TWM555972U - Foldable electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

A foldable electronic device including a first body, a second body, a hinge structure, a movable element, a flexible printed circuit board and an elastic element is provided. The hinge structure is connected to the first body and the second body. The movable element is movably disposed in the second body. The flexible printed circuit board is disposed around at least a portion of the movable element, and passes through the hinge structure, and includes both ends are fixed to the first body and the second body, respectively. The elastic element includes a first end is fixed to the second body, and a second end is connected to the movable element.

Description

Folding electronic device

The present invention relates to an electronic device, and more particularly to a folding electronic device.

The existing folding electronic device is pivotally connected between the first body and the second body through a pivot structure, so that the first body can be opened relative to the second body. In order to electrically connect the first body and the second body, a flexible circuit board is generally disposed in the pivot structure, and the first body and the second body are electrically connected through the flexible circuit board.

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a conventional folding electronic device. 1B and 1C are partial cross-sectional views of the conventional folded electronic device of FIG. 1A. Referring to FIG. 1A to FIG. 1C , the conventional folding electronic device 10 pivotally connects the first body 11 and the second body 12 to each other through the pivot structure 13 , and the flexible circuit board 14 is disposed inside the pivot structure 13 . And electrically connecting the first body 11 and the second body 12. As shown in FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C, the state of the flexible circuit board 14 is shown in FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C. In the conventional folding electronic device 10, the conventional folding electronic device 10 is flexible during the opening process. The panel 14 will produce wrinkles of different orientations, and over time, the fatigue caused by the repeated bending of the flexible circuit board 14 will cause the flexible circuit board 14 to break or break.

The novel creation provides a folding electronic device in which the circuit board can be kept flat during the opening process of the first body and the second body.

The foldable electronic device created by the present invention comprises a first body, a second body, a pivot structure, a movable member, a flexible circuit board and an elastic member. The pivot structure connects the first body and the second body. The movable member is movably disposed in the second body. The flexible circuit board is disposed on at least a portion of the movable member and passes through the pivot structure, and includes two ends fixed to the first body and the second body respectively. The elastic member includes a first end fixed to the second body and a second end connected to the movable member.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the second body includes a fixing seat, and the first end of the elastic member is fixed to the fixing seat.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the elastic member is a spring.

In an embodiment of the novel creation, the above-mentioned fixing base includes a rail for the movable member to slide along the rail.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the elastic member is a torsion spring.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the fixing seat includes a recessed portion for the movable member to rotate within the recessed portion.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the movable member is rotated in the recessed portion at an angle of 80 to 100 degrees.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the pivot structure described above includes an outer cover and an inner cover. The inner cover is coupled to the outer cover, and a portion of the flexible circuit board is located between the outer cover and the inner cover.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the first body is closed relative to the second body, the portion of the flexible circuit board located at the edge of the inner cover is bent along the contour of the inner cover, which is greater than the first body relative to the first body. The degree of bending of the second body when it is opened.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the first body is closed relative to the second body, the flexible circuit board is located outside the first body and the second body, which is larger than the first body relative to the second body. The length of the opening.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the first body is closed relative to the second body, the elastic potential of the elastic member is greater than the elastic potential of the first body relative to the second body.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the first body is closed relative to the second body, the elastic force of the elastic member is greater than the elastic force of the first body relative to the second body.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first body includes a first fixing member located inside, and the second body includes a second fixing member located inside, and the flexible circuit board is disposed through the first fixing member and the second portion. Fastener.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the second fixing member is a through groove.

The foldable electronic device created by the present invention comprises a first body, a second body, a pivot structure, a movable member, a flexible circuit board and an elastic member. The pivot structure connects the first body and the second body. The movable member is movably disposed in the second body. The flexible circuit board is wound around at least a portion of the movable member and passes through the pivot structure, and is electrically connected to the first body and the second body. The elastic member is located in the second body, and the elastic member comprises a first end fixed to the second body, and a second end connected to the movable member.

In an embodiment of the novel creation, the movable member is a sliding member or a rotating member.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the flexible circuit board includes a first connector and a second connector, which are respectively inserted into the first body and the second body.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the first body is closed relative to the second body, the length of the flexible circuit board is located in the first body and the second body, and is smaller than the first body is separated from the second body. The length of time.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the elastic member is a spring or a torsion spring.

Based on the above, in the foldable electronic device of the present invention, the flexible circuit board can be adjusted in position with the movement of the movable member, so that the flexible circuit board can maintain tension during the movement of the first body relative to the second body. State to enable the flexible board to remain flat to reduce the chance of breakage or breakage.

The above described features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent and understood from the following description.

