JP2016038040A - Hinge mechanism and electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hinge mechanism and electronic equipment having the hinge mechanism in which they show a high operability in turning operation between two cases, and stability or operability during usage at each of angular positions can be improved.SOLUTION: Hinge mechanisms 12L, 12R comprise a turning shaft selecting mechanism 30 for allowing a rotation of a first shaft 24 between a position of 0° and a position of 135° becoming a first angular position, restricting a rotation of a second shaft 26 and allowing a rotation of the second shaft 26 between a position of 135° and a position of 315° becoming a second angular position larger than 135°, and restricting a rotation of the first shaft 24, allowing a rotation of the first shaft 24 between the position of 315° and a position of 360° and restricting a rotation of the second shaft 26 and rotatably connect between a display case 14 and a main body case 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to a hinge mechanism that rotatably connects two housings, and an electronic apparatus including the hinge mechanism.

  In recent years, tablet personal computers (tablet PCs) having a touch panel type liquid crystal display and no physical keyboard are rapidly spreading. The tablet PC is easy to carry and input operations can be easily performed using a touch panel.

  However, since the tablet PC does not have a physical keyboard, for example, it may hinder long text input operations. Therefore, a convertible tablet personal computer (convertible PC) has been proposed in which a display housing having a display can be rotated from 180 degrees to 360 degrees with respect to a main body housing having a keyboard. A convertible PC can be used in two ways: a normal notebook personal computer (notebook PC) and a tablet PC, so that it is very convenient for the user.

  In order to make the rotation of the 360 ° display housing in such a convertible PC smoother, Patent Document 1 discloses a biaxial structure in which a rotation shaft is provided on each of the main body housing and the display housing. The hinge mechanism is disclosed.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0135809

  In the hinge mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 1, a cam member having a recess is fitted and fixed to each of the two rotation shafts, and a floating pin that is selectively fitted between the recesses of the cam member is provided. Prepare. Due to the fitting action of the floating pins to the respective recesses, only the rotation shaft on the display housing side rotates from the 0 degree position to the 180 degree position, and only the rotation shaft on the main body housing side rotates from 180 degrees to 360 degrees. Rotate. Thereby, the operativity at the time of rotating a display housing | casing to the usage form in a notebook PC or the usage form in a tablet type PC is improved.

  By the way, in the structure of the said patent document 1, it changes only in the position of 180 degree | times which of the two rotating shafts which comprise a hinge mechanism is rotated. For this reason, at the 180 degree position where both the display and the keyboard face upward, a step based on the hinge mechanism is generated between the display housing and the main body housing, so that stability and operability on a desk or the like in this state is achieved. descend.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described problems of the prior art, and has high operability in the rotational movement between the two casings, and further provides stability and operability during use at each angular position. An object of the present invention is to provide a hinge mechanism that can be improved and an electronic device including the hinge mechanism.

  A hinge mechanism according to the present invention includes a first shaft fixed to a first housing and a second shaft fixed to a second housing, and the first housing and the second housing. 360 degrees from the 0 degree position where the surfaces of each casing face each other through 180 degrees positions where the surfaces of each casing face each other in the same direction and are parallel to each other. A hinge mechanism that is pivotably connected to a position, wherein the rotation of the first shaft is permitted between the 0 degree position and the first angular position, and the rotation of the second shaft is restricted; The rotation of the second shaft is permitted between the angular position of 1 and the second angular position larger than the first angular position, and the rotation of the first shaft is restricted, and the second angular position A rotation axis selector that allows rotation of the first shaft and restricts rotation of the second shaft between the 360-degree positions. Characterized in that it comprises a part.

  According to such a configuration, which of the first axis and the second axis is rotated as the rotation axis is switched at two angular positions. Therefore, the first housing and the second housing connected by the hinge mechanism can be configured flat at a predetermined angular position, for example, a 180 degree position, and each angular position including this angular position can be configured. Therefore, stability and operability on a desk or the like can be improved. Further, in the hinge mechanism, the first axis or the second axis is selectively rotated at each angular position. Therefore, when the first casing and the second casing are rotated from the 0 degree position to the 360 degree position. High operability.

  When the 180 degree position is set between the first angular position and the second angular position, the first casing and the second casing are configured to be flat at the 180 degree position. Is possible.

  The rotating shaft selection mechanism is externally fixed to the first shaft and has a first cam member having a recess on the outer peripheral surface, and is externally fixed to the second shaft and has a recess on the outer peripheral surface. A second cam member, a floating pin selectively engageable with the concave portion of the first cam member and the concave portion of the second cam member, and externally fitted and fixed to the first shaft. A stopper cam member provided with a stopper piece, a spiral cam member fitted and fixed to the second shaft, and provided with an inclined surface on an axial end surface; and rotatable with respect to the first shaft and the second shaft; A slide cam member that is externally inserted so as to be movable in the axial direction and that is pressed by the inclined surface of the spiral cam member and moves in the axial direction to switch between a locking position and a non-locking position with respect to the stopper piece. It may be.

