Electronic device and rotating mechanism

An electronic device and a rotating mechanism thereof are provided. The electronic device includes a first casing, a second casing, and a rotating mechanism. The first casing has a first receiving space and a first hole disposed a first side thereof, wherein the first receiving space is intercommunicated with the first hole. The second casing has a second receiving space and a second hole disposed a second side thereof, wherein the second receiving space is intercommunicated with the second hole. The rotating mechanism includes a shaft, a first fixing element and a second fixing element. The shaft has a center axis, wherein part of the shaft is received in the first receiving space and part of the shaft is received in the second receiving space, such that the first casing can be rotated around the center axis with respect to the second casing.

This application claims the benefit of Taiwan application Serial No. 95141414, filed on Nov. 8, 2006, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates in general to an electronic device and a rotating mechanism thereof, and more particularly to a foldable electronic device and a rotating mechanism thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

Mobile phone being portable and not subjected to the venue of use has gained great popularity and been widely used. The flip-top mobile phone, which folds the screen to the body of the electronic device, not only reduces the length of the mobile phone but also protects the screen. The flip-top mobile phone is a very popular mobile phone model beloved by many users. The structure of a conventional flip-top mobile phone is elaborated below with accompanied drawings.

Referring toFIG. 1A, an exploded diagram of a conventional mobile phone100is shown. The conventional mobile phone100using a dual-pivotal structure as a rotating mechanism includes a display casing110, a host casing120and a shaft130. The display casing110is for receiving a display screen. The host casing120is for receiving a keypad, a main circuit board and a power. The display casing110includes a first protrusion111having a first receiving space111a. The host casing120has a second protrusion122and a third protrusion123. The second protrusion122has a second receiving space122a. The third protrusion123has a third receiving space123a.

The first receiving space111ais for receiving and enabling the shaft130to rotate within. The second receiving space122ais for receiving one end of the shaft130and enabling one end of the shaft130to be coupled with the second protrusion122. The third receiving space123ais for receiving the other end of the shaft130and enabling the other end of the shaft130to be coupled with the third protrusion123.

Referring toFIG. 1B, an assembly diagram of the mobile phone100ofFIG. 1Ais shown. When the shaft130placed in the first receiving space111ais coupled with the second protrusion122and the third protrusion123, the shaft130and the second protrusion122together form a pivot, and the shaft130and the third protrusion123form another pivot. The mobile phone100uses dual-pivotal structure to clamp the shaft130for rotating the display casing110and the shaft130, such that the display casing110can be rotated with respect to the host casing120.

However, the display screen inside the display casing110needs to be electrically connected to the main circuit board and the power inside the host casing120. The display screen is electrically connected to the main circuit board and the power via a flexible circuit board or a flexible wire. The conventional mobile phone100is subjected to the shaft130, the second protrusion122and the third protrusion123, hence making the disposition of the flexible circuit board or the flexible wire relatively difficult.

Moreover, the rotating mechanism of the conventional mobile phone100is complicated, and costive moulds are required for forming the first protrusion111, the second protrusion122and the third protrusion123. Furthermore, the two ends of the shaft130must be squeezed in order to be coupled with the second protrusion122and the third protrusion123, making the assembly much more difficult, not only increasing labor hour but also increasing defects. Therefore, how to resolve the above problems has become a focus in the research and development of the semiconductor and related industries.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention discloses an electronic device and a rotating mechanism thereof. The assembly of the electronic device is simplified with the structure of combining a shaft with a first fixing element and a second fixing element. Firstly, the shaft is mounted on the first casing. Next, the second casing is mounted on the shaft. Then, a first fixing element is inserted into the first hole and is coupled with the shaft, and a second fixing element is inserted into the second hole and is coupled with the shaft. The assembly process is simplified, not only decreasing the required labor hour but also reducing the defects. Moreover, the shaft has a wiring channel, such that the flexible wire can easily pass through the wiring channel, further resolving the difficulty encountered during the wiring process.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an electronic device including a first casing, a second casing and a rotating mechanism is provided. The first casing has a first receiving space and a first hole disposed a first side thereof, wherein the first receiving space is intercommunicated with the first hole. The second casing has a second receiving space and a second hole disposed a second side thereof, wherein the second receiving space is intercommunicated with the second hole. The rotating mechanism includes a shaft, a first fixing element and a second fixing element. The shaft has a center axis, wherein part of the shaft is received in the first receiving space and part of the shaft is received in the second receiving space, such that the first casing can be rotated around the center axis with respect to the second casing. The first fixing element is inserted into the first hole and is coupled with the shaft, such that the shaft will not be moved with respect to the first casing along the direction of the center axis. The second fixing element is inserted into the second hole and is coupled with the shaft, such that the shaft will not be move with respect to the second casing along the direction of the center axis.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a rotating mechanism disposed in an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a first casing and a second casing. The first casing has a first receiving space and a first hole disposed a first side thereof, wherein the first receiving space is intercommunicated with the first hole. The second casing has a second receiving space and a second hole disposed a second side thereof, wherein the second receiving space is intercommunicated with the second hole. The rotating mechanism includes a shaft, a first fixing element and a second fixing element. The shaft has a center axis, wherein part of the shaft is received in the first receiving space and part of the shaft is received in the second receiving space, such that the first casing can be rotated around the center axis with respect to the second casing. The first fixing element is inserted into the first hole and is coupled with the first recess, such that the shaft will not be moved with respect to the first casing along the direction of the center axis. The second fixing element is inserted into the second hole and is coupled with the second recess, such that the shaft will not be move with respect to the second casing along the direction of the center axis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to bothFIG. 2AandFIG. 2B.FIG. 2Ais a perspective of an electronic device200according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.FIG. 2Bis an exploded diagram of the electronic device200ofFIG. 2A. The electronic device200can be a mobile phone, a calculator, an electronic dictionary or a personal digital assistant (PDA). In the present embodiment of the invention, the electronic device200is exemplified by a mobile phone. The electronic device200includes a first casing210and a second casing220. In the present embodiment of the invention, a keypad module is disposed inside the first casing210, and a display screen is disposed inside the second casing220. The second casing220is rotated with respect to the first casing210via a single pivot structure. When the second casing220is rotated to press the first casing210, the electronic device200is closed. Meanwhile, the display screen is received between the first casing210and the inner surface of the second casing220to avoid the display screen being collided. When the second casing220is rotated away from the first casing210, the electronic device200is activated. Meanwhile, the user can control the keypad module to view an image displayed on the screen.

