Display having pivot constraint function

A display having pivot constraint function is disclosed in the present invention. The display includes a panel, a supporter, a pivot mechanism and a constraint mechanism. The pivot mechanism is disposed between a first bridging component of the panel and a second bridging component of the supporter. A rotation angle of the panel relative to the supporter can be adjusted via the pivot mechanism, and the constraint mechanism can constrain the rotation of the panel relative to the supporter. The constraint mechanism includes a body and a contacting portion. The body is movably disposed on the panel, and partly protrudes from a boundary of the panel. The contacting portion is connected to the body for simultaneously contacting the first bridging component and the second bridging component, so as to constrain rotation between the first bridging component and the second bridging component, and to fix a view angle of the panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a display, and more particularly, to a display capable of constraining its pivot angle for easy adjustment and steady immovability.

2. Description of the Prior Art

With the advanced technology, the display of the electronic device trends a large-scaled for comfortable entertainment enjoyment. The display is disposed on the supporter via a pivot mechanism. The user can rotate the display according to a position of the electronic device, to adjust a pivot angle of the display relative to the supporter for a preferred view angle. The pivot mechanism utilizes friction to generate force for supporting the display, so as to fix the pivot angle of the display relative to the supporter. However, the display of the conventional electronic device has huge volume, and a weight of the display is heavy accordingly. In order to overcome the weight of the display with the huge volume, friction of the pivot mechanism is increased for supporting the large-scaled display. Then, the user exerts violent force to adjust the rotation of the display. Operation of the conventional electronic device is inconvenient.

In addition, the display is usually matched with the touch screen interface for better entertainment of the product. Torsional friction of the conventional pivot mechanism is increased to support the large-scaled display. When the user clicks the display, the conventional pivot mechanism is ineffective easily, and the display may shake or sway. A conventional solution utilizes a lock mechanism to constrain the rotation of the pivot mechanism, so as to overcome a drawback of insufficient supporting force. By the conventional solution, the user releases constraint of the lock mechanism, then manually pushes the display for adjusting its view angle, and finally relocks the lock mechanism to finish operation. The operation of the conventional solution is complicated, a releasing step and a relocking step are necessary during the rotation of the display. Therefore, design of a pivot constraint mechanism with easy structure and convenient operation is an important issue in the mechanical industry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a display capable of constraining its pivot angle for easy adjustment and steady immovability for solving above drawbacks.

According to the claimed invention, a display includes a panel, a supporter, a pivot mechanism and a constraint mechanism. The panel includes a first bridging component. The supporter includes a second bridging component. The pivot mechanism is disposed between the first bridging component and the second bridging component. A rotation angle of the panel relative to the supporter is adjusted via the pivot mechanism. The constraint mechanism is for constraining rotation of the panel relative to the supporter. The constraint mechanism includes a body and a contacting portion. The body is movably disposed on a position of the panel adjacent to the pivot mechanism. The body partly protrudes from a boundary of the panel along a first direction. The contacting portion is connected to the body. The contacting portion simultaneously contacts the first bridging component and the second bridging component, so as to constrain rotation between the first bridging component and the second bridging component.

According to the claimed invention, the body partly protrudes from a low boundary of the panel along the first direction.

According to the claimed invention, the body is a T-shaped structure, and two ends of the T-shaped structure respectively protrude from two lateral edges of the panel along a second direction different from the first direction.

According to the claimed invention, the body is slidably disposed on the panel, or is rotatably disposed on the panel.

According to the claimed invention, the constraint mechanism further includes a plurality of friction gaskets disposed on the contacting portion for contacting surfaces of the first bridging component and the second bridging component, so as to increase static friction between contacting portion, the first bridging component and the second bridging component.

According to the claimed invention, the first bridging component includes a first engaging portion, the second bridging component includes a second engaging portion, and the contacting portion includes a third engaging portion. The third engaging portion is engaged with the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion simultaneously, so as to constrain the rotation between the first bridging component and the second bridging component.

According to the claimed invention, the first engaging portion is a sunken structure, the second engaging portion is a dentate structure, the third engaging portion is a protrusion, and the protrusion is engaged inside the sunken structure and a groove of the dentate structure.

According to the claimed invention, the first engaging portion, the second engaging portion and the third engaging portion are elements with high friction coefficient. The three engaging portions contact to each other for providing greater resistance, so as to constrain movements between the three engaging portions.

