Portable computer

A portable computer comprises a base, a display module, at least one support element and at least one sliding assembly. The base comprises a first area and a second area. The display module comprises a connect end and a display face. Each support element comprises a first end pivoted on a portion of the display module other than the display face and a second end pivoted on the rear end of the base. Each sliding assembly comprises a slide rail disposed at least in the second area and a sliding block connected with the connect end and moved along the slide rail. Each sliding block includes at least one stable structure for at least decreasing gaps between the slide rail and the sliding block.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present relates to a portable computer, and more particularly, to a portable computer which can move a display towards a user and keep the display at a tilted angle.

2. Description of the Related Art

Computing devices have become an indispensable part of our daily life. With the fast development of touch technologies, most hand-held devices or electronic devices such as tablet PC, smart phone, and PDA now provide touch panels instead of mouse or keyboard as input devices, these devices are equipped with operating system supporting touch functions to enable intuitive and convenient operations.

As notebook PCs are usually equipped with QWERTY keyboards and touch pads for input functions and they also use operating system which does not support touch functions or interfaces which cannot recognize touch gestures, so few notebook PCs provide touch functions or designs in the past. However, as software vendors are rolling out new operating system which can support touch functions and people are becoming familiar with touch gestures required to operate tablet PCs or smart phones, it is now necessary for manufactures to provide touch functions on notebook PCs or even transform their notebook PCs into tablet PCs. Due to a certain weight of the display, when a user opens the display to a suitable angle relative to the base for touch operations, the display is kept in a fixed position by a reactive torsion of a pivot bearing between the display and the base; however, when the user touches the display, a torque generated by the applied force and the distance between the point of applied force and the pivot bearing would cause the display to vibrate back and forth, making it inconvenient for the user to perform any touch function and hard to see the display clearly. Furthermore, when the user applies too much force on the display, the display could topple and fall backwards without proper support, the display could be damaged to discourage the user to perform any touch function.

Therefore, a prior art technique discloses a support arm for supporting and pivotally connecting to the display.

In prior art technique such as Taiwan patent No. I316666 (U.S. Pat. No. 7,184,263B1), a portable computer uses a sheet-like support element to support a display and to let the display slide relative to the computer body via guide grooves on both sides of the keyboard to stand upright. However, this design can only apply for tablet PCs which have their displays faced upwards in a normal state and is not suitable for notebook PCs which usually have their displays faced down and towards a keyboard when not in use. Therefore, the patent is designed specifically for tablet PCs having their display exposed outwardly and allows the user to slide the display to a tilted angle for operations. However, the display is not well protected since it is exposed in any circumstances.

In another prior art technique such as Taiwan patent No. 566583, a notebook PC having its display rotatably moved relative to a base via a plurality of connecting rods to change a viewing angle for the user. However, this patent comprises complicated design which involves the operations of pivoting, linking and sliding and various linkage elements to work. Therefore, it is disadvantageous to assemble and to operate the mechanism. Besides, with a complicated mechanism and exposed support and linkage mechanisms on both sides of the display, it is aesthetically unpleasant and is possible to hurt the user if the user's finger accidentally gets pinched between these mechanisms. Additionally, the prior art technique requires reserved spaces for disposing grooves and pivoting mechanisms on both sides of the base, and it also require additional spaces for disposing support elements on both sides of the display case as well, so the whole thing tends to be bulky and thick, and it could sacrifice the viewable area of the display.

Therefore, it is necessary to provide a structure which can stably support the display and slide the display to a suitable angle for the portable computer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable computer which can stably move a display towards a user and provide a supporting effect.

In order to achieve the above object, a portable computer of the present invention comprises a base, a display module, at least one support element, and at least one sliding assembly. The base comprises, between a front end and a rear end, a first area disposed at a front side of the base and a second area disposed at a rear side of the base. The display module comprises a connecting end, a display face, and a support plane opposite to the display face; each support element comprises a first fixed end and a second fixed end. The first fixed end is pivotally connected to a portion of the display module other than the display face, such that the display module can rotate relative to the support element; the second fixed end is pivotally connected to the rear side or a place adjacent to the rear side of the base such that the support element can rotate relative to the base. Each sliding assembly comprises a sliding block and a slide rail. The slide rail is disposed at least in the second area of the base; the sliding block is connected with the connecting end of the display module and can slide along the slide rail. The sliding block comprises at least one stable structure for at least decreasing a gap between the sliding block and the slide rail.

