This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application serial no. 100118696, filed on May 27, 2011. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a hinge device, and a keyboard dock and a portable electronic device having the same, and in particular, to a hinge device, and a keyboard dock and a portable electronic device having the same capable of rotating, and opening and closing.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventional tablet computers input control data through a touch screen. However, the operation convenience of the touch screen can not satisfy the needs of all users. Therefore, related external keyboards are used. Conventional external keyboards include a base with a keyboard module, and a support mechanism disposed on the base. Conventional external keyboards use a support mechanism that can pivot relative to the base to support the tablet computer. This is shown in, for example, ROC patent no. 545858, and ROC patent no. 1295705. However, the operation of the aforementioned conventional external keyboards are complicated and the support of the hinge device that is used is unstable. Furthermore, the keyboard modules of conventional external keyboards are directly exposed. Therefore, the keyboard modules are susceptible to damage from contamination such as dust and water. Thus, how to provide a stable supporting hinge device and improve the operation convenience of external keyboards and portable electronic devices is an important topic in the computer industry.
The invention is directed to a hinge device that can provide stable and smooth operation of rotating, and opening and closing.
The invention is directed to a keyboard dock having stable and smooth operation of rotating, and opening and closing.
The invention is directed to a portable electronic device, having stable and smooth operation of rotating, and opening and closing.
The hinge device of the invention includes a first body and a second body. The first body is configured to be pivotally connected to a first object. One side of the second body is pivotally connected to the first body, and another side of the second body is configured to be pivotally connected to a second object. The first body rotates around a first axis relative to the first object. The second body rotates around a second axis relative to the first body. The second body rotates around a third axis relative to the second object. The first axis is perpendicular to the second axis. The second axis is parallel to the third axis.
In an embodiment of the invention, the hinge device further includes a pivot element, pivotally connecting the second body and the first body. In addition, the hinge device further includes a torsion spring, disposed on the pivot element, for driving the second body to rotate relative to the first body. Also, the hinge device further includes a damper, disposed between the second body and the first body, for buffering the rotation of the second body relative to the first body driven by the torsion spring.
In an embodiment of the invention, the hinge device includes a pivot element, pivotally connecting the second body and the second object. In addition, the hinge device further includes a torsion spring, disposed on the pivot element, for driving the second body to rotate relative to the second object. Also, the hinge device further includes a damper, disposed between the second body and the second object, for buffering the rotation of the second body relative to the second object driven by the torsion spring.
In an embodiment of the invention, the hinge device further includes a fixing element, for fixing the first object, and configured to be pivotally connected to the first body.
In an embodiment of the invention, the hinge device further includes a fixing element, for fixing the second object, and configured to be pivotally connected to the second body.
In an embodiment of the invention, the hinge device further includes a separation element, fixed to the second body, and pivotally connected to the first body. The separation element rotates around the second axis relative to the first body.
The keyboard dock on the invention includes a base, a support plate, and a hinge device. The base includes a keyboard module. The support plate is for supporting a portable computer. The hinge device includes a first body and a second body. The first body is pivotally connected to the support plate. One side of the second body is pivotally connected to the first body, and another side of the second body is configured to be pivotally connected to the base. The first body rotates around a first axis relative to the support plate. The second body rotates around a second axis relative to the first body. The second body rotates around a third axis relative to the base. The first axis is perpendicular to the second axis. The second axis is parallel to the third axis.
In an embodiment of the invention, the hinge device includes a pivot element, pivotally connecting the second body and the first body. In addition, the hinge device further includes a torsion spring, disposed on the pivot element, for driving the second body to rotate relative to the first body. Also, the hinge device further includes a damper, disposed between the second body and the first body, for buffering the rotation of the second body relative to the first body driven by the torsion spring.
In an embodiment of the invention, the hinge device further includes a pivot element, pivotally connecting the second body and the base. In addition, the hinge device further includes a torsion spring, disposed on the pivot element, for driving the second body to rotate relative to the base. Also, the hinge device further includes a damper, disposed between the second body and the base, for buffering the rotation of the second body relative to the base driven by the torsion spring.
In an embodiment of the invention, the hinge device further includes a fixing element, for fixing the support plate, and configured to be pivotally connected to the first body.
In an embodiment of the invention, the hinge device further includes a fixing element, for fixing the base, and configured to be pivotally connected to the second body.
In an embodiment of the invention, the hinge device further includes a separation element, fixed to the second body, and pivotally connected to the first body. The separation element rotates around the second axis relative to the first body.
In an embodiment of the invention, the keyboard dock further includes a latch, disposed in the base, for locking the support plate and limiting the rotation of the second body relative to the base.
In an embodiment of the invention, the keyboard dock further includes a first magnetic element and a second magnetic element. The first magnetic element is disposed in the edge of the support plate, the second magnetic element is disposed in the edge of the base, and when the support plate and the base overlap, the first magnetic element magnetically attracts the second magnetic element.
