Multi-joint hinge device and electronic device using the multi-joint hinge device

Abstract

To provide an articulated hinge device which can constantly hold a bent portion of a flexible display sheet which is deformed following the opening / closing of a first box body and a second box body.SOLUTION: An articulated hinge device 5 for connecting first and second box bodies 2, 3 of a folded electronic apparatus 1 having a flexible display sheet 4 has: a synchronization drive part 70 having five pieces of parallel-aligned vertical frames 11 to 15, and an articulation joint for changing a clearance between the frames by swirl-moving the frames which adjoin a frame row constituted of first and second base frames 30A, B attached to the first and second box bodies 2, 3, respectively, while changing an orientation and an angle of rotation, and synchronously moving the frames which adjoin the frame row while making them synchronized with each other in a direction in which the frames approximate each other, and in a direction in which the frames separate from each other by relative opening / closing motions of the first and second box bodies 2, 3; and stop holding parts 90A, B which can stop and hold relative opening / closing motions of the first and second base frames 30A, B between a closed position and an opened position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a multi-joint hinge device suitable for use in various electronic devices such as foldable mobile phones, electronic organizers, PDAs, netbooks, and even laptops, which are equipped with a flexible display sheet made of, for example, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) that are used as light-emitting elements in a bendable display member across the surfaces of both a first housing and a second housing, and to an electronic device using this multi-joint hinge device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, electronic devices such as mobile phones that have a single organic electroluminescent (EL) flexible display sheet attached across both surfaces of a first housing and a second housing have been developed and are becoming available. Patent Document 1 below discloses a multi-axis hinge device using multiple hinge pins as a hinge device that connects the first housing and the second housing of such electronic devices so that they can be opened and closed. This multi-axis hinge device allows the first housing and the second housing to be opened and closed without changing the face length of the flexible display sheet. Furthermore, the multi-axis hinge device is configured so that the bent portion maintains a constant radius of curvature in the internal space of the multi-axis hinge device to prevent the flexible display sheet from breaking or breaking when the first housing and the second housing are opened and closed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-125841 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in a conventional multi-axis hinge device, when the first and second housings are opened and closed and the bent portion of the flexible display sheet changes from a flat state to a curved bent state, the bent portion deforms within the space of the multi-axis hinge device, and therefore the bent portion is not necessarily maintained in a stable state, and there is a risk that the bent portion of the flexible display sheet may move within the space that accommodates the bent portion of the flexible display sheet of the multi-axis hinge device.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-joint hinge device that can always hold the folded portion of a flexible display sheet that deforms as a first housing and a second housing are opened and closed, and an electronic device that uses this multi-joint hinge device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention provides an articulated hinge device that foldably connects a first housing and a second housing of an electronic device by a relative folding action between an open position and a closed position, and is disposed on the rear side of a flexible display sheet that is attached across both inner surfaces of the first housing and the second housing, and that includes a frame section in which an odd number (1+2n (n is an integer of 2 or more)) of vertical frames are arranged in parallel along the width direction, with the short side direction being the width direction and the long side direction being the vertical direction, a first base frame that is arranged in parallel with the vertical frame at one end of the frame section in the width direction and is attached to the first housing, and a second base frame disposed in parallel with the vertical frame at the other end of the frame in the width direction and attached to the second housing; a frame row formed by the first base frame and the second base frame disposed in parallel on both sides of the odd number of parallel vertical frames in the width direction, the multi-joint unit having an articulation joint disposed between adjacent frames, the articulation joint rotating the adjacent frames along a predetermined trajectory while changing the direction and angle of rotation of each other, thereby changing the relative gap between the frames; and a multi-joint unit connecting adjacent frames in the frame row in series by gears, so that the first base frame and the second base frame are relatively Closing directiona synchronous driving unit that synchronously moves the adjacent frames in directions away from each other when the first base frame and the second base frame move relatively in the opening direction, and synchronously moves the adjacent frames in directions approaching each other when the first base frame and the second base frame move relatively in the opening direction; a stop and hold unit that can stop and hold the relative rotational movement of the first base frame and the vertical frame adjacent to the first base frame, and the second base frame and the vertical frame adjacent to the second base frame, between the closed position and the open position; The articulated joint can be configured, in each frame of the frame row, by an arc-shaped arm provided on one of the adjacent frames and having a guide surface of a predetermined curved surface, and a guide hole portion provided on the other adjacent frame and slidably engaging with the one frame along the guide surface of the arc-shaped arm.

[0008] No. 2 The articulated hinge device of the present invention is 1 shot In the multi-joint hinge device of the present invention, the frame portion is configured so that one or more frame groups are arranged symmetrically on the left and right sides of the frame, with the first vertical frame located in the center of the width direction as the center and the second and third vertical frames arranged in sequence from the first vertical frame side, and the multi-joint portions can be provided in two locations at both vertical ends of the frame portion, or in three locations at both vertical ends and the vertical center.

[0009] No. 3 The articulated hinge device of the present invention is the articulated hinge device of the third invention, wherein the articulated joints of the articulated section are provided between the first vertical frame and the first base frame, and the articulated joints on the left side in the width direction are provided between the first vertical frame and the first base frame. Vertical The left articulation joint in the width direction has the arc-shaped arms projecting from the first vertical frame and the second and third vertical frames toward the first base frame side, and the arc-shaped arms are respectively connected to the second vertical frame, the third vertical frame, and the 1be The guide hole portion is provided in each of the base frames, and the articulation joint on the right side in the width direction has the arc-shaped arms protruding from the first vertical frame and the second and third vertical frames toward the second base frame side, and the second vertical frame, the third vertical frame, and the 2BThe base frame may be configured so that the guide hole portion is provided therein.

[0010] No. 4 The multi-joint hinge device of the invention can be configured such that, in the multi-joint hinge device of any of the first to fourth inventions, the synchronous drive unit is provided with a plurality of synchronous gear trains along the width direction, which are gear-connected in series to form a group of three frames that are continuously arranged in parallel in the frame train, and adjacent synchronous gear trains along the width direction share two adjacent frames that are closest to the adjacent synchronous gear train among the three that make up one group.

[0011] No. 5 The multi-joint hinge device of the invention can be configured such that, in the multi-joint hinge device of the fifth invention, the meshing position of the first arc-shaped arm and the left synchronous gear and the meshing position of the second arc-shaped arm and the right synchronous gear move from the root end to the tip end with the folding action from the open position to the closed position, and move from the tip end to the root end with the folding action from the closed position to the open position.

[0012] No. 6 The articulated hinge device of the present invention is a multi-joint hinge device according to a third aspect of the present invention, wherein the third vertical frame is provided with an insertion hole into which a tip end of the arc-shaped arm is inserted, the insertion hole passing through the guide hole portion provided in the second vertical frame adjacent to the first vertical frame side, and the first and 2B The base frame may be configured to have an insertion hole into which the tip of the arc-shaped arm is inserted, passing through the guide hole portion provided in the third vertical frame adjacent to the first vertical frame.

[0013] No. 7 The articulated hinge device of the present invention includes first to second 6 In any one of the articulated hinge devices of the present invention, 1be The plurality of articulation joints provided between the first vertical frame and the base frame are arranged such that adjacent articulation joints in the width direction are shifted from each other in the vertical direction, and 2B The plurality of articulation joints provided between the base frame and the base frame may be configured such that adjacent articulation joints in the width direction are shifted from each other in the vertical direction.

[0014] No. 8 The articulated hinge device of the invention can be configured such that, in the articulated hinge device of the first invention, the stop retaining portion has a first friction click stop mechanism provided on the first base frame having a first input gear, a second friction click stop mechanism provided on the second base frame having a second input gear, a first connecting gear fixed to the vertical frame adjacent to the first base frame and meshing with the first input gear, and a second connecting gear fixed to the vertical frame adjacent to the second base frame and meshing with the second input gear, and the first and second friction click stop mechanisms each have a cam portion with uneven portions in which click bodies fixed to the rotating shafts of the first and second input gears rotate integrally with the respective rotating shafts and click into engagement at the open position and the closed position, and a friction plate that applies frictional force to the rotation of the rotating shaft.

[0015] No. 9 The articulated hinge device of the invention may be any of the articulated hinge devices of the first to ninth inventions, in which a rear cover portion covering the frame portion is provided on the rear side of the frame portion, the rear cover portion having a plurality of vertical cover plates formed in the shape of vertical strips arranged side by side along the width direction and connected to each other so as to be rotatable around vertical axes, and among the plurality of vertical cover plates, the vertical cover plate at one width end is engaged with the first base frame so as to be movably in the width direction, and the vertical cover plate at the other width end is engaged with the second base frame so as to be movably in the width direction.

[0016] No. 10The electronic device of the invention comprises a first housing, a second housing, a flexible display sheet attached across both inner surfaces of the first housing and the second housing, and a multi-joint hinge device of any one of the first to tenth inventions that foldably connects the first housing and the second housing by a relative folding action between an open position and a closed position and is arranged on the back side of the flexible display sheet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the first housing and the second housing are opened or closed relative to each other, the surface of the frame part changes from a flat surface to a semicircular arc surface while describing a parabola, and the folded part of the flexible display sheet is held in place along the surface of the frame part 10. Therefore, when closed, the folded part of the flexible display sheet folded in a semicircular arc can be held stably without shaking. Furthermore, when used in the open state, there is no sagging or wrinkling. Furthermore, the sliding engagement between the arc-shaped arms and the guide holes allows the adjacent frames to rotate along a predetermined trajectory, changing the relative rotational direction and angle to change the gap between the frames, so that the width of the frame portion corresponding to the chord length is short in the closed position, and the width of the frame portion corresponding to the arc length is long in the closed position, preventing slack in the bent portion of the flexible display sheet.

[0019] No. 2 According to the present invention, by arranging the articulated joints in a balanced manner in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the frame row, it is possible to smoothly rotate each frame constituting the frame row during opening and closing operations.

[0020] No. 3 According to the invention, the curved surface drawn on the surface of the frame portion due to the opening and closing operation can be made a parabola symmetrical about the first vertical frame, so that no partial stress concentration occurs at the bent portion of the flexible display sheet, and damage to the flexible display sheet can be prevented.

[0021] No. 4 According to the present invention, by distributing a plurality of synchronous gear trains on the frame train, the entire synchronous drive unit can be made compact, and the articulated hinge device can be made thinner.

[0022] No. 5According to the invention, adjacent frames can be rotated relative to each other with a simple configuration.

[0023] No. 6 According to the invention, even if the arc-shaped arm is made long, the tip end can be prevented from interfering with other vertical frames, etc., and opening and closing operations can be performed reliably.

[0024] No. 7 According to the invention, by avoiding interference between adjacent articulated joints and distributing the articulated joints vertically, the stress applied to the arc-shaped arm and the guide hole portion can be distributed, allowing for smooth opening and closing operations.

[0025] No. 8 According to the invention, the first friction click stop mechanism and the second friction click stop mechanism can be stored vertically in the first base frame and the second base frame, respectively, thereby making the multi-joint hinge device more compact.In addition, the components that make up the first friction click stop mechanism and the second friction click stop mechanism can also be arranged vertically, making it possible to make the first friction click stop mechanism and the second friction click stop mechanism more compact.

[0026] No. 9 According to the invention, the rear surface of the frame portion can be covered in accordance with the opening and closing operation.