2A is a schematic view of a folding electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2B is an enlarged schematic view showing a region A in Fig. 2A. 2C is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the folding electronic device of FIG. 2A. Referring to FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C , the foldable electronic device 100 of the present invention can be a notebook computer or a combination of a tablet computer and a docking station that can be pivoted to the docking station. The folding electronic device 100 includes a first body 110, a second body 120, a pivot structure 130, a movable member 160, a flexible circuit board 140, and an elastic member 150.

In detail, the pivot structure 130 connects the first body 110 and the second body 120. The flexible circuit board 140 passes through the pivot structure 130, and the flexible circuit board 140 includes an end portion 141 and an end portion 142. The end portion 141 is fixed to the first body 110, and the end portion 142 is fixed to the second body 120. The flexible circuit board 140 is electrically connected to the first body 110 and the second body 120. The first body 110 of the embodiment may include a display module, and the second body 120 may include a keyboard or a touch pad or a combination thereof.

In this embodiment, the interior of the first body 110 includes a first fixing member 112, and the interior of the second body 120 includes a fixing seat 122 and a second fixing member 128. The fixed seat 122 includes a rail 124 in which the movable member 160 is located in the fixed seat 122, and the movable member 160 projects into the rail 124, and the rail 124 is slidable by the movable member 160 and moved relative to the fixed seat 122. The movable member 160 of the present embodiment may be, for example, a slider, and the movable member 160 may slide along the rail 124, but in other embodiments the movable member 160 is not limited to the slider. On the other hand, the flexible circuit board 140 is disposed through the first fixing member 112 and the second fixing member 128. The first fixing member 112 includes a first lower fixing member 112a and a first upper fixing member 112b. The flexible circuit board 140 The end portion 141 is fixed to the first body 110 by the clamping of the first lower fixing member 112a and the first upper fixing member 112b. On the other hand, the second fixing member 128 is a through groove of the fixing base 122 , and the end portion 142 of the flexible circuit board 140 can be disposed through the second fixing member 128 to be fixed to the second body 120 .

On the other hand, the elastic member 150 is located in the second body 120, and the elastic member 150 includes an opposite first end 151 and a second end 152. The first end 151 of the elastic member 150 is fixed to the fixing base in the second body 120. The fixed end 129 of the 122, and the second end 152 of the elastic member 150 is coupled to the movable member 160, so that the movable member 160 is movably disposed in the second body 120. In this embodiment, the elastic members 150 can be, for example, springs, and can be, for example, two, and the number of the rails 124 can be set corresponding to the number of the elastic members 150. The two elastic members 150 and the two rails 124 of the embodiment respectively They are disposed on opposite sides of the movable member 160, whereby the activity stability of the movable member 160 in the rail 124 can be increased. In other embodiments, the number of the elastic members and the track may not correspond to each other. For example, the number of the elastic members and the track may be one or two and the number is not equal, respectively, depending on actual needs.

In the present embodiment, the flexible circuit board 140 includes a first connector 143 and a second connector 144 that are respectively inserted into the first body 110 and the second body 120, and the flexible circuit board 140 is wound around the movable member 160. At least a portion of the flexible circuit board 140 is adjusted in position as the movable member 160 moves, and the flexible circuit board 140 maintains a tensioned state during movement of the first body 110 relative to the second body 120. In detail, the flexible circuit board 140 can slide along the aforementioned track 124 along with the movable member 160, thereby changing the overlapping area of the flexible circuit board 140.

3A and 3B are partial cross-sectional views of a folding electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 3A-3B , the pivot structure 130 can include an outer cover 132 and an inner cover 134 . The inner cover 134 is coupled to the outer cover 132, and a portion of the flexible circuit board 140 is located between the outer cover 132 and the inner cover 134. When the first body 110 is closed relative to the second body 120 (shown in FIG. 3A), the portion of the flexible circuit board 140 located at the edge of the inner cover 134 is gradually bent along the contour of the inner cover 134, so that the flexible circuit board The length of the 140 is greater than the length of the first body 110 and the second body 120 is greater than when the first body 110 is separated from the second body 120 (shown in FIG. 3B ), the flexible circuit board 140 is located at the first body 110 and the second The length other than the body 120. In other words, when the first body 110 is closed relative to the second body 120, the length of the flexible circuit board 140 in the first body 110 and the second body 120 is smaller than the length of the first body 110 relative to the second body 120. When the first body 110 is closed relative to the second body 120, the portion of the flexible circuit board 140 located at the edge of the inner cover 134 is bent along the contour of the inner cover 134, which is greater than the first body 110 relative to the second body 120. The degree of bending when opening.

