TWI657203B - Electronic device and hinge mechanism thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A pivoting mechanism includes a base, a first torsion assembly and a second torsion assembly. The first torsion assembly includes a first pivot and a first gear. The first pivot is pivoted to the base and coupled to a rotating member to enable the rotating member to be adapted to rotate relative to the base. The first gear sleeve is sleeved on the first pivot. The second torsion assembly includes a second pivot and a second gear. The second pivot is pivoted to the base. The second gear sleeve is sleeved on the second pivot. The first gear is adapted to drive the second gear to rotate, and a first outer diameter of the first gear is greater than a second outer diameter of the second gear.

Description

Electronic device and its pivoting mechanism

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

As technology continues to advance, more complex and more humane electronic products are being introduced. Taking computers as an example, computers have gradually become an indispensable tool in the lives and work of ordinary people. The notebook computer has the same functions as a general desktop computer, and with its small size and light weight, the user is quite convenient to carry around. When used to read articles, watch audiovisual programs or videos, electronic devices such as smart phones and tablets are placed on the table, and the brackets are usually used to support the electronic devices for the convenience of the user.

Current types of brackets include external or direct attachment to electronic devices. The external type can be stand-alone or mounted on a protective cover of a multimedia device. In general, the protective cover is made of leather or plastic, and the strength is low. The bracket is a piece of paper or plastic sheet coated therein, and the service life is short due to low mechanical strength. Stand-alone brackets can have higher mechanical strength, but are less portable. The bracket directly attached to the electronic device can make the electronic device do not need additional accessories, and the body can change different angles to facilitate the user's operation. The design is mainly to change the angle of use of the tablet computer by using the bracket in the electronic device body. The pivoting design is used to support the tablet. The bracket and the housing are usually butted together by a pivot. However, due to the limitations of design, light and short, the size of the pivot is also strictly limited, but it must provide considerable torque. Therefore, the torque of the current pivot usually decreases rapidly with the increase of the use time, so that the service life of the pivot is difficult to meet the design requirements.

The invention provides an electronic device and a pivoting mechanism thereof, which can effectively reduce the volume of the pivot structure and provide sufficient torque.

The pivoting mechanism of the present invention includes a base, a first torsion assembly and a second torsion assembly. The first torsion assembly includes a first pivot and a first gear. The first pivot is pivoted to the base and coupled to a rotating member to enable the rotating member to be adapted to rotate relative to the base. The first gear sleeve is sleeved on the first pivot. The second torsion assembly includes a second pivot and a second gear. The second pivot is pivoted to the base. The second gear sleeve is sleeved on the second pivot. The first gear is adapted to drive the second gear to rotate, and a first outer diameter of the first gear is greater than a second outer diameter of the second gear.

The electronic device of the present invention comprises a first body, a second body and a pivoting mechanism. The second body is adapted to rotate relative to the first body. The pivoting mechanism includes a base, a first torsion assembly and a second torsion assembly. The base is fixed to the first body. The first torsion assembly includes a first pivot and a first gear. The first pivot is pivoted to the base and connected to the second body. The first pivot is adapted to rotate relative to the base, and the first gear is sleeved on the first pivot. The second torsion assembly includes a second pivot and a second gear. The second pivot is pivoted to the base. The second gear sleeve is sleeved on the second pivot. The first gear is adapted to drive the second gear to rotate, and a first outer diameter of the first gear is greater than a second outer diameter of the second gear.

In an embodiment of the invention, the first torsion assembly further includes at least one first elastic member and a first fixing member. The first fixing member is disposed at one end of the first pivot, and the first elastic member abuts The first fixing member is coupled to the first gear to provide a first torque.

In an embodiment of the invention, the at least one first elastic member comprises a sheet spring or a coil spring, and the first fixing member comprises a nut.

In an embodiment of the invention, the second torsion assembly further includes a second elastic member and a second fixing member. The second fixing member is disposed at one end of the second pivot, and the second elastic member abuts Between the two fixing members and the second gear to provide a second torque.

In an embodiment of the invention, the at least one second elastic member comprises a compression spring or a coil spring, and the second fixing member comprises a nut.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the pivoting mechanism further includes: a multi-segment rotating mechanism that is sleeved on the first pivot and forms a multi-segment structure interference with the first gear to control the first gear in multiple stages a rotation angle.

