CN1898938A - Connection device, small-sized electronic apparatus with the same, and folding portable terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a connection device which is capable of pivotally connecting two housings without a connecting section projecting from the housings, and capable of stably holding the housings when the housings are in an open state. A connection device has a first and a third connection member (31, 33) that have flexibility and foldably fix an upper housing (1) and a lower housing (2) with a connection section in between. The connection device further has a second connection member (32) that has a restoring force and rigidity returning from a folded state to an open state and has a cross-section with a circular-arc shape curved and recessed toward the folding direction of the upper and lower housings.

Description

Interface unit and little electronic installation and folding portable terminal device with it

Technical field

The present invention relates to be used for connecting collapsibly the interface unit of two housing departments, and relate to less electronic installation and folding portable terminal device with described interface unit.

Background technology

In recent years, various types of mobile phones have been developed and have used.For instance, mobile phone comprises straight-plate-type mobile phone and can be by the folding Collapsible mobile telephone in articulated section.

Described Collapsible mobile telephone comprises: upper body wherein provides display unit; Lower case wherein provides operating unit; And the articulated section, it connects the upper and lower part housing collapsibly, makes display unit and operating unit towards each other.This structure causes upper body to be rotated on the central shaft of articulated section with respect to lower case.The articulated section has cylindrical shape substantially, and the external diameter of articulated section is usually greater than the thickness of the upper and lower part housing that has display unit and operating unit respectively.Therefore, the articulated section is from the upper surface outstanding (for example, seeing patent documentation 1) of upper and lower part housing.

In having the Foldable portable terminal device of structure mentioned above, for example, when the user of long nail operated described operating unit, the tip of nail may contact with the articulated section, and this makes the user be difficult for the described operating unit of operation.As the method that solves the inconvenience in using, considered a kind of structure that is used to guarantee the preset distance between operating unit and the articulated section.When distance increased, the total length from the upper body to the lower case also increased, thereby caused the size of mobile terminal device to increase.

Therefore, a kind of mobile phone has been proposed (hereinafter, be called " folding mobile telephone "), wherein be used to connect upper body that wherein has display unit and the interface unit that wherein has the lower case of operating unit and formed by flexible bar-like member, the thickness of described flexible bar-like member is less than the thickness (seeing patent documentation 2) of upper and lower part housing.

Patent documentation 1:JP-A-2002-111812 (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2)

Patent documentation 2: No. the 1161572nd, day the design's registration (Japanese Design Registration)

Summary of the invention

The problem to be solved in the present invention

Yet in the folding mobile telephone that patent documentation 2 is disclosed, the upper and lower portion housing is connected to each other by thin articulated section.Therefore, generally speaking, the articulated section is easy to have more weak intensity, and when the shell of being made up of the upper and lower portion housing was opened, upper body was easy to rock or swing.

In addition, patent documentation 2 does not have to disclose when the user holds the lower case that wherein provides operating unit, reliably and stably keeps the technological means of upper body.Therefore, the upper body that plays pendulum makes the user be difficult to easily watch the information that is presented on the display unit, for example temporal information or about receiving the information of call.In addition, cause the lower case instability from rocking of upper body transmission.As a result, when the user carried out mail communication, the labile state of lower case made the user be difficult to information (for example character) is input in the folding mobile telephone.

In addition, do not have to disclose the detailed syndeton of the articulated section be used to connect upper body and lower case in the folding mobile telephone described in the patent documentation 2, and therefore be difficult to the described folding mobile telephone of actual manufacturing.

Upper body and lower case are electrically connected to each other by the flexible wired parts such as flexible PCB.When twisted the coupling part, these flexible wired parts also were twisted.Therefore, when it was applied strong power, flexible wired parts may break.Therefore, need prevent breaking of flexible wired parts.

In view of the above problems, and made the present invention, one object of the present invention is to provide a kind of interface unit, it has the coupling part that can rotatably connect two housing parts under the situation of not protruding from two housing parts, and can stably keep arranging housing parts respect to one another, the present invention also provides the little electronic installation with above-mentioned interface unit.In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a kind of folding portable terminal installation, it does not have the problems referred to above that occurred when the folding mobile telephone of realizing described in the patent documentation 2, and have following advantage: at first, the coupling part can rotatably connect two housing parts under the situation of not protruding from two housing parts; Secondly, the durable shape of the wiring part that is incorporated in the coupling part can be provided; And the folding mobile telephone that can stay open reliably once more.

The means of dealing with problems

According to an aspect of the present invention, a kind of interface unit comprises: have flexible sheet shape part, two housing parts are fixed thereon with predetermined gap; And flexible member, it has enough restoring forces and rigidity so that case of bending is returned to non-case of bending, and is attached on the sheet shape part with across two housing parts.

According to this structure, this interface unit can connect two housing parts collapsibly, and need not from two housing parts to protrude, and two housing parts that can stably stay open.

And in the interface unit aspect this, flexible member is preferably the thin plate with arcuate shape cross section.

According to this structure, the upper and lower shell body portion can arrange by simply the center curvature of flexible member to arc being faced with each other.In addition, in this situation,, can prevent that the coupling part is owing to the repeated bending operation damages owing in the coupling part, plastic deformation can not occur.

In the interface unit aspect this, flexible member preferred attach to two housing parts, the recess of flexible member is towards the folding direction of two housing parts.

According to this structure, can fold two housing parts, make their apparent surface to face with each other by crooked coupling part simply, and can prevent two housing parts on the direction opposite with folding direction to palintrope.

In the interface unit aspect this, this sheet component has folding force generating apparatus, is used to produce folding power, with at the folded state that keeps housing parts corresponding to the basic central area in the gap between two housing parts.

According to this structure, when two housing parts were in folded state, the open mode before two housing parts can not turn back to owing to the gripping of carelessness was although they are held in user's the hand.So, can when folding mobile telephone does not use, can improve the stability of posture.

In the interface unit aspect this, sheet shape part preferably includes retainer, and the retainer bending is with the folded state of two housing parts of temporary transient maintenance.

According to this structure,, can worry that so housing parts may be owing to some factor turns back to open mode if folded state is only kept by weight last or the lower case part.Yet retainer makes can prevent that the folded state of housing parts from turning back to open mode, thereby prevents switch opens.

In addition, according to another aspect of the invention, little electronic installation comprises two housing parts; With interface unit mentioned above, it connects two housing parts collapsibly.

According to this structure, in various types of small foldable electronic installations (for example mobile phone, PDA, electronic dictionary and have portable personal computer) than light weight, each all has two housing parts, one of them (for example provides display unit, LCD) and another (for example provide operating unit, button), by interface unit according to the present invention, two housing parts can be connected to each other collapsibly.

In this way, the thickness and the weight of compact electronic device can be further reduced, and this compact electronic device will be installed to by the housing that various types of materials form.Particularly, can according to user's hobby replacedly will above have a multicolour pattern housing be installed to compact electronic device.

In addition, in structure mentioned above, preferably this compact electronic device further comprises the display unit in that is provided in two housing parts; With the operating unit that is provided in another housing parts.When two housing parts were folded relative to each other, display unit and operating unit relative to each other disposed.

According to this structure, obtain following advantage.At first, when the user with long nail during the operating operation unit, may prevent that the tip of nail from stumbling in connecting portion under the open mode of two housing parts, it makes the user to operate folding mobile telephone under the situation of no any obstruction.Secondly, when the user under the open mode of two housing parts, the operating operation unit, when seeing display unit simultaneously, the position of user oriented display unit (for example, housing parts is with respect to the relative position of another housing parts) does not change, and it makes can stably stay open state.Once more, rigidity that can be by adjusting (for example) flexible member and have the flexible member of suitable cross-section second moment or Young's modulus by use is stably changed into folded state with the open mode of two housing parts.In addition, can prevent that the housing parts of opening is crooked backward.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a kind of folding portable terminal device comprises: link, have flexibility and connect two housing parts, be separated with predetermined gap between between them, flexible member, have enough restoring forces and rigidity case of bending being returned to non-case of bending, and attachedly come across two housing parts; Flexible wired parts are electrically connected two housing parts, and wherein, flexible member and flexible wired parts overlap each other in the position of link.

According to this structure, obtained following advantage.At first, can be under the situation that need not to provide the hinged part that protrudes from two housing parts two housing parts of folding connection.So even when open mode operating operation unit at two housing parts of the user of long nail, can prevent that also the tip of nail from being stumbled in the coupling part, it makes the user to operate folding mobile telephone under the situation of no any obstruction.

Secondly, the housing parts that can stably stay open.Once more, even when applying power on housing parts under open mode, on housing parts direction separated from one another, the gap between them can not change yet.The 4th, when the housing parts of opening is applied moment of torsion, can prevent that tensile stress is applied to flexible wired parts.

And in the folding portable terminal installation aspect this, preferred flexible member has the recess of concave cross section.

According to this structure, the open mode of two housing parts of maintenance that flexible member can be stable, this flexible member is a bar part, has little footprint area and little thickness.So, can under stable state, carry out various operations, prevent that thus operability from reducing.

And in the folding portable terminal installation aspect this, the preferred flexible wiring part is arranged on the recess side of bending part.

