Double axis hinge

Abstract

A double-axis hinge includes a track seat, two support mechanisms and two synchronization mechanisms. The track seat includes a top surface, two pairs of arc-shaped inner slide rails and two pairs of arc-shaped outer slide rails symmetrically arranged on both sides of the center line. The support mechanisms are symmetrically arranged on the track seat and can be relatively opened and closed and rotated between the unfolded position and the folded position. The support mechanism includes a sliding bracket and two synchronous brackets, the sliding shaft of the sliding bracket can slide along the inner slide rail, the synchronous bracket is connected to the opposite sides of the sliding bracket and can slide relative to the sliding bracket and can slide along the outer slide rail. Each synchronization mechanism includes two pivots and two pivot members respectively arranged on the pivots and can pivot synchronously, and the pivot members are respectively connected to the adjacent synchronous brackets so that they can slide relatively to each other to make the support mechanism rotate synchronously. The double-axis hinge is used to support a flexible screen. When the sliding bracket rotates to the folded position, the sliding shaft moves along the inner slide rail and retreats to make room, which can prevent the flexible screen from being damaged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a biaxial hinge, in particular to a biaxial hinge suitable for supporting a flexible screen. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, display screen technology has developed into bendable and foldable flexible screens, and portable electronic devices using flexible screens, such as foldable screen mobile phones and notebook computers, have also become an emerging technology field.

[0003] Currently, foldable electronic devices with flexible screens are divided into inward-folding type and outward-folding type according to whether the screen is located inside or outside the housing when folded. Since the flexible screen of the inward-folding electronic device is bent into a teardrop shape or a horseshoe shape when folded, the bent part in the middle of the flexible screen is easily squeezed by the housing and damaged. Summary of the invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a biaxial hinge that can solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0005] In some embodiments of the present invention, the dual-axis hinge comprises a track base, two supporting mechanisms and two synchronization mechanisms. The track base comprises a top surface, two pairs of inner slide rails symmetrically arranged on both sides of a center line, and two pairs of outer slide rails symmetrically arranged on both sides of the center line, each pair of inner slide rails is located below the top surface, opposite to each other and spaced apart along a first direction parallel to the center line, and extends in an arc shape in a second direction perpendicular to the center line, and each pair of outer slide rails is located below the top surface, respectively located on the opposite outer sides of the pair of inner slide rails on the same side along the first direction, and extends in an arc shape in the second direction. The support mechanisms are respectively located on both sides of the center line, symmetrically arranged on the track seat and can be relatively opened and closed and rotated between the unfolded position and the folded position. Each support mechanism includes a sliding bracket and two synchronous brackets. The sliding bracket has a support plate, a support body and a sliding shaft. The support plate has a support surface and a back surface opposite to the support surface. The support body is connected to the back surface and has a connecting end connected to the sliding shaft. The sliding shaft extends along the first direction and its two ends are respectively arranged on one of the pairs of inner slide rails to slide along the pair of inner slide rails. The synchronous brackets are respectively connected to the opposite sides of the support body in the first direction and can slide relative to the support body and are respectively arranged corresponding to one of the pairs of outer slide rails and can slide along the outer slide rails. The synchronization mechanism is respectively connected to the opposite sides of the track seat in the first direction. Each synchronization mechanism includes two pivots respectively located on both sides of the center line and extending along the first direction and two pivot members respectively arranged on the pivots and can be synchronously pivoted. The pivot members are respectively connected to the adjacent synchronous brackets in a relatively slidable manner to enable the support mechanism to rotate synchronously.

[0006] In some embodiments, the inner slide rail is in the shape of an arc with non-constant curvature. When the support mechanism is in the expanded position, the sliding axis of the sliding bracket is located at the end of the corresponding inner slide rail close to the center line and the support surface is coplanar with the top surface of the track seat. When the support mechanism is in the folded position, the sliding axis of the sliding bracket is located at the end of the corresponding inner slide rail away from the center line, and the support surfaces are gradually inclined, approached and spaced relative to the top surface, so that the distance of the support surface on the side close to the top surface is greater than the distance on the side away from the top surface.

[0007] In some embodiments, the support body also has two first slide grooves located on opposite sides of the first direction and extending along the second direction. Each movable bracket has a sliding portion that can slide along the corresponding outer slide rail and extends in an arc shape, and a supporting portion that rests on the back side of the supporting plate portion and can slide along one of the adjacent first slide grooves.

