Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to an electronic device provided with an up-down supporter hinge mechanism.

With the diversified functions of electronic devices such as a TV, a personal computer, a notebook, a mobile phone, and a tab book, the electronic devices are implemented in a multimedia player form which is provided with multiple functions including a photograph of an image or video image, a playback of a music or video image file, a reception of broadcasting, and the like.

Recently, an electronic device provided with a large screen display has been developed to provide various types of information and improve an immersive screen experience of a user. Further, many structures have been researched to implement a large screen display on a mobile electronic device.

<CIT> discloses a configuration for a portable electronic device in which the cam portion rotates to pivot the first/second rods, and the support member protrudes out of the opening of the base shell.

<CIT> discloses a configuration of an electronic device in which the connecting rod in the base shell is pivoted by the cam portion of the rotating assembly, so that the support rod protrudes out of the base shell.

<CIT> discloses a configuration for an electronic apparatus in which the pushing rod is pivoted by the second pushing unit, and the connection port module protrudes downward of the first body.

An object of the present invention is to solve the problem described above or another problem. Another object of the present invention is to provide a hinge structure of an electronic device provided with a large screen display.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device provided with a hinge structure to improve an immersive screen experience of a user.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device provided with a hinge mechanism which is capable of an up-down drive.

In accordance with the present invention, an electronic device is provided according to claim <NUM>. Further embodiments are presented in the dependent claims.

The effects of the electronic device according to the present disclosure will be described as follows.

According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a hinge structure of an electronic device provided with a large screen display may be provided.

According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device provided with a hinge structure to improve an immersive screen experience of a user may be provided.

According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device provided with a hinge mechanism capable of an up-down drive may be provided.

The additional scope of the applicability of the present disclosure can be apparent from the detailed description below. However, since various modifications and alterations of the present disclosure can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art in the inventive concept and scope of the present disclosure, it is understood that the detailed description and a specific embodiment such as the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure are given just as examples.

<FIG> are diagrams illustrating examples of the electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the same or similar elements are designated with the same numeral references regardless of the numerals in the drawings and their redundant description will be omitted.

A suffix "module" or "unit" used for constituent elements disclosed in the following description is merely intended for easy description of the specification, and the suffix itself does not give any special meaning or function.

In describing the present disclosure, if a detailed explanation for a related known function or construction is considered to unnecessarily divert the gist of the present disclosure, such explanation has been omitted but would be understood by those skilled in the art. The accompanying drawings are used to help easily understand the technical idea of the present disclosure and it is understood that the idea of the present disclosure is not limited by the accompanying drawings.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected with" another element, the element can be directly connected with the other element or intervening elements may also be present. On the contrary, in case where an element is "directly connected" or "directly linked" to another element, it should be understood that any other element does not exist therebetween.

A singular representation may include a plural representation unless the representation represents a different meaning from the context.

Hereinafter, an Organic Light Emitting Display (OLED) panel is described for the display panel as an example, but the display panel applicable to the present disclosure is not limited to the OLED panel.

Referring to <FIG>, a display device <NUM> may also be referred to as a display <NUM>, a display unit <NUM>, or a display part <NUM>. An input device <NUM> may also be referred to as an input means <NUM>, an input part <NUM>, or an input unit <NUM>. The display <NUM> may be hinge-connected to a body <NUM>, and the input part <NUM> may be installed on or in a surface or a front surface of the body <NUM>.

The body <NUM> may be a system of an electronic device. The system may be constructed within the body <NUM>. The system may be an electronic computing device. For example, the system may be a personal computer (PC). A display panel <NUM> may be provided in the display device <NUM> and display information to exterior.

Referring to <FIG>, the display panel <NUM> may display an image. The display panel <NUM> may include a plurality of layers. For example, the display panel <NUM> may include a front substrate and a rear substrate.