Accordingly, when the display module is opened and rotated to a suitable angle relative to the base via the second fixed end of the support element, the display module further rotates around the first fixed end with the first fixed end serving as a pivot point and simultaneously drives the connecting end to move from the second area towards the first area to a suitable position along with the sliding element; and then the display module is supported by the support element to keep a suitable tilted angle.

Through the design of the present invention, a user can turn the display module relative to the base to slide the connecting end of the display module towards the user to a suitable tilted angle via interactions between various pivoting elements and connecting rods. The display module is also supported by the at least one support element to provide a better viewing or operating effect for the user. Also, at least one stable structure is provided for decreasing the gap between the sliding block and the slide rail and the vibration generated during sliding, which makes the sliding process more stable and smooth.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The advantages and innovative features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Please refer to bothFIG. 1andFIG. 2.FIG. 1illustrates a schematic view of a portable computer1of the present invention;FIG. 2illustrates a partial explosive view of a first embodiment of the portable computer1of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the portable computer1can be a notebook PC, but according to various application types, the portable computer1can also be a tablet PC, a mini laptop, or other electronic devices comprising flip-top type display modules without limiting the scope of the present invention.

As shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the portable computer1of the present invention comprises a base10, a display module20, and a support element30. The interior of the base10is for disposing main computing components and related electronic components. The top of the base10is segmented into a first area15and a second area16between a front end13and a rear end14; the first area15is disposed near the front end13and the second area16is disposed near the rear end14. The first area15is provided for disposing a keyboard11or/and other input devices, such as touch pad or track point, and the second area16comprises a sliding assembly12. In other embodiments, the sliding assembly12can extend forward to a part or all of the first area15. It is noted that the sliding assembly12can be disposed in a central portion of the second area16or a substantially central portion of the second area16.

The sliding assembly12comprises a sliding block121and a slide rail122. The sliding block121combines sliding and pivotally connecting functions. The sliding block121can move along the slide rail122to slide in the second area16between the rear end14of the base10and the keyboard11with respect to the base10. A slit162is disposed in the middle of the surface161of the second area16, and the sliding assembly12is disposed at a position at the bottom of the second area16corresponding to the slit162. In other embodiments, the sliding assembly12can also be extended from the second area16to the first area15, such that the slit162is located on the surface of the second area16and a part or all of the first area15, and the slide rail122can be correspondingly disposed below the surface of the second area16and the first area15.

The display module20comprises a connecting end21, a display face22, a support plane23, and a free end24; the display face22is disposed opposite to the support plane23, the connecting end21is opposite to the free end24, and the display module20is pivotally connected to the sliding element121at the central portion21aof the connecting end21via hinges or bearing elements to form a rotatable pivot point and so that the display module20is able to rotate relative to the sliding element121. The display module20can have a display screen disposed in the display face22and supporting touch functions for receiving touch inputs from the user.

The support element30comprises a first fixed end31and a second fixed end32, and the first fixed end31can be pivotally connected to the support plane23of the display module20via hinges to form a rotatable pivot point and so that the display module20rotate is able to relative to the support element30. The second fixed end32can be pivotally connected to the rear end14of the base10via hinges to form another rotatable pivot point and so that the support element30rotate is able to relative to the base10.

As shown inFIG. 2, in an embodiment of the present invention, the sliding block121of the sliding assembly12comprises a pivoting portion1211, a sliding portion1212, and a connecting portion1213; the connecting end21of the display module20is rotatably pivoted to the sliding block121via the pivoting portion1211. For instance, the pivoting portion1211can be a hinge element without torsion and can be rotated simply by a pin; or the pivoting portion1211can be a hinge element conventionally disposed between the display module and the base of a laptop and capable of generating torsion or suitable rotation friction. The sliding portion1212is connected to the pivoting portion1211via the connecting portion1213; and the slide rail122of the sliding assembly12is provided for disposing the sliding portion1212of the sliding block121. In this embodiment, the slide rail122is a groove-like slide rail, and the sliding portion1212is a block structure having its size fitted to the slide rail122, so that the sliding portion1212can slide within the slide rail122. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Besides, according to different design requirements, the sliding portion1212further comprises at least one positioning portion1216, such as a concave point. The positioning element (not shown, such as a convex spot) disposed by means of the positioning portion1216together with the slide rail122, provides a positioning effect when the sliding block121moves to a certain point.

