to face the first bracket. A second bracket for fixing to the second housing, a first connecting arm whose first end is rotatably connected to the first bracket via a first shaft, and a second end. A second connecting arm rotatably connected to the second bracket via a shaft, a first end portion rotatably connected to the first bracket via a third shaft, and a second end portion is a fourth. A first link arm rotatably connected to the second end of the second connecting arm via a shaft, and a first end that is rotatably connected to the second bracket via a fifth shaft, A second link arm whose two ends are rotatably connected to the second end of the first connecting arm via a sixth axis, and the first and second ends of the first connecting arm. A seventh shaft that rotatably connects a portion between the two ends and a portion between the first end portion and the second end portion of the second connecting arm is provided, and the upper surface of the first bracket and the second end portion are provided. It can rotate from an open posture in which the upper surface of the bracket is arranged on substantially the same plane to a closed posture in which the upper surface of the first bracket and the upper surface of the second bracket face each other.

According to such a configuration, the hinge device prevents each arm from projecting upward from the upper surface of each bracket regardless of its rotational posture. Therefore, in the hinge device, each arm does not protrude on the appearance of the electronic device mounted in the rotating posture, and it is possible to suppress deterioration of the appearance quality of the electronic device.

In the open posture, when viewed from the axial direction of the first axis, the first axis is arranged on the upper surface side of the first bracket, and the second axis is arranged on the upper surface side of the second bracket. The 7th axis is arranged below the 1st axis and the 2nd axis and at a position between the 1st axis and the 2nd axis, and the 1st bracket and the 2nd axis are arranged. It may be configured so as to overlap the boundary portion with the bracket.

The first axis, the second axis, and the seventh axis may be arranged at positions that are the vertices of the triangle.

The configuration may include a first torque generator that applies a predetermined rotational torque to the rotation between the first bracket and the second bracket.

The first torque generator has a first bridge member bridged between the third shaft and the fourth shaft, and in the first bridge member, a shaft constituting the third shaft rotates. The configuration may include a first press-fitting portion that can be press-fitted and a first insertion portion that rotatably inserts the shaft constituting the fourth shaft.

The third shaft may be composed of a shaft having a diameter larger than that of the shaft constituting the first shaft.

The first torque generator has a second bridge member bridged between the fifth shaft and the sixth shaft, and the second bridge member has a shaft constituting the fifth shaft rotated. The configuration may include a second press-fitting portion that can be press-fitted and a second insertion portion into which the shaft constituting the sixth shaft is rotatably inserted.

The fifth shaft may be composed of a shaft having a diameter larger than that of the shaft constituting the second shaft.

Further, the shaft constituting the 7th axis is inserted and sandwiched between the 1st connecting arm and the 2nd connecting arm, so that the 1st connecting arm and the 2nd connecting arm with respect to the 7th axis are sandwiched between the first connecting arm and the second connecting arm. A second torque generator may be provided to apply a predetermined rotation torque to the rotation of the shaft.

The electronic device according to the second aspect of the present invention is an electronic device including the hinge device having the above configuration, in which the first bracket is fixed to the first housing and the second bracket is attached to the second housing. It is fixed, and is further provided so as to extend over the upper surface of the first housing and the upper surface of the second housing, and the first housing and the second housing are relatively rotated by the hinge device. It comprises a display having a folding area that can be folded accordingly.

According to the above aspect of the present invention, deterioration of appearance quality can be suppressed.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the electronic device according to the embodiment is closed and stored. FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing a state in which the electronic device shown in FIG. 1 is opened and used. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the hinge device in the usage pattern. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the hinge device in the stored form. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the hinge device in the usage pattern. FIG. 7A is a side view schematically showing a state of the hinge device in the usage pattern. FIG. 7B is a side view schematically showing a state in which the hinge device is folded and operated from the state shown in FIG. 7A. FIG. 7C is a side view schematically showing a state in which the hinge device is further folded and operated from the state shown in FIG. 7B. FIG. 7D is a side view schematically showing a state in which the hinge device is further folded to form a storage form from the state shown in FIG. 7C. FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the first bridge member.

Hereinafter, a hinge device according to the present invention and an electronic device provided with the hinge device will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings with reference to suitable embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the electronic device 10 according to the embodiment is closed and stored. FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing a state in which the electronic device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is opened and used. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the electronic device 10 includes a first housing 12A, a second housing 12B, a hinge device 14, and a display 16. The electronic device 10 of the present embodiment is a tablet-type PC that can be folded like a book. The electronic device 10 may be a mobile phone, a smartphone, an electronic organizer, a portable game machine, or the like.

