Hinge device and electronic equipment

Abstract

The invention provides a hinge device and an electronic apparatus, which can obtain an appropriate appearance design in a closed state and ensure a gap with an appropriate width between the hinge device and a carrying surface in an open state. A hinge device (10) has a structure for rotatably connecting a main body case (14) and a display case (16), and is provided with: a first shaft body (42) which is pivotally supported by the main body case in the vicinity of a connection edge connected to the display case; a second shaft body (44) fixed to the display housing in the vicinity of a connection edge connected to the main body housing; a crank (46) connecting the first shaft body and the second shaft body so as not to rotate with respect to the crank; a slider (48) provided in the main body case so as to be slidable in the Y direction; and a link (52) that pivotally supports the slider and that pivotally supports the second shaft body. The lower arc portion of the link protrudes from the lower surface of the main body case as the main body case and the display case rotate from a closed state to an open state in which the main body case and the display case are stacked.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hinge device for rotatably connecting a first housing and a second housing, and an electronic device in which the first housing and the second housing are rotatably connected via the hinge device. Background Art

[0002] Electronic devices such as notebook PCs use a structure in which a main body housing and a display housing are connected by a hinge device so as to be rotatable relative to each other. The main body housing is usually used while placed on a table, and the posture of the main body housing does not change even if the display housing is rotated (Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-036805

[0004] As CPUs and other electronic devices become more powerful, their heat generation is increasing, leading to a need for more efficient cooling. Electronic devices often use fans for cooling, often with air intake holes located on the bottom surface of the main housing. However, the gap between the main housing and a table or other support surface is relatively narrow, increasing air intake resistance. While raising these feet can reduce air intake resistance, larger feet are not preferred for design reasons. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems and aims to provide a hinge device and an electronic device that can achieve a suitable appearance design in the closed state where the first housing and the second housing are stacked, and can ensure a suitable width gap between the hinge device and the placement surface in the open state.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the goals, the hinge device involved in the first embodiment of the present invention is a hinge device that connects a first shell and a second shell, each of which is flat, into a rotatable hinge device, and comprises: a first shaft body that extends in a first direction along the connecting edge between the above-mentioned first shell and the above-mentioned second shell, and is axially supported near the connecting edge connected to the above-mentioned second shell so as to be rotatable relative to the above-mentioned first shell; a second shaft body that extends in the above-mentioned first direction and is fixed near the connecting edge connected to the above-mentioned first shell on the above-mentioned second shell; a crank, which connects the above-mentioned first shaft and the above-mentioned second shaft so as to be unable to rotate relative to the crank; a slider, which is arranged at the above-mentioned first shell to be able to slide in a second direction orthogonal to the above-mentioned first direction; and a connecting rod, which axially supports the above-mentioned slider in the above-mentioned first direction and axially supports the above-mentioned second shaft, and as the above-mentioned first shell and the above-mentioned second shell rotate from a stacked closed state to an open state, the above-mentioned connecting rod protrudes relative to the non-facing surface of the above-mentioned first shell that does not face the above-mentioned second shell in the above-mentioned closed state.

[0007] Furthermore, the electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is an electronic device in which a first housing and a second housing, each of which has a flat shape, are connected to each other so as to be rotatable by a hinge device, wherein the hinge device comprises: a first shaft body extending in a first direction along a connecting edge between the first housing and the second housing and being pivotally supported near the connecting edge connected to the second housing so as to be rotatable relative to the first housing; a second shaft body extending in the first direction and being fixed near the connecting edge connected to the first housing. on the above-mentioned second shell; a crank, which connects the above-mentioned first shaft and the above-mentioned second shaft so as to be unable to rotate relative to the crank; a slider, which is arranged at the above-mentioned first shell to be able to slide in a second direction orthogonal to the above-mentioned first direction; and a connecting rod, which axially supports the above-mentioned slider in the above-mentioned first direction and axially supports the above-mentioned second shaft, as the above-mentioned first shell and the above-mentioned second shell rotate from a stacked closed state to an open state, the above-mentioned connecting rod protrudes relative to the non-facing surface of the above-mentioned first shell that is not facing the above-mentioned second shell in the above-mentioned closed state.

