Portable computer with flexible display panel

Abstract

The invention provides a portable computer with a flexible display panel. The portable computer comprises a computer body, a motor, a transmission gear set, a connecting rod set and the flexible display panel. The machine body comprises a fixed part and a movable part, and the movable part is movably connected with the fixed part and partially overlaid on the fixed part. The motor, the transmission gear set and the connecting rod set are respectively arranged in the machine body, and the connecting rod set is coupled with the transmission gear set and serves as a connecting and driving mechanism between the fixed part and the movable part. The part of the flexible display panel is arranged on the fixed part, and the end part of the flexible display panel passes through the movable part and is wound and accommodated on the back side of the part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable computer, and in particular to a portable computer with a flexible display panel. Background Art

[0002] With the popularity of mobile electronic devices, the display modules in these electronic devices have also been one of the projects that people have been working hard to improve. Recently, flexible display modules have been developed, allowing users to more flexibly change the size of the display surface and change the shape of the electronic device for portability. Especially for notebook computers, due to the technical gains of the flexible display module, it has a wider range of practical applications and higher convenience. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present invention is directed to a portable computer with a flexible display panel, which provides a display screen that can be expanded or folded horizontally according to needs.

[0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a portable computer with a flexible display panel includes a body, a motor, a transmission gear set, a connecting rod set and a flexible display panel. The body includes a fixed portion and a movable portion, and the movable portion is movably connected and partially overlapped on the fixed portion. The motor, the transmission gear set and the connecting rod set are respectively arranged in the body. The connecting rod set is coupled to the transmission gear set to serve as a connection and driving mechanism between the fixed portion and the movable portion. A part of the flexible display panel is arranged in the fixed portion, and one end of the flexible display panel passes through the movable portion and is rolled up and stored on the back side of the part.

[0005] Based on the above, since the flexible display panel is partially rolled up and stored on the back side of the partial part, the motor, transmission gear set and connecting rod set, as well as the fixed part and movable part of the body can be used to effectively allow the flexible display panel to be driven by the body and the aforementioned components to unfold or fold, wherein the two opposite sides of the screen of the portable computer are used as the aforementioned storage, that is, the part of the flexible display panel is set on the fixed part, and the end of the flexible display panel is passed through and rolled up on the movable part and then stored on the back side of the aforementioned part. In this way, the user can further expand the movable part of the screen body horizontally after the screen is unfolded relative to the host of the portable computer according to needs, and the flexible display panel is also expanded and stretched to expand the display area. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a front view of a portable computer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0007] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 a front view of the portable computer in another state;

[0008] Figure 3A yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of some components of a portable computer screen;

[0009] Figure 3B yes Figure 3A Schematic diagram of some components of the

[0010] Figure 3C and Figure 3D yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of some components of a portable computer;

[0011] Figure 3E and Figure 3F yes Figure 3A Schematic diagram of some components of the

[0012] Figure 4A and Figure 4B They are the folded states of some components of the screen;

[0013] Figure 5A and Figure 5B They are respectively the expanded states of some components of the screen;

[0014] Figure 6 FIG. 4 is a partial side view of a screen according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

[0016] Figure 1 is a front view of a portable computer according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A front view of the portable computer in another state. Figure 3A yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of partial components of the screen of a portable computer. Figure 3B yes Figure 3A Schematic diagram of some components of the decomposition. Figure 3C and Figure 3D yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of some components of a portable computer, wherein some components are omitted to facilitate identification of the sliding connection relationship between the body and its internal components. Figure 3E and Figure 3F yes Figure 3A Schematic diagram of partial component decomposition. In this embodiment, Figure 3A , Figure 3B , Figure 3D and Figure 3F Schematic diagrams of component decomposition at different positions and different decomposition degrees are provided according to the relationship and relative positions of the components.

