TWI674497B - Pivot mechanism and electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

A pivoting mechanism includes a hinge structure, at least one deformable pattern layer, and at least one decorative protective layer. The deformable pattern layer is arranged on the hinge structure and has a plurality of hollow patterns, wherein the hollow patterns are separated from each other. The decorative protective layer is disposed on the hinge structure and is located on the same side as the deformable pattern layer.

Description

Pivot mechanism and electronic device

The invention relates to a pivot mechanism and an electronic device, and more particularly to a pivot mechanism capable of achieving a stable and smooth pivoting action and an electronic device using the pivot mechanism.

Most portable electronic devices use a folding method to reduce the storage area, so as to achieve the purpose of thin, light and short electronic products. Generally, portable electronic devices are mostly composed of a screen module and a host body, and the screen module and the host body are pivoted by being connected to each other through a hinge structure. In this way, when the user opens or closes the portable electronic device, the screen module and the host body can rotate with each other through the hinge structure. However, a portable electronic device with a hinge structure can see the exposed hinge structure from the appearance, so an industrial design is needed to make further packaging and beautify the appearance design. However, packaging and beautifying on the hinge structure can easily cause the problem of unsmooth pivoting. Therefore, how to make the pivoting action of the portable electronic device more stable and smooth and at the same time take into account the beautiful appearance has become one of the problems to be solved urgently.

The invention provides a pivoting mechanism, which can achieve a stable and smooth pivoting action, and has functions of beauty, waterproofness and dustproofness.

The invention also provides an electronic device, an electronic device using the pivot mechanism.

The pivot mechanism of the present invention includes a hinge structure, at least one deformable pattern layer, and at least one decorative protective layer. The deformable pattern layer is arranged on the hinge structure and has a plurality of hollow patterns, wherein the hollow patterns are separated from each other. The decorative protective layer is disposed on the hinge structure and is located on the same side as the deformable pattern layer.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned decorative protective layer is located between the deformable pattern layer and the hinge structure.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the hardness of the deformable pattern layer is greater than the hardness of the decorative protective layer.

In an embodiment of the invention, the Shore hardness of the deformable pattern layer is between 70HA and 90HA.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the shape of each of the above-mentioned hollow patterns is a rhombus with a gradually decreasing width from the middle to the opposite sides.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned hollow patterns are arranged at equal intervals, and the sizes of the hollow patterns are at least partially the same.

In an embodiment of the present invention, opposite sides of the deformable pattern layer are bent in the same direction.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one deformable pattern layer package described above A first deformable pattern layer and a second deformable pattern layer are included. At least one decorative protective layer includes a first decorative protective layer. The first deformable pattern layer and the first decorative protective layer are located on a first side of the hinge structure.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one decorative protective layer further includes a second decorative protective layer, and the second deformable pattern layer and the second decorative protective layer are located on a second side of the hinge structure opposite to the first side. side.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first decorative protective layer is located between the hinge structure and the first deformable pattern layer, and the second deformable protective layer is located between the hinge structure and the second decorative protective layer.

The electronic device of the present invention includes a first body, a second body, and a pivot mechanism. The pivot mechanism includes a hinge structure, at least one deformable pattern layer, and at least one decorative protective layer. The hinge structure is pivoted between the first body and the second body. The deformable pattern layer is arranged on the hinge structure and has a plurality of hollow patterns, wherein the hollow patterns are separated from each other. The decorative protective layer is disposed on the hinge structure and is located on the same side as the deformable pattern layer.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned decorative protective layer is located between the deformable pattern layer and the hinge structure.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the hardness of the deformable pattern layer is greater than the hardness of the decorative protective layer.

In an embodiment of the invention, the Shore hardness of the deformable pattern layer is between 70HA and 90HA.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a shape of each of the above-mentioned hollow patterns is Rhombuses that gradually decrease in width from the middle to the opposite sides.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned hollow patterns are arranged at equal intervals, and the sizes of the hollow patterns are at least partially the same.

