U.S. patent application number 16/654850 was filed with the patent office on 2021-01-14 for portable information device with a foldable chassis.
This patent application is currently assigned to LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.. Invention is credited to Chi-Hui Chen, Fumitake Mizoguchi, Kenji Watamura.
Application Number | 20210011522 16/654850 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005300454 |
Filed Date | 2021-01-14 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210011522 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Watamura; Kenji ; et
al. |
January 14, 2021 |
PORTABLE INFORMATION DEVICE WITH A FOLDABLE CHASSIS
Abstract
A portable information device includes a hinge device rotatably
connecting one edge portions of a first chassis and a second
chassis, a display, and a cover member covering a side of the hinge
device. The hinge device connects the first chassis and the second
chassis so as to be foldable from a usage form in which a top
surface of the first chassis and a top surface of the second
chassis are on substantially the same plane to a storage form in
which the top surfaces of the first chassis and the second chassis
face each other. The cover member is contained inside the first
chassis and the second chassis in the usage form and covers a side
of a gap formed by separation of the one edge portions of the first
chassis and the second chassis in the storage form.
Inventors: |
Watamura; Kenji; (YOKOHAMA,
JP) ; Chen; Chi-Hui; (Taipei City, TW) ;
Mizoguchi; Fumitake; (YOKOHAMA, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD. |
Singapore |
|
SG |
|
|
Assignee: |
LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE.
LTD.
SINGAPORE
SG
|
Family ID: |
1000005300454 |
Appl. No.: |
16/654850 |
Filed: |
October 16, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1652 20130101;
E05Y 2900/606 20130101; G06F 1/1681 20130101; E05D 11/0054
20130101; G06F 1/1616 20130101; E05D 3/06 20130101; E05D 3/122
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 1/16 20060101
G06F001/16; E05D 3/06 20060101 E05D003/06; E05D 11/00 20060101
E05D011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 12, 2019 |
JP |
2019130277 |
Claims
1. A portable information device, comprising: a first chassis
having one edge portion; a second chassis having one edge portion
adjacent to the one edge portion of the first chassis; a hinge
device rotatably connecting the one edge portions of the first
chassis and the second chassis; a display seamlessly covering the
first chassis and the second chassis and is foldable; and a cover
member covering a side of the hinge device, wherein the hinge
device connects the first chassis and the second chassis so as to
be foldable from a usage form, in which a top surface of the first
chassis and a top surface of the second chassis are on
substantially the same plane, to a storage form in which the top
surfaces of the first chassis and the second chassis face each
other, wherein the cover member is contained inside the first
chassis and the second chassis in the usage form and covers a side
of a gap formed by separation of the one edge portions of the first
chassis and the second chassis in the storage form, wherein the
cover member comprises: an attaching part attached to the hinge
device; and a cover plate part in a side of the hinge device, and
in the storage form, a tip surface is near a bending part of the
display and extends beyond the bending part in a direction towards
opposite edges of the display, wherein the hinge device comprises:
a first base plate fixed to the first chassis; a second base plate
fixed to the second chassis; a first link arm having a first end
portion rotatably connected to the first base plate through a first
shaft; a second link arm having a first end portion rotatably
connected to the second base plate through a second shaft; and a
coupling plate having a first end portion rotatably connected to a
second end portion of the first link arm through a third shaft, and
a second end portion rotatably connected to a second end portion of
the second link arm through a fourth shaft, wherein the attaching
part of the cover member is attached to the coupling plate, and the
cover plate part is disposed lateral to the first base plate, the
second base plate, the first link arm, the second link arm, and the
coupling plate.
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. The portable information device according to claim 1, wherein
notch-shaped portions open toward the one edge portions and are in
communication with each other, and each are in outer peripheral
edge portions of the first chassis and the second chassis, wherein
the cover plate part is in the notch-shaped portions.
5. The portable information device according to claim 1, wherein
the hinge device is at least disposed at a first end portion and a
second end portion in a longitudinal direction of the one edge
portions of the first chassis and the second chassis.
6. The portable information device according to claim 1, further
comprising: a bezel member covering a part of a display surface of
the first chassis and the second chassis, other than the display,
wherein the hinge device is under the bezel member.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a foldable portable
information device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In recent years, portable information devices, such as a
tablet PC and a smartphone having a touch panel type liquid crystal
display and not having a physical keyboard, have rapidly spread.
The display of this kind of portable information device has been
desired to be large in use but has been desired to be miniaturized
in carrying. Then, the present applicant has proposed a portable
information device in which not only a chassis but also a display
is configured so as to be foldable by the use of a flexible
display, such as organic EL (Electro Luminescence) (for example,
refer to Japanese Patent No. 6,507,183).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In a configuration of the above Japanese Patent No.
6,507,183, two plate-like chassis are rotatably connected by a pair
of hinge devices. In this configuration, when the chassis are
folded, the hinge devices are exposed to sides of a gap formed
between the chassis, which has reduced the appearance quality.
Furthermore, a user can touch a bending part of a display and a
bezel member directly from the sides of the gap between the
chassis. Then, it is feared that the display or the bezel member
may have a failure.
[0004] The present invention has been made considering the
above-described problems of the prior art. It is an object of the
present invention to provide a portable information device capable
of suppressing reduction in appearance quality and preventing
occurrence of a failure of a display or the like.
