Hinge unit and support device provided with same

Abstract

The utility model provides a hinge unit and a supporting device with the hinge unit, and the hinge unit comprises an insertion part which is used for the insertion of a main shaft which forms a hinge shaft; a hinge plate connected to the insertion part and coupled to an internal structure of an object to be installed; and a main shaft including a first member on one side and a second member having a larger diameter on the other side than the first member, and further including a first block and a second block each including a hinge plate and an insertion portion, the hinge plate of the first block being disposed on one side and the hinge plate of the second block being disposed on the other side with respect to the insertion portion. The first component is inserted into the two ends of the second block body, the second component is inserted into at least one end of the first block body, the first block body corresponds to a fixed part on the hinge structure, the second block body corresponds to a driven part on the hinge structure, and the main shaft is inserted into the insertion part of the first block body or the insertion part of the second block body. The first block bodies and the second block bodies are alternately arranged on the whole hinge shaft.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to a kind of supporting device that can support flat-panel computer and the portable electronic equipment such as, and hinge unit in the supporting device. BACKGROUND

[0002] Recently, most flat-panel computers or tablet PCs and other portable electronic equipment are launched in light and thin plate shape. In most existing supporting devices for placing such plate-shaped portable electronic devices, the first body part and the second body part that constitute the base plate of the portable electronic device are hingedly connected, and when the first body part is erected for placement, the support mechanism for supporting the erected first body part from the back or side is often used. This configuration can increase the thickness of the supporting device, and the support mechanism can require a separate structure or a housing space for maintaining the flat-panel or the support posture, which ultimately makes the supporting device heavier and larger. SUMMARY

[0003] The utility model can provide a hinge unit that can stably place flat-panel computers and other portable electronic devices at any predetermined angle without additional separate support mechanisms.

[0004] The technical solution of the utility model for solving the above problem is as follows.

[0005] On the one hand, the utility model provides a hinge unit, comprising: an insertion part for inserting a main shaft that constitutes a hinge shaft; a hinge plate connected to the insertion part and combined with the internal structure of an object to be set; and a main shaft including a first part on one side and a second part on the other side with a larger diameter than the first part, further comprising a first block and a second block, the first block and the second block having the hinge plate and the insertion part, with the insertion part as a reference, the hinge plate of the first block is arranged on one side, the hinge plate of the second block is arranged on the other side, the first part of the main shaft is inserted into both ends of the second block, the second part of the main shaft is inserted into at least one end of the first block, the first block corresponds to the part fixed on the hinge structure, the second block corresponds to the part including the driven part rotating on the hinge structure, the main shaft is inserted into the insertion part of the first block or the second block, respectively, and the first block and the second block are alternately arranged on the entire hinge shaft.

[0006] Wherein, each block is of a modular type and can be replaced, the object includes a fixed part serving as a reference for rotation and a driving part performing a rotating action relative to the fixed part, the hinge plate of the first block and the hinge plate of the second block are connected to one of the fixed part and the driving part, and can perform the functions of the fixed part and the driving part.

[0007] wherein a D-shaped cutout section is formed on at least a portion of the main shaft and at least a portion of the insertion section, when mutual overlapping states between the D-shaped cutout sections are released, the main shaft and the insertion section maintain a predetermined position fixed to each other, the hinge plate is integrated with the insertion section, and the hinge plate and the insertion section are formed by punching a raw material flat plate.

[0008] wherein a portion that guides the D-shaped cutout section of the main shaft and the D-shaped cutout section of the insertion section to be released or released from the opposite state is the insertion section of the second block, the first part of the main shaft having a smaller diameter is inserted into the second block, and the second part of the main shaft having a larger diameter is inserted into the first block.

[0009] wherein the main shaft is inserted in a fitting manner when the main shaft is combined with the insertion section of the first block.

[0010] wherein a third block including a housing section connected or combined with an object to be connected or combined for end processing is included on one side of the insertion section, the second block is provided between the blocks in a state in which the shaft part including the main shaft is not inserted into the insertion section, the main shaft of the first block is inserted on one side of the insertion section of the second block, or the main shaft of the third block is inserted, and the main shaft of the first block or the main shaft of the third block is discharged with lubricating grease when the second block is assembled.

[0011] On the other hand, the utility model provides a kind of supporting device, comprising: as base lower plate;Supporting portion, with the placing part of the portable electronic equipment, and fixed part is fixed to the lower plate;Hinge unit, the placing part is rotated, the hinge unit includes the insertion section of the main shaft inserted into the hinge shaft, the hinge plate is connected with the insertion section and is combined with internal structure, and the main shaft includes the first part of one side and the second part of the other side with the diameter greater than the first part, further include first block and second block, the first block and second block have the hinge plate and insertion section, with the insertion section as reference, the hinge plate of the first block is arranged on one side, the hinge plate of the second block is arranged on the other side, the first part of the main shaft is inserted into the both ends of the second block, the second part of the main shaft is inserted into at least one end of the first block, the first block corresponds to the part fixed on hinge structure, the second block corresponds to the part including rotation on hinge structure driven, the first part or second part of the main shaft is inserted into the insertion section of the first block or second block, and the first block and second block are alternately arranged on entire hinge shaft.

[0012] The first block is provided in the assembly of the hinge unit in a state that the main shaft is inserted into at least one side of the insertion portion, the second block is provided in the assembly of the hinge unit in a state that the main shaft is not inserted into the insertion portion, when one of the first block and the second block is combined with the placing portion, the other is combined with the fixing portion.