In an embodiment of the present invention, opposite sides of the deformable pattern layer are bent in the same direction.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device further includes a soft edge strip, covering the outer edge of the deformable pattern layer.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one deformable pattern layer includes a first deformable pattern layer and a second deformable pattern layer. At least one decorative protective layer includes a first decorative protective layer. The first deformable pattern layer and the first decorative protective layer are located on a first side of the hinge structure.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one decorative protective layer further includes a second decorative protective layer, and the second deformable pattern layer and the second decorative protective layer are located on a second side of the hinge structure opposite to the first side. side.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first decorative protective layer is located between the hinge structure and the first deformable pattern layer, and the second deformable protective layer is located between the hinge structure and the second decorative protective layer.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the orthographic projection area of the deformable pattern layer on the hinge structure is larger than the hinge structure.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first body sequentially stacked includes a display screen, a first upper case, and a first lower case. The second body includes a keyboard module, a second upper case, and a second lower case that are sequentially stacked. Tangible The variable pattern layer connects the display screen and the keyboard module, and the hinge structure is pivotally connected to the first upper casing and the second upper casing.

Based on the above, in the design of the pivot mechanism of the present invention, a deformable pattern layer and a decorative protective layer are arranged on the hinge structure. Therefore, when the hinge structure is pivoted, the deformable pattern layer can be generated according to the rotation of the hinge structure. Stretch or compress to achieve stable and smooth pivoting. In addition, the provision of a decorative protective layer can make the pivot mechanism have the functions of beauty, waterproofness and dust resistance.

In order to make the above features and advantages of the present invention more comprehensible, embodiments are hereinafter described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10‧‧‧ electronic device

100‧‧‧first body

110‧‧‧display

120‧‧‧First upper case

130‧‧‧First lower case

200‧‧‧Second body

210‧‧‧Keyboard Module

220‧‧‧Second upper case

230‧‧‧Second lower casing

240‧‧‧Side edge soft strip

300‧‧‧ Pivot

310‧‧‧ hinge structure

312‧‧‧first side

314‧‧‧second side

320a, 320b‧‧‧‧Deformable pattern layer

322a, 322b ‧‧‧ Hollow Pattern

330a, 330b‧‧‧decorative protective layer

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

FIG. 2 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a deformable pattern layer of the pivot mechanism of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic partial perspective view of the electronic device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a deformable pattern layer of the pivot mechanism of FIG. 1. For convenience For illustration, some components are not shown in FIG. 2. Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 at the same time. In this embodiment, the electronic device 10 includes a first body 100, a second body 200, and a pivoting mechanism 300. The pivot mechanism 300 is pivotally connected to the first body 100 and the second body 200 so that the first body 100 and the second body 200 can be opened or closed relative to each other by the pivot mechanism 300. Here, the electronic device 10 is, for example, a notebook computer, the first body 100 is, for example, a display module or a touch display module of the electronic device 10, and the second body 200 is, for example, a system module of the electronic device 10.

In this embodiment, the pivot mechanism 300 includes a hinge structure 310, at least one deformable pattern layer (two deformable pattern layers 320a, 320b are schematically shown in FIG. 1), and at least one decorative protective layer (in FIG. 1). Two decorative protective layers 330a, 330b are schematically shown. The hinge structure 310 is pivoted between the first body 100 and the second body 200. The deformable pattern layers 320a and 320b are disposed on the hinge structure 310 and have a plurality of hollow patterns 322a and 322b, wherein the hollow patterns 322a and 322b are separated from each other. The decorative protective layers 330a and 330b are disposed on the hinge structure 310 and are located on the same side as the deformable pattern layers 320a and 322b.

In detail, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first body 100 includes a display screen 110, a first upper case 120, and a first lower case 130 that are sequentially stacked. The second body 200 includes a keyboard module 210, a second upper case 220, and a second lower case 230, which are sequentially stacked. The deformable pattern layer 320a connects the display screen 110 and the keyboard module 210, and the hinge structure 310 is pivotally connected to the first upper casing 120 and the second upper casing 220. The deformable pattern layer 320 a and the decorative protection layer 330 a are located on a first side 312 of the hinge structure 310. The deformable pattern layer 320b and the decorative protective layer 330b are located at the hinge joint The structure 310 is opposite to a second side 314 of the first side 312. The decorative protection layer 330a is located between the hinge structure 310 and the deformable pattern layer 320a, and the deformable pattern layer 320b is located between the hinge structure 310 and the decorative protection layer 330b. In particular, the deformable pattern layers 320a, 320b and the decorative protective layers 330a, 330b disposed on the hinge structure 310 can be regarded as a shielding structure, which can cover the gap between the pivots of the hinge structure 310, and can make the electronic device 10 beautiful. Appearance. Preferably, the orthographic projection area of the deformable pattern layers 320 a and 320 b on the hinge structure 310 is larger than the hinge structure 310.