[0005] A portable information device according to a first aspect of
the present invention is a portable information device, including a
first chassis, a second chassis having one edge portion adjacent to
one edge portion of the first chassis, a hinge device rotatably
connecting the one edge portions of the first chassis and the
second chassis, a display seamlessly covering the first chassis and
the second chassis and foldable, and a cover member covering a side
of the hinge device, in which the hinge device connects the first
chassis and the second chassis so as to be foldable from a usage
form in which a top surface of the first chassis and a top surface
of the second chassis are on substantially the same plane to a
storage form in which the top surfaces of the first chassis and the
second chassis face each other, in which the cover member is
contained inside the first chassis and the second chassis in the
usage form and covers a side of a gap formed by separation of the
one edge portions of the first chassis and the second chassis in
the storage form.
[0006] The cover member may include an attaching part to be
attached to the hinge device, and a cover plate part standing in
the side of the hinge device, and in the storage form, a position
of a tip surface of the cover plate part may be disposed inner side
in a bending direction of the display than the surface of the
bending part of the display.
[0007] The hinge device may include a first base plate fixed to the
first chassis, a second base plate fixed to the second chassis, a
first link arm having a first end portion rotatably connected to
the first base plate through a first shaft, a second link arm
having a first end portion rotatably connected to the second base
plate through a second shaft, and a coupling plate having a first
end portion rotatably connected to a second end portion of the
first link arm through a third shaft and a second end portion
rotatably connected to a second end portion of the second link arm
through a fourth shaft, and the attaching part of the cover member
may be attached to the coupling plate, and the cover plate part of
the cover member may be disposed lateral to the first base plate,
the second base plate, the first link arm, the second link arm, and
the coupling plate.
[0008] Notch-shaped portions opened toward the one edge portions
and in communication with each other may each be provided in outer
peripheral edge portions of the first chassis and the second
chassis, and the cover plate part may be disposed in the
notch-shaped portions.
[0009] Each hinge device may be at least disposed at a first end
portion and a second end portion in a longitudinal direction of the
one edge portions of the first chassis and the second chassis.
[0010] The portable information device may further include a bezel
member covering a part of a display surface of the first chassis
and the second chassis other than the display, the hinge device may
be disposed under the bezel member, and the cover member may
further cover the bezel member interposed in the gap in the storage
form.
[0011] According to the above-described aspects of the present
invention, it is possible to suppress reduction in appearance
quality and prevent occurrence of a failure of a display or the
like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a
portable information device according to one embodiment is closed
into a storage form.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically illustrating a state
where the portable information device illustrated in FIG. 1 is
opened into a usage form.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically illustrating the
internal structure of the portable information device illustrated
in FIG. 2.
[0015] FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view illustrating a state
before a cover member is attached to a hinge device.
[0016] FIG. 4B is a perspective view enlarging the cover member and
its surrounding part in a state where the cover member is attached
to the hinge device.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cover member.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view enlarging the hinge device
at one end side in the Y direction and its surrounding part.
[0019] FIG. 7A is a side view schematically illustrating a state of
the hinge device and the cover member in the usage form.
[0020] FIG. 7B is a side view schematically illustrating a state
where the hinge device is operated so as to be folded from the
state illustrated in FIG. 7A.
[0021] FIG. 7C is a side view schematically illustrating a state
where the hinge device is further operated so as to be folded from
the state illustrated in FIG. 7B into the storage form.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Hereinafter, a preferable embodiment of a portable
information device according to the present invention is described
in detail with reference to the attached drawings.
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a
portable information device 10 according to one embodiment is
closed into a storage form. FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically
illustrating a state where the portable information device 10
illustrated in FIG. 1 is opened into a usage form. FIG. 3 is a plan
view schematically illustrating the internal structure of the
portable information device 10 illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the portable information
device 10 includes a first chassis 12A, a second chassis 12B, a
hinge device 14, a cover member 15, and a display 16. The portable
information device 10 according to the present embodiment is a
tablet PC foldable like a book. The portable information device 10
may be a cellular phone, a smartphone, an electronic notebook, a
portable game console, etc.
[0025] The chassis 12A and 12B are each rectangular flat box body
in which side plates 17 are formed so as to be raised on four
peripheries of the bottom plate (refer to FIG. 3) and the display
16 is disposed on an opened top surface. The chassis 12A and 12B
are each composed of metal plates of stainless steel, magnesium,
and aluminum etc., fiber reinforced resin plates containing
reinforced fibers, such as carbon fibers, or the like, for
example.
[0026] The chassis 12A and 12B are disposed adjacent to each other.
The chassis 12A and 12B are connected through a pair of hinge
devices 14 and 14 provided in both end portions in the Y direction
of one edge portions 12Aa and 12Ba as edge portions adjacent to
each other. The hinge devices 14 rotatably connect the one edge
portions 12Aa and 12Ba of the first chassis 12A and the second
chassis 12B so that the second chassis 12B is opened and closed
with respect to the first chassis 12A. The chassis 12A and 12B are
rotatably connected by the hinge devices 14. The chassis 12A and
12B can be moved to a desired angular position between the storage
form illustrated in FIG. 1 and the usage form illustrated in FIG.
2. A line C illustrated by the dashed-dotted line in FIG. 3
represents a bending center C serving as the center of a folding
operation of the chassis 12A and 12B. In the storage form
illustrated in FIG. 1, the one edge portions 12Aa and 12Ba of the
chassis 12A and 12B are greatly separated from each other. Then, a
boundary portion between the one edge portions 12Aa and 12Ba is
covered by a backbone member 18.
