Multi-articulated hinge device

Abstract

A multi-joint hinge device is provided, which is arranged on the back side of a flexible display panel installed across the inner faces of first and second housings of an electronic device, and which connects the flexible display panel to be folded by the folding action of the first and second housings relative to each other between an open position and a closed position. The multi-joint hinge device includes a frame portion in which an odd number (1+2n (n is an integer of 2 or more)) of vertical frames are arranged in parallel along the width direction while the short line direction is the width direction and the long line direction is the length direction; first and second base frames; a multi-joint portion arranged between adjacent frames on the frame row formed by the first and second base frames; a synchronous drive portion which synchronously moves each of the adjacent frames; and a stop holding portion which holds a stop between the closed position and the open position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a multi-joint hinge device suitable for various electronic devices such as foldable mobile phones, electronic notebooks, PDAs, small laptops, or notebook computers. These electronic devices are equipped with light-emitting components that span the two surfaces of a first housing and a second housing and use organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) as flexible display components, such as flexible organic EL display panels. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, mobile phones and other electronic devices, which consist of a flexible organic EL display panel mounted across the two surfaces of a first and second housing, have been developed and commercially available. Among the hinge devices that connect the first and second housings of the aforementioned electronic device, allowing them to open and close, multi-axis hinge devices using multiple hinge pins are well-known and have been described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-125841. This multi-axis hinge device allows the first and second housings to open and close without changing the surface length of the flexible display panel. Furthermore, to prevent the flexible display panel from breaking or malfunctioning when the first and second housings are opened and closed, the multi-axis hinge device maintains a certain radius of curvature in its internal space when bending.

[0003] However, in the known multi-axis hinge mechanism, when the first and second housings are opened and closed, the bent portion of the flexible display panel changes from a flat state to a bent state, and this bent portion deforms within the space of the multi-axis hinge mechanism. Therefore, the bent portion may not necessarily maintain a stable state, and the bent portion of the flexible display panel may move within the space of the multi-axis hinge mechanism that houses the bent portion of the flexible display panel. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a multi-joint hinge device that can keep the bent portion of a flexible display panel, which deforms with the opening and closing of the first and second housings, stable at all times.

[0005] To address the aforementioned issues, the multi-joint hinge device of the present invention connects the first and second housings of an electronic device through a relative folding action between their open and closed positions, enabling folding. It is disposed on the back side of a flexible display panel mounted across the surface of the first and second housings. The device includes: a frame portion, such as a frame portion with a width direction defined by a shorter line and a length direction defined by a longer line, wherein an odd number of longitudinal frames are arranged in parallel along the width direction; a first base frame, which is arranged in parallel on the longitudinal frames at one end of the frame portion in the width direction and mounted on the first housing; a second base frame, which is arranged in parallel on the longitudinal frames at the other end of the frame portion in the width direction and mounted on the second housing; and multi-joint portions, which are respectively disposed between adjacent longitudinal frames on a frame row formed by the first and second base frames. The odd number of longitudinal frames are connected in parallel on both sides in the width direction. The multi-joint part has a joint connector that allows the longitudinal frames adjacent to each other along a specific trajectory to change their rotation direction and angle and rotate, causing the gap between the longitudinal frames to change relative to each other. The synchronous drive unit connects the adjacent longitudinal frames in the frame column through gears. When the first base frame and the second base frame move relative to each other to the closed direction, it synchronously moves each of the adjacent longitudinal frames away from each other. When the first base frame and the second base frame move relative to each other to the open direction, it synchronously moves each of the adjacent longitudinal frames closer to each other. The stop and hold unit keeps the first base frame and the longitudinal frame adjacent to the first base frame, as well as the second base frame and the longitudinal frame adjacent to the second base frame, stationary between the closed position and the open position when they rotate relative to each other. The joint connector includes: an arc-shaped arm having a guide surface with a specific curvature on one side of an adjacent longitudinal frame within the frame column; and a guide hole on the other side of the adjacent longitudinal frame, which slides and engages with the longitudinal frame on that side along the guide surface of the arc-shaped arm. The synchronous drive unit consists of three longitudinal frames connected in parallel on the frame column, forming a combination. Multiple synchronous gear trains connected in series are arranged along the width direction, and two of the three adjacent synchronous gear trains forming the combination are located on the longitudinal frames.

[0006] In the multi-joint hinge device of the present invention, the frame portion is centered on a first longitudinal frame located in the center of the width direction, and second and third longitudinal frames are sequentially provided on the left and right sides from the first longitudinal frame side along the width direction to form an assembly, and one or more of the assemblies are symmetrically arranged to form a frame set; the multi-joint portion is provided in two places, respectively at both ends of the frame portion in the longitudinal direction, or in three places, respectively at both ends of the longitudinal direction and the center of the longitudinal direction.

[0007] In the multi-joint hinge device of the present invention, the joint connecting member of the multi-joint portion includes: a joint connecting member disposed on the left side in the width direction between the first longitudinal frame and the first base frame, and a joint connecting member disposed on the right side in the width direction between the first longitudinal frame and the second base frame. The joint connecting member on the left side in the width direction extends an arc-shaped arm from the first longitudinal frame, the second longitudinal frame, and the third longitudinal frame toward the first base frame, and the second longitudinal frame, the third longitudinal frame, and the first base frame are respectively provided with guide holes corresponding to each arc-shaped arm; the joint connecting member on the right side in the width direction extends an arc-shaped arm from the first longitudinal frame, the second longitudinal frame, and the third longitudinal frame toward the second base frame, and the second longitudinal frame, the third longitudinal frame, and the second base frame are respectively provided with guide holes corresponding to each arc-shaped arm.

[0008] In the synchronous gear train of the multi-joint hinge device of the present invention, the meshing positions of the first arc-shaped gear and the left synchronous gear, and the meshing positions of the second arc-shaped gear and the right synchronous gear, move from the root side to the front end side through a folding action from the open position to the closed position, and move from the front end side to the root side through a folding action from the closed position to the open position.

[0009] In the multi-joint hinge device of the present invention, the third longitudinal frame is provided with an insertion hole for the front end of the arc-shaped arm that passes through the guide hole on the second longitudinal frame to be inserted, and the second longitudinal frame is adjacent to the side of the first longitudinal frame; the first base frame and the second base frame are provided with insertion holes for the front end of the arc-shaped arm that passes through the guide hole on the third longitudinal frame to be inserted, and the third longitudinal frame is adjacent to the side of the first longitudinal frame.

[0010] In the multi-joint hinge device of the present invention, among the plurality of joint connectors provided between the first longitudinal frame and the first base frame, the joint connectors that are adjacent in the width direction are staggered in the longitudinal direction; among the plurality of joint connectors provided between the first longitudinal frame and the second base frame, the joint connectors that are adjacent in the width direction are staggered in the longitudinal direction.

[0011] In the multi-joint hinge device of the present invention, the stop and hold portion includes: a first friction click stop mechanism disposed on the first base frame having a first input gear; a second friction click stop mechanism disposed on the second base frame having a second input gear; a first connecting gear fixed to the longitudinal frame adjacent to the first base frame and meshing with the first input gear; and a second connecting gear fixed to the longitudinal frame adjacent to the second base frame and meshing with the second input gear. The first and second friction click stop mechanisms each include: a cam portion having a concave and convex portion, wherein when a click body fixed to the rotation shaft of the first input gear and the second input gear rotates integrally with each rotating body, the click body clicks and engages the concave and convex portion in the open and closed positions; and a friction force generating portion that imparts frictional force to the rotation of the rotation shaft.

[0012] In the multi-joint hinge device of the present invention, the back side of the frame portion is provided with a back cover portion covering the frame portion. The back cover portion is strip-shaped, arranged side by side along the width direction and extending in the longitudinal direction. The back cover portion has a plurality of longitudinal cover plates, which are freely rotatable around the longitudinal axis and connected to each other. Among the longitudinal cover plates, the longitudinal cover plate at one end in the width direction is engaged with the first base frame and can move in the width direction, and the longitudinal cover plate at the other end in the width direction is engaged with the second base frame and can move in the width direction.

[0013] According to the present invention, when the first housing and the second housing open and close relative to each other, the surface of the frame portion is traced from a flat surface to a parabolic arc shape, changing it into a semi-circular arc shape, so that the folded portion of the flexible display panel remains in a position that mimics the surface of the frame portion 10. Therefore, when closed, the curved portion of the flexible display panel folded into a semi-circular arc shape will not wobble and can remain stable, and will not loosen or wrinkle when used in the open state. At the same time, by sliding and engaging the arc-shaped arm with the guide hole portion, the adjacent frames can change their rotation direction and angle relative to each other along a specific trajectory, thereby changing the gap between the frames. This causes the frame portion, which is equivalent to the chord length in the closed position, to shorten its width direction length, and the frame portion, which is equivalent to the arc length in the closed position, to lengthen its width direction length. Therefore, the curved portion of the flexible display panel will not loosen.

[0014] According to the present invention, by arranging joint connectors evenly in the longitudinal and width directions of the frame column, the rotational movement of each frame constituting the frame column during opening and closing can be carried out smoothly.

[0015] According to the present invention, by distributing multiple synchronous gear rows in the frame column, the synchronous drive unit can be miniaturized as a whole, thereby achieving the thinning of the multi-joint hinge device.

[0016] According to the present invention, adjacent frames can be rotated and moved relative to each other through a simple construction.

[0017] According to the present invention, even if the arc-shaped arm is long, its front end can avoid interfering with other components such as the longitudinal frame, and the opening and closing action can be carried out reliably.

[0018] According to the present invention, adjacent joint connectors can avoid interfering with each other, and the joint connectors are distributed in a longitudinal direction, so the stress applied to the arc-shaped arm and the guide hole is dispersed and the opening and closing action is performed smoothly.

[0019] According to the present invention, the first friction click stop mechanism and the second friction click stop mechanism can be housed in the first base frame and the second base frame respectively along the longitudinal direction, thus achieving miniaturization of the multi-joint hinge. Furthermore, the components constituting the first friction click stop mechanism and the second friction click stop mechanism can also be arranged in the longitudinal direction, thus also achieving miniaturization of the first friction click stop mechanism and the second friction click stop mechanism.

[0020] According to the present invention, the back of the frame portion can be covered following the opening and closing action. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an embodiment of a two-fold electronic machine using the multi-joint hinge device of the present invention, showing the first housing and the second housing in a closed state when they are facing and in contact with each other.

[0022] Figure 2 for Figure 1 An oblique view of the exterior of an electronic device with its first and second housings opened to 180 degrees.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing the multi-joint hinge device of the present invention in a closed state in an embodiment.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing the multi-joint hinge device of the present invention in the open state in an embodiment.

[0025] Figure 5A An exploded perspective view showing the multi-joint hinge device of the present invention in an embodiment.

[0026] Figure 5B for Figure 5A An enlarged oblique view of the multi-joint section and synchronous drive device in the multi-joint hinge device shown.

[0027] Figure 5C for Figure 5A An enlarged oblique view of the friction point stop section in the multi-joint hinge device shown.

[0028] Figure 5D for Figure 5AAn enlarged oblique view of the back cover of the multi-joint hinge device shown.

[0029] Figure 6 for Figure 5A An exploded perspective view of a portion of the first friction click-stop mechanism shown.

[0030] Figure 7 for Figure 4 The top view of the multi-joint hinge device in its open state shows the state after the auxiliary plate has been removed.

[0031] Figure 8 for Figure 7 The front view of the multi-joint hinge device in the open state.

[0032] Figure 9 for Figure 7 Cross-sectional view of J11-J11.

[0033] Figure 10 for Figure 7 Cross-sectional view of J12-J12.

[0034] Figure 11 for Figure 7 Cross-sectional view of G11-G11.

[0035] Figure 12 for Figure 7 Cross-sectional view of G12-G12.