Here, the material of the deformable pattern layers 320a and 320b and the material of the decorative protective layers 330a and 330b are, for example, silicon rubber, which can have better ductility than rigid materials. When the decorative protective layer 330a and the deformable pattern layer 320b are rubbed against the hinge structure 310, respectively, due to the material characteristics of the decorative protective layer 330a and the deformable pattern layer 320b, noise can also be avoided. Preferably, the hardness of the deformable pattern layers 320a, 320b is greater than the hardness of the decorative protective layers 330a, 330b. The Shore hardness of the deformable pattern layers 320a, 320b is, for example, between 70HA and 90HA. In addition, the decorative protective layers 330a and 330b can be waterproof and dustproof due to their material characteristics. Therefore, the provision of the decorative protective layers 330a and 330b can ensure the waterproof performance of the electronic device 10, and can prevent dust from entering the electronics from the pivot mechanism 300. Inside the device 10.

Please refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 at the same time. The structural design of the deformable pattern layer 320a in this embodiment may be completely the same as the structural design of the deformable pattern layer 320b, or the same or different. In detail, the shape of each hollow pattern 322a (or hollow pattern 322b) is a rhombus whose width gradually decreases from the middle to the opposite sides, which can effectively avoid When the deformable pattern layer 320a (or the deformable pattern layer 320b) is bent, a problem of wrinkling and stacking occurs. That is, the hollow width of the hollow pattern 322a (or hollow pattern 322b) is the widest, and the width of the opposite sides is the narrowest. The hollow patterns 322a (or hollow patterns 322b) can be arranged at equal intervals, and the sizes of the hollow patterns 322a (or hollow patterns 322b) are at least partially the same, which means that they can be completely the same or partially the same. Through the layout configuration of the hollow pattern 322a (or the hollow pattern 322b), for example, the length of the hollow pattern 322a (or the hollow pattern 322b) gradually moves from the middle position of the deformable pattern layer 320a (or the deformable pattern layer 320b) to the positions on opposite sides. Become shorter; the middle width of the hollow pattern 322a (or hollow pattern 322b) gradually narrows from the middle position of the deformable pattern layer 320a (or the deformable pattern layer 320b) to the opposite sides; or, the hollow pattern 322a (or The length and middle width of the hollow pattern 322b) gradually become shorter and narrower from the middle position of the deformable pattern layer 320a (or the deformable pattern layer 320b) to the opposite sides; and the adjacent hollow pattern 322a (or the hollow pattern 322b) can also be dislocated, thereby achieving the effect of dispersing stress. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the arrangement of all the hollow patterns 322a (or the hollow patterns 322b) of the deformable pattern layer 320a (or the deformable pattern layer 320b) may also present a rhombus with a decreasing width from the middle to the opposite sides, But it is not limited to this.

It should be noted that compared with the hollow pattern 322a (or hollow pattern 322b) on the opposite sides, if the hollow pattern 322a (or hollow pattern 322b) in the middle position has the widest and longest length, it is easier The problem is that the amount of deformation is too large and easy to break; if the hollow pattern 322a (or hollow pattern 322b) in the middle position has the widest width, the length is the same as the hollow pattern 322a (or hollow pattern) on the opposite sides. When the length of 322b) is the same, the hollow portion of the hollow pattern 322a (or the hollow pattern 322b) in the middle position has a large margin, and it is difficult to be hindered during bending. Therefore, it is preferable that the hollow pattern 322a (or hollow pattern 322b) at the middle position and the hollow pattern 322a (or hollow pattern 322b) on the opposite sides have the same width, and the hollow pattern 322a (or hollow pattern) in the middle position 322b) has the longest length, and the length of the hollow pattern 322a (or hollow pattern 322b) on the opposite sides gradually decreases from the middle to the sides. This design has no wrinkles when it is bent when the width is sufficient. And round, average force and high strength.

