Folding portable terminal hinge module and folding portable terminal using the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a water drop type hinge module for a foldable portable terminal, which forms a folding portion of a flexible display screen in a water drop shape when folding the unfolded foldable portable terminal, so as to prevent the flexible display screen from being damaged. In particular, the present invention can stably rotate the portable terminal by a guide groove formed on a swing cam of a swing plate and a guide protrusion formed on a base, and further stably maintain an angle thereof in an unfolded state or a folded state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a teardrop-shaped hinge module for a foldable portable terminal and a foldable portable terminal utilizing the same. In particular, it relates to a foldable portable terminal with a teardrop-shaped hinge module and a foldable portable terminal utilizing the same, characterized in that: when folding the unfolded foldable portable terminal, the folding portion of the flexible display screen is formed into a teardrop shape to prevent damage to the flexible display screen. Background Technology

[0002] Typically, a flexible display panel is a display panel that can be bent into a given curvature.

[0003] This type of flexible display panel typically does not use a glass substrate, but rather a plastic substrate. Therefore, in order to prevent damage to the substrate, existing manufacturing machines are not used, but rather low-temperature manufacturing machines are primarily employed.

[0004] For example, this flexible display panel is made into a touch screen that enables electrostatic or de-energized touch input, so that user commands can be received by touch.

[0005] In addition, traditional portable foldable display devices, namely foldable portable terminals, have the aforementioned flexible display panel with touch input capability.

[0006] This traditional foldable portable terminal has a given storage space where a pair of bodies supporting a flexible display panel are hinged together to form a curved shape.

[0007] Various hinge modules are currently under development for opening and closing the aforementioned flexible displays.

[0008] However, most hinge modules are complex in structure, with many parts and thick folding parts. When the flexible display is folded, large gaps will occur between the folded and opposite parts, which poses a risk of foreign matter entering and impact causing damage.

[0009] In particular, to prevent damage and load concentration during folding, the folding center of the flexible display should be shaped like a teardrop, which is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom. Traditional hinge modules are limited in achieving this shape.

[0010] To address the aforementioned issues, the applicant developed the hinge module disclosed in Korean Patent No. 10-2644316.

[0011] In order to keep the portable terminal in a closed or unfolded state, the technical solution described in Patent No. 10-2644316 has a first insertion part and a second insertion part respectively recessed on the outer peripheral surface of one end of the second rod, and a stop protrusion is formed by bending at both ends of the leaf spring, and the stop protrusion is inserted into the first and second insertion parts.

[0012] However, after repeated testing of the above structure, the applicant found that smooth movements could not be achieved when the hinge module was closed or unfolded. Further stability was needed to maintain the angle when the portable terminal was stably rotated and unfolded or folded.

[0013] [Preliminary Technology Documents]

[0014] [Patent Documents]

[0015] Korean Patent No. 10-2542066

[0016] Korean Patent 10-2714562

[0017] Korean Patent No. 10-2644316 Summary of the Invention

[0018] The purpose of this invention is to provide a foldable portable terminal with a teardrop-shaped hinge module and a foldable portable terminal using the same, in order to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks. This invention can utilize a simpler structure and fewer parts to make the flexible display screen stably form a teardrop shape and fold when the foldable portable terminal is folded. It can achieve a smoother movement when the hinge module is closed or unfolded, and can further stably maintain its angle when the portable terminal is stably rotated and unfolded or folded.

[0019] To achieve the above objectives, the foldable portable terminal waterdrop hinge module of the present invention includes: a base; a pair of swing sliders, which are spaced apart on both sides of the base, one end of which is rotatably coupled to the base; a synchronization component, which connects the spaced pair of swing sliders to synchronize the rotational motion; a pair of swing plates, which are spaced apart on both sides of the base, one end of which is formed with an arc-shaped swing cam, the swing cam being rotatably coupled to the base, so that when the portable terminal is closed, the folding part of the flexible display screen mounted on the portable terminal is formed into a teardrop shape that is narrow at the top and wide at the bottom; a leaf spring, which is fixedly coupled to the base, and both ends are connected to the outer peripheral surfaces of the spaced pair of swing cams; and a slider, the upper end of which is rotatably hinged to the swing plate, the lower end of which is slidably coupled to the swing slider, and fixedly coupled to the portable terminal. An arc-shaped guide groove is formed along the outer peripheral surface of the swing cam, and a guide protrusion is formed on the base. When the swing plate rotates, the guide protrusion is inserted into the guide groove.

