Hinge device and electronic device using hinge device

Abstract

To provide a hinge device which is compact and achieves reduction of rattling in synchronization.SOLUTION: A hinge device is used in an electronic device which is formed by attaching a flexible display sheet over surfaces of first and second housings and connects the first and second housings in an openable and closable manner. The hinge device is provided with a drive transmission mechanism which converts rotational motion of the first housing into linear motion through a cam and converts the linear motion into rotational motion of the second housing through a cam.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hinge device that is suitable for use in various electronic devices such as mobile phones, electronic organizers, PDAs, netbooks, and even notebook computers, and that is configured by attaching a flexible display sheet, for example made of organic electroluminescence, across both surfaces of a pair of housings, and also to an electronic device that uses this hinge device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, electronic devices such as mobile phones that have a single flexible organic electroluminescence display sheet attached across both surfaces of a pair of housings have been developed and are becoming available. Patent Document 1 below discloses a hinge device that transitions such electronic devices from a folded state to an unfolded state. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2022-531949 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The hinge device in the prior art document is provided with a synchronizing gear that synchronizes the opening and closing operations of a pair of housings. However, due to the need to maintain the strength of the gear structure, it is difficult to reduce the gear diameter. Also, the meshing space between the teeth causes play in the opening and closing synchronization. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a compact hinge structure without backlash, which uses cams instead of gears to achieve synchronization between opening and closing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, the hinge device according to claim 1 comprises: a first hinge for rotatably supporting a first housing, a third hinge for rotatably supporting a second housing, a first transmission side abutment provided in a drive transmission mechanism and cam-coupled with a first hinge side abutment of the first hinge for cam-converting a rotational motion of the first hinge into the linear motion, a second transmission side abutment provided in the drive transmission mechanism and cam-coupled with a second hinge side abutment of the second hinge for cam-converting the linear motion into the rotational motion of the second hinge, and a third transmission side abutment provided in the drive transmission mechanism and cam-coupled with a third hinge side abutment of the third hinge for cam-converting the linear motion into the rotational motion of the third hinge. and a fourth transmission side abutment portion that is provided on the drive transmission mechanism and cam-couples with the fourth hinge side abutment portion of the fourth hinge to cam-convert the linear motion into the rotational motion of the fourth hinge, wherein the drive transmission mechanism transmits the rotation of the first hinge to the rotational motion of the second and third hinges, and the second and third hinges connect the first and second housings or the first hinge to the second hinge, and control the rotation of the first and fourth hinges via a connecting mechanism that connects the third hinge to the fourth hinge.

[0006] Next, the invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that the connecting mechanism is composed of a first connecting plate connected to the first housing and connecting the first hinge and the second hinge, and a second connecting plate connected to the second housing and connecting the third hinge and the fourth hinge, and the second and third hinges control the rotation of the first and fourth hinges by the first and second connecting plates.

[0007] Next, claim 3 To The described invention is characterized in that it has a first shaft that serves as the axis of rotational movement of the first and third hinges and a second shaft that serves as the axis of rotational movement of the second and fourth hinges, and the drive transmission mechanism performs the linear motion by sliding on the axis of at least one of the first and second shafts.

[0008] Next, the claim 4 The invention described in the specification further includes a first transmission frame having the first and fourth transmission side abutment portions, a second transmission frame having the second and third transmission side abutment portions, and a drive force is applied to the first and second transmission frames in directions separating them from each other. Spring washer The first transmission frame is configured with the first and fourth hinges and the Spring washer The second transmission frame is sandwiched between the second and third hinges and the Spring washer The first, second, third, and fourth transmission side abutment portions are sandwiched between the first, second, third, and fourth hinge side abutment portions, respectively, thereby reducing backlash between the first, second, third, and fourth transmission side abutment portions and the opposing first, second, third, and fourth hinge side abutment portions.

[0009] Next, the claim 5 The described invention is characterized in that the opening and closing load of the first and second housings is changed by making the cam connection inclinations at the first, second, third, and fourth transmission side abutment portions and the first, second, third, and fourth hinge side abutment portions different depending on the rotation of the first and second housings.