[0013] The first block and the second block are of a module type and can be replaced, D-shaped cutout portions are formed on at least a part of the main shaft and at least a part of the insertion portion, when mutual overlapping states of the D-shaped cutout portions are released, the main shaft and the insertion portion maintain a support force fixed to each other at a predetermined position, and the state that the mutual overlapping of the D-shaped cutout portions is released corresponds to a state that the placing portion rotates relative to the fixing portion.

[0014] The hinge plate is integrated with the insertion portion, the hinge plate and the insertion portion are formed by stamping a raw material flat plate, when the hinge plate is subjected to a rotating force or a torque, the insertion portion rotates relative to the main shaft, when the hinge plate of the first block or the second block connected with the placing portion rotates, the D-shaped cutout portion of the main shaft and the D-shaped cutout portion of the insertion portion change from a mutually overlapping state to an overlapping release state that the mutually overlapping state is released.

[0015] The supporting device comprises an upper plate covering the supporting portion, the upper plate provides a flat plane when the placing portion is unfolded, and a slot into which at least a part of the hinge unit is inserted is formed.

[0016] Part of the hinge plate is combined with the placing portion and the other part is combined with the fixing portion relative to the hinge shaft, the hinge plate connected with the placing portion is a first hinge plate, and the hinge plate connected with the fixing portion is a second hinge plate, the first hinge plate rotates together with the placing portion when the placing portion rotates, and the second hinge plate provides a fixed point for the rotation of the placing portion or the first hinge plate.

[0017] The effect of the utility model is as follows.

[0018] The utility model can include a portable electronic device such as a flat panel computer when being placed on a stand, even without an additional support mechanism, the hinge unit can be stably placed at any angle.

[0019] In addition, the hinge unit of the utility model adopts a block structure of a module type, when an adverse condition such as not reaching a torque reference value occurs, each block can be easily replaced.

[0020] Further, the hinge unit of the present application is formed of a hinge plate, a main shaft, a housing part and a few other components to form a block structure, thus being simple in structure and thin in thickness, and even without a separate support mechanism, the portable electronic device can be placed at a predetermined angle.

[0021] The hinge unit of the present application can be manufactured by metal injection molding (MIM) as well as by stamping, thus saving material cost.

[0022] The present application can maintain the existing torque without a separate support mechanism or a complex hinge structure for supporting the support part or the placing part of the portable electronic device, and can provide a hinge structure that meets the life test criteria.

[0023] The hinge unit of the present application can be formed of a plurality of replaceable module types of block structures, and compared to the conventional hinge manufactured / assembled by forced press-in, at least a part of the press-in part is designed to be fitted by changing the design, thus even in the trend of the support member becoming thinner, the occurrence of bending and other defects can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the support device of the present application.

[0025] Figure 2 is a plan view of the upper plate of the support device of the present application, etc., which is partially transparent.

[0026] Figure 3 is an enlarged side view of the hinge unit part and the end part of the support device of the present application.

[0027] Figure 4 is a side view showing the state in which the support part or the placing part of the support device of the present application on which the portable electronic device is placed is rotated.

[0028] FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) are assembly and exploded views of the hinge unit of the present application.

[0029] FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) are a plan view and a side view of a third block of the present application.

[0030] FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) are a plan view and a side view of a first block of the present application.

[0031] FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b) are perspective views of a housing part and a main shaft of the present application.

[0032] Figure 9 is an explanatory view of the hinge unit of the present application.

[0033] Figure 10 is an assembly sequence diagram of the hinge unit of the present application.

[0034] Reference Signs

[0035] 1: support device, 10: support portion, 12: placement portion, 14: fixing portion, 30: flexible portion, 50: storage portion, 110: upper plate, 130: lower plate, 150: support frame, 170: connection frame, 171: first connection frame, 172: second connection frame, 175: suction member, 200: hinge unit, 205: hinge shaft, 210: hinge plate, 210a: first hinge plate, 210b: second hinge plate, 212: insertion portion, 212a: D-shaped cutout portion of the insertion portion, 220: accommodation space, 230: main shaft, 230a: D-shaped cutout portion of the main shaft, 231: first member, 232: second member, 250: housing portion, 250a: D-shaped cutout portion of the housing, 310: first block, 320: second block, 330: third block, d: protrusion length, θ: support angle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The hinge unit 200 of the present application will be described below. Figures 1 to 10 The hinge unit 200 of the present application will be described below.

[0037] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 The support device 1 of the present application is used for placing a tablet computer or a tablet PC or the like portable electronic device, and can include at least one of a support portion 10, a flexible portion 30, and a storage portion 50.

[0038] The flexible portion 30 can be located between the support portion 10 and the storage portion 50, and can cause the storage portion 50 to act according to a separate purpose different from the support portion 10. Compared with the support portion 10 used for placing the portable electronic device flat or vertically, the flexible portion 30 can be an area that functions as a counterweight or the like separate function by applying a slight weight, and can be used for space division using the storage portion 50.

[0039] The first direction (x-axis direction) can be a length extension direction of the support device 1, the second direction (y-axis direction) can be a width direction of the support device 1, and the third direction (z-axis direction) can be a thickness direction of the support device 1, i.e. a vertical direction.

[0040] The support part 10 can include a placing part 12 for placing a portable electronic device or a fixing part 14. The support part 10 can provide a flat plane when the portable electronic device is not placed, and the placing part 12 can be rotated with the hinge unit 200 as a reference, thereby placing the portable electronic device. The support part 10 can be divided into the placing part 12 and the fixing part 14 with the hinge unit 200 as a reference. When the placing part 12 is rotated by being combined with the fixing through at least a part of the hinge unit 200 or is fixed for placing, the fixing part 14 can function as a fixed base plate with respect to the placing part 12. That is, the support device 1 of the present application can include at least one of a lower plate 130 as a base, a placing part 12 capable of placing a portable electronic device including a tablet PC or the like, a support part 10 having a fixing part 14 fixed to the lower plate 130, and a hinge unit 200 enabling the placing part 12 to be rotated.

