Electronic device

Abstract

An electronic device includes a first body, a second body, a pivot module, and a connecting housing. The second body is pivotally connected to the first body. The pivot module includes a first torque portion and a second torque portion. The rotational torque of the first torque portion is less than the rotational torque of the second torque portion. A portion of the pivot module is movably located within the connecting housing. The connecting housing includes a first connecting housing, a second connecting housing, and a third connecting housing. The first connecting housing is movably connected to the first body and movably connected to the second connecting housing. The third connecting housing is movably connected to the second body and movably connected to the second connecting housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This case concerns an electronic device. Prior Technology

[0002] Modern electronic devices (such as laptops) consist of two main components and a pivot. The pivot, for example, is a serpentine pivot composed of multiple components. Due to the complexity of the serpentine pivot's structure, the cost of electronic devices is too high, and the pivot components are prone to damage, which is detrimental to the assembly and use of electronic devices. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This case provides an electronic device that is easy to use.

[0004] The electronic device of this case includes a first body, a second body, a pivot module, and a connecting housing. The second body is pivotally connected to the first body. The pivot module includes a first connector, a second connector, and a third connector connected in sequence. The first connector is connected to the first body, and the third connector is connected to the second body. The first and second connectors together form a first torque portion, and the third and second connectors together form a second torque portion. The rotational torque of the first torque portion is less than the rotational torque of the second torque portion. A portion of the pivot module is movably located within the connecting housing. The connecting housing includes a first connecting housing, a second connecting housing, and a third connecting housing. The first connecting housing is movably connected to the first body and movably connected to the second connecting housing. The third connecting housing is movably connected to the second body and movably connected to the second connecting housing.

[0005] Based on the above, the rotational torque generated by the first torque unit of the pivot module in this electronic device differs from the rotational torque generated by the second torque unit, thus controlling the actuation sequence of the first, second, and third connectors of the pivot module. The pivot module has a simple structure, reducing the cost of the electronic device and facilitating assembly, making the device easy to use. The connecting housing houses the pivot module, and the first and third connecting housings can move relative to the second connecting housing to maintain the aesthetic appearance of the electronic device. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0006] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the pivot module in Figure 2. Figure 4 is an exploded view of the pivot module in Figure 2. Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device after the second main body of Figure 2 has been rotated. Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of the pivot module in Figure 5A. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the electronic device in Figure 1 in the second state. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device in Figure 6. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the pivot module in Figure 7. Implementation

[0007] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the pivot module of Figure 2. Figure 4 is an exploded view of the pivot module of Figure 2. Referring simultaneously to Figures 1 to 4, the electronic device 100 includes a first body 110, a second body 120, a pivot module 130, and a connecting housing 140. The second body 120 is pivotally connected to the first body 110 through the pivot module 130. The pivot module 130 includes a first connector 133, a second connector 134, and a third connector 135 connected in sequence. The first connector 133 connects to the first body 110, and the third connector 135 connects to the second body 120. The first connector 133 and the second connector 134 together form a first torque portion 131, and the third connector 135 and the second connector 134 together form a second torque portion 132. The rotational torque of the first torque unit 131 is less than the rotational torque of the second torque unit 132.

[0008] A portion of the pivot module 130 is movably located within the connecting housing 140. The connecting housing 140 includes a first connecting housing 141, a second connecting housing 142, and a third connecting housing 143. The first connecting housing 141 is movably connected to the first body 110 and movably connected to the second connecting housing 142. The third connecting housing 143 is movably connected to the second body 120 and movably connected to the second connecting housing 142.

[0009] The second main body 120 rotates relative to the first main body 110, causing the pivot module 130 and the connecting housing 140 to actuate. Due to the difference in rotational torque between the first torque section 131 and the second torque section 132, the first torque section 131, which has a smaller rotational torque, is driven by the second main body 120 first, causing the second connecting member 134 to rotate first. Then, the second main body 120 drives the second torque section 132, which has a larger rotational torque, causing the third connecting member 135 to rotate first. By driving the first torque section 131 and the second torque section 132 in stages, the electronic device 100 can stably switch between a first state M1 (FIG. 1) and a second state M2 (FIG. 6) when the pivot module 130 has only two rotation centers (i.e., the first torque section 131 and the second torque section 132). The pivot module 130 has a simple structure, which can reduce the cost of the electronic device 100, extend the life of the components, and make the electronic device 100 easy to assemble and use.