[0010] Next, the claim 6 The present invention is characterized in that the hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is used in an electronic device. Effect of the Invention

[0011] When configured as in claim 1, a compact hinge device with reduced backlash can be realized.

[0012] When configured as in claim 2, the rotation of the hinge that has been released from the cam connection can be controlled.

[0013] When configured as in claim 3, a compact hinge device with reduced backlash can be realized, and rotation of the hinge that is disengaged from the cam connection can be controlled.

[0014] Claim 4 With this configuration, a device can be realized in which backlash at the cam contact portion is reduced.

[0015] Claim 5 With this configuration, a hinge device with high operational quality can be realized.

[0016] Claim 6 With this configuration, it is possible to realize an electronic device that is compact and has reduced backlash. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B show an open state of an electronic device having a flexible display sheet using the hinge device of the present invention, where (a) is an oblique view of the housing with the flexible display sheet attached, and (b) is an oblique view of the housing with the flexible display sheet removed. [Diagram 2] 1A and 1B show a closed state of an electronic device having a flexible display sheet using a hinge device according to the present invention, where (a) is an oblique view, (b) is a partially enlarged side view of the hinge device, and (c) is a partially enlarged side view of a hinge device in a modified example. [Diagram 3] 1A is a perspective view of a hinge device according to the present invention in an open state, FIG. 1B is a front view of the hinge device in the open state, and FIG. 1C is a front view of the hinge device in the closed state. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the hinge device according to the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the hinge device according to the present invention. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are plan views of a hinge device according to the present invention, in which FIG. [Figure 7] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating the cam action of the hinge device of the present invention, where (a) is a schematic diagram of the transition from an open state to a closed state, (b) is a schematic diagram of the closed state, (c) is a schematic diagram of the transition from an open state to a closed state in a modified example in which the cam inclination is different, (d) is a partially enlarged view of (c), (e) is a schematic diagram of the transition from a closed state to an open state in a modified example in which the cam inclination is different, and (f) is a partially enlarged view of (e). [Figure 8] 13A and 13B show different configurations of the hinge device according to the present invention, in which (a) shows a configuration in which adjustment is used to reduce cam rattle, and (b) shows a configuration in which the entire frame is biased to reduce cam rattle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] The present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. EXAMPLES

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a mobile phone A (smartphone) as an example of an electronic device using a hinge device according to the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view of the mobile phone A in an open state (hereinafter, the open state) in which the first and second housings R11 and L11 form an angle of approximately 180 degrees with respect to each other, and FIG. 2(a) is a perspective view of the mobile phone A in a folded state (hereinafter, the closed state) in which the first and second housings R11 and L11 form an angle of approximately 0 degrees with respect to each other. Here, the exterior of the mobile phone A is divided into the first and second housings R11 and L11 and a base frame 21. As will be described later, the first and second housings R11 and L11 are each connected to the base frame 21 by a hinge device B (not visible in FIG. 1(a)), and the first and second housings R11 and L11 rotate around the axes R11a and L11a in the directions of the arrows R11b and L11b with respect to the base frame 21. This rotation puts the mobile phone A into an open state and a closed state. 1(b) is a perspective view of FIG. 1(a) with the flexible display sheet 41 removed, and the hinge devices B provided at two locations are screwed to the base frame 21 with screws 72c. The hinge device B has a plurality of housing attachment parts that are rotatable around the axes R11a and L11a, respectively, and each attachment part is screwed into the attachment screw holes R11e and L11e of the first and second housings R11 and L11. The flexible display sheet 41 is attached to the hatched parts R11c and L11c. The flexible display sheet 41 is provided so as to straddle the first and second housings R11 and L11, and when the mobile phone A is in the closed state, the hatched parts 41a are bent and stored in the recesses R11d and L11d provided in the first and second housings R11 and L11, respectively.

