Casing hinge and display

Abstract

A casing hinge includes two brackets and two links. Each link is connected to the two brackets, forming a linkage mechanism. The two brackets move on a reference plane through the two links so that two casing fixing surfaces of the two brackets relatively rotate. The two casing fixing surfaces are perpendicular to the reference plane. A display includes two casings, two display modules, and the above casing hinge. The casing hinge connects the two casings. The two display modules are assembled to the two casings respectively.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a display, and more particularly to a hinge for a display. [Previous Technology]

[0002] Currently, some large-screen displays adopt a design architecture that combines multiple display modules. For easy storage, these display modules can be folded for convenient storage. Adjacent display modules can be connected by hinges, and the structure of the hinge itself and the connection structure between it and adjacent display modules will affect the screen splicing effect. [Summary of the Invention]

[0003] In view of the problems in the prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide a box hinge that uses a multi-link mechanism to provide a stable connection structure, and whose fixing surface for fixed connection with the box is perpendicular to the motion plane of the multi-link mechanism, which is beneficial for positioning between two boxes connected by the box hinge.

[0004] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a housing hinge includes a first bracket, a second bracket, a first connecting rod, and a second connecting rod. The first bracket has a first guide groove and a first housing fixing surface, the first guide groove being a multi-segmented guide groove. The second bracket has a second guide groove and a second housing fixing surface, the second guide groove being a multi-segmented guide groove. A first end of the first connecting rod is pivotally connected to the first bracket, and a second end of the first connecting rod slides in the second guide groove. A third end of the second connecting rod is pivotally connected to the second bracket, and a fourth end of the second connecting rod slides in the first guide groove. The first connecting rod and the second connecting rod are pivotally connected. The first bracket and the second bracket, via the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod, actuate on a reference plane, causing the first housing fixing surface and the second housing fixing surface to rotate relative to each other, the first housing fixing surface and the second housing fixing surface being perpendicular to the reference plane. Thus, the first bracket, the second bracket, the first connecting rod, and the second connecting rod form a linkage mechanism. The two boxes can be fixed to the fixing surface of the first box and the fixing surface of the second box respectively, so that the two boxes can be stably pivoted and rotated relative to each other via the linkage mechanism.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a display that uses the aforementioned cabinet hinge to connect two cabinets, which is beneficial for positioning the two display modules assembled on the two cabinets, thereby easily realizing the splicing of the screens of the two display modules in a coplanar manner.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a display includes a first housing, a second housing, a first display module, a second display module, and the aforementioned housing hinges. The first housing is fixed to a first housing mounting surface. The second housing is fixed to a second housing mounting surface. The first display module is assembled to the first housing, and the second display module is assembled to the second housing. Thus, the first housing (together with the first display module) and the second housing (together with the second display module) can be securely pivoted and rotated relative to each other via a linkage mechanism formed by the housing hinges, allowing the first display module and the second display module to be easily spliced ​​together in a coplanar manner when needed.

[0007] The advantages and spirit of the present invention can be further understood through the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings.

Implementation Method

[0008] Please refer to Figures 1 and 2. A display 1 according to one embodiment includes a first display module 2 (represented by a simple block in the figures), a second display module 3 (represented by a simple block in the figures), and a housing assembly 4. The housing assembly 4 includes a first housing 42, a second housing 44, and two housing hinges 46. The first housing 42 and the second housing 44 are arranged adjacent to each other and connected via the housing hinges 46 (i.e., the first housing 42 and the second housing 44 are pivotally connected via the housing hinges 46). The first display module 2 is assembled to the first housing 42, and the second display module 3 is assembled to the second housing 44. Thus, the display 1 can be folded for easy storage; the display 1 can also be unfolded to configure the first screen 22 of the first display module 2 and the second screen 32 of the second display module 3 into a desired state, for example, but not limited to, the first screen 22 and the second screen 32 being coplanar.