  In this case, a pair of the stopper cam member and the spiral cam member may be provided side by side in the axial direction of the first shaft so as to straddle the slide cam member.

  In addition, an electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes the hinge mechanism configured as described above.

  In this case, the first housing is a main body housing having a keyboard on the surface, the second housing is a display housing having a display on the surface, and the hinge mechanism is the main body housing. When one end of the display and one end of the display casing are connected so as to be rotatable, the display casing and the main casing can be smoothly rotated by a hinge mechanism and further changed into a flat shape. Can do.

  In the first angular position, when the first axis and the second axis are arranged side by side along a direction from one end of the main body housing to the other end opposite to the one end. When the electronic device is used as a notebook PC, it can be used as an electronic device having a drop-down hinge mechanism with high operability and appearance quality.

  At the 180 degree position, one end and the other end of the main body casing, one end of the display casing and the other end opposite to the one end, the first axis, and the second axis Are arranged in a straight line, the electronic device is completely flat at the 180 degree position.

  In the 0 degree position, the first axis and the second axis may be arranged offset from each other in a direction from the one end of the main body casing to the other end opposite to the one end. Good.

  According to the present invention, which of the first axis and the second axis is rotated as the rotation axis is switched at two angular positions. Therefore, the first housing and the second housing connected by the hinge mechanism can be configured flat at a predetermined angular position, for example, a 180 degree position, and each angular position including this angular position can be configured. Therefore, stability and operability on a desk or the like can be improved. Further, in the hinge mechanism, the first axis or the second axis is selectively rotated at each angular position. Therefore, when the first casing and the second casing are rotated from the 0 degree position to the 360 degree position. High operability.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device including a hinge mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the electronic device shown in FIG. 1 with the display housing closed with respect to the main body housing. FIG. 3 is a side view showing an example of a usage pattern in a notebook PC in which the display housing is opened at a position of 135 degrees from the state shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state where the display housing is rotated in the opening direction from the state shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a side view showing a state where the display housing is rotated in the opening direction from the state shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a side view showing an example of a usage pattern in a tablet PC where the display housing is rotated in the opening direction from the state shown in FIG. 7A and 7B are configuration diagrams of the hinge mechanism at the 0-degree position. FIG. 7A is a perspective view and FIG. 7B is a plan view. 8A and 8B are configuration diagrams of the hinge mechanism at the 90-degree position. FIG. 8A is a perspective view and FIG. 8B is a plan view. 9A and 9B are configuration diagrams of the hinge mechanism at the 135-degree position. FIG. 9A is a perspective view and FIG. 9B is a plan view. 10A and 10B are configuration diagrams of the hinge mechanism at a position of 165 degrees. FIG. 10A is a perspective view and FIG. 10B is a plan view. 11A and 11B are configuration diagrams of the hinge mechanism at the 255-degree position. FIG. 11A is a perspective view, and FIG. 11B is a plan view. 12A and 12B are configuration diagrams of the hinge mechanism at a position of 315 degrees, in which FIG. 12A is a perspective view and FIG. 12B is a plan view. 13A and 13B are configuration diagrams of the hinge mechanism at a 360-degree position, in which FIG. 13A is a perspective view and FIG. 13B is a plan view. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view of the hinge mechanism shown in FIG. 9B, FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVA-XVA in FIG. 9B, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the XVB-XVB line | wire in 9 (B). FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI in FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the hinge mechanism shown in FIG. 12 (B), FIG. 17 (A) is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIIA-XVIIA in FIG. 12 (B), and FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the XVIIB-XVIIB line | wire in 12 (B). 18 is a cross-sectional view of the hinge mechanism shown in FIG. 13B, FIG. 18A is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIIIA-XVIIIA in FIG. 13B, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the XVIIIB-XVIIIB line | wire in 13 (B). FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIX-XIX in FIG.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an electronic device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device 10 including hinge mechanisms 12L and 12R according to an embodiment of the present invention. A notebook PC in which a display housing 14 is opened from a main body housing 16 by the hinge mechanisms 12L and 12R. The usage form is shown. 2 to 6 are side views at each angular position when the display housing 14 of the electronic device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is rotated with respect to the main body housing 16 from the 0 degree position to the 360 degree position. .

  The electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment can be suitably used as a notebook PC in a state where the display housing 14 is rotated to an angular position of about 135 degrees with respect to the main body housing 16 (see FIGS. 1 and 3). ), A so-called convertible PC that can be suitably used as a tablet PC when the display casing 14 is rotated to a position of 360 degrees with respect to the main casing 16 (see FIG. 6). Here, the hinge mechanisms 12L and 12R (hereinafter collectively referred to as “hinge mechanism 12”) according to the present embodiment have the end of the display casing 14 on the hinge mechanism 12 side when the display casing 14 is opened. It has a drop-down structure that moves downward while protruding backward and changes to a notebook PC as shown in FIGS. The present invention can be suitably applied to any electronic device capable of rotating the display housing up to a position of 360 degrees with respect to the main body housing, such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, or an electronic notebook, other than such a convertible PC. .

  Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 2, the display housing 14 is closed with respect to the main body housing 16 (0 degree position) as a reference, the hinge mechanism 12 side is the rear side (rear), and the opposite side is Called the front side (front), the thickness direction of the electronic device 10 is referred to as the vertical direction, and the width direction of the electronic device 10 that is orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. explain.

  Further, for convenience of explanation, regarding the angular positions of the main body case 16 and the display case 14 by the hinge mechanism 12, the display case 14 is completely closed with respect to the main body case 16, and the surface ( The posture in which the front surface 14a faces the front surface (upper surface) 16a of the main body housing 16 is called a 0 degree position (see FIG. 2), and the display housing 14 is rotated and opened with the 0 degree position as a reference. Explain with the angle. For example, a posture in which the display housing 14 and the main body housing 16 are substantially orthogonal is called a 90-degree position (not shown), and the surface 14a of the display housing 14 and the surface 16a of the main body housing 16 are in the same direction (upward). The postures facing each other and parallel to each other are called 180-degree positions (see FIG. 4). Further, a posture in which the back surface (rear surface) 14b of the display housing 14 and the back surface (lower surface) 16b of the main body housing 16 face each other is referred to as a 360-degree position (see FIG. 6). Note that the 0 degree position, 90 degree position, 180 degree position, 360 degree position, and the like are slightly deviated from the exact angular positions indicated by the angle numbers due to the structure of the main body casing 16, the display casing 14, or the hinge mechanism 12. Obviously, an angular position also occurs, and in this embodiment, the angular position including these shifted angular positions is referred to as a 0 degree position.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the electronic device 10 includes a rear end portion 14 c of a display casing 14 having a display 18 on a surface 14 a thereof, and a rear end portion of a main body casing 16 having a keyboard 20 on a surface 16 a thereof. 16c is connected to a pair of left and right hinge mechanisms 12L and 12R so as to be rotatable.

  The display housing 14 is thinner than the main body housing 16 and has a flat plate shape. The display housing 14 is coupled to the main body housing 16 by a hinge mechanism 12 provided at the rear end portion 16c, and is electrically connected to the main body housing 16 by a cable (not shown) that has passed through the hinge mechanism 12. . The display 18 is configured by, for example, a touch panel type liquid crystal display device.

  The main body housing 16 is configured in a flat box shape. The main body casing 16 is connected to the display casing 14 by a hinge mechanism 12 provided at the rear end portion 14c. Input means such as a keyboard 20 is provided on the surface 16a of the main body casing 16, and various electronic components such as a substrate, a computing device, and a memory (not shown) are provided inside the main body casing 16.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the hinge mechanisms 12 </ b> L and 12 </ b> R are capable of rotating the display housing 14 from the 0 degree position to the 360 degree position by a biaxial structure. The hinge mechanisms 12L and 12R include a first shaft 24 that is non-rotatably connected to the main body housing 16, a second shaft 26 that is non-rotatably connected to the display housing 14, and the first shaft 24. And a hinge housing 28 that rotatably holds the second shaft 26.

  The hinge housing 28 is provided to be inclined with respect to the vertical direction at the 0-degree position and the 360-degree position (see FIGS. 2 and 6), and is inclined 45 degrees from the vertical direction in the present embodiment. That is, at the 0 degree position (360 degree position), the first shaft 24 on the display housing 14 side is offset forward (backward) from the second shaft 26 on the main body housing 16 side. As a result, the rear end portion 14c of the display housing 14 on the hinge mechanism 12 side and the front end portion 14d opposite to the rear end portion 14c at the 0 degree position and the 360 degree position, and the hinge mechanism 12 side of the main body casing 16 The rear end portion 16c and the front end portion 16d opposite to the rear end portion 16c are displaced in the front-rear direction, and the electronic device 10 is configured in a substantially parallelogram shape in a side view.

  The hinge mechanism 12 includes, for example, a rotation axis selection mechanism unit 30 to be described later, so that the rotation of the first shaft 24 is allowed between the 0 degree position and the 135 degree position (first angular position) and the first mechanism 24 is rotated. The rotation of the two shafts 26 is restricted (see FIGS. 2 to 3). Further, between the 135 degree position and the 315 degree position (second angular position), the rotation of the second shaft 26 is allowed and the rotation of the first shaft 24 is restricted (see FIGS. 3 to 5). Further, between the 315 degree position and the 360 degree position, the rotation of the first shaft 24 is allowed and the rotation of the second shaft 26 is restricted (see FIGS. 5 to 6). That is, by selecting the first axis 24 or the second axis 26 at two switching angle positions (in the present embodiment, the 135-degree position and the 315-degree position), only one of the first axis 24 or the second axis 26 is selected. It functions as a rotation axis between the display housing 14 and the main body housing 16.

  Next, a specific configuration example of the hinge mechanism 12 will be described.