[0017] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3A In the present embodiment, a portable computer 100 with a flexible display panel (taking a laptop computer as an example, hereinafter referred to as the portable computer 100) includes a body 110, 120 and a flexible display panel 130, wherein the body 110 is, for example, a display unit of a laptop computer, in which the flexible display panel 130 is disposed, and the body 120 is, for example, a host of the laptop computer, which is pivotally connected to the body 110 through a hinge (hinge, not shown here) so that the bodies 110, 120 can pivot and open and close relative to each other. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The portable computer 100 has a body 110 that has been unfolded relative to a body 120, and the user can view the body 110 and operate the body 120 at the same time. It should be noted that the technical features of the hinge are already known in the prior art, and thus will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0018] like Figure 3A As shown, the body 110 of this embodiment includes a housing component, a support component and covers 118 and 119, wherein the housing component is composed of a fixed portion 111 and a movable portion 112, and the fixed portion 111 and the movable portion 112 are in a state of being movably connected to each other, which will be further described later. The support component is composed of a symmetrical component 1 AS1 and a component 2 AS2, and each component has the same components. The flexible display panel 130 is carried by the support component and driven by it to match the relative movement of the movable portion 112 and the fixed portion 111, so as to achieve the following. Figure 1 , Figure 2 Different driving modes and two states of unfolding and folding of the flexible display panel 130 are shown.

[0019] It should be mentioned first that Figure 3A And compare Figure 1 , Figure 2 It can be clearly seen that the flexible display panel 130 has different display surfaces 131 and 132, wherein the display surfaces 132 are formed on opposite sides of the display surface 131, and Figure 1 , Figure 3A In the state shown, the display surface 132 is bent and hidden behind the display surface 131 (the aforementioned folded state), and Figure 2 In the state shown, the flexible display panel 130 is driven to be unfolded, so that the display surface 132 hidden behind is transformed to a position coplanar with the display surface 131 and exposed at the same time (the aforementioned unfolded state).

[0020] Please refer to Figure 3A and Figure 3B, as a receiving component for accommodating the aforementioned supporting component, the flexible display panel 130 and the covers 118 and 119, it actually includes a fixed portion 111 and a pair of movable portions 112 located on opposite sides thereof, and the fixed portion 111 and any movable portion 112 are in a state of sliding contact with each other. Specifically, the movable portion 112 has slots 112a and 112b, and the fixed portion 111 has rails 111a and 111b, wherein the outer wall of the groove of the rail 111a slides in the slot 112a, and the outer wall of the groove of the rail 111b slides in the slot 112b, so that the movable portion 112 can slide relative to the fixed portion 111 to achieve the effect of expansion or folding.

[0021] Please refer to Figure 3C and Figure 3D , and at the same time control Figure 3B or Figure 3A , in this embodiment, Figure 3C and Figure 3D One of the movable parts 112 is omitted to facilitate identification of the sliding connection relationship between the components. Figure 3A As shown, the supporting assembly for supporting the flexible display panel 130, the assembly 1 AS1 and the assembly 2 AS2 each have a track member 115, 116, Figure 3C In the embodiment, the lower portion of the track member 116 is slidably connected to the track 111b of the fixing member 111. At the same time, the bottom surface of the cover 118 has a track 118a, which is slidably connected to the upper portion of the track member 116 (the track member 116 is coupled to the inner wall of the track 111b). The track 118a has the same structural features as the track 111b. In other words, Figure 3A As shown, when the cover 118 is assembled to the receiving assembly, the track 118a and the track 111b symmetrically limit the height direction of the track member 116, so that the track member 116 can stably and uniquely slide back and forth along a single axis (ie, along the tracks 111b, 118a).

[0022] Correspondingly, Figure 3D Another cover 119 is shown, which has a groove 119a, which together with the track 111a of the fixing portion 111 forms a limit on the track member 115, so that the track member 115 can achieve the same single axial reciprocating motion effect as the aforementioned track member 116. Figure 3A In the structure shown, it can be clearly understood that the support assembly can generate the above-mentioned single axial reciprocating sliding through the track members 115 and 116, and cooperate with other components of the support assembly to perform the relative sliding opening and closing (i.e. the aforementioned expansion or contraction) of the movable portion 112 relative to the fixed portion 111, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown.