In an embodiment of the invention, the multi-segment rotating mechanism includes a ratchet that includes a plurality of ratchet teeth to form a multi-segmental structural interference with the first gear.

In an embodiment of the invention, the base further includes a stop member surrounding the first pivot of the portion, the first gear further includes a stop structure protruding from the first gear to the stop member, the stop The structure is adapted to rotate with the first gear to interfere with the stop structure to secure a maximum angle of rotation of the first gear.

In an embodiment of the invention, the pivoting mechanism further includes: a third torsion assembly coupled between the first torsion assembly and the second torsion assembly, and including a third pivot and a third gear The third pivot is pivotally disposed on the base, and the third gear sleeve is disposed on the third pivot and meshes with the first gear and the second gear respectively, wherein a third outer diameter of the third gear is greater than the second outer diameter and is less than First outer diameter.

In an embodiment of the invention, the first body is a tablet computer, and the second body is a support frame.

Based on the above, the pivoting mechanism of the present invention and the electronic device using the same utilize the difference in outer diameter between the gears on the at least two pivots to amplify the torque provided by the torsion assembly, so that the torque component can be used in a smaller amount or more The short length of the elastic member can achieve the preset torque of the pivoting mechanism, thereby reducing the volume and production cost of the pivoting mechanism. Further, in such a configuration, the external force applied from the outside must be at least larger than the amplified torque to rotate the second body (rotating member), thereby improving the stability of the electronic device using the pivoting mechanism. Therefore, the pivoting mechanism and the electronic device of the embodiment of the present invention can effectively reduce the number and/or length of the elastic members, thereby reducing the space of the electronic device occupied by the pivoting mechanism, and the pivoting mechanism of the embodiment of the present invention can be permeable. The difference in outer diameter of the gear is used to amplify the torque provided by it, so that the torque can be easily achieved, thereby prolonging the service life of the pivoting mechanism.

The above described features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description.

The above and other technical contents, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention. The directional terms mentioned in the following embodiments, such as "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", etc., are only directions referring to the additional schema. Therefore, the directional terminology used is for the purpose of illustration and not limitation. Also, in the following embodiments, the same or similar elements will be given the same or similar reference numerals.

1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device 10 of the present embodiment can include a first body 200, a second body 300, and a pivoting mechanism 100 as shown in FIG. The second body 300 is rotatable relative to the first body 200 through the pivot mechanism 100. In this embodiment, the electronic device 10 can be a tablet computer, wherein the first body 200 can be a tablet body, and the second body 300 can be a support frame for supporting the tablet body. The rotating mechanism 100 rotates relative to the tablet body in a rotation direction R1 to provide support for the tablet body by rotating to an appropriate angle. Of course, the invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the electronic device 10 can also be a notebook computer or other electronic device suitable for pivoting.

2 is a schematic illustration of a pivoting mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the pivoting mechanism 100 can include a base 110, a first torsion assembly 120, and a second torsion assembly 130 as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the base 110 can be fixed to the first body 200 by, for example, screwing. The first torsion assembly 120 includes a first pivot 122 and a first gear 124. The first pivot 122 is pivotally mounted on the base 110 and coupled to a rotating member 140 to rotate the rotating member 140 relative to the base 110, and the first gear 124 is sleeved on the first pivot 122. In this embodiment, the rotating member 140 can be the second body 300 or a member connected to the second body 300. As such, the first pivot 122 can pass through the base 110 to rotate relative to the base 110, and one end of the first pivot 122 can be coupled to the rotating member 140, so that the rotating member 140 can drive the first pivot 122 and the first gear 124 relative to each other. The base 110 rotates.

Further, the first torsion assembly 120 further includes at least one first elastic member 126 and a first fixing member 128. In the present embodiment, the first elastic member 126 may be, for example, a sheet spring (ie, a disc spring) or a coil spring, and the first fixing member 128 may be a nut. The first fixing member 128 is disposed at one end of the first pivot 122 (relative to one end of the rotating member 140), and the first elastic member 126 abuts between the first fixing member 128 and the first gear 124 to face the first gear 124 and the first pivot 122 provide a first torque. In this embodiment, the magnitude of the first torsion can be controlled by adjusting the degree of tightening of the screw of the nut (the first fixing member 128).