Each of the housings 12A and 12B is a rectangular flat box body. The housings 12A and 12B have side plates 17 standing upright on three sides other than the edges adjacent to each other (see FIG. 3). The display 16 is arranged so as to close the upper surface openings of the housings 12A and 12B which are formed in a substantially single plate shape when used. Each housing 12A and 12B is composed of, for example, a metal plate such as stainless steel, magnesium or aluminum, or a fiber reinforced resin plate containing reinforcing fibers such as carbon fiber.

Hereinafter, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, with respect to the electronic device 10, the arrangement direction of the housings 12A and 12B is referred to as the X direction, the direction orthogonal to the X direction is referred to as the Y direction, and the thickness of each housing 12A and 12B is further referred to. The direction will be referred to as the vertical direction.

The housings 12A and 12B are connected to each other via a pair of hinge devices 14 and 14 provided at both ends in the Y direction of one edge portions 12Aa and 12Ba which are adjacent edges to each other. The hinge device 14 rotatably connects the edge portions 12Aa and 12Ba of the first housing 12A and the second housing 12B to the first housing 12A so that the second housing 12B opens and closes. ing. The housings 12A and 12B can be operated at a desired angle position between the storage mode shown in FIG. 1 and the usage mode shown in FIG. The line C shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 2 indicates the bending center C which is the center of the folding operation of the housings 12A and 12B.

In the storage form shown in FIG. 1, the housings 12A and 12B are largely separated from each other at one edge portions 12Aa and 12Ba. Therefore, the boundary portions of the one edge portions 12Aa and 12Ba are covered with the spine cover member 18. As shown in FIG. 3, the spine member 18 is attached to the inner surfaces 12Ab and 12Bb of the housings 12A and 12B. The spine cover member 18 is a bellows-shaped sheet-like member. For example, one end of the spine member 18 in the X direction is fixed to the first housing 12A, and the other end in the X direction is slidably supported by the second housing 12B.

The display 16 is, for example, a touch panel type liquid crystal display. The display 16 is, for example, a flexible display such as an organic EL having a highly flexible paper structure. The display 16 continuously covers the upper surfaces of the first housing 12A and the second housing 12B, and opens and closes as the housings 12A and 12B are opened and closed. The display 16 has a bezel member 20 arranged on the outer peripheral edge of the surface 16a (see FIG. 2). The bezel member 20 is a flexible frame-shaped sheet-like member. The bezel member 20 covers a non-display area (inactive area) of the outer peripheral edge portion excluding the display area (active area) of the surface 16a of the display 16. The bezel member 20 is attached so as to straddle the side plate 17 and the outer peripheral edge portion of the surface 16a (see FIG. 3).

The display 16 is provided so as to extend between the inner surfaces 12Ab and 12Bb of the housings 12A and 12B. The display 16 is supported on the inner surfaces 12Ab and 12Bb via the first support plate 22A and the second support plate 22B (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The support plates 22A and 18B are thin plate members formed in a rectangular shape, respectively. The first support plate 22A is fixed to the first housing 12A. The second support plate 22B is fixed to the second housing 12B. The display 16 is fixed to the upper surfaces of the support plates 22A and 18B by using double-sided tape or the like. In the display 16, the band-shaped region extending in the Y direction at a position overlapping the hinge device 14 becomes a bent region 16b that is bent according to the rotation between the housings 12A and 12B. The bent region 16b is not fixed to the support plates 22A and 18B and is in a relatively movable state (see FIGS. 7A to 7D).

In each of the housings 12A and 12B, for example, a substrate on which various semiconductor chips and the like are mounted, a battery device, various electronic components of an antenna device, and a cooling device and the like are housed. These electronic components and the like are housed in a space formed between the inner surfaces 12Ab and 12Bb and the support plates 22A and 22B.

Next, a specific configuration example of the hinge device 14 will be described. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the hinge device 14 in the usage pattern. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the hinge device 14 in the stored form. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the hinge device 14 in the usage pattern. 7A to 7D are operation diagrams of folding the hinge device 14 from the usage form to the storage form. 7A to 7D show 120 degrees in the state shown in FIG. 7B and 60 degrees in the state shown in FIG. 7C when the angle between the housings 12A and 12B in the usage pattern shown in FIG. 7A is called 180 degrees. The degree is shown, and the storage form shown in FIG. 7D shows 0 degree.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each hinge device 14 is arranged at a position on the side of the outer peripheral edge of the display 16 and below the bezel member 20. The hinge device 14 may be arranged below the display 16, that is, below the support plates 22A and 22B. The hinge device 14 of the present embodiment rotates between the housings 12A and 12B so that the surface 16a of the display 16 can always be moved along a preset opening / closing locus.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 and 7A, the hinge device 14 includes a first bracket 30, a second bracket 31, a first connecting arm 32, a second connecting arm 33, and a first link arm 34. , A second link arm 35 is provided. Each of these elements is connected by a first axis 36 to a seventh axis 42, which are rotation axes. In the following, unless otherwise specified, the positional relationship of each element will be described with reference to the arrangement of the hinge device 14 in the usage pattern shown in FIGS. 6 and 7A.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the first bracket 30 has a configuration in which a pair of first divided portions 30A and a second divided portion 30B are connected in the Y direction. The first bracket 30 is a mounting portion of the hinge device 14 to the first housing 12A, and is made of a block-shaped metal as a whole. The first bracket 30 has a rod flag shape when viewed from the front. The length of the upper surface 30a of the first bracket 30 in the X direction is longer than that of the lower surface 30b. In the first bracket 30, for example, a mounting piece (not shown) is formed so as to project along the lower surface 30b, and is screwed to the inner surface 12Ab via the mounting piece.