[0041] Figure 2 It can be a plan view in which the upper plate 110 of the support device 1, the connection frame 170, or the like is partially transparently treated.

[0042] With the hinge shaft 205 including the main shaft 230 as a reference, a part of the hinge plate 210 of the hinge unit 200 can be combined with the placing part 12, and the other part can be combined with the fixing part 14. That is, with the hinge shaft 205 as a reference, the hinge plate 210 connected with the placing part 12 can be referred to as a first hinge plate 201a, and the hinge plate 210 connected with the fixing part 14 can be referred to as a second hinge plate 201b. The first hinge plate 201a is subordinate to the placing part 12 and rotates together when the placing part 12 rotates, and the second hinge plate 210b is subordinate to the fixing part 14 and provides a fixed point for the rotation of the placing part 12 or the first hinge plate 201a, so that the placing part 12 can relatively rotate with respect to the fixing part 14.

[0043] In the block structure constituting the hinge unit 200, although the first block 310 or the third block 330 is connected with the placing part 12 and the second block 320 is connected with the fixing part 140 in the drawing, the configuration of the hinge plates 210 on both sides can not be limited thereto. This can be because the hinge unit 200 of the present application is not limited to the structure of the block that moves with the block as a fixed point, but with the hinge shaft 205 as a reference, the block provided on one side has a structure that is relatively possible to both the fixing part or the moving part of the block provided on the other side.

[0044] Specifically, the hinge structure of the present application can have the first block 310 on one side and the second block 320 on the other side with reference to the insertion portion 212 or the hinge shaft 205 including the main shaft 230. The first block 310 can have at least a portion (for example, the second part 232) of the main shaft 230 protruding in a manner that the second block 320 is inserted into the insertion portion 212 of at least one side of the first block 310. The insertion portion 212 of the second block 320 can be provided in a state that the main shaft 230 or the housing portion 250 is not inserted or fitted into the inside, in order to be inserted into the main shaft 230 protruding to at least one side of the first block 310. The third block 330 can be a deformation of the first block 310 and can be located at at least one end of the hinge unit 200. The third block 330 can differ from the first block 310 in that the housing portion 250 is combined on one side of the first block 310. Accordingly, the first block 310 and the third block 330 can be disposed on the same side, and can be disposed on the opposite side of the second block 320.

[0045] At least a portion of the main shaft 230 protruding from at least one side of the first block 310 or from at least one side of the third block 330 is inserted into the second block 320, and at this time, the diameter of the portion of the main shaft 230 inserted into the second block 320 can be smaller than the diameter of the portion of the main shaft 230 fitted into the inside of the first block 310 or the third block 330.

[0046] As an embodiment, the main shaft 230 can include a first part 231 and a second part 232. The first part 231 can be a portion accommodated inside the block or the insertion portion 212, and the second part 232 can be a portion protruding outside the block or the insertion portion 212. The diameter or radius of the first part 231 can be larger than that of the second part 232.

[0047] Accordingly, when a relative rotational force or torque is applied to a first block group including the first block 310 or the third block 330 with respect to a second block group including the second block 320, the first block group and the second block group can be relatively rotated with reference to the hinge shaft 205 or the main shaft 230.

[0048] When a rotational force or torque is applied to the block, the first member 231 is subjected to a greater frictional force inside the insertion portion 212 because the diameter of the first member 231 is greater, so that it can rotate less like a fixed point. The second member 232, in contrast to the first member 231, has a wider internal space, i.e., the accommodation space 220, between the second member 232 and the insertion portion 212 inside the insertion portion 212, so that it can be subjected to a greater rotational force or torque (force) compared to the first member 231, and thus eventually a rotation can occur between the first block 310 and the second block 320, or between the third block 330 and the second block 320.

[0049] Since the relative rotation or torque between such blocks does not limit the block group that functions as a starting or fixing point, the block group can be determined to belong to the placement portion 12 or the fixing portion 14 depending on the structure of the support device 1. The arrangement position can be determined depending on a torque size experiment or a life maintenance experiment on the assembled hinge unit 200.

[0050] Hereinafter, a case in which the first block 310 and the third block 330 are provided in the placement portion 12 including the first connection frame 171, and the second block 320 is provided in the fixing portion 14 including the second connection frame 172 will be described, but is not limited thereto, and the contents discussed can be extended to a case in which the blocks are combined in reverse to the placement portion 12 and the fixing portion 14.

[0051] For convenience of explanation, a part of the configuration of the hinge unit 200 portion of the enlarged end and side can be transparently processed. Figure 3

[0052] From the perspective of the plurality of frame / plate structures, the support device 1 can include at least one of the upper plate 110, the lower plate 130, the support frame 150, and the connection frame 170. The upper plate 110 or the lower plate 130 can be the outermost surface of the support device 1, corresponding to the housing portion. The lower plate 130 is a base for other plates or structures, and can be opposed to the bottom surface on which the support device 1 is placed.

[0053] The upper plate 110 can cover the support portion 10. The upper plate 110 can provide a flat plane when the placement portion 12 is unfolded, and depending on the thickness of the hinge unit 200 or the plate, can include a groove that enables insertion of at least a part of the hinge unit 200. As with the shape of the hinge unit 200 or the hinge shaft 205, such a groove of the upper plate 110 can be a cylindrical shape that extends longer in the width direction (second direction, y-axis direction).

