JP2012213235A - Portable device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable device which improves the operability.SOLUTION: A portable device includes: a first housing having an operation part; a second housing which has a display part and shifts from the facing state where an opposite surface of the display part faces the operation part and overlaps with the first housing to the open state where the opposite surface does not overlap with the operation part of the first housing; and connection members, each of which has an arm part and first and second connection parts respectively and rotatably connecting with the first and second housings. The first connection part connects a side surface end part of the first housing with one end of the arm part, and the second connection part connects a protruding part formed in the second housing with the other end of the arm part. The operation part and the display part face in the same direction in the open state.

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable device.

  A portable device having a first and a second housing is known. Some of such portable devices are capable of shifting from a state in which the first and second housings face each other to a state in which the second housing is raised with respect to the first housing. The first and second housings are connected by a member capable of such a state transition.

JP 2006-157769 A

  However, in such a portable device, if the user is forced to perform a plurality of operations for the transition of the above state, the operability deteriorates. That is, it is desirable to be able to shift from the state where the first and second housings face each other to the standing state by a single operation.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a portable device with improved operability.

  The portable device disclosed in the present specification has a first casing having an operation unit, a display unit, and an opposite state in which an opposite surface of the display unit faces the operation unit and overlaps the first housing. A second housing that can be shifted to an open state that does not overlap the operation portion of the first housing; an arm portion; and first and second connecting portions that are rotatably connected to the first and second housings, respectively. A connecting member, wherein the first connecting portion connects a side end portion of the first housing and one end of the arm portion, and the second connecting portion is a convex portion formed on the second housing. The other end of the arm portion is connected, and in the open state, the operation unit and the display unit are portable devices that can face the same direction.

  According to the portable device disclosed in this specification, the operability is improved.

  Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of a mobile phone (mobile device) according to the first embodiment. The mobile phone has a first housing 10 and a second housing 20. FIG. 1A shows a mobile phone in a state where the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 face each other, and FIG. 1B shows a state where the second housing 20 stands from the first housing 10. It is the figure which showed the mobile phone.

  The first casing 10 and the second casing 20 are connected by connecting members 30 and 40. The connecting members 30 and 40 are capable of shifting from the opposed state in which the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are opposed to the standing state in which the second housing 20 is erected from the first housing 10 and the second housing 20. The housing 20 is connected. The connecting members 30 and 40 will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the second casing 20 is provided with a display panel 22. A predetermined image is displayed on the display panel 22. The display panel 22 includes a touch panel. The second housing 20 incorporates a speaker (not shown) that outputs sound and a microphone (not shown) that collects the user's sound.

  The first housing 10 is provided with operation keys 12. The operation key 12 is provided on a facing surface (one surface) 11 that faces the second casing 20 in the facing state. The operation key 12 is a QWERIY key. As shown in FIG. 1A, the operation key 12 is concealed by the second casing 20 in the facing state. The facing surface 11 may be provided with a telephone number input key or a touch panel.

  Next, the connecting members 30 and 40 will be briefly described. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the connecting members 30 and 40. FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram of the connecting member 30. The connecting member 30 is made of a synthetic resin. The connecting member 30 includes an arm portion 33, a shaft hole 31 formed at one end of the arm portion 33, and a shaft hole 32 formed at the other end of the arm portion 33. Further, a shaft hole 15 is formed in the first casing 10. The shaft hole 31 and the shaft hole 15 are fitted to the hinge unit 50 in common. The shaft hole 15 is formed at the end of the side surface of the first housing 10.

  Similarly, although not shown in FIG. 2A, the second housing 20 is also formed with a shaft hole that fits in common with the shaft hole 32 by the hinge unit 60. The shaft hole 32 is formed near the center of the side surface of the second housing. The shaft hole 31 and the hinge unit 50 function as a first connecting portion for rotatably connecting the connecting member 30 to the first housing 10. The shaft hole 32 and the hinge unit 60 function as a second connecting portion for connecting the connecting member 30 to the second housing 20 in a rotatable manner. As will be described in detail later, the hinge units 50 and 60 can maintain the first casing 10 and the second casing 20 in a predetermined state, respectively. The shaft hole 31 is connected at the rear end portion of the first housing 10, and the shaft hole 32 is connected near the center of the side surface of the second housing 20.

  FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram of the connecting member 40. The connecting member 40 is made of synthetic resin. The connecting member 40 has a storage portion 43 inside. In the storage portion 43, cables (connection portions) 70 for ensuring electrical connection of electronic components built in the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are stored. The storage portion 43 is closed with a lid 44. Further, shaft portions 41 and 42 are formed at both ends of the connecting member 40, respectively. The shaft portion 41 is fitted to the shaft hole 17 of the first housing 10 so as to be slidable and rotatable. Similarly, the shaft portion 42 is fitted in a shaft hole (not shown) formed in the second housing 20 so as to be slidable and rotatable. The cable 70 passes through the shaft portions 41 and 42 and is guided into the first housing 10 and the second housing 20, respectively.

  The guide portion 16 has a function of slidingly contacting the connecting members 30 and 40 to guide the operation of the connecting members 30 and 40 when the state of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 is changed. ing. In addition, two pressing plates 91 are fixed to the side surface of the first casing 10, and two pressing plates 92 are fixed to the side surface of the second casing 20. The holding plates 91 and 92 are for holding the connecting members 30 and 40.

  Next, the transition from the facing state to the standing state will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the transition from the facing state to the standing state. 3A is a side view of the mobile phone in an opposed state, FIG. 3B is a side view of the mobile phone in a sliding state, and FIG. 3C is a side view of the mobile phone in a standing state. is there. In FIG. 3, the mobile phone is described as a perspective view.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, in the facing state, the connecting member 30 intersects the virtual extension surface of the facing surface 11. In other words, in the facing state, the connecting member 30 is not parallel to the facing surface 11. Here, in the facing state, the distance between the center of the hinge unit 50 and the facing surface 11 is O1, and the distance between the center of the hinge unit 60 and the facing surface 11 is O2. In FIG. 3A, the left side of the mobile phone is defined as the front side, and the right side is defined as the rear side. The hinge unit 50 is connected to the end of the side surface of the first housing, and the hinge unit 60 is connected near the center of the side surface of the second housing.

  The user presses the front end (predetermined edge) 20a of the second casing 20 rearward (predetermined direction) in the facing state shown in FIG. Slide up. When the second casing 20 slides backward, the connecting member 30 rotates so that the hinge unit 60 moves upward with the hinge unit 50 as a fulcrum. As a result, the rear end 20 b is lifted upward from the first housing 10. Further, since the second casing 20 is rotatably connected to the hinge unit 60, the front end portion 20 a slides on the facing surface 11 while facing the facing surface 11. As a result, the rear end 20 b is lifted from the facing surface 11, and the second housing 20 slides in a state of being inclined with respect to the facing surface 11. If the front end portion 20a is pushed rearward as it is, the front end portion 20a moves to a position facing the rear end portion of the first housing 10, and as shown in FIG. The transition to the state is complete. Accordingly, the second casing 20 can be slid while the display panel 22 faces the front side, and the operation key 12 is exposed by the sliding of the second casing 20. In the standing state, the user can operate the operation keys 12 while looking at the display panel 22.

  By sliding the second housing 20 in this manner, the transition from the facing state to the standing state is continued because the connecting member 30 intersects the virtual extension surface of the facing surface 11 in the facing state. is there. In other words, the distances O1 and O2 are set in the facing state. The larger the total value of the distances O1 and O2, the easier the connection member 30 stands. In this way, by pushing the second casing 20 rearward, the connecting member 30 easily rotates with the hinge unit 50 as a fulcrum.

