PORTABLE ELECTRONIC APPARATUS

A portable electronic apparatus includes a first body having a pivoting side and a heat dissipating hole located at the pivoting side, a second body, and a hinge mechanism. The second body is rotatably and slidably connected to the first body through the hinge mechanism including a rack fixed in the first body as corresponding to the pivoting side, a rotating shaft connected to the second body, and a driving component connected to the rotating shaft and mechanically coupled to the rack. When the second body rotates and unfolds with respect to the first body, the rotating shaft rotates together with the second body, the driving component rotates with the rotating shaft, and the driving component rotates and slides with respect to the rack and drives the second body to slide away from the pivoting side to increase a distance between the second body and the heat dissipating hole.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application serial no. 110105473, filed on Feb. 18, 2021. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The disclosure relates to an electronic apparatus, and in particular, relates to a portable electronic apparatus.

Description of Related Art

With continuous advancement of the computing performance of notebook computers, heat generated by internal devices (e.g., a central processing unit, a graphics processor, or other electronic devices) during operation increases as well. Once the heat is not quickly discharged to the outside, the performance of a notebook computer may easily reduce due to overheating.

Generally, a notebook computer includes the first body responsible for logic computing and data accessing and the second body responsible for image displaying. The second body is pivotally connected to the first body to rotate and unfold with respect to the first body or to rotate and fold with respect to the first body. Further, the first body has a pivoting side and a heat dissipating hole located at the pivoting side, and heated air in the first body is discharged to the outside through the heat dissipating hole most of the time. Besides, the lower edge of the second body is connected to the pivoting side, and the second body has only the freedom of movement or rotation with respect to the first body. After the second body rotates and unfolds with respect to the first body, the lower edge of the second body may move close to the pivoting side of the first body and the heat dissipating hole located at the pivoting side and thus blocks the patch configured to allow the heated air in the first body to be discharged to the outside, and poor heat dissipating efficiency is thereby provided.

SUMMARY

The disclosure provides a portable electronic apparatus exhibiting good heat dissipating efficiency.

The disclosure provides a portable electronic apparatus including a first body, a second body, and a hinge mechanism. The first body has a pivoting side and a heat dissipating hole located at the pivoting side. The second body is rotatably and slidably connected to the first body through the hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism includes a rack, a rotating shaft, and a driving component. The rack is fixed in the first body as corresponding to the pivoting side. The rotating shaft is connected to the second body. The driving component is connected to the rotating shaft and is mechanically coupled to the rack. When the second body rotates and unfolds with respect to the first body through the hinge mechanism, the rotating shaft rotates together with the second body, and the driving component rotates together with the rotating shaft. At the same time, the driving component rotates and slides with respect to the rack and drives the second body to slide away from the pivoting side to increase a distance between the second body and the heat dissipating hole.

To sum up, when the second body rotates with respect to the first body, the second body slides with respect to the first body. To be specific, when the second body rotates and unfolds with respect to the first body through the hinge mechanism, the second body slides with respect to the first body and slides away from the pivoting side of the first body and the heat dissipating hole located at the pivoting side to increase the distance between the lower edge of the second body and the heat dissipating hole. Through the increase in the distance between the lower edge of the second body and the heat dissipating hole, the heat dissipating hole is not blocked by the lower edge of the second body, so that heated air inside the first body may be quickly discharged to the outside through the heat dissipating hole. The portable electronic apparatus provided by the disclosure therefore exhibits good heat dissipating efficiency.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1Ais a side schematic view of an enlarged local portion of a portable electronic apparatus in a folded state according to a first embodiment of the disclosure.FIG. 1Bis a side schematic view of the enlarged local portion of the portable electronic apparatus in an unfolded state according to the first embodiment of the disclosure.FIG. 1Cis a top schematic view of the enlarged local portion ofFIG. 1B. Note that a first body110, a second body120, and a hinge cover1301are shown in dotted lines in the drawings to clearly present internal structure configurations of the first body110, the second body120, and the hinge cover1301.

With reference toFIG. 1AtoFIG. 1C, in this embodiment, a portable electronic apparatus100may be a notebook computer and includes the first body110, the second body120, and a hinge mechanism130. The first body110has logic computing and data accessing capabilities and the like, and the second body120has an image displaying capability. The second body120is connected to the first body110through the hinge mechanism130, and the hinge mechanism130provides the second body120with the freedom of movement of rotation and sliding with respect to the first body110.