[0054] ​A groove for the hinge unit 200 or a portion opposite to the hinge unit 200 of the upper plate 110 is centered, and a portion of the upper plate 110 included in the shelf portion 12 rotates together when the shelf portion 12 rotates, and another portion of the upper plate 110 included in the fixing portion 14 can be attached to the fixing portion 14 to provide a fixing point when the shelf portion 12 rotates. In addition to the purpose of providing a plane exposed to the outside corresponding to the structure of the hinge unit 200, the upper plate 110 can also function to prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the hinge unit 200.

[0055] In particular, the support device 1 can rotate an angle θ of one of 0 to 180 degrees without being limited by the angle at which the shelf portion 12 rotates, and can be fixed at the angle θ after rotation. When fixed at the angle θ at which the shelf portion 12 rotates, the utility model can include a hinge unit 200 structure without a separate support structure. In this case, a portion of the upper plate 110 corresponding to the fixing portion 14 can provide a support force that enables it to be fixed in a state in which the shelf portion 12 rotates. Due to the characteristics of the structure and material of such an upper plate 110, the support device 1 has the advantage of being able to support a portable electronic device at a predetermined arbitrary angle while also having a simple structure.

[0056] The support frame 150 can be provided between the upper plate 110 and the connection frame 170. The support frame 150 can be opposite to the connection frame 170 to which the hinge plate 210 is combined, or can be attached to the connection frame 170. The hinge plate 210 of the hinge unit 200 can be combined to the connection frame 170.

[0057] The hinge plate 210 forms the main body of the hinge unit 200, and can be a portion that connects two side portions that rotate with each other with the hinge unit 200 as a reference to transmit a rotational force or a torque. Since it is preferable that the hinge plate 210 is manufactured by machining the insertion portion 212 and one flat plate, it can have a flat planar form. Since the hinge plate 210 needs to be connected to a peripheral structure (for example, the connection frame 170), it can have various forms including a convex shape or a concave shape, a groove, a hole, etc. that can be connected to the peripheral structure.

[0058] The connection frame 170 can protrude to the outside by a predetermined protrusion length d than the other plates or frames such as the upper plate 110, the support frame 150, the lower plate 130, etc. The user can push the protruding portion to rotate the shelf portion 12. That is, the protruding portion can function as a point of force that rotates the shelf portion 12.

[0059] The suction member 175 including a magnet or the like can be included in the connection frame 170 or the support frame 150. When the shelf 12 is in close contact with or opposed to the lower plate 130, the suction member 175 interacts with the suction member of the lower plate 130, thereby fixing the position of the shelf 12 so that the support device 1 can provide a flat plane.

[0060] In Figure 4 , as the first hinge plate 210a belonging to the shelf 12 rotates, the portion of the connection frame 170 or the support frame opposed to the first hinge plate 210a can rotate together. The first hinge plate 210a and the second hinge plate 210b can be arranged side by side in the direction of the hinge shaft 205 (y-axis direction), can be included in the shelf 12 when the first hinge plate 210a is the first block 310 or the third block 330, can be included in the first connection frame 171 when the first hinge plate 210a is the first block 310 or the third block 330, can be included in the fixed portion 14 when the second hinge plate 210b is the second block 320, and can be included in the second connection frame 172 when the second hinge plate 210b is the second block 320.

[0061] The rotation angle or support angle θ of the shelf 12 can be any angle between 0 degrees and 180 degrees. With respect to the hinge unit 200, the D-shaped cutout portion 230a of the main shaft 230 and the D-shaped cutout portion 212a of the insertion portion can overlap each other at 0 degrees or 360 degrees in structure, and thus can have a rotation angle θ of 0 degrees to 360 degrees without overlapping each other and can fix the position at the rotation angle. In contrast, when the hinge unit 200 is used for the support device 1, it can be preferable for the shelf 12 to rotate between 0 degrees and 180 degrees due to the structure of the support device 1. Due to the structure of the frame / plate to which the hinge plate 210 is connected (for example, the connection frame 170 or the support frame 150) or the structural limitation in the state of rotation, it can be rotated to a predetermined angle within 180 degrees, but can be rotated to 180 degrees as long as the structure allows. Likewise, if the function of the fixed portion 14 that provides a flat plane and functions as a fixed point can be achieved by other structures, the shelf 12 can be rotated by an angle between 0 degrees and 180 degrees.

[0062] Referring to Figures 5(a) to 10 The hinge unit 200 of the present utility model will be described.

[0063] FIG. 5(a) is an assembly view of the hinge unit 200 set in the assembled state of the support device 1, and FIG. 5(b) is an exploded view of the hinge unit 200.

[0064] The hinge unit 200 can include an insertion portion 212 into which the main shaft 230 constituting the hinge shaft 205 is inserted, or a hinge plate 210 that can be connected to the insertion portion 212 and combined with the internal structure of an object to be set (for example, the support device 1).

[0065] The hinge unit 200 can have a structure in which the hinge plates 210 are disposed on one side and the other side with the hinge shaft 205 as a reference on the overall assembled hinge unit 200. The first hinge plate 210a on one side and the second hinge plate 210b on the other side can be included in the rotating housing portion 12 or the fixed portion 14 that provides a fixed point for rotation. Here, the hinge shaft 205 can include at least one of the insertion portion 212, the main shaft 230, and the housing portion 250.

