JP6680972B2 - Folding electronic device and keyboard unit - Google Patents

Description

  The technique disclosed in the present application relates to a folding electronic device and a keyboard unit.

  Conventionally, there is a folding electronic device including a main body device having a plurality of key tops and a display device having a display device (for example, see Patent Documents 1 to 3). In this folding electronic device, the display device is changed between an open state opened from the main body device and a closed state closed to the main body device side.

  Further, as a folding electronic device of this type, for example, there is a notebook personal computer in which a main body device is provided with a palm rest along with a plurality of key tops (see, for example, Patent Document 4). In this notebook personal computer, when the display device is in the closed state, the display device overlaps the plurality of key tops and the palm rest portion.

JP, 2006-53678, A JP, 2004-38629, A JP-A-8-263171 JP, 2006-107341, A

  In the notebook personal computer, when pressure is applied to the top plate of the display device in the closed state, the display device bends and comes into contact with the plurality of key tops and the palm rest portion, and the display device is in contact with the plurality of key tops and the palm rest portion. Receive power. Here, in the main body device, the rigidity may locally change at the boundary portion between the portion where the plurality of key tops are arranged and the portion where the palm rest portion is provided due to the difference in the rigidity of the internal support structure. .

  However, in such a state where a local change in rigidity occurs in the main body device, when pressure is applied to the top plate of the display device in the closed state, the local change in rigidity in the main body device causes a local change in the display device. There is a risk that the display unit may be damaged due to specific stress or strain.

  In one aspect, the technique disclosed in the present application aims to provide a folding electronic device capable of suppressing damage to the display even when pressure is applied to the top plate of the display device in the closed state.

In order to achieve the above object, a folding electronic device according to a technique disclosed in the present application is equipped with a key input section, a main body device having a side-by-side installation section provided in parallel with the key input section, and a display device mounted, On the back side of the key input section and the juxtaposed section, and the display apparatus in which the main body apparatus is opened and the main unit is closed and the display is changed to a closed state in which the display overlaps the key input section and the juxtaposed section. A flat plate that is arranged over the entire surface of the key input section and the juxtaposed section and is fixed to the main body device by locking projections provided on the depth direction back side end side and the depth direction front side end side. And a support plate having a shape of .

  According to the technique disclosed in the present application, even when pressure is applied to the top plate of the display device in the closed state, damage to the display device can be suppressed.

It is a perspective view of a notebook personal computer. It is the perspective view which looked at the keyboard unit from the front side. It is an exploded perspective view of a keyboard unit. It is the perspective view which looked at the keyboard unit from the back side. It is a principal part expansion longitudinal cross-sectional view of a keyboard unit. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a notebook personal computer. It is an enlarged view of the A section of FIG. It is an enlarged view of the B section of FIG. It is an enlarged view of the C section of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the upper cover of a main body apparatus. FIG. 11 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of an essential part of a notebook personal computer including the upper cover shown in FIG. 10.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the technique disclosed in the present application will be described.

  The notebook personal computer 10 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is an example of a “folding electronic device”, and includes a main body device 12 and a display device 14.

  The arrows UP, FR, and RH shown in the respective figures indicate the upper side in the height direction, the front side in the depth direction, and the right side in the width direction of the notebook personal computer 10, respectively.

  The main body device 12 includes a housing 16, a keyboard unit 18, a touch pad 20, and the like. The housing 16 is formed in a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has an upper cover 22 and a lower cover 24 divided in the thickness direction of the housing 16. The keyboard unit 18, the touch pad 20, and the like are attached to the upper cover 22. In addition, a battery, a control board, and the like are housed inside the housing 16.

  The keyboard unit 18 has a plurality of key tops 26. The keyboard unit 18 is an example of an “input unit”, and the plurality of key tops 26 is an example of a “key input unit”. The plurality of key tops 26 are arranged on the upper surface of the upper cover 22 on the center side in the depth direction.

  Further, a palm rest portion 28 is provided on the upper surface portion of the upper cover 22 side by side with the plurality of key tops 26. The palm rest portion 28 is formed by a portion (a portion where the touch pad 20 is provided) between the plurality of key tops 26 on the upper surface portion of the upper cover 22 and the side surface portion 22A on the front side in the depth direction of the upper cover 22. There is. The palm rest portion 28 is an example of “a juxtaposed portion”.

  The display device 14 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape in a plan view. The display device 14 is formed to have substantially the same outer shape and size as the main body device 12 in a plan view. The display device 14 is equipped with a display device 30 such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL (Electroluminescent) display device. A top plate 32 of the display device 14 is provided on the back side of the display device 30.

