KR102714562B1 - Waterdrop type hinge module for foldable laptop and foldable laptop using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a waterdrop-type hinge module for a foldable laptop and a foldable laptop using the same, and more particularly, to a waterdrop-type hinge module for a foldable laptop, which forms a folding portion of a flexible display in a waterdrop shape when the unfolded foldable laptop is folded, thereby preventing the flexible display from being damaged, and a foldable laptop using the same.
The foldable laptop of the present invention is characterized in that one swing bar and a swing plate rotate together at the same angle and rotate more than 90 degrees from a horizontal state, the slide block is pulled out from a slide lever and slides while rotating together with the swing plate, and the slide lever and the slide block are rotated at a smaller angle than the swing bar and the swing plate, so that when the laptop is closed, the swing plate forms a folding portion of the flexible display of the laptop in a teardrop shape with a narrow upper portion and a wide lower portion.

Description

Waterdrop type hinge module for foldable laptop and foldable laptop using the same { WATERDROP TYPE HINGE MODULE FOR FOLDABLE LAPTOP AND FOLDABLE LAPTOP USING THE SAME }

The present invention relates to a waterdrop-type hinge module for a foldable laptop and a foldable laptop using the same, and more particularly, to a waterdrop-type hinge module for a foldable laptop, which forms a folding portion of a flexible display in a waterdrop shape when the unfolded foldable laptop is folded, thereby preventing the flexible display from being damaged, and a foldable laptop using the same.

In general, a flexible display panel is a display panel that can be bent to a certain curvature.

Since these flexible display panels use plastic substrates rather than the commonly used glass substrates, they mainly use low-temperature manufacturing processes rather than conventional manufacturing processes to prevent damage to the substrate.

These flexible display panels are being manufactured as touchscreens capable of, for example, capacitive or pressure-sensitive touch inputs, so that they can receive user commands by touch.

Meanwhile, conventional portable foldable display devices, i.e., foldable laptops, have flexible display panels that can be used with touch input as described above.

A conventional foldable laptop like this has a pair of bodies that support a flexible display panel and are hinged together to form a predetermined accommodating space where the folded portion of the flexible display panel can be bent into a curved shape.

Various hinge modules for opening and closing flexible displays like the above are currently being developed.

However, most hinge modules have a complex structure, a large number of parts, are thick at the folded portion, and have a large gap at the folded portion when the flexible display is folded, which poses a risk of foreign substances entering the module and damage due to impact.

In particular, the foldable center of the flexible display must form a water droplet shape with a narrow top and a wide bottom to prevent damage and concentration of load when folded, but conventional hinge modules have had limitations in perfectly implementing this shape.

Publication patent 10-2018-0071900 Registered patent 10-2485965

The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a water drop-type hinge module for a foldable laptop, which can stably form a water drop-shaped folding center of a flexible display when the foldable laptop is folded using a relatively simple structure and a small number of parts, and a foldable laptop using the same.

In order to achieve the above object, the water drop type hinge module for a foldable laptop of the present invention comprises: a base body; a pair of swing bars arranged on both sides of the base body, one end of which is rotatably connected to the base body in the vertical direction; a swing plate fixedly connected to the other end of the swing bars and configured to deform a flexible display of the laptop; a slide lever having one end rotatably connected to the base body in the vertical direction; a synchronization member connecting a pair of the slide levers spaced apart from each other to synchronize rotational motion; A laptop is provided with a laptop hingedly connected to the swing plate at the top and having a slide lever slidably connected thereto, wherein when the laptop is closed, one of the swing bar and the swing plate are rotated together at the same angle and are rotated more than 90 degrees from a horizontal state, and the slide block is pulled out from the slide lever and slides while rotating together with the swing plate, and the slide lever is rotated with respect to the base body by the rotation of the slide block, and the slide block is rotated less than the hinged swing plate, and the slide lever and the slide block are rotated at a smaller angle than the swing bar and the swing plate, so that when the laptop is closed, the swing plate forms a folding portion of the flexible display of the laptop in a teardrop shape having a narrow upper portion and a wide lower portion.

