JP2844464B2 - Small electronic equipment - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a small electronic device such as a small electronic computer provided with a device case in which a key input case and a display case are connected to be openable and closable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For example, a small computer includes a key input case including a key input unit for inputting information such as calculation data,
A so-called folding type is provided with a device case that is connected to a display case having a display unit for displaying information such as calculation data input by a key input unit and its calculation result in an openable and closable manner. is there.

In a conventional device case of such a small computer, cylindrical hinge portions are provided at both ends of each connecting portion of a key input case and a display case, and pins are provided at corresponding two sets of hinge portions. Each of them is mounted so that a key input case and a display case are connected to be openable and closable.

However, in a conventional device case of such a small computer, a flexible film (FPC) for electrically connecting a key input portion provided in a key input case and a display portion provided in a display case is provided. Will be exposed to the outside from the connection part of the equipment case,
In addition to the poor appearance, the exposed portion of the flexible film is liable to be damaged by external factors, and the electrical connection function may be impaired. In addition, since the flexible film in the exposed portion repeatedly bends from the state of the bend angle of 0 ° to the state of the bend angle of 180 ° with the opening and closing operation of the device case, a large load is applied, And the electrical connection function is easily damaged.

In view of this, a long and wide hinge member is disposed at a connection portion between the key input case and the display case, and one end in the width direction at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the hinge member is connected via one or two pins. The other end of the width direction is connected to the connection part of the display case via one or two pins, and each case is connected to the hinge member by a different central axis. A device case that is rotatably connected around the center is conceivable.

According to such a device case, when the flexible film is disposed inside the hinge member, the flexible film can be prevented from being exposed to the outside of the device case, so that the appearance is improved, and the flexible film is not affected by external factors. Can prevent damage. In addition, each case is opened and closed with respect to the hinge member from a state where the bending angle is 0 ° to a state where the bending angle is 90 °, so that the equipment case is changed from the state where the bending angle is 0 ° and the bending angle.
The flexible film can be opened and closed up to 180 °, so that the flexible film is repeatedly bent from the 90 ° angle to the 180 ° angle at two locations outside the hinge member, reducing the load and reducing fatigue. It will be difficult to do.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in such a device case, the device case cannot be stopped halfway between the state of the bend angle of 0 ° and the state of the bend angle of 180 °.
The display case is opened about 180 ° from the key input case, so that the display unit is arranged on the same plane as the key input unit, and the information displayed on the display unit becomes difficult to see due to light and the like. There is a problem that there is.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
The purpose is to arrange a hinge member at a connection portion between the key input case and the display case, and connect each case to the hinge member so as to be rotatable around different central axes. It is an object of the present invention to provide a small-sized electronic device capable of holding a display case at an open position and an arbitrary open position with respect to a key input case in a device provided with a device case.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a small electronic device according to the present invention has a hinge member (6) arranged at a connecting portion between a key input case (1) and a display case (2). A small electronic device in which each of the cases is rotatably connected to the hinge member about a different central axis, wherein one of the two cases is connected to the hinge by the hinge; When pivoted by a predetermined angle with respect to the member (see FIG. 2), it abuts on the hinge member to temporarily prevent the rotation of the one case with respect to the hinge member, and the one case is A rotation prevention and load applying mechanism (which applies an appropriate load to the rotation of the one case by pressing against the hinge member when the hinge member is rotated by the predetermined angle or more with respect to the hinge member (see FIG. 4)) 31) Further, when the hinge member rotates by a predetermined angle with respect to the other case (see FIG. 3), the hinge member comes into contact with the other case to prevent the hinge member from rotating further. The contact portion (flange 24a) is provided.

[Operation] In the small electronic device having the above configuration, when the one case rotates by a predetermined angle with respect to the hinge member, the rotation preventing and load applying mechanism abuts on the hinge member so that the one case contacts the hinge member. While the rotation of the case relative to the hinge member is temporarily prevented, and when the hinge member rotates a predetermined angle with respect to the other case,
Since the contact portion of the hinge member contacts the other case, further rotation of the hinge member is prevented, so that the one case is held at an open position with respect to the other case. be able to.

Further, when the one case is rotated by a predetermined angle or more with respect to the hinge member, an appropriate load is applied to the rotation of the one case by the rotation prevention and load applying mechanism being pressed against the hinge member. Since it is applied, the one case can be held at an arbitrary open position with respect to the other case in the rotation range in which the appropriate load is applied.

[Embodiment] An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a small-sized computer will be described below with reference to FIGS.

First, FIG. 6 shows the appearance of a so-called folding type small computer.

In this small computer, a device case 3 including a key input case 1 and a display case 2 is provided, and a hinge storage portion 4 provided at a connection portion between the key input case 1 and the display case 2, 5, a long and wide hinge member 6 is arranged, and as will be described later, each case 1, 2
Are connected to the hinge member 6 so as to be rotatable around different central axes. A key input unit 7 for inputting information such as calculation data is provided on a surface of the key input case 1 facing the display case 2. A display panel 8 composed of a liquid crystal display panel or the like for displaying the calculation data input by the key input unit 7 and the calculation results is provided on the upper surface of the display case 2 facing the key input case 1. Have been. Although not shown, a circuit board on which a plurality of electronic components constituting an electronic circuit unit of the small computer is mounted is provided inside the display case 2 below the display panel 8. This circuit board is electrically connected to the display panel 8 via a flexible film (not shown).

Next, FIG. 1 to FIG. 5 show the main part of the internal structure of this small computer.

The key input case 1 includes an outer case 11 and an inner case 12 joined by screws (not shown).
Is provided. The display case 2 is composed of an outer case 13 and an inner case 14 connected by screws (not shown), and the hinge housing 5 described above is provided at a portion except for both sides at one end.

The hinge member 6 is an outer hinge half having a substantially symmetrical shape.
21 and an inner hinge half 22. Both hinge halves 2
1, 22 are flanges 23a, 23
b, 24a, 24b are provided, and a flange 23a facing each other.
24a, 23b and 24b are joined together by screws (not shown) in a superimposed state, so that the structure has a substantially elliptical cross-sectional cylindrical shape. One flange 23a, 24a side of both hinge halves (hereinafter, simply referred to as both hinge halves) 21 and 22 thus connected is disposed in the hinge storage portion 4 of the key input case 1 and has both ends in the longitudinal direction. It is rotatably attached to the key input case 1 via one pin 25 provided in each of the sections. The other flanges 23b, 24b, sides of the two hinge halves 21, 22 are arranged in the hinge storage portion 5 of the display case 2, and the display case is provided via the other pins 26 respectively provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction. 2 is attached rotatably. Thus, the key input case 1 and the display case 2 are separated from each other by the two hinge halves.
21 and 22 are connected to each other so as to be rotatable around different central axes, that is, one pin 25 and the other pin 26. Note that the one pin 25 and the other pin 26 may be continuous one pin instead of two each.

Recesses 27a and 27b are provided on the inner surfaces of both flanges 23a and 23b of the outer hinge half 21 over a predetermined range, respectively. A flexible film 28 is inserted into these recesses 27a and 27b. The flexible film 28 is for electrically connecting the key input unit 7 provided on the key input case 1 and the circuit board provided on the display case 2, and one end thereof is connected to the key input unit 7. They are connected, the middle of which passes through the inside of both hinge halves 21, 22 via both recesses 27a, 27b of the outer hinge half 21, and the other end is connected to the circuit board. If the pins 25 and 26 consist of one continuous pin, the flexible film 28 passes outside these pins 25 and 26.

A rotation prevention mechanism (rotation prevention and load applying mechanism) 31 is arranged on the inner surface side of the display case 2 near the hinge storage portion 5. The rotation preventing mechanism 31 is provided with a pin 34 slidably inserted in a direction indicated by an arrow A or B in a pin insertion hole 33 provided at a base end of a projection 32 provided on the inner surface of the inner case 14 of the display case 2. It has. A ring-shaped stopper 35 is provided at one end of the pin 34. At the other end of the pin 34, a substantially triangular cam member 36 is provided. A compression coil spring 37 is provided between the cam member 36 and the projection 32. The cam member 36 is urged in the direction of arrow A by the force of the compression coil spring 37 together with the pin 34,
Normally, the stopper 35 is positioned at a position where the stopper 35 contacts the projection 32. The cam member 36 has a flat cam surface 38 which engages with the other flange 24b of the inner hinge half 22 and a substantially arcuate cam surface which is continuous with the cam surface 38, as will be described later.
39.

Next, the opening / closing operation of the display case 2 in the small computer will be described.

First, FIG. 1 shows a state in which the display case 2 is closed with respect to the key input case 1. In this state, the display case 2 is superimposed on the key input case 1, the two hinge halves 21, 22 are almost vertically erected, and the cam member 36 is in the normal position. The bending angles of the portions of the flexible film 28 protruding from the two hinge halves 21 and 22 are both substantially 90 °.

When the display case 2 is opened with respect to the key input case 1 from this state, the display case 2 is rotated about the other pin 26, and as shown in FIG.
Is rotated about 45 ° about the other pin 26, the cam surface of the cam member 36 moving to the display case 2 and the stern.
38 engages the other flange 24b of the inner hinge half 22. During this time, the two hinge halves 21, 22 and the key input case 1
Is to rotate relatively around one pin 25,
The rotation angle between the key input case 1 and the display case 2 is substantially 90 ° as shown in FIG. In this state, the cam surface 38 of the cam member 36 is merely in contact with the other flange 24b of the inner hinge half 22, and the display case 2 is in a free state.

In this state, when the display case 2 is further opened with respect to the key input case 1, as shown in FIG. 3, the other flange 24b of the inner hinge half 22 becomes the cam surface 3 of the cam member 36.
8, both hinge halves 21 and 22 are further rotated around one pin 25, and one flange 24 a of the inner hinge half 22 is attached to the inner case 12 of the key input case 1.
Abuts on the inner surface near the hinge housing 4. In this state, the cam surface 38 of the cam member 36 becomes the inner hinge half.
22 and one flange 24a of the inner hinge half 22 abuts the inner surface of the inner case 12 of the key input case 1, so that both hinge halves 21, 22
Is prevented from rotating. Therefore, the rotation of the display case 2 is temporarily prevented. That is, in this state, even if the hand is released from the display case 2, the display case 2 is rotated at an angle slightly larger than 90 ° with respect to the inclined position shown in FIG. 3, that is, the key input case 1. Will be locked in position.

When the display case 2 is further opened with respect to the key input case 1 from this state, as shown in FIG. 4, the cam surface 39 of the cam member 36 firstly comes into contact with the other flange 24b of the inner hinge half 22. Then, the end face of the outer hinge half 21 is pressed against the end face of the other flange 23b of the outer hinge half 21, whereby the cam member 36 is appropriately moved in the direction of arrow B together with the pin 34 against the force of the compression coil spring 37. Go to In this case, since the display case 2 is opened against the force of the compression coil spring 37, an appropriate load is applied to the rotation of the display case 2.

When the display case 2 is further opened from the key input case 1 in this state, as shown in FIG.
The cam surface 39 of the other hinge half 21, 22 is the other flange 24
b, 23b, and the cam member 36
The display case 2 is returned to the original normal position by the force of the compression coil spring 37, and the inner surface of the inner case 14 of the display case 2 in the vicinity of the hinge storage portion 5 is the inner hinge half 22.
Abuts the other flange 24b. In this state, the inner surface of the inner case 14 of the display case 2 in the vicinity of the hinge accommodating portion 5 abuts on the other flange 24b of the inner hinge half 22, preventing further rotation of the display case 2. When the cam member 36 returned to the normal position and the other flange 23b of the outer hinge half 21 face each other, the display case 2 rotates in the opposite direction, that is, is closed. Is temporarily blocked. Therefore, in this state, the display case 2 is locked at a position that is rotated to the maximum with respect to the key input case 1, that is, by 180 °.

On the other hand, the display case 2 in the position as shown in FIG.
To close the inner hinge half 22 on one flange
24a merely abuts against the inner surface of the inner case 12 of the key input case 1 and the cam surface 38 of the cam member 36 only abuts the other flange 24b of the inner hinge half 22. The display case 2 can be closed with a relatively weak operating force.

Next, the display case 2 in the position as shown in FIG.
When closing, the cam surface 39 of the cam member 36 is pressed by the end surface of the other flange 24b of the inner hinge half 22,
Since the cam member 36 is appropriately moved in the direction of the arrow B against the force of the compression coil spring 37, an appropriate load is applied to the rotation of the display case 2, so that the display case 2 Is closed with a relatively strong operation force until the state shown in FIG. 3 is reached.

Next, the display case 2 in the position as shown in FIG.
When the display case 2 is closed, when a relatively strong external force is applied to the display case 2 in a direction in which the display case 2 is raised, the other flange 23b of the outer hinge half 21 is moved to the cam surface 3 of the cam member 36.
9, the cam member 36 moves in the direction of arrow B while compressing the compression coil spring 37 by this pressing force. In this way, the state as shown in FIG. 4 is first obtained, so that when the display case 2 is initially closed, it is stronger than when the display case 2 at the position as shown in FIG. 4 is closed. It will be closed by operating force.

As described above, in this small computer, the display case 2 is connected to the key input case 1 as shown in FIG.
When the display case 2 is opened at an angle slightly larger than ゜, the display case 2 can be stopped at this open position, and the display case 2 is held at the inclined position shown in FIG. In the position where the display case 2 is opened from the open position to the maximum as shown in FIG. 5, the display case 2 is locked so that the rotation is restricted in any of the open and close directions. For this reason, the display case 2 is well stabilized, and operations such as key input in this state are facilitated. It should be noted that the cam surface 38 of the cam member 36 may be stepped, and the display case 2 may be locked stepwise. In addition, display case 2 is compared to key input case 1.
In the case where the display case 2 is opened and closed in a range of an angle slightly larger than 90 ° as shown in FIG. Can be done by force.

Further, in the above embodiment, the rotation preventing mechanism 31 is provided on the display case 2, but may be provided on the key input case 1 instead of the display case 2.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a so-called folding type small electronic computer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be widely applied to small electronic devices having an openable and closable device case.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the small electronic device of the present invention, when one case rotates by a predetermined angle with respect to the hinge member, the rotation preventing and load applying mechanism is attached to the hinge member. By the contact, the rotation of the hinge member of one case is temporarily prevented, and when the hinge member rotates by a predetermined angle with respect to the other case, the contact portion of the hinge member contacts the other case. Because the contact prevents further rotation of the hinge member,
One case can be held at a certain open position with respect to the other case, and thus the display case can be held at a certain open position with respect to the key input case.

Further, when one of the cases is rotated by a predetermined angle or more with respect to the hinge member, an appropriate load is applied to the rotation of the one case by pressing the rotation prevention and load applying mechanism against the hinge member. Therefore, one case can be held at an arbitrary open position with respect to the other case in the rotation range in which such an appropriate load is applied, and therefore, the key input case is displayed with respect to the key input case. The case can be held in any open position.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 to 6 are views for explaining an embodiment of a small electronic device according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a view showing a state in which a display case is closed with respect to a key input case. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal side view of a main part showing the display case opened substantially 90 ° from the key input case, and FIG. 3 is a view showing the display case with respect to the key input case. hand
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional side view of a main part showing a state where the display case is opened at an angle slightly larger than 90 °. FIG. 4 is a view showing a state where the display case is opened to some extent from the state shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal side view of a main part showing a state where the display case is opened at a maximum of about 180 ° with respect to the key input case, and FIG. 6 is an external view of the small computer. It is. 1 ... key input case, 2 ... display case, 6 ...
Hinge members, 25, 26... Pins, 31.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A small-sized structure in which a hinge member is disposed at a connection portion between a key input case and a display case, and each of the cases is rotatably connected to the hinge member about a different central axis. In the electronic device, when one of the two cases rotates by a predetermined angle with respect to the hinge member, the one case abuts on the hinge member and causes the one case to rotate with respect to the hinge member. While temporarily preventing the rotation, when the one case is rotated by more than the predetermined angle with respect to the hinge member,
A rotation preventing / load applying mechanism for applying an appropriate load to the rotation of the one case by pressing against the hinge member, and wherein the hinge member has a predetermined angle with respect to the other case; A small electronic device, comprising: a contact portion that contacts the other case when rotated to prevent further rotation of the hinge member.