Electronic device

Abstract

An electronic device including a first body, a second body, a base, and a lifting stand is provided. The second body includes a main housing, two lateral housings, and a flexible screen. The two lateral housings are respectively disposed at two opposite sides of the main housing, and the flexible screen is attached to the main housing and the two lateral housings. The base is pivotally connected to the first body, and the second body is liftably disposed on one side of the base. The lifting stand is secured to the base and includes two lateral guiding rods arranged in parallel. The two lateral housings are respectively slidably connected to the two lateral guiding rods. When the second body is lifted relative to the base, the two lateral housings respectively slide along the two lateral guiding rods and are adapted rotate relative to the main housing guided by the two lateral guiding rods, thereby causing the flexible screen to transition from a flat state to a curved state.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device, and more particularly to an electronic device having a flexible screen. [Previous Technology]

[0002] With the development of display technology, flexible screens have gradually been adopted by laptops, tablets, and smartphones to provide an expanded display size or to bring users a sense of visual immersion. Taking flexible screens used in laptops as an example, existing designs do not provide a mechanism for users to adjust the display height according to their own needs, resulting in a lack of operational flexibility and affecting the overall user experience. [Summary of the Invention]

[0003] The present invention provides an electronic device that helps to improve the user's operating experience.

[0004] This invention provides an electronic device comprising a first body, a second body, a base, and a lifting bracket. The second body includes a main housing, two side housings, and a flexible screen. The two side housings are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the main housing, and the flexible screen is attached to the main housing and the two side housings. The base is pivotally connected to the first body, and the second body is vertically and flexibly disposed on one side of the base. The lifting bracket is fixed to the base and includes two parallel side guide rods. The two side housings are slidably connected to the two side guide rods. When the second body is raised relative to the base, the two side housings slide along the two side guide rods, and are adapted to rotate relative to the main housing by means of the two side guide rods, so that the flexible screen changes from a planar state to a curved state.

[0005] In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the aforementioned side guide rods has a first guide groove, and each first guide groove has a first end near the base and a second end away from the base. Each side shell portion has a guide hole and a first guide protrusion, and the first guide protrusion is located within the guide hole. Each side guide rod is inserted into the corresponding guide hole, and each first guide protrusion slides in the corresponding first guide groove to slide between the first end and the second end.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the first guide grooves is a spiral groove, and the spiral extension directions of the two first guide grooves are opposite to each other.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the first guide grooves is located on the side opposite to the flexible screen of the corresponding side guide rod, and the distance between the two first ends of the two first guide grooves is less than the distance between the two second ends of the two first guide grooves.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the aforementioned side guide rods further includes a second guide groove, and each second guide groove and its corresponding first guide groove are located on opposite sides of the corresponding side guide rod. Each second guide groove has a first end near the base and a second end away from the base. Each side shell portion also has a second guide protrusion opposite to the first guide protrusion, and the second guide protrusion is located within a guide hole. Each second guide protrusion slides in its corresponding second guide groove to slide between the first end and the second end of the corresponding second guide groove.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the above-mentioned second guide grooves is a spiral groove, and the spiral extension direction of the second guide groove of each side guide rod is the same as that of the first guide groove.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the above-mentioned second guide grooves is located on the side of the corresponding side guide rod facing the flexible screen, and the distance between the two first ends of the two second guide grooves is greater than the distance between the two second ends of the two second guide grooves.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the above-mentioned side shells further includes a guide rod front cover and a guide rod rear cover. The guide hole of each side shell is located between the guide rod front cover and the guide rod rear cover, and the first guide protrusion and the second guide protrusion are respectively provided on the guide rod front cover and the guide rod rear cover.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the main housing portion has a guide groove, and the lifting bracket further includes a main guide rod located between the two side guide rods. The main guide rod is inserted into the guide groove so that the main housing portion slides against the main guide rod.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned lifting bracket further includes a base fixed to the base, and the main guide rod and two side guide rods protrude from the base.

[0014] Based on the above, the user can control the second body to rise relative to the base, so as to adjust the display height of the flexible screen and drive the flexible screen to bend, so that the flexible screen changes from a flat state to a bent state, thereby optimizing the user's operating experience.

[0015] In order to make the above features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments are described below, and detailed descriptions are given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Implementation Method

[0016] Figures 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams illustrating the lifting mechanism of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figures 1A and 1B, in this embodiment, the electronic device 10 may be a notebook computer, and includes a first body 100, a second body 200, a base 300, and a lifting bracket 400. The first body 100 has logical operation capabilities and is typically equipped with physical input modules such as a keyboard and a touchpad. Additionally, the second body 200 is a display, and is a flexible display.