[0020] The guide grooves are formed on both sides of the center portion of the swing cam connected to the leaf spring, and the guide protrusions are formed on both sides of the leaf spring.

[0021] The base is formed by combining an upper body and a lower body. The upper body is disposed on the upper part of the swing cam, and the lower body is disposed on the lower part of the swing cam. The guide protrusion protrudes upward and is formed on the lower body.

[0022] The upper body has a downward protrusion forming a fixing protrusion, the leaf spring has a through hole, and the lower body has a locking hole. When the upper body and the lower body are combined, the fixing protrusion passes through the through hole and the locking hole and fixes the leaf spring.

[0023] A first locking platform is formed on the guide protrusion, and a second locking platform is formed at one end of the guide groove. When the rotation angle of the swing plate exceeds 90°, the second locking platform is connected to the first locking platform to limit the rotation angle of the swing plate.

[0024] A support platform is formed at the other end of the guide groove. When the swing plate is horizontally unfolded and rotated, the support platform is connected to the first carding platform so that the swing plate remains in a horizontally unfolded state.

[0025] In a pair of swing plates, the opposite side of one of the opposing sides, i.e., the other side, has a mounting groove. When the rotation angle of the swing plate exceeds 90°, the slider rotates around the upper end that is hinged with the swing plate as the center and inserts into the mounting groove while supporting the swing plate.

[0026] The slider has an inclined surface on the side opposite to the other side of the swing plate. When the rotation angle of the swing plate exceeds 90°, the inclined surface of the slider is connected to the other side of the inclined swing plate.

[0027] When the folded portion of the flexible display screen is formed into a teardrop shape that is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom due to the pair of swing plates, the slider and the swing slider combined with the portable terminal rotate 90° in the horizontal state, and the swing plate rotates more than 90° in the horizontal state.

[0028] Furthermore, the foldable portable terminal of the present invention is characterized in that it is equipped with the aforementioned hinge module.

[0029] As described above, the foldable portable terminal using a teardrop-shaped hinge module and the foldable portable terminal utilizing the same have the following technical effects.

[0030] When folding a foldable portable terminal, the flexible display screen can stably form a teardrop shape at its folding center and complete the folding process. The flexible display screen's folding center is completely formed into a teardrop shape to prevent damage or heavy loads when the flexible display screen is folded, thereby improving its durability.

[0031] Furthermore, the hinge module has a simpler structure and fewer components, which can improve production efficiency, assemblability, and operability.

[0032] In particular, the present invention can stably rotate the portable terminal by means of the guide groove of the swing cam formed in the swing plate and the guide protrusion formed in the base, and further stably maintain its angle in the unfolded or folded state. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the unfolded state of the hinge module described in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 2 This is an exploded oblique view of the hinge module described in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the hinge module described in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 4 This is a bottom oblique view of the swing cam described in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the guide protrusion described in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the hinge module in its folded state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 7a and Figure 7b This is a cross-sectional view of the leaf spring portion of the hinge module described in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 8a and Figure 8b This is a cross-sectional view of the guide protrusion portion of the hinge module described in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 9a and Figure 9b This is a cross-sectional view of the slider portion of the hinge module described in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 10 This is a side view of the flexible display screen assembly state of the hinge module described in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] *Attachment Labels*

[0044] 10: Base 11: Upper body 12: Lower body

[0045] 13: Guide protrusion; 14: First mounting platform; 15: Fixing protrusion

[0046] 16: Locking hole

[0047] 20: Swing slider

[0048] 30: Synchronization component; 35: Gear cover

[0049] 40: Swing plate; 41: Swing cam; 42: Groove

[0050] 43: Guide groove; 44: Second clamping platform; 45: Support platform

[0051] 46: Mounting slot

[0052] 50: Leaf spring; 51: Elastic protrusion; 52: Through hole

[0053] 60: Slider; 61: Inclined Surface

[0054] 70: Flexible display screen Detailed Implementation

[0055] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the foldable portable terminal of the present invention uses a teardrop-shaped hinge module, which includes a base 10, a swing slider 20, a synchronization component 30, a swing plate 40, a leaf spring 50, and a slider 60.

[0056] The substrate 10 is in the shape of a long rod.