[0027] Hereinafter, as illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the
portable information device 10 is described designating a direction
in which the chassis 12A and 12B are arranged as an X direction and
a longitudinal direction of the backbone member 18 perpendicular to
the X direction as a Y direction.
[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the backbone member 18
is attached to inner surfaces 12Ab and 12Bb of the chassis 12A and
12B. The backbone member 18 is a sheet-like member of an accordion
shape. One end portion in the X direction of the backbone member 18
is fixed to the first chassis 12A and the other end portion in the
X direction is slidably supported by the second chassis 12B, for
example.
[0029] The display 16 is a touch panel type liquid crystal display,
for example. The display 16 is a flexible display, such as an
organic EL having a paper structure with high flexibility, for
example. The display 16 seamlessly covers display surfaces of the
first chassis 12A and the second chassis 12B and is opened/closed
with an opening/closing operation of the chassis 12A and 12B. A
bezel member 20 is disposed on an outer peripheral edge portion of
the surface (display surface) 16a of the display 16 (refer to FIG.
2). The bezel member 20 is a frame-shaped sheet-like member having
flexibility. The bezel member 20 covers a non-displaying region
(inactive region) of the outer peripheral edge portion excluding a
display region (active region) of the surface 16a of the display
16. The bezel member 20 is attached so as to straddle the side
plate 17 of the chassis 12A and 12B and the outer peripheral edge
portion of the surface 16a of the display 16 (refer to FIG. 2).
Thus, the bezel member 20 covers a portion of the display surfaces
of the first chassis 12A and the second chassis 12B other than the
display 16.
[0030] The display 16 is provided over inner surfaces 12Ab and 12Bb
of the chassis 12A and 12B. The display 16 is supported with
respect to the inner surfaces 12Ab and 12Bb through a first support
plate 22A and a second support plate 22B (refer to FIG. 3). As
illustrated by the dashed-two dotted line in FIG. 3, the support
plates 22A and 22B are each a thin plate member formed into a
rectangular shape. The first support plate 22A is fixed to the
first chassis 12A. The second support plate 22B is fixed to the
second chassis 12B. The display 16 is fixed to top surfaces of the
support plates 22A and 22B using a double-sided tape, or the like.
In the display 16, a belt-like region overlapping with the hinge
devices 14 serves as a bending region 16b. The bending region 16b
is not fixed with respect to the support plates 22A and 22B and is
in a relatively movable state (refer to FIG. 7B and FIG. 7C).
[0031] The chassis 12A and 12B contain a substrate 24 mounted with
various types of semiconductor chips, a battery device 25, an
antenna device 26, as well as various types of electronic
components, and a cooling device etc., for example. These
electronic components etc. are contained in a space formed between
the inner surfaces 12Ab and 12Bb and the support plates 22A and
22B.
[0032] Next, specific examples of the configurations of the hinge
device 14 and the cover member 15 are described. FIG. 4A is an
exploded perspective view illustrating a state before the cover
member 15 is attached to the hinge device 14. FIG. 4B is a
perspective view enlarging the cover member 15 and its surrounding
part in a state where the cover member 15 is attached to the hinge
device 14. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cover member 15.
FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view enlarging the hinge device 14 at
one end side in the Y direction and its surrounding part. FIG. 7A
to FIG. 7C are views illustrating an operation of folding the hinge
device 14 from the usage form to the storage form. FIG. 7A is a
side view schematically illustrating a state of the hinge device 14
and the cover member 15 in the usage form. FIG. 7B is a side view
schematically illustrating a state where the hinge device 14 is
operated so as to be folded from the state illustrated in FIG. 7A.
FIG. 7C is a side view schematically illustrating a state where the
hinge device 14 is further operated so as to be folded from the
state illustrated in FIG. 7B into the storage form.
[0033] As illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the hinge devices 14
are each disposed at a position which is a side of the outer
peripheral edge portion of the display 16 and under the bezel
member 20. The hinge device 14 according to the present embodiment
rotates the chassis 12A and 12B so that the surface 16a of the
display 16 can be always moved along a preset opening/closing
track. A side of each hinge device 14 is covered by the cover
member 15.
[0034] First, an example of the configuration of the hinge device
14 is described. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, and FIG. 7A,
the hinge device 14 includes a first base plate 30, a second base
plate 31, a first link arm 32, a second link arm 33, a coupling
plate 34, a first gear arm 36, and a second gear arm 37. The hinge
device 14 further includes a first bracket 38, and a second bracket
39. The hinge device 14 supports these respective elements through
shafts 40 to 47 serving as rotation shafts. Hereinafter, a
positional relationship among each element is described based on
the configuration of the hinge device 14 in the usage form
illustrated in FIG. 7A, except as otherwise described.
[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4A, the first bracket 38
is an attaching bracket of the hinge device 14 for the second
chassis 12B and is made of block-shaped metal. The first bracket 38
is screwed to the inner surface 12Bb through a plurality of
fastening holes 38a formed at various locations, for example. The
second bracket 39 is an attaching bracket of the hinge device 14
for the first chassis 12A and is made of block-shaped metal or
resin. The second bracket 39 is screwed to the inner surface 12Ab
through a plurality of fastening holes 39a formed at various
locations, for example. The brackets 38 and 39 each have recessed
portions 38b and 39b, respectively, at end faces facing each other.
