The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the swivel hinge assembly and an associated electronic device. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
The present application provides a swivel hinge assembly used in foldable electronic devices that include two components rotatably attached to each other such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and digital videos (DVs).
Referring to the drawings in detail,
The main body 12 includes a swivel 122 with a first arm 124 and a second arm 126 extending from opposite ends of the swivel 122. The main body 12 is integrally formed. A swivel shaft hole 1222 is defined in a center of the swivel 122, with a center axis of the swivel shaft hole 1222 aligned with the second rotational axis. The swivel 122 further forms an arc-shaped sidewall 1223 vertically extending from a part of a rim of the swivel and defines a receiving groove 1224 along another part of the rim of the swivel opposite the arc-shaped sidewall 1223. The receiving groove 1224 is defined by two sidewalls, and has a first opening facing the swivel shaft hole 1222 and a second opening facing to the first arm 124.
In a preferred embodiment, the second arm 126 defines a wiring channel 1262 that is used for wiring two components of a foldable electronic device, and the first arm 124 defines a hinge shaft hole 1243 with an axis of rotation aligned with the first rotational axis. The hinge shaft hole 1243 has a hinge shaft hole wall 1242 having a radius equal to a radius of the hinge shaft hole 1243. The hinge shaft hole wall 1242 defines at least one inner slot 1245 thus forming a step 1244 in the hinge shaft hole 1243. In the preferred embodiment, the hinge shaft hole wall 1242 defines two inner slots 1245. Each inner slot 1245 is arc-shaped, with a radius greater than a radius of the hinge shaft hole 1243. The two inner slots 1245 are symmetrically opposite to each other on the curved hinge shaft hole wall 1242, and respectively communicate with the hinge shaft hole 1243. The first arm 124 further defines at least two hook slots 1246 on opposite sides of the first arm 124. The hook slots 1246 are through holes that communicate from the hinge shaft hole wall 1242 to an exterior surface of the first arm 124.
The rotatable plate 14 is an oblong sheet defines a first latch hole 142 and two mounting holes 144. As seen in
The pivot mechanism 16 includes a first pivot shaft 166, a grasping member 165, a tab washer 164, an elastic member 163, a cam follower 162, a cam 161, a pin 167, and a hinge cup 160.
The first pivot shaft 166 includes a cap 1662 and a shaft 1664. The cap 1662 is located at one end of the shaft 1664, and is larger than the shaft 1664. Another end of the shaft 1664 defines a first pinhole 1666. The first pinhole 1666 traverses the shaft 1664, i.e., the first pinhole 1666 has an axis perpendicular to an axis of the shaft 1664. The shaft 1664 is flattened, and has a cross-section having a shape of a circle with two flattened sides. Alternatively, the cross-section of the shaft portion 1664 of the first pivot shaft 166 may be other non-circular shape. For example, the cross-section can be triangular, pentagonal, or hexagonal.
The grasping member 165 defines a first keyed hole 1650 in a center. The first keyed hole 1650 has a shape of a circle with two flattened sides so as to form a cross-section approximately the same as the cross-section of the shaft 1664 of the first pivot shaft 166. The grasping member 165 includes a base 1652. The base 1652 forms two first projections 1653 at a periphery. The first projections 1653 are configured to be engaged in the inner slots 1245 of the main body 12. One end of the base 1652 forms at least two hooks 1654 extending perpendicularly from a periphery of the base 1652. In this embodiment, there are four hooks 1654. Each of the hooks 1654 has a latching surface 1656. Another end of the base 1652 forms two protruding rims 1658. Each of the protruding rims 1658 extends along an edge of the base 1652 in a direction parallel to an axis of the base 1652.
The tab washer 164 is a sheet defining a second keyed hole 1642, and forms a two second projections 1644 at a periphery thereof. The second keyed hole 1642 has a shape of a circle with two flattened sides so as to form a cross-section approximately the same as the cross-section of the shaft 1664 of the first pivot shaft 166. The second projections 1644 are configured to be engaged in the inner slots 1245 of the main body 12. The tab washer 164 is received between the protruding rims 1658 of the grasping member 165. The tab washer 164 is disposed between the elastic member 163 and the grasping member 165 for preventing friction therebetween. Instead, friction is generated between the elastic member 163 and the tab washer 164. Therefore, abrasion of the grasping member 165 is minimal.