[0009] Please refer to Figures 3 to 8. The housing hinge 46 includes a first bracket 462, a second bracket 464, a first connecting rod 466, and a second connecting rod 468. The first bracket 462 has U-shaped sidewalls (three consecutive sidewalls) and two symmetrical first guide grooves 4622 are formed on two opposite sidewalls. The second bracket 464 also has U-shaped sidewalls (three consecutive sidewalls) and two symmetrical second guide grooves 4642 are formed on two opposite sidewalls. The first connecting rod 466 has a first end 466a, a second end 466b, and a first intermediate portion 466c, the first intermediate portion 466c being located between the first end 466a and the second end 466b. The first connecting rod 466 is entirely located between the two opposite sidewalls of the first bracket 462 and also between the two opposite sidewalls of the second bracket 464. The first link 466 is pivotally connected (relative to axis 470a, indicated by a chain line in Figures 5 and 6) to the two opposing sidewalls of the first bracket 462 via a first end 466a (via a first shaft 470, for example, passing through the first end 466a); the first link 466 slides in the second guide groove 4642 via a second end 466b (i.e., both ends of the shaft are slidably disposed in the two second guide grooves 4642 respectively). The second link 468 has a third end 468a, a fourth end 468b, and a second intermediate portion 468c, the second intermediate portion 468c being located between the third end 468a and the fourth end 468b. The second link 468 as a whole is also located between the two opposing sidewalls of the first bracket 462 and between the two opposing sidewalls of the second bracket 464. The second link 468 is pivotally connected (relative to axis 472a, indicated by a chain line in Figures 5 and 6) to the second support 464 (the two opposing sidewalls) via its third end 468a (via a second shaft 472); the second link 468 slides in the first guide groove 4622 via its fourth end 468b (via a shaft portion thereon) (i.e., both ends of the shaft portion are slidably disposed in the two first guide grooves 4622 respectively). The first intermediate portion 466c of the first link 466 is pivotally connected to the second intermediate portion 468c of the second link 468 (via a shaft member). Thus, the first support 462, the second support 464, the first link 466, and the second link 468 form a linkage mechanism and all move parallel to a reference plane P1 (indicated by a chain line in Figure 5) (or, in other words, the planes of motion of each link are parallel to the reference plane P1; axes 470a and 472a are perpendicular to the reference plane P1).

[0010] The housing hinge 46 is fixedly connected to the first housing 42 and the second housing 44 by the first bracket 462 and the second bracket 464, respectively. The first bracket 462 has three first fixing feet 4624 (each extending from one of the three side walls), and each first fixing foot 4624 has a first housing fixing surface 4624a. The second bracket 464 has three second fixing feet 4644 (each extending from one of the three side walls), and each second fixing foot 4644 has a second housing fixing surface 4644a. The first housing 42 (via the three pillars 422) is fixed to the three first housing fixing surfaces 4624a (e.g., secured with screws), and the second housing 44 (via the three pillars 442) is fixed to the three second housing fixing surfaces 4644a (e.g., secured with screws). The relative positions of the first housing 42 and the second housing 44 are primarily determined by their relative positions to the housing hinge 46. In this embodiment, both the first housing fixing surface 4624a and the second housing fixing surface 4644a are perpendicular to the reference plane P1. When the housing hinge 46 is in an unfolded state (as shown in Figure 3), the first housing fixing surface 4624a and the second housing fixing surface 4644a are parallel. This structural configuration helps maintain the relative position of the first housing 42 and the second housing 44 in the vertical direction perpendicular to the first housing fixing surface 4624a (or the second housing fixing surface 4644a), which helps the first screen 22 and the second screen 32 to be relatively positioned or aligned (e.g., coplanar) in this direction; for example, even if the hole tolerance of the support column 422 or the support column 442 is large, it does not affect the aforementioned relative position in the vertical direction. In addition, in this embodiment, the three first fixing feet 4624 are coplanar, and the three second fixing feet 4644 are also coplanar; however, this is not a limitation in practice. For example, in accordance with the height configuration of the corresponding support column 422, the first fixed foot 4624 also has a corresponding difference in height.