The second bracket 31 has a symmetrical structure with the first bracket 30. The second bracket 31 has a configuration in which a pair of first divided portions 31A and a second divided portion 31B are connected in the Y direction. The second bracket 31 is a mounting portion of the hinge device 14 to the second housing 12B, and is made of a block-shaped metal as a whole. The second bracket 31 has a rod flag shape when viewed from the front. The length of the upper surface 31a of the second bracket 31 in the X direction is longer than that of the lower surface 31b. In the second bracket 31, for example, a mounting piece (not shown) is formed so as to project along the lower surface 31b, and is screwed to the inner surface 12Bb via the mounting piece. The shapes of the brackets 30 and 31 can be changed as appropriate. The brackets 30 and 31 may be formed in a single plate shape instead of a divided structure.

The first bracket 30 and the second bracket 31 are arranged so that their inner end surfaces 30c and 31c face each other with a gap 44 in between. The first divided portion 30A and the second divided portion 30B of the first bracket 30 each have a concave portion 30d in which a part of the plate thickness is recessed. The concave portion 30d of the first division portion 30A and the concave portion 30d of the second division portion 30B communicate with each other to form one concave portion 30d opened in the upper surface 30a, the inner end surface 30c and the lower surface 30b. The first divided portion 31A and the second divided portion 31B of the second bracket 31 also have a concave portion 31d in which a part of the plate thickness is recessed. These concave portions 31d and 31d are also communicated with each other to form one concave portion 31d opened in the upper surface 31a, the inner end surface 31c and the lower surface 31b.

The first connecting arm 32 is a metal rod-shaped member having a substantially boomerang shape. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7A, the first connecting arm 32 gradually inclines downward from the first end on the upper left toward the second end on the lower right, and then X from the vicinity of the seventh axis 42. It extends along the direction. The first end portion of the first connecting arm 32 is arranged in the concave portion 30d and is rotatably connected to the first bracket 30 via the first shaft 36. The second end portion of the first connecting arm 32 is arranged in the concave portion 31d and is rotatably connected to the second link arm 35 via the sixth shaft 41. Further, in the first connecting arm 32, a portion between the first end portion and the second end portion is rotatably connected to the second connecting arm 33 via the seventh shaft 42. The seventh axis 42 is arranged in the gap 44 and is positioned so as to overlap the boundary portion between the brackets 30 and 31.

The second connecting arm 33 has a configuration in which the first connecting arm 32 is rotated by 180 degrees around a vertical axis orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction. That is, the second connecting arm 33 is also a metal rod-shaped member having a substantially boomerang shape. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7A, the second connecting arm 33 gradually inclines downward from the first end on the upper right toward the second end on the lower left, and then in the X direction from the vicinity of the seventh axis 42. It extends along. The first end portion of the second connecting arm 33 is arranged in the concave portion 31d and is rotatably connected to the second bracket 31 via the second shaft 37. The second end portion of the second connecting arm 33 is arranged in the concave portion 30d and is rotatably connected to the first link arm 34 via the fourth shaft 39. The portion between the first end portion and the second end portion of the second connecting arm 33 is rotatably connected to the first connecting arm 32 via the seventh shaft 42. The shapes of the connecting arms 32 and 33 can be changed as appropriate. In the case of the present embodiment, the first connecting arm 32 and the second connecting arm 33 are arranged side by side in the axial direction (Y direction) of the first shaft 36 and the like.

The first link arm 34 is a metal plate-shaped member having a substantially comma shape. The first link arm 34 extends from the first end of the upper end toward the second end of the lower end while being curved so as to bulge on the side opposite to the side of the second bracket 31. The first end of the first link arm 34 is rotatably connected to the first bracket 30 via a third shaft 38. The second end of the first link arm 34 is rotatably connected to the second end of the second connecting arm 33 via a fourth shaft 39.

