CN111473041A - Electronic device and hinge mechanism thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an electronic device and a hinge mechanism thereof. The hinge mechanism includes: base, magnetic component, torsion subassembly and correction component. The magnetic component is arranged in the base. The torsion assembly is connected to the base, and the torsion assembly comprises: base plate, first cylinder and second cylinder. The substrate is disposed in the base. The first column penetrates through the substrate and can rotate relative to the substrate. The second cylinder penetrates through the substrate and can rotate relative to the substrate and the first cylinder. The correction component is arranged between the magnetic component and the torsion component and is abutted against the magnetic component, the inner wall of the first column body and the inner wall of the second column body.

Description

Electronic device and its hinge mechanism

technical field

The present invention relates to an electronic device and its hinge mechanism, in particular to a hinge mechanism with a magnetic assembly and an electronic device provided with the aforementioned hinge mechanism.

Background technique

With the continuous development of technology, the use of electronic products in daily life has become more and more popular, and notebook computers are one of them. Existing notebook computers are generally provided with a hinge mechanism to allow the user to perform the function of turning or opening and closing. A 360-degree hinge is used in some existing laptops to allow the screen to rotate 360 degrees relative to the keyboard. However. The durability of the 360-degree hinges used in the market cannot reach the standard of commercial or military models, and general consumers have higher and higher requirements for the durability of electronic devices. Therefore, the existing 360-degree hinges cannot meet the needs of users in various aspects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a hinge mechanism. The aforementioned hinge mechanism includes: a base, a magnetic assembly, a torsion assembly, and a correction member. The magnetic assembly is arranged in the aforementioned base. The torsion component is connected to the base, and the torsion component includes: a base plate, a first column, and a second column. The aforementioned substrate is disposed in the aforementioned base. The first column body passes through the base plate and is rotatable relative to the base plate. The second cylinder passes through the base plate and is rotatable relative to the base plate and the first cylinder. The correction member abuts against the magnetic assembly, the inner wall of the first cylinder and the inner wall of the second cylinder.

In one embodiment, the correction member further has a first shaft body and a second shaft body, the first shaft body abuts against the inner wall of the first column body, and the second shaft body abuts against the inner wall of the second column body . The aforementioned first shaft body has a taper. The cross-sections of the openings of the first shaft body and the first column body are irregular shapes.

In one embodiment, the magnetic component includes a first magnet and a second magnet, and the magnetic poles of the first magnet and the second magnet of the same nature face each other. In one embodiment, the hinge mechanism further includes a positioning member, the positioning member is connected to the base plate and the base, and passes through the correction member. The hinge mechanism further includes a first hinge rod and a second hinge rod, wherein the first hinge rod is connected to the first cylinder, and the second hinge rod is connected to the second cylinder.

In one embodiment, the hinge mechanism further includes a first gear and a second gear, wherein the first gear is sleeved on the outside of the first cylinder, and the second gear is sleeved on the second cylinder. outside. The hinge mechanism further includes an adjustment element disposed in the base, wherein the adjustment element abuts against the magnetic assembly.

Some embodiments of the present invention provide an electronic device including: a first casing, a second casing, and a hinge mechanism. The second casing is rotatable relative to the first casing, and the second casing is pivotally connected to the first casing through the hinge mechanism. The aforementioned hinge mechanism includes: a base, a magnetic assembly, a torsion assembly, and a correction member. The magnetic assembly is arranged in the aforementioned base. The torsion component is connected to the base, and the torsion component includes: a base plate, a first column, and a second column. The aforementioned substrate is disposed in the aforementioned base. The first column body passes through the base plate and is rotatable relative to the base plate. The second cylinder passes through the base plate and is rotatable relative to the base plate and the first cylinder. The correction member abuts against the magnetic assembly, the inner wall of the first cylinder and the inner wall of the second cylinder.

In order to make the above-mentioned and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, preferred embodiments are given below, and are described in detail as follows in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

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

FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a hinge mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the hinge mechanism of FIG. 2 .

Fig. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view along line A-A' of Fig. 2 .

5A and 5B are schematic cross-sectional views showing the use process of the hinge mechanism of FIG. 2 .

6A and 6B are schematic cross-sectional views of the first shaft body and the first opening according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a hinge mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Description of reference numbers:

1 Electronic device

10 The first shell

20 Second housing

30, 30' hinge mechanism

100 base

110 Magnetic components

111 The first magnet

112 Second magnet

120 Torque Kit

121 Substrate

122 The first cylinder

122A first opening

122B First inner wall

123 Second cylinder

123A Second opening

123B Second inner wall

124 Positioning pieces

125 First gear

126 Second gear

127 Central gear

130 Correction component

130A Bottom

131 The first shaft

132 Second shaft

141 First hinge rod

142 Second hinge rod

150 Adjustment elements

G clearance

R, S arrow

T position

Detailed ways

The electronic device and the hinge mechanism thereof according to the embodiments of the present invention are described below. It can be readily appreciated, however, that embodiments of the invention provide many suitable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments disclosed are merely illustrative of particular ways to use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill of the art to which this disclosure belongs. It is to be understood that these terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted to have a meaning consistent with the relevant art and the context or context of this disclosure and not in an idealized or overly formal manner Interpretation, unless specifically defined herein.