In the case of the present embodiment, some fastening holes 39a and
some fastening holes 38a are used for attaching the support plates
22A and 22B, respectively.
[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 4B and FIG. 7A, the first base plate
30 is a thin metallic plate. A plurality of the first base plates
30 are provided side by side in a plate thickness direction at an
interval equal to a plate thickness of the first link arm 32 or the
first gear arm 36. The first link arm 32 and the first gear arm 36
are sandwiched in a slidable state between the adjacent first base
plates 30 and 30. One end side of the first base plate 30 is fixed
to the first bracket 38 within the recessed portion 38b and the
other end side of the first base plate 30 projects outside the
recessed portion 38b. The first base plate 30 has a distal end part
30a projecting outside the recessed portion 38b which part has a
substantially tapered triangular shape in a side view. A first
shaft 40 and a fifth shaft 41 are pivotally supported on the distal
end part 30a. The fifth shaft 41 is provided in a tip of the distal
end part 30a. The first shaft 40 is provided in a position closer
to the first bracket 38 and a little lower than the fifth shaft 41.
Shapes of the base plates 30 and 31 can be changed as necessary.
The shafts 40 to 47 are each a metallic shaft, for example.
[0037] The second base plate 31 has a structure symmetrical to that
of the first base plate 30. That is, one end side of the second
base plate 31 is fixed to the second bracket 39 within the recessed
portion 39b and the other end side of the second base plate 31
projects outside the recessed portion 39b. A plurality of the
second base plates 31 are also provided side by side in a plate
thickness direction at an interval equal to a plate thickness of
the second link arm 33 or the second gear arm 37. The second link
arm 33 and the second gear arm 37 are sandwiched in a slidable
state between the adjacent second base plates 31 and 31. A second
shaft 42 and a seventh shaft 43 are pivotally supported on a distal
end part 31a projecting outside the recessed portion 39b of the
second base plate 31. The arrangement of each of the shafts 42 and
43 is also symmetrical to that of each of the shafts 40 and 41 in
the first base plate 30.
[0038] The first link arm 32 is a thin metallic plate. A plurality
of the first link arms 32 are provided side by side in a plate
thickness direction at an interval equal to a plate thickness of
the first base plate 30. The first link arm 32 is a rectangular
plate and gradually slopes downward from a first end portion on the
first shaft 40 side toward a second end portion on the opposite
side. Shapes of the link arms 32 and 33 can be changed as
necessary. The first link arm 32 is disposed side by side with the
first gear arm 36 in the same plane and is sandwiched between the
adjacent first base plates 30 and 30. The first end portion of the
first link arm 32 on one edge portion 12Aa side is rotatably
connected to the first base plate 30 through the first shaft 40.
The second end portion of the first link arm 32 on the opposite
side to the first end portion is rotatably connected to the
coupling plate 34 through a third shaft 44. That is, the first link
arm 32 connects the coupling plate 34 to be movable relatively to
the first base plate 30 fixed to the first chassis 12A through the
first bracket 38.
[0039] The second link arm 33 has a structure symmetrical to that
of the first link arm 32. That is, a first end portion of the
second link arm 33 is rotatably connected to the second base plate
31 through the second shaft 42 and a second end portion of the
second link arm 33 is rotatably connected to the coupling plate 34
through the fourth shaft 45. That is, the second link arm 33
connects the coupling plate 34 to be movable relatively to the
second base plate 31 fixed to the second chassis 12B through the
second bracket 39. A plurality of the second link arms 33 are also
provided side by side in a plate thickness direction at an interval
equal to a plate thickness of the second base plate 31.
[0040] The coupling plate 34 is a metallic plate connecting the
link arms 32 and 33 on the left and right sides. The coupling plate
34 is curved and substantially dish-shaped in a side view. An outer
peripheral end surface 34a (bottom end surface in FIG. 7A) of the
coupling plate 34 is disposed along the inner surface of the
backbone member 18 in the storage form illustrated in FIG. 1. The
coupling plate 34 is disposed in the same plane as each of the base
plates 30 and 31 and is located under (outside) each of the base
plates 30 and 31. A plurality of the coupling plates 34 are
provided side by side in a plate thickness direction at an interval
equal to a plate thickness of the first link arm 32 or the second
link arm 33. A first end portion of the coupling plate 34 is
rotatably connected to the first link arm 32 through the third
shaft 44. A second end portion of the coupling plate 34 on the
opposite side to the first end portion is rotatably connected to
the second link arm 33 through the fourth shaft 45. A sixth shaft
46 and an eighth shaft 47 provided side by side on the left and
right sides across the bending center C, are pivotally supported on
the center portion of the coupling plate 34.
[0041] The first gear arm 36 is a metallic plate. The first gear
arm 36 is substantially glasses-shaped in a side view. The first
gear arm 36 extends vertically along an end surface of the one edge
portion 12Aa of the first chassis 12A. The first gear arm 36 is
disposed side by side with the first link arm 32 in the same plane
and is sandwiched in a slidable state between the adjacent first
base plates 30 and 30. The first gear arm 36 is located closer to
the one edge portion 12Aa side than the first link arm 32. A
plurality of the first gear arms 36 are provided side by side in a
plate thickness direction at an interval equal to a plate thickness
of the first base plate 30. A top end portion of the first gear arm
36 is rotatably connected to the first base plate 30 through the
fifth shaft 41. A bottom end portion of the first gear arm 36 is
rotatably connected to the coupling plate 34 through the sixth
shaft 46. The first gear arm 36 has a first gear 36a on a
circumferential end surface formed around the sixth shaft 46.
[0042] The second gear arm 37 has a structure symmetrical to that
of the first gear arm 36. That is, a top end portion of the second
gear arm 37 is rotatably connected to the second base plate 31
through the seventh shaft 43, and a bottom end portion of the
second gear arm 37 is rotatably connected to the coupling plate 34
through the eighth shaft 47. A plurality of the second gear arms 37
are provided side by side in a plate thickness direction at an
interval equal to a plate thickness of the second base plate 31.
The second gear arm 37 has a second gear 37a on a circumferential
end surface formed around the eighth shaft 47. The second gear 37a
engages with the first gear 36a.
[0043] The first gear arm 36 and the second gear arm 37
synchronously rotate under the engaging action of each of the gears
36a and 37a. That is, when the first gear arm 36 rotates in the
counterclockwise direction around the sixth shaft 46 as an axis of
rotation from the state illustrated in FIG. 7A, for example, the
second gear arm 37 rotates in the clockwise direction around the
eighth shaft 47 as an axis of rotation, and thus both rotation
operations are synchronized. Thus, the first gear arm 36 and the
second gear arm 37 form a mechanism which synchronizes operations
of each element (the first base plate 30 or the first link arm 32)
on the first chassis 12A side and each element (the second base
plate 31 or the second link arm 33) on the second chassis 12B side
of the hinge device 14.
[0044] Thus, the hinge device 14 has a laminated structure in which
a plurality of the first base plates 30 and the left halves of the
coupling plates 34 are arranged side by side and the first link
arms 32 and the first gear arms 36 are sandwiched between them, on
the first chassis 12A side. The hinge device 14 has a laminated
structure in which a plurality of the second base plates 31 and the
right halves of the coupling plates 34 are arranged side by side
and the second link arm 33 and the second gear arm 37 are
sandwiched between them, on the second chassis 12B side. Then, the
shafts 40 to 47 each penetrate through these laminated base plates
30 and 31, link arms 32 and 33, coupling plates 34, and gear arms
36 and 37 in a laminated direction and support them. In addition,
it is a matter of course that shapes of the respective elements of
the hinge device 14, that is, the base plates 30 and 31, the link
arms 32 and 33, the coupling plate 34, the gear arms 36 and 37, and
the brackets 38 and 39 may be changed as necessary.
[0045] Next, an example of the configuration of the cover member 15
is described.
[0046] As illustrated in FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, and FIG. 5, the cover
member 15 is a cap-shaped member for covering a side of each hinge
device 14. The cover member 15 is made of metallic material or
resin material, for example. The cover member 15 is attached to an
outer side (top side in FIG. 3) of the hinge device 14 on one end
side (top end side in FIG. 3) in the Y direction. The cover member
15 is attached to an outer side (bottom side in FIG. 3) of the
hinge device 14 on the other end side (bottom end side in FIG. 3)
in the Y direction. Thus, the cover members 15 cover both sides in
the Y direction between the one edge portions 12Aa and 12Ba
separated in the storage form (refer to FIG. 1). The cover member
15 has an attaching part 50 and a cover plate part 52.
[0047] The attaching part 50 is a part for mounting the cover
member 15 to the hinge device 14. The attaching part 50 has a fork
shape facing upward and has a pair of fitting recessed portions 50a
and 50b arranged in the X direction, for example. The fitting
recessed portions 50a and 50b are each inserted into gaps between
the coupling plates 34 from bottom up and are externally fitted to
the shafts 46 and 47, respectively. Thus, the attaching part 50 is
attached to the hinge device 14 and integrally formed with the
coupling plate 34. A bridge plate 54 extending toward the cover
plate part 52 in the Y direction is provided at the bottom end
portion of the attaching part 50. The bridge plate 54 extends along
the outer peripheral end surface 34a of the coupling plates 34
arranged in the Y direction. The attaching part 50 suffices if the
cover member 15 can be mounted to the hinge device 14, and the
shape or configuration thereof, an attachment position to the hinge
device 14 or the like can be changed as necessary.
[0048] The cover plate part 52 is provided at an end of the bridge
plate 54 and stands in the side of the hinge device 14. The cover
plate part 52 has a shape corresponding to a gap between the left
and right brackets 38 and 39, for example, and covers most of
elements of the hinge device 14 exposed from this gap (refer to
FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B). That is, the cover plate part 52 is disposed
laterally to the base plates 30 and 31, the link arms 32 and 33,
and the coupling plates 34. In the case of the present embodiment,
the cover plate part 52 has a downward arrow shape, for example,
and has plate parts 52a and 52b. The plate part 52a is a lower
substantially trapezoidal part where the bridge plate 54 is
provided. The plate part 52b is a substantially rectangular part
upper than the plate part 52a.
[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the side plate 17 of the first
chassis 12A has a notch-shaped portion 17a opened toward the one
edge portion 12Aa. The side plate 17 of the second chassis 12B has
a notch-shaped portion 17b opened toward the one edge portion 12Ba.
The notch-shaped portions 17a and 17b have a shape obtained by
cutting out inside corners of the side plate 17 facing the one edge
portions 12Aa and 12Ba and are in communication with each other. In
the usage form, the plate part 52b of the cover plate part 52 is
disposed in the notch-shaped portions 17a and 17b. Thus, the cover
plate part 52 is not exposed to an outer surface of the side plate
17 or does not bulge outside this outer surface.
[0050] Next, with reference to FIG. 7A to FIG. 7C, an operation of
rotating the portable information device 10 from the usage form to
the storage form is described, and in addition, states and
operational effects of the cover member 15 in each form are
described. It is to be noted that the cover member 15 is
illustrated by a dashed-two dotted line in FIG. 7A to FIG. 7C in
order to clearly specify the configuration of the hinge device 14,
but in practice, the cover plate part 52 of the cover member 15
covers an outer side of the hinge device 14 as illustrated in FIG.
4B.
[0051] In the hinge device 14, the first base plate 30 and the
second base plate 31 are disposed in parallel side by side in the X
direction in the usage form illustrated in FIG. 7A. In this state,
tip surfaces of the distal end parts 30a and 31a of the respective
base plates 30 and 31 come into contact with or are close to each
other. In addition, the first link arm 32 is in a position of
having rotated most in the clockwise direction around the first
shaft 40 as an axis of rotation. Similarly, the second link arm 33
is in a position of having rotated most in the counterclockwise
direction around the second shaft 42 as an axis of rotation. Thus,
the coupling plate 34 is in the uppermost position where its left
and right both ends are pulled up by the link arms 32 and 33,
respectively. It is to be noted that the first gear arm 36 is in a
position having rotated most in the clockwise direction around the
sixth shaft 46 as an axis of rotation. Similarly, the second gear
arm 37 is in a position of having rotated most in the
counterclockwise direction around the eighth shaft 47 as an axis of
rotation.
[0052] Therefore, the hinge device 14 is made thinner in the usage
form with the coupling plate 34 approaching closest to the bottom
end portions of the respective base plates 30 and 31. Thus, the
hinge device 14 is completely contained inside the chassis 12A and
12B in a side view. In addition, the cover member 15 is completely
contained inside the side plate 17 of the chassis 12A and 12B.
Herein, in the cover member 15, a tip surface 52c of the plate part
52b of the cover plate part 52 is disposed on substantially the
same plane as a top end surface of the side plate 17, that is, the
bezel member 20 or the surface 16a of the display 16.
[0053] Next, when the portable information device 10 is made from
the usage form (180.degree. position) to the storage form
(0.degree. position) illustrated in FIG. 7C, the chassis 12A and
12B are each grasped by left and right hands, respectively, and are
folded in a direction of closing the display 16.
[0054] As illustrated in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, the coupling plate 34
is then subject to a force to separate the shafts 44 and 45 on both
left and right ends and a rotating force according to an angle
between the chassis 12A and 12B. As a result, in the hinge device
14, the first link arm 32 rotates in the counterclockwise direction
around the first shaft 40 as an axis of rotation in FIG. 7A. At the
same time, the second link arm 33 rotates in the clockwise
direction around the second shaft 42 as an axis of rotation in FIG.
7A. As a result, a horizontal central part and its surrounding part
of the coupling plate 34 are pushed out in a direction of
separating from the base plates 30 and 31. Thus, when the hinge
device 14 rotates from the usage form to the storage form, the
coupling plate 34 moves so as to gradually project outwards. That
is, the coupling plate 34 moves in so as to fill a gap between the
one edge portions 12Aa and 12Ba of the chassis 12A and 12B
separated from each other and gradually separates from a rear
surface of the bending region 16b of the display 16. Herein, the
cover member 15 is integrally formed with the coupling plate 34
through the attaching part 50. Thus, the cover member 15 also
integrally operates with the coupling plate 34.
[0055] Thus, in the hinge device 14, the coupling plate 34 located
on the rear surface side of the bending region 16b of the display
16 separates from the display 16 with the closing operation of the
chassis 12A and 12B. That is, the hinge device 14 is configured to
always move the surface 16a of the display 16 along a preset
opening/closing track, as described above. Thus, in a folding
operation, there are concerns that the coupling plate 34 located on
the outer side than the display 16 comes close to and interferes
with the display 16 due to a turning radius difference. In this
regard, in the hinge device 14, since the coupling plate 34 moves
in a direction of escaping from the display 16 in the folding
operation, interference between both is prevented. As a result, the
hinge device 14 can smoothly bend the bending region 16b of the
display 16 while maintaining a desired curvature and can prevent
the occurrence of a failure of the display 16. It is to be noted
that the cover plate part 52 of the cover member 15 is disposed
laterally to the display 16. Thus, the tip surface 52c gradually
moves from a lateral side of the display 16 so as to project beyond
the surface 16a.
[0056] In this rotating operation, the gear arms 36 and 37 each
rotate in synchronization in opposite directions by the engaging
action of the mutual gears 36a and 37a. Specifically, the first
gear arm 36 rotates in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 7A
around the fifth shaft 41 as an axis of rotation. At the same time,
the second gear arm 37 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG.
