Folding electronic device

Abstract

A folding electronic device comprises a first machine body, a second machine body, a hinge and an eccentric wheel. The hinge is connected with the first machine body and the second machine body, so that the first machine body and the second machine body oppositely rotate to open and close through the hinge. The eccentric wheel is pivoted to the first body. In the closed state, the eccentric wheel is located in the first machine body and exposed out of the first machine body. When the folding electronic device is placed on the platform and is converted from the closed state to the unfolded state, the eccentric wheel abuts against the platform, and the eccentric wheel is driven to rotate out of the first machine body through friction force between the eccentric wheel and the platform along with unfolding of the first machine body so as to support the first machine body and lift the second machine body on the platform.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a foldable electronic device. Background Art

[0002] Generally speaking, notebook computers are provided with feet to stabilize or temporarily fix them on a desktop (or platform). These feet are usually assembled on the bottom surface of the host computer by means of fasteners (such as screws).

[0003] The aforementioned foot pads, assembled with locking hardware, are not only complicated and difficult to disassemble and assemble, but are also constantly exposed to the outside world and easily scratched and damaged by foreign objects. Furthermore, because these fixed foot pads are assembled to the bottom surface of the main body, when the notebook computer uses a sunken hinge design, the screen unfolding process also has the effect of lifting the main body. This causes the part of the foot pad originally assembled to the bottom surface of the main body to move off the desk (or platform) due to the lifting of the main body. This reduces the friction between the main body and the desk surface, making the notebook more likely to slide. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a foldable electronic device which can provide better stability in response to the opening and closing state of the body through the arrangement of movable foot pads.

[0005] The foldable electronic device of the present invention includes a first body, a second body, a hinge, and an eccentric wheel. The hinge connects the first body and the second body so that the first body and the second body can rotate relative to each other through the hinge to open and close. The eccentric wheel is pivotally connected to the first body. In the closed state, the eccentric wheel is located in the first body and exposes the first body. When the foldable electronic device is placed on a platform and converted from the closed state to the unfolded state, the eccentric wheel abuts the platform, and as the first body unfolds, the friction between the eccentric wheel and the platform drives the eccentric wheel to rotate out of the first body, thereby supporting the first body and lifting the second body on the platform.

[0006] Based on the above, the foldable electronic device is provided with a movable eccentric wheel on its first body, and the eccentric wheel is exposed outside the first body. When the foldable electronic device is placed on a platform and the first body and the second body are unfolded from a closed state to an unfolded state, the eccentric wheel abuts against the platform along with the first body. As the first body unfolds, the friction between the eccentric wheel and the platform drives the eccentric wheel to rotate out of the first body, thereby supporting the first body and raising the second body on the platform.

[0007] In this way, the movable eccentric wheel can serve as a movable footrest for the foldable electronic device. Specifically, when the first body is unfolded relative to the second body, the first body is supported on the platform, raising the second body. This causes the footrest originally located at the bottom of the second body to become suspended in the air. Unscrewing the eccentric wheel from the first body replaces the suspended footrest, maintaining friction between the foldable electronic device and the platform to prevent slipping. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a foldable electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded view of a foldable electronic device.

[0010] Figure 3A yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of some components.

[0011] Figure 3B yes Figure 3A Exploded view of some components.

[0012] Figure 4A It is a schematic diagram of the eccentric wheel.

[0013] Figure 4B It is a schematic diagram of the reset element.

[0014] Figure 5A A partial cross-sectional view of a foldable electronic device is shown.

[0015] Figure 5B A schematic diagram is shown showing the foldable electronic device in another state.

[0016] Figure 5C Draw Figure 5B A partial cross-sectional view of a foldable electronic device.

[0017] Figure 5D A partial cross-sectional view of the foldable electronic device in another state is shown.