[0066] That is, from the perspective of the block structure, the hinge unit 200 can include a first block 310 having the hinge plate 210 and the insertion portion 212 and a second block 320. At this time, with the insertion portion 212 as a reference, the hinge plate 210a of the first block 310 can be disposed on one side, and the hinge plate 210b of the second block 320 can be disposed on the other side. At this time, the first block 310 can correspond to a portion that is fixed on the hinge structure, and the second block 320 can correspond to a portion that includes a portion that is rotatably driven on the hinge structure.

[0067] The hinge unit 200 is a block structure of a module type, and when an undesirable situation such as a torque not reaching a reference value occurs, replacement of each block 310, 320, 330 can be easily performed.

[0068] From the perspective of the components constituting each block, the hinge unit 200 can include at least one of the hinge plate 210, the main shaft 230, and the housing portion 250. As such, since the hinge unit 200 forms each block using only a small number of components such as the hinge plate 210, the main shaft 230, or the housing portion 250, the entire hinge structure becomes simple while being thin, and has the advantage that a portable electronic device can be placed at a predetermined arbitrary rotation angle or support angle without a separate support mechanism.

[0069] The hinge unit 200 can include at least one of the first block 310, the second block 320, and the third block 330. The first block 310 can include at least one of the hinge plate 210, the insertion portion 212, and the main shaft 230. The hinge plate 210 and the insertion portion 212 can be structures common to each block. The block structure of the present application is characterized in that, while the common hinge plate 210, insertion portion 212, or housing portion 250 is used, each different function can be performed.

[0070] The blocks can be distinguished according to whether a component constituting the hinge shaft 205 is inserted into the insertion portion 212, and if inserted, what kind of component is inserted. For example, the first block 310 can have the main shaft 230 inserted into at least one side of the insertion portion 212. A portion of the main shaft 230 can be accommodated and fitted inside the insertion portion 212, and another portion can protrude outside the insertion portion 212 in such a manner that the adjacent block can be fitted.

[0071] In contrast, the second block 320 can not have any shaft component such as the main shaft 230 or the housing portion 250 inserted into the insertion portion 212. The insertion portion 212 of the second block 320 can be provided as an empty space in assembly, and the main shaft 230 of the other block adjacent to the second block 320 can be inserted.

[0072] The hinge or hinge unit can include or connect a fixed portion that is a reference of rotation, and a driving portion that performs a rotational action with respect to the fixed portion. The hinge plate 210 of the hinge unit 200 can function as a portion or a main body that is combined with the fixed portion or the driving portion. In general, as with a door frame as the fixed portion and a door as the driving portion, the function is generally fixed, but in the structure of the hinge unit 200 of the present application, it is possible for both the fixed portion and the driving portion for one side and the other side connected to the hinge plate 210. That is, the hinge plate 210a of the first block 310 and the hinge plate 210b of the second block 320 can be connected to one of the fixed portion or the driving portion, so that both the function of the fixed portion and the function of the driving portion can be performed.

[0073] This can be because, in the device (for example, the support device 1) of a certain portion of the portion connected using the hinge plate 210, it can be freely selected whether to use it as the fixed portion or the driving portion. Such a selection can be different depending on the subject device 1, and the reference can be determined according to the action torque value of the hinge unit 200 or the life test result of maintenance.

[0074] As an embodiment, in the present application, a first block group including the first block 310 or the third block 330 is included in the shelf portion 12, a second block group including the second block 320 is included in the fixed portion 14, the first block 310 or the third block 330 relatively rotates with respect to the second block 320, and can be fixed at an angle after rotation.

[0075] The third block 330 can be regarded as a deformation of the first block 310, and can be a case where the components inserted into both sides of the insertion portion 212 are different. From this viewpoint, the first block 310 can be a case where the components inserted into both sides of the insertion portion 212 are the same. For example, the main shaft 230 can be inserted into one side and the other side of the insertion portion 212 of the first block 310, the housing portion 250 can be inserted into one side of the insertion portion 212 of the third block 330, and the main shaft 230 can be inserted into the other side.

[0076] Here, the insertion of the main shaft 230 or the housing portion 250 into the first block 310 or the third block 330 can be, from the viewpoint of the blocks constituting the entire hinge unit 200, as shown in Figure 10 the assembled hinge unit 200, or from the viewpoint of replacing a block in which a failure has occurred. From the assembled hinge unit 200, the insertion of the main shaft 230 or the housing portion 250 into the insertion portion 212 of the first block 310, the second block 320, or the third block 330 can be, as a result, the insertion of the shaft component into all the blocks, but from the viewpoint of the blocks provided for assembly, can be distinguished from each other. The insertion of the shaft component including the main shaft 230 or the housing portion 250 in each block can be described based on the state before assembly of each block.

[0077] Thus, the first block 310 or the third block 330 is a block having the same function, and can be distinguished depending on whether it is located at the end of the hinge unit 200 or in the middle, and thus the first block 310 and the third block 330 can be disposed on the same side based on the hinge shaft 205. As a result, the first block 310 or the third block 330 can be disposed on one side of the hinge unit 200, and the second block 320 can be disposed on the other side.

[0078] According to FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), the third block 330, the second block 320, the first block 310, the second block 320, and the third block 330 can be disposed in this order in the width direction (y-axis direction). In addition, according to the size of the hinge unit 200 or the size of the object to which the hinge unit 200 is disposed (for example, the support device 1), a block can be added. The added block structure can be the first block 310 or the second block 320. The housing portion 250 inserted into the third block 330 can be provided at the end of the hinge unit 200, can be used for end processing such as rounding of the end of the hinge unit 200, or have a structure connected or attached to the structure of the other object 1.