[0010] When the second main body 120 actuates the pivot module 130, the pivot module 130 and the connecting housing 140 can move relative to each other. The first connecting housing 141, the second connecting housing 142, and the third connecting housing 143 can move relative to each other. The electronic device 100 uses the connecting housing 140 to give the connection portion of the first main body 110 and the second main body 120 a basalt appearance, which simplifies the number and structure of the components of the pivot module 130 while maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the electronic device 100.

[0011] In one embodiment, the number of pivot modules 130 can be any number, such as one or two. The electronic device 100 in this embodiment is, for example, a notebook computer, but is not limited thereto. As shown in FIG1, the second body 120 includes a main housing 123 and a display module 121. The main housing 123 is connected to a third connecting housing 143 of the connecting housing 140, and the display module 121 is disposed on the main housing 123. The first body 110 may include a keyboard (not shown), but is not limited thereto. In an embodiment not shown, the electronic device 100 may be an external electronic device for connecting a display device (not shown). The second body 120 includes only the main housing 123, which can serve as a support frame. The display device is detachably connected to the main housing 123 of the second body 120. The display device is, for example, a tablet, but is not limited thereto.

[0012] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the first connecting housing 141 includes a slot 1411. The second connecting housing 142 includes two grooves 1421 and 1422 and a slot 1423, with the slot 1423 communicating with the two grooves 1421 and 1422. The third connecting housing 143 includes a slot 1431. Both ends of the first connecting housing 141 extend into the grooves 1421 of the first main body 110 and the second connecting housing 142, respectively, and both ends of the third connecting housing 143 extend into the grooves 1422 of the second main body 120 and the second connecting housing 142, respectively. The curvature of an outer surface 144 of the second connecting housing 142 is greater than zero, and the curvature of the outer surfaces of the first connecting housing 141 and the third connecting housing 143 is greater than zero, but not limited to this. The first torque portion 131 of the pivot module 130 is located in the slot 1411 of the first connecting housing 141, and the second torque portion 132 is located in the slot 1431 of the third connecting housing 143.

[0013] The second connector 134 of the pivot module 130 is connected between the first connector 133 and the third connector 135. The first connector 133 is connected to the first body 110, and a portion of the first connector 133 is located within a slot 1411 of the first connecting housing 141. The second connector 134 is located within slots 1411, 1423, and 1431 of the connecting housing 140. The third connector 135 is connected to the second body 120, and a portion of the third connector 135 is located within a slot 1431 of the third connecting housing 143.

[0014] The first torque section 131 and the second torque section 132 in this embodiment are enveloping torque structures, but are not limited thereto. The first connector 133 includes a first connecting body 1332 and a first sleeve 1333 connected together, with the first connecting body 1332 connected to the first body 110. The second connector 134 includes a second connecting body 1343, a first shaft 1344, and a second shaft 1345, with the first shaft 1344 and the second shaft 1345 connected to both ends of the second connecting body 1343. The third connector 135 includes a third connecting body 1352 and a second sleeve 1353 connected together, with the third connecting body 1352 connected to the second body 120.

[0015] A first shaft 1344 is fitted onto a first sleeve 1333 to form a first torque portion 131. A second shaft 1345 is fitted onto a second sleeve 1353 to form a second torque portion 132. The distance between the first torque portion 131 and the first body 110 is less than the distance between the second torque portion 132 and the first body 110. That is, the first torque portion 131 is adjacent to the first body 110. The ratio of the rotational torque of the first torque portion 131 to the rotational torque of the second torque portion 132 can be between 0.3 and 0.5, but is not limited thereto. The first shaft 1344 is located outside the first body 110, and the second shaft 1345 is located outside the second body 120.

[0016] When the second connecting member 134 rotates relative to the first connecting member 133, the second connecting member 134 can rotate relative to the first sleeve 1333 with the first shaft 1344 as the rotation center. When the second connecting member 134 rotates relative to the third connecting member 135, the third connecting member 135 can rotate with the second shaft 1345 as the rotation center.

[0017] As shown in Figure 3, the second connector 134 includes a first protrusion 1341 and a second protrusion 1342. The first protrusion 1341 and the second protrusion 1342 are connected to the second connector body 1343. The first connector 133 includes a first stop groove 1331, and the third connector 135 includes a second stop groove 1351. The first stop groove 1331 is formed in the first sleeve 1333, and the first protrusion 1341 is located within the first stop groove 1331. The second stop groove 1351 is formed in the second sleeve 1353, and the second protrusion 1342 is located within the second stop groove 1351.

[0018] The first protrusion 1341 can contact one of the two walls S1 and S2 of the first stop groove 1331 to limit the rotation direction and rotation angle of the second connector 134 relative to the first connector 133. The second protrusion 1342 can contact one of the two walls S3 and S4 of the second stop groove 1351 to limit the relative rotation direction and relative rotation angle between the second connector 134 and the third connector 135.

[0019] Figures 1 to 3 show the electronic device 100 in the first state M1. In the first state M1, a display surface 122 of the display module 121 of the second body 120 faces the first body 110, and the second body 120 is parallel to the first body 110. The electronic device 100 is turned off. The first protrusion 1341 of the second connector 134 contacts the wall surface S1 of the first stop groove 1331, and the second protrusion 1342 contacts the wall surface S2 of the second stop groove 1351.

[0020] Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device after the second main body of Figure 2 has rotated. Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of the pivot module of Figure 5A. Referring to Figures 5A and 5B simultaneously, when the electronic device 100 is to switch from the first state M1 to the second state M2, the second main body 120 can be subjected to force and rotate relative to the first main body 110. The rotation of the second main body 120 causes the pivot module 130 and the connecting housing 140 to move relative to the first main body 110. Since the rotational torque of the first torque part 131 is less than the rotational torque of the second torque part 132, when the second main body 120 is subjected to force, the first torque part 131 will actuate first. That is, the second connecting member 134 will rotate relative to the first connecting member 133 first.

[0021] The first protrusion 1341 of the second connector 134 moves within the first stop groove 1331 of the first connector 133 until the first protrusion 1341 contacts the other wall surface S2 of the first stop groove 1331, thereby limiting the rotation angle of the second connector 134 relative to the first connector 133. At this time, the second body 120 drives the connecting housing 140 to the position shown in FIG. 5A, and the second connector 134 moves within the connecting housing 140 to the position shown in FIG. 5A. The second protrusion 1342 remains in contact with the wall surface S3 of the second stop groove 1351.

[0022] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the electronic device of Figure 1 in the second state. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device of Figure 6. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the pivot module of Figure 7. Please refer to Figures 6 to 8 simultaneously. The second body 120 of Figure 5A can be continuously subjected to force until the electronic device 100 switches to the second state M2. During the process of the second body 120 rotating from the position of Figure 5A to the position of Figure 7, since the second connector 134 (first protrusion 1341) is stopped by the first connector 133 (first stop groove 1331), the third connector 135 is driven by the second body 120 and rotates relative to the second connector 134.

[0023] The second stop groove 1351 of the third connector 135 rotates relative to the second protrusion 1342 of the second connector 134 until the other wall surface S4 of the second stop groove 1351 contacts the second protrusion 1342, thereby limiting the rotation angle of the third connector 135 relative to the second connector 134 and limiting the opening angle of the second body 120 relative to the first body 110. At this point, the electronic device 100 switches to the second state M2. In the second state M2, one display surface 122 of the second body 120 faces outward. The electronic device 100 is turned on. The opening angle between the second body 120 and the first body 110 is, for example, 90 degrees, but is not limited to this. The first protrusion 1341 contacts the wall surface S4 of the first stop groove 1331, and the second protrusion 1342 contacts the wall surface S2 of the second stop groove 1351.

[0024] When the electronic device 100 is to switch from the second state M2 to the first state M1, the second main body 120 is subjected to force, which drives the pivot module 130. Since the rotational torque of the first torque section 131 is less than that of the second torque section 132, the first torque section 131 will actuate first, until the first protrusion 1341 of the second connector 134 abuts against the wall surface S3 of the first stop groove 1331 of the first connector 133. The second main body 120 continues to be subjected to force, causing the second torque section 132 to actuate next, until the wall surface S1 of the second stop groove 1351 of the third connector 135 abuts against the second protrusion 1342 of the second connector 134. At this point, the electronic device 100 switches to the first state M1.

