Hinge device and electronic machine using same

Abstract

The present invention provides a hinge device which connects a pair of housings so as to be opened and closed, and has a hinge mechanism sandwiched between the pair of housings, the hinge mechanism being capable of reducing slack or tension caused on a flexible display panel when an electronic device is in three states such as an inward folded state, an unfolded state, and an outward folded state. The hinge mechanism includes: a first joint portion and a second joint portion that support the pair of housings so as to be opened and closed; a first restricting portion that restricts rotation of the second joint portion in the first direction with respect to the first joint portion when the first joint portion rotates in the first direction; a second restricting portion that restricts rotation of the first joint portion in a second direction, the second direction being different from the first direction, within a certain angle range; and a first restriction release part which is provided on the first restriction part and releases rotational restriction caused by the first restriction part when the second joint part rotates in the second direction. The hinge device selects the first joint part and the second joint part according to the included angle of the pair of shells and enables the first joint part and the second joint part to rotate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hinge device and an electronic device using the hinge device. The hinge device is suitable for electronic devices composed of an organic EL flexible display panel installed across the two surfaces of a pair of shells, such as portable phones, electronic notebooks, PDAs, small laptops or notebook computers. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, electronic devices such as mobile phones that have an organic EL flexible display panel mounted across both surfaces of a pair of housings have been developed and marketed. A hinge mechanism that smoothly switches the electronic device from a folded state to an unfolded state is disclosed in the following patent document 1.

[0003] Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-035904.

[0004] The hinge mechanism of Patent Document 1 uses a plurality of hinge rotation axes to convert the electronic device from a folded state to an unfolded state. However, when the electronic device is placed in three states, namely, an inward folded state, an unfolded state, and an outward folded state, the looseness or tension caused by the difference in surface length may cause a large burden on the flexible display panel. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a hinge mechanism which can reduce the looseness or tension on a flexible display panel when the electronic device is in the three states of an inward folded state, an unfolded state, and an outward folded state.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the hinge device of the present invention connects a pair of shells to open and close, and a hinge mechanism is sandwiched between the pair of shells, and the hinge mechanism includes a first joint part, a second joint part, a first restricting part, a second restricting part and a first restriction releasing part. The first joint part and the second joint part support the pair of shells to open and close; when the first joint part rotates in a first direction, the first restricting part restricts the rotation of the second joint part relative to the first joint part in the first direction; the second restricting part restricts the rotation of the first joint part in a second direction within a certain angle range, and the second direction is different from the first direction; the first restriction releasing part is arranged on the first restricting part, and releases the rotation restriction caused by the first restricting part when the second joint part rotates in the second direction. The hinge device selects the first joint part and the second joint part according to the angle between the pair of shells and allows the first joint part and the second joint part to rotate.

[0007] Through the present invention described above, when a pair of shells are transformed from an inwardly folded state to an outwardly folded state via an unfolded state, the looseness or tension caused on the flexible display panel can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 One example of an electronic device is shown, wherein (a) is a stereoscopic view of a pair of shells in an inwardly folded state; (b) is a stereoscopic view of a pair of shells in an unfolded state; and (c) is a stereoscopic view of a pair of shells in an outwardly folded state.

[0009] Figure 2 The hinge device of the present invention is shown, wherein (a) is a stereoscopic view showing the configuration of the hinge device when a pair of shells are in an unfolded state; and (b) is a stereoscopic view of the synchronization mechanism.

[0010] Figure 3 The hinge device of the present invention is shown, wherein (a) is an enlarged stereoscopic view of the hinge device; and (b) is a side view illustrating the hinge rotation axis of the joint portion.

[0011] Figure 4 The diagram shows the state changes of the flexible display panel during the opening and closing operation, wherein (a) is a schematic diagram of the state changes of the flexible display panel when the hinge rotation axis is in the same position; (b) is a schematic diagram of the state changes of the flexible display panel when the hinge rotation axis switches between two positions; (c) is an example diagram of the changes in the relaxation and tension of the flexible display panel when a pair of shells are transformed from an outward folding state to an unfolded state to an inward folding state.

[0012] Figure 5 It is a partial exploded stereogram of the hinge device of the present invention, wherein (a) is an exploded stereogram of the hinge device; (b) is an exploded stereogram of the coupling lock portion; and (c) is an exploded stereogram of the inner guide of the hinge mechanism.

[0013] Figure 6 Used to illustrate the action of the hinge device of the present invention, wherein (a) is a partial stereoscopic view of the hinge device at the beginning of the transition from the unfolded state to the inward folded state; (b) is a partial stereoscopic view of the hinge device during the transition from the unfolded state to the inward folded state; (c) is a partial stereoscopic view of the hinge device at the beginning of the transition from the unfolded state to the outward folded state; (d) is a partial stereoscopic view of the hinge device during the transition from the unfolded state to the outward folded state.