[0027] No. 10 According to the present invention, the multi-joint hinge device can protect the folded portion of the flexible display sheet, and a foldable electronic device can be provided that reduces damage to the flexible display sheet. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view showing an embodiment of a folding electronic device using an articulated hinge device according to the present invention, showing a closed state in which a first housing and a second housing are in contact with each other and face each other. [Figure 2] 2 is an external perspective view of the electronic device of FIG. 1 in an open state with the first and second housings opened 180 degrees. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a multi-joint hinge device according to the present invention, illustrating the closed state; [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a multi-joint hinge device according to the present invention, illustrating the device in an open state; [Figure 5A] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of a multi-joint hinge device according to the present invention. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is an enlarged perspective view of a multi-joint unit and a synchronous drive unit of the multi-joint hinge device shown in FIG. 5A. [Figure 5C] FIG. 5B is an enlarged perspective view of the friction click stop of the articulating hinge device shown in FIG. 5A. [Figure 5D] FIG. 5B is an enlarged perspective view of a rear cover portion of the articulated hinge device shown in FIG. 5A. [Figure 6] FIG. 5B is an exploded perspective view showing a portion of the first friction click stop mechanism shown in FIG. 5A. [Figure 7] 5 is a top view of the articulated hinge device in the open state shown in FIG. 4, showing a state in which the support sheet has been removed. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a front view of the articulated hinge device shown in FIG. 7 in an open state. [Figure 9] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line J11-J11 in FIG. 7. [Figure 10] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line J12-J12 in FIG. 7. [Figure 11] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line G11-G11 in FIG. 7. [Figure 12] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line G12-G12 in FIG. 7. [Figure 13] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line G13-G13 in FIG. 7. [Figure 14] 5B is a top view of the articulated hinge device shown in FIG. 5A, showing an intermediate state between the open state and the closed state with the support sheet removed. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a front view of the articulated hinge device in the intermediate state shown in FIG. [Figure 16] 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line J21-J21 in FIG. 14. [Figure 17] 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line J22-J22 in FIG. 14. [Figure 18] 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line J23-J23 in FIG. 14. [Figure 19] 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line G21-G21 in FIG. 14. [Figure 20] 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line G22-G22 in FIG. 14. [Figure 21] 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line G23-G23 in FIG. 14. [Figure 22] FIG. 4 is a top view of the articulated hinge device in the closed state shown in FIG. 3, showing a state in which a support sheet is attached. [Figure 23] 23 is a front view of the articulated hinge device in the closed state shown in FIG. 22. FIG. [Figure 24] 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line J31-J31 in FIG. 22. [Figure 25] 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line J32-J32 in FIG. 22. [Figure 26] 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line J33-J33 in FIG. 22. [Figure 27] 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line G31-G31 in FIG. 22. [Figure 28] 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line G32-G32 in FIG. 22. [Figure 29] 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line G33-G33 in FIG. 22. [Figure 30] 9. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the folding direction of the electronic device in the open state shown in FIG. 2, and corresponds to the cross-sectional view of the articulated hinge device shown in FIG. [Figure 31] 25 is a cross-sectional view taken along the folding direction of the electronic device in the closed state shown in FIG. 1, and corresponds to the cross-sectional view of the articulated hinge device shown in FIG. 24. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A multi-joint hinge device according to the present invention and an electronic device using the multi-joint hinge device will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0030] 1 and 2 are perspective views of an electronic device using a multi-joint hinge device according to the present invention. Electronic device 1 has a flexible display sheet 4, made of, for example, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), mounted across both surfaces of a first housing 2 and a second housing 3. The first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are connected via a multi-joint hinge device 5, and are connected so that the flexible display sheet 4 can be folded inward between a closed state in which the housings are closed to a position where they face each other and make contact, as shown in FIG. 1, and an open state in which the housings are opened 180 degrees. While a notebook computer will be used as an example of electronic device 1, various other electronic devices, such as mobile phones, electronic organizers, PDAs, and netbooks, can also be used.

[0031] In the open state where the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are opened 180 degrees as shown in FIG. 2, if the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are defined as three axes perpendicular to one another, the X-axis direction in which the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are aligned is defined as the width direction (sometimes also referred to as the left-right direction), the Y-axis direction is perpendicular to the width direction and the hinge axis direction of the articulated hinge device 5 is defined as the vertical direction, and the Z-axis direction is defined as the front-to-back direction. In the vertical direction, when the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are opened left and right as shown in FIG. 2, the near side is defined as the front side (sometimes also referred to as the front side), and the far side is defined as the rear side. Furthermore, in the front-to-back direction, the front side is sometimes referred to as the inner side, and the rear side is sometimes referred to as the outer side or rear side.

[0032] The articulated hinge device 5 is folded into a U-shape when viewed from the front in the closed state shown in Fig. 3, and unfolds flat in the left-right direction in the open state shown in Fig. 4. The articulated hinge device 5 has a flexible rectangular flat support sheet 6 attached to its surface.

[0033] The configuration of the articulated hinge device 5 will be described with reference to the exploded perspective views shown in FIGS. 5A to 5D.

[0034] Fig. 5A shows the overall configuration of the articulated hinge device 5, Fig. 5B shows the frame unit 10 of the articulated hinge device 5, the front portions of the first and second base frames 30A and 30B, the front and middle articulated units 50, and the synchronous drive unit 70. Fig. 5C shows the frame unit 10, the rear portions of the first and second base frames 30A and 30B, the rear articulated unit 50, and the first and second friction click stop units 90A and 90B, which are stop retainers. Fig. 5D shows the rear cover unit 110.

[0035] The articulated hinge device 5 has a frame section 10 configured with five elongated vertical frames 11 to 15 arranged side by side, a first base frame 30A fixed to the first housing 2 with screws (not shown), and a second base frame 30B fixed to the second housing 3 with screws (not shown).The articulated hinge device 5 further has a multi-joint section 50, a synchronous drive section 70, a first friction click stop section 90A, and a second friction click stop section 90B.

[0036] Schematic configuration of the frame section 10

[0037] The five vertical frames 11 to 15 of the frame section 10 are all formed in a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape that is short in the width direction and long in the vertical direction, and are configured by assembling a plurality of frame bodies in series along the vertical direction to form a single frame. The vertical frame located in the center in the width direction is the first vertical frame 11, and the vertical frames on the left side of the first vertical frame 11 in the width direction are referred to in order as the left second vertical frame 12 and the left third vertical frame 13, facing the first base frame 30A. Furthermore, the vertical frames on the right side of the first vertical frame 11 in the width direction are referred to in order as the right second vertical frame 14 and the right third vertical frame 15, facing the second base frame 30B. The left second vertical frame 12 and Third vertical frame on the left 13 The left first frame group 10A is made up of the first vertical frame 11 and the right second vertical frame 14 and the right third vertical frame 15 are made up of the right first frame group 10B. In this embodiment, the left first frame group 10A and the right first frame group 10B are arranged on the left and right sides of the first vertical frame 11 in the width direction.

[0038] Schematic configuration of the first base frame 30A and the second base frame 30B

[0039] The first base frame 30A connects the front first base frame body 31A and the rear first base frame body 32A in series along the vertical direction, and as shown in FIG. 7, the connecting portions are fixed with screws 201 and 202. The second base frame 30B connects the front second base frame body 31B and the rear second base frame body 32B in series along the vertical direction, and as shown in FIG. 7, the connecting portions are fixed with screws 203 and 204. A step portion 33 is formed on the surface side of the first base frame 30A and the second base frame 30B, with the inside lower and the outside higher in the left-right direction. The height of the step portion 33 is the thickness of the support sheet 6, and the support sheet 6 is placed inside the step portion 33.

[0040] The rear first base frame body 32A is provided with a first friction click stop 90A, and the rear second base frame body 32B is provided with a second friction click stop 90B.

[0041] Configuration of the articulated section 50

[0042] The articulated section 50 has a left first articulated joint 51A provided between the first vertical frame 11 and the left second vertical frame 12, a left second articulated joint 52A provided between the left second vertical frame 12 and the left third vertical frame 13, and a left third articulated joint 53A provided between the left third vertical frame 13 and the first base frame 30A. Also, a right first articulated joint 51B provided between the first vertical frame 11 and the right second vertical frame 14, a right second articulated joint 52B provided between the right second vertical frame 14 and the right third vertical frame 15, and a right third articulated joint 53A provided between the right third vertical frame 15 and the second base frame 30B. joint The first left joint joint 51A to the third left joint joint 53A and the first right joint joint 51B to the third right joint joint 53B are grouped together.

[0043] The left first joint joint 51A, the left third joint joint 53A, the right first joint joint 51B, and the right third joint joint 53B are provided at the same position in the vertical direction, and the left second joint joint 52A and the right second joint joint 52B are provided behind the left first joint joint 51A. The multi-joint unit 50 causes the vertical frames 11 to 15 of the frame unit 10, the first base frame 30A, and the second base frame 30B to perform an operation that changes the direction and angle of rotation relative to each other along a predetermined trajectory, thereby changing the gap between the frames (hereinafter referred to as multi-joint hinge operation).

[0044] In this embodiment, the multi-joint units 50 are provided at three locations, one at each end in the vertical direction and one in the middle, to allow smooth multi-joint hinge operation. The front side in the vertical direction is the first row multi-joint unit 50A, the middle is the second row multi-joint unit 50B, and the rear side in the vertical direction is the third row multi-joint unit 50C.

[0045] The multi-joint unit 50 provides a movement trajectory that continuously changes the frame unit 10 from a U-shaped curved state to a flat state when viewed from the front along the front-to-rear direction by the multi-joint hinge operation, between a closed state where the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 face each other and come into contact (a negative angle slightly exceeding 0 degrees) and an open state where the opening and closing angle is 180 degrees, by opening and closing the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 relative to each other.

[0046] In this embodiment, for the first row articulated unit 50A, the first to third left articulated joints 51A to 53A provided on the left side of the first vertical frame 11 change the relative rotation direction and angle of the first vertical frame 11, the left vertical frames 12 and 13 of the left first frame group 10A, and the first base frame 30A between an opening and closing angle of 0 degrees to approximately 90 degrees (slightly exceeding 90 degrees), thereby changing the gap between the frames. Similarly, the right first to third right articulated joints 51B to 53B provided on the right side of the first vertical frame 11 change the relative rotation direction and angle of the first vertical frame 11, the right vertical frames 14 and 15 of the right first frame group 10B, and the second base frame 30B between an opening and closing angle of 0 degrees to 90 degrees, thereby changing the gap between the frames.

[0047] The left trajectory, which curves by changing the gap between the frames as the left first frame group 10A and the first base frame 30A change their relative rotation direction and angle, and the right trajectory, which curves by changing the gap between the frames as the right first frame group 10B and the second base frame 30B change their relative rotation direction and angle, are symmetrical with respect to the first vertical frame 11.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 9 and 10, the first, second and third left joint joints 51A, 52A and 53A constituting the first row articulated section 50A are provided on the first vertical frame 11, the second left vertical frame 12 and the third left vertical frame 13, respectively, and are formed in the same shape as the left first to third arc-shaped arms 61a to 61c, which extend toward the left side. The left first to third arc-shaped arms 61a to 61c are slidably engaged with each other. However, The first base frame 30A has first to third left guide holes 62a to 62c formed in the same shape. The first left guide hole 62a is formed in the second left vertical frame 12, the second left guide hole 62b is formed in the third left vertical frame 13, and the third left guide hole 62c is formed in the right side surface of the first base frame 30A.

[0049] The first to third left arc-shaped arms 61a to 61c form curved surfaces 63 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) on their front and back surfaces, which provide arc-shaped movement trajectories extending toward the front surface in the front-to-back direction. The first to third left guide holes 62a to 62c have curved inner circumferential surfaces 64 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) that abut against the curved surfaces 63 on the front and back surfaces of the first to third left arc-shaped arms 61a to 61c. The left guide holes 62a to 62c are guided by the curved surfaces 63 and slidably engage with the first to third left arc-shaped arms 61a to 61c between their base ends and their tips.

[0050] Furthermore, the first to third right articulation joints 51B to 53B, which are arranged on the right side of the first vertical frame 11 in the width direction, are arranged symmetrically with the first to third left articulation joints 51A to 53A, with the first vertical frame 11 as the center. The first to third right arc-shaped arms 65a to 65c and the first to third right guide holes 66a to 66c are formed symmetrically with the first to third left arc-shaped arms 61a to 61c and the first to third left guide holes 62a to 62c. The first to third right arc-shaped arms 65a to 65c have curved surfaces 67 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) on their front and back surfaces that provide an arc-shaped movement trajectory, and extend toward the right. The first to third right guide holes 66a to 66c, each having an inner peripheral surface 68 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) against which the curved surfaces 67 on the front and rear of the first to third right arc-shaped arms 65a to 65c abut, are formed on the left side surfaces of the second right vertical frame 14, the third right vertical frame 15, and the second base frame 30B. The first to third right guide holes 66a to 66c are guided by the curved surfaces 67 and slidably engage between the base ends and the tip ends of the first to third right arc-shaped arms 65a to 65c.

