Portable electronic device

A dual hinge system in portable electronic devices allows seamless switching between TV and laptop modes, addressing the limitations of existing devices by providing enhanced user convenience and versatility.

WO2025173809A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2025-08-21LG ELECTRONICS INC
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/KR2024/002145
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-02-16
Publication Date
2025-08-21

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing portable electronic devices lack the ability to seamlessly switch between TV mode and laptop mode, limiting their versatility and user convenience.

Method used

A portable electronic device with a dual hinge system allowing a first body with a display unit and a second body with a keypad unit to rotate between two states, enabling switching between TV mode and laptop mode through a link member and torque hinges that maintain the desired configuration.

Benefits of technology

Enables users to switch effortlessly between TV mode for display usage and laptop mode for input functionality, enhancing user convenience and versatility.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable electronic device. The portable electronic device according to the present invention comprises: a first body having a display portion formed on the front thereof; a link member having one side hinge-connected to a specific point on the rear surface of the first body; and a second body having a keypad portion formed on the front surface and an upper side hinge-connected to the other side of the link member, wherein the first body may be switched between a first state in which the rear surface faces the front surface of the second body and a second state in which a lower side forms a predetermined angle with respect to the upper surface of the second body.
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Description

portable electronic devices

[0001] The present embodiments relate to portable electronic devices, and more specifically, to portable electronic devices capable of mode switching using dual hinges.

[0002] Portable electronic devices are becoming increasingly common in modern society due to their convenience, allowing anyone to easily carry them and use them freely anywhere. Their diverse range of devices is also expanding. These devices can include portable computers, including laptop PCs, palmtop PCs, and PDAs; mobile communication devices; game consoles; and audio or video players (MP3 players, portable media players (PMPs)).

[0003] These portable electronic devices may be equipped with a display device to provide visual information or various user interfaces. If multimedia functionality is the primary function, the display size can be maximized and user input can be received using a keypad or interface displayed on the display. For applications requiring input functionality, such as document creation, a separate user input unit can be provided to enhance user convenience.

[0004] As the functions of portable electronic devices diversify and their frequency of use increases, foldable electronic devices are increasingly being used to expand the actual usable area within a limited size.

[0005] A representative example is a portable computer called a notebook or laptop, and other electronic devices with displays on both sides are also commercially available and in use.

[0006] It is classified as a foldable or clamshell type, as it has two bodies and folds for carrying and unfolds for use, and the angle of the two bodies can be freely adjusted through the hinge.

[0007] Recently, various types of electronic devices have emerged to suit users' needs.

[0008] The present invention provides a portable electronic device, and the technical task of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a portable electronic device capable of switching between TV mode and laptop mode.

[0009] In addition, embodiments of the present invention have as their technical task a portable electronic device capable of providing both a TV mode and a notebook mode.

[0010] The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to those described above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains from the description below.

[0011] According to embodiments for solving the technical problem described above, a portable electronic device includes a first body having a display unit formed on the front, a link member having one side hingedly connected to a specific point on the rear of the first body, and a second body having a keypad unit formed on the front and an upper side hingedly connected to the other side of the link member, wherein the first body can be switched between a first state in which the rear side faces the front of the second body and a second state in which a lower side forms a predetermined angle with the upper side of the second body.

[0012] According to embodiments, the first body can be switched from the first state to the second state by rotating in a first direction relative to the one side of the link member, and can be switched from the second state to the first state by rotating in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0013] According to embodiments, the first body may include a curved shape in which a portion is bent in the front direction.

[0014] According to embodiments, the second body may include a curved shape with a portion bent in a rearward direction.

[0015] According to embodiments, the first body and the second body may include a curved shape in which portions thereof are bent in opposite directions.

[0016] According to embodiments, the link member may include a plate portion, a first hinge portion that hinge-connects one side of the plate portion with the specific point on the rear surface of the first body, and a second hinge portion that hinge-connects the other side of the plate portion with the upper side of the second body.

[0017] According to embodiments, the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion may include at least one torque hinge that fixes the first body in at least one of the first state and the second state.

[0018] According to embodiments, the required torque value of the first hinge portion may correspond to the torque that the first hinge portion supports in the first state.

[0019] According to embodiments, the required torque value of the second hinge portion may correspond to the torque that the second hinge portion supports in the second state.