  Further, the lower end portion 14A in the vertical direction of the display device 14 is rotatably fixed to the end portion 12A on the inner side in the depth direction of the main body device 12 via a hinge mechanism or the like. Then, the display device 14 can be changed between an open state opened from the main body device 12 and a closed state closed to the main body device 12 side. In FIG. 1, the display device 14 is in an open state. When the display device 14 is in the open state, the display device 30 faces the front side in the depth direction of the main body device 12.

  On the other hand, the state in which the display device 14 is closed on the main body device 12 side and overlapped on the main body device 12 is the closed state of the display device 14, and the closed state of the display device 14 is shown in FIG. . When the display device 14 is in the closed state, the display device 30 overlaps the key tops 26 and the palm rest portion 28. In the closed state of the display device 14, a gap is secured between the display device 30 and the key tops 26 and the palm rest portion 28.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the keyboard unit 18 has a keyboard frame 34, a flexible printed circuit board 36, and a support plate 38 in addition to the plurality of key tops 26 described above (also refer to FIG. 2 as appropriate). The keyboard frame 34 is formed in a lattice shape having holes 40 at positions corresponding to the plurality of key tops 26. The plurality of key tops 26 are housed in the plurality of holes 40 formed in the keyboard frame 34, respectively.

  The support plate 38 is formed in a flat plate shape and is arranged on the back side of the keyboard frame 34. The support plate 38 is formed of, for example, a metal having an electromagnetic shield property such as aluminum. The support plate 38 is manufactured by sheet metal, for example. The flexible printed circuit board 36 is arranged between the keyboard frame 34 and the support plate 38, and is fixed on the support plate 38.

  As shown in FIG. 5, each key top 26 is supported on the flexible printed circuit board 36 via a spring 42. A switch 44 located immediately below each key top 26 is mounted on the flexible printed circuit board 36. When the user presses the key top 26 and the switch 44 is pressed by the user, the switch 44 is turned on. Become.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the support plate 38 is formed to have substantially the same width as the keyboard frame 34, but is formed larger than the keyboard frame 34 in the depth direction. That is, the end portion 38A on the front side in the depth direction of the support plate 38 is extended to the front side in the depth direction with respect to the keyboard frame 34.

  By extending the end portion 38A on the front side in the depth direction of the support plate 38 in this manner, the support plate 38 is provided so as to straddle the plurality of key tops 26 and the palm rest portion 28.

  More specifically, the support plate 38 is disposed on the back side of the plurality of key tops 26 (see FIG. 2) and supports the plurality of key tops 26, and the depth of the first support portion 46. The second support portion 48 is provided on the front side in the direction. The second support portion 48 is formed from one end side to the other end side in the lateral width direction of the first support portion 46.

  The keyboard unit 18 including the support plate 38 is fixed to the upper cover 22 by the following structure. That is, a plurality of locking projections 50 are formed on the end portion 38A on the front side in the depth direction and the end portion 38B on the back side of the support plate 38, respectively. At each of the end portions 38A and 38B, the plurality of locking protrusions 50 are formed at intervals in the lateral width direction of the support plate 38.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a pair of fixing portions 52 is formed on the back surface of the upper cover 22. The pair of fixing portions 52 are formed at positions corresponding to the end portions 38A and 38B on both sides in the depth direction of the support plate 38, respectively. Each fixing portion 52 is formed to have an L-shaped cross section.

  Then, the horizontal portions 54 formed on the pair of fixing portions 52 have the end portions 38A and 38B of the support plate 38 on both sides in the depth direction, respectively. Further, the locking projections 50 formed on the ends 38A and 38B on both sides in the depth direction of the support plate 38 are locked in the locking holes 58 formed in the vertical portions 56 of the pair of fixing portions 52. In this way, the keyboard unit 18 is fixed to the upper cover 22.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a rectangular opening 60 is formed in a plan view at a position corresponding to the plurality of key tops 26 on the upper surface portion of the upper cover 22. The plurality of key tops 26 are exposed above the main body device 12 through the openings 60.

  Further, when the keyboard unit 18 is fixed to the upper cover 22, the second support portion 48 formed on the support plate 38 is arranged on the back side of the palm rest portion 28. The second support portion 48 extends from the first support portion 46 to the end portion 28A side of the palm rest portion 28 on the front side in the depth direction (the end portion side of the palm rest portion 28 opposite to the plurality of key tops 26). .