[0008] According to the above aspect of the present invention, the link hardly protrudes in the closed state where the first and second housings are stacked, achieving a suitable design, and can protrude in the open state to ensure a suitable gap between the link and the placement surface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view of an electronic device including a hinge device according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from obliquely above.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the main body housing and the display housing in a closed state, viewed from the display housing side.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the main body housing and the display housing in a closed state, viewed from the main body housing side.

[0012] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the hinge device and its surrounding parts.

[0013] Figure 5 It is from Figure 4 A perspective view of the state with the cover removed.

[0014] Figure 6 It is from Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the state where the touch device is removed.

[0015] Figure 7 It is from Figure 6 A perspective view showing the state with the side panels and peripheral walls removed.

[0016] Figure 8 It is a perspective view of an electronic device according to a modification.

[0017] Figure 9 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the hinge device.

[0018] Figure 10 It is from Figure 9 A perspective view of the hinge device with the side panels and peripheral walls removed.

[0019] Figure 11 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the hinge device and its surrounding parts, Figure 11 (a) is a diagram showing the state of 0 degrees, Figure 11 (b) is a diagram showing the state of 60 degrees, Figure 11 (c) is a diagram showing a state of 90 degrees, Figure 11 (d) is a diagram showing the state at 135 degrees.

[0020] Figure 12 is a schematic side view of the electronic device in the maximum open state.

[0021] Description of Reference Numerals

[0022] 10...hinge device; 12, 12A...electronic device; 14...main body housing; 14a...rear end portion (connecting edge); 14b...upper surface (facing surface); 14c...lower surface (non-facing surface); 14d...air inlet (vent); 16...display housing; 16a...lower end portion; 16b...back cover; 18...display; 20...keyboard; 24, 24A...touch screen device (input / output device); 26, 26A...cover; 40...substrate; 42...first shaft; 44...second shaft; 46...crank; 48...slider; 48a...shaft; 50...torque imparting portion; 52...connecting rod; 52d...upper surface; 52e...lower surface; 52h...lower arc portion; 54, 56...side plates; 54a, 56a...shaft body axis hole; 56c...slider axis hole; 58...peripheral wall; 60...pin. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the hinge device and electronic device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Embodiments of the present invention are hinge devices 10 and electronic devices 12 equipped with the hinge devices 10.

[0024] Figure 1This is a schematic perspective view of an electronic device 12 including a hinge device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above obliquely. Figure 2 The main body housing 14 and the display housing 16 are in a closed state, and the diagram is a perspective view viewed from the display housing 16 side. Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional diagram in which the main body shell 14 and the display shell 16 are in a closed state and is observed from the side of the main body shell 14. The electronic device 12 is a clamshell notebook PC in which the main body shell 14 and the display shell 16 are connected to each other by a hinge device 10 so as to be able to rotate relative to each other. In addition to being a notebook PC, the electronic device involved in the present invention can also be an openable mobile phone, a smart phone or a portable game console. In the following description, when observing from the operator with the main body shell 14 as a reference, the left and right directions are also referred to as the X direction (the first direction), the depth direction perpendicular to the main body shell 14 is also referred to as the Y direction (the second direction), and the up and down directions perpendicular to them are also referred to as the Z direction. In addition, in the Y direction, the front is also referred to as the Y1 direction, and the rear is also referred to as the Y2 direction.

[0025] First, the overall structure of electronic device 12 will be described. Electronic device 12 is connected by a pair of left and right hinge devices 10, 10. The rear end 14a, or the connecting edge, of main body housing 14 is connected to the lower end 16a, or the connecting edge, of display housing 16, so that electronic device 12 can be opened and closed. Instead of a pair of left and right hinge devices 10, one or more hinge devices 10 may be provided.

[0026] The main housing 14 is a flat box formed by an upper cover and a lower cover. The upper surface 14b of the main housing 14 is formed by the upper cover, while the lower surface 14c is formed by the lower cover. A keyboard 20 and a touchpad 22 are located on the upper surface 14b of the main housing 14. The main housing 14 houses various electronic components, including a motherboard, a CPU and other computing devices, memory, and a battery.

