Patent ID: 12206807

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS.8and9show an electronic device17comprising a first frame section4, a second frame section5, a display2connected to at least one of the first frame section4and the second frame section5, and a hinge assembly1interconnecting the first frame section4and the second frame section5such that the first frame section4and the second frame section5are pivotable, relative each other, between an unfolded position P1and a first folded end position P2a. In a one embodiment, the hinge assembly1is also moveable between the unfolded position P1and a second folded end position P2b. As the hinge assembly1is folded, the electronic device17is also folded from an unfolded position to a folded end position. The electronic device17may also comprise a back cover arranged oppositely to the display2.

As shown inFIGS.1cand1d, the first frame section4and the second frame section5are aligned and releasably locked in a common plane when in the unfolded position P1, and

the second frame section5is superimposed on the first frame section4and releasably locked when in the first folded end position P2a. As shown inFIGS.1band1c, the first frame section4is superimposed on the second frame section5and releasably locked when in the second folded end position P2b.

The hinge assembly1comprises a row of interconnected and abutting hinge blades9, as shown inFIGS.1ato1d, and at least one linear actuator7.

The hinge blades9may be tapered and interconnected by means of an elongated connection element extending along an actuator axis A2, as shown inFIG.2b. The hinge blades9may be tapered in one direction, as shown inFIG.1d, or in two directions, as shown inFIG.1c. One-directional tapering allows the hinge assembly1to fold in only one direction, e.g. to first folded end position P2a, while bi-directional tapering allows the hinge assembly1to fold in two directions, i.e. to first folded end position P2aas well as second folded end position P2b.

The hinge blades9are aligned in a common plane when the hinge assembly1is in the unfolded position P1, as shown in the middle drawings ofFIGS.1cand1d. Each hinge blade9is rotated relative neighboring hinge blades9around a hinge assembly rotation axis A1when the hinge assembly1is moved to one of the folded end positions P2a, P2b, as shown in the lowermost drawings ofFIGS.1cand1d, as well as in the uppermost drawing ofFIG.1c.

As shown inFIGS.2ato5c, the linear actuator7comprises a rotation shaft12, extending within the second frame section5, and at least one linear drive arrangement13. The first end of the linear drive arrangement13is interconnected with the rotation shaft12, and the second, opposite end of the linear drive arrangement13is connected to at least one hinge blade9or to the first frame section4. The actuator axis A2extends between the first end and the second end, and perpendicular to the hinge assembly rotation axis A1. Actuation of the linear actuator7along the actuator axis A2urges each hinge blade9to rotate relative neighboring hinge blades9around the hinge assembly rotation axis A1.

A first dimension of a first outer surface8aof the hinge assembly1may be larger than a corresponding second dimension of a second outer surface8bof the hinge assembly1when the hinge assembly1is in the first folded end position P2a, as shown inFIG.1c. The linear actuator7is actuated by a difference between the first dimension and the second dimension.

The linear actuator7further comprises a locking arrangement3for locking the hinge assembly1in at least one of the unfolded position P1and the folded end positions P2a, P2b. The locking arrangement3comprises a cam element6interlocking with a cam section10located on the rotation shaft12.

As shown inFIGS.2ato3b, the rotation shaft12may extend in parallel with the hinge assembly rotation axis A1while the linear drive arrangement13extends along the actuator axis A2. The cam element6may be arranged on the rotation shaft12, enclosing a section thereof, such that the cam element6and the rotation shaft12share a center axis A3. The cam element6is at least partially stationary such that it does not rotate around the shared center axis A3, such that the cam section10of the rotation shaft12interlocks with different parts of the cam element6as the rotation shaft12is rotated. For example, if the cam element6has two locking positions, i.e. at each 180-degree rotation, then the hinge assembly1as well has locking positions at each 180-degree rotation, e.g. when in the first folded end position P2awherein the electronic device may be closed, then in the unfolded position wherein the electronic device may be in tablet mode, and after a further 180-degree rotation when in the second folded end position P2b, wherein the electronic device may be in phone mode.

The cam element6may be moveable in opposite directions along the shared center axis A3, such that the cam element6may oscillate along the shared center axis A3in response to rotation of rotation shaft12and cam section10. The hinge assembly1may in this case comprise a resilient element16, such as a spring, sharing the same center axis A3as the rotation shaft12and the cam element6. The resilient element16is arranged such that it biases the cam element6towards the cam section10, keeping the interlock between the cam section10and the cam element6for at least as long as there is no actuation of the linear actuator7.

In a further embodiment, shown inFIGS.5ato5c, the rotation shaft12extends perpendicular to the hinge assembly rotation axis A1and the actuator axis A2, with a center axis A3b. The cam element6is arranged adjacent one side or end of the rotation shaft12.

The cam element6comprises a circular element11which may be plate shaped, and extend in a first plane perpendicular to the center axis of the rotation shaft12. The center axis A3aof the cam element6extends in parallel with the center axis A3bof the rotation shaft12.

The cam section10, arranged on the rotation shaft12, may comprise a circular section14extending in the first plane, e.g. in the form of a circular plate or two parallel circular plates, and having an outer diameter which is significantly larger that the diameter of the rotation shaft12, allowing the required locking forces on the cam element6and the cam section10to be significantly reduced while keeping the device locking forces the same. The circular section14comprises at least one peripheral notch15adapted for receiving the circular element11.