  7A and 7B are configuration diagrams of the hinge mechanism 12L at the 0-degree position, in which FIG. 7A is a perspective view and FIG. 7B is a plan view. Similarly, FIG. 8 is a 90 degree position, FIG. 9 is a 135 degree position, FIG. 10 is a 165 degree position, FIG. 11 is a 255 degree position, FIG. 12 is a 315 degree position, and FIG. It is a block diagram. 7A and 7B, which are configuration diagrams at each angular position, show the hinge mechanism 12L attached to the electronic device 10 as shown in FIGS. The state seen from the side is illustrated. The right hinge mechanism 12R has the same configuration except that it has a bilaterally symmetric structure with respect to the left hinge mechanism 12L. Therefore, the hinge mechanism 12L will be described below representatively, and a specific description of the hinge mechanism 12R and Illustration is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 to 13, the hinge mechanism 12 </ b> L includes a first shaft 24 extending in the left-right direction, a second shaft 26 installed in parallel with the first shaft 24, the first shaft 24 and the first shaft 24. A hinge housing 28 (see FIG. 2) that pivotally supports each of the shafts 26 and a rotation shaft selection mechanism 30 attached to the first shaft 24 and the second shaft 26 are provided.

  The 1st axis | shaft 24 is a cylindrical shaft, The cut surface for the rotation prevention of the member fitted by the appropriate location of the outer peripheral surface is formed. At one end (left end) of the first shaft 24, a main body connecting plate 32 for connecting the main body housing 16 to the first shaft 24 so as not to rotate is attached. The main body connecting plate 32 is provided integrally with the shaft mounting portion 32a and the shaft mounting portion 32a that is externally fitted and fixed to the first shaft 24 in a non-rotatable state, and the main body housing 16 is fixed by screws. Main body attachment portion 32b. A support arm 33 is provided on the side of the shaft mounting portion 32a so as to be rotatably fitted and fixed to the first shaft 24 so as to reinforce the shaft mounting portion 32a.

  The 2nd axis | shaft 26 is a cylindrical shaft, The cut surface for the rotation prevention of the part externally fitted by the appropriate location of the outer peripheral surface is formed. A display connecting plate 34 for connecting the display housing 14 to the second shaft 26 so as not to rotate is attached to one end (left end) of the second shaft 26. The display connecting plate 34 is provided integrally with the shaft mounting portion 34a and the shaft mounting portion 34a that is externally fitted and fixed to the second shaft 26 so as not to rotate. The flat plate shape on which the display housing 14 is fixed by screwing. Display mounting portion 34b. A support arm 35 is provided on the side of the shaft attachment portion 34a so as to be rotatably fitted and fixed to the second shaft 26 so as to reinforce the shaft attachment portion 34a.

  The rotating shaft selection mechanism 30 includes a pair of left and right housing plates 37L and 37R that support the floating pin 36 in a floating manner in order from one end (left end) side to the other end (right end) side of the first shaft 24. A first cam member 38 disposed between the housing plates 37L and 37R, an open stopper cam member 40, a slide cam member 42, and a close stopper cam member 44 are provided. Further, the rotating shaft selection mechanism 30 is arranged between the pair of left and right housing plates 37L and 37R and the housing plates 37L and 37R in order from one end (left end) side to the other end (right end) side of the second shaft 26. A second cam member 46, an open spiral cam member 48, a slide cam member 42, and a closed spiral cam member 50 are provided. Further, washers 52 are extrapolated to the side portions of the housing plate 37R of the first shaft 24 and the second shaft 26, respectively, and a connecting plate 54 is bridged to the other ends of the first shaft 24 and the second shaft 26. Yes. The hinge housing 28 is provided so as to cover these components, and rotates together with the rotation of the housing plates 37L and 37R and the connecting plate 54 with the first shaft 24 or the second shaft 26 as a rotation shaft.

  Each of the housing plates 37L and 37R is a flat plate member bridged across the first shaft 24 and the second shaft 26, and is connected to the first shaft 24 and the second shaft 26 by shaft holes (not shown) formed at both ends. On the other hand, it is extrapolated in a rotatable state. The floating pin 36 is movable along a long hole 37a formed in each housing plate 37L, 37R in a direction from the first shaft 24 to the second shaft 26 (see FIG. 8A, etc.).

  The first cam member 38 is a cylindrical member, and is fitted and fixed to the first shaft 24 in a non-rotatable state. A recess 38 a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first cam member 38. The second cam member 46 is a columnar member, and is fitted and fixed to the second shaft 26 in a non-rotatable state. A pair of recesses 46 a and 46 b are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second cam member 46 in the diameter direction. A floating pin 36 is selectively fitted in these three recesses 38a, 46a, 46b according to the rotational angle position of the hinge mechanism 12L, and the rotation of the first shaft 24 or the second shaft 26 in which the floating pin 36 is fitted. Is regulated. For example, at the 0 degree position shown in FIG. 7, the floating pin 36 is fitted in the recess 46a of the second cam member 46, and restricts the rotation of the second shaft 26 (see FIG. 14). Also, for example, at the 165 degree position shown in FIG. 10, the floating pin 36 fits into the recess 38a of the first cam member 38 and restricts the rotation of the first shaft 24 (see FIG. 16).