[0011] Please refer to Figures 9 and 10, which are side views of the housing hinge 46 in the unfolded state and a folded state, respectively; wherein, the outline of the second guide groove 4642 of the second bracket 464 is shown in dashed lines, and the outlines of the first display module 2, the second display module 3, the first housing 42, and the second housing 44 are roughly represented by chain lines. In the linkage mechanism of the housing hinge 46, the first bracket 462 and the second bracket 464 rotate relative to each other via the first link 466 and the second link 468 to switch the housing hinge 46 between the unfolded state (as shown in Figure 9 or Figure 5) and the folded state (as shown in Figure 10). When the cabinet hinge 46 is in the unfolded state, the first bracket 462 and the second bracket 464 are placed side by side adjacent to each other (this is not limited to having a small gap between the first bracket 462 and the second bracket 464; for example, they can be placed directly against each other side by side). The first cabinet fixing surface 4624a of the first bracket 462 and the second cabinet fixing surface 4644a of the second bracket 464 are coplanar. The fourth end 468b (rod portion) of the second connecting rod 468 is located at the first closed end 4622a of the first guide groove 4622 (the end away from the second bracket 464), and the second end 466b (rod portion) of the first connecting rod 466 is located at the third closed end 4642a of the second guide groove 4642 (the end away from the first bracket 462). At this time, the first cabinet 42 and the second cabinet 44 are placed side by side against each other, and the first screen 22 and the second screen 32 are coplanar (see Figure 1). At this time, the display 1 and the cabinet assembly 4 are also in the unfolded state.

[0012] Furthermore, when the cabinet hinge 46 is in the folded state, the first bracket 462 and the second bracket 464 are positioned opposite each other. The fourth end 468b (rod portion) of the second connecting rod 468 is located at the second closed end 4622b of the first guide groove 4622 (near one end of the second bracket 464), and the second end 466b (rod portion, the outline of which is obscured is shown in dashed lines in FIG10) of the first connecting rod 466 is located at the fourth closed end 4642b of the second guide groove 4642 (near one end of the first bracket 462). At this time, the first cabinet 42 and the second cabinet 44 are also positioned opposite each other, and the first screen 22 and the second screen 32 are also opposite each other. In addition, the display 1 and the cabinet assembly 4 are also in the folded state at this time. Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the folded state, the first cabinet fixing surface 4624a and the second cabinet fixing surface 4644a form an included angle A1, which is designed to be an acute angle greater than 0 degrees. This acute-angle design ensures a gap between the first display module 2 and the second display module 3, allowing the user to rotate (e.g., insert a finger into the gap) the first housing 42 (along with the first display module 2) (relative to the second housing 44 and the second display module 3); however, this is not a limitation in practice. For example, even if the aforementioned included angle A1 is designed to be 0 degrees, the user can still rotate smoothly through structural design (e.g., grooves are formed on the first housing 42 and the second housing 44 to facilitate the user's finger grip; or, for example, the first housing 42 (along with the first display module 2) and the second housing 44 (along with the second display module 3) are spaced apart, leaving a gap for the user's finger to insert). Furthermore, the included angle A1 can be an acute angle less than 10 degrees; in practice, the angle design of included angle A1 can be determined according to the dimensions of the first housing 42 and the second housing 44, as long as it allows the user to easily insert their finger into the gap.

[0013] In addition, in this embodiment, the third closed end 4642a of the second guide groove 4642 blocking the second end 466b (rod portion), the first closed end 4622a of the first guide groove 4622 blocking the fourth end 468b (rod portion), and the first box 42 and the second box 44 being placed close together side by side can all serve as positioning mechanisms for the unfolded state; in practice, one of them can be implemented. In addition, in this embodiment, the first box fixing surface 4624a and the second box fixing surface 4644a are also parallel to the first screen 22 and the second screen 32 respectively, so the aforementioned included angle A1 is also equivalent to the included angle between the first screen 22 and the second screen 32; on the other hand, when the box hinge 46 is in the unfolded state, the included angle A1 is 180 degrees. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first guide groove 4622 and the second guide groove 4642 are multi-segment guide grooves, for example, a zigzag groove formed by combining two straight grooves, but the number is not limited to two segments. Taking the first guide groove 4622 as an example, the first guide groove 4622 includes a first straight groove and a second straight groove formed by the first closed end 4622a and the second closed end 4622b extending towards each other, respectively. The first straight groove is farther away from the second bracket 464 than the second straight groove. The length of the first straight groove is greater than the length of the second straight groove. During the extension process, the first straight groove and the second straight groove gradually approach the first housing fixing surface 4624a, that is, the first guide groove 4622 is inverted V-shaped (as shown in Figure 6). However, in practice, it is not limited to this. The guide groove is not limited to a straight groove. It can also be an arc groove or a combination of a straight groove and an arc groove.