The display panel <NUM> may be a self-illuminating organic light-emitting diode (OLED or organic LED) panel. The OLED panel may not require a separate illumination for displaying an image. Accordingly, the OLED panel may be implemented with a relatively thin thickness and a flexible structure. For example, the OLED panel may implement the display panel <NUM> bent in a curvature or a plurality of curvatures.

A plate <NUM> may be attached to a rear surface of the display panel <NUM>. The plate <NUM> and the display panel <NUM> may be coupled by an adhesive tape, or the like.

The plate <NUM> may be made of an aluminum material. The plate <NUM> made of aluminum may receive and distribute the heat generated in the display panel <NUM>. Accordingly, the plate <NUM> may prevent congestion of heat in a specific area of the display panel <NUM>, and thus, prevent deformation of the display panel <NUM> and maintain an image quality.

A module cover <NUM> may be attached to the plate <NUM>. The module cover <NUM> and the plate <NUM> may be coupled by an adhesive tape, or the like. Accordingly, with the position of the plate <NUM> being center, the display panel <NUM> is attached to one surface thereof, and the module cover <NUM> may be attached to another surface thereof. A forming area may be disposed in the module cover <NUM>. The forming area may be an area processed such that a predetermined area of the module cover <NUM> is stepped from the other areas. For example, a prominence and depression may be formed in the forming area by a press work. The heat generated from the display panel <NUM> may be dissipated to an exterior through the forming area.

An electronic component <NUM> may be coupled to the module cover <NUM>. The electronic component <NUM> may generate a control signal required to operate the display device <NUM> including the display panel <NUM>.

A frame <NUM> may be coupled to the display panel <NUM> and the module cover <NUM>, which are coupled with the plate <NUM> being center. The frame <NUM> may include a material having rigidity of a predetermined degree or more and may provide rigidity to the display device <NUM>.

A rigid bar <NUM> may be coupled to a rear surface of the module cover <NUM>. The rigid bar <NUM> coupled with the module cover <NUM> may provide rigidity to the display device <NUM>. The display device <NUM> having a relatively thin shape may be vulnerable to a force exerted from an exterior. The rigid bar <NUM> coupled to the module cover <NUM> in a horizontal and/or vertical direction may prevent the module cover <NUM> from being distorted.

A back cover <NUM> may cover a rear surface of the display device <NUM>. The back cover <NUM> may be coupled to the frame <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the display part <NUM> is hinge-coupled to the body <NUM>. The display part <NUM> may pivot on the body <NUM>. The display part <NUM> may open or close a front surface of the body <NUM>, and the input part <NUM> may be exposed to an exterior, and thus, a user may input computing data to a system. The display part <NUM> of which the display panel (<NUM>; refer to <FIG>) is exposed may display the information computed in the system as an image.

The display part <NUM> may pivot on the hinge <NUM> and move in a direction of a supporting surface S. The hinge <NUM> may be adjacent to a rear side of the body <NUM> and may be coupled to the body <NUM> and the display part <NUM>. For example, the hinge may include a first hinge adjacent to a left side of the body <NUM> and a second hinge adjacent to the right side of the body <NUM>. While the display part <NUM> moves in a rear direction of the body <NUM>, a space or a gap G may be formed between the rear surface of the body <NUM> and the supporting surface S adjacent to the portion in which the hinge <NUM> is located. A foot 400F of the hinge <NUM> may fill the gap G and move. The body may be cooled by the air passing through the gap G.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the hinge <NUM> may be referred to as a hinge assembly <NUM>. A hinge shaft <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape which is elongated. The hinge shaft <NUM> may also have a rod shape which is elongated. A first coupling part <NUM> may be elongated in a diametral direction of the hinge shaft <NUM> from a part of the hinge shaft <NUM> which is adjacent to one end of the hinge shaft <NUM>, and then, bent and elongated. The display part (<NUM>; refer to <FIG>) is fixed to the first coupling part <NUM>. A first portion of the first coupling part <NUM> may extend from the hinge shaft <NUM> in a radial direction of the hinge shaft <NUM>. A second portion of the first coupling part <NUM> may be curved toward the display part <NUM> from the first portion of the first coupling part <NUM>. In this case, a lower side of the display part (<NUM>; refer to <FIG>) may be hidden under the body <NUM> according to the rotation of the display part <NUM>.