The circular element11may be moveable in opposite directions in the first plane, such that the circular element11may oscillate in response to rotation of rotation shaft12and cam section10around center axis A3b, as indicated by means of arrows inFIG.5c. The hinge assembly1may comprise a resilient element16, such as a spring, extending within or in parallel with the first plane. The resilient element16is arranged such that it biases the circular element11towards the cam section10, keeping the interlock between the cam section10and the circular element11for at least as long as there is no actuation of the linear actuator7.

The hinge assembly1comprises a neutral axis N, and the center axis of the rotation shaft12may intersect the neutral axis N. The first end of the linear drive arrangement13engages the rotation shaft12, extending within e.g. the second frame section5and the second end of the linear drive arrangement13engages a first location and a second location of an individual hinge blade9. The second end of the linear drive arrangement13may also engage the first frame section4. The first location and the second location are located on opposite sides of, and with equidistant spacing from, the neutral axis N, as is clear fromFIG.5b. The above-mentioned elongated connection element, connecting the hinge blades9, may extend along the neutral axis N.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS.2ato3b, the center axis A3of the rotation shaft12extends within e.g. the second frame section5in the same plane as the neutral axis N. In the embodiment shown inFIGS.5ato5c, the center axis A3bof the rotation shaft12extends within e.g. the second frame section5perpendicular to the neutral axis N, however, the longitudinal extent of the rotation shaft12along its center axis A3bis limited to extending between the display and the optional back cover of the electronic device.

The linear drive arrangement13may comprises a loop, a first loop section13aand a second loop section13bextending on opposite sides of, and with equidistant spacing from, the neutral axis N. The loop may be open at the second end of the linear drive arrangement13, as shown inFIGS.2a,2b, and5b. A first rotation of the rotation shaft12, in a first direction around the center axis A3, A3bof the rotation shaft12, rotates the loop in the first direction, and a second rotation of the rotation shaft12, in a second direction around the center axis A3, A3bof the rotation shaft12, rotates the loop in the second direction.

The linear drive arrangement13may comprises a chain, as indicated inFIG.7, or a wire, as indicated inFIG.6.

When the linear drive arrangement13comprises a wire it may be partially wound around the rotation shaft12, as shown inFIG.2c, and extend through the hinge blades9along the actuator axis A2and on opposite sides of, with equidistant spacing from, the neutral axis N.

The linear drive arrangement13may comprise two separate chain sections13a,13bextending in parallel with equidistant spacing from the neutral axis N and on opposite sides of the elongated connection element as suggested inFIG.2b. The chain sections extend through the hinge blades9along the actuator axis A2, when the hinge assembly1is in the unfolded position P1.

The rotation shaft12may comprise at least one pinion and chain of the linear drive arrangement13may be connected to a first rack engaging the pinion at a first location, as shown inFIG.7. A first rotation of the rotation shaft12and the pinion moves the rack in a first direction along the actuator axis A2, hence pulling the chain in the first direction, and an opposite, second rotation of the rotation shaft12and the pinion moves the rack in a second direction along the actuator axis A2, hence pushing the chain in the second direction. The chain, or a second chain section, may be connected to a second rack engaging the pinion at a second location opposite the first location and extending along the actuator axis A2. The first rack and the second rack extend on opposite sides of, and with equidistant spacing from, the neutral axis N. A first rotation of the rotation shaft12and the pinion simultaneously moves the first rack in the first direction and the second rack in the second direction, such that the first rack pulls the chain in the first direction and the second rack, simultaneously, pushes the chain in the second direction. An opposite, second rotation of the rotation shaft12and the pinion simultaneously moves the first rack in the second direction and the second rack in the first direction, such that the first rack pushes the chain in the second direction and the second rack, simultaneously, pulls the chain in the first direction.

As previously mentioned, the present disclosure also relates to an electronic device17comprising the above described hinge assembly1. The display2and/or the back cover of the electronic device may be fixedly connected to the first frame section4, and pivoting the first frame section4or the second frame section5will actuate the linear actuator7. The linear actuator7urges the display2and/or the back cover to slide in relation to the hinge assembly1such that an overlap between the display2and/or the back cover and the second frame section5varies. The overlap between the display2and the second frame section5is at a minimum when the foldable assembly1is in the first folded end position P2a. Correspondingly, the overlap is at a maximum when the hinge assembly1is in the second folded end position P2b, as shown in, e.g.,FIG.8.

In a further embodiment, the display2or the back cover2bmay be fixedly connected to the first frame section4and the second frame section5. The linear actuator7urges the second frame section5to slide, e.g. on sliding rails, in relation to the hinge assembly1such that the distance between the hinge assembly1and the second frame section5varies, as shown inFIG.9. The distance between the hinge assembly1and the second frame section5is at a minimum when the foldable assembly1is in the first folded end position P2a, and

the distance between the hinge assembly1and the second frame section5is at a maximum when the foldable assembly1is in the second folded end position P2b.

The various aspects and implementations have been described in conjunction with various embodiments herein. However, other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed subject-matter, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage.

The reference signs used in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope.