JP7323843B1 - notebook computer - Google Patents

Abstract

A notebook computer capable of suppressing obstruction of an airflow discharged from an exhaust port is provided. A notebook computer of an embodiment includes a first portion, a second portion, and a hinge. The first portion has a display device, a first surface provided with an opening for exposing the display device, and a protrusion projecting from the first surface. The second portion includes a second surface, an end surface provided at an end portion in a first direction along the second surface and facing the convex portion and provided with an exhaust port, and an exhaust port extending from the exhaust port to the outside. a fan that produces an airflow that is emitted to the The hinge rotatably connects the projection of the first portion and the end of the second portion between a closed position and an open position. The convex portion has a slope extending obliquely with respect to the first surface between a first edge and a second edge. The exhaust port faces the slope in both the closed position and the open position. [Selection drawing] Fig. 1

Description

This embodiment relates to a notebook computer.

Notebook computers have fans for cooling. The fan promotes cooling of heat-generating electronic components by emitting an airflow from an exhaust port provided on the back or side of the housing, for example.

JP-A-10-187284

An exhaust port provided on the rear surface of the housing may face, for example, a hinge cover. In this case, there is a risk that the hinge cover will block the airflow emitted from the exhaust port.

An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a notebook computer capable of suppressing obstruction of an airflow discharged from an exhaust port.

A notebook computer according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a first portion, a second portion and a hinge. The first portion has a display device, a first surface provided with an opening for exposing the display device, and a protrusion projecting from the first surface. The second portion includes a second surface, an end surface provided at an end portion in a first direction along the second surface and facing the convex portion and provided with an exhaust port, and an exhaust port extending from the exhaust port to the outside. a fan that produces an airflow that is emitted to the The hinge connects the convex portion of the first portion and the end portion of the second portion to a closed position where the first surface and the second surface face each other, and and an open position spaced apart from said second surface and facing in a second direction opposite said first direction. The convex portion has a slope that extends obliquely with respect to the first surface between a first edge and a second edge that is more distant from the first surface than the first edge. The exhaust port faces the slope in both the closed position and the open position. In the closed position, the first edge is closer to the outlet than the second edge. In the open position, the second edge is closer to the outlet than the first edge.

In the notebook computer, in the closed position, the first edge is located between the two ends of the exhaust port in a third direction in which the second surface faces.

In the notebook computer, the second portion has a third surface located opposite the second surface, and the second edge in the closed position extends in the third direction. Closer to the third surface than the exhaust port.

In the notebook computer, the second edge in the closed position is closer to the second surface than to the third surface in the third direction.

In the notebook computer, the central axis of rotation of the hinge is closer to the third surface than the center of the exhaust port in the third direction.

In the notebook computer, the end face is provided with an air intake facing the inclined surface in both the closed position and the open position, and the fan sucks airflow from the air intake.

According to the above aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress obstruction of the airflow discharged from the exhaust port.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a notebook computer of one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the main body of the above embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side view of the notebook computer in the closed position of the above embodiment. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the notebook computer in the open position of the above embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the hinge cover of the above embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged part of the notebook computer in the closed position of the above embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged part of the notebook computer in the open position of the above embodiment.

An embodiment of the notebook computer 1 will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configurations of the embodiments described below and the actions and results (effects) brought about by the configurations are merely examples, and are not limited to the following descriptions. In this specification, ordinal numbers are used only to distinguish parts and members, and do not indicate order or priority.

First, the outline and structure of the notebook computer 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a notebook computer 1 of one embodiment. The notebook computer 1 includes a display section 10, a main body 20, and two hinges 30, as shown in FIG. The display unit 10 is an example of the first portion. The body 20 is an example of a second portion.

In the figures below, three mutually orthogonal directions are defined for convenience. The +X direction and the −X direction are longitudinal directions of the main body 20 and may also be referred to as left-right directions. The +Y direction and the −Y direction are transverse directions of the main body 20 and may also be referred to as front-back directions. The +Z direction and the −Z direction are thickness directions of the main body 20 and may also be referred to as vertical directions. Note that expressions indicating directions such as front, back, left, right, up and down in the present embodiment are names for convenience, and do not limit the position, posture, and mode of use of the notebook computer 1 . The +Y direction is an example of a first direction, the −Y direction is an example of a second direction, and the +Z direction is an example of a third direction.