  In addition, if the second support portion 48 extends from the first support portion 46 to the end portion 28A side of the palm rest portion 28 on the front side in the depth direction, the second support portion 48 on the opposite side of the first support portion 46 in the second support portion 48. The end portion 48A may or may not reach the end portion 28A. The second support portion 48 covers the palm rest portion 28 from the back side of the palm rest portion 28. A gap is secured between the second support portion 48 and the palm rest portion 28.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, when the display device 14 is in the closed state, the end portion 48A of the second support portion 48 on the side opposite to the first support portion 46 is the upper end portion of the display device 30 in the vertical direction. Located near 30A. If the end portion 48A of the second support portion 48 on the opposite side of the first support portion 46 is located in the vicinity of the upper end portion 30A in the vertical direction of the display device 30, it does not protrude even if it protrudes from the upper end portion 30A. Either way is fine.

  The support plate 38 overlaps the entire display 30 in a plan view when the display device 14 is in the closed state. The support plate 38 is preferably formed to have the same size as the display unit 30 in plan view or to be larger than the display unit 30 in plan view so that the support plate 38 overlaps the entire display unit 30 in plan view. However, it may be formed smaller than the display 30 in a plan view.

  Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described.

  As described above in detail, in the notebook personal computer 10 according to this embodiment, the support plate 38 of the keyboard unit 18 is arranged on the back side of the plurality of key tops 26 and the palm rest portion 28. The support plate 38 is provided across the plurality of key tops 26 and the palm rest portion 28. Therefore, the support plate 38 can suppress a local change in the rigidity at the boundary between the portion where the plurality of key tops 26 are arranged and the portion where the palm rest portion 28 is provided.

  As a result, even when pressure is applied to the top plate 32 of the display device 14 in the closed state and the display device 30 bends, and the display device 30 contacts the plurality of key tops 26 and the palm rest portion 28 and receives a reaction force, It is possible to suppress the occurrence of local stress or strain in the display device 30. As a result, it is possible to suppress damage to the display device 30 (particularly damage at the boundary portion 62 between the plurality of key tops 26 and the palm rest portion 28 shown in FIG. 9).

  The support plate 38 is provided on the first support portion 46 that supports the plurality of key tops 26, and on the front side in the depth direction of the first support portion 46, and the second support that covers the palm rest portion 28 from the back side of the palm rest portion 28. And a portion 48. Therefore, due to the first support portion 46 and the second support portion 48, the local change in rigidity at the boundary portion between the portion where the plurality of key tops 26 are arranged and the portion where the palm rest portion 28 is provided is further enhanced. It can be effectively suppressed.

  The second support portion 48 is formed from one end side to the other end side in the lateral width direction of the first support portion 46. Therefore, the change in rigidity at the boundary between the portion where the plurality of key tops 26 are arranged and the portion where the palm rest portion 28 is provided is reduced from one end side to the other end side in the lateral width direction of the first support portion 46. be able to. As a result, damage to the display device 30 can be suppressed more effectively.

  Further, when the display device 14 is in the closed state, the end portion 48A of the second support portion 48 opposite to the first support portion 46 is located near the upper end portion 30A of the display device 30 in the vertical direction. Therefore, even when pressure is applied to the top plate 32 of the display device 14 in the closed state, the support plate 38 can support the display device 30 from the lower end to the upper end in the vertical direction. The damage to the display device 30 can be suppressed more effectively.

  Moreover, when the display device 14 is in the closed state, the support plate 38 overlaps with the entire display device 30 in a plan view, so that the damage to the display device 30 can be suppressed as a whole.

  Further, according to the notebook personal computer 10 according to the present embodiment, the display plate 30 can be prevented from being damaged by the support plate 38 on the main body device 12, so that, for example, when the display device 14 is reinforced. In comparison with the above, the display device 14 can be made thinner. As a result, the overall thickness of the notebook personal computer 10 can be reduced.

  In addition, the breakage of the display 30 can be efficiently suppressed by devising the layout by providing the second support portion 48 on the support plate 38 on the main body device 12 side. Further, since the second support portion 48 can substitute for the reinforcing structure, as a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in the weight and thickness of the main body device 12, or to reduce the weight and thickness of the main body device 12.

  In addition, since the second support portion 48 is formed on the support plate 38 of the keyboard unit 18, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of parts and thus an increase in cost.

  Further, since the support plate 38 is made of metal, by widely covering the upper surface portion of the main body device 12 with the support plate 38, the electromagnetic shield performance for the substrate 64 and the like provided inside the main body device 12 is improved. You can

  Next, a modified example of the present embodiment will be described.

