Patent Description:
As technology develops and progresses, twistable notebook computers are developed. In a twistable notebook computer, after a monitor of the notebook computer is pivoted away from a host of the notebook computer (i.e., the notebook computer is opened), the monitor can be turned right or left relative to the host, such that the monitor can face the user in front of the notebook computer or face the left-hand or right hand side of the user in front of the notebook computer.

In order to prevent the monitor from being improperly closed and prevent wires connecting the monitor and the host from being damaged due to the excessive turn of the monitor relative to the host, the notebook manufacturer may provide a stopper fixed on a shaft located between the monitor and the host. However, the fixation strength of the stopper on the shaft is weak, such that after the monitor has been turned many times, the stopper may gradually be movable relative to the shaft, causing the stopper failure. Therefore, how to solve the aforementioned issue is one of the crucial topics in this field. <CIT> discloses a biaxial pivoting mechanism and a respective electronic device. <CIT> discloses a hinge assembly for a foldable electronic device.

The disclosure provides a hinge assembly and a casing assembly for an electronic device which are capable of maintaining the effect of preventing the monitor from being overly turned so as to prevent the wires from being damaged due to overly twisted.

One embodiment of the invention provides a casing assembly for electronic device as defined in appended claim <NUM>. The casing assembly includes a first casing, a second casing and a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly includes a fixed frame, a shaft, a rotatable frame and a cover. The fixed frame is fixed to the first casing. The shaft is rotatably disposed on the fixed frame. The rotatable frame is fixed to the shaft and the second casing, and the rotatable frame has a first positioning structure. The cover is fixed to the first casing. The fixed frame or the cover has at least one second positioning structure, and the first positioning structure and the at least one second positioning structure are cooperated with each other so as to limit a rotatable range of the rotatable frame.

According to the casing assembly for the electronic device, the cover is fixed to the first casing, and the fixed frame or the cover has the second positioning structure to be cooperated with the first positioning structure of the rotatable frame, such that the rotatable range of the rotatable frame can be limited. Since the fixed frame and the cover is fixed to the first casing instead of the shaft, when the second positioning structure of the fixed frame or the cover is hit by the first positioning structure, the fixed frame or the cover firmly fixed to the first casing enables the second positioning structure to have sufficient strength to stop the first positioning structure. Therefore, the fixed frame or the cover can permanently provide the effect of stopping the rotatable frame so as to prevent the wires from being damaged due to excessive twist.

The present disclosure will become better understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not intending to limit the present disclosure and wherein:.

In addition, the terms used in the present disclosure, such as technical and scientific terms, have its own meanings and can be comprehended by those skilled in the art, unless the terms are additionally defined in the present disclosure. That is, the terms used in the following paragraphs should be read on the meaning commonly used in the related fields and will not be overly explained, unless the terms have a specific meaning in the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> is a perspective view of an electronic device <NUM> including a casing assembly <NUM> according to one embodiment of the disclosure, <FIG> is a partial perspective view of the casing assembly <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> according to the one embodiment of the disclosure, and <FIG> is an exploded view of a hinge assembly <NUM> in <FIG>.

In this embodiment, the casing assembly <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> includes a first casing <NUM>, a second casing <NUM> and a hinge assembly <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> is, for example, a notebook computer, the first casing <NUM> is, for example, a casing of a host, and the second casing <NUM> is, for example, a casing of a monitor, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. As long as an electronic device has two portions which are rotatable relative to each other, and the rotatable range between the two portions is required to be limited, such electronic device falls within the scope of the disclosure.

The hinge assembly <NUM> includes a fixed frame <NUM>, a shaft <NUM>, a rotatable frame <NUM> and a cover <NUM>. In addition, the hinge assembly <NUM> may further include a first washer <NUM>, a plurality of second washers <NUM> and a positioning plate <NUM>.

Then, referring to <FIG>, <FIG> is a top view of the hinge assembly <NUM> in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a bottom view of the hinge assembly <NUM> in <FIG>.

The fixed frame <NUM> is fixed to the first casing <NUM> via, for example, a fastener (not shown), such as a screw.

