Abstract:
A switch assembly ( 40 ) and a portable electronic device ( 100 ) are provided. The portable electronic device includes a body section ( 20 ), a cover section ( 10 ) rotatably connecting to the body section, and the switch assembly. The switch assembly includes a first magnetic component ( 43 ), a second magnetic component ( 45 ), and a movable magnetic component ( 47 ). The first magnetic component is mounted on the cover section. The second magnetic component is mounted on the body section, and attracts to the first magnetic component to maintain the portable electronic device at a closed position. The movable magnetic component is movably mounted on the body section, and repels both to the first and second magnetic. The movable magnetic component provides a repulsive force to repel the cover rotates outwards from the body section, when the magnetic component is driven to move close to the first and second magnetic components.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   1. Technical Field 
   The present invention relates to switch assemblies and foldable portable electronic devices using the switch assembly, particularly to a magnetic switch assembly for opening and closing a cover of a foldable portable electronic device and the foldable portable electronic device using the switch assembly. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   With the rapid and prosperous developments in communication technologies and the continuously upgraded living standards in the modern society, a mobile phone has become a very popular communication product among most consumers. These days, mobile phones provide an incredible array of functions, as well as a variety of the aesthetic appearances. Mobile phones can be classified into three or more types, such as bar type mobile phones, foldable type mobile phones, and slidable type mobile phones. Foldable type mobile phone is popular for its compact size and light weight as well as its large display area allowing more information to be displayed. A foldable mobile phone generally includes a cover section, a main body section, and a hinge assembly rotatably interconnecting the cover section to the main body section. The hinge assembly is configured for switching the mobile phone between an open position (namely, the cover section is flipped open from the main body section) and a closed position (namely, the cover section is overlaid on the main body section). 
   One kind of hinge assembly applied in a foldable mobile phone employs a cam and a follower, which allows the cover section to fold outwardly from the main body section and then stay in the open position. The hinge assembly typically includes a cam having a concave portion, a follower having a convex portion, a shaft having a fixing end, and a spring. The cam and the follower are placed around the shaft. The spring resists the follower to make the follower contact to the cam. The cam, the follower, the shaft and the spring are received in a housing. The cover section rotates about the main body of the mobile phone by overcoming the force of the spring, thus allowing the concave portion of the cam to rotate about the convex portion of the follower. However, a user must open a foldable mobile phone using both hands. This makes foldable mobile phone inconvenient to use in situations when the user has only one hand free. 
   In order to satisfy the desire for easily opening and closing a foldable mobile phone using one hand, foldable mobile phones incorporated with an automatic hinge assembly are provided. However, the automatic hinges used in the mobile phones tend to have a complicate structure, which, accordingly, makes manufacture process for producing the automatic hinge time consuming, and increase the cost of the production thereof. 
   Therefore, a switch assembly for opening and closing a cover section of a foldable portable electronic device and the foldable portable electronic device are desired in order to overcome the above-described problems. 
   SUMMARY 
   In one aspect thereof, a switch assembly used in a foldable electronic device is provided. The foldable electronic device includes a cover section, a body section, a hinge assembly pivotely connecting the cover section to the body section, and said switch assembly. The switch assembly includes a first magnetic component mounted on the cover section; a second magnetic component mounted on the body section, and a movable magnetic component movably mounted on the body section. The first magnetic component and the second magnetic component attract with each other to maintain a close position of the portable electronic device. The movable magnetic component repels to both the first and second magnetic components. The movable magnetic component provides a repulsive force to repel the cover rotate outwards from the body section, when the magnetic component is pressed to move close to the first and second magnetic components. 
   In another aspect thereof, a foldable portable electronic device is provided. The foldable electronic device includes a cover section, a body section, a hinge assembly pivotely connecting the cover section to the body section, and a switch assembly. The switch assembly includes a first magnetic component mounted on the cover section; a second magnetic component mounted on the body section, and a movable magnetic component movably mounted on the body section. The first magnetic component and the second magnetic component attract with each other to maintain a close position of the portable electronic device. The movable magnetic component repels to both the first and second magnetic components. The movable magnetic component provides a repulsive force to repel the cover rotate outwards from the body section, when the magnetic component is pressed to move close to the first and second magnetic components. 
   Other advantages and novel features will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Many aspects of the present switch assembly for opening and closing covers and foldable portable electronic device using same be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the switch assembly for opening and closing covers and foldable portable electronic device using same. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic, perspective view of a foldable portable electronic device incorporating with a switch assembly therein according to a present embodiment, wherein the foldable portable electronic device maintains in a closed position. 
       FIG. 2  is similar to  FIG. 1 , but shows the foldable portable electronic device maintaining in an open position. 
       FIG. 3  shows a disassembled view of the switch assembly of the foldable portable electronic device of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now to the drawings in detail,  FIGS. 1 and 2  show a foldable electronic device  100  incorporated with a switch assembly  40  therein, in accordance with a present embodiment. The foldable portable electronic device  100  can be, for example, a flip type or foldable type mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), or handheld computer. The foldable portable electronic device  100  essentially includes a cover section  10 , a main body section  20 , a hinge assembly (not shown) configured to pivotably/rotatably couple the cover section  10  and the main body section  20 , and the switch assembly  40 . The switch assembly  40  is configured (i.e. structured and arranged) for holding the cover section  10 , thus keeping the portable electronic device  100  in a closed position as shown in  FIG. 1 , and releasing the cover section  10 , thus allowing the portable electronic device  100  to be in an open position as shown in  FIG. 2 . When the portable electronic device  100  is in the closed position, the cover section  10  is overlaid on the main body section  20 . Due to the force of the hinge assembly, the cover section  10  can automatically flip open from the main body section  20 . 
   The cover section  10  has an inner end  11 , an external end  13 , and an inner surface  15 . The inner end  11  and the external end  13  are located at two opposite ends of the cover section  10 . The inner end  11  is configured to pivotably connect to the main body section  20 . The external end  13  can be operated by a user to open or close the portable electronic device  100 . The inner surface  15  overlies on the main body section  20  when the foldable portable electronic device  100  is in the closed position. The inner surface  15  has a first notch  17  defined therein, in the external end  11 . The first notch  17  is a rectangular concave recessed in the inner surface  15 . 
   Also referring to  FIGS. 3-4 , the main body section  20  includes an inner housing  21 , an external housing  22 , a second notch  25 , and a receiving cavity  27 . The inner housing  21  and the external housing  22  are mounted to each other, and thus forming the receiving cavity  27 , and a receiving space (not shown) therein to incorporate electronic components such as printed circuit board (PCB) therein. The inner housing  21  faces toward the inner surface  15  of the cover section  10  when the foldable portable electronic device  100  is in the closed position. The second notch  25  is defined in the inner housing  21 , and is positioned corresponding to the first notch  17 . The receiving cavity  27  is configured for receiving the switch assembly  40  therein, and includes a first cavity  271 , a second cavity  272 , and a longitudinal slot  273  defined in that order from external to internal of the main body section  20 . The first cavity  271  and the second cavity  272  both are cylindrical vacant voids. However, both of the first cavity  271  and the second cavity  272  are divided into two portions by the inner housing  21  and the external housing  22 , that is, the first cavity  271  and the second cavity  272  both have a portion defined in the inner housing  21 , and another portion defined in the external housing  22 . The second cavity  272  has a diameter larger than that of the first cavity  271 , and thereby forming a step surface  274  between the first cavity  271  and the second cavity  272 . The slot  273  is longitudinally defined in the inner housing  21 , and communicates with both the second cavity  272  and the second notch  25 , thereby forming an end sidewall  275  between the second cavity  272  and the slot  273 . The end sidewall  275  oppositely faces to the step surface  274 . 
   The switch assembly  40  includes a control assembly  41 , a first magnetic component  43 , and a second magnetic component  45 . The first magnetic component  43  and the second magnetic component  45  both are bar/axial magnet, and are respectively situated inside the first notch  17  and the second notch  25 . The first magnetic component  43  has a first magnetic pole disposed near the inner surface  15 . The second magnetic component  45  has a second magnetic pole face towards the first magnetic pole of the first magnetic component  43 . The second magnetic pole of the second magnetic component  45  has a polarity opposite to the polarity of the first magnetic pole of the first magnetic component  43 . Thus, when the foldable portable electronic device  100  is closed, the first magnetic component  43  and the second magnetic  45  matingly attract to each other. 
   The control assembly  41  includes a pressing section  46 , a third magnetic component  47 , and an elastic member  48 . The pressing section  46  includes a button  461 , a stop portion  463 , and a beam  467 , wherein the button  461  and the beam  467  are disposed at two opposite ends of the stop portion  463 . The button  461  is configured for being pressed by a user. The button  461  is cylindrical, has a length slightly longer than the length of first cavity  271 , so that an end of the button  461  can extend outwardly from the first cavity  271  when the button  461  is received in the first cavity  271 . The stop portion  463  is cylindrical, and has a diameter approximately equal to that of the second cavity  272 , that is, the stop portion  463  has a diameter larger than that of the button  461 , thereby forming a stop surface  462  from which the button  461  projects. The stop surface  462  can abut against the step surface  274 , so as to prevent the pressing section  46  detaching from the main body section  20 . The stop portion  463  further has annular groove  465  recessed in an end surface opposite to the stop surface  462 , and thus forming a pole  466  surrounded by the annular groove  465 . The beam  467  longitudinally extends from the end surface of stop portion  463  and has a receiving groove  468  defined therein. The receiving groove  468  is recessed in a distal end of the beam  467 , and is positioned far away from the stop portion  463 . 
   The third magnetic component  47  should preferably be a bar/axial magnet, and is received in the receiving groove  468  of the beam  467 . The third magnetic component  47  has a third magnetic pole disposed towards the first magnetic component  43 , and a fourth magnetic pole disposed towards the second magnetic component  45 . The third magnetic pole has a polarity same to the first magnetic pole of the first magnetic component  43 , and the fourth magnetic pole has a polarity same to the second magnetic pole of the second magnetic component  45 . 
   The elastic member  48  can preferably be a compressing spring. The elastic member  48  is received in the second cavity  272 . One end of the elastic member  48  is received in the annular slot  465  of the press section  461  and surrounds the pole  466 , and can abut against the stop portion  463 . An opposite end of the elastic member  48  can abut against the end sidewall  275 . The elastic member  48  is configured for providing rebound force for driving the pressing section  46  to rebound to a less compressed status. 
   In assembly, firstly the first and second magnetic components  43 ,  45  are respectively situated in the first notch  17  of the cover section  10  and the second notch  25  of the body section  21 . Then, the pressing section  46  is assembled. The elastic member  48  is mounted to the pressing section  46 , with one end thereof being inserted into the annular groove  465  and surrounding the pole  466 . The third magnetic member  47  is securely received inside the receiving groove  468  of the beam  467 . At last, the assembled pressing section  46  is mounted to the inner housing  21 , and subsequently, the inner housing  21  is attached to the external housing  22  to secure the pressing section  46  therein. The button  41  and the stop portion  43  are respectively received in the first and second cavity  271 ,  272 . The elastic member  48  is sandwiched between the stop portion  463  and the end sidewall  275 , and is compressed to push the stop portion  463  abutting against the step surface  274 . The beam  47  of the pressing section  46  is inserted into the longitudinal slot  273 , and the third magnetic component  47  is positioned near the first and second magnetic component  43 ,  45  with the third magnetic pole close to the first magnetic component and the fourth magnetic pole close to the second magnetic component. 
   In use, when the portable electronic device  100  is in the closed position as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4 , the first magnetic pole of the first magnetic component  43  and the second magnetic pole of the second magnetic component  45  having opposite polarities are matingly attracted to each other. The third and fourth magnetic poles of the third magnetic component  47  respectively face towards the first magnetic pole of the first magnetic component  43  and the second magnetic pole of the magnetic component  45  except that the third magnetic component  47  is disposed at the sides of the first and second magnetic components  43 ,  45 , namely, the third magnetic component  47  is staggered with the first and second magnetic components  43 ,  45 . The attractive force between the first magnetic component  43  and the second component  45  is larger than the repulsive force between the third magnetic component  47  and the first and second magnetic component  43 ,  45  together with the force of the hinge assembly to outwards rotate the cover section  10  from the body section  20 . 
   When a user presses the button  461 , the third magnetic component  47  is correspondingly further inserted inside the receiving cavity  27  and becomes being disposed between the first and second magnetic component  43 ,  45 . Accordingly, the repulsive force between the third magnetic component  47  and the first second magnetic component  43 ,  45  becomes larger and larger. When the force of hinge assembly together with the repulsive force between the third magnetic component  47  and the first magnetic components  43  become larger than the attractive force between the first and second magnetic components  43 ,  45 , the cover section  10  is automatically repelled to rotate from the body section  20  to the open position of the portable electronic device  100  due to the force of the hinge assembly. The user can then stop pressing the button  461 . 
   The portable electronic device  100  advantageously incorporates a hinge assembly having relatively simple structure and the switch assembly  40  to achieve the purpose of automatically opening the foldable portable electronic device  100 . Since the structure of the switch assembly  40  is simple, the process for making and assembly the switch assembly is correspondingly simple. Therefore, cost of production of the portable electronic device  100  is decreased. 
   It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the present invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of present invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.