[0036] Figure 13 for Figure 7 Cross-sectional view of G13-G13.

[0037] Figure 14 for Figure 5A The top diagram of the multi-joint hinge device shows it in an intermediate state between the open and closed states of the auxiliary plate removal.

[0038] Figure 15 for Figure 14 The front view of the multi-joint hinge device in its intermediate state.

[0039] Figure 16 for Figure 14 Cross-sectional view of J21-J21.

[0040] Figure 17 for Figure 14 Cross-sectional view of J22-J22.

[0041] Figure 18 for Figure 14 Cross-sectional view of J23-J23.

[0042] Figure 19 for Figure 14 Cross-sectional view of G21-G21.

[0043] Figure 20 for Figure 14 Cross-sectional view of G22-G22.

[0044] Figure 21 for Figure 14 Cross-sectional view of G23-G23.

[0045] Figure 22 for Figure 3 The top view of the multi-joint hinge device in a closed state shows the state after the auxiliary plate is assembled.

[0046] Figure 23 for Figure 22 The front view of the multi-joint hinge device shown in the closed state.

[0047] Figure 24 for Figure 22 Cross-sectional view of J31-J31.

[0048] Figure 25 for Figure 22 Cross-sectional view of J32-J32.

[0049] Figure 26 for Figure 22 Cross-sectional view of J33-J33.

[0050] Figure 27 for Figure 22 Cross-sectional view of G31-G31.

[0051] Figure 28 for Figure 22 Cross-sectional view of G32-G32.

[0052] Figure 29 for Figure 22 Cross-sectional view of G33-G33.

[0053] Figure 30 for Figure 2 The cross-sectional view of the electronic device in the open state along the folding direction is shown below. Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of the multi-joint hinge device shown.

[0054] Figure 31 for Figure 1 The cross-sectional view of the electronic device in the closed state along the folding direction is shown below. Figure 24 A cross-sectional view of the multi-joint hinge device shown. Detailed Implementation

[0055] The multi-joint hinge device of the present invention and the electronic machine using the multi-joint hinge device are described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the figures.

[0056] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A perspective view of an electronic machine using the multi-joint hinge device of the present invention. The electronic machine 1 has a light-emitting component mounted across the two surfaces of a first housing 2 and a second housing 3, using organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) as flexible display components, such as a flexible display panel 4 made of organic EL. The first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are connected by a multi-joint hinge device 5, as shown in the diagram. Figure 1 The flexible display panel 4 can be folded inwards between the closed state (where the panels are closed and in contact with each other) and the open state (where the panels are open to 180 degrees). The electronic device 1 is illustrated using a laptop computer as an example, but various other electronic devices such as mobile phones, electronic laptops, PDAs, and mini-laptops can also be used.

[0057] The first shell 2 and the second shell 3 are as follows Figure 2 In the 180-degree open position shown, the X, Y, and Z axes are three mutually orthogonal axes. The X-axis direction is the width direction (also called the left-right direction) of the arrangement of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3. The Y-axis direction is the longitudinal direction of the hinge axis of the multi-joint hinge device 5, which is orthogonal to the width direction. The Z-axis direction is the inward-outward direction. In the longitudinal direction, as shown... Figure 2 As shown, the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are in the open state, with the side closer to oneself being the front side (also called the front face side) and the inside side being the rear side. In addition, in the direction of the inside and outside, the surface side is called the inner side and the inside side is called the outer side or the back side.

[0058] Multi-joint hinge device 5, such as Figure 3 In the closed state shown, it bends into a U-shape when viewed from the front, as... Figure 4 In the open state shown, it unfolds flatly in the left and right directions. The multi-joint hinge device 5 has a flexible rectangular flat auxiliary plate 6 added to its surface.

[0059] The construction of the multi-joint hinge device 5 is based on Figures 5A to 5D The exploded oblique view shown is used for illustration.

[0060] Figure 5A This indicates the overall structure of the multi-joint hinge device 5. Figure 5B The frame portion 10 of the multi-joint hinge device 5; the front portions of the first and second base frames 30A and 30B; the multi-joint portion 50 of the front and middle portions; and the synchronous drive portion 70. Figure 5CThe frame portion 10; the rear portions of the first and second base frames 30A and 30B; the rear multi-joint portion 50; and the first and second friction click stop portions 90A and 90B of the stop holding portion. Figure 5D This indicates the back cover 110.

[0061] The multi-joint hinge device 5 includes: a frame portion 10 consisting of five elongated longitudinal frames 11-15 extending in the longitudinal direction; a first base frame 30A fixed to the first housing 2 with screws not shown; and a second base frame 30B fixed to the second housing 3 with screws not shown. Furthermore, the multi-joint hinge device 5 includes: a multi-joint portion 50, a synchronous drive portion 70, a first friction click stop portion 90A, and a second friction click stop portion 90B.

[0062] The five longitudinal frames 11-15 of the frame section 10 are all formed into slightly elongated cuboid shapes, shorter in the width direction and longer in the longitudinal direction, for assembling multiple frame bodies in series along the longitudinal direction onto a single frame. The longitudinal frame located in the center of the width direction is the first longitudinal frame 11; the longitudinal frames on the left side of the width direction from the first longitudinal frame 11 toward the first base frame 30A are, in sequence, the second left longitudinal frame 12 and the third left longitudinal frame 13. Furthermore, the longitudinal frames on the right side of the width direction from the first longitudinal frame 11 toward the second base frame 30B are, in sequence, the second right longitudinal frame 14 and the third right longitudinal frame 15. The second left longitudinal frame 12 and the third left longitudinal frame 13 form the left first frame set 10A, and the second right longitudinal frame 14 and the third right longitudinal frame 15 form the right first frame set 10B. In this embodiment, the left first frame set 10A and the right first frame set 10B are arranged on the left and right sides of the width direction of the first longitudinal frame 11.

[0063] The first base frame 30A is connected in series with the front first base frame 31A and the rear first base frame 32A along the longitudinal direction, such as Figure 7 As shown, the connecting parts are fixed by screws 201 and 202. The second base frame 30B is connected in series with the front second base frame 31B and the rear second base frame 32B along the longitudinal direction, as shown. Figure 7 As shown, the connecting parts are fixed by screws 203 and 204. On the surface of the first base frame 30A and the second base frame 30B, a step portion 33 is formed with a lower inner side and a higher outer side in the left-right direction. The height of the step portion 33 is the thickness of the auxiliary plate 6, and the auxiliary plate 6 is disposed inside the step portion 33.

[0064] The first rear base frame 32A is provided with a first friction click stop part 90A, and the second rear base frame 32B is provided with a second friction click stop part 90B.

[0065] The multi-joint section 50 includes a left first joint connector 51A located between the first longitudinal frame 11 and the left second longitudinal frame 12; a left second joint connector 52A located between the left second longitudinal frame 12 and the left third longitudinal frame 13; and a left third joint connector 53A located between the left third longitudinal frame 13 and the first base frame 30A. Additionally, it includes a right first joint connector 51B located between the first longitudinal frame 11 and the right second longitudinal frame 14; a right second joint connector 52B located between the right second longitudinal frame 14 and the right third longitudinal frame 15; and a right third joint connector 53B located between the right third longitudinal frame 15 and the second base frame 30B. The left first joint connectors 51A to 53A and the right first joint connectors 51B to 53B form a group.

[0066] The left first joint connector 51A, left third joint connector 53A, right first joint connector 51B, and right third joint connector 53B are located at the same position in the longitudinal direction, while the left second joint connector 52A and right second joint connector 52B are located behind the left first joint connector 51A. Through the multi-joint section 50, the longitudinal frames 11-15 of the frame section 10, the first base frame 30A, and the second base frame 30B rotate relative to each other along a predetermined trajectory, thereby changing the gap between the frames (hereinafter referred to as multi-joint hinge operation).

[0067] In this embodiment, the multi-joint parts 50 are located at both ends and the middle in the longitudinal direction, enabling smooth multi-joint hinge movement. The front side in the longitudinal direction is the first row of multi-joint parts 50A, the middle side is the second row of multi-joint parts 50B, and the rear side in the longitudinal direction is the third row of multi-joint parts 50C.

[0068] The multi-joint portion 50, through the relative opening and closing of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3, allows the opening and closing angle to vary between the closed state (slightly exceeding 0 degrees of negative angle) where the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are in contact with each other and the open state with an opening and closing angle of 180 degrees. Through the aforementioned multi-joint hinge action, the frame portion 10, viewed from the front along the front-rear direction, provides a continuously changing movement trajectory from a U-shaped state to a flat state.

[0069] The multi-joint portion 50, through the relative opening and closing of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3, allows the opening and closing angle to vary between the closed state (slightly exceeding 0 degrees of negative angle) where the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are in contact with each other and the open state with an opening and closing angle of 180 degrees. Through the aforementioned multi-joint hinge action, the frame portion 10, viewed from the front along the front-rear direction, provides a continuously changing movement trajectory from a U-shaped state to a flat state.

[0070] The left trajectory, which curves due to the relative changes in the rotation direction and angle between the left first frame set 10A and the first base frame 30A, and the right trajectory, which curves due to the relative changes in the rotation direction and angle between the right first frame set 10B and the second base frame 30B, is centered on the first longitudinal frame 11 and is symmetrical to the left and right.

[0071] like Figure 5A , Figure 5B , Figure 9 ,and Figure 10 As shown, the left first, second, and third joint connectors 51A, 52A, and 53A constituting the first row of multi-joint parts 50A have: left first to third arc-shaped arms 61a to 61c extending in the same shape towards the left side of the first longitudinal frame 11, the left second longitudinal frame 12, and the left third longitudinal frame 13, respectively; and left first to third guide holes 62a to 62c of the same shape formed at the sliding engagement points of the left first to third arc-shaped arms 61a to 61c. The left first guide hole 62a is formed on the left second longitudinal frame 12, the left second guide hole 62b is formed on the left third longitudinal frame 13, and the left third guide hole 62c is formed on the right side of the first base frame 30A.

[0072] The first to third arc-shaped arms 61a to 61c on the left side, in the inward direction, form a curved surface 63 on the inner surface that extends toward the surface side and provides an arc-shaped movement trajectory (see reference). Figure 9 and Figure 10 The first to third guide holes 62a to 62c on the left are formed on the curved inner circumferential surface 64 that abuts against the curved surface 63 of the first to third arc-shaped arms 61a to 61c on the left (see reference). Figure 9 and Figure 10 The left guide holes 62a-62c are guided and slidably engaged from the root of the left first-to-third arcuate arms 61a-61c to the front end by the curved surface 63.

[0073] Furthermore, the right first to third joint connectors 51B to 53B, located on the right side of the first longitudinal frame 11 in the width direction, are arranged symmetrically with the left first to third joint connectors 51A to 53A around the first longitudinal frame 11. The right first to third arcuate arms 65a to 65c and the right first to third guide hole portions 66a to 66c are symmetrically arranged with the left first to third arcuate arms 61a to 61c and the left first to third guide hole portions 62a to 62c. The right first to third arcuate arms 65a to 65c have curved surfaces 67 on both the surface and inside that provide an arc-shaped movement trajectory (see reference). Figure 9 and Figure 10 ), and extends to the right. The inner circumferential surface 68 abuts against the curved portion 67 of the right first to third arcuate arms 65a to 65c (see reference). Figure 9 and Figure 10 The right first to third guide hole portions 66a to 66c are formed on the left side of the right second longitudinal frame 14, the right third longitudinal frame 15, and the second base frame 30B. The right first to third guide hole portions 66a to 66c are guided and slidably engaged from the root of the right first to third arc-shaped arms 65a to 65c to the front end by a curved surface 67.