[0018] in,

[0019] 100: Foldable electronic device;

[0020] 110: first body;

[0021] 111: hinged cover;

[0022] 111a: opening;

[0023] 111b: first axis;

[0024] 111c: pillar;

[0025] 111d: fixed column;

[0026] 111e: gap;

[0027] 112: screen;

[0028] 112a: display surface;

[0029] 120: Second body;

[0030] 130: hinge;

[0031] 140: eccentric wheel;

[0032] 141: wheel body;

[0033] 141a, 141b: side view;

[0034] 141c: shaft hole;

[0035] 142: first gear;

[0036] 150: reset member;

[0037] 151: fixed portion;

[0038] 152: elastic arm;

[0039] 153: second gear;

[0040] 153a: shaft hole;

[0041] 160: bracket;

[0042] 161 plate body;

[0043] 162: second axis;

[0044] 163: screw;

[0045] 200: platform;

[0046] P: contact point;

[0047] XYZ: Cartesian coordinates. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a foldable electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded view of a foldable electronic device. Figure 3A yes Figure 2 Please also refer to the schematic diagram of some components. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3AIn this embodiment, the foldable electronic device 100, which is a notebook computer as an example but not limited thereto, includes a first body 110, a second body 120, a hinge 130, and an eccentric wheel 140. The hinge 130 connects the first body 110 and the second body 120 so that the first body 110 and the second body 120 can rotate relative to each other through the hinge 130. The eccentric wheel 140 is pivotally connected to the first body 110. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 In the closed state, the eccentric wheel 140 is located in the first body 110 and is exposed from the first body 110 through the opening 111a. The hinge 130 is already known in the prior art, so the hinge 130 shown in this embodiment is only shown as an example.

[0049] Specifically, the first body 110 includes a screen 112 and a hinge cover 111 assembled together. The hinge 130 is housed in the hinge cover 111. The hinge cover 111 has the aforementioned opening 111a. The eccentric wheel 140 is pivotally mounted in the hinge cover 111 and is exposed to the first body 110 through the opening 111a of the hinge cover 111.

[0050] Figure 3B yes Figure 3A Exploded view of some components. Figure 4A This is a schematic diagram of the eccentric wheel. Please also refer to Figure 3B and Figure 4A In this embodiment, the eccentric wheel 140 includes a wheel body 141 and a first gear 142 extending from a side surface 141b of the wheel body 141. The rotation axis of the first gear 142 is coaxial with the rotation axis of the eccentric wheel 140 (of the wheel body 141). The inner wall of the hinged cover 111 includes a first shaft 111b. The wheel body 141 has an axial hole 141c on another side surface 141a. The wheel body 141 and the first gear 142 are pivotally mounted on the first shaft 111b and rotate coaxially. Therefore, the geometric center axis of the eccentric wheel 140 (of the wheel body 141) is not coaxial with the rotation axis, as shown in the figure, resulting in a cam motion. The side surfaces 141a and 141b are opposite sides of the wheel body 141.

[0051] Figure 4B This is a schematic diagram of the reset element. Please also refer to Figure 3B and Figure 4B The foldable electronic device 100 of this embodiment further includes a reset member 150 having a fixed portion 151, an elastic arm 152, and a second gear 153. The fixed portion 151 is assembled to the hinge cover 111, and the elastic arm 152 extends from the fixed portion 151 and is connected between the fixed portion 151 and the second gear 153. The second gear 153 is engaged with the first gear 142 of the eccentric wheel 140. When the eccentric wheel 140 rotates, the eccentric wheel 140 drives the second gear 153 to rotate and deform the elastic arm 152 via the first gear 142. Figure 3B As shown, the inner wall of the hinge cover 111 has a second shaft 162, and the second gear 153 is pivotally mounted on the second shaft 162. Furthermore, the foldable electronic device 100 of this embodiment also includes a bracket 160 assembled to the inner wall of the hinge cover 111. The bracket 160 includes a plate 161 and a second shaft 162 extending from the plate 161. The plate 161 is secured to a fixing post 111d extending from the inner wall of the hinge cover 111 via screws 163. Furthermore, the inner wall of the hinge cover 111 has a pair of pillars 111c. The fixing portion 151 is secured to a pair of branches of the pillars 111c, allowing the elastic arm 152 to be movably received in a gap 111e between the pillars 111c.

[0052] Figure 5A A partial cross-sectional view of a foldable electronic device is shown. Figure 5B A schematic diagram is shown showing the foldable electronic device in another state. Figure 5C Draw Figure 5B A partial cross-sectional view of a foldable electronic device. Figure 5D A partial cross-sectional view of the foldable electronic device in another state is shown. Based on the aforementioned arrangement of the eccentric wheel 140 and the reset member 150 within the hinged cover 111, when the foldable electronic device 100 is placed on the platform 200 and transitions from the closed state to the unfolded state, the eccentric wheel 140 undergoes the following changes. Cartesian coordinates XYZ are provided here to facilitate component description.