A pair of swing bars that are spaced apart from each other further include a first plate spring that is in contact with one end outer surface, wherein the one end outer surface of the swing bar is formed in an arc shape and a first insertion groove and a second insertion groove that are spaced apart from each other are formed, and a semi-cylindrical cam protrusion is formed at each end of the first plate spring, and when the cam protrusion is positioned adjacent to the first insertion groove or the second insertion groove by the rotation of the swing bar, the cam protrusion is inserted into the first insertion groove or the second insertion groove by the elastic force of the cam protrusion, thereby adding torque so that the swing bar rotates further.

The slide lever further comprises a first shaft having a cylindrical shape that is rotatably mounted on the base body, and a second plate spring that is in contact with the outer surfaces of a pair of the first shafts that are spaced apart from each other; wherein a first stop surface and a second stop surface are chamfered and formed on the outer surface of the first shaft, and an arc-shaped shaft curved surface that is in contact with the second plate spring is formed between the first stop surface and the second stop surface that are spaced apart from each other, and the first stop surface and the second stop surface are arranged at an angle of less than 90 degrees to each other, and when the laptop is unfolded in a horizontal direction, the first stop surface and the second plate spring are arranged to face each other in a spaced-apart state, and the second plate spring applies torque to the slide lever in the rotational direction in which the laptop is unfolded, and when the laptop is folded, the second stop surface and the second plate spring are arranged to face each other in a spaced-apart state, and the The second plate spring applies torque to the slide lever in the rotational direction in which the laptop is folded.

It further comprises a third plate spring connecting the first shafts which are spaced apart from each other, wherein both ends of the third plate spring wrap around the outer surface of the first shafts arranged on both sides to generate frictional force with the outer surface of the first shaft, and the slide lever is maintained in a state of being rotated at a certain angle by the frictional force.

In addition, in order to achieve the above purpose, the foldable laptop of the present invention comprises a first body, a second body, a hinge module connecting the first body and the second body, and a flexible display, wherein the hinge module is formed of the hinge module described above, and the first body and the second body are respectively fixedly connected to slide blocks on both sides constituting the hinge module.

According to the water drop type hinge module for a foldable laptop of the present invention and the foldable laptop using the same as described above, the following effects are achieved.

The present invention enables the foldable laptop to be folded so that the folding center of the flexible display stably forms a water drop shape when folded.

In particular, the foldable center of the flexible display perfectly forms a water droplet shape, thereby preventing the flexible display from being broken or subjected to a large load when folded, thereby improving durability.

In addition, the structure of the hinge module is relatively simple and consists of a small number of parts, which can improve productivity, assembly, and workability.

Figure 1 is a one-way perspective view of a hinge module for a foldable laptop according to an embodiment of the present invention in an unfolded state.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a hinge module for a foldable laptop according to an embodiment of the present invention in an unfolded state.
FIG. 3 is a one-way exploded perspective view of a hinge module for a foldable laptop according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the upper body of the base body in Figure 1 with the upper body removed.
Figure 5 is an assembly drawing of a swing bar and a first plate spring according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is an assembly drawing of a slide lever and a second plate spring according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the slider in Fig. 6.
Figure 8 is a perspective view of a slide lever according to an embodiment of the present invention rotated 45 degrees.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a hinge module for a foldable laptop according to an embodiment of the present invention rotated about 45 degrees.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a hinge module for a foldable laptop according to an embodiment of the present invention in a closed state;
FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating the unfolding process of a hinge module for a foldable laptop according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of a laptop equipped with a hinge module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 13 is a cross-sectional structural diagram of a laptop equipped with a hinge module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The water drop type hinge module (130) for a foldable laptop of the present invention comprises a base body (10), a swing bar (20), a swing plate (30), a slide lever (40), a synchronization member (50), a slide block (60), etc., as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

The above base body (10) is formed in a long rod shape.

In this embodiment, the base body (10) is composed of an upper body (11) and a lower body (12) that are laminated and joined to each other.

If the above base body (10) is long, it is preferable to manufacture it by separating it into several pieces as shown in the drawing of this embodiment and then joining them together.

The above swing bars (20) are formed as a pair and are spaced apart from each other on both sides of the base body (10).

The above swing bar (20) is connected at one end to the base body (10) so as to be rotatable in the up-and-down direction.

Specifically, one end of the swing bar (20) is inserted and placed between the upper body (11) and the lower body (12).

The above swing plate (30) is fixedly connected to the other end of the swing bar (20) and rotates together when the swing bar (20) rotates.

A flexible display (140) of a laptop is placed on the upper surface of the above swing plate (30).