[0074] in addition, Figure 5A and Figure 5B In the middle, the symbols for the left first to third arc-shaped arms constituting the second column of multi-joint parts 50B are 261a to 261c, the symbols for the right first to third guide hole parts are 262a to 262c, the symbols for the right first to third arc-shaped arms are 265a to 265c, and the symbols for the right first to third guide hole parts are 266a to 266c. Similarly, Figure 5A and Figure 5C In the middle, the symbols for the left first to third arc-shaped arms constituting the third column multi-joint part 50C are 361a to 361c, the symbols for the right first to third guide hole parts are 362a to 362c, the symbols for the right first to third arc-shaped arms are 365a to 365c, and the symbols for the right first to third guide hole parts are 366a to 366c.

[0075] Taking the first multi-joint section 50A as an example, the multi-joint hinge action is explained. The first joint connector 51A, the second joint connector 52A, and the third joint connector 53A, located at three points on the left side of the first longitudinal frame 11, along with the adjacent first longitudinal frame 11, second longitudinal frame 12, second longitudinal frame 12, third longitudinal frame 13, and third longitudinal frame 13, and the first base frame 30A, rotate relative to each other within an angle of 0 to 30 degrees, thereby changing the gap between the frames and causing rotation. For the left first to third joint connectors 51A to 53A, within an angle of 0 to 30 degrees, by simultaneously rotating them at equal angles, the trajectory drawn by each frame between the first longitudinal frame 11 and the first base frame 30A changes from a horizontal state to a curved arc shape (a quarter-circle arc shape) with an opening and closing angle of 90 degrees. The right first to third joint connectors 51B to 53B located at three points on the right side of the first longitudinal frame 11 also rotate between 0 degrees and 30 degrees respectively.

[0076] On one hand, the left-right length of the freely deformable portion 4a spanning between the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 of the flexible display panel 4 is constant. Taking the chord length and arc length of an arc as an example, the chord length is shorter than the arc length. In the open state, the length in the width direction from the first base frame 30A through the frame portion 10 to the second base frame 30B is the chord length. When the freely deformable portion 4a is deformed into a curved shape in the closed state, the length in the width direction from the first base frame 30A through the frame portion 10 to the second base frame 30B must be longer than the chord length. Therefore, the left first to third joint connectors 51A to 53A and the right first to third joint connectors 51B to 53B adjust the left-right (width direction) distance between adjacent frames by relatively changing the gap between each frame.

[0077] Additionally, by rotating the angle slightly greater than 30 degrees, in the closed state, such as... Figure 31 As shown, the opposite surfaces of the flexible display panel 4 are inclined surfaces that can abut against the outer ends of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 in the left and right directions.

[0078] Figure 9 and Figure 10 In the indicated on state, Figure 9 This refers to the left first joint connector 51A, the right first joint connector 51B, the left third joint connector 53A, and the right third joint connector 53B. Figure 10 This refers to the left second joint connector 52A and the right second joint connector 52B. In any of the joint connectors 51A-53A and 51B-53B, the left first-to-third guide hole portions 62a-62c engage at the root of the left first-to-third arcuate arms 61a-61c, and the right first-to-third guide hole portions 66a-66c engage on the right first-to-third arcuate arms 65a-65c. In this engaged state, the longitudinal frames 11-15 of the frame portion 10 and the second base frame 30B are connected in parallel in a flat, gapless manner from the first base frame 30A.

[0079] The left first to third arc-shaped arms 61a to 61c and the right first to third arc-shaped arms 65a to 65c rotate from their roots (rotation angle 0 degrees) to a range slightly exceeding 30 degrees, engaging the left first to third guide hole portions 62a to 62c and the right first to third guide hole portions 66a to 66c. The length (arc length) of the left first to third arc-shaped arms 61a to 61c and the right first to third arc-shaped arms 65a to 65c is longer than the width in the left-right direction of the longitudinal frame provided in the left first to third guide hole portions 62a to 62c and the right first to third guide hole portions 66a to 66c. Therefore, insertion holes 69a and 69b are formed on the first base frame 30A and the second base frame 30B for the avoidance holes into which the front ends of the left second arc-shaped arms 61b and the right second arc-shaped arms 65b are inserted (see reference). Figure 10On the left and right third longitudinal frames 13 and 15, insertion holes 69c and 69d are formed, penetrating the left first guide hole 62a and the right first guide hole 66a and inserting into the front ends of the left first arc-shaped arm 61a and the right first arc-shaped arm 65a (please refer to...). Figure 9 The inner peripheral surfaces of insertion holes 69a and 69b are formed to match and slide into engagement with the front ends of the left second arcuate arm 61b and the right second arcuate arm 65b. Similarly, the inner peripheral surfaces of insertion holes 69c and 69d are formed to match and slide into engagement with the front ends of the left first arcuate arm 61a and the right first arcuate arm 65a.

[0080] The structure of the frame part 10 will be briefly explained, and then the mounting parts of the arc-shaped arms and guide holes of each longitudinal frame will be explained.

[0081] The first longitudinal frame 11 of the frame section 10 is formed by connecting seven frame bodies 21A to 21G in the longitudinal direction, and the second longitudinal frame 12 on the left is formed by connecting five frame bodies 22A to 22E in the longitudinal direction, from the 8th to the 12th. Hereinafter, the third longitudinal frame 13 on the left is formed by connecting frame bodies 23A to 23F from the 13th to the 18th, the second longitudinal frame 14 on the right is formed by connecting frame bodies 24A to 24E from the 19th to the 23rd, and the third longitudinal frame 15 on the right is formed by connecting frame bodies 25A to 25F from the 24th to the 29th. Frame bodies 21E, 22D, 23E, 24D, and 25E on the right are length adjustment frames used to align the overall longitudinal length of the frame section 10 with the longitudinal length of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3. The frame bodies that form each of the longitudinal frames 11 to 15 are connected by screws (not shown in the figure) that are locked from the surface toward the inside.

[0082] In the first longitudinal frame 11, a left first arcuate arm 61a and a right first arcuate arm 65a are integrally formed on the first frame body 21A of the first column multi-joint part 50A; a left first arcuate arm 261a and a right first arcuate arm 265a are integrally formed on the fourth frame body 21D of the second column multi-joint part 50B; and a left first arcuate arm 361a and a right first arcuate arm 365a are integrally formed on the seventh frame body 21G of the third column multi-joint part 50C.

[0083] In the second left longitudinal frame 12, a left first guide hole portion 62a is formed on the eighth frame body 22A of the first row of multi-joint parts 50A. The left first guide hole portion 62a is formed by fixing a left guide block 662b to the left guide hole body portion 662a formed on the eighth frame body 22A with screws (not shown). A left second arc-shaped arm 61b is integrally formed on the eighth frame body 22A. A left second arc-shaped arm 261b is integrally formed on the ninth frame body 22B of the second row of multi-joint parts 50B. The left first guide hole portion 262a is formed on the tenth frame body 22C of the second row of multi-joint parts 50B via the left guide block 662b. A left second arc-shaped arm 361b is integrally formed on the twelfth frame body 22E of the third row of multi-joint parts 50C, and the left first guide hole portion 362a is formed via the left guide block 662b.

[0084] In the left third longitudinal frame 13, the left third arc-shaped arm 61c is integrally formed on the 13th frame body 23A of the first column multi-joint part 50A, and an insertion hole 69c is also formed therein. The left second guide hole portion 62b is formed on the 14th frame body 23B of the first column multi-joint part 50A. The left guide block 662b is integrally formed on the rear end of the 15th frame body 23C of the second column multi-joint part 50B; the left guide hole body portion 662a is integrally formed on the front end of the 16th frame body 23D of the second column multi-joint part 50B. Furthermore, the left second guide hole portion 262b is formed by connecting the 15th frame body 23C and the 16th frame body 23D. An insertion hole 69e is formed on the 16th frame body 23D for inserting the front end of the left first arc-shaped arm 261a. On the 18th frame body 23F of the third multi-joint section 50C, the left second guide hole 362b is formed by the left guide block 662b, and the left third arc-shaped arm 361c is integrally formed. In addition, an insertion hole 69f is formed for inserting into the front end of the left first arc-shaped arm 361a.

[0085] In the right second longitudinal frame 14, the right first guide hole portion 66a is formed on the 19th frame body 24A of the first column multi-joint portion 50A via a right guide block 666b. The right second arc-shaped arm 65b is integrally formed on the 20th frame body 24B of the first column multi-joint portion 50A. The right second arc-shaped arm 265b is integrally formed on the 21st frame body 24C of the second column multi-joint portion 50B, with the right first guide hole portion 266a formed via the right guide block 666b. The right second arc-shaped arm 365b is integrally formed on the 23rd frame body 24E of the third column multi-joint portion 50C, with the right first guide hole portion 366a formed via the right guide block 666b.

[0086] In the right third longitudinal frame 15, a right third arc-shaped arm 65c is integrally formed on the 24th frame body 25A of the first column multi-joint part 50A, and a right second guide hole 66b is formed by a right guide block 666b. In the second column multi-joint part 50B, a right guide block 666b is integrally formed on the rear end of the 25th frame body 25B, and a right guide hole body 666a is integrally formed on the front end of the 26th frame body 25C, connecting the 25th frame body 25B and the 26th frame body 25C to form the right second guide hole 266b. A right third arc-shaped arm 265c is integrally formed on the 27th frame body 25D of the second column multi-joint part 50B. On the 29th frame body 25F of the third multi-joint section 50C, a right second guide hole 366b is formed through a right guide block 666b, and a right third arc-shaped arm 365c is integrally formed, and an insertion hole 69i for inserting into the right first arc-shaped arm 365a is further formed (please refer to...). Figure 18 ).

[0087] On one hand, on the rear second base frame 32B of the second base frame 30B, the right third guide hole 366c of the right third arc-shaped arm 365c is formed by the right guide block 666b, and on the other hand, an insertion hole (not shown) is formed for inserting into the front end of the right second arc-shaped arm 365b.

[0088] On the front second base frame 31B, the right third guide hole 266c of the right third arc-shaped arm 265c of the second row of multi-joint parts 50B is formed by a right guide block 666b. Additionally, on the front second base frame 31B, an insertion hole (not shown) is formed for inserting the front end of the right second arc-shaped arm 265b of the second row of multi-joint parts 50B. Furthermore, on the front second base frame 31B, the right third guide hole 66c of the right third arc-shaped arm 65c is formed by a right guide block 666b.

[0089] On the other hand, on the front first base frame 31A of the first base frame 30A, an insertion hole 69g is formed for inserting the left second arc-shaped arm 261b of the second row of multi-joint parts 50B, and a left third guide hole portion 262c of the left third arc-shaped arm 261c of the second multi-joint part 50B is formed by a left guide block 662b. Additionally, on the rear first base frame 32A, an insertion hole 69h is formed for inserting the front end of the left second arc-shaped arm 361b of the third row of multi-joint parts 50C, and a left third guide hole portion 362c of the left third arc-shaped arm 361c is formed for sliding engagement.

[0090] The first base frame 30A and the left third longitudinal frame 13 are slidably engaged with the left third arc-shaped arm (61c, 261c, 361c) and the left third guide hole (62c, 262c, 362c) through a specified rotation angle range from 0 degrees to slightly more than 30 degrees, so that the relative rotation direction and angle between the first base frame 30A and the left third longitudinal frame 13 can expand and contract. Between the left third longitudinal frame 13 and the left second longitudinal frame 12, the left second arc-shaped arms (61b, 261b, 361b) slide and engage with the left second guide hole portion (62b, 262b, 362b). Between the left second longitudinal frame 12 and the first longitudinal frame 11, the left first arc-shaped arms (61a, 261a, 361a) slide and engage with the left first guide hole portion (62a, 262a, 362a). The relative rotation direction and angle vary within the same specified rotation angle range, allowing the gap between adjacent frames to expand and contract. Similarly, between the frames from the first longitudinal frame 11 to the right second longitudinal frame 14, the right third longitudinal frame 15, and the second base frame 30B, the relative rotation direction and angle vary within the same specified rotation angle range, allowing the gap between adjacent frames to expand and contract.