[0023] Next, please refer to Figure 3E and Figure 3F , which is a further decomposition of the support components. Figure 3A The component 1 AS1 shown on the right is disassembled as an example, and the component 2 AS2 on the left has the same components and is not repeated. Here, the component 1 AS1 includes a first grid structure 113, a second grid structure 114 and the aforementioned track members 115 and 116, wherein the second grid structure 114 is assembled to the track members 115 and 116, and is interlaced and coupled with the first grid structure 113, and can guide and slide each other, so that the second grid structure 114 can move relative to the first grid structure 113 to move closer or farther.

[0024] Please refer to Figure 3E , Figure 3F And compare Figure 3A Specifically, the portable computer 100 further includes a motor 150 and a transmission assembly. The motor 150 is Figure 3A As shown, the fixed portion 111 of the body 110 is provided, and the transmission assembly is accommodated in the space defined by the first grid structure 113, the second grid structure 114, and the track members 115 and 116. In the present embodiment, the transmission assembly is divided into a gear set and a connecting rod set, wherein the connecting rod set includes two connecting rod pairs, each connecting rod pair includes a first rod member 142 and a second rod member 143 pivotally connected to each other, and the gear set includes a bevel gear G1 (bevel gear), a bevel gear G2 (bevel gear), a screw G3, a driving member 141, a carrier plate 144 having an inner rack G5 (bar gear), a gear G4 (spur gear), a gear G6 (spur gear), and another carrier plate 144 having an inner rack G7 (bar gear), wherein the bevel gear G1 is provided on the motor 150, and the bevel gear G2 is provided on the screw G3 and coupled to the bevel gear G1, so that the output of the motor 150 can be smoothly transmitted to the screw G3.

[0025] Furthermore, a pair of driving members 141 are sleeved on the screw G3, and the sleeve of the driving member 141 has an internal thread (not shown) to couple to the screw G3. The screw G3 has a pair of threads G3a and G3b, and the directions of the threads G3a and G3b are opposite to each other, so that the pair of driving members 141 sleeved on the screw G3 are respectively coupled to different threads G3a and G3b, so that when the aforementioned motor 150 drives the screw G3 to rotate through the bevel gears G1 and G2, the rotation of the screw G3 drives the pair of driving members 141 to move closer to or away from each other.

[0026] In addition, the gear G4 is fixed to one end of the first rod 142 and the end and the gear G4 are pivotally connected to the driving member 141 (the other end of the first rod 142 is pivotally connected to the second rod 143). At the same time, the gear G4 is coupled to the inner rack G5 of the carrier 144. Therefore, when the driving member 141 moves closer or farther away along the screw G3, the driving member 141 can drive the gear G4 to rotate and move along the inner rack G5, thereby driving the first rod 142 to rotate relative to the carrier 144. In this way, the rotating first rod 142 can push (rotate) the second rod 143 accordingly, and like the aforementioned gear G4 and the first rod 142, the gear G6 is also fixed to the second rod 143, and the gear G6 is also coupled to the inner rack G7 of the carrier 144. Therefore, when the aforementioned second rod 143 is pushed and rotated by the first rod 142, it also means that the gear G6 rotates and moves along the inner rack G7, so that the carrier 144 on the right side of the figure can be pushed away. Similarly, when the motor 150 drives the bevel gear G1 to reverse compared to the aforementioned, the above mechanism can also pull the carrier 144 on the right side back accordingly.

[0027] In this embodiment, the carrier plate 144 adjacent to the screw rod G3 is substantially clamped between the pair of first rods 142 and the pair of driving members 141, and is in a floating state. In another embodiment not shown, just as another carrier plate 144 has an assembly column connected to the track members 115 and 116, the carrier plate 144 adjacent to the screw rod G3 can also form an assembly column structure and be fixed to the fixing portion 111 of the body 110 or the second grid structure 114.