[0014] Figure 7 Used to illustrate the action of the hinge device of the present invention, wherein (a) is a plan view showing the section line of the hinge device; (b) is a section view of the hinge device along the A-A line segment in (a), used to illustrate the action of the docking lock; (c) is an appearance view of the docking lock; and (d) is an appearance view of the cam lock.

[0015] Figure 8Used to illustrate the action of the hinge device of the present invention, wherein (a) is a plan view showing the cross-sectional line of the hinge device in the unfolded state; (b) is a plan view showing the cross-sectional line of the hinge device in the outward folding transition state; (c) is a cross-sectional view of the hinge device in the unfolded state in (a) along the B-B line segment; (d) is a cross-sectional view of the hinge device in the outward folding transition state in (b) along the C-C line segment.

[0016] Figure 9 is used to illustrate the action of the hinge device of the present invention, wherein Figure 9(a) is a plan schematic diagram of the hinge device in an unfolded state, used to illustrate the action of the coupling lock and the cam lock; Figure 9(b) is a side schematic diagram of the hinge device in an unfolded state, used to illustrate the action of the coupling lock; Figure 9(c) is a plan schematic diagram of the hinge device in an inwardly folded state, used to illustrate the action of the coupling lock and the cam lock; Figure 9(d) is a side schematic diagram of the hinge device in an inwardly folded state, used to illustrate the action of the coupling lock; Figure 9(e) is a plan schematic diagram of the hinge device in an outwardly folded state, used to illustrate the action of the coupling lock and the cam lock; Figure 9(f) is a side schematic diagram of the hinge device in an outwardly folded state, used to illustrate the action of the coupling lock. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Embodiments of the hinge device and electronic equipment using the hinge device of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a cellular phone A (smartphone) which uses the hinge device B of the present invention and is an example of an electronic device.

[0019] Figure 1 FIG. (a) is a perspective view of a cellular phone A when the angle between the pair of housings 10 is about 0 degrees (hereinafter, equivalent to the pair of housings 10 being folded inward). The exterior of the cellular phone A is composed of a pair of housings 10, a lower cover 11, a side cover 12, a sliding bracket 13, and a base bracket 14. The flexible display panel 15 is folded inwardly inside the housing 10. In addition, the switch 10a is provided to activate the display of the flexible display panel 15. Figure 2 The hinge mechanism U30 of the hinge device B on the base frame 21 supports the pair of mounting plates 20 to rotate relative to the base frame 21. Since the pair of mounting plates 20 are connected to the pair of housings 10, respectively, the angle between the pair of housings 10 can be changed.

[0020] Figure 1FIG. (b) is a perspective view of the mobile phone A when the angle between the pair of housings 10 is about 180 degrees (hereinafter, equivalent to the pair of housings 10 being in an unfolded state), and the flexible display panel 15 spans across the two surfaces of the pair of housings 10. The length of the flexible display panel 15 in the unfolded state in the direction of arrow 15a is defined as the "surface length". Furthermore, when the angle between the pair of housings 10 is 360 degrees (hereinafter, equivalent to the pair of housings 10 being in an outward folded state), Figure 1 Figure (c). Figure 1 In FIG. 14 (c), the flexible display panel 15 is folded outwardly in half, so that the user can obtain information displayed on the flexible display panel 15 while maintaining the lightness of the portable phone A.

[0021] The housing mechanism U10 is composed of a pair of housings 10 , a lower cover 11 , a side cover 12 , a sliding bracket 13 , a base bracket 14 , and a flexible display panel 15 .

[0022] Presentation Figure 1 Generally speaking, the length of the mobile phone A in the form of Figures (a), (b), and (c) varies along the direction of arrow 15a in the unfolded state, the inward folded state, or the outward folded state. Therefore, the difference between the length of the device and the surface length of the flexible display board 15 supported thereon (defined as "surface length difference") causes slack or tension on the flexible display board 15. In order to reduce the burden on the flexible display board 15, whether there is a mechanism to reduce the slack or tension caused by the above-mentioned surface length difference becomes an important issue.

[0023] Figure 2 FIG. (a) is a three-dimensional diagram of the frame mechanism U20, the hinge mechanism U30, and the synchronization mechanism U40 when the portable phone A is in the unfolded state, and the flexible display panel 15 is represented by a two-point chain line. The frame mechanism U20 is composed of a mounting plate 20 and a base frame 21. The hinge mechanism U30 provided on the base frame 21 supports a pair of mounting plates 20 to rotate relative to the base frame 21. In addition, the pair of mounting plates 20 are respectively connected to the housing 10 ( Figure 2 (not shown), a pair of housings 10 support the flexible display panel 15.