[0051] 5A and 5B, the first to third left arc-shaped arms constituting the second row multi-joint unit 50B are designated by the reference numerals 261a to 261c, the first to third right guide hole portions are designated by the reference numerals 262a to 262c, the first to third right arc-shaped arms are designated by the reference numerals 265a to 265c, and the first to third right guide hole portions are designated by the reference numerals 266a to 266c. Similarly, in FIGS. 5A and 5C, the first to third left arc-shaped arms constituting the third row multi-joint unit 50C are designated by the reference numerals 361a to 361c, the first to third right guide hole portions are designated by the reference numerals 362a to 362c, the first to third right arc-shaped arms are designated by the reference numerals 365a to 365c, and the first to third right guide hole portions are designated by the reference numerals 366a to 366c.

[0052] The operation of the articulated hinge will be described using the first row articulated unit 50A as an example. The first left articulated joint 51A, the second left articulated joint 52A, and the third left articulated joint 53A, which are provided on the left side of the first vertical frame 11, rotate the adjacent first vertical frame 11 and second left vertical frame 12, the second left vertical frame 12 and third left vertical frame 13, and the third left vertical frame 13 and first base frame 30A at angles between 0 and 30 degrees, changing the relative direction of rotation and changing the gap between the frames. By rotating the first to third left articulated joints 51A to 53A at equal angles simultaneously between 0 and 30 degrees, the trajectory of each frame between the first vertical frame 11 and first base frame 30A becomes a curved arc (quarter circular arc) with an opening / closing angle of 90 degrees from the horizontal. Similarly, the first to third right joints 51B to 53B provided on the right side of the first vertical frame 11 are rotated at angles between 0 degrees and 30 degrees.

[0053] On the other hand, the length of the deformable portion 4a of the flexible display sheet 4 spanning between the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 is constant in the left-right direction. Taking the chord length and arc length of a circular arc as an example, the chord length is shorter than the arc length. If the length in the width direction from the first base frame 30A through the frame unit 10 to the second base frame 30B in the open state is taken as the chord length, then in order to deform the deformable portion 4a into a curved shape in the closed state, the length in the width direction from the first base frame 30A through the frame unit 10 to the second base frame 30B must be longer than the chord length. Therefore, the first to third left articulated joints 51A to 53A and the first to third right articulated joints 51B to 53B change the gaps between the frames relatively, thereby expanding or contracting the left-right (widthwise) distance between adjacent frames.

[0054] Furthermore, by making the rotation angle slightly larger than 30 degrees, in the closed state, the opposing surfaces of the flexible display sheet 4 can be inclined surfaces, allowing the outer ends of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 in the left-right direction to abut against each other, as shown in Figure 31.

[0055] In the open state shown in Figures 9 and 10, Figure 9 shows the left first joint joint 51A, the right first joint joint 51B, the left third joint joint 53A, and the right third joint joint 53B, and Figure 10 shows the left second joint joint 52A and the right second joint joint 52B. ~3rd The guide holes 62a to 62c are the first left guide holes. ~3rd The arc-shaped arms 61a to 61c are engaged at their bases, and the right first ~3rd The guide holes 66a to 66c engage with the right first to third arc-shaped arms 65a to 65c. In this engaged state, the first base frame 30A, the vertical frames 11 to 15 of the frame portion 10, and the second base frame 30B are aligned flatly with no gaps in the left-right direction.

[0056] The first to third left arc-shaped arms 61a to 61c and the first to third right arc-shaped arms 65a to 65c engage with the first to third left guide holes 62a to 62c and the first to third right guide holes 66a to 66c from their bases (rotation angle of 0 degrees) to a range of rotation angles slightly exceeding 30 degrees. The lengths (arc lengths) of the first to third left arc-shaped arms 61a to 61c and the first to third right arc-shaped arms 65a to 65c are longer than the width in the left-right direction of the vertical frame in which the first to third left guide holes 62a to 62c and the first to third right guide holes 66a to 66c are provided. For this reason, the first base frame 30A and the second base frame 30B are formed with insertion holes 69a, 69b (see FIG. 10) as clearance holes into which the distal ends of the left second arcuate arm 61b and the right second arcuate arm 65b are inserted, and the left and right third vertical frames 13, 15 are formed with insertion holes 69c, 69d (see FIG. 9) into which the distal ends of the left first arcuate arm 61a and the right first arcuate arm 65a that pass through the left first guide hole portion 62a and the right first guide hole portion 66a are inserted. The inner peripheral surfaces of the insertion holes 69a, 69b are formed in a shape that allows the distal ends of the left second arcuate arm 61b and the right second arcuate arm 65b to slide and engage without play. Similarly, the inner peripheral surfaces of the insertion holes 69c, 69d are formed in a shape that allows the distal ends of the left first arcuate arm 61a and the right first arcuate arm 65a to slide and engage without play.

[0057] The structure of the frame portion 10 will be briefly explained, and the attachment portions of the arc-shaped arms and guide holes in each vertical frame will be explained.

[0058] The first vertical frame 11 of the frame unit 10 is composed of seven frame bodies, the first to seventh frame bodies 21A to 21G, connected in series vertically, and the left second vertical frame 12 is composed of five frame bodies, the eighth to twelfth frame bodies 22A to 22E, connected in series vertically. The left third frame body 13 is composed of the thirteenth to eighteenth frame bodies 23A to 23F, the right second frame body 14 is composed of the nineteenth to twenty-third frame bodies 24A to 24E, and the right third frame body 15 is composed of the twenty-fourth to twenty-ninth frame bodies 25A to 25F. The fifth frame body 21E, the eleventh frame body 22D, the seventeenth frame body 23E, the twenty-second frame body 24D, and the twenty-eighth frame body 25E are length-adjusting frame bodies used to align the overall vertical length of the frame unit 10 with the vertical lengths of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3. The frame bodies constituting each of the vertical frames 11 to 15 are connected together by screws (not shown) that are screwed from the front surface to the back surface.

[0059] In the first vertical frame 11, a left first arcuate arm 61a and a right first arcuate arm 65a are integrally formed with the first frame body 21A for the first row of multi-joint units 50A, a left first arcuate arm 261a and a right first arcuate arm 265a are integrally formed with the fourth frame body 21D for the second row of multi-joint units 50B, and a left first arcuate arm 361a and a right first arcuate arm 365a are integrally formed with the seventh frame body 21G for the third row of multi-joint units 50C.

[0060] In the left second vertical frame 12, a left first guide hole portion 62a is formed in the eighth frame body 22A for the first row multi-joint unit 50A. The left first guide hole portion 62a is formed by fixing a left guide block 662b to a left guide hole main body portion 662a formed in the eighth frame body 22A with a screw (not shown). A left second arc-shaped arm 61b is formed integrally with the eighth frame body 22A. A left second arc-shaped arm 261b is formed integrally with the ninth frame body 22B for the second row multi-joint unit 50B. A left first guide hole portion 262a is formed by the left guide block 662b in the tenth frame body 22C for the second row multi-joint unit 50B. A left second arc-shaped arm 361b is formed integrally with the twelfth frame body 22E for the third row multi-joint unit 50C, and a left first guide hole portion 362a is formed by the left guide block 662b.

[0061] In the left third vertical frame 13, the thirteenth frame body 23A for the first row multi-joint unit 50A is integrally formed with the left third arc-shaped arm 61c and is also formed with an insertion hole 69c. Department The fourteenth frame body 23B for the 50A has a left second guide hole 62b formed therein. Department The left guide block 662b is integrally formed at the rear end of the 15th frame body 23C for 50B, and the second row articulated Department A left guide hole main body 662a is integrally formed at the front end of the 16th frame body 23D for the third-row multi-joint unit 50B. The left second guide hole 262b is formed by connecting the 15th frame body 23C and the 16th frame body 23D. The 16th frame body 23D is formed with an insertion hole 69e into which the tip of the left first arc-shaped arm 261a is inserted. The 18th frame body 23F for the third-row multi-joint unit 50C has a left second guide hole 362b formed by the left guide block 662b, and is integrally formed with a left third arc-shaped arm 361c. An insertion hole 69f is also formed into which the tip of the left first arc-shaped arm 361a is inserted.

[0062] In the right second vertical frame 14, a right first guide hole 66a is formed by a right guide block 666b in the 19th frame body 24A for the first row of multi-joint units 50A. A right second arc-shaped arm 65b is formed integrally with the 20th frame body 24B for the first row of multi-joint units 50A. A right second arc-shaped arm 265b is formed integrally with the 21st frame body 24C for the second row of multi-joint units 50B, and a right first guide hole 266a is formed by the right guide block 666b. A right second arc-shaped arm 365b is formed integrally with the 23rd frame body 24E for the third row of multi-joint units 50C, and a right first guide hole 366a is formed by the right guide block 666b.

[0063] In the right third vertical frame 15, a right third arc-shaped arm 65c is integrally formed with the 24th frame body 25A for the first-row multi-joint unit 50A, and a right second guide hole portion 66b is formed by a right guide block 666b. A right guide block 666b is integrally formed with the rear end of the 25th frame body 25B for the second-row multi-joint unit 50B, and a right guide hole main body portion 666a is integrally formed with the front end of the 26th frame body 25C, and the 25th frame body 25B and the 26th frame body 25C are connected to form the right second guide hole portion 266b. A right third arc-shaped arm 265c is integrally formed with the 27th frame body 25D for the second-row multi-joint unit 50B. The 29th frame body 25F for the third row articulated section 50C has a right second guide hole portion 366b formed by a right guide block 666b, a right third arc-shaped arm 365c formed integrally therewith, and an insertion hole 69i (see Figure 18) into which the right first arc-shaped arm 365a is inserted.

[0064] On the other hand, in the rear second base frame body 32B of the second base frame 30B, a right third guide hole portion 366c into which the right third arc-shaped arm 365c engages is formed by the right guide block 666b, and an insertion hole (not shown) into which the tip of the right second arc-shaped arm 365b is inserted is also formed.

[0065] The front second base frame body 31B is formed with a right third guide hole portion 266c by the right guide block 666b, with which the right third arc-shaped arm 265c of the second row multi-joint section 50B slides and engages. The front second base frame body 31B is also formed with an insertion hole (not shown) into which the tip of the right second arc-shaped arm 265b of the second row multi-joint section 50B is inserted. The front second base frame body 31B is also formed with a right third guide hole portion 266c by the right guide block 666b, with which the right third arc-shaped arm 265c slides and engages. Right third guide hole 66c right It is formed by the guide block 666b.

[0066] On the other hand, the front first base frame body 31A of the first base frame 30A is formed with an insertion hole 69g into which the left second arc-shaped arm 261b of the second row multi-joint section 50B is inserted, and a left third guide hole 69g into which the left third arc-shaped arm 261c of the second row multi-joint section 50B slides. Department The rear first base frame body 32A is formed with an insertion hole 69h into which the tip of the left second arc-shaped arm 361b of the third row multi-joint section 50C is inserted, and the left third guide hole 361c with which the left third arc-shaped arm 361c slides is formed. Department 362c is formed.

[0067] The first base frame 30A and the left third vertical frame 13 change their relative rotation direction and angle within a predetermined rotation angle range between 0 degrees and an upper rotation angle slightly exceeding 30 degrees through sliding engagement between the left third arc-shaped arm (61c, 261c, 361c) and the left third guide hole portion (62c, 262c, 362c), thereby expanding and contracting the gap between the first base frame 30A and the left third vertical frame 13. Between the left third vertical frame 13 and the left second vertical frame 12, the left second arc-shaped arm (61b, 261b, 361b) slides with the left second guide hole (62b, 262b, 362b), and between the left second vertical frame 12 and the first vertical frame 11, the left first arc-shaped arm (61a, 261a, 361a) slides with the left first guide hole (62a, 262a, 362a), and similarly, the gap between the adjacent frames expands and contracts while changing the direction and angle of rotation relative to each other within the predetermined rotation angle range.The gap between the adjacent frames, i.e., the right second vertical frame 14, the right third vertical frame 15, and the second base frame 30B to the right of the first vertical frame 11, also expands and contracts while changing the direction and angle of rotation relative to each other within the predetermined rotation angle range.

