Hinge structure and display device including same

• US 20030213099A1
• Filed: 12/20/2002
• Published: 11/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Mori, Eiichi
• Application Number:
  US10/324,357
• Publication Number:
  US 20030213099A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 16/319
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/087 with substantially axial friction, e.g. friction disks
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/606 for electronic devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1698 the I/O peripheral being a sending/receiving arrangement to establish a cordless communication link, e.g. radio or infrared link, integrated cellular phone details of antennas disposed inside a computer H01Q1/2266

Abstract

A hinge structure for combining a supporting unit with a unit to be supported. The supporting unit has a plurality of axially spaced holding members, and a connecting member in the form of a tubular member connecting the holding members together. The unit to be supported has a plurality of axially spaced holding members, and a connecting member in the form of a rod connecting the holding members together. The holding members of the supporting unit are pivotally combined with the holding members of the unit to be supported. A single movement limiting member is provided between one holding member of the supporting unit and one holding member of the unit to be supported for limiting a relative movement between the supporting unit and the unit to be supported. The movement limiting member is an expensive coil spring-like member, and only one movement limiting member is used.

Claims

1. A hinge structure for combining a supporting unit with a unit to be supported, comprising:

the supporting unit having a plurality of axially spaced holding members;

the unit to be supported having a plurality of axially spaced holding members;

the plurality of holding members of the unit to be supported being connected to each other by a connecting device;

the unit to be supported being pivotally attached to the supporting unit; and

a single movement limiting member provided between the supporting unit and the unit to be supported for limiting a relative movement between the supporting unit and the unit to be supported.

2. The hinge structure according to claim 1, wherein

the supporting unit has a rigid fixing member that is fixedly combined with the plurality of holding members of the supporting unit, and the unit to be supported has a rigid fixing member that is fixedly combined with the plurality of holding members of the unit to be supported.

3. The hinge structure according to claim 1, wherein said connecting device comprises a cylindrical member.

4. The hinge structure according to claim 1, wherein said movement limiting member comprises a coil spring-like member arranged between the holding member of the supporting unit and the holding member of the unit to be supported.

14. A display device including the hinge structure according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

5. A hinge structure for combining a supporting unit with a unit to be supported, comprising:

the supporting unit having a plurality of axially spaced holding members;

the unit to be supported having a plurality of axially spaced holding members;

the plurality of holding members of the supporting unit being connected to each other by a connecting device;

the unit to be supported being pivotally attached to the supporting unit; and

a single movement limiting member provided between the supporting unit and the unit to be supported for limiting a relative movement between the supporting unit and the unit to be supported.

6. The hinge structure according to claim 5, wherein

the supporting unit has a rigid fixing member that is fixedly combined with the plurality of holding members of the supporting unit, and the unit to be supported has a rigid fixing member that is fixedly combined with the plurality of holding members of the unit to be supported.

7. The hinge structure according to claim 5, wherein said connecting device comprises a cylindrical member.

8. The hinge structure according to claim 5, wherein said movement limiting member comprises a coil spring-like member arranged between the holding member of the supporting unit and the holding members of the unit to be supported.

9. A hinge structure for combining a supporting unit with a unit to be supported, comprising:

the supporting unit having a plurality of axially spaced holding members;

the unit to be supported having a plurality of axially holding members;

the plurality of holding members of the unit to be supported being connected to each other by a connecting device;

the plurality of holding members of the supporting unit being connected to each other by a connecting device;

the unit to be supported being pivotally attached to the supporting unit; and

a single movement limiting member provided between the supporting unit and the unit to be supported for limiting a relative movement between the supporting unit and the unit to be supported.

10. The hinge structure according to claim 9, wherein

the supporting unit has a rigid fixing member that is fixedly combined with the plurality of holding members of the supporting unit, and the unit to be supported has a rigid fixing member that is fixedly combined with the plurality of holding members of the unit to be supported.

11. The hinge structure according to claim 9, wherein one of said connecting devices comprises a cylindrical member, and the remaining connecting device comprises a tubular member through which said cylindrical member passes.

13. The hinge structure according to claim 9, wherein said movement limiting member comprises a coil spring-like member arranged between the holding member of the supporting unit and the holding members of the unit to be supported.

12. The hinge structure according to claim 12, wherein one of said connecting members comprises shafts attached to the holding members and a force transmission device operatively arranged between the shafts, the force transmission device including gears and a cylindrical member.