Electronic device

Abstract

An electronic device includes a first body, a second body, a linkage mechanism, and a flexible drive member. The second body is pivotally coupled to the first body. The linkage mechanism is coupled to the second body. The flexible drive member is coupled between the first body and the linkage mechanism. When the second body is closed to the first body, the second body is in a flat state. When the second body is unfolded relative to the first body, the flexible drive member drives the second body to be in a curved state through the linkage mechanism.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device, and more particularly to an electronic device having a flexible second body. Background Technology

[0002] Commonly known displays include flat-panel displays and curved displays. Flat-panel displays are prone to distortion at the edges, while curved displays offer advantages such as reduced distortion, wider viewing angles, and enhanced immersive experiences. However, conventional curved displays are mostly used in standalone monitors or dashboards, not in laptops. Therefore, how to bend a laptop screen to achieve the effect of a curved display is a problem that urgently needs to be solved in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide an electronic device in which the second body is bendable to achieve the effect of curved display.

[0004] An electronic device according to the present invention includes a first body, a second body, a linkage mechanism, and a flexible drive member. The second body is pivotally connected to the first body. The linkage mechanism is connected to the second body. The flexible drive member is connected between the first body and the linkage mechanism. When the second body is closed within the first body, the second body is in a flat state, and when the second body is unfolded relative to the first body, the flexible drive member, through the linkage mechanism, causes the second body to bend into a curved state.

[0005] In one embodiment of the present invention, the linkage mechanism includes two linkage assemblies, each linkage assembly including a connecting rod and a push-pull rod, one end of each connecting rod being pivotally connected to a flexible drive member, the other end of each connecting rod being pivotally connected to one end of the corresponding push-pull rod, and the other end of each push-pull rod being connected to a second body.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, when the second body is closed to the first body, the two connecting rods have a first relative unfolding angle, and when the second body is unfolded to the first body, the two connecting rods have a second relative unfolding angle, wherein the first relative unfolding angle is smaller than the second relative unfolding angle.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, when the second body is closed to the first body, the two connecting rods have a first distance; when the second body is unfolded to the first body, the two connecting rods have a second distance, and the first distance is smaller than the second distance.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the aforementioned flexible drive member is slidably disposed on a back side of the second body, each connecting rod is pivotally connected to the flexible drive member along a first axis, and each connecting rod is pivotally connected to the corresponding push-pull rod along a second axis, the first axis and the second axis being perpendicular to the back side.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the above-mentioned push-pull rods includes a plurality of rods, which are pivotally connected in sequence.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the material of each of the push-pull rods includes a flexible material.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device further includes at least two limiting members, wherein the two limiting members are disposed on the second body, and the two push-pull rods are respectively inserted through the two limiting members.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device further includes a pivot assembly, wherein the first body and the second body are pivotally connected to each other via the pivot assembly, and a portion of the flexible drive member is slidably abutted against the pivot assembly about the rotation axis of the pivot assembly.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, when the second body is closed to the first body, the flexible drive member bends along the pivot assembly for a first arc length, and when the second body is unfolded to the first body, the flexible drive member bends along the pivot assembly for a second arc length, wherein the first arc length is greater than the second arc length.

[0014] Based on the above, in the electronic device of the present invention, when the second body pivots and unfolds relative to the first body, the rotation of the second body drives a flexible drive member to drive the second body from a flat state to a curved state through a linkage mechanism, thereby making the display surface of the second body a curved structure. Thus, the second body can provide the user with a wider viewing angle, reduce distortion, and enhance the immersive experience, thereby improving the user experience of the electronic device.

[0015] To make the above features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device.

[0018] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A close-up view of the back of the second body.

[0019] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of another state of the electronic device.

[0020] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device.

[0021] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A close-up view of the back of the second body.

[0022] Figure 7 yes Figure 4 A top view of the electronic device.

[0023] Figure 8 yes Figure 4 Another enlarged view of the back of the second body.