In order to comply with the uniformity and the sense of design of the portable computer1, the slide rail122of the sliding assembly12is disposed below the surface161of the second area16of the base10and corresponds to the position of the slit162to be a hidden disposition. The structure of sliding block121of the sliding assembly12corresponds to the slit162of the surface161of the base10. The slit162have a width smaller than the sliding portion1212and not smaller than a thickness of the connecting portion1213. However, the width of the slit162can be smaller than the thickness of the connecting portion1213when elastic material, such as flannel, applied in the structure of the slit162. Therefore, the connecting portion1213of the sliding block121can go through and move along the slit162, and allows the pivoting portion1211to protrude out of the surface161of the base10, so that the connecting end21of the display module20and the pivoting portion1211can be pivotally connected to each other. With this design, apart from the exposed pivoting portion1211of the sliding block121and a part of the connecting portion1213, the other portion of the sliding block121and the slide rail122can be hidden below the surface161of the base10. The exposed pivoting portion1211and the surface161of the base10are spaced apart by the partially exposed connecting portion1213to keep a spacing, so the display module20pivotally connected to the pivoting portion1211can rotate smoothly without being interfered by the base10. Therefore, the present invention can provide an overall aesthetic appearance, and cannot affect the operations between the sliding block121and the display module20.

Please refer to bothFIG. 3(a) andFIG. 3(b).FIG. 3(a) illustrates a schematic view of the first embodiment of a sliding block121of the portable computer of the present invention;FIG. 3(b) illustrates a side view of the first embodiment of the sliding block121of the portable computer within a slide rail122. As shown inFIG. 2andFIG. 3(a), when the sliding block121moves along the slide rail122, a gap between the sliding portion1212of sliding block121and the slide rail122may cause component vibration, abnormal noise or sliding. Accordingly, the sliding block121of the present invention further comprises at least one stable structure1214disposed on the sliding portion1212for decreasing a gap between the sliding portion1212and the slide rail122. In this embodiment, the stable structure1214is at least one elastic arm structure, wherein each elastic arm structure comprises a arm body and a protruding structure1215disposed in the arm body. The arm body extends outward from one side of the sliding portion1212; for example, the arm body extends outward along the rear side of the sliding portion1212, that is, the plane substantially the same as the bottom side. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The protruding structure1215is disposed toward one side of the slide rail in contact with the bottom side of the sliding portion1212. The protruding structure1215has a height lower than the bottom side of the sliding portion1212. For example, the protruding structure1215of the stable structure1214inFIGS. 3(a) and3(b) adopts a protruding stripe structure; however, the protruding structure in the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and can be replaced by other structures in different shapes, such as a convex or bump.

As shown inFIG. 3(b), when the sliding block121is disposed within the slide rail122, the bottom of the sliding portion1212of the sliding block121may contact the internal wall under the slide rail122, and a certain gap may be formed between the top of the sliding portion1212and the internal wall above the slide rail122. By the at least one stable structure1214, the protruding structure1215of the stable structure1214is disposed lower than the bottom of the sliding portion1212. When the sliding block121is disposed within the slide rail122, the protruding structure1215of the stable structure1214can first contact the internal wall under the slide rail122, such that the elastic arm structure will be elastically deformed (like dotted lines changed into solid lines shown in the figure). Then, the sliding portion1212can allow the protruding structure1215to be used as a pivot and the arm body to be used as the arm, such that an impulse force as shown in the direction of the arrow can be formed from one side of the sliding portion1212close to the stable structure1214. The sliding portion1212can move towards the internal wall above the slide rail122and then against the internal wall, by which the gap between the sliding portion1212and the slide rail122will be filled up. By the design of the stable structure1214, the shock absorption and elimination of abnormal noise can be achieved, and the operating smoothness and stability of the sliding block121moved along the slide rail122can be improved.

Please refer to allFIG. 4(a),FIG. 4(b), andFIG. 4(c).FIG. 4(a) illustrates an explosive view of a second embodiment of a sliding block121aof the portable computer of the present invention;FIG. 4(b) illustrates a schematic view of the second embodiment of the assembling of the sliding block121aof the portable computer of the present invention;FIG. 4(c) illustrates a side view of the second embodiment of the sliding block121aof the portable computer within a slide rail122. The present embodiment is a variation of the first embodiment described above. As shown inFIG. 4(a) andFIG. 4(b), in this embodiment, the stable structure1214aof the sliding portion1212ais at least one elastic sheet structure disposed on the outer surface of the sliding portion1212a. Each elastic sheet structure comprises at least one protruding structure1215a, and each protruding structure1215ais protruding from the outer surface of the sliding portion1212a. The sliding portion1212afurther comprises at least one groove1217. At least one protruding structure1215aof each elastic sheet structure is correspondingly disposed at the location of each groove1217, such that the protruding structure1215acan move towards the inside of the groove1217when the protruding structure1215ais forced. In this embodiment, the elastic sheet structure is a pair of ring-shaped elastic sheets trapped respectively on two sides of the sliding portion1212a. The grooves1217are disposed respectively on upper and lower surfaces of the sliding portion1212a, and the protruding structures1215aof the ring-shaped elastic sheet are corresponding to the locations of the grooves1217at upper and lower surfaces of the sliding portion1212a. The protruding structures1215aare a plurality of convex structures formed by bending the stable structure1214aat the location corresponding to the groove1217and protruded from the outside surface of the sliding portion1212b. However, the structural form is not only limited to this embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 4(c), if the overall height of the sliding portion1212aof the sliding block121ais smaller than the height of the receiving space of the slide rail122, a gap will be formed between the top of the sliding portion1212aand the internal wall above the slide rail122. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the overall height combing the sliding portion1212aand the protruding structure1215aof the stable structure1214ais not less than the receiving space of the slide rail122. When the sliding block121ais within the slide rail122, the protruding structure1215aof the stable structure1214aoutside the sliding portion1212awill be compressed and elastically deformed, such that the protruding structure1215acan move toward the groove1217. At this time, by the elasticity of the elastic sheet structure, each protruding structure1215aof the stable structure1214acan still contact with the internal wall below/above the slide rail122(like the dotted lines shown in the figure). Then the gap between the sliding portion1212aand the slide rail122can be filled up by the stable structure1214a. By the design of the stable structure1214a, the second embodiment can provide the same effect of the shock absorption and elimination of abnormal noise as the first embodiment, and the operating smoothness and stability of the sliding block121amoved along the slide rail122can be improved. Meanwhile, since the sliding portion1212ais only in contact with the slide rail122by each protruding structure1215a, and the contact area between the sliding portion1212aand the slide rail122can be reduced obviously to decrease friction.

Please refer to bothFIG. 5(a) andFIG. 5(b).FIG. 5(a) illustrates a schematic view of another embodiment of a slide rail122aof the portable computer of the present invention;FIG. 5(b) illustrates an operation view of another embodiment of an sliding assembly12aof the portable computer of the present invention. The present embodiment is a variation of the first embodiment described above, and the slide rail122ais designed to use with the sliding block described in each forgoing embodiment. For example, the slide rail122aof this embodiment is used with the sliding block121of the first embodiment described above. It is noted that, as the design described above, the slide rail122ainFIG. 5(a) andFIG. 5(b) is disposed below the surface of the base (not shown), but the base and its surface is not illustrated in the figures for clearly showing the operation of the sliding assembly12a.

As shown inFIG. 5(a), in this embodiment, the sliding assembly12afurther comprises at least one positioning element123. Each positioning element123has at least one positioning structure1231, such as a convex-like spot or interference element, and each positioning element123provides the elastic positioning function by means of disposing the elastic structure1232or the elasticity of the positioning element123. Each positioning element123should be disposed at a corresponding fixed point on the slide rail122a, and the location of the fixed point is based on the tilted angle of the display module as the display module slides with the sliding block. An opening1221can be disposed in the slide rail122acorresponding to the corresponding fixed point. The positioning structures1231of the positioning element123can pass through the opening1221of the sliding rail122aand protrude into the sliding rail122a.

As shown inFIG. 5(b), the sliding portion1212of the sliding block121can slide within the slide rail122a. When the sliding portion1212slides to any fixed point disposed with the positioning element123, the sliding portion1212can achieve the positioning effect via the interactive interference of its own positioning portion1216and the positioning structure1231of the positioning element123. With the disposition of the elastic structure, each positioning element123can return to its original condition after the sliding portion1212is departed away or passes by. Accordingly, the positioning function can be provided by any fixed point at which the display module slides with the sliding block121on the slide rail122a.

Please refer toFIG. 6which illustrates a schematic view of a third embodiment of a sliding block121bof the portable computer of the present invention. The present embodiment is a variation of the first embodiment described above. It is noted that the structures and operations of the present embodiment can also be applied to the sliding blocks in the other embodiments described above and are not limited to this embodiment. As shown inFIG. 6, in this embodiment, the connecting portion1213band the sliding portion1212bof the sliding block121bare pivotally connected with each other to form a rotatable pivot point, such that the connecting portion1213bcan rotate relative to the sliding portion1212b. One end of the connecting portion1213bis pivotally connected to the display module20by the pivoting portion1211b, and another end of the connecting portion1213bis pivotally connected to the sliding portion1212b. When the display module20is forced to rotate, by the dual pivot design of combining the connecting portion1213band the pivoting portion1211b, the moment arm of the dragged sliding portion1212bcan be decreased, and the sliding smoothness and stability of the sliding block121bcan be increased.

Please refer toFIG. 7which illustrates a schematic view of a fourth embodiment of a sliding block121cof the portable computer of the present invention. The present embodiment is a variation of the third embodiment described above. It is noted that the structures and operations of the present invention can also be applied to the sliding block in the other embodiments described above and are not limited to this embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 7, in this embodiment, the connecting portion1213cof the sliding block121cis not only pivotally connected with the sliding portion1212c, but the connecting portion1213cfurther comprises an extendable structure1218. With the disposition of the extendable structure1218, the length of the connecting portion1213ccan be adjusted. In addition to reducing the moment arm of the sliding portion1212cas it is dragged, the distance between the display module20and the surface of the base can be increased after extending the length of the connecting portion1213cby the extendable structure1218. It can also avoid the interference generated between the display module20and the base. Furthermore, the extendable structure1218can also comprise an elastic member such as a spring to provide the extendable structure1218with the elastic buffer function, which further enhances the sliding smoothness and stability of the sliding block121c.

Please refer toFIG. 8(a),FIG. 8(b), andFIG. 8(c).FIG. 8(a) illustrates a schematic view of the first embodiment of the portable computer1in a closed state;FIG. 8(b) illustrates a schematic view of the first embodiment of the portable computer1switched from the closed state to an open state; andFIG. 8(c) illustrates a schematic view of the first embodiment of the portable computer in the open state. Please note that the structures and the operations of the portable computer1of the present invention are illustrated by the first embodiment of the present invention, but other embodiments of the present invention can be applied to execute the same operations; and it is not limited to the present embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 8(a), when the portable computer1is in a closed state, the display module20overlaps with the base10and is pivotally connected to the sliding block121via the connecting end21, at this time the display plane22of the display module20is facing the base10; the support element30also overlaps with the display module20and is pivotally connected to the rear end14of the base10and the display module20via the first fixed end31and the second fixed end32respectively. In this embodiment, when the portable computer1is in the closed state, the connecting end21of the display module20and the second fixed end32of the support element30are on different axes substantially parallel with each other, and the length of the support element30is longer than the distance between the connecting end21of the display module20and the first fixed end31of the support element30. However, based on different design requirements, the portable computer1, while in the closed state, can have the connecting end21of the display module20and the second fixed end32of the support element30on the same axis to let the support element30have a same length as the distance between the connecting end21of the display module20and the first fixed end31of the support element30.

As shown inFIG. 8(b), when the user exerts a force on the free end24opposite to the connecting end21of the display module20to try to open the display module20, at first the display module20rotates along with the support element30relative to the base10with the second fixed end32serving as a pivot point; after the display module20rotates to a certain angle, since the support element30has its length not smaller than the distance between the connecting end21of the display module20and the first fixed end31of the support element30, so the display module20can rotate relative to the support element30with the first fixed end31of the support element30serving as the pivot point; meanwhile, the display module20can rotate relative to the sliding block121with the connecting end21serving as the pivot point; and the sliding block121will drive the connecting end21of the display module20to slide from the second area16towards the first area15.

As shown inFIG. 8(c), when the display module20continues to rotate with the first fixed end31of the support element30serving as the pivot point, and the sliding block121drives the connecting end21of the display module20to slide towards the first area15to a suitable position (such as the end of the sliding rail122), then the portable computer1is in an open state. At this time the display module20has rotated to a suitable angle relative to the base10, with the display place22of the display module20facing the user. The display module20is supported by the support element30to form a tilted angle relative to the base10.

On the other hand, when the user tries to close the portable computer1, the user can pull the free end24of the display module20so that the display module20is able to rotate around the first fixed end31of the support element30with the first fixed end31serving as the pivot point; wherein the connecting end21will be driven by the sliding block121to slide towards the rear end14of the base10until it slides to the other end of the sliding rail122, at this time the display module20rotates around the second fixed end32of the support element30to return to the closed state.