[0027] Furthermore, a cooling device, including a fan, is installed inside the main body housing 14 to cool the computing device and other components. The fan draws air in through air inlet holes (vents) 14d on the lower surface 14c and exhausts air through air outlet holes 14e on the rear end 14a. The cooling device receives heat from the computing device via heat pipes and a vapor chamber, transferring some or all of the heat to the heat sink, where it is dissipated by the fan.

[0028] The display housing 16 is a flat box formed thinner than the main body housing 14. A display 18 is provided on the front surface of the display housing 16. The display 18 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display. The main body housing 14 and the display housing 16 are in a closed state with the surface of the display 18 facing the surface of the keyboard 20 (see Figure 2 、 Figure 3 ) as the opening and closing angle 0 degrees. In the electronic device 12 of this embodiment, the maximum opening and closing angle is 135 degrees (refer to Figure 1 The state where the main housing 14 and the display housing 16 are stacked at an opening and closing angle of 0 degrees is called the closed state. The state where the opening and closing angle is 135 degrees is called the fully open state. In the closed state, the upper surface 14b becomes the facing surface facing the display housing 16, and the opposite lower surface 14c becomes the non-facing surface.

[0029] like Figure 3 As shown, the lower surface 14c of the main housing 14 is substantially flat without any foot portions, achieving a suitable design, particularly when closed. However, smaller foot portions may be provided without detracting from the design. The electronic device 12 lacking larger foot portions is suitable for carrying in a bag or the like.

[0030] Next, a specific configuration example of the hinge device 10 and its peripheral parts will be described.

[0031] Figure 4 It is a perspective view of the hinge device 10 and its surrounding parts. Figure 5 It is from Figure 4 This is a perspective view of a state where the cover 26 is removed. Figure 6 It is from Figure 5 This is a perspective view of a state where the touch device 24 is removed. Figure 7 It is from Figure 6 A perspective view of a state in which the right side plate 56 and the peripheral wall 58 are removed. Figures 4 to 7 The left and right hinge devices 10 have bilateral symmetry or identical structures, so the following description will focus on one hinge device 10 and omit the description of the other hinge device 10.

[0032] The hinge device 10 is positioned near one end of the electronic device 12 in the X direction, extending from the main housing 14 and extending through the notch 14g at the Y2-side end. Two countersunk holes 28 and a relief portion 30 are formed at the lower end 16a of the display housing 16. The countersunk holes 28 are for mounting the bracket 44a, described later. The relief portion 30 is a recessed portion that avoids interference with the connecting rod 52, described later, in the closed state. It has an acute cross-sectional shape that increases in depth as it approaches the lower end 16a.

[0033] A rectangular recess 14f is formed on the upper surface 14b of the main housing 14, communicating with the notch 14g. The recess 14f comprises a first recess 14fa and a second recess 14fb, each having different depths. The first recess 14fa is a shallower recess located slightly toward the Y1 side of the rear end 14a, surrounding the three sides of the second recess 14fb and having a greater width than the notch 14g.

[0034] The second recess 14fb is slightly deeper than the first recess 14fa and is connected to the rear end 14a through the notch 14g with the same width as the notch 14g. The Y-direction width of the second recess 14fb is approximately half that of the first recess 14fa. The second recess 14fb is formed by a fixed base 14fba on the Y1 side, separated by a step, and a slider passage 14fbb on the Y2 side. The fixed base 14fba is the portion to which the substrate 40, described later, is fixed, and its depth is slightly greater than the Z-direction width of the substrate 40. The slider passage 14fbb is slightly deeper than the fixed base 14fba to allow passage of the slider 48, described later.

[0035] The first recess 14fa is provided with a touch device (input / output device) 24 that slides in the Y direction together with a pin 60 provided on the link 52 described below. An engagement groove 24b (see FIG. 24 ) that engages with the pin 60 is formed on the lower surface of the touch device 24. Figure 5 ). The engaging groove 24b is slightly longer in the Z direction to accommodate the rotation of the pin 60. The touch device 24 has a thin structure and is rectangular, slightly wider than the second recess 14fb. When fully opened, it shifts toward the Y2 side to cover the second recess 14fb. An operating portion 24a, which is longer in the X direction, is provided on the Y2 side of the touch device 24. For example, the touch device 24 displays various icons (not shown) on the operating portion 24a, and predetermined operations are performed by touching these icons.

