Rotating shaft structure and electronic device

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a rotating shaft structure and an electronic device. The rotating shaft structure includes a first housing, a second housing, and a slot antenna. The first housing is made of a metal material, and the second housing is made of a non-metallic material. Together with the first housing, they enclose a receiving cavity. The slot antenna is abutted against a first position area on the inner wall of the receiving cavity through a bracket disposed in the receiving cavity, and the first position area is the area where the first housing and the second housing are joined.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of electronic equipment, and in particular, to a hinge structure and electronic equipment. Background Art

[0002] With the progress of society, people have higher and higher requirements for the electronic devices they use. More and more electronic devices use metal materials. For example, laptops are developing towards being thin, light, multifunctional, and metalized. This means that antennas must also develop towards the goal of small space, high performance, good stability, low cost loss, and easy hiding. However, metal materials can easily block or even shield the radiation of antennas, which is not conducive to antenna radiation. How to make electronic devices with metal shells have higher antenna efficiency without affecting the overall appearance is a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of this, according to the present disclosure, a hinge structure and an electronic device are provided, and the technical solution is as follows.

[0004] A rotating shaft structure, comprising:

[0005] The first shell is made of metal;

[0006] The second shell is made of non-metallic material and encloses a receiving cavity with the first shell;

[0007] The slot antenna is abutted against a first position area of the inner wall of the accommodating cavity through a bracket arranged in the accommodating cavity, and the first position area is an area where the first shell and the second shell are connected.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the slot antenna includes:

[0009] A metal body, disposed on the second shell and connected to the first shell, wherein a gap for signal radiation is formed on the metal body;

[0010] a dielectric layer, the dielectric layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the first surface being in contact with the metal body; and

[0011] A microstrip line is arranged on the second surface of the dielectric layer, and at least a portion of the microstrip line is opposite to at least a portion of the slot, so as to stimulate the slot to radiate.

[0012] In one possible implementation manner, the metal body has a connecting side and a distal side, the connecting side is connected to the first shell, the distal side is opposite to the connecting side, and the slot has an opening formed on the distal side to form an open terminal of the slot antenna.

[0013] In an implementable embodiment, the slot includes at least two slot segments that communicate with each other. The at least two slot segments can be decomposed into three resonant paths, and the opening is formed at an end of one of the slot segments.

[0014] In an implementable embodiment, the slot includes a first slot segment, a second slot segment, a third slot segment, and a fourth slot segment. The second slot segment and the third slot segment are respectively connected to two ends of the first slot segment, and the fourth slot segment is connected to the middle of the first slot segment, so that the whole slot is in an E shape, and the opening is formed at an end of the fourth slot segment away from the first slot segment.

[0015] In an implementable embodiment, in the circumferential direction of the accommodation cavity, the first housing has a first length L1, and the second housing has a second length L2, where L1:L2 = 1 / 2 to 3 / 2.

[0016] In an implementable embodiment, L1:L2 = 1:1.

[0017] An electronic device includes a first body, a second body, and the rotating shaft structure as described above. Wherein, the first body and the second body are rotatably connected through the rotating shaft structure.

[0018] In an implementable embodiment, the first body includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion that are oppositely arranged. The first housing portion is made of a metal material, and the material of the first housing is the same as that of the first housing portion; the second housing portion is made of a non-metal material, and the material of the second housing is the same as that of the second housing portion.

[0019] In an implementable embodiment, the first housing and the first housing portion are integrally formed.

[0020] By arranging the slot antenna in the accommodation cavity of the rotating shaft structure, the present disclosure not only requires a small space, has high performance, good stability, low cost loss, and is easy to hide; but also does not cause interruption and shielding to the radiation of the antenna, enables an electronic device with a metal material shell to have a high antenna efficiency, and does not affect the overall aesthetics at the same time.

[0021] The following will, with reference to the accompanying drawings, detail the advantages and features of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The following drawings of the present disclosure are hereby incorporated as part of the present disclosure for understanding the present disclosure. The embodiments and descriptions thereof shown in the drawings are used to explain the principles of the present disclosure. In the drawings,

[0023] Figure 1 is a structural diagram of an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 2 A Figure 1 Partial enlarged side cross-sectional view of the electronic device shown;

[0025] Figure 3 A Figure 2 Planar development view of the middle rotating shaft structure;

[0026] Figure 4 A Figure 3 Front view of the slot antenna of an exemplary embodiment;

[0027] Figure 5 A Figure 3 Side view of the slot antenna of an exemplary embodiment.

