Hinge

Abstract

A hinge is suitable for being arranged between two bodies to jointly provide a flexible screen, and comprises a base unit and two rotating modules. The base unit comprises a base. The rotating modules are respectively arranged on both sides of the base and are respectively used to provide the two bodies, and each rotating module comprises a main support plate pivotably arranged on one side of the base and an extended support plate pivotably arranged on the main support plate. The rotating module can rotate between an initial position and a terminal position relative to the base to link the two bodies to change between an unfolded state corresponding to the initial position and allowing the flexible screen to unfold, and a folded state corresponding to the terminal position and allowing the flexible screen to fold inward. In the initial position, the extended support plate is flush with the main support plate, and in the terminal position, the extended support plate abuts against the base and pivots relative to the main support plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a hinge, in particular to a hinge suitable for being arranged between two machine bodies to provide a flexible screen for the arrangement thereof. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, flexible screens are widely used in various folding devices, which can be divided into inner folding structures and outer folding structures. When the flexible screen is used in a folding device with an inner folding structure, in order to prevent the flexible screen from being damaged due to insufficient space when the folding device is in a folded state, the base of an existing hinge is increased in width so that the space inside the base becomes larger and the flexible screen can be accommodated. However, such a design makes the distance between the two support plates too large when the folding device is in an unfolded state, which is easy to produce concave marks and cannot provide sufficient support force for the flexible screen, making the screen at the distance less smooth and unclear in touch operation. Therefore, there is still room for improvement. Summary of the invention

[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide a hinge which ameliorates at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0004] The hinge of the present invention is suitable for being arranged between two bodies to jointly provide a flexible screen. The hinge comprises a base unit, including a base extending along a front-to-back direction; and two rotation modules, which are respectively arranged on both sides of the base along a left-right direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction and are respectively used to provide the two bodies with settings. Each of the rotation modules comprises a main support plate pivotally arranged on one side of the base and an extended support plate pivotally arranged on the main support plate. The distance between the extended support plates is smaller than the distance between the main support plates. The extended support plates are arranged on the left-to-right direction. The upward length is greater than the height of the base in the up and down direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction; wherein the rotating module can rotate between an initial position and a terminal position relative to the base to link the two bodies to change between an expanded state corresponding to the initial position and causing the flexible screen to be expanded, and a folded state corresponding to the terminal position and causing the flexible screen to be folded inward. In the initial position, the extended support plate is flush with the main support plate, and in the terminal position, the extended support plate is against the base and pivots relative to the main support plate.

[0005] The hinge described in the present invention, each of the extended support plates has a plurality of pivot blocks that are spaced apart from each other and extend toward the main support plate and are pivotally mounted on the main support plate. In the initial position, the pivot blocks are abutted against the bottom surface of the main support plate, so that the extended support plate is flush with the main support plate and prevents the extended support plate from continuing to pivot downward toward the base.

[0006] The hinge described in the present invention, each of the rotating modules also includes a rotating frame that can rotate relative to the base and is used to set the corresponding body, the main support plate is connected between the rotating frame and the base and can be driven by the rotating frame to rotate relative to the base.

[0007] The hinge described in the present invention, each of the rotating frames has two rotating parts rotatably arranged at the two ends of the base in the front-to-back direction and two connecting sections respectively connected between the rotating parts and together with the two rotating parts, surrounding the corresponding main support plate, the connecting section is connected to the corresponding main support plate and drives the main support plate to rotate.

[0008] In the hinge of the present invention, the rotating frame of each rotating module further comprises two rotating shaft members extending along the front-rear direction and respectively arranged on the two rotating members and rotatably arranged at both ends of the base.

[0009] The hinge described in the present invention, the base unit also includes two cover kits respectively arranged on the rotating parts located at both ends of the base, a plurality of linkage gears respectively arranged in the cover kits and meshing with each other, and two cover plates respectively covering the linkage gears and connected to the cover kits, the linkage gears located in each of the cover kits at the left and right ends in the left and right directions are fixedly passed through by the corresponding two rotating shaft parts, so that the two rotating modules can rotate synchronously between the initial position and the terminal position, and link the two bodies to change between the expanded state and the folded state.