Further, when the second body120rotates with respect to the first body110through the hinge mechanism130, the second body120slides with respect to the first body110at the same time and generates movement in a horizontal direction. The first body110has a pivoting side111and a heat dissipating hole112located at the pivoting side111, and one portion of the hinge mechanism130is disposed on the first body110as corresponding to the pivoting side111. A lower edge121of the second body120is connected to the first body110through the hinge mechanism130, and the other portion of the hinge mechanism130is disposed on the second body120as corresponding to the lower edge121.

With reference toFIG. 1AtoFIG. 1C, the hinge mechanism130includes a rack131, a rotating shaft132, and a driving component. The rack131is fixed in the first body110as corresponding to the pivoting side111. An extending direction and an extending length of the rack131may be configured to determine a sliding direction and a sliding stroke of the second body120. The rotating shaft132is connected to the second body120to synchronously rotate and slide together with the second body120.

In this embodiment, the driving component includes a first spur gear133, a second spur gear134, and a third spur gear135. The first spur gear133is connected to the rotating shaft132, and a combination of the first spur gear133and the rotating shaft132may be a gear shaft. Alternatively, the first spur gear133is sleeved and fixed on the rotating shaft132. The first spur gear133meshes with the second spur gear134, the second spur gear134meshes with the third spur gear135, and the third spur gear135meshes with the rack131. For instance, the hinge mechanism130may include the hinge cover1301and may be configured to accommodate the rack131, the rotating shaft132, the first spur gear133, the second spur gear134, and the third spur gear135. In addition, the rotating shaft132may be rotatably inserted in the hinge cover1301, and the hinge cover1301may slide together with the rotating shaft132, the first spur gear133, the second spur gear134, and the third spur gear135, and the second body120synchronously.

When the second body120rotates and unfolds with respect to the first body110through the hinge mechanism130, the rotating shaft132and the first spur gear133rotate together with the second body120. The first spur gear133drives the second spur gear134, and the second spur gear134drives the third spur gear135at the same time. Rotation directions of the second body120, the rotating shaft132, the first spur gear133, and the third spur gear135are identical and are opposite to a rotation direction of the second spur gear134. Besides, the rotating shaft132and the first spur gear133rotate around a rotation axis A1. The second spur gear134rotates around a rotation axis A2parallel to the rotation axis A1, and the third spur gear135rotates around a rotation axis A3parallel to the rotation axis A1.

Because the rack131is fixed, the rotating third spur gear135slides with respect to the rack131and drives the second spur gear134, the first spur gear133, the rotating shaft132, and the second body120to synchronously slide.

Following the above, as driven by the hinge mechanism130, the second body120slides with respect to the first body110and slides away from the pivoting side111of the first body110and the heat dissipating hole112located at the pivoting side111to increase a distance between the lower edge121of the second body120and the heat dissipating hole112. Through the increase in the distance between the lower edge121of the second body120and the heat dissipating hole112, the heat dissipating hole112is not blocked by the lower edge121of the second body120, so that heated air inside the first body110may be quickly discharged to the outside through the heat dissipating hole112. The portable electronic apparatus100therefore exhibits good heat dissipating efficiency.

Generally, a fan140is disposed in the first body110and is configured to forcibly discharge heat generated by a heat source (e.g., a central processing unit, a graphics processor, or other electronic devices) in the first body110. To be specific, cold air in the first body110may form hot air (i.e., the heated air) after absorbing heat generated by the heat source, and when the fan140runs, the heated air may be forcibly discharged through the heat dissipating hole112. When the second body120unfolds with respect to the first body110, the lower edge121of the second body120moves away from the pivoting side111of the first body110, and in this way, a sufficient heat dissipating space is provided around the heat dissipating hole112to accelerate dissipating of the heated air to other places.

The driving component in this embodiment is formed by three spur gears. In another embodiment, the driving component includes one spur gear. In still another embodiment, the driving component includes an odd number of spur gears, and the number is greater than three.

FIG. 2Ais a top schematic view of an enlarged local portion of a portable electronic apparatus in the unfolded state according to a second embodiment of the disclosure.FIG. 2Bis an enlarged schematic view of a hinge mechanism ofFIG. 2Afrom another viewing angle. Note that the first body110, the second body120, and the hinge cover1302are shown in dotted lines in the drawings to clearly present the internal structure configurations of the first body110, the second body120, and the hinge cover1302.