In detail, in the closed state of the folding electronic device 100, the flexible circuit board 140 has a first exposed length L1 at a portion other than the first body 110, the second body 120, and the pivot structure 130. On the other hand, in the folded state of the folding electronic device 100, the flexible circuit board 140 has a second exposure length L2 at a portion other than the first body 110, the second body 120 and the pivot structure 130, wherein The first exposure length L1 is greater than the second exposure length L2. Since the flexible circuit board 140 is wound around the movable member 160 and the movable member 160 is driven by the elastic member 150, the movable member 160 will be pulled by the elastic member 150 during the process of the first body 110 being split relative to the second body 120. And gradually sliding along the moving direction D in the track 124, so that the flexible circuit board 140 gradually adjusts position with the movement of the movable member 160, so that the flexible circuit board 140 is opened at the first body 110 relative to the second body 120. Maintain tension during the process. In other words, in the process in which the first body 110 is gradually opened relative to the second body 120, the flexible circuit board 140 is located at a portion other than the first body 110, the second body 120, and the pivot structure 130. The exposure length L1 is gradually reduced to the second exposure length L2.

In the present embodiment, when the first body 110 is opened relative to the second body 120 (shown in FIG. 3B), the elastic member 150 is relatively in a relaxed state, and thus the elastic potential energy and the elastic force are low. When the first body 110 is closed relative to the second body 120, the elastic member 150 is driven to be in a relatively tensioned state. At this time, the elastic position and the elastic force of the elastic member 150 are relative to the first body 110. The angle at which the two bodies 120 are closed increases. In other words, when the first body 110 of the folding electronic device 100 is closed relative to the second body 120, the elastic potential and elastic force of the elastic member 150 are greater than the elasticity of the elastic member 150 when the first body 110 is separated from the second body 120. Position and elasticity. Thereby, the flexible circuit board 140 can maintain the tension state of the flexible circuit board 140 through the action of the elastic member 150 and the movable member 160 to reduce the frequency at which the flexible circuit board 140 is bent, so as to improve the flexible circuit board. Durability and service life.

4A is a schematic diagram of a folding electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4B is an enlarged schematic view showing a region B in Fig. 4A. 5A and 5B are partial cross-sectional views of a folding electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4A to FIG. 5B, the same or similar components of the folding electronic device 200 in this embodiment that are identical or similar to the previous embodiments are denoted by the aforementioned symbols, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

The main difference between the folding electronic device 200 and the folding electronic device 100 in this embodiment is that the elastic member 250 is a torsion spring, and the fixing base 222 includes a recessed portion 226 for receiving the movable member 160, and the movable member 160 can be, for example, a rotating member. And the movable member 160 is rotatable within the recess 226. In addition, the second fixing member 228 is fixed to the end portion 242 of the flexible circuit board 140, and the flexible circuit board 140 is wound around a portion of the movable member 160 to adjust the position as the movable member 160 rotates. The recessed portion 226 of the embodiment may be, for example, two, but is not particularly limited, the first end 251 of the torsion spring is fixed to the fixing seat 222, and the second end 252 is connected to the movable member 160.

Since the flexible circuit board 140 is wound around the movable member 160, when the first body 110 is gradually opened relative to the second body 120 by the closed state as shown in FIG. 4A, it is in a state of being opened as shown in FIG. 4B. The movable member 160 is rotated by the elastic member 250 to gradually rotate in the rotation direction R in the recess portion 226, so that the flexible circuit board 140 gradually adjusts position with the movement of the movable member 160, so that the flexible circuit board 140 is in the first A body 110 maintains a tensioned state during the process of splitting the second body 120.

When the first body 110 is opened relative to the second body 120 (shown in FIG. 5B), the elastic member 250 is relatively in a relaxed state, and thus the elastic position energy and the elastic force are low. When the first body 110 is closed relative to the second body 120, the angle of rotation of the movable member 160 in the recess portion 226 can be, for example, 80 degrees to 100 degrees, and the elastic member 250 is driven to be in a relatively tight state. The elastic positional energy and the elastic force of the elastic member 250 increase as the angle at which the first body 110 closes relative to the second body 120 increases. In other words, when the first body 110 of the folding electronic device 200 is closed relative to the second body 120, the elastic potential and the elastic force of the elastic member 250 are greater than the elasticity of the elastic member 250 when the first body 110 is split relative to the second body 120. Position and elasticity.

In summary, the flexible circuit board created by the present invention can maintain the tension state of the flexible circuit board during the opening process through the action of the elastic member and the movable member, thereby reducing the flexible circuit board being bent. Frequency to increase the durability and longevity of flexible boards.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the novel creation, and any person skilled in the art can make some changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel creation. Retouching, the scope of protection of this new creation is subject to the definition of the scope of the patent application attached.