[0021] In Fig. 2(a), the mounting portion of the hinge device B and the first housing R11 are illustrated on the side, and an enlarged side view of the area surrounded by a circle 31a is shown in Fig. 2(b). In Fig. 2(b), the first and second hinges R51 and R52, which are the housing mounting portions of the hinge device B, are screwed into the mounting screw holes R11e of the first housing R11 with screws R51d and R52d. Fig. 2(c) shows a modified example, in which the hinges R51 and R52 are connected to the first connecting plate R74 with eyelets R74a, and the first and second hinges R51 and R52 are screwed into the first housing R11 by inserting the screws R51d and R52d into the hollow core portions of the eyelets R74a. With the configuration as shown in Figure 2(c), both the first hinge and the second hinge can be opened and closed stably regardless of how they are attached to the housing, and with the configuration as shown in Figure 2(b), the first connecting plate R74 is unnecessary, making it possible to reduce the number of parts.

[0022] [Configuration of hinge device B] 3 shows perspective views of a hinge device according to the present invention, where (a) is a perspective view in an open state, (b) is a front view in an open state, and (c) is a front view in a closed state. In FIG. 3(a), the hinge device B is composed of a hinge mechanism A50, a drive transmission mechanism A60, and a frame mechanism A70 (FIG. 4). The hinge mechanism A50 is composed of a first hinge R51, a second hinge R52, a third hinge L52, and a fourth hinge L51. The drive transmission mechanism A60 is composed of a first transmission frame 61, a second transmission frame 62, Spring washer1(a)。 The frame mechanism A70 is composed of the first and second shafts R71 and L71, an end plate 72, an E-ring 73, a first connecting plate R74, and a second connecting plate L74. The central axes of the first and second shafts R71 and L71 are aligned with the axes R11a and L11a in FIG. 1(a), the first and second hinges R51 and R52 are supported rotatably around the first shaft R71, and the third and fourth hinges L52 and L51 are supported rotatably around the second shaft L71. The first and second transmission frames 61 and 62 are supported slidably in the axial direction on either or both of the first and second shafts R71 and L71. In this way, the hinge device B has a first shaft R71 that serves as the axis of rotational movement of the first and second hinges R51, R52, and a second shaft L71 that serves as the axis of rotational movement of the third and fourth hinges L52, L51, and the first and second transmission frames 61, 62 that constitute the drive transmission mechanism A60 are structured to slide on the axis of at least one of the first and second shafts R71, L71, thereby realizing a compact hinge device B.

[0023] 4 is an exploded perspective view of the hinge device B according to the present invention. The assembly of the hinge device B will be itemized using FIG. (1) The first and second shafts R71, L71 pass through the shaft holes R72a, L72a of the end plate 72, respectively, and the movement of the end plate 72 and the first and second shafts R71, L71 is restricted by the ears R71b, L71b of the first and second shafts R71, L71, respectively. (2) The first and second shafts R71 and L71 pass through the shaft holes R51b and L51b of the first and fourth hinges R51 and L51, respectively. (3) The first and second shafts R71 and L71 pass through the shaft holes R61b and L61b of the first transmission frame 61, respectively. (4) The first and second shafts R71 and L71 are Spring washer The inner diameter hole 63a of the inner casing 63 is passed through. (5) The first and second shafts R71 and L71 pass through the shaft holes R62b and L62b of the second transmission frame 62, respectively. (6) The first and second shafts R71 and L71 pass through the shaft holes R52b and L52b of the second and third hinges R52 and L52, respectively. (7) The first and second shafts R71, L71 pass through the shaft holes R72a, L72a of the end plate 72, respectively, and the inner diameter hole 73a of the E-ring 73 is fitted into the grooves R71a, L71a of the first and second shafts R71, L71. (8) The first and second hinges R51, R52 and the first connecting plate R74 are connected by grommets R74a which penetrate the mounting holes R51c and R74b and R52c and R74b. (9) The third and fourth hinges L52, L51 and the second connecting plate L74 are connected by grommets L74a which pass through mounting holes L52c and L74b and L51c and L74b. (10) The hinge device B is screwed to the base frame 21 by the screw 72c (FIG. 1(b)) which penetrates the mounting hole 72b of the end plate 72.