[0028] Figure 4A and Figure 4B They are respectively the folded states of some components of the screen. Figure 5A and Figure 5B They are the expanded states of some components of the screen. Please refer to Figure 4A and Figure 5A It should be noted that the body 110 of the present invention is based on the fixed portion 111, and the movable portions 112 are respectively arranged on the left and right opposite sides thereof, so that the two movable portions 112 are respectively movably connected and partially overlapped on the fixed portion 111, and the two movable portions 112 can be driven to be pulled out or pushed in from the fixed portion 111 like a drawer, as described in detail later.

[0029] As Figure 3E and Figure 3FThe transmission assembly shown in (and the above-mentioned features) cooperates with the gear set and the connecting rod set. When the motor 150 is started, it drives the screw G3 to rotate through the bevel gears G1 and G2 in sequence, so that the driving member 141 can move (move closer or farther away) on the screw G3 due to the rotation of the screw G3. Then, the driving member 141 moves through the gear G4 to rotate and move along the inner rack G5, thereby driving the first rod 142 to rotate and move synchronously with the gear G4. In this way, the second rod 143 can be further pushed to rotate and move, and thus drive (rotate and move) the second rod 143, and also drive the gear G6 to rotate and move along the inner rack G78, thereby driving the carrier 144, and then from Figure 4B Convert to Figure 5B , and smoothly push the movable portion 112 away from the fixed portion 111.

[0030] As described above, the present invention uses a pair of movable parts 112 as an example, so the related driving components (such as the aforementioned motor 150, component 1 AS1, component 2 AS2 and transmission component) are configured symmetrically. However, it is expected that through appropriate adjustments and technical means, some components can also be simplified into a single component, such as the motor 150 or the screw G5, that is, a single motor and a single screw can drive the transmission components that are symmetrical on the left and right.

[0031] like Figure 4A and Figure 5A As shown (and compared Figure 3A ), a part of the flexible display panel 130, such as the display surface 131, is fixed on the first grid-like structure 113, and the ends of the flexible display panel 130, such as the display surfaces 132 on opposite sides, are moved to the back side of the part (display surface 131) by passing through and winding around the second grid-like structure 114. Here, the first grid-like structure 113 and the second grid-like structure 114 are folded or unfolded relative to each other along with the movable part 112 and the fixed part 111. When the first grid-like structure 113 and the second grid-like structure 114 are folded, their shapes complement each other to form a plane to support the flexible display panel 130.

[0032] Also, please refer to Figure 3E The portable computer 100 further includes a driving wheel set 117, which is respectively disposed at the side edge of the movable portion 112 away from the fixed portion 111 and assembled to the track members 115 and 116, and the roller 117a of the driving wheel set 117 protrudes from the opening 114a of the second grid structure 114. The end portion (display surface 132) of the flexible display panel 130 is rolled up by the driving wheel set 117 and extends to the back side of the part (display surface 132) (i.e., the bending part of the flexible display panel 130 can be supported by the roller 117a), so that.

[0033] Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a partial side view of a screen of another embodiment. Figure 6 And compare Figure 3E (or Figure 3A ), the driving wheel assembly of this embodiment replaces the aforementioned roller 117a with a gear 117a, and correspondingly, the back of the flexible display panel 130 (facing away from the display surfaces 131, 132) has a plurality of tooth structures, and is movably coupled to the gears. And the driving wheel assembly 117 is actually pivotally connected to the track members 115, 116 (on the movable portion 112). Accordingly, when the movable portion 112 is gradually pushed away from the fixed portion 111 by the connecting rod assembly, it also means that the end portion (display surface 132) of the flexible display panel 130 will be gradually wound and driven to a state in the same plane as the local portion (display surface 131) located on the fixed portion 111 due to the matching relationship between the above-mentioned tooth structure and the gear, which is equivalent to flattening the state in which the left and right ends of the original flexible display panel 130 are both wound on the back side, so that the display surfaces 131, 132 are coplanar, that is, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, the effect of increasing the display area is achieved.