According to the claimed invention, the first engaging portion is a protrusion, the second engaging portion is a dentate structure, the third engaging portion is a sunken structure, and the sunken structure is engaged with the protrusion and a rack of the dentate structure.

According to the claimed invention, the constraint mechanism further includes a resilient component. Two ends of the resilient component are respectively connected to the body and the panel, so as to drive the contacting portion to contact the first bridging component and the second bridging component.

According to the claimed invention, an axial direction of the resilient component is substantially parallel to the first direction.

According to the claimed invention, an axial direction of the resilient component is substantially parallel to a plane normal vector of the panel.

According to the claimed invention, the resilient component is an extended spring.

According to the claimed invention, an electronic device includes a panel, a supporter, a pivot mechanism and a constraint mechanism. The panel includes a first bridging component. The supporter includes a second bridging component. At least one electronic component is disposed inside the supporter. The pivot mechanism is disposed between the first bridging component and the second bridging component. A rotation angle of the panel relative to the supporter is adjusted via the pivot mechanism. The constraint mechanism is for constraining rotation of the panel relative to the supporter. The constraint mechanism includes a body and a contacting portion. The body is movably disposed on a position of the panel adjacent to the pivot mechanism. The body partly protrudes from a boundary of the panel along a first direction. The contacting portion is connected to the body. The contacting portion simultaneously contacts the first bridging component and the second bridging component, so as to constrain rotation between the first bridging component and the second bridging component.

The display of the present invention utilizes the constraint mechanism to unlock the pivot mechanism, so as to steady the view angle of the panel relative to the supporter. The constraint mechanism of the present invention is actuated with the adjustment of the view angle of the panel, so as to decrease operation steps for economizing adjustment period of the display effectively. It is to say, the present invention can be preferably applied to the large-scaled display. The large-scaled display includes the pivot mechanism with necessary torque, and the constraint mechanism for constraining the pivot mechanism accordingly. When adjusting the view angle of the display, the constraint mechanism can be unlocked, and the panel can be rotated via the pivot mechanism simultaneously. After the external force applied to the panel is released, the constraint mechanism can lock the pivot mechanism immediately. Therefore, the present invention can actuate the pivot mechanism and the constraint mechanism of the display without extra steps (such as independent steps to lock and to unlock the pivot mechanism by the constraint mechanism), and provides convenient adjustment and effective immovability for the panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Please refer toFIG. 1.FIG. 1is an exploded diagram of a display10according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The display10can be a displaying screen, a touch screen or an All-in-one computer. The display10has a function to constrain its panel rotation. As shown inFIG. 1, the display10includes a panel12, a supporter14, a pivot mechanism16and a constraint mechanism18. The panel12can be a display screen or a board holder. A view angle of the display screen can be adjusted and fixed at any position. The board holder can be utilized to hold an object for performance.

The panel12and the supporter14can respectively include two first bridging components121and two second bridging components141for connecting to the pivot mechanism16. The pivot mechanism16is disposed between the first bridging component121and the second bridging component141. A rotation angle of the panel12relative to the supporter14can be adjusted via the pivot mechanism16. For fixing the view angle of the panel12, the constraint mechanism18can constrain function of the pivot mechanism16, which means the constraint mechanism18can constrain rotation of the panel12relative to the supporter14. Therefore, the constraint mechanism18can be utilized to lock and to unlock a view angle adjustment of the display10of the present invention.

The pivot mechanism16of the present invention can be a double pivot mechanism, a coaxial pivot mechanism, an alloy pivot mechanism or a resilient pivot mechanism, alternatively. Selection of the pivot mechanism16depends on dimensions and weight of the panel12. The pivot mechanism16utilizes friction to generate resistance, so as to steady the rotation angle of the panel12relative to the supporter14. Shape of the pivot mechanism16is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and depends on actual demand.

The constraint mechanism18includes a body20and two contacting portions22. The contacting portions22are respectively connected to two ends of the body20. The constraint mechanism18can utilize two axles24to pivot the body20to the panel12in a rotatable manner. A position of the body20on the panel12is adjacent to the pivot mechanism16. The constraint mechanism18can further include at least one resilient component26. Two ends of the resilient component26can be respectively connected to the body20and the panel12. The resilient component26can drive the contacting portions22to simultaneously contact the corresponding first bridging component121and the corresponding second bridging component141.