[0068] The articulated unit 50 allows adjacent frames to expand and contract by changing the direction and angle of rotation relative to each other along a predetermined trajectory through sliding engagement between the arc-shaped arms and guide holes, and a synchronous drive unit 70 performs a synchronous drive operation that simultaneously performs the same operation on each adjacent frame, and a first friction click stop unit 90A and a second friction click stop unit 90B perform a stopping operation that stops the movement at any position and maintains the gap at the stop position. The synchronous drive unit 70 is configured by connecting multiple gears in series along the width direction of the first base frame 30A to the frame unit 10 and then the second base frame 30B. When the first base frame 30A and the second base frame 30B are opened or closed relative to each other by opening or closing the first housing 2 and the second housing 3, the connecting gears at both ends (the front first connecting gear 92A, the rear first connecting gear 93A, the front second connecting gear 92B, and the rear second connecting gear 93B fixed to the left third vertical frame 13 and the right third vertical frame 15) connected to the first friction click stop 90A and the second friction click stop 90B provided on the first base frame 30A and the second base frame 30B, respectively, move, synchronously driving the gears therebetween. Stopping the rotation of the connecting gears at both ends also stops the rotation of the gears therebetween, and the frames to which the gears are attached are held stationary in their positions. Braking the connecting gears at both ends with frictional force provides resistance to the opening or closing movement of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3. Even if the opening / closing operation of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 is stopped midway through, the resistance force keeps the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 in the opened / closed state at that position.

[0069] Configuration of synchronous drive unit 70

[0070] 5B, the synchronous drive unit 70 is composed of four identically structured synchronous gear trains: a left first synchronous gear train 71A, a left second synchronous gear train 72A, and a right first synchronous gear train 71B, a right second synchronous gear train 72B. The left first synchronous gear train 71A and the left second synchronous gear train 72A each have a left first synchronous gear portion 80A and a left second synchronous gear portion 80B, while the right first synchronous gear train 71B and the right second synchronous gear train 72B each have a right first synchronous gear portion 80C and a right second synchronous gear portion 80D. The left first synchronous gear portion 80A and the left second synchronous gear portion 80B, and the right first synchronous gear portion 80C and the right second synchronous gear portion 80D are unitized by arranging a pair of left and right synchronous gears 81 and 82, each of which has a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction and meshes with each other, side by side in the left-right direction along the width direction.

[0071] The left first synchronous gear train 71A is disposed on the left second vertical frame 12 between the first vertical frame 11 and the left third vertical frame 13, which are adjacent to each other on the left and right in the width direction, with the left first synchronous gear portion 80A at the center. The left first synchronous gear portion 80A is disposed at the connection between the ninth frame body 22B and the tenth frame body 22C that constitute the left second vertical frame 12. At the rear end of the ninth frame body 22B, bearing holes (not shown) are formed in the left-right direction for the front shaft portion 81a of the left synchronous gear 81 and the front shaft portion 82a of the right synchronous gear 82, which are arranged side by side on the left and right in the width direction. At the front end of the tenth frame body 22C, bearing holes 81c, 82c for the rear shaft portion 81b of the left synchronous gear 81 and the rear shaft portion 82b of the right synchronous gear 82 are formed. The ninth frame body 22B and the tenth frame body 22C are fixed together by screws (not shown) that are screwed in along the left-right direction, and form a synchronous gear unit that rotatably holds the left synchronous gear 81 and the right synchronous gear 82 that mesh with each other.

[0072] A first arc-shaped gear 83 meshes with the left synchronous gear 81, and a second arc-shaped gear 84 meshes with the right synchronous gear 82. The first arc-shaped gear 83 and the second arc-shaped gear 84 are symmetrical, and as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 , a gear portion 86 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of an arc-shaped gear body 85 that is curved convexly toward the back side. The first arc-shaped gear 83 and the second arc-shaped gear 84 are spaced apart from each other in the front and rear in the vertical direction. The first arc-shaped gear 83 has a screw insertion hole 87 at its left end, and the gear portion 86 extends toward the right. The second arc-shaped gear 84 has a screw insertion hole 88 at its right end, and the gear portion 86 extends toward the left.

[0073] In the left first synchronous gear train 71A, the first arc-shaped gear 83 is fixed to the 16th frame body 23D that constitutes the left third vertical frame 13 with a screw 87a (see Figure 7), and the second arc-shaped gear 84 is fixed to the third frame body 21C that constitutes the first vertical frame 11 with a screw 88a (see Figure 7).

[0074] When the first arc-shaped gear 83 rotates clockwise integrally with the left third vertical frame 13, the left synchronous gear 81 rotates counterclockwise, similar to the driving action of a rack gear and a pinion gear. At that time, the pivot angle of the left third vertical frame 13 increases along a predetermined trajectory due to the sliding engagement between the left second arc-shaped arm 61b (261b, 361b) and the left second guide hole portion 62b (262b, 362b), and the orientation gradually rises from the horizontal direction, moving so as to widen the gap with the left second vertical frame 12. On the other hand, when the left synchronous gear 81 rotates counterclockwise, the right synchronous gear 82 rotates clockwise, and the second arc-shaped gear 84 pivots counterclockwise. As a result, the first vertical frame 11 pivots counterclockwise relative to the left second vertical frame 12 along a predetermined trajectory due to the sliding engagement between the left first arc-shaped arm 61a (261a, 361a) and the left first guide hole portion 62a (262a, 362a), and the pivot angle gradually increases, causing the orientation to rise from the horizontal direction and moving so as to widen the gap with the left second vertical frame 12. Here, with the first vertical frame 11 as the reference, the left second vertical frame 12 pivots clockwise relative to the first vertical frame 11, and the left third vertical frame 13 pivots clockwise relative to the left second vertical frame 12.

[0075] In the left second synchronous gear train 72A, left The second synchronizing gear portion 80B is provided as a synchronizing gear unit between the thirteenth frame body 23A and the fourteenth frame body 23B that constitute the left third vertical frame 13. The first arc-shaped gear 83 is fixed to the front first base frame body 31A of the first base frame 30A with a screw 87b (see FIG. 7), and the second arc-shaped gear 84 is fixed to the eighth frame body 22A that constitutes the left second vertical frame 12 with a screw 88b (see FIG. 7).

[0076] In the left second synchronous gear train 72A, when the first housing 2 is turned in the closing direction, the first base frame 30A turns clockwise, the first arc-shaped gear 83 turns clockwise, and the left synchronous gear 81 rotates counterclockwise. At that time, the first base frame 30A turns clockwise along a predetermined trajectory due to the sliding engagement between the left third arc-shaped arm 61c (261c, 361c) and the left third guide hole portion 62c (262c, 362c). frame As the rotation angle of the left second vertical frame 12 increases, the left second vertical frame 12 gradually rises from the horizontal direction and moves to widen the gap with the left third vertical frame 13. Meanwhile, when the left synchronous gear 81 rotates counterclockwise, the right synchronous gear 82 rotates clockwise and the second arc-shaped gear 84 rotates counterclockwise. As a result, the left second vertical frame 12 rotates counterclockwise relative to the left third vertical frame 13 along a predetermined trajectory caused by the sliding engagement between the left second arc-shaped arm 61b (261b, 361b) and the left second guide hole portion 62b (262b, 362b). As the rotation angle gradually increases, the left second vertical frame 12 rises from the horizontal direction and moves to widen the gap with the left third vertical frame 13. Here, when the left second vertical frame 12 is used as a reference, the left third vertical frame 13 rotates clockwise relative to the left second vertical frame 12. The clockwise turning force of the left first synchronous gear train 71A relative to the left third vertical frame 13 is transmitted via the left second synchronous gear portion 80B of the left second synchronous gear train 72A.

[0077] Next, we will explain the right first synchronous gear train 71B and the right second synchronous gear train 72B. The right first synchronous gear train 71B and the right second synchronous gear train 72B have the same configuration as the left first synchronous gear train 71A and the left second synchronous gear train 72A described above, except that they are arranged in positions that are point-symmetrical with respect to the vertical center of the front half of the first vertical frame 11.

[0078] The right first synchronized gear train 71B has a right first synchronized gear portion 80C disposed at the connection between the 19th frame body 24A and the 20th frame body 24B of the right second vertical frame 14, and a first arc-shaped gear 83 fixed to the second frame body 21B of the first vertical frame 11 with a screw 87c (see FIG. 7). Also, the second arc-shaped gear 84 is fixed to the 24th frame body 25A of the right third vertical frame 15 with a screw 88c (see FIG. 7).

[0079] When the right third vertical frame 15 is rotated counterclockwise, the second arc-shaped gear 84 rotates counterclockwise. right The synchronous gear 82 rotates clockwise, left The synchronous gear 81 rotates counterclockwise. left The first arc-shaped gear 83 fixed to the first vertical frame 11, which meshes with the synchronous gear 81, rotates clockwise. As a result, the right second vertical frame 14 rotates clockwise relative to the right third vertical frame 15 along a predetermined trajectory caused by the sliding engagement between the right second arc-shaped arm 65b (265b, 365b) and the right second guide hole portion 66b (266b, 366b). Due to the clockwise rotation of the first arc-shaped gear 83, the first vertical frame 11 rotates clockwise relative to the right second vertical frame 14.

[0080] Conversely, when viewed from the first vertical frame 11, the right second vertical frame 14 pivots counterclockwise along a predetermined locus caused by the sliding engagement between the right first arc-shaped arm 65a (265a, 365a) and the right first guide hole portion 66a (266a, 366a). At that time, the pivot angle of the right second vertical frame 14 increases, and the right second vertical frame 14 gradually rises from the horizontal direction, moving so as to widen the gap with the first vertical frame 11. The right third vertical frame 15 pivots counterclockwise relative to the right second vertical frame 14 along a predetermined locus caused by the sliding engagement between the right second arc-shaped arm 65b (265b, 365b) and the right second guide hole portion 66b (266b, 366b). At that time, the pivot angle of the right third vertical frame 15 increases, and the right third vertical frame 15 gradually rises from the horizontal direction, moving so as to widen the gap with the right second vertical frame 14.

[0081] In the right second synchronized gear train 72B, the right second synchronized gear portion 80D is disposed at the connection between the 26th frame body 25C and the 27th frame body 25D of the right third vertical frame 15, and the first arc-shaped gear 83 is fixed to the 21st frame body 24C of the right second vertical frame 14 with a screw 87d (see FIG. 7). Also, the second arc-shaped gear 84 is fixed to the front base frame body 31B of the second base frame 30 with a screw 88d (see FIG. 7).

[0082] When the second base frame 30B is rotated counterclockwise, the second arc-shaped gear 84 rotates counterclockwise, right The synchronous gear 82 rotates clockwise, left The synchronous gear 81 rotates counterclockwise. left The first arc-shaped gear 83 fixed to the right second vertical frame 14, which meshes with the synchronous gear 81, rotates clockwise. As a result, the right third vertical frame 15 rotates clockwise relative to the second base frame 30B along a predetermined trajectory caused by the sliding engagement between the right third arc-shaped arm 65c (265c, 365c) and the right third guide hole portion 66c (266c, 366c). Due to the clockwise rotation of the first arc-shaped gear 83, the right second vertical frame 14 rotates clockwise relative to the right third vertical frame 15.

[0083] Conversely, when viewed from the right second vertical frame 14, the right third vertical frame 15 pivots counterclockwise along a predetermined locus caused by the sliding engagement between the right second arc-shaped arm 65b (265b, 365b) and the right second guide hole portion 66b (266b, 366b). At that time, the pivot angle of the right third vertical frame 15 increases, and the orientation gradually rises from the horizontal direction, moving so as to widen the gap with the right second vertical frame 14. The second base frame 30B pivots counterclockwise relative to the right third vertical frame 15 along a predetermined locus caused by the sliding engagement between the right third arc-shaped arm 65c (265c, 365c) and the right third guide hole portion 66c (266c, 366c). At that time, the pivot angle of the second base frame 30B increases, and the orientation gradually rises from the horizontal direction, moving so as to widen the gap with the right third vertical frame 15. The turning force of the right first synchronous gear train 71B on the right third vertical frame 15 is transmitted via the right second synchronous gear portion 80D of the right second synchronous gear train 72B.

[0084] In the explanation of the left and right first and second synchronous gear trains 71A, 72A, 71B, 72B, the application of a turning force from the left and right third vertical frames 13, 15 to the first and second base frames 30A, 30B was also explained, but this was to show that they turn relatively, and corresponds to, for example, a case where the second housing 3 is stationary and an opening / closing operation is performed on the first housing 2. When an opening / closing force is applied to both the first housing 2 and the second housing 3, a turning force accompanying the opening / closing operation from the first base frame 30A and the second base frame 30B is applied from the left and right third vertical frames 13, 15 to the left and right second vertical frames 12, 14.