[0010] According to the hinge described in the present invention, each of the rotating parts has a sliding groove through which the corresponding rotating shaft part can slide relatively but not rotate relatively, and a sliding column formed along the front-to-back direction. Each of the cover kits forms two sliding grooves on the surface of the rotating part for slidably accommodating the sliding column. When the two rotating modules are in the initial position, the sliding grooves extend in the left-right direction. When the two rotating modules are in the terminal position, the sliding grooves extend in the up-down direction. Each of the sliding grooves has an inner end located on the inner side and an outer end located on the outer side. When the two rotating modules are in the initial position, the rotating shaft part is located at the outer end. When the two rotating modules are in the terminal position, the rotating shaft part is located at the inner end.

[0011] The hinge described in the present invention, each of the main support plates forms a plurality of openings spaced apart from each other, and each of the rotating modules also includes a plurality of pivot members arranged and fixedly arranged on the base along the front-to-back direction, the pivot members are respectively located at the openings and pivotally arranged on the main support plate, so that the main support plate can pivot relative to the base.

[0012] In the hinge of the present invention, when the rotating module is in the initial position, the total length of the two extended support plates in the left-right direction is equal to the distance between the main support plates.

[0013] In the hinge of the present invention, when the rotating module is in the initial position, the total length of the two extended support plates in the left-right direction is greater than the distance between the main support plates.

[0014] The beneficial effect of the present invention is that: by setting the extended support plate of the rotating module, the gap between the rotating modules at the base is effectively reduced when the two bodies are in the expanded state, so that the flexible screen can be fully supported, and in the folded state, the extended support plate pivots at an angle relative to the main support plate to cooperate with the base to form an escape space to accommodate the screen, and is used to support the flexible screen without interfering with the base. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional diagram of an embodiment of a hinge of the present invention disposed between two bodies to provide a flexible screen together, wherein the two rotating modules of the embodiment are in an initial position and the two bodies are in an unfolded state;

[0016] Figure 2 is similar Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of the present invention, in which the two rotating modules are in the end position and the two bodies are in the folded state;

[0017] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 3D exploded view of

[0018] Figure 4 is a perspective exploded view of this embodiment;

[0019] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A partial enlarged view of

[0020] Figure 6 is along Figure 1 An incomplete cross-sectional view obtained by the section line VI-VI of FIG. 1 to illustrate that the two rotating modules are in the initial position;

[0021] Figure 7 is similar to Figure 6 An incomplete cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the present invention is used to illustrate that the two rotating modules are in the end position;

[0022] Figure 8 is along Figure 1 An incomplete cross-sectional view obtained by section line VIII-VIII of the embodiment of the present invention, which is used to illustrate that the two rotating modules are in the initial position, and the main support plate and the extended support plate of each rotating module jointly support the flexible screen; and

[0023] Fig. 9 is similar to Figure 8 , for illustrating that the two rotating modules are at the end position, the main support plate of each rotating module avoids the flexible screen and the extended support plate pivots at an angle relative to the main support plate and supports the flexible screen; and

[0024] Fig.10 is similar to Figure 8 An incomplete cross-sectional view illustrating the two rotating modules of another embodiment of the hinge of the present invention in the initial position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0026] See also Figures 1 to 3 An embodiment of the hinge 10 of the present invention is suitable for being arranged between two bodies 20 to provide a flexible screen 30 for arrangement, thereby forming a foldable electronic device. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the flexible screen 30 is fixedly arranged on the two bodies 20, and the hinge 10 only provides support for the flexible screen 30 rather than being fixedly arranged, but the invention is not limited thereto. The hinge 10 includes a base unit 1 and two rotating modules 2.