It should be mentioned that the body20can protrude from a boundary of the panel12along a first direction D1. For example, the body20can protrude from a low boundary of the panel12by ergonomics. An axial direction of the resilient component26can be substantially parallel to a plane normal vector V of the panel12. Thus, a resilient recovering force of the resilient component26can drive the contacting portions22to simultaneously contact against the first bridging component121and the second bridging component141, so as to lock the function of the pivot mechanism16. The panel12can not rotate relative to the supporter14, and the view angle of the panel12can be fixed stably. The resilient component26can be an extended spring.

On the other way, the constraint mechanism18can replace the resilient component26by a torsional spring. The torsional spring can sheathe on the corresponding axle24, and the body20can be rotated by a resilient recovering force of the torsional spring, so that the contacting portions22can simultaneously contact against the first bridging component121and the second bridging component141, to constrain rotation between the first bridging component121and the second bridging component141, and further to steady the view angle of the panel12. Elements capable of pivoting the body20relative to the panel12via the axle24for contacting the contacting portion22against the first bridging component121and the second bridging component141automatically belong to design scope of the resilient component26of the present invention, and detailed description are omitted herein for simplicity.

As shown inFIG. 1, each first bridging component121can include a first engaging portion123, each second bridging component141can include a second engaging portion143, and each contacting portion22can includes a third engaging portion221. When the third engaging portion221is simultaneously engaged with the first engaging portion123and the second engaging portion143, the first bridging component121can not rotate relative to the second bridging component141. For example, the third engaging portion221can be a protrusion, the second engaging portion143can be a dentate structure, and the first engaging portion123can be a sunken structure. For locking the view angle of the panel12, the protrusion can be engaged inside the sunken structure and a groove of the dentate structure. Therefore, rotation of the first bridging component121relative to the second bridging component141via the pivot mechanism16is ineffective, and the view angle of the panel12can be steady.

For example, the second engaging portion143(the dentate structure) includes a series of grooves and racks with uniform arrangement. Each groove is disposed between two adjacent racks (each rack is disposed two adjacent grooves) to form a saw-toothed structure. A height difference between a bottom of the groove and a top of the rack can substantially equal dimensions of a front of the third engaging portion221. As the third engaging portion221is the protrusion, the front of the third engaging portion221can insert into the groove (the second engaging portion143) and the first engaging portion123to generate an interference, so as to constrain the rotation between the first bridging component121and the second bridging component141. Furthermore, when the third engaging portion221is the sunken structure, the first engaging portion123and the rack of the second engaging portion143can be simultaneously engaged inside the sunken structure of the third engaging portion221, and the interference can be generated to constrain the rotation between the first bridging component121and the second bridging component141.

Besides, when the second engaging portion143is the dentate structure, the first engaging portion123can be the protrusion, and the third engaging portion221can be the corresponding sunken structure. The sunken structure can be engaged with the protrusion and the rack of the dentate structure, so as to constrain the rotation between the first bridging component121and the second bridging component141. Therefore, structural shapes of the first engaging portion123, the second engaging portion143and the third engaging portion221are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. Elements with detachable function belong to the design scopes of the first engaging portion123, the second engaging portion143and the third engaging portion221of the present invention, and detailed description are omitted herein for simplicity.

The first engaging portion123, the second engaging portion143and the third engaging portion221can further be elements having high friction coefficient. When the display10utilizes the constraint mechanism18to lock the rotation, the resilient component26drives the body20to press the third engaging portion221on the first engaging portion123and the second engaging portion143. Due to the high friction coefficient between the three engaging portions, the rotation of the panel12relative to the supporter14can be constrained effectively. Elements utilizing the friction to constrain the rotation between the first bridging component121and the second bridging component141belong to the design scope of the constraint mechanism18of the present invention, and detailed description are omitted herein for simplicity.

Please refer toFIG. 2andFIG. 3.FIG. 2andFIG. 3respectively are diagrams of the display10in different operating modes according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 2, the display10is at an initial state. The third engaging portion221of the contacting portion22can contact the first engaging portion123and the second engaging portion143by the resilient component26, so as to luck the function of the pivot mechanism16. The panel12can not rotate relative to the supporter14due to the constraint mechanism18. For adjusting the view angle of the panel12, the low boundary of the panel12can be pushed to rotate the panel12, and meantime a part of the body20(the part can be named as the pressing portion) which protrudes from the low boundary of the panel12can be pressed, so as to unlock the constraint mechanism18.

