EP2215731A2

EP2215731A2 - Stand hinge for electronic devices

Info

Publication number: EP2215731A2
Application number: EP08844032A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Chang-Soo Kim
Original assignee: Laird Technologies Korea YH
Current assignee: Laird Technologies Korea YH
Priority date: 2007-11-02
Filing date: 2008-11-03
Publication date: 2010-08-11
Also published as: WO2009056974A3; KR20100049035A; EP2215731A4; KR20090045675A; WO2009056974A2; CN101855835A

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a stand hinge for an electronic device, which is closely contacted to an electronic device so as to prevent arbitrary rotation while providing a better feeling of rotation and convenient operability. The stand hinge includes: a fixed member coupled to an electronic device; a supporting member hinge- jointed to the fixed member for supporting the electronic device relative to a surface; a stopper provided at one of the fixed member and the supporting member; a slider mounted to the other of the fixed member and the supporting member to be contacted to the stopper; and an elastic member for closely contacting the slider to the stopper to allow the supporting member to semi-automatically rotate relative to the fixed member.

Description

DESCRIPTION

STAND HINGE FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to a stand hinge for electronic devices, and more particularly to a stand hinge for electronic devices which is hinge-jointed to said devices to support the same relative to a surface.

BACKGROUND ART

Various electronic devices such as DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) terminals, PMPs (Portable Multimedia Players), portable terminals, etc., which have convenient portability and provide much data by means of an image output device, have been recently introduced in the art. In particular, the portable terminals have gained great popularity since they provide additional functions (e.g., watching TV or movies or taking photos, etc.) in addition to their inherent mobile communication function.

In order to watch the data from such electronic devices, the image output device of the electronic device must be maintained at appropriate angles so that users can see the image output device well. To this end, the electronic device must stay fixed as directly held in a user's hand. Otherwise, it must be leaned against a structure such as a wall.

In case the user holds the electronic device in his/her hand, the user cannot maintain such a posture for a long time due to a burden imposed on his/her shoulder or wrist. Further, leaning the electronic device against a wall is often restricted. Thus, there is a great inconvenience in using the electronic device.

Accordingly, the electronic device is equipped with a stand hinge, which allows the electronic device to stand anywhere for a long time.

Generally, a conventional stand hinge for an electronic device is attached to a back side of an image output device and folds down when it is not used. When in use, however, its stand folds out and becomes fixed in order to support the electronic device.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional stand hinge for an electronic device.

In Fig. 1, there is provided an electronic device 20 having a stand 30 hinge- jointed to its lateral sides 22, 23.

A display device 21 is provided at a front side of the electronic device 20. The stand 30 has a 'U' shape and includes a hinge 31 at each end. The stand is configured to be rotatably coupled to the lateral sides 22, 23 of the electronic device 20.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of portion III of Fig. 1.

A step 24 is formed at each of the lateral sides 22, 23 so as to be located at a same height. The step 24 is comprised of a raised portion 25 and a flat portion 26.

The U-shaped stand 30 is coupled to the flat portion 26 using the hinge 31 and rotates via the hinge 31 by almost 90 degrees relative to the raised portion 25.

The U-shaped stand 30 stops when it is brought into contact with the raised portion 25 during a rotation around the hinge 31. The operations of the above-described stand 30 are described below. First, the stand 30 is rotated and supported by the raised portion 25.

Thereafter, the stand 30 is brought into contact with a surface and the electronic device 20 forms a certain angle with the surface.

In such a case, since the stand 30 is fixed as supported by the raised portion 23, the electronic device 20 can stand in a stable manner.

When not in use, the stand 30 is rotated and positioned to the lateral sides of the electronic device 20. As such, the electronic device 20 provides convenient portability and can eliminate any inconvenience associated with separate carrying.

However, the stand 30 is not configured to be in close contact with the electronic device 20. Accordingly, there is a problem with the stand in that it is easily rotated from the electronic device 20 and projects outwardly.

Further, there is a problem in that a feeling of rotation is poor and operability is inconvenient since the stand 30 must be manually rotated throughout.

DISCLOSURE

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

The present invention is directed to solving the above-mentioned problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide a stand hinge for an electronic device, which is closely contacted to an electronic device so as to prevent any arbitrary rotation while providing a better feeling of rotation and convenient operability.

TECHNICAL SOLUTION

A stand hinge for an electronic device according to the present invention comprises: a fixed member coupled to an electronic device; a supporting member hinge- jointed to the fixed member for supporting the electronic device relative to a surface; a stopper provided at one of the fixed member and the supporting member; a slider mounted to the other of the fixed member and the supporting member so as to be contacted to the stopper; and an elastic member for closely contacting the slider to the stopper to allow the supporting member to semi-automatically rotate relative to the fixed member.

The slider is insertedly mounted to the supporting member together with the elastic member. The slider is characterized in that when the supporting member rotates, it is linearly moved so as to be in surface contact with the stopper.

One end and the opposite end of the supporting member protrude toward the fixed member.

A first stop surface contacted to the slider before a rotation of the supporting member and a second stop surface contacted to the slider after the rotation of the supporting member are formed at the slider.

The first stop surface is downwardly inclined opposite to the second stop surface. The slider is configured to be downwardly inclined opposite to the second stop surface so that when the first stop surface is contacted to the slider, the supporting member is rotated toward the opposite direction of the second stop surface.

An electronic device with a stand hinge of the present invention comprises an electronic device and a stand hinge for supporting the electronic device. The stand hinge comprises: a fixed member coupled to an electronic device; a supporting member hinge-jointed to the fixed member for supporting the electronic device relative to a surface; a stopper provided at one of the fixed member and the supporting member; a slider mounted to the other of the fixed member and the supporting member so as to be contacted to the stopper; and an elastic member for closely contacting the slider to the stopper to allow the supporting member to semi-automatically rotate relative to the fixed member. The fixed member is coupled to a back side of the electronic device.

The slider is insertedly mounted to the supporting member together with the elastic member. When the supporting member rotates, the slider is linearly moved so as to be in surface contact with the stopper. One end and the opposite end of the supporting member protrude toward the fixed member.

The first stop surface is downwardly inclined toward an opposite direction of the second stop surface. The slider is configured to be downwardly inclined opposite to the second stop surface so that when the first stop surface is contacted to the slider, the supporting member is rotated opposite to the second stop surface.

An electronic device with a stand hinge of the present invention comprises an electronic device and a stand hinge for supporting the electronic device. The stand hinge comprises: a fixed member; a supporting member hinge-jointed to the fixed member for supporting the electronic device relative to a surface; a stopper provided at one of the fixed member and the supporting member; a slider mounted to the other of the fixed member and the supporting member so as to be contacted to the stopper; and an elastic member for closely contacting the slider to the stopper to allow the supporting member to semi-automatically rotate relative to the fixed member. The fixed member is integrally formed to the electronic device.

A first stop surface contacted to the slider before a rotation of the supporting member and a second stop surface contacted to the slider after the rotation of the supporting member are formed at the slider. The first stop surface is downwardly inclined opposite to the second stop surface.

The slider is configured to be downwardly inclined opposite to the second stop surface so that when the first stop surface is contacted to the slider, the supporting member is rotated opposite to the second stop surface.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

The above-described stand hinge for an electronic device of the present invention may produce the following effects.

The stand hinge of the present invention may be semi-automatically rotated as the slider and the stopper are in contact therebetween by means of the elastic member, thereby providing an improved feeling of rotation and convenient operability.

Further, the slider is insertedly mounted to the supporting member together with the elastic member and is allowed to linearly move, thereby simplifying a structure of the stand hinge while decreasing its size.

Also, the first stop surface and the second stop surface allow the supporting member to stop in a stable manner.

Moreover, since the first stop surface is downwardly inclined opposite to the second stop surface, the supporting member is allowed to be in close contact with the electronic device, thereby preventing any arbitrary rotation.