[0017] The base 300 is pivotally connected to the first body 100, wherein the second body 200 is vertically and flexibly disposed on one side of the base 300, and the lifting bracket 400 is fixedly connected to the base 300. In detail, the second body 200 is slidably connected to the lifting bracket 400, and can not only rotate relative to the first body 100 through the lifting bracket 400 and the base 300 to switch between the closed state and the unfolded state or adjust the unfolding angle, but also can be raised and lowered relative to the base 300 along the sliding direction SD through the lifting bracket 400 to adjust the display height.

[0018] Referring to Figures 1A and 1B, in this embodiment, the second body 200 includes a main shell 210, two side shells 220, and a flexible screen 230. The two side shells 220 are respectively floatingly disposed on opposite sides of the main shell 210, and the flexible screen 230 is attached to the main shell 210 and the two side shells 220. That is, the two side shells 220 are connected to the main shell 210 through the flexible screen 230.

[0019] In detail, the flexible screen 230 includes a main display portion 231 and two side display portions 232, with the two side display portions 232 respectively connected to opposite sides of the main display portion 231. The main display portion 231 is attached to the main housing portion 210, and the two side display portions 232 are respectively attached to the two side housing portions 220. During the rotation of the two side housing portions 220 relative to the main housing portion 210 in two opposite directions, the two side housing portions 220 respectively drive the two side display portions 232 to rotate relative to the main display portion 231, so that the flexible screen 230 bends and changes from a planar state to a curved state.

[0020] Figures 2A and 2B are exploded views of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention from a rear view and a front view, respectively. Figures 3A and 3B are lifting and lowering diagrams of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention from a rear view. Figure 3C is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view along line 3C-3C of Figure 3A. In Figures 3A and 3B, the main housing 210 and the guide rod front cover 220a of each side housing 220 are drawn with dashed lines to clearly show the configuration relationship of the main guide rod 420, the first side guide rod 430a and the second side guide rod 430b in the main housing 210 and the two side housings 220.

[0021] Please refer to Figures 1B, 2A, and 3A. In this embodiment, the lifting bracket 400 includes a base 410 fixed to the base 300, a main guide rod 420 protruding from the base 410, a first side guide rod 430a protruding from the base 410, and a second side guide rod 430b protruding from the base 410. The main guide rod 420 is located between the parallel first side guide rod 430a and the second side guide rod 430b, wherein the main housing portion 210 is slidably connected to the main guide rod 420, and the two side housing portions 220 are respectively slidably connected to the first side guide rod 430a and the second side guide rod 430b. In detail, the main housing portion 210 has a guide groove 211, and the main guide rod 420 is inserted into the guide groove 211 so that the main housing portion 210 is slidably connected to the main guide rod 420.

[0022] As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, when the user controls the second body 200 to rise and fall relative to the base 300, the main shell 210 slides along the main guide rod 420 in the sliding direction SD (see Figure 1B), and the two side shells 220 slide along the first side guide rod 430a and the second side guide rod 430b respectively in the sliding direction SD (see Figure 1B). Based on the cooperation of the main guide rod 420, the first side guide rod 430a and the second side guide rod 430b, the stability and reliability of the second body 200 during the rising and falling process can be effectively improved.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 3A and 3B, while the second body 200 is raised relative to the base 300 (i.e. the second body 200 slides away from the base 300 along the sliding direction SD), the two side shells 220 can rotate relative to the main shell 210 in two opposite directions under the guidance of the first side guide rod 430a and the second side guide rod 430b, so that the two side shells 220 respectively drive the two side display parts 232 to rotate relative to the main display part 231, so that the flexible screen 230 bends and changes from a planar state to a curved state.

[0024] Conversely, while the second body 200 descends relative to the base 300 (i.e., the second body 200 slides closer to the base 300 along the sliding direction SD), the two side shells 220 can rotate relative to the main shell 210 in two opposite directions under the guidance of the first side guide rod 430a and the second side guide rod 430b, so that the two side shells 220 respectively drive the two side display parts 232 to unfold relative to the main display part 231, so that the flexible screen 230 changes from a curved state to a flat state.

[0025] In other words, users can flexibly control the raising and lowering of the second unit 200 according to their own needs to adjust the display height of the flexible screen 230. In addition, the flexible screen 230 can bend while the second unit 200 is raised or unfold while the second unit 200 is lowered, so as to eliminate cumbersome operation procedures and optimize the user's operating experience.