With reference toFIG. 2AandFIG. 2B, a design principle of a portable electronic apparatus100A in this embodiment is similar to a design principle of the portable electronic apparatus100in the first embodiment, and a difference therebetween lies in the structural type of the driving component. In this embodiment, the driving component includes a first bevel gear133a, a second bevel gear134a, a third bevel gear135a, a synchronous spur gear136, and a driven spur gear137. The first bevel gear133ais connected to the rotating shaft132, and a combination of the first bevel gear133aand the rotating shaft132may be a gear shaft. Alternatively, the first bevel gear133ais sleeved and fixed on the rotating shaft132. The first bevel gear133ameshes with the second bevel gear134a, and the second bevel gear134ameshes with the third bevel gear135a. The synchronous spur gear136is disposed on the third bevel gear135a, and the third bevel gear135aand the synchronous spur gear136synchronously rotate. The synchronous spur gear136meshes with the driven spur gear137, and the synchronous spur gear137meshes with the rack131.

For instance, a hinge mechanism130amay include the hinge cover1302and may be configured to accommodate the rack131, the rotating shaft132, the first bevel gear133a, the second bevel gear134a, the third bevel gear135a, the synchronous spur gear136, and the driven spur gear137. In addition, the rotating shaft132may be rotatably inserted in the hinge cover1302, and the hinge cover1302may slide together with the rotating shaft132, the first bevel gear133a, the second bevel gear134a, the third bevel gear135a, the synchronous spur gear136, the driven spur gear137, and the second body120synchronously.

When the second body120rotates and unfolds with respect to the first body110through the hinge mechanism130a, the rotating shaft132and the first bevel gear133arotate together with the second body120. The first bevel gear133adrives the second bevel gear134a, and the second bevel gear134adrives the third bevel gear135aat the same time. The synchronous spur gear136rotates together with the third bevel gear135aand drives the driven spur gear137. Rotation directions of the second bevel gear134aand the driven spur gear137are identical and are opposite to rotation directions of the third bevel gear135aand the synchronous spur gear136. Besides, the rotating shaft132and the first bevel gear133arotate around a rotation axis A4, and the second bevel gear134arotates around a rotation axis A5. The third bevel gear135aand the synchronous spur gear136rotate around a rotation axis A6, and the driven spur gear137rotates around a rotation axis A7. The rotation axes A5to A7are parallel to one another, and the rotation axis A4is not parallel or perpendicular to the rotation axes A5to A7.

Because the rack131is fixed, the rotating driven spur gear137slides with respect to the rack131and drives the synchronous spur gear136, the third bevel gear135a, the second bevel gear134a, the first bevel gear133a, the rotating shaft132, and the second body120to synchronously slide.

Following the above, as driven by the hinge mechanism130a, the second body120slides with respect to the first body110and slides away from the pivoting side111of the first body110and the heat dissipating hole112located at the pivoting side111to increase the distance between the lower edge121of the second body120and the heat dissipating hole112. Through the increase in the distance between the lower edge121of the second body120and the heat dissipating hole112, the heat dissipating hole112is not blocked by the lower edge121of the second body120, so that heated air inside the first body110may be quickly discharged to the outside through the heat dissipating hole112. The portable electronic apparatus100A therefore exhibits good heat dissipating efficiency.

FIG. 3Ais a side schematic view of an enlarged local portion of a portable electronic apparatus in the folded state according to a third embodiment of the disclosure.FIG. 3Bis a side schematic view of the enlarged local portion of the portable electronic apparatus in the unfolded state according to the third embodiment of the disclosure. Note that the first body110and the second body120are shown in dotted lines in the drawings to clearly present the internal structure configurations of the first body110and the second body120.

With reference toFIG. 3AandFIG. 3B, a design principle of a portable electronic apparatus100B in this embodiment is similar to the design principle of the portable electronic apparatus100in the first embodiment, and a difference therebetween lies in the structural type of the driving component. In this embodiment, the driving component includes a toothed belt138. The toothed belt138has an inner surface138acontacting the rotating shaft132, an outer surface138bopposite to the inner surface138a, and a plurality of driving teeth138cprotruding from the outer surface138b, and the driving teeth138cmesh with the rack131.