[0024] Figure 2The synchronization mechanism U40 shown in Figure (b) is provided to synchronize the opening and closing of a pair of housings 10. The synchronization mechanism U40 is composed of a synchronization part 40, a synchronization rotating shaft 41, a synchronization arm 42, a friction generating part 43 and a synchronization mechanism bracket 44. The synchronization mechanism bracket 44 is connected to a pair of housings 10 via a mounting plate 20. The friction generating part 43 has a plurality of friction plates compressed in the axial direction of the synchronization rotating shaft 41, so that the synchronization mechanism bracket 44 keeps a pair of housings 10 in an inward folded state, an unfolded state, and an outward folded state under a specific torque. The synchronization part 40 has the function of synchronizing the left and right synchronization mechanism brackets 44 by clamping the base frame 21, and the rotation of the left synchronization mechanism bracket 44 will be transmitted to the right synchronization mechanism bracket 44 through gears. That is, when the user opens and closes one of the pair of housings 10, the other housing is structured to open and close synchronously.

[0025] The hinge mechanism U30 allows the pair of housings 10 to be transformed from an outwardly folded state to an unfolded state to an inwardly folded state, and its structure can reduce the burden of looseness or tension on the flexible display panel 15 in the above three states. The hinge mechanism U30 will be described in detail below.

[0026] Figure 3 FIG. (a) is an enlarged stereoscopic view of the hinge mechanism U30, which is composed of an inner guide 30, an outer guide 31, a locking spring 32, a coupling cover 33, and a hinge mechanism bracket 34. The inner guide 30 and the coupling cover 33 are components of the first joint portion, and the outer guide 31 and the locking spring 32 are components of the second joint portion. Figure 3 (b) is a side view of the hinge mechanism U30, showing the first joint center axis 10b of the first joint and the second joint center axis 10c of the second joint. When a pair of shells 10 are transformed from an unfolded state to an inward folded state, the mounting plate 20 is rotated around the first joint center axis 10b, and when they are transformed from an unfolded state to an outward folded state, the mounting plate 20 is rotated around the second joint center axis 10c.

[0027] Figure 4 Used to illustrate the bending state of the flexible display board 15, wherein (a) is a schematic diagram of the state change of the flexible display board 15 when the central axis 10b of the first joint part and the central axis 10c of the second joint part are in the same position (when the hinge rotation axis is at the same place); (b) is a schematic diagram of the state change of the flexible display board 15 when the central axis 10b of the first joint part and the central axis 10c of the second joint part are switched between the inward folding state and the outward folding state (when the hinge rotation axis is switched between two places); (c) is an example diagram of the surface length difference change of the flexible display board 15 when it is converted from the outward folding state to the unfolded state to the inward folding state.

[0028] Figure 4In FIG. (a) and FIG. (b), the flexible display board 15 is centered on the center 15b of the flexible display board, and is transformed from the flexible display board 15 in an outward folded state with the outward folded straight line portion 15c and the outward folded circular arc portion 15d, to the flexible display board 15 in an inward folded state with the inward folded straight line portion 15f and the inward folded circular arc portion 15g, via the flexible display board 15 in an unfolded straight line portion 15e. The sum of the lengths of the pair of outward folded straight line portions 15c and the outward folded circular arc portion 15d, the length of the unfolded straight line portion 15e, and the sum of the lengths of the pair of inward folded straight line portions 15f and the inward folded circular arc portion 15g are respectively defined as "machine lengths", and as described above, the difference between the lengths of the machines and the surface length of the flexible display board 15 is defined as "surface length difference".

[0029] exist Figure 4 In FIG. (a), a pair of shells 10 are fixed at the axial position of the central axis 10c of the second joint portion, and are transformed from the outward folded state to the inward folded state via the unfolded state. Figure 4 Figure (b) shows that during the process of converting from the outward folding state to the unfolded state, a pair of shells 10 are rotated around the central axis 10c of the second joint part; during the process of converting from the unfolded state to the inward folding state, a pair of shells 10 are rotated around the central axis 10b of the first joint part.

[0030] Figure 4 FIG. (c) is a graph showing the change in the surface length difference, where the vertical axis 15h represents the surface length difference and the horizontal axis 15i represents the rotation amount of the pair of shells 10 .

[0031] The folded surface length difference curve 15j is a surface length difference curve from the folded state to the unfolded state. In order to rotate the pair of shells 10 around the central axis 10c of the second joint portion, whether Figure 4 The state changes in Figure (a) or (b) will be the same surface length difference curve. At this time, if the surface length in the unfolded state is used as a reference, in order to make the length of the above-mentioned machine longer than the length of the flexible display board 15 in the folded state, a tensile force will be added to the two ends of the flexible display board 15 fixed to the pair of shells 10. The second inner folded surface length difference curve 15m refers to: Figure 4 In the state change of FIG. (a), the surface length difference curve when the pair of shells 10 are rotated from the unfolded state to the folded state with the second joint central axis 10c as the center; the first folded surface length difference curve 15k refers to: Figure 4 In the state change of the middle (b), the surface length difference curve when the pair of housings 10 are rotated from the unfolded state to the folded state with the first joint central axis 10b as the center. At this time, if the surface length of the unfolded state is used as a reference, in order to make the length of the above-mentioned machine shorter than the length of the flexible display board 15 in the folded state, the two ends of the flexible display board 15 fixed to the pair of housings 10 will be loosened.