[0026] Please refer to Figures 2A, 3A, 3B and 3C. In this embodiment, both the first side guide rod 430a and the second side guide rod 430b have a first guide groove 431, and each first guide groove 431 has a first end 4311 close to the base 300 or the base 410 and a second end 4312 away from the base 300 or the base 410. On the other hand, each side shell portion 220 has a guide hole 221 and a first guide protrusion 222 located in the guide hole 221, and the position of the first guide protrusion 222 is close to the external opening of the guide hole 221.

[0027] The first side guide rod 430a and the second side guide rod 430b are respectively inserted into the two guide holes 221 of the two side shell portions 220, and each first guide protrusion 222 is slidably disposed in the corresponding first guide groove 431 to slide between the first end 4311 and the second end 4312. Further, both first guide grooves 431 are spiral grooves, wherein the first guide groove 431 of the first side guide rod 430a extends in a clockwise direction, and the first guide groove 431 of the second side guide rod 430b extends in a counterclockwise direction. That is, the spiral extension directions of the first guide groove 431 of the first side guide rod 430a and the first guide groove 431 of the second side guide rod 430b are opposite to each other.

[0028] When the second body 200 is raised, each first guide protrusion 222 slides from the first end 4311 to the second end 4312 in the corresponding first guide groove 431. The side shell portion 220 sliding on the first side guide rod 430a rotates clockwise, while the side shell portion 220 sliding on the second side guide rod 430b rotates counterclockwise. Conversely, when the second body 200 is lowered, each first guide protrusion 222 slides from the second end 4312 to the first end 4311 in the corresponding first guide groove 431. The side shell portion 220 sliding on the first side guide rod 430a rotates counterclockwise, while the side shell portion 220 sliding on the second side guide rod 430b rotates clockwise.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2A, in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction SD (see Figure 1B), the distance D1 between the two first ends 4311 of the two first guide grooves 431 is less than the distance D2 between the two second ends 4312 of the two first guide grooves 431, and the distance between the two first guide grooves 431 gradually increases in a direction away from the base 410.

[0030] Please refer to Figures 2A, 2B, and 3C. In this embodiment, both the first side guide rod 430a and the second side guide rod 430b each have a second guide groove 432. Each second guide groove 432 is located on the side of the corresponding side guide rod (first side guide rod 430a or second side guide rod 430b) facing the flexible screen 230, and each first guide groove 431 is located on the side of the corresponding side guide rod (first side guide rod 430a or second side guide rod 430b) opposite to the flexible screen 230. That is, each second guide groove 432 and the corresponding first guide groove 431 are located on two opposite sides of the corresponding side guide rod (first side guide rod 430a or second side guide rod 430b).

[0031] In detail, each second guide groove 432 has a first end 4321 near the base 300 or the base 410 and a second end 4322 away from the base 300 or the base 410. On the other hand, each side shell portion 220 also has a second guide protrusion 223 opposite to the first guide protrusion 222, wherein the second guide protrusion 223 is located inside the guide hole 221, and the position of the second guide protrusion 223 is close to the external opening of the guide hole 221.

[0032] Each second guide protrusion 223 is slidably disposed in the corresponding second guide groove 432 to slide between the first end 4321 and the second end 4322. Further, both second guide grooves 432 are helical grooves, wherein the second guide groove 432 of the first side guide rod 430a extends in a clockwise direction, and the second guide groove 432 of the second side guide rod 430b extends in a counterclockwise direction. That is, the helical extension direction of the first guide groove 431 and the second guide groove 432 on the first side guide rod 430a is the same, and the helical extension direction of the first guide groove 431 and the second guide groove 432 on the second side guide rod 430b is the same.

[0033] When the second body 200 is raised, each second guide protrusion 223 slides from the first end 4321 to the second end 4322 in the corresponding second guide groove 432. The side shell portion 220 sliding on the first side guide rod 430a rotates clockwise, while the side shell portion 220 sliding on the second side guide rod 430b rotates counterclockwise. Conversely, when the second body 200 is lowered, each second guide protrusion 223 slides from the second end 4322 to the first end 4321 in the corresponding second guide groove 432. The side shell portion 220 sliding on the first side guide rod 430a rotates counterclockwise, while the side shell portion 220 sliding on the second side guide rod 430b rotates clockwise.

[0034] As shown in Figure 2B, in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction SD (see Figure 1B), the distance D3 between the two first ends 4311 of the two second guide grooves 432 is greater than the distance D4 between the two second ends 4322 of the two second guide grooves 432, and the distance between the two second guide grooves 432 gradually decreases in a direction away from the base 410.