[0085] The first vertical frame 11 and the left and right second VerticalA synchronizing gear train 73 having the same configuration as the synchronizing gear train 71A is provided at the vertical rear end of the frames 12, 14. This synchronizing gear train 73 is disposed at the connection between the sixth frame body 21F and the seventh frame body 21G that constitute the first vertical frame 11, and the first arc-shaped gear 83 is fixed to the twelfth frame body 22E that constitutes the left second vertical frame 12 with a screw 87e (see FIG. 7), and the second arc-shaped gear 84 is fixed to the twelfth frame body 24E that constitutes the right second vertical frame 14 with a screw 88e (see FIG. 7). The synchronizing gear train 73 functions as a frame holding part that maintains a predetermined movement trajectory without flapping of the first vertical frame 11 and the left and right second vertical frames 12, 14, which move relatively in accordance with the movement trajectories of the left first articulated joint 51A and the right first articulated joint 51B.

[0086] The synchronous drive unit 70 is gear-connected in series along the width direction by left and right first and second synchronous gear units 80A-80D, a first arc-shaped gear 83, and a second arc-shaped gear 84, and these gears are fixed to each frame of the frame train (the first base frame 30A, the vertical frames 11-15 of the frame unit 10, and the second base frame 30B, which are arranged in parallel). Therefore, each frame of the frame train is prevented from moving individually in the width direction except by the gear drive of the synchronous drive unit 70.

[0087] Friction click stop (stop holding part) configuration

[0088] 5C and 6, the first friction click stop portion 90A and the second friction click stop portion 90B are provided at the rear end portion in the vertical direction symmetrically about the central axis L along the vertical direction of the first vertical frame 11. The first friction click stop portion 90A has a first friction click stop mechanism 91A provided on the rear first base frame body 32A of the first base frame 30A, and a front first connecting gear 92A and a rear first connecting gear 93A fixed to the front and rear of the 18th frame body 23F constituting the left second vertical frame 13. The second friction click stop portion 90B has a second friction click stop mechanism 91B provided on the rear second base frame body 32B of the second base frame 30B, and a front second connecting gear 92B and a rear second connecting gear 93B fixed to the front and rear of the 29th frame body 25F constituting the right second vertical frame 15. The front first connecting gear 92A and the rear first connecting gear 93A are formed in an arc shape similar to the second arc-shaped gear 84, and the front second connecting gear 92B and the rear second connecting gear 93B are formed in an arc shape similar to the first arc-shaped gear 83.

[0089] In this embodiment, the first friction click stop mechanism 91A is composed of two units, a front first unit 94A and a rear first unit 95A, arranged along the vertical direction, and the second friction click stop mechanism 91B is composed of two units, a front second unit 94B and a rear second unit 95B, arranged along the vertical direction, with the same structure being symmetrical. In addition, the front first connecting gear 92A and the rear first connecting gear 93A are provided corresponding to the two units, the front first unit 94A and the rear first unit 95A, and the front second connecting gear 92B and the rear second connecting gear 93B are provided corresponding to the two units, the front second unit 94B and the rear second unit 95B.

[0090] In the first friction click stop mechanism 91A, the first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B, which are arranged side by side in the left-right direction and extend vertically, are rotatably supported between a front end bearing portion 100C and a rear end bearing portion 100D, and are also supported at their intermediate portions by a front intermediate bearing portion 100E and a rear intermediate bearing portion 100F. The front end bearing portion 100C, the rear end bearing portion 100D, the front intermediate bearing portion 100E, and the rear intermediate bearing portion 100F are fixed to the back surface (inner surface) of the rear first base frame body 32A with screws (not shown).

[0091] The first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B have the same structure, with a cylindrical shaft portion (with the maximum outer diameter) having two opposing parallel surfaces, forming a so-called two-face width shape. A flange portion 100G is formed in the axial center. A front first unit 94A is provided in front of the flange portion 100G, and a rear first unit 95A is provided in rear of the flange portion 100G, symmetrically in the front-to-rear direction. The first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B have small-diameter shaft portions 100H and 100I journaled by a front intermediate bearing portion 100E and a rear intermediate bearing portion 100F. The small-diameter shaft portions 100H and 100I have diameters smaller than the maximum outer diameters of the first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B.

[0092] At both ends of the first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B, for example, left Similar to the first synchronous gear portion 80A, the left synchronous gear 101A and the right synchronous gear 101B are mounted non-rotatably and mesh with each other. The shaft holes of the left synchronous gear 101A and the right synchronous gear 101B are formed in a shape that matches the width across flats of the first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B.

[0093] The front first unit 94A is configured such that, between the front intermediate bearing portion 100E and the flange portion 100G on the first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B, in order from the front to the rear, a first common friction plate 102A, left and right first friction plates 103A, 103A, a common click plate 104, left and right click bodies 105, 105, left and right compression springs 106, 106, left and right second friction plates 103B, 103B, and a second common friction plate 102B are arranged. The shaft holes of the first and second common friction plates 102A, 102B and the common click plate 104 are circular and have the maximum outer diameter of the first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B, and the shaft holes of the left and right first friction plates 103A, 103A, left and right click bodies 105, 105, and left and right second friction plates 103B, 103B are formed in a shape that matches the two-face width of the first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B. The inner diameter of the left and right compression springs 106, 106 is sufficiently larger than the maximum outer diameter of the first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B.

[0094] The top surfaces 102a, 104e of the first and second common friction plates 102A, 102B and the common click plate 104 in the front and rear directions are formed flat and abut against the ceiling surface on the rear side of the first rear base frame body 32A. Therefore, even if a rotational force about the first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B is applied to the first and second common friction plates 102A, 102B and the common click plate 104, the first and second common friction plates 102A, 102B and the common click plate 104 are prevented from rotating.

[0095] The rear first unit 95A is configured such that, between the rear intermediate bearing portion 100F and the flange portion 100G on the first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B, as shown in FIG. 6, from the rear side toward the front, a second common friction plate 102B, left and right second friction plates 103B, 103B, a common click plate 104, left and right click bodies 105, 105, left and right compression springs 106, 106, left and right first friction plates 103A, 103A, and a first common friction plate 102A are arranged.

[0096] The first common friction plate 102A, the left and right first friction plates 103A, 103A, the common click plate 104, the left and right click bodies 105, 105, the left and right second friction plates 103B, 103B and the second common friction plate 102B are in pressurized contact by the spring forces of the left and right compression springs 106, 106. The left and right first friction plates 103A, 103A and the left and right second friction plates 103B, 103B are in frictional contact with the first common friction plate 102A and the second common friction plate 102B, respectively, and apply frictional force when the left and right first friction plates 103A, 103A rotate due to the rotation of the first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B.

[0097] The common click plate 104 has cam portions 104A, 104A formed with convex portions 104b and concave portions 104c alternately formed at 90-degree intervals around the axis of the shaft holes 104a, 104a through which the first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B are inserted, and these cam portions 104A, 104A are formed toward the left and right click bodies 105, 105. The tip portions 104d of the convex portions 104b are formed into a flat surface.

[0098] The left and right click bodies 105 are formed with click protrusions 105b and recesses 105c, each of which has the same shape as the protrusions 104b of the cam portion 104A, at 90-degree intervals around the axis of the shaft hole 105a and faces the cam portion 104A. The tips 105d of the click protrusions 105b are formed flat. Between the closed and open positions of the left and right click bodies 105, the click protrusions 105b rotate between the protrusions 104b and recesses 104c of the cam portion 104A. The first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B rotate 90 degrees between the open and closed states. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the click protrusions 105b move from the closed position where they fit between the recesses 104c of the cam portion 104A to the open position where they abut against the flat tips 104d of the protrusions 104b.

[0099] A first input gear 107A and a second input gear 107B, each formed in a shaft shape and meshing with each other, are arranged side by side in the left-right direction between the front end bearing portion 100C and the front intermediate bearing portion 100E, and a third input gear 107C and a fourth input gear 107D, each formed in a shaft shape, are arranged side by side in the left-right direction between the rear end bearing portion 100D and the rear intermediate bearing portion 100F. The first input gear 107A meshes with the right synchronous gear 101B of the front first unit 94A, and the second input gear 107B meshes with the front first connecting gear 92A. The third input gear 107C meshes with the right synchronous gear 101B of the rear first unit 95A, and the fourth input gear 107D meshes with the rear first connecting gear 93A. When the rotation of the second input gear 107B and the fourth input gear 107D is transmitted by the front first connecting gear 92A and the rear first connecting gear 93A, the right synchronous gears 101B of the front first unit 94A and the rear first unit 95A are rotated via the first input gear 107A and the third input gear 107C, and the left synchronous gears 101A are rotated synchronously. The rotation of the left and right synchronous gears 101A, 101B rotates the first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B. The first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B each have four first gears. , 2nd The friction plates 103A and 103B are in frictional contact with the first and second common friction plates 102A and 102B, and apply a friction braking force to the rotational force. commonWhen the click plate 104 rides on the tip 104d of each protrusion 104b, a clicking sensation is felt.

[0100] The second friction click stop 90B has the same structure as the first friction click stop 90A, is configured symmetrically about the first vertical frame 11, and exerts the same function, so the same members are given the same reference numerals and their explanations are omitted. The first input gear 107A, the second input gear 107B, and the left and right synchronous gears 101A, 101B are connected to the input gears. A and Similarly, the third input gear 107C, the fourth input gear 107D, and the left and right synchronous gears 101A and 101B are connected to the input gears. A and do.

[0101] Configuration of rear cover part 110

[0102] The articulated hinge device 5 is provided with a rear cover part 110 that covers the frame part 10 on the rear side of the frame part 10, which is the outer surface side of the notebook computer 1. The rear cover part 110 has outer vertical cover plates 112A and inner vertical cover plates 112B alternately arranged side by side symmetrically in the width direction around a central vertical cover plate 111 in the width direction center, a left-end vertical cover plate 113A arranged side by side at the left end in the width direction, and a right-end vertical cover plate 113B arranged side by side at the right end in the width direction. These vertical cover plates (111, 112A, 112B, 113A, 113B) are formed in a narrow strip shape that is short in the width direction and extends vertically, with short pieces 114 extending perpendicularly from both ends in the vertical direction toward the surface side. The inner vertical cover plate 112B and the left and right vertical cover plates To 1 113A, 113B have the same length in the vertical direction, and are set to a length that is slightly inward in the vertical direction from the short piece portions 114 at both ends of the outer vertical cover plate 112A. When these vertical cover plates (111, 112A, 112B, 113A, 113B) are arranged in parallel in the width direction, each The short piece portions 114 are adjacent to the inner vertical cover plates 112B, the left end vertical cover plate 113A, and the right end vertical cover plate 113B. eachThey are positioned outside the short pieces 114. Therefore, when the shape of the frame part 10 changes between a curved state and a flat state between the closed state shown in Fig. 3 and the open state shown in Fig. 4, adjacent short pieces 114 do not interfere with each other, and the inside and outside of the articulated hinge device 5 are shielded from each other to prevent dust and the like from entering.

[0103] As shown in Figures 5D and 9, the central vertical cover plate 111, the outer vertical cover plate 112A, and the inner vertical cover plate 112B have a first engagement groove 115 formed on their left widthwise side that opens toward the back side along the vertical direction, and a second engagement groove 116 formed on their right widthwise side that opens toward the front side along the vertical direction. The left-end vertical cover plate 113A has a first engagement groove 115 formed on its right side, and the right-end vertical cover plate 113B has a first engagement groove 115 formed on its left side. These vertical cover plates (111, 112A, 112B, 113A, 113B) have the first engagement groove 115 and second engagement groove 116 adjacent to each other in the widthwise direction engaged with each other, allowing adjacent vertical cover plates (111, 112A, 112B, 113A, 113B) to freely rotate about the vertical axis.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 5D, screw holes 117 for fixing are formed in fitting protrusions 118 on the surface of both vertical ends of the central vertical cover plate 111, and screws 212 (see FIG. 7) inserted into the front end of the first vertical frame 11 of the frame section 10 are screwed into the screw holes 117 to fix the central vertical cover plate 111 to the first vertical frame 11. Fitting protrusions 118 that protrude inward from the surface are formed on the surface of both vertical ends of the outer vertical cover plate 112A and the inner vertical cover plate 112B. Fitting recesses 119 are formed on the back surfaces of both vertical ends of the first vertical frame 11, the left and right second vertical frames 12, 14, and the left and right third vertical frames 13, 15 of the frame section 10. The fitting protrusions 118 are fitted into the fitting recesses 119 so as to be immovable in the vertical direction but slidable in the left and right direction. Therefore, the vertical movement of the central vertical cover plate 111, the outer vertical cover plate 112A, and the inner vertical cover plate 112B is restricted. Note that, since the central vertical cover plate 111 is fixed to the first vertical frame 11 with screws 212, the central vertical cover plate 111 and the first vertical frame 11 do not move relative to each other.

