초록 ▼

A foldable housing (11) for an electronic device (10) includes a body portion (12) and a flip portion (14). The flip portion (14) is rotatable joined to the body portion (12) by a relatively small hinge control mechanism (22). The hinge control mechanism (22) includes a U-shaped spring (28) having a

A foldable housing (11) for an electronic device (10) includes a body portion (12) and a flip portion (14). The flip portion (14) is rotatable joined to the body portion (12) by a relatively small hinge control mechanism (22). The hinge control mechanism (22) includes a U-shaped spring (28) having a pair of spring arms (42) and (44) between which a shaft (30) is located. As the flip portion (14) is moved, it rotates the spring arms (42), (44) around the shaft (30). Protuberances (34) and (36) on the shaft surface (32) deflect the spring arms (42), (44) to generate a force which varies with the amount of deflection and which holds the flip portion (14) in a closed position or in an open position, and allows the flip portion (14) to be adjusted from the open position to a read position selected by the user.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] In an electronic device having a foldable housing comprising a body portion and a flip portion, a hinge control mechanism for rotatably coupling the flip portion to the body portion, comprising:(a) a shaft fixedly attached to the body portion, the shaft having a shaft surface with

[ We claim:] [1.] In an electronic device having a foldable housing comprising a body portion and a flip portion, a hinge control mechanism for rotatably coupling the flip portion to the body portion, comprising:(a) a shaft fixedly attached to the body portion, the shaft having a shaft surface with an elliptical cross section which extends along the axis of the shaft, the shaft surface comprising:a pair of oppositely spaced protuberances, anda pair of oppositely spaced rounded surfaces; and(b) a U-shaped spring attached to the flip portion, said U-shaped spring having first and second spring arms, the first spring arm including a first concave segment, the second spring arm including a second concave segment, wherein the shaft is tangentially assembled and held between the first and second concave segments and a relative rotational motion between the shaft and the spring arms causes the protuberances to bear on the first and second concave segments and deflect the spring arms.