Therefore, the portable computer1only needs to use the sliding assembly12disposed at the central position to complete opening/closing functions for the display module without using any complicated linkage elements or structures, thereby reducing the number of required elements and further shrinking the size of the portable computer1. Besides, the sliding assembly12is hidden below the slit162of the second area16to let the display module20stay close to the surface161of the second area16, so the portable computer1looks integrated and consistent and eliminates the possibility of hurting the user's finger during opening/closing operations.

Specifically, in the embodiments, the sliding assembly12is disposed in the central position of the portable computer1and does not take up spaces on both sides of the base10and the display module20. With this design, the user can use only one hand to hold the middle of the free end24of the display module20, which corresponds to the position of the sliding assembly12, to flip or slide the display module20smoothly. During this process, the display module20can maintain a stable sliding movement to facilitate operations. Furthermore, the user can initiate the opening process by flipping the display module20to let the display module20slide to a fixed position automatically, wherein the display module20is supported by the support element30to keep stable without shaking when the user perform touch operations on the display module20.

In the previous embodiments, each portable computer1comprises a single support element30disposed at a central position relative to a sliding assembly12to achieve the object of the present invention. However, the present invention can have other implementations depending on different user requirements, effects, and mechanism designs, such the number of the elements, the placement of the elements, and variations of the size, etc. should be view as included in the scope of the present invention. Please note that the sliding block structures using in each of below embodiments of the portable computer is illustrated by the sliding block121of the sliding assembly12of the first embodiment of the present invention, but the sliding block121can be by any other sliding block121a,121b,121cor similar structures; and it is not limited to the present embodiment.

For example, please refer to bothFIG. 9(a) andFIG. 9(b).FIG. 9(a) illustrates a schematic view of a second embodiment of the portable computer1aof the present invention;FIG. 9(b) illustrates a schematic view of a third embodiment of the portable computer1bof the present invention. Alternatively, the portable computer can use more than one support element to support and stabilize the display module, wherein the support elements can be disposed at various positions. As shown inFIG. 9(a), in this embodiment, the portable computer1acomprises two support elements30aarranged in parallel and disposed at two sides of the central sliding assembly12respectively to form a symmetrical structure. Each support element30ahas its one end pivotally connected to a plane of the display module20aother than the display face, and the other end pivotally connected to the rear end of the base. By adding additional support elements (point of support), the present invention can stably support the display module20ain a sliding movement when it is opening or closing.

Also as shown inFIG. 9(b), this embodiment is a variation of the previous embodiment, wherein the portable computer1bcomprises two support elements30bdisposed at two opposite sides near the rear end, the support elements30bare formed in a long stick-like shape and implemented as connecting rods for reducing the installation space and simplifying the assembling work, thereby enhancing the operations of the display module20b. However, in other embodiments, the present invention can have various implementations for a plurality of support elements.

Please refer toFIG. 10for a schematic view of a fourth embodiment of the portable computer1cof the present invention. Alternatively, in addition to different implementation for the support element, the present invention can also adjust the position of the sliding assembly, the number and positions of slits in the surface of the base to provide various functions. As shown inFIG. 10, in this embodiment, the portable computer1ccomprises two sliding assemblies12disposed at two sides of a single support element30crespectively, and two slits162cdisposed at the base10eto correspond to the two sliding assemblies12, wherein the two sliding assemblies12and the two slits162cforms a parallel symmetric structure. Therefore, when the display module20cis opening or closing, the two sliding assemblies12can help to stabilize the sliding movement of the display module20c.

Those who skilled in the art can easily know that the three embodiments shown inFIG. 9(a) toFIG. 10can be further combined to form a portable computer which comprises two support elements and two sliding assemblies, therefore, it will not be described in detail.

Please refer toFIG. 11for a schematic view of a fifth embodiment of the portable computer1dof the present invention. The moving distance of the sliding assembly and the length of the corresponding slit can be adjusted according to various design needs. As shown inFIG. 11, in this embodiment, the sliding assembly12of the portable computer1dand a corresponding slit162dextend from a second area16dof a base10dto a first area15dof the base10dfor extending a sliding distance of a display module20dand increasing a range of the tilted angle of the display module20d. Even more, the display module20dcould lie flat on the base10dto enhance versatility and capability of the portable computer1d. Based on applications and user requirements, the sliding assembly12and the corresponding slit162dcan choose to extend to a part or all (that is, approaching the position of a first end13d) of the first area15d; and the extended slit can have any characteristics shown inFIG. 9(a) toFIG. 10or their combination.

It is noted that the above-mentioned embodiments are only for illustration. It is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents. Therefore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.