  As described above, the mobile phone according to the first embodiment shifts from the facing state to the standing state by a single operation. Therefore, the operability of the mobile phone of Example 1 is improved, and the user can easily operate with one hand.

  Here, the transition from the facing state to the standing state in the mobile phone having a structure different from that of the mobile phone according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the transition from the facing state to the standing state in a mobile phone having a structure different from that of the mobile phone of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the connecting member 30x that connects the first housing 10x and the second housing 20x is substantially parallel to the facing surface 11x in the facing state. The distance from the center of the hinge units 50x and 60x to the opposing surface 11x is O3. In order to raise the second casing 20x so that the display panel 22x faces the front side from the facing state, the user is forced to perform the following operation. First, as shown in FIG. 4B, the user needs to lift the front end portion 20ax upward so as to be separated from the facing surface 11x. Next, as shown in FIG. 4C, the user needs to lower the front end 20ax to the facing surface 11x side and lift the rear end 20bx. In this state, the second housing 20x stands up. Next, as shown in FIG. 4D, the user needs to slide the front end portion 20ax toward the rear side on the facing surface 11x. As described above, the user is forced to perform an operation necessary for standing up the second casing 20x and an operation of sliding the second casing 20x, and the transition from the facing state to the standing state is performed by a single operation. I can't.

  The reason for this is that, as shown in FIG. 4A, the connecting member 30 x is disposed substantially parallel to the facing surface 11 in the facing state. In other words, it can be said that the hinge units 50x and 60x are located on the sliding direction of the second casing 20x. Even if the front end portion 20ax is pushed rearward, a force acts on the connecting member 30x so as to compress it in the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 30x. Therefore, unlike the mobile phone of the first embodiment, the connecting member 30x is difficult to rotate with the hinge unit 50x as a fulcrum.

  Further, if the distance O3 is set to be large, the second casing 20x is considered to be able to continuously shift from the facing state to the standing state by the same operation as the mobile phone of the first embodiment. However, if the distance O3 is set to be large, the thickness of the second casing 20x increases.

  The mobile phone according to the first embodiment sets the distance O1 from the facing surface 11 to the center of the first hinge unit 50 and the distance O2 from the facing surface 11 to the center of the second hinge unit 60, thereby providing the first casing. 10. The increase in the thickness of the second casing 20 can be suppressed.

  In the standing state shown in FIG. 3C, the posture of the second casing 20 is maintained in this state. This is maintained by the function of the hinge units 50, 60. Details will be described later.

  Next, other states of the mobile phone according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of other states of the mobile phone according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5A, when the first casing 10 and the second casing 20 are opened at approximately 180 degrees, the end of the connecting member 30 on the hinge unit 50 side is the hinge unit 50 of the first casing 10. It abuts on a stopper 19 formed in the vicinity. Thereby, the rotation range of the connecting member 30 is regulated.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, in the standing state, the display panel 22 can be maintained in a state of facing the rear side. This is maintained by the function of the hinge units 50, 60. In the following description, the state of FIG. 4C is referred to as a first standing state, and the state of FIG. 5B is referred to as a second standing state.

  The hinge units 50 and 60 will be described in detail. First, the hinge unit 50 will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the hinge unit 50. The hinge unit 50 includes a fixed cam 51, a spring 52, a sliding cam 54, a shaft 56, and a fixed shaft 58.

  The shaft 56 rotates integrally with the connecting member 30. Specifically, the shaft 56 passes through the fixed shaft 58, and the fixed shaft 58 is non-rotatably fitted in the shaft hole 31 of the connecting member 30. The shaft 56 rotates integrally with the fixed shaft 58. Accordingly, when the connecting member 30 rotates, the fixed shaft 58 rotates, and the shaft 56 rotates together with the fixed shaft 58.

  The fixed cam 51 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the shaft 56 is inserted and fixed on the first housing 10 side. Specifically, the fixed cam 51 is fitted in the shaft hole 15 of the first housing 10 so as not to rotate.