  The open stopper cam member (stopper cam member) 40 is a cylindrical member, and is fitted and fixed to the first shaft 24 in a non-rotatable state. The open stopper cam member 40 includes a stopper piece 40a (see also FIG. 15B) protruding from the end surface on the slide cam member 42 side. The stopper piece 40a abuts on the open stopper piece 42c of the slide cam member 42 at the 135 degree position (see FIGS. 9B and 15B).

  The close stopper cam member (stopper cam member) 44 is a columnar member and is externally fixed to the first shaft 24 in a non-rotatable state. The close stopper cam member 44 has a stopper piece 44a (see also FIG. 18B) protruding from the end face on the slide cam member 42 side. The stopper piece 44a comes into contact with the closing stopper piece 42d of the slide cam member 42 at a position of 360 degrees (see FIGS. 13B and 18B).

  The open spiral cam member (spiral cam member) 48 is a cylindrical member, and is fitted and fixed to the second shaft 26 in a non-rotatable state. The open spiral cam member 48 has a spiral inclined surface 48a (see FIG. 10 and the like) that is gradually inclined in the circumferential direction on the end surface on the slide cam member 42 side. The inclined surface 48a opens the slide cam member 42 between the 165 degree position and the 285 degree position when the display housing 14 is rotated (opened) in the opening direction from the 0 degree position to the 360 degree position. This is pressed while sliding on the inclined surface 42e, and the slide cam member 42 is moved to the other end side (closed spiral cam member 50 side) in the axial direction.

  The closed spiral cam member (spiral cam member) 50 is a columnar member and is externally fixed to the second shaft 26 in a non-rotatable state. The closed spiral cam member 50 has a helically inclined surface 50a (see FIG. 11B, etc.) that is gradually inclined in the circumferential direction on the end surface on the slide cam member 42 side. The inclined surface 50a is a closed inclination of the slide cam member 42 between 285 degrees and 165 degrees when the display housing 14 is rotated (closed) in the closing direction from the 360 degrees to the 0 degrees. This is pressed while sliding on the surface 42f, and the slide cam member 42 is moved to the other end side (closed spiral cam member 50 side) in the axial direction.

  The slide cam member 42 is externally inserted so as to be rotatable with respect to the first shaft 24 and movable in the axial direction, and with respect to the second shaft 26 so as to be rotatable and movable in the axial direction. The first cylindrical portion 42a and the second cylindrical portion 42b are integrally connected to each other. An open stopper piece 42c and a close stopper piece 42d are provided on the left and right end surfaces in the axial direction of the first cylindrical portion 42a, respectively, and an open inclined surface 42e and a closed inclined surface 42f are provided on the left and right end surfaces in the axial direction of the second cylindrical portion 42b, respectively. It has been.

  The slide cam member 42 is slidable in the axial direction as the hinge mechanism 12L pivots about the second shaft 26 as a pivot. Specifically, the slide cam member 42 is pressed by the inclined surface 48a of the open spiral cam member 48 between the 165 degree position and the 285 degree position during the opening operation, and moves to the other end side (right side) in the axial direction. Between the 285 degree position and the 360 degree position, the close stopper piece 42d is arranged at a position where the stopper piece 44a of the close stopper cam member 44 can be locked (see, for example, FIGS. 11B and 12B). . Further, the slide cam member 42 is pressed by the inclined surface 50a of the closed spiral cam member 50 between the 285 degree position and the 165 degree position during the closing operation, and moves to one end side (left side) in the axial direction, and from the 0 degree position. Between the 165 degree positions, the open stopper piece 42c is disposed at a position where the stopper piece 40a of the open stopper cam member 40 can be locked (see, for example, FIGS. 7B and 10B). Thus, the slide cam member 42 is pressed by the closed spiral cam member 50 or the open spiral cam member 48 and moves in the axial direction, so that the stopper pieces 40a, 44a of the open stopper cam member 40 or the closed stopper cam member 44 are moved. It switches to the locked position or non-locked position.

  Next, the rotation operation of the display housing 14 and the main body housing 16 by the hinge mechanism 12 will be described.

  First, the operation and action of the hinge mechanism 12 when the display housing 14 at the 0 degree position is opened to the 360 degree position will be described.

  When the display housing 14 is rotated in the opening direction from the main body housing 16, first, the floating pin 36 is between the 0 degree position (see FIGS. 2 and 7) and the 135 degree position (see FIGS. 3 and 9). Is fitted in the recess 46a of the second cam member 46 on the second shaft 26 side (see FIG. 14), and the rotation of the second shaft 26 is restricted. Therefore, for example, when the front end portion 14d of the display housing 14 is gripped and rotated so as to be lifted from the main body housing 16, the first shaft 24 on the main body housing 16 side functions as a rotating shaft in this rotation angle range. To do. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 3 and FIGS. 7 to 9, the display housing 14 rotates about the first shaft 24 together with the second shaft 26, and the housing plates 37 </ b> L and 37 </ b> R, the slide cam member 42, and The hinge housing 28 also rotates about the first shaft 24.