[0014] Please refer to Figures 5 to 8. In this embodiment, the first bracket 462 and the second bracket 464 have the same structure, and the first connecting rod 466 and the second connecting rod 468 also have the same structure. The following description takes the connection between the first bracket 462 and the first connecting rod 466 as an example. The connection between the second bracket 464 and the second connecting rod 468 can be directly referred to and will not be described again. The housing hinge 46 also includes a first cam member 474, a second cam member 476, and a spring member 478. The first shaft member 470 rotatably passes through the first bracket 462. The first cam member 474 is fixed on the first bracket 462 and is sleeved on the first shaft member 470 through a round hole, so the first shaft member 470 can rotate relative to the first cam member 474 (and the first bracket 462). The first end 466a (of the first connecting rod 466) and the second cam member 476 are both sleeved on the first shaft member 470. The second cam member 476 is adjacent to the first cam member 474. Both the first end 466a and the second cam member 476 are connected to the first shaft member 470 to rotate synchronously with the first shaft member 470; wherein, the aforementioned connection is achieved through a hole-shaft fit with a non-circular cross section, but in practice it is not limited to this (for example, it is achieved through a tight fit). The first cam member 474 has a first cam surface 4742, and the second cam member 476 has a second cam surface 4762. The first cam surface 4742 and the second cam surface 4762 are arranged opposite to each other along the axis 470a of the first shaft member 470 and abut against each other. The elastic member 478 is configured to apply force to the second cam member 476 so that the second cam surface 4762 abuts against the first cam surface 4742; wherein, the elastic member 478 is a metal helical spring, which is compressed and sleeved on the first shaft member 470 and pushes against the second cam member 476 (the two ends of the elastic member 478 abut against the head of the first shaft member 470 (e.g., a bolt) and the second cam member 476 respectively), but in practice it is not limited to this. Furthermore, in practice, the required spring constant can be easily obtained by designing the wire diameter and helix diameter of the coil spring. Generally speaking, compared to spring washers, coil springs allow for a larger amount of elastic deformation and have better fatigue resistance.

[0015] Please also refer to Figure 11, which is an exploded view of the first cam member 474 and the second cam member 476. The first cam surface 4742 includes two first convex regions 4744 and two first concave regions 4746, which are arranged alternately. The first cam surface 4742 also includes a first inclined surface region 4748 and a second inclined surface region 4750 on both sides of the first convex regions 4744. The second cam surface 4762 includes two second convex regions 4764 and two second concave regions 4766, which are arranged alternately. The second cam surface 4762 also includes a third inclined surface region 4768 and a fourth inclined surface region 4770 on both sides of the second convex regions 4764. Therefore, under the surface contour relationship between the first cam surface 4742 and the second cam surface 4762 and the force exerted by the elastic member 478 on the second cam member 476, when the first shaft member 470 rotates (relative to the first bracket 462), the first shaft member 470 drives the second cam surface 4762 to rotate around the axis 470a relative to the first cam surface 4742 and slide on the first cam surface 4742, so that the second cam member 476 moves away from or closer to the first cam member 474 parallel to the axis 470a.

