Patent Publication Number: US-2011062304-A1

Title: Display positioning mechanism with different types of hinges and related display device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a display positioning mechanism with different types of hinges and a related display device, and more particularly, to a display positioning mechanism with a vertical stand hinge and a frame stand hinge and a related display device. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     In recent years, all in one PC plays an increasingly important role in the market. However, a stand type of the all in one PC uses a conventional stand as usual without revolution. For example, a frame stand and a vertical stand are the most popular types. As the same as a conventional liquid crystal display, a consumer has to decide a type of the stand before purchasing the all in one PC. In addition, the VESA-hold is not utilized to be a standard specification by all manufacturers. Therefore, it is difficult to change the type of the stand of the conventional all in one PC, such as the frame stand, the vertical stand, and so on. Please refer to  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is a structural diagram of a vertical stand mechanism  10  in the prior art. The vertical stand mechanism  10  includes a display  12  fixed on a central axle  16  of a base  14 . A weight of the display  12  loads onto the base  14  and a table whereon the base  14  is positioned via the central axle  16 . Besides, the display  12  can be rotated relative to the central axle  16  within a specific range. In order to force economically and uniformly, a torsional spring is installed on the central axle  16 . Because a moment generated by the weight of the display  12  decreases an angle θ between the display  12  and the base  14 , a torque provided by the torsional spring has to increase the angle θ so as to counteract the moment generated by the weight of the display  12  for saving an effort. 
     In addition, please refer to  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  is a structural diagram of a frame stand mechanism  20  in the prior art. The frame stand mechanism  20  includes a display  22  and a brace  24  for supporting the display  22 . A front edge of the display  22  and the brace  24  contact against a table, which means there are two contacting points between the table and the frame stand mechanism  20 . An elevation angle of the display  22  of the frame stand mechanism  20  is adjustable. The adjusting mechanism includes two ways. One is moving a lower edge of the display  22  relative to the table and fixing the brace  24  on the table so as to adjust the elevation angle of the display  22 . The other is moving the brace  24  relative to the table and fixing the display  22  on the table. Because a weight of the display  22  drives the brace  24  to move backward, a central axle  26  connected between the display  22  and the brace  24  provides a frictional moment to prevent the brace  22  from moving backward. A torsional spring can be installed on the central axle  26  for retrieving the brace  24  automatically for decreasing the angle between the display  22  and the brace  24 , so that a user can operate the frame stand mechanism  20  with one hand conveniently. Because a moment generated by the weight of the display  22  increases an angle θ between the display  22  and the brace  24 , a torque provided by the torsional spring decreases the angle θ so as to reduce the frictional moment for saving an effort. 
     As mentioned above, a hinge structure of the vertical stand mechanism is opposite to a hinge structure of the frame stand mechanism, which means the torque provided by the torsional spring in the conventional vertical stand mechanism is opposite to the torque provided by the torsional spring in the conventional frame stand mechanism. There is no mechanism capable of combining the vertical stand mechanism with the frame stand mechanism in the market. The vertical stand mechanism and the frame stand mechanism have their operational limitation, respectively. For example, the operational range of the angle θ of the conventional vertical stand mechanism is between −5 degree and 20 degree, and the operational range of the angle θ of the conventional frame stand mechanism is between 20 degree and 62 degree. As the conventional vertical stand mechanism shown in  FIG. 1 , an elevation angle α of the display  12  is equal to the angle θ (alternate-interior angle) substantially. As the conventional frame stand mechanism shown in  FIG. 2 , a triangle formed by the display  22 , the brace  24 , and the supporting plane is similar to an isosceles triangle, so that an elevation angle α is equal to half of the angle θ substantially. If the range of the elevation angle of the vertical stand is demanded between −5 degree and 20 degree and the range of the elevation angle of the frame stand is demanded between 15 degree and 30 degree, it is acceptable to set the range of the angle θ of the vertical stand between −5 degree and 20 degree and the range of the angle θ of the frame stand between 25 degree and 62 degree. Therefore, different stands can position the display in different angles, and design of a mechanism capable of combining the vertical stand mechanism with the frame stand mechanism can promote competitiveness in the market effectively. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a display positioning mechanism with different types of hinges and a related display device for solving above drawbacks. 