[0027] See also Figure 4 The base unit 1 includes a base 11 extending along the front-to-back direction D1, two cover kits 12 respectively arranged at both ends of the base 11, eight linkage gears 13 (each of which has four linkage gears 13 meshing with each other) and two cover plates 14 respectively covering the linkage gears 13 and connecting the cover kits 12.

[0028] See also Figures 4 to 8 The rotating modules 2 are respectively arranged on both sides of the base 11 along the left-right direction D2 perpendicular to the front-to-back direction D1 and are respectively used for the two bodies 20 to be installed. The rotating modules 2 can rotate between the initial position and the final position relative to the base 11 to link the two bodies 20 to change between the unfolded state corresponding to the initial position and the unfolded state of the flexible screen 30, and the folded state corresponding to the final position and the inward folded state of the flexible screen 30. Each rotating module 2 includes a rotating frame 21 that can rotate relative to the base 11 and is used for the corresponding body 20 to be installed, a main support plate 22 that extends along the front-to-back direction D1 and is pivotally arranged on one side of the base 11, an extended support plate 23 that extends along the front-to-back direction D1 and is pivotally arranged on the main support plate 22, and a plurality of pivot members 24 that are arranged along the front-to-back direction D1 and are fixedly arranged on the base 11.

[0029] Each rotating frame 21 has two rotating members 211 rotatably disposed at the two ends of the base 11 in the front-to-back direction D1, two connecting sections 212 respectively connected between the rotating members 211 and surrounding the corresponding main support plate 22 together with the two rotating members 211, and two rotating shaft members 213 extending along the front-to-back direction D1 and respectively disposed on the two rotating members 211 and rotatably disposed at the two ends of the base 11. Each rotating member 211 has a sliding groove 211a through which the corresponding rotating shaft member 213 can slide relative to but cannot rotate relative to each other, and a sliding column 211b formed along the front-to-back direction D1. The cover kit 12 is respectively disposed corresponding to the two rotating members 211 located at the two ends of the base 11, and each cover kit 12 has two sliding grooves 121 on the surface facing the rotating member 211 for slidably accommodating the sliding column 211b.

[0030] See also Figures 4 to 8 Each connecting section 212 is connected to the corresponding main support plate 22 and drives the main support plate 22 to rotate, and includes a frame 212a fixed to the rotating member 211 and a torque unit 212b arranged on the frame 212a. The frame 212a can be rotated by the corresponding rotating member 211 to drive the corresponding main support plate 22 to pivot relative to the base 11. The torque unit 212b uses multiple sets of torque plates, and the positive force generated by the friction between each other is used to provide the torque when the rotating module 2 pivots relative to the base 11, but the method of generating torque is not limited to this form. Each rotating shaft 213 has a sliding section 213a penetrating the sliding groove 211a and a penetrating section 213b penetrating the corresponding linkage gear 13. By providing the two corresponding rotating shafts 213 fixedly through the left and right ends of the linkage gears 13 in the left-right direction D2 in each cover assembly 12, the two rotating modules 2 can be synchronously rotated between the initial position and the final position because the linkage gears 13 are meshed and driven with each other, and the two bodies 20 are linked to change between the unfolded state and the folded state. When the two rotating modules 2 are in the initial position, the sliding grooves 211a extend in the left-right direction D2, and when the two rotating modules 2 are in the final position, the sliding grooves 211a extend in the up-down direction D3. Each sliding groove 211a has an inner end 211a1 located at the inner side and an outer end 211a2 located at the outer side. When the two rotating modules 2 are in the initial position, the rotating shaft 213 is located at the outer end 211a2, and when the two rotating modules 2 are in the final position, the rotating shaft 213 is located at the inner end 211a1.