[0024] As a result, the first and fourth hinges R51 and L51, the first transmission frame 61, Spring washer 63, the second transmission frame 62, and the second and third hinges R52 and L52 are sandwiched between a pair of end plates 72. Here, the lengths from the ears R71b and L71b of the first and second shafts R71 and L71 to the grooves R71a and L71a are determined by the length of the first and fourth hinges R51 and L51, the first transmission frame 61, Spring washer The length of the second transmission frame 62, the second hinge R52, and the third hinge L52 is set shorter than the total length of the second transmission frame 62, the second hinge R52, and the third hinge L52 in the axial direction. Spring washer The coned disc spring 63 is charged. By charging the coned disc spring, the first transmission frame 61 is biased toward the opposing first and fourth hinges R51 and L51, and the second transmission frame 62 is biased toward the opposing second and third hinges R52 and L52.

[0025] Fig. 5 is a partial plan view of the hinge device B according to the present invention, with the first and second connecting plates R74, L74 in Fig. 4 omitted. In Fig. 5, the first and fourth hinges R51, L51 are provided with first and fourth hinge side abutment portions R51a, L51a, which face first and fourth transmission side abutment portions R61a, L61a provided on the first transmission frame 61. Spring washerThe backlash between the first and fourth hinge side abutment portions R51a, L51a and the first and fourth transmission side abutment portions R61a, L61a is reduced by the biasing force of 63. Similarly, the second and third hinge side abutment portions R52a, L52a are provided on the second and third hinges R52, L52, which face the second and third transmission side abutment portions R62a, L62a provided on the second transmission frame 62. Spring washer The urging force of 63 reduces rattling between the second and third hinge side contact portions R52a, L52a and the second and third transmission side contact portions R62a, L62a.

[0026] Explained again using the schematic diagram of Fig. 7, the second and third hinge side abutment parts R52a, L52a and the second and third transmission side abutment parts R62a, L62a in Fig. 5 each have a gap indicated by a circle 31b in the cam coupling. Therefore, the second and third hinges R52, L52 can rotate freely relative to the first and second shafts R71, L71 that they support (they are disengaged from the cam coupling). However, the first and second hinges R51, R52 are screwed to the first housing R11 through the mounting holes R51c, R52c (Fig. 2(b)), or are connected by the eyelets R74a of the first connecting plate R74 (Fig. 2(c)), and the first and second hinges R51, R52 rotate together. Similarly, the third and fourth hinges L52, L51 are screwed to the second housing L11 through the mounting holes L52c, L51c, or are connected through the eyelets L74a of the second connecting plate L74, and the third and fourth hinges L52, L51 rotate together. In this way, the first and second housings R11, L11 or the first and second connecting plates R74, L74 prevent the second and third hinges R52, L52 from spinning freely. In other words, the first and second housings R11, L11 or the first and second connecting plates R74, L74 allow the first and fourth hinges R51, L51 to control the rotation of the second and third hinges R52, L52.

[0027] The configuration of the hinge device B described above will be itemized below. (1) First and second hinges R51, R52 that rotatably support a first housing R11. (2) Third and fourth hinges L52, L51 which rotatably support the second housing L11. (3) A first transmission side abutment portion R61a that is provided in the drive transmission mechanism A60 and cam-couples with the first hinge side abutment portion R51a of the first hinge R51. (4) A second transmission side abutment portion R62a that is provided in the drive transmission mechanism A60 and cam-couples with the second hinge side abutment portion R52a of the second hinge R52. (5) A third transmission side abutment portion L62a that is provided in the drive transmission mechanism A60 and cam-couples with the third hinge side abutment portion L52a of the third hinge L52. (6) A fourth transmission side abutment portion L61a that is provided in the drive transmission mechanism A60 and cam-couples with the fourth hinge side abutment portion L51a of the fourth hinge L51. (7) A first connecting plate R74 that is connected to the first and second hinges R51, R52 and is connected to the first housing R11. (8) A second connecting plate L74 that is connected to the third and fourth hinges L52, L51 and is connected to the second housing L11. (9) A first transmission frame 61 having first and fourth transmission side contact portions R61a, L61a. (10) A second transmission frame 62 having second and third transmission side contact portions R62a, L62a. (11) The first and second transmission parts 61 and 62 are biased in directions away from each other. Spring washer 63. With this structure, the rotation of each of the four hinges is controlled without slipping. Also, the hinge-side contact portions and the transmission-side contact portions at the four hinge locations are biased in opposite directions, reducing rattling between them.