[0016] When the housing hinge 46 is in the unfolded state (as shown in Figure 7) and the folded state, the two first convex areas 4744 are located in the two second concave areas 4766 and the two second convex areas 4764 are located in the two first concave areas 4746, so that the second cam member 476 is relatively close to the first cam member 474 along the axis 470a. Wherein, when the housing hinge 46 is in the unfolded state, the third inclined surface area 4768 abuts against the first inclined surface area 4748 (as shown in Figure 12, which is a front view of the first cam member 474 along the axis 470a; wherein, the outline of the second cam member 476 (including its hidden outline) is drawn with chain lines, the range of the second convex area 4764 is filled with oblique lines, and the axis 470a is indicated by a cross mark). Furthermore, when the housing hinge 46 is in this folded state, the fourth inclined area 4770 abuts against the second inclined area 4750 (as shown in Figure 13; its drawing description is the same as that in Figure 12, and will not be repeated).

[0017] Furthermore, during the transition between the unfolded state and the folded state of the housing hinge 46, for example, from the state shown in FIG12 to the state shown in FIG13, the second cam 476 rotates counterclockwise relative to the axis 470a, causing the third inclined surface area 4768 to slide relative to the first inclined surface area 4748 and causing the second cam 476 to move away from the first cam 474 along the axis 470a. Then, the second convex area 4764 slides on the first convex area 4744. Finally, the fourth inclined surface area 4770 slides relative to the second inclined surface area 4750 and causes the second cam 476 to move closer to the first cam 474 along the axis 470a. On the other hand, this transition process requires the second convex area 4764 to slide over the first convex area 4744. For example, when transitioning from the state shown in Figure 13 to the state shown in Figure 12, the second cam 476 rotates clockwise relative to the axis 470a, and the second cam surface 4762 moves relative to the first cam surface 4742. This movement is the reverse of the aforementioned movement description (transitioning from the state shown in Figure 12 to the state shown in Figure 13), and will not be repeated here. In this way, the transition of the housing hinge 46 between the unfolded state and the folded state must overcome the resistance of the second convex area 4764 sliding over the first convex area 4744. Therefore, the structural relationship between the first cam surface 4742 and the second cam surface 4762 has a positioning effect, which helps the housing hinge 46 to remain in the unfolded state (e.g., for ease of use) and the folded state (e.g., for ease of storage).

[0018] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the elastic member 478 maintains a force on the second cam member 476. Therefore, when the first cam surface 4742 and the second cam surface 4762 slide relative to each other, frictional force can be generated (which can be achieved by designing the mechanical characteristics of the elastic member 478 and / or the surface contours of the first cam surface 4742 and the second cam surface 4762, providing a damping feel), which facilitates the maintenance of the relative position between the first housing 42 and the second housing 44 (for example, when a user wants to use the display 1 with the first screen 22 and the second screen 32 arranged at a 120-degree angle). In addition, in this embodiment, the height of the first convex area 4744 protruding relative to the first concave area 4746 is the same as the height of the second convex area 4764 protruding relative to the second concave area 4766. Therefore, when the first convex area 4744 abuts against the second concave area 4766, the second convex area 4764 also abuts against the first concave area 4746; however, this is not a limitation in practice. For example, the two protrusions have different heights (for example, when the first convex area 4744 contacts the second concave area 4766, the second convex area 4764 does not contact the first concave area 4746), it still has the positioning function of utilizing the convex area; its structural details will not be elaborated further.

[0019] Please refer to Figures 5, 7, and 8. In this embodiment, the housing hinge 46 further includes a spring element 480. The spring element 480 is located inside the first bracket 462 and connected to the fourth end 468b of the first bracket 462 and the second connecting rod 468 to drive the fourth end 468b toward the first closed end 4622a of the first guide groove 4622; in other words, it helps the user to unfold the first housing 42 and the second housing 44, and facilitates the housing hinge 46 to maintain in the unfolded state. The same structural configuration is also present in the second bracket 464 (the housing hinge 46 also includes another spring element 482 inside the second bracket 464), and has the same effect, which will not be described again.