[0024] Figure 9 This is a partially enlarged view of the back of the second body according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] The attached figures are labeled as follows:

[0026] 100: Electronic devices

[0027] 110: First Machine

[0028] 120: Second Unit

[0029] 122: Back

[0030] 124: protrusion

[0031] 130: Linkage Mechanism

[0032] 130a: Linkage assembly

[0033] 132a: Connecting rod

[0034] 132a1, 132a2, 133a1, 133a2: End

[0035] 133a, 133b: Push-pull rod

[0036] 134: Rod

[0037] 140: Flexible actuator

[0038] 150a, 150b: Limiting components

[0039] 160: Pivot assembly

[0040] 162, 164: Pivot components

[0041] A1: First relative unfolding angle

[0042] A2: Second relative unfolding angle

[0043] B1: First axis

[0044] B2: Second Axis

[0045] C1: Rotation axis

[0046] D1: First spacing

[0047] D2: Second spacing

[0048] R1: First arc length

[0049] R2: Second arc length

[0050] XYZ: Rectangular coordinates Detailed Implementation

[0051] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device, the cross-section of which is parallel to the ZX plane in the rectangular coordinate XYZ. Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A close-up view of the back of the second body. Figure 1 Some components (e.g., limiting member 150a) are omitted to clearly show the linkage mechanism 130 and the flexible drive member 140. Please also refer to... Figures 1 to 3 The electronic device 100 includes a first body 110, a second body 120, a pivot assembly 160, a linkage mechanism 130, and a flexible actuator 140. The second body 120 is pivotally connected to the first body 110. The linkage mechanism 130 is connected to a back surface 122 of the second body 120. The flexible actuator 140 is connected between the first body 110 and the linkage mechanism 130. When the second body 120 is closed within the first body 110 (… Figure 1 The second body 120 is in a flat state. In this embodiment, the electronic device 100 is, for example, a laptop computer, the first body 110 is, for example, the main body of the laptop computer, and the second body 120 is, for example, the screen of the laptop computer, but is not limited thereto.

[0052] like Figure 2As shown, the first body 110 and the second body 120 are pivotally connected to each other via a pivot assembly 160. The pivot assembly 160 includes two pivot members 162 and 164. Pivot member 164 is connected to the first body 110, and pivot member 162 is connected to the second body 120. The two pivot members 162 and 164 are pivotally connected together along a rotation axis C1, which is parallel to the Y-axis. A portion of the flexible drive member 140 is slidably abutted against the pivot assembly 160 about the rotation axis C1. When the two pivot members 162 and 164 pivot relative to each other, the flexible drive member 140 can slide relative to the two pivot members 162 and 164. A portion of the flexible drive member 140 is bent along the surface of the pivot member 162. When the second body 120 is closed to the first body 110, the flexible drive 140 bends along the pivot 162 of the pivot assembly 160 for a length of a first arc length R1.

[0053] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, a protrusion 124 is formed on the back surface 122 of the second body 120. Here, the protrusion 124 is a cuboid extending along the -X-axis direction from one side of the second body 120 adjacent to the pivot assembly 160, but is not limited thereto. A portion of the flexible drive member 140 is slidably disposed on the protrusion 124 on the back surface 122. The linkage mechanism 130 includes two linkage assemblies 130a, each linkage assembly 130a including a connecting rod 132a and a push-pull rod 133a. One end 132a1 of each connecting rod 132a is pivotally connected to the flexible drive member 140, and the other end 132a2 of each connecting rod 132a is pivotally connected to one end 133a1 of the corresponding push-pull rod 133a. The other end 133a2 of each push-pull rod 133a is securely connected to the second body 120. Figure 1 Specifically, each connecting rod 132a is pivotally connected to the flexible drive member 140 along a first axis B1, and each connecting rod 132a is pivotally connected to the corresponding push-pull rod 133a along a second axis B2. The first axis B1 and the second axis B2 are perpendicular to the back surface 122.

[0054] As described above, the two-link assembly 130a is connected to the flexible drive member 140 via two connecting rods 132a, and the two push-pull rods 133a are located on opposite sides of the flexible drive member 140, thus making the two-link assembly 130a approximately symmetrically arranged. More specifically, the two connecting rods 132a are V-shaped and unfolded relative to each other. When the second body 120 is closed within the first body 110, the two connecting rods 132a have a first relative unfolding angle A1, and the two connecting rods 132a have a first distance D1. Figure 3 Furthermore, the two push-pull rods 133a were not bent.

[0055] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of another state of the electronic device. Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device, the cross-section of which is parallel to the ZX plane in the rectangular coordinate XYZ. Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A close-up view of the back of the second body. Figure 4 It also includes a perspective enlarged view of the pivot assembly 160 of the electronic device, with some components omitted to clearly show the linkage mechanism 130 and the flexible drive element 140. Please also refer to... Figures 4 to 6 When the second body 120 of the electronic device 100 is deployed relative to the first body 110 via the pivot assembly 160, the flexible drive member 140 drives the second body 120 from a flat state via the linkage mechanism 130. Figure 1 It transforms into a curved state. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the pivot 162 pivots clockwise, causing the flexible drive 140 to bend along the pivot 162 of the pivot assembly 160 by a length from the first arc length R1. Figure 2 The first arc length R1 is greater than the second arc length R2. Therefore, a local section of the flexible drive member 140 disposed on the protrusion 124 of the second body 120 slides away from the first body 110. Here, the sliding stroke of the local section of the flexible drive member 140 is the difference between the first arc length R1 and the second arc length R2.

[0056] When the second unit 120 is deployed above the first unit 110, as Figure 6 As shown, the flexible drive member 140 slides away from the first body 110 in the direction of the arrow, causing one end 132a1 of the two connecting rods 132a to pivot relative to each other and move away from the first body 110. The other end 132a2 of the two connecting rods 132a moves away from the flexible drive member 140, so that the two connecting rods 132a have a second relative deployment angle A2 and a second distance D2. The first relative deployment angle A1 ( Figure 3 The first spacing D1 is less than the second relative unfolding angle A2, and the first spacing D1 is less than the second relative unfolding angle A2. Figure 3 The distance is less than the second gap D2. Since one end 133a1 of the two push-pull rods 133a is movably pivotally connected to the two connecting rods 132a, and the other end 133a2 is fixed to the second body 120, when the other end 132a2 of the two connecting rods 132a moves to both sides of the second body 120, the two push-pull rods 133a are pushed and bent, thereby causing the second body 120 to bend. Figure 4 Thus, the second body 120 forms a curved surface structure.

[0057] When electronic device 100 is turned off Figure 5 The pivot 162 shown rotates counterclockwise, causing the flexible drive member 140 to slide towards the first body 110, thereby driving the linkage mechanism 130 from... Figure 6 The status shown has switched to Figure 3 As shown, the second unit 120 from Figure 4 The bending state shown is transformed into Figure 1 The flat state shown.

[0058] Under the above configuration, the user only needs to pivot the second body 120 relative to the first body 110 to automatically bring the second body 120 into a bent state. Figure 4 ) and flat state ( Figure 1 The electronic device 100 can switch between these two states. When the electronic device 100 displays an image through the curved second body 120, the second body 120 can be regarded as a curved display, which can provide a wider viewing angle, lower edge distortion and enhanced immersive experience compared to a flat display.

[0059] Figure 7 yes Figure 4 A top view of the electronic device. Figure 8 yes Figure 4 Another enlarged view of the back of the second body. Figure 7 Some components (e.g., limiter 150a) are omitted to clearly show the push-pull rod 133a. Please also refer to... Figure 7 and Figure 8 In this embodiment, each push-pull rod 133a is a modular push-pull rod, and each push-pull rod 133a includes multiple rods 134, which are pivotally connected in sequence. When the push-pull rod 133a is connected by the connecting rod 132a ( Figure 6 When pushed, these rods 134 pivot relative to each other, so that the push-pull rod 133a as a whole can be regarded as having a bending structure, and drives the second body 120 to bend. Of course, the way to bend the push-pull rod 133a is not limited to this.

