PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE

• US 20100267428A1
• Filed: 12/04/2009
• Published: 10/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HTC Corporation
• Original Assignee: HTC Corporation
• Inventors: Wang, Chih-Kuang, Chiang, Ching-Liang
• Granted Patent: US 8,494,602 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/575.400
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0216 Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0237 Sliding mechanism with one degree of freedom
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0241 using relative motion of the body parts to change the operational status of the telephone set, e.g. switching on/off, answering incoming call

Abstract

A portable electronic device includes a first body having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, a second body movably disposed on the first body covers the first surface, a first frame fixed on the first body, a second frame pivoted to the first frame, and a third frame fixed on the second body and slidably coupled to the second frame. The second frame is capable of sliding between a first position and a second position relative to the third frame. When the second frame is located on the second position relative to the third frame, the first frame is capable of rotating towards the first position from the second position to reach a third position relative to the second frame, such that the second body is capable of being turned over from the first surface to the second surface relative to the first body.

Claims

1. A portable electronic device, comprising:

a first body comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other;

a second body movable disposed on the first body and covering the first surface;

a first frame fixed on the first body;

a second frame pivoted to the first frame; and

a third frame fixed on the second body and slidably coupled to the second frame, wherein the second frame is capable of sliding between a first position and a second position relative to the third frame, such that the second body is capable of sliding relative to the first body, and when the second frame is located on the second position relative to the third frame, the first frame is capable of rotating towards the first position from the second position to reach a third position relative to the second frame, such that the second body is capable of being turned over from the first surface to the second surface relative to the first body.

2. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the third frame comprises a first restraining part, and the portable electronic device further comprises a first limiting part connected to the second frame, and when the second frame slides relative to the third frame, the first limiting part limits a rotation of the first frame relative to the second frame.

3. The portable electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the first frame comprises a stopping portion, and the first limiting part comprises:

a first elastic portion fixed on the second frame; and

a first limiting portion extending from the first elastic portion and located within a rotation scope of the stopping portion, wherein when the second frame slides to the second position relative to the third frame, the first restraining part pushes the first elastic portion, so as to force the first limiting portion to move out of the rotation scope of the stopping portion.

4. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a second limiting part connected to the second frame, wherein the first frame comprises a second restraining part, and when the first frame rotates relative to the second frame, the second limiting part limits a sliding motion of the second frame relative to the third frame.

5. The portable electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the third frame comprises a snapping portion, and the second limiting part comprises:

a second elastic portion fixed on the second frame; and

a second limiting portion extending from the second elastic portion, wherein when the first frame rotates relative to the second frame, the second limiting portion interferes with the snapping portion, and when the first frame rotates to the second position relative to the second frame, the second restraining part pushes the second elastic portion, so as to release an interference between the second limiting portion and the snapping portion.

6. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first frame and the second frame are attached to each other under a magnetic attraction force.

7. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a first driving part connected to the first frame and the second frame and used for driving the first frame and the second frame to rotate relative to each other.

8. The portable electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the first driving part comprises a torsion spring.

9. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first body comprises a keyboard and a loudspeaker opening, the keyboard is located on the first surface, the loudspeaker opening is located on the second surface, when the second frame is located on the first position relative to the third frame, the keyboard is covered by the second body, and when the second frame is located on the second position relative to the third frame, the keyboard is exposed out of the first body.

10. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one second driving part arranged between the second frame and the third frame.

11. The portable electronic device according to claim 10, wherein the second driving part comprises a torsion spring.

12. An operation method, applicable to operate the portable electronic device according to claim 1, comprising:

making a second frame be located on a first position relative to a third frame, such that the portable electronic device enters a first operation mode;

making the second frame be located on a second position relative to the third frame, such that the portable electronic device enters a second operation mode; and

making a first frame be located on a third position relative to the second frame, such that the portable electronic device enters a third operation mode.

13. The operation method according to claim 12, wherein the first operation mode comprises a phone mode.

14. The operation method according to claim 12, wherein the second operation mode comprises an input mode.

15. The operation method according to claim 12, wherein the third operation mode comprises a multimedia playing mode.