[0105] A left slide engagement piece 120 and a right slide engagement piece 121 are formed from the tips of short pieces 114 provided at both vertical end portions of the left-end vertical cover plate 113A and the right-end vertical cover plate 113B, respectively, facing each other inward in the vertical direction. As shown in Fig. 5B, the left slide engagement piece 120 slidably engages with a narrow left groove 122 extending in the width direction and formed in each of both vertical end surfaces of the first base frame 30A. Similarly, the right slide engagement piece 121 slidably engages with a narrow right groove 123 extending in the width direction and formed in each of both vertical end surfaces of the second base frame 30B.

[0106] In the closed state shown in Fig. 3, the left and right slide engagement pieces 120, 121 engage with the inner ends of the left groove 122 and the right groove 123, and in the open state shown in Fig. 4, the left and right slide engagement pieces 120, 121 engage with the outer ends of the left groove 122 and the right groove 123. The overall length (length in the width direction) of the frame unit 10 changes due to the action of the articulated unit 50 in response to the opening and closing operations of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3, whereas the length in the width direction of the back cover unit 110 is constant. To absorb the change in the overall length of the frame unit 10, the rear cover unit 110 allows the left and right slide engagement pieces 120, 121 to slide relative to the left groove 122 and the right groove 123.

[0107] Next, the opening and closing operations of the articulated hinge device 5 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0108] Fig. 7 is a top view of the articulated hinge device 5 in the open state, showing the state where the support sheet 6 has been removed. As shown in Fig. 8, the articulated hinge device 5 has a thin structure in the open state.

[0109] 7, with the first vertical frame 11 positioned at the center in the width direction, the first vertical frame 11, the left second vertical frame 12, the left third vertical frame 14, and the first base frame 30A are held in a state where their sides are in contact with each other in the width direction without any gaps. Similarly, the first vertical frame 11, the right second vertical frame 14, the right third vertical frame 15, and the second base frame 30B are held in a state where their sides are in close contact with each other in the width direction without any gaps. In the open state, the surface levels of these parallel frames are flush with each other.

[0110] In Fig. 7, the cross-sectional view taken along the arrows J11-J11 shows the left and right first articulated joints 51A and 51B and the third articulated joints 53A and 53B of the first-row articulated unit 50A in the open state, as shown in Fig. 9. The cross-sectional view taken along the arrows J12-J12 shows the left and right second articulated joints 52A and 52B, as shown in Fig. 10. The cross-sectional view taken along the arrows G11-G11 shows the meshing position between the second arc-shaped gear 84 and the right synchronous gear 82 in the left second synchronous gear train 72A and the meshing position between the second arc-shaped gear 84 and the right synchronous gear 82 in the right first synchronous gear train 71B, as shown in Fig. 11. The cross-sectional view taken along the arrows G12-G12 shows the meshing position between the first arc-shaped gear 83 and the left synchronous gear 81 in the left second synchronous gear train 72A and the meshing position between the first arc-shaped gear 83 and the left synchronous gear 81 in the right first synchronous gear train 71B, as shown in Fig. 12. As shown in FIG. 13, the cross-sectional view taken along the line G13-G13 shows the meshing state between the fourth input gear 107D of the rear first unit 95A and the rear first connecting gear 93A at the first friction click stop portion 90A, and the meshing state between the fourth input gear 107D of the rear second unit 95B and the rear first connecting gear 93A at the second friction click stop portion 90B. No. The figure shows the meshing state between the fourth input gear 107D and the rear second connecting gear 93B. Note that the cross-sectional views shown in Figures 9 to 13 are shown with the length of the articulated hinge device 5 in the thickness direction doubled to make the configuration easier to understand. The cross-sectional views in Figures 16 to 21 and Figures 24 to 29 are also shown with the same magnification.

[0111] 9, on the left side of the width direction relative to the first vertical frame 11, the first vertical frame 11 and the left second vertical frame 12, the left second vertical frame 12 and the left third vertical frame 13, and the left third vertical frame 13 and the first base frame 30A are aligned horizontally in the width direction without any gaps. On the right side of the width direction relative to the first vertical frame 11, the first vertical frame 11 and the right second vertical frame 14, the right second vertical frame 14 and the right third vertical frame 15, and the right third vertical frame 15 and the second base frame 30B are aligned horizontally in the width direction without any gaps.

[0112] The left first guide hole 62a provided in the left second vertical frame 12 is engaged up to the base of the left first arc-shaped arm 61a extending from the first vertical frame 11 to the left side. In this state, the rotation angle of the left second vertical frame 12 is 0 degrees. The tip of the left first arc-shaped arm 61a is inserted into an insertion hole 69c provided in the left third vertical frame 13 to avoid interference with the left third vertical frame 13. The right first guide hole 66a provided in the right second vertical frame 14 is engaged up to the base of the right first arc-shaped arm 65a extending from the first vertical frame 11 to the right side. In this state, the rotation angle of the right second vertical frame 14 is 0 degrees. The tip of the right first arc-shaped arm 65a is inserted into an insertion hole 69d provided in the right third vertical frame 15 to avoid interference with the right third vertical frame 15.

[0113] The left third guide hole 62c provided in the first base frame 30A is engaged up to the base of the left third arc-shaped arm 61c extending leftward from the left third vertical frame 13. In this state, the rotation angle of the first base frame 30A is 0 degrees. The right third guide hole 66c provided in the second base frame 30B is engaged up to the base of the right third arc-shaped arm 65c extending rightward from the right third vertical frame 15. In this state, the rotation angle of the second base frame 30B is 0 degrees. In other words, no rotation force is applied to the first base frame 30A and the second base frame 30B in the closing direction.

[0114] 10, the left third vertical frame 13 is provided with a left third arc-shaped arm 61b extending from the left second vertical frame 12 to the base of the left second arc-shaped arm 61b. 2ga In this state, the left third vertical frame 13 is rotated at an angle of 0 degrees relative to the left second vertical frame 12. 2 arcs The tip of the right second arc-shaped arm 61b is inserted into an insertion hole 69a provided in the first base frame 30A to avoid interference with the first base frame 30A. Similarly, the right second arc-shaped arm 65b extends from the right second vertical frame 14 to the base of the right third vertical frame 15. 2gaIn this state, the right third vertical frame 15 has a rotation angle of 0 degrees relative to the right second vertical frame 14. 2 arcs The tip of the shaped arm 65b is inserted into an insertion hole 69b provided in the second base frame 30B to avoid interference with the second base frame 30B.

[0115] The tips of the left and right arc-shaped arms 61a, 65a are formed into flat surfaces, and the flat tips of the left and right arc-shaped arms 61a, 65a abut against the opening edges of the insertion holes 69a to 69d, thereby functioning as preliminary stoppers and maintaining a horizontal position.

[0116] 11 , in the left second synchronous gear train 72A in the open state, the second arc-shaped gear 84 provided on the left second vertical frame 12 meshes with the right synchronous gear 82 of the left second synchronous gear section 80B provided on the left third vertical frame 13. In the right first synchronous gear train 71B, the second arc-shaped gear 84 provided on the right third vertical frame 15 meshes with the right synchronous gear 82 of the right first synchronous gear section 80C provided on the right second vertical frame 14. The root portion of the second arc-shaped gear 84 meshes with the right synchronous gear 82.

[0117] 11, the left synchronous gear 81 of the left second synchronous gear train 72A and each left synchronous gear 81 of the right first synchronous gear train 71B mesh with a first arc-shaped gear 83 fixed to the first base frame 30A, and mesh with a first arc-shaped gear 83 fixed to the first vertical frame 11, as shown in FIG. 12. The root portion of the first arc-shaped gear 83 meshes with the left synchronous gear 81.

[0118] 13, in the open state, the rear first connecting gear 93A meshes at its base with the fourth input gear 107D of the rear first unit 95A at the first friction click stop portion 90A. Similarly, the rear second connecting gear 93B meshes at its base with the fourth input gear 107D of the rear second unit 95B at the second friction click stop portion 90B. In this open state, as shown in FIG. 6, the cam portion 104A of the common click plate 104 and the left and right click bodies 105 are in a state in which the click protrusions 105b are fitted into the recesses 104c of the cam portion 104A.

[0119] 30 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device 1 in the open state shown in FIG. 2 along the folding direction, and corresponds to the cross-sectional view of the articulated hinge device 5 shown in FIG. 9. The rear cover part 110 is held flat, and the left end vertical Cover plate 113A and right end vertical The cover plate 113B reaches the left and right ends of the first base frame 30A and the second base frame 30B.

[0120] Fig. 14 is a top view of the articulated hinge device 5, and Fig. 15 is a front view of Fig. 14, showing an intermediate open / closed state between the open state and the closed state. In the intermediate open / closed state, the articulated hinge device 5 transitions from a flat state to a curved state.

[0121] In FIG. 14, the first vertical frame 11, the left second vertical frame 12, and the left third vertical frame 13 The first base frame 30A is arranged in parallel with a small gap between its side surfaces in the width direction. Similarly, the first vertical frame 11, the right second vertical frame 14, the right third vertical frame 15, and the second base frame 30B are arranged in parallel with a small gap between their side surfaces in the width direction.

[0122] In FIG. 14, a cross section taken along the arrows J21-J21 of the multi-joint unit 50 (showing the same cross section as the cross section taken along the arrows J11-J11 of FIG. 9) is shown in FIG. 16, and a cross section taken along the arrows J22-J22 of the multi-joint unit 50 (showing the same cross section as the cross section taken along the arrows J12-J12 of FIG. 10) is shown in FIG. 17. A cross section taken along the arrows J23-J23 of the third joint row 50C is shown in FIG. Arrow cross section (The same cross section as the G11-G11 cross section in FIG. 11 is shown in FIG. 19.) Arrow cross section (The same cross section as the G12-G12 cross section in FIG. 12 is shown in FIG. 20.) Arrow cross section FIG. 21 shows the same cross section as the G13-G13 cross section in FIG. 13.

[0123] Although the left first synchronous gear train 71A and the right second synchronous gear train 72B are not shown in Figures 11 and 12 (Figures 20, 21, 27, and 28), Figures 16 to 21 will be explained with reference to Figure 5B, supplementing the meshing state of the gears of the left first synchronous gear train 71A and the right second synchronous gear train 72B.

[0124] As shown in Figures 16, 17, and 18, when the first base frame 30A and the second base frame 30B are rotated from the open state to the closed state, the first base frame 30A rotates while the left third guide hole 62c (362c) provided in the first base frame 30A moves leftward in the figure along the path traced by the curved surface 63 of the left third arc-shaped arm 61c (361c) and changes direction upward. Also, the right third guide hole 66c (366c) provided in the second base frame 30B rotates while moving rightward in the figure along the path traced by the curved surface 67 of the right third arc-shaped arm 65c (365c). Therefore, the gap between the first base frame 30A and the left third vertical frame 13 widens, and the gap between the right third vertical frame 15 and the second base frame 30B widens. In FIG. 18, the third row multi-joint unit 50C has the same configuration as the first row multi-joint unit 50A and performs the same operation.

[0125] 17, the left second articulated joint 52A engages with a left second guide hole 62b provided in the left third vertical frame 13 in the middle of a left second arc-shaped arm 61b provided in the left second vertical frame 12. Also, the right second articulated joint 52B engages with a right second guide hole 66b provided in the right third vertical frame 15 in the middle of a right second arc-shaped arm 65b provided in the right second vertical frame 14.