[0020] According to embodiments, the link member further includes a connecting portion that is coupled to the specific point on the rear surface of the first body and is coupled to the first hinge portion, and by means of the connecting portion, the first body can rotate about the one side of the link member.

[0021] According to embodiments, the plate portion may include a through groove extending in the thickness direction.

[0022] According to embodiments, the second body may have at least one of a trackpad and a dialpad formed on the front.

[0023] According to embodiments, the track pad may include a ring-shaped recess.

[0024] According to embodiments, by providing a portable electronic device capable of switching between TV mode and laptop mode, a user can use the portable electronic device in a desired mode.

[0025] According to embodiments, by providing a portable electronic device capable of providing both TV mode and laptop mode, there is an effect that a portable electronic device in a desired mode can be provided to the user according to the user's needs.

[0026] The effects that can be obtained from the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a portable electronic device according to embodiments.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a portable electronic device according to embodiments.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a side view of a portable electronic device according to embodiments.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a portable electronic device according to embodiments.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing the rear side of a portable electronic device according to embodiments.

[0032] Figure 6 is an exploded view of a portable electronic device according to embodiments.

[0033] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing changes in the state of a portable electronic device according to embodiments.

[0034] FIG. 8 is a side view of a first state of a portable electronic device according to embodiments.

[0035] FIG. 9 is a side view of a second state of a portable electronic device according to embodiments.

[0036] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Regardless of the drawing numbers, identical or similar components are given the same reference numbers and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0037] The suffixes "module" and "part" used in the following description are assigned or used interchangeably solely for the convenience of writing the specification, and do not in themselves have distinct meanings or roles. Furthermore, when describing the embodiments disclosed herein, if a detailed description of a related known technology is deemed to obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed herein, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0038] In addition, the attached drawings are only intended to facilitate easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical ideas disclosed in this specification are not limited by the attached drawings, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, or substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0039] Terms that include ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another.

[0040] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components intervening. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components intervening.

[0041] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0042] In this application, terms such as “include” or “have” are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the specification, but should be understood not to exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0043]

[0044] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a portable electronic device according to embodiments.

[0045] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a portable electronic device (100) according to embodiments may include a wireless communication unit (110), an input unit (120), a sensing unit (140), an output unit (150), an interface unit (160), a memory (170), a control unit (180), and a power supply unit (190). The components illustrated in FIG. 1 are not essential for implementing the portable electronic device (100) according to embodiments, and thus, the portable electronic device (100, 200) described in this specification may have more or fewer components than the components listed above.

[0046] More specifically, among the components, the wireless communication unit (110) may include one or more modules that enable wireless communication between the portable electronic device (100) and a wireless communication system, between the portable electronic device (100) and another portable electronic device (100), or between the portable electronic device (100) and an external server. In addition, the wireless communication unit (110) may include one or more modules that connect the portable electronic device (100) to one or more networks.

[0047] This wireless communication unit (110) may include at least one of a broadcast reception module (111), a mobile communication module (112), a wireless Internet module (113), a short-range communication module (114), and a location information module (115).

[0048] The input unit (120) may include a camera (121) or a video input unit for inputting a video signal, a microphone (122) or an audio input unit for inputting an audio signal, and a user input unit (123, for example, a touch key, a mechanical key, etc.) for receiving information from a user. Voice data or image data collected by the input unit (120) may be analyzed and processed into a user's control command.

[0049] The sensing unit (140) may include one or more sensors for sensing at least one of information within the portable electronic device, information about the surrounding environment surrounding the portable electronic device, and user information. For example, the sensing unit (140) may include at least one of a proximity sensor (141), an illumination sensor (142), a touch sensor, an acceleration sensor, a magnetic sensor, a G-sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a motion sensor, an RGB sensor, an infrared sensor (IR sensor), a fingerprint recognition sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor (e.g., a camera (see 121)), a microphone (see 122), a battery gauge, an environmental sensor (e.g., a barometer, a hygrometer, a thermometer, a radiation detection sensor, a heat detection sensor, a gas detection sensor, etc.), and a chemical sensor (e.g., an electronic nose, a healthcare sensor, a biometric recognition sensor, etc.). Meanwhile, the portable electronic device disclosed in the present specification may utilize information sensed by at least two or more of these sensors in combination.