[0031] See also Figures 4 to 9Each of the main support plates 22 forms four openings 221 spaced apart from each other, and the pivoting members 24 are respectively located in the openings 221 and pivotally mounted on the main support plates 22, so that the main support plates 22 can pivot relative to the base 11, and the number of the openings 221 and the pivoting members 24 is not limited to four, and in other embodiments, other numbers may be used, as long as there are more than one. The spacing between the extension support plates 23 is smaller than the spacing between the main support plates 22, and the length of the extension support plates 23 in the left-right direction D2 is greater than the height of the base 11 in the up-down direction D3 perpendicular to the front-back direction D1 and the left-right direction D2. Each of the extended support plates 23 has a plurality of pivot blocks 231 that extend toward the main support plate 22 at intervals from each other and are pivotally mounted on the main support plate 22. In the initial position, the pivot blocks 231 are abutted against the bottom surface of the main support plate 22, so that the extended support plate 23 is flush with the main support plate 22 and prevents the extended support plate 23 from continuing to pivot downward toward the base 11. When the rotating module 2 is in the initial position, the extension support plate 23 is flush with the main support plate 22, and because the distance between the extension support plates 23 is smaller than the distance between the main support plates 22, the two bodies 20 effectively reduce the gap between the rotating modules 2 at the base 11 in the unfolded state, and the flexible screen 30 can be fully supported by the main support plate 22 and the extension support plate 23, and the pivot block 231 is clamped against the corresponding bottom surface of the main support plate 22, so that when the user presses the flexible screen 30, the extension support plate 23 can be prevented from continuing to pivot downward toward the base 11. In the folded state, although the length of the extension support plate 23 in the left-right direction D2 is greater than the height of the base 11 in the up-down direction D3, the extension support plate 23 can be pivoted at an angle relative to the main support plate 22 to form a clearance space to accommodate the screen and support the flexible screen 30, so that it will not interfere with the base 11. By providing the extension support plate 23, the length of the base 11 in the left-right direction D2 can be increased to be sufficient for the flexible screen 30 to be accommodated in the base 11 in the folded state without being compressed by external forces, and the extension support plate 23 can pivot at an angle relative to the main support plate 22 without interfering with the base 11 and can support the flexible screen 30. When the two bodies 20 are in the unfolded state, the extension support plate 23 can effectively reduce the gap between the rotating modules 2 at the base 11 so that the flexible screen 30 can be fully supported by the main support plate 22 and the extension support plate 23, which greatly improves the problem in the known structure that the gap of the main support plate 22 is too large, which is easy to produce concave marks at the gap, and cannot provide the flexible screen 30 with effective and sufficient support force, resulting in unsmooth and unclear touch operation.

[0032] It should be noted that, in other embodiments, when the rotating module 2 is in the initial position, the total length of the two extended support plates 23 in the left-right direction D2 is equal to the distance between the main support plates 22, so that the two extended support plates 23 fit each other, that is, the rotating module 2 (see Figure 4 ) have no gap between them, and can also provide sufficient support force for the flexible screen 30. In another embodiment, when the rotating module 2 is in the initial position, the total length of the two extended support plates 23' in the left-right direction D2 is greater than the distance between the main support plates 22, such as Fig.10 As shown, the two extended support plates 23 ′ overlap in the up-down direction D3 , which means that there is no gap between the rotating modules 2 , and the flexible screen 30 can also be provided with effective and sufficient support force.

[0033] In summary, the hinge 10 of the present invention, by means of the setting of the extended support plate 23 of the rotating module 2, enables the two bodies 20 to effectively reduce the gap between the rotating modules 2 at the base 11 when in the unfolded state, and can fully support the flexible screen 30. In addition, in the folded state, the extended support plate 23 pivots at an angle relative to the main support plate 22 to provide complete support for the flexible screen 30 without interfering with the base 11, so that the purpose of the present invention can be achieved.