According to the electronic device with a stand hinge of the present invention, since the stand hinge is coupled to the back side of the electronic device, a side thickness of the electronic device with the stand hinge can be decreased.

Additionally, since the fixed member is integrally formed to the electronic device, the stand hinge can be small in size while being simple in terms of configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a prior art stand hinge for an electronic device. Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of portion III of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a stand hinge for an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a stand hinge for an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a side view enlarging a side portion in Fig. 4.

Figs. 6 to 8 show operations of a stand hinge for an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figs. 9 to 11 show operations of a stand hinge taken along the line A-A of Fig. 3.

<Description of Symbols> 100: supporting member

110: shaft support

120: grip portion

200: fixed member

210: stopper 211 : first stop surface

212: second stop surface 300: slider

400: elastic member

500: electronic device

MODE FOR INVENTION

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a stand hinge for an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a stand hinge for an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a side view enlarging a side portion in Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 3 or Fig. 4, a stand hinge for an electronic device of the present invention comprises a supporting member 100, a fixed member 200, a stopper 210, a slider 300 and an elastic member 400.

The supporting member 100 has a 'U' shape, both ends of which protrude outward. A pair of shaft supports 110 are formed at each of both ends of the supporting member and a grip portion 120 stepped inwardly is formed in the middle thereof.

An inward groove is formed between the shaft supports 110 formed at both ends of the supporting member 100. The elastic member 400 and the slider 300 may be inserted into the inward groove one after the other.

The elastic member 400 includes a coil spring. The elastic member is positioned between the shaft supports 110 such that it is contacted to the supporting member at its one end and the slider 300 at its opposite end.

Thus, the elastic member 300 applies an elastic force to the slider 300. The slider 300 has a hexahedral shape with a protrusion protruding at one side. The elastic member 400 is mounted to said protrusion in an insertion manner, thereby not being easily separated therefrom.

Thus, the slider 300 is allowed to linearly move between the shaft supports 110 by means of the elastic member 400.

As described above, the slider 300 and the elastic member 400 are inserted between the shaft supports 110 and are allowed to be moved therebetween. This allows the stand hinge to be simple in structure while being small in size.

The fixed member 200 takes the form of an elongated rod, which has a 'U' shape with both ends protruding. The fixed member is parallel and coupled to a back side of the electronic device.

The both ends of the fixed member 200 protrude toward the supporting member 100 and are engaged to the protruding ends of the supporting member 100 as opposed thereto.

Accordingly, the protruding ends of the supporting member 100 are directed to the fixed member 200.

Since the ends of the supporting member 100 protrude toward the fixed member 200 as described above, the electronic device can be supported in a stable manner.

The fixed member 200 may be configured in such a manner that it is provided at both lateral sides of the electronic device and engaged to the supporting member. However, providing the fixed member 200 at both lateral sides of the electronic device can increase the side thickness of the electronic device. Accordingly, in the present invention, the fixed member 200 is coupled to the back side of the electronic device, thereby decreasing the side thickness of the electronic device.

Further, the fixed member 200 may be integrally formed to the back side of the electronic device. Integrally forming the fixed member 200 to a back side of an electronic device may allow the stand hinge to be simple in structure while being small in size. In this embodiment, the fixed member 200 is provided separately.

The stoppers 210 protrude from the bent ends of the fixed member 200.

The stopper 210 is inserted between the shaft supports 110 so as to be contacted to the slider 300 and become hinge-jointed to the shaft supports 110.

Thus, the slider 300 is rotated as contacted to the stopper 210 during a rotation of the supporting member 100.

As shown in Fig. 5, a first stop surface 211 and a second stop surface 212 are formed at the stopper 210. The first stop surface 211 should contact the slider 300 before the rotation of the supporting member 100, i.e., when the supporting member 100 and the fixed member 200 are parallel. The second stop surface 212 should contact the slider 300 during the rotation of the supporting member 100, i.e., when the supporting member 100 and the fixed member 200 are generally orthogonal. The second stop surface 212 is adjacent to the first stop surface 211 and is bent at an angle of about 90 degrees relative to the first stop surface 211.