The second link arm 35 has a symmetrical structure with the first link arm 34. That is, the second link arm 35 is a metal plate-shaped member having a substantially comma shape. The second link arm 35 extends from the first end of the upper end toward the second end of the lower end while being curved so as to bulge on the side opposite to the side of the first bracket 30. The first end portion of the second link arm 35 is rotatably connected to the second bracket 31 via the fifth shaft 40. The second end portion of the second link arm 35 is rotatably connected to the second end portion of the first connecting arm 32 via the sixth shaft 41. The shapes of the link arms 34 and 35 can be changed as appropriate. In the case of the present embodiment, the first link arm 34 is arranged on the outer side of the first connecting arm 32, and the second link arm 35 is arranged on the outer side of the second connecting arm 33. As a result, the connecting arms 32 and 33 are arranged so as to be sandwiched between the left and right link arms 34 and 35.

Each of the shafts 36 to 42 is a metal shaft having a cylindrical shape. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7A, the first shaft 36 crosses the concave portion 30d of the first bracket 30 in the Y direction. The first shaft 36 projects in the Y direction from the inner surface of the first division portion 30A and is fitted into the hole portion 30e of the second division portion 30B. The first shaft 36 rotatably inserts a bearing hole 32a provided at the first end portion of the first connecting arm 32. The first shaft 36 may be provided so as to project from the first end of the first connecting arm 32, and a bearing hole for axially supporting the first shaft 36 may be provided in the first bracket 30.

The second shaft 37 crosses the concave portion 31d of the second bracket 31 in the Y direction. The second shaft 37 projects in the Y direction from the inner surface of the first division portion 31A and is fitted into the hole portion 31e of the second division portion 31B. The second shaft 37 rotatably inserts a bearing hole 33a provided at the first end of the second connecting arm 33. The second shaft 37 may be provided at the first end of the second connecting arm 33, and in this case, a bearing hole for pivotally supporting the second shaft 37 may be provided in the second bracket 31.

The third shaft 38 and the fifth shaft 40 are shafts having a larger diameter than the other shafts 36, 37, 40 to 42. The third shaft 38 is provided on the upper surface 30a side along with the first shaft 36, and crosses the concave portion 30d in the Y direction at a position separated from the second bracket 31 by the first shaft 36. The third shaft 38 projects in the Y direction from the inner surface of the first division portion 30A and is fitted into the hole portion 30f of the second division portion 30B. The third shaft 38 rotatably inserts a bearing hole 34a provided at the first end of the first link arm 34. The third shaft 38 may be provided at the first end of the first link arm 34, and in this case, a bearing hole that pivotally supports the third shaft 38 may be provided in the first bracket 30.

The fifth shaft 40 is provided on the upper surface 31a side along with the second shaft 37, and crosses the concave portion 31d in the Y direction at a position separated from the first bracket 30 by the second shaft 37. The fifth shaft 40 projects in the Y direction from the inner surface of the first division portion 31A and is fitted into the hole portion 31f of the second division portion 31B. The fifth shaft 40 rotatably inserts a bearing hole 35a provided at the first end of the second link arm 35. The fifth shaft 40 may be provided so as to project from the first end of the second link arm 35. In this case, a bearing hole that pivotally supports the fifth shaft 40 may be provided in the second bracket 31.

The fourth shaft 39 projects in the Y direction from the second end of the second connecting arm 33, and is rotatably inserted into the bearing hole 34b provided at the second end of the first link arm 34. The fourth axis 39 is arranged below the third axis 38. The fourth shaft 39 connects the second connecting arm 33 and the first link arm 34 in a relatively rotatable state. The fourth shaft 39 may be provided at the second end of the first link arm 34, and in this case, a bearing hole that pivotally supports the fourth shaft 39 is provided at the second end of the second connecting arm 33. Just do it.

The sixth shaft 41 projects in the Y direction from the second end of the first connecting arm 32 and is rotatably inserted into the bearing hole 35b provided at the second end of the second link arm 35. The sixth axis 41 is arranged below the fifth axis 40. The sixth shaft 41 connects the first connecting arm 32 and the second link arm 35 in a relatively rotatable state. The sixth shaft 41 may be provided at the second end of the second link arm 35, and in this case, a bearing hole that pivotally supports the sixth shaft 41 is provided at the second end of the first connecting arm 32. Just do it.