[0028] [Operation of hinge device] 6A and 6B show plan views of the hinge device B according to the present invention, where (a) is a plan view in an open state and (b) is a plan view in a closed state. The operation of the hinge device will be itemized using Figs. 6A and 6B. (1) The user operates the first connecting plate R74, which is in the open state, to close it. (2) When the first hinge side contact portion R51a of the first hinge R51 rotates, the cam phase with the opposing first transmission side contact portion R61a of the first transmission frame 61 changes. (3) The first transmission frame 61 slides in the direction of the arrow 61c. (4) The second transmission frame 62 Spring washer Slides in the same direction via 63. (5) The third transmission side abutment portion L62a of the second transmission frame 62 biases the third hinge side abutment portion L52a of the third hinge L52. (6) The cam phase of the third hinge side contact portion L52a of the third hinge L52, which faces the third transmission side contact portion L62a of the second transmission frame 62, changes. (7) The third hinge L52 rotates in the closing direction. (8) The first and second connecting plates R74 and L74 are synchronized and rotate together in the closing direction. As a result, the hinge device B changes from the state shown in FIG. 6(a) to the state shown in FIG. 6(b).

[0029] (9) The user operates the first connecting plate R74, which is in a closed state, to open it. (10) When the second hinge side contact portion R52a of the second hinge R52 rotates, the cam phase with the opposing second transmission side contact portion R62a of the second transmission frame 62 changes. (11) The second transmission frame 62 slides in the direction of the arrow 62c. (12) The first transmission frame 61 Spring washer Slide in the same direction via 63 (13) The fourth transmission side abutment portion L61a of the first transmission frame 61 biases the fourth hinge side abutment portion L51a of the fourth hinge L51. (14) The cam phase of the fourth hinge side contact portion L51a of the fourth hinge L51, which faces the fourth transmission side contact portion L61a of the first transmission frame 61, changes. (15) The fourth hinge L51 rotates in the opening direction. (16) The first and second connecting plates R74 and L74 are synchronized and rotate together in the opening direction. As a result, the hinge device B changes from the state shown in FIG. 6(b) to the state shown in FIG. 6(a).

[0030] 6(a) and 6(b) and in between, the first and second hinges R51, R52 are connected to the first housing R11 or the first connecting plate R74, and the third and fourth hinges L52, L51 are connected to the second housing L11 or the second connecting plate L74. Therefore, the rotation of each hinge is controlled, and each hinge does not come off the cam connection and rotate freely as described above.

[0031] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram explaining the synchronous operation by the cam, Fig. 7(a) is a schematic diagram of the transition from the open state to the closed state, and Fig. 7(b) is a schematic diagram of the closed state. In Fig. 7, a schematic transmission side abutment portion 64 is provided between the first, second, third, and fourth schematic hinge side abutment portions R51e, R52e, L52e, and L51e. First, the action to be taken when the cam coupling is released will be described. In Fig. 7(a), the first, second, third and fourth schematic hinge side abutment parts R51e, R52e, L52e and L51e appear to be able to rotate in the directions of the arrows R51f, R52f, L52f and L51f, respectively, released from the cam coupling. However, since the hinges are connected by the first and second housings R11 and L11 or the first and second connecting plates R74 and L74, the first and second schematic hinge side abutment parts R51e and R52e do not rotate individually in the direction of the arrow R51f and the opposite direction, that is, the R52f direction, and similarly, the third and fourth schematic hinge side abutment parts L52e and L51e do not rotate individually in the direction of the arrow L52f and the L51f direction, that is, the opposite direction. Next, synchronization by a cam will be described. In Fig. 7(a), the first schematic hinge side contact portion R51e is rotated in the direction of the arrow R51g, which is the closing direction of the first housing R11. The cam engagement at this time causes the schematic transmission side contact portion 64 to slide (linearly move) in the direction of the arrow 64a. Then, the cam engagement with the sliding of the schematic transmission side contact portion 64 causes the third schematic hinge side contact portion L52e to rotate in the direction of the arrow L52g, and the second housing L11 to rotate in the closing direction, resulting in the state shown in Fig. 7(b).