[0050] The output unit (150) is for generating output related to visual, auditory, or tactile sensations, and may include at least one of a display unit (151), an audio output unit (152), a haptic module (153), and an optical output unit (154). The display unit (151) may be formed as a layer structure with a touch sensor or formed as an integral part, thereby implementing a touch screen. This touch screen may function as a user input unit (123) that provides an input interface between the portable electronic device (100) and the user, and at the same time, may provide an output interface between the portable electronic device (100) and the user.

[0051] The interface unit (160) serves as a passageway for various types of external devices connected to the portable electronic device (100). In the portable electronic device (100), the interface unit (160) can perform appropriate control related to the connected external device in response to the external device being connected to the interface unit (160).

[0052] In addition, the memory (170) stores data that supports various functions of the portable electronic device (100). The memory (170) can store a plurality of application programs (or applications) that run on the portable electronic device (100), data for the operation of the portable electronic device (100), and commands. At least some of these application programs can be downloaded from an external server via wireless communication. In addition, at least some of these application programs can exist on the portable electronic device (100) from the time of shipment for the basic functions of the portable electronic device (100) (e.g., call receiving and sending functions, message receiving and sending functions). Meanwhile, the application programs can be stored in the memory (170), installed on the portable electronic device (100), and driven by the control unit (180) to perform the operations (or functions) of the portable electronic device.

[0053] In addition to the operations related to the application programs described above, the control unit (180) typically controls the overall operation of the portable electronic device (100). The control unit (180) processes signals, data, information, etc. input or output through the components described above, or operates an application program stored in the memory (170), thereby providing or processing appropriate information or functions to the user.

[0054] In addition, the control unit (180) can control at least some of the components discussed with reference to FIG. 1 to drive an application program stored in the memory (170). Furthermore, the control unit (180) can operate at least two or more of the components included in the portable electronic device (100) in combination to drive the application program.

[0055] The power supply unit (190) receives external power and internal power under the control of the control unit (180) and supplies power to each component included in the portable electronic device (100). The power supply unit (190) includes a battery, and the battery may be a built-in battery or a replaceable battery.

[0056] At least some of the aforementioned components may cooperate with each other to implement the operation, control, or control method of a portable electronic device according to various embodiments described below. Furthermore, the operation, control, or control method of the portable electronic device may be implemented on the portable electronic device by driving at least one application program stored in the memory (170).

[0057] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a portable electronic device according to embodiments. FIG. 3 is a side view of a portable electronic device according to embodiments. FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a portable electronic device according to embodiments. FIG. 5 is a drawing showing the rear side of a portable electronic device according to embodiments.

[0058] The portable electronic device (200) illustrated in FIG. 2 may correspond to the portable electronic device (100) illustrated in FIG. 1. The portable electronic device (200) illustrated in FIG. 3 may correspond to the portable electronic device (100) illustrated in FIG. 1 and the portable electronic device (200) illustrated in FIG. 2. The portable electronic device (200) illustrated in FIG. 4 may correspond to the portable electronic device (100) illustrated in FIG. 1 and the portable electronic devices (200) illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. The portable electronic device (200) illustrated in FIG. 5 may correspond to the portable electronic device (100) illustrated in FIG. 1 and the portable electronic devices (200) illustrated in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5.

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a portable electronic device (200) according to embodiments may include a first body (210), a second body (220), and a link member (230).

[0060] Referring to FIG. 2, the first body (210) may have a display portion formed on the front side (x-axis direction). Similarly, the second body (220) may have a keypad portion formed on the front side (x-axis direction).

[0061] The first body (210) and the second body (220) can be connected by a link member (230). More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the link member (230) can connect the first body (210) and the second body (220) by having one side hinge-connected to a specific point on the rear surface of the first body (210) and the other side hinge-connected to the upper surface of the second body (220). A detailed description of the link member (230) will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

[0062] One side of the link member (230) is hinge-connected to the rear side of the first body (210), and the other side is hinge-connected to the upper side of the second body (220), so that the first body (210) can rotate with respect to one side of the link member (230) by the rotation of the link member (230). The first body (210) may be in a first state in which the rear side faces the front side of the second body (220), as illustrated in FIG. 2, or may be in a second state in which the lower side forms a predetermined angle with the upper side of the second body (220), as illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0063] That is, FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a portable electronic device (200) in which a first body (210) is in a first state, and FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a portable electronic device (200) in which a first body (210) is in a second state. The state transition of the first body (210) of the portable electronic device (200) according to embodiments will be described in detail in FIG. 7.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 4, the second body (220) may be formed with a track pad (trackpad, 221), a dial pad (dialpad, 222), and a track pad (223) having a ring-shaped concave groove formed on the front (x-axis direction).