[0032] like Figure 4 As shown in FIG. (c), the difference in surface length of a pair of shells 10 from the outward folded state to the unfolded state to the inward folded state changes. If Figure 4 (a) The state change in the figure is marked as La. Figure 4 (b) The state change in the figure is marked as Lb. It can be seen that Figure 4 (b) When the state changes in the figure, the change in the surface length difference is small, because the distance yb from the center axis 10b of the first joint part to the center 15b of the flexible display board is shorter than the distance yc from the center axis 10c of the second joint part to the center 15b of the flexible display board. The configuration of the center axis 10c of the second joint part is set according to the shape of the portable phone A in the outward folded state, and cannot be close to the center 15b of the flexible display board. However, since it does not need to be configured on the same axis in the inward folded state, the surface length difference can be reduced from La to Lb by switching the configuration of the first joint part center axis 10b near the center 15b of the flexible display board. In addition, the relaxation or tension generated in the flexible display board 15 due to the change in the surface length difference can be absorbed by the tension mechanism not shown in the figure. However, in the present invention, the hinge rotation axis can be switched from the center axis 10c of the second joint part to the center axis 10b of the first joint part, and the relaxation or tension generated is reduced, so the burden imposed on the flexible display board 15 by the tension mechanism is also reduced. In addition, as Figure 4 As shown in Figure (c), if the outer fold surface length difference curve 15j and the first inner fold surface length difference curve 15k are combined, the surface length difference changes in a linear manner, which can bring the advantage of simplifying and reducing the tension mechanism.

[0033] As mentioned above, Patent Document 1 has disclosed a technique for simultaneously using a plurality of hinge rotation axes to convert a portable phone A from an inwardly folded state to an outwardly folded state. However, the present invention is different from Patent Document 1 in that, in the process of converting the portable phone A from an inwardly folded state to an outwardly folded state via an outwardly folded state, a joint to be used is selected from a plurality of joints and rotated. Next, the characteristic technique of the present invention will be described in detail, that is, through the above-mentioned action of selecting the hinge rotation axis, the slack or tension caused on the flexible display panel 15 is reduced.

[0034] [Description of the Structure of the Hinge Mechanism U30] Figure 5 Figure (a) is an exploded perspective view of the hinge mechanism U30. Figure 5 The structure of the hinge mechanism U30 is described below. Figure 5 In FIG. (a), the inner guide arc shaft 21a provided on the base frame 21 is engaged with the inner guide arc groove 30a provided on the inner guide member 30. In addition, the inner guide member 30 slides in an arc shape on the base frame 21 in the inward folding rotation direction indicated by the arrow 30b. The rotation center of the inner guide member 30 is Figure 3The first joint center axis 10b in FIG. (b) is shown in FIG. The docking lock of the second restricting part is formed by the base frame outward folding docking part 21b provided on the base frame 21 and the inner guide outward folding docking part 30d provided on the inner guide member 30. The docking lock will be used later. Figure 7 , Figure 9 for detailed explanation.

[0035] The outer guide arc shaft 30c provided on the inner guide member 30 is engaged with the outer guide arc groove 31d provided on the outer guide member 31. Furthermore, the outer guide member 31 slides in an arc shape on the inner guide member 30 in the outward folding rotation direction indicated by the arrow 31e. Furthermore, the rotation center of the outer guide member 31 is Figure 3 The inner guide cam 30f (refer to Figure 5 (c) and the outer guide cam 31f provided on the outer guide member 31 are meshed with each other through the locking spring 32 to form a cam lock of the first restricting part. The cam lock will be used later Figure 7 , Figure 9 for detailed explanation.

[0036] A coupling cover 33 is provided between the inner guide members 30 . Figure 5 FIG. (b) is a perspective view from the inside of the coupling cover 33, in which the pin head 35a of the coupling pin 35 is inserted into the coupling pin hole 33b provided in the coupling cover 33. The spring guide 35c of the coupling pin 35 is inserted into the inner periphery of the coupling spring 36, and the coupling pin 35 is urged in the direction of protruding from the coupling cover 33 by the coupling spring 36. The flange 35b of the coupling pin 35 abuts against the inner wall of the coupling cover 33, so that the coupling pin 35 does not run out of the coupling cover 33.

[0037] Use the coupling cover mounting screw holes 21c of the base frame 21 and the base frame mounting holes 33a of the coupling cover 33 and the coupling cover screws 33c (see Figure 7 As shown in FIG. (a), the coupling cover 33 is screwed into the base frame 21.