[0032] To summarize the above, the hinge device is used in an electronic device in which a flexible display sheet 41 is attached across both surfaces of the first and second housings R11 and L11, and connects the first and second housings R11 and L11 in an openable and closable manner, and converts the rotational movement of the first housing R11 into a linear movement via the first schematic hinge side abutment portion R51e. Cam conversion At the same time, the linear motion is converted into a rotational motion of the second housing L11 via the third model hinge side abutment portion L52e. Cam conversion By providing a drive transmission mechanism A60 (schematic transmission side abutment portion 64) that transmits the linear motion of the drive transmission mechanism A60 (schematic transmission side abutment portion 64), it is possible to synchronize the opening and closing of the first and second housings R11 and L11. Cam conversion In addition, the first housing R11 is rotated via the second model hinge side abutment portion R52e. Cam conversion This causes the first housing R11 to Cam conversion The rotational motion is transmitted to the first schematic hinge side abutment portion R51e, and the first hinge R51 does not come off the cam coupling and spin freely. In this way, by arranging multiple hinges and cam coupling and connecting them to each other, it is possible to synchronize the rotations and further prevent each hinge from spinning freely, which is a feature of the present invention.

[0033] In the present invention, the first and second housings R11 and L11 are rotated in synchronization using a cam, and the cam system has the advantage of being compact and having less backlash. The cam system also has the advantage of being able to increase the opening and closing holding force. The advantages are explained below. In order to move the cam, it is necessary to overcome many frictional forces. For example, on the driving side, there is rotational friction between the first hinge R51 and the first shaft R71, sliding friction on the slope of the first hinge abutment side abutment R51a and the first transmission side abutment R61a, on the transmission side, there is sliding friction between the first and second transmission frames 61 and 62 and the first and second shafts R71 and L71, and on the driven side, there is sliding friction on the slope of the third transmission side abutment L62a and the third hinge side abutment L52a, and rotational friction between the third hinge L52 and the second shaft L71. And because the frictional force of each rotating or sliding surface acts as a resistance to the next surface, slight changes in the friction coefficient of each surface add up to a large driving load.

[0034] Here, the ratio of the static friction coefficient to the dynamic friction coefficient in resin ranges from a few percent to more than 50 percent depending on the material. As described above, in a structure in which slight changes in the friction coefficient accumulate to create a large driving load, the transition from static friction to dynamic friction can be used as a means to improve the opening and closing quality of the hinge device B, and a sharp opening and closing hinge can be realized by appropriately selecting the material that constitutes the cam surface. That is, when opening the first and second housings R11 and L11, a large driving force is required to overcome the static friction coefficient, but once the opening begins, dynamic friction occurs and therefore a large driving force is not required. Conversely, when closing the first and second housings R11 and L11, a large driving force is required to overcome the static friction coefficient, but once the closing begins, dynamic friction occurs and therefore a large driving force is not required. In this way, in the case of a synchronization mechanism using a cam, unlike a synchronization mechanism using gears, it is possible to provide a function of maintaining the first and second housings R11 and L11 in an open or closed state.

[0035] As a method of generating a large driving force only when opening and closing the first and second housings R11 and L11, the inclination of the cam can be increased only near the opening and closing. FIG. 7(c) is a schematic diagram of the transition from the open state to the closed state, in which the first, second, third, and fourth schematic hinge side abutment portions R51e, R52e, L52e, and L51e have circular tips and are in contact with the schematic transmission side abutment portion 64. FIG. 7(d) shows an enlarged view of the abutment state of the first schematic hinge side abutment portion R51e and the schematic transmission side abutment portion 64 surrounded by a circle 31c. In FIG. 7(d), the initial inclination 64b of the schematic transmission side abutment portion 64 is larger than the steady-state inclination 64c. Therefore, a large driving force is required at the beginning of rotating the first schematic hinge side abutment portion R51e in the direction of the arrow R51h. Fig. 7(e) is a schematic diagram of the transition from the closed state to the open state, and Fig. 7(f) is an enlarged view of the contact state between the third schematic hinge side contact portion L52e and the schematic transmission side contact portion 64, which are surrounded by a circle 31d. In Fig. 7(f), the initial inclination 64b of the schematic transmission side contact portion 64 is greater than the steady-state inclination 64c. Therefore, a large driving force is required at the beginning of rotating the third schematic hinge side contact portion L52e in the direction of the arrow R51h.