[0053] Please refer to Figure 5A , which is shown as Figure 1 The foldable electronic device 100 is in the state shown in FIG. 1 , where the first body 110 and the second body 120 are closed and placed on the platform 200. Figure 5B and Figure 5C and compare Figure 5A ,in Figure 5B and Figure 5C The first body 110 is shown unfolded relative to the second body 120 (in the unfolded state). Since this embodiment adopts a sinking hinge, during the unfolding process, as the screen 112 unfolds relative to the second body 120, the hinge cover 111 sinks under the second body 120 to support the platform 200 and raise the second body 120, and the wheel surface 141 of the eccentric wheel 140 abuts the platform 200 through the opening 111a.

[0054] Simultaneous control Figure 5A 、 Figure 5B It can be seen that in Figure 5A In the closed state shown, the foot pads 121 and 122 of the second body 120 are in contact with the platform 200, thereby providing support and anti-slip effects. Figure 5A and Figure 5BIn the unfolded state shown, the foot pad 121 near the hinge 130 is moved away from the platform 200 as the second body 120 is lifted by the hinge cover 111 because the hinge cover 111 is used as a support. Figure 5B In the unfolded state shown, the eccentric wheel 140 contacts the platform 200 at the contact point P, and as the first body 110 unfolds, the friction between the eccentric wheel 140 and the platform 200 drives the eccentric wheel 140 to rotate out of the first body 110, that is, from Figure 5C Convert to Figure 5D , to support the first body 110 and lift the second body 120 on the platform 200 .

[0055] In short, in this embodiment, by using materials or forming microstructures on the surface, the wheel surface of the eccentric wheel 140 and the platform 200 generate sufficient friction, which is beneficial for Figure 5C In the contact state shown, when the user continues to apply force to the unfolded screen 112, the eccentric wheel 140 is driven to rotate with the contact point P as a fulcrum and pass through the opening 111a to protrude from the outer surface of the hinge cover 111, thereby driving the first body 110 and the second body 120 to move in the negative Y-axis direction. Figure 5C and Figure 5D The eccentric wheel 140 is provided with a name based on the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. , and it should be in contact with the platform 200 in a line or a plane. In this way, the pulled-out (or screwed-out) eccentric wheel 140 can be used as a foot pad structure for the first body 110 to contact the platform 200. In other words, during the unfolding process, as the screen 112 unfolds relative to the second body 120, the hinged cover 111 will sink under the second body 120 to lift the second body 120, and accordingly suspend the foot pad 121, so that the second body 120 is in contact with the platform 200 only with the foot pad 122. However, due to the screwing out of the eccentric wheel 140, the wheel surface of the eccentric wheel 140 abuts against the platform 200 through the opening 111a and serves as a supporting foot pad, and at this time ( Figure 5D The static friction between the eccentric wheel 140 and the platform 200 at the contact point P is greater than the elastic force of the elastic arm 152, so that the foldable electronic device 100 can be maintained at Figure 5D Status shown.

[0056] On the other hand, please refer to Figure 5C and Figure 5DThe corresponding relationship between the eccentric wheel 140 and the reset member 150 is shown. As the eccentric wheel 140 is rotated out of the hinge cover 111, the driving relationship between the first gear 142 and the second gear 162 causes the elastic arm 152 to deform and accumulate elastic force. Therefore, once the eccentric wheel 140 moves away from the platform 200, the elastic force of the elastic arm 152 is transferred via the second gear 153 and the first gear 142 to reset the eccentric wheel 140, that is, to screw the eccentric wheel 140 back into the hinge cover 111. It should also be noted that the presence of the elastic arm 152 allows the eccentric wheel 140 to be rotated out of the hinge cover 111 by the second gear 153 when it is not abutting the platform 200 and the elastic arm 152 is not deformed. At this time, the user is not applying any force to the first body 110.

