Hinge device and electronic apparatus
The hinge device with a slider-crank mechanism addresses the challenge of cooling resistance by maintaining a desirable design in the closed state and creating an appropriate gap in the open state, enhancing cooling efficiency.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024017160
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-02-07
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-20
- Estimated Expiration
- 2044-02-07
AI Technical Summary
Electronic devices generate increasing heat due to high-performance components, necessitating efficient cooling, but the narrow gap between the main body housing and the placement surface increases intake resistance, and large legs for reducing resistance are undesirable from a design perspective.
A hinge device with a slider-crank mechanism that includes a first shaft, a second shaft, a crank, a slider, and a link, allowing the housings to rotate while ensuring a desirable design in the closed state and creating an appropriate gap in the open state by protrusion of the link from the main body housing.
The hinge device maintains a desirable design in the closed state and ensures an appropriate gap in the open state, reducing intake resistance and enhancing cooling efficiency.
Smart Images

Figure 2025121615000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a hinge device that rotatably connects a first housing and a second housing, and to an electronic device in which the first housing and the second housing are rotatably connected by the hinge device. [Background technology]
[0002] Electronic devices such as notebook PCs use a configuration in which a main body housing and a display housing are connected by a hinge device so that they can rotate relative to each other. The main body housing is usually used while placed on a desk, and the posture of the main body housing does not change even when the display housing is rotated (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-036805 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] Recent electronic devices have been generating increasing amounts of heat due to the increasing performance of CPUs and other components, necessitating more efficient cooling. Fans are often used to cool electronic devices, and intake holes are provided on the underside of the main body housing. However, the narrow gap between the main body housing and the surface on which it is placed, such as a desk, increases intake resistance. Legs made of rubber or other materials are provided on the underside of the main body housing, and while increasing the height of these legs can reduce intake resistance, large legs are undesirable from a design perspective.
[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a hinge device and electronic device that have a desirable design when the first housing and the second housing are stacked in the closed state, and that can ensure a gap of an appropriate width between them and the placement surface when the first housing and the second housing are stacked in the open state. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, a hinge device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a hinge device that rotatably connects a first housing and a second housing, each of which has a flat shape, and includes: a first shaft that extends in a first direction along the connecting edge between the first housing and the second housing and is rotatably supported on the first housing near the connecting edge with the second housing; a second shaft that extends in the first direction and is fixed to the second housing near the connecting edge with the first housing; a crank that non-rotatably connects the first shaft and the second shaft; a slider that is provided on the first housing so as to be slidable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a link that supports the slider in the first direction and also supports the second shaft; and as the first housing and the second housing rotate from a closed state in which they are stacked to an open state, the link protrudes from the surface that does not face the second housing in the closed state.
[0007] Furthermore, an electronic device according to a second aspect of the present invention is an electronic device in which a first housing and a second housing, each of which has a flat shape, are rotatably connected by a hinge device, wherein the hinge device has: a first shaft extending in a first direction along the connecting edge between the first housing and the second housing and rotatably supported on the first housing near the connecting edge with the second housing; a second shaft extending in the first direction and fixed to the second housing near the connecting edge with the first housing; a crank connecting the first shaft and the second shaft non-rotatably; a slider provided on the first housing so as to be slidable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a link supporting the slider in the first direction and the second shaft; and as the first housing and the second housing rotate from a closed state in which they are stacked to an open state, the link protrudes from the surface not facing the second housing in the closed state. [Effects of the Invention]
[0008] According to the above aspect of the present invention, when the first housing and the second housing are stacked in the closed state, the link hardly protrudes, resulting in a desirable design, and when the housing is open, the link protrudes, ensuring a gap of an appropriate width between the housing and the placement surface. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an electronic device equipped with a hinge device according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed obliquely from above. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main body housing and the display housing in a closed state, as viewed from the display housing side. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the main body housing and the display housing in a closed state, as viewed from the main body housing side. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the hinge device and its surroundings. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the state in which the cover is removed from FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the state in which the touch device is removed from FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the state in which the side plates and the peripheral wall are removed from FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an electronic device according to a modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the hinge device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the hinge device in a state where the side plates and the peripheral wall are removed from FIG. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the hinge device and its surrounding area, where (a) shows the 0 degree state, (b) shows the 60 degree state, (c) shows the 90 degree state, and (d) shows the 135 degree state. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic side view of the electronic device in the fully open state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of a hinge device and an electronic device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. The embodiments of the present invention are a hinge device 10 and an electronic device 12 equipped with the hinge device 10.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an electronic device 12 equipped with a hinge device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed obliquely from above. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main body housing 14 and a display housing 16 in a closed state, as viewed from the display housing 16 side. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the main body housing 14 and the display housing 16 in a closed state, as viewed from the main body housing 14 side. The electronic device 12 is a clamshell-type notebook PC in which the main body housing 14 and the display housing 16 are connected by the hinge device 10 so that they can rotate relative to each other. The electronic device according to the present invention may be a foldable mobile phone, a smartphone, a portable game console, or the like, in addition to a notebook PC. In the following description, the left-right direction as viewed from an operator relative to the main body housing 14 is also referred to as the X direction (first direction), the depth direction perpendicular to the X direction is also referred to as the Y direction (second direction), and the up-down direction perpendicular to these directions is also referred to as the Z direction. Furthermore, the front of the Y direction is also referred to as the Y1 direction, and the rear of the Y direction is also referred to as the Y2 direction.