The seventh axis 42 projects in the Y direction from the portion between the first end portion and the second end portion of the first connecting arm 32, and the first end portion and the second end portion of the second connecting arm 33 A bearing hole 33c provided in the intervening portion is rotatably inserted. The seventh shaft 42 connects the first connecting arm 32 and the second connecting arm 33 in a relatively rotatable state. A fixing ring 46 is attached to the tip of the seventh shaft 42 through which the bearing hole 33c is inserted. The fixing ring 46 prevents the second connecting arm 33 from falling off from the seventh shaft 42. The fixing ring 46 is, for example, a metal ring fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the seventh shaft 42 or a metal nut screwed into a male screw provided on the seventh shaft 42. The seventh axis 42 is arranged in the gap 44 between the first axis 36 and the second axis 37 at a position below the first axis 36. As a result, the three axes 36, 37, and 42 are arranged at positions that are the vertices of the triangle. In the case of the present embodiment, when the first axis 36, the second axis 37, and the seventh axis 42 are connected by a line, a downward isosceles triangle is drawn.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, most of the connecting arms 32 and 33 and the entire link arms 34 and 35 are housed in the recesses 30d and 31d of the brackets 30 and 31. As shown in FIG. 7A, in the hinge device 14, the connecting arms 32, 33, the link arms 34, 35, and the first axis 36 to the sixth axis 41 are vertical planes in the vertical direction including the axis of the seventh axis 42. It has a symmetrical structure.

Further, the hinge device 14 of the present embodiment includes a first torque generator 48 and a second torque generator 50. The first torque generator 48 has a first bridge member 52 and a second bridge member 53 (see FIG. 7A). The second torque generator 50 has a disc spring 54 (see FIGS. 6 and 7A). Only one of the first torque generator 48 and the second torque generator 50 may be used.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the first bridge member 52. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 8, the first bridge member 52 is a metal plate bridged between the third shaft 38 and the fourth shaft 39. The first bridge member 52 has a first press-fitting portion 52a at one end and a first insertion portion 52b at the other end.

The first press-fitting portion 52a is a portion in which one end of a metal plate constituting the first bridge member 52 is curled into a circular shape. The third shaft 38 is press-fitted into the first press-fitting portion 52a so as to be relatively rotatable in a state where a predetermined sliding resistance can be generated. The first insertion portion 52b is a portion in which the other end of the metal plate constituting the first bridge member 52 is curled into a circular shape. The fourth shaft 39 is rotatably inserted into the first insertion portion 52b with almost no sliding resistance. As a result, the first bridge member 52 applies a predetermined rotational torque to the turning operation of the fourth shaft 39 centered on the third shaft 38.

By the way, in the present embodiment, by configuring the third shaft 38 to have a large diameter, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the curl shape of the first press-fitting portion 52a, that is, the management accuracy of the rotation torque with respect to the third shaft 38. In other words, if the third shaft 38 has a small diameter like the fourth shaft 39 and the like, it is difficult to form the curl shape of the first press-fitting portion 52a, and it is difficult to accurately manage the rotational torque. Of course, if the first press-fitting portion 52a can be formed into a desired curl shape, the third shaft 38 may be formed of a small diameter shaft similar to the fourth shaft 39 or the like.

The second bridge member 53 has a symmetrical structure with the first bridge member 52. That is, in the second bridge member 53, the second press-fitting portion 53a in which the fifth shaft 40 is press-fitted so as to be relatively rotatable in a state where a predetermined sliding resistance can be generated, and the sixth shaft 41 are in a state where there is almost no sliding resistance. It has a second insertion portion 53b that is rotatably inserted in. As a result, the second bridge member 53 applies a predetermined rotational torque to the turning operation of the sixth shaft 41 centered on the fifth shaft 40. The fifth shaft 40, which is press-fitted into the second press-fitting portion 53a, also has a large diameter for the same reason as the third shaft 38 described above.

Therefore, the first torque generator 48 applies a predetermined rotational torque to the rotation of each of the link arms 34 and 35. As a result, the hinge device 14 applies a predetermined rotational torque to the relative rotation between the brackets 30 and 31. The first torque generator 48 may be composed of only one of the bridge members 52 and 53.

As shown in FIG. 6, the disc spring 54 constituting the second torque generator 50 is extrapolated to the shaft constituting the seventh shaft 42 and sandwiched between the first connecting arm 32 and the second connecting arm 33. Will be done. As a result, the second torque generator 50 applies a predetermined rotational torque to the relative rotation of the connecting arms 32 and 33. As a result, the hinge device 14 applies a predetermined rotational torque to the relative rotation between the brackets 30 and 31. The disc spring 54 can adjust the rotational torque applied between the connecting arms 32 and 33 by adjusting the tightening strength of the fixing ring 46 with respect to the seventh shaft 42, for example.

