Patents by Inventor Chao Duan

Chao Duan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20060256958
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a shaft (12), a follower (16), a cam (18), and an urging means. The shaft has a screw portion (122) defined thereon. The follower has a first cam surface (164) formed on one end surface thereof The cam has a second cam surface (184) formed on one end surface opposite to the follower. The cam has a screw hole (182) defined therethrough. The screw hole engages with the screw portion of the shaft. The urging means is configured for providing an urging force which moves the follower along the shaft and makes the first cam surface rotatably engage with the second cam surface of the cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Applicant: FIH CO., LTD
    Inventors: Chao Duan, Chia-Hua Chen
  • Publication number: 20060245586
    Abstract: A hinge assembly (10) includes a shaft (12), a follower (16), and a driving means. The shaft has a screw portion (122) defined thereon. The follower has a screw hole (164) defined therein. The screw hole engages with the screw portion of the shaft. The driving means is configured for providing a driving force which makes the follower rotate relative to the shaft. The hinge assembly has only three main components, and occupies a relatively small volume. Accordingly, the space required in an application such as a mobile phone is reduced. In addition, that the engagement of the screw portion and the screw hole of the follower can dampen the opening action of the flip cover, thus protecting the flip cover from damage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Applicant: FIH CO.,LTD
    Inventors: Chao Duan, Chia-Hua Chen
  • Publication number: 20060242796
    Abstract: A hinge assembly (200) includes a retaining member (101), a fixing seat (5), a control member (6), a first spring (7), a follower (300), a cam (400), a second spring (9) and a shaft (20). The button has at least one pushing portion (31). The control member has at least one receiving groove (61), and the pushing portion is received in each receiving groove. Each pushing portion resists the control member. The first spring provides an elastic force to the control member. The cam includes an axis hole having an inner screw thread (4342). The second spring provides an elastic force to make the cam and the follower resist each other. The shaft defines an outer screw thread (233). The outer screw thread engages with the inner screw thread of the cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Applicant: FIH CO.,LTD
    Inventors: Chao Duan, Chia-Hua Chen
  • Publication number: 20060242794
    Abstract: A hinge assembly (10) includes a shaft (400), a barrel portion (200), and a plurality of roll elements (300). The shaft has an outer screw thread (404) formed at one end thereof. The barrel portion has an inner screw thread (207) and a groove (210) formed in the inner surface thereof. The inner screw thread is threadingly engaged with the outer screw thread of the shaft. The roll elements are received in the groove of the barrel portion and are rotatable relative to the shaft and the barrel portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Applicant: FIH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chao Duan, Ying-Liang Tu, Chia-Hua Chen, Shun Guo
  • Publication number: 20060242795
    Abstract: A hinge assembly (200) includes a button (3), a retaining member (4), a fixing seat (5), a control member (6), a first spring (7), a follower (10), a cam (30), a second spring (9) and a shaft (20). The button has at least one pushing portion (31). The control member has at least one receiving groove (61), and the pushing portion is received in each receiving groove. Each pushing portion resists the control member. The first spring provides an elastic force to the control member. The cam includes a cam hole having an inner screw thread (342). The second spring provides an elastic force to make the cam and the follower resist each other. The shaft defines an outer screw thread (233). The outer screw thread engages with the inner screw thread of the cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Applicant: FIH CO.,LTD
    Inventors: Chao Duan, Ying-Liang Tu, Chia-Hua Chen, Shun Guo
  • Patent number: 7124472
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism includes a shaft having an outer screw thread, a rotating cam, a rotating cam having an inner screw thread, a first elastic element, a sleeve having a latching block, a second elastic element, an anchoring block, and a button having a post. The driven cam defines two symmetrical latching grooves. The anchoring block defines a first hole and a second hole. The shaft extends through the rotating cam, the driven cam, the first elastic element, the sleeve, the second elastic element, and the first hole of the anchoring block. The outer screw thread of the shaft engages with the inner screw thread of the rotating cam. The latching block of the sleeve is slidably received in the latching grooves of the driven cam. The post of the button extends through the second hole of the anchoring block and abuts against an end of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: FIH Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao Duan, Rui-Hao Chen, Chia-Hua Chen
  • Publication number: 20060225246
    Abstract: A hinge assembly (100) is provided for joining a flip cover (204) to a main body (202) of a foldable electronic device. A hinge assembly includes a hinge shaft (10), a follower (12), and a cam (20). The follower has an outer peripheral portion. The outer peripheral portion has opposite two ends. The cam has a cam hole (22) closely receiving the follower therein. Then cam has an inner peripheral portion movably contacting the outer peripheral portion. The outer peripheral portion is in the form of a screw formed by a cross-section of the follower rotated from one end to the other. The inner peripheral potion is rifled to receive the follower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Applicant: FIH CO.,LTD
    Inventors: Chao Duan, Shun Guo, Chia-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 7117563