[0057] In this embodiment, the substrate 10 is composed of an upper body 11 and a lower body 12 that are stacked and combined with each other.

[0058] When the swing plate 40 is horizontally extended, the upper body 11 is disposed on the upper part of the swing plate 40, and the lower body 12 is disposed on the lower part of the swing plate 40.

[0059] like Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the base 10 has a guide protrusion 13. In this embodiment, the guide protrusion 13 protrudes upward from the lower body 12.

[0060] The swing sliders 20 are in pairs and are arranged on both sides of the base 10 at a distance.

[0061] Thus, one end of the swing slider 20 can be rotatably coupled to the base 10.

[0062] The synchronization component 30 connects a pair of spaced-apart swing sliders 20, thereby synchronizing the rotational motion.

[0063] In this embodiment, a gear is formed at one end of the swing slider 20, and the synchronization component 30 consists of two idler wheels that mesh with the gear formed at one end of the swing slider 20.

[0064] The swing slider 20 is equipped with gear covers 35 on both sides of one end, which are used to support the swing slider 20 and the idler wheel to insert and rotate.

[0065] Due to the aforementioned combination structure, when one swing slider 20 rotates, the synchronization component 30 synchronizes the remaining swing sliders 20 and causes them to rotate as well. Consequently, the pair of swing sliders 20 rotate in directions that move closer to or further away from each other.

[0066] The swing plates 40 are spaced apart on both sides of the base 10, and one end is formed with an arc-shaped swing cam 41.

[0067] like Figure 10 As shown, a flexible display screen 70 mounted on a portable terminal is disposed on the top of the swing plate 40.

[0068] The swing cam 41 is semi-circular and can be rotatably coupled to the base 10.

[0069] Specifically, the swing cam 41 is disposed between the upper body 11 and the lower body 12 and is rotatably mounted on the upper body 11.

[0070] Thus, when the portable terminal is closed, the swing plate 40 shapes the folded portion of the flexible display screen 70 mounted on the portable terminal into a teardrop shape that is narrow at the top and wide at the bottom.

[0071] The leaf spring 50 is fixedly connected to the base 10, and its two ends are connected to the outer peripheral surfaces of a pair of spaced-apart swing cams 41.

[0072] At this time, the outer peripheral surface of the swing cam 41 is arc-shaped.

[0073] When the swing plate 40 rotates, the leaf spring 50 is always connected to the swing cam 41 and applies frictional force, so that the swing plate 40 is kept in a stopped state at a certain angle, that is, the function of the movable stop pin is realized.

[0074] The leaf spring 50 has elastic protrusions 51 at both ends protruding upwards.

[0075] Furthermore, the back of the swing cam 41 has two grooves 42, which are inserted into the elastic protrusion 51 when the swing plate 40 is horizontally extended and when the rotation angle exceeds 90°.

[0076] That is, such as Figure 7a As shown, when the swing plate 40 is in a horizontally extended state, the elastic protrusion 51 is inserted into one of the two grooves 42.

[0077] And, as Figure 7b As shown, when the swing plate 40 is rotated at an angle of more than 90° and is folded, the elastic protrusion 51 is inserted into the other one of the two grooves 42.

[0078] When the swing plate 40 rotates, the elastic protrusion 51 inserts into the groove 42, giving the user a clicking sensation. When the elastic protrusion 51 reaches the vicinity of the groove 42, it slides into the groove 42 and inserts, thereby causing the swing plate 40 to automatically rotate a certain angle.

[0079] Furthermore, when the elastic protrusion 51 is inserted into the groove 42, that is, when the pair of swing plates 40 are horizontally unfolded or folded, the swing plates 40 will not rotate arbitrarily.

[0080] The leaf spring 50 can be fixed in various ways. In this embodiment, the leaf spring 50 is fixed to the base 10 by the combination of the upper body 11 and the lower body 12.

[0081] Specifically, such as Figure 2 , 3 As shown in 7a and 7b, the upper body 11 has a fixed protrusion 15 protruding downwards, the leaf spring 50 has a through hole 52, and the lower body 12 has a locking hole 16.

[0082] When the upper body 11 and the lower body 12 are combined, the fixing protrusion 15 passes through the through hole 52 and the locking hole 16 to fix the leaf spring 50.