Please refer to FIG. 1 first. FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an electronic device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. For example, the electronic device 1 is a notebook computer. In other embodiments, the electronic device 1 may be other electronic devices having a two-piece structure. As shown in FIG. 1 , the electronic device 1 includes a first casing 10 , a second casing 20 and two hinge mechanisms 30 . The first casing 10 is pivotally connected to the second casing 20 through the aforementioned hinge mechanism 30 . The hinge mechanism 30 can generate enough torque, so that the first casing 10 can rotate 360 degrees relative to the second casing 20 as the hinge mechanism 30 is the rotation axis.

Please refer to FIG. 2 . FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a hinge mechanism 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2 , the hinge mechanism 30 has a base 100 to accommodate components inside the hinge mechanism 30 . The hinge mechanism 30 further includes a first hinge rod 141 and a second hinge rod 142 , wherein the first hinge rod 141 and the second hinge rod 142 extend beyond the base 100 and can rotate relative to the base 100 . By connecting different members to the first hinge rod 141 and the second hinge rod 142 respectively, the aforementioned members can be rotated relative to each other. For example, the aforementioned first housing 10 is connected to the first hinge rod 141 , and the second housing 20 is connected to the second hinge rod 142 .

Next, please refer to FIG. 3 , which shows an exploded view of the hinge mechanism 30 of FIG. 2 . The hinge mechanism 30 further includes a magnetic assembly 110 , a torsion assembly 120 , and a correction member 130 . In this embodiment, the magnetic component 110 includes a first magnet 111 and a second magnet 112 , wherein the first magnet 111 is connected to the base 100 . The first magnets 111 and the second magnets 112 are arranged to generate repulsive force, that is, a gap is formed between the first magnets 111 and the second magnets 112, and the N poles or the S poles of the two magnets face each other.

The torque assembly 120 includes two base plates 121 , a first cylinder 122 , a second cylinder 123 , a positioning member 124 , a first gear 125 , a second gear 126 and two central gears 127 . The two substrates 121 are disposed in the base 100 and form a space with the base 100 . The first column 122 and the second column 123 pass through the holes of the substrate 121 and can rotate relative to the substrate 121 . For example, the first cylinder 122 and the second cylinder 123 can be formed by metal injection molding (MIM). The positioning member 124 of the torsion element 120 connects the base plate 121 and the base 100 , thereby controlling the distance between the torsion element 120 and the base 100 on the X-axis, so that the torsion element 120 can be set in the correct position.

The first gear 125 , the second gear 126 and the two central gears 127 are arranged in the aforementioned space, that is, the first gear 125 , the second gear 126 and the aforementioned central gear 127 are arranged between the base plates 121 , wherein the first gear 125 is sleeved on the first cylinder 122 , and the second gear 126 is sleeved on the second cylinder 123 . The aforementioned central gears 127 are meshed with each other, one of the central gears 127 is meshed with the first gear 125 , and the other central gear 127 is meshed with the second gear 126 . In this way, the first cylinder 122 and the second cylinder 123 can rotate in opposite rotation directions. For example, when the first cylinder 122 rotates clockwise, the second cylinder 123 rotates counterclockwise, and vice versa.

In addition, the correction member 130 is disposed between the magnetic element 110 and the torsion element 120 . More specifically, the second magnet 112 is attached to the correction member 130 through an adhesive (not shown), and the correction member 130 abuts against the first cylinder 122 and the second cylinder 123 of the torsion assembly 120 . The manner in which the correction member 130 abuts against the first column body 122 and the second column body 123 will be further described below with reference to FIG. 4 . In addition, the first hinge rod 141 and the second hinge rod 142 are respectively connected to the first cylinder 122 and the second cylinder 123 and can drive the first cylinder 122 and the second cylinder 123 to rotate.

Please refer to FIG. 4 . FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of FIG. 2 . As shown in FIG. 4 , the first cylinder 122 has a first opening 122A, and the first cylinder 122 has a first inner wall 122B in the first opening 122A. Similarly, the second column 123 has a second opening 123A, and the second column 123 has a second inner wall 123B in the second opening 123A. The correction member 130 includes a first shaft body 131 and a second shaft body 132 , the first shaft body 131 abuts against the first inner wall 122B of the first column body 122 , and the second shaft body 132 abuts against the second inner wall of the second column body 123 123B.