  In the above embodiment, the notebook personal computer 10 includes the keyboard unit 18 as an example of the “input unit”, but may include an input unit having a key input unit other than the key top such as a touch pad. .

  Further, although the above embodiment is applied to the notebook personal computer, it may be applied to folding electronic devices other than the notebook personal computer, such as a folding portable terminal and an electronic dictionary.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the main body device 12 is provided with the palm rest portion 28 as an example of the “side-by-side installation portion”, but a side-by-side installation portion having a function other than the palm rest may be provided. The direction in which the juxtaposed part having a function other than the palm rest is arranged with the key input part may be, for example, the lateral width direction of the main body device 12.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the display device 14 is opened and closed in the vertical direction with respect to the main body device 12, but may be opened and closed in the horizontal direction with respect to the main body device 12, for example.

  The display device 14 is rotatably fixed to the end portion 12A on the depth side of the main body device 12 in the depth direction via a hinge mechanism or the like. It may be fixed to any part of the device 12.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the support plate 38 is preferably formed in a flat plate shape, but may have a step portion or the like in order to avoid interference with other members, for example.

  Further, when the support plate 38 is not in a flat plate shape such as having a stepped portion, a local difference is provided so that a difference in rigidity does not occur between a portion where the plurality of key tops 26 are arranged and a portion where the palm rest portion 28 is provided. A shape (for example, a hole) that compensates for a change in mechanical rigidity may be provided around the step portion.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the support plate 38 is preferably made of metal, but may be made of a hard material other than metal such as resin.

  In addition, the support plate 38 may have conductivity by being formed of, for example, a conductive resin or a resin in which conductive plating is applied.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the second support portion 48 has a gap between it and the palm rest portion 28, but it may be in contact with the palm rest portion 28.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of reinforcing ribs 70, 72 extending in the lateral width direction and the depth direction of the main body device 12 and forming a lattice shape may be formed on the back surface of the palm rest portion 28, respectively.

  In the modification shown in FIG. 10, the reinforcing rib 70 extending in the lateral width direction of the main body device 12 is formed from one end side to the other end side of the palm rest portion 28 in the lateral width direction. The reinforcing rib 72 extending in the depth direction of the main body device 12 (the direction in which the first support portion 46 and the second support portion 48 are arranged) is formed from the depth direction back side of the palm rest portion 28 to the front side thereof.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the reinforcing rib 72 is formed such that the height from the back surface of the palm rest portion 28 increases as the distance from the first support portion 46 increases. The end portion 72A of the reinforcing rib 72 opposite to the first support portion 46 is in contact with the second support portion 48.

  In this way, when the reinforcing ribs 72 are formed on the back surface of the palm rest portion 28 and the reinforcing ribs 72 are in contact with the second support portion 48, the rigidity of the palm rest portion 28, and by extension, the rigidity of the upper cover 22 is increased. be able to.

  Further, the reinforcing ribs 72 are formed so that the height from the back surface of the palm rest portion 28 increases as the distance from the first support portion 46 increases, so that the palm rest portion 28 with respect to the portion where the plurality of key tops 26 are arranged. It is possible to suppress local increase in the rigidity of the. As a result, it is possible to efficiently prevent the display unit 30 from being damaged.

  Note that, in the modification shown in FIG. 11, the reinforcing rib 72 is formed in such a shape that the rigidity increases as the distance from the first support portion 46 increases, and for example, the lateral width increases as the distance from the first support portion 46 increases. It may be done.

  In addition, of the plurality of modified examples, the modified examples that can be combined may be appropriately combined and implemented.

  Although one embodiment of the technology disclosed in the present application has been described above, the technology disclosed in the present application is not limited to the above, and various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Of course, it is possible.

  Note that the following supplementary notes will be further disclosed regarding the embodiment of the technique disclosed in the present application.