In an embodiment of the invention, the keyboard dock further includes a first magnetic element and a second magnetic element. The first magnetic element is disposed in the edge of the support plate, and the second magnetic element is disposed in the base. When the support plate is tilted relative to the base and exposes the keyboard module, the first magnetic element magnetically attracts the second magnetic element. In addition, the keyboard dock further includes a third magnetic element. The third magnetic element is disposed in the edge of the base. When the support plate and the base overlap, the first magnetic element magnetically attracts the third magnetic element.
In an embodiment of the invention, the keyboard dock further includes a pin set, disposed beside the keyboard module of the base, and electrically connected to the keyboard module. When the support plate tilts relative to the base and exposes the keyboard module, the pin set is configured to electrically connect the portable computer on the support plate.
The portable electronic device of the invention includes a host, a display unit, and a hinge device. The display unit is electrically connected to the host. The hinge device includes a first body and a second body. The first body is pivotally connected to the display unit. One side of the second body is pivotally connected to the first body, and another side of the second body is configured to be pivotally connected to the host. The first body rotates around a first axis relative to the display unit. The second body rotates around a second axis relative to the first body. The second body rotates around a third axis relative to the host. The first axis is perpendicular to the second axis. The second axis is parallel to the third axis.
In an embodiment of the invention, the hinge device includes a pivot element, pivotally connecting the second body and the first body. In addition, the hinge device further includes a torsion spring, disposed on the pivot element, for driving the second body to rotate relative to the first body. Also, the hinge device further includes a damper, disposed between the second body and the first body, for buffering the rotation of the second body relative to the first body driven by the torsion spring.
In an embodiment of the invention, the hinge device further includes a pivot element, pivotally connecting the second body and the host. In addition, the hinge device further includes a torsion spring, disposed on the pivot element, for driving the second body to rotate relative to the host. Also, the hinge device further includes a damper, disposed between the second body and the host, for buffering the rotation of the second body relative to the host driven by the torsion spring.
In an embodiment of the invention, the hinge device further includes a fixing element, for fixing the display unit, and configured to be pivotally connected to the first body.
In an embodiment of the invention, the hinge device further includes a fixing element, for fixing the base, and configured to be pivotally connected to the second body.
In an embodiment of the invention, the hinge device further includes a separation element, fixed to the second body, and pivotally connected to the first body. The separation element rotates around the second axis relative to the first body.
In an embodiment of the invention, the portable electronic device further includes a latch, disposed in the host, for locking the display unit and limiting the rotation of the second body relative to the host.
In an embodiment of the invention, the portable electronic device further includes a first magnetic element and a second magnetic element. The first magnetic element is disposed in the edge of the display unit, and the second magnetic element is disposed in the edge of the host. When the display unit and the host overlap, the first magnetic element magnetically attracts the second magnetic element.
In an embodiment of the invention, the portable electronic device further includes a first magnetic element and a second magnetic element. The first magnetic element is disposed in the edge of the display unit, and the second magnetic element is disposed in the host. When the display unit tilts relative to the host, the first magnetic element magnetically attracts the second magnetic element. The portable electronic device further includes a third magnetic element. The third magnetic element is disposed in the edge of the host. When the display unit and the host overlap, the first magnetic element magnetically attracts the third magnetic element.
To sum up, the hinge device, the keyboard dock, and the portable electronic device of the invention provide rotation around three axes, to allow the user of the keyboard dock and the portable electronic device to experience a convenient operating mode.
In order to make the aforementioned and other features and advantages of the invention more comprehensible, embodiments accompanying figures are described in detail below.
The accompanying drawings constituting a part of this specification are incorporated herein to provide a further understanding of the invention. Here, the drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
Referring to
Through the hinge device 100, the support plate 54 can be flipped up from the base 52 and tilted relative to the base 52 (shown in
Referring to
The hinge device 100 of the embodiment further includes a separation element 170, fixed to the second body 120, and pivotally connected to the first body 110. The separation element 170 and the second body 120 mutually rotate around the second axis A20 relative to the first body 110. The design of the separation element 170 is for convenience in assembly. In other embodiments, the separation element 170 can be integrally formed with the second body 120.