It is difficult for the bridge members 52 and 53 constituting the first torque generator 48 to form the press-fitted portions 52a and 53a with high accuracy. Therefore, if the torque generated by the sliding resistance between the shafts 38 and 40 is strictly controlled, the yield will decrease. Therefore, in the case of the present embodiment, the torque balance between the left and right brackets 30 and 31 can be easily achieved by adjusting the rotational torque between the connecting arms 32 and 33 with the disc spring 54 constituting the second torque generator 50. Can be adjusted. That is, the second torque generator 50 also has a function as a torque adjusting unit.

Next, the operation of rotating the electronic device 10 from the usage form to the storage form will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A to 7D.

In the usage pattern shown in FIG. 7A, in the hinge device 14, the first bracket 30 and the second bracket 31 are arranged in the X direction, and the upper surfaces 30a and 31a of the hinge device 14 are arranged on substantially the same plane. In this state, the brackets 30 and 31 are close to each other with their inner end surfaces 30c and 31c facing each other. The first connecting arm 32 is in a posture of rotating most clockwise with respect to the first bracket 30 with the first shaft 36 as the center of rotation. On the contrary, the second connecting arm 33 is in a posture of rotating most counterclockwise with respect to the second bracket 31 with the second shaft 37 as the center of rotation. The first link arm 34 is in a posture of rotating most clockwise with respect to the first bracket 30 with the third axis 38 as the center of rotation. On the contrary, the second link arm 35 is in a posture of rotating most counterclockwise with respect to the second bracket 31 with the fifth axis 40 as the center of rotation. The seventh axis 42 is pulled down to the position farthest from the display 16 and is located between the fourth axis 39 and the sixth axis 41.

Therefore, in the usage mode, each element of the hinge device 14 is compressed in the vertical direction to be thinned. Therefore, the hinge device 14 is completely housed inside the housings 12A and 12B in a side view.

Next, when the electronic device 10 is changed from the usage form (180 degrees) to the storage form (0 degrees) shown in FIG. 7D, for example, the directions in which the housings 12A and 12B are grasped by the left and right hands and the display 16 is closed. Fold it in.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D, in the hinge device 14, the left and right brackets 30 and 31 are relatively close to each other as the connecting arms 32 and 33 rotate about the seventh axis 42. It rotates and gradually folds. At that time, the first connecting arm 32 rotates counterclockwise with the first shaft 36 as the center of rotation. At the same time, the second link arm 35, which is connected to the first connecting arm 32 by the sixth axis 41, rotates clockwise around the fifth axis 40. On the contrary, the second connecting arm 33 rotates clockwise with the second shaft 37 as the center of rotation. At the same time, the first link arm 34 connected to the second connecting arm 33 by the fourth axis 39 rotates counterclockwise with the third axis 38 as the center of rotation. Therefore, the seventh axis 42 connecting the connecting arms 32 and 33 gradually moves closer to the display 16 side. At the same time, the bent region 16b of the display 16 is gradually bent into an arc shape.

Here, the first end of the first connecting arm 32 is connected to the first bracket 30, and the second end is connected to the second bracket 31 via the second link arm 35. Further, the first end portion of the second connecting arm 33 is connected to the second bracket 31, and the second end portion is connected to the first bracket 30 via the first link arm 34. That is, in the hinge device 14, the first connecting arm 32 and the second connecting arm 33 that are rotatably connected to each other on the seventh axis 42 and intersect with each other are connected between the brackets 30 and 31 in a bracing manner. As a result, in the hinge device 14, the rotation between the connecting arms 32 and 33 is synchronized, and the rotation between the brackets 30 and 31 is also synchronized. As a result, when the hinge device 14 rotates between the brackets 30 and 31 (between the housings 12A and 12B), the display 16 is suppressed from being subjected to an unbalanced bending load biased to the left and right in the bending region 16b. And can be folded in a well-balanced manner. Therefore, the hinge device 14 can smoothly bend the bent region 16b of the display 16 while maintaining the desired curvature, and can prevent the display 16 from malfunctioning.

Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, immediately after the start of rotation between the housings 12A and 12B, the inner end surfaces 30c and 31c of the left and right brackets 30 and 31 are connected to the first shaft 36 and the second shaft 37. Moves apart as the movement moves apart. Therefore, a compressive force is applied to the bent region 16b of the display 16 immediately after the start of rotation, and it is possible to prevent wrinkles and lifting from occurring in this portion.

Further, since the hinge device 14 includes torque generators 48 and 50, the rotational operation between the housings 12A and 12B is stable. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 7B, the housings 12A and 12B can be rotated by 120 degrees to maintain the angular position between the housings 12A and 12B in this state. Then, for example, a software keyboard or the like can be displayed on a part of the display 16 on the second housing 12B side in FIG. 7B, and the electronic device 10 can also be used as a notebook PC.