[0038] like Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 9 (c), a pair of inner guides 30 and 30' are connected by a connecting shaft 30g, and an inner guide coupling hole 30e is provided on the coupling cover side wall surface 30h of the inner guide 30. Since the pin head 35a of the coupling pin 35 is inserted into the inner guide coupling hole 30e, the inner guide 30 is restricted from moving relative to the base frame 21. However, when a force greater than a certain value is applied in the direction of arrow 30b, the coupling pin 35 retreats to the coupling cover 33 side (refer to the direction of arrow 35f shown in FIG. 9 (c)), and the movement restriction of the inner guide 30 is released. The coupling cover 33, the coupling pin 35, the coupling spring 36, and the inner guide coupling hole 30e constitute a coupling lock of the third restriction part. The coupling lock will be described in detail later using FIG. 9.

[0039] The outer guide member 31 is provided with a spring shaft 31b penetrating the inner circumference of the locking spring 32 and a spring seat 31c receiving the outer circumference of the locking spring 32, and the locking spring 32 is sandwiched between the pair of outer guide members 31. The guide blocks 31a of the pair of outer guide members 31 are inserted into the guide holes 34a of the hinge mechanism bracket 34. And, the outer guide member 31 is supported to move in the direction of the arrow 34b between the gap between the guide holes 34a and the guide blocks 31a. Since the pair of outer guide members 31 are forced in the direction of the arrow 32a by the locking spring 32, the outer guide member 31 is pushed toward the outer guide side wall surface 30i of the inner guide member 30. The hinge mechanism bracket 34 and the mounting plate 20 are positioned by the mounting plate positioning hole 34c provided in the hinge mechanism bracket 34 and the positioning shaft (not shown) provided in the mounting plate 20. Furthermore, the mounting plate mounting hole 34d provided on the hinge mechanism bracket 34 and the mounting screw hole (not shown) provided on the mounting plate 20 are combined to form a hinge mechanism bracket 34, and the mounting plate screw 34e (refer to FIG. Figure 7 (a) Figure) screws the hinge mechanism bracket 34 and the mounting plate 20. In this way, the hinge mechanism bracket 34 is fixed on the mounting plate 20.

[0040] [Description of the Operation of the Hinge Mechanism U30] Figure 6 Figures (a) to (d) are partial stereograms of the hinge mechanism U30, and the following uses these figures to illustrate the actions of the first joint part and the second joint part. Figure 6 As shown in (a) and (b), when the pair of shells 10 are transformed from the unfolded state to the folded state (folded transition state), the inner guide member 30 slides in an arc shape relative to the base frame 21. (It slides in an arc shape between the inner guide arc shaft 21a and the inner guide arc groove 30a.) It does not slide in an arc shape between the inner guide member 30 and the outer guide member 31. In other words, the hinge mechanism bracket 34 rotates around the central axis 10b of the first joint part. And, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown in FIG. (c) and FIG. (d), when the pair of housings 10 are transformed from the unfolded state to the outward folded state (outward folding transition state), the outer guide member 31 slides in an arc shape relative to the inner guide member 30. (It slides in an arc shape between the outer guide arc shaft 30c and the outer guide arc groove 31d.) It does not slide in an arc shape between the base frame 21 and the inner guide member 30. In other words, the hinge mechanism bracket 34 rotates around the central axis 10c of the second joint portion.

[0041] [Description of the Selective Action of the First and Second Joints] The following describes a mechanism for selecting the first and second joints to rotate and restrict their rotation in the inward folding transition state and the outward folding transition state of the above-mentioned pair of shells 10. Figure 7 Figure (a) is a plan view of the hinge mechanism U30 in the unfolded state; Figure 7 Figure (b) is Figure 7 (a) The cross-sectional view cut along the line segment A-A in the plan view of the figure. Figure 7 In FIG. 2( b ), the inner guide outer folding docking portion 30 d of the inner guide member 30 shown in the circle 21 d of the two-point chain line abuts against the outer folding docking portion 21 b of the base frame. Figure 7 In the three-dimensional diagram of FIG. (c), the circle 21d of the two-dot chain line represents the contact state of the inner guide outer folding docking portion 30d and the base frame outer folding docking portion 21b as viewed from the outside. Figure 7 FIG. (b) illustrates the action of the outer guide 31 being bent in the direction of arrow 30m in order to make the housing 10 fold outward. At this time, the inner guide 30 abuts against the inner guide outward folding docking portion 30d and the base frame outward folding docking portion 21b, producing the docking lock effect of the second restricting portion. Therefore, the inner guide 30 cannot rotate relative to the base frame 21 in the direction of arrow 30m (is locked). And, as Figure 7 (d) As shown in the circle 31i of the two-dot chain line in the figure, in order to make the inner guide cam 30f and the outer guide cam 31f mesh with each other to produce the cam lock of the first restricting part, the outer guide member 31 and the inner guide member 30 are locked and cannot rotate separately. However, through the mechanism described below, the outer guide member 31 can rotate relative to the inner guide member 30, so that the hinge mechanism U30 changes from the unfolded state to the outward folded state.

