US 12,216,493 B2
Electronic device including hinge module
Myoungjun Choi, Suwon-si (KR); and Haein Chung, Suwon-si (KR)
Assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., Gyeonggi-Do (KR)
Filed by SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., Suwon-si (KR)
Filed on Feb. 28, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/175,537.
Application 18/175,537 is a continuation of application No. PCT/KR2023/001284, filed on Jan. 27, 2023.
Claims priority of application No. 10-2022-0012748 (KR), filed on Jan. 27, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0236626 A1, Jul. 27, 2023
Int. Cl. G06F 1/16 (2006.01); G06F 1/20 (2006.01); H05K 5/02 (2006.01); H05K 5/03 (2006.01); H05K 7/20 (2006.01)
CPC G06F 1/1616 (2013.01) [G06F 1/1681 (2013.01); G06F 1/203 (2013.01); H05K 5/0226 (2013.01); H05K 5/03 (2013.01); H05K 7/20136 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electronic device comprising:
a first housing in which a display module is disposed;
a second housing in which a circuit board and a cooling fan connected to the circuit board are accommodated, wherein a first opening is defined in the second housing to introduce air into the cooling fan; and
a hinge module rotatably connecting the first housing and the second housing to each other, and disposed adjacent to the first opening,
wherein the hinge module comprises:
a hinge housing in which a first hinge opening is defined to be connected to the first opening;
a first main gear disposed in the hinge housing and operably connected to the first housing;
a second main gear operably connected to the second housing and rotatable in correspondence with the first main gear;
a driving gear disposed adjacent to at least one of the first main gear or the second main gear and rotatable in correspondence with at least one of the first main gear or the second main gear; and
a first cover plate disposed in the hinge housing and including a first rack gear area which meshes with the driving gear,
wherein the electronic device is switchable between a closed state in which an angle formed by the first housing and the second housing is less than a predetermined angle and an open state in which the angle formed by the first housing and the second housing is equal to or greater than the predetermined angle,
wherein when the electronic device is in the closed state, the first cover plate is disposed to overlap at least part of the first hinge opening, and
wherein when the electronic device is in the open state, the first cover plate is spaced apart from the first hinge opening, and the first hinge opening is opened.