7A around the seventh shaft 43 as an axis of rotation. By this
synchronous action of the gear arms 36 and 37, rotating operations
of the link arms 32 and 33 in the opposite directions to each other
also synchronize. As a result, during the rotating operation, the
coupling plate 34 rotates and moves while maintaining a position
corresponding to an angular position between the chassis 12A and
12B without causing inclination etc. That is, in the hinge device
14, operations of each element on the first chassis 12A side and
each element on the second chassis 12B side in rotating the chassis
12A and 12B synchronize. Thus, with the hinge device 14, the
operation of the coupling plate 34 can be evenly maintained with
respect to the left and right chassis 12A and 12B and the chassis
12A and 12B can be rotated with high stability. It is to be noted
that, in specifications not required to enhance the stability in a
rotating operation, the respective gear arms 36 and 37, the fifth
shaft 41, the seventh shaft 43, the sixth shaft 46, and the eighth
shaft 47 connected thereto may be omitted.
[0057] Then, the hinge device 14 has a laminated structure in which
a plurality of the base plates 30 and 31 are each arranged side by
side and the link arms 32 and 33 and the gear arms 36 and 37 are
each sandwiched between them. Thus, the hinge device 14 can
generate a predetermined rotation torque by slide resistance
between the respective base plates 30 and 31, the respective link
arms 32 and 33, and the respective gear arms 36 and 37 in the
rotating operation. As a result, the rotating operation of the
chassis 12A and 12B by the hinge device 14 is stabilized. Thus, the
chassis 12A and 12B can be rotated to a 120 degree position to
maintain the angular position between the chassis 12A and 12B in
this state, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, for example. Then, the
portable information device 10 can also be used as a Laptop PC by
displaying a software keyboard etc. on a part of the display 16 on
the second chassis 12B side in FIG. 7B, for example. It is to be
noted that the rotation torque of the hinge device 14 may be
generated by a configuration in which torque is loaded to a
rotating part between the respective shafts 40 to 47 and the first
base plate 30 or the first link arm 32 etc., for example.
[0058] In the storage form illustrated in FIG. 7C, the hinge device
14 has an arrangement in which the respective base plates 30 and 31
are in parallel with each other and face each other through the
display 16. In this state, the first link arm 32 is in a position
of having rotated most in the counterclockwise direction with
respect to the first base plate 30 around the first shaft 40 as an
axis of rotation. Similarly, the second link arm 33 is in a
position of having rotated most in the clockwise direction with
respect to the second base plate 31 around the second shaft 42 as
an axis of rotation.
[0059] Therefore, the coupling plate 34 is at a position where its
left and right both ends are pulled in a direction of coming close
to the display 16 again by the link arms 32 and 33, respectively,
in the storage form. Herein, most of the coupling plate 34
including the outer peripheral end surface 34a projects outwards
from the one edge portions 12Aa and 12Ba of the respective chassis
12A and 12B. On the other hand, an end surface on an inner
peripheral side opposite to the outer peripheral end surface 34a is
disposed to face the rear surface of the bending region 16b of the
display 16 across a predetermined gap. Therefore, the hinge device
14 in the storage form is configured so as not to interfere with
the display 16 while being made thinner in the X direction.
Although illustrating the backbone member 18 is omitted in FIG. 7C,
the outer peripheral end surface 34a of the coupling plate 34 of
each hinge device 14 at both ends in the Y direction is covered by
the backbone member 18 or a cover member (not illustrated) for
seamlessly covering the entire rear surfaces of both chassis 12A
and 12B.
[0060] In this storage form, the cover member 15 is in a state in
which the cover plate part 52 covers at least a part of a side of
the gap formed by the separation of the one edge portions 12Aa and
12Ba of the chassis 12A and 12B (refer to FIG. 7C). Herein, the
cover plate part 52 is at a position where its tip surface 52c
projects inwards beyond the surface 16a of the display 16 in a side
of the display 16. Specifically, the tip surface 52c of the cover
plate part 52 is at a position where it projects to an inner side
(right side in FIG. 7C) in a bending direction of the display 16
than the surface 16a of the bending part (bending region 16b)
formed in a circular arc shape of the display 16. Thus, in the
portable information device 10 in the storage form, both sides of
the gap between the one edge portions 12Aa and 12Ba of the chassis
12A and 12B are covered by the cover members 15. In the storage
form, the cover plate part 52 also covers up a side of the bezel
member 20 interposed in the gap between the one edge portions 12Aa
and 12Ba.
[0061] It is to be noted that since the rotating operation from the
storage form illustrated in FIG. 7C to the usage form illustrated
in FIG. 7A is reverse operation of the above-described folding
operation, its description is omitted.
[0062] As described above, the portable information device 10
according to the present embodiment includes the hinge device 14
rotatably connecting the one edge portions 12Aa and 12Ba of the
chassis 12A and 12B, the foldable display 16, and the cover member
15 covering the side of the hinge device 14. The hinge device 14
connects the chassis 12A and 12B so as to be foldable from the
usage form in which their top surfaces are on substantially the
same plane to the storage form in which their top surfaces face
each other. Then, the cover member 15 is contained inside the
chassis 12A and 12B in the usage form (refer to FIG. 7A), and
covers at least a part of the side of the gap formed by the
separation of the one edge portions 12Aa and 12Ba of the respective
chassis 12A and 12B in the storage form (refer to FIG. 7C).