  As a result, at the 135 degree position shown in FIG. 9, the open stopper piece 42c of the slide cam member 42 comes into contact with the stopper piece 40a of the open stopper cam member 40 fitted on the first shaft 24, and the first shaft 24 is rotated. The opening operation using the moving shaft is restricted (see FIG. 15B). Further, at the 135 degree position, the recess 38a of the first cam member 38 faces the recess 46a of the second cam member 46, and the floating pin 36 can be received (see FIG. 15A).

  By the way, at the 135 degree position, the electronic device 10 is arranged such that the first shaft 24, the second shaft 26, and the hinge housing 28 are arranged in a straight line along the front-rear direction of the main body housing 16 as shown in FIG. Is done. Therefore, the electronic device 10 can be suitably used as a notebook PC in which the display housing 14 is opened by the drop-down hinge mechanism 12 as shown in FIGS. Of course, it can be used as a notebook PC even if it is at a front-back angle position (for example, a 120-degree position or a 150-degree position) at a 135-degree position.

  Subsequently, when the display housing 14 is further opened from the 135 degree position (see FIGS. 3 and 9), the open stopper piece 42c of the slide cam member 42 and the stopper piece 40a of the open stopper cam member 40 are locked. Therefore, since the rotation of the first shaft 24 is restricted, the second shaft 26 on the display housing 14 side functions as a rotation shaft.

  When the display housing 14 rotates about the second shaft 26 from the 135 degree position, the floating pin 36 is detached from the recess 46a of the second cam member 46 along with this rotation, and at the 165 degree position shown in FIG. It fits into the recess 38a of the first cam member 38 (see FIG. 16). Accordingly, the rotation of the first shaft 24 is also regulated by the floating pin 36 together with the rotation regulating action by the open stopper piece 42 c of the slide cam member 42.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, sliding is performed by the inclined surface 48 a of the open spiral cam member 48 that rotates with the second shaft 26 between the 165 degree position (see FIG. 10) and the 285 degree position (not shown). The open inclined surface 42e of the cam member 42 is pressed, and the slide cam member 42 moves toward the closed spiral cam member 50 in the axial direction.

  If it does so, in the 255 degree position, the open stopper piece 42c of the slide cam member 42 will detach | leave from the latching position with respect to the stopper piece 40a of the open stopper cam member 40 (refer FIG. 11 (B)). As a result, the rotation of the first shaft 24 is restricted only by the floating pin 36. Further, at the 255-degree position, the close stopper piece 42d of the slide cam member 42 is disposed at a position where the stopper piece 44a of the close stopper cam member 44 can be locked (see FIG. 11B). At the 285 degree position where the movement of the slide cam member 42 ends, the close stopper piece 42d is arranged at the same position as the 315 degree position shown in FIG. Possible position.

  5 and FIG. 12, at the 315 degree position, a terminal stopper piece 35a projecting from the end surface of the support arm 35 that rotates together with the second shaft 26 that has been the rotation axis after the 135 degree position is a housing plate. It contacts the rotation restricting piece 37b protruding from the side surface of 37L (see FIGS. 12B and 17A). Thereby, rotation of the 2nd axis | shaft 26 is controlled and the opening operation | movement which used the 2nd axis | shaft 26 as the rotating shaft is controlled. That is, the terminal stopper piece 35a and the rotation restricting piece 37b define the maximum rotation position (here, 315 degrees position) in the opening operation of the second shaft 26. At the 315 degree position, the concave portion 46b of the second cam member 46 faces the concave portion 38a of the first cam member 38 and is in a state in which the floating pin 36 can be received (see FIG. 17B).

  In the rotation angle range in which the second shaft 26 from the 135-degree position to the 315-degree position functions as a rotation axis, the rear end portion 16c and the front end of the main body housing 16 are shown in FIG. The portion 16d, the rear end portion 14c and the front end portion 14d of the display housing 14, the first shaft 24, the second shaft 26, and the hinge housing 28 are arranged in a straight line. That is, at the 180 degree position, the main body housing 16, the hinge housing 28, and the display housing 14 are in a completely flat state, so that stability on a desk or the like is high and high operability is obtained.

  Subsequently, when the display housing 14 is further opened from the position of 315 degrees (see FIGS. 5 and 9), the terminal stopper piece 35a of the support arm 35 and the rotation restricting piece 37b of the housing plate 37L are in the locked state. Thus, since the rotation of the second shaft 26 is restricted, the first shaft 24 on the main body housing 16 side functions again as a rotation shaft. For this reason, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 6 and FIGS. 12 to 13, the display housing 14 rotates around the first shaft 24 together with the second shaft 26, and the housing plates 37 </ b> L and 37 </ b> R, the slide cam member 42, and The hinge housing 28 also rotates about the first shaft 24.

  When the display housing 14 rotates about the first shaft 24 from the 315 degree position, the floating pin 36 is detached from the recess 38a of the first cam member 38 along with this rotation, and at the 360 degree position shown in FIG. It fits into the recess 46b of the second cam member 46 (see FIG. 18A). Accordingly, the rotation of the second shaft 26 is also regulated by the floating pin 36 in combination with the rotation regulating action by the rotation regulating piece 37b of the housing plate 37L.