[0091] The multi-joint section 50, through the sliding engagement of the arc-shaped arm and the guide hole, allows adjacent frames to change their relative rotation direction and angle along a specific trajectory, making the gap between adjacent frames expandable and contractible. Synchronous drive unit 70 performs synchronized drive actions for the adjacent frames to perform the same actions simultaneously. Stopping the movement at any position and maintaining the gap at the stop position is achieved through the first friction click stop unit 90A and the second friction click stop unit 90B. The synchronous drive unit 70 is a structure in which multiple gears are connected in series along the width direction from the first base frame 30A to the frame section 10 to the second base frame 30B. The relative opening and closing action of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 causes the first base frame 30A and the second base frame 30B to open and close relative to each other. This causes the connecting gears (front first connecting gear 92A, rear first connecting gear 93A, front second connecting gear 92B, and rear second connecting gear 93B fixed to the left third longitudinal frame 13 and the right third longitudinal frame 15) connected to the first friction click stop part 90A and the second friction click stop part 90B respectively to operate, synchronously driving each gear therein. Furthermore, stopping the rotation of the connecting gears at both ends will stop the rotation of the gears therein, keeping each frame on which the gears are mounted stationary in its position. In addition, by braking the connecting gears at both ends with friction, resistance is provided to the opening and closing action of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3. With this resistance, even if the opening and closing action of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 stops during the opening and closing action, the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 can be maintained in their open and closed state by the resistance.

[0092] exist Figure 5B The unit comprises a synchronous drive section 70, and four identical synchronous gear trains: a left first synchronous gear train 71A, a left second synchronous gear train 72A, a right first synchronous gear train 71B, and a right second synchronous gear train 72B. The left first synchronous gear train 71A and the left second synchronous gear train 72A each have a left first synchronous gear section 80A and a left second synchronous gear section 80B, respectively; the right first synchronous gear train 71B and the right second synchronous gear train 72B each have a right first synchronous gear section 80C and a right second synchronous gear section 80D, respectively. The left first synchronous gear section 80A and the left second synchronous gear section 80B, and the right first synchronous gear section 80C and the right second synchronous gear section 80D each have a rotating shaft in the longitudinal direction, and a pair of left synchronous gears 81 and 82 that mesh with each other to form a shaft shape. These gears are connected in parallel and unitized along the left-right direction of the shaft.

[0093] The left first synchronizing gear row 71A is disposed on the left second longitudinal frame 12, centered on the left first synchronizing gear 80A and adjacent to the left first longitudinal frame 11 and the left third longitudinal frame 13 in the width direction. The left first synchronizing gear portion 80A is disposed at the connection portion of the 9th frame body 22B and the 10th frame body 22C constituting the left second longitudinal frame 12. On the rear end of the 9th frame body 22B, bearing holes (not shown) for the front axle portion 81a of the left synchronizing gear 81 and the front axle portion 82a of the right synchronizing gear 82, which are connected in parallel in the width direction, are formed in the left-right direction. On the front end of the 10th frame body 22C, bearing holes 81c and 82c for the rear axle portion 81b of the left synchronizing gear 81 and the rear axle portion 82b of the right synchronizing gear 82 are formed. The 9th frame body 22B and the 10th frame body 22C are fixed by screws (not shown) that are locked in along the left and right direction, forming a synchronized gear unit in which the interlocking left synchronizer 81 and right synchronizer 82 keep rotating freely.

[0094] The left synchronizing gear 81 meshes with the first arc-shaped gear 83, and the right synchronizing gear 82 meshes with the second arc-shaped gear 84. The first arc-shaped gear 83 and the second arc-shaped gear 84 are symmetrical in shape. Figure 11 , 12 As shown, a gear portion 86 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of an arc-shaped gear body 85 that is curved into a convex shape towards the inward side. In the longitudinal direction, a first arc-shaped gear 83 and a second arc-shaped gear 84 are arranged separately, one in front of the other. The first arc-shaped gear 83 has a screw insertion hole 87 at its left end, and the gear portion 86 extends to the right. The second arc-shaped gear 84 has a screw insertion hole 88 at its right end, and the gear portion 86 extends to the left.

[0095] In the first synchronous gear train 71A on the left, the first arc-shaped gear 83 is connected by screw 87a (see reference). Figure 7The second arc-shaped gear 84 is fixed to the 16th frame body 23D that constitutes the left third longitudinal frame 13, and is secured by screw 88a (see reference). Figure 7 It is fixed on the third frame body 21C that constitutes the first longitudinal frame 11.

[0096] The first arc-shaped gear 83 and the left third longitudinal frame 13 rotate clockwise together, and the left synchronous gear 81 rotates counterclockwise, similar to the driving action of the frame gear and the pinion. At this time, along a specific trajectory through the sliding engagement of the left second arc-shaped arms 61b (261b, 361b) and the left second guide hole 62b (262b, 362b), the rotation angle of the left third longitudinal frame 13 increases, gradually turning it from horizontal to vertical, and the movement widens the gap with the left second longitudinal frame 12. On the one hand, when the left synchronous gear 81 rotates counterclockwise, the right synchronous gear 82 rotates clockwise, while the second arc-shaped gear 84 rotates counterclockwise. Therefore, the first longitudinal frame 11 rotates counterclockwise relative to the left second longitudinal frame 12 along a specific trajectory through which the left first arc-shaped arms 61a (261a, 361a) and the left first guide hole portion 62a (262a, 362a) slide and engage. The rotation angle gradually increases, causing the direction to rise from the horizontal direction, and the movement widens the gap with the left second longitudinal frame 12. Here, with the first longitudinal frame 11 as the reference, the left second longitudinal frame 12 rotates clockwise relative to the first longitudinal frame 11; and the left third longitudinal frame 13 rotates clockwise relative to the left second longitudinal frame 12.

[0097] In the left second synchronous gear row 72A, the left second synchronous gear section 80B is configured as a synchronous gear unit between the 13th frame body 23A and the 14th frame body 23B constituting the left third longitudinal frame 13. The first arc-shaped gear 83 is connected by screw 87b (see reference). Figure 7 The second arc-shaped gear 84 is fixed to the front first base frame 31A of the first base frame 30A, and is secured by screw 88b (see reference). Figure 7 It is fixed on the 8th frame body 22A that constitutes the second left vertical frame 12.

[0098] In the left second synchronous gear train 72A, when the first housing 2 is rotated in the closing direction, the first base frame 30A rotates clockwise, the first arc-shaped gear 83 rotates clockwise, and the left synchronous gear 81 rotates counterclockwise. At this time, along a specific trajectory through which the left third arc-shaped arms 61c (261c, 361c) and the left third guide hole portion 62c (262c, 362c) slide and engage, the rotation angle of the first base frame 30A increases, gradually turning it from horizontal to vertical, and moving it to widen the gap with the left third longitudinal frame 13. On the one hand, when the left synchronous gear 81 rotates counterclockwise, the right synchronous gear 82 rotates clockwise, while the second arc-shaped gear 84 rotates counterclockwise. Therefore, for the left third longitudinal frame 13, the left second longitudinal frame 12 rotates counterclockwise along a specific trajectory through which the left second arc-shaped arms 61b (261b, 361b) and the left second guide hole portion 62b (262b, 362b) slide and engage. The rotation angle gradually increases, causing the direction to rise from the horizontal direction, and the movement widens the gap with the left third longitudinal frame 13. Here, with the left second longitudinal frame 12 as a reference, the left third longitudinal frame 13 rotates clockwise for the left second longitudinal frame 12. The clockwise rotational force of the left third longitudinal frame 13 of the left first synchronous gear train 71A is transmitted through the left second synchronous gear portion 80B of the left second synchronous gear train 72A.

[0099] Next, the right first synchronous gear train 71B and the right second synchronous gear train 72B will be described. The right first synchronous gear train 71B and the right second synchronous gear train 72B are the same as the left first synchronous gear train 71A and the left second synchronous gear train 72A mentioned above, with the center of the longitudinal direction of the front half of the first longitudinal frame 11 as the reference, except that the positions are located at points symmetrical to each other.

[0100] The right first synchronizing gear row 71B places the right first synchronizing gear part 80C at the connection between the 19th frame body 24A and the 20th frame body 24B of the right second longitudinal frame 14. The first arc-shaped gear 83 is connected by screw 87c (see reference). Figure 7 The second arc-shaped gear 84 is fixed to the second frame body 21B of the first longitudinal frame 11. Additionally, the second arc-shaped gear 84 is secured by screw 88c (see [reference]). Figure 7 It is fixed on the 24th frame body 25A of the right third longitudinal frame 15.

[0101] When the right third longitudinal frame 15 rotates counterclockwise, the second arc-shaped gear 84 rotates counterclockwise, the right synchronizing gear 82 rotates clockwise, and the left synchronizing gear 81 rotates counterclockwise. Furthermore, the first arc-shaped gear 83, fixed to the first longitudinal frame 11 that engages with the left synchronizing gear 81, rotates clockwise. Therefore, for the right third longitudinal frame 15, the right second longitudinal frame 14 rotates clockwise along a specific trajectory through the sliding engagement of the right second arc-shaped arms 65b (265b, 365b) and the right second guide hole portion 66b (266b, 366b). Due to the clockwise rotation of the first arc-shaped gear 83, the first longitudinal frame 11 rotates clockwise relative to the second longitudinal frame 14.

[0102] Conversely, viewed from the first longitudinal frame 11, the right second longitudinal frame 14 rotates counterclockwise along a specific trajectory through which the right first arc-shaped arms 65a (265a, 365a) and the right first guide hole portion 66a (266a, 366a) slide and engage. At this time, the rotation angle of the right second longitudinal frame 14 increases, gradually causing it to rise from the horizontal direction, and the movement widens the gap with the first longitudinal frame 11. For the right second longitudinal frame 14, the right third longitudinal frame 15 rotates counterclockwise along a specific trajectory through which the right second arc-shaped arms 65b (265b, 365b) and the second guide hole portion 66b (266b, 366b) slide and engage. At this time, the rotation angle of the right third longitudinal frame 15 increases, gradually causing it to rise from the horizontal direction, and the movement widens the gap with the right second longitudinal frame 14.

[0103] The right second synchronizing gear train 72B positions the right second synchronizing gear part 80D at the connection between the 26th frame body 25C and the 27th frame body 25D of the right third longitudinal frame 15. The first arc-shaped gear 83 is connected by screw 87d (see reference). Figure 7 The second arc-shaped gear 84 is fixed to the 21st frame body 24C of the right second longitudinal frame 14. Additionally, the second arc-shaped gear 84 is secured by screw 88d (see [reference]). Figure 7 It is fixed on the front base frame 31B of the second base frame 30B.

[0104] When the second base frame 30B rotates counterclockwise, the second arc-shaped gear 84 rotates counterclockwise, the right synchronizing gear 82 rotates clockwise, and the left synchronizing gear 81 rotates counterclockwise. Furthermore, the first arc-shaped gear 83, fixed to the right second longitudinal frame 14 that engages with the left synchronizing gear 81, rotates clockwise. Therefore, for the second base frame 30B, the right third longitudinal frame 15 rotates clockwise along a specific trajectory through the sliding engagement of the right third arc-shaped arms 65c (265c, 365c) and the right third guide hole portions 66c (266c, 366c). Due to the clockwise rotation of the first arc-shaped gear 83, the right second longitudinal frame 14 rotates clockwise relative to the right third longitudinal frame 15.