When the second body120rotates and unfolds with respect to the first body110through a hinge mechanism130b, the rotating shaft132drives the toothed belt138to rotate or to scroll. Because the rack131is fixed, the rotating or scrolling toothed belt138slides with respect to the rack131and drives the rotating shaft132and the second body120to synchronously slide.

Following the above, as driven by the hinge mechanism130b, the second body120slides with respect to the first body110and slides away from the pivoting side111of the first body110and the heat dissipating hole112located at the pivoting side111to increase the distance between the lower edge121of the second body120and the heat dissipating hole112. Through the increase in the distance between the lower edge121of the second body120and the heat dissipating hole112, the heat dissipating hole112is not blocked by the lower edge121of the second body120, so that heated air inside the first body110may be quickly discharged to the outside through the heat dissipating hole112. The portable electronic apparatus100B therefore exhibits good heat dissipating efficiency.

In this embodiment, the hinge mechanism130bfurther includes a driven shaft139pivotally disposed on the second body120, and the driven shaft139and the rotating shaft132are disposed side by side. The driven shaft139is parallel to the rotating shaft132and contacts the inner surface138aof the toothed belt138. The rotating shaft132and the driven shaft139are configured to stretch the toothed belt138to allow the toothed belt138to have sufficient tension, so that the toothed belt138is prevented from collapsing. On the other hand, the rotating shaft132drives the toothed belt138to rotate or to scroll, and the driven shaft139is driven by the toothed belt138and rotates synchronously.

FIG. 4AandFIG. 4Bare schematic views of movement of an automatic folding structure applied to the hinge mechanism of the first embodiment. With reference toFIG. 4AandFIG. 4B, the automatic folding structure may be integrated with the hinge mechanism130and includes a first torsion piece150and a second torsion piece160. The first torsion piece150is sleeved and fixed on the rotating shaft132and synchronously rotates together with the rotating shaft132. The second torsion piece160is sleeved on the rotating shaft132, and the rotating shaft132and the first torsion piece150may rotate with respect to the second torsion piece160. To be specific, the first torsion piece150has a sliding contact surface151facing the second torsion piece160, and the second torsion piece160has a positioning contact surface161facing the first torsion piece150.

The second torsion piece160further includes a positioning recess162recessed in the positioning contact surface161, and the first torsion piece150has a sliding protrusion152protruding from the sliding contact surface151. When the first torsion piece150rotates with respect to the second torsion piece160, the sliding protrusion152slides on the positioning contact surface161. Once the sliding protrusion152moves into the positioning recess162, an automatic folding force is generated owing to matching between the sliding protrusion152and the positioning recess162and drives the sliding protrusion152to completely move in and be engaged with the positioning recess162. At the same time, the first torsion piece150drives the rotating shaft132, and the second body120(seeFIG. 1A) is driven by the rotating shaft132and is automatically folded on the first body110(seeFIG. 1A).

On the other hand, when the first torsion piece150rotates with respect to the second torsion piece160to move the sliding protrusion152out of the positioning recess162, as long as the sliding protrusion152does not completely move out of the positioning recess162, the abovementioned automatic folding force may drive the sliding protrusion152to completely move back in and be engaged with the positioning recess162.

For instance, a driving range of the automatic folding force is approximately between 0 and 20 degrees. That is, as long as an expanding angle of the second body120(seeFIG. 1A) with respect to the first body110(seeFIG. 1A) does not exceed 20 degrees, the automatic folding force may drive the second body120to be folded on the first body110(seeFIG. 1A).

Note that the automatic folding structure may also be applied to the hinge mechanism130ain the second embodiment and the hinge mechanism130bin the third embodiment.

In view of the foregoing, when the second body rotates with respect to the first body, the second body slides with respect to the first body. To be specific, when the second body rotates and unfolds with respect to the first body through the hinge mechanism, the second body slides with respect to the first body and slides away from the pivoting side of the first body and the heat dissipating hole located at the pivoting side to increase the distance between the lower edge of the second body and the heat dissipating hole. Through the increase in the distance between the lower edge of the second body and the heat dissipating hole, the heat dissipating hole is not blocked by the lower edge of the second body, so that heated air inside the first body may be quickly discharged to the outside through the heat dissipating hole. The portable electronic apparatus provided by the disclosure therefore exhibits good heat dissipating efficiency.