The display unit 10 has a housing 11 , a display device 12 and a hinge cover 13 . The hinge cover 13 is an example of a convex portion. The display unit 10 may further have other components. The housing 11 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box shape and accommodates the display device 12 .

The housing 11 has a front surface 11a. The front surface 11a is an example of a first surface. The front surface 11a is formed substantially flat. An opening 14 is provided in the front surface 11a. The opening 14 exposes the display device 12 housed inside the housing 11 to the outside of the housing 11 . A hole for exposing the camera may be provided in the front face 11a.

The display device 12 is, for example, a device capable of displaying images, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic EL display. The display device 12 has a display surface 12a. The display device 12 can display an image on the display surface 12a. The display surface 12 a is exposed to the outside of the housing 11 through the opening 14 . For example, a touch panel may be provided on the display surface 12a.

The hinge cover 13 is attached to the housing 11 so as to protrude from the front surface 11a of the housing 11 in the direction in which the front surface 11a faces. Hinge cover 13 accommodates a portion of hinge 30 . Hinge cover 13 may also accommodate, for example, a radio antenna and antenna cables.

The hinge cover 13 is made of synthetic resin such as polycarbonate or ABS, for example. Thereby, the wireless antenna accommodated in the hinge cover 13 can perform wireless communication through the hinge cover 13 . Further, the hinge cover 13 can be attached to the housing 11 by snap fitting, for example.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the main body 20 of this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the notebook computer 1 in the closed position Pc of this embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main body 20 has a housing 21, a fan 23, a keyboard 25, and a touch pad 26. As shown in FIG.

The housing 21 accommodates the fan 23 . Further, the housing 21 includes, for example, a substrate such as a motherboard, a processing unit such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory such as a read only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive (HDD). or storage devices such as solid state drives (SSDs), and various components such as batteries.

The housing 21 has a top surface 21a, an end surface 21b, two hinge accommodating portions 21c, and a bottom surface 21d. The upper surface 21a is an example of a second surface. The bottom surface 21d is an example of a third surface. The upper surface 21a is formed substantially flat and faces upward (+Z direction). Therefore, the +Y direction and the -Y direction are directions along the upper surface 21a.

Input devices such as a keyboard 25 and a touch pad 26 are arranged on the upper surface 21a. Note that the keyboard 25 and the touch pad 26 may be connected to the notebook computer 1 by a method such as wireless communication or USB input, while being detached from the notebook computer 1 .

The end face 21b is provided at the end of the main body 20 in the front direction (+Y direction). The end face 21b is formed substantially flat and faces substantially forward (+Y direction). The end surface 21b may be a curved surface recessed in the rearward direction (-Y direction). Two air outlets 27 and an air inlet 28 are provided in the end face 21b.

The intake port 28 is positioned between the two exhaust ports 27 . The intake port 28 is spaced apart from each of the two exhaust ports 27 . Each of the exhaust port 27 and the intake port 28 includes a plurality of generally rectangular holes for passing airflow. Note that the exhaust port 27 and the intake port 28 are not limited to this example.

The two hinge accommodating portions 21c protrude substantially forward (+Y direction) from the end surface 21b. Therefore, the hinge accommodating portion 21c is provided at the end of the main body 20 in the front direction (+Y direction). One hinge accommodating portion 21c is provided at the end of the end surface 21b in the left direction (−X direction). The other hinge accommodating portion 21c is provided at the end of the end face 21b in the right direction (+X direction). Therefore, the two hinge accommodating portions 21c are separated from each other. The exhaust port 27 and the intake port 28 are positioned between the two hinge accommodating portions 21c.

The bottom surface 21d is located on the opposite side of the top surface 21a. The bottom surface 21d is formed substantially flat and faces substantially downward (-Z direction). A plurality of legs made of rubber, for example, are provided on the bottom surface 21d. Furthermore, other intake ports may be provided on the bottom surface 21d.