The shaft <NUM> includes a pillar portion <NUM> and a flange portion <NUM>. The flange portion <NUM> radially protrudes from the pillar portion <NUM>. The pillar portion <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> is sequentially disposed through the first washer <NUM>, the fixed frame <NUM> and the second washers <NUM>, and the pillar portion <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> is rotatable relative to the fixed frame <NUM>. In this embodiment, a through hole <NUM> of the fixed frame <NUM> which the pillar portion <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> is disposed through is round hole, such that the fixed frame <NUM> is not fixed to the pillar portion <NUM> of the shaft <NUM>, and thus the pillar portion <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> is rotatable relative to the fixed frame <NUM>.

Note that the quantities of the first washer <NUM> and the second washers <NUM> of the hinge assembly <NUM> are not restricted in the disclosure and may be modified according to actual requirements.

The positioning plate <NUM> is sleeved on one end of the pillar portion <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> and fixed to the pillar portion <NUM> of the shaft <NUM>, such that the first washer <NUM>, the fixed frame <NUM> and the second washers <NUM> are positioned between the flange portion <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> and the positioning plate <NUM>. In this embodiment, the positioning plate <NUM> is fixed to the pillar portion <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> via, for example, the cooperation of a non-round through hole <NUM> of the positioning plate <NUM> and the pillar portion <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> that match each other.

In this embodiment, the positioning plate <NUM> has an outer annular surface <NUM> and a curved notch <NUM> recessed from the outer annular surface <NUM>. The fixed frame <NUM> has a positioning protrusion portion <NUM>, and the positioning protrusion portion <NUM> is located in the curved notch <NUM>.

The rotatable frame <NUM> includes a base <NUM> and two rotatable components <NUM>. The base <NUM> is sleeved on another end of the pillar portion <NUM> of the shaft <NUM>, and the base <NUM> is fixed to the pillar portion <NUM> of the shaft <NUM>. In this embodiment, the base <NUM> is fixed to the pillar portion <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> via, for example, the cooperation of a non-round through hole <NUM> of the base <NUM> and the pillar portion <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> that match each other. The rotatable components <NUM> are rotatably disposed on the base <NUM> and fixed to the second casing <NUM>. A rotation axis A2 of the base <NUM> relative to the fixed frame <NUM> via the shaft <NUM> is perpendicular to a rotation axis A1 of the rotatable component <NUM> relative to the base <NUM>. As a result, the second casing <NUM> can be turned relative to the first casing <NUM> about the axis A1 via the rotatable component <NUM>. For example, the second casing <NUM> of the monitor can be pivoted away from or close to the first casing <NUM> of the host. Moreover, the second casing <NUM> can be turned relative to the first casing <NUM> about the axis A2 via the shaft <NUM>. For example, the second casing <NUM> of the monitor can be turned relative to the first casing <NUM> of the host for allowing the monitor facing toward the host or facing away from the host.

The cover <NUM> is, for example, made of metal material. The cover <NUM> includes a horizontal plate <NUM> and a vertical plate <NUM>. The horizontal plate <NUM> is fixed to the first casing <NUM> via, for example, a fastener (not shown), such as a screw. The horizontal plate <NUM> is sleeved on the shaft <NUM> and located between the base <NUM> of the rotatable frame <NUM> and the fixed frame <NUM>. The vertical plate <NUM> stands on the horizontal plate <NUM> and fixed to the first casing <NUM> via, for example, a fastener, such as a screw. The vertical plate <NUM> may cover the fixed frame <NUM> and a part of the shaft <NUM>. Note that the vertical plate <NUM> is an optional structure and may be omitted according to actual requirements.