[0105] Conversely, viewed from the right second longitudinal frame 14, the right third longitudinal frame 15 rotates counterclockwise along a specific trajectory through which the right second arcuate arms 65b (265b, 365b) and the right second guide hole portion 66b (266b, 366b) slide and engage. At this time, the rotation angle of the right third longitudinal frame 15 increases, gradually causing it to rise from the horizontal direction, and the movement widens the gap with the right second longitudinal frame 14. For the right third longitudinal frame 15, the second base frame 30B rotates counterclockwise along a specific trajectory through which the right third arcuate arms 65c (265c, 365c) and the right third guide hole portion 66c (266c, 366c) slide and engage. At this time, the rotation angle of the right second base frame 30B increases, gradually causing it to rise from the horizontal direction, and the movement widens the gap with the right third longitudinal frame 15. The rotational force of the right third longitudinal frame 15 of the right first synchronous gear train 71B is transmitted through the right second synchronous gear section 80D of the right second synchronous gear train 72B.

[0106] In explaining the first and second synchronous gear trains 71A, 72A, 71B, and 72B on the left and right sides, the rotational force applied from the third longitudinal frames 13 and 15 on the left and right sides to the first and second base frames 30A and 30B is also explained. To illustrate these relative rotations, it is equivalent to, for example, the second housing 3 being stationary while the first housing 2 is operated to open and close. When opening and closing forces are applied to both the first housing 2 and the second housing 3, the rotational force accompanying the opening and closing action from the first base frames 30A and the second base frames 30B is applied from the third longitudinal frames 13 and 15 on the left and right sides to the second longitudinal frames 12 and 14 on the left and right sides.

[0107] The rear ends of the first longitudinal frame 11 and the left and right second longitudinal frames 12 and 14 in the longitudinal direction are provided with a synchronous gear train 71A and a synchronous gear train 73 of the same structure. This synchronous gear train 73 is arranged on the connecting part of the sixth frame body 21F and the seventh frame body 21G that constitute the first longitudinal frame 11; the first arc-shaped gear 83 is connected by screws 87e (see...). Figure 7 The second arc-shaped gear 84 is fixed to the 12th frame body 22E that constitutes the left second longitudinal frame 12; the second arc-shaped gear 84 is secured by screw 88e (see reference). Figure 7 It is fixed to the 23rd frame body 24E that constitutes the right second longitudinal frame 14. The synchronous gear train 73 follows the movement trajectory of the left first joint connection 51A and the right first joint connection 51B, so that the relatively moving first longitudinal frame 11 and the left and right second longitudinal frames 12, 14 do not shake and maintain a predetermined movement trajectory as a frame holding part.

[0108] The synchronous drive unit 70 connects gears in series along the width direction via left and right first and second synchronous gear units 80A-80D, first arc-shaped gear 83, and second arc-shaped gear 84. These gears are fixed to each frame of the frame column (meaning the first base frame 30A and each of the longitudinal frames 11-15 and the second base frame 30B of the frame unit 10 arranged in parallel). Therefore, apart from the gear drive of the synchronous drive unit 70, each frame of the aforementioned frame column is prevented from moving individually in the width direction.

[0109] Figure 5C and Figure 6 In the first friction click stop unit 90A and the second friction click stop unit 90B are symmetrically arranged at the rear end of the first longitudinal frame 11 along the central axis L. The first friction click stop unit 90A includes a first friction click stop mechanism 91A disposed on the rear first base frame 32A of the first base frame 30A, and a front first connecting gear 92A and a rear first connecting gear 93A fixed to the front and rear of the 18th frame body 23F constituting the left third longitudinal frame 13. The second friction click stop unit 90B includes a second friction click stop mechanism 91B disposed on the rear second base frame 32B of the second base frame 30B, and a front second connecting gear 92B and a rear second connecting gear 93B fixed to the front and rear of the 29th frame body 25F constituting the right third longitudinal frame 15. The first connecting gear 92A and the first connecting gear 93A form the same arc shape as the second arc-shaped gear 84, and the second connecting gear 92B and the second connecting gear 93B form the same arc shape as the first arc-shaped gear 83.

[0110] In this embodiment, the first friction click stop mechanism 91A is configured longitudinally on both the front first unit 94A and the rear first unit 95A, and the second friction click stop mechanism 91B is configured longitudinally on both the front second unit 94B and the rear second unit 95B, forming an identical structure that is symmetrical from left to right. Furthermore, the front first connecting gear 92A and the rear first connecting gear 93A are respectively configured on both the front first unit 94A and the rear first unit 95A, and the front second connecting gear 92B and the rear second connecting gear 93B are respectively configured on both the front second unit 94B and the rear second unit 95B.

[0111] The first friction click stopping mechanism 91A connects a first drive shaft 100A and a second drive shaft 100B in parallel in the left-right direction and extends in the longitudinal direction. The rotatable shaft supports are located at the front bearing section 100C and the rear bearing section 100D, and can also be supported in the middle section by the front intermediate bearing section 100E and the rear intermediate bearing section 100F. The front bearing section 100C, the rear bearing section 100D, the front intermediate bearing section 100E, and the rear intermediate bearing section 100F are fixed to the inner side (inner surface) of the rear first base frame 32A by screws (not shown in the figure).

[0112] The first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B have the same structure. The cylindrical shaft portion (maximum outer diameter) has two parallel surfaces forming a so-called opposite-facing width shape, and a flange portion 100G is formed in the central portion along the axial direction. Using the flange portion 100G as a boundary, a front first unit 94A is provided on the front side, and a rear first unit 95A is provided on the rear side, symmetrically arranged in the front-rear direction. Small-diameter shaft portions 100H and 100I, supported by a front intermediate bearing portion 100E and a rear intermediate bearing portion 100F, are formed on the first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B. The small-diameter shaft portions 100H and 100I are smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B.

[0113] At both ends of the first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B, non-rotatable components such as a left synchronous gear 101A and a right synchronous gear 101B that mesh with each other, similar to the left first synchronous gear 80A. The shaft holes of the left synchronous gear 101A and the right synchronous gear 101B are shaped to match the width of the opposite sides of the first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B.

[0114] The first unit 94A is arranged sequentially from front to rear between the first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B, between the front intermediate bearing portion 100E and the flange portion 100G. It includes a first common friction plate 102A, left and right first friction plates 103A and 103A, a common click plate 104, left and right click bodies 105 and 105, left and right push springs 106 and 106, left and right second friction plates 103B and 103B, and a second common friction plate 102B. The shaft holes of the first and second common friction plates 102A and 102B and the common click plate 104 are circular, equal to the maximum outer diameter of the first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B. The shaft holes of the left and right first friction plates 103A and 103A, the left and right click bodies 105 and 105, and the left and right second friction plates 103B and 103B are shaped to have the same width as the opposite sides of the first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B. The inner diameters of the left and right push springs 106 and 106 are much larger than the maximum outer diameters of the first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B.

[0115] The top surfaces 102a and 104e of the first and second common friction plates 102A and 102B and the common click plate 104 in the inward and outward directions are formed on a flat surface and are in contact with the ceiling on the inner side of the rear first base frame 32A. Therefore, even if a rotational force about the first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B is applied to the first and second common friction plates 102A and 102B and the common click plate 104, the first and second common friction plates 102A and 102B and the common click plate 104 will prevent rotation.

[0116] The first unit 95A is located between the first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B, between the rear intermediate bearing portion 100F and the flange portion 100G, as shown below. Figure 6 As shown, arranged sequentially from the rear to the front are the second common friction plate 102B, the left and right second friction plates 103B, 103B, the common click plate 104, the left and right click bodies 105, 105, the left and right push springs 106, 106, the left and right first friction plates 103A, 103A, and the first common friction plate 102A.

[0117] The first common friction plate 102A, the left and right first friction plates 103A, 103A, the common click plate 104, and the left and right click bodies 105, 105 are pressurized into contact with the left and right second friction plates 103B, 103B and the second common friction plate 102B by the elastic force of the left and right push springs 106, 106. The left and right first friction plates 103A, 103A and the left and right second friction plates 103B, 103B respectively rub against the first common friction plate 102A and the second common friction plate 102B. The rotation of the first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B causes the left and right first friction plates 103A, 103A to rotate, thus imparting frictional force.

[0118] On the common click plate 104, around the shaft holes 104a, 104a through which the first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B are inserted, cam portions 104A, 104A with protrusions 104b and concave portions 104c are formed at 90-degree intervals, facing left and right click bodies 105, 105. The front end portion 104d of the protrusion 104b is formed on a flat surface.

[0119] On the left and right click bodies 105, around the shaft of the shaft hole 105a, click protrusions 105b and recesses 105c of the same shape as the protrusions 104b of the cam portion 104A are formed at 90-degree intervals toward the cam portion 104A. The front end portion 105d of the click protrusion 105b is formed on a flat surface. In the closed and open positions of the left and right click bodies 105, the click protrusions 105b rotate between the protrusions 104b and recesses 104c of the cam portion 104A. Between the open and closed states, the first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B rotate 90 degrees. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the click protrusion 105b moves from the closed position of the recess 104c entering the cam portion 104A to the open position where it abuts against the flat front end portion 104d of the protrusion 104b.

[0120] A first input gear 107A and a second input gear 107B, forming a shaft shape and meshing with each other, are positioned in the left-right direction between the front bearing section 100C and the front intermediate bearing section 100E. A third input gear 107C and a fourth input gear 107D, forming a shaft shape, are positioned side by side in the left-right direction between the rear bearing section 100D and the rear intermediate bearing section 100F. Before the first input gear 107A meshes, the right synchronizing gear 101B of the first unit 94A is engaged; before the second input gear 107B meshes, the first connecting gear 92A is engaged. After the third input gear 107C meshes, the right synchronizing gear 101B of the first unit 95A is engaged; after the fourth input gear 107D meshes, the first connecting gear 93A is engaged. The second input gear 107B and the fourth input gear 107D transmit rotation through the front first connecting gear 92A and the rear first connecting gear 93A. The first input gear 107A and the third input gear 107C cause the synchronous gears 101B of the front first unit 94A and the rear first unit 95A to rotate, with each left synchronous gear 101A rotating synchronously. The rotation of the left and right synchronous gears 101A and 101B causes the first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B to rotate. The four first and second friction plates 103A and 103B on the first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B respectively rub against the first and second common friction plates 102A and 102B, generating frictional braking force on the rotational force. Furthermore, the click sensation is obtained when the front ends 105d of the click protrusions 105b of the left and right click bodies 105 overlap with the front ends 104d of the protrusions 104b of the common click plate 104.

[0121] The second friction click stop part 90B has the same structure as the first friction click stop part 90A. The first longitudinal frame 11 has a centrally symmetrical structure. Since they perform the same function, the same components are given the same symbols and their descriptions are omitted. The first input gear 107A and the second input gear 107B, as well as the left and right synchronous gears 101A and 101B, are input gears; similarly, the third input gear 107C and the fourth input gear 107D, as well as the left and right synchronous gears 101A and 101B, are input gears.

[0122] The multi-joint hinge device 5 has a back cover 110 covering the frame 10 on the back side of the outer frame 10 of the laptop 1. The back cover 110 is symmetrically connected with an outer longitudinal cover plate 112A and an inner longitudinal cover plate 112B in parallel with the central longitudinal frame 111 in the width direction. A left longitudinal cover plate 113A is connected in parallel at the left end in the width direction, and a right longitudinal cover plate 113B is connected in parallel at the right end in the width direction. These longitudinal cover plates (111, 112A, 112B, 113A, 113B) form a long and thin strip in the width direction and along the longitudinal direction, and right-angled short pieces 114 are released from both ends in the longitudinal direction toward the surface side. The inner longitudinal cover plate 112B and the left and right longitudinal cover plates 113A, 113B are the same length in the longitudinal direction, and are slightly longer inward in the longitudinal direction than the short pieces 114 at both ends of the outer longitudinal cover plate 112A. Furthermore, in the parallel arrangement of these longitudinal cover plates (111, 112A, 112B, 113A, 113B) in the width direction, the inner longitudinal cover plates 112B adjacent to the short segments 114 of the outer longitudinal cover plate 112A are located further outward than the short segments 114 of the left longitudinal cover plate 113A and the right longitudinal cover plate 113B. Therefore, Figure 3 The closed state shown and Figure 4 When the frame portion 10 changes shape to a curved state and a flat state between the open states shown, it does not interfere with the adjacent short pieces 114 and shields the inside and outside of the multi-joint hinge device 5 to prevent dust and the like from entering.