[0057] In summary, in the above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention, a foldable electronic device is provided with a movable eccentric wheel on its first body, and the eccentric wheel is exposed outside the first body. When the foldable electronic device is placed on a platform and the first body and the second body are unfolded from a closed state to an unfolded state, the eccentric wheel abuts against the platform along with the first body. As the first body unfolds, the friction between the eccentric wheel and the platform drives the eccentric wheel to rotate out of the first body, thereby supporting the first body and raising the second body on the platform.

[0058] The foldable electronic device also includes a reset element assembled within the hinged cover of the first body and located in the eccentric's travel path. The reset element comprises a second gear that meshes with the eccentric's first gear and a spring arm connected between the second gear and a fixed portion. The cam motion of the eccentric drives the second gear to rotate and deform the spring arm. After the eccentric moves away from the platform, the accumulated spring force of the spring arm resets the eccentric.

[0059] During the unfolding process, the user applies force to the screen to unfold it. After the eccentric wheel abuts the platform, the force can be used through the contact point between the eccentric wheel and the platform and the friction generated, and further use the contact point as a fulcrum and the user continues to apply force to rotate the eccentric wheel out of the hinge cover.

[0060] In this way, the movable eccentric wheel can serve as a movable footrest for the foldable electronic device. Specifically, when the first body is unfolded relative to the second body, the first body is supported on the platform, raising the second body. This causes the footrest originally located at the bottom of the second body to become suspended in the air. Unscrewing the eccentric wheel from the first body replaces the suspended footrest, maintaining friction between the foldable electronic device and the platform to prevent slipping.

Claims

1. A foldable electronic device, comprising: First Body; Second body; a hinge connecting the first body and the second body, so that the first body and the second body rotate relative to each other through the hinge to switch the foldable electronic device between a closed state and an unfolded state; as well as The eccentric wheel is pivotally connected to the first body. In the closed state, the eccentric wheel is located in the first body and exposed from the first body. When the foldable electronic device is placed on a platform and during the process of switching from the closed state to the unfolded state, the eccentric wheel abuts against the platform. As the first body unfolds, the friction between the eccentric wheel and the platform drives the eccentric wheel to rotate out of the first body, thereby supporting the first body and raising the second body on the platform.

2. The foldable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: The first body includes a screen and a hinged cover assembled together. The hinge is housed in the hinged cover. The eccentric wheel is pivotally disposed in the hinged cover and exposes the first body through an opening in the hinged cover. During the unfolding process, as the screen unfolds relative to the second body, the hinged cover sinks below the second body to raise the second body, and the wheel surface of the eccentric wheel abuts the platform through the opening.

3. The foldable electronic device according to claim 2, wherein: The eccentric wheel comprises a wheel body and a first gear extending from a side surface of the wheel body, and a rotation axis of the first gear is coaxial with the rotation axis of the eccentric wheel.

4. The foldable electronic device according to claim 3, wherein: It also includes a reset member, which has a fixed portion, an elastic arm and a second gear. The fixed portion is assembled to the hinge cover, the elastic arm extends from the fixed portion, and the elastic arm is connected between the fixed portion and the second gear. The second gear is engaged with the first gear. When the eccentric wheel rotates, the eccentric wheel drives the second gear via the first gear and deforms the elastic arm.

5. The foldable electronic device according to claim 4, wherein: The inner wall of the hinge cover is provided with a second shaft body, and the second gear is pivotally arranged on the second shaft body.

6. The foldable electronic device according to claim 5, wherein: The invention also includes a bracket which is assembled to the inner wall and has the second shaft.

7. The foldable electronic device according to claim 4, wherein: When the eccentric wheel moves away from the platform, the elastic force of the elastic arm resets the eccentric wheel via the second gear and the first gear.

8. The foldable electronic device according to claim 4, wherein: When the eccentric wheel does not abut against the platform and the elastic arm is not deformed, the second gear stops the first gear from rotating out of the hinge cover.

9. The foldable electronic device according to claim 4, wherein: The inner wall of the hinge cover is provided with a pair of pillars, the fixing portion is buckled on a pair of branches of the pair of pillars, and the elastic arm is movably accommodated in the gap between the pair of pillars.

10. The foldable electronic device according to claim 3, wherein: The inner wall of the hinge cover is provided with a first shaft body, and the wheel body and the first gear are pivotally arranged on the first shaft body.

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