As indicated inFIG. 2B, the electronic device200further includes a rotating mechanism300. The rotating mechanism300includes a shaft230, a first fixing element240and a second fixing element250. The first casing210has a first receiving space211aand a first hole211bdisposed on a first side211thereof, wherein the first receiving space211ais intercommunicated with the first hole211b. The second casing220has a second receiving space221aand a second hole221bdisposed a second side221thereof, wherein the second receiving space221ais intercommunicated with the second hole221b. The shaft230has a center axis L230, wherein part of the shaft230is received in the first receiving space211aand part of the shaft230is received in the second receiving space221a, such that the first casing210can be rotated around the center axis L230with respect to the second casing220. The first fixing element240is inserted into the first hole211band is coupled with the shaft230, such that the shaft230will not be moved with respect to the first casing210along the direction of the center axis L230. The second fixing element250is inserted into the second hole221band is coupled with the shaft230, such that the shaft230will not be moved with respect to the second casing220along the direction of the center axis L230. The detailed structure and assembly order for the elements of the electronic device200are elaborated below.

Referring to bothFIGS. 3A and 3B.FIG. 3Ais an assembly diagram of a first casing210and a shaft230according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.FIG. 3Bis a back view of the shaft and the first casing210ofFIG. 3A. The first casing210has a first receiving space211adisposed a first side211thereof. The shaft230is inserted into the first receiving space211aalong the direction of the center axis L230. The shaft230includes a hollowed column231and a spindle232, wherein the spindle232is mounted in the hollowed column231. The hollowed column231can be rotated with respect to the spindle232.

Preferably, the shaft230further includes an elastic element233disposed between the spindle232and the hollowed column231. When the hollowed column231is rotated with respect to the spindle232, the elastic element233provides a restoring elasticity for restoring the relative position between the hollowed column231and the spindle232.

Referring to bothFIG. 4AandFIG. 4B.FIG. 4Ais a perspective of the shaft and the first casing210ofFIG. 3Awith the shaft230being inserted into the first receiving space211a.FIG. 4Bis a back view of the shaft230and the first casing210ofFIG. 4A. When the shaft230is inserted into the first receiving space211aalong the direction of the center axis L230, part of the hollowed column231is received in the first receiving space211a. Preferably, the hollowed column231has a semicircular cross-section, and the first receiving space211aalso has a corresponding semicircular cross-section. When part of the hollowed column231is received in the first receiving space211a, the inner wall of the first receiving space211asubstantially presses the surface of the hollowed column231, such that the inner wall of the first receiving space211aincapacitates the hollowed column231from rotating within the first receiving space211a. Thus, when the hollowed column231is rotated with respect to the spindle232, the hollowed column231drives the first casing210to synchronically rotate with respect to the spindle232.

Referring toFIG. 5, a perspective of the first casing, the shaft230and the first fixing element240ofFIG. 4Bis shown. The first fixing element240is inserted into the first hole211band is coupled with the shaft230.

The hollowed column231has two first recesses231adisposed at one end of the hollowed column231and opposite to the first hole211b(the two first recesses231aare illustrated inFIG. 3B). The first fixing element240is inserted into the first hole211band is coupled with the first recess231a, such that the first fixing element240is coupled with the shaft230. Despite the present embodiment of the invention is exemplified by two first recess231a, the number of the first recess231ais not for limiting the scope of protection of the invention.