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a body drive member (1), a cover drive member (2), and a locating member (3). The body drive member has an outer screw thread (16) on an outer periphery thereof. The cover drive member has a central cavity (212, 224), and a projection (223) and an inner screw thread (216) formed in the cavity. The locating member has a projection (31) formed on an outer periphery thereof, and a central hole (33). The body drive member extends through the cavity and the hole, thereby integrating the hinge assembly into a complete unit, with the thread of the body drive member engaging with the thread of the cover drive member, and the projection of the cover drive member movably engaging with the projection of the locating member. The hinge assembly exerts reduced force on a foldable electronic device when the foldable electronic device is opened or closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignees: Shenzhen FuTaiHong Precision Industrial Co., Ltd., Sutech Trading Limited
    Inventors: Rui-Hao Chen, Chao Duan, Jiang-Yuan He, Chia-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 7100239
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a body drive member (10) having an outer screw thread (12) on an outer periphery thereof, a cover drive member (20) having a first end surface (28) formed one end thereof, a follower (30) having a second end surface (34) formed on one end thereof, and an elastic element (40) abutting the follower. The cover drive member has an inner screw thread (26) formed in a cavity (22) of the cover drive member. The follower has a central hole (32). The body drive member extends through the cover drive member, the follower and the elastic element, thereby integrating the hinge assembly into a complete unit. The outer screw thread of the body drive member engages with the inner screw thread of the cover drive member, and the first end surface of the cover drive member engaging with the second end surface of the body drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: FIH Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao Duan, Rui-Hao Chen, Chia-Hua Chen
  • Publication number: 20060147035
    Abstract: A hinge assembly (200) for joining a cover section (110) to a body section (120) of a foldable electronic device (100) includes a main shaft (10), a rotating member (20), a sliding member (30), and a spring (40). The main shaft has a fixing portion (12) at one end, a deformed shaft portion (14) at its central section, and a distal shaft portion (16) at the other end. The rotating member receives the distal shaft portion, and the rotating member includes an engaging portion (24). The sliding member engages with the deformed shaft portion. The sliding member has a deformed hole (34), engaging with the engaging portion of the rotating member. The spring surrounds the main shaft and elastically biases between the sliding member and the fixing portion. The hinge assembly is modularized, easy to install, and low in cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Applicant: FIH CO.,LTD
    Inventors: Chao Duan, Mao-Fa Jiang, Chia-Hua Chen
  • Publication number: 20060123595
    Abstract: A hinge assembly (10) includes a shaft (20), a follower (22), a cam (30), a washer (50), a lubrication mass forming means, and an urging means. The shaft has a securing portion (21) formed at one end thereof. The follower connects with the shaft. The cam essentially is in the shape of a cylinder, and includes a cam surface (32) and defines a cam hole (31) extending therethrough. The cam hole receives the shaft therethrough. The washer defines a center hole (52), and is located around the shaft. The lubrication mass forming means is disposed between the washer and the cam. One end of the urging means abuts the shaft, and an opposite end of the urging means biases the washer. The cam surface of the cam is rotatably and movably engaged with the follower under force of the urging means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Applicant: FIH CO., LTD
    Inventors: Chao Duan, Ying-Liang Tu, Mao-Fa Jiang, Qin Ou-Yang, Shun Guo, Chia-Hua Chen
  • Publication number: 20060117529
    Abstract: A hinge assembly (10) includes a shaft (20), a follower (22), a cam (30), at least one oil storing receptacle (33), and an urging means (40). The shaft has a securing portion (21) formed at a first end thereof. The follower connects with the shaft. The cam is essentially in the shape of a cylinder, and includes a cam surface (32) and defines a cam hole (31) extending therethrough. The cam hole receives the shaft therethrough. In one embodiment, a first end of the urging means abuts an opposite second end of the shaft, and an opposite second end of the urging means biases the cam. Three oil storing receptacles are disposed generally between the cam and the urging means. The cam surface of the cam is rotatably and movably engaged with the follower under force of the urging means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Applicant: FIH Co.,LTD
    Inventors: Chao Duan, Ying-Liang Tu, Mao-Fa Jiang, Qin Ou-Yang, Shun Guo, Chia-Hua Chen
  • Publication number: 20060117527
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism includes a shaft (1), at least one cam follower (12), a cam (2), a washer (3) and an elastic member (4). Each cam follower has a projection (120) connected to the shaft. The cam has a cam surface (24) defined thereon. The shaft runs through the cam, the washer and the elastic member, in turn. The cam surface of the cam faces the projection of each cam follower, and the cam abuts the cam follower, due to the spring force generated by the elastic member. The washer and the cam are magnetic, the facing portions thereof having the same polarity. As a result of the repulsive magnetic force between the cam and washer, the hinge mechanism generates a smaller friction therebetween, so the waste of energy is very small. The present hinge mechanism can be used in foldable electronic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Applicant: FIH CO., LTD
    Inventors: Ying-Liang Tu, Chao Duan, Mao-Fa Jiang, Qin Ou-Yang, Zheng-Fang Wen, Chia-Hua Chen
  • Publication number: 20060117528
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a shaft (10), a follower (12), a cam (20), at least one rolling member (40), and a spring (50). The follower is connected with the shaft. One of the shaft and the follower has a securing portion (11). The cam is essentially in the shape of a cylinder. The cam has a cam surface (24) and has a cam hole (22) extending therethrough. The cam hole receives the shaft there through. Each rolling member is disposed between the follower and the cam. The first end of the urging means abuts the shaft, while an opposite second end of the urging means biases the cam. The cam surface of the cam is rotatably and movably engaged with each rolling member under the force of the spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Applicant: FIH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chao Duan, Ying-Liang Tu, Mao-Fa Jiang, Qin Ou-Yang, Shun Guo, Chia-Hua Chen