[0042] The cam lock of the first restricting part is as follows: Figure 7 As shown in FIG. (d), the inner guide cam 30f and the outer guide cam 31f are included. The inner guide cam 30f is composed of the first cam 30j and the third cam 30k, and the outer guide cam 31f is composed of the second cam 31g and the fourth cam 31h. The inclination of the first cam 30j and the second cam 31g opposite thereto are both gentle (first locking force), and the cam connection can be released by applying a first operating force exceeding the first locking force in the direction of the arrow 30m. Here, the first restriction release portion is formed by the first cam 30j and the second cam 31g. The third cam 30k and the fourth cam 31h opposite thereto can also release the cam connection by a second operating force in the opposite direction of the arrow 30m, but because the inclination of the third cam 30k and the fourth cam 31h is steep (second locking force), the second operating force to release the lock must be greater than the first operating force. When the outer guide member 31 is in the outward folded state, as described above, the inner guide member 30 cannot rotate relative to the base frame 21, but the first restriction release portion is actuated to allow the outer guide member 31 to rotate relative to the inner guide member 30. Therefore, only the second joint portion constituting the outer guide member 31 is selected to rotate around the second joint portion central axis 10c to enter the outward folded transition state.

[0043] The following uses Figure 8 The releasing operation of the first restriction releasing unit will be described in detail. Figure 8 Figure (a) and Figure 7 Figure (a) is also a plan view of the hinge mechanism U30 in the unfolded state. Figure 8 Figure (b) is a plan view of the hinge mechanism U30 in the outward folded state. Figure 8 Figure (c) is Figure 8 (a) The cross-sectional view along the line segment B-B in the plan view of the figure, Figure 8 Figure (d) is Figure 8 (b) The cross-sectional view along the C-C line segment in the plan view of the figure. Figure 8 The plan view of Figure (a) is Figure 8 In the plan view of FIG. (b), the outer guide member 31 moves in the direction of arrow 31j (the direction approaching the pair of outer guide members 31) against the force of the lock spring 32. In order for the first cam 30j to lift the second cam 31g, the inner guide cam 30f abuts against the inner guide side wall surface 31k of the outer guide member 31. That is, the operating force is applied as the first operating force in the direction of arrow 30m, which can resist the force of the lock spring 32 and release the restriction of the first restriction portion.

[0044] Next, the operation of bending the outer guide member 31 in the direction opposite to the arrow 30m to make it fold inward is described. Figure 7 As shown in FIG. (d), the inner guide member 30 and the outer guide member 31 are locked by a cam lock equivalent to the first restricting part. In addition, in the aforementioned bending action in the opposite direction of the arrow 30m, a force greater than the second operating force must be applied to release the lock of the inner guide member 30 and the outer guide member 31. Therefore, if the outer guide member 31 is rotated in the opposite direction of the arrow 30m, the inner guide member 30 and the outer guide member 31 will become one and rotate. At this time, because the outer guide member 31 will not rotate relative to the inner guide member 30, the center of rotation is the central axis 10b of the first joint part.

[0045] FIG9(a), FIG9(c), and FIG9(e) are plan views of the unfolded state, the inward folding transition state, and the outward folding transition state, respectively, for explaining the actions of each restricting part; FIG9(b), FIG9(d), and FIG9(f) are side views of the unfolded state, the inward folding transition state, and the outward folding transition state. When the unfolded state of FIG9(a) is switched to the inward folding state, a first operating force in the direction of arrow 30b as shown in FIG9(c) is applied to the outer guide member 31. At this time, since the second locking force of the third cam 30k of the inner guide cam 30f and the fourth cam 31h of the outer guide cam 31f constituting the cam lock of the first restricting part is greater than the first operating force, the locking will not be released. In addition, the front end of the coupling pin 35 of the coupling lock constituting the third restricting part is inserted into the inner guide coupling hole 30e of the inner guide member 30 to lock the inner guide member 30 on the base frame 21. However, because the locking force (third locking force) is smaller than the second locking force, after receiving the first operating force of arrow 30b, the coupling pin 35 will move in the direction indicated by arrow 35f and retract from the inner guide coupling hole 30e. In this way, the locking of the inner guide member 30 and the base frame 21 will be released, and the inner guide member 30 and the outer guide member 31 will rotate in the direction of arrow 30b. Furthermore, at this time, a second friction force will act between the inner guide member 30 and the coupling pin 35. Therefore, when switching from the unfolded state to the folded state, the outer guide member 31 will not rotate relative to the inner guide member 30, so that the first joint part can be selected and the hinge mechanism U30 can rotate around the central axis 10b of the first joint part.