[0008] In some embodiments, each co-moving bracket also has a second slide groove extending along the second direction, and each pivot member has a linkage portion that can slide along the corresponding second slide groove. When the support mechanism is in the expanded position, the linkage portion is located at the end of the corresponding second slide groove away from the center line, and when the support mechanism is in the folded position, the linkage portion is located at the end of the corresponding second slide groove close to the center line.

[0009] In some embodiments, each synchronization mechanism also includes a gear seat fixedly connected to the track seat and a synchronization member rotatably arranged on the gear seat around its own axis, the synchronization member having an axis portion extending along the second direction and two bevel gears respectively connected to two opposite ends of the axis portion, the bevel gears are respectively arranged corresponding to the pivot members, and each pivot member also has a pivot portion connected to the corresponding pivot, a main body portion connecting the pivot portion and the linkage portion, and a bevel tooth portion formed on the pivot portion and meshing with the corresponding bevel gear, and the pivot members are pivoted synchronously through the synchronization member.

[0010] In some implementations, each synchronization mechanism further includes two torque units respectively disposed on the pivots to provide positioning torque.

[0011] In some embodiments, the gear seat has a main component and a limiting component, the main component has two retaining holes for the pivot to pass through and limit the pivot, and a limiting groove for accommodating the synchronous component, the limiting component has a plate body and a limiting block protruding from the plate body toward the main component, the limiting block and the main component together limit the synchronous component.

[0012] In some implementations, the track seat is composed of two seat bodies combined side by side, each pair of inner slide rails is formed on the opposite inner sides of the seat bodies, and each pair of outer slide rails is formed on the opposite outer sides of the seat bodies.

[0013] In some implementations, the support plate portion extends to opposite sides along the first direction relative to the support body, so that the back side of the support plate portion on both sides of the support body can be abutted by the co-moving bracket.

[0014] The present invention has the following effects: when the sliding bracket rotates to the folded position, the sliding shaft moves along the inner slide rail and leaves space, which can ensure that the flexible screen supported by the dual-axis hinge will not be pulled or squeezed by the movement of the sliding bracket during the bending process, thereby preventing the flexible screen from being damaged. Moreover, the overall structure of the dual-axis hinge can be made thinner and modular, and corresponding to flexible screens with different bending properties, it is only necessary to replace the track seat with the inner slide rail corresponding to the different flexible screen designs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Other features and effects of the present invention will be clearly presented in the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a biaxial hinge of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 is a perspective exploded view of this embodiment;

[0018] Figure 3 is a side view of the embodiment in the deployed position;

[0019] Figure 4 is a perspective exploded view of the track base of this embodiment;

[0020] Figure 5 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the support mechanism of this embodiment;

[0021] Figure 6 is a side view of the embodiment in the folded position;

[0022] Figure 7 is a side view illustrating the relative relationship between the sliding bracket of the support mechanism and the track seat in the deployed position;

[0023] Figure 8 is a side view illustrating the relative relationship between the sliding bracket and the track seat in the folded position;

[0024] Fig. 9 is a side view illustrating the relative relationship between the movable bracket of the support mechanism and the track seat in the deployed position;

[0025] Fig.10 is a side view illustrating the relative relationship between the co-moving bracket and the track seat in the folded position;

[0026] Fig.11is a three-dimensional exploded view of the synchronization mechanism of this embodiment;

[0027] Fig.12 yes Fig.11 an exploded perspective view of the

[0028] Fig.13 It is an incomplete top view of this embodiment, in which the main components of the gear seat are removed to illustrate the meshing relationship between the synchronizer and the two pivot members. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] See also Figures 1 to 3 The embodiment of the biaxial hinge 100 of the present invention is suitable for being arranged in an electronic device (not shown) having a flexible screen S, for connecting two shells (not shown) that can be opened and closed relative to each other and supporting the flexible screen S. The biaxial hinge 100 includes a track seat 10, two supporting mechanisms 2 and two synchronization mechanisms 3.