In the storage form shown in FIG. 7D, the hinge device 14 has an arrangement in which the upper surfaces 30a and 31A of the left and right brackets 30 and 31 face each other. In this state, the first connecting arm 32 is in the posture of rotating most counterclockwise with the first axis 36 as the center of rotation. At the same time, the second link arm 35 is in the posture of rotating most clockwise with the fifth axis 40 as the center of rotation. On the contrary, the second connecting arm 33 is in the posture of rotating most clockwise with the second shaft 37 as the center of rotation. At the same time, the first link arm 34 is in the posture of rotating most counterclockwise with the third axis 38 as the center of rotation. Therefore, the seventh axis 42 connecting the connecting arms 32 and 33 is arranged at the position closest to the back surface of the bent region 16b of the display 16. Then, the seventh axis 42 is arranged with a predetermined gap between it and the back surface of the bent region 16b having a substantially U shape. As a result, in the storage mode, the hinge device 14 is prevented from projecting the seventh shaft 42 and its peripheral portion from the inner end surfaces 30c and 31c of the brackets 30 and 31.

Since the rotation operation from the storage form shown in FIG. 7D to the usage form shown in FIG. 7A is the reverse operation to the above-mentioned folding operation, the description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, the hinge device 14 of the present embodiment includes the brackets 30, 31, the connecting arms 32, 33, the link arms 34, 35, and the first shafts 36 to the seventh shafts 42, which are the rotation axes thereof. , Equipped with.

Therefore, in the hinge device 14, the arms 32 to 35 are prevented from protruding upward from the upper surfaces 30a and 31a of the brackets 30 and 31, regardless of their rotational postures. Therefore, in the hinge device 14, the arms 32 to 35 do not protrude on the appearance of the housings 12A and 12B of the mounted electronic device 10, and the deterioration of the appearance quality can be suppressed. Specifically, in the electronic device 10, each element of the hinge device 14 outside the surface 16a of the display 16 receives an inner ring difference when folded. However, the hinge device 14 can absorb the above-mentioned inner ring difference by the arms 32 to 35 and can prevent the display 16 from interfering with the display 16. Therefore, when the hinge device 14 is mounted on the electronic device 10, the brackets 30, 31, the connecting arms 32, 33, the link arms 34, 35, and the first axis 36 to the seventh axis 42 are attached to the surface of the display 16. It can be arranged outside 16a. As a result, it is possible to prevent the hinge device 14 from being exposed on the upper surfaces of the housings 12A and 12B and deteriorating the appearance quality of the electronic device 10. Therefore, since the electronic device 10 is provided with such a hinge device 14, the display 16 can be stably bent while ensuring its appearance quality.

In the hinge device 14, the first axis 36, the second axis 37, and the seventh axis 42 are arranged at positions that are the vertices of the triangle. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D, the hinge device 14 is made as small as possible while enabling the bending operation of the display 16 with a smooth and accurate curvature.

In the hinge device 14, the first shaft 36 and the second shaft 37, which are the connecting shafts of the connecting arms 32 and 33 to the brackets 30 and 31, are arranged at positions close to the upper surfaces 30a and 31a of the brackets 30 and 31, respectively. ing. As a result, the first shaft 36 and the second shaft 37, which are the connecting shafts of the connecting arms 32 and 33 with respect to the brackets 30 and 31, are arranged at positions where their axes are as close to the display 16 as possible. Therefore, the hinge device 14 can bend the display 16 with a desired curvature while configuring the connecting arms 32, 33 and the link arms 34, 35 with the minimum size.

That is, suppose that the axes of the first axis 36 and the second axis 37 are arranged on the lower surfaces 30b and 31b side of the positions shown in FIG. 7A, for example. In this configuration, unless the connecting arms 32, 33 and the link arms 34, 35 are made larger than the configuration examples shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D, the display 16 has the same curvature as the configuration examples shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D. It causes a situation where it cannot be bent. As a result, the hinge device 14 becomes large as a whole, which hinders the thinning of the housings 12A and 12B.

Further, for this reason, in the present embodiment, the press-fitting portions 52a, 53a of the bridge members 52, 53 constituting the first torque generator 48 are not the first shaft 36 and the second shaft 37, but the third shaft. It is connected to 38 and the fifth axis 40. As a result, even if the shafts 38 and 40 are configured to have a large diameter and the axes of the shafts 38 and 40 are separated downward from the upper surfaces 30a and 31a, the positions of the first shaft 36 and the second shaft 37 are maintained. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the hinge device 14 from becoming large. However, in the specifications and the like that do not need to consider the problem of increasing the size of the hinge device 14, for example, the first bridge member 52 is bridged between the first shaft 36 and the seventh shaft 42, and the second bridge member 53 may be bridged between the second shaft 37 and the seventh shaft 42, and the diameters of the respective shafts 36 and 37 may be increased.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and of course, it can be freely changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

In the above, in the storage form shown in FIG. 7D, a configuration in which the upper surfaces 30a and 31a of the left and right brackets 30 and 31 face each other in parallel is illustrated. However, the upper surfaces 30a and 31a may be configured to face each other in a slightly tilted state in the storage form.

