IP Library Granted Patent US 7,787,919
Granted Patent B2
US 7,787,919 · App. 12/207,018 · Granted Aug 31, 2010

Electronic device and sliding mechanism thereof

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,787,919
App. No.
12/207,018
Granted
Aug 31, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A sliding mechanism is disclosed, wherein the sliding mechanism movably connects to a display module and an input module of an electronic device. The sliding mechanism includes a first member, a second member, a connection member, and a cover movably disposed on the first member. The first member is movable with respect to the second member and has an opening. A flexible printed circuit (FPC) of the electronic device is disposed through the opening and electronically connects to the display module and the input module. The connection member connects the first and second members at opposite sides thereof, and a middle portion of the connection member connects to the cover. When the first member slides with respect to the second member in a first direction, the connection member impels the cover to block a part of the opening.

Claims (32)

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a display module;

an input module;

a sliding mechanism disposed between the display module and the input module, wherein the sliding mechanism comprising:

a first member, connecting the display module and having an opening;

a cover, movably disposed on the first member;

a second member, connecting the input module and the first member, wherein the first member is movable with respect to the second member;

a connection member, connecting the first and second members at opposite sides thereof and comprising a middle portion connected to the cover, wherein when the first member slides with respect to the second member in a first direction, the connection member impels the cover to block a part of the opening; and

a flexible printed circuit, disposed through the opening and electrically connecting the display module and the input module.

2. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein when the first member moves in the first direction relative to the second member, the connection member impels the cover relative to the first member opposite to the first direction.

3. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second member has a slot with the flexible printed circuit disposed therethrough to connect to the display module and the input module.

4. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the connection member comprises an extension spring, a compression spring or a torsion spring.

5. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the cover has a hole, and the connection member is disposed through the hole and is pivotally connected to the first and second members.

6. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the connection member has a first section and a second section, and the first section connects the first member to the cover, and the second section connects the cover to the second member.

7. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first member has a first protrusion, the cover has a second protrusion, the connection member has a groove, and the first and second protrusions slide along the groove when the first member moves in the first direction relative to the second member.

8. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first member has a plurality of rods, and the second member has a plurality of sliding portions corresponding to the rods, and the sliding portions respectively slide along the rods when the first member moves in the first direction relative to the second member.

9. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second member is substantially longitudinal and perpendicular to the first direction.

10. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein when the first member moves in the first direction relative to the second member, the cover protrudes from an edge of the input module and blocks a part of the opening, to protect the flexible printed circuit from exposure.

11. A sliding mechanism movably connecting a display module and an input module of an electronic device, wherein a flexible printed circuit of the electronic device is disposed through the sliding mechanism for connecting the display to the input modules, and the sliding mechanism comprising:

a first member, connecting to the display module and having an opening with the flexible printed circuit disposed therethrough;

a cover, movably disposed on the first member;

a second member, connecting the input module to the first member, wherein the first member is movable with respect to the second member; and

a connection member, connecting the first and second members at opposite sides thereof and comprising a middle portion connected to the cover, wherein when the first member slides with respect to the second member in a first direction, the connection member impels the cover to block a part of the opening.

12. The sliding mechanism as claimed in claim 11 , wherein when the first member moves in the first direction relative to the second member, the connection member impels the cover relative to the first member opposite to the first direction.

13. The sliding mechanism as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the connection member is flexible.

14. The sliding mechanism as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the connection member comprises an extension spring, a compression spring or a torsion spring.

15. The sliding mechanism as claimed in claim 11 , the cover comprising a hole, wherein the connection member is disposed through the hole and pivotally connected to the first and second members.

16. The sliding mechanism as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the connection member has a first section and a second section, and the first section connects the first member to the cover, and the second section connects the cover to the second member.

17. The sliding mechanism as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the first member has a first protrusion, the cover has a second protrusion, the connection member has a groove, and the first and second protrusions slide along the groove when the first member moves in the first direction relative to the second member.

18. The sliding mechanism as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the first member has a plurality of rods, and the second member has a plurality of sliding portions corresponding to the rods, and the sliding portions respectively slide along the rods when the first member moves in the first direction relative to the second member.

19. The sliding mechanism as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the second member is substantially longitudinal and perpendicular to the first direction.

20. The sliding mechanism as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the second member has a slot with the flexible printed circuit disposed therethrough to connect to the display module and the input module.

Assignments (5)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 21, 2017
From: QUARTERHILL INC.
To: WI-LAN INC.
Reel/Frame 043285/0115 →
MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 28, 2017
From: 8631654 CANADA INC.; QUARTERHILL INC.
To: QUARTERHILL INC.
Reel/Frame 043027/0098 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 8, 2014
From: HTC CORPORATION
To: 8631654 CANADA INC.
Reel/Frame 033493/0466 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 12, 2010
From: HIGH TECH COMPUTER, CORP.
To: HTC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 024667/0514 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 12, 2008
From: HSIEH, FU-CHUNG; HSU, HSI-HSING; CHANG, CHIN-LIN
To: HIGH TECH COMPUTER, CORP.
Reel/Frame 021525/0739 →