[0046] On the contrary, when returning from the inward folding transition state of FIG. 9(c) to the unfolded state of FIG. 9(a), a first operating force in the opposite direction of arrow 30b is applied to the outer guide 31. At this time, the inner guide 30 and the outer guide 31 are locked with the first locking force, and a second friction force acts between the inner guide 30 and the base frame 21, but it is extremely smaller than the first locking force, so the outer guide 31 and the inner guide 30 become one and rotate in the opposite direction of arrow 30b. Therefore, when returning from the inward folding state to the unfolded state, the outer guide 31 does not rotate relative to the inner guide 30, and the first joint part is selected and the hinge mechanism U30 rotates around the central axis 10b of the first joint part.

[0047] Next, when the unfolded state of FIG. 9(a) is converted to the outward folded state, a second operating force in the direction of arrow 31e as shown in FIG. 9(e) is applied to the outer guide member 31. At this time, the inner guide member 30 is locked relative to the base frame 21 in order to abut against the outward folding docking portion 21b of the base frame and the inner guide outward folding docking portion 30d of the docking lock constituting the second restricting portion. And, when the second operating force is greater than the first locking force of the first cam 30j of the inner guide cam 30f and the second cam 31g of the outer guide cam 31f of the cam lock constituting the first restricting portion, the inner guide member 30 and the outer guide member 31 are unlocked (the first restriction releasing portion is actuated). In this way, the outer guide member 31 rotates relative to the inner guide member 30. Therefore, when switching from the unfolded state to the folded state, the inner guide member 30 does not rotate relative to the base frame 21. Because the outer guide member 31 rotates relative to the inner guide member 30, the second joint part is selected and the hinge mechanism U30 rotates around the central axis 10c of the second joint part.

[0048] On the contrary, when returning from the outward folding transition state of FIG. 9(e) to the unfolded state of FIG. 9(a), a second operating force in the opposite direction of the arrow 31e is applied to the outer guide member 31. At this time, the third locking force of the coupling lock of the third restricting part is greater than the first friction force between the inner guide cam 30f and the inner guide side wall surface 31k of the outer guide member 31, and the inner guide member 30 is locked relative to the base frame 21. Therefore, the outer guide member 31 is rotated in the opposite direction of the arrow 31e. Therefore, when returning from the outward folding transition state to the unfolded state, the inner guide member 30 does not rotate relative to the base frame 21, the second joint part is selected, and the hinge mechanism U30 rotates around the central axis 10c of the second joint part.

[0049] The coupling pin 35 constituting the coupling lock is inserted into the inner guide coupling hole 30e in the unfolded state of FIG. 9(b) and the outward folding transition state of FIG. 9(f). In addition, in the inward folding transition state shown in FIG. 9(d), the coupling pin 35 retracts from the inner guide coupling hole 30e. The coupling pin 35 is arranged at two locations on one side of the coupling cover 33 to ensure the third locking force, and the first coupling pin track 35d and the second coupling pin track 35e of the coupling pin 35 are staggered so as not to interfere with each other's actions. In this way, different coupling pins 35 are prevented from being inserted into the inner guide coupling holes 30e at two locations by mistake.

[0050] The actions of operating the outer guide member 31 to open and close the hinge mechanism U30 will be listed separately according to the opening and closing directions.

[0051] 1. Switch from the unfolded state to the folded state.

[0052] The inner guide 30 (first joint component) and the outer guide 31 (second joint component) are locked by a cam lock (first restricting portion) so that the outer guide 31 (second joint component) does not rotate.

[0053] The docking lock (second restricting portion) does not function.

[0054] The coupling lock (third restricting portion) is unlocked, and the inner guide 30 (first joint component) is allowed to rotate relative to the base frame 21 .

[0055] Under the above conditions, the housing 10 rotates in the first direction around the first joint central axis 10 b and becomes an inwardly folded state.

[0056] 2. Transition from folded to unfolded state

[0057] The inner guide 30 (first joint component) and the outer guide 31 (second joint component) are locked by a cam lock (first restricting portion) so that the outer guide 31 (second joint component) does not rotate.

[0058] The docking lock (second restricting portion) does not function.

[0059] Since the coupling lock (third restricting portion) is in the unlocked state, the inner guide 30 can rotate relative to the base frame 21 .

[0060] Under the above conditions, the housing 10 rotates around the first joint central axis 10 b to be in the expanded state.

[0061] 3. Transition from the unfolded state to the folded state

[0062] The inner guide 30 (the first joint component) and the base frame 21 are locked by the docking lock (the second restricting portion), so that the inner guide 30 (the first joint component) does not rotate.

[0063] The first restriction releasing portion of the cam lock (first restriction portion) is actuated to release the lock of the inner guide 30 and the outer guide 31, so that the outer guide 31 (second joint component) can rotate relative to the inner guide 30 (first joint component).

[0064] The coupling lock (third restriction) does not function.

[0065] Under the above conditions, the housing 10 rotates in the second direction around the second joint central axis 10 c to be in the outward folded state.