[0036] The first recess 14fa is covered by a cover 26. A notch 26a is formed on the Y2 side of the cover 26 to expose the operating portion 24a in the maximum open state. Even if the opening and closing angle is about 120 degrees, the operating portion 24a is almost entirely exposed from the notch 26a. Figure 4As shown by the imaginary line, in the closed state, the touch device 24 is displaced to the Y1 side within the first recess 14fa. At this time, the operating portion 24a is covered and protected by the cover 26. The cover 26 forms a continuous surface with the upper surface 14b.

[0037] Figure 8 It is a perspective view of an electronic device 12A according to a modification. Figure 8 In the embodiment, the keyboard and touch panel are omitted. In the above-mentioned electronic device 12, a relatively small touch device 24 is provided for each of the left and right hinge devices 10. In comparison, a touch device 24A provided in the electronic device 12A is set longer in the X direction across the left and right hinge devices 10. Like the touch device 24, the touch device 24A slides in the Y direction due to the opening and closing action of the display housing 16. The recess formed on the upper surface 14b for the touch device 24A to slide and the cover 26A covering approximately half of the Y1 side of the recess are formed longer in the X direction. In the closed state, the touch device 24A is covered by the cover 26A. The input and output devices that slide under the action of the hinge device 10 are not limited to the touch devices 24 and 24A, and may also be microphones, speakers, etc.

[0038] Reference Figures 6 to 10 The hinge device 10 will be further described.

[0039] Figure 9 It is a perspective view of the hinge device 10 . Figure 10 It is a perspective view of the hinge device 10 in a state where the side plate 56 and the peripheral wall 58 are removed. Figure 9 、 Figure 10 The hinge device 10 is shown in a closed state. The hinge device 10 includes a base plate 40, a first shaft 42, a second shaft 44, a crank 46, a slider 48, a torque imparting portion 50, and a connecting rod 52. The crank 46, the slider 48, and the connecting rod 52 form a slider-crank mechanism.

[0040] For ease of assembly, the base plate 40 is constructed from a first member 40a on the left and a second member 40b on the right, meshing with each other. The Y-direction width of the first member 40a is greater than that of the second member 40b. The base plate 40 has multiple screw holes 40c formed near the Y1-side end. These holes are screwed to the fixing base 14fba, while the remaining holes protrude in the Y2 direction, ensuring clearance relative to the slider passage 14fbb. Axial support portions 40d, which rotatably support the first shaft 42, protrude from both ends of the Y2-side end of the base plate 40. In other words, the first shaft 42 is axially supported by the main housing 14 via the base plate 40. The first shaft 42 extends in the X-direction within the notch 14g near the rear end 14a. An external thread is formed on the right end of the first shaft 42. In this embodiment, the X-direction width of the base plate 40, excluding the axis support portions 40d, is approximately equal to the Y-direction width.

[0041] The second shaft 44 is parallel to the first shaft 42 and is secured to the display housing 16 near the lower end 16a by brackets 44a provided at both ends being inserted into and screwed into the countersunk holes 28. The first shaft 42 is located at a relatively lower portion of the main housing 14, and the interaxial distance between the first shaft 42 and the second shaft 44 is appropriately long.

[0042] The crank 46 is elliptical in shape and is disposed between the two shaft support portions 40d. The first shaft 42 and the second shaft 44 are fitted and connected to both ends of the crank 46 by a predetermined anti-rotation unit so as to be unable to rotate relative to the crank 46. The angle formed between the crank 46 and the display housing 16 is almost 90 degrees (see FIG. Figure 11 ), in the closed state, the crank 46 becomes oriented along the Z direction.