  • Publication number: 20060096063
    Abstract: A hinge assembly (10) includes a shaft (20), a follower (22), a cam (30), a washer (50), a rolling means, and an urging means. The shaft has a securing portion (21) formed at one end thereof. The follower connects with the shaft. The cam essentially is in the shape of a cylinder, and includes a cam surface (32) and defines a cam hole (31) extending therethrough. The cam hole receives the shaft therethrough. The washer defines a center hole (52), and is located around the shaft. The rolling means is disposed between the washer and the cam. One end of the urging means abuts the shaft, and an opposite end of the urging means biases the washer. The cam surface of the cam is rotatably and movably engaged with the follower under force of the urging means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Publication date: May 11, 2006
    Applicant: FIH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chao Duan, Chia-Hua Chen, Shun Guo
  • Publication number: 20060045261
    Abstract: A hinge assembly (100) includes a rotating cam (10) having an inner screw thread (122) and a first cam surface (14) at one end thereof, a shaft (20) having an outer screw thread (242) engaging with the inner screw thread at one end thereof, a driven cam (30) having a second cam end (342), a sleeve (40) sliding relative to the driven cam, a first elastic element (50), a second elastic element (52), a sliding element (60), a locking element (70), and a button (90). The shaft extends through the rotating cam, the driven cam, the first elastic element, the sleeve, and the sliding element, and the locking element. The other end of the shaft is secured on the locking element. The button is slidably disposed on the locking element, one end of the button resists the sliding element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Applicant: FIH CO., LTD
    Inventors: Chao Duan, Chia-Hua Chen
  • Publication number: 20060032020
    Abstract: A hinge assembly (100) for joining a cover section (110) to a body section (120) of a foldable electronic device includes a main shaft (1), a cam (2), a follower (3), a first elastic element (4), a control (5), a sleeve (6), a second elastic element (7) and a fixing element (8). The shaft has an outer thread (101) at one end and an engaging portion at an opposite end. The cam includes an end cam surface (212), and an inner thread (211). The follower includes a latching cam surface (312). The control has at least one projection (52) at one end thereof, and engages with the engaging portion. The sleeve is connected with the follower, and rotation of the sleeve is limited by the control. When the control is pushed, the hinge assembly fully opens the cover section from body section. This provides a user with convenient one-handed operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Publication date: February 16, 2006
    Applicant: FIH CO., LTD
    Inventors: Chao Duan, Chia-Hua Chen
  • Publication number: 20050204508
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism includes a shaft having an outer screw thread, a rotating cam, a rotating cam having an inner screw thread, a first elastic element, a sleeve having a latching block, a second elastic element, an anchoring block, and a button having a post. The driven cam defines two symmetrical latching grooves. The anchoring block defines a first hole and a second hole. The shaft extends through the rotating cam, the driven cam, the first elastic element, the sleeve, the second elastic element, and the first hole of the anchoring block. The outer screw thread of the shaft engages with the inner screw thread of the rotating cam. The latching block of the sleeve is slidably received in the latching grooves of the driven cam. The post of the button extends through the second hole of the anchoring block and abuts against an end of the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Applicant: FIH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chao Duan, Rui-Hao Chen, Chia-Hua Chen
  • Publication number: 20050188504
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a central shaft (20), including an outer screw thread (221); a turning element (30), including a central hole (322) and a holding pin (314), an inner screw thread (323) formed at an inner surface of the central hole; a elastic means (40); a blocking element (50), defining a first through hole (51) and a second through hole (52); and a button (71), including a supporting pin (72). The central shaft extends through the central hole of the turning element, the first elastic element, and the first through hole of the blocking element in that order, the outer screw thread engages with the inner screw thread, and the holding pin of the turning element is received in the second through hole of the blocking element. The present invention enables a foldable electronic device to be opened simply by pressing the button.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Applicant: FIH CO., LTD
    Inventors: Chao Duan, Rui-Hao Chen, Chia-Hua Chen
  • Publication number: 20050188503
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a body drive member (1) having an outer screw thread (14), a cover drive member (2), and a locating member (3). The cover drive member has a hole (212), and an inner screw thread (215) therein. Two arms (223) extend from opposite edges of the cover drive member, and a bent portion (227) is formed at a distal end of each arm. The locating member has a projection (32) on an outer periphery thereof, and defines a hole. The body drive member extends through the hole of the cover drive member and the hole of the locating member, thereby integrating the hinge assembly into a complete unit, with the outer screw thread engaging with the inner screw thread, and the bent portion abutting the projection. The hinge assembly exerts reduced force on a foldable electronic device when the foldable electronic device is opened or closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Applicant: FIH CO., LTD
    Inventors: Chao Duan, Rui-Hao Chen, Chia-Hua Chen