[0065] More specifically, the dial pad (222) can be attached to the track pad (221). For example, magnets may be attached to the edge of the track pad (221) and the edge of the dial pad (222). In this case, the recessed portion of the track pad (221) formed and the pad portion of the dial pad (222) may have the same thickness. That is, the pad of the dial pad (222) may be attached to the track pad (221) by a force exerted by the magnet attached to the edge and the magnet attached to the edge of the track pad (221). At this time, the dial of the dial pad (222) may have a spherical pad at the bottom, and thus the rotation of the dial may be recognized by the track pad (221).

[0066] Accordingly, the portable electronic device (200) according to the embodiments has the effect that the user can selectively use the desired pad among the track pad (221) and the dial pad (222).

[0067] Referring to FIG. 5, the second body (220) may have a handle portion (240) formed at the upper end that can be held by a user. A detailed description of the handle portion (240) will be described in FIG. 6.

[0068] Figure 6 is an exploded view of a portable electronic device according to embodiments.

[0069] The first body (210) illustrated in FIG. 6 may correspond to the first body (210) illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4. The second body (220) illustrated in FIG. 6 may correspond to the second body (220) illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 5. The link member (230) illustrated in FIG. 6 may correspond to the link member (230) illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 6, the link member (230) may include a first hinge portion (231), a second hinge portion (232), a connection portion (233), and a plate portion (235). The plate portion (235) may have a through groove (236) formed in the upper portion thereof in the thickness direction. In this case, the through groove (236) may correspond to the handle portion (240) described in FIG. 5.

[0071] The first hinge portion (231) can hinge-connect one side of the plate portion (235) to the rear surface of the first body (210). In other words, the first body (210) can rotate around the axis of the first hinge portion (231). More specifically, the first body (210) can rotate around one side of the link member (230). Although the first hinge portion (231) illustrated in FIG. 6 is formed as a pair, this is merely an example, and the first hinge portion (231) may also be formed as a single axis.

[0072] The connecting portions (233, 234) can connect the first body (210) and the first hinge portion (231). The connecting portions (233, 234) can include a first connecting portion (233) and a second connecting portion (234). The first connecting portion (233) can have a cylindrical shape that surrounds the first hinge portion (231). The second connecting portion (234) can be a plate-shaped bracket, one side of which can be coupled to the first connecting portion (233) and the other side of which can be coupled to the rear surface of the first body (210).

[0073] That is, when the connecting portion (233, 234) applies force to the front surface of the first body (210), not only can the first body (210) rotate around the axis of the first hinge portion (231) due to the applied force, but one side of the link member (230) can also rotate around the axis of the first hinge portion (231). The rotation will be described in Fig. 7.

[0074] The second hinge portion (232) can hinge-connect the other side of the plate portion (235) to the upper side (220b) of the second body (220). In other words, the other side of the plate portion (235) can rotate around the axis of the second hinge portion (232). More specifically, the other side of the link member (230) can rotate around the upper side (220b) of the second body (220) to which the second hinge portion (232) is coupled. Although the second hinge portion (233) illustrated in FIG. 6 is formed as a pair, this is merely an example, and the second hinge portion (232) may also be formed as a single axis.

[0075] The first hinge portion (231) and the second hinge portion (232) may be formed as a torque hinge capable of withstanding a torque applied by a force so that the first body (210) can be fixed in the first state or the second state. A detailed description of the torque hinge will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0076] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing changes in the state of a portable electronic device according to embodiments.