[0066] 4. Convert from folded to unfolded state

[0067] Since the coupling lock (third restricting portion) is in the locked state, the inner guide 30 (first joint component) does not rotate relative to the base frame 21 .

[0068] Since the cam lock (first restricting portion) is in the unlocked state, the outer guide 31 (second joint component) can rotate relative to the inner guide 30 (first joint component).

[0069] The docking lock (second restricting portion) does not function.

[0070] Under the above conditions, the housing 10 rotates around the second joint central axis 10 c to be in the expanded state.

[0071] In order to smoothly carry out the above-listed unfolding, outward folding and inward folding actions, it is important to appropriately set the locking forces of the first, second and third restricting parts. The locking forces of the restricting parts are arranged in order from large to small as follows.

[0072] * The third and fourth cams of the first restricting portion when locked > the third restricting portion when locked > the first and second cams when unlocked (first friction force).

[0073] * The first and second cams of the first restricting portion during locking> the third restricting portion (second friction force) during unlocking.

[0074] * Second restricting portion> The first and second cams of the first restricting portion.

[0075] As described above, the hinge device B of the present invention includes a control unit that selects a hinge rotation axis according to the angle between the pair of housings 10. The structure of opening and closing the pair of housings 10 by the selected hinge rotation axis can reduce the slack or tension caused on the flexible display panel 15.

[0076] Because of the above-mentioned structure, the present invention is suitable for a foldable electronic device in which a flexible display panel is installed across a pair of shells, for example, it is suitable as a hinge device for electronic devices such as portable phones, electronic notebooks, PDAs, small notebooks, image screen devices, portable game consoles or notebook computers, and a foldable electronic device using the hinge device.

[0077] In addition, even if the opening and closing device does not have a flexible display panel, such as the opening and closing device of household appliances such as refrigerators or door and window hardware, the rotation axis can be changed according to the opening and closing angle. In this way, it is also possible to provide a product that can make the door surface wider by renovating the door panel.

Claims

1. A hinge device that connects a pair of housings to open and close, the hinge device having a hinge mechanism sandwiched between the pair of housings, the hinge mechanism comprising: A first joint part and a second joint part, which support the pair of shells to open and close; a first restricting portion, which restricts the rotation of the second joint portion relative to the first joint portion in the first direction when the first joint portion rotates in the first direction; a second restricting portion, which restricts the rotation of the first joint portion in a second direction within a certain angle range, the second direction being different from the first direction; and a first restriction releasing portion, which is provided on the first restriction portion and releases the rotation restriction caused by the first restriction portion when the second joint portion rotates in the second direction; Wherein, the hinge device selects the first joint part and the second joint part according to the included angle of the pair of shells and allows the first joint part and the second joint part to rotate.

2. The hinge device as described in claim 1, wherein the hinge mechanism selects the first joint part and rotates the first joint part within the range of the pair of shells transforming from the unfolded state to the inward folded state, and selects the second joint part and rotates the second joint part within the range of the pair of shells transforming from the unfolded state to the outward folded state.

3. The hinge device as described in claim 2, within the range where the pair of shells are transformed from the unfolded state to the folded state, when the first joint part rotates in the first direction, the first restraining part restrains the rotation of the second joint part relative to the first joint part in the first direction.

4. The hinge device as described in claim 2, within the certain angle range when the pair of shells are transformed from the unfolded state to the folded state, the second restraining portion restrains the rotation of the first joint portion in the second direction, and the first restraint releasing portion releases the rotation restraint generated by the first restraining portion when the second joint portion rotates in the second direction.

5. The hinge device according to claim 2, wherein the hinge mechanism has a third restricting portion for restricting the rotation of the first joint portion in the first direction within a range in which the pair of shells are transformed from the outwardly folded state to the unfolded state.

6. In the hinge device as described in claim 5, the first joint part has an inner guide, and the inner guide slides along a circular arc guide arranged on the base frame; the second joint part has an outer guide, and the outer guide slides along a circular arc guide arranged on the inner guide; the first restricting part is a cam lock, which is arranged between the inner guide and the outer guide; the second restricting part is a docking lock, which is arranged between the base frame and the inner guide; the third restricting part is a coupling lock, which connects the inner guide and the base frame.

7. The hinge device as described in claim 6, wherein the cam lock restricts the rotation of the outer guide member relative to the inner guide member when the first joint portion rotates along the first direction, and has the first restriction releasing portion, which releases the rotation restriction of the outer guide member on the inner guide member when the first joint portion rotates along the second direction and the rotation torque of the second joint portion is above a specific value.

8. In the hinge device as described in claim 7, the first constraint release part is composed of a first cam, a second cam and a force applying part, the first cam is arranged on the inner guide member; the second cam is arranged on the outer guide member; the force applying part applies force in the direction where the first cam and the second cam abut.

9. An electronic device using the hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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