[0012] First, we will explain the overall configuration of the electronic device 12. In the electronic device 12, a rear end 14a, which is a connecting edge of a main body housing 14, and a bottom end 16a, which is a connecting edge of a display housing 16, are connected by a pair of left and right hinge devices 10, 10 so that the electronic device 12 can be opened and closed. The hinge devices 10 do not have to be a pair, but may be one or three or more.
[0013] The main body housing 14 is a flat box formed of an upper cover material and a lower cover material. The upper surface 14b of the main body housing 14 is formed of the upper cover material, and the lower surface 14c is formed of the lower cover material. A keyboard 20 and a touchpad 22 are provided on the upper surface 14b of the main body housing 14. Various electronic components such as a motherboard, a CPU or other computing device, memory, and a battery device are housed inside the main body housing 14.
[0014] A cooling device including a fan is provided inside main body housing 14 to cool the arithmetic unit and other components. The fan draws in air through intake holes (vents) 14d on bottom surface 14c and exhausts it through exhaust holes 14e on rear end 14a. The cooling device receives heat from the arithmetic unit using a heat pipe and a vapor chamber, and transports some or almost all of the heat to a heat sink, which then dissipates the heat via the fan.
[0015] The display housing 16 is a flat box-shaped body that is thinner than the main body housing 14. A display 18 is provided on the front of the display housing 16. The display 18 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic light-emitting diode (EL) display. The closed state (see FIGS. 2 and 3) in which the main body housing 14 and the display housing 16 are positioned so that the surface of the display 18 faces the surface of the keyboard 20 is defined as an opening angle of 0 degrees. In the electronic device 12 of this embodiment, the maximum opening angle is 135 degrees (see FIG. 1). The state in which the main body housing 14 and the display housing 16 are stacked and the opening angle is 0 degrees is called the closed state. The state in which the opening angle is 135 degrees is called the maximum open state. In the closed state, the top surface 14b faces the display housing 16, and the opposite bottom surface 14c faces away from the display housing 16.
[0016] As shown in Fig. 3, the bottom surface 14c of the main body housing 14 is generally flat and has no legs, achieving a desirable design, especially in the closed state. However, small legs may be provided as long as they do not impair the design. Electronic device 12 without large legs is suitable for carrying in a bag or the like.
[0017] Next, a specific example of the configuration of the hinge device 10 and its surrounding area will be described. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the hinge device 10 and its surroundings. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the hinge device 10 with the cover 26 removed from FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the hinge device 10 with the touch device 24 removed from FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the hinge device 10 with the right side plate 56 and peripheral wall 58 removed from FIG. 6. FIGS. 4 to 7 show the maximum open state. The left and right hinge devices 10 have symmetrical or identical configurations, so the following description will focus on one of the hinge devices 10, and the description of the other hinge device 10 will be omitted.
[0018] The hinge device 10 is provided near one end of the electronic device 12 in the X direction, extending from the main body housing 14 to the display housing 16, passing through a notch 14g at the Y2 end. The display housing 16 has two countersunk portions 28 and a recess 30 formed at its bottom end 16a. The countersunk portions 28 are portions to which a bracket 44a, described later, is attached. The recess 30 is a recess that avoids interference with a link 52, described later, in the closed state, and has an acute-angle cross-sectional shape that becomes deeper as it approaches the bottom end 16a.