[0083] Therefore, the leaf spring 50 can be naturally fixed by the combination of the upper body 11 and the lower body 12 without the need for additional screws or the like, thus reducing the assembly process.

[0084] In the slider 60, the upper end is rotatably hinged to the swing plate 40, and the lower end is slidably connected to the swing slider 20.

[0085] Thus, the slider 60 is fixedly connected to the portable terminal.

[0086] Due to the above composition and structure, such as Figures 7a to 9b As shown, when the hinge module is in the unfolded state and the hinge module and portable terminal are closed, that is, when the two swing plates 40 rotate about the swing cam 41 as the center and move towards each other, the slider 60 formed on the swing plate 40 rotates together with the swing plate 40.

[0087] At this time, due to the rotation of the slider 60, the swing slider 20 passing through the slider 60 is led out from the slider 60 and slides, while rotating together with the slider 60.

[0088] When any one of the swing sliders 20 rotates, the other swing slider 20 also rotates along with it through the synchronization component 30.

[0089] At this time, the leaf spring 50 is connected to the swing cam 41 and applies an elastic force so that the swing plate 40 still maintains a certain angle.

[0090] like Figure 4 , Figure 6 As shown in Figure 8, an arc-shaped guide groove 43 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the semi-circular cam 41.

[0091] And, specifically, such as Figure 2 , Figure 5 As shown in Figures 7 and 8, a guide protrusion 13 is formed on the lower body 12 of the base 10. The guide protrusion 13 is inserted into the guide groove 43 when the swing plate 40 rotates.

[0092] The guide groove 43 and the guide protrusion 13 can be formed in various positions. In this embodiment, the guide groove 43 is formed on both sides of the center part of the swing cam 41 connected to the leaf spring 50, and the guide protrusion 13 protrudes from both sides of the leaf spring 50 to form the guide protrusion 13.

[0093] As described above, due to the guide protrusion 13 and guide groove 43, when the swing plate 40 rotates, the swing plate 40 can rotate more stably without wobbling.

[0094] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown in Figure 8, the guide protrusion 13 forms a first retaining platform 14, one end of the guide groove 43 forms a second retaining platform 44, and the other end of the guide groove 43 forms a support platform 45.

[0095] like Figure 8b As shown, when the rotation angle of the swing plate 40 exceeds 90° (approximately 102°), the second card platform 44 is connected to the first card platform 14 to limit the rotation angle of the swing plate 40.

[0096] And, as Figure 8a As shown, when the swing plate 40 rotates and unfolds horizontally, the support platform 45 of the swing cam 41 is connected to the first clamping platform 14, so that the swing plate 40 remains in a horizontal unfolded state.

[0097] As described above, when the swing plate 40 is fully folded or horizontally unfolded, the first carding platform 14, the second carding platform 44, and the support platform 45 can maintain their angles without deviating from the preset angles.

[0098] And, as Figure 3 , Figure 9a and Figure 9b As shown, the opposite side of one of the two swing plates 40, i.e., the other side, is recessed with a mounting groove 46.

[0099] like Figure 9a and Figure 9b As shown, when the rotation angle of the swing plate 40 exceeds 90°, the slider 60 rotates around the upper end that is hinged to the swing plate 40 and inserts into the mounting groove 46, supporting the swing plate 40.

[0100] Specifically, such as Figure 9a As shown, when the swing slider 20, swing plate 40 and slider 60 are horizontally extended, the slider 60 is not inserted into the mounting slot 46.

[0101] Then, as Figure 9b As shown, when the swing slider 20 and slider 60 rotate 90° in a horizontal state, the slider 60 rotates around the upper end that is hinged to the swing plate 40 and inserts into the mounting groove 46, thereby supporting the swing plate 40 to maintain a stable angle without wobbling even when the rotation angle exceeds 90°.

[0102] At this time, the slider 60 and the swing slider 20 are combined with the portable terminal, which rotates 90° in the horizontal state due to external force, and the swing plate 40 rotates more than 90° in the horizontal state.

[0103] The rotation angle of the pair of swing plates 40 performing the above-described action exceeds 90°, therefore, as Figure 10 As shown, the folded portion of the flexible display screen 90 stably forms a teardrop shape that is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom.

[0104] Furthermore, the slider 60 has an inclined surface 61 on the side opposite to the other side of the swing plate 40.