According to this structure, when flexible member and flexible wired parts are overlapping, can reduce the thickness of folding portable terminal installation.

And in the folding portable terminal installation aspect this, the preferred flexible wiring part is arranged on the projection of bending part.

According to this structure, can widen the width of flexible wired parts.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a kind of folding portable terminal device comprises: link has flexibility and connects two housing parts, be separated with predetermined gap between between them, permanent magnet is arranged on an end of one in two housing parts, and faces with another housing parts; And Hall element, detect the magnetic field of permanent magnet, and be arranged on an end of another housing parts, face with a housing parts, thereby arrange when facing with each other relative when two housing parts with permanent magnet.

According to this structure, the Hall element folding or open mode that permanent magnet and being used to detects two housing parts is arranged on the end of housing parts, and is closer to each other.Therefore, when one in two housing parts perpendicular to folding or open on the direction of direction when another housing parts departs from, the position deviation between permanent magnet and the Hall element can be reduced to minimum.So, when two housing parts perpendicular to folding or open when departing from each other on the direction of direction, can prevent that permanent magnet and Hall element from determining that two housing parts are in open mode.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a kind of folding portable terminal device comprises: the fashion housing covers the outer surface and the collapsible coupling part that is connected two housing parts of two housing parts, and can arbitrarily change.In this device, the screw holding portion is provided with from the inner surface of the part of the fashion housing that covers one of two housing parts and protrudes; A plurality of engaged claws are arranged on another the inner surface of other part of fashion housing that covers in two housing parts, thus their front end on the rightabout of a housing parts relatively.In addition, the grapple pawl that is meshed with engaged claw, thus be arranged on another housing parts corresponding to engaged claw; And after the screw holding portion was screwed in the housing parts, the fashion housing extended with respect to another housing parts engaged claw and grapple pawl is meshed, and the fashion housing is installed thus.

According to this structure, half of fashion housing be by being fastened to screw one that is fixed in the screw holding portion in two housing parts, and second half of fashion housing is by extending the fashion housing and being fixed to another housing parts by engaged claw is meshed with grapple pawl on being arranged on another housing parts with respect to housing parts.Therefore, the fashion housing can be attached to two housing parts or from its disengaging.Here, term " relatively extend " thus comprise that pulling fashion housing extends and with two housing parts with greater than the angles of 180 degree to palintrope, so that the length of fashion housing is greater than the length of two housing parts.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a kind of folding portable terminal device comprises the fashion housing, and it covers the outer surface and the collapsible coupling part that is connected two housing parts of two housing parts.In this device, this fashion housing comprises: base component has than passing through coupling part two sizes that housing parts is big connected to one another; And covering, cover the outer surface of base component at least; Base component has the edge and twines part, and winding part in edge protrudes into the outside from the edge of two housing parts; And thereby edge winding part can be out of shape to two housing parts.

According to this structure, twine part from the edge that two housing parts protrude into the outside and can be deformed with to two housing parts bendings.So when the user gripped one or two housing parts in his or her hand, the edge twined inwardly distortion of part.Therefore therefore, the user can grip two housing parts, and does not directly contact with the side of these two housing parts, and this soft fashion housing can improve the sense of touch of mobile communication terminal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a kind of folding portable terminal device comprises the fashion housing, covers the outer surface and the collapsible coupling part that is connected two housing parts of two housing parts, and can arbitrarily change.In this device, the fashion housing comprises: strip-shaped parts is arranged on an end of the outer surface of fashion housing; First metal parts is arranged on the front end of strip-shaped parts; Second metal parts is arranged on the other end of the outer surface of fashion housing, and is meshed with first metal parts; And permanent magnet, be arranged in first metal parts and second metal parts at least one so that first metal parts and the second metal parts magnetic are coupled; And first metal parts and second metal parts have recess and the protuberance that is engaged with each other respectively.

According to this structure, because strip-shaped parts is attached to the outside of fashion housing, so two housing parts that can stay open reliably.In this situation, recess and protuberance are separately positioned on the front end of strip-shaped parts and on the outer surface corresponding to the fashion housing of the front end of this strip-shaped parts, thereby they are engaged with each other.In addition, provide by permanent magnet first hardware and second hardware coupled to each other.Therefore, can prevent that reliably and easily two housing parts are opened by using strip-shaped parts.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a kind of folding portable terminal device comprises: link, have flexibility and connect two housing parts, be separated with predetermined gap between between them, flexible member, have enough restoring forces and rigidity case of bending being returned to non-case of bending, and attachedly stride across two housing parts; Base component has covering in its surface.In this device, base component is installed to two housing parts, and separate from link its rear surface.

According to this structure, can obtain following advantage.At first, can be under the situation that need not to provide the hinged part that protrudes from two housing parts these two housing parts of folding connection.So even when open mode operating operation unit at two housing parts of the user of long nail, can prevent that also the tip of nail from being stumbled in the coupling part, it makes the user to operate folding mobile telephone under the situation of no any obstruction.Secondly, the housing parts that can stably stay open.Once more, even when applying power on housing parts under open mode, on housing parts direction separated from one another, the gap between them can not change yet.In addition, can make to have obducent base component on it and functionally connect, and follow the folding of housing parts or open.

By this method, can further reduce the thickness and the weight of this little electronic installation, and will be installed to little electronic installation by the housing that various materials (for example leather or cotton) forms.Particularly, can replacedly the housing that has multicolour pattern on it be installed to little electronic installation according to user's hobby.

Effect of the present invention

According to the present invention, interface unit can be provided, it does not have the outstanding connecting portion in a surface of the parts that are fixed with two housing parts from above, and described interface unit can stably keep two housing parts to open predetermined angular.Particularly, for example in having the folding mobile telephone of interface unit like this as its hinge joint portion, even when the user watches the display unit of the folding mobile telephone that is in open mode while walking, mobile phone can spontaneously not fold yet, and can not rock and can not open on the direction crooked backward (mobile phone can not opened on the direction further crooked at it).Therefore, can easily read mail, and exempt the inconvenience when character information is input to operating unit, this prevents that operability from reducing.

And, the present invention can provide a kind of folding portable terminal installation, it does not have a coupling part that protrude on the surface from the parts with two two housing parts that are fixed thereon, and two housing parts that can stably stay open at a predetermined angle.Particularly, for example, even when the user watches the display unit of the folding mobile telephone that is in open mode while walking, mobile phone can spontaneously not fold yet, and can not rock and can not open on the direction crooked backward (mobile phone can not opened on the direction further crooked at it).Therefore, can easily read mail, and exempt the inconvenience when character information is input to operating unit, this prevents that operability from reducing.

In the open mode of two housing parts,, can prevent that tensile stress is applied to flexible wired parts when torsional interaction during at the housing parts of opening.So, even when flexible wired part distortion, breaking of flexible wired parts can not taken place yet.

Flexible member can be stable the open mode of two housing parts of maintenance, this flexible member is a bar part, has little footprint area and little thickness.So, can under stable state, carry out various operations, prevent that thus operability from reducing.

In addition, the present invention can provide a kind of folding portable terminal installation, it does not have a coupling part that protrude on the surface from the parts with two two housing parts that are fixed thereon, and two housing parts that can stably stay open at a predetermined angle.Particularly, for example, even when the user watches the display unit of the folding mobile telephone that is in open mode while walking, mobile phone can spontaneously not fold yet, and can not rock and can not open on the direction crooked backward (mobile phone can not opened on the direction further crooked at it).Therefore, can easily read mail, and exempt the inconvenience when character information is input to operating unit, this prevents that operability from reducing.

And, because the outward appearance part is formed by the material such as natural fiber, synthetic fibers or leather, and be used as the covering of folding portable terminal installation, and the inner surface with the base component that has covered obducent outer surface is installed in the housing parts, so base component can be installed to housing parts, no matter the kind of material.So improved the homogeneity of housing parts, this can improve fashion.Therefore, the folding portable terminal installation of the material that has color, pattern and be suitable for user preferences can be provided.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates the perspective view of the outward appearance of folding mobile telephone according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is the decomposition diagram of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 A is the figure of explanation main part and interface unit of wherein providing under according to the open mode of folding mobile telephone of the present invention.

Fig. 3 B is the figure of folded state of the main part of explanation folding mobile telephone.

Fig. 4 is the central cross-section figure of folding mobile telephone according to the present invention when opening.

Fig. 5 is the central cross-section figure when folding according to folding mobile telephone of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is the block diagram of explanation according to the electrical structure of the main part of folding mobile telephone of the present invention.

Fig. 7 be explanation when the fashion housing be attached to shown in Fig. 1 according to the main part of folding mobile telephone of the present invention the time the perspective view of state.

Fig. 8 is that explanation is attached to the perspective view according to the state before the main part of folding mobile telephone of the present invention shown in Fig. 1 fully at the fashion housing.

Fig. 9 illustrates the perspective view of the outward appearance of folding mobile telephone in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 is the decomposition diagram of Fig. 9.

Figure 11 is the perspective view of main part of the folding mobile telephone of Fig. 9 of watching from its rear surface of explanation.

Figure 12 A is the figure of explanation main part and interface unit of wherein providing under according to the open mode of folding mobile telephone of the present invention.

Figure 12 B is the figure of folded state of the main part of explanation folding mobile telephone.

