Electronic device

An electronic device including a first body, a second body, a connecting mechanism, and an input unit is provided. The second body is movably disposed on the first body. The connecting mechanism is disposed in the first body. The input unit is movably disposed on the first body, wherein the connecting mechanism connects the input unit and the second body. When the second body moves from a first position to a second position relative to the first body, the second body drives the input unit to move from a third position to a fourth position relative to the first body through the connecting mechanism.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application serial no. 97129299, filed on Aug. 1, 2008. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of specification.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to an electronic device, and more particularly, to an electronic device having a movable input unit.

2. Description of Related Art

Along with the development of electronic technology, the design of electronic devices has been going towards lightness, slimness, shortness, and smallness in order to allow the electronic devices to be carried around conveniently. On the other hand, a single electronic device is usually integrated with many different functions so that a user can use the electronic device to perform different tasks, such as electronic communication, text processing, and vehicle positioning, etc.

Accordingly, the input unit of an electronic device has to be designed very small in order to meet the aforementioned requirements in the appearance and function of the electronic device. For example, keys within the input unit have to be designed very small or multiple functions have to be combined into one single key. As a result, the space to be used by a designer is reduced and the operation of such an electronic device is made very inconvenient by the small keys.

FIG. 1is a diagram of a conventional electronic device. The electronic device100includes a first body110, a second body120, and an input unit130. The second body120is movably disposed on the first body110, and the input unit130is fastened on the first body110. To operate the electronic device100, the second body120is slid away from the first body110so that the input unit130is exposed and accordingly the electronic device100can be operated. Herein, part of the second body120still covers the first body110and accordingly the input unit130can only be fastened on the part of the first body110which is not covered by second body120. As a result, the operation area for disposing the input unit130is restricted.

Accordingly, how to increase the operation area of the input unit130without increasing the volume of the electronic device100is one of the major subjects in the development of electronic devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present application is directed to an electronic device having a movable input unit, wherein the input unit offers a large operation area.

The present application provides an electronic device including a first body, a second body, a connecting mechanism, and an input unit. The second body is movably disposed on the first body. The connecting mechanism is disposed in the first body. The input unit is movably disposed on the first body, wherein the connecting mechanism connects the input unit and the second body. When the second body moves from a first position to a second position relative to the first body, the second body drives the input unit to move from a third position to a fourth position relative to the first body through the connecting mechanism.

The present application provides an electronic device including a first body, a second body, a connecting mechanism, and an input unit. The second body is pivoted on the first body. The connecting mechanism is disposed in the first body. The input unit is movably disposed on the first body, wherein the connecting mechanism connects the input unit and the first body. When the second body rotates from a first position to a second position relative to the first body, the second body drives the input unit to move from a third position to a fourth position relative to the first body through the connecting mechanism.

In the present application, an electronic device having a movable input unit is provided, wherein the input unit is extended when the electronic device is expand. Compared to the immovable keypad of a conventional electronic device, the input unit of the electronic device in the present application offers a larger operation area. Thereby, the electronic device in the present application can be operated conveniently and which offers more space for the design of the input unit thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 2Ais a diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 2A, the electronic device200includes a first body210, a second body220, a connecting mechanism230a, and an input unit240. The second body220is movably disposed on the first body210. The connecting mechanism230ais disposed in the first body210. The input unit240(for example, a keypad or a keyboard) is movably disposed on the first body210. Besides, the input unit240may also be a capacitive touch-sensing keyboard, a resistive touch-sensing keyboard, or a touch-sensing display which displays a keyboard on the screen. The connecting mechanism230aconnects the input unit240and the second body220.

FIG. 2Bis a diagram of the electronic device inFIG. 2Awhen the electronic device is expanded. Referring to bothFIG. 2AandFIG. 2B, when the electronic device200is closed, the second body220is at a first position A while the input unit240is at a third position C, and the second body220covers the input unit240. When the electronic device200is expanded, the second body220moves from the first position A to a second position B and accordingly drives the input unit240to move from the third position C to a fourth position D through the connecting mechanism230a.

In the present embodiment, the movement of the second body220allows the input unit240to move towards a different direction, so that the input unit240can be moved from under the coverage of the second body220to a position at which the input unit240is completely exposed. Accordingly, the input unit240can be disposed within an area of the first body210which is still covered by the second body220when the second body220moves to the second position B. Since the input unit240moves outwards along with the movement of the second body220, the operation area of the input unit240is increased.