[0030] See also Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 The track seat 10 includes a top surface 11, two pairs of inner slide rails 12 symmetrically arranged on both sides of a center line C, and two pairs of outer slide rails 13 symmetrically arranged on both sides of the center line C. Each pair of inner slide rails 12 is located below the top surface 11, opposite to each other and spaced apart along a first direction D1 parallel to the center line C, and extend in an arc shape in a second direction D2 perpendicular to the center line C. Each pair of outer slide rails 13 is located below the top surface 11, respectively located on the opposite outer sides of the pair of inner slide rails 12 on the same side along the first direction D1, and extend in an arc shape in the second direction D2. In this embodiment, the track seat 10 is composed of two seat bodies 1 arranged side by side, and a connecting pin 14 is passed through the seat body 1 to enhance the bonding strength. Each pair of inner slide rails 12 are respectively formed on the opposite inner sides of the seat body 1, and each pair of outer slide rails 13 are respectively formed on the opposite outer sides of the seat body 1.

[0031] See also Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 The support mechanisms 2 are located on both sides of the center line C, symmetrically arranged on the track base 10 and can be in an extended position (such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 ) and a closed position (as shown) Figure 6Each supporting mechanism 2 includes a sliding bracket 21 and two co-moving brackets 22. The sliding bracket 21 has a support plate 211, a support body 212 and a sliding shaft 213. The support plate 211 has a support surface 211a and a back surface 211b opposite to the support surface 211a. The support body 212 is connected to the back surface 211b and has a connecting end 212a connected to the sliding shaft 213, and the connecting end 212a protrudes toward the center line C relative to the support plate 211. The sliding shaft 213 extends along the first direction D1 and the two ends are respectively arranged on one of the pairs of inner slide rails 12 to slide along the pair of inner slide rails 12. The co-moving brackets 22 are respectively connected to the opposite sides of the support body 212 in the first direction D1 and can slide relative to the support body 212 and are respectively arranged corresponding to one of the pairs of outer slide rails 13 and can slide along the outer slide rails 13.

[0032] In this embodiment, the support plate portion 211 of the sliding bracket 21 is integrally formed with the support body 212, and the sliding shaft 213 is separately formed and penetrates the connecting end portion 212a. However, in a modified embodiment, the sliding shaft 213 can also be integrally formed with the connecting end portion 212a, that is, the support plate portion 211, the support body 212 and the sliding shaft 213 of the sliding bracket 21 can also be integrally formed.

[0033] In the present embodiment, the support body 212 further has two first slide grooves 212b located on opposite sides in the first direction D1 and extending along the second direction D2. The support plate portion 211 extends to opposite sides along the first direction D1 compared to the support body 212, so that the back side 211b of the support plate portion 211 on both sides of the support body 212 can be abutted by the co-moving bracket 22. Each co-moving bracket 22 has a sliding portion 221 that can slide along the corresponding outer slide rail 13 and extends in an arc shape, and a supporting portion 222 that abuts against the back side 211b of the support plate portion 211 and can slide along one of the adjacent first slide grooves 212b. In addition, in the present embodiment, each co-moving bracket 22 also has a second slide groove 223 extending along the second direction D2.

[0034] like Figure 7 As shown, when the support mechanism 2 is in the unfolded position, the sliding shaft 213 of the sliding bracket 21 is located at the end of the corresponding inner slide rail 12 close to the center line C and the support surface 211a is coplanar with the top surface 11 of the track base 10 to support the flattened flexible screen S. Figure 8As shown, when the support mechanism 2 is located at the folded position, the sliding shaft 213 of the sliding bracket 21 is located at the end of the corresponding inner slide rail 12 away from the center line C, and the support surface 211a is gradually inclined and spaced relative to the top surface 11, so that the distance L1 of the support surface 211a on the side close to the top surface 11 is greater than the distance L2 on the side away from the top surface 11. In other words, during the rotation of the sliding bracket 21 to the folded position, the sliding shaft 213 moves along the inner slide rail 12 and leaves space to accommodate the flexible screen S in a horseshoe shape. In this embodiment, the inner slide rail 12 is a non-uniform curvature arc for guiding the moving path of the sliding shaft 213, and the gradual change of the arc curvature is obtained based on the calculation of the length change of the flexible screen S during the bending process, so that the sliding bracket 21 can change the sliding trajectory in accordance with the flexural deformation of the flexible screen S. This ensures that the flexible screen S will not be pulled or squeezed by the movement of the sliding bracket 21 during the bending process, thereby preventing the flexible screen S from being damaged. The curvature of the inner slide rail 12 needs to be adjusted according to the bending characteristics of different flexible screens S. If a similar flexible screen S is to be used, only the track base 10 needs to be replaced without redesigning other components.