[0043] The slider 48 is rectangular in shape when viewed from the front and is embedded in the substrate 40 with essentially no gap, surrounding the substrate 40, and is able to slide in the Y direction within the range opposite the slider passage portion 14fbb. The slider 48 is located on the Y1 side of the first shaft 42 and slides in a manner approaching and separating from the first shaft 42. It is reasonable that the substrate 40 has both the function of guiding the slider 48 to be able to slide and the function of axially supporting the first shaft 42, but the two functional parts can also be made independent. The shorter shaft 48a extends from both ends of the slider 48 in the X direction ( Figure 10 The slider 48 has an appropriate width in the Y direction to facilitate sliding.

[0044] The torque applying unit 50 applies friction-generated rotational torque to the first shaft 42, thereby maintaining the display housing 16 at any desired angle. It comprises a flange 50a at the left end of the first shaft 42, a nut 50b threadedly engaged with the external thread at the right end, and multiple fixing washers 50c and a disc 50d interlocked between the flanges 50a and the first shaft 42. The disc 50d is a leaf spring formed from a disc-shaped metal plate. Multiple discs 50d are stacked between the nut 50b and the right shaft support 40d via fixing washers 50c. Fixing washers 50c are also provided between the two shaft supports 40d and the crank 46. Predetermined anti-rotation means prevent the fixing washers 50c from rotating relative to the first shaft 42. The torque applying unit 50 generates an axial force on the first shaft 42 by tightening the nut 50b, which elastically compresses the disc 50d, thereby generating an axial frictional force against the first shaft 42. It is preferred that the nut 50b be treated to prevent loosening.

[0045] Reference is made to the closed state Figure 2 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 9 、 Figure 10 The connecting rod 52 is described below. The connecting rod 52 is primarily composed of a left side plate 54, a right side plate 56, and a peripheral wall 58. When viewed laterally, the peripheral wall 58 has an irregular pentagonal cylindrical shape. The side plates 54 and 56 fit together to close the left and right openings of the peripheral wall 58. The peripheral wall 58 does not extend to the lower portion on the Y1 side, but instead has an opening 52a through which the slider 48 can be inserted.

[0046] Axial holes 54a and 56a are formed near the upper ends on the Y2 side of the side plates 54 and 56 to rotatably support the second shaft 44. A bulged portion 56b is formed inwardly at the lower portion on the Y1 side of the side plate 56. The bulged portion 56b ensures space for the nut 50b, fixing washer 50c, and disk 50d of the torque applying unit 50.

[0047] A slider shaft hole 56c is formed on the inner surface of the bulged portion 56b for pivotally supporting the axis 48a on the right side of the slider 48 in the X direction. Although not shown, a slider shaft hole is also formed at the same position on the left side plate 54 for pivotally supporting the axis 48a on the left side of the slider 48 in the X direction. In other words, the connecting rod 52 pivotally supports the slider 48 in the X direction and also pivotally supports the second shaft body 44.

[0048] In this embodiment, the interaxial distance between the shaft 48a and the first shaft body 42 in the closed state is approximately 1.5 times the interaxial distance between the first shaft body 42 and the second shaft body 44. In this embodiment, the Y-direction width of the connecting rod 52 is approximately twice the interaxial distance between the first shaft body 42 and the second shaft body 44. The connecting rod 52 does not pivotally support the first shaft body 42.

[0049] Slider shaft hole 56c has a bottomed shape corresponding to the shorter shaft 48a, but may also be a through-hole. Alternatively, shaft 48a may be provided on side plates 54 and 56, while slider shaft hole 56c may be provided on slider 48. Side plate 56 is provided with an inwardly protruding L-shaped member 56d. A shaft hole for inserting second shaft body 44 is formed in the bent portion of the L-shaped member 56d, providing auxiliary pivotal support for second shaft body 44 near crank 46.

[0050] The connecting rod 52 is mainly formed with five surfaces by the peripheral wall 58. In other words, they are a rear surface 52b, a front surface 52c, an upper surface 52d, a lower surface 52e, and an inclined surface 52f.