(Appendix 1)
A main body device having a key input part and a juxtaposed part provided side by side with the key input part;
A display device that is equipped with a display and is changed from an open state opened from the main body device and a closed state in which the main body device side is closed and the display device overlaps the key input unit and the juxtaposed portion. ,
A support plate disposed on the back side of the key input section and the juxtaposed section, and provided over the key input section and the juxtaposed section,
Folding electronic device with.
(Appendix 2)
The support plate includes a first support portion that supports the key input portion, and a second support portion that is provided on the front side in the depth direction of the first support portion and that covers the juxtaposed portion from the back side of the juxtaposed portion. Has,
The folding electronic device according to attachment 1.
(Appendix 3)
The second support portion is formed from one end side in the lateral width direction of the first support portion to the other end side,
The folding electronic device according to attachment 2.
(Appendix 4)
When the display device is in the closed state, an end portion of the second support portion opposite to the first support portion is located near an upper end portion in the vertical direction of the display device,
The folding electronic device according to any one of appendices 1 to 3.
(Appendix 5)
On the back surface of the juxtaposed portion, a reinforcing rib that comes into contact with the second support portion is provided.
The folding electronic device according to any one of appendices 1 to 4.
(Appendix 6)
The reinforcing rib extends along the direction in which the first support portion and the second support portion are arranged, and is formed in a shape in which the rigidity increases as the distance from the first support portion increases.
The folding electronic device according to attachment 5.
(Appendix 7)
When the display device is in the closed state, the support plate overlaps the entire display in plan view,
The folding electronic device according to any one of appendices 1 to 6.
(Appendix 8)
The support plate has a flat plate shape,
The folding electronic device according to any one of appendices 1 to 7.
(Appendix 9)
The support plate has conductivity,
The folding electronic device according to any one of appendices 1 to 8.
(Appendix 10)
An input unit having the key input unit and the support plate is provided,
The folding electronic device according to any one of appendices 1 to 9.
(Appendix 11)
The input unit is a keyboard unit,
The key input unit is a plurality of key tops,
The folding electronic device according to attachment 10.
(Appendix 12)
The folding electronic device is a laptop personal computer,
The juxtaposed part is a palm rest part,
The folding electronic device according to any one of appendices 1 to 11.
(Appendix 13)
Multiple key tops,
A first support part that supports the plurality of key tops, and a first support part that is provided on the front side in the depth direction and that is formed from one end side to the other end side in the lateral width direction of the first support part. A support plate having two support parts,
Keyboard unit equipped with.

10 Notebook type personal computer (an example of folding electronic equipment)
12 main body device 14 display device 18 keyboard unit (an example of input unit)
26 key top (an example of key input section)
28 Palm rest part (an example of juxtaposed part)
28A end (an example of the end opposite to the key input part)
30 Display 30A Upper end 32 Top plate 34 Keyboard frame 36 Flexible printed circuit board 38 Support plate 46 First support 48 Second support 48A Tip 72 Reinforcement rib

Claims (9)

A main body device having a key input part and a juxtaposed part provided side by side with the key input part;
A display device that is equipped with a display and is changed from an open state opened from the main body device and a closed state in which the main body device side is closed and the display device overlaps the key input unit and the juxtaposed portion. ,
It is arranged on the back side of the key input part and the juxtaposed part, and is provided over the entire surface of the key input part and the juxtaposed part, and the depth direction back side end side and the depth direction front side end part side. A plate-shaped support plate fixed to the main body device by a locking protrusion provided on the
Folding electronic device with. The support plate includes a first support portion that supports the key input portion, and a second support portion that is provided on the front side in the depth direction of the first support portion and that covers the juxtaposed portion from the back side of the juxtaposed portion. Has,
The folding electronic device according to claim 1. The second support portion is formed from one end side in the lateral width direction of the first support portion to the other end side,
The folding electronic device according to claim 2. When the display device is in the closed state, an end portion of the second support portion opposite to the first support portion is located near an upper end portion in the vertical direction of the display device,
The folding electronic device according to claim 2 or 3. On the back surface of the juxtaposed portion, a reinforcing rib that comes into contact with the second support portion is provided.
The folding electronic device according to any one of claims 2 to 4. The reinforcing rib extends along the direction in which the first support portion and the second support portion are arranged, and is formed in a shape in which the rigidity increases as the distance from the first support portion increases.
The folding electronic device according to claim 5. When the display device is in the closed state, the support plate overlaps the entire display in plan view,
The folding electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The support plate has conductivity,
The folding electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A keyboard unit provided in the main unit,
Multiple key tops,
A juxtaposed portion provided side by side on the plurality of key tops,
While being arranged on the back side of the key top and the juxtaposed part, a flat support plate provided over the entire surface of the key top and the juxtaposed part,
Equipped with
The support plate is provided on a first support portion that supports the plurality of key tops and on the front side in the depth direction of the first support portion, and extends from one end side to the other end side in the lateral width direction of the first support portion. and a second supporting portion formed Te, the depth direction back end portion side and the depth direction proximal end side locking projection provided on the Ru is fixed to the main device,
Key board unit.