[0035] See also Fig. 9 and Fig.10 In this embodiment, the outer slide rail 13 is arc-shaped, with one end close to the center line C being a closed end and the other end away from the center line C being an open end. The shape and size of the sliding portion 221 of the co-moving bracket 22 match the outer slide rail 13, such as Fig. 9 As shown, when the support mechanism 2 is in the unfolded position, the sliding portion 221 of the movable bracket 22 is accommodated in the corresponding outer slide rail 13 and the end close to the center line C is limited by the closed end of the corresponding outer slide rail 13. Fig.10 As shown, when the support mechanism 2 is located at the folded position, a portion of the sliding portion 221 of the movable bracket 22 moves out of the corresponding outer slide rail 13 .

[0036] See also Figure 2 and Figures 11 to 13 , the synchronization mechanism 3 is connected to the opposite sides of the track seat 10 in the first direction D1. Each synchronization mechanism 3 includes two pivots 31 respectively located on both sides of the center line C and extending along the first direction D1, and two pivot members 32 respectively arranged on the pivots 31 and capable of synchronously pivoting. The pivot members 32 are respectively connected to the adjacent synchronous brackets 22 in a relatively slidable manner and can drive the support mechanism 2 to rotate synchronously. By the synchronization mechanism 3 being located on both sides of the support mechanism 2 and driving the support mechanism 2 symmetrically on both sides, it is possible to avoid the wear of parts caused by uneven force on one side, thereby increasing the service life and reliability.

[0037] In this embodiment, each synchronization mechanism 3 further includes a gear seat 33 connected and fixed to the track seat 10, a synchronization member 34 rotatably arranged on the gear seat 33, and two torque units 35 respectively arranged on the pivot 31 to provide positioning torque. The gear seat 33 has a main component 331 and a stopper 332. The main component 331 has two retaining holes 331a for the pivot 31 to pass through and limit the pivot 31, and a stopper groove 331b for accommodating the synchronization member 34. The stopper 332 has a plate body 332a and a stopper block 332b protruding from the plate body 332a toward the main component 331, and the stopper block 332b and the main component 331 jointly limit the synchronization member 34. The pivot 31 also passes through the plate body 332a for the torque unit 35 to be set. The synchronous member 34 has a shaft portion 341 extending along the second direction D2 and two bevel gears 342 respectively connected to the two opposite ends of the shaft portion 341, and the bevel gears 342 are respectively arranged corresponding to the pivot members 32. Each pivot member 32 has a linkage portion 321 that can slide along the second slide groove 223 of the corresponding synchronous bracket 22, a pivoting portion 322 connected to the corresponding pivot shaft 31, a main body portion 323 connecting the pivoting portion 322 and the linkage portion 321, and a bevel gear portion 324 formed on the pivoting portion 322 and meshing with the corresponding bevel gear 342, so that the pivot members 32 are synchronously pivoted through the synchronous member 34. Figure 3 As shown, when the support mechanism 2 is located at the unfolded position, the linkage portion 321 of the pivoting member 32 is located at an end of the corresponding second sliding slot 223 away from the center line C, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown, when the support mechanism 2 is located at the folded position, the linkage portion 321 is located at an end of the corresponding second sliding slot 223 close to the center line C.

[0038] See also Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 6 In this embodiment, when the user applies force to the support mechanism 2 on one side, the synchronously pivoted pivot member 32 can be used to link the synchronously movable bracket 22 of the support mechanism 2 on the other side, and the synchronously movable bracket 22 can then link the sliding bracket 21 of the support mechanism 2 on the other side, so that the support mechanisms 2 located on both sides of the center line C can be synchronously opened and closed and rotated between the expanded position and the folded position.

[0039] In summary, during the process of the sliding bracket 21 rotating to the folded position, the sliding shaft 213 moves along the inner slide rail 12 and leaves space, which can ensure that during the bending process of the flexible screen S, the movement of the sliding bracket 21 will not pull or squeeze the flexible screen S, thereby preventing the flexible screen S from being damaged. Moreover, the overall structure of the dual-axis hinge 100 can be thin and modular, and corresponding to the flexible screen S with different bending properties, only the track seat 10 with the inner slide rail 12 designed for the different flexible screen S needs to be replaced.

[0040] The above are merely embodiments of the present invention and should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention. That is, any simple equivalent changes and modifications made according to the claims and description of the present invention still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A double-axis hinge, characterized in that: Include: The track seat comprises a top surface, two pairs of inner slide rails symmetrically arranged on both sides of a center line, and two pairs of outer slide rails symmetrically arranged on both sides of the center line, each pair of inner slide rails is located below the top surface, opposite to each other and spaced apart along a first direction parallel to the center line, and extending in an arc shape in a second direction perpendicular to the center line, and each pair of outer slide rails is located below the top surface, respectively located at two opposite outer sides of the pair of inner slide rails on the same side along the first direction, and extending in an arc shape in the second direction; Two support mechanisms are respectively located on both sides of the center line, symmetrically arranged on the track seat and can be relatively opened and closed and rotated between the unfolded position and the folded position, each support mechanism includes a sliding bracket and two co-moving brackets, the sliding bracket has a support plate portion, a support body and a sliding shaft, the support plate portion has a support surface and a back surface opposite to the support surface, the support body is connected to the back surface and has a connecting end connected to the sliding shaft, the sliding shaft extends along the first direction and has two ends respectively arranged on one of the pairs of inner slide rails to slide along the pair of inner slide rails, the co-moving brackets are respectively connected to the opposite sides of the support body in the first direction and can slide relative to the support body, and are respectively arranged corresponding to one of the pairs of outer slide rails and can slide along the outer slide rails; and Two synchronization mechanisms are respectively connected to opposite sides of the track seat in the first direction, each synchronization mechanism includes two pivots respectively located on both sides of the center line and extending along the first direction and two pivot members respectively arranged on the pivots and can pivot synchronously, and the pivot members are respectively connected to adjacent co-moving brackets so that they can be relatively slidable to enable the support mechanism to rotate synchronously.

2. The biaxial hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner slide rail is in the shape of an arc with non-constant curvature. When the support mechanism is in the expanded position, the sliding axis of the sliding bracket is located at the end of the corresponding inner slide rail close to the center line and the support surface is coplanar with the top surface of the track seat. When the support mechanism is in the folded position, the sliding axis of the sliding bracket is located at the end of the corresponding inner slide rail away from the center line, and the support surfaces are gradually inclined, approached and spaced relative to the top surface, so that the distance of the support surface on the side close to the top surface is greater than the distance on the side away from the top surface.

3. The biaxial hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support body also has two first slide grooves located on opposite sides of the first direction and extending along the second direction. Each movable bracket has a sliding portion that can slide along the corresponding outer slide rail and extends in an arc shape, and a supporting portion that rests on the back side of the supporting plate and can slide along one of the adjacent first slide grooves.

4. The double-axis hinge according to claim 3, characterized in that: Each of the co-moving brackets also has a second slide groove extending along the second direction, and each of the pivot members has a linkage portion that can slide along the corresponding second slide groove. When the support mechanism is located in the expanded position, the linkage portion is located at an end of the corresponding second slide groove away from the center line. When the support mechanism is located in the folded position, the linkage portion is located at an end of the corresponding second slide groove close to the center line.

5. The biaxial hinge according to claim 4, characterized in that: Each synchronization mechanism also includes a gear seat fixedly connected to the track seat and a synchronization member rotatably arranged on the gear seat around its own axis, the synchronization member having an axis rod portion extending along the second direction and two bevel gears respectively connected to the two opposite ends of the axis rod portion, the bevel gears are respectively arranged corresponding to the pivot members, and each pivot member also has a pivot portion connected to the corresponding pivot, a main body portion connecting the pivot portion and the linkage portion, and a bevel tooth portion formed on the pivot portion and meshing with the corresponding bevel gear, and the pivot members are pivoted synchronously through the synchronization member.

6. The double-axis hinge according to claim 5, characterized in that: Each synchronization mechanism further includes two torque units respectively arranged on the pivot shafts to provide positioning torque.

7. The biaxial hinge according to claim 5, characterized in that: The gear seat has a main component and a limiting component. The main component has two retaining holes for the pivot to pass through and limit the pivot, and a limiting groove for accommodating the synchronous component. The limiting component has a plate body and a limiting block protruding from the plate body toward the main component. The limiting block and the main component jointly limit the synchronous component.

8. The biaxial hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The track seat is composed of two seat bodies assembled side by side, each pair of inner slide rails is formed on the relatively inner sides of the seat bodies, and each pair of outer slide rails is formed on the relatively outer sides of the seat bodies.

9. The biaxial hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support plate portion extends to two opposite sides along the first direction compared to the support body, so that the back side of the support plate portion at two sides of the support body can be abutted by the co-moving bracket.

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