     According to the claimed invention, a display positioning mechanism with different types of the hinges includes a supporting component connected to a display and for supporting the display, a first hinge module connected to a first end of the supporting component, and a second hinge module connected to a second end of the supporting component. The first hinge module includes a first preload control washer whereon a first constraining structure is formed, and a first loading component, a fixing end of the first loading component being fixed on the first end of the supporting component, the first loading component providing a torque in a first direction to the supporting component when an angle of the display and a supporting plate is within a first range, and the first loading component not providing the torque to the supporting component when the angle of the display and the supporting plane is within a second range different from the first range. The second hinge module includes a second preload control washer whereon a second constraining structure is formed, and a second loading component, a fixing end of the second loading component being fixed on the second end of the supporting component, the second loading component not providing the torque to the supporting component when the angle of the display and the supporting plate is within the first range, and the second loading component providing a torque in a second direction opposite to the first direction to the supporting component when the angle of the display and the supporting plane is within the second range. 
     According to the claimed invention, a display positioning mechanism includes a supporting component connected to a display and for supporting the display, a first constraining structure and a second constraining structure being respectively formed on a first end and a second end of the supporting component, a first hinge module connected to the first end of the supporting component, and a second hinge module connected to the second end of the supporting component. The first hinge module includes a first preload control washer, and a first loading component, a fixing end of the first loading component being fixed on the first preload control washer, the first loading component providing a torque in a first direction to the supporting component when an angle of the display and a supporting plate is within a first range, and the first loading component not providing the torque to the supporting component when the angle of the display and the supporting plane is within a second range different from the first range. The second hinge module includes a second preload control washer, and a second loading component, a fixing end of the second loading component being fixed on the second preload control washer, the second loading component not providing the torque to the supporting component when the angle of the display and the supporting plate is within the first range, and the second loading component providing a torque in a second direction opposite to the first direction to the supporting component when the angle of the display and the supporting plane is within the second range. 
     According to the claimed invention, a display device includes a display, a base for supporting the display on a supporting plane, and a display positioning mechanism connected to the display and the base for positioning the display on the supporting plane. The display positioning mechanism includes a supporting component connected to the display for supporting the display, a first hinge module connected to a first end of the supporting component, and a second hinge module connected to a second end of the supporting component. The first hinge module includes a first preload control washer whereon a first constraining structure is formed, and a first loading component, a fixing end of the first loading component being fixed on the first end of the supporting component, the first loading component providing a torque in a first direction to the supporting component when an angle of the display and the supporting plate is within a first range, and the first loading component not providing the torque to the supporting component when the angle of the display and the supporting plane is within a second range different from the first range. The second hinge module includes a second preload control washer whereon a second constraining structure is formed, and a second loading component, a fixing end of the second loading component being fixed on the second end of the supporting component, the second loading component not providing the torque to the supporting component when the angle of the display and the supporting plate is within the first range, and the second loading component providing a torque in a second direction opposite to the first direction to the supporting component when the angle of the display and the supporting plane is within the second range. 
     According to the claimed invention, a display device includes a display, a base for supporting the display on a supporting plane, and a display positioning mechanism connected to the display and the base for positioning the display on the supporting plane. The display positioning mechanism includes a supporting component connected to the display for supporting the display, a first constraining structure and second constraining structure being respectively formed on a first end and a second end of the supporting component, a first hinge module connected to the first end of the supporting component, and a second hinge module connected to a second end of the supporting component. The first hinge module includes a first preload control washer, and a first loading component, a fixing end of the first loading component being fixed on the first preload control washer, the first loading component providing a torque in a first direction to the supporting component when an angle of the display and the supporting plate is within a first range, and the first loading component not providing the torque to the supporting component when the angle of the display and the supporting plane is within a second range different from the first range. The second hinge module includes a second preload control washer, and a second loading component, a fixing end of the second loading component being fixed on the second preload control washer, the second loading component not providing the torque to the supporting component when the angle of the display and the supporting plate is within the first range, and the second loading component providing a torque in a second direction opposite to the first direction to the supporting component when the angle of the display and the supporting plane is within the second range. 
     These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a structural diagram of a vertical stand mechanism in the prior art. 
         FIG. 2  is a structural diagram of a frame stand mechanism in the prior art. 
         FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  are diagrams of a display device in different modes according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, respectively. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic drawing of a display positioning mechanism according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded diagram of the display positioning mechanism according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged diagram of a first frictional torque control washer, a second frictional torque control washer, and a separated washer according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram of a first loading component and a second loading component respectively positioned inside a first constraining structure of a first preload control washer and a second constraining structure of a second preload control washer in different states according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Please refer to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  are diagrams of a display device  50  in different modes according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, respectively. The display device  50  can be a liquid crystal display, an all in one PC, and so on. The display device  50  includes a display  52 , a base  54  for supporting the display  52  on a supporting plane  55 , and a display positioning mechanism  56  connected to the display  52  and the base  54  for positioning the display  52  on the supporting plane  55 . The base  54  includes a brace  541  and a stand  542  connected to the brace  541  in a detachable manner. As shown in  FIG. 3 , when the display device  50  is in a vertical stand mode, the stand  542  is combined with the brace  541 , and the brace  541  can support the display  52  on the supporting plane  55 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , when the display device  50  is in a frame stand mode, the stand  542  is disassembled from the brace  541 , which means the brace  541  supports the display  52  on the supporting plane  55  directly. As the display device  50  in the vertical stand mode shown in  FIG. 3 , an elevation angle α of the display  52  is equal to an angle θ (alternate-interior angle) substantially. As the display device  50  in the frame stand mode shown in  FIG. 4 , a triangle formed by the display  52 , the brace  541 , and the supporting plane  55  is similar to an isosceles triangle substantially, so that the elevation angle α is equal to half of an angle θ substantially. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 5  is a schematic drawing of the display positioning mechanism  56  according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6  is an exploded diagram of the display positioning mechanism  56  according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The display positioning mechanism  56  includes a supporting component  58  connected to the display  52  shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  and for supporting the display  52 . The supporting component  58  can be a punching thin plate. The display positioning mechanism  56  further includes a first hinge module  60  connected to a first end  581  of the supporting component  58 . The first hinge module  60  includes a first preload control washer  62  whereon a first constraining structure  621  is formed. The first constraining structure  621  can be an arc slot. The first hinge module  60  further includes a connecting plate  64  for connecting to the base  54  shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . The first hinge module  60  further includes a central axle  66  passing through the first end  581  of the supporting component  58 . The first hinge module  60  further includes at least one wear-resisting washer  68  sheathed on the central axle  66  and installed between the connecting plate  64  and the first end  581  of the supporting component  58  for preventing the first end  581  of the supporting  58  from being worn when the first end  581  of the supporting  58  rotates relative to the connecting plate  64 . The first hinge module  60  further includes a first frictional torque control washer  70  sheathed on the central axle  66 . At least one first protruding portion  701  is formed on the first frictional torque control washer  70 . The first protruding portion  701  can be a protrusion. The first hinge module  60  further includes a second frictional torque control washer  72  sheathed on the central axle  66  and fixed on the first end  581  of the supporting component  58  in a rotatable manner relative to the first frictional torque control washer  70 . At least one second protruding portion  721  is formed on the second frictional torque control washer  72 . The first hinge module  60  further includes a separated washer  74  sheathed on the central axle  66  and installed between the first frictional torque control washer  70  and the second frictional torque control washer  72  so as to control a distance of the first frictional torque control washer  70  and the second frictional torque control washer  72 . Please refer to  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 7  is an enlarged diagram of the first frictional torque control washer  70 , the second frictional torque control washer  72 , and the separated washer  74  according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 . The first hinge module  60  further includes a first loading component  76 . The first loading component  76  can be a torsional spring. A fixing end  761  of the first loading component  76  is fixed on the first end  581  of the supporting component  58 . For example, the fixing end  761  can be inserted into a hole on the first end  581 . A movable end  762  of the first loading component  76  passes through the first constraining structure  621  of the first preload control washer  62 . The first hinge module  60  further includes a sleeve  78  sheathed on the central axle  66  and contacting the second frictional torque control washer  72  and the first preload control washer  62 . The first hinge module  60  further includes at least one elastic washer  80  sheathed on the central axle  66  and installed on a side of the first preload control washer  62 . When the first protruding portion  701  of the first frictional torque control washer  70  contacts the second protruding portion  721  of the second frictional torque control washer  72 , the second frictional torque control washer  72  is pushed along an axial direction of the central axle  66  to push the sleeve  78 , so that the first preload control washer  62  contacts the elastic washer  80  tightly. The first hinge module  60  further includes a screw nut  82  installed on a side of the elastic washer  80  for screwing an end of the central axle  66  so as to assemble the above-mentioned components on the central axle  66 . 