[0019] A rectangular recess 14f that communicates with the notch 14g is formed in the top surface 14b of the main body housing 14. The recess 14f is composed of a first recess 14fa and a second recess 14fb that have different depths. The first recess 14fa is a shallow recess located slightly toward the Y1 side of the rear end 14a, and is formed so as to surround the second recess 14fb on three sides, and is wider than the notch 14g.
[0020] The second recess 14fb is slightly deeper than the first recess 14fa, has the same width as the notch 14g, and is connected to the rear end 14a via the notch 14g. The Y-direction width of the second recess 14fb is approximately half that of the first recess 14fa. The second recess 14fb is formed by a fixed base 14fba on the Y1 side and a slider passage portion 14fbb on the Y2 side, with a step as the boundary. The fixed base 14fba is the portion to which the base plate 40, described later, is fixed, and is slightly deeper than the Z-direction width of the base plate 40. The slider passage portion 14fbb is slightly deeper than the fixed base 14fba so that the slider 48, described later, can pass through.
[0021] The first recess 14fa is provided with a touch device (input / output device) 24 that slides and displaces in the Y direction together with a pin 60 provided on a link 52, which will be described later. An engagement groove 24b (see FIG. 5) for engaging with the pin 60 is formed on the underside of the touch device 24. The engagement groove 24b is slightly elongated in the Z direction to accommodate the rotational movement of the pin 60. The touch device 24 is thin and has a rectangular shape that is slightly wider than the second recess 14fb, and in the fully open state, it displaces toward the Y2 side to cover the second recess 14fb. An operation unit 24a that is elongated in the X direction is provided on the Y2 side of the touch device 24. For example, various icons (not shown) are displayed on the operation unit 24a of the touch device 24, and predetermined processes are performed by touching these icons.
[0022] The first recess 14fa is covered with a cover 26. A notch 26a is formed on the Y2 side of the cover 26, which exposes the operation unit 24a in the fully open state. Almost the entire operation unit 24a is exposed from the notch 26a even when the opening / closing angle is, for example, about 120 degrees. As shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 4, in the closed state, the touch device 24 is displaced furthest toward the Y1 side within the first recess 14fa. At this time, the operation unit 24a is covered and protected by the cover 26. The cover 26 forms a continuous surface with the top surface 14b.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an electronic device 12A according to a modified example. A keyboard and a touch panel are omitted from FIG. 8. In the electronic device 12 described above, a relatively small touch device 24 is provided for each of the two hinge devices 10 (left and right), whereas the single touch device 24A provided in the electronic device 12A is set long in the X direction across the two hinge devices 10 (left and right). Like the touch device 24, the touch device 24A slides in the Y direction when the display housing 16 is opened or closed. The recess formed on the top surface 14b and into which the touch device 24A slides, and the cover 26A covering approximately half of the Y1 side of the recess, are both long in the X direction. In the closed state, the touch device 24A is covered by the cover 26A. The input / output device that slides under the action of the hinge device 10 is not limited to the touch devices 24 and 24A, but may be, for example, a microphone, a speaker, or the like.
[0024] The hinge device 10 will be further described with reference to FIGS. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the hinge device 10. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the hinge device 10 with the side plate 56 and the peripheral wall 58 removed. Figs. 9 and 10 show the hinge device 10 in a closed state. The hinge device 10 has a base plate 40, a first shaft 42, a second shaft 44, a crank 46, a slider 48, a torque applying portion 50, and a link 52. The hinge device 10 forms a kind of slider-crank mechanism with the crank 46, the slider 48, and the link 52.
[0025] For ease of assembly, the base plate 40 is composed of a first member 40a on the left side and a second member 40b on the right side, which are interlocked. The width of the first member 40a in the Y direction is larger than that of the second member 40b. The base plate 40 has multiple screw holes 40c formed near its Y1 end. This portion is screw-fixed to the fixed base 14fba, while the remaining portion protrudes in the Y2 direction with a gap maintained between it and the slider passage portion 14fbb. Support portions 40d protrude from both ends of the Y2 end of the base plate 40, rotatably supporting the first shaft 42. In other words, the first shaft 42 is supported on the main body housing 14 via the base plate 40. The first shaft 42 extends in the X direction within the notch 14g near the rear end 14a. A male thread is formed on the right end of the first shaft 42. In this embodiment, the widths of the base plate 40 in the X direction and the Y direction, excluding the support portions 40d, are approximately equal.