  Furthermore, at the 360 position shown in FIGS. 5 and 13, the close stopper piece 42 d of the slide cam member 42 contacts the stopper piece 44 a of the close stopper cam member 44 fitted on the first shaft 24, and the first shaft 24 is moved. The opening operation using the rotation axis is restricted (see FIGS. 13B and 18B). As a result, at the 360 degree position, the rotation of the first shaft 24 and the second shaft 26 in the opening direction is all restricted, and the electronic device 10 can be suitably used as a tablet PC as shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation and action of the hinge mechanism 12 when the display housing 14 at the 360 degree position is operated to close to the 0 degree position will be described.

  This closing operation is the reverse of the opening operation described above. That is, at the 360 degree position, the rotation of the second shaft 26 is restricted by the floating pin 36 (see FIG. 18A). Therefore, for example, when the front end portion 14d of the display housing 14 is grasped and rotated so as to be separated from the main body housing 16, the display housing 14 is second as shown in FIGS. 6 to 5 and 13 to 12. Together with the shaft 26, the housing plate 37 </ b> L, 37 </ b> R, the slide cam member 42, and the hinge housing 28 are also rotated about the first shaft 24.

  As a result, at the 315 degree position shown in FIGS. 5 and 12, the recess 38a of the first cam member 38 faces the recess 46b of the second cam member 46, and the floating pin 36 can be received (FIG. 17 ( B)). Accordingly, when the display housing 14 is further closed from the 315 degree position (see FIGS. 5 and 12), the floating pin 36 moves from the recess 46b of the second cam member 46 to the recess 38a of the first cam member 38. This time, the rotation of the first shaft 24 is restricted.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 to 10, sliding is performed by the inclined surface 50 a of the closed spiral cam member 50 that rotates together with the second shaft 26 between the 285 degree position (not shown) and the 165 degree position (see FIG. 10). The closed inclined surface 42f of the cam member 42 is pressed, and the slide cam member 42 moves toward the open spiral cam member 48 in the axial direction.

  3 and 9, the terminal stopper piece 35a of the support arm 35 that rotates together with the second shaft 26 that has been the rotation shaft after the 315 ° position is the rotation restricting piece of the housing plate 37L. 37b (see FIGS. 13B and 19). In this case, the contact between the terminal stopper piece 35a and the rotation restricting piece 37b is the contact between the end portions on the opposite side to the case of the 315 degree position shown in FIG. Thereby, the rotation of the second shaft 26 is restricted, and the closing operation with the second shaft 26 as a rotation shaft is restricted. That is, the terminal stopper piece 35a and the rotation restricting piece 37b also define a minimum rotation position (here, a 135 degree position) in the closing operation of the second shaft 26.

  At the 135-degree position, the recess 46a of the second cam member 46 faces the recess 38a of the first cam member 38 and is in a state where the floating pin 36 can be received (see FIG. 15A). Accordingly, when the display housing 14 is further closed from the 135 degree position (see FIGS. 3 and 9), the floating pin 36 moves from the recess 38a of the first cam member 38 to the recess 46a of the second cam member 46. . Accordingly, the rotation of the second shaft 26 is also regulated by the floating pin 36 in combination with the rotation regulating action by the rotation regulating piece 37b of the housing plate 37L.

  The subsequent closing operation from the 135 degree position to the 0 degree position is a rotation operation opposite to the opening operation described above, and the display housing 14 is closed with respect to the main body housing 16 at the 0 degree position.

  As described above, according to the hinge mechanism 12 according to the present embodiment, the rotation of the first shaft 24 is allowed between the 0-degree position and the 135-degree position that is the first angular position, and the second shaft 26 is rotated. The rotation is restricted, and the rotation of the second shaft 26 is allowed and the rotation of the first shaft 24 is restricted between the 135 degree position and the 315 degree position, which is a second angular position larger than this, and the 315 degree position. And a rotation axis selection mechanism unit 30 that allows the rotation of the first shaft 24 and restricts the rotation of the second shaft 26.

  As described above, in the hinge mechanism 12, which of the first shaft 24 and the second shaft 26 is rotated as the rotation shaft is switched at two angular positions of the 135-degree position and the 315-degree position. For this reason, in the electronic device 10 including such a hinge mechanism 12, the display housing 14 and the main body housing 16 can be configured flat, for example, at a 180 degree position where both the display 18 and the keyboard 20 face upward. Thus, stability and operability on a desk or the like are improved at each angular position including the 180 degree position. Therefore, in order to make the electronic device 10 in a completely flat state at the 180 degree position, it is desirable that the 180 degree position is set between the two angular positions which are the switching angle positions of the rotating shaft. Further, in the electronic device 10, when the display housing 14 is opened, the first shaft 24 or the second shaft 26 is selectively rotated at each angular position. The operability when rotating the display housing 14 to the usage form on the PC is high.