[0020] Furthermore, the aforementioned embodiment of the housing assembly 4 is illustrated by the example of two adjacent housings pivotally connected, but in practice, this is not a limitation. For example, in one embodiment, a side housing is pivotally connected to each of the opposite sides of the main housing. The dimensions of these two side housings (for the installation of the display module) are smaller than the dimensions of the main housing, allowing the two side housings to fold towards the main housing simultaneously without overlapping, facilitating storage. Additionally, these two side housings can be unfolded relative to the main housing to the desired configuration. The connection relationship between the side housings and the main housing is as described above regarding the connection (via housing hinge 46) and operation of the first housing 42 and the second housing 44, and will not be repeated here. The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention. All equivalent variations and modifications made within the scope of the claims of this invention should be considered within the scope of this invention. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a display according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a partial exploded view of the display in Figure 1. Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the cabinet assembly of the display in Figure 2 at circle A. Figure 4 is a partial exploded view of the cabinet hinge, the first cabinet, and the second cabinet in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the cabinet hinge in Figure 3. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the cabinet hinge in Figure 5 from another perspective. Figure 7 is a top view of the cabinet hinge in Figure 5. Figure 8 is an exploded view of the cabinet hinge in Figure 5. Figure 9 is a side view of the cabinet hinge in Figure 5 in an unfolded state. Figure 10 is a side view of the cabinet hinge in Figure 5 in a folded state. Figure 11 is an exploded view of the first cam member and the second cam member of the cabinet hinge. Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the relative relationship between the first cam member and the second cam member in the unfolded state. Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the relative relationship between the first cam member and the second cam member in the folded state.

Claims

1. A housing hinge, comprising: a first bracket having a first guide groove and a first housing fixing surface, the first guide groove being a multi-segment guide groove having a first straight groove and a second straight groove communicating with each other, the length of the first straight groove being greater than the length of the second straight groove; a second bracket having a second guide groove and a second housing fixing surface, the second guide groove being a multi-segment guide groove; a first connecting rod having a first end pivotally connected to the first bracket, and a second end sliding in the second guide groove; and a second connecting rod having a third end pivotally connected to the second bracket, and a fourth end sliding in the first guide groove, the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod being pivotally connected; wherein... The first bracket and the second bracket operate on a reference plane via the first link and the second link, causing the first box fixing surface and the second box fixing surface to rotate relative to each other. The first box fixing surface and the second box fixing surface are perpendicular to the reference plane.

2. The housing hinge as described in claim 1, wherein the second straight groove is closer to the second bracket than the first straight groove.

3. The housing hinge as described in claim 1, wherein the first straight groove extends from a first closed end of the first guide groove toward the first housing fixed surface, and the second straight groove extends from a second closed end of the first guide groove toward the first housing fixed surface.

4. The housing hinge as described in claim 1, wherein when the housing hinge is in an unfolded state, the second end is located at a third closed end of the second guide groove away from the first bracket, the fourth end is located at a first closed end of the first guide groove away from the second bracket, and the first housing fixing surface and the second housing fixing surface are coplanar.

5. The housing hinge as described in claim 1, wherein when the housing hinge is in a folded state, the fourth end is located at a second closed end of the first guide groove near the second bracket, the second end is located at a fourth closed end of the second guide groove near the first bracket, and the first housing fixing surface and the second housing fixing surface form an angle, the angle being an acute angle greater than 0 degrees.

6. The housing hinge as described in claim 1 further includes a spring member, wherein the spring member is connected to the first bracket and the fourth end.

7. The housing hinge as described in claim 1 further includes a shaft, a first cam and a second cam, wherein the shaft passes through the first end, the first bracket, the first cam and the second cam, the first cam is fixed to the first bracket and has a first cam surface, the second cam rotates synchronously with the shaft and has a second cam surface, and the first cam surface and the second cam surface abut against each other.

8. The housing hinge as described in claim 7 further includes a spring element, wherein the spring element is a helical spring, which is compressed and sleeved on the shaft element and pushes against the second cam element.

9. A display having a first housing and a second housing, wherein the display comprises: a housing hinge as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, the first housing being fixed to a first housing mounting surface, and the second housing being fixed to the second housing mounting surface; a first display module assembled to the first housing; and a second display module assembled to the second housing.

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