[0079] The remaining portion except for both end portions of the hinge unit 200 can be configured by the first block 310 or the second block 320. The same first blocks 310 can be arranged adjacent and continuously, or the same second blocks 320 can also be configured adjacent and continuously. However, from the viewpoint of the rotation mechanism of the present application, it can be preferable that the first blocks 310 and the second blocks 320 are alternately configured.

[0080] This is because the main shaft 230 of the hinge unit of the present application can include the first part 231 having a relatively small diameter or the second part 232 having a relatively large diameter, the second part 232 is combined on the first block 310, and the first part 231 is connected on the second block 320, so that when the first block 310 (or a portion connected with the first block) and the second block 320 (or a portion connected with the second block) relatively rotate, the second block 320 can relatively better rotate due to the rotational force or torque with respect to the first block 310. That is, compared with the second block 320, the first block 310 makes the hinge plate 210 better receive the rotational force or torque with respect to the main shaft 230.

[0081] Based on the above reasons, in the internal structure of the hinge unit 200, the second block 320 can function as a driving portion that receives force or torque and rotates with respect to the first block 310, and the first block 310 can function as a fixed portion that serves as a center of rotation with respect to the second block 320. In the hinge unit 200, the functions of the first block 310 and the second block 320 are distinguished, but from the viewpoint of relative rotation or the viewpoint of the object 1 to be disposed, the functions of the fixed portion and the moving portion can be reversed. For example, as can be seen from the drawings, the first block 310 or the third block 330 is connected with the shelf portion 12 that performs a rotational action, and the second block 320 is connected with the fixed portion 14 that provides a fixed point.

[0082] Therefore, when the size of the hinge unit 200 or the support device 1 increases, it is preferable to add a pair of the first block 310 and the second block 320 that are alternately combined.

[0083] The plan view and the side view in which the insertion portion 212 of the third block 330 is transparently processed are shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), and the plan view and the side view in which the insertion portion 212 of the first block 310 is transparently processed are shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b). The second block 320 can be provided in a state in which no shaft part is inserted in the insertion portion 212.

[0084] The main shaft 230 can be inserted in one side of the insertion portion 212 of the third block 330, and the housing portion 250 can be inserted in the other side.

[0085] One side and the other side of the insertion portion 212 of the first block 310 can be inserted into the main shaft 230. The second part 232 of the main shaft 230, which has a relatively large diameter, can be fitted and accommodated inside the insertion portion 212, and the first part 231, which has a relatively small diameter, can be protruded outside the insertion portion 212 and fitted into the adjacent second block 320.

[0086] Like Lego blocks, in order to be able to replace defective products at any time and facilitate assembly, the hinge plate 210, the insertion portion 212, the housing portion 250, or the main shaft 230 can be formed in the same size and shape for each block.

[0087] The length of the insertion portion 212 of each block can be at least 2 times or more the length of the second part 232.

[0088] The hinge unit 200 provides a structure that can be stably placed at a predetermined arbitrary angle without an additional support mechanism when placing a tablet PC or the like portable electronic device.

[0089] To this end, a D-shaped cutout portion 230a, 212a, 250a can be formed in at least a portion of the main shaft 230, at least a portion of the insertion portion 212, and at least a portion of the housing portion 250. When the D-shaped cutout portion 230a of the main shaft 230 or the D-shaped cutout portion 250a of the housing portion 250 is opposed to or overlaps the D-shaped cutout portion 212a inside the insertion portion 212, the placement portion 12 is unfolded, and thus the support portion 10 can form a flat surface. That is, a flat surface can be provided for a user corresponding to the object 1.

[0090] In contrast, when the D-shaped cutout portion 230a of the main shaft 230 or the D-shaped cutout portion 250a of the housing portion 250 is not opposed to or overlaps the D-shaped cutout portion 212a inside the insertion portion 212, the hinge plate 210 connected to the insertion portion 212 can be in a rotating action state. That is, when the hinge plate 210 is subjected to a rotating force or torque, the insertion portion 212 can rotate with the main shaft 230 as a reference. When the hinge plate 210 of the first block 310 or the second block 320 connected to the placement portion 12 rotates, the D-shaped cutout portion 230a of the main shaft 230 and the D-shaped cutout portion 212a of the insertion portion 212 can change from a state of overlapping each other to a disengagement state in which the overlapping state is released.

[0091] Reference Figure 9, when the hinge unit 200 is viewed in the lateral direction (y-axis direction), the hinge plate 210 and the insertion portion 212 are integrated, and the insertion portion 212 can be formed by machining the end portion of the hinge plate 210. When the hinge plate 210 is subjected to a rotational force or torque, the insertion portion 212 can rotate with the main shaft 230 as a reference. At this time, the rotating hinge plate 210 or the corresponding insertion portion 212 can be a portion connected to the second block 320 or the second block 320. Once the rotation of the hinge plate 210 or the insertion portion 212 begins, the D-shaped cutout portion 230a of the main shaft 230 and the D-shaped cutout portion 212a of the insertion portion 212 can change from a state of being in contact with or overlapping each other to a state of being separated from each other. That is, the D-shaped cutout portion 230a of the main shaft 230 and the D-shaped cutout portion 212a of the insertion portion 212 can change from a state of being in contact with or overlapping each other to a state of being separated from each other.

[0092] Thus, when the state of mutual overlapping between the D-shaped cutout portions is released, the main shaft 230 and the insertion portion 212 or the inside of the insertion portion can be closely fitted to each other. As an embodiment, when the hinge unit 200 is provided in the support device 1, the placement portion 12 performs a rotational motion in a range of 0 degrees to 180 degrees, and can provide a fixed support force at a predetermined arbitrary angle.

[0093] Further, a receiving space 220, which is a space for a relative rotational motion between the main shaft 230 and the inside of the insertion portion 212, can be provided in the inside of the insertion portion 212. The receiving space 220 can be a space in which the D-shaped cutout portion 230a of the main shaft 230 and the inside of the insertion portion 212 are in contact with or separated from each other and can rotate, and the size or shape of the structure in the inside of the insertion portion 212, such as the diameter of the main shaft 230, the size or shape of each D-shaped cutout portion, the size of the receiving space 220, etc., can be determined by a user according to convenience of rotation, placement force when placing the portable electronic device, etc.

[0094] More specifically, the portion where the D-shaped cutout portion 230a of the guide shaft 230 and the D-shaped cutout portion 212a of the insertion portion 212 are in opposition or overlap can be the insertion portion 212 of the second block 320. The first portion 231 of the guide shaft 230 having a smaller diameter can be inserted into the second block 320, and the second portion 232 of the guide shaft 230 having a larger diameter can be inserted into the first block 310 or the third block 330. Thus, when a rotational force is applied to the hinge plate 210, the guide shaft 230 connected to the first block 310 or the third block 330 is more tightly fitted than the second block 320, and thus has a relatively small diameter, so that an effect of concentrating the rotational force or torque on the second block 320 can be produced. In terms of the function of the cover portion 250 for end-capping the end portions of the hinge unit 200 or connecting to a surrounding structure, the D-shaped cutout portion 250a of the cover portion 250 can continue to maintain a state of being in opposition or contact with the D-shaped cutout portion 212a of the insertion portion 212 of the third block 330. The cover portion 250 can have a diameter similar to that of the second portion 232, and can be tightly fitted to the third block 330.

[0095] Thus, the hinge unit 200 of the present application can maintain the torque realized in the conventional hinge device having a complex structure without a separate support mechanism or a complex hinge structure for supporting the support portion 10 or the rotating portion on which the portable electronic device is mounted, and can provide a hinge structure that meets the life test criteria.

[0096] Figure 10 The assembly sequence of the hinge unit 200 is shown, and the assembly can be different depending on the blocks, whether the insertion is performed by press-fitting, whether grease is discharged during the insertion, and the like.

[0097] The hinge unit 200 can constitute a plurality of block structures of a replaceable module type. Conventionally, many hinges have been manufactured or assembled by forced press-fitting. The hinge unit 200 of the present application changes the design by fitting at least a portion of the press-fitting portion when the blocks 310, 320, and 330 are combined, and thus, even when the object (support device 1) is changed to be thinner, the occurrence of a bending or the like of the hinge shaft 205 can be reduced.

[0098] The hinge unit 200 can be manufactured by metal injection molding (MIM) or press. In particular, when the hinge unit 200 is manufactured by press, the cost can be greatly reduced. For example, referring to Figure 9The hinge plate 210 and the insertion portion 212 can be manufactured by flat processing of the same raw material plate. The flat portion of the raw material plate can be processed with a hole or a protrusion, etc. according to the structure inside the supported object 1 to be coupled, thereby forming the hinge plate 210, and the side connected to the hinge plate 210 can be processed into a hollow cylindrical shape with a D-shaped cutout portion, thereby forming the insertion portion 212.

[0099] The main shaft 230 can be processed in a state of holding a portion corresponding to the first part 231, and the second part 232 can be processed again in a state of holding the first part 231. Conversely, the first part 231 can be processed in a state of holding the second part 232. The D-shaped cutout portion formed on the first part 231 and the D-shaped cutout portion formed on the second part 232 can share a flat D-shaped cutout portion without bending. That is, the D-shaped cutout portion 230a of the main shaft 230 can be generated by a one-cutting process, etc.

[0100] Each block can include the hinge plate 210, the insertion portion 212, the main shaft 230, or the housing portion 250, etc. manufactured in the above-described manner, and their sizes or shapes can be the same. Therefore, the present application is not customized to change each support device 1, but can have a hinge structure in a modular manner that can be flexibly disassembled according to a change in the size or shape of the support device 1.

[0101] In the first block 310, the main shaft 230 can be inserted into both sides of the insertion portion 212 by press-fitting. At this time, the lubricating grease can not be discharged between the main shaft 230 and the insertion portion 212. This is because the first block 310 functions as a fixing portion on the hinge unit 200, and thus the second part 232 of the main shaft 230 having a large diameter is tightly inserted.

[0102] Likewise, the third block 330 also functions as a fixing portion on the hinge unit 200 like the first block 310, and thus the housing portion 250 can be inserted into one side of the insertion portion 212 of the third block 330 by press-fitting, and the main shaft 230 can be inserted into the other side by press-fitting. When the housing portion 250 or the main shaft 230 is inserted into the third block 330 by press-fitting, the lubricating grease can not be discharged.

[0103] The second block 320 can be provided in a state in which the shaft part including the main shaft 230 or the housing part 250 is not inserted into the insertion part 212 for the entire assembly of the hinge unit 200. The main shaft 230 of the first block 310 or the main shaft 230 of the third block 330 can be inserted into one side of the insertion part 212 of the second block 320. At this time, the second block 320 can correspond to a driving part that rotates in response to a rotational force or torque on the hinge unit 200, and thus, grease can be discharged on the main shaft 230 of the first block 310 or the main shaft 230 of the third block 330 when the second block 320 is assembled.