In particular, the opposite sides of the deformable pattern layer 320a (or the deformable pattern layer 320b) of this embodiment are bent in the same direction, that is, bent inward to show the effect of the outer edge being retracted to make the deformable pattern The layer 320a (or the deformable pattern layer 320b) is not easily lifted. Please refer to FIG. 4. In order to make the appearance of the electronic device 10 more consistent and smooth, the electronic device 10 of this embodiment may further include a soft edge strip 240 to cover the deformable pattern layers 320 a and 320 b (refer to FIG. 1). ). Preferably, two soft-edging strips 240 are arranged on opposite sides of the deformable pattern layers 320a and 320b to receive the outer edges of both sides of the deformable pattern layers 320a and 320b. Here, the material of the soft edge strip 240 is, for example, rubber or silicone, but is not limited thereto. It should be noted that if the opposite sides of the deformable pattern layer 320a (or the deformable pattern layer 320b) are not bent in the same direction, which means that the outer edge is flat and there is no effect of the inner edge shrinking, then the soft edge strip is closed. When 240 is used to receive the outer edges of both sides of the deformable pattern layers 320a and 320b, the overall thickness of the electronic device 10 will be thick. In other words, the design of the shrinkage of the outer edge of the deformable pattern layer 320a (or the deformable pattern layer 320b) can be avoided. In order to effectively reduce the thickness of the overall electronic device 10.

Since the deformable pattern layers 320a and 320b have hollow patterns 322a and 322b, when the hinge structure 310 pivots to open or close the first body 100 and the second body 200 of the electronic device 10, the deformable pattern layers 320a and 320b It can be extended or compressed according to the rotation of the hinge structure 310, which means that through the ability of the deformable pattern layers 320a, 320b to be stretchable, retractable and recoverable, it is not easy to produce wrinkles to achieve stability and smooth Pivoting action.

It is worth mentioning that, in the above embodiment, the deformable pattern layers 320a, 320b and the decorative protection layers 330a, 330b are disposed on the first side 312 and the second side 314 of the hinge structure 310, but this is not the case. Limited. In other embodiments not shown, only one deformable pattern layer (such as the deformable pattern layer 320a) and one decorative protective layer (such as the decorative protective layer 330a) may be disposed on one side of the hinge structure 310 (such as the first Side 312); or, there is only one deformable pattern layer (such as deformable pattern layer 320a) and two decorative protective layers (such as decorative protective layers 330a, 330b), where the deformable pattern layer (such as deformable pattern layer 320a) ) And one decorative protective layer (such as decorative protective layer 330a) is disposed on one side (such as the first side 312) of the hinge structure 310, and another decorative protective layer (such as decorative protective layer 330b) is disposed on the other of the hinge structure 310 On one side (such as the second side 314), the foregoing still belongs to the scope of the present invention.

In addition, the present invention does not limit the stacking manner in which the deformable pattern layers 320 a and 320 b and the decorative protection layers 330 a and 330 b are disposed on the hinge structure 310. In other embodiments not shown, the deformable pattern layer 320a may also be located on the decorative protective layer. Between 330a and the hinge structure 310; or, the decorative protection layer 330b is located between the deformable pattern layer 320b and the hinge structure 310, and the above-mentioned configuration still falls within the scope of the present invention.

In summary, in the design of the pivot mechanism of the present invention, a deformable pattern layer and a decorative protective layer are arranged on the hinge structure. Therefore, when the hinge structure is pivoted, the deformable pattern layer can be rotated according to the hinge structure. The extension or compression is generated to achieve a stable and smooth pivoting action. Furthermore, the provision of the decorative protective layer can make the pivoting mechanism have the functions of beauty, waterproofness and dustproofness. In addition, the electronic device applying the pivoting mechanism of the present invention can perform stable and smooth pivoting operations, and has better appearance and structural reliability.

Although the present invention has been disclosed as above with the examples, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person with ordinary knowledge in the technical field can make some modifications and retouching without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The protection scope of the present invention shall be determined by the scope of the attached patent application.