[0034] However, the above is only an embodiment of the present invention and should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention. All simple equivalent changes and modifications made according to the claims and description of the present invention are still within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hinge, suitable for being arranged between two bodies to provide a flexible screen for installation; characterized in that: The hinge contains: A base unit including a base extending in a front-to-rear direction; and Two rotating modules are respectively arranged on both sides of the base along the left-right direction perpendicular to the front-back direction and are respectively used for the two bodies to be arranged, each of the rotating modules comprises a main support plate pivotably arranged on one side of the base and an extension support plate pivotably arranged on the main support plate, the distance between the extension support plates is smaller than the distance between the main support plates, and the length of the extension support plate in the left-right direction is greater than the height of the base in the up-down direction perpendicular to the front-back direction and the left-right direction; Among them, the rotating module can rotate between an initial position and a terminal position relative to the base to link the two bodies to transform between an unfolded state corresponding to the initial position and causing the flexible screen to unfold, and a folded state corresponding to the terminal position and causing the flexible screen to fold inward. In the initial position, the extended support plate is flush with the main support plate, and in the terminal position, the extended support plate is against the base and pivots relative to the main support plate.

2. The hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the extended support plates has a plurality of pivot blocks that are spaced apart from each other and extend toward the main support plate and are pivotally mounted on the main support plate. In the initial position, the pivot blocks are abutted against the bottom surface of the main support plate, so that the extended support plate is flush with the main support plate and prevents the extended support plate from continuing to pivot downward toward the base.

3. The hinge according to claim 2, characterized in that: Each of the rotating modules further comprises a rotating frame which can rotate relative to the base and is used for setting the corresponding machine body. The main supporting plate is connected between the rotating frame and the base and can be driven by the rotating frame to rotate relative to the base.

4. The hinge according to claim 3, characterized in that: Each of the rotating frames has two rotating parts rotatably arranged at the two ends of the base in the front-to-back direction and two connecting sections respectively connected between the rotating parts and surrounding the corresponding main support plate together with the two rotating parts. The connecting section is connected to the corresponding main support plate and drives the main support plate to rotate.

5. The hinge according to claim 4, characterized in that: The rotating frame of each rotating module further comprises two rotating shaft members which are respectively arranged on the two rotating members and extend along the front-rear direction and are rotatably arranged on both ends of the base.

6. The hinge according to claim 5, characterized in that: The base unit also includes two cover kits respectively arranged on the rotating parts located at both ends of the base, a plurality of linkage gears respectively arranged in the cover kits and meshing with each other, and two cover plates respectively covering the linkage gears and connected to the cover kits. The linkage gears at the left and right ends of the linkage gears in each of the cover kits in the left and right directions are fixedly passed through by the corresponding two rotating shafts, so that the two rotating modules can rotate synchronously between the initial position and the terminal position, and link the two bodies to change between the expanded state and the folded state.

7. The hinge according to claim 6, characterized in that: Each of the rotating parts has a sliding groove that can allow the corresponding rotating shaft part to slide relatively but not rotate relatively, and a sliding column formed along the front-to-back direction. Each of the cover kits forms two sliding grooves on the surface of the rotating part that can accommodate the sliding column slidably. When the two rotating modules are in the initial position, the sliding groove extends in the left-right direction. When the two rotating modules are in the terminal position, the sliding groove extends in the up-down direction. Each of the sliding grooves has an inner end located on the inner side and an outer end located on the outer side. When the two rotating modules are in the initial position, the rotating shaft part is located at the outer end. When the two rotating modules are in the terminal position, the rotating shaft part is located at the inner end.

8. The hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the main support plates forms a plurality of openings spaced apart from each other, and each of the rotating modules further comprises a plurality of pivot members arranged and fixedly arranged along the front-to-rear direction on the base, wherein the pivot members are respectively located at the openings and are pivotally arranged on the main support plate, so that the main support plate can pivot relative to the base.

9. The hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the rotating module is at the initial position, the total length of the two extended support plates in the left-right direction is equal to the distance between the main support plates.

10. The hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the rotating module is at the initial position, the total length of the two extended support plates in the left-right direction is greater than the distance between the main support plates.

Images