[0077] The portable electronic device (200-1) illustrated in FIG. 7 may correspond to the portable electronic device (100) illustrated in FIG. 1 and the portable electronic device (200) illustrated in FIG. 2. The portable electronic device (200-5) illustrated in FIG. 7 may correspond to the portable electronic device (100) illustrated in FIG. 1 and the portable electronic device (200) illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 7, a portable electronic device (200) according to embodiments can switch modes from a portable electronic device (200-1) in which a first body (210) is in a first state to a portable electronic device (200-5) in which a first body (210) is in a second state, or conversely, can switch modes from a portable electronic device (200-5) in which a first body (210) is in a second state to a portable electronic device (200-1) in which a first body (210) is in a first state.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 2 together, a portable electronic device (200-1) having a first body (210) in a first state can be fixed to the ground in a stand-type manner and thus can be used in TV mode. In addition, referring to FIG. 4 together, a portable electronic device (200-5) having a first body (210) in a second state can be used in laptop mode because the first body (210) forms a predetermined angle with the second body (220).

[0080] First, let's explain the mode transition in the A direction.

[0081] A user can use the portable electronic device (200-1) in TV mode as described above. The portable electronic device (200-1) in TV mode is a mode in which the first body (210) is in the first state, and the rear surface of the first body (210) and the front surface of the second body (220) are facing each other, so that the user can use the display formed on the front surface of the first body (210).

[0082] At this time, the user can change the mode of the portable electronic device (200-1) in TV mode to the portable electronic device (200-5) in notebook mode by applying force to the first body (210). The user can lay the portable electronic device (200-1) in TV mode on the ground (see portable electronic device (200-2)), and at the same time, push the lower part of the first body (210) (force in the z-axis direction, see FIG. 4) or lift the upper part (force in the x-axis direction, see FIG. 4), thereby changing the state of the first body (210) from the first state to the second state.

[0083] The first body (210) can rotate around one side of the link member (230) by the applied force. More specifically, the first body (210) can rotate counterclockwise around one side (y-axis direction, see FIG. 4) of the link member (230).

[0084] At this time, as described in FIG. 6, not only can the first body (210) rotate around one side of the link member (230) by the connecting portion (233, 234), but also one side of the link member (230) can rotate around a specific point of the first body (210). In other words, the first body (210) and the link member (230) can rotate around the axis of the first hinge portion (231), so that the coupling position of the first body (210) and the link member (230) can change when the mode of the portable electronic device (200) is changed.

[0085] In addition, as the first body (210) rotates, the link member (230) can rotate around the upper part of the second body (220). More specifically, the link member (230) can rotate clockwise around the upper part (y-axis direction, see FIG. 4) of the second body (220).

[0086] Accordingly, when the portable electronic device (200) according to the embodiments is switched from a portable electronic device (200-1) in TV mode to a portable electronic device (200-5) in notebook mode, the first body (210) rotates counterclockwise around one side of the link member (230) and the link member (230) rotates clockwise around the upper part of the second body (220), so that the first body (210) can switch from a first state to a second state. That is, by the applied force, the first body (210) can switch from a first state in which the rear face faces the front of the second body (220) to a second state in which the lower part meets the upper part of the second body (220) and simultaneously forms a predetermined angle.

[0087] Next, let's explain the mode transition in the B direction.

[0088] The user can use the portable electronic device (200-5) in the notebook mode as described above. The portable electronic device (200-5) in the notebook mode is a mode in which the first body (210) is in a second state, and the second state may be a state in which the lower end of the first body (210) meets the upper end of the second body (220) and forms a predetermined angle at the same time. When the first body (210) is in the second state, the front of the second body (220) may be exposed to the user, unlike when the first body (210) is in the first state. Therefore, the user can use the keypad formed on the front of the second body (220).

[0089] At this time, the user can change the mode of the portable electronic device (200-5) in notebook mode to the portable electronic device (200-1) in TV mode by applying force to the first body (210). The user can change the state of the first body (210) from the second state to the first state by pushing the upper part of the first body (210) downward (force in the -x-axis direction, see FIG. 4) or pushing the lower part (force in the -z-axis direction, see FIG. 4). At this time, after the state change of the first body (210) is completed, the user can use the portable electronic device (200-2) lying on the ground by standing it up on the ground (see portable electronic device (200-1)).

[0090] As described above, the first body (210) can rotate around one side of the link member (230) by the applied force. More specifically, the first body (210) can rotate clockwise around one side (y-axis direction, see FIG. 4) of the link member (230). In addition, while the first body (210) rotates, the link member (230) can rotate around the upper part of the second body (220). More specifically, the link member (230) can rotate counterclockwise around the upper part (y-axis direction, see FIG. 4) of the second body (220).