[0036] In this way, by making the cam connection inclinations of the schematic transmission side abutment portion 64 and the first, second, third and fourth schematic hinge side abutment portions R51e, R52e, L52e and L51e different depending on the rotation of the first and second housings R11 and L11 (initial inclination 64b and steady-state inclination 64c), a large driving force can be generated only when the first and second housings R11 and L11 are opened or closed.

[0037] Fig. 8 shows another configuration of the hinge device according to the present invention, Fig. 8(a) shows a configuration in which the backlash of the cam is eliminated by using adjustment, and Fig. 8(b) shows a configuration in which the entire frame is biased to reduce the backlash of the cam. The difference between the hinge device B shown in Fig. 8 and the hinge device B shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is the drive transmission mechanism A60, and the first and second transmission frames 61 and 62 in Figs. 5 and 6 are integrated into a transmission frame 65 to reduce the number of parts. In Fig. 8(a), the first and second shafts R71 and L71 are connected to a pair of end plates 72 using nuts 75 that screw into the first and second shafts R71 and L71, and the backlash of the contact portion between the drive transmission mechanism A60 and the hinge mechanism A50 is adjusted by the tightening of the nuts 75. In Fig. 8(b), Spring washer By sandwiching the disc spring 63 between the ears R71b, L71b of the first and second shafts R71, L71 and the end plates 72, the pair of end plates 72 biases the drive transmission mechanism A60 and the hinge mechanism A50, reducing backlash at the contact portions. At this time, the mounting holes of the first and fourth hinges R51, L51 are elliptical mounting holes R51i, L51i, and they are mounted to the housing with shoulder screws or the like so as to be slidable in the elongated hole direction. This prevents the biasing force of the disc spring 63 from decreasing as the first and fourth hinges R51, L51 are restrained by the housing.

[0038] As described above, the hinge device B of the present invention is used in an electronic device in which a flexible display sheet 41 is attached across both surfaces of the first and second housings R11 and L11, and is a hinge device B that connects the first and second housings R11 and L11 in an openable and closable manner, and converts the rotational movement of the first housing R11 into a linear movement. Cam conversion At the same time, the linear motion is converted into the rotational motion of the second housing L11. Cam conversionThe linear motion of the drive transmission mechanism A60 is transmitted to the rotational motion of the second housing L11. Cam conversion At the same time, the rotation of the first housing R11 Cam conversion do.

[0039] In addition, first and second hinges R51 and R52 that rotatably support the first housing R11, third and fourth hinges L52 and L51 that rotatably support the second housing L11, and a drive transmission mechanism A60 are provided, and are cam-coupled with a first hinge side abutment portion R51a of the first hinge R51 to convert the rotational motion of the first hinge R51 into a linear motion. Cam conversion The first transmission side abutment portion R61a is provided on the drive transmission mechanism A60 and is cam-coupled with the second hinge side abutment portion R52a of the second hinge R52 to convert the linear motion of the drive transmission mechanism A60 into the rotational motion of the second hinge R52. Cam conversion The second transmission side abutment portion R62a is provided on the drive transmission mechanism A60 and is cam-coupled with the third hinge side abutment portion L52a of the third hinge L52 to convert the linear motion of the drive transmission mechanism A60 into the rotational motion of the third hinge L52. Cam conversion The third transmission side abutment portion L62a is provided on the drive transmission mechanism A60 and is cam-coupled with the fourth hinge side abutment portion L51a of the fourth hinge L51 to convert the linear motion of the drive transmission mechanism A60 into the rotational motion of the fourth hinge L51. Cam conversion The drive transmission mechanism A60 is composed of a fourth transmission side abutment portion L61a which transmits the rotation of the first hinge R51 to the rotational motion of the second and third hinges R52, L52, and the second and third hinges R52, L52 control the rotation of the first and fourth hinges R51, L51 via the first and second housings R11, L11. With this configuration, it is possible to realize a hinge device having a compact synchronous mechanism without any backlash. [Industrial Applicability]