In this embodiment, the base <NUM> of the rotatable frame <NUM> has a first positioning structure <NUM>. The first positioning structure <NUM> is, for example, a protrusion. The first positioning structure <NUM> is formed at a surface of the base <NUM> facing the horizontal plate <NUM>. In addition, the horizontal plate <NUM> of the cover <NUM> has a second positioning structure <NUM>. The second positioning structure <NUM> is, for example, a curved groove. The second positioning structure <NUM> is formed at a surface of the horizontal plate <NUM> facing the base <NUM> of the rotatable frame <NUM>. The first positioning structure <NUM> is movably located in the second positioning structure <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the cooperation of two opposite inner surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> of the second positioning structure <NUM> and the first positioning structure <NUM> can limit a rotatable range of the shaft <NUM>, and the cooperation of two opposite inner surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> of the curved notch <NUM> and the positioning protrusion portion <NUM> can also limit the rotatable range of the shaft <NUM>.

Specifically, referring to <FIG>, <FIG> is a top view of the hinge assembly <NUM> in <FIG> when the rotatable frame <NUM> of the hinge assembly <NUM> is rotated, and <FIG> is a bottom view of the hinge assembly <NUM> in <FIG> when the rotatable frame <NUM> of the hinge assembly <NUM> is rotated.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first positioning structure <NUM> is in contact with the inner surface <NUM> of the second positioning structure <NUM>, and the positioning protrusion portion <NUM> is in contact with the inner surface <NUM> of the curved notch <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the rotatable frame <NUM> can be rotated relative to the fixed frame <NUM> via the shaft <NUM> for moving the first positioning structure <NUM> towards the inner surface <NUM> of the second positioning structure <NUM> and moving the inner surface <NUM> of the curved notch <NUM> towards the positioning protrusion portion <NUM>. Once the first positioning structure <NUM> is in contact with the inner surface <NUM> of the second positioning structure <NUM>, and the inner surface <NUM> of the curved notch <NUM> is in contact with the positioning protrusion portion <NUM>, the rotatable frame <NUM> is unable to be further rotated relative to the fixed frame <NUM> in the same direction.

Similarly, the rotatable frame <NUM> can be rotated relative to the fixed frame <NUM> via the shaft <NUM> for moving the first positioning structure <NUM> towards the inner surface <NUM> of the second positioning structure <NUM> and moving the inner surface <NUM> of the curved notch <NUM> towards the positioning protrusion portion <NUM>. Once the first positioning structure <NUM> is in contact with the inner surface <NUM> of the second positioning structure <NUM>, and the inner surface <NUM> of the curved notch <NUM> is in contact with the positioning protrusion portion <NUM>, the rotatable frame <NUM> is unable to be further rotated relative to the fixed frame <NUM> in the same direction.

As a result, the cooperation of the second positioning structure <NUM> and the first positioning structure <NUM> and the cooperation of the curved notch <NUM> and the positioning protrusion portion <NUM> can limit the rotatable range of the rotatable frame <NUM> for preventing wires connecting the host with the monitor from being damaged due to excessive twist.

In this embodiment, the cover <NUM> is fixed to the first casing <NUM>, and the cover <NUM> has the second positioning structure <NUM> to be cooperated with the first positioning structure <NUM> of the rotatable frame <NUM> so as to limit the rotatable range of the rotatable frame <NUM>. Since the cover <NUM> is fixed to the first casing <NUM> instead of the shaft <NUM>, when the second positioning structure <NUM> of the cover <NUM> is hit by the first positioning structure <NUM>, the cover <NUM> firmly fixed to the first casing <NUM> enables the second positioning structure <NUM> to have sufficient strength to stop the first positioning structure <NUM>. Therefore, the cover <NUM> can almost permanently provide the effect of stopping the rotatable frame <NUM> so as to prevent the wires from being damaged due to excessive twist.

In addition, the cooperation of the curved notch <NUM> of the positioning plate <NUM> and the positioning protrusion portion <NUM> of the fixed frame <NUM> can additionally help to limit the rotatable range of the rotatable frame <NUM>. Note that the positioning plate <NUM> and the positioning protrusion portion <NUM> of the fixed frame <NUM> are optional component and structure. When the cooperation of the first positioning structure of the rotatable frame and the second positioning structure of the cover are already capable of sufficiently limiting the rotatable range of the rotatable frame, the positioning plate and the positioning protrusion portion of the fixed frame can be omitted.