[0091] Accordingly, when the portable electronic device (200) according to the embodiments is switched from a portable electronic device (200-5) in notebook mode to a portable electronic device (200-1) in TV mode, the first body (210) rotates clockwise around one side of the link member (230) and the link member (230) rotates counterclockwise around the upper part of the second body (220), so that the first body (210) can switch from the second state to the first state. That is, by the applied force, the first body (210) can switch from the second state in which the lower part meets the upper part of the second body (220) and at the same time forms a predetermined angle to the first state in which the rear part faces the front of the second body (220).

[0092] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the first body (210) of the portable electronic device (200) according to the embodiments can rotate around a specific point and move in the forward / backward direction (+ / -z-axis direction, see FIG. 4) when switching from a first state to a second state or from a second state to a first state.

[0093] For example, when the mode is switched from a portable electronic device (200-1) in TV mode to a portable electronic device (200-5) in notebook mode, the lower end of the first body (210) can move from a position where it meets the lower end of the second body (220) to a position where it meets the upper end of the second body (220). Accordingly, in this case, the front of the second body (220) can be exposed to the user by being positioned at a position where the lower end of the first body (210) meets the upper end of the second body (220).

[0094] In addition, conversely, when the mode is switched from a portable electronic device (200-5) in notebook mode to a portable electronic device (200-1) in TV mode, the lower end of the first body (210) can move from a position where it meets the upper end of the second body (220) to a position where it meets the lower end of the second body (220). Accordingly, in this case, the front of the second body (220) may not be exposed to the user by being positioned at a position where the lower end of the first body (210) meets the lower end of the second body (220).

[0095] Fig. 8 is a side view of a first state of a portable electronic device according to embodiments. Fig. 9 is a side view of a second state of a portable electronic device according to embodiments.

[0096] The portable electronic device (200) illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 may correspond to the portable electronic device (100) illustrated in FIG. 1 and the portable electronic device (200) illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 5 and FIG. 7.

[0097] As described above, the portable electronic device (200) illustrated in FIG. 8 may correspond to a portable electronic device (200-1, see FIG. 7) in TV mode in which the first body (210) is in the first state. In addition, the portable electronic device (200) illustrated in FIG. 9 may correspond to a portable electronic device (200-5, see FIG. 7) in notebook mode in which the first body (210) is in the second state.

[0098] Referring to Fig. 8, the portable electronic device (200) can be placed on the ground. At this time, the lower portion of the first body (210) and the lower portion of the second body (220) can be formed into a curved shape that is bent at a predetermined angle in opposite directions. That is, since the lower portion of the first body (210) and the lower portion of the second body (220) are formed into a curved shape, the user can place the portable electronic device (200) on the ground and use it like a TV.

[0099] Referring to FIG. 9, the portable electronic device (200) can be used with the second body (220) placed on the ground. That is, the user can use the portable electronic device (200) like a laptop.

[0100] At this time, as described above, the lower part of the second body (220) may be formed in a curved shape, so that the second body (220) may have an incline corresponding to the angle of the curved shape with respect to the ground. Accordingly, when a user uses the keypad formed on the front of the second body (220), the second body (220) may have a certain incline, so that the user may feel comfortable when using it. At this time, the degree of bending of the curved shape may correspond to approximately 2.3 degrees.

[0101] In addition, as described above, the lower portion of the first body (210) is formed in a curved shape that bends outward, so that the first body (210) can transition from a first state to a second state (for example, from the first body (210) illustrated in FIG. 8 to the first body (210) illustrated in FIG. 9), or vice versa, can smoothly slide on the front surface of the second body (220). In other words, since the lower portion of the first body (210) is formed in a curved shape, when the first body (210) moves to transition between states, scratches or the like may not occur on the front surface of the second body (220).

[0102] The second state is a state in which the lower end of the first body (210) meets the upper end of the second body (220) and forms a predetermined angle at the same time. At this time, the predetermined angle may correspond to 70 to 80 degrees.

[0103] Accordingly, the portable electronic device (200) according to the embodiments may correspond to the portable electronic device (200) in TV mode as shown in Fig. 8 or the portable electronic device (200) in notebook mode as shown in Fig. 9. In this case, the portable electronic device (200) can maintain the corresponding mode by having the first hinge portion (231) and the second hinge portion (232) support the torque force generated in each mode.