Referring to FIG. 2 , the second torsion assembly 130 includes a second pivot 132 and a second gear 134 . The second pivot 132 is pivoted to the base 110 to rotate relative to the base 110. The second gear 134 is sleeved on the second pivot 132. Similarly, the second torsion assembly 130 further includes at least one second elastic member 136 and a second fixing member 138. In the present embodiment, the second elastic member 136 may be, for example, a sheet spring (ie, a disc spring) or a coil spring, and the second fixing member 138 may be a nut. The second fixing member 138 is disposed at one end of the second pivot 132. The second elastic member 136 abuts between the second fixing member 138 and the second gear 134 to provide a second gear 134 and a second pivot 132. The second torque, and the magnitude of the second torque can be controlled by the tightness of the nut (second fixture 138).

In the present embodiment, the first gear 124 and the second gear 134 are meshed with each other to be adapted to be driven to rotate with each other. Also, the first outer diameter of the first gear 124 may be greater than the second outer diameter of the second gear 134 as shown in FIG. As such, the torque provided by the second torsion assembly 130 can be amplified by different outer diameters (force arms) and/or gear ratios of the first gear 124 and the second gear 134, so that a smaller number or a shorter length can be used. The second elastic member 136 can provide sufficient torque to reduce the volume and production cost of the pivot mechanism 100. Thus, the external force of the rotating member 140 must be at least greater than the first torsion force and the second torsion force amplified by the size outer diameter (force arm) of the gears 124, 134 to rotate the rotating member 140, thereby improving the use of the rotating member 140. The stability of the electronic device 10 of the pivot mechanism 100. The first torsion and the second torsion that is amplified by the difference in outer diameter of the gears 124, 134 are the predetermined torsional forces that must be overcome to rotate the rotating member 140. The pivoting mechanism 100 of the present embodiment can achieve the preset torque by adjusting the difference in outer diameter of the gears 124, 134 and the number and length of the second elastic members 136.

3 is a schematic illustration of a pivoting mechanism in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a schematic view of the multi-stage rotating mechanism of FIG. 3. It should be noted that the pivoting mechanism 100 of the present embodiment is similar to the pivoting mechanism 100 of FIG. 2, and therefore, the present embodiment uses the same reference numerals and parts of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or Approximate elements, and the description of the same technical content is omitted. For the description of the omitted part, reference may be made to the foregoing embodiment, and the description is not repeated herein. Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the difference between the pivoting mechanism 100 of the present embodiment and the pivoting mechanism 100 of FIG. 2 will be described below.

In this embodiment, the pivoting mechanism 100 further includes a multi-segment rotating mechanism 125, which is sleeved on the first pivot 122 as shown in FIG. 3, and the multi-segment rotating mechanism 125 forms a multi-segment with the first gear 124. The structural interference controls the rotational angle of the first gear 124 in multiple stages. Further, the multi-segment rotating mechanism 125 can be a ratchet as shown in FIG. 4, and includes a plurality of ratchet teeth 125a. The end surface of the first gear 124 contacting the multi-segment rotating mechanism 125 can be configured to cooperate with the ratchet teeth 125a. A multi-segmental structural interference can be formed with the ratchet teeth 125a of the multi-segment rotating mechanism 125 to facilitate the user to control the angle of rotation of the rotating member 140. In an embodiment of the invention, each of the ratchet teeth 125a can be an isosceles triangle structure having an obtuse angle, so that the rotation of the multi-segment rotating mechanism 125 can be free from the direction (ie, can be clockwise or counterclockwise).

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a pivoting mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pivoting mechanism of Figure 5. It should be noted that the pivoting mechanism 100 of the present embodiment is similar to the pivoting mechanism 100 of FIG. 3. Therefore, the present embodiment uses the same reference numerals and parts of the foregoing embodiments, and the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or Approximate elements, and the description of the same technical content is omitted. For the description of the omitted part, reference may be made to the foregoing embodiment, and the description is not repeated herein. Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the difference between the pivoting mechanism 100 of the present embodiment and the pivoting mechanism 100 of FIG. 3 will be described below.