In the above, the electronic device 10 that can be folded in half like a book has been illustrated, but the present invention has a configuration in which housings of the same shape are folded in half, for example, on the left and right edges of a large housing. Double-door configuration in which small housings are foldably connected, S-shaped folding configuration in which housings with different folding directions are connected to the left and right edges of one housing, one left and right edge of the large housing It can be applied to various configurations such as a J-shaped folding configuration in which small housings are foldably connected to each other, and the number of housings connected may be 4 or more.

10 Electronic equipment 12A 1st housing 12B 2nd housing 14 Hinge device 16 Display 16a Surface 16b Folded area 30 1st bracket 31 2nd bracket 32 1st connecting arm 33 2nd connecting arm 34 1st link arm 35 2nd Link arm 36 1st axis 37 2nd axis 38 3rd axis 39 4th axis 40 5th axis 41 6th axis 42 7th axis 48 1st torque generator 50 2nd torque generator 52 1st bridge member 53 2nd Bridge member 54 Belleville spring

Claims (10)

It ’s a hinge device,
A first bracket for fixing to the first housing of an electronic device,
A second bracket provided so as to face the first bracket and for fixing to the second housing of the electronic device,
A first connecting arm whose first end is rotatably connected to the first bracket via a first shaft,
A second connecting arm whose first end is rotatably connected to the second bracket via a second shaft.
The first end was rotatably connected to the first bracket via a third shaft, and the second end was rotatably connected to the second end of the second connecting arm via a fourth shaft. 1st link arm and
The first end was rotatably connected to the second bracket via a fifth axis, and the second end was rotatably connected to the second end of the first connecting arm via a sixth axis. With the second link arm
A second portion that rotatably connects a portion between the first end portion and the second end portion of the first connecting arm and a portion between the first end portion and the second end portion of the second connecting arm. 7 axes and
With
It can rotate from an open posture in which the upper surface of the first bracket and the upper surface of the second bracket are arranged on substantially the same plane to a closed posture in which the upper surface of the first bracket and the upper surface of the second bracket face each other. A hinge device characterized by being. The hinge device according to claim 1.
In the open posture, when viewed from the axial direction of the first axis,
The first axis is arranged on the upper surface side of the first bracket.
The second axis is arranged on the upper surface side of the second bracket.
The seventh axis is arranged below the first axis and the second axis and at a position between the first axis and the second axis, and the first bracket and the second bracket A hinge device characterized by overlapping the boundaries of the. The hinge device according to claim 2.
A hinge device, wherein the first axis, the second axis, and the seventh axis are arranged at positions that are the vertices of a triangle. The hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
A hinge device including a first torque generator that applies a predetermined rotational torque to the rotation between the first bracket and the second bracket. The hinge device according to claim 4.
The first torque generator has a first bridge member bridged between the third shaft and the fourth shaft.
The first bridge member includes a first press-fitting portion in which a shaft constituting the third shaft is rotatably press-fitted, and a first insertion portion in which a shaft constituting the fourth shaft is rotatably inserted. A hinge device characterized by having. The hinge device according to claim 5.
The hinge device is characterized in that the third shaft is composed of a shaft having a diameter larger than that of the shaft constituting the first shaft. The hinge device according to any one of claims 4 to 6.
The first torque generator has a second bridge member bridged between the fifth shaft and the sixth shaft.
The second bridge member includes a second press-fitting portion in which the shaft constituting the fifth shaft is rotatably press-fitted, and a second insertion portion in which the shaft constituting the sixth shaft is rotatably inserted. A hinge device characterized by having. The hinge device according to claim 7.
The fifth shaft is a hinge device having a shaft having a diameter larger than that of the shaft constituting the second shaft. The hinge device according to any one of claims 4 to 8.
Further, by inserting the shaft constituting the 7th axis and sandwiching it between the 1st connecting arm and the 2nd connecting arm, the 1st connecting arm and the 2nd connecting arm with respect to the 7th axis are sandwiched between the first connecting arm and the second connecting arm. A hinge device including a second torque generator that applies a predetermined rotation torque to the rotation of the hinge device. An electronic device including the hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
The first bracket is fixed to the first housing,
The second bracket is fixed to the second housing,
Further, it is provided so as to extend over the upper surface of the first housing and the upper surface of the second housing, and the hinge device causes the first housing and the second housing to rotate relatively. An electronic device comprising a display having a folding area that can be bent accordingly.

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