[0040] The present invention relates to a hinge device that is suitable for use in foldable electronic devices in which a flexible display sheet is draped across a pair of housings, such as mobile phones, electronic organizers, PDAs, netbooks, video display devices, portable game consoles, and notebook computers, and can also be used widely in other foldable devices in which a pair of housings with a flexible display sheet attached to their surfaces are connected to each other in an openable and closable manner. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] R11 1st unit L11 2nd unit 21 Base Frame 41 Flexible display sheet R51 1st hinge L51 4th hinge R52 2nd hinge L52 3rd hinge 61 First Transmission Slot 62 Second Transmission Slot 63 Spring washer 64 Model transmission side contact part 65 Transmission Frame R71 1st shaft L71 2nd shaft 72 End Plate 73 E-Ring R74 1st connecting plate L74 2nd connecting plate 75 Nut A50 Hinge mechanism A60 Drive transmission mechanism A70 Frame mechanism A Mobile phone B Hinge device

Claims

1. A hinge device used in an electronic device having a flexible display sheet attached across both surfaces of a first and second housing, connecting the first and second housings so that the first and second housings can be opened and closed, the hinge device having a drive transmission mechanism that cam converts the rotational motion of the first housing into linear motion and cam converts the linear motion into rotational motion of the second housing.

2. 2. The hinge device according to claim 1, wherein the drive transmission mechanism converts the linear motion into a rotational motion of the second housing by a cam and returns the linear motion to the rotational motion of the first housing.

3. a first transmission side abutment portion provided in the drive transmission mechanism and cam-coupled with a first hinge side abutment portion of the first hinge to convert the rotational motion of the first hinge into the linear motion; a second transmission side abutment portion provided in the drive transmission mechanism and cam-coupled with a second hinge side abutment portion of the second hinge to convert the linear motion into the rotational motion of the second hinge; and a third transmission side abutment portion provided in the drive transmission mechanism and cam-coupled with a third hinge side abutment portion of the third hinge to convert the linear motion into the rotational motion of the third hinge.

3. The hinge device according to claim 2, further comprising: a third transmission side abutment portion that converts the linear motion into rotational motion; and a fourth transmission side abutment portion that is provided on the drive transmission mechanism and cam-couples with the fourth hinge side abutment portion of the fourth hinge to convert the linear motion into the rotational motion of the fourth hinge, wherein the drive transmission mechanism transmits the rotation of the first hinge into the rotational motion of the second and third hinges, and the second and third hinges connect the first and second housings or the first hinge to the second hinge, and control the rotation of the first and fourth hinges via a connecting mechanism that connects the third hinge to the fourth hinge.

4. The hinge device according to claim 3, characterized in that the connecting mechanism is composed of a first connecting plate connected to the first housing and connecting the first hinge and the second hinge, and a second connecting plate connected to the second housing and connecting the third hinge and the fourth hinge, and the second and third hinges control rotation of the first and fourth hinges via the first and second connecting plates.

5. 5. The hinge device according to claim 4, further comprising a first shaft which serves as an axis for the rotational movement of the first and third hinges and a second shaft which serves as an axis for the rotational movement of the second and fourth hinges, and the drive transmission mechanism slides on the axis of at least one of the first and second shafts to perform the linear movement.

6. The hinge device according to claim 3, characterized in that the drive transmission mechanism is composed of a first transmission frame having the first and fourth transmission side abutment portions, a second transmission frame having the second and third transmission side abutment portions, and a biasing spring that biases the first and second transmission frames in a direction separating them from each other, the first transmission frame being sandwiched between the first and fourth hinges and the biasing spring, and the second transmission frame being sandwiched between the second and third hinges and the biasing spring, thereby reducing play between the first, second, third, and fourth transmission side abutment portions and the first, second, third, and fourth hinge side abutment portions that face each other, respectively.

7. The hinge device according to claim 3, characterized in that the opening and closing load of the first and second housings is changed by making the cam connection inclinations at the first, second, third, and fourth transmission side abutment portions and the first, second, third, and fourth hinge side abutment portions different depending on the rotation of the first and second housings.

8. 8. An electronic device comprising the hinge device according to claim 1.

Images