     The display positioning mechanism  56  further includes a second hinge module  84  connected to a second end  582  of the supporting component  58 . Basically, a structure of the second hinge module  84  is similar with a structure of the first hinge module  60 . The different components are introduced as below, and the identical components are omitted to introduce herein for simplicity. The second hinge module  84  includes a second preload control washer  86  whereon a second constraining structure  861  is formed. The second constraining structure  861  can be an arc slot. The second hinge module  86  further includes a second loading component  88 . The second loading component  88  can be a torsional spring. A fixing end  881  of the second loading component  88  is fixed on the second end  582  of the supporting component  58 . For example, the fixing end  881  can be inserted into a hole on the second end  582 . A movable end  882  of the second loading component  88  passes through the second constraining structure  861  of the second preload control washer  86 . 
     Because a setting direction of the first loading component  76  is opposite to a setting direction of the second loading component  88 , the torque provided by the first loading component  76  is opposite to the torque provided by the second loading component  88 . In the present invention, the first hinge module  60  and the second hinge module  84  can be the vertical stand hinge mechanism and the frame stand hinge mechanism, respectively. The first hinge module  60  and the second hinge module  84  can further be the frame stand hinge mechanism and the vertical stand hinge mechanism, respectively. Please refer to  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 8  is a diagram of the first loading component  76  and the second loading component  88  respectively positioned inside the first constraining structure  621  of the first preload control washer  62  and the second constraining structure  861  of the second preload control washer  86  in different states according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. For example, when the angle θ of the display  52  and the brace  541  is within a first range, as the first range in the vertical stand mode substantially within the range of −5 degree and 20 degree shown in  FIG. 3 , the first loading component  76  is preloaded and the movable end of the first loading component  76  contacts against an end of the first constraining structure  621 . When the display  52  is rotated within the first range, the first loading component  76  is preloaded, and the movable end  762  of the first loading component  76  always contacts against the end of the first constraining structure  621 . Therefore, the first loading component  76  can provide a torque in a first direction to the first preload control washer  62  and can transmit the torque to the supporting component  58 . Because the moment generated by the weight of the display  52  decreases the angle θ, as the display device  50  is in the vertical stand mode shown in  FIG. 3 , the torque provided by the first loading component  76  increases the angle θ so as to counteract the moment generated by the weight of the display  52  for saving an effort. Meanwhile, the first hinge module  60  is utilized in the vertical stand mode. When the angle of the display  52  and the supporting plane  55  is within the first range, a movable end  882  of the second loading component  88  is slid relative to the second constraining structure  861  and does not contact against an end of the second constraining structure  861  of the second preload control washer  86 , which means the second loading component  88  is released, so that the second loading component  88  can not provide the torque to the supporting component  58 . As mentioned above, when the angle of the display  52  and the supporting plane  55  is within the first range, which means the display device  50  is in the vertical stand mode, only the first loading component  76  of the first hinge module  60  provides the torque to the supporting component  58 , the second loading component  88  of the second hinge module  84  is released and does not provide the torque to the supporting component  58 , so that the torque generated by the first loading component  76  is not counteracted by the second loading component  88 . 
     When the angle θ of the display  52  and the brace  541  is within a second range different from the first range, as the display device  50  is in the frame stand mode substantially within the range of 20 degree and 62 degree shown in  FIG. 4 , the first loading component  76  is not preloaded, and the movable end of the first loading component  76  is slid relative to the first constraining structure  621  and does not contact against the end of the first constraining structure  621  of the first preload control washer  62 , which means the first loading component  76  is released, so that the first loading component  76  does not provide the torque to the supporting component  58 . Meanwhile, the second loading component  88  is preloaded, the movable end  882  of the second loading component  88  contacts against the end of the second constraining structure  861  of the second preload control washer  86 , and the second loading component  88  is preloaded when the display  52  is rotated within the second range, so that the movable end  882  of the second loading component  88  always contacts against the end of the second constraining structure  861 . Therefore, the second loading component  88  can provide a torque in a second direction opposite to the first direction to the second preload control washer  86  and can transmit the torque to the supporting component  58 . Because the moment generated by the weight of the display  52  increases the angle θ, as the display device  50  in the frame stand mode shown in  FIG. 4 , the torque provided by the second loading component  88  decreases the angle θ. That is to say, the second loading component  88  can be utilized to counteract the moment generated by the weight of the display  52 , so that the brace  541  can be retrieved automatically by one hand when the user reduces the elevation angle of the display  52 . Meanwhile, the second hinge module  84  is utilized in the frame stand mode. As mentioned above, when the angle of the display  52  and the supporting plane  55  is within the second range, which means the display device  50  is in the frame stand mode, only the second loading component  88  of the second hinge module  84  provides the torque to the supporting component  58 , and the first loading component  76  of the first hinge module  60  is released and does not provide the torque to the supporting component  58 , so that the torque generated by the second loading component  88  is not counteracted by the first loading component  76 . In addition, the first range and the second range can be overlapped or not. For example, although an effect of the loading component is reduced when the first range and the second range are overlapped, the overlapped range is still practicable when the display is not bowed without an external force and the pulling/pushing force is acceptable. Besides, the incontinuous first and second ranges are also practicable when a preload angle of the loading component can provide enough torsion to retrieve the brace automatically. 
     In addition, the display positioning mechanism  56  of the present invention includes the vertical stand mode and the frame stand mode, and demands of the frictional torque are different for different modes. For example, the frictional torque of the first hinge module  60  can be adjusted by the first frictional torque control washer  70  and the second frictional torque control washer  72 . When the display  52  is in the vertical stand mode shown in  FIG. 3 , the first protruding portion  701  of the first frictional torque control washer  70  contacts the second protruding portion  721  of the second frictional torque control washer  72  for increasing a normal friction between the first frictional torque control washer  70  and the second frictional torque control washer  72 , so that the display positioning mechanism  56  provides greater frictional moment in the vertical stand mode. When the display  52  is in the frame stand mode shown in  FIG. 4 , the first protruding portion  701  of the first frictional torque control washer  70  does not contact the second protruding portion  721  of the second frictional torque control washer  72  for decreasing the normal friction between the first frictional torque control washer  70  and the second frictional torque control washer  72 , so that the display positioning mechanism  56  provides smaller frictional moment in the frame stand mode. The display positioning mechanism  56  corresponds to an actual demand that the hinge module provides greater frictional moment in the vertical stand mode and provides smaller frictional moment in the frame stand mode. Furthermore, magnitude of the frictional moment can be controlled by a thickness of the separated washer  74 . 
     As mentioned above, the display positioning mechanism  56  of the present invention integrates the hinge mechanisms with two specifications, which means the first hinge module  60  and the second hinge module  84  are suitable to be utilized in the vertical stand mode and in the frame stand mode, respectively, and the above-mentioned structural design is the most different point from the conventional hinge mechanism having the same torsional springs on two sides of the base. Besides, the present invention can overcome the drawback that the torques generated by two torsional springs may be counteracted with each other when the two torsional springs are in opposite directions. For example, when the display device  50  is in the vertical stand mode, the first hinge module  60  suitable to the vertical stand mode can provide the torque to the display  52 , and the second hinge mode  60  suitable to the frame stand mode does not provide the torque to the display  52 . On the other hand, when the display device  50  is in the frame stand mode, the second hinge module  84  suitable to the frame stand mode can provide the torque to the display  52 , and the first hinge module  60  suitable to the vertical stand module does not provide the torque to the display  52 . 
     Furthermore, the present invention fixes the fixing end  761  of the first loading component  76  and the fixing end  881  of the second loading component  88  on the first end  581  and the second end  582  of the supporting component  58 , respectively, and disposes the movable end  762  of the first loading component  76  and the movable end  882  of the second loading component  88  on the first constraining structure  621  of the first preload control washer  62  and the second constraining structure  861  of the second preload control washer  86  in a slidable manner, respectively, so as to actuate one hinge module in one operational mode for providing a display positioning function, which means ends of the first loading component  76  and the second loading component  88  are the fixing ends, and the other ends of the first loading component  76  and the second loading component  88  are the movable ends. The present invention can further respectively form the first constraining structure  621  and the second constraining structure  861  on the first end  581  and the second end  582  of the supporting component  58 , so that the fixing end  761  of the first loading component  76  and the fixing end  881  of the second loading component  88  are respectively fixed on the first preload control washer  62  and the second preload control washer  86 , and the movable end  762  of the first loading component  76  and the movable end  882  of the second loading component  88  are respectively disposed on the first constraining structure  621  on the first end  581  of the supporting component  58  and the second constraining structure  861  on the second end  582  of the supporting component  58  in the slidable manner. Operational principle is the same as the above-mentioned embodiment, and detailed description is omitted herein for simplicity. 
     Comparing to the prior art, the display positioning mechanism and the display device of the present invention combines the vertical stand hinge and the frame stand hinge simultaneously, so that the display device can provide two operational modes, such as the vertical stand mode and the frame stand mode. Therefore, the present invention not only can increase the range of the positioning angle of the display, but also can provide various stand types to be switched. 
     Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention.