Snap-fit auxiliary support hinge

Abstract

The present invention provides a snap-fit auxiliary support hinge, comprising: a linkage mechanism, which comprises a first fixed link, a second rotating link, a third rotating link and a fourth rotating link, wherein the second rotating link and the third rotating link are rotatably connected to the first fixed link, and the fourth rotating link is rotatably connected to the second rotating link and the third rotating link; and a torsion spring, wherein when switching from a first state to a second state, the torsion spring is first compressed to store energy and then releases energy, and when switching from the second state to the first state, the torsion spring is first compressed to store energy and then releases energy; the first state corresponds to a support leg being closed, and the second state corresponds to the support leg being opened to the maximum angle. The present invention can reduce the amount of wrinkling on an outer appearance member, does not require an external torque mechanism, and only uses a torsion spring to generate a bidirectional force at a small angle to provide a snap-fit tactile sense; in addition, the present invention uses a linkage mode instead of a virtual center-of-rotation solution as an external support hinge, achieving a smaller wobble value than a kick stand form.

Description

Snap-on auxiliary support hinge Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to auxiliary support hinges, and more particularly to auxiliary support hinges used in portable electronic products, such as laptops, mobile phones, tablets, etc. Background Technology

[0002] This auxiliary support hinge, used in mobile phones, tablets, computers, etc., is installed behind the screen or tablet. It supports the object from behind when it is in different open positions. The hinge can be completely hidden under the outer panel, which is made of a flexible material. In this scenario, conventional single-friction rolling hinges or kickstand hinges with virtual pivots would result in severe wrinkling of the outer panel at the opening point when the hinge is open. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by this invention is to provide a snap-on auxiliary support hinge that can provide auxiliary support from the back, while reducing the amount of wrinkles on its outer appearance parts when opened, and achieving a snap-on feel of energy storage and release elastic drive in both opening and closing. To this end, this invention adopts the following technical solution.

[0004] A snap-fit ​​auxiliary support hinge, characterized in that it includes a linkage mechanism, wherein the linkage mechanism includes a first fixed link, a second rotating link, a third rotating link, and a fourth rotating link; the second rotating link, the third rotating link, and the first fixed link are rotatably connected; and the fourth rotating link is rotatably connected to the second rotating link and the third rotating link, and:

[0005] The fourth rotating link has a connection point that can connect to the support leg;

[0006] The axis connecting the second rotating link and the first fixed link is designated as the first axis, the axis connecting the fourth rotating link and the second rotating link is designated as the second axis, the axis connecting the third rotating link and the first fixed link is designated as the third axis, and the axis connecting the fourth rotating link and the third rotating link is designated as the fourth axis. When the hinge corresponds to the first state where the support leg is retracted and the second state where the support leg is opened to its maximum angle, the second axis is located on both sides of the plane determined by the first axis and the fourth axis, respectively. Furthermore, the snap-fit ​​auxiliary support hinge is also equipped with a torsion spring. When transitioning from the first state to the second state, the torsion spring is first compressed to store energy and then released energy. When transitioning from the second state to the first state, the torsion spring is first compressed to store energy and then released energy.

[0007] Based on the above technical solutions, the present invention may also employ the following further technical solutions, or combine these further technical solutions:

[0008] The torsion spring is sleeved on the connecting shaft of the third rotating link and the first fixed link. One end of the spring arm is connected to the connecting shaft of the first fixed link and the second rotating link, and the other end of the spring arm is connected to the connecting shaft of the fourth rotating link and the third rotating link.

[0009] The length of the second rotating link is less than that of the third rotating link, and the length of the third rotating link is less than that of the first fixed link. In the first state, the angle between the third rotating link and the first fixed link is less than the angle between the second rotating link and the first fixed link.

[0010] The first fixed link is integrated into the fixed frame of the auxiliary support hinge and is part of the fixed frame. The fourth rotating link extends away from the second rotating link and the connecting part is provided at the extended part.

[0011] Limiting structures are provided on the fourth rotating link and the first fixed link to limit the maximum opening angle of the fourth rotating link.

[0012] The first fixed link is provided with an opening facing the third rotating link in the mounting groove. The connecting shaft of the third rotating link and the first fixed link is inserted into the mounting groove from the groove opening and positioned by the mounting groove, and is welded to the first fixed link.

[0013] The first fixed link is fixedly connected to the supported object, and the fourth rotating link is fixedly connected to the supporting leg, appearance part, or connecting part of the appearance part of the supported object.

[0014] The connecting components of the exterior part include legs that support the object; the exterior part includes a flexible plate that can be bent and recover.

[0015] Because of the technical solution of this invention, the entire assembly, through a linkage structure, rotates around a fixed rotation point, causing the rotating bracket to accelerate its rotation when it is lifted. This reduces the amount of compression on the outer surface part of the swing arm, thus reducing the amount of wrinkles on the outer surface part. Furthermore, an external torque mechanism is not required; a torsion spring is used to generate bidirectional force at a small angle to provide the snap-fit ​​feel. In addition, this invention uses a linkage method instead of a virtual center scheme as an external support hinge, resulting in less wobbling compared to the kick stand type. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 is a front view of the hinge of the present invention in the flattened state, that is, when the connected support leg is in the supported retracted state.

[0017] Figure 2 is a top view of the hinge of the present invention in the flattened state, that is, when the connected support leg is in the supported retracted state.

[0018] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view AA of Figure 1.

[0019] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of AA when the hinge of the present invention is located at the critical angle.

[0020] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of position AA when the hinge of the present invention is opened to the maximum angle.

[0021] Figure 6 is a front view of the hinge of the present invention applied to a laptop computer when the legs are in the retracted state.

[0022] Figure 7 is a front view of the hinge of the present invention applied to a laptop computer with the legs opened to the support angle.

[0023] Figure 8 is a three-dimensional view of the state shown in Figure 7. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the snap-fit ​​auxiliary support hinge of the present invention includes a linkage mechanism, which includes a first fixed link 1, a second rotating link 2, a third rotating link 3, and a fourth rotating link 4. The second rotating link 2, the third rotating link 3, and the first fixed link 1 are rotatably connected, and the fourth rotating link 4 is rotatably connected to the second rotating link 2 and the third rotating link 3. Furthermore:

[0025] The fourth rotating link 4 is provided with a connecting part 41, which can be connected to the support leg 500;

[0026] With the axis of rotation connecting the second rotating link 2 and the first fixed link 1 as the first axis (the corresponding connecting shaft is the first connecting shaft 10), the axis of rotation connecting the fourth rotating link 4 and the second rotating link 2 as the second axis (the corresponding connecting shaft is the second connecting shaft 20), the axis of rotation connecting the third rotating link 3 and the first fixed link 1 as the third axis (the corresponding connecting shaft is the third connecting shaft 30), and the axis of rotation connecting the fourth rotating link 4 and the third rotating link 3 as the fourth axis (the corresponding connecting shaft is the fourth connecting shaft 40), when the snap-fit ​​auxiliary support hinge corresponds to the support leg retracted state (see Figures 1-3), i.e., the first state, and the corresponding support leg opened to the maximum angle state (see Figure 5), i.e., the second state, the second axis is located at the first axis and the fourth axis, respectively. The plane determined by the axis is on both sides; and the snap-on auxiliary support hinge is also equipped with a torsion spring 5. When transitioning from the first state to the second state, the torsion spring 5 is first compressed to store energy and then released. The critical angle for the transition is when the fourth rotating link 4 rotates to the point where the first axis, the second axis, and the fourth axis are on the same plane. When transitioning from the first state to the critical angle, the support leg 500 needs to be manually operated to store energy in the torsion spring. When transitioning from the critical angle to the second state, the torsion spring releases energy, and the support leg 500 is automatically released. When transitioning from the second state to the first state, the critical angle for the transition is also reached. When transitioning from the second state to the critical angle, the support leg 500 needs to be manually operated to store energy in the torsion spring 4. When transitioning from the critical angle to the first state, the torsion spring releases energy, and the support leg 500 is automatically driven to close, forming a snap-on feel.

[0027] The torsion spring can be connected in the following way: the torsion spring 5 is sleeved on the connecting shaft (third connecting shaft 30) of the third rotating link 3 and the first fixed link 1, one end of the spring arm 51 is connected to the connecting shaft (first connecting shaft 10) of the first fixed link 1 and the second rotating link 2, and the other end of the spring arm 52 is connected to the connecting shaft (fourth connecting shaft 40) of the fourth rotating link 4 and the third rotating link 3.

[0028] A preferred embodiment is that the length of the second rotating link 2 is less than that of the third rotating link 3, and the length of the third rotating link 3 is less than that of the first fixed link 1. In the first state, the angle between the third rotating link 3 and the first fixed link 1 is less than the angle between the second rotating link 2 and the first fixed link 1. This makes it more suitable for reducing the thickness.

[0029] The first fixed link 1 is attached to the fixed frame 100 of the auxiliary support hinge and is part of the fixed frame 100 (i.e., the fixed frame part between the first connecting shaft 10 and the third connecting shaft 30). The fourth rotating link 4 extends away from the second rotating link 2 and the connecting part 41 is provided at the extended part.