This swing plate (30) deforms the folding portion of the flexible display (140) of the laptop into a water drop shape with a narrow top and a wide bottom when the laptop is closed.

The above slide levers (40) are arranged spaced apart from each other on both sides of the base body (10) and are formed as a pair.

The above slide lever (40) is connected at one end to the base body (10) so as to be rotatable in the up-and-down direction.

Specifically, one end of the slide lever (40) is inserted and positioned between the upper body (11) and the lower body (12).

The above-mentioned synchronization member (50) connects a pair of the above-mentioned slide levers (40) that are spaced apart from each other to synchronize the rotational movement.

Specifically, a cylindrical first shaft (41) that is rotatably mounted on the base body (10) is formed at one end of the slide lever (40), as shown in FIGS. 4, 6 to 8.

A first gear (42) is formed on the outer surface of the first shaft (41).

The above-mentioned synchronization member (50) is composed of a second gear that connects the first gear (42) formed on the first shaft (41).

By this structure, when one swing bar (20) rotates, the remaining swing bars (20) also rotate in synchronization by the first gear (42) and the synchronization member (50), and the pair of swing bars (20) rotate in a direction closer to or farther away from each other.

The upper part of the above slide block (60) is rotatably hinged to the swing plate (30), and the slide lever (40) is slidably coupled inside.

Figure 6 clearly shows the structure in which the slide block (60) is slidably mounted on the slide lever (40).

The first rotation center point of one end of the above swing bar (20) is located higher than the second rotation center point of one end of the above slide lever (40).

And, the second rotation center point of one end of the slide lever (40) is located further away from the center of the base body (10) than the first rotation center point of one end of the swing bar (20).

By the above configuration and structure, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, when the hinge module (130) and the laptop are closed in the unfolded state, that is, when the swing plates (30) on both sides rotate in a direction closer to each other, one of the swing bars (20) and the swing plate (30) rotates together at the same angle and rotates more than 90 degrees from the horizontal state.

And, the slide block (60) hinge-coupled to the swing plate (30) is pulled out from the slide lever (40) and slides while rotating together with the swing plate (30), and the slide lever (40) rotates with respect to the base body (10) by the rotation of the slide block (60).

At this time, the slide block (60) rotates less than the hinge-coupled swing plate (30).

The above slide lever (40) and slide block (60) rotate at a smaller angle than the above swing bar (20) and swing plate (30).

That is, as shown in Fig. 11, when the laptop is closed, one of the swing bars (20) and the swing plate (30) rotates more than 90 degrees from the horizontal state, and the rotating slide lever (40) comes into contact with a stopper formed on the base body (10) and stops rotating, so that the slide lever (40) and the slide block (60) rotate at a smaller angle than the swing bar (20) and the swing plate (30).

Preferably, when the laptop is closed in the unfolded state, the swing bar (20) and the swing plate (30) rotate 100 degrees, and the slide lever (40) and the slide block (60) rotate 90 degrees.

By the above configuration and operation, as shown in Fig. 13, when the laptop is closed, the swing plate (30) can form the folding portion of the flexible display (140) of the laptop into a water droplet shape with a narrow upper portion and a wide lower portion.

The present invention can be further comprised of a first plate spring (70), a second plate spring (80), a third plate spring (90), etc.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the first plate spring (70) is mounted on the base body (10) and comes into contact with one end of the outer peripheral surface of a pair of mutually spaced swing bars (20).

That is, the first plate spring (70) contacts one end of each of the pair of swing bars (20) arranged with their ends spaced apart from each other.

The outer surface of the above swing bar (20) is formed in an arc shape with a first insertion groove (21) and a second insertion groove (22) spaced apart from each other.

Additionally, a semi-cylindrical cam protrusion (71) is formed at each end of the first plate spring (70).

When the cam protrusion (71) is positioned adjacent to the first insertion groove (21) or the second insertion groove (22) by the rotation of the swing bar (20), the cam protrusion (71) is inserted into the first insertion groove (21) or the second insertion groove (22) by the elastic force of the cam protrusion (71), thereby adding torque so that the swing bar (20) rotates further.

More specifically, when the laptop is unfolded horizontally, the cam protrusion (71) is inserted into the first insertion groove (21), and when the laptop is folded and closed, the cam protrusion (71) is inserted into the second insertion groove (22).

