Patent Publication Number: US-2023139609-A1

Title: Adjustable included angle of rotatable shaft assembly and terminal device

Description:
FIELD 
     The subject matter herein generally relates to mechanical structures, and more particularly, to a shaft assembly and a terminal device including the shaft assembly. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A head-worn terminal device in the form of spectacles is usually mass-produced, and it is difficult to apply to users with different head sizes. For example, the same device may be too tight or too loose for different users, thus reducing a scope of application. Therefore, there is a room for improvement in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Implementations of the present technology will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures. 
         FIG.  1    is a is a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of part of a terminal device to be worn on the head like spectacles, including shaft assembly, according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is an enlarged view of area II of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a diagrammatic view of a separation of a covering body from other components in a shaft assembly according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is an exploded view of the shaft assembly of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  5    is similar to  FIG.  4   , but showing the shaft assembly from another angle. 
         FIG.  6    is a diagrammatic view of the shaft assembly of  FIG.  3    when an elastic member of the shaft assembly is undeformed. 
         FIG.  7    is a diagrammatic view of the shaft assembly of  FIG.  3    when an elastic member of the shaft assembly is deformed. 
         FIG.  8    is a diagrammatic view of the device of  FIG.  1    when an elastic member of the shaft assembly is undeformed. 
         FIG.  9    is a partial cross-sectional view of the device in  FIG.  8   . 
         FIG.  10    is a is a diagrammatic view of an included angle between a frame and a temple is a first included angle. 
         FIG.  11    is a partial cross-sectional view of the device in  FIG.  10   . 
         FIG.  12    is a diagrammatic view of an abutting portion of the temple rotated relative to the blocking portion, the included angle between the glasses frame and the temple being thereby a second included angle. 
         FIG.  13    is a partial cross-sectional view of the device in  FIG.  12   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant feature being described. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and the proportions of certain parts may be exaggerated to better illustrate details and features of the present disclosure. 
     The term “comprising,” when utilized, means “including, but not necessarily limited to”; it specifically indicates open-ended inclusion or membership in the so-described combination, group, series, and the like. 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. If no conflict, the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 , and  2   , a terminal device  200  is provided according to an embodiment in the present disclosure. The terminal device  200  includes a first clamping member  210 , a second clamping member  220 , and a shaft assembly  100 . The shaft assembly  100  is movably connected to the first clamping member  210  and the second clamping member  220 , so as to adjust angles of opening and closing between the first clamping member  210  and the second clamping member  220 . 
     The terminal device  200  (hereinafter referred to generally as “spectacles”) may be simple spectacles for vision assistance or may include but not be limited to myopia glasses, hyperopia glasses, sunglasses, smart glasses, and the like. 
     The spectacles include an eyeglass frame  210  (that is the first clamping member  210 ), a temple  220  (that is the second clamping member  220 ), and the shaft assembly  100  connecting the eyeglass frame  210  and the temple  220 . The angle between the temple  220  and the glasses frame  210  can be adjusted through the shaft assembly  100 . 
     In some embodiments, the first clamping member  210  further includes an optical machine module  213 , and the optical machine module  213  is fixedly connected to the eyeglass frame  210 . 
     The side of the eyeglass frame  210  facing the temple  220  has a blocking portion  215 . The side of the temple  220  facing the eyeglass frame  210  has an abutting portion  225 . When the spectacles are to be used, the temple  220  can rotate relative to the glasses frame  210 , and the abutting portion  225  abuts the blocking portion  215 , so that the temple  220  has a fixed angle relative to the glasses frame  210  for the convenience of the user. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3 ,  4 , and  5   , the shaft assembly  100  includes a rotating shaft  10  (also referring to  FIG.  9   ), a first connecting member  20 , a second connecting member  30 , and an elastic member  40 . The rotating shaft  10  is fixedly connected to the glasses frame  210 , and the rotating shaft  10  is rotatably connected to the first connecting member  20 , so that the glasses frame  210  can be rotatably connected to the shaft assembly  100 . The elastic member  40  is connected to the first connecting member  20  and the second connecting member  30 . The second connecting member  30  is fixedly connected to the temple  220 . The maximum angle of opening of the temple  220  and the glasses frame  210  can be adjusted through the shaft assembly  100 . 