[0025] Therefore, by means of the first torque section 131 and the second torque section 132 with different rotational torques, the first torque section 131 and the second torque section 132 can be actuated sequentially, thereby causing the second main body 120 of the electronic device 100 to pivot stably relative to the first main body 110. The structure of the first connector 133, the second connector 134, and the third connector 135 restricts the opening angle of the second main body 120. The first connecting housing 141, the second connecting housing 142, and the third connecting housing 143, which are movable relative to each other, allow the electronic device 100 to maintain an aesthetically pleasing appearance when switching between the first state M1 and the second state M2.

[0026] In summary, the rotational torque generated by the first torque unit of the pivot module in this electronic device differs from the rotational torque generated by the second torque unit, thus controlling the actuation sequence of the first, second, and third connectors of the pivot module. The pivot module has a simple structure, reducing the cost of the electronic device and facilitating assembly, making the device easy to use. The connecting housing houses the pivot module, and the first and third connecting housings can move relative to the second connecting housing to maintain the aesthetic appearance of the electronic device.

[0027] M1: First state M2: Second State S1, S2, S3, S4: Wall surface 100: Electronic devices 110: First Subject 120: Second Subject 121: Display Module 122: Display Surface 123: Main body shell 130: Pivot Module 131: First Torque Section 132: Second Torque Section 133: First connector 1331: First stop groove 1332: First connecting body 1333: First Sleeve 134: Second connector 1341:First convex part 1342:Second convex part 1343: Second connecting body 1344: First Axis 1345: Second Axis 135: Third connector 1351: Second stop groove 1352: Third connecting body 1353: Second Sleeve 140: Connecting housing 141: First connecting housing 1411, 1423, 1431: Grooving 142: Second connecting housing 1421, 1422: Groove 143: Third connecting housing 144: Outer surface

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising: The primary subject; A second body, pivotally connected to the first body; A pivot module includes a first connector, a second connector, and a third connector connected in sequence. The first connector is connected to a first main body, and the third connector is connected to a second main body. The first and second connectors together form a first torque portion, and the third and second connectors together form a second torque portion, wherein the rotational torque of the first torque portion is less than the rotational torque of the second torque portion. A connecting housing is also included, in which a portion of the pivot module is movably located. The connecting housing includes a first connecting housing, a second connecting housing, and a third connecting housing. The first connecting housing is movably connected to the first main body and movably connected to the second connecting housing, and the third connecting housing is movably connected to the second main body and movably connected to the second connecting housing.

2. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first connector includes a first sleeve, the second connector includes a first shaft and a second shaft, the third connector includes a second sleeve, the first shaft is sleeved on the first sleeve to form the first torque portion, and the second shaft is sleeved on the second sleeve to form the second torque portion.

3. The electronic device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first shaft is located outside the first body and the second shaft is located outside the second body.

4. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second connector includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion, the first connector includes a first stop groove, the third connector includes a second stop groove, the first protrusion is located in the first stop groove, and the second protrusion is located in the second stop groove.

5. The electronic device as claimed in claim 4, wherein when the electronic device is in a first state, the first protrusion contacts a wall of the first stop groove and the second protrusion contacts a wall of the second stop groove; and when the electronic device is in a second state, the first protrusion contacts another wall of the first stop groove and the second protrusion contacts another wall of the second stop groove.

6. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first connector is connected to the first body and partially located within the first connecting housing, the second connector is located within the connecting housing, and the third connector is connected to the second body and partially located within the third connecting housing.

7. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ratio of the rotational torque of the first torque portion to the rotational torque of the second torque portion is between 0.3 and 0.

5.

8. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second body includes a main housing and a display module, the main housing being connected to the third connecting housing, and the display module being disposed on the main housing.

9. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a display device is detachably connected to the second body.

10. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the curvature of an outer surface of the second connecting housing is greater than zero.

11. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second connecting housing includes two recesses, a portion of the first connecting housing extends into one of the two recesses, and a portion of the third connecting housing extends into the other of the two recesses.

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