  Moreover, in the electronic device 10, the first shaft 24 on the main body casing 16 side rotates until the first angular position of 135 degrees, so that the hinge mechanism 12 functions as a drop-down type, and the use of the notebook PC Operability in form and appearance quality are improved.

  It should be noted that the two angular positions serving as the switching angular positions of the first shaft 24 and the second shaft 26 that are the two rotation axes of the hinge mechanism 12 may be set to positions other than the 135 degree position and the 315 degree position, respectively. The setting may be changed as appropriate according to the specifications of the electronic device on which the hinge mechanism 12 is mounted.

  In the electronic device 10, at the 0 degree position, the first shaft 24 and the second shaft 26 are disposed offset from each other in the front-rear direction from the rear end portion 16c to the front end portion 16d of the main body housing 16, for example, A line connecting the first shaft 24 and the second shaft 26 is inclined 45 degrees with respect to the vertical direction as shown in FIG. For this reason, at the 0 degree position and the 360 degree position, the display casing 14 and the main body casing 16 are substantially parallelograms that are displaced from each other, and the appearance quality is improved. Furthermore, as described above, the display housing 14 and the hinge mechanism 12 can be used as a notebook PC in which the display housing 14 and the hinge mechanism 12 are dropped down at the 135 ° position which is the first angular position. Of course, the first shaft 24 and the second shaft 26 may be arranged along the vertical direction at the 0 degree position.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that the present invention can be freely changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Electronic device 12L, 12R Hinge mechanism 14 Display housing | casing 14a, 16a Front surface 14b, 16b Back surface 14c, 16c Rear end part 14d, 16d Front end part 16 Main body housing | casing 18 Display 20 Keyboard 24 1st axis | shaft 26 2nd axis | shaft 28 Hinge case Body 30 Rotating shaft selection mechanism 32 Main body connecting plate 33, 35 Support arm 34 Display connecting plate 36 Floating pin 37L, 37R Housing plate 38 First cam member 38a, 46a, 46b Recess 40 Open stopper cam member 40a, 44a Stopper piece 42 Slide cam member 42c Open stopper piece 42d Close stopper piece 42e Open inclined surface 42f Close inclined surface 44 Close stopper cam member 46 Second cam member 48 Open spiral cam members 48a, 5 a ramp (50) closes the spiral cam member

Claims (9)

Each housing includes a first shaft fixed to the first housing and a second shaft fixed to the second housing, and each housing is provided between the first housing and the second housing. From the 0 degree position where the surfaces of the casings face each other, through the 180 degree position where the surfaces of the respective casings face each other in the same direction and are parallel to each other, they are rotatably connected to the 360 degree positions where the rear faces of the casings face each other A hinge mechanism,
Between the 0 degree position and the first angular position, the rotation of the first shaft is allowed and the rotation of the second shaft is restricted, and the first angular position and the first angular position are larger. The rotation of the second axis is allowed between the second angular position and the rotation of the first axis is restricted, and the rotation of the first axis is between the second angular position and the 360 degree position. And a rotation axis selection mechanism for restricting the rotation of the second axis and allowing the rotation of the second axis. The hinge mechanism according to claim 1,
The hinge mechanism characterized in that the 180-degree position is set between the first angular position and the second angular position. The hinge mechanism according to claim 1 or 2,
The rotating shaft selection mechanism portion is fitted and fixed to the first shaft, and a first cam member provided with a recess on an outer peripheral surface;
A second cam member fitted and fixed to the second shaft and having a recess on the outer peripheral surface;
A floating pin that can be selectively fitted to the recess of the first cam member and the recess of the second cam member;
A stopper cam member externally fixed to the first shaft and provided with a stopper piece on an axial end surface;
A spiral cam member that is externally fitted and fixed to the second shaft and has an inclined surface on an axial end surface;
A locking position with respect to the stopper piece by being externally inserted so as to be rotatable and axially movable with respect to the first shaft and the second shaft, and being pressed by the inclined surface of the spiral cam member and moving in the axial direction. And a slide cam member whose non-locking position is switched. The hinge mechanism according to claim 3,
A pair of the stopper cam member and the spiral cam member are provided side by side in the axial direction of the first shaft so as to straddle the slide cam member.   An electronic apparatus comprising the hinge mechanism according to claim 1. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein
The first housing is a main body housing having a keyboard on the surface,
The second casing is a display casing having a display on the surface,
The electronic device is characterized in that the hinge mechanism rotatably connects between one end of the main body casing and one end of the display casing. The electronic apparatus according to claim 6.
In the first angular position, the first axis and the second axis are arranged side by side along a direction from one end of the main body housing to the other end opposite to the one end. Electronic equipment characterized by The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein
At the 180 degree position, one end and the other end of the main body casing, one end of the display casing and the other end opposite to the one end, the first axis, and the second axis Are arranged side by side in a straight line. The electronic device according to any one of claims 6 to 8,
In the 0-degree position, the first axis and the second axis are offset from each other in the direction from the one end of the main body housing to the other end opposite to the one end. Electronic equipment characterized by

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