With the above configuration, when the cam protrusion (71) is positioned adjacent to the first insertion groove (21), the cam protrusion (71) is inserted into the first insertion groove (21) by the elastic force of the first plate spring (70), thereby rotating the swing bar (20) and applying torque in the direction of opening to the laptop.

And, when the cam protrusion (71) is positioned adjacent to the second insertion groove (22), the cam protrusion (71) is inserted into the second insertion groove (22) by the elastic force of the first plate spring (70) and rotates the swing bar (20) to apply torque in the closing direction to the laptop.

Due to this, the laptop can be opened or closed more quickly and strongly due to the preload applied by the first plate spring (70) during the opening or closing process.

The second plate spring (80) is arranged at the lower portion of the first shaft (41) formed at one end of a pair of mutually spaced slide levers (40), as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6 to 8.

The above second plate spring (80) comes into contact with the outer surface of the above first shaft (41).

As shown in Fig. 7, a first stop surface (43) and a second stop surface (44) are formed by chamfering on the outer surface of the first shaft (41).

Between the first stopping surface (43) and the second stopping surface (44) which are spaced apart from each other, an arc-shaped shaft curved surface (45) that comes into contact with the second plate spring (80) is formed.

And, the first stopping surface (43) and the second stopping surface (44) are arranged at an angle of less than 90 degrees to each other.

When the laptop is deployed horizontally, the first stop surface (43) and the second plate spring (80) are positioned facing each other in a spaced apart state, and the second plate spring (80) applies torque to the slide lever (40) in the rotational direction in which the laptop is deployed.

And, when the laptop is folded, the second stop surface (44) and the second plate spring (80) are positioned facing each other in a spaced state, and the second plate spring (80) applies torque to the slide lever (40) in the rotational direction in which the laptop is folded.

Due to this, the laptop can be opened or closed more quickly and strongly due to the preload applied by the second plate spring (80) during the opening or closing process.

The third plate spring (90) connects the first shafts (41) that are spaced apart from each other, as shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 6, and FIG. 8.

The two ends of the third plate spring (90) are mounted so as to surround the outer surface of the first shaft (41) arranged on both sides and generate frictional force with the outer surface of the first shaft (41).

By the frictional force between the two ends of the third plate spring (90) and the outer surface of the first shaft (41), a free stop can be easily implemented so that the slide lever (40) remains rotated at a certain angle when the first shaft (41) rotates.

Meanwhile, the foldable laptop of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 13, comprises a first body (110), a second body (120), a hinge module (130) connecting the first body (110) and the second body (120), and a flexible display (140).

The above hinge module (130) is composed of the hinge module of the present invention described above.

The above first body (110) and second body (120) are each fixedly connected to the slide blocks (60) on both sides that constitute the hinge module (130).

When the first body (110) and second body (120) are rotated in opposite directions and the laptop is unfolded, the flexible display (140) unfolds flat.

In this state, when the first body (110) and the second body (120) are rotated in a direction that brings them closer together so that the laptop is closed, as described above, the swing bar (20) and the swing plate (30) are rotated 100 degrees, and the slide lever (40) and the slide block (60) are rotated 90 degrees, so that the first body (110) and the second body (120) coupled to the slide block (60) are also rotated 90 degrees.

Due to this, the swing plate (30) rotates to form the center of the flexible display (140), i.e. the folding portion, into a water droplet shape with a narrow top and a wide bottom, as shown in FIG. 13.

The present invention can be applied to notebook computers, laptop computers, tablet PCs, etc.

The water drop type hinge module for a foldable laptop and the foldable laptop using the same, which are the inventions of the present invention, are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented by making various modifications within the scope permitted by the technical idea of the present invention.

10: Base body, 11: Upper body, 12: Lower body,
20: Swing bar, 21: 1st insertion home, 22: 2nd insertion home,
30 : Swing plate,
40: slide lever, 41: first shaft, 42: first gear, 43: first stop surface, 44: second stop surface, 45: shaft curved surface,
50 : Absence of synchronization,
60 : Slide block,
70: 1st plate spring, 71: Cam protrusion,
80: 2nd plate spring,
90: 3rd plate spring,
110: First body, 120: First body, 130: Hinge module, 140: Flexible display.