     In other embodiments, the manner of connection of the glasses frame  210 , the temple  220  and the shaft assembly  100  can be interchanged, that is, the glasses frame  210  can be connected to the second connecting member  30 , and the temple  220  can be connected to the first connecting member  20 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4  and  5   , the first connecting member  20  includes a rotating barrel  21  and a sliding portion  23  connected to the rotating barrel  21 . The rotating barrel  21  and the sliding portion  23  are integrally formed. The rotating barrel  21  is a hollow cylindrical body, openings  212  are defined in both ends of the rotating barrel  21 . The opening  212  is used for accommodating the rotating shaft  10 . The sliding portion  23  is formed by extending from an outer wall of the rotating barrel  21 . The sliding portion  23  is frame-like. The sliding portion  23  includes two first rod portions  231  disposed opposite to each other and a second rod portion  233  connected to the two first rod portions  231  and disposed away from the rotating barrel  21 . A first fixing column  2332  extends from the second rod portion  233  toward the rotating barrel  21 . 
     The rotating shaft  10  is accommodated in the rotating barrel  21  from the opening  212  and inserted into the rotating barrel  21  through the opening  212 . The rotating shaft  10  is fixedly connected to the blocking portion  215  of the temple  220  and is rotatably connected to the rotating shaft  10 . The rotating barrel  21  is adjacent to the blocking portion  215 , and the sliding portion  23  is disposed on a side of the rotating barrel  21  away from the blocking portion  215 . The rotating barrel  21  is rotatably connected to the glasses frame  210  through the rotating shaft  10  and drives the sliding portion  23  to rotate relative to the glasses frame  210 . 
     The rotating shaft  10  and the rotating barrel  21  may also be connected by a flange  50 , the flange  50  acts to increase an amount of damping between the rotating shaft  10  and the rotating barrel  21 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4  and  5   , the flange  50  includes an extending portion  51  and a protruding portion  53  fixedly connected to the extending portion  51 . The protruding portion  53  is substantially a hollow body. A diameter of the protruding portion  53  is larger than that of the opening  212 , and a diameter of the opening  212  is larger than that of the extending portion  51 , so that the extending portion  51  is accommodated in the rotating barrel  21  from the opening  212 . The protruding portion  53  is exposed through the opening  212 . An outer periphery of the extending portion  51  is provided with a clamping structure  511  adapted to the rotating barrel  21 . Each rotating shaft  10  is assembled in the rotating barrel  21  through the opening  212  and is fixedly connected to the rotating barrel  21  through the clamping structure  511 . The flange  50  is defined with a second through hole  55 , the second through hole  55  penetrates the extending portion  51  and the protruding portion  53 , and the second through hole  55  penetrates the rotating shaft  10  through the flange  50 . The clamping structure  511  is an opening defined along a longitudinal direction of the protruding portion  53  and/or a protrusion disposed along a longitudinal direction of the protruding portion  53 , and an inner wall of the rotating barrel  21  is provided with a structure adapted to the protruding portion  53 , so that the flange  50  is fixedly connected to the rotating barrel  21 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4 , and  5   , the second connecting member  30  includes an accommodating portion  31  and a fixing portion  33 . The fixing portion  33  is disposed on both sides of the accommodating portion  31  and extends outward. 
     The fixing portion  33  fixes the second connecting member  30  on the temple  220 . The fixing portion  33  is provided with a positioning column  332 . 
     The accommodating portion  31  is a block of material. The accommodating portion  31  includes a first side wall  311  connected to the fixing portion  33 . An accommodating groove  312  is defined on a surface of the accommodating portion  31  facing the sliding portion  23 , and the accommodating groove  312  is recessed inwards from a surface of the second connecting member  30  facing the first connecting member  20 . An end wall  314  and two second side walls  316  are extended from one end and two sides of the accommodating groove  312  from the surface forming the accommodating groove  312 . The second side wall  316  is connected to the first side wall  311  through a bottom wall  318 . A groove  319  is defined by the second side wall  316 , the bottom wall  318 , and the first side wall  311  together. The first rod portion  231  is accommodated in the groove  319 , each second side wall  316  is in contact with a surface of each first rod portion  231 , the first rod portion  231  can slide in the groove  319 . The second side wall  316  plays roles of guiding and limiting. 
     A second fixing column  3142  protrudes from the surface of the end wall  314  facing the accommodating groove  312 , and the second fixing column  3142  is disposed with the first fixing column  2332 . That is, the second fixing column  3142  extends toward the first fixing column  2332 , and the first fixing column  2332  extends toward the second fixing column  3142 . The ends of the elastic member  40  are detachably sleeved on the first fixing column  2332  and the second fixing column  3142 . The first fixing column  2332  and the second fixing column  3142  limit a position of the elastic member  40 . The elastic member  40  is detachably accommodated in the accommodating groove  312 . The elastic member  40  is deformed when subjected to an external force, and recovers the deformation when the external force is removed. One end of the elastic member  40  is connected to the first fixing column  2332 , and the other end of the elastic member  40  is connected to the second fixing column  3142 . The elastic member  40  is deformed along a direction of the relative movement of the first connecting member  20  and the second connecting member  30 . When the external force is removed, the elastic member  40  returns to the initial state. When a distance between the first fixing column  2332  and the second fixing column  3142  is gradually reduced to compress the elastic member  40 , the rod portion  231  moves outside of the second side wall  316  along the second side wall  316 , thereby the second side wall  316  plays a guiding role. A distance between the second rod portion  233  fixedly connected to the first fixing column  2332  and the second side wall  316  fixedly connected to the second fixing column  3142  decreases until the second rod portion  233  and the second side wall  316  contact each other. At this time, there is zero distance between the first fixing column  2332  and the second fixing column  3142 , the second side wall  316  plays a limiting role. 
     The elastic member  40  can be deformed by tension and compression. The elastic member  40  may be a compression spring or a tension spring. In the embodiment, the elastic member  40  is a compression spring. 
     The relative position between the first connecting member  20  and the second connecting member  30  can be controlled by an amount of deformation of the elastic member  40 . That is, the distance between the blocking portion  215  and the abutting portion  225  is controlled by the distance that the first connecting member  20  protrudes from the accommodating groove  312  of the second connecting member  30 , so as to provide space for the abutting portion  225  to rotate further relative to the blocking portion  215 , thereby increasing a maximum angle between the glasses frame  210  and the temples. 
     The juxtaposed of the two first rod portions  231 , the second rod portion  233 , and the rotating barrel  21  creates a first through hole  25  on the sliding portion  23 . The part of the sliding portion  23  including the first through hole  25  is accommodated in the accommodating groove  312 , and at least part of the elastic member  40  is exposed in the first through hole  25 . The first through hole  25  facilitates replacement of the elastic member  40 , and the elastic member  40  can be taken out or placed in the first through hole  25  without disassembling the first connecting member  20  and the second connecting member  30 . Replacement of the elastic member  40  may follow or be required for changes in the elastic force of the elastic member  40  after long-term use or different elastic forces of the elastic member  40  needed for different users. 
     Reinforcing ribs  2312  are further disposed across each first rod portion  231 . The reinforcing ribs  2312  are disposed on each surface of the first rod portion  231  away from the second rod portion  233 . Each reinforcing rib  2312  extends on the first rod portion  231  along the movement direction of the sliding portion  23  in the accommodating groove  312 . The reinforcing ribs  2312  are in permanent contact with the sliding portion  23  to increase or at least maintain a connecting force between the sliding portion  23  and the accommodating portion  31 , thus the first connecting member  20  and the second connecting member  30  do not directly separate from each other. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3    again, the shaft assembly  100  may further include a covering body  60 . The covering body  60  is shaped to match in opposition the shape of the second connecting member  30 . The covering body  60  is fixed with the second connecting member  30  and forms an accommodating space (not marked in figures) for accommodating the sliding portion  23 . The covering body  60  and the second connecting member  30  in  FIG.  3    are separated from each other, so that the structure between the covering body  60  and the second connecting member  30  can be easily checked. 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , a positioning hole  61  is defined on the covering body  60 . The positioning column  332  is inserted through the positioning hole  61  to fix and connect the covering body  60  and the second connecting member  30  to limit the sliding portion  23  and prevent the second connecting member  30  from falling off from the accommodating portion  31 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3 ,  4 , and  5    again, a stopping portion  2314  is disposed on a surface of the first rod portion  231  facing the covering body  60 . A blocking groove  63  is disposed on the covering body  60  engaged with the stopping portion  2314 . An extending direction of the blocking groove  63  is the same as an extending direction of the groove  319 . The stopping portion  2314  is slidably accommodated in the blocking groove  63 . The stopping portion  2314  and the blocking groove  63  cooperate with each other to limit the relative sliding distance between the first connecting member  20  and the covering body  60 , thereby controlling the amount of deformation of the elastic member  40 , thereby controlling an included angle between the temple  220  and the glasses frame  210 . Referring to  FIGS.  6 , and  7   ,  FIG.  6    shows a state when the first connecting member  20  and the covering body  60  do not slide against each other, that is, the elastic member  40  is not compressed. At the time, the temple  220  has no clamping force.  FIG.  7    shows a state when the first connecting member  20  and the covering body  60  slide against each other and the elastic member  40  is compressed. At the time, the temple  220  is subjected to a clamping force. 
     The following describes in detail the process of the spectacles with adjustable angles of opening and closing provided by the embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  8 , and  9   , during an opening process of the spectacles, the temple  220  is rotated relative to the glasses frame  210 , the abutting portion  225  of the temple  220  does not abut against the blocking portion  215  of the glasses frame  210 , and the elastic member  40  is undeformed. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  10 , and  11   , rotation of the temple  220  is continued so that the abutting portion  225  of the temple  220  abuts against the blocking portion  215  of the eyeglass frame  210 . At this time, the elastic member  40  is undeformed, and a largest included angle between the temple  220  and the glasses frame  210  is defined as first included angle θ1. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  12 , and  13   , when user requires a different first included angle  01 , rotation of the temple  220  is continued to rotate the first connector  20  relative to the eyeglass frame  210 , so that the abutting portion  225  and the blocking portion  215  rotate relative to each other. At the time, the sliding portion  23  slides in the groove  319 , the distance between the first fixing column  2332  and the second fixing column  3142  is reduced, and the elastic member  40  is deformed. The included angle between the temple  220  and the glasses frame  210  is now the second included angle θ2, and the second included angle θ2 is greater than the first included angle θ1. When the elastic member  40  is deformed, the range of included angles between the eyeglass frame  210  and the temple  220  can be adjusted according to the deformation amount of the elastic member  40  and the maximum sliding range of the blocking portion  215  in the blocking groove  63 . When the included angle between the temple  220  and the glasses frame  210  is within the range of included angles between the first included angle θ1 and the second included angle θ2, the elastic member  40  is deformed. A clamping force is present between the temple  220  and the glasses frame  210  due to the elastic deformation restoring force of the elastic member  40 , so as to facilitate comfort in use by the user. 
     The included angle θ1 and the second included angle θ2 can be set according to user requirements. In the embodiment, when the elastic member  40  does not deform, the range of included angle between the glasses frame  210  and the temple  220  ranges from 0° to 90°, that is, the first included angle θ1 is 90°. When the elastic member  40  is deformed, the included angle between the glasses frame  210  and the temple  220  ranges from 90° to 125°, that is, the second included angle θ2 is 125°. The included angle between the glasses frame  210  and the temple  220  is thus 125°. Therefore, the included angle between the glasses frame  210  and the temple  220  ranges from 0° to 125°. 
     When the shaft assembly  100  provided in the present disclosure is applied to the terminal device  200 , the first clamping member  210  and the second clamping member  220  are connected through the shaft assembly  100 . The deformable elastic member  40  is disposed in the shaft assembly  100 , and the elastic member  40  deforms to change the relative position of the first connecting member  20  and the second connecting member  30 . Thus, the relative positions between the first clamping member  210  and the second clamping member  220  connected to the first connecting member  20  and the second connecting member  30  are changed. Therefore, the space for rotation between the blocking portion  215  and the abutting portion  225  is affected, and the angles of opening and closing between the first clamping member  210  and the second clamping member  220  are adjusted. 
     It is to be understood, even though information and advantages of the present embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structures and functions of the present embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only; changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present embodiments to the full extent indicated by the plain meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.