In the preferred embodiment, a helical spring is adopted as the elastic member 163. The elastic member 163 is extendable and compressible. In other embodiments, a rubber bar another kind of elastic piece may also be adopted as the elastic member 163. The elastic member 163 is configured to provide an axial force.
The cam follower 162 has a cross-section having a shape of a circle with two flattened sides. The cam follower 162 defines a circular through hole 1622 in a center of the cam follower 162, and a cam surface 1624 at an end. The cam surface 1624 defines a pair of valleys (not labeled). The cam follower 162 has two symmetrical flat surfaces 1626.
A center of the cam 161 defines a third keyed hole 1612. The third keyed hole 1612 has a shape of a circle with two flattened sides so as to form a cross-section approximately the same as the cross-section of the shaft 1664 of the first pivot shaft 166. Alternatively, the cross-section of the shaft 1664 of the first pivot shaft 166 and the first, second, third keyed holes 1650, 1642, 1612 may have other non-circular shapes such as triangular, pentagonal, and hexagonal, so long as the first pivot shaft 166 is non-rotatably extended through the grasping member 165, the tab washer 164, and the cam 161. The cam 161 includes a neck portion 1614, and a cam portion 1616 with a diameter larger than that of the neck portion 1614. The neck portion 1614 defines a transverse second pinhole 1618 therethrough. That is, the second pinhole 1618 has an axis perpendicular to an axis of the cam 161. The cam portion 1616 defines a cam surface 1619, for engaging with the cam surface 1624 of the cam follower 162. The cam portion 1616 forms a pair of peaks (not labeled) for engaging in the valleys of the cam follower 162.
The pin 167 is a cylinder configured to be inserted into the second pinhole 1618 of the cam 161 and the first pinhole 1666 of the first pivot shaft 166. The pin 167 is used for retaining the grasping member 165, the tab washer 164, the elastic member 163, the cam follower 162, and the cam 161 on the first pivot shaft 166.
The hinge cup 160 defines an open end, a polygonal hinge cup cavity, and a hinge cup hole 1602 at a base of the hinge cup 160 communicating with the hinge cup cavity. The hinge cup cavity has at least one flattened section so as to non-rotatably receive the cam follower 162. In the preferred embodiment, the hinge cup cavity has two symmetrical flattened sections that face each other.
Referring to
After the pivot mechanism 16 is assembled, the cam follower 162, a portion of the cam follower 161 and a portion of the elastic member 163 are received in the hinge cup cavity of the hinge cup 160, and the tab washer 164, the other portion of the elastic member 163 and a portion of the grasping member 165 are received in the hinge shaft hole 1243 of the first arm 124 of the main body 12. The cam surface 1619 of the cam 161 engages with the cam surface 1624 of the cam follower 162. The two peaks of the cam 161 resist the cam follower 162, with the elastic member 163 being compressed between the tab washer 164 and the cam follower 162. The cam 161 is rotatable relative to the cam follower 162. The cam follower 162 is non-rotatable relative to the hinge cup 160, and the cam 161, the tab washer 164, the grasping member 165 and the first pivot shaft 166 are non-rotatable relative to the main body 12.
In alternative embodiments, the first pinhole 1666 of the first pivot shaft 166, the second pinhole 1618 of the cam 161, the neck portion 1614 of the cam 161, and the pin 167 may be omitted. Instead, for example, the first pivot shaft 166 defines a screw thread and a nut is provided to engage with the screw thread. In another example, an end of the first pivot shaft 166 is riveted by a riveting machine.
The swivel mechanism 15 includes a rotatable member 182, a fixing member 184, two rolling pins 185, an elastic piece 186, a flat washer 188, and a second pivot shaft 189.