[0034] In summary, in the above-mentioned embodiment of the present invention, the flexible display panel is partially rolled up and stored on the back side of the said part, so the motor, transmission gear set and connecting rod set, as well as the fixed part and movable part of the body are arranged in combination, so that the flexible display panel can be effectively driven by the body and the aforementioned components to unfold or fold, wherein the two opposite sides of the screen of the portable computer are used as the aforementioned storage, that is, the part of the flexible display panel is arranged on the fixed part, and the end of the flexible display panel is passed through and rolled up on the movable part and then stored on the back side of the aforementioned part. In this way, the user can further expand the movable part of the screen body horizontally after the screen is unfolded relative to the host of the portable computer according to the needs, and the flexible display panel is also expanded and stretched to expand the display area.

[0035] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A portable computer with a flexible display panel, characterized in that: include: A body, comprising a fixed portion and at least one movable portion, wherein the movable portion is movably connected to and partially overlaps the fixed portion; A motor is disposed in the body; A transmission gear set is arranged in the body; A connecting rod assembly is disposed in the body, and the connecting rod assembly is coupled to the transmission gear assembly to serve as a connection and driving mechanism between the fixed part and the movable part; as well as A flexible display panel, wherein a portion of the flexible display panel is disposed on the fixed portion, and an end portion of the flexible display panel passes through the movable portion and is rolled up and stored on the back side of the portion.

2. The portable computer with a flexible display panel according to claim 1, wherein: The transmission gear set comprises: A screw rod is arranged on the fixing part; a pair of bevel gears, respectively connecting the motor and the screw, so that the motor drives the screw to rotate through the pair of bevel gears; A movable plate having a groove and bar-shaped teeth, wherein the bar-shaped teeth are located on the side wall of the groove; A first gear fixed to the moving plate and coupled to the screw rod, when the screw rod rotates, the screw rod drives the moving plate to move on the fixed portion through the first gear; and The second gear is rotatably disposed in the groove and coupled to the bar teeth.

3. The portable computer with a flexible display panel according to claim 2, wherein: The connecting rod assembly comprises: A first rod, one end of which is fixed to the second gear, so that the rotation of the second gear synchronously drives the first rod to rotate with the first end; A second rod, one end of which is pivotally connected to the first rod, and the other end of which is pivotally connected to the movable portion. The moving plate moves on the fixed part to drive the second gear and the first rod to rotate, and drives the movable part to move relative to the fixed part through the second rod.

4. The portable computer with a flexible display panel according to claim 1, wherein: The fixed portion has a first grid-like structure, and the movable portion has a second grid-like structure. The first grid-like structure and the second grid-like structure are coupled together so as to be relatively movably coupled to guide each other. The part of the flexible display panel is fixed to the first grid-like structure, and the end of the flexible display panel passes through and wraps around the second grid-like structure to move to the back side of the part.

5. The portable computer with a flexible display panel according to claim 4, wherein: The first grid-like structure and the second grid-like structure are folded or unfolded along with the movable portion and the fixed portion. When the first grid-like structure and the second grid-like structure are folded, their shapes complement each other to form a plane to support the flexible display panel.

6. The portable computer with a flexible display panel according to claim 1, wherein: The invention also comprises a driving wheel set, which is arranged on the movable part, and the end of the flexible display panel is wound by the driving wheel set and extends to the back side of the part.

7. The portable computer with a flexible display panel according to claim 6, wherein: The driving wheel set includes at least one gear, and the back of the flexible display panel has a plurality of tooth structures and is movably coupled to the gear.

8. The portable computer with a flexible display panel according to claim 1, wherein: The machine body comprises a pair of movable parts, which are movably arranged at two opposite sides of the fixed part.

9. The portable computer with a flexible display panel according to claim 8, wherein: The two opposite ends of the flexible display panel are respectively passed through the pair of movable parts and are rolled up and stored at the back side of the part.

10. The portable computer with a flexible display panel according to claim 8, wherein: The opposite ends of the connecting rod group are respectively connected to the pair of movable parts, so that when the motor drives the connecting rod group through the transmission gear group, the connecting rod group synchronously drives the pair of movable parts to move relative to the fixed part to close or unfold.

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