On the other hand, the cover <NUM> made of metal material may have a stronger structural strength for permanently providing the effect of stopping the rotatable frame <NUM>. Note that the material of the cover <NUM> is not restricted to being metal material and may be modified to being another material having a sufficient structural strength, such as plastic material.

In this embodiment, the first positioning structure <NUM> is a protrusion, and the second positioning structure <NUM> is a groove, but the disclosure is not limited thereto; in some other embodiments, the first positioning structure may be a groove, and the second positioning structure may be a protrusion.

Then, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, <FIG> is an exploded view of a hinge assembly 30a according to another embodiment of the disclosure, and <FIG> is a top view of the hinge assembly 30a in <FIG>.

The hinge assembly 30a of this embodiment is similar to the hinge assembly <NUM> with reference to <FIG>. The hinge assembly 30a of this embodiment also includes a fixed frame <NUM>, a shaft <NUM>, a rotatable frame <NUM>, a cover 34a, a first washer <NUM>, a plurality of second washers <NUM> and a positioning plate <NUM>. The main difference between the hinge assembly 30a and the hinge assembly <NUM> is the structure of the cover, and thus the following paragraphs mainly introduce the cover 34a of the hinge assembly 30a, and other components of the hinge assembly 30a can be referred to the previous paragraphs with reference to <FIG> and will not be repeated introduced hereinafter.

In this embodiment, the cover 34a of the hinge assembly 30a includes a main part 341a and two mount parts 342a. The main part 341a is, for example, made of plastic material. The main part 341a includes a horizontal plate 3411a and a vertical plate 3412a. The horizontal plate 3411a is fixed to a first casing (e.g., the first casing <NUM> shown in <FIG>), and the horizontal plate 3411a is located between the base <NUM> of the rotatable frame <NUM> and the fixed frame <NUM>, and the vertical plate 3412a stands on the horizontal plate 3411a. The mount parts 342a are, for example, made of metal material. The mount parts 342a are mounted on the horizontal plate 3411a of the main part 341a. The mount parts 342a are located between the horizontal plate 3411a and the base <NUM> of the rotatable frame <NUM>, and the two mount parts 342a are located at two opposite sides of the shaft <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the first positioning structure <NUM> of the base <NUM> of the rotatable frame <NUM> is, for example, a protrusion, and the first positioning structure <NUM> is formed at a surface of the base <NUM> facing the two mount parts 342a. In addition, each of the mount parts 342a has a second positioning structure 3421a, and the second positioning structure 3421a is, for example, a positioning groove. The second positioning structures 3421a are respectively formed at surfaces of the mount parts 342a facing the base <NUM> of the rotatable frame <NUM>. The first positioning structure <NUM> is movable between two inner surfaces 34211a of the second positioning structures 3421a which are located opposite to each other. As a result, the cooperation of the first positioning structure <NUM> and the second positioning structures 3421a can limit the rotatable range of the rotatable frame <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the second positioning structures 3421a of the mount parts 342a do not form a continuous groove, such that, during the installation of the cover 34a, the rotatable frame <NUM> can be rotated to a position where the first positioning structure <NUM> does not interfere with the mount parts 342a of the cover 34a for enabling the horizontal plate 3411a of the cover 34a can be directly sleeved on the shaft <NUM>. Then, the rotatable frame <NUM> is rotated, such that the first positioning structure <NUM> enters into the second positioning structure 3421a of one of the mount parts 342a. In other words, since the second positioning structures 3421a of the mount parts 342a do not form a continuous groove, during the installation of the cover 34a, the cover 34a is not required to be turned to a certain angle for enabling the first positioning structure <NUM> to enter into the continuous groove, thereby facilitating the installation of the cover 34a.

In this embodiment, the rotatable range of the rotatable frame <NUM> is limited by the cooperation of the first positioning structure <NUM> (e.g., the protrusion) of the base <NUM> of the rotatable frame <NUM> and the second positioning structures 3421a (e.g., the positioning grooves) of the mount parts 342a of the cover 34a, but the disclosure is not limited thereto; in some other embodiments, the cover may not include the two mount parts, while the rotatable frame may further include two mount parts. The two mount parts are mounted on the base of the rotatable frame and each have a first positioning structure (e.g., the positioning groove), and the horizontal plate of the cover may have a second positioning structure (e.g., the protrusion). As a result, the cooperation of the first positioning structures of the mount parts of the rotatable frame and the second positioning structure of the horizontal plate of the cover may also limit the rotatable range of the rotatable frame.