[0063] Thus, the cover member 15 has a cover function of preventing
the hinge device 14 or the bending part of the display 16 from
being exposed from the side of the gap between the one edge
portions 12Aa and 12Ba of the chassis 12A and 12B in the storage
form. Thus, the portable information device 10 is capable of
suppressing reduction in appearance quality when it is folded. In
addition, the cover member 15 also has a cover function of
preventing a user from touching the bending part of the display 16
and the bezel member 20 directly from the side of the gap between
the chassis 12A and 12B. Thus, the portable information device 10
when folded can prevent the user from touching the bending part of
the display 16 or the bezel member 20 with one's finger etc. so
that it fails. The cover member 15 can prevent foreign matter from
entering from the side of the gap between the chassis 12A and
12B.
[0064] The cover member 15 according to the present embodiment is
disposed at a position where the tip surface 52c of the cover plate
part 52 projects to an inner side than the surface 16a of the
bending part of the display 16, in the storage form. That is, for
the portable information device 10, a situation where a keyboard
device 56 etc. is contained between the folded chassis 12A and 12B
and carried is also supposed as illustrated in FIG. 7C. In this
state, impact of carrying or dropping etc. may be applied to the
portable information device 10. At that time, in the portable
information device 10, even if the keyboard device 56 moved at
considerable speed in the direction of an arrow in FIG. 7C, the
keyboard device 56 would stop by abutment against the tip surface
52c of the cover plate part 52. Thus, the portable information
device 10 can prevent foreign matter such as the keyboard device 56
from colliding with the bending part of the display 16. That is,
the cover member 15 has a stopper function of preventing foreign
matter from colliding with the display 16. The keyboard device 56
is a wireless keyboard to be wirelessly connected to the portable
information device 10, for example.
[0065] In the portable information device 10 according to the
present embodiment, the hinge device 14 has the first base plate
30, the second base plate 31, the first link arm 32 having the
first end portion rotatably connected to the first base plate 30
through the first shaft 40, the second link arm 33 having the first
end portion rotatably connected to the second base plate 31 through
the second shaft 42, and the coupling plate 34 having the first end
portion rotatably connected to the second end portion of the first
link arm 32 through the third shaft 44 and the second end portion
rotatably connected to the second end portion of the second link
arm 33 through the fourth shaft 45. Then, the hinge device 14 as a
whole is disposed below the display surface, under the bezel member
20 in the example of the above-described configuration, regardless
of the opening/closing state of the second chassis 12B to the first
chassis 12A.
[0066] Thus, in the portable information device 10, the coupling
plate 34 is connected to the base plates 30 and 31 fixed to the
chassis 12A and 12B through the link arms 32 and 33. Thus, in the
portable information device 10, the coupling plate 34 moves so as
to separate from the bending region 16b of the display 16 in the
folding operation of the chassis 12A and 12B. That is, in the
portable information device 10, each element of the hinge device 14
located on the outer side than the surface 16a of the display 16 is
subject to a turning radius difference in folding. However, the
hinge device 14 can absorb the above-described turning radius
difference by the movement of the coupling plate 34 in a direction
of separating from the display 16 in folding. Then, in the portable
information device 10, all elements of the hinge device 14, such as
the base plates 30 and 31, the link arms 32 and 33, and the
coupling plate 34, or each shaft 40 etc., are disposed on the outer
side than the surface 16a of the display 16. Specifically, the
hinge device 14 is contained under the bezel member 20 in the above
configuration example. Thus, the portable information device 10 can
suppress reduction in appearance quality due to exposure of the
hinge device 14 to the top surface of the chassis 12A and 12B.
[0067] In addition, it is a matter of course that the present
invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can
be freely altered without deviating from the scope of the present
invention.
[0068] In the above, the configuration in which the cover member 15
is mounted to each of the hinge devices 14 located at both end
portions of the one edge portions 12Aa and 12Ba, is illustrated by
an example. However, the respective bridge plates 54 of the cover
members 15 on both ends in the Y direction may be extended in the Y
direction to be formed into one body, for example. Thus, since the
two cover members 15 are made up of one part, the number of parts
can be reduced. In addition, since a bottom surface of the bridge
plate 54 extending in the Y direction practically functions as the
backbone member 18, the backbone member 18 can be omitted.
[0069] In the above, the configuration in which the cover member 15
is applied to the hinge device 14 formed by laminating a plurality
of the base plates 30 and 31 etc., is illustrated by an example.
However, the hinge device 14 may have other configurations as long
as the chassis 12A and 12B can be rotatably connected.
[0070] In the above, the configuration in which the base plates 30
and 31 are fixed to the chassis 12A and 12B with the brackets 38
and 39, is illustrated by an example. However, the base plates 30
and 31 may be directly fixed to the chassis 12A and 12B without the
brackets 38 and 39. It is to be noted that using the brackets 38
and 39 improves the attachability of the hinge device 14 to the
chassis 12A and 12B and the manufacturing efficiency.
[0071] Although the portable information device 10 foldable into a
double-folded state like a book is illustrated by an example in the
above, the present invention can be applied to various
configurations, such as a hinged double door configuration of
foldably connecting respective small chassis members to right and
left edge portions of a large chassis member, an S-type folding
configuration of connecting respective chassis members with
different folding directions to right and left edge portions of one
chassis member, a J-type configuration of foldably connecting a
small chassis member to either right or left edge portion of a
large chassis member and the like, other than the configuration of
folding chassis members of the same shape into a double-folded
state, and the number of connected chassis members may be four or
more.
* * * * *