A rotating shaft structure and an electronic device having the same.

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of hinge technology for electronic flip devices, specifically to a hinge structure and an electronic device having the same. The hinge structure includes: a hinge component; a flexible circuit printed on the hinge component using an in-mold transfer laser forming process; and a connecting joint fixedly connected to the hinge component, wherein the flexible circuit is electrically connected to the connecting joint. By printing the flexible circuit on the hinge component and connecting external wires to the flexible circuit using the connecting joint, the flexible circuit, used for signal transmission and power supply, electrically connects the two parts that are connected by the hinge structure. By directly integrating the flexible circuit onto the hinge, replacing the original wires and flexible circuit board, in electronic devices with a hinge structure, there is no need for wires for signal transmission or power supply inside or outside the hinge structure, avoiding interference between the wires and the hinge during hinge movement, ensuring smooth hinge rotation even after long-term use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of rotating shaft technology for electronic flip devices, and more specifically to a rotating shaft structure and an electronic device having the same. Background Technology

[0002] A laptop computer comprises two parts: a display assembly and a main unit assembly, which are rotatably connected by a damped hinge. This allows the display assembly and main unit assembly to rotate relative to each other and remain stable at any angle. The display assembly and main unit assembly are connected by cables for signal transmission and power supply to the display assembly. In existing technology, to prevent cable tangling during opening and closing, the cables are typically coaxially aligned with the hinge. The cables are bent into a U-shape and tucked into the hinge compartment, then secured with cable management clips, such as rubber or plastic clips, to prevent the cables from spilling out. During assembly, the cables and cable management clips must be pre-assembled into the hinge compartment before the hinge is assembled to the display assembly, or the hinge can be assembled to the display assembly first, followed by assembling the cables and cable management clips into the hinge compartment.

[0003] However, since the cable needs to pass through the hinge, after the cable and cable management bracket are assembled, the cable at the entry and exit position on the hinge will be constantly pulled when the laptop is opened and closed, causing the cable to deviate from its initial installation position. With the cable outside the hinge, interference between the hinge and the cable is inevitable when the hinge rotates, resulting in the hinge rotation being obstructed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the defect in the prior art where the hinge and the wires interfere with each other during use, resulting in the hinge rotation being obstructed, thereby providing a hinge structure and an electronic device having the same.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides a rotating shaft structure, comprising:

[0006] Rotating shaft;

[0007] The flexible circuit is printed on the rotating shaft using an in-film transfer laser forming process.

[0008] A connecting joint is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft, and the flexible circuit is electrically connected to the connecting joint.

[0009] Optionally, the pivot component includes: a pivot base and a pivot body, wherein the pivot base is connected to one end of the pivot body.

[0010] Optionally, the flexible circuit includes an interconnected signal transmission circuit and a signal collection circuit, with the signal collection circuit disposed on the surface of the shaft base and the signal transmission circuit disposed on the surface of the shaft body.

[0011] Optionally, the signal transmission circuit extends along the axial direction of the rotating shaft body, and the signal transmission circuit extends from the signal collection circuit to the end of the rotating shaft body.

[0012] Optionally, the in-film transfer laser forming process includes the following steps:

[0013] Insulating film is produced by gravure film printing and then applied to the rotating shaft.

[0014] A laser is used to etch circuit paths on an insulating film, and conductive components are electroplated onto the circuit paths.

[0015] The rotating shaft is reinforced by spraying, and the flexible circuit is printed on the rotating shaft.

[0016] Optionally, the spray reinforcement includes:

[0017] Apply an insulating layer to the rotating shaft;

[0018] The insulation layer is cured by irradiating it with ultraviolet light.

[0019] The present invention also provides an electronic device having the rotating shaft structure described herein.

[0020] The technical solution of this invention has the following advantages:

[0021] 1. The rotating shaft structure provided by the present invention includes: a rotating shaft component; a flexible circuit printed on the rotating shaft component using an in-mold transfer laser forming process; and a connecting joint fixedly connected to the rotating shaft component, wherein the flexible circuit is electrically connected to the connecting joint.