[0126] Comparing the orientation of each frame (11-15, 30A, 30B) in Figure 16 with Figure 9, the frames (12-15, 30A, 30B) arranged on the left and right sides of the first vertical frame 11 in the width direction rotate at equal angles, widening the gap by the same amount. Therefore, with the first vertical frame 11 as the reference, the rotation angle of the first base frame 30A is the sum of the rotation angle of the left second vertical frame 12, the rotation angle of the left third vertical frame 13, and the rotation angle of the first base frame 30A. The same is true for the second base frame 30B. Furthermore, because the movement locus caused by the sliding engagement between each arc-shaped arm and each guide hole describes a parabola, the surfaces of each vertical frame 11-15 of the frame unit 10 and the first and second base frames 30A, 30B present an arc shape with a small curvature in the intermediate open / closed position.

[0127] Therefore, the deformable portion 4a of the flexible display sheet 4 is held along the curved surfaces formed by the frames 11 to 15 of the frame unit 10 and the first and second base frames 30A, 30B. In addition, the engagement positions of the left-end vertical cover plate 113A and the right-end vertical cover plate 113B with the first base frame 30A and the second base frame 30B of the rear cover unit 110 move inward along the width direction.

[0128] The operation of the synchronous drive unit 70, which synchronously drives each vertical frame 11-15 of the frame unit 10 and the first base frame 30A and second base frame 30B to make the curved surfaces of each vertical frame 11-15 and the first base frame 30A and second base frame 30B into parabolic curves, will be described with reference to Figures 19 and 20.

[0129] As shown in Fig. 20, in the left second synchronous gear train 72A, the left synchronous gear 81 of the left second synchronous gear section 80B rotates counterclockwise and the right synchronous gear 82 rotates clockwise due to the rotational movement of the first arc-shaped gear 83 fixed to the first base frame 30A, which rotates clockwise. In Fig. 19, due to the clockwise rotation of the right synchronous gear 82 of the left second synchronous gear section 80B, the right synchronous gear 82 rotates clockwise and moves the meshing position with the second arc-shaped gear 84 toward the tip end. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 16, the left third vertical frame 13 rotates clockwise and widens the gap with the left second vertical frame 12.

[0130] In the left first synchronous gear train 71A, a root portion of a first arc-shaped gear 83 fixed to the left third vertical frame 13 meshes with a left synchronous gear 81 of a left first synchronous gear unit 80A provided on the left second vertical frame 12. A second arc-shaped gear 84 fixed to the first vertical frame 11 meshes with a right synchronous gear 82 of the left first synchronous gear unit 80A at its root. Therefore, when the left third vertical frame 13 rotates clockwise from the open state to the closed state, the meshing position of the first arc-shaped gear 83 with respect to the left synchronous gear 81 moves from the root portion toward the tip portion, causing the left synchronous gear 81 to rotate counterclockwise. Then, the right synchronous gear 82 meshing with the left synchronous gear 81 rotates clockwise. At this time, the right synchronous gear 82 rotates clockwise while rotating clockwise, and the meshing position with the second arc-shaped gear 84 moves orbitally from the root portion toward the tip portion. Therefore, the left second vertical frame 12 pivots and moves clockwise relative to the first vertical frame 11.

[0131] That is, when the first base frame 30A is rotated clockwise in the closing direction, the left first synchronous gear train 71A rotates clockwise while rotating the left and right synchronous gears 81, 82 of the left first synchronous gear unit 80A relative to the first vertical frame 11. As a result, the left second vertical frame 12 including the first synchronous gear unit 80A moves along a predetermined trajectory while widening the gap with respect to the first vertical frame 11.

[0132] In this way, when the first housing 2 is rotated from the open state to the closed state, the left first synchronous gear train 71A has the effect of moving the left second vertical frame 12 equipped with the left first synchronous gear portion 80A in a direction that widens the gap relative to the first vertical frame 11, and moving the left third vertical frame 13 in a direction that widens the gap relative to the left second vertical frame 12.

[0133] Also, in Figures 19 and 20, the left second synchronous gear train 72A rotates the left and right synchronous gears 81, 82 of the left second synchronous gear section 80B while moving them in a clockwise direction, so that the left third vertical frame 13 equipped with the left second synchronous gear section 80B moves along a predetermined trajectory while widening the gap with respect to the second vertical frame 12.

[0134] 5B , in the right second synchronous gear train 72B, a root portion of a first arc-shaped gear 83 fixed to the right second vertical frame 14 meshes with a left synchronous gear 81 of a right second synchronous gear section 80D provided on the right third vertical frame 15. A root portion of a second arc-shaped gear 84 fixed to the second base frame 30B meshes with a right synchronous gear 82 of the right second synchronous gear section 80D. Therefore, when the second base frame 30B is rotated counterclockwise to transition from the open state to the closing operation, the second arc-shaped gear 84 rotating counterclockwise moves its meshing position with respect to the right synchronous gear 82 from its root portion toward its tip portion, causing the right synchronous gear 82 to rotate clockwise. Then, the left synchronous gear 81 meshing with the right synchronous gear 82 rotates counterclockwise. The right second synchronous gear portion 80D revolves counterclockwise while rotating on its own axis while the left synchronous gear 81, which rotates counterclockwise, meshes with the first arc-shaped gear 83 fixed to the right second vertical frame 14. Therefore, the right third vertical frame 15 revolves counterclockwise while widening the gap with the right second vertical frame 14.

[0135] 19 and 20, when the right third vertical frame 15 turns counterclockwise, the right synchronous gear 82 of the right first synchronous gear portion 80C rotates clockwise, and the left synchronous gear 81 rotates counterclockwise. As shown in Fig. 20, when the left synchronous gear 81 of the right first synchronous gear portion 80C rotates counterclockwise, the left synchronous gear 81 rotates on its axis, moving the meshing position with the first arc-shaped gear 83 toward the tip, and turns counterclockwise. Therefore, the right second vertical frame 14 turns counterclockwise while widening the gap with the first vertical frame 11.

[0136] That is, when the second base frame 30B is transitioned from an open state to a closed state, the right second synchronous gear train 72B widens the gap between the right third vertical frame 15 and the second base frame 30B, and rotates the right third vertical frame 15 in a direction widening the gap relative to the right second vertical frame 14.

[0137] On the other hand, when the second base frame 30B turns counterclockwise, the second arc-shaped gear 84 of the right first synchronous gear train 71B rotates the right synchronous gear 82 of the right first synchronous gear section 80C clockwise via the right second synchronous gear train 72B, as shown in Fig. 19. Then, as shown in Fig. 20, the left synchronous gear 81 turns counterclockwise while rotating counterclockwise and meshing with the first arc-shaped gear 83, so that the gap between the right second vertical frame 14 and the first vertical frame 11 widens.

[0138] Figures 19 and 20 show the left second synchronous gear train 72A and the right first synchronous gear train 71B in the intermediate open / closed state. Comparing the left second synchronous gear train 72A and the right first synchronous gear train 71B in the open state shown in Figure 11 with Figure 19, the meshing position of the second arc-shaped gear 84 with the right synchronous gear 82 is at the base in Figure 11, but has moved from the base toward the tip in Figure 19. Similarly, comparing Figures 20 and 12, the meshing position of the first arc-shaped gear 83 with the left synchronous gear 81 has moved from the base in Figure 12 toward the tip in Figure 20.

[0139] In the intermediate open / close state, as shown in FIG. 21 , the first friction click stop 90A and the second friction click stop 90B mesh with the fourth input gear 107D when the rear first connecting gear 93A and the rear second connecting gear 93B move from the base to the tip to a midpoint. The first friction click stop 90A and the second friction click stop 90B are engaged with each other when the right synchronous gear 101B rotates due to the synchronous rotation of the third input gear 107C. This rotates the left synchronous gear 101A, which meshes with the right synchronous gear 101B, and rotates the first drive shaft 100A and the second drive shaft 100B. The rotating first friction plates 103A and the second friction plates 103B are in frictional contact with the non-rotating first common friction plates 102A and the second common friction plates 102B. Therefore, when the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are rotated in the closing direction from the open state to the intermediate open / close state, they are subjected to frictional resistance. When the closing operation of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 is stopped in the intermediate opening / closing state, the movement of the synchronous drive unit 70 is locked by frictional resistance, and the vertical frames 11 to 15 and the first base frame 30A, No. 2 The base frame 30B is held.

[0140] Fig. 22 is a top view showing the articulated hinge device 5 in a closed state, and Fig. 23 is a front view of Fig. 22. In Fig. 22, arrows J31-J31, J32-J32, J33-J33, G31-G31, G32-G32, and G33-G33 representing the articulated section 50 indicate the same cross-sectional portions as the cross-sections taken along arrows J21-J21, J22-J22, J23-J23, G21-G21, G22-G22, and G23-G23 in Fig. 14.

[0141] FIG. 24 shows a cross section taken along the line J31-J31, FIG. 25 shows a cross section taken along the line J32-J32, and FIG. 26 shows a cross section taken along the line J33-J33. In a closed state in which the first base frame 30A and the second base frame 30B are parallel to each other or closed slightly inward from the parallel state, the tip of the left first guide hole 62a engages with the left first arc-shaped arm 61a. Similarly, the other guide holes 62b, 62c, 66a, 66b, and 66c engage with the tip of the corresponding arc-shaped arms 61b, 61c, 65a, 65b, and 65c. Compared to the intermediate open / closed state shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the guide holes that engage at the intermediate portions of the arc-shaped arms move further to the tip of the arc-shaped arms, thereby increasing the rotation angle of each vertical frame 11-15, the first base frame 30A, and the second base frame 30B relative to the adjacent frames and widening the gap as they move.

[0142] When the first vertical frame 11 is used as a reference, the sum of the relative rotation angles of each vertical frame 12, 13 from the first vertical frame 11 to the first base frame 30A with respect to the adjacent frame is approximately 90 degrees. Also, the sum of the relative rotation angles of each vertical frame 14, 15 from the first vertical frame 11 to the second base frame 30B with respect to the adjacent frame is approximately 90 degrees.

[0143] A cross section taken along the line G31-G31 is shown in Fig. 27, and a cross section taken along the line G32-G32 is shown in Fig. 28. A comparison with the intermediate open / closed states shown in Fig. 20 and Fig. 21 is made with respect to the meshing position between the left second synchronous gear portion 80B of the left second synchronous gear train 72A and the first arc-shaped gear 83 and second arc-shaped gear 84, and the meshing position between the right first synchronous gear portion 80C of the right first synchronous gear train 71B and the first arc-shaped gear 83 and second arc-shaped gear 84.

[0144] In the closed state, as shown in Fig. 27, the tip of the second arc-shaped gear 84 on the left side in the width direction as viewed from the first vertical frame 11 meshes with the right synchronous gear 82 of the left second synchronous gear portion 80B, and the tip of the second arc-shaped gear 84 on the right side in the width direction as viewed from the first vertical frame 11 meshes with the right synchronous gear 81 of the right first synchronous gear portion 80C. Also, as shown in Fig. 28, the tip of the first arc-shaped gear 83 on the left side in the width direction as viewed from the first vertical frame 11 left The first arc-shaped gear 83 on the right side in the width direction as viewed from the first vertical frame 11 has its tip end meshing with the left synchronous gear 81 of the right first synchronous gear portion 80C.

[0145] The action of the synchronous drive unit 70 is to move the meshing position between the first arc-shaped gear 83 and the left synchronous gear 81 from the root portion to the tip portion of the first arc-shaped gear 83 when transitioning from the open state to the closed state, and to move the meshing position between the second arc-shaped gear 84 and the right synchronous gear 82 from the root portion to the tip portion of the second arc-shaped gear 84. Conversely, when transitioning from the closed state to the open state, the action of the synchronous drive unit 70 is to move the meshing position between the first arc-shaped gear 83 and the left synchronous gear 81 from the tip portion to the root portion of the first arc-shaped gear 83, and to move the meshing position between the second arc-shaped gear 84 and the right synchronous gear 82 from the tip portion to the root portion of the second arc-shaped gear 84.

[0146] For each of the vertical frames 11-15, the first base frame 30A, and the second base frame 30B, which are guided by each of the joints (51A-53A, 51B-53B) of the articulated section 50, the synchronous gear trains (71A, 72A, 71B, 72B) of the synchronous drive section 70 synchronously drive adjacent frames in directions toward and away from each other. At that time, the frames change their relative rotation direction and angle, thereby changing the gap between the frames.