[0123] like Figure 5D , Figure 9 As shown, the central longitudinal cover plate 111, the outer longitudinal cover plate 112A, and the inner longitudinal cover plate 112B form a first engaging groove 115 opening inward along the longitudinal direction on the left side in the width direction, and a second engaging groove 116 opening outward along the surface along the longitudinal direction on the right side in the width direction. The left longitudinal cover plate 113A forms a first engaging groove 115 on its right side, and the right longitudinal cover plate 113B forms a first engaging groove 115 on its left side. These longitudinal cover plates (111, 112A, 112B, 113A, 113B) are adjacent to each other in the width direction, engaging with each other in the first engaging groove 115 and the second engaging groove 116. The longitudinal cover plates (111, 112A, 112B, 113A, 113B) adjacent to each other around the longitudinal axis can rotate freely.

[0124] like Figure 5D As shown, screw holes 117 for fixing are formed on the surfaces of both ends of the central longitudinal cover plate 111 in the longitudinal direction. Screws 212 are inserted into the front end of the first longitudinal frame 11 of the frame portion 10 at the fitting protrusion 118 (see reference). Figure 7The screw 212 is inserted into the screw hole 117 to fix the central longitudinal cover plate 111 to the first longitudinal frame 11. The outer longitudinal cover plate 112A and the inner longitudinal cover plate 112B each have a mating protrusion 118 protruding inward from the surface. On the first longitudinal frame 11 and the left and right second longitudinal frames 12, 14, and left and right third longitudinal frames 13, 15 of the frame portion 10, mating recesses 119 are formed on the inner sides of the longitudinal ends. The mating protrusions 118 cannot move longitudinally relative to the mating recesses 119, but slide freely in the left and right direction to engage. Therefore, the longitudinal movement of the central longitudinal cover plate 111, outer longitudinal cover plate 112A, and inner longitudinal cover plate 112B is restricted. Furthermore, the central longitudinal cover plate 111 is fixed to the first longitudinal frame 11 with screws 212, and the central longitudinal cover plate 111 and the first longitudinal frame 111 do not move relative to each other.

[0125] A left sliding engagement piece 120 and a right sliding engagement piece 121 are formed from the tips of the short pieces 114 at both ends of the left longitudinal cover plate 113A and the right longitudinal cover plate 113B in the longitudinal direction, respectively, facing inward in the opposite longitudinal direction. For example... Figure 5B As shown, the longitudinal end faces of the first base frame 30A respectively form a narrow left groove 122 extending in the width direction, on which a left sliding engagement piece 120 is freely slidable and engaged. In addition, the longitudinal end faces of the second base frame 30B respectively form a narrow right groove 123 extending in the width direction, on which a right sliding engagement piece 121 is freely slidable and engaged.

[0126] Figure 3 In the closed state shown, the left and right sliding engagement pieces 120 and 121 engage with the inner ends of the left groove 122 and the right groove 123; Figure 4 In the open state shown, the left and right sliding engagement pieces 120 and 121 engage with the outer ends of the left groove 122 and right groove 123. Corresponding to the opening and closing actions of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3, the length of the back cover 110 in the width direction changes relative to the total length (length in the width direction) of the frame portion 10 through the action of the multi-joint portion 50. To absorb the change in the total length of the frame portion 10, the back cover 110 allows the left and right sliding engagement pieces 120 and 121 to slide against the left groove 122 and right groove 123.

[0127] Secondly Figures 7-13 This describes the opening and closing action of the multi-joint hinge device 5 constructed as described above.

[0128] Figure 7 The top view shows the multi-joint hinge device 5 in its open state, with the auxiliary plate 6 removed. (See diagram above.) Figure 8 As shown, the multi-joint hinge device 5 has a thin structure in the open state.

[0129] Figure 7With the first longitudinal frame 11 positioned at the center in the width direction, the first longitudinal frame 11, the left second longitudinal frame 12, the left third longitudinal frame 13, and the first base frame 30A maintain a close, gapless connection between their sides in the width direction. Similarly, the first longitudinal frame 11, the right second longitudinal frame 14, the right third longitudinal frame 15, and the second base frame 30B maintain a close, gapless connection between their sides in the width direction. In the open state, the surfaces of these parallel frames are level and uniform, without any unevenness.

[0130] exist Figure 7 In the middle, the cross-sectional view of arrow J11-J11 is as follows: Figure 9 As shown, the first joint connectors 51A and 51B, and the third joint connectors 53A and 53B, are displayed on the left and right sides of the first multi-joint section 50A in the open state. The cross-sectional view of arrow J12-J12 is shown below. Figure 10 As shown, the left and right second joint connectors 52A and 52B are displayed. The cross-sectional view of arrow G11-G11 is shown below. Figure 11 As shown, the meshing positions of the second arc-shaped gear 84 and the right synchronous gear 82 in the left second synchronous gear train 72A, and the meshing positions of the second arc-shaped gear 84 and the right synchronous gear 82 in the right first synchronous gear train 71B. The cross-sectional view with arrows G12-G12 is shown below. Figure 12 As shown, the meshing positions of the first arc-shaped gear 83 and the left synchronous gear 81 in the left second synchronous gear train 72A, and the meshing positions of the first arc-shaped gear 83 and the left synchronous gear 81 in the right first synchronous gear train 71B. The cross-sectional view with arrows G13-G13 is shown below. Figure 13 The diagram shows the meshing state of the fourth input gear 107D and the subsequent first connecting gear 93A in the first friction click stop unit 90A, and the meshing state of the fourth input gear 107D and the subsequent second connecting gear 93B in the second friction click stop unit 90B. Additionally, Figures 9-13 The cross-sectional view shown indicates that the length of the multi-joint hinge device 5 in the thickness direction is expressed as a multiple, making its construction easier to understand. (Regarding...) Figures 16-21 , Figures 24-29 All cross-sectional views are also magnified at the same magnification.

[0131] like Figure 9 As shown, with the first longitudinal frame 11 as the reference on the left side of the width direction, the first longitudinal frame 11, the left second longitudinal frame 12, the left second longitudinal frame 12, the left third longitudinal frame 13, the left third longitudinal frame 13, and the first base frame 30A are horizontally connected in parallel without gaps in the width direction. With the first longitudinal frame 11 as the reference on the right side of the width direction, the first longitudinal frame 11, the right second longitudinal frame 14, the right second longitudinal frame 14, the right third longitudinal frame 15, the right third longitudinal frame 15, and the second base frame 30B are horizontally connected in parallel without gaps in the width direction.

[0132] The root of the left first arc-shaped arm 61a extending to the left from the first longitudinal frame 11 engages with the left first guide hole 62a provided in the left second longitudinal frame 12. In this state, the rotation angle of the left second longitudinal frame 12 is 0 degrees. The front end of the left first arc-shaped arm 61a is inserted into the insertion hole 69c provided in the left third longitudinal frame 13, avoiding interference from the left third longitudinal frame 13. The root of the right first arc-shaped arm 65a extending to the right from the first longitudinal frame 11 engages with the right first guide hole 66a provided in the right second longitudinal frame 14. In this state, the rotation angle of the right second longitudinal frame 14 is 0 degrees. The front end of the right first arc-shaped arm 65a is inserted into the insertion hole 69d provided in the right third longitudinal frame 15, avoiding interference from the right third longitudinal frame 15.

[0133] The root of the left third longitudinal frame 13 extending to the left third arc-shaped arm 61c engages with the left third guide hole 62c provided in the first base frame 30A. In this state, the rotation angle of the first base frame 30A is 0 degrees. The root of the right third longitudinal frame 15 extending to the right third arc-shaped arm 65c engages with the right third guide hole 66c provided in the right second base frame 30B. In this state, the rotation angle of the second base frame 30B is 0 degrees. That is, no rotational force is applied to the first base 30A and the second base frame 30B in the closing direction.

[0134] In addition, such as Figure 10 As shown, the left second guide hole 62b of the left third longitudinal frame 13, extending from the left second longitudinal frame 12 to the root of the left second arc-shaped arm 61b extending to the left, is engaged. In this state, the left third longitudinal frame 13 rotates 0 degrees relative to the left second longitudinal frame 12. The front end of the left second arc-shaped arm 61b is inserted into the insertion hole 69a of the first base frame 30A, avoiding interference from the first base frame 30A. Similarly, the right second guide hole 66b of the right third longitudinal frame 15, extending from the right second longitudinal frame 14 to the root of the right second arc-shaped arm 65b extending to the right, is engaged. In this state, the right third longitudinal frame 15 rotates 0 degrees relative to the right second longitudinal frame 14. The front end of the right second arc-shaped arm 65b is inserted into the insertion hole 69b of the second base frame 30B, avoiding interference from the second base frame 30B.

[0135] The front ends of the left and right arc-shaped arms 61a and 65a are formed into flat surfaces. The flat front ends of the left and right arc-shaped arms 61a and 65a abut against the opening edge of the insertion holes 69a to 69d to serve as pre-stopping members and maintain a horizontal state.

[0136] like Figure 11As shown, in the open state, the left second synchronous gear train 72A engages with the right synchronous gear 82 of the left second synchronous gear section 80B located on the left third longitudinal frame 13, which in turn engages with the second arc-shaped gear 84 located on the left second longitudinal frame 12. The right first synchronous gear train 71B engages with the right synchronous gear 82 of the right first synchronous gear section 80C located on the right second longitudinal frame 14, which in turn engages with the second arc-shaped gear 84 located on the right third longitudinal frame 15. For the right synchronous gear 82, the second arc-shaped gear 84 engages at its root.

[0137] Figure 11 The left synchronous gear 81 of the left second synchronous gear train 72A shown, and each of the left synchronous gears 81 of the right first synchronous gear train 71B, as shown... Figure 12 As shown, the first arc-shaped gear 83 is meshed and fixed to the first base frame 30A, and also meshes and is fixed to the first longitudinal frame 11. The root of the first arc-shaped gear 83 meshes with the left synchronous gear 81.

[0138] In addition, such as Figure 13 As shown, in the open state, for the fourth input gear 107D of the rear first unit 95A of the first friction click stop 90A, the rear first connecting gear 93A engages at its root. Similarly, for the fourth input gear 107D of the rear second unit 95B of the second friction click stop 90B, the rear second connecting gear 93B engages at its root. In this open state, as... Figure 6 As shown, the cam portion 104A of the common click plate 104 and the left and right click bodies 105 are in a state where the recess 104c of the cam portion 104A is fitted with the click protrusion 105b.

[0139] Figure 30 for Figure 2 The cross-sectional view of the electronic device 1 in its open state along the folding direction is shown below. Figure 9 The cross-sectional view of the multi-joint hinge device 5 is shown. The back cover 110 remains flat, and the left longitudinal cover plate 113A and the right longitudinal cover plate 113B reach the left and right ends of the first base frame 30A and the second base frame 30B.

[0140] Figure 14 The top view shows the multi-joint hinge device 5. Figure 15 for Figure 14 The front view shows the intermediate open / closed state, which is between the open and closed states. The multi-joint hinge device 5 transitions from a flat state to a bent state in the intermediate open / closed state.

[0141] exist Figure 14In the middle, the first longitudinal frame 11, the left second longitudinal frame 12, the left third longitudinal frame 13, and the first base frame 30A are connected in parallel with slight gaps between them on their sides in the width direction. Similarly, the first longitudinal frame 11, the right second longitudinal frame 14, the right third longitudinal frame 15, and the second base frame 30B are connected in parallel with slight gaps between them on their sides in the width direction.