[0104] That is, referring to FIG. 8, in the case of a portable electronic device (200) in TV mode, the first hinge part (231) and the second hinge part (232) support the torque force generated by gravity at the bottom and top, respectively, so that the portable electronic device (200) can maintain the stand type of the TV mode. In addition, referring to FIG. 9, in the case of a portable electronic device (200) in notebook mode, the first hinge part (231) and the second hinge part (232) support the torque force generated by gravity at the top and bottom, respectively, so that the portable electronic device (200) can maintain the notebook mode.

[0105] At this time, the torque force that the first hinge part (231) can withstand may correspond to the torque force applied to the first hinge part (231) in the portable electronic device (200-1, see FIG. 7) in TV mode. The first hinge part (231) must be able to withstand both the torque force applied to the portable electronic device (200-1, see FIG. 7) in TV mode and the portable electronic device (200-5) in laptop mode. At this time, since the torque force applied to the portable electronic device (200-1) in TV mode is greater than the torque force applied to the portable electronic device (200-5) in laptop mode, it may be desirable to set the torque force that the first hinge part (231) can withstand based on the portable electronic device (200-1) in TV mode.

[0106] In addition, the torque force that the second hinge part (232) can withstand may correspond to the torque force applied to the second hinge part (232) in the portable electronic device (200-5, see FIG. 7) in the notebook mode. Similarly, the second hinge part (232) must be able to withstand both the torque force applied to the portable electronic device (200-1, see FIG. 7) in the TV mode and the torque force applied to the portable electronic device (200-5) in the notebook mode. At this time, since the torque force applied to the portable electronic device (200-5) in the notebook mode is greater than the torque force applied to the portable electronic device (200-1) in the TV mode, it may be desirable to set the torque force that the second hinge part (232) can withstand based on the portable electronic device (200-5) in the notebook mode.

[0107]

[0108] The detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention disclosed above has been provided to enable those skilled in the art to implement and practice the present invention. While the above description has been made with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, those skilled in the art can utilize the individual components described in the above-described embodiments in combination with each other.

[0109] Accordingly, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A first body having a display portion formed on the front; A link member hingedly connected to a specific point on the rear of the first body; and A keypad portion is formed on the front, and the upper side includes a second body hinge-joined with the other side of the link member, The above first body, A portable electronic device that switches between a first state in which the rear surface faces the front surface of the second body and a second state in which the lower surface forms a predetermined angle with the upper surface of the second body.

2. In paragraph 1, The above first body, A portable electronic device that switches from the first state to the second state by rotating in a first direction based on the one side of the link member, and switches from the second state to the first state by rotating in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

3. In paragraph 1, A portable electronic device, wherein the first body includes a curved shape with one end bent in the front direction.

4. In paragraph 1, A portable electronic device, wherein the second body includes a curved shape with one end bent toward the rear.

5. In paragraph 1, The above first body and the above second body, A portable electronic device comprising a curved shape with the bottoms curved in opposite directions.

6. In paragraph 1, The above link absence is, Plate section; A first hinge portion that hinge-connects one side of the plate portion and the specific point on the rear surface of the first body; and A portable electronic device comprising a second hinge portion that hinge-connects the other side of the plate portion and the upper side of the second body.

7. In paragraph 6, The above first hinge portion and the above second hinge portion, A portable electronic device, wherein the first body includes at least one torque hinge that is fixed in at least one of the first state and the second state.

8. In paragraph 7, The required torque value of the above first hinge part is: A portable electronic device, corresponding to the torque value supported by the first hinge portion in the first state.

9. In paragraph 7, The required torque value of the above second hinge part is: A portable electronic device, which corresponds to the torque value supported by the second hinge portion in the second state.

10. In paragraph 6, The above link absence is, Further comprising a connecting portion that is coupled to the specific point on the rear side of the first body and is coupled to the first hinge portion; A portable electronic device in which the first body rotates relative to one side of the link member by the above connecting portion.

11. In paragraph 6, A portable electronic device, wherein the plate portion includes a through-hole extending in the thickness direction.

12. In paragraph 1, The above second body, A portable electronic device having at least one trackpad and dialpad formed on the front.

13. In paragraph 12, A portable electronic device, wherein the track pad includes a ring-shaped recess.

Citation Information

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