[0105] When the rotation angle of the swing plate 40 exceeds 90°, the inclined surface 61 of the slider 60 is connected to the other side of the inclined swing plate 40, thereby stably supporting the swing plate 40 with a wider area.

[0106] As described above, the hinge module of the present invention is applied to foldable portable terminals, such as... Figure 10 As shown, when the foldable portable terminal is folded, the center of the flexible display 70, i.e. the folded part, is stably shaped into a teardrop shape that is narrow at the top and wide at the bottom.

[0107] Furthermore, the present invention enables the portable terminal to rotate stably by means of the guide groove 43 formed on the swing cam 41 of the swing plate 40 and the guide protrusion 13 formed on the base 10, and can maintain its angle more stably in the unfolded or folded state.

[0108] The foldable portable terminal of the present invention uses a teardrop-shaped hinge module and a foldable portable terminal using the same, which are not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications can be implemented within the scope permitted by the technical concept of the present invention.

Claims

1. A foldable portable terminal with a teardrop-shaped hinge module, characterized in that: include: Matrix; A pair of swing sliders are arranged at intervals on both sides of the substrate, with one end rotatably coupled to the substrate. A synchronization component connects a pair of spaced-apart swing sliders to synchronize the rotational motion; A pair of swing plates are arranged on both sides of the base, with an arc-shaped swing cam formed at one end. The swing cam is longitudinally rotatable and connected to the base. When the portable terminal is closed, the folded part of the flexible display screen mounted on the portable terminal is formed into a teardrop shape that is narrow at the top and wide at the bottom. A leaf spring, which is fixedly attached to the base, has its two ends connected to the outer peripheral surfaces of a pair of spaced-apart oscillating cams; The slider has its upper end rotatably hinged to the swing plate, and its lower end slidably connected to the swing slider, and is fixedly connected to the portable terminal. An arc-shaped guide groove is formed along the outer peripheral surface of the swing cam, and a guide protrusion is formed on the base. When the swing plate rotates, the guide protrusion is inserted into the guide groove.

2. The foldable portable terminal with teardrop-shaped hinge module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide grooves are formed on both sides of the center portion of the swing cam connected to the leaf spring, and the guide protrusions are formed on both sides of the leaf spring.

3. The foldable portable terminal with teardrop-shaped hinge module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base is formed by combining an upper body and a lower body. The upper body is disposed on the upper part of the swing cam, and the lower body is disposed on the lower part of the swing cam. The guide protrusion protrudes upward and is formed on the lower body.

4. The foldable portable terminal with teardrop-shaped hinge module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The upper body has a downward protrusion forming a fixing protrusion, the leaf spring has a through hole, and the lower body has a locking hole. When the upper body and the lower body are combined, the fixing protrusion passes through the through hole and the locking hole and fixes the leaf spring.

5. The foldable portable terminal with teardrop-shaped hinge module according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first locking platform is formed on the guide protrusion, and a second locking platform is formed at one end of the guide groove. When the rotation angle of the swing plate exceeds 90°, the second locking platform is connected to the first locking platform to limit the rotation angle of the swing plate.

6. The foldable portable terminal with teardrop-shaped hinge module according to claim 5, characterized in that: A support platform is formed at the other end of the guide groove. When the swing plate is horizontally unfolded and rotated, the support platform is connected to the first carding platform so that the swing plate remains in a horizontally unfolded state.

7. The foldable portable terminal with teardrop-shaped hinge module according to claim 1, characterized in that: In a pair of swing plates, the opposite side of one of the opposing sides, i.e., the other side, has a mounting groove. When the rotation angle of the swing plate exceeds 90°, the slider rotates around the upper end that is hinged with the swing plate as the center and inserts into the mounting groove while supporting the swing plate.

8. The foldable portable terminal with teardrop-shaped hinge module according to claim 7, characterized in that: The slider has an inclined surface on the side opposite to the other side of the swing plate. When the rotation angle of the swing plate exceeds 90°, the inclined surface of the slider is connected to the other side of the inclined swing plate.

9. The foldable portable terminal with teardrop-shaped hinge module according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the folded portion of the flexible display screen is formed into a teardrop shape that is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom due to the pair of swing plates, the slider and the swing slider combined with the portable terminal rotate 90° in the horizontal state, and the swing plate rotates more than 90° in the horizontal state.

10. A foldable portable terminal equipped with a hinge module according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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