[0026] The second shaft 44 is parallel to and aligned with the first shaft 42, and is fixed to the display housing 16 near the lower end 16a by brackets 44a provided on both ends fitting into the countersunk holes 28 and screwing them in. The first shaft 42 is located in a relatively low portion of the main body housing 14, and the axial distance between the first shaft 42 and the second shaft 44 is appropriately long.
[0027] The crank 46 has an oval shape and is provided between the two pivotal support portions 40d, and is non-rotatably fitted and connected at both ends to the first shaft 42 and the second shaft 44 by a predetermined anti-rotation means. The angle between the crank 46 and the display housing 16 is approximately 90 degrees (see FIG. 11), and in the closed state, the crank 46 is oriented along the Z direction.
[0028] The slider 48 has a rectangular shape in front view and fits tightly into the base plate 40, surrounding the base plate 40. It is slidable in the Y direction within the range facing the slider passage portion 14fbb. The slider 48 is located on the Y1 side of the first shaft 42 and slides toward and away from the first shaft 42. The base plate 40 serves both the function of guiding the slider 48 so that it can slide and the function of supporting the first shaft 42, which is reasonable, but the two functional parts may be separate. Short shafts 48a protrude from both ends of the slider 48 in the X direction (only the right side is shown in Figure 10). The slider 48 has an appropriate width in the Y direction to allow easy sliding.
[0029] The torque application unit 50 applies frictional rotational torque to the first shaft 42, enabling the display housing 16 to be maintained at any angle. It includes a flange 50a at the left end of the first shaft 42, a nut 50b that threads onto the male thread at the right end, and multiple fixed washers 50c and disks 50d that fit onto the first shaft 42 between them. The disks 50d are plate springs formed from dish-shaped metal plates, and multiple disks 50d are stacked between the nut 50b and the right-side support portion 40d via the fixed washers 50c. Additional fixed washers 50c are provided between the two support portions 40d and the crank 46. The fixed washers 50c are prevented from rotating relative to the first shaft 42 by a predetermined anti-rotation mechanism. The torque application unit 50 generates an axial force on the first shaft 42 by tightening the nut 50b, causing the disks 50d to elastically compress, thereby generating an axial frictional force on the first shaft 42. The nut 50b may be subjected to a loosening prevention treatment.
[0030] The link 52 will be described with reference to Figures 2, 3, 9, and 10, which show the closed state. The link 52 is mainly composed of a left side plate 54, a right side plate 54, and a peripheral wall 58. The peripheral wall 58 is shaped like an irregular pentagonal cylinder that faces sideways. The side plates 54, 56 fit into and close left and right openings in the peripheral wall 58. The peripheral wall 58 does not reach the lower part on the Y1 side, and has an opening 52a through which the slider 48 can be inserted.
[0031] Shaft holes 54a, 56a that rotatably support the second shaft 44 are formed near the upper ends of the side plates 54, 56 on the Y2 side. An inward bulge 56b is formed in the lower part of the side plate 56 on the Y1 side. The bulge 56b ensures space for arranging the nut 50b, fixing washer 50c, and disk 50d of the torque application part 50.
[0032] A slider shaft hole 56c is formed on the inner surface of the bulging portion 56b, which supports the X-direction shaft 48a on the right side surface of the slider 48. Although not shown, a slider shaft hole is formed in the left side plate 54 at a similar position, which supports the X-direction shaft 48a on the left side surface of the slider 48. In other words, the link 52 supports the slider 48 in the X direction and also supports the second shaft 44.
[0033] In this embodiment, the axial distance between the axis 48a and the first shaft 42 in the closed state is about 1.5 times the axial distance between the first shaft 42 and the second shaft 44. In this embodiment, the width of the link 52 in the Y direction is about twice the axial distance between the first shaft 42 and the second shaft 44. The link 52 does not support the first shaft 42.
[0034] The slider shaft hole 56c has a bottom that corresponds to the short shaft 48a, but it may also be a through hole. The shaft 48a may be provided in the side plates 54, 56, and the slider shaft hole 56c may be provided in the slider 48. An L-shaped member 56d that protrudes inward is provided on the side plate 56. A shaft hole through which the second shaft 44 is inserted is formed in the bent tip portion of the L-shaped member 56d, and the L-shaped member 56d provides auxiliary support for the second shaft 44 in the vicinity of the crank 46.
[0035] The link 52 has five main surfaces defined by the peripheral wall 58: a rear surface 52b, a front surface 52c, an upper surface 52d, a lower surface 52e, and an inclined surface 52f.
[0036] In the closed state, the rear surface 52b forms a continuous surface with the rear end portion 14a of the main body housing 14 and the lower end portion 16a of the display housing 16. The upper surface 52d and the upper arc portion 52g between the rear surface 52b and the upper surface 52d form a continuous surface with the rear cover 16b on the side opposite the display surface of the display housing 16. The lower arc portion 52h between the rear surface 52b and the lower surface 52e forms a continuous surface with the lower cover material of the main body housing 14. In this way, in the closed state, the link 52 has an integrated appearance that is continuous with the main body housing 14 and the display housing 16, which is preferable from a design perspective. The lower arc portion 52h has a moderately gentle arc shape.
[0037] The upper surface 52d has a shorter width in the Y direction than the lower surface 52e, approximately one-third the width in this embodiment, making it relatively inconspicuous. A gently inclined surface 52f is provided between the upper surface 52d and the front surface 52c. The inclined surface 52f and the relief portion 30 (see FIG. 11(a)) have the same inclination angle, so that they face each other with almost no gap when closed. The lower surface 52e is inclined slightly upward toward the Y1 side to avoid interference with other components such as the cover.
[0038] The upper half of the front surface 52c is slightly inclined toward the Y2 side. Small pin bases 50g are provided to protrude from both the left and right ends of this inclined portion of the front surface 52c. Pins 60 protrude in directions away from each of the two pin bases 50g. Each pin 60 fits into an engagement groove 24b (see FIG. 5) formed on the underside of the touch device 24, and drives the touch device 24 to slide. The means for driving the touch device 24 to slide may be provided on the slider 48.
[0039] Figure 11 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the hinge device 10 and its surrounding area, where (a) is a diagram showing the 0 degree or closed state, (b) is a diagram showing the 60 degree state, (c) is a diagram showing the 90 degree state, and (d) is a diagram showing the 135 degree or maximum open state.
[0040] 11(a), in the closed state, the second shaft 44 is directly above the first shaft 42. At this time, the slider 48 is displaced furthest toward the Y1 side. The link 52 is contained within the outline of the main body housing 14 and the display housing 16, and the lower arc portion 52h coincides with the outline of the main body housing extending from the bottom surface 14c to the rear end portion 14a. However, depending on the conditions, a portion of the link 52 may protrude slightly from the bottom surface 14c.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 11(b), when the opening / closing angle is 60 degrees, the second shaft 44 rotates clockwise from the closed position to a position at 60 degrees relative to the first shaft 42, displacing downward and in the Y2 direction by that amount. The link 52 pivotally supports the second shaft 44 at the shaft axle hole 56a, displacing downward and in the Y2 direction while rotating. The link 52 also pivotally supports the axle 48a of the slider 48 at the slider axle hole 56c. The slider 48 is slidable in the Y direction but not displaceable in the Z direction. Consequently, the link 52 displaces in the Y2 direction while apparently rotating relative to the axle 48a of the slider 48. As a result, the lower arc portion 52h displaces downward and in the Y2 direction, protruding from the bottom surface 14c of the main housing 14.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 11(c), when the opening / closing angle is 90 degrees, the second shaft 44 moves from the closed state position to a position at 90 degrees clockwise with the first shaft 42 as the rotation reference, and displaces in the Y2 direction and downward by that amount. The link 52 displaces in the Y2 direction and downward while rotating with the axis 48a of the slider 48 as the reference. At this time, the second shaft 44 and the slider 48 are displaced to their maximum in the Y2 direction. The lower arc portion 52h protrudes further downward than when the opening / closing angle is 60 degrees. At this time, the lower arc portion 52h is located approximately 40 degrees counterclockwise from vertically downward with the axis 48a as the reference.
[0043] 11(d), in the maximum open state, the second shaft 44 moves from the closed state position to a position at 135 degrees clockwise with respect to the first shaft 42 as the rotation reference, and then moves downward by that amount and returns slightly in the Y1 direction. The link 52 moves downward while rotating with respect to the axis 48a of the slider 48 as the reference, and returns slightly in the Y1 direction. The lower arc portion 52h moves clockwise from the state when the opening / closing angle is 90 degrees, and in this embodiment, with respect to the axis 48a, it moves to a position about 15 degrees counterclockwise from vertically downward, and protrudes further downward.
[0044] 12 is a schematic side view of the electronic device 12 in the fully open state. In the fully open state, the lower arc portion 52h of the link 52 protrudes downward from the bottom surface 14c of the main body housing 14 at the bottom of the rear end portion 14a. Therefore, the main body housing 14 is inclined upward at a moderate angle to the rear. In this embodiment, the inclination is about 2 to 3 degrees with respect to the placement surface G.
[0045] The inclination of the main housing 14 ensures a gap Ga of an appropriate width between the lower surface 14c and the placement surface G, reducing the resistance to air intake through the air intake holes 14d (see FIG. 3). The appropriate inclination of the main housing 14 also makes typing on the keyboard 20 easier. The lower arc portion 52h has a gentle arc shape, making it suitable for placement. The hinge device 10 can be called a frame lift-up hinge, as the link 52, which essentially constitutes part of the frame, protrudes downward to lift up the main housing 14.
[0046] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can of course be freely modified within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]
[0047] 10 Hinge device 12,12A electronic equipment 14 Main unit housing 14a Rear end (connecting edge) 14b Top surface (opposite surface) 14c Bottom surface (non-opposing surface) 14d Air intake (vent) 16 Display housing 16a Lower end 16b Rear cover 18 Display 20 keyboards 24,24A Touch device (input / output device) 26,26A Cover 40 base plate 42 First Shaft 44 Second Shaft 46 Crank 48 Slider 48a axis 50 Torque applying section 52 Links 52d top surface 52e bottom side 52h Lower arc 54,56 Side panels 54a, 56a Shaft bore 56c Slider shaft hole 58 Peripheral wall 60 pins
Claims
1. A hinge device that rotatably connects a first housing and a second housing, each of which has a flat shape, a first shaft extending in a first direction along a connecting edge between the first housing and the second housing and rotatably supported with respect to the first housing in the vicinity of the connecting edge with the second housing; a second shaft extending in the first direction and fixed to the second housing near a connecting edge with the first housing; a crank that non-rotatably connects the first shaft and the second shaft; a slider provided on the first housing so as to be slidable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a link that pivotally supports the slider in the first direction and pivotally supports the second shaft; and As the first housing and the second housing are rotated from a closed state in which they are stacked to an open state, the link protrudes from a surface that does not face the second housing in the closed state. A hinge device characterized by the above.
2. The hinge device according to claim 1, a base plate fixed to the first housing, slidably guiding the slider and supporting the first shaft; A hinge device characterized by the above.
3. The hinge device according to claim 2, the base plate has two support portions that support the first shaft, The crank is provided between the two support portions. A hinge device characterized by the above.
4. The hinge device according to claim 2, The slider has a rectangular shape that surrounds the base plate. A hinge device characterized by the above.
5. The hinge device according to claim 1, an input / output device that slides in the second direction together with the slider or a portion of the link near a pivot support portion of the slider; The input / output device is covered by a cover in the closed state and is exposed from the cover in the open state. A hinge device characterized by the above.
6. The hinge device according to claim 1, In the closed state, the link forms a continuous surface with the surface of the connecting edge. A hinge device characterized by the above.
7. The hinge device according to claim 1, The first shaft is provided with a torque applying portion that applies a rotational torque. A hinge device characterized by the above.
8. The hinge device according to claim 1, A keyboard is provided on the surface of the first housing facing the second housing, and ventilation holes are provided on the non-facing surface. A hinge device characterized by the above.
9. An electronic device in which a first housing and a second housing, each of which has a flat shape, are rotatably connected by a hinge device, The hinge device includes: a first shaft extending in a first direction along a connecting edge between the first housing and the second housing and rotatably supported with respect to the first housing in the vicinity of the connecting edge with the second housing; a second shaft extending in the first direction and fixed to the second housing near a connecting edge with the first housing; a crank that non-rotatably connects the first shaft and the second shaft; a slider provided on the first housing so as to be slidable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a link that pivotally supports the slider in the first direction and pivotally supports the second shaft; and As the first housing and the second housing are rotated from a closed state in which they are stacked to an open state, the link protrudes from a surface that does not face the second housing in the closed state. An electronic device characterized by:
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Hinge device and electronic device
JP2022036805A