The fan 23 is provided near the exhaust port 27 inside the housing 21 . The fan 23 sucks airflow from the air intake port 28 and generates airflow that is discharged to the outside of the housing 21 from the air exhaust port 27 . As a result, the fan 23 radiates the heat inside the housing 21 to the outside. The main body 20 may have two or more fans 23 .

A part of the hinge 30 is housed in the hinge cover 13 of the display section 10 and attached to the display section 10 . Other parts of the hinge 30 are accommodated in the hinge accommodating portion 21 c of the main body 20 and attached to the main body 20 . Thereby, the hinge 30 rotatably connects the hinge cover 13 of the display unit 10 and the end of the main body 20 in the front direction (+Y direction).

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the notebook computer 1 in the open position Po of this embodiment. The display unit 10 and the main body 20 connected to each other by the hinge 30 are rotatable about the central axis Ax between the closed position Pc shown in FIG. 3 and the open position Po shown in FIG. The central axis Ax extends substantially rightward (+X direction) and leftward (−X direction).

At the closed position Pc, the front surface 11a of the display unit 10 and the upper surface 21a of the main body 20 face each other. At the open position Po, the front surface 11a of the display unit 10 is separated from the upper surface 21a of the main body 20 and faces backward (-Y direction). In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the display unit 10 and the main body 20 can be opened beyond the open position Po. The user uses the notebook computer 1 at the open position Po or with the display unit 10 and the main body 20 opened beyond the open position Po.

At the open position Po, the end portion 10a of the display section 10 in the downward direction (-Z direction) protrudes beyond the bottom surface 21d of the main body 20 downward (-Z direction). For this reason, the end 10a of the display unit 10 in the downward direction (−Z direction) contacts, for example, the top surface of the desk, and the end portion of the main body 20 in the forward direction (+Y direction) is separated from the top surface of the desk. to support the notebook computer 1. That is, the notebook computer 1 of this embodiment is a so-called lift-up type notebook computer. Note that the notebook computer 1 is not limited to this example.

The hinge cover 13 is positioned between the two hinge accommodating portions 21c of the main body 20. As shown in FIG. Furthermore, the end face 21b of the main body 20 and the air outlet 27 and the air inlet 28 provided on the end face 21b face the hinge cover 13 through a gap.

A central axis Ax of rotation of the hinge 30 is lower than the center of the exhaust port 27 . In other words, the central axis Ax of rotation of the hinge 30 is closer to the bottom surface 21d than the center of the exhaust port 27 in the vertical direction (+Z direction, −Z direction).

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the hinge cover 13 of this embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged part of the notebook computer 1 in the closed position Pc of this embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged part of the notebook computer 1 at the open position Po of this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, hinge cover 13 has an outer surface 130 . The outer surface 130 faces the outside of the hinge cover 13 . The outer surface 130 has a curved surface 131 and an inclined surface 132 . Each of curved surface 131 and slope 132 is part of outer surface 130 .

The curved surface 131 is formed in a substantially semi-cylindrical shape extending around the central axis Ax or another central axis substantially parallel to the central axis Ax. The slope 132 is recessed inside the hinge cover 13 from the curved surface 131 .

As shown in FIG. 6 , the slope 132 extends obliquely with respect to the front surface 11 a of the display section 10 between a first edge 132 a and a second edge 132 b of the slope 132 . The first edge 132a and the second edge 132b extend substantially parallel in the right direction (+X direction) and the left direction (−X direction).

First edge 132a is closer to opening 14 than second edge 132b. Further, the second edge 132b is further away from the front surface 11a than the first edge 132a. Therefore, the slope 132 extends diagonally with respect to the front surface 11a so as to separate from the front surface 11a as the distance from the opening 14 increases. In this embodiment, the slope 132 is substantially flat, but it may be a curved surface, or may be provided with irregularities or holes.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the exhaust port 27 and the intake port 28 face at least a portion of the slope 132 at both the closed position Pc and the open position Po. In the present embodiment, the exhaust port 27 and the intake port 28 are at any position between the closed position Pc and the open position Po, and the display unit 10 and the main body 20 shown in FIG. 1 are opened beyond the open position Po. It also faces at least a portion of the slope 132 even in the closed position.