[0142] exist Figure 14 In the middle, the cross-section of arrow J21-J21 represents the multi-joint section 50 (and...). Figure 9 The section with the same cross-section as the J11-J11 arrow is shown in Figure 16 J22-J22 arrow section (and) Figure 10 The section with the same cross-section as the J22-J22 arrow is shown in Figure 17 The cross-section of arrow J23-J23, representing the third column of multi-jointed section 50C, is shown in the figure. Figure 18 G21-G21 arrow section (and) Figure 11 The section with the same cross-section as the G11-G11 arrow section is shown in Figure 19 The cross-section of arrow G22-G22 (and) Figure 12 The section with the same cross-section as the G12-G12 arrow section is shown in Figure 20 The cross-section of arrow G23-G23 (and) Figure 13 The section with the same cross-section as the G13-G13 arrow section is shown in Figure 21 .

[0143] exist Figure 11 , Figure 12 ( Figure 20 , Figure 21 , Figure 27 , Figure 28 The diagram does not indicate the left first synchronizer gear train 71A and the right second synchronizer gear train 72B. Please refer to [the original text]. Figure 5B Supplement the gear meshing state of the left first synchronous gear train 71A and the right second synchronous gear train 72B, and explain. Figures 16 to 21 .

[0144] like Figure 16 , Figure 17 and Figure 18As shown, when the first base frame 30A and the second base frame 30B are rotated from the open state to the closed state, the left third guide hole portion 62c (362c) of the first base frame 30A moves to the left in the figure along the trajectory drawn by the curved surface 63 of the left third arc-shaped arm 61c (361c), while changing direction and rotating upward. Meanwhile, the right third guide hole portion 66c (366c) of the second base frame 30B moves to the right in the figure along the trajectory drawn by the curved surface 67 of the right third arc-shaped arm 65c (365c), while changing direction and rotating upward. Therefore, the gap between the first base frame 30A and the left third longitudinal frame 13 increases, and the gap between the right third longitudinal frame 15 and the second base frame 30B also increases. Figure 18 In the middle, the third row of multi-joint part 50C has the same structure as the first row of multi-joint part 50A and performs the same action.

[0145] exist Figure 17 In the middle section, the left second joint connector 52A is located on the middle section of the left second arc-shaped arm 61b of the left second longitudinal frame 12 and engages with the left second guide hole portion 62b of the left third longitudinal frame 13. Additionally, the right second joint connector 52B is located on the middle section of the right second arc-shaped arm 65b of the right second longitudinal frame 14 and engages with the left second guide hole portion 66b of the right third longitudinal frame 15.

[0146] Will Figure 16 The orientation of each frame (11-15, 30A, 30B) and Figure 9 In comparison, with the first longitudinal frame 11 as the center, the frames (12-15, 30A, 30B) arranged on the left and right sides in the width direction rotate at equal angles, and the gaps also increase by the same amount. Therefore, with the first longitudinal frame 11 as the reference, the rotation angle of the first base frame 30A is the sum of the rotation angles of the left second longitudinal frame 12, the left third longitudinal frame 13, and the rotation angle of the first base frame 30A. The second base frame 30B is the same. In addition, the sliding engagement of each arc-shaped arm with each guide hole causes the movement trajectory to trace a parabola, and the surfaces of each longitudinal frame 11-15 of the frame section 10 and the first and second base frames 30A and 30B provide a small curvature arc shape at the middle opening position.

[0147] Therefore, the free-deformable portion 4a of the flexible display panel 4 maintains its curvature by mimicking the curved surfaces formed by the longitudinal frames 11-15 of the frame portion 10 and the first and second base frames 30A and 30B. Furthermore, the back cover portion 110 moves inward along the width direction from the engagement positions of the left and right longitudinal cover plates 113A and 113B with respect to the first and second base frames 30A and 30B.

[0148] according to Figure 19 and Figure 20The description describes the synchronous drive unit 70, in which the curved surfaces of the longitudinal frames 11-15 of the frame section 10 and the first base frame 30A and the second base frame 30B are parabolic.

[0149] like Figure 20 As shown, the left second synchronizing gear train 72A rotates counterclockwise and the right synchronizing gear 82 rotates clockwise due to the rotational movement of the first arc-shaped gear 83 fixed to the first base 30A which rotates clockwise. In this rotation, the left synchronizing gear 81 of the left second synchronizing gear section 80B rotates counterclockwise. Figure 19 In the middle, when the right synchronous gear 82 of the left second synchronous gear section 80B rotates clockwise, the right synchronous gear 82 rotates clockwise and moves the meshing position of the second arc-shaped gear 84 to the front end side. Therefore, as Figure 16 As shown, the left third vertical frame 13 rotates and moves clockwise, which widens the gap between the left second vertical frame 12.

[0150] The left first synchronizing gear 71A engages with the left synchronizing gear 81 of the left first synchronizing gear section 80A located in the left second longitudinal frame 12, and is fixed to the root of the first arc-shaped gear 83 in the left third longitudinal frame 13. The right synchronizing gear 82 of the left first synchronizing gear 80A engages with the root of the second arc-shaped gear 84 in the first longitudinal frame 11. Therefore, by moving from the open state to the closed state, the left third longitudinal direction 13 is rotated clockwise, causing the first arc-shaped gear 83 to move from its root to its forward end in engagement with the left synchronizing gear 81, causing the left synchronizing gear 81 to rotate counterclockwise. Simultaneously, the right synchronizing gear 82, which engages with the left synchronizing gear 81, rotates clockwise. At this time, the right synchronizing gear 82 rotates clockwise, causing its engagement position with the second arc-shaped gear 84 to move from its root to its forward end. Therefore, the left second longitudinal frame 12 rotates clockwise relative to the first longitudinal frame 11.

[0151] That is, when the first base frame 30A is rotated clockwise in the closing direction, with the first longitudinal frame 11 as a reference, the left first synchronous gear train 71A causes the left and right synchronous gears 81 and 82 of the left first synchronous gear section 80A to rotate and move clockwise. Therefore, the left second longitudinal frame 12, which has the first synchronous gear section 80A, expands the gap with respect to the first longitudinal frame 11 and moves along a specific trajectory.

[0152] Thus, the left first synchronous gear train 71A causes the first housing 2 to rotate from the open state to the closed state, and causes the left second longitudinal frame 12 with the left first synchronous gear part 80A to move relative to the first longitudinal frame 11 in the direction of widening the gap, and has the function of causing the left third longitudinal frame 13 to move relative to the left second longitudinal frame 12 in the direction of widening the gap.

[0153] In addition, Figure 19 and Figure 20 In the middle, the left second synchronous gear row 72A causes the left and right synchronous gears 81 and 82 of the left second synchronous gear section 80B to rotate and move in a clockwise direction, and the left third longitudinal frame 13 having the left second synchronous gear section 80B expands the gap with the second longitudinal frame 12 and moves along a specific trajectory.

[0154] On the one hand, refer to Figure 5B The right second synchronizing gear 72B engages with the left synchronizing gear 81 of the right second synchronizing gear section 80D located on the right third longitudinal frame 15, and is fixed at the root of the first arc-shaped gear 83 in the right second longitudinal frame 14. For the right synchronizing gear 82 of the right second synchronizing gear section 80D, the second arc-shaped gear 84 fixed to the second base frame 30B engages at its root. Therefore, in order to transition from the open state to the closed state by rotating the second base frame 30B counterclockwise, the second arc-shaped gear 84, rotating counterclockwise, moves its engagement position with the right synchronizing gear 82 from its root to its forward end, causing the right synchronizing gear 82 to rotate clockwise. Furthermore, the left synchronizing gear 81, which engages with the right synchronizing gear 82, rotates counterclockwise. The left synchronizing gear 81, rotating counterclockwise in the right second synchronizing gear section 80D, engages with the first arc-shaped gear 83 fixed to the right second longitudinal frame 14 and rotates and moves counterclockwise. Therefore, the right third longitudinal frame 15 widens the gap with the right second longitudinal frame 14 and rotates and moves in a counterclockwise direction.

[0155] like Figure 19 , Figure 20 As shown, when the right third longitudinal frame 15 rotates counterclockwise, the right synchronous gear 82 of the right first synchronous gear section 80C rotates clockwise, and the left synchronous gear 81 rotates counterclockwise. Figure 20 As shown, when the left synchronous gear 81 of the right first synchronous gear section 80C rotates counterclockwise, the left synchronous gear 81 rotates and its meshing position with the first arc-shaped gear 83 moves to the tip side, and then rotates counterclockwise. Therefore, the right second longitudinal frame 14 widens the gap with the first longitudinal frame 11 and rotates counterclockwise.

[0156] That is, when the right second synchronous gear train 72B causes the second base frame 30B to move from the open state to the closed state, it widens the gap between the right third longitudinal frame 15 and the second base frame 30B, causing the right third longitudinal frame 15 to rotate and move relative to the right second longitudinal frame 14 in the direction of widening the gap.

[0157] On the one hand, such as Figure 19As shown, when rotating counterclockwise towards the second base frame 30B, the right synchronous gear 82 of the right first synchronous gear section 80C rotates clockwise via the second arc-shaped gear 84 of the right second synchronous gear train 72B and the right first synchronous gear train 71B. Furthermore, as... Figure 20 As shown, the left synchronous gear 81 rotates counterclockwise and meshes with the first arc-shaped gear 83 to rotate counterclockwise, thus widening the gap between the right second longitudinal frame 14 and the first longitudinal frame 11.

[0158] Figure 19 and Figure 20 The left second synchronous gear train 72A and the right first synchronous gear train 71B are shown in the middle open / closed state. Figure 11 The left second synchronous gear train 72A and the right first synchronous gear train 71B in the open state are shown. Figure 19 In comparison, Figure 11 The meshing position of the second arc-shaped gear 84 is at the root relative to the right synchronous gear 82, but... Figure 19 Move from the root towards the front end. Similarly, compare... Figure 20 and Figure 12 The meshing position of the first arc-shaped gear 83 relative to the left synchronizer gear 81 is from Figure 12 root towards Figure 20 The front end moves.

[0159] like Figure 21 As shown, in the intermediate open / closed state, the first friction stop part 90A and the second friction stop part 90B are engaged with the fourth input gear 107D, the rear first connecting gear 93A, and the rear second connecting gear 93B, which have moved from the root to the front end and to the middle position. The first friction stop part 90A and the second friction stop part 90B are such that the right synchronous gear 101B rotates synchronously with the third input gear 107C, and the left synchronous gear 101A, which engages with the right synchronous gear 101B, rotates, causing the first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B to rotate. The non-rotating first common friction plate 102A and the second common friction plate 102B are in frictional contact with the rotating first friction plate 103A and the second friction plate 103B. Therefore, when the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 rotate from the open state to the intermediate open / closed state towards the closed direction, they are subjected to resistance due to friction. Furthermore, the closing action of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 is stopped in the middle open / closed state, and the movement of the synchronous drive unit 70 is locked by friction resistance, keeping each longitudinal frame 11-15 and the first base frame 30A and the second base frame 30B in the middle open / closed position.

[0160] Figure 22 The top diagram shows the closed state of the multi-joint hinge device 5. Figure 23 for Figure 22 Front view. In Figure 22In the middle, the top view and top view of the multi-joint 50 are represented by J31-J31, J32-J32, J33-J33, G31-G31, G32-G32, and G33-G33. Figure 14 The top views of J21-J21, J22-J22, J23-J23, G21-G21, G22-G22, and G23-G23 are the same section.

[0161] Figure 24 This represents a top view of the J31-J31 section. Figure 25 This represents a top view of the J32-J32 section. Figure 26 This shows a top view of J33-J33. With the first base frame 30A and the second base frame 30B parallel to each other or in a slightly closed, inwardly closed state, the left first guide hole 62a engages with the front end of the left second arc-shaped arm 61a. Similarly, the other guide holes 62b, 62c, 66a, 66b, and 66c engage with the front ends of their corresponding arc-shaped arms 61b, 61c, 65a, 65b, and 65c. (Comparison of the intermediate open / closed states is also provided.) Figures 16-17 The guide hole in the middle of the locking arc arm moves to the locking position at the front end of the arc arm. The movement of the frames adjacent to each longitudinal frame 11-15, the first base frame 30A, and the second base frame 30B increases the rotation angle and widens the gap.