Preferably, the first fixing element240includes at least one first hook240afor engaging the first fixing element240with the hollowed column231, and the width W240of the first fixing element240along the direction of the center axis L230is substantially equal to the width W211bof the first hole211balong the direction of the center axis L230, such that the first fixing element240more firmly limits the movement of the shaft230with respect to the first casing210along the direction of the center axis L230.

As indicated inFIG. 5, the shaft230has a wiring channel260for placing a flexible wire, the wiring channel260is disposed along the direction of the center axis L230of the shaft230and intercommunicates the first receiving space211aof the first casing210with the second receiving space221aof the second casing220. One end of the flexible wire is connected to the internal circuit boards of the first casing210, passes through the first receiving space211a, the wiring channel260and the second receiving space221a, and then is connected to the display screen or other electronic elements inside the second casing220.

The flexible wire will not be compressed regardless of the rotation of the first casing210and the second casing220rotate.

Referring toFIG. 6, a perspective of the shaft230and the first casing210ofFIG. 5with the first fixing element240having been inserted into the first hole211bis shown. As indicated inFIG. 6, after the first fixing element240is inserted into the first hole211b, part of the first fixing element240is engaged with the hollowed column231and part of the first fixing element240presses the first casing210. Thus, the shaft230will not be moved with respect to the first casing210along the direction of the center axis L230.

Referring toFIG. 7, a perspective of the first casing210, the shaft230and the second casing220ofFIG. 6is shown. The second casing220enables the spindle232to be mounted in the second receiving space221aalong the direction of the center axis L230for part of the shaft230to be received in the second receiving space221a.

Referring to bothFIG. 7andFIG. 8.FIG. 8is a perspective of the spindle232ofFIG. 7with the second casing220being mounted on the shaft230. After the second casing220is mounted on the spindle232, the second casing220and the spindle232are synchronized and moved accordingly with respect to the hollowed column231, wherein the hollowed column231and the first casing210are synchronized and moved accordingly. Through the spindle232and the hollowed column231, the second casing220can be rotated around the center axis L232with respect to the first casing210.

Referring toFIG. 9, a perspective of the first casing210, the second casing220, the shaft230and the second fixing element250ofFIG. 8is shown. The second fixing element250is inserted into the second hole221band is coupled with the shaft230.

The spindle232has two second recesses232a, wherein the second recess232ais more clearly illustrated inFIG. 5but only one second recess232ais illustrated in bothFIG. 5andFIG. 9. The second recesses232ais disposed at one end of the spindle232and opposite to the second hole221b. The second fixing element250is inserted into the second hole221band is coupled with the second recess232a. Despite the present embodiment of the invention is exemplified by two second recesses232a, the number of the second recess232ais not for limiting the scope of technology of the invention.

Preferably, the second fixing element250includes at least one second hook250afor engaging the second fixing element250with the spindle232, and the width W250of the second fixing element250along the direction of the center axis L230is substantially equal to the width W221bof the second hole221balong the direction of the center axis L230, such that the second fixing element250limits the movement of the shaft230with respect to the second casing220along the direction of the center axis L230more firmly.

Referring to bothFIG. 9andFIG. 10.FIG. 10is a perspective of the electronic device200ofFIG. 9with the second fixing element250having been inserted into the second hole221b. As indicated inFIG. 10, after the second fixing element250is inserted into the second hole221b, part of the second fixing element250is engaged with the spindle232and part of the second fixing element250presses the second casing220. Thus, the rotating mechanism300will not be moved with respect to the second casing220along the direction of the center axis L230.

After the first casing210and the second casing220are assembled, the first casing210, the first fixing element240and the hollowed column231are synchronized and moved accordingly. The second casing220, the second fixing element250and the spindle232are synchronized and moved accordingly. When the hollowed column231is rotated with respect to the spindle232, the first casing210, the first fixing element240and the hollowed column231are synchronized and moved accordingly with respect to the second casing220, the second fixing element250and the spindle232. Besides, when the hollowed column231is rotated with respect to the spindle232, the elastic element233further provides a restoring elasticity for restoring the relative position between the hollowed column231and the spindle232. Thus, the first casing210and the second casing220can be opened or closed by means of the hollowed column231and the spindle232of the shaft230.

According to the electronic device and the rotating mechanism thereof disclosed in the above embodiment of the invention, the assembly of the electronic device is simplified with the structure of combining a shaft with a first fixing element and a second fixing element. Firstly, the shaft is mounted on the first casing first. Next, the second casing is mounted on the shaft. Then, a first fixing element is inserted into the first hole and is coupled with the shaft, and a second fixing element is inserted into the second hole and is coupled with the shaft. The assembly process is simplified, not only the decreasing the required labor hour but also reducing the defects. Moreover, the shaft has a wiring channel, such that the flexible wire can easily pass through the wiring channel, further resolving the difficulty encountered during wiring.