Abstract:
A foldable electronic device with an antenna including a first body, a second body, a pivotal mechanism, an antenna and a driving element is provided. The first body has a holding recess on one side thereof. The second body is located on the other side of the first body. The pivotal mechanism is used to pivotally connect the first body to the second body. Two sides of the driving element are connected to the pivotal mechanism and the antenna, respectively. When the first body is opened relatively to the second body, the pivotal mechanism drives the driving element to generate a first linear displacement. The first linear displacement drives the antenna to have a second rotation displacement to allow the antenna to extend out of the receiving groove.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application serial no. 96128410, filed on Aug. 2, 2007. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of specification. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention relates to a foldable electronic device and, more particularly, to a foldable electronic device with an antenna. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    With the rapid development of the science and technology, many electronic devices bring convenience to the people and become essential in their daily lives. For example, many people carry notebook computers and utilizes network to communicate with others or obtain needed information. The wireless network becomes popular gradually, and therefore, users may utilize wireless network to access the Internet besides network cable. 
         [0006]    To provide preferred signal quality for users, an antenna is often disposed in a notebook computer and used to receive signals transmitted from the wireless network access point. Generally-speaking, the casing of a conventional notebook computer is made of metal such as aluminum magnesium alloy to obtain enough strength. However, the shielding effect of the metal affects reception of the antenna. Therefore, for the casing of a conventional notebook computer, besides the metal, the plastic is also used. One portion of the casing, which corresponds to the antenna, is made of the plastic. Thus, the reception of the antenna is not affected. 
         [0007]    In this way, when the casing is produced, the cost of producing and assembling the plastic part is additionally added. In addition, the metal is different from the plastic in the tactile sensation, and then the appearance is affected. Furthermore, when the casing is designed, the aesthetics of whole casing should be considered, and the plastic part needs additional adornment and beautification. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The invention provides a foldable electronic device with an antenna, and an antenna extends automatically to receive signals when the foldable electronic device with an antenna is opened. 
         [0009]    The invention provides a foldable electronic device with an antenna including a first body, a second body, a pivotal mechanism, an antenna and a driving element. The first body has a holding recess at one side. The pivotal mechanism is used to pivotally connect the first body to the second body, and it includes a first pivot and a second pivot. The first pivot is connected to the first body. The second pivot is connected to the second body and is located at the other side of the body opposite to the holding recess. The first pivot is pivoted the second pivot to allow the first body to rotate relatively to the second body. The antenna is pivotally disposed in the holding recess of the first body. One end of the driving element is fixed to the first pivot, and the other end is fixed at one end of the antenna. When the first body is opened relatively to the second body, the first pivot generates a first rotation displacement relatively to the second pivot. The first rotation displacement allows the driving element to generate a first linear displacement toward the first pivot, and the first linear displacement allows the antenna to generate a second rotation displacement thus to allow the antenna to extend out of the holding recess. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment of the invention, the foldable electronic device with an antenna further may includes a restoring element disposed between the antenna and the first body to allow the antenna to be located in the holding recess. The restoring element may be a torsion spring. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment of the invention, the driving element may be a metal wire. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment of the invention, the first body may be a display for displaying the result of processing the electronic data. In addition, the second body is a host for processing the electronic data, and the antenna may be electrically connected to the host. 
         [0013]    The invention further provides a foldable electronic device with an antenna including a first body, a second body, a pivotal mechanism, an antenna and a driving element. The first body has a holding recess at one side. The pivotal mechanism is used to pivotally connect the first body to the second body, and it includes a first pivot and a second pivot. The first pivot is connected to the first body. The second pivot is connected to the second body and is located at the other side of the first body opposite to the holding recess. The second pivot is pivoted the first pivot to allow the first body to rotate relatively to the second body. The antenna is pivotally disposed in the holding recess of the first body. One end of the driving element is fixed to the first pivot, and the other end is fixed at one end of the antenna. When the first body is opened relatively to the second body, the first pivot generates a first rotation displacement relatively to the second pivot. The first rotation displacement allows the driving element to generate a first linear displacement toward the first pivot, and the first linear displacement allows the antenna to generate a second rotation displacement thus to allow the antenna to extend out of the holding recess. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment of the invention, the foldable electronic device with an antenna further may includes a restoring element disposed between the antenna and the first body to allow the antenna to be located in the holding recess. The restoring element may be a torsion spring. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment of the invention, the driving element may be a metal wire. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment of the invention, the first body may be a display for displaying the result of processing the electronic data. In addition, the second body is a host for processing the electronic data, and the antenna may be electrically connected to the host. 