A recovery holder <NUM> is formed at the other end of the hinge shaft <NUM>. The recovery holder <NUM> is configured to rotate together with the hinge shaft <NUM>. The recovery holder <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape of which a part is open. For example, the recovery holder <NUM> may have "C" shape.

A cam <NUM> is located between the recovery holder <NUM> and the first coupling part <NUM> and is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the hinge shaft <NUM>. The cam <NUM> may have an arc shape and may include one end and the other end which are spaced apart from each other. The cam <NUM> is configured to rotate together with the hinge shaft <NUM>.

A second coupling part <NUM> is located between the recovery holder <NUM> and the cam <NUM>. The second coupling part <NUM> may be provided with hinge holders <NUM> and <NUM> which surround the hinge shaft <NUM>. The hinge holders <NUM> and <NUM> may surround the outer circumferential surface of the hinge shaft <NUM>. The hinge holders <NUM> and <NUM> may rotate with respect to the hinge shaft <NUM>. The hinge holders <NUM> and <NUM> may rotate with contacting or rubbing the outer circumferential surface of the hinge shaft <NUM>. The second coupling part <NUM> may be provided with a coupling plate <NUM> extended in the diametral direction of the hinge shaft <NUM> from the hinge holders <NUM> and <NUM>. The coupling plate <NUM> may be fixed to the body (<NUM>; refer to <FIG>).

A foot plate <NUM> is coupled to the coupling plate <NUM>. The foot plate <NUM> may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the coupling plate <NUM>. A Bracket 422a and 422b may be fixed to the coupling plate <NUM>. The foot plate <NUM> may be pivotably coupled to the bracket 422a and 422b.

The foot plate <NUM> includes a foot coupling part <NUM>, a cam tab <NUM>, and a holder tab <NUM>. The foot plate <NUM> may face the coupling plate <NUM> and may pivot with respect to the coupling plate <NUM>. The foot coupling part <NUM> may be spaced apart from the hinge shaft <NUM> in the radial direction of the hinge shaft <NUM>. The foot coupling part <NUM> may be positioned lower than the hinge shaft <NUM>. The holder tab <NUM> may be extended from the foot coupling part <NUM> and may be inserted into the recovery holder <NUM> through the open surface of the recovery holder <NUM>. The cam tab <NUM> extends from the foot coupling part <NUM> and may contact a portion of the cam <NUM> or may be spaced apart from the cam <NUM>. The cam tab <NUM> may face the holder tab <NUM> with respect to the foot coupling part <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, when the hinge shaft <NUM> rotates with respect to the second coupling part <NUM>, the cam <NUM> rotates together with the hinge shaft <NUM>. While the cam <NUM> rotates, the cam <NUM> may contact the cam tab <NUM>. While the hinge shaft <NUM> rotates at a predetermined angle, the cam <NUM> may be spaced apart from the cam tab <NUM>. When the hinge shaft <NUM> rotates at more than the predetermined angle, the cam <NUM> may contact the cam tab <NUM>, and thus, the cam <NUM> may push the cam tab <NUM>. The cam tab <NUM> may rotate the foot plate <NUM> with respect to an axis 422c of the brackets 422a and 422b by pushing the cam <NUM>. In this case, the foot (400F, refer to <FIG>) may proceed outside of the body <NUM>. A side surface of the cam <NUM> may contact an outer surface of the cam tab <NUM> in a certain rotation range of the cam <NUM>. Here, the outer surface of the cam tab <NUM> is a surface of the cam tab <NUM> facing the cam <NUM>. In this case, in the above certain rotation range of the cam <NUM>, a position of the foot 400F may be constant, and an angle of the body <NUM> with respect to the supporting surface (S; refer to <FIG>) may be constant.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the foot 400F may be fixed on the foot coupling part <NUM>. The foot 400F may have elastic force. For example, the foot 400F may include a rubber or other elastic material.