[0147] As shown in FIG. 29, compared to FIG. 21, the first friction click stop portion 90A and the second friction click stop portion 90B are configured such that the rear first connecting gear 93A and the rear second connecting gear 93B mesh with the fourth input gear 107D at their tips. Therefore, when the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are rotated between the open state and the closed state, frictional resistance is applied. In addition, in the open state, a clicking sensation is generated when the click protrusions 105b of the click body 105 abut against the tips 104d of the left and right cam portions 104A of the common click plate 104 against the spring force of the compression spring 106. In the closed state, a clicking sensation is generated when the click protrusions 105b fit into the recesses 104c of the cam portions 104A due to the spring force of the compression spring 106.

[0148] 31 shows the electronic device 1 in a closed state where the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are folded to a position where they face each other, and the surface of the frame portion 10 of the articulated hinge device 5, which is composed of five vertical frames 11 to 15, is curved into a semicircular shape. Therefore, the deformable portion 4a of the flexible display sheet 4 is held by the surface of the semicircular frame portion 10.

[0149] In the above embodiment, the multi-joint hinge operation is explained using the first vertical frame 11 as the reference and the eleventh housing 2 and the second housing 3 are opened and closed simultaneously as an example, but the multi-joint hinge device 5 also performs the same operation when the second housing 3 is placed on a desk and the first housing 2 is opened and closed.

[0150] Furthermore, the frame section 10 in the above embodiment is exemplified as having one set of left first frame group 10A and right first frame group 10B, but multiple sets of left first frame group 10A and right first frame group 10B may also be provided.

[0151] The number of vertical frames of the frame unit 10 is an odd number of five or more, and one or more left first frame groups 10A and one or more right first frame groups 10B may be provided on the left and right sides of the first vertical frame 11 along the width direction. Therefore, the number N of vertical frames of the frame unit 10 may be N=1+2n (n is an integer of 2 or more), where n is an integer of 2 or more. In addition, the articulated units 50 may be provided at both ends in the vertical direction. [Industrial Applicability]

[0152] The articulated hinge device of the present invention can hold the folded portion of the flexible display sheet by following the arc-shaped trajectory of the frame portion when opening and closing the first and second housings. Therefore, when closed, the folded portion of the flexible display sheet folded into a semicircular arc is stably held without shaking. Furthermore, there is no slack or wrinkles when used in the open state.

[0153] Therefore, the hinge device is suitable for use in foldable electronic devices in which a flexible display sheet is arranged across a first housing and a second housing, smartphones, electronic organizers, PDAs, netbooks, video display devices, portable game consoles, laptops, etc., and is suitable for use in foldable electronic devices that use this hinge device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0154] 1:Electronic equipment 2: First cabinet 3: Second cabinet 4: Flexible display sheet 4a: Freely deformable part 5: Articulated hinge device 6: Support sheet 10: Frame section 10A: Left first frame group 10B: Right first frame group 11: First vertical frame 21A~21G: 1st~7th frame bodies 12: Second vertical frame on the left 22A~22E: Frames 8~12 13: Third vertical frame on the left 23A~23F: 13th~18th frame bodies 14: Second vertical frame on the right 24A~24E: 19th~23rd frame bodies 15: Third vertical frame on the right 25A~25F: 24th~29th frame bodies 30A: First base frame 31A: Front first base frame body 32A: Rear first base frame body 30B: Second base frame 31B: Front second base frame body 32B: Rear second base frame body 33: Step 50: Articulated part 50A: 1st row articulated section 50B: Second row articulated section 50C: 3rd row articulated section 51A:Left 1st joint joint 52A: Left second joint joint 53A: Left third joint joint 51B: Right first joint joint 52B: Right second joint joint 53B: Right third joint joint 61a(261a,361a): Left first arcuate arm 62a (262a, 362a): Left first guide hole 61b(261b,361b): Left second arcuate arm 62b (262b, 362b): Left second guide hole 61c(261c,361c): Left third arc arm 62c (262c, 362c): Left third guide hole 65a(265a,365a): Right first arc-shaped arm 66a (266a, 366a): Right first guide hole 65b(265b,365b): Right second arc-shaped arm 66b (266b, 366b): Right second guide hole 65c(265c,365c): Right third arch arm 66c (266c, 366c): Right third guide hole 63, 67: Curved surface 64, 68: Inner peripheral surface 69a, 69b, 69c, 69d, 69e, 69f, 69g, 69h, 69i: Insertion holes 662a: Left guide hole main body 662b: Left guide block 666a: Right guide hole main body 666b: Right guide block 70: Synchronous drive unit 71A: Left 1st synchronous gear train 72A: Left 2nd synchronous gear train 71B: Right 1st synchronous gear train 72B: Right 2nd synchronous gear train 80A Left 1st synchronous gear 80B Left second synchronous gear 80C Right 1st Synchronous Gear 80D Right second synchronous gear 81: Left synchronous gear 82: Right synchronous gear 81a, 82a: Front shaft part 81b, 82b: Rear shaft part 81c, 82c: Bearing holes 85: Gear body 86: Gear section 87,88: Screw insertion holes 87a, 87b, 87c, 87d, 87e: Bis 88a, 88b, 88c, 88d, 88e: Bis 201, 202, 203, 204, 212: Bis 73: Synchronous gear train 83: First arc gear 84: Second arc gear L: Center axis line 90A: First friction click stop 90B: Second friction click stop 91A: First friction click stop mechanism 91B: Second friction click stop mechanism 92A: Front first connecting gear 92B: Front second connecting gear 93A: Rear 1st connecting gear 93B: Rear second connecting gear 94A: Front 1st unit 94B: Front 2nd unit 95A: Rear 1st unit 95B: Rear 2nd unit 100A: 1st drive shaft 100B: Second drive shaft 100C: Front end bearing 100D: Rear end bearing 100E: Front intermediate bearing 100F: Rear intermediate bearing 100G: Flange part 100H,100I: Small diameter shaft part 101A: Left synchronous gear 101B: Right synchronous gear 102A: 1st common friction plate 102B: 2nd common friction plate 102a, 104e: Top surface 103A: 1st friction plate 103B:Second friction plate 104: Common click board 104A: Cam section 104a: Shaft hole 104b: Convex part 104c: recess 104d: Tip 105: Click body 105a: Shaft hole 105b: Click protrusion 105c: Recess 105d: Tip 106: Compression spring 107A: 1st input gear 107B: Second input gear 107C: 3rd input gear 107D: 4th input gear 110: Rear cover 111: Central vertical cover plate 112A: Outer vertical cover plate 112B: Inner vertical cover plate 113A: Left end vertical cover plate 113B: Right-end vertical cover plate 114: Short piece part 115: First engagement groove 116: Second engagement groove 117:Screw hole 118: Fitting protrusion 119: Fitting recess 120: Left slide engagement piece 121: Right slide engagement piece 122: Left groove 123: Right groove

Claims

1. A multi-joint hinge device foldably connects a first housing and a second housing of an electronic device by a relative folding action between an open position and a closed position, the multi-joint hinge device being disposed on a rear side of a flexible display sheet attached across both inner surfaces of the first housing and the second housing, a frame portion in which an odd number (1+2n (n is an integer of 2 or more)) of vertical frames are arranged in parallel along the width direction, with the short side direction being the width direction and the long side direction being the vertical direction; a first base frame disposed in parallel with a vertical frame at one widthwise end of the frame portion and attached to the first housing; a second base frame disposed in parallel with the vertical frame at the other widthwise end of the frame portion and attached to the second housing; a multi-joint unit having an articulated joint disposed between adjacent frames in a frame row formed by the first base frame and the second base frame arranged in parallel on both sides of the width direction of the odd number of parallel vertical frames, the articulated unit pivoting the adjacent frames along a predetermined trajectory while changing the direction and angle of rotation of each of the frames, thereby relatively changing the gap between the frames; a synchronous drive unit that connects adjacent frames in the frame row in series with gears, moves the adjacent frames in synchronous directions away from each other when the first base frame and the second base frame move relatively in a closing direction, and moves the adjacent frames in synchronous directions toward each other when the first base frame and the second base frame move relatively in an opening direction; a stop and hold unit that can stop and hold relative rotational movements between the first base frame and the vertical frame adjacent to the first base frame, and between the second base frame and the vertical frame adjacent to the second base frame, between the closed position and the open position; Equipped with a multi-joint hinge device characterized in that the articulated joint is composed of, in each frame of the frame row, an arc-shaped arm with a guide surface of a predetermined curved surface provided on one of the adjacent frames, and a guide hole portion provided on the other adjacent frame which slides and engages with the one frame along the guide surface of the arc-shaped arm.

2. The articulated hinge device according to claim 1, The frame section is configured with one or more frame groups arranged symmetrically on the left and right sides of a first vertical frame located in the center of the width direction, with second and third vertical frames arranged in sequence from the first vertical frame side on both sides along the width direction, and the multi-joint section is provided in two locations at both vertical ends of the frame section, or in three locations at both vertical ends and the vertical center.

3. The articulated hinge device according to claim 2, the articulation joint of the articulated section includes a left articulation joint in the width direction provided between the first vertical frame and the first base frame, and a right articulation joint in the width direction provided between the first vertical frame and the second base frame, The articulated joint on the left side in the width direction has the arc-shaped arms projecting from the first vertical frame and the second and third vertical frames toward the first base frame, and the guide holes are provided in the second vertical frame, the third vertical frame and the first base frame in correspondence with the arc-shaped arms, The articulated hinge device is characterized in that the articulated joint on the right side in the width direction has the arc-shaped arms protruding from the first vertical frame and the second and third vertical frames toward the second base frame, and the guide hole portions are provided in the second vertical frame, the third vertical frame and the second base frame corresponding to each of the arc-shaped arms.

4. The articulated hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The synchronous drive unit is provided with a plurality of synchronous gear trains along the width direction, which are gear-connected in series to form groups of three frames that are continuously arranged in parallel in the frame train, and adjacent synchronous gear trains along the width direction share two adjacent frames that are closest to the adjacent synchronous gear trains among the three that make up one group.

5. The articulated hinge device according to claim 4, a first arc-shaped arm and a left synchronous gear, and a second arc-shaped arm and a right synchronous gear, which are engaged with each other by a folding action from the open position to the closed position; a second arc-shaped arm and a right synchronous gear, which are engaged with each other by a folding action from the open position to the closed position;

6. The articulated hinge device according to claim 2, a multi-joint hinge device characterized in that the third vertical frame is provided with an insertion hole into which the tip of the arc-shaped arm that passes through the guide hole portion provided in the second vertical frame adjacent to the first vertical frame side is inserted, and the first and second base frames are provided with insertion holes into which the tip of the arc-shaped arm that passes through the guide hole portion provided in the third vertical frame adjacent to the first vertical frame side is inserted.

7. The articulated hinge device according to claim 2, a plurality of articulation joints provided between the first vertical frame and the first base frame, the articulation joints adjacent in the width direction being shifted from each other in the vertical direction, and a plurality of articulation joints provided between the first vertical frame and the second base frame being shifted from each other in the vertical direction.

8. The articulated hinge device according to claim 1, the stop retaining portion includes a first friction click stop mechanism provided on the first base frame having a first input gear, a second friction click stop mechanism provided on the second base frame having a second input gear, a first connecting gear fixed to the vertical frame adjacent to the first base frame and meshing with the first input gear, and a second connecting gear fixed to the vertical frame adjacent to the second base frame and meshing with the second input gear, A multi-joint hinge device characterized in that the first and second friction click stop mechanisms each have a cam portion with uneven portions that rotate integrally with each rotation shaft, with click bodies fixed to the rotation shafts of the first and second input gears, and click-engage at the open position and closed position, and a friction plate that applies friction force against the rotation of the rotation shaft.

9. The articulated hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, a rear cover portion that covers the frame portion is provided on the rear side of the frame portion, the rear cover portion having a plurality of vertical cover plates formed in the shape of vertical strips that are arranged side by side along the width direction and are connected to each other so as to be freely rotatable around vertical axes, and among the plurality of vertical cover plates, a vertical cover plate at one widthwise end is engaged with the first base frame so as to be movable in the width direction, and a vertical cover plate at the other widthwise end is engaged with the second base frame so as to be movable in the width direction.

10. 10. An electronic device comprising: a first housing; a second housing; a flexible display sheet attached across both inner surfaces of the first housing and the second housing; and a multi-joint hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which foldably connects the first housing and the second housing by a relative folding action between an open position and a closed position, and is disposed on the rear side of the flexible display sheet.

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