Claims (21)

A pivoting mechanism includes: a hinge structure; at least one deformable pattern layer disposed on the hinge structure and having a plurality of hollow patterns, wherein the hollow patterns are separated from each other; and at least one decorative protective layer disposed on the The hinge structure is located on the same side as the deformable pattern layer, wherein the shape of each hollow pattern is a diamond shape whose width gradually decreases from the middle to the opposite sides. The pivot mechanism as described in item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein the decorative protection layer is located between the deformable pattern layer and the hinge structure. The pivot mechanism as described in item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein the hardness of the deformable pattern layer is greater than the hardness of the decorative protective layer. The pivot mechanism as described in item 3 of the patent application scope, wherein the hardness of the deformable pattern layer is between 70HA and 90HA. The pivot mechanism as described in item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein the hollow patterns are arranged at equal intervals, and the sizes of the hollow patterns are at least partially the same. The pivot mechanism as described in item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein opposite sides of the deformable pattern layer are bent in the same direction. The pivot mechanism as described in item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein the at least one deformable pattern layer includes a first deformable pattern layer and a second deformable pattern layer, and the at least one decorative protective layer includes a first A decorative protection layer, the first deformable pattern layer and the first decorative protection layer are located on a first side of the hinge structure. The pivot mechanism as described in item 7 of the patent application scope, wherein the at least one decorative protective layer further includes a second decorative protective layer, and the second deformable pattern layer and the second decorative protective layer are located opposite the hinge structure On a second side of the first side. The pivot mechanism as described in item 8 of the patent application scope, wherein the first decorative protective layer is located between the hinge structure and the first deformable pattern layer, and the second deformable pattern layer is located between the hinge structure and the Between the second decorative protective layer. An electronic device includes: a first body; a second body; and a pivoting mechanism, including: a hinge structure pivotally disposed between the first body and the second body; at least one deformable pattern layer, Is arranged on the hinge structure and has a plurality of hollow patterns, wherein the hollow patterns are separated from each other; and at least one decorative protective layer is arranged on the hinge structure and is on the same side as the deformable pattern layer, wherein The shape of the hollow pattern is a rhombus whose width gradually decreases from the middle to the opposite sides. The electronic device as described in item 10 of the patent application range, wherein the decorative protection layer is located between the deformable pattern layer and the hinge structure. The electronic device as described in item 10 of the patent application range, wherein the hardness of the deformable pattern layer is greater than the hardness of the decorative protective layer. The electronic device as described in item 12 of the patent application range, wherein the Shore hardness of the deformable pattern layer is between 70HA and 90HA. The electronic device according to item 10 of the patent application scope, wherein the hollow patterns are arranged at equal intervals, and the sizes of the hollow patterns are at least partially the same. The electronic device as described in item 10 of the patent application range, wherein opposite sides of the deformable pattern layer are bent in the same direction. The electronic device as described in item 15 of the scope of the patent application further includes: an edge trimming soft strip covering the outer edge of the deformable pattern layer. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the at least one deformable pattern layer includes a first deformable pattern layer and a second deformable pattern layer, and the at least one decorative protection layer includes a first decoration The protective layer, the first deformable pattern layer and the first decorative protective layer are located on a first side of the hinge structure. The electronic device as claimed in item 17 of the patent application range, wherein the at least one decorative protective layer further includes a second decorative protective layer, and the second deformable pattern layer and the second decorative protective layer are located opposite the hinge structure A second side of the first side. The electronic device of claim 18, wherein the first decorative protective layer is located between the hinge structure and the first deformable pattern layer, and the second deformable pattern layer is located between the hinge structure and the first deformable pattern layer Between two decorative protective layers. The electronic device as described in item 10 of the patent application range, wherein the orthographic projection area of the deformable pattern layer on the hinge structure is larger than the hinge structure. The electronic device as described in item 10 of the patent application range, wherein the first body includes a display screen, a first upper casing, and a first lower casing that are sequentially stacked, and the second body includes sequentially stacked A keyboard module, a second upper casing and a second lower casing, and the deformable pattern layer connects the display screen and the keyboard module, and the hinge structure pivotally connects the first upper casing and the first casing Two upper shell.