As shown inFIG. 3, the body20can rotate through the axle24by an external force. The resilient component26can be extended by the rotating body20, the third engaging portion221of the contacting portion22is separated from the first engaging portion123and the second engaging portion143, and the constraint mechanism18is unlocked. Then, the rotation angle of the panel12relative to the supporter14can be adjusted via the pivot mechanism16. When the panel12is adjusted at a predetermined angle, the external force applied to the body20(the pressing portion) can be released, so the resilient recovering force of the resilient component26can rotate the body20in reverse. The third engaging portion221of the contacting portion22can be engaged with the first engaging portion123and the second engaging portion143, and the display10backs to the initial state. The constraint mechanism18can be started to stably steady the view angle of the panel12.

A first distance L1between the pressing portion and the axle24can be substantially greater than a second distance L2between the axle24and the resilient component26, so that the body20can rotate easily to overcome the resilient recovering force of the resilient component26by a economic effort, so as to separate the third engaging portion221of the contacting portion22from the first engaging portion123and the second engaging portion143.

The constraint mechanism18of the present invention can further utilize the friction to constrain the rotation between the first bridging component121and the second bridging component141. Please refer toFIG. 4.FIG. 4is an exploded diagram of a display30according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, elements having the same numerals as ones of the first embodiment have the same structures and functions, and detailed description is omitted herein for simplicity. Difference between the first embodiment and the second embodiment is that the constraint mechanism18of the second embodiment can further include a plurality of friction gaskets32. The plurality of friction gaskets32is disposed on surfaces of the contacting portions22for contacting the first bridging component121and the second bridging component141.

The first bridging component121, the second bridging component141and the contacting portion22of the second embodiment have smooth surfaces. The friction gasket32disposed on the contacting portion22can increase static friction between the first bridging component121, the second bridging component141and the contacting portion22. When the contacting portion22tightly contacts the first bridging component121and the second bridging component141via the friction gaskets32and the resilient component26, a value of the static friction can be designed as being substantially greater than resultant on the supporter14that is applied by a weight of the panel12via the pivot mechanism16, so as to prevent the panel12from shaking or swaying effectively.

Please refer toFIG. 5toFIG. 7.FIG. 5is an exploded diagram of a display40according to a third embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 6andFIG. 7respectively are diagrams of the display40in different operating modes according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, elements having the same numerals as ones of the above-mentioned embodiment have the same structures and functions, and detailed description is omitted herein for simplicity. Difference between the third embodiment and the above-mentioned embodiment is that the body20of the third embodiment can be slidably disposed on the panel12, and the axial direction of the resilient component26can be substantially parallel to the first direction D1.

In addition, the body20can be designed as a T-shaped structure for operating convenience of the slide body20, such as the T-shaped frame shown inFIG. 5. Two ends of the T-shaped structure can respectively protrude from two lateral edges of the panel12along a second direction D2different from the first direction D1, and the protruding part of the T-shaped structure can be pressed to rotate the panel12. Generally, the second direction D2can be substantially perpendicular to the first direction D1. The first engaging portion123, the second engaging portion143and the third engaging portion221can constrain the rotation of the panel12relative to the supporter14via the pivot mechanism16by the above-mentioned method, such as a structural engagement or an application of the static friction, and detailed description is omitted herein for simplicity.

The constraint mechanism18of the display40of the third embodiment utilizes the structural engagement to lock and to unlock the pivot mechanism16. As the display40is at the initial state, the pivot mechanism16is locked by the constraint mechanism18, and the panel12can not rotate relative to the supporter14. For unlocking the constraint mechanism18, the protruding part of the body20(the part protrudes from the right and the left boundary of the panel12, or protrudes from the upper and the low boundary of the panel12) can be pushed along a direction opposite to the first direction, so as to separate the third engaging portion221of the contacting portion22from the first engaging portion123and the second engaging portion143. As shown inFIG. 7, the view angle of the panel12can be adjusted according to actual demand, and the resilient component26is extended to store the resilient recovering force. After the view angle of the panel12is determined, the external force applied to the body20is released, the resilient recovering force of the resilient component26slides the body20along the first direction D1, and the third engaging portion221of the contacting portion22backs to the initial state that is engaged with the first engaging portion123and the second engaging portion143. Therefore, the view angle of the display40can be steady.