The second pivot shaft 189 includes a first shaft portion 1895, a first flange 1893, a second shaft portion 1892, a second flange 1894, and a third shaft portion 1896 arranged in that order. The third shaft portion 1896 has a cross-section approximately the same as a shape of the first latch hole 142 of the rotatable plate 14.
The rotatable member 182 is substantially a ring defining a second latch hole 1824 in a center thereof. The second latch hole 1824 has a shape of a circle with two flattened sides. The rotatable member 182 includes a bottom surface surface defining two first bearing grooves 1820 symmetrically communicating with the second latch hole 1824. Each of the first bearing grooves 1820 is substantially semi-cylindrical. The rotatable member 182 forms a block 1822 at a periphery thereof. Alternatively, the first, and second latch holes 142, 1824, and the first and third shaft portions 1895, 1896 may also have other non-circular shapes such as triangular, pentagonal, and hexagonal, so long as the second pivot shaft 189 is non-rotatably engaged in the first, and second latch holes 142 and 1824.
The fixing member 184 includes a cam portion 1841 and a tab portion 1842 extending from a rim of the cam portion 1841. The cam portion 1841 is substantially a ring defining an axis hole (not labeled) in a center thereof. The fixing member 184 also includes a top surface defining two second bearing grooves 1843 corresponding to the first bearing grooves 1820 of the rotatable member 182. The second bearing grooves 1843 is substantially semi-cylindrical. A depth of the second bearing grooves 1843 is slightly greater than that of the first bearing grooves 1820. The tab portion 1842 is substantially a T-shaped portion extending from a periphery of the cam portion 1841. The tab portion 1842 includes a fixing block 1844 and a limiting block 1845. The limiting block 1845 is configured to connect the fixing block 1844 and the cam portion 1841 so as to form a first limiting surface 1846 and a second limiting surface 1847. The first limiting surface 1846 and the second limiting surface 1847 is configured to correspondingly engage with the block 1822 of the rotatable member 182 at a first utmost and a second utmost position so as to restrict a rotational angle of the swivel hinge assembly 10 about the second rotational axis.
Each of the ball bearings 185 is a cylinder. More than half of each of the ball bearings 185 is received in a corresponding second bearing groove 1843 of the so that the ball bearings 185 can rotate in the second bearing grooves 1843 and the rotatable member 182 can slide on the ball bearings 185.
The elastic piece 186 defines a circular center hole 1862. The elastic piece 186 is disposed between the fixing member 184 and the main body 12 for generating an elastic force when the fixing member 184 is pressed.
The flat washer 188 defines a circular center hole 1882 and forms a tab 1884 at an edge thereof. The flat washer 188 is disposed between the first flange 1893 of the second pivot shaft 189 and the main body 12 for preventing direct friction between them. Instead, friction is generated between the first flange 1893 of the second pivot shaft 189 and the flat washer 188. Therefore, abrasion of the main body 12 is minimal.
Referring to
In alternative embodiments, the first and second riveted portions 1897, 1898 may be omitted. Instead, for example, the second pivot shaft 189 defines two screw threads at two ends thereof, and two nuts are provided to engage with the screw threads. In another example, two pins may be provided, and two pinholes are defined in the second pivot shaft 189. The pins are engaged in the pinholes in a way similar to the way the pin 167 engages in the first pinhole 1666 of the pivot shaft 166 and the second pinhole 1618 of the cam 161.