[0051] In the closed state, the rear surface 52b forms a continuous surface with the rear end 14a of the main housing 14 and the lower end 16a of the display housing 16. The upper surface 52d and the upper arc portion 52g located between the rear surface 52b and the upper surface 52d form a continuous surface with the back cover 16b of the display housing 16 on the side opposite the display surface. The lower arc portion 52h between the rear surface 52b and the lower surface 52e forms a continuous surface with the lower cover of the main housing 14. This gives the connecting rod 52 a continuous, integrated appearance with the main housing 14 and the display housing 16 when closed, which is a preferred design feature. The lower arc portion 52h has a moderately gentle arc shape.

[0052] The Y-direction width of the upper surface 52d is shorter than the Y-direction width of the lower surface 52e. In this embodiment, the Y-direction width of the upper surface 52d is about 1 / 3 of the Y-direction width of the lower surface 52e. Therefore, the upper surface 52d is relatively inconspicuous. A gently inclined surface 52f is provided between the upper surface 52d and the front surface 52c. The inclined surface 52f is aligned with the recessed portion 30 (see FIG. Figure 11 The inclination angles between (a)) are equal and they are opposed to each other with almost no gap in the closed state. The lower surface 52e is slightly inclined upward toward the Y1 side to avoid interference with other components such as the cover.

[0053] The upper half of the front surface 52c is slightly inclined toward the Y2 side. At the inclined portion of the front surface 52c, small pin bosses 50g are protruding at both ends. Pins 60 protrude from the two pin bosses 50g in separate directions. Each pin 60 is embedded in the engaging groove 24b formed on the lower surface of the touch device 24 (see FIG. Figure 5 ), the touch device 24 is driven to slide. The unit for driving the touch device 24 to slide can also be set on the slider 48.

[0054] Figure 11 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the hinge device 10 and its surroundings, Figure 11 (a) is a diagram showing a closed state at 0 degrees, in other words, Figure 11 (b) is a diagram showing the state of 60 degrees, Figure 11 (c) is a diagram showing a state of 90 degrees, Figure 11 (d) is a diagram showing a maximum open state of 135 degrees.

[0055] like Figure 11 As shown in (a), in the closed state, the second shaft 44 is directly above the first shaft 42. At this point, the slider 48 is positioned closest to the Y1 side. The connecting rod 52 fits within the contours of the main housing 14 and the display housing 16, with the lower arc portion 52h aligned with the contour of the main housing extending from the lower surface 14c to the rear end 14a. However, depending on the conditions, a portion of the connecting rod 52 may be slightly protruded from the lower surface 14c.

[0056] like Figure 11 As shown in (b), when the opening and closing angle is 60 degrees, the second shaft body 44 moves clockwise from the closed position to a position of 60 degrees with respect to the first shaft body 42 as the rotational reference. Accordingly, the second shaft body 44 is displaced in the Y2 direction and downward. Since the connecting rod 52 is pivotally supported by the shaft hole 56a of the shaft body, it is displaced in the Y2 direction and downward as it rotates. Furthermore, the connecting rod 52 pivotally supports the shaft 48a of the slider 48 through the slider shaft hole 56c. However, while the slider 48 can slide in the Y direction, it cannot displace in the Z direction. Consequently, the slider 48 is displaced in the Y2 direction by being pulled by the second shaft body 44. Therefore, the connecting rod 52 appears to be displaced in the Y2 direction while rotating with respect to the shaft 48a of the slider 48. Consequently, the lower arc portion 52h is displaced in the Y2 direction and downward, protruding relative to the lower surface 14c of the main body housing 14.

[0057] like Figure 11 As shown in (c), when the opening and closing angle is 90 degrees, the second shaft body 44 moves 90 degrees clockwise from the closed position with respect to the first shaft body 42 as the rotation reference, and correspondingly, the second shaft body 44 is displaced in the Y2 direction and downward. The connecting rod 52 is displaced in the Y2 direction and downward while rotating with respect to the axis 48a of the slider 48 as the reference. At this time, the second shaft body 44 and the slider 48 are displaced to the maximum in the Y2 direction. The lower arc portion 52h protrudes further downward than when the opening and closing angle is 60 degrees. At this time, the lower arc portion 52h is at a position where it is rotated about 40 degrees counterclockwise relative to the vertical downward direction with respect to the axis 48a as the reference.