Then, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, <FIG> is an exploded view of a hinge assembly 30b according to still another embodiment of the disclosure, and <FIG> is a top view of the hinge assembly 30b in <FIG>.

The hinge assembly 30b of this embodiment is similar to the hinge assembly <NUM> with reference to <FIG>. The hinge assembly 30b of this embodiment also includes a fixed frame <NUM>, a shaft <NUM>, a rotatable frame <NUM>, a cover 34b, a first washer <NUM>, a plurality of second washers <NUM> and a positioning plate <NUM>. The main difference between the hinge assembly 30b and the hinge assembly <NUM> is the structure of the cover, and thus the following paragraphs mainly introduce the cover 34b of the hinge assembly 30b, and other components of the hinge assembly 30b can be referred to the previous paragraphs with reference to <FIG> and will not be repeated introduced hereinafter.

In this embodiment, a horizontal plate 341b of the cover 34b has two second positioning structures 3411b. The second positioning structures 3411b are, for example, stop blocks. The second positioning structures 3411b protrude from a surface of the horizontal plate 341b of the cover 34b facing the base <NUM> of the rotatable frame <NUM>. The first positioning structure <NUM> of the base <NUM> of the rotatable frame <NUM> is movable between the second positioning structures 3411b so as to limit the rotatable range of the rotatable frame <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the rotatable range of the rotatable frame <NUM> is limited by the cooperation of the second positioning structures 3411b (e.g., the stop blocks) of the horizontal plate 341b of the cover 34b and the first positioning structure <NUM> (e.g., the protrusion) of the base <NUM> of the rotatable frame <NUM>, but the disclosure is not limited thereto; in some other embodiments, the base of the rotatable frame may have two first positioning structures (e.g., the stop blocks), and the horizontal plate of the cover may have a second positioning structure (e.g., the protrusion). As a result, the cooperation of the second positioning structure of the horizontal plate of the cover and the first positioning structures of the base of the rotatable frame may also limit the rotatable range of the rotatable frame.

Note that the horizontal plate 341b of the cover 34b is not restricted to having the two second positioning structures 3411b (e.g., the stop blocks); in some other embodiments, the horizontal plate of the cover may not have the second positioning structures (e.g., the stop blocks). Instead, the fixed frame may have the two second positioning structures (e.g., the stop blocks). For example, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, <FIG> is an exploded view of a hinge assembly 30c according to yet another embodiment of the disclosure, and <FIG> is a top view of the hinge assembly 30c in <FIG>.

The hinge assembly 30c of this embodiment is similar to the hinge assembly 30b with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the main different between them is that the structures of the cover and fixed frame, and thus the following paragraphs mainly introduce a cover 34c and a fixed frame 31c of the hinge assembly 30c, and other components of the hinge assembly 30c will not be repeatedly introduced hereinafter.

In this embodiment, the cover 34c has two guide grooves 3411c, and the guide grooves 3411c are located around the shaft <NUM>. The fixed frame 31c has two second positioning structures 311c (e.g., the stop blocks), and the second positioning structures 311c are respectively located in the guide grooves 3411c. The first positioning structure <NUM> (e.g., the protrusion) of the rotatable frame <NUM> is movable between the guide grooves 3411c so as to be cooperated with the second positioning structures 311c of the fixed frame 31c for limiting the rotatable range of the rotatable frame <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the rotatable range of the rotatable frame <NUM> is limited by the cooperation of the second positioning structures 311c (e.g., the stop blocks) of the fixed frame 31c and the first positioning structure <NUM> (e.g., the protrusion) of the rotatable frame <NUM>, but the disclosure is not limited thereto; in some other embodiments, the rotatable frame may have two first positioning structures (e.g., the stop blocks), and the fixed frame may have a second positioning structure (e.g., the protrusion). As a result, the cooperation of the second positioning structure of the fixed frame and the first positioning structures of the rotatable frame may also limit the rotatable range of the rotatable frame.

