Abstract:
A sliding module includes a first section, a second section, a pivot plate, a hinge module and an assist lever. Two sides of the pivot plate are respectively rotatably connected to the first section and the hinge module. The hinge module is positioned on the second section. Two ends of the assist lever are respectively rotatably connected to the first section and the second section. The first section brings the pivot plate to rotate relative to the hinge module, and elevates the assist lever, the pivot plate and the assist lever bring the first section to move and rotate relative to the second section in a tilted orientation.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure generally relates to electronic devices, and particularly to a sliding module for an electronic device. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops, and personal digital assists (PDAs) are widely used. As such, the sales and use of slide-type portable electronic devices have been on the increase. A slide-type portable electronic device has two housings, which can open and close relative to each other with the use of a slide mechanism. 
         [0005]    However, the slide-type devices typically only allow the two housings to slide parallel to each other. Therefore, when the slide-type is placed horizontally, it can be difficult for users to view a display screen on the housing. 
         [0006]    Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Many aspects of the tilt mechanism for electronic device can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the sliding module for electronic device. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is an exploded, isometric view of an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a hinge assembly and a pivot plate used in the electronic device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is an exploded, isometric view of the hinge assembly shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the electronic device of  FIG. 1  in a closed orientation. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the electronic device of  FIG. 4  in an open orientation. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view of the electronic device of  FIG. 5 , showing the position of the pivot plate. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]      FIG. 1  shows an exemplary embodiment of a sliding module  100  applied in an electronic device, such as a mobile phone, or a personal digital assist. The sliding module  100  can be in a closed orientation and a tilted open orientation. The sliding module  100  includes a first section  10 , a second section  20 , a pivot plate  30 , a hinge module  40 , and an assist lever  50 . In the closed orientation, the first section  10  and the second section  20  overlap each other. In the tilted open orientation, the first section  10  is tilted relative to the second section  20  for better viewing. 
         [0015]    The first section  10  defines two retaining grooves  12  at opposite sides of a surface thereof for connecting one side of the pivot plate  30 . A receiving groove  14  is defined in the first section  10  adjacent to one of the retaining grooves  12  for connecting one end of the assist lever  50 . 
         [0016]    The second section  20  defines two notches  22  at opposite sides of a surface to connect the other side of the pivot plate  30 . A slot  24  is defined in the surface of the second section  20  adjacent to one of the notches  22 . The other end of the assist lever  50  is connected to the slot  24 . A receiving portion  26  is formed on the second section  20  to communicate with the adjacent notch  22 . The receiving portion  26  defines a receiving cavity  262  and a limiting groove  264 . The limiting groove  264  communicates the receiving cavity  262  with the adjacent notch  22 . The hinge module  40  is received in the receiving cavity  262 . 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the pivot plate  30  includes a main body  32 , and two pairs of first, second support arms  34 ,  36  formed at two sides of the main body  32 . The pair of first support arms  34  is rotatably connected to the retaining grooves  12 , and the pair of second support arms  36  is rotatably connected to the notches  22 . One of the second support arms  36  defines a hole  362  for non-rotatably connecting the hinge module  40 . In this exemplary embodiment, the hole  362  is made up of a circular hole and a cutout recessed from one side of the circular hole. The cutout extends from a length direction of the support arm  36 . A length of the hole  362  along the length direction of the second support arm  36  is longer than a width of the hole  362  perpendicular to the length direction. 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the hinge module  40  includes a washer  41 , a sleeve  42 , a resilient member  43 , a follower  44 , a cam  45 , and a shaft  46 . The cam  45 , the follower  44 , and the resilient member  43  are fitted over the shaft  46 , and are received in the sleeve  42 . The washer  41  is latched to one end of the shaft  46  with the above elements to assemble a unit. The follower  44  is non-rotatably engaged in the sleeve  42 . The sleeve  42  can be received in the receiving cavity  262 . The follower  44  includes peaks and valleys, and the cam  45  can slide over the peaks of the follower  44  to allow the cam  45  to rotate relative to the follower  45 . In this exemplary embodiment, the cam  45  includes a first block  452  and a second block  454  coaxially connected to each other. The first block  452  is rotatably received in the limiting groove  264 , and the second block  454  is received in the hole  362 . The first block  452  and the second block  454  are substantially whistle-shaped, and tip portions of the blocks,  452 ,  454  are arranged at 180 degrees. 
         [0019]    The assist lever  50  includes a first connecting end  52  and a second connecting end  54  integrally formed together. The first connecting end  52  is received in the receiving groove  14 , and is connected to the first section  10  with a post (not shown). The second connecting end  54  is received in the slot  24  to be connected to the second section  20 . 
         [0020]    In assembly, referring to  FIG. 4 , the pair of first support arms  34  is rotatably connected to the retaining grooves  12 , and the pair of second support arms  36  is rotatably connected to the notches  22 . The hole  362  is aligned with the receiving cavity  262  and the limiting groove  264 . The assembled hinge module  40  is assembled to the receiving cavity  262 , and the first block  452  is received in the limiting groove  264 , and the second block  454  is received in the hole  362  of the pivot plate  30  for connecting the pivot plate  30  to the first section  10  and the second section  20 . The first connecting end  52  is connected to the receiving groove  14 , and the second connecting end  54  is connected to the slot  24 . Accordingly, the sliding module  100  is assembled. 
         [0021]    When the sliding module  100  is in a closed orientation, the first section  10  is parallel to and overlaps the second section  20 . The first support arms  34  are received in the retaining grooves  12 , and the second support arms  36  are received in the notches  22 . The assist lever  50  is received in the receiving groove  14  and the slot  24 . 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , when the sliding module  100  is to be opened, a user may apply a force to the first section  10  to move the first section  10  away from the second section  20 . The pivot plate  30  and the assist lever  50  are forced to rotate, and further elevate the first section  10 . The cam  45  is driven by the pivot plate  30  to rotate relative to the follower  44 . When the cam  45  slides over the peaks of the follower  44 , the cam  45  automatically rotates the pivot plate  30  until the first section  10  is completely opened relative to the second section  20 . The first section  10  is supported in a tilted position relative to the second section  20 . 
         [0023]    The sliding module  100  can be applied in a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone. The electronic device includes a cover and a housing engagable with the cover. The cover is secured to the first section  10 , and the housing is secured to the second section  20 . Thus, the portable electronic device opens or closes with use of the sliding module  100 . 
         [0024]    The second support arm  36  defines a hole  362 . The manufacture of the hole  362  relative to a conventional hole is easy. In addition, the shape of the hole  362  allows a small force needed to rotate the support arm  36 , and as an added benefit the second support arm  36  may be thinner. 
         [0025]    It is to be understood, however, that even through numerous characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the disclosure, 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 the disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.