In this embodiment, the pivoting mechanism 100 further includes a third torsion assembly 150 coupled between the first torsion assembly 120 and the second torsion assembly 130, and the third torsion assembly 150 includes a third pivot 152 and a third gear 154. The third pivot 152 is disposed on the base 110 and disposed between the first pivot 122 and the second pivot 132. The third gear 154 is sleeved on the third pivot 152 and respectively coupled to the first gear 124 and The second gear 134 is engaged, wherein the third outer diameter D3 of the third gear 154 is greater than the second outer diameter D2 of the second gear 134 and smaller than the first outer diameter D1 of the first gear 124, as shown in FIG. That is, the third outer diameter D3 of the third gear 154 is between the first outer diameter D1 of the first gear 124 and the second outer diameter D2 of the second gear 134. As such, the second torsion provided by the second torsion assembly 130 can be amplified again via the third outer diameter D3 of the third gear 154. Therefore, the number and length of the second elastic members 136 required by the second torsion assembly 130 can be further reduced. The preset torque of the pivoting mechanism 100 can be reached. In the present embodiment, the third gear 154 can be an idler that can be rotated by the driving of the first gear 124 to drive the second gear 134 to rotate.

7 and 8 are schematic views of the pivoting mechanism of Fig. 5 in different states. In the present embodiment, the base 110 further includes a stopper 112 that surrounds a portion of the first pivot 122 as shown in FIG. 7. The first gear 124 further includes a stop structure 124a that faces the stopper 112. The direction protrudes from the first gear 124 to be adapted to interfere with the structure of the stop 112. So configured, when the stop structure 124a is rotated from the position of FIG. 7 to the position of FIG. 8 with the first gear 124, the stop structure 124a of the first gear 124 and the stopper 112 of the base 110 cause structural interference, and thus The first gear 124 is blocked from continuing to rotate to fix a maximum angle of rotation of the first gear 124. Therefore, the second body 300 (rotating member 140) can be rotated to this preset maximum rotation angle and fixed thereto to provide support for the first body 200. In other embodiments, the pivoting mechanism 100 can replace the multi-segment rotating mechanism 125 with the design of the stopping structure 124a and the stopper 112. Of course, the pivoting mechanism 100 can also have a stopping structure for controlling the maximum rotation angle. 124a and the stopper 112 and the multi-stage rotating mechanism 125 for controlling the multi-stage rotation.

In summary, the pivoting mechanism of the present invention and the electronic device using the same utilize the difference in outer diameter between the gears on the at least two pivots to amplify the torque provided by the torsion assembly, so that the torque component can be used in a smaller amount. Or a shorter length of the elastic member can achieve the preset torque of the pivoting mechanism, thereby reducing the volume and production cost of the pivoting mechanism. Further, in such a configuration, the external force applied from the outside must be at least larger than the amplified torque to rotate the second body (rotating member), thereby improving the stability of the electronic device using the pivoting mechanism. Therefore, the pivoting mechanism and the electronic device of the embodiment of the present invention can effectively reduce the number and/or length of the elastic members, thereby reducing the space of the electronic device occupied by the pivoting mechanism, and the pivoting mechanism of the embodiment of the present invention can be permeable. The difference in outer diameter of the gear is used to amplify the torque provided by it, so that the torque can be easily achieved, thereby prolonging the service life of the pivoting mechanism.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention, and any one of ordinary skill in the art can make some changes and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

10‧‧‧Electronic devices

100‧‧‧ pivoting mechanism

110‧‧‧Base

112‧‧‧stops

120‧‧‧First Torque Assembly

122‧‧‧First pivot

124‧‧‧First gear

124a‧‧‧stop structure

125‧‧‧Multi-section rotating mechanism

125a‧‧‧ ratchet

126‧‧‧First elastic parts

128‧‧‧First fixture

130‧‧‧Second Torque Assembly

132‧‧‧Second pivot

134‧‧‧second gear

136‧‧‧Second elastic parts

138‧‧‧Second fixture

140‧‧‧Rotating parts

150‧‧‧ Third Torque Assembly

152‧‧‧ third pivot

154‧‧‧ Third gear

200‧‧‧ first body

300‧‧‧Second body

D1‧‧‧ first outer diameter

D2‧‧‧ second outer diameter

D3‧‧‧ third outer diameter

R1‧‧‧Rotation direction

1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a schematic illustration of a pivoting mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a schematic illustration of a pivoting mechanism in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a schematic view of the multi-stage rotating mechanism of FIG. 3. Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a pivoting mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pivoting mechanism of Figure 5. 7 and 8 are schematic views of the pivoting mechanism of Fig. 5 in different states.

Claims (19)

A pivoting mechanism includes: a base; a first torsion assembly including a first pivot and a first gear, the first pivot pivoted to the base and coupled to a rotating member to adapt the rotating member The first gear is sleeved on the first pivot, and the second torque component includes a second pivot and a second gear. The second pivot is pivoted on the base. The second gear sleeve is sleeved on the second pivot shaft, the first gear wheel and the second gear wheel mesh with each other such that the first gear wheel is adapted to drive the second gear wheel to rotate, and a first outer gear of the first gear wheel The diameter is greater than a second outer diameter of the second gear. The pivoting mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first torsion assembly further comprises at least one first elastic member and a first fixing member, the first fixing member being disposed at one end of the first pivot. The first elastic member abuts between the first fixing member and the first gear to provide a first torque. The pivoting mechanism of claim 2, wherein the at least one first elastic member comprises a sheet spring or a coil spring, the first fixing member comprising a nut. The pivoting mechanism of claim 1, wherein the second torsion assembly further includes a second elastic member and a second fixing member, the second fixing member is disposed at one end of the second pivot, The second elastic member abuts between the second fixing member and the second gear to provide a second torque. The pivoting mechanism of claim 4, wherein the at least one second elastic member comprises a sheet spring or a coil spring, the second fixing member comprising a nut. The pivoting mechanism of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of rotating mechanisms disposed on the first pivot and forming a multi-segment structural interference with the first gear to control the multi-segment A rotation angle of the first gear. The pivoting mechanism of claim 6, wherein the multi-segment rotating mechanism includes a ratchet that includes a plurality of ratchet teeth to form a multi-segmental structural interference with the first gear. The pivoting mechanism of claim 1, wherein the base further comprises a stop member surrounding the first pivot of the portion, the first gear further comprising a stop structure toward the stop member Projecting from the first gear, the stop structure is adapted to rotate with the first gear to interfere with the stop structure to secure a maximum angle of rotation of the first gear. The pivoting mechanism of claim 1, further comprising: a third torsion assembly coupled between the first torsion assembly and the second torsion assembly, and including a third pivot and a first a third gear pivoted to the base, the third gear sleeve is disposed on the third pivot and meshes with the first gear and the second gear respectively, wherein the third gear is a third outer The diameter is greater than the second outer diameter and smaller than the first outer diameter. An electronic device comprising: a first body; a second body adapted to rotate relative to the first body; and a pivoting mechanism comprising: a base fixed to the first body; a first torsion assembly includes a first pivot and a first gear, the first pivot is pivotally mounted to the base and coupled to the second body, the first pivot is adapted to rotate relative to the base, the first a gear is sleeved on the first pivot; and a second torque component includes a second pivot and a second gear, the second pivot is pivoted on the base, and the second gear is sleeved on the first On the two pivots, the first gear and the second gear mesh with each other such that the first gear is adapted to drive the second gear to rotate, and a first outer diameter of the first gear is greater than a first of the second gear Two outer diameters. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the first torsion assembly further comprises at least one first elastic member and a first fixing member, the first fixing member is disposed at one end of the first pivot shaft, The first elastic member abuts between the first fixing member and the first gear to provide a first torque. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the at least one first elastic member comprises a tablet spring or a coil spring, the first fixing member comprising a nut. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the second torsion assembly further includes a second elastic member and a second fixing member, the second fixing member is disposed at one end of the second pivot, the first The two elastic members abut between the second fixing member and the second gear to provide a second torque. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the at least one second elastic member comprises a tablet spring or a coil spring, and the second fixing member comprises a nut. The electronic device according to claim 10, further comprising: A plurality of rotating mechanisms are disposed on the first pivot and form a multi-segment structure interference with the first gear to control a rotation angle of the first gear in multiple stages. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the multi-segment rotating mechanism comprises a ratchet comprising a plurality of ratchet teeth to form a multi-segment structural interference with the first gear. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the base further comprises a stop member surrounding the first pivot of the portion, the first gear further comprising a stop structure protruding toward the stop member In the first gear, the stop structure is adapted to rotate with the first gear to interfere with the stop structure to secure a maximum angle of rotation of the first gear. The electronic device of claim 10, further comprising: a third torsion component coupled between the first torsion component and the second torsion component, and including a third pivot and a third a third pivot is pivotally disposed on the base, the third gear is sleeved on the third pivot and meshes with the first gear and the second gear respectively, wherein a third outer diameter of the third gear Greater than the second outer diameter and smaller than the first outer diameter. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the first body is a tablet body, and the second body is a support frame.