Electronic device and support mechanism thereof

This Application claims priority of Taiwan Patent Application No. 101121691, filed on Jun. 18, 2012, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

1. Field of the Invention

The application relates in general to an electronic device, and in particular, to an electronic device having a support mechanism.

2. Description of the Related Art

Most of the conventional portable electronic devices, such as tablet computers or mobile communication devices, can play multimedia content. Users usually have to hold the electronic devices when viewing the content that is displayed. Since the electronic devices have streamlined appearances and smooth surfaces, it is difficult for users to hold the electronic devices. Additional frames may be provided to support the electronic devices on a surface, but they may increase manufacturing costs and structural complexity of the electronic devices.

An embodiment of the invention provides an electronic device, comprising a main body, and a support mechanism. The main body forms a U-shaped recess, and the support mechanism comprises a U-shaped support, two pivot members, and an electrical connection port. The U-shaped support forms two ends, the two pivot members pivotally connect the two ends to the main body, respectively, and the electrical connection port is disposed on the support. When the support is in a closed angle position that is relative to the main body, the support is received in the recess and parallel to the main body, and the electrical connection port is covered by the main body. When the support is rotated relative to the main body and is released from the recess, the electrical connection port is exposed to a surface of the support.

An embodiment of the invention provides a support mechanism, connected to a main body of an electronic device, wherein the main body forms a U-shaped recess, and the support mechanism comprises a U-shaped support, two pivot members, and an electrical connection port. The U-shaped support forms two ends, the two pivot members pivotally connect the two ends to the main body, respectively, and the electrical connection port is disposed on the support. When the support is in a closed angle position that is relative to the main body, the support is received in the recess and parallel to the main body, and the electrical connection port is covered by the main body. When the support is rotated relative to the main body and is released from the recess, the electrical connection port is exposed to a surface of the main body.

FIG. 1A is a perspective diagram of an electronic device having a support in a closed angle position that is relative to the main body;

FIG. 1B is a perspective diagram of an electronic device having a support in a closed angle position that is relative to the main body;

FIG. 2A is a perspective diagram of an electronic device having a support that is rotated to a position that is relative to the main body and is released from the recess;

FIG. 2B is a perspective diagram of an electronic device having a support that is rotated to a position that is relative to the main body and is released from the recess; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective diagram of an electronic device having a support that is rotated to a position that is a limiting angle, parallel to the main body.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-3 , an embodiment of an electronic device E, such as a tablet PC or a mobile communication device, primarily comprises a main body 1 and a support mechanism 2 . The main body 1 forms a U-shaped recess 12 ( FIGS. 2A and 2B ) and has a display module 11 with a touch screen. The support mechanism 2 comprises an approximately U-shaped support 21 corresponding to the U-shaped recess 12 , and the support 21 is pivotally connected to opposite sides of the main body 1 and rotatable relative to the main body 1 .

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A , when the support 21 is in a closed angle position that is relative to the main body 1 , the support 21 is received in the U-shaped recess 12 of the main body 1 and parallel thereto. Referring to FIG. 2A , when the support 21 is rotated to an angle that is relative to the main body 1 , the support 21 can support the main body 1 to stand on a supporting surface, so that users can conveniently view or operate the electronic device E without holding it.

Additionally, when users need to hold the electronic device E for viewing or operating, the support 21 can be rotated 180 degrees to a limiting angle relative to the main body 1 , such that the support 21 protrudes from a first surface S 1 of the main body 1 and is parallel thereto (as shown in FIG. 3 ). In this state, users may conveniently hold and operate the electronic device E.

Referring to FIG. 2B , the support mechanism 2 primarily comprises a support 21 , two pivot members 22 , and at least one electrical connection port 23 . The support 21 has an approximately U-shaped structure forming two ends 211 and a holding portion 212 . The pivot members 22 pivotally connect the two ends 211 to opposite sides of the main body 1 , respectively, and the electrical connection port 23 is disposed on an inner surface of the holding portion 212 . The display module 11 is disposed on a second surface S 2 of the main body 1 , opposite to the first surface S 1 . It should be noted that the U-shaped recess 12 is formed on three adjacent sides of the main body 1 , corresponding to the support 21 .

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1B , when the support 21 is in the closed angle position that is relative to the main body 1 , it is received in the U-shaped recess 12 of the main body 1 and around a part thereof. In this state, the support 21 is parallel to the main body 1 , and the electrical connection port 23 is covered by the main body 1 to prevent dust from entering into the electrical connection port 23 .

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B , the support 21 may rotate relative to the main body 1 and be released from the U-shaped recess 12 , wherein the rotated angle of the support 21 relative to the main body 1 can be adjusted for viewing or operating the electronic device E. As shown in FIG. 2A , when the electronic device E is placed on a desktop, the rotated angle may be less than 90 degrees, such that the support mechanism 2 can support the main body 1 to stand on the desktop. As shown in FIG. 2B , when the rotated angle exceeds 90 degrees, the main body 1 can approximately lie on the desktop. Namely, users can arbitrarily adjust the posture of the electronic device E to conveniently view or operate the electronic device E without holding it.

Referring to FIG. 2B , when the support 21 rotates relative to the main body 1 and is released from the U-shaped recess 12 , the electrical connection port 23 is exposed to an inner surface of the support 21 . The electronic device E can therefore electrically connect to peripheral devices through the exposed electrical connection port 23 .

Referring to FIG. 3 , when the support 21 rotates to a limiting angle, parallel to the main body 1 , the support 21 and the U-shaped recess 12 are on opposite sides of the main body 1 . Specifically, the support 21 protrudes from the first surface S 1 of the main body 1 for users to grab. In this embodiment, users may hold the main body 1 by grabbing the holding portion 212 of the support 21 for conveniently viewing or operating the electronic device E.

The invention provides an electronic device, primarily comprising a main body and a support mechanism. The main body forms a U-shaped recess, and the support mechanism primarily comprises a U-shaped support, two pivot members, and an electrical connection port. The support forms two ends, and the pivot members pivotally connect the two ends to the main body, and the electrical connection port is disposed on the support. When the support is in a closed angle position that is relative to the main body, it is received in the U-shaped recess and parallel to the main body, and the electrical connection port is covered by the main body. When the support is rotated relative to the main body and is released from the U-shaped recess, the support can facilitate the electronic device to stand on a desktop, so that users can conveniently view or operate the electronic device with the electrical connection port exposed on a surface of the support. When the support is rotated to a limiting angle relative to the main body, the support protrudes from a first surface of the main body for users to grab. Accordingly, users can conveniently hold and operate the electronic device.

While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.