In addition, an intersection between the first stop surface 211 and the second stop surface 212 is rounded. This allows a smooth rotation of the supporting member 100 and the slider 300 during the rotation of the supporting member 100. The first stop surface 211 is inclined such that it is gradually lowered toward the left side, as shown in Fig. 5. In other words, the first stop surface 211 is downwardly inclined opposite to the second stop surface 212, thereby leading the supporting member 100 to be rotated opposite to the second stop surface 212 when the first top surface 211 is contacted to the slider 300. In contrast, the slider 300 may be configured to be downwardly inclined opposite to the second stop surface 212, thereby leading the supporting member 100 to be rotated opposite to the second stop surface 212.

Since a rotational force of one direction is applied to the supporting member 100 due to the inclined first top surface 211, the supporting member 100 can be prevented from being arbitrarily rotated in the other direction.

Further, the stopper 210 and the slider 300 may be mounted in a manner opposite to the above-described arrangement.

In other words, the slider 300 and the elastic member 400 may be mounted to the fixed member 200, while the stopper 210 may be provided at the supporting member 100.

The operations of the present invention will now be described below.

Figs. 6 to 8 show operations of a stand hinge for an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figs. 9 to 11 show operations of a stand hinge taken along the line A-A of Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 6, the stand hinge for an electronic device is parallel and mounted to one side of an electronic device 500.

In such a case, as shown in Fig. 9, the fixed member 200 and the supporting member 100 are parallel to each other.

However, the supporting member 100 is subjected to a rotational force in an opposite direction to the second stop surface 212 due to a contact between the slider 300 and the first stop surface 211, which is inclined opposite to the second stop surface.

Thus, the supporting member 100 tends to rotate toward the electronic device 500 due to such a rotational force. However, the supporting member stays stationary without any rotation since it is in contact with the electronic device 500. Accordingly, the supporting member 100 becomes closely contacted to the electronic device 500 due to the rotational force and is prevented from being arbitrarily rotated.

When standing the electronic device against a surface by means of the stand hinge, the supporting member 100 is pulled out and then rotated as shown in Fig. 7. If so, as shown in Fig. 10, then the supporting member 100 is rotated toward the second stop surface 212, while the slider 300 is moved as compressing the elastic member 400.

In such a case, use of the grip portion 120 formed in the middle of the supporting member 100 can provide a more convenient grip of the supporting member 100.

Subsequently, as the slider 300 passes by the intersection between the first stop surface 211 and the second stop surface 212, the elastic member 400 expands to push the slider 300 toward the stopper 210.

Accordingly, even though the supporting member 100 is not further rotated, the supporting member 100 automatically rotates due to the expansion force of the elastic member 400. Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 11, the supporting member 100 stops its rotation as the slider 300 is brought into surface contact with the second stop surface 212.

Thus, as shown in Fig. 8, the supporting member 100 is not allowed to move while being generally orthogonal to the fixed member 200, wherein the electronic device 500 can be supported in a stable manner. Next, the operations relating to retracting the stand hinge to its initial folded position shown in Fig. 6 will now be described below.

As the supporting member 100 is downwardly rotated (shown in Figs. 7 and 10), the slider 300 is moved inwardly while compressing the elastic member 400.

Subsequently, as the intersection between the first stop surface 211 and the second stop surface 212 passes by the center of the slider 300, the supporting member 100 automatically rotates. Thereafter, the supporting member 100 stops its rotation by contacting the electronic device 500 as shown in Fig. 6.

At this time, the supporting member 100 is in close contact with the electronic device 500 by means of contact between the slider 300 and the first stop surface 211. Thus, it is prevented from being arbitrarily rotated thereby.