In addition, the quantity and the type of the second positioning structures 311c of the fixed frame 31c are not restricted in the disclosure; in some other embodiments, the fixed frame may have single one second positioning structure, the second positioning structure may be a groove, and the guide grooves of the cover may be through holes. As a result, the first positioning structure (e.g., the protrusion) of the rotatable frame may be disposed through one of the guide grooves of the cover and movably located in the second positioning structure of the fixed frame, such that two opposite inner surfaces of the second positioning structure of the fixed frame can limit the rotatable range of the rotatable frame.

According to the hinge assemblies and the casing assembly for the electronic device as described above, the cover is fixed to the first casing, and the fixed frame or the cover has the second positioning structure to be cooperated with the first positioning structure of the rotatable frame, such that the rotatable range of the rotatable frame can be limited. Since the fixed frame and the cover is fixed to the first casing instead of the shaft, when the second positioning structure of the fixed frame or the cover is hit by the first positioning structure, the fixed frame or the cover firmly fixed to the first casing enables the second positioning structure to have sufficient strength to stop the first positioning structure. Therefore, the fixed frame or the cover can permanently provide the effect of stopping the rotatable frame so as to prevent the wires from being damaged due to excessive twist.

In addition, the cooperation of the curved notch of the positioning plate and the positioning protrusion portion of the fixed frame can additionally help to limit the rotatable range of the rotatable frame.

Claim 1:
A casing assembly (<NUM>) for electronic device (<NUM>), comprising:
a first casing (<NUM>);
a second casing (<NUM>); and
a hinge assembly (<NUM>, 30a, 30b, 30c), comprising:
a fixed frame (<NUM>, 31c), fixed to the first casing (<NUM>);
a shaft (<NUM>), rotatably disposed on the fixed frame (<NUM>, 31c);
a rotatable frame (<NUM>), fixed to the shaft (<NUM>) and the second casing (<NUM>), wherein the rotatable frame (<NUM>) has a first positioning structure (<NUM>), the rotatable frame (<NUM>) comprises a base (<NUM>) and two rotatable components (<NUM>), the base (<NUM>) is fixed to the shaft (<NUM>), the two rotatable components (<NUM>) are rotatably disposed on the base (<NUM>) and fixed to the second casing (<NUM>), and a rotation axis (A1) of the two rotatable components (<NUM>) relative to the base (<NUM>) is perpendicular to a rotation axis (A2) of the base (<NUM>) relative to the fixed frame (<NUM>) via the shaft (<NUM>); and
a cover (<NUM>, 34a, 34b, 34c), fixed to the first casing (<NUM>);
wherein the fixed frame (31c) or the cover (<NUM>, 34a, 34b) has at least one second positioning structure (311c, <NUM>, 3411b, 3421a), and the first positioning structure (<NUM>) and the at least one second positioning structure (311c, <NUM>, 3411b, 3421a) are cooperated with each other so as to limit a rotatable range of the base (<NUM>) of the rotatable frame (<NUM>) relative to the fixed frame (<NUM>) via the shaft (<NUM>);
characterized in that
the cover (<NUM>, 34a, 34b, 34c) comprises a horizontal plate (<NUM>, 3411a, 341b) and a vertical plate (<NUM>, 3412a, 342b), the vertical plate (<NUM>, 3412a, 342b) stands on the horizontal plate (<NUM>, 3411a, 341b), the horizontal plate (<NUM>, 3411a, 341b) has a sleeve hole, an opening of the sleeve hole is located at one side of the horizontal plate (<NUM>, 3411a, 341b) located opposite to the vertical plate (<NUM>, 3412a, 342b), the horizontal plate (<NUM>, 3411a, 341b) is located between the rotatable frame (<NUM>) and the fixed frame (<NUM>, 31c) and is sleeved on the shaft (<NUM>) through the sleeve hole.