As shown in FIG. 6, at the closed position Pc, the first edge 132a is closer to the exhaust port 27 than the second edge 132b. Therefore, at the closed position Pc, the slope 132 extends obliquely downward from the vicinity of the exhaust port 27 .

At the closed position Pc, the first edge 132a is positioned between both ends of the exhaust port 27 in the vertical direction (+Z direction, −Z direction). In other words, the first edge 132a at the closed position Pc is positioned within the range of the exhaust port 27 in the vertical direction.

At the closed position Pc, the second edge 132b is closer to the bottom surface 21d than the exhaust port 27 in the vertical direction (+Z direction, −Z direction). Furthermore, at the closed position Pc, the second edge 132b is closer to the top surface 21a than the bottom surface 21d in the vertical direction (+Z direction, −Z direction). In other words, the second edge 132b at the closed position Pc is located between the exhaust port 27 and the bottom surface 21d in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 7, at the open position Po, the second edge 132b is closer to the exhaust port 27 than the first edge 132a. Therefore, at the open position Po, the slope 132 extends obliquely upward from the vicinity of the exhaust port 27 .

Next, heat dissipation of the notebook computer 1 will be described. When the notebook computer 1 is operating, heat is generated from the internal components of the notebook computer 1, such as the CPU. The generated heat accumulates over time, increases the internal temperature of the notebook computer 1, and may adversely affect internal components. Furthermore, if the internal temperature rises, thermal runaway may adversely affect the operation of the notebook computer 1 .

In order to prevent heat from accumulating inside the notebook computer 1, a cooling device is provided in the notebook computer 1, for example comprising a fan 23 and heat pipes. As the fan 23 rotates during operation of the notebook computer 1 , an airflow is introduced into the housing 21 through the intake port 28 .

The airflow generated by the fan 23 draws heat from internal components such as the CPU. Also, the air current takes heat from the CPU through the heat pipe and the heat radiation fins. The heated airflow is discharged to the outside of the housing 21 through the exhaust port 27 . The airflow emitted from the exhaust port 27 collides with the slope 132 .

At the closed position Pc, the slope 132 guides the airflow obliquely downward. For example, when the notebook computer 1 in the closed position Pc is placed on the top surface of a desk, there is a gap between the second edge 132b of the slope 132 and the top surface of the desk. Therefore, the airflow flows along the slope 132 and is released from the gap.

At the open position Po, the slope 132 guides the airflow obliquely upward. Therefore, the airflow flows toward the front surface 11 a of the display unit 10 along the slope 132 . At the open position Po, the front surface 11a is separated from the upper surface 21a of the main body 20, so that the vicinity of the front surface 11a is a wide space open to the outside. Therefore, the airflow disappears as it mixes with the outside air.

In the notebook computer 1 of the above-described embodiment, the front surface 11a of the display unit 10 faces the upper surface 21a of the main body 20 at the closed position Pc, and the front surface 11a is separated from the upper surface 21a at the open position Po. direction (-Y direction). An end surface 21 b of the main body 20 faces the hinge cover 13 of the display section 10 . The fan 23 of the main body 20 generates an airflow that is discharged to the outside from an exhaust port 27 provided on the end face 21b. The hinge cover 13 has a slope 132 that extends obliquely with respect to the front surface 11a between a first edge 132a and a second edge 132b that is further away from the front surface 11a than the first edge 132a. The exhaust port 27 faces the slope 132 at both the closed position Pc and the open position Po. At the closed position Pc, the first edge 132a is closer to the exhaust port 27 than the second edge 132b. At the open position Po, the second edge 132b is closer to the exhaust port 27 than the first edge 132a.

With the above configuration, at the closed position Pc, the airflow discharged from the exhaust port 27 flows along the slope 132 away from the front surface 11a. Therefore, the slope 132 can suppress the airflow from proceeding to the space blocked by the front surface 11 a and the upper surface 21 a facing each other, and can smoothly discharge the airflow from the exhaust port 27 .

On the other hand, at the open position Po, the second edge 132b is closer to the exhaust port 27 than the first edge 132a. Therefore, the airflow discharged from the exhaust port 27 flows along the slope 132 toward the front surface 11a. Since the display device 12 and the upper surface 21 a are separated from each other at the open position Po, the airflow is smoothly discharged from the exhaust port 27 .