[0022] By printing flexible circuits onto the hinge, and connecting connectors to external wires, the flexible circuits, used for signal and power transmission, electrically connect the two parts that are connected by the hinge structure. By directly integrating the flexible circuits onto the hinge, replacing the original wires and flexible circuit boards, electronic devices with hinge structures eliminate the need for wires for signal or power transmission, either inside or outside the hinge structure. This avoids interference between the wires and the hinge during movement, ensuring smooth hinge rotation even after long-term use.

[0023] 2. The hinge structure provided by this invention includes a flexible circuit comprising an interconnected signal transmission circuit and a signal collection circuit. The signal collection circuit is disposed on the surface of the hinge base, and the signal transmission circuit is disposed on the surface of the hinge body. The hinge structure is divided into two functional areas according to the flexible circuit: one part is used for printing the signal collection circuit, and the other part is used for printing the signal transmission circuit. By integrating the complex wiring of the signal collection circuit onto the hinge base and placing the simple wiring of the signal transmission circuit on the surface of the hinge body, the space on the hinge structure is rationally utilized, reducing the overall size of the hinge and thus reducing the thickness of the electronic device.

[0024] 3. The rotating shaft structure provided by this invention has a signal transmission circuit extending along the axial direction of the rotating shaft body, extending from the signal collection circuit to the end of the rotating shaft body. When the rotating shaft structure is installed in an electronic device, one end is connected to an external wire via a connector, and the other end is connected to one end of the rotating shaft body, enabling conductivity between the wire and the signal transmission circuit. Simultaneously, it ensures that the wire extends coaxially with the rotating shaft body and does not overlap with it. When the rotating shaft body rotates, the wire does not contact the side of the rotating shaft body and does not axially extend or retract with the rotation of the rotating shaft body, thus avoiding interference between the wire and the rotating shaft during rotation. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the rotating shaft provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the rotating shaft structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the rotating shaft structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention being installed within the main unit.

[0029] Figure 4 This is an unfolded view of a laptop computer provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Spindle body; 2. Spindle base; 3. Flexible circuit; 4. Display screen assembly; 5. Main unit assembly; 6. Connecting connector; 7. First wire; 8. Second wire; 9. Third wire. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The technical solution of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0032] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0033] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0034] Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0035] Example 1

[0036] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 The diagram shows a rotating shaft structure provided in this embodiment, including: a rotating shaft component, a flexible circuit 3 integrated on the rotating shaft component, and a connecting joint 6 connected to the rotating shaft component.

[0037] In fabricating the rotating shaft structure, the flexible circuit 3 is first printed onto the rotating shaft component using an in-mold transfer laser forming process. A connecting joint is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft component, and the flexible circuit 3 is electrically connected to the connecting joint. The rotating shaft component includes a rotating shaft base 2 and a rotating shaft body 1, with the rotating shaft base 2 connected to one end of the rotating shaft body 1. The flexible circuit 3 includes an interconnected signal transmission circuit and a signal collection circuit. The signal collection circuit is located on the surface of the rotating shaft base 2, and the signal transmission circuit is located on the surface of the rotating shaft body 1. The signal transmission circuit extends along the axial direction of the rotating shaft body 1, extending from the signal collection circuit to the end of the rotating shaft body 1.

[0038] First, an insulating film needs to be created using gravure film printing, followed by in-mold injection molding of the zinc-nickel alloy hinge component. The in-mold transfer laser forming process includes the following steps: An insulating film is created using gravure film printing, and the circuit insulating film is then applied to the hinge component. Circuit paths are etched onto the insulating film using a laser, and conductive components are electroplated onto the circuit paths. The hinge component is then reinforced with a spray coating, completing the printing of the flexible circuit 3 onto the hinge component. During the spray coating reinforcement, an insulating layer is first sprayed onto the hinge component, and then cured by ultraviolet light.

[0039] Because zinc-nickel alloy has a certain degree of electrical conductivity, an insulating film needs to be applied to the zinc-nickel alloy shaft component using an in-mold thermal transfer process. After the insulated shaft is made, the conductive path is engraved on the insulating film using a laser, followed by copper-nickel-gold alloy electroplating on the circuit. After electroplating, the surface of the shaft component is reinforced with ultraviolet light to improve wear resistance, completing the circuit connection and finishing the preparation of the shaft component.