[0028] Description of the reference numerals in the figure:

[0029] 100, the first body; 110, the first housing part; 120, the second housing part; 200, the second body; 210, the third housing part; 220, the fourth housing part; 300, the rotating shaft structure; 310, the first housing; 320, the second housing; 330, the accommodating cavity; 340, the slot antenna; 341, the metal body; 34101, the connecting side; 34102, the far side; 3411, the slot; 34111, the first slot segment; 34112, the second slot segment; 34113, the third slot segment; 34114, the fourth slot segment; 342, the dielectric layer; 3421, the first surface; 3422, the second surface; 343, the microstrip line; 350, the bracket. Detailed implementation manners

[0030] In the following description, a large number of details are provided to enable a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art can understand that the following description only exemplarily shows alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure can be implemented without one or more such details. In addition, in order to avoid confusion with the present disclosure, some technical features well known in the art are not described in detail.

[0031] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the electronic device includes a first body 100, a second body 200, and a rotating shaft structure 300. The first body 100 and the second body 200 are rotationally connected through the rotating shaft structure 300, so that the relative positions of the first body 100 and the second body 200 can be adjusted to have different relative position relationships, thereby increasing the usage forms of the electronic device and improving the adaptability of the electronic device.

[0032] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the structure of the electronic device is not limited. For example, the electronic device may be a notebook computer, a television, or other devices with a display function.

[0033] In the disclosed embodiment, the structure of the first body 100 is not limited. For example, the first body 100 may be a block structure. For another example, the first body 100 may be a plate structure. In one disclosed embodiment, the first body 100 is a display screen, or a display device loaded with a hardware platform and an operating system.

[0034] In the disclosed embodiment, the structure of the second body 200 is not limited. For example, the second body 200 may be a block structure, or for another example, the second body 200 may be a plate structure. For another example, the second body 200 may be a base structure with a seat. In one disclosed embodiment, the second body 200 is a host of an electronic device.

[0035] As an example, the electronic device is a laptop computer, the first body 100 is a display device, the second body 200 is a host, and a keyboard is arranged on the host. The first body 100 includes a first shell 110 and a second shell 120 arranged oppositely, the first shell 110 is made of metal material, the second shell 120 is made of non-metallic material, a display screen is arranged on the second shell 120, the first shell 110 and the second shell 120 are connected to form a narrow frame design of the first body 100 as a whole, and the narrow frame here means that the first area of the display screen is more than 85% of the second area of the first body 100, and the display device with a narrow frame design can make the laptop computer accommodate a larger first area as much as possible within the limited second area. The second body 200 includes a third shell 210 and a fourth shell 220 arranged oppositely, the third shell 210 is connected to the fourth shell 220, and the laptop computer can be placed on a platform such as a desktop with the fourth shell 220 facing. The keyboard is arranged on the third shell 210.

[0036] Here, the first shell portion 110 may be a screen back cover (the shell behind the display screen, referred to as A shell), the second shell portion 120 may be a screen front frame (the shell around the edge of the display screen, referred to as B shell), the third shell portion 210 may be a host upper cover (a circle surrounding the keyboard, referred to as C shell), and the fourth shell portion 220 may be a host lower cover (the bottom placement part of the electronic device, referred to as D shell), that is, when the electronic device is closed, from top to bottom they are A shell, B shell, C shell and D shell.

[0037] like Figure 2As shown, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the rotating shaft structure 300 includes a first housing 310, a second housing 320, and a slot antenna 340. The first housing 310 is made of a metal material. Here, the material of the first housing 310 can be magnesium alloy, titanium alloy, carbon fiber alloy, etc. The second housing 320 is made of a non-metal material. Here, the material of the second housing can be plastic, polycarbonate PC, etc. The second housing 320 and the first housing 310 enclose a receiving cavity 330. A bracket 350 can be accommodated in the receiving cavity 330, and cables can also be accommodated. The slot antenna 340 is abutted against a first position area on the inner wall of the receiving cavity 330 through the bracket 350 disposed in the receiving cavity 330. The first position area is the area where the first housing 310 and the second housing 320 are joined. In this way, on the one hand, since the first housing 310 is made of a metal material, the electrical connection of the slot antenna 340 can be realized, so that the slot antenna 340 can receive signals or receive instructions and transmit signals to function normally; on the other hand, since the second housing 320 is made of a non-metal material, the non-metal material will not shield the slot antenna 340.

