CONNECTING MECHANISM AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE USING THE SAME

• US 20140185211A1
• Filed: 08/22/2013
• Published: 07/03/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Futaihua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.), Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Futaihua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.), Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: CHEN, ZHOU
• Granted Patent: US 9,134,758 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.2
• 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 1/1624 with sliding enclosures, e.g. sliding keyboard or display
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32057 Angular and linear

Abstract

A connecting mechanism for connecting a first unit and a second unit together is illustrated. The connecting mechanism includes a first linkage bar, a second linkage bar for being coupled to the first unit, and a third linkage bar for being slidably connected to the second unit. The first linkage bar includes a first end with a latching protrusion and an opposite second end. The second linkage bar includes a third end, an opposite fourth end, and a number of teeth. The first end is slidably connected to the second linkage bar. The latching protrusion is configured to selectively interlock with any one of the teeth of the second linkage bar. The third linkage bar includes a fifth end pivotally connected to the second end of the first linkage bar and a sixth end pivotally connected to the fourth end of the second linkage bar.

Claims

1. A connecting mechanism for connecting a first unit and a second unit together, the connecting mechanism comprising:

at least one first linkage bar comprising a first end and an opposite second end, the first end comprising a latching protrusion;

at least one second linkage bar configured to be coupled to a rear side of the first unit, the at least one second linkage bar comprising a third end, an opposite fourth end, and a plurality of teeth, wherein the first end is slidably connected to the at least one second linkage bar, and the latching protrusion is configured to selectively interlock with one of the plurality of teeth of the at least one second linkage bar, thereby obtaining a desired angular orientation of the first unit with respect to the second unit; and

at least one third linkage bar configured to be slidably connected to the second unit, the at least one third linkage bar comprising a fifth end and a sixth end, the fifth end pivotally connected to the second end of the first linkage bar and the sixth end pivotally connected to the fourth end of the second linkage bar.

2. The connecting mechanism as described in claim 1, wherein the at least one second linkage bar defines a sliding slot extending along a longitudinal direction thereof, the plurality of teeth are arranged inside the sliding slot, and the latching protrusion extends through the sliding slot and is slidable in and along the sliding slot.

3. The connecting mechanism as described in claim 1, wherein the latching protrusion is slidable to a position furthest away from the fourth end where the at least one first linkage bar, and the at least one third linkage bar are aligned with and juxtaposed alongside the at least one second linkage bar.

4. An electronic device comprising:

a first unit;

a second unit; and

a connecting mechanism comprising;

at least one first linkage bar comprising a first end and an opposite second end, the first end comprising a latching protrusion;

at least one second linkage bar configured to be coupled to a rear side of the first unit, the at least one second linkage bar comprising a third end, an opposite fourth end, and a plurality of teeth, wherein the first end is slidably connected to the at least one second linkage bar, and the latching protrusion is configured to selectively interlock with any one of the plurality of teeth of the at least one second linkage bar, thereby obtaining a desired angular orientation of the firs unit with respect to the second unit; and

at least one third linkage bar configured to be slidably connected to the second unit and comprising a fifth end and a sixth end, the fifth end pivotally connected to the second end of the first linkage bar and the sixth end pivotally connected to the fourth end of the second linkage bar.

5. The electronic device as described in claim 4, wherein the second linkage bar defines a sliding slot extending along a longitudinal direction thereof, the plurality of teeth protrudes from one side of the sliding slot, and the latching protrusion extends through the sliding slot and is slidable in and along the sliding slot.

6. The electronic device as described in claim 4, wherein the latching protrusion is slidable to a position furthest away from the fourth end where the at least one first linkage bar, and the at least one third linkage bar are aligned with and juxtaposed alongside the at least one second linkage bar.

7. The electronic device as described in claim 6, wherein the first unit comprises a housing defining a recess, the recess comprising a bottom, at least one sidewall substantially perpendicular to the bottom, and an opening, the at least one second linkage bar is attached to the at least one sidewall and extends through the opening.

8. The electronic device as described in claim 7, wherein the at least one sidewall of the housing defines a first sliding groove extending along a longitudinal direction thereof, and the at least one second linkage bar comprises a first sliding rail slidably received in the first sliding groove.

9. The electronic device as described in claim 8, wherein the recess further comprises a mounting portion and at least one latching assembly, the mounting portion defines at least one latching groove toward the at least one sidewall, the at least one latching assembly is slidable along one of the at least one latching groove for abutting against the at least one first linkage bar when the at least one first linkage bar and the at least one second linkage bar are inserted into the space between the at least one latching assembly and the at least one sidewall.

10. The electronic device as described in claim 9, wherein the at least one latching assembly each comprises a resilient element and a latching member, the latching member comprises a middle plate, a sliding portion connected to one side of the middle plate, and a latching portion connected to an opposite end of the middle plate, the sliding portion is slidably received in the at least one latching groove of the first unit, and the resilient element is compressible between the latching member and the mounting portion.

11. The electronic device as described in claim 9, wherein an extending direction of the at least one latching groove is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the at least one sidewall.

12. The electronic device as described in claim 7, wherein the second unit is slidable into the recess through the opening when the at least one first linkage bar, and the third linkage bar are aligned with and juxtaposed alongside the at least one second linkage bar.

13. The electronic device as described in claim 12, wherein the second unit defines at least one second sliding groove therein, and the at least one third linkage bar includes a second sliding rail slidably received in the at least one second sliding groove.

14. The electronic device as described in claim 4, wherein the first unit is an integrated personal computer with a display unit coupled to a front side thereof, and the second unit is a physical keyboard.