The connecting mechanism230afurther includes a blocking portion232and a connecting member234. The blocking portion232is movably disposed in the first body210and is protruded from the first body210towards the second body220. The connecting member234is connected between the blocking portion232and the input unit240. In the present embodiment, the connecting member234has a pivotal portion234aand two guide grooves234blocated at two opposite sides of the pivotal portion234a, and the blocking portion232and the input unit240respectively have a convex cylinder232aand a convex cylinder242which are opposite to each other. The connecting member234is pivoted on the first body210through the pivotal portion234a, and the convex cylinders232aand242are movably disposed in the guide grooves234b.

When the second body220moves from the first position A to the second position B relative to the first body210, the second body220interferes with the blocking portion232and accordingly brings the connecting member234along, so that the connecting member234rotates around the pivotal portion234aand accordingly drives the input unit240to move from the third position C to the fourth position D relative to the first body210. Contrarily, when the electronic device200is closed, the second body220moves from the second position B back to the first position A and accordingly interferes with the blocking portion232and drives the input unit240to move from the fourth position D back to the third position C through the connecting member234.

In the present embodiment, the electronic device200further includes an elastic component250(for example, a spring), wherein the elastic component250is disposed in the first body210and connects the input unit240and the first body210. When the electronic device200is expanded, the input unit240moves from the third position C to the fourth position D so that the elastic component250is pressed by the input unit240and in a forced state. When the electronic device200is closed, the elastic component250is released and accordingly drives the input unit240to move from the fourth position D back to the third position C and the second body220to move from the second position B back to the first position A through the connecting mechanism230a.

FIG. 2Cis a diagram of an expanded electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 2C, the elastic component260connects the blocking portion232and the first body210. When the electronic device202is expanded, the second body220moves from the first position (as the first position A inFIG. 2A) to the second position B and accordingly drives the blocking portion232to press the elastic component260.

FIG. 3Ais a diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 3Bis a diagram of the electronic device inFIG. 3Awhen the electronic device is expanded. Referring to bothFIG. 3AandFIG. 3B, the difference between the present embodiment and the embodiment described above is that in the present embodiment, the connecting mechanism230bhas a gear236and two racks238aand238binstead of the connecting member234as shown inFIG. 2A. The racks238aand238bare respectively fastened on the input unit240and the blocking portion232, and the gear236is joggled between the two racks238aand238b.

When the electronic device204is expanded, the second body220moves from the first position A to the second position B and accordingly interferes with the blocking portion232and drives the input unit240to move from the third position C to the fourth position D through the gear236and the racks238aand238b. Contrarily, when the electronic device204is closed, the second body220moves from the second position B back to the first position A and accordingly brings the blocking portion232, the racks238aand238b, and the gear236along so that the input unit240is driven from the fourth position D back to the third position C.

Additionally, in the present embodiment, the electronic device204further includes an elastic component260which is disposed in the first body210and connects the blocking portion232and the first body210. When the second body220moves from the first position A to the second position B, the second body220drives the blocking portion232so that the elastic component260is pressed by the blocking portion232and in a forced state. Contrarily, when the electronic device204is closed, the elastic component260is released so that the blocking portion232is driven by the elastic component260and accordingly moves the second body220from the second position B back to the first position A. In addition, the elastic component260also drives the blocking portion232and accordingly moves the input unit240from the fourth position D back to the third position C through the gear236and the racks238aand238b.

FIG. 3Cis a diagram of an expanded electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 3C, the elastic component250connects the input unit240and the first body210. When the electronic device206is expanded, the input unit240moves from the third position (as the first position A inFIG. 3A) to the fourth position D so that the elastic component250is pressed by the input unit240and in a forced state.

FIG. 4Ais a diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 4A, the electronic device300includes a first body310, a second body320, a connecting mechanism330a, and an input unit340. The second body320is pivoted on the first body310. The connecting mechanism330ais disposed in the first body310. The input unit340is movably disposed on the first body310, and the connecting mechanism330aconnects the input unit340and the second body320.

FIG. 4Bis a diagram of the electronic device inFIG. 4Awhen the electronic device is expanded. Referring to bothFIG. 4AandFIG. 4B, when the electronic device300is closed, the second body320is at a first position C and the input unit340is at a third position G, and the second body320covers the input unit340. When the electronic device300is expanded, the second body320is at a second position F and the input unit340is at a fourth position H. In the present embodiment, the second body320rotates and accordingly drives the input unit340to move on the first body310so that the first body310can have a larger operation area and the appearance of the electronic device300can be made more attractive.