[0060] like Figure 8 As shown, the electronic device 100 also includes at least two limiting members 150a. The two limiting members 150a are disposed on the second body 120 and are disposed corresponding to the rods 134 of the push-pull rod 133a. The rods 134 of the two push-pull rods 133a are respectively inserted through the two limiting members 150a to ensure that the push-pull rod 133a can move in a certain space and is stably held in place.

[0061] like Figure 8As shown, the position of the limiting member 150a is away from the area where these rods 134 are pivotally connected to each other, so as to avoid affecting the bending of the push-pull rod 133a as a whole. In this embodiment, each push-pull rod 133a includes three rods 134, and the number of limiting members 150a corresponds to the number of these rods 134. The electronic device 100 has a total of six rods 134 and six limiting members 150a, but is not limited to this. The user can set the number and position of these rods 134 and limiting members 150a according to their needs.

[0062] Figure 9 This is a partially enlarged view of the back of the second body according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 The push-pull rod 133b of the embodiment shown is Figure 8 The embodiments shown are similar, the difference being that, Figure 9 Each push-pull rod 133b in the illustrated embodiment is a one-piece push-pull rod, and the material of the push-pull rod 133b includes a flexible material. When the push-pull rod 133b is connected to the connecting rod 132a ( Figure 6 When pushed, the push-pull rod 133b is directly bent, causing the second body 120 to bend. Furthermore, as... Figure 9 As shown, the width of the limiting member 150b in this embodiment is much larger than... Figure 8 The width of the limiting member 150a is shown, and the material of the limiting member 150b includes a flexible material, allowing the limiting member 150b to bend with the second body 120. Therefore, the push-pull rod 133b and the limiting member 150b in this embodiment have the same functions as in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here. Users can choose a suitable setting method according to their needs.

[0063] In summary, in the electronic device of the present invention, when the second body pivots and unfolds relative to the first body, the rotation of the second body drives a flexible drive member to transform the second body from a flat state to a curved state through a linkage mechanism, thereby making the display surface of the second body a curved structure. Thus, the second body can provide the user with a wider viewing angle, reduce distortion, and enhance the immersive experience, thereby improving the user experience of the electronic device.

[0064] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising: The first body; A second body, pivotally connected to the first body; A linkage mechanism is connected to the second body; A flexible drive component is connected between the first body and the linkage mechanism. When the second body is closed to the first body, the second body is in a flat state, and when the second body is unfolded relative to the first body, the flexible drive member drives the second body to be in a bent state through the linkage mechanism. The linkage mechanism includes two linkage assemblies, each linkage assembly including a connecting rod and a push-pull rod. One end of each connecting rod is pivotally connected to the flexible drive member, and the other end of each connecting rod is pivotally connected to one end of the corresponding push-pull rod. The other end of each push-pull rod is connected to the second body. A portion of the flexible drive member is slidably disposed on a back side of the second body. Each of the connecting rods is pivotally connected to the flexible drive member along a first axis, and each of the connecting rods is pivotally connected to the corresponding push-pull rod along a second axis. The first axis and the second axis are perpendicular to the back side. It also includes a pivot assembly, wherein the first body and the second body are pivotally connected to each other via the pivot assembly, wherein when the second body is closed to the first body, the flexible drive member bends along the pivot assembly for a first arc length, and when the second body is extended to the first body, the flexible drive member bends along the pivot assembly for a second arc length, wherein the first arc length is greater than the second arc length.

2. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the second body is closed to the first body, the two connecting rods have a first relative unfolding angle, and when the second body is unfolded to the first body, the two connecting rods have a second relative unfolding angle, wherein the first relative unfolding angle is smaller than the second relative unfolding angle.

3. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the second body is closed within the first body, the two connecting rods have a first distance, and when the second body is unfolded within the first body, the two connecting rods have a second distance, the first distance being smaller than the second distance.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein each push-pull rod comprises a plurality of rods, the plurality of rods being pivotally connected in sequence.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein each of the push-pull rods is made of a flexible material.

6. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1 further includes at least two limiting members, wherein the two limiting members are disposed on the second body, and the two push-pull rods are respectively passed through the two limiting members.

7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the flexible actuator is slidably abutted against the pivot assembly about the axis of rotation of the pivot assembly.

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