[0035] The above-described embodiment illustrates the use of two guide grooves and two guide protrusions to cooperate between each side guide rod and its corresponding guide hole, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Under the design principle that each side guide rod has guide grooves with different helical directions and several guide grooves on the same side guide rod have the same helical direction, each side guide rod and its corresponding guide hole can use a single guide groove and a single guide protrusion, or a combination of three or more guide grooves and three or more guide protrusions, to achieve the same actuation mechanism.

[0036] FIG4 is an exploded view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG2A, FIG3A, FIG3C and FIG4, each side shell 220 further includes a guide rod front cover 220a and a guide rod rear cover 220b, wherein the guide hole 221 of each side shell 220 is located between the guide rod front cover 220a and the guide rod rear cover 220b, and a first guide protrusion 222 and a second guide protrusion 223 are respectively provided on the guide rod front cover 220a and the guide rod rear cover 220b. For example, the guide rod front cover 220a of each side shell 220 has a front guide recess where the first guide protrusion 222 is located, and the guide rod rear cover 220b has a rear guide recess where the second guide protrusion 223 is located. The front guide recess of the guide rod front cover 220a of each side shell 220 corresponds to the rear guide recess of the guide rod rear cover 220b to form a guide hole 221.

[0037] In summary, the user can control the second unit to rise and fall relative to the base, so as to adjust the display height of the flexible screen and drive the flexible screen to bend or unfold, so that the flexible screen can switch from a flat state to a bent state or from a bent state to a flat state, thereby optimizing the user's operating experience.

[0038] Although the present invention has been disclosed above by way of embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone skilled in the art can make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended claims. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0039] Figures 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams of the lifting and lowering of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 2A and 2B are exploded views of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention from a rear view and a front view, respectively. Figures 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams of the lifting and lowering of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention from a rear view. Figure 3C is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view along line 3C-3C in Figure 3A. Figure 4 is an exploded view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising: The first body; A second body includes a main shell, two side shells, and a flexible screen, wherein the two side shells are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the main shell, and the flexible screen is attached to the main shell and the two side shells; a base is pivotally connected to the first body, and the second body is vertically and elliptically disposed on one side of the base; and a lifting bracket is fixed to the base, wherein the lifting bracket includes two parallel side guide rods, and the two side shells are respectively slidably connected to the two side guide rods. When the second body is raised relative to the base, the two side shells slide along the two side guide rods respectively, and are adapted to rotate relative to the main shell by means of the two side guide rods, so that the flexible screen is transformed from a planar state to a curved state.

2. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the side guide rods has a first guide groove, and each of the first guide grooves has a first end near the base and a second end away from the base, each of the side housing portions has a guide hole and a first guide protrusion, and the first guide protrusion is located in the guide hole, each of the side guide rods is inserted into the corresponding guide hole, and each of the first guide protrusions is slidably disposed in the corresponding first guide groove to slide between the first end and the second end.

3. The electronic device as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the first guide grooves is a spiral groove, and the spiral extension directions of the two first guide grooves are opposite to each other.

4. The electronic device as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the first guide slots is located on the side opposite to the flexible screen of the corresponding side guide rod, and the distance between the two first ends of the two first guide slots is less than the distance between the two second ends of the two first guide slots.

5. The electronic device as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the side guide rods further has a second guide groove, and each of the second guide grooves and the corresponding first guide groove are respectively located on two opposite sides of the corresponding side guide rod, each of the second guide grooves having a first end near the base and a second end away from the base, wherein each of the side shell portions further has a second guide protrusion opposite to the first guide protrusion, and the second guide protrusion is located in the guide hole, and each of the second guide protrusions is slidably disposed in the corresponding second guide groove to slide between the first end and the second end of the corresponding second guide groove.

6. The electronic device as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the second guide grooves is a helical groove, and the second guide groove of each side guide rod has the same helical extension direction as the first guide groove.

7. The electronic device as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the second guide slots is located on the side of the corresponding side guide rod facing the flexible screen, and the distance between the two first ends of the two second guide slots is greater than the distance between the two second ends of the two second guide slots.

8. The electronic device as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the side housings further includes a guide rod front cover and a guide rod rear cover, the guide hole of each of the side housings is located between the guide rod front cover and the guide rod rear cover, and the first guide protrusion and the second guide protrusion are respectively provided on the guide rod front cover and the guide rod rear cover.

9. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the main housing has a guide groove, and the lifting bracket further includes a main guide rod located between the two side guide rods, the main guide rod being inserted into the guide groove so that the main housing slides against the main guide rod.

10. The electronic device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the lifting bracket further includes a base fixed to the base, and the main guide rod and the two side guide rods protrude from the base.

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