Claims (5)

delete Base body and;
A pair of swing bars arranged on both sides of the base body and having one end rotatably connected to the base body in the up-and-down direction;
A swing plate fixedly connected to the other end of the above swing bar and configured to deform the flexible display of the laptop;
First, a slide lever is connected to the base body so as to be rotatable in the up-and-down direction;
A synchronizing member for connecting a pair of the above-mentioned slide levers, which are spaced apart from each other, to synchronize the rotational motion;
A slide block having an upper portion rotatably hinged to the swing plate and having a slide lever slidably coupled therein;
It comprises a first plate spring that contacts one end of the outer surface of a pair of mutually spaced swing bars;
When the laptop is closed,
One of the above swing bars and the swing plate rotate together at the same angle and rotate more than 90 degrees from the horizontal,
The above slide block is pulled out from the slide lever and slides while rotating together with the swing plate, and the slide lever is rotated with respect to the base body by the rotation of the slide block, and the slide block rotates less than the hinge-coupled swing plate.
The above slide lever and slide block are rotated at a smaller angle than the above swing bar and swing plate.
When the laptop is closed, the swing plate forms the folding portion of the laptop's flexible display into a teardrop shape with a narrow top and wide bottom.
The outer surface of the above swing bar is formed in an arc shape, and a first insertion groove and a second insertion groove are formed that are spaced apart from each other.
A semi-cylindrical cam protrusion is formed at each end of the first plate spring.
A water drop type hinge module for a foldable laptop, characterized in that when the cam protrusion is positioned adjacent to the first insertion groove or the second insertion groove by the rotation of the swing bar, the cam protrusion is inserted into the first insertion groove or the second insertion groove by the elasticity of the cam protrusion, thereby adding torque to further rotate the swing bar. Base body and;
A pair of swing bars arranged on both sides of the base body and having one end rotatably connected to the base body in the up-and-down direction;
A swing plate fixedly connected to the other end of the above swing bar and configured to deform the flexible display of the laptop;
First, a slide lever is connected to the base body so as to be rotatable in the up-and-down direction;
A synchronizing member for connecting a pair of the above-mentioned slide levers, which are spaced apart from each other, to synchronize the rotational motion;
A slide block having an upper portion rotatably hinged to the swing plate and having a slide lever slidably coupled therein;
A first shaft having a cylindrical shape formed at one end of the above slide lever and rotatably mounted on the base body;
It comprises a second plate spring in contact with the outer surface of a pair of mutually spaced first shafts;
When the laptop is closed,
One of the above swing bars and the swing plate rotate together at the same angle and rotate more than 90 degrees from the horizontal,
The above slide block is pulled out from the slide lever and slides while rotating together with the swing plate, and the slide lever is rotated with respect to the base body by the rotation of the slide block, and the slide block rotates less than the hinge-coupled swing plate.
The above slide lever and slide block are rotated at a smaller angle than the above swing bar and swing plate.
When the laptop is closed, the swing plate forms the folding portion of the laptop's flexible display into a teardrop shape with a narrow top and wide bottom.
On the outer surface of the first shaft, a first stop surface and a second stop surface are formed by chamfering,
Between the first and second stop surfaces, which are spaced apart from each other, an arc-shaped shaft curved surface that comes into contact with the second plate spring is formed.
The first and second stopping surfaces are positioned at an angle of less than 90 degrees to each other,
In a state where the laptop is deployed horizontally, the first stop surface and the second plate spring are positioned facing each other in a spaced state, and the second plate spring applies torque to the slide lever in the rotational direction in which the laptop is deployed.
A water drop type hinge module for a foldable laptop, characterized in that when the laptop is folded, the second stop surface and the second plate spring are arranged to face each other in a spaced state, and the second plate spring applies torque to the slide lever in the rotational direction in which the laptop is folded. In claim 3,
It further comprises a third plate spring connecting the first shafts which are spaced apart from each other;
A water drop-type hinge module for a foldable laptop, characterized in that the two ends of the third plate spring wrap around the outer surface of the first shaft arranged on both sides to generate frictional force with the outer surface of the first shaft, and the slide lever is maintained in a state of being rotated at a certain angle by the frictional force. In a foldable laptop comprising a first body, a second body, a hinge module connecting the first body and the second body, and a flexible display,
The above hinge module is composed of a hinge module according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
A foldable laptop, characterized in that the first body and the second body are each fixedly connected to the slide blocks on both sides that constitute the hinge module.