[0030] The fourth rotating link 4 and the first fixed link 1 are provided with limiting engagement structures, including a protrusion 42 on the fourth rotating link 4 and a stop 11 on the first fixed link 1, which are used to limit the maximum opening angle of the fourth rotating link 4. The limiting when closed can be formed by the cooperation of the support leg with the fixing structure on the laptop.

[0031] The first fixed link 1 is provided with an opening facing the third rotating link 3 in the mounting groove 12. The connecting shaft (third connecting shaft 30) between the third rotating link 3 and the first fixed link 1 is inserted into the mounting groove 12 from the groove opening of the mounting groove 12 and positioned by the mounting groove 12. It is also welded to the first fixed link 1, making the installation of the third connecting shaft 30 simpler.

[0032] The mounting bracket 100 is fixedly connected to the supported object 300 (e.g., a laptop computer), and the fourth rotating link 4 is fixedly connected to the connecting component (e.g., the support leg 500) of the exterior component 400. The exterior component 400 can be a flexible and resilient plate. Reference numeral 600 refers to the rear decorative panel of the supported object.

[0033] The above description is only a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the structural features of the present invention are not limited thereto. Any changes or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention are covered by the protection scope of the present invention.

[0034] It should be noted that the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this invention are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. The terms "installed," "set," "equipped with," "connected," "connected," and "sleeve-in" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral construction; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or an internal connection between two devices, elements, or components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0035] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "one end," "the other end," "outer side," "inner side," "horizontal," "end," "length," "outer end," "left," and "right," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention. The terms "first" and "second" are also used only for the sake of brevity in description and do not indicate or imply relative importance.

Claims

1. A snap-fit ​​auxiliary support hinge, characterized in that, The system includes a linkage mechanism comprising a first fixed link, a second rotating link, a third rotating link, and a fourth rotating link. The second rotating link, the third rotating link, and the first fixed link are rotatably connected. The fourth rotating link is rotatably connected to the second rotating link and the third rotating link. The fourth rotating link has a connection point that can connect to the support leg; The axis connecting the second rotating link and the first fixed link is designated as the first axis, the axis connecting the fourth rotating link and the second rotating link is designated as the second axis, the axis connecting the third rotating link and the first fixed link is designated as the third axis, and the axis connecting the fourth rotating link and the third rotating link is designated as the fourth axis. When the hinge corresponds to the first state where the support leg is retracted and the second state where the support leg is opened to its maximum angle, the second axis is located on both sides of the plane determined by the first axis and the fourth axis, respectively. Furthermore, the snap-fit ​​auxiliary support hinge is also equipped with a torsion spring. When transitioning from the first state to the second state, the torsion spring is first compressed to store energy and then released energy. When transitioning from the second state to the first state, the torsion spring is first compressed to store energy and then released energy.

2. The snap-fit ​​auxiliary support hinge as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The torsion spring is sleeved on the connecting shaft of the third rotating link and the first fixed link. One end of the spring arm is connected to the connecting shaft of the first fixed link and the second rotating link, and the other end of the spring arm is connected to the connecting shaft of the fourth rotating link and the third rotating link.

3. The snap-fit ​​auxiliary support hinge as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The length of the second rotating link is less than that of the third rotating link, and the length of the third rotating link is less than that of the first fixed link. In the first state, the angle between the third rotating link and the first fixed link is less than the angle between the second rotating link and the first fixed link.

4. The snap-fit ​​auxiliary support hinge as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first fixed link is integrated into the fixed frame of the auxiliary support hinge and is part of the fixed frame. The fourth rotating link extends away from the second rotating link and the connecting part is provided at the extended part.

5. The snap-fit ​​auxiliary support hinge as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Limiting structures are provided on the fourth rotating link and the first fixed link to limit the maximum opening angle of the fourth rotating link.

6. The snap-fit ​​auxiliary support hinge as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first fixed link is provided with an opening facing the third rotating link in the mounting groove. The connecting shaft of the third rotating link and the first fixed link is inserted into the mounting groove from the groove opening and positioned by the mounting groove, and is welded to the first fixed link.

7. The snap-fit ​​auxiliary support hinge as described in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, characterized in that, The first fixed link is fixedly connected to the supported object, and the fourth rotating link is fixedly connected to the supporting leg, appearance part, or connecting part of the appearance part of the supported object.

8. The snap-fit ​​auxiliary support hinge as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The connecting components of the exterior part include legs that support the object; the exterior part includes a flexible plate that can be bent and recover.

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