[0040] By printing the flexible circuit 3 onto the rotating shaft, and connecting the external wires to the flexible circuit 3 using connectors, the flexible circuit 3, used for signal transmission and power delivery, electrically connects the two parts that are connected by the rotating shaft structure. By directly integrating the flexible circuit 3 onto the rotating shaft, replacing the original wires and the flexible circuit board, in electronic devices with a rotating shaft structure, there is no need for wires for signal transmission or power delivery inside or outside the rotating shaft structure. This avoids interference between the wires and the rotating shaft during rotation, ensuring smooth rotation of the rotating shaft even after long-term use.

[0041] The hinge is made of high-precision alloys, such as 1144 stainless steel and iron-nickel alloy, to ensure its strength. A non-conductive coating is applied to the surface, and this coating is achieved through in-mold transfer, where a thin film composed of resin, indium, tin, pearl powder, and color masterbatch is attached to the hinge surface. After coating, a laser process is used to activate the conductive patterns on the surface, enabling interconnection. By integrating the flexible circuit 3 onto the hinge, issues such as display signal interruption and black screen caused by tangling of the hinge and wires can be avoided. In ultra-thin laptops, this allows for a thinner stacking size, reduces assembly steps, and improves manufacturing yield.

[0042] Example 2

[0043] This invention also provides an electronic device having the hinge structure described in Embodiment 1. The electronic device can be a laptop computer, gimbal, flip phone, surveillance camera, handheld camera, or other electronic device that requires rotation via a hinge. This embodiment uses a laptop computer as an example. Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the laptop computer comprises two parts: a main unit 5 and a display unit 4. The main unit 5 houses hardware such as a motherboard, graphics card, and speakers, and the front of the main unit 5 features a keyboard. The display unit 4 is used to display images. The main unit 5 and the display unit 4 are rotatably connected by a pair of hinge structures as described in Embodiment 1. The hinge bodies 1 of the pair of hinge structures are positioned opposite each other, and the two hinge bodies 1 are connected by a first wire 7. After the first wire is connected to the signal transmission circuit on the hinge body 1 via solder points, the end of the first wire is wrapped around the hinge body with a plastic component to enhance the stability of the connection between the first wire and the hinge body 1. A second wire 8 is connected to the connector of one hinge structure, and a third wire 9 is connected to the connector of the other hinge structure. The second wire 8 is connected to the circuit board inside the display unit 4, and the third wire 9 is connected to the circuit board inside the main unit 5, thereby connecting the main unit 5 and the display unit 4.

[0044] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely illustrative examples for clear explanation and are not intended to limit the implementation. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all possible implementations here. However, obvious variations or modifications derived therefrom are still within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. An electronic device, characterized in that, include: Host component (5) and display component (4); Two rotating shaft structures are provided. Each rotating shaft structure includes a rotating shaft component, a flexible circuit (3), and a connecting connector (6). The flexible circuit (3) is printed on the rotating shaft component using an in-mold transfer laser forming process. The flexible circuit (3) is electrically connected to the connecting connector (6). The rotating shaft component includes a rotating shaft base (2) and a rotating shaft body (1). The rotating shaft base (2) is connected to one end of the rotating shaft body (1). The flexible circuit (3) includes a signal transmission circuit and a signal collection circuit connected to each other. The signal collection circuit is located on the surface of the rotating shaft base (2), and the signal transmission circuit is located on the surface of the rotating shaft body (1). The connecting connector (6) is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft base (2). The two rotating shaft structures have rotating shaft bodies (1) arranged opposite to each other, and the two rotating shaft bodies (1) are connected by a first wire (7). One of the connecting connectors (6) is electrically connected to the host assembly (5), and the other connecting connector (6) is electrically connected to the display assembly (4). The host assembly (5) and the display assembly (4) are rotatably connected by the two rotating shaft structures.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The signal transmission circuit extends along the axial direction of the rotating shaft body (1) and extends from the signal collection circuit to the end of the rotating shaft body (1).

3. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, The in-film transfer laser forming process includes the following steps: Insulating film is produced by gravure film printing and then applied to the rotating shaft. A laser is used to etch circuit paths on an insulating film, and conductive components are electroplated onto the circuit paths. Spray coating is applied to reinforce the rotating shaft, and the flexible circuit (3) is printed on the rotating shaft.

4. The electronic device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The spray reinforcement includes: Apply an insulating layer to the rotating shaft; The insulation layer is cured by irradiating it with ultraviolet light.

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