10,100‧‧‧Folding electronic device
11, 110‧‧‧ first body
112‧‧‧First fixture
112a‧‧‧First lower fixture
112b‧‧‧First upper fixture
12, 120‧‧‧ second body
122, 222‧‧‧ fixed seat
124‧‧‧ Track
226‧‧‧Depression
128, 228‧‧‧second fixture
129‧‧‧ fixed end
13, 130‧‧‧ pivot structure
132‧‧‧ Cover
134‧‧‧ inner cover
14‧‧‧ boards
140‧‧‧Flexible circuit board
141, 142‧‧‧ end
143‧‧‧First connector
144‧‧‧Second connector
150, 250‧‧‧ elastic parts
151, 251‧‧‧ first end
152, 252‧‧‧ second end
160‧‧‧moving parts
L1‧‧‧First exposure length
L2‧‧‧second exposure length
D‧‧‧ moving direction
R‧‧‧Rotation direction

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a conventional folding electronic device. 1B and 1C are partial cross-sectional views of the conventional folded electronic device of FIG. 1A. 2A is a schematic view of a folding electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2B is an enlarged schematic view showing a region A in Fig. 2A. 2C is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the folding electronic device of FIG. 2A. 3A and 3B are partial cross-sectional views of a folding electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4A is a schematic diagram of a folding electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4B is an enlarged schematic view showing a region B in Fig. 4A. 5A and 5B are partial cross-sectional views of a folding electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

100‧‧‧Folding electronic device

110‧‧‧First body

112‧‧‧First fixture

120‧‧‧Second body

122‧‧‧ fixed seat

124‧‧‧ Track

130‧‧‧ pivot structure

140‧‧‧Flexible circuit board

143‧‧‧First connector

144‧‧‧Second connector

150‧‧‧Flexible parts

160‧‧‧moving parts

Claims (20)

A folding electronic device comprising: a first body; a second body; a pivot structure connecting the first body and the second body; a movable member movably disposed in the second body; a flexible circuit board disposed around at least a portion of the movable member and passing through the pivot structure, and including two ends fixed to the first body and the second body respectively; and an elastic member including a first The end is fixed to the second body, and the second end is connected to the movable member. The folding electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second body comprises a fixing seat, and the first end of the elastic member is fixed to the fixing seat. The folding electronic device of claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a spring. The folding electronic device of claim 2, wherein the fixing base comprises a rail for sliding the movable member along the rail. The folding electronic device of claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a torsion spring. The folding electronic device of claim 2, wherein the fixing base comprises a recessed portion for the movable member to rotate within the recessed portion. The folding electronic device of claim 6, wherein the movable member rotates in the concave portion at an angle of 80 to 100 degrees. The folding electronic device of claim 1, wherein the pivot structure comprises: an outer cover; and an inner cover coupled to the outer cover, the portion of the flexible circuit board being located at the outer cover and the outer cover Between the inner covers. The folding electronic device of claim 8, wherein when the first body is closed relative to the second body, a portion of the flexible circuit board located at an edge of the inner cover is curved along a contour of the inner cover The degree of folding is greater than the degree of bending of the first body relative to the second body. The folding electronic device of claim 1, wherein the flexible circuit board is located outside the first body and the second body when the first body is closed relative to the second body, and is greater than The length of the first body relative to the second body. The folding electronic device of claim 1, wherein when the first body is closed relative to the second body, the elastic position of the elastic member is greater than the first body is separated from the second body. The elastic potential of the time. The folding electronic device of claim 1, wherein when the first body is closed relative to the second body, the elastic force of the elastic member is greater than when the first body is opened relative to the second body elastic force. The folding electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first body comprises a first fixing member located inside, and the second body comprises a second fixing member located inside, the flexible circuit board is worn. Provided in the first fixing member and the second fixing member. The folding electronic device of claim 13, wherein the second fixing member is a through groove. A folding electronic device comprising: a first body; a second body; a pivot structure connecting the first body and the second body; a movable member movably disposed in the second body; a flexible circuit board disposed around at least a portion of the movable member and passing through the pivot structure and electrically connecting the first body and the second body; and an elastic member located in the second body, and The elastic member includes a first end fixed to the second body, and a second end connected to the movable member. The folding electronic device of claim 15, wherein the movable member is a sliding member or a rotating member. The foldable electronic device of claim 15, wherein the flexible circuit board comprises a first connector and a second connector, respectively inserted into the first body and the second body. The foldable electronic device of claim 15, wherein the flexible body is located in the first body and the second body when the first body is closed relative to the second body, less than the length The length of the first body relative to the second body. The folding electronic device of claim 15, wherein the elastic member is a spring or a torsion spring. The folding electronic device of claim 15, wherein when the first body is closed relative to the second body, the elastic tension of the elastic member is smaller than when the first body is opened relative to the second body Elastic pull.