[0162] With the first longitudinal frame 11 as a reference, the sum of the relative rotation angles with the other frames adjacent to the longitudinal frames 12 and 13 from the first longitudinal frame 11 to the first base frame 30A is approximately 90 degrees. In addition, the sum of the relative rotation angles with the other frames adjacent to the longitudinal frames 14 and 15 from the first longitudinal frame 11 to the second base frame 30B is approximately 90 degrees.

[0163] Figure 27 This represents the top view of G31-G31. Figure 28 This represents the top view section of G32-G32. (Comparison) Figure 20 and Figure 21 The intermediate opening and closing states shown are the meshing positions of the left second synchronous gear 80B of the left second synchronous gear train 72A with the first arc-shaped gear 83 and the second arc-shaped gear 84, and the meshing positions of the right first synchronous gear 80C of the right first synchronous gear train 71B with the first arc-shaped gear 83 and the second arc-shaped gear 84.

[0164] like Figure 27As shown, in the open state, viewed from the first longitudinal frame 11, the front end of the second arc-shaped gear 84 on the left side in the width direction engages with the right synchronous gear 82 of the left second synchronous gear section 80B; viewed from the first longitudinal frame 11, the front end of the second arc-shaped gear 84 on the right side in the width direction engages with the right synchronous gear 82 of the right first synchronous gear section 80C. Additionally, as... Figure 28 As shown, viewed from the first longitudinal frame 11, the front end of the first arc-shaped gear 83 on the left side in the width direction engages with the left synchronous gear 81 of the left second synchronous gear section 80B, and viewed from the first longitudinal frame 11, the front end of the first arc-shaped gear 83 on the right side in the width direction engages with the left synchronous gear 81 of the right first synchronous gear section 80C.

[0165] When the operation of the synchronous drive unit 70 changes from the open state to the closed state, the meshing position of the first arc-shaped gear 83 and the left synchronous gear 81 moves from the root to the front end of the first arc-shaped gear 83, while the meshing position of the second arc-shaped gear 84 and the right synchronous gear 82 moves from the root to the front end of the second arc-shaped gear 84. Conversely, when changing from the closed state to the open state, the meshing position of the first arc-shaped gear 83 and the left synchronous gear 81 moves from the front end to the root of the first arc-shaped gear 83, while the meshing position of the second arc-shaped gear 84 and the right synchronous gear 82 moves from the front end to the root of the second arc-shaped gear 84.

[0166] Furthermore, for each of the longitudinal frames 11-15, the first base frame 30A, and the second base frame 30B, which are guided by the joint connectors (51A-53A, 51B-53B) of the multi-joint section 50, the synchronous drive section 70's synchronous gear trains (71A, 72A, 71B, 72B) synchronously drive adjacent frames in both the approach and departure directions. At this time, the relative rotation direction and angle of each frame change, causing the gap between the frames to change.

[0167] like Figure 29 The first friction click stop part 90A and the second friction click stop part 90B shown are... Figure 21 In comparison, the first and second connecting gears 93A and 93B mesh with the fourth input gear 107D at their tips. Therefore, when the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 rotate between the open and closed states, they experience resistance due to friction. Furthermore, in the open state, a clicking sensation is obtained on the front end 104d of the left and right cam portions 104A of the common click plate 104, where the clicking protrusion 105b of the click body 105 abuts against the elastic force of the push spring 106. In the closed state, the clicking protrusion 105b is engaged with the recess 104c of the cam portion 104A by the elastic force of the push spring 106, thus obtaining the clicking sensation.

[0168] Figure 31This indicates that the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 of the electronic device 1 are folded to a closed state with their positions relative to each other. The surface of the frame portion 10, which is composed of five longitudinal frames 11 to 15, of the multi-joint hinge device 5 is bent into a semi-circle. Therefore, the free deformable portion 4a of the flexible display panel 4 retains the semi-circular surface of the frame portion 10.

[0169] In the above implementation, the multi-joint hinge action is based on the first longitudinal frame 11, and the case of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 opening and closing simultaneously is explained as an example; when the second housing 3 is placed on the table and the first housing 2 is opened and closed, the multi-joint hinge device 5 also performs the same action.

[0170] In addition, the frame part 10 of the above embodiment is illustrated by taking the case where the left first frame set 10A and the right first frame set 10B are set as one group; the left first frame set 10A and the right first frame set 10B can also be set as multiple groups.

[0171] The frame section 10 has an odd number of longitudinal frames, five or more. The left first frame set 10A and right first frame set 10B, respectively arranged along the width direction of the first longitudinal frame 11, can be one or more sets. Therefore, the number N of the longitudinal frames of the frame section 10, when n is an integer of 2 or more, can be N = 1 + 2n (where n is an integer of 2 or more). Furthermore, the multi-joint section 50 can be a structure located at both ends in the longitudinal direction.

[0172] The multi-joint hinge device of the present invention allows the folded portion of the flexible display panel to remain bent, mimicking the arc-shaped trajectory depicted by the frame portion, when the first and second housings are opened and closed. Therefore, when closed, the folded portion of the flexible display panel, folded into a semi-circle, remains stable without wobbling. Simultaneously, it does not loosen or wrinkle when used in the open state.

[0173] Therefore, the hinge device of the present invention is suitable for foldable electronic devices, mobile phones, electronic notebooks, PDAs, small laptops, image display devices, portable game consoles or laptops, etc., which are equipped with a flexible display panel spanning a first housing and a second housing, as well as foldable electronic devices using this hinge device.

Claims

1. A multi-joint hinge device, foldable by connecting the first housing and the second housing of an electronic device through a relative folding action between an open position and a closed position, comprising: a flexible display panel mounted on the back side of a flexible display panel mounted across the surface side of the first housing and the surface side of the second housing, comprising: The frame section, for example, has an odd number of longitudinal frames arranged in parallel along the width direction, with the short line direction as the width direction and the long line direction as the length direction. The first base frame is arranged in parallel on the longitudinal frame at one end of the frame portion in the width direction and is mounted on the first housing; The second base frame is arranged in parallel on the longitudinal frame at the other end of the frame portion in the width direction and is mounted on the second housing; A multi-joint section is respectively arranged between adjacent longitudinal frames on a frame column formed by the first base frame and the second base frame. The frame column is connected in parallel on both sides of the width direction of the odd number of parallel longitudinal frames. The multi-joint section has a joint connector. The joint connector allows the longitudinal frames adjacent to each other along a specific trajectory to change the rotation direction and angle and rotate and move, so that the gap between the longitudinal frames changes relatively. The synchronous drive unit connects the adjacent longitudinal frames of the frame column in series via gears. When the first base frame and the second base frame move relative to each other to the closing direction, it synchronously moves each of the adjacent longitudinal frames away from each other. When the first base frame and the second base frame move relative to each other to the opening direction, it synchronously moves each of the adjacent longitudinal frames closer to each other. as well as The stop and retaining part, when the first base frame and the longitudinal frame adjacent to the first base frame and the second base frame and the longitudinal frame adjacent to the second base frame rotate relative to each other, can remain stopped between the closed position and the open position. The joint connector includes: An arc-shaped arm, located in the frame column, has a guide surface disposed on one side of the adjacent longitudinal frame and comprising a specific curved surface; and A guide hole is provided on the other side of the adjacent longitudinal frame, and slides and engages with the longitudinal frame on one side along the guide surface of the arc-shaped arm; The synchronous drive unit consists of three parallel longitudinal frames connected in parallel on the frame column. The synchronous gear trains that are connected in series are arranged in multiples along the width direction. The synchronous gear trains that are adjacent to each other along the width direction consist of two longitudinal frames that are adjacent to each other and close to each other among the three synchronous gear trains that make up the combination.

2. The multi-joint hinge device according to claim 1, wherein the frame portion is centered on a first longitudinal frame located at the center in the width direction, and a second longitudinal frame and a third longitudinal frame are sequentially provided on the left and right sides along the width direction from the first longitudinal frame side, thereby forming a combination, and one or more of the combinations are symmetrically arranged to form a frame assembly; the multi-joint portion is provided in two places, respectively at both ends of the frame portion in the longitudinal direction, or in three places, respectively at both ends of the longitudinal direction and the center of the longitudinal direction.

3. The multi-joint hinge device according to claim 2, wherein the joint connecting member of the multi-joint part comprises: joint connecting members respectively disposed on the left side in the width direction between the first longitudinal frame and the first base frame and joint connecting members respectively disposed on the right side in the width direction between the first longitudinal frame and the second base frame; The joint connector on the left side in the width direction extends arc-shaped arms from the first longitudinal frame, the second longitudinal frame, and the third longitudinal frame toward the first base frame, respectively. The second longitudinal frame, the third longitudinal frame, and the first base frame are respectively provided with guide holes corresponding to each of the arc-shaped arms. The joint connector on the right side in the width direction extends the arc-shaped arm from the first longitudinal frame, the second longitudinal frame, and the third longitudinal frame toward the second base frame, respectively. The second longitudinal frame, the third longitudinal frame, and the second base frame are respectively provided with guide holes corresponding to each of the arc-shaped arms.

4. In the multi-joint hinge device according to claim 1, the meshing positions of the first arc-shaped gear and the left synchronous gear, and the meshing positions of the second arc-shaped gear and the right synchronous gear, move from the root side to the front end side through a folding action from the open position to the closed position, and move from the front end side to the root side through a folding action from the closed position to the open position.

5. The multi-joint hinge device according to claim 2, wherein the third longitudinal frame is provided with an insertion hole for inserting the front end of the arc-shaped arm that passes through the guide hole on the second longitudinal frame, and the second longitudinal frame is adjacent to the side of the first longitudinal frame; the first base frame and the second base frame are provided with insertion holes for inserting the front end of the arc-shaped arm that passes through the guide hole on the third longitudinal frame, and the third longitudinal frame is adjacent to the side of the first longitudinal frame.

6. The multi-joint hinge device according to claim 1, wherein among the plurality of joint connectors provided between the first longitudinal frame and the first base frame, the joint connectors adjacent to each other in the width direction are staggered in the longitudinal direction; and among the plurality of joint connectors provided between the first longitudinal frame and the second base frame, the joint connectors adjacent to each other in the width direction are staggered in the longitudinal direction.

7. The multi-joint hinge device according to claim 1, wherein the stop holding part comprises: a first friction click stop mechanism disposed on the first base frame having a first input gear; a second friction click stop mechanism disposed on the second base frame having a second input gear; a first connecting gear fixed to the longitudinal frame adjacent to the first base frame and meshing with the first input gear; and a second connecting gear fixed to the longitudinal frame adjacent to the second base frame and meshing with the second input gear. in, The first friction click stop mechanism and the second friction click stop mechanism each include: a cam portion having a concave and convex portion, wherein when the click body fixed on the rotating shaft of the first input gear and the second input gear rotates integrally with each rotating body, the click body clicks and engages the concave and convex portion in the open position and the closed position; and a friction force generating portion, which imparts friction force to the rotation of the rotating shaft.

8. The multi-joint hinge device according to claim 1, wherein the back side of the frame portion is provided with a back cover portion covering the frame portion, the back cover portion is strip-shaped, arranged side by side along the width direction and extending in the longitudinal direction; the back cover portion has a plurality of longitudinal cover plates, the longitudinal cover plates are freely rotated around the axis in the longitudinal direction and connected to each other, wherein the longitudinal cover plate at one end in the width direction is engaged with the first base frame and can move in the width direction, and the longitudinal cover plate at the other end in the width direction is engaged with the second base frame and can move in the width direction.

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