         [0017]    The foldable electronic device with an antenna utilizes the pivotal mechanism to drive the driving element when it rotates to allow the driving element to drive the antenna to extend out of the first body. Therefore, the antenna is not affected by the shielding effect of the metal casing, and the plastic part does not need to be additionally disposed on the metal casing. The antenna has a preferred reception, and the casing has a low cost and a beautiful appearance. In addition, via the driving of the pivotal mechanism and the driving element, the antenna may extend outside the first body automatically, and via the resilience of the restoring element, the antenna may retracts to the first body automatically. Thus, the antenna is used conveniently. 
         [0018]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1A  is three dimensional perspective diagram showing a foldable electronic device with an antenna in a closed state according to the first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 1B  is a top perspective diagram showing the foldable electronic device with an antenna shown in  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2A  is a three dimensional perspective diagram showing the foldable electronic device with an antenna shown in  FIG. 1A  in an open state; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2B  is a lateral perspective diagram showing the foldable electronic device with an antenna shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3A  is a three dimensional perspective diagram showing a foldable electronic device with an antenna in a closed state according to the second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3B  is a top perspective diagram showing the foldable electronic device with an antenna shown in  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4A  is a three dimensional perspective diagram showing the foldable electronic device with an antenna shown in  FIG. 3A ; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 4B  is a lateral perspective diagram showing the foldable electronic device with an antenna shown in  FIG. 4A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    In the following embodiments, the foldable electronic device with an antenna is, for example, a notebook computer. The second body is a host of the notebook computer and is used to process electronic data. The first body is a display for displaying results of processing the electronic data. When the first body is opened relatively to the second body, the antenna is driven by the driving element to extend out of the first body automatically to enhance the reception, of the antenna. 
       First Embodiment 
       [0028]      FIG. 1A  is a three dimensional perspective diagram showing a foldable electronic device with an antenna in a closed state according to the first embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 1B  is a top perspective diagram showing the foldable electronic device with an antenna shown in  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 2A  is a three dimensional perspective diagram showing the foldable electronic device with an antenna in an open state, and  FIG. 2B  is a lateral perspective diagram showing the foldable electronic device with an antenna shown in  FIG. 2A . As shown in  FIG. 1A   FIG. 1B   FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B , the foldable electronic device with an antenna  100  of the embodiment mainly includes a first body  110 , a second body  120 , a pivotal mechanism  130 , an antenna  140  and a driving element  150 . The elements included by the foldable electronic device with an antenna  100  and the connection relationships thereof are described with the drawings. 
         [0029]    The first body  110  has a holding recess  112  at one side. In the embodiment, the holding recess  112  is located at the top of the first body  110 . The second body  120  is pivotally connected to the bottom of the first body  110 . In the embodiment, the casings of the first body  11   0  and the second body  120  may be made of metal such as aluminum magnesium alloy. 
         [0030]    The pivotal mechanism  130  is used to pivotally connect the first body  110  to the second body  120 . In detail, the pivotal mechanism  130  includes a first pivot  132  and a second pivot  134 . The first pivot  132  for example: a rotation shaft is connected to the first body  110 . Furthermore, the first pivot  132  may be integrally formed with the first body  110 . The second pivot  134  for example: a bearing is connected to the second body  120  and is located at the other side of the first body  110  opposite to the holding recess  112 . Similarly, the second pivot  134  may be integrally formed with the second body  120 . The first pivot  132  is pivoted the second pivot  134  to allow the first body  110  to be opened relatively to the second body  120 . 
         [0031]    The antenna  140  is pivotally disposed in the holding recess  112  of the first body  110  and is electrically connected to the host. The antenna  140  may be located at a first position in the holding recess  112  (as shown in  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B ), and it also may be located at a second position where it is partially exposed from the first body  110  (as shown in  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B ). One end of the driving element  150  is fixed at the first pivot  132 , and the other end is fixed at one end of the antenna  140 . In the embodiment, the driving element  150  may be a metal wire. Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 2A , one end of the driving element  150  is fixed to the antenna  140 , and the other end is fixed to the first pivot  132  by winding around the first pivot  132  from the back side of the first pivot  132  to the front side of the first pivot  132 . 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B , when the foldable electronic device  100  is closed, the antenna  140  is held in the holding recess  112 . Then, as shown in  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B , when the first body  110  is opened relatively to the second body  120 , the first pivot  132  generates a first rotation displacement θ 1  relatively to the second pivot  134 . The first rotation displacement θ 1  allows the driving element  150  to generate a first linear displacement D 1  toward the first pivot  132 . The first linear displacement D 1  allows the antenna  140  to generate a second rotation displacement θ 2 . Thus, the antenna  140  automatically extends to the second position shown in  FIG. 2A  from the first position in the holding recess  112  shown in  FIG. 1A  to receive electronic signals. 
         [0033]    Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 1B , the foldable electronic device with an antenna  100  further includes a restoring element  160 . The restoring element  160  is disposed between the antenna  140  and the first body  110 , and it has a resilience to allow the antenna  140  to be held in the holding recess  112 . Thus, when the foldable electronic device  100  is closed, the antenna  140  may be automatically held in the holding recess  112 , and users do not need to manually restore the antenna  140 . In the embodiment, the restoring element  160  may be a torsion spring. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0034]      FIG. 3A  is a three dimensional perspective diagram showing a foldable electronic device with an antenna in a closed state according to the second embodiment of the invention, and  FIG. 3B  is a top perspective diagram showing the foldable electronic device with an antenna shown in  FIG. 3A . As shown in  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B , the foldable electronic device with an antenna  200  includes a first body  210 , a second body  220 , a pivotal mechanism  230 , an antenna  240  and a driving element  250 . The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, and the similar part is described in the first embodiment and is not described herein for concise purpose. 
         [0035]    The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is described hereinbelow. In the first embodiment, one end of the driving element  150  is fixed at the first pivot  132 , and the other end is fixed at one end of the antenna  140 . In this embodiment, one end of the driving element  250  is fixed at the second pivot  234 , and the other end is fixed at one end of the antenna  240 . Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B , one end of the driving element  250  is fixed at the antenna  240 , and the other end is fixed to the second pivot  234  by winding around the second pivot  234  from the front side of the second pivot  234  to the back side of the second pivot  234 . 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B , when the foldable electronic device  200  is closed, the antenna  240  is held in the holding recess  212 .  FIG. 4A  is a three dimensional perspective diagram showing the foldable electronic device with an antenna shown in  FIG. 3A .  FIG. 4B  is a lateral perspective diagram showing the foldable electronic device with an antenna shown in  FIG. 4A . As shown in  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B , when the first body  210  is opened relatively to the second body  220 , the first pivot  232  generates a first rotation displacement θ 3  relatively to the second pivot  234 . The first rotation displacement θ 3  allows the driving element  250  to generate a first linear displacement D 2  toward the first pivot  232 . The first linear displacement D 2  allows the antenna  140  to generates a second rotation displacement θ 4 . Thus, the antenna  240  extends to the second position in  FIG. 4A  from the first position in the holding recess  212  shown in  FIG. 3A  automatically to receive the electronic signals. 
         [0037]    Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 3B , the foldable electronic device with an antenna  200  also includes a restoring element  260 . When the foldable electronic device  200  is closed, via the resilience of the restoring element  260 , the antenna  240  may be held in the holding recess  212  automatically, and a user does not need to restore the antenna  240  manually. 
         [0038]    To sum up, the foldable electronic device with an antenna of the invention utilizes the pivotal mechanism to drive the driving element when it rotates to allow the driving element to drive the antenna to extend out of the first body. The invention has the following advantages. 
         [0039]    First, since the antenna may extend out of the first body, the antenna is not affected by the shielding effect of the metal casing, and it has a good reception. 
         [0040]    Second, since the plastic part dose not need to be disposed additionally on the metal casing, the cost is low and the appearance is esthetical. 
         [0041]    Third, when the first body is opened from the second body, via the driving of the pivotal mechanism and the driving element, the antenna may automatically extend out of the first body. When the first body is closed to the second body, via the resilience of the restoring element, the antenna may automatically retract to the first body. Thus, the usage is convenient. 
         [0042]    Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, the disclosure is not for limiting the scope of the invention. Persons having ordinary skill in the art may make various modifications and changes without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiments described above.