[0038] Here, the bracket 350 can not only abut the slot antenna 340 against the inner wall of the receiving cavity 330, but also extend out of the receiving cavity 330 to form a pivoting portion for connection with the third housing portion 210 or the fourth housing portion 220 of the second body 200. For example, the third housing portion 210 or the fourth housing portion 220 can be provided with a pivoting hole, and the pivoting portion is inserted into the pivoting hole. In this way, it is realized that the first body 100 is rotatably disposed on the second body 200 through the rotating shaft structure 300 with the bracket 350 as the rotation center.

[0039] In an embodiment not shown, the rotating shaft structure 300 may further include a rotating shaft main body. At least a part of the rotating shaft main body is inserted into the receiving cavity 330 enclosed by the second housing 320 and the first housing 310. That is to say, the first housing 310 and the second housing 320 are sleeved on the rotating shaft main body, and the bracket 350 can be a part of the rotating shaft main body.

[0040] In some optional implementation manners of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the material of the first housing 310 is the same as that of the first housing portion 110. That is, the first housing 310 and the first housing portion 110 adopt the same metal material. Here, the first housing 310 and the first housing portion 110 can be an integrally formed structure or a split structure. It should be noted that in the case of a split structure, even during the rotation of the first body 100 relative to the second body 200, the first housing 310 and the first housing portion 110 are connected and remain relatively stationary.

[0041] In some optional implementation manners of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the material of the second housing 320 is the same as that of the second housing portion 120. That is, the second housing 320 and the second housing portion 120 adopt the same non-metal material.

[0042] As Figures 3 to 5 shown, in some alternative implementation manners of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the slot antenna 340 includes a metal body 341, a dielectric layer 342, and a microstrip line 343.

[0043] Here, the metal body 341 is disposed on the second housing 320 and is in contact with the first housing 310. A slot 3411 for signal radiation is formed on the metal body 341. The slot 3411 can be formed on the metal body 341 by direct laser forming. The metal body 341 can be a copper foil attached to the inner side of the second housing 320, or a metal plating formed on the inner side of the second housing 320. It should be noted that the inner side here refers to the side of the second housing 320 facing the accommodation cavity 330. In this way, by connecting the metal body 341 to the first housing 310, when applied to an electronic device, since the first housing 310 is connected to the metal shell (i.e., the first shell portion 110) of the first body 100 of the electronic device, the effect of grounding the slot antenna 340 can be achieved. Moreover, since the metal body 341 is disposed on the second housing 320 and the second housing 320 is made of a non-metal material, it will not be shielded by the metal first housing 310. Furthermore, when the electronic device is opened, it can be used normally and maintain the aesthetic metallic texture.

[0044] The dielectric layer 342 has a first surface 3421 and a second surface 3422 opposite to the first surface 3421. The first surface 3421 is in contact with the metal body 341. The dielectric layer 342 can be plate-shaped, so the dielectric layer 342 can also be referred to as a dielectric plate. The relevant parameters of the dielectric plate can be selected according to the specific performance of the antenna. Since the dielectric plate is disposed around the position where the slot 3411 is located, a part of the first surface 3421 of the dielectric plate can be exposed through the slot 3411, so that a part of the dielectric plate is not blocked by the metal body 341, thereby realizing bidirectional spatial electromagnetic radiation.

[0045] The microstrip line 343 is disposed on the second surface 3422 of the dielectric layer 342, and at least part of the microstrip line 343 is opposite to at least part of the slot 3411 for exciting the slot 3411 to radiate. At least part of the microstrip line 343 and at least part of the slot 3411 being opposite means that there is a partially overlapping area in the projection of the microstrip line 343 and the slot 3411 on the first surface 3421 (or the second surface 3422, or the parallel plane between the first surface 3421 and the second surface 3422) of the dielectric plate.

[0046] As Figure 4As shown, in some alternative implementation manners of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the slot 3411 is formed inward from one edge of the metal body 341, that is, the slot 3411 is machined on the metal body 341 in a hollowing-out manner, and the length and width of the slot 3411 can be determined according to the frequency band and performance of the required antenna. The slot 3411 extending inward from the edge can shorten the size of the slot antenna 340 meeting the requirements by half. That is, when designing the slot 3411 with a length of half a wavelength inside the metal body 341, only a quarter of the wavelength is required if the above-mentioned engraving design is adopted, meeting the design requirements of antenna miniaturization.

[0047] In this embodiment, the relative position and shape of the microstrip line 343 and the slot 3411 are adjusted according to the requirements of the antenna. For example, the position of the microstrip line 343 can be set to be substantially opposite to the position of the slot 3411 on the metal body 341. That is, in order to obtain better antenna performance, the position of the microstrip line 343 on the second surface 3422 can be adjusted, and the specific position and structure of the microstrip line 343 can be adjusted according to the actual situation. For example, impedance matching can be achieved by adjusting the positions of the feeding point and the grounding point.