Referring to
In use, when the display holder 30 is manually rotated about the first rotational axis, the cam 161, the tab washer 164, the grasping member 165, the first pivot shaft 166, the main body 12, the rotatable plate 14, and the swivel mechanism 15 rotate together with the display holder 30 relative to the base body 20 and the hinge cup 160, with the cam follower 162 being fixed relative to the base body 20. In a normal starting position of the display holder 30 in relation to the first rotational axis, the peaks of the cam 161 are received in the valleys of the cam follower 162. The normal starting position is typically when the foldable electronic device is folded up and not in use. In such position, the display holder 30 is referred to herein as being in a closed state relative to the base body 20. When the display holder 30 rotates about the first rotational axis, the peaks slide out of the valleys, and drive the elastic member 163 to be compressed further. After rotating through a predetermined angle, the peaks of the cam 161 return into the valleys of the cam follower 162, and thus the elastic member 163 is at rest again. At this position, the display holder 30 stops rotating further, and the display holder 30 is in an open state relative to the base body 20. The cam 161 can be retained at any position relative to the cam follower 162 during the rotating of the display holder 30, because the cam surface 1624 of the cam follower 162 is approximately flat. Therefore, the display holder 30 can be rotated about the first rotational axis and retained in any desired position relative to the base body 20 between the closed state and the open state.
When the display holder 30 is manually rotated about the second rotational axis, the rotatable plate 14, the rotatable member 182 and the second pivot shaft 189 rotate together with the display holder 30 relative to the combination of the base body 20 and the main body 12, with the fixing member 184, the elastic piece 186, the flat washer 188 and the pivotal mechanism 16 being fixed relative to the base body 20. In a normal starting position of the display holder 30 in relation to the second rotational axis, each of the ball bearings 185 has more than half received in a corresponding second bearing groove 1843 of the fixing member 184 and less than half engaged in a corresponding first bearing groove 1822 of the rotatable member 182. When the display holder 30 rotates and reaches a predetermined angle in a first rotating direction, the block 1822 of the rotatable member 182 resists the first limiting surface 1846 of the fixing member 184 to prevent the display holder 30 from rotating further. When the display holder 30 rotates and reaches a predetermined angle in a second rotating direction opposite to the first rotating direction, the block 1822 of the rotatable member 182 resists the second limiting surface 1847 of the fixing member 184 to prevent the display holder 30 from rotating further. Thereby, a rotation angle of the display holder 30 relative to the base body 20 is restricted. When the display holder 30 rotates, the ball bearings 185 slide out from the corresponding first bearing groove 1822 of the rotatable member 182, and more than half still keeps rotating in the corresponding second bearing groove 1843 of the fixing member 184. When the ball bearings 185 slide out from the corresponding first bearing groove 1822 of the rotatable member 182, the rotatable member 182 forces the ball bearings 185 to press the fixing member 184, thus pushes the elastic piece 186 to be deformed. Therefore, friction is generated among the main body 12, the elastic piece 186, and the flat washer 188 when the display holder 30 rotates. This results in a friction moment having a direction reverse to the rotating direction. The friction moment makes the rotation of the display holder 30 about the second rotational axis quite steady, so that the display holder 30 can be stably maintained at any desired position.
It is believed that in many if not most instances, a user desires that the display holder 30 only be rotated about the first rotational axis and not about the second rotational axis. Therefore in the normal starting position of the display holder 30 in relation to the first rotational axis, each of the ball bearings 185 is engaged in the corresponding first bearing groove 1822 of the rotatable member 182 and the corresponding second bearing groove 1843 of the fixing member 184 as regards the second rotational axis. Thus, when the display holder 30 is manually rotated about the first rotational axis away from the starting position, for any movement of the display holder 30 about the second rotational axis to occur, friction forces as among the main body 12, the elastic piece 186, and the flat washer 188 must be overcome. Thereby, when the display holder 30 is rotated up about the first rotational axis as desired, unintentional rotation of the display holder 30 about the second rotational axis is avoided. The ball bearings 185 disposed between the rotatable member 182 and the fixing member 184 may decrease the abrasion between the rotatable member 182 and the fixing member 184 so as to prolong the use life.
In alternative embodiments, the hinge cup 160 may be non-rotatably connected to the display holder 30, and the rotatable plate 14 may be fixed to the base body 20 correspondingly. The rotatable plate 14 may be omitted, and the second pivot shaft 189 may be fixed to the display holder 30 directly. Alternatively, the second pivot shaft 189 may be fixed to the base body 20 directly.
It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely being preferred or exemplary embodiments of the invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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200610200938.3 | Sep 2006 | CN | national |