In the present embodiment, a gear structure322is disposed at where the second body320is connected to the connecting mechanism330a. In addition, the connecting mechanism330aincludes a first rack332, a first gear334, and a connecting member336. The first rack332is movably disposed in the first body310. The first gear332is joggled between the gear structure322and the first rack332, and the connecting member336is connected between the input unit340and the first rack332. Moreover, the connecting member336further has a pivotal portion336aand two guide grooves336blocated at two opposite sides of the pivotal portion336a. The first rack332and the input unit340respectively have a convex cylinder332aand a convex cylinder342corresponding to the guide grooves336b. The connecting member336is pivoted on the first body310through the pivotal portion336a, and the convex cylinders332aand342are movably disposed in the guide grooves336b.

When the second body320rotates from a first position E to a second position F relative to the first body310, the second body320brings the connecting mechanism330aalong through the gear structure322and drives the input unit340to move from a third position G to a fourth position H through the first gear334, the first rack332, and the connecting member336. When the second body320rotates from the second position F back to the first position E, the second body320brings the connecting mechanism330aalong through the gear structure322and accordingly drives the input unit340to move from the fourth position H back to the third position G.

In the present embodiment, the electronic device300further includes an elastic component350which is disposed in the first body310and connects the input unit340and the first body310. When the electronic device300is expanded so that the input unit340moves from the third position G to the fourth position H, the elastic component350is pressed and in a forced state. Contrarily, when the elastic component350is released from the pressed state, it drives the input unit340to move from the fourth position H back to the third position G and moves the second body320from the second position F back to the first position E through the connecting mechanism330a.

FIG. 4Cis a diagram of an expanded electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 4C, the elastic component360connects the first rack332and the first body310. When the electronic device302is expanded, the second body320rotates from the first position (as the first position E inFIG. 4A) to the second position F and accordingly brings the first rack332along to press the elastic component360to come to a forced state.

FIG. 5Ais a diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 5Bis a diagram of the electronic device inFIG. 5Awhen the electronic device is expanded. Referring to bothFIG. 5AandFIG. 5B, the difference between the present embodiment and the embodiment described above is that in the present embodiment, the connecting mechanism330bhas a second gear338, a first rack332a, and a second rack331ainstead of the connecting member336as shown inFIG. 4A. The second rack331ais fastened to the input unit340, and the second gear338is joggled between the first rack332aand the second rack331a.

When the second body320rotates from the first position E to the second position F, the second body320drives the connecting mechanism330bthrough the gear structure322and accordingly drives the input unit340to move from the third position G to the fourth position H sequentially through the first gear334, the first rack332a, the second gear338, and the second rack331a. Contrarily, when the second body320rotates from the second position F back to the first position E, the second body320also drives the input unit340to move from the fourth position H back to the third position G through the gear structure322and the connecting mechanism330b.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the electronic device300further includes an elastic component360which disposed on the first body310and connects the first rack332aand the first body310. When the electronic device304is expanded, the second body320rotates from the first position E to the second position F and accordingly brings the first rack332aalong to press the elastic component360to come to a forced state. Contrarily, when the elastic component360is released from the pressed state, the connecting mechanism330band the gear structure322are driven by the elastic component360so that the electronic device304is closed.

FIG. 5Cis a diagram of an expanded electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 5C, the elastic component350connects the input unit340and the first body310. When the electronic device306is expanded, the input unit340moves from the third position (as the third position G inFIG. 5A) to the fourth position H so that the elastic component350is pressed by the input unit340and in a forced state.

As described above, the present invention provides an electronic device having a movable input unit. When the electronic device is expanded, the input unit is moved through a connecting mechanism. Thus, when an upper body is moved, the input unit is moved out of a covered area so that the input unit is completely exposed by the upper body. The electronic device in the present invention offers a larger spare for the design of the input unit. For example, additional function keys can be added to the input unit.

On the other hand, according to the present invention, because the input unit offers a larger operation area exposed by the upper body, the keys of the input unit can be enlarged so that a user can operate the electronic device conveniently. In overview, the electronic device in the present invention is practical and convenient.