Claims

1. A hinge unit characterized by comprising: Comprising: an insertion portion for insertion of a main shaft constituting a hinge shaft; a hinge plate connected to the insertion portion and combined with an internal structure of an object to be provided; and a main shaft comprising a first part on one side and a second part on the other side having a larger diameter than the first part, further comprising a first block and a second block provided with the hinge plate and the insertion portion, with the insertion portion as a reference, the hinge plate of the first block is arranged on one side and the hinge plate of the second block is arranged on the other side, the first part of the main shaft is inserted into both end portions of the second block and the second part of the main shaft is inserted into at least one end portion of the first block, the first block corresponds to a part fixed on a hinge structure and the second block corresponds to a part including a driven part rotating on the hinge structure, the main shaft is inserted into the insertion portion of the first block or the second block, and the first block and the second block are alternately arranged throughout the hinge shaft.

2. The hinge unit according to claim 1, wherein each block is of a module type and can be replaced, the object includes a fixed part serving as a reference for rotation and a driven part performing a rotational action with respect to the fixed part, the hinge plate of the first block and the hinge plate of the second block are connected to one of the fixed part and the driven part and can perform the function of the fixed part and the driven part.

3. The hinge unit according to claim 1, wherein a D-shaped cutout portion is formed on at least a part of the main shaft and at least a part of the insertion portion, when the mutual overlapping state of the D-shaped cutout portions is released, the main shaft and the insertion portion maintain a predetermined position with respect to each other with a fixed support force, the hinge plate is integrated with the insertion portion, the hinge plate and the insertion portion are formed by punching a raw material flat plate.

4. The hinge unit according to claim 1, wherein a portion that guides the release or overlapping release of the opposing D-shaped cutout portions of the main shaft and the insertion portion is the insertion portion of the second block, the first part of the main shaft having a smaller diameter is inserted into the second block, the second part of the main shaft having a larger diameter is inserted into the first block.

5. The hinge unit according to claim 1, wherein when the main shaft is combined with the insertion portion of the first block, it is inserted in a fitting manner.

6. The hinge unit according to claim 1, wherein a third block including a housing portion connected or combined with an object for end processing is included on one side of the insertion portion, the second block is provided between blocks in a state in which the shaft part of the main shaft is not inserted into the insertion portion, the main shaft of the first block is inserted on one side of the insertion portion of the second block or the main shaft of the third block is inserted, when the second block is assembled, the main shaft of the first block or the main shaft of the third block is discharged with lubricating grease.

7. A support device characterized by comprising: Comprising: a lower plate as a base; a support portion provided with a placement portion for placing a portable electronic device and a fixing portion fixed to the lower plate; a hinge unit that rotates the shelf portion, the hinge unit includes an insertion portion into which a main shaft constituting a hinge shaft is inserted, a hinge plate connected to the insertion portion and combined with an internal structure, and the main shaft including a first part on one side and a second part on the other side having a larger diameter than the first part, further comprising a first block and a second block provided with the hinge plate and the insertion portion, with the insertion portion as a reference, the hinge plate of the first block is disposed on one side and the hinge plate of the second block is disposed on the other side, the first part of the main shaft is inserted into both end portions of the second block and the second part of the main shaft is inserted into at least one end portion of the first block, the first block corresponds to a portion fixed on a hinge structure and the second block corresponds to a driven portion including rotation on the hinge structure, the main shaft is inserted into the insertion portion of the first block or the second block, and the first block and the second block are alternately disposed throughout the hinge shaft.

8. The support device according to claim 7, wherein the first block is provided for assembly of the hinge unit in a state in which the main shaft is inserted into at least one side of the insertion portion, the second block is provided for assembly of the hinge unit in a state in which the main shaft is not inserted into the insertion portion, when one of the first block and the second block is combined with the shelf portion, the other is combined with the fixed portion.

9. The support device according to claim 7, wherein the first block and the second block are of a modular type and are replaceable, D-shaped cutout portions are formed on at least a portion of the main shaft and at least a portion of the insertion portion, when a state of mutual overlap between the D-shaped cutout portions is released, the main shaft and the insertion portion maintain a predetermined position with respect to each other with a fixed support force, the state in which the mutual overlap between the D-shaped cutout portions is released corresponds to a state in which the shelf portion is rotated with respect to the fixed portion.

10. The support device according to claim 7, wherein the hinge plate is integrated with the insertion portion, the hinge plate and the insertion portion are formed by processing a raw material flat plate by stamping, when the hinge plate is subjected to a rotational force or a torque, the insertion portion rotates with the main shaft as a reference, when the hinge plate of the first block or the second block connected to the shelf portion rotates, the D-shaped cutout portion of the main shaft and the D-shaped cutout portion of the insertion portion change from a state of mutual overlap to a state of overlap release in which the mutual overlap is released.

11. The support apparatus of claim 7, wherein including: an upper plate that covers the support portion, the upper plate provides a flat surface when the shelf portion is unfolded, a groove into which at least a portion of the hinge unit is inserted is formed.

12. The support device according to claim 7, wherein a portion of the hinge plate is combined with the shelf portion and another portion is combined with the fixed portion with a hinge shaft including the main shaft as a reference, with the hinge shaft as a reference, the hinge plate connected to the shelf portion is a first hinge plate and the hinge plate connected to the fixed portion is a second hinge plate, The first hinge plate is subordinate to the placing part and rotates together when the placing part rotates, The second hinge plate is subordinate to the fixed part and provides a fixed point for the rotation of the placing part or the first hinge plate.

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