It should be noted that the first shaft body 131 and the first inner wall 122B, the second shaft body 132 and the second inner wall 123B have corresponding tapers respectively. In other words, the first shaft body 131 and the first inner wall 122B face the first opening 122A The inside becomes narrower and narrower, and the second shaft body 132 and the second inner wall 123B also become narrower toward the inside of the second opening 123A. For example, the aforementioned taper may be in the range of about 1 degree to about 15 degrees. In some embodiments, the aforementioned taper may range from about 2 degrees to about 5 degrees. By arranging the first shaft body 131 and the second shaft body 132 in a tapered shape, the first shaft body 131 and the second shaft body 132 can be closely fitted with the corresponding first openings 122A and 123A. And improve the stability of the hinge mechanism 30 . However, this embodiment is only used as an example, and in other embodiments, the first shaft body 131 and the second shaft body 132 can be set to other different shapes according to design requirements.

Please refer to FIG. 5A . FIG. 5A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the hinge mechanism 30 of FIG. 2 worn after use. As shown in FIG. 5A , when the first hinge rod 141 and the second hinge rod 142 rotate, friction occurs between the torsion element 120 and the correction member 130 , so the first shaft body 131 , the first inner wall 122B and the The second shaft body 132 and the second inner wall 123B have a gap G between the first shaft body 131 and the first inner wall 122B and between the second shaft body 132 and the second inner wall 123B. At this time, the bottom surface 130A of the correction member 130 is not in contact with the first cylinder 122 and/or the second cylinder 123 , so the correction member 130 can be pushed by the force generated by the magnetic component 110 to move toward the first cylinder 122 and/or the second cylinder 123 . /or the second cylinder 123 moves to perform correction. Further description will be given below in conjunction with FIG. 5B .

It should be noted that the hardness of the first shaft body 131 , the first inner wall 122B and the second shaft body 132 and the second inner wall 123B should be equal or similar, so that the first shaft body 131 , the first inner wall 122B and the second shaft body 132 . The wear condition of the second inner wall 123B is close to that without causing premature wear of one of the above components, reducing the life cycle of the hinge mechanism 30 . For example, the Rockwell Hardness Number (scale C; HRC) of the first shaft body 131 , the second shaft body 132 , the first cylinder body 122 and the second cylinder body 123 is between about 43 to in the range of about 46.

Next, please refer to FIG. 5B . FIG. 5B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the hinge mechanism 30 of FIG. 2 automatically correcting the gap G after wear. As shown in FIG. 5B , a repulsive force will be generated between the first magnet 111 and the second magnet 112 of the magnetic assembly 110 , and the repulsive force will push the correction member 130 toward the first cylinder 122 and the second cylinder 123 , so that the first A shaft body 131 and a second shaft body 132 penetrate into the first opening 122A of the first cylinder 122 and the second opening 123A of the second cylinder 123 respectively. In this way, the first shaft body 131 and the second shaft body 132 can continuously abut against the first inner wall 122B and the second inner wall 123B, so that sufficient torque can be generated. Under a general usage environment, the magnetic force of the magnetic assembly 110 hardly decreases with time. Compared with using an elastic element (such as a spring) to push the correction member 130 to generate torsion force, the magnetic assembly 110 does not have the problem of elastic fatigue, so the durability of the hinge mechanism 30 can be greatly improved.

It should be noted that when the bottom surface 130A of the correction member 130 abuts against the first cylinder 122 and/or the second cylinder 123, the magnetic assembly 110 cannot continue to move the correction member 130 toward the first cylinder 122 and/or the second cylinder 123. The cylinder 123 is pushed. In this case, the hinge mechanism 30 loses the effect of automatically correcting the gap G (as shown in FIG. 5A ). Therefore, when the gap G is generated, the hinge mechanism 30 cannot provide the original torque. In order to solve the above problems, the torsion assembly 120 can be disassembled, and a new correction member 130 is installed, so that the bottom surface 130A of the new correction member 130 is not in contact with the first cylinder 122 and the second cylinder 123, then the hinge mechanism 30 can be used again. Provides the original torque.

Please refer to FIG. 6A . FIG. 6A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the first cylinder 122 and the first shaft 131 in the preset positions according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6A , the first shaft 131 and the first open The cross section of the hole 122A along the Y-Z plane is an irregular shape similar to a circle, wherein the first shaft body 131 and the first opening 122A have protruding parts at both ends along the Y axis, and the center of the first shaft body 131 has a hollow Structure. By designing the cross-sections of the first shaft body 131 and the first opening 122A to be irregular shapes, the position of the first column body 122 can be fixed when the hinge mechanism 30 is not actuated. It should be noted that this embodiment is only an example, and in other embodiments, the first shaft body 131 and the first opening 122A can be set to other different shapes according to design requirements. In addition, the shape of the second shaft body 132 and the second opening 123A can also be set to be similar to or different from the shape of the first shaft body 131 and the first opening 122A.