As described above, since the hinge cover 13 has the inclined surface 132, the notebook computer 1 can prevent the hinge cover 13 from interfering with the airflow emitted from the air outlet 27, thereby improving the cooling performance of the fan 23. Decrease can be suppressed.

Further, in the present embodiment, at the closed position Pc, the first edge 132a is positioned between both ends of the exhaust port 27 in the +Z direction (vertical direction) in which the upper surface 21a faces. Thereby, the exhaust port 27 can face the slope 132 at the closed position Pc. Further, compared to the case where the first edge 132a is located above the exhaust port 27 at the closed position Pc, the hinge cover 13 can have a predetermined size, and for example, the hinge cover 13 can accommodate parts. Large internal space can be secured.

Further, in this embodiment, the main body 20 has a bottom surface 21d located on the opposite side of the top surface 21a. The second edge 132b at the closed position Pc is closer to the bottom surface 21d than the exhaust port 27 in the +Z direction (vertical direction). As a result, the hinge cover 13 can improve the design of the notebook computer 1 by covering the exhaust port 27 .

Further, in this embodiment, the main body 20 has a bottom surface 21d located on the opposite side of the top surface 21a. In the +Z direction (vertical direction), the second edge 132b at the closed position Pc is closer to the top surface 21a than to the bottom surface 21d. As a result, when the bottom surface 21d is supported by, for example, the top surface of a desk at the closed position Pc, a gap is created between the top surface and the second edge 132b. The airflow discharged from the exhaust port 27 flows along the slope 132 and is discharged to the outside through the gap. As a result, the slope 132 can smoothly release the airflow to the outside.

Further, in the present embodiment, the central axis Ax of rotation of the hinge 30 is closer to the bottom surface 21d than the center of the exhaust port 27 in the +Z direction (vertical direction). This widens the space around the exhaust port 27 at the open position Po. Therefore, the notebook computer 1 can smoothly release the airflow from the exhaust port 27 to the outside.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the end surface 21b is provided with an intake port 28 that faces the slope 132 in both the closed position Pc and the open position Po. The fan 23 sucks the airflow from the intake port 28 . Therefore, the airflow can be smoothly sucked into the intake port 28 from the outside along the slope 132 .

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

Reference Signs List 1 notebook computer 10 display unit 11a front surface 12 display device 13 hinge cover 132 slope 132a first edge 132b second edge 20 main body 21a upper surface 21b end surface 21d bottom surface 23 fan 27 exhaust port 28 air intake port 30 hinge Ax central axis

Claims (6)

a first portion having a display device, a first surface provided with an opening for exposing the display device, and a convex portion projecting from the first surface;
a second surface, an end surface provided at an end portion in the first direction along the second surface and facing the convex portion and provided with an exhaust port, and an airflow discharged from the exhaust port to the outside. a second portion having a resulting fan;
The convex portion of the first portion and the end portion of the second portion are placed in a closed position where the first surface and the second surface face each other, and the first surface faces the second surface. a hinge pivotably connected between an open position spaced from the plane and facing in a second direction opposite said first direction;
with
The convex portion has a slope that extends obliquely with respect to the first surface between a first edge and a second edge that is more distant from the first surface than the first edge. ,
the exhaust port faces the slope in both the closed position and the open position;
in the closed position, the first edge is closer to the outlet than the second edge;
in the open position, the second edge is closer to the outlet than the first edge;
notebook computer. In the closed position, the first edge is located between the ends of the outlet in a third direction in which the second surface faces.
The notebook computer of claim 1. the second portion has a third surface opposite the second surface;
the second edge in the closed position is closer to the third surface than the exhaust port in the third direction;
A notebook computer according to claim 2. in the third direction, the second edge in the closed position is closer to the second surface than to the third surface;
A notebook computer according to claim 3. the central axis of rotation of the hinge is closer to the third surface than the center of the exhaust port in the third direction;
A notebook computer according to claim 3 or 4. The end face is provided with an air intake port facing the slope in both the closed position and the open position,
The fan sucks airflow from the intake port and releases the airflow to the outside from the exhaust port.
The notebook computer of claim 1.

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