Further, the supporting member is allowed to be semi-automatically rotated as the slider 300 and the stopper 210 are contacted to each other by the expansion force of the elastic member 400, thereby providing a better feeling of rotation and a convenient operability. A stand hinge for an electronic device of the present invention should not be limited to the above-described embodiments and may be embodied in various manners within the scope of the subject matter of the present invention.

Claims

1. A stand hinge for an electronic device, comprising: a fixed member coupled to an electronic device; a supporting member hinge-jointed to the fixed member for supporting the electronic device relative to a surface; a stopper provided at one of the fixed member and the supporting member; a slider mounted to the other of the fixed member and the supporting member so as to be contacted to the stopper; and an elastic member for contacting the slider to the stopper to allow the supporting member to semi-automatically rotate relative to the fixed member.

2. The stand hinge of Claim 1, wherein the slider is mounted to the supporting member together with the elastic member, and wherein the slider is linearly moved to be in surface contact with the stopper when the supporting member rotates.

3. The stand hinge of Claim 1, wherein one end and the opposite end of the supporting member protrude toward the fixed member.

4. The stand hinge of any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein a first stop surface contacted to the slider before a rotation of the supporting member and a second stop surface contacted to the slider after the rotation of the supporting member are formed at the slider.

5. The stand hinge of Claim 4, wherein the first stop surface is downwardly inclined opposite to the second stop surface.

6. The stand hinge of Claim 4, wherein the slider is configured to be downwardly inclined opposite to the second stop surface so that the supporting member is rotated opposite to the second stop surface when the first stop surface is contacted to the slider.

7. An electronic device, comprising: a stand hinge including: a fixed member coupled to an electronic device; a supporting member hinge-jointed to the fixed member for supporting the electronic device relative to a surface; a stopper provided at one of the fixed member and the supporting member; a slider mounted to the other of the fixed member and the supporting member to be contacted to the stopper; and an elastic member for contacting the slider to the stopper to allow the supporting member to semi-automatically rotate relative to the fixed member, wherein the fixed member is coupled to a back side of the electronic device.

8. The electronic device of Claim 7, wherein the slider is mounted to the supporting member together with the elastic member, and wherein the slider is linearly moved to be in surface contact with the stopper when the supporting member rotates.

9. The electronic device of Claim 7, wherein one end and the opposite end of the supporting member protrude toward the fixed member.

10. The electronic device of any one of Claims 7 to 9, wherein a first stop surface contacted to the slider before a rotation of the supporting member and a second stop surface contacted to the slider after the rotation of the supporting member are formed at the slider.

11. The electronic device of Claim 10, wherein the first stop surface is downwardly inclined opposite to the second stop surface.

12. The electronic device of Claim 10, wherein the slider is configured to be downwardly inclined opposite to the second stop surface so that the supporting member is rotated opposite to the second stop surface when the first stop surface is contacted to the slider.

13. An electronic device, comprising: a stand hinge comprising: a fixed member; a supporting member hinge-jointed to the fixed member for supporting the electronic device relative to a surface; a stopper provided at one of the fixed member and the supporting member; a slider mounted to the other of the fixed member and the supporting member to be contacted to the stopper; and an elastic member for contacting the slider to the stopper to allow the supporting member to semi-automatically rotate relative to the fixed member, wherein the fixed member is integrally formed to the electronic device.

14. The electronic device of Claim 13, wherein the slider is mounted to the supporting member together with the elastic member, and wherein the slider is linearly moved to be in surface contact with the stopper when the supporting member rotates.

15. The electronic device of Claim 13, wherein one end and the opposite end of the supporting member protrude toward the fixed member.

16. The electronic device of any one of Claims 13 to 15, wherein a first stop surface contacted to the slider before a rotation of the supporting member and a second stop surface contacted to the slider after the rotation of the supporting member are formed at the slider.

17. The electronic device of Claim 16, wherein the first stop surface is downwardly inclined opposite to the second stop surface.

18. The electronic device of Claim 16, wherein the slider is configured to be downwardly inclined opposite to the second stop surface so that the supporting member is rotated opposite to the second stop surface when the first stop surface is contacted to the slider.