[0048] Referring to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , in some alternative implementation manners of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the metal body 341 has an abutting side 34101 and a far side 34102. The abutting side 34101 is abutted against the first housing 310, and the far side 34102 is opposite to the abutting side 34101. The slot 3411 has an opening formed on the far side 34102 to form an open circuit at the end of the slot antenna 340. In this way, the metal body 341 can be connected to the first housing portion 110 through the first housing 310, so that the ideal state of the slot antenna existing in an infinite metal plane can be realized, and radiation can be carried out through the slot 3411.

[0049] In some alternative implementation manners of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the slot 3411 includes at least two slot segments that are interconnected. The at least two slot segments can be decomposed into three resonant paths, and the opening is formed at the end of one of the slot segments. In this way, multiple-loop excitation can be realized to achieve multiple frequencies.

[0050] Referring again to Figure 4, in some alternative implementation manners of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the slot 3411 includes a first slot segment 34111, a second slot segment 34112, a third slot segment 34113, and a fourth slot segment 34114. The second slot segment 34112 and the third slot segment 34113 are respectively connected to both ends of the first slot segment 34111, and the fourth slot segment 34114 is connected to the middle of the first slot segment 34111, so that the slot 3411 is in an overall E shape, and an opening is formed at one end of the fourth slot segment 34114 away from the first slot segment 34111. Thus, the slot antenna 340 is an E-shaped slot antenna, which can be decomposed into three resonant path slot antennas, that is, two 1 / 4 wavelength open slot antennas formed from stub A to stubs B and C respectively, and a traditional half-wavelength slot antenna formed from stub B to C. As a resonant antenna, the resonant frequencies of each resonant path can be controlled by adjusting the design parameters of each resonant path. The basic resonant frequencies (f1, f2, and f3 respectively) of the three resonant paths of the E-shaped slot can be obtained through the following formulas:

[0051]

[0052]

[0053]

[0054] where: L 11 , L 22 , L 33 are the total paths of resonances 1, 2, and 3 respectively; c is the speed of light; ε eff is the effective dielectric constant.

[0055] It should be understood that the slot antenna 340 is not limited to the E-shaped slot antenna. In embodiments not shown, it can also be a T-shaped slot antenna. However, no matter what shape the slot antenna is, the opening is formed on the far side 34102 to avoid metal shielding at the slot, so as to meet the antenna radiation clearance requirements.

[0056] In order to enhance the user experience when using an electronic device, in some alternative implementation manners of the embodiments of the present disclosure, in the circumferential direction of the accommodation cavity 330, the first housing 310 has a first length L1, and the second housing 320 has a second length L2, where L1:L2 = 1:1. It should be understood that here, the first length L1 and the second length L2 are actually the unfolded lengths. In this way, when the electronic device is opened (i.e., the first body 100 rotates relative to the second body 200 to a first angle, such as 90° or 125°, etc.), the second shell portion 120 and a part of the second housing 320 face the user. When the second housing 320 and the second shell portion 120 use the same non-metallic material, the user experience can be enhanced; when the electronic device is closed (i.e., the first body 100 rotates relative to the second body 200 to a second angle, such as 0°), it can be realized that the exposed part of the rotating shaft structure 300 between the first body 100 and the second body 200 is made of metal material. Thus, when the electronic device is closed, the part of the rotating shaft structure 300 shown to the user is all metal, which can further enhance the user experience.

[0057] Here, the relationship between the first length L1 and the second length L2 is not limited to 1:1. In embodiments not shown, the relationship between the first length L1 and the second length L2 can also be L1:L2 = 1 / 2, and the relationship between the first length L1 and the second length L2 can also be L1:L2 = 3 / 2. That is to say, as long as it can be achieved that when the electronic device is closed, the part of the rotating shaft structure 300 shown to the user is all metal.

[0058] As can be seen from the above, after the electronic device (taking a notebook computer as an example) adopts the above-mentioned rotating shaft structure 300, it can have the following beneficial effects:

[0059] 1. Install the slot antenna at the rotating shaft cover of the electronic device without the need for a window, which is beneficial to the appearance process design of the electronic device and saves cost.

[0060] 2. The slot antenna is not placed on the D shell of the electronic device, saving the antenna and the required clearance space, and other components can be placed or the overall size of the electronic device can be reduced.

[0061] 3. The rotating shaft cover and the A shell can be integrated, that is, the rotating shaft cover adopts a structure combining plastic and metal, and the part connected to the A shell uses the same metal material as the A shell. When the electronic device is in use, the part of the rotating shaft structure facing the user is the same as the material of the B shell. When the electronic device is closed, the part of the rotating shaft structure shown to the user is the same as the material of the A shell, enhancing the user experience.

[0062] In the description of the present disclosure, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the orientation terms is generally based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. This is only for the convenience of describing the present disclosure and simplifying the description. Without contrary description, these orientation terms do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation on the protection scope of the present disclosure; the orientation terms "inside" and "outside" refer to the inside and outside relative to the contour of each component itself.

[0063] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as "above", "over", "on the upper surface", "upper" etc. may be used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship of one or more components or features shown in the drawings with respect to other components or features. It should be understood that the spatial relative terms include not only the orientation of the components as depicted in the drawings but also different orientations during use or operation. For example, if the components in the drawings are inverted as a whole, then the component "above" or "over" other components or features will include the situation where the component is "below" or "under" other components or structures. Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both the orientation of "above" and "below". In addition, these components or features can also be positioned at other different angles (such as rotated 90 degrees or other angles), and this document is intended to cover all such cases.

[0064] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms are also intended to include the plural forms. In addition, it should also be understood that when the terms "comprise" and / or "include" are used in this specification, they specify the presence of features, steps, operations, components, assemblies and / or combinations thereof.

[0065] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the description, claims and above-mentioned drawings of the present disclosure are used to distinguish similar objects and do not necessarily have to be used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances so that the embodiments of the present disclosure described herein can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein.

[0066] The present disclosure has been illustrated by the above embodiments. However, it should be understood that the above embodiments are only for illustrative and explanatory purposes, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure to the scope of the described embodiments. In addition, those skilled in the art can understand that the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and more variations and modifications can be made according to the teachings of the present disclosure, and these variations and modifications all fall within the scope of protection required by the present disclosure. The scope of protection of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims and their equivalent scope.

Claims

1. A rotating shaft structure, comprising: The first shell is made of metal; The second shell is made of non-metallic material and encloses a receiving cavity with the first shell; The slot antenna is abutted against a first position area of the inner wall of the accommodating cavity by a bracket arranged in the accommodating cavity, and the first position area is the area where the first shell and the second shell are connected. The slot antenna includes a metal body, a dielectric layer and a microstrip line, and the microstrip line is used to excite the slot on the metal body to radiate wireless signals.

2. According to the hinge structure of claim 1, the slot antenna comprises: A metal body, disposed on the second shell and connected to the first shell, wherein a gap for signal radiation is formed on the metal body; a dielectric layer, the dielectric layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the first surface being in contact with the metal body; as well as A microstrip line is arranged on the second surface of the dielectric layer, and at least a portion of the microstrip line is opposite to at least a portion of the slot, so as to stimulate the slot to radiate.

3. According to the hinge structure of claim 2, the metal body has a connecting side and a distal side, the connecting side is connected to the first shell, and the distal side is opposite to the connecting side, and the slot has an opening formed on the distal side to form a terminal open circuit of the slot antenna.

4. The shaft structure according to claim 3, wherein the slot comprises at least two slot segments connected to each other, at least two of the slot segments can be decomposed into three resonance paths, and the opening is formed at the end of one of the slot segments.

5. According to the rotating shaft structure of claim 4, the gap includes a first gap segment, a second gap segment, a third gap segment and a fourth gap segment, the second gap segment and the third gap segment are respectively connected to the two ends of the first gap segment, and the fourth gap segment is connected to the middle of the first gap segment, so that the gap is E-shaped as a whole, and the opening is formed at the end of the fourth gap segment away from the first gap segment.

6. The rotating shaft structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein in the circumferential direction of the accommodating cavity, the first shell has a first length L1, and the second shell has a second length L2, and L1:L2=1 / 2 to 3 / 2.

7. The rotating shaft structure according to claim 6, wherein L1:L2=1:

1.

8. An electronic device, comprising a first body, a second body, and a rotating shaft structure as described in any one of claims 1-7, wherein, The first body and the second body are rotatably connected via the rotating shaft structure.

9. According to the electronic device according to claim 8, the first body includes a first shell portion and a second shell portion that are relatively arranged, the first shell portion is made of metal material, and the material of the first shell portion is the same as that of the first shell portion; the second shell portion is made of non-metallic material, and the material of the second shell portion is the same as that of the second shell portion. 10 . The electronic device according to claim 9 , wherein the first housing and the first shell portion are integrally formed.

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