FIG. 6B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the rotation of the first cylinder 122 relative to the first shaft 131 . In this embodiment, the first cylinder 122 is rotated in a clockwise direction (as indicated by arrow R) relative to the first shaft 131 . In this case, the first inner wall 122B will abut against the protruding portion of the first shaft body 131, thereby generating torsional force. Since the center of the first shaft body 131 has a hollow structure, when the first cylinder body 122 rotates, the first inner wall 122B will not be stuck with the protruding part of the first shaft body 131 and the first cylinder body 122 cannot be rotated Case.

It should be understood that the first column body 122 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction (as shown by arrow S), so that the position T of the first inner wall 122B passes through the protruding portion of the first shaft body 131 . Since the first opening 122A is designed with a corresponding protruding portion, the first cylinder 122 will automatically return to the preset position as shown in FIG. 6A . Through this design, after the user closes the electronic device 1 provided with the hinge mechanism 30 to within a certain angle, the electronic device 1 can be automatically closed.

Please refer to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a hinge mechanism 30' according to another embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that the hinge mechanism 30' may include the same or similar elements as the hinge mechanism 30 shown in FIG. 2, and the same or similar elements will be denoted by the same or similar reference numerals below, and will not be described in detail. The hinge mechanism 30' differs from the hinge mechanism 30 shown in FIG. 2 in that the hinge mechanism 30' further includes two adjustment elements 150, which are disposed in the base 100 and abut against the first magnet 111 of the magnetic assembly 110. When manufacturing the hinge mechanism 30', tolerances often occur between different hinge mechanisms 30', and this tolerance will cause the difference in torsional force generated by the correction member 130 and the first cylinder 122 and the second cylinder 123. In order to solve the above problem, the adjusting element 150 can be used to adjust the distance between the first magnet 111 and the second magnet 112, so as to correct the above-mentioned tolerance caused by the manufacture of the hinge mechanism 30' and improve the production yield.

To sum up, the embodiments of the present invention provide a hinge mechanism with a magnetic assembly, and an electronic device mounted with the aforementioned hinge mechanism. The repulsive force generated by the magnetic assembly can continuously push the correction member, so that the hinge mechanism can still provide the original torque after a period of use. The section of the shaft body and the opening is designed to be irregular in shape, and the position of the shaft body can be fixed when the hinge mechanism is not actuated. In addition, after the user closes the electronic device provided with the hinge mechanism to within a certain angle, the electronic device can be automatically closed.

Although the embodiments of the present invention and their advantages have been disclosed above, it should be understood that any person skilled in the art can make changes, substitutions and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the process, machine, manufacture, material composition, device, method and steps in the specific embodiments described in the specification, and any person skilled in the art can understand from the disclosure of the present invention Processes, machines, manufactures, compositions of matter, devices, methods and steps developed now or in the future that can perform substantially the same functions or achieve substantially the same results in the embodiments described herein can be used in accordance with the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention includes the above-mentioned processes, machines, manufactures, compositions of matter, devices, methods and steps. Additionally, each claim constitutes a separate embodiment, and the scope of the present invention also includes combinations of individual claims and embodiments.

Claims (10)

1. A hinge mechanism, comprising:

a base;

a magnetic component arranged in the base;

a torsion assembly connected to the base, comprising:

a substrate disposed in the base;

a first column passing through the substrate and capable of rotating relative to the substrate;

the second column body penetrates through the substrate and can rotate relative to the substrate and the first column body; and

and the correction component is arranged between the magnetic component and the torsion component and is abutted against the inner wall of the first column body and the inner wall of the second column body.

2. The hinge mechanism of claim 1, wherein the compensating member further comprises a first shaft abutting the inner wall of the first post and a second shaft abutting the inner wall of the second post.

3. The hinge mechanism of claim 2, wherein the first shaft has a taper.

4. The hinge mechanism of claim 2, wherein the cross-sections of the openings of the first shaft and the first post are irregularly shaped.

5. The hinge mechanism of claim 1, wherein the magnetic assembly comprises a first magnet and a second magnet, and like poles of the first magnet and the second magnet face each other.

6. The hinge mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a positioning member coupled to the base and passing through the compensating member.

7. The hinge mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a first hinge rod and a second hinge rod, wherein the first hinge rod is connected to the first post and the second hinge rod is connected to the second post.

8. The hinge mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a first gear and a second gear, wherein the first gear is disposed outside the first cylinder, and the second gear is disposed outside the second cylinder.

9. The hinge mechanism of claim 1, further comprising an adjustment element disposed in the base, wherein the adjustment element abuts the magnetic assembly.

10. An electronic device, comprising:

a first housing;

a second housing rotatable relative to the first housing; and

the hinge mechanism of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the second housing is pivotally coupled to the first housing by the hinge mechanism.

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