  The sliding cam 54 is formed in a cylindrical shape, is movable in the axial direction of the shaft 56, and rotates together with the shaft 56. Specifically, the sliding cam 54 engages with the shaft 56 and rotates integrally with the shaft 56. Since the shaft 56 rotates together with the connecting member 30, the sliding cam 54 rotates relative to the fixed cam 51 when the connecting member 30 rotates.

  The spring 56 biases the sliding cam 54 toward the fixed cam 51 side. The spring 56 is disposed around the fixed shaft 58. Specifically, the spring 56 is disposed between the flange portion of the fixed shaft 58 and the sliding cam 54.

  The fixed cam 51 and the sliding cam 54 have cam surfaces 51a and 54a, respectively. A convex surface 51b is formed on the cam surface 51a. The cam surface 54a has a concave surface 54b that is complementary to the convex surface 51b.

  FIG. 6A shows a state of the hinge unit 50 in the opposed state. As shown in FIG. 6A, the convex surface 51b and the concave surface 54b are in contact with each other only in part. Since the spring 52 urges the sliding cam 54 toward the fixed cam 51, a force acts on the sliding cam 54 in a direction in which the convex surface 51 b and the concave surface 54 b come into contact with each other. The first casing 10 and the second casing 20 are pressed against each other by the biasing force of the spring 52. As a result, the facing state is maintained.

  When the user slides the second casing 20 against the urging force of the spring 52, the connecting member 30 rotates clockwise about the first hinge unit 50. At this time, the sliding cam 54 rotates so that the concave surface 54b rises on the convex surface 51b, and the convex surface 51b contacts the cam surface 54a as shown in FIG. 6B. FIG. 6B shows the state of the hinge unit 50 in the state shown in FIG.

  Further, when the second casing 20 is slid, the connecting member 30 further rotates clockwise around the first hinge unit 50 and shifts to the standing state. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6C, the convex surface 51b and the concave surface 54b are completely in contact with each other. In order to further rotate the sliding cam 54 from this state, it is necessary to rotate the sliding cam 54 against the urging force of the spring 52. Therefore, the contact between the convex surface 51b and the concave surface 54b is maintained by the biasing force of the spring 52. Thereby, the standing state is maintained.

  Note that the hinge unit 60 has substantially the same structure as the hinge unit 50. In the case of the hinge unit 60, the fixed cam is fixed to the second housing 20 side, and the sliding cam is fixed to the connecting member 30 side. In each of the first and second standing states, the convex surface of the fixed cam contacts the concave surface of the sliding cam. The contact between the two is maintained by a spring. Thereby, the posture of the second casing 20 is maintained in each of the first and second standing states.

  Next, a mobile phone of Example 2 will be described. In addition, about the part similar to Example 1, the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the mobile phone according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 schematically shows the mobile phone according to the second embodiment for easy understanding.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a Hall element 81 is provided on the side surface of the first housing 10A. A permanent magnet 82 is provided on the side surface of the second housing 20A. In the facing state, the Hall element 81 and the permanent magnet 82 are adjacent to each other. The connecting member 30 is provided with a permanent magnet 83, and a Hall element 84 is provided on the side surface of the second casing 20A. In the facing state, the permanent magnet 83 and the hall element 84 are adjacent to each other.

  The hall elements 81 and 84 are sensors that output detection signals when the permanent magnets 82 and 83 approach each other. The hall elements 81 and 84 output detection signals to a CPU (not shown) built in the mobile phone according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 7A, both the Hall elements 81 and 84 output ON signals indicating the approach of the permanent magnets 82 and 83. Thereby, CPU can judge that a mobile telephone is a facing state.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, in the first standing state, the Hall element 81 and the permanent magnet 82 are separated from each other, and similarly, the permanent magnet 83 and the Hall element 84 are also separated from each other. Accordingly, the Hall elements 81 and 84 both output an OFF signal to the CPU. Thereby, the CPU can determine that the mobile phone is in the first standing state.

  As shown in FIG. 7C, in the second standing state, the Hall element 81 and the permanent magnet 82 are separated from each other, but the permanent magnet 83 and the Hall element 84 are maintained adjacent to each other. Therefore, the Hall element 81 outputs an OFF signal and the Hall element 84 outputs an ON signal to the CPU. Thereby, the CPU can determine that the mobile phone is in the second standing state.

  For example, the CPU can switch the display image on the display panel 22 in accordance with the current state of the mobile phone. As an example, an image for displaying an input operation from the operation key 12 is displayed on the display panel 22 in the first standing state, and a television image is displayed in the second standing state.

  Next, a mobile phone of Example 3 will be described. In addition, about the part similar to Example 1, the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the mobile phone according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 8, the mobile phone of the third embodiment is schematically shown for easy understanding.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, a gap C is formed on the front side between the first housing 10B and the second housing 20B in the facing state. The gap C is formed on the front end portion 20a on the side facing the first casing 10B. Here, the second housing 20B has a facing surface 21a substantially parallel to the facing surface 11 in the facing state. The second casing 20B is continuous with the facing surface 21a, is inclined with respect to the facing surface 21a, and has an inclined surface 21b that defines a gap C with the facing surface 11.

  When shifting from the facing state to the first standing state, the user pushes the front end portion 20a obliquely downward, so that the facing surface 11 and the inclined surface 21b come into contact with each other, and the facing surface 11 and the facing surface 21a Leave. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8B, the rear end 20 b is lifted from the facing surface 11. In this state, when the front end portion 20a is pushed rearward, as shown in FIG. 8C, the inclined surface 21b and the opposing surface 11 slide while sliding to shift to the first standing state.

  Thus, the gap C acts to assist the transition from the facing state to the first standing state. Thereby, operability is improved.

  It is also possible to shift directly from the facing state to the second standing state. In the facing state, the user can insert a finger into the gap C and lift the front end 20a upward. Thus, the operability is improved.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.・ Change is possible.

  Although a mobile phone has been described as an example of the mobile device, the present invention can be applied to a PDA or a notebook computer.

In addition, the following additional notes are disclosed regarding the above description.
(Supplementary note 1) a first housing having one surface;
A second housing that is capable of shifting from an opposing state facing the one surface to an upright state that slides on the one surface and stands up from the first housing;
A portable device comprising first and second connecting portions rotatably connected to the first and second housings, respectively, and a connecting member that intersects the one virtual extension surface in the opposed state.
(Supplementary note 2) The portable device according to supplementary note 1, wherein, in the facing state, an interval from the one surface to the first connection portion and an interval from the one surface to the second connection portion are set.
(Supplementary Note 3) The second connecting portion is connected in the vicinity of the central portion of the side surface of the second casing,
The mobile device according to appendix 1 or 2, wherein the first connecting portion is connected in the vicinity of an end portion of a side surface of the first casing.
(Supplementary Note 4) A first hinge unit that rotatably connects the first connecting portion to the first casing,
The portable device according to any one of appendices 1 to 3, wherein the first hinge unit maintains the facing state or the standing state.
(Supplementary Note 5) A second hinge unit that rotatably connects the second connecting portion to the second housing,
The portable device according to any one of appendices 1 to 4, wherein the second hinge unit maintains at least two postures of the second casing in the standing state.
(Appendix 6) The first hinge unit moves in the axial direction of the shaft, a shaft rotating integrally with the connecting member, a cylindrical fixed cam into which the shaft is inserted and fixed on the first housing side, and The portable device according to appendix 5, comprising a cylindrical sliding cam that rotates with the shaft and a biasing member that biases the sliding cam toward the fixed cam.
(Additional remark 7) The portable apparatus in any one of additional remark 1 thru | or 6 provided with the detection means to detect the state of the said 1st, 2nd housing.
(Additional remark 8) The said detection means is a portable apparatus of Additional remark 7 including the magnet provided in one of the said 1st, 2nd housing, and the Hall element provided in the other of the said 1st, 2nd housing.
(Additional remark 9) The said detection means contains the magnet provided in one of the said 2nd housing and the said connection member, and the Hall element provided in the other of the said 2nd housing and the said connection member, Additional remark 7 or 8 Mobile devices.
(Supplementary Note 10) The supplementary notes 1 to 9, further comprising a connection portion that is housed in the coupling member and that secures electrical connection between the first and second electronic components housed in the first and second housings, respectively. Any portable device.
(Supplementary note 11) The portable device according to any one of Supplementary notes 1 to 10, wherein a gap is formed between the first and second casings in the opposed state.
(Supplementary note 12) When the predetermined edge of the second casing in the opposed state is pushed in a predetermined direction, the second casing slides,
The portable device according to appendix 11, wherein the gap is formed on the predetermined edge side.
(Additional remark 13) The said 2nd housing | casing is the inclined surface which inclines with respect to the said parallel surface and inclines with respect to the said parallel surface, and the said parallel surface which faces substantially parallel to the said 1st housing in the said opposing state, and demarcates the said clearance gap The mobile device according to appendix 12, wherein
(Supplementary Note 14) In the facing state, the one surface is concealed,
The portable device according to any one of appendices 1 to 13, wherein the one surface is exposed in the standing state.
(Supplementary note 15) The portable device according to any one of Supplementary notes 1 to 14, wherein the second casing has a display portion that is exposed in any of the opposed state and the standing state.
(Additional remark 16) The said 1st housing is a portable apparatus in any one of Additional remark 1 thru | or 15 which has an operation part in the said one surface.

1 is an external view of a mobile phone of Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of a connection member. It is explanatory drawing of the transfer from an opposing state to a standing state. It is explanatory drawing of the transfer from the opposing state in the mobile phone which has a structure different from the mobile phone of Example 1 to a standing state. It is explanatory drawing of the other state of the mobile telephone of Example 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of a hinge unit. It is explanatory drawing of the mobile telephone of Example 2. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a mobile phone according to Embodiment 3. FIG.

10, 10A, 10B 1st housing 11 Opposite surface (one surface)
20, 20A, 20B 2nd housing 30 Connecting member 50, 60 Hinge unit 70 Cable (connection part)
81, 84 Hall element (detection means)
82, 83 Permanent magnet (detection means)

Claims (7)

A first housing having an operation section;
A first display unit having a display unit and capable of transitioning from an opposing state in which an opposite surface of the display unit faces the operation unit and overlaps the first housing to an open state that does not overlap the operation unit of the first housing; Two enclosures,
A connecting member having arm portions, first and second connecting portions rotatably connected to the first and second housings, respectively.
The first connecting portion connects a side end portion of the first housing and one end of the arm portion,
The second connecting part connects the convex part formed on the second housing and the other end of the arm part,
In the open state, the operation unit and the display unit are portable devices that can face the same direction.   2. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein an interval from the one surface to the first connecting portion and an interval from the one surface to the second connecting portion are set in the facing state.   The portable device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second connecting portion is connected in the vicinity of a central portion of a side surface of the second casing. A first hinge unit rotatably connecting the first connecting portion to the first housing;
The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the first hinge unit maintains the facing state or the open state. A second hinge unit rotatably connecting the second connecting portion to the second housing;
The portable device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second hinge unit maintains at least two postures of the second casing in the open state.   The first hinge unit is movable in the axial direction of the shaft, a shaft rotating integrally with the connecting member, a cylindrical fixed cam into which the shaft is inserted and fixed on the first housing side, The portable device according to claim 5, comprising: a cylindrical sliding cam that rotates together with the shaft; and a biasing member that biases the sliding cam toward the fixed cam.   The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the arm portion is bent at at least one portion.

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