Please refer toFIG. 8.FIG. 8is a diagram of an electronic device50according to the other embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device50can be the All-in-one computer. In the embodiment, elements having the same numerals as ones of the above-mentioned embodiment have the same structures and functions, and detailed description is omitted herein for simplicity. Comparing to the display of the above-mentioned embodiment, the present invention can further apply to the All-in-one computer. The All-in-one computer (the electronic device50) can dispose the electronic components52, such as a processor, a memory, a hard disk and so on, inside the supporter14. Generally, the panel12(the display screen) of the All-in-one computer has large scale, and the constraint mechanism18of the present invention can lock the pivot mechanism16, so as to prevent the pivot mechanism16from ineffectiveness due to the weight of the panel12. The view angle of the electronic device50can be adjusted and fixed easily. As the user clicks the touch screen (the panel12) of the electronic device50, the pivot mechanism16can not overcome a torque by itself (the torque is generated when the panel12is clicked), and the constraint mechanism18can provide a preferred locking effort to effectively steady the rotation of the panel12with the pivot mechanism16.

In conclusion, the display of the present invention utilizes the body movably disposed on the panel to drive the contacting portion to contact the first bridging component and the second bridging component, so as to constrain the rotation of the panel relative to the supporter. The body of the constraint mechanism can be disposed on a back of the panel in a slidable manner or in a rotatable manner. As the constraint mechanism utilizes the rotatable body, the body can partly protrude from the low boundary of the panel due to the ergonomics. The user can press the body when pushing a low side of the panel to rotate relative to the supporter, so as to separate the contacting portion from the first bridging component and the second bridging component for unlocking the constraint mechanism. When the panel is rotated at the predetermined view angle, the external force applied to the panel and the body are released, the resilient component rotates the body in reverse, so that the contacting portion backs to contact the first bridging component and the second bridging component for locking the constraint mechanism.

As the constraint mechanism utilizes the slidable body, the body can partly protrude from the low boundary and the lateral edges of the panel due to the ergonomics, and the user can push the panel conveniently by the protruding part of the body when holding the panel. After the body slides relative to the panel, the contacting portion can be separated from the first bridging component and the second bridging component. The pivot mechanism is not constrained by the constraint mechanism, the view angle of the panel can be adjusted easily by rotating the panel relative to the supporter, and meantime the resilient component is extended to store the resilient recovering force. For locking the pivot mechanism, the external force applied to the panel is released, the resilient recovering force of the resilient component can slide the body in reverse, and the contacting portion backs to contact the first bridging component and the second bridging component, so the constraint mechanism is started for steadying the view angle of the panel.

The constraint mechanism does not include the resilient component when the contacting portion is designed to contact upper positions of the first bridging component and the second bridging component. The body can utilize its weight to move from a first position (that is separated from the first bridging component and the second bridging component) to a second position (that contacts the first bridging component and the second bridging component) when the external force is released. The contacting portion not only can contact the upper positions of the first bridging component and the second bridging component, but also can contact low positions or lateral positions of the first bridging component and the second bridging component. Structural disposition capable of simultaneously contacting the first bridging component and the second bridging component for constraining its relative rotation belongs to the design scope of the constraint mechanism of the present invention, and detailed description is omitted herein for simplicity.

Comparing to the prior art, the display of the present invention utilizes the constraint mechanism to unlock the pivot mechanism, so as to steady the view angle of the panel relative to the supporter. The constraint mechanism of the present invention is actuated with the adjustment of the view angle of the panel, so as to decrease operation steps for economizing adjustment period of the display effectively. It is to say, the present invention can be preferably applied to the large-scaled display. The large-scaled display includes the pivot mechanism with necessary torque, and the constraint mechanism for constraining the pivot mechanism accordingly. When adjusting the view angle of the display, the constraint mechanism can be unlocked, and the panel can be rotated via the pivot mechanism simultaneously. After the external force applied to the panel is released, the constraint mechanism can lock the pivot mechanism immediately. Therefore, the present invention can actuate the pivot mechanism and the constraint mechanism of the display without extra steps (such as independent steps to lock and to unlock the pivot mechanism by the constraint mechanism), and provides convenient adjustment and effective immovability for the panel.