In a preferred embodiment, the first body 110 and a end of the pivot element 130A are fixed to each other, and the second body 120 is pivotally connected to the pivot element 130A through an opening 171 of the separation element 170. In addition, the hinge device 100 further includes a torsion spring 140A, disposed on the pivot element 130A, for driving the second body 120 to rotate relative to the first body 110. In further detail, after the torsion spring 140A is disposed on the pivot element 130A, an end of the torsion spring 140A is fixed to a fixing hole 172 of the separation element 170 of the second body 120, and the other end of the torsion spring 140A is fixed to the first body 110. In addition, the pivot element 130A and the second body 120 can be designed with suitable angle limitations. For example, a limit element 190 is combined to an end of the pivot element 130A, and synchronously rotates with the pivot element 130A. The limit element 190 is not circular, but has an angle. When the first body 110 rotates, it drives the pivot element 130A and the limit element 190 to rotate. But when rotated to a certain angle, two sides of the angle on the limit element 190 will press against the separation element 170 and stop the first body 110 from further rotation. Thus, when the second body 120 and the first body 110 receive a force from the torsion spring 140A and correspondingly open to a specific suitable view angle, the pivot element 130A and the second body 120 can prevent the first body 110 from opening too far relative to the second body 120 through the limitation element 190.
Referring to
Also, in the embodiment, the hinge device 100 further includes a damper 180, disposed between the second body 120 and the fixing element 160B fixed to the base 52. The damper 180 is for buffering the speed of the rotation of the second body 120 relative to the fixing element 160B when receiving the force released from the torsion spring 140B. For example, the damper 180 includes a first element 182 and a second element 184. The first element 182 is combined with the fixing element 160B, and moves with the fixing element 160B. The second element 184 is combined with the pivot element 130B, and moves with the pivot element 130B. At the same time, the second element 184 is disposed in the first element 182, and the second element 184 can rotate relative to the first element 182. When the second body 120 receives a force from the torsion spring 140B and rotates and lifts relative to the fixing element 160B, the friction between the second element 184 and the first element 182 will slow down the speed of rotation of the second body 120 relative to the base 52. In order to increase smoothness and reduce friction in movement, lubricant may be applied between the second element 184 and the first element 182.
In addition, a plurality of friction pads 133B may be disposed on the pivot element 130B, to buffer the speed of the rotation of the second body 120 relative to the fixing element 160B when receiving the force released from the torsion spring 140B. Similarly, the friction pads 133B can be used and disposed in the pivot element 130A, to buffer the speed of the rotation of the first body 110 relative to the second body 120 when receiving the force released from the torsion spring 140A. The use of the damper 180 and the friction pads 133B or other hinge devices that use similar damping effects or buffer effects on uneven contours are known to those skilled in the art, and will not be repeated hereafter.
The hinge device 100 of the embodiment further includes a fixing element 160A, for fixing the support plate 54, and is configured to be pivotally connected to the first body 110. The fixing element 160B is then used to fix to the base 52, and used to pivotally connect the second body 120. The fixing element 160A and the fixing element 160B are provided where the first body 110 and the second body 120 require pivoting. However, the fixing element 160A can be integrally formed with the support plate 54, and the fixing element 160B can be integrally formed with the base 52.
Referring to
To switch the support plate 54 from a state of overlapping with the base 52 to tilting relative to the base 52, the user exerts a force so the support plate 54 is slightly lifted, removing the magnetic attraction between the magnetic element 56A and the magnetic element 56B. Next, the torsion spring 140B will cause the second body 120 to flip up from the base 52. At the same time, the torsion spring 140A will cause the first body 110 to flip relative to the second body 120, so that in the configuration of the support plate 54, a side of the magnetic element 56A tries to stay in contact with the base 52 and is tilted relative to the base. When the above action stops, the magnetic element 56A magnetically attracts the magnetic element 56C, as seen in
The keyboard dock 50 of the embodiment further includes a pin set 58 (shown in
When the support plate 54 is tilted relative to the base 52, the user can exert a force so the support plate 54 is slightly lifted, removing the magnetic attraction between the magnetic element 56A and the magnetic element 56C. Next, the support plate 54 is rotated to turn relative to the first body 110, as shown in
Furthermore, as seen in the states of
A tensile spring 68 is disposed between the sliding element 64 and the base 52, and the other tensile spring 68 is disposed between the locking part 66 and the base 52. The tensile spring 68 causes the locking part 66 to maintain in a suitable position locking the hook 54A. When the user slides the sliding element 64 causing the locking part 66 and the hook 54A to separate, the tensile spring 68 causes the locking part 66 to return to a suitable position in locking the hook 54A, and the tensile spring 68 also causes the sliding element 64 to return to the position it was in before the user caused it to slide. When the support plate again overlaps with the base 52, the hook 54A will push the locking part 66, and the tensile spring 68 then causes the locking part 66 to return to the original position and lock the hook 54A. Of course, the latch 60 is not limited to the aforementioned component structure. Persons having ordinary skills in the art know that the latch 60 has many different designs and variations.
To sum up, the hinge device, the keyboard dock, and the portable electronic device of the invention provide freedom in rotation and flipping, and greatly improves the convenience in operation of the keyboard dock and the portable electronic device.
Although the invention has been described with reference to the above embodiments, it will be apparent to one of the ordinary skill in the art that modifications to the described embodiment may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention will be defined by the attached claims not by the above detailed descriptions.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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100118696 | May 2011 | TW | national |