[0058] like Figure 11As shown in (d), in the fully opened position, the second shaft body 44 moves 135 degrees clockwise from the closed position relative to the first shaft body 42. Accordingly, the second shaft body 44 displaces downward and slightly returns in the Y1 direction. The connecting rod 52 displaces downward while rotating relative to the axis 48a of the slider 48, and slightly returns in the Y1 direction. The lower arc portion 52h displaces clockwise from the 90-degree open / closed position. In this embodiment, it rotates approximately 15 degrees counterclockwise relative to the vertically downward direction relative to the axis 48a, and further protrudes downward.

[0059] Figure 12 This is a schematic side view of the electronic device 12 in its fully opened position. In this fully opened position, the lower arc portion 52h of the connecting rod 52 protrudes slightly downward from the lower surface 14c of the main housing 14 at the lower portion of the rear end portion 14a. Consequently, the main housing 14 is tilted slightly upward and rearward. In this embodiment, the tilt is approximately 2 to 3 degrees relative to the mounting surface G.

[0060] The main body housing 14 is tilted, thereby ensuring a gap Ga of appropriate width between the lower surface 14c and the mounting surface G, which can reduce the amount of air flowing from the air intake hole 14d (see FIG. Figure 3 ) intake resistance. Furthermore, the appropriate tilt of the main housing 14 facilitates typing on the keyboard 20. The lower arc portion 52h is a gently curved shape suitable for placement. The hinge device 10 is structured so that the main housing 14 is lifted by the downward projection of the connecting rod 52, which essentially constitutes a portion of the frame. Therefore, it can be called a frame-lift hinge.

[0061] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be freely modified within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hinge device that connects a first housing and a second housing, each of which is flat, so that they can rotate, characterized in that: have: a first shaft extending in a first direction along a connection edge between the first housing and the second housing and being pivotally supported near a connection edge with the second housing so as to be rotatable relative to the first housing; a second shaft extending in the first direction and fixed to the second housing near a connection edge with the first housing; a crank connecting the first shaft and the second shaft so as to be unable to rotate relative to the crank; a slider provided on the first housing so as to be slidable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; as well as a connecting rod that pivotally supports the slider in the first direction and pivotally supports the second shaft body, As the first housing and the second housing rotate from a stacked closed state to an open state, the link protrudes relative to a non-facing surface of the first housing that does not face the second housing in the closed state.

2. The hinge device according to claim 1, characterized in that A base plate is provided, the base plate being fixed to the first housing and guiding the slider so as to be slidable and pivotally supporting the first shaft body.

3. The hinge device according to claim 2, characterized in that The base plate has two shaft supporting parts for supporting the first shaft. The crank is provided between the two shaft supporting parts.

4. The hinge device according to claim 2, characterized in that The slider has a rectangular shape surrounding the substrate.

5. The hinge device according to claim 1, characterized in that An input / output device is provided, and the input / output device slides in the second direction together with the slider or the vicinity of the shaft support portion of the slider of the connecting rod, The input / output device is covered by a cover in the closed state and is exposed from the cover in the open state.

6. The hinge device according to claim 1, characterized in that In the closed state, the connecting rod forms a continuous surface together with the surface of the connecting edge.

7. The hinge device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first shaft is provided with a torque applying portion for applying a rotational torque.

8. The hinge device according to claim 1, characterized in that A keyboard is provided on a surface of the first housing that faces the second housing, and a ventilation hole is provided on a non-facing surface of the first housing.

9. An electronic device comprising a first housing and a second housing, each of which is flat, connected rotatably by a hinge device, wherein: The hinge device has: a first shaft extending in a first direction along a connecting edge between the first housing and the second housing and being pivotally supported near a connecting edge with the second housing so as to be rotatable relative to the first housing; a second shaft extending in the first direction and fixed to the second housing near a connection edge with the first housing; a crank connecting the first shaft and the second shaft so as to be unable to rotate relative to the crank; a slider provided on the first housing so as to be slidable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; as well as a connecting rod that pivotally supports the slider in the first direction and pivotally supports the second shaft body, As the first housing and the second housing rotate from a stacked closed state to an open state, the link protrudes relative to a non-facing surface of the first housing that does not face the second housing in the closed state.

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