In the state that the foot (400F, refer to <FIG>) moves forward to an exterior of the body <NUM> by the foot plate <NUM>, the hinge shaft <NUM> may rotate in a reverse direction, and the recovery holder <NUM> may be spaced apart from the holder tab <NUM>. In the case that the hinge shaft <NUM> further rotates in the reverse direction, the recovery holder <NUM> may contact the holder tab <NUM>. In this case, an end of the holder tab <NUM> may be inserted into the recovery holder <NUM>. The recovery holder <NUM> may push the holder tab <NUM>. When the recovery holder <NUM> rotates and pushes the holder tab <NUM>, the foot plate <NUM> may become close to the second coupling part <NUM>. In this case, the foot (400F, refer to <FIG>) may be accommodated into the body <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a body provided with a computing system; a hinge assembly adjacent to one side of the body and installed inside of the body; and a display part including a display panel for displaying a screen, wherein the display part is pivotable with respect to the body and is connected to the hinge assembly, wherein the hinge assembly may include: a hinge shaft; a first coupling part adjacent to one end of the hinge shaft, extending from an outer circumferential surface of the hinge shaft, and fixed to the display part; a second coupling part rotatably coupled to the hinge shaft and fixed to the body; and a foot plate pivotably coupled to the second coupling part and pivotable with the second coupling part according to the rotation of the hinge shaft.

Certain embodiments or other embodiments of the disclosure described above are not mutually exclusive or distinct from each other. Any or all elements of the embodiments of the disclosure described above may be combined with another or combined with each other in configuration or function.

Claim 1:
An electronic device comprising:
a body (<NUM>) provided with a computing system;
a hinge assembly (<NUM>) adjacent to one side of the body (<NUM>) and installed inside of the body (<NUM>); and
a display part (<NUM>) including a display panel (<NUM>) for displaying a screen, wherein the display part (<NUM>) is pivotable with respect to the body (<NUM>) and is connected to the hinge assembly (<NUM>),
wherein the hinge assembly (<NUM>) comprises:
a hinge shaft (<NUM>);
a first coupling part (<NUM>) adjacent to one end of the hinge shaft (<NUM>), extending from an outer circumferential surface of the hinge shaft (<NUM>), and fixed to the display part (<NUM>);
a second coupling part (<NUM>) rotatably coupled to the hinge shaft (<NUM>) and fixed to the body (<NUM>);
a foot plate (<NUM>) pivotably coupled to the second coupling part (<NUM>) and pivotable with respect to the second coupling part (<NUM>) according to the rotation of the hinge shaft (<NUM>);
a recovery holder (<NUM>) formed at the other end of the hinge shaft (<NUM>); and
a cam (<NUM>) formed on the outer circumferential surface of the hinge shaft (<NUM>) and opposite the recovery holder (<NUM>) with respect to the second coupling part (<NUM>),
wherein the recovery holder (<NUM>) and the cam (<NUM>) rotate together with the hinge shaft (<NUM>),
wherein the foot plate (<NUM>) comprises:
a foot coupling part (<NUM>);
a holder tab (<NUM>) extending from one side of the foot coupling part (<NUM>) toward the recovery holder (<NUM>) and that contacts the recovery holder (<NUM>) or is spaced apart from the recovery holder (<NUM>) according to the rotation of the recovery holder (<NUM>); and
a cam tab (<NUM>) extending from the other side of the foot coupling part (<NUM>) toward the cam (<NUM>) and that contacts the cam (<NUM>) or is spaced apart from the cam (<NUM>) according to the rotation of the cam (<NUM>).