Figure 13 is the central cross-section view when folding mobile telephone according to the present invention is opened.

Figure 14 is the central cross-section view when folding mobile telephone according to the present invention is folding.

Figure 15 is the viewgraph of cross-section of explanation according to the lower case of folding mobile telephone of the present invention.

Figure 16 is the block diagram of explanation according to the electric structure of the main part of folding mobile telephone of the present invention.

Figure 17 A is explanation when the front view of upper body state of second link and flexible wired parts when lower case departs from.

Figure 17 B is the schematic diagram of the state (two parts do not overlap each other) of the flexible wired arrangements of components of explanation on the right side of second link.

Figure 18 A is the schematic diagram of the folded state of specification main part.

Figure 18 B is the right side view of Figure 18 A.

Figure 19 is the explanation upper body departs from Δ X at directions X from lower case a schematic diagram.

Figure 20 is the state of Δ P is rotated in explanation in the P direction around center O with respect to lower house in the folded state upper body of folding mobile telephone a schematic diagram.

Figure 21 is the schematic diagram that explanation folds folding mobile telephone in the gap that makes that between the housing of upper and lower part formation is very little.

Figure 22 is that explanation second link is screwed into the perspective view in the boss of upper and lower part housing.

Figure 23 illustrates that each all has the figure of the boss of sphere front end.

Figure 24 is the figure of the contact site between the bend of the explanation front end of boss and second link.

Figure 25 is the figure that explanation is provided at the R portion in the contact site between the bend of the front end of boss and second link.

Embodiment

Hereinafter, with preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the annexed drawings.With that describes as little electronic installation of the present invention, a kind of folding mobile telephone of Foldable mobile phone.

Fig. 1 is the perspective view of explanation according to the outward appearance of folding mobile telephone of the present invention.Fig. 2 is the part decomposition diagram of Fig. 1.Fig. 3 A and Fig. 3 B illustrate respectively according to the open mode of the interface unit of folding mobile telephone of the present invention and the figure of folded state.Fig. 4 is the center cross-sectional figure of explanation according to the open mode of folding mobile telephone of the present invention.Fig. 5 is the center cross-sectional figure of explanation according to the folded state of folding mobile telephone of the present invention.Fig. 6 is the block diagram of explanation according to the electrical structure of the main part of folding mobile telephone of the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, comprise as the main part A of master component and be provided at fashion housing (fashion cover) B on the outer surface of described main part A according to the folding mobile telephone of this embodiment.

As Fig. 1 to as shown in Fig. 6, main part A comprises housing, described shell is made up of upper body 1, lower case 2 and interface unit 3, described interface unit 3 fixing described upper and lower part housings 1 and 2, and the connecting portion place bending between upper body 1 and lower case 2.

Upper body 1 is held for example earphone (receiver) 11, serves as the first voice output unit; Loud speaker 12 (see figure 4)s are served as the second sound output unit; Display unit 13; Permanent magnet 14 and first printed circuit board (PCB), 15 (see figure 4)s.In addition, for example, the LCD of the formation display unit 13 that will describe after a while is installed on first printed circuit board (PCB) 15.

Simultaneously, lower case 2 is held for example microphone (microphone) 21, operating unit 22, vibrator units 23 (see figure 4)s, camera unit 24 (see figure 4)s, Hall element (Hall element) 25, detachable battery 26 (see figure 4)s and second printed circuit board (PCB), 27 (see figure 4)s.In Fig. 4 and Fig. 6, transmission/receiving element 271, Date Conversion Unit 272, sound processing unit 273, graphics processing unit 274, information memory cell 275 and control unit 270 are installed above second printed circuit board (PCB) 27.

Upper body 1 and lower case 2 are fixed on the interface unit 3, and flexible connecting portion is got involved therebetween.Interface unit 3 mainly is made up of sheet shape part 31 and flexible member 32, and wherein provides antenna 34 and flexible wired parts (for example, flexible substrate) 35.

Next, assembly in the folding mobile telephone that is included in this embodiment hereinafter will be described in more detail.

Main part A

As mentioned above, form by upper body 1 and lower case 2 as the housing of an assembly that forms main part A.Simultaneously, be connected with a surface (back side) of lower case 2 as the interface unit 3 of an assembly that forms main part A a surface (back side) upper body 1.The bending of interface unit 3 causes main part crooked at connecting portion 3A place (on the direction of the arrow P of Fig. 1 in Fig. 4 and on its relative direction).

That is, when not using folding mobile telephone, main part A is folding, that is, as shown in Figure 5, upper body 1 bending, one surface towards (with respect to) lower case 2.On the other hand, when using folding mobile telephone, as shown in figs. 1 and 4, main part A opens, and makes user's face relative with lower case 2 with upper body 1.

(1) upper body 1

Be that the receiver 11 of an earphone is provided in to make sound export from first type surface 1A on the first type surface 1A of upper body 1 relative with lower case 2 under the folded state of main part A.When the folding mobile telephone of normal this embodiment of use, with the opposing party's of user's communication sound from receiver 11 outputs.Simultaneously, in Fig. 4, loud speaker 12 is provided on the rear surface 1B of the upper body 1 relative with first type surface 1A, and exports the tinkle of bells from rear surface 1B under the holding state of mail or call.

Display unit 13 is provided in to be more prone near connecting portion 3A than receiver 11 in the part of first type surface 1A of upper body 1.In addition, the first type surface 1A that window frame 13A is formed at upper body 1 goes up with corresponding to display unit 13, and transparent window 13B joins window frame 13A to.Therefore, the user can be from the outside of upper body 1 recognizes (for example) by transparent window 13B and is presented at character on the display unit 13.Display unit 13 can be made up of for example liquid crystal indicator (LCD), and shows for example character, symbol, numeral, image and map.

At the corner of upper body 1, permanent magnet 14 be provided in receiver 11 near.

As shown in Figure 6, receiver 11, loud speaker 12 and display unit 13 are installed on first printed circuit board (PCB) 15 electrically to be connected to control unit 270.

(2) lower case 2

Microphone 21 (microphone) and operating unit 22 are provided on the first type surface 2A of main part A lower case 2 relative with the first type surface 1A of upper body 1 when folding.

Microphone 21 is provided at the end place near lower case, described end be with towards the relative other end of connecting portion 3A one end.

Operating the user's of described operating unit 22 finger F is represented by the chain-dotted line among Fig. 4.The operation that user-operable operating unit 22 is made a phone call or hung up the telephone with execution, regulate the operation of operation from operation, input character, symbol or the numeral of the volume of the tinkle of bells of receiver 11 or loud speaker 12 outputs, actuated camera unit 24 and switch to the operation of style use patterns.Different with correlation technique, in this embodiment, in cross-sectional view, have cylindrical shape substantially and be not provided at finger the place ahead of user upward to outstanding articulated section.Therefore, even for example when user's nail is longer, the user also can easily operate described operating unit 22.

When receiving a calling, vibrator units 23 comes into operation to notify the user to receive described calling.

Camera unit 24 is provided on the rear surface 2B (see figure 4) relative with first type surface 2A of lower case 2, and can be parallel from the battery 26 of lower case 2 dismounting, and camera unit 24 can be caught the image of the object at the rear side place that is positioned at operating unit 22.The incident light from described object of catching by camera unit 24 pass set of lenses and by photo-electric conversion element for example CCD (charge coupled device) convert the signal of telecommunication to from light signal, thereby produce image information.In Fig. 6, described image information then is presented on the display unit 13 as image by after a while the graphics processing unit of describing 274 being handled.

Therefore, camera unit 24 and display unit 13 are connected to graphics processing unit 274, and by a scheduled operation, the image information that is obtained by camera unit 24 is stored in after a while with in the information memory cell of describing 275.In addition, except this image information, information memory cell 275 (for example can be stored the outer image information of information about telephone number, acoustic information, the image information except that the image of catching, the image information that is received) with about the mail that sends or receive or the information of the current character that writes.

Hall element 25 is provided on second printed circuit board (PCB) 27 with relative with permanent magnet 14 when main part A is folding.

Because Hall element 25 is configured near permanent magnet 14 places when main part A is folding, thus its magnetic field of detecting permanent magnet 14 detection signal is outputed to control unit 270, this will describe after a while.On the other hand, when main part A opened, permanent magnet 14 separated from Hall element 25.In the case, Hall element 25 can not detect the magnetic field of permanent magnet 14, thereby it can not produce detection signal.

That is, when Hall element 25 detected the magnetic field of permanent magnet 14, main part A was in folded state.On the other hand, when Hall element 25 detected magnetic field less than permanent magnet 14, main part A was in open mode.In the folding mobile telephone of this embodiment, when shell was folding, no image was presented on the display unit 13 that is in holding state.On the other hand, when shell is opened, for example mark of the electric field strength that receives of indication, information, temporal information and be presented on the display unit 13 about the information of incoming call about battery levels.

Vibrator units 23, operating unit 22, microphone 21, camera unit 24, Hall element 25 and battery 26 are installed on second printed circuit board (PCB) 27 to be connected electrically to control unit 270.

As shown in Figure 6, control unit 270 is connected to transmission/receiving element 271, Date Conversion Unit 272 and information memory cell 275, also is connected to vibrator units 23, operating unit 22, Hall element 25 and display unit 13 to control these unit.Control unit 270 is also connected to battery 26.

Transmission/receiving element 271 is connected to antenna 34, and handles the data that received by antenna 34 so that described data are outputed to Date Conversion Unit 272.Date Conversion Unit 272 is connected to sound processing unit 273, and sound processing unit 273 is connected to receiver 11, loud speaker 12 and microphone 21.

Date Conversion Unit 272 will become voice data by transmission/receiving element 271 with the data transaction that control unit 270 sends from antenna 34, and described voice data is outputed to sound processing unit 273.Simultaneously, 273 pairs of described voice datas of sound processing unit are decoded with the generation voice signal, and described voice signal is outputed to receiver 11 or loud speaker 12.Then, receiver 11 or loud speaker 12 outputs are corresponding to the sound of the voice signal that sends from sound processing unit 273.

In addition, 273 pairs of sound that received by microphone 21 of sound processing unit are encoded with the generation voice data, and the voice data that is produced is outputed to Date Conversion Unit 272.Date Conversion Unit 272 converts the voice data of input to communication data, and described communication data is outputed to transmission/receiving element 271.271 pairs of communication datas that receive of transmission/receiving element are handled and by use antenna 34 treated data are sent as radio wave.

(3) interface unit 3

Interface unit 3 bendings when main part A is folding, and main part A when opening interface unit 3 stretch.Promptly, interface unit 3 has flexibility, and comprise and being used for upper body 1 and lower case 2 and the fixing sheet shape part of connecting portion 3A, with have enough restoring forces and rigidity turning back to the flexible member of straightened condition from case of bending, described connecting portion 3A is for getting involved the central part between upper body 1 and the lower case 2.

As shown in Figure 4, the interface unit 3 of this embodiment comprises first link 31, second link 32 and the 3rd link 33.In them, first link 31 and the 3rd link 33 form sheet shape part, and second link 32 forms flexible member.

In addition, second link 32, antenna 34 and flexible wired parts 35 are provided in the gap between first link 31 and the 3rd link 33.One end of antenna 34 (power supply unit 34A) is connected to the power supply unit of second printed circuit board (PCB) 27, and the other end of antenna 34 extends to upper body 1.Flexible wired device 35 with linearity configuration makes the one end be connected to first printed circuit board (PCB) 15 by connector 35A and the other end is connected to second printed circuit board (PCB) 27 by connector 35B.

As indicated above, first link 31 constitutes connecting portion 3A and upper body 1 and lower case 2 and the 3rd link 33 is linked together being used for.Exactly, first link 31 of this embodiment form connecting portion 3A the surface (its institute towards the first type surface 1A of direction and upper body 1 and the first type surface 1B of lower case 2 towards direction identical), and be connected to the outer surface of upper body 1 and the outer surface of lower case 2 (also being used as the outer surface of upper body 1 and lower case 2).In addition, the part of first link 31 forms flange part 31A, and its side surface 1C and 2C from upper body 1 and lower case 2 is outstanding to the outside.

Provide second link 32 with across on the rear surface 2B of the rear surface of upper body 1 1B and lower case 2.Second link 32 is formed by the foil (for example, carbon tool steel or stainless steel) with flexible and rigidity.

The 3rd link 33 integrally is connected to the rear surface 1B of upper body 1 the rear surface 2B of lower case 2, and the two ends of the 3rd link 33 also are connected to the rear surface 1B of upper body 1 and arrive the rear surface 2B of lower case 2 (that is, the 3rd link 33 also is used as the rear surface of upper body 1 and lower case 2).In addition, second link 32 is got involved between first link 31 and the 3rd link 33.

In addition, first link 31 and the 3rd link 33 form by having flexible suitable material, for example thermoplastic polyester ether elastomer (polyester ether elastomer) or polyurethane resin.In addition, the material that forms first link 31 and the 3rd link 33 is not limited to material mentioned above.For instance, as long as it has flexibility and rigidity, any material all can be used for the first and the 3rd link 31 and 33.

The upper body 1 that formation is formed by first link 31 and first type surface 1A and the inner surface 1D of 2A and the material of 2D of lower case 2, for example ABS resin is different from the material that forms first type surface 1A and 2A.That is, upper body 1 and lower case 2 form by the different material method of forming (for example, the insert moulding method) is whole, to be used for the whole product with kinds of materials that forms.

Why upper body 1 and lower case 2 hereinafter will be described by first link, the 31 integrally formed reasons of the different material method of forming and interface unit 3.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, by tapping screw (tapping screw) 331 being driven in the inner surface 1D that is formed at upper body 1 and lower case 2 and the hole 332 among the 2D, and the 3rd link 33 is fixed to circuit board 15 and 27.Tapping screw tightens with the situation that obtains predetermined axial force (clamping force) with the predetermined clamping force square under, when hole 332 allow that shear stress is more weak the time, hole 332 is damaged.

Be known that usually the allowable shearing stress of ABS resin is stronger than thermoplasticity polyesterether elastomer.Therefore, in this embodiment, be provided in the first type surface 1A of upper body 1 and lower case 2 and the hole among the 2A (it is connected to the window frame 13A of operating unit 22 and display unit 13) 332 and form, prevent when tightening screw damage hole 332 by ABS resin.

Yet, when the hole 332 of first type surface 1A that is connected to upper body 1 and lower case 2 and 2A and window frame 13A are formed by thermoplastic polyester ether elastomer, transparent window 13B bonds to window frame 13A regularly by adhesive tape, because thermoplastic polyester ether elastomer has more weak bonding force usually.In the case, for example, when folding mobile telephone dropped, transparent window 13B may separate from window frame 13A.

From then on viewpoint, in this embodiment, in order to solve problem referred to above, the upper body 1 that is formed by thermoplastic polyester ether elastomer and the outer surface 1A of lower case 2 and 2A (in fact, being formed by first link 31) form with hole 332 that is formed by ABS resin and window frame 13A integral body.

First link 31 is also nonessential by the different material method of forming and upper body 1 and lower case 2 whole formation.For instance, first link 31 can form discretely with upper body 1 and lower case 2, and interface unit 3 can pass through mechanical couplings member (for example, screw or bonding agent) and integrally is fixed to upper body 1 and lower case 2.In addition, even by same material (for example at upper body 1 and lower case 2 and first link 31, when thermoplastic polyester ether elastomer) forming, by the appropriate method except that method mentioned above, the 3rd link 33 also can be fixed to upper body 1 and lower case 2, or transparent window 13B also can be fixed to window frame 13A.

Next, mainly referring to Fig. 3 A and Fig. 3 B, hereinafter will describe second link 32 of the flexible member that forms interface unit 3 in detail.

Fig. 3 A and Fig. 3 B are the figure of second link 32 of the interface unit 3 of explanation main part A.Fig. 3 A is the figure of open mode of the interface unit 3 of explanation main part A, and Fig. 3 B is the figure of folded state of the interface unit 3 of explanation main part A.

To as shown in Fig. 5, second link 32 is a thin plate as Fig. 3 A, and it extends to lower case 2 from upper body 1 in a straight line, and to have width be that W1 and curvature are the cross section of the arcuate shape of R1.The first type surface 1A that is centered close to upper body 1 of curvature R1 (or first type surface 2A of lower case 2) locates, and (Fig. 3 B) represented by an O in described center.In addition, one end of second link 32 is installed on the upper body 1 (promptly, among Fig. 5 with lower case 2 integrally formed first links 31), its other end is installed to (similarly, with lower case 2 integrally formed first links 31) on the lower case 2.As describing after a while, when bending, behind the gap of required scheduled volume, the allocation position at described two ends is defined by a retainer 321 (it is provided in first link 31 shown in Fig. 5) when guaranteeing bending.

As shown in Fig. 3 A, when the interface unit 3 of main part A was in open mode, second link 32 extended to lower case 2 from upper body 1 in a straight line, makes stable state be maintained.In the case, even when the interface unit 3 (Fig. 1) of the main part A that is in open mode is being gone up when further crooked in the opposite direction with the side of arrow P, because the second crooked link 32 has the rigidity of height on the direction of case of bending release (the main part A that opens is further crooked), so can produce the power (being called hereinafter, " curve maintenance energy ") of keeping open mode.Therefore, on the further crooked direction of the main part A that opens, promptly, on direction with respect to the convex curved surface (positive curve surface) on recessed curved surface (hogging bending surface), the required power (back-flexing power) of curved major body is better than the required power of curved major body on the direction of arrow P significantly, and this makes and must curved body portion be difficult to.Contraflexure power is determined by the second moment or the Young's modulus of cross section.

By contrast, when main part was crooked on by the direction (see figure 4) of the power that is better than predetermined force in arrow P, the central part of second link 32 is bending on the direction that main part A fold by beating, but plastic deformation does not wherein take place.That is, when the power that applies discharged, the central part of second link 32 turned back to formation state by restoring force, and this causes the interface unit 3 of main part A to turn back to open mode.In other words, second link 32 also plays and is used to prevent the main part A effect of crooked means on the direction of arrow P easily of opening.

As shown in Fig. 3 B, when the interface unit 3 of main part A folded, second interface unit 32 was crooked at connecting portion 3A place, and connecting portion 3A is the central part between upper body 1 and the lower case 2.In the case, be linear flexibly as the cross sectional shape of the connecting portion 3A of the central part of second link 32, thereby the width W 2 that causes connecting portion 3A is greater than the width W before the strain 1 from arc-shaped deformation.

When connecting portion 3A flexibly was out of shape, generation made connecting portion turn back to arc and linear power from second link 32.That is, when the interface unit 3 of main part A folds, 32 bendings of second link, reception simultaneously makes connecting portion turn back to linear power (making width W 2 be returned to the power of width W 1).

In this embodiment, second link 32 is formed by the steel of the thickness with 0.1mm.In addition, second link 32 has the width W 1 of 15mm and the radius of curvature R 1 of 20mm, and the distance L between upper body 1 and the lower case 2 is 45mm.In the case, when opening on the direction of interface unit 3 in arrow P of main part A was crooked, crooked initial force (folding power will be described after a while) F1 was about 0.6[N (newton)].When the interface unit 3 of main part A was folding, the restoring force F2 that makes the interface unit 3 of main part A be returned to open mode was about 1.5[N].In addition, the interface unit 3 required power F3 (" back-flexing power " will be described after a while) of the main part A that further bending is opened on the direction of arrow P are about 2[N].

Second link 32 is as the flexible member of interface unit 3, and described second link 32 has arc section and is provided makes the center O of arc be positioned on the first type surface 1A of upper body 1.As a result, make the power (this is called " back-flexing power ") of F3 back-flexing interface unit, do not use described power F3 usually, it is better than the required power F1 of the common operating main body of user portion (power (this is called " folding power ") that folding main part is required).

Therefore, when suitably setting folding power F1 or back-flexing power F3, can easily fold the main part A that opens.In addition, interface unit 3 back-flexings of opening can be prevented, and therefore the interface unit 3 that can improve user convenience can be provided.

In addition, when second link 32 is crooked, the radius of curvature of second link 32 than the radius of curvature of first link 31 greatly at least corresponding to the value of its thickness.Therefore, the two ends on second link, 32 longitudinal directions should be fixed to housing (rear surface) with a predetermined gap, or an end should be fixed to housing (rear surface) slidably, make main part A to fold reliably.In this embodiment, the two ends of second link 32 are fixed to the rear surface 1B and the 2B of upper body 1 and lower case 2 with a predetermined gap (not shown).

Next, hereinafter will carry out further describing to the 3rd link 33.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, in the 3rd link 33, corresponding to the surface (outer surface) of the part of connecting portion 3A on the predetermined length L on its length direction recessed (see figure 5), thereby form the 33A of thin portion (it forms folding power and produces member).The thinnest portion (recess; It also forms folding power and produces member) 33B broad ways W (depth direction among Fig. 4 and Fig. 5) is provided in the center of the described thin 33A of portion with linear shape.

By form thin 33A of portion and the thinnest 33B of portion in main part A, the whole thin 33A of portion can be easily crooked on the direction of folding main part A.When main part A was folding, the thin 33A of portion bending narrowed down with the distance of first link 31, and the thin simultaneously 33A of portion expands slightly.Simultaneously, the thinnest 33B of portion is along the Width linear bending that forms the thinnest 33B of portion, and expansion equably.When the extended corner of (before main part A is folding) the thinnest 33B of portion before the 3rd link 33 expansions shown in Fig. 4 is called " θ ", in the 3rd link 33 expansion backs (in the folding back of main part A) shown in Fig. 5, the extended corner of the thinnest 33B of portion is θ+Δ.

In the folded state of main part A, when upper body 1 was rotated with respect to lower case 2 on the direction of the arrow α shown in Fig. 3 B wittingly, the extended corner of the 3rd link 33 became inhomogeneous.When the rotation of having a mind to discharged, it is even that extended corner becomes.That is, when main part A was folding, the thinnest 33B of portion of the 3rd link 33 adjusted the bending position of connecting portion 3A.Therefore, when the thinnest 33B of portion of the 3rd link 33 was not provided, people can worry that when main part A was folding, upper body 1 may be rotated arbitrarily with respect to lower case 2 on the direction of arrow α.

In addition, when main part A is folding, produce the power that the first and the 3rd link 31 and 33 is returned to linear non-case of bending.Yet, because described restoring force is weaker than the power F2 (hereinafter, being called " restoring force ") that produces from second link 32 significantly, so the folding or tensile force of main part A is almost only determined by second link 32.This uses when main part A is folding and when expansion similarly.That is, in these cases, restoring force also only depends on second link 32.

When main part A opened, first to the 3rd link 31 to 33 was not crooked on straight line, and this non-case of bending is kept by the rigidity of second link 32.That is, when bottom housing 2 during by the holding of user, upper body 1 stays open.Therefore, upper body 1 is not on the direction of arrow P and not crooked on the direction with respect to the direction of arrow P.Therefore, can easily fold main part A.

Because connecting portion 3A flushes with the rear surface 1B of upper body 1 and the rear surface 2B of lower case 2, so when main part A was folding, radius of curvature R 2 (see figure 5)s of connecting portion 3A equaled half of summation of the thickness of the thickness of upper body 1 and lower case 2 substantially.

Therefore, when main part A was folding, the antenna 34 and the flexible wired parts 35 that are provided among the connecting portion 3A were also crooked.Yet, because radius of curvature R 2 is enough big, so stress does not concentrate in antenna 34 and the flexible wired parts 35.

As a result, for antenna 34 and flexible wired parts 35, there is no need to use parts with long crooked useful life and increased durability.In addition, when main part A folds or opens, as shown in Fig. 3 A and Fig. 3 B, provide antenna 34 and flexible wired parts 35.

Next, hereinafter will describe fashion housing B in detail referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.

As shown in Figure 2, fashion housing B comprises the outward appearance portion 4 with the bag shape of being made by the fashion material of for example jersey (jersey) or leather and is provided in frame section 5 in the described outward appearance portion 4.

Outward appearance portion 4 has the first opening 4H, and sound is exported from loud speaker 12 by the described first opening 4H; With the second opening 4J, it forms the position with corresponding video camera 24.Frame section 5 has " U " shape in sectional view, and the edge of first link 31 and flange part 31A be assemblied in the frame section 5, makes fashion housing B be installed on the main part A, covers the 3rd link 33 simultaneously.In addition, only, fashion housing B is dismantled from main part by frame section 5 is separated from flange part 31A.

Frame section 5 is formed by flexible elastic material (for instance, elastomeric material, for example EPDM or urethanes (urethane), or the polyurethane resin with soft), and wherein provides a plurality of slit 5A.When folding and connecting portion 3A was crooked as main part A, the gap between the slit 5A changed causing frame section 5 easily crooked, thereby gives main part A with servo-actuated.

Provide the hook 6A that serves as a closure element in the strip-shaped parts 6, with screw described strip-shaped parts 6 is fixed on the end of outer surface (lower surface among Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) of the outward appearance unit 4 of fashion housing B.In addition, the engaging piece 4M that serves as another closure element that is fastened to hook 6A is provided at from the position of the other end predetermined distance apart of outer surface.

In this way, when main part A was folding, strip-shaped parts 6 bendings were with near the meshing part 4M the other end that hook 6A is fastened to the outer surface that is provided in outward appearance portion 4.Under the folded state of main part A, the restoring force F2 causative subject A of portion of second link 32 opens.Yet, because hook 6A is fastened to engaging element 4M, so even can prevent also that when restoring force F2 is applied to main part A main part A from opening.

In addition, under the situation of not using strip-shaped parts 6, can be set at by restoring force F2 and be weaker than the restoring force that main part A is produced by the self gravitation of upper body 1 or lower case 2 when folding, keep the folded state of main part A second link 32.

Next, hereinafter will describe operation in detail according to the folding mobile telephone of described embodiment.

In folding mobile telephone with structure referred to above according to this embodiment, when not using folding mobile telephone, fastening strip-shaped parts 6 so that connecting portion 3A keep folding, upper body 1 overlapping lower case 2.On the other hand, when the hook 6A of strip-shaped parts 6 and the fastening release between the engaging piece 4M when using folding mobile telephone, main part A is opened turning back to straightened condition substantially by the restoring force F2 of second link 32, and the open mode of main part is stably kept by the crooked confining force (effect) of second link 32.

Therefore, under the stable open mode of main part A, can for example make a phone call or answer the call, read mail or operate described operating unit 22 to write literal by display unit 13.In the case, even hold lower case 2 when watching display unit 13 user one, upper body 1 is because the crooked confining force (rigidity) of second link 32 and can be crooked backward.Therefore, the user can only hold folding mobile telephone with one and use it, and can not feel inconvenience.

Outward, when main part A opened, it is maximum that the gap between receiver 11 and the microphone 21 becomes.Under this state, when the ear of receiver being lifted the user, when main part A was held in user's hand with answerphone, microphone 21 was positioned near the face, this make the user can hear clearly sound and clearly sound send to the opposing party.In the case, people can worry that under the state of the ear of receiver 11 being lifted the user back-flexing power F3 can be applied to main part A so that it is crooked backward.Therefore, when the user further held the rear surface 1B of upper body 1, the user can more make a phone call or answerphone under the stable status.

In Fig. 3 A and Fig. 3 B, for the main part A that prevents to open is further crooked on the direction of arrow P, the width W 1 of second link 32 can increase, or radius of curvature R 1 can reduce to strengthen the crooked confining force of second link 32.

Simultaneously, when not using folding mobile telephone (Call Waiting state), the folding power stronger than folding power F1 is applied to main part A, make the face toward first type surface 2A of housing 2 of the first type surface 1A of upper body 1, and the hook 6A of strip-shaped parts 6 is fastened to engaging piece 4M, and this makes and can make main part A keep folding.When main part A was folding, the size of main part A reduced.That is, be reduced to minimum in the projected area with respect to the main part on the vertical direction of the first type surface 1A of upper body 1 and lower case 2 and 2A, therefore described folding mobile telephone is easy to carry.

Under the folded state of main part A, the 33B of the thinnest portion (recess) of the 3rd link 33 expands (see figure 5), and flattens corresponding to the central part of second link 32 of connecting portion 3A.In the case, the power that discharges extended mode is applied to the thinnest 33B of portion of the 3rd link 33, and the power that makes straightened condition be returned to case of bending is applied to the central part of second link 32.Yet, as indicated above, owing to the hook 6A in the strip-shaped parts 6 of first link 31 that is provided in fashion housing B is fastened to engaging piece 4M, so the folded state of main part A is maintained.

Next, hereinafter will describe the operation that fashion housing B is installed to main part A in detail referring to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8.

Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 are the figure that explanation is installed to fashion housing B the operation of main part A.As shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, at first, when main part A crooked on respect to the direction of its folding direction (the main part A that opens is crooked backward in the direction of arrow P), the end of flange part 31A from be formed at upper body 1 (hereinafter, be called front end) be shorter than the internal diameter L2 of the hook portion 51 of fashion housing B to the distance L 1 of the end that is formed at the flange part 31A in the lower case 2 (hereinafter, being called the rear end).

Under this state, in the hook portion 51 of the frame section 5 of the front-end and back-end of flange part 31A insertion fashion housing B.After insertion, main part A turns back to straightened condition.Fig. 7 display main body A of portion turns back to the state of straightened condition.

If main part A does not flatten fully, the flange part 31A of interface unit 3 is assembled in the hook portion 51 fully so.Therefore, when the 31A of entire flange portion assembling hook portion 51, fashion housing B is installed to main part A fully.

When main part A is installed to fashion housing B in this way fully, can cover the rear surface (with respect to the surface of first type surface 1A) of flange part 31A, upper body 1 and the rear surface (with respect to the surface of first type surface 2A) of lower case 2, thereby not have little gap (at interval) between them.

In addition, fashion housing B is releasably attached to main part A.Fashion housing B can dismantle from main part A with the reversed sequence of fitting operation.

As indicated above, in correlation technique, the upper and lower portion housing rotates on the central shaft of hinged device.By comparison, in this embodiment of the present invention, two housing departments are connected to each other by flexible interface unit.In addition, in this embodiment, interface unit 3 is not given prominence to from the first type surface 1A of upper body 1 and the first type surface 2A of lower case 2.Therefore, even when the user that longer nail is arranged operates described operating unit, user's nail can not contact with interface unit 3 yet.

In addition, according to this embodiment, owing to do not use conventional hinged device, so the interface unit 3 with smaller size smaller and size can be provided.For the upper and lower portion housing is stayed open, link 3 comprises second link 32 with arc-shaped cross-section.More particularly, when main part A opens, the median plane of the arc of second link 32 is configured to the first type surface 1A of upper body 1 (or first type surface 2A of lower case 2).As a result, second link 32 forms with bar shape, and it does not take a lot of spaces and has less thickness and size, and main part A is stayed open.Therefore, this structure makes and can stably carry out various operations and prevent that operability from reducing.

In addition, according to this embodiment, first link 31 connects the flange part 31A of upper body 1 and lower case 2 continuously.Therefore, can easily cover flange part 31A with fashion housing B, thus the outer surface of main body covered A.In addition, the user can optionally change fashion housing B according to its personal like, and therefore can provide folding mobile telephone according to user's hobby.Certainly, when fashion housing B makes dirty, detachable and clean fashion housing B.Therefore, can make fashion housing B keep clean.

In recent years, developed folding mobile telephone with second display unit.Even described second display unit also is exposed to the outer surface of upper body when folding mobile telephone is folding, and shows predetermined information, for example information of Jie Shouing and temporal information.Yet, in this embodiment, in main part A, do not provide second display unit.

In this embodiment, second display unit also can be provided among the rear surface 1B of upper body 1 for example.That is, for example, hyalomere can be provided at the position corresponding to second display unit of fashion housing B, makes the user for example can watch from the character of outside, maybe can form the 3rd opening.

In order to prevent that the third party from watching second display unit, for example, can form and to open housing to cover hyalomere or the 3rd peristome.When the user watched second display unit, the user can open the information of described housing to confirm to show.

Housing department of the present invention and interface unit (sheet shape part and flexible member) are not limited to upper body 1 and the lower case 2 and first to the 3rd link 31 to 33 of embodiment mentioned above.For instance, can use following structure: first bonder terminal that is used to be connected to electronic component is provided at the bottom of two housing departments, serves as the unit; Flexible member, antenna and flexible wired parts (for example, flexible substrate) are provided in the sheet shape part; Second bonder terminal that is used to be connected to first bonder terminal is provided at sheet shape part; When being fixed to sheet shape part with rear surface when two housing departments, first and second bonder terminals are connected to each other.

In this embodiment, fashion housing B can dismantle from main part A.Yet can use following structure: the fashion housing and second link integrally form, and second link is dismantled from main part.

In addition, in this embodiment, main part A (with 180 ° of angles) on straight line opens.Yet, second link 32 can form at a predetermined angle, described second link 32 can be installed to main part A by case of bending, or it can be provided in to make main part A open with any angle less than 180 ° with among the main part A that opens less than 180 ° of angles by non-case of bending.

The invention is not restricted to the foregoing description, but under the situation that does not depart from the scope of the present invention, can carry out various improvement and variation the present invention.

Next, will describe additional embodiments of the present invention below with reference to accompanying drawing.In this embodiment, with that describes as folding mobile telephone terminal installation of the present invention, a kind of folding mobile telephone of Foldable mobile phone.

Fig. 9 is the perspective view of explanation according to the outward appearance of the folding mobile telephone of this embodiment of the invention.Figure 10 is the part decomposition diagram of Fig. 9.Figure 11 is the part decomposition diagram of the main part shown in Figure 10 checked from dorsal part.Figure 12 A and Figure 12 B illustrate respectively according to the open mode of the interface unit of folding mobile telephone of the present invention and the figure of folded state.Figure 13 is the center cross-sectional figure of explanation according to the open mode of folding mobile telephone of the present invention.Figure 14 is the center cross-sectional figure of explanation according to the folded state of folding mobile telephone of the present invention.Figure 15 is the transverse sectional view of explanation according to the lower house part of folding mobile telephone of the present invention.Figure 16 is the block diagram of explanation according to the electrical structure of the main part of folding mobile telephone of the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 9 and Figure 10, comprise as the main part A of master component and be provided at fashion housing B on the outer surface of described main part A according to the folding mobile telephone of this embodiment.

As Fig. 9 to as shown in Figure 16, main part A comprises housing, this housing is made up of upper body 1 and lower case 2 and interface unit 3, described interface unit 3 fixing described upper body 1 and lower case 2, and the connecting portion place bending between upper body 1 and lower case 2.

Upper body 1 is for example held earphone (receiver) 11, serves as the first voice output unit; Loud speaker 12 (seeing Figure 13) serves as the second sound output unit; Display unit 13; The permanent magnet 14 and first printed circuit board (PCB) 15 (seeing Figure 13).In addition, for example, the LCD of the formation display unit 13 that will describe after a while is installed on first printed circuit board (PCB) 15.

Simultaneously, lower case 2 is held for example microphone (microphone) 21, operating unit 22, vibrator units 23 (seeing Figure 13), camera unit 24 (seeing Figure 13), Hall element 25, detachable battery 26 (seeing Figure 13) and second printed circuit board (PCB) 27 (seeing Figure 13).In Figure 13 and Figure 16, transmission/receiving element 271, Date Conversion Unit 272, sound processing unit 273, graphics processing unit 274, information memory cell 275 and control unit 270 are installed above second printed circuit board (PCB) 27.

Upper body 1 and lower case 2 are fixed on the interface unit 3, and flexible connecting portion is got involved therebetween.Interface unit 3 mainly is made up of sheet shape part 31 and flexible member 32, and wherein provides antenna 34 and flexible wired parts (for example, flexible substrate) 35.

Next, assembly in the folding mobile telephone that is included in this embodiment hereinafter will be described in more detail.

Main part A

As indicated above, form by upper body 1 and lower case 2 as the housing of an assembly that forms main part A.Simultaneously, the interface unit 3 as an assembly that forms main part A is connected the end of the lower surface of upper body 1 and the end of the lower surface of lower case 2.The bending of interface unit 3 causes main part crooked at connecting portion 3A place (on the direction and its relative direction of the arrow P of Fig. 9 in Figure 13).

That is, when not using folding mobile telephone, main part A is folding, that is, as shown in Figure 14, upper body 1 bending, one surface towards (with respect to) lower case 2.On the other hand, when using folding mobile telephone, as shown in Fig. 9 and Figure 13, main part A opens, and makes user's face relative with lower case 2 with upper body 1.

(1) upper body 1

Be that the receiver 11 of an earphone is provided in to make sound export from first type surface 1A on the first type surface 1A of upper body 1 relative with lower case 2 under the folded state of main part A.When the folding mobile telephone of normal this embodiment of use, with the opposing party's of user's communication sound from receiver 11 outputs.Simultaneously, in Figure 13, loud speaker 12 is provided on the rear surface 1B of the upper body 1 relative with first type surface 1A, and exports the tinkle of bells from rear surface 1B under the holding state of mail or call.Receiver 11 or loud speaker 12 for example have the first permanent magnet (not shown), coiler part (not shown) and the diaphragm (not shown) that is arranged at wherein.In receiver 11 or loud speaker 12, when electric current passes through coiler part, the diaphragm vibration in first permanent magnet is set, this causes the generation of sound.

Display unit 13 is provided in the part of first type surface 1A of upper body 1, than receiver 11 more near connecting portion 3A.In addition, the first type surface 1A that window frame 13A is formed at upper body 1 goes up with corresponding to display unit 13, and transparent window 13B joins window frame 13A to.Therefore, the user can be from the outside of upper body 1 recognizes (for example) by transparent window 13B and is presented at character on the display unit 13.Display unit 13 can be made up of for example liquid crystal indicator (LCD), and shows for example character, symbol, numeral, image and map.

Provide the permanent magnet 14 that is used for housing at (interface unit 3 near) near the lower end of upper body 1.

As shown in Figure 16, receiver 11, loud speaker 12 and display unit 13 are installed on first printed circuit board (PCB) 15 to be connected electrically to control unit 270.

(2) lower case 2

Be provided in as the microphone 21 of microphone and operating unit 22 on the first type surface 2A of main part A lower case 2 relative when folding with the first type surface 1A of upper body 1.

Microphone 21 is provided at the end place near lower case, described end be with towards the relative other end of connecting portion 3A one end.

Operating the user's of described operating unit 22 finger F is represented by the double dot dash line among Figure 13.The operation that user-operable operating unit 22 is made a phone call or hung up the telephone with execution, regulate the operation of operation from operation, input character, symbol or the numeral of the volume of the tinkle of bells of receiver 11 or loud speaker 12 outputs, actuated camera unit 24 and switch to the operation of style use patterns.Different with correlation technique, in this embodiment, in cross-sectional view, have cylindrical shape substantially and be not provided at finger the place ahead of user upward to outstanding articulated section.Therefore, even for example when user's nail is longer, the user also can easily operate described operating unit 22.

When receiving a calling, vibrator units 23 comes into operation to notify the user to receive described calling.

Camera unit 24 is provided on the rear surface 2B (seeing Figure 13) relative with first type surface 2A of lower case 2, and can be parallel from the battery 26 of lower case 2 dismounting, and camera unit 24 can be caught the image of the object at the rear side place that is positioned at operating unit 22.The incident light from described object of being caught by camera unit 24 passes set of lenses and by photo-electric conversion element, for example CCD (charge coupled device) converts the signal of telecommunication to from light signal, thereby produces image information.In Figure 16, described image information is by handling the graphics processing unit of describing 274 after a while, and then is presented on the display unit 13 as image.

Therefore, camera unit 24 and display unit 13 are connected to graphics processing unit 274, and by a scheduled operation, the image information that is obtained by camera unit 24 is stored in after a while with in the information memory cell of describing 275.In addition, except this image information, information memory cell 275 (for example can be stored the outer image information of information about telephone number, acoustic information, the image information except that the image of catching, the image information that is received) with about the mail that sends or receive or the information of the current character that writes.

Hall element 25 is the unit in magnetic field that are used to detect the permanent magnet 14 of housing, is provided on second printed circuit board (PCB) 27 with relative with permanent magnet 14 when main part A is folding.

Because Hall element 25 is configured near permanent magnet 14 places that are used for housing when main part A is folding, thus its magnetic field of detecting permanent magnet 14 detection signal is outputed to control unit 270, this will describe after a while.On the other hand, when main part A opened, the permanent magnet 14 that is used for housing separated from Hall element 25.In the case, Hall element 25 can not detect the magnetic field of permanent magnet 14, makes it can not produce detection signal.

That is, when Hall element 25 detected the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 14 that is used for housing, main part A was in folded state.On the other hand, when Hall element 25 detected magnetic field less than the permanent magnet 14 that is used for housing, main part A was in open mode.In the folding mobile telephone of this embodiment, when shell was folding, no image was presented on the display unit 13 that is in holding state, thus consumed power not.In addition, at folded state, the lighting unit (not shown) that is used to throw light on can be not luminous.On the other hand, when shell is opened, for example mark of the electric field strength that receives of indication, information, temporal information and be presented on the display unit 13 about the information of incoming call about battery levels, lighting unit is opened with luminous.

When Hall element 25 detects the magnetic field of permanent magnet 14 of housing, be necessary to detect reliably folded state, even when occurrence positions departs between the apparent surface of direction of rotation or last two housing parts 1 of longitudinal direction (directions X of Figure 19) and 2, or when very little gap (clearance) between housing parts, occurring.Promptly, folded state at main part A, when detecting because the position deviation between the apparent surface of two housing parts 1 on direction of rotation or the longitudinal direction and 2, or when very little gap and the housing parts 1 and 2 that causes are opened between the apparent surface of housing parts, backlight liquid crystal display is opened, and causes power consumption.When the device of only working under folded state is provided, the position deviation between the housing parts 1 and 2 that device when work produces or open the use that may hinder folding mobile telephone.

In this embodiment, determine the amount of the position deviation between the apparent surface of two housing parts 1 on direction of rotation or the longitudinal direction and 2 in advance, the Hall element 25 and the permanent magnet 14 that are used for housing are arranged in such position, even it makes that Hall element 25 also can detect the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 14 that is used for housing when position deviation or very little gap occurring between the apparent surface.

Figure 18 a to 21 shows the layout between Hall element 25 and the magnet 14, even this also can detect folded state when occurring position deviation or very little gap between two housing parts 1 and 2 the apparent surface on direction of rotation reliably.

In this arrangement, Hall element 25 and the permanent magnet 14 that is used for housing arranged near connecting portion 3A.More specifically, at the folded state of main part A, than the center line Y of main part A, the Hall element 25 and the permanent magnet 14 that are used for housing are arranged more close connecting portion 3A.Preferably, than radius of curvature R 1, be used for the Hall element 25 of housing and permanent magnet 14 is arranged more close connecting portion 3A, radius of curvature R 1 is half of radius of curvature R 2, and two housing parts 1 and 2 depart from direction of rotation each other herein.

Figure 18 a is the schematic diagram of the folded state of explanation main part, and Figure 18 b is the right side schematic diagram of Figure 18 a.Figure 19 is the explanation upper casing part departs from the state of Δ X at directions X from the lower case part a schematic diagram.Figure 20 be the explanation under the upper body folded state in the schematic diagram of the state that on the P direction, rotates on the center O.Figure 21 is explanation has the state in very little gap between the leading section at housing parts when main part is a folding schematic diagram.

In Figure 19, the position that some A1 has pointed out the Hall element 25 of this embodiment.The position that some B1 has pointed out the permanent magnet that is used for housing 14 of this embodiment.Be arranged in the example of the position that is different from present embodiment as wherein permanent magnet 14 and Hall element 25, for example, point A2 has pointed out the position of the Hall element arranged at the front end of upper casing part 1, and some B2 has pointed out the position of the permanent magnet 14 arranged on the position relative with the position A2 of Hall element when two housing parts fold.

At this moment, on the directions X as longitudinal direction, upper casing part 1 departs from Δ X with lower case 2.In this situation, the distance L 1 between some A1 and the some B1 equals the distance L 2 between an A2 and the some B2.Therefore, when housing departed from directions X, regardless of the position (Δ X=L1=L2) of Hall element and permanent magnet, the gap between Hall element and permanent magnet always occurred.

Figure 20 shows upper body 1 is rotated Δ P on the direction of arrow with respect to lower case 2 on the axle center O state.In this situation, the distance L 3 between some A1 and the some B1 is less than the distance L 4 between an A2 and the some B2.That is, when when between two housing parts, position deviation occurring on the direction of rotation, because the close pivot O of some A1 and B1 (L3＜L4), so the gap between Hall element and the permanent magnet can be reduced to minimum.

Figure 21 shows the folded state of housing parts, and wherein upper body 1 goes up in axle O and rotates Δ R with respect to lower case 2 on the direction of arrow, and has occurred very little gap between the front end of housing parts.In this situation, the distance L 5 between some A1 and the some B1 is less than the distance L 6 between an A2 and the some B2.That is, when when between two housing parts, position deviation occurring on the direction of rotation, because the close pivot of some A1 and B1 (L5＜L6), so the gap between Hall element and the permanent magnet can be reduced to minimum.

As mentioned above, in this embodiment, permanent magnet and Hall element are arranged near the link, even this makes by when folding main part makes housing parts overlapped, owing to when institute's externally applied forces causes position deviation between housing parts, also can detect the folded state of main part reliably.By this method, at the folded state of housing, detection is opened less than housing, therefore is used for backlight liquid crystal display and can open, and this causes having prevented non-essential power consumption.When the device of only working under folded state is provided, the use of folding mobile telephone can not disturbed by the position deviation between the housing parts that produces in device work or when opening.In addition,, can use the more weak permanent magnet of magnetic force, and therefore prevent being inserted in the infringement of the magnetic card between the housing parts according to present embodiment.

And, in order to enlarge Hall element 25, can increase the Hall element 25 and permanent magnet 14 areas or the quantity that are used for housing with respect to the detection range in the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 14 that is used for housing.

Vibrator units 23, operating unit 22, microphone 21, camera unit 24, Hall element 25 and battery 26 are installed on second printed circuit board (PCB) 27 to be connected electrically to control unit 270.

As shown in Figure 16, control unit 270 is connected to transmission/receiving element 271, Date Conversion Unit 272 and information memory cell 275, also is connected to vibrator units 23, operating unit 22, Hall element 25 and display unit 13 to control these unit.Control unit 270 is also connected to battery 26.

Transmission/receiving element 271 is connected to antenna 34, and handles the data that received by antenna 34 so that described data are outputed to Date Conversion Unit 272.Date Conversion Unit 272 is connected to sound processing unit 273, and sound processing unit 273 is connected to receiver 11, loud speaker 12 and microphone 21.

Date Conversion Unit 272 will become voice data by transmission/receiving element 271 with the data transaction that control unit 270 sends from antenna 34, and described voice data is outputed to sound processing unit 273.Simultaneously, 273 pairs of described voice datas of sound processing unit are decoded with the generation voice signal, and described voice signal is outputed to receiver 11 or loud speaker 12.Then, receiver 11 or loud speaker 12 outputs are corresponding to the sound of the voice signal that sends from sound processing unit 273.

In addition, 273 pairs of sound that received by microphone 21 of sound processing unit are encoded with the generation voice data, and the voice data that is produced is outputed to Date Conversion Unit 272.Date Conversion Unit 272 converts the voice data of input to communication data, and described communication data is outputed to transmission/receiving element 271.271 pairs of communication datas that receive of transmission/receiving element are handled, and by using antenna 34 that treated data are sent as radio wave.

(3) interface unit 3

Interface unit 3 bendings when main part A is folding, and main part A when opening interface unit 3 stretch.Promptly, interface unit 3 has flexibility, and comprise the sheet shape part that is used to use connecting portion 3A that upper body 1 and lower case 2 is fixing, and comprise flexible member, described connecting portion 3A is for getting involved the central part between upper body 1 and the lower case 2, this flexible member has enough restoring forces and rigidity turning back to straightened condition (state before crooked) from case of bending, and is fixed to upper body 1 and lower case 2.

As shown in Figure 13, the interface unit 3 of this embodiment comprises first link 31, second link 32 and the 3rd link 33.In them, first link 31 and the 3rd link 33 form sheet shape part, and second link 32 forms flexible member.

In addition, second link 32, antenna 34 and flexible wired parts 35 are provided in the gap between first link 31 and the 3rd link 33.One end of antenna 34 (power supply unit 34A) is connected to the power supply unit of second printed circuit board (PCB) 27, and the other end of antenna 34 extends to upper body 1.The flexible wired parts 35 and second link 32 with linearity configuration are overlapping, and make the one end be connected to first printed circuit board (PCB) 15 by connector 35A and the other end is connected to second printed circuit board (PCB) 27 by connector 35B.

As indicated above, first link 31 constitutes connecting portion 3A and upper body 1 and lower case 2 and the 3rd link 33 is linked together being used for.Exactly, first link 31 of this embodiment form connecting portion 3A the surface (its institute towards the first type surface 1A of direction and upper body 1 and the first type surface 1B of lower case 2 towards direction identical), and be connected to the outer surface of upper body 1 and the outer surface of lower case 2 (also being used as the outer surface of upper body 1 and lower case 2).

Provide second link 32 with across in upper body 1 and lower case 2.Second link 32 is formed by the foil (for example, carbon tool steel or stainless steel) with flexible and rigidity.

The 3rd link 33 integrally is connected to the rear surface 2B of lower case 2, thereby and is installed to first link 31 and covers second link 32 and flexible wired parts 35.

In addition, first link 31 and the 3rd link 33 form by having flexible suitable material, for example thermoplastic polyester ether elastomer or polyurethane resin.In addition, the material that forms first link 31 and the 3rd link 33 is not limited to material mentioned above.For instance, as long as it has flexibility and rigidity, any material all can be used for the first and the 3rd link 31 and 33.

The upper body 1 that formation is formed by first link 31 and the first type surface 1A of lower case 2 and the inner surface 1D of 2A and the material (for example ABS resin) of 2D are different from the material that forms first type surface 1A and 2A.That is, upper body 1 and lower case 2 form by the different material method of forming (for example, the insert moulding method) is whole, to be used for the whole product with kinds of materials that forms.

Why upper body 1 and lower case 2 hereinafter will be described by first link, the 31 integrally formed reasons of the different material method of forming and interface unit 3.

As shown in Figure 13 and Figure 14, by tapping screw 331A being driven in the hole 332A among the inner surface 2D that is formed at lower case 2, and the 3rd link 33 is fixed to circuit board 27.Tapping screw tightens with the situation that obtains predetermined axial force (clamping force) with the predetermined clamping force square under, when hole 332A allow that shear stress is more weak the time, hole 332A is damaged.

Be known that usually the allowable shearing stress of ABS resin is stronger than thermoplasticity polyesterether elastomer.Therefore, in this embodiment, the hole 332A that is provided among the inner surface 2D (it for example is connected to operating unit 22) of lower case 2 is formed by ABS resin, and it prevents when tightening screw the damage to hole 332A.

Yet when the first type surface 1A that is connected to upper body 1 and window frame 13A were formed by thermoplastic polyester ether elastomer, transparent window 13B bonded to window frame 13A regularly by adhesive tape, because thermoplastic polyester ether elastomer has more weak bonding force usually.In the case, for example, when folding mobile telephone dropped, transparent window 13B can separate from window frame 13A.

From then on viewpoint, in this embodiment, in order to solve problem referred to above, the upper body 1 that is formed by thermoplastic polyester ether elastomer and the outer surface 1A and the 2A (in fact, being formed by first link 31) of lower case 2 form with the window frame 13A integral body that is formed by ABS resin.In addition, the outer surface and first link 31 that form upper and lower shell body portion 1 and 2 by integral body can form radius of curvature R 1 (referring to Figure 13) in the coupling part between first link 31 and upper and lower shell body portion 1 and 2, obtain the homogeneity between the upper and lower shell body portion 1 and 2 and first link 31 thus.More specifically, the main part A that opens, is not formed radius of curvature, thereby the gap occurred between upper and lower shell body portion 1 and 2 when these parts are not whole formation by the situation of further palintrope in these parts.This gap causes obtaining homogeneity.In addition, water may be by this gap infiltration, and therefore for the mobile telephone terminal that does not have a water resisting property, formation is not preferred separately.

First link 31 is also nonessential by the different material method of forming and upper body 1 and lower case 2 whole formation.For instance, the inner surface of the outer surface of first link 31, upper body 1 and lower case 2 and upper body 1 and lower case 2 can be formed separated from each other, and interface unit 3 can pass through the inner surface that mechanical couplings means (for example, screw or bonding agent) integrally are fixed to upper body 1 and lower case 2.In addition, even by same material (for example at upper body 1 and lower case 2 and first link 31, when thermoplastic polyester ether elastomer) forming, by the appropriate method except that method mentioned above, the 3rd link 33 also can be fixed to upper body 1 and lower case 2, or transparent window 13B also can be fixed to window frame 13A.

Next, mainly referring to Figure 12 A and Figure 12 B, hereinafter will describe second link 32 of the flexible member that forms interface unit 3 in detail.

Figure 12 A and Figure 12 B are the figure of second link 32 of the interface unit 3 of explanation main part A.Figure 12 A is the figure of open mode of the interface unit 3 of explanation main part A, and Figure 12 B is the figure of folded state of the interface unit 3 of explanation main part A.

To as shown in Figure 14, second link 32 is a thin plate as Figure 12 A, and it extends to lower case 2 from upper body 1 in a straight line, and has the curved portion 323 in the cross section of arcuate shape in cross sectional view.Curved portion 323 has width W 1 and radius of curvature R 2.The first type surface 1A that is centered close to upper body 1 of curvature R2 (or first type surface 2A of lower case 2) locates, and (Figure 12 A) represented by an O in this center.In addition, second link 32 has through hole 320 (seeing Figure 22) basically in the center of arc near its two ends, and is fixed to the front end of the boss 322 that is provided with on the inner surface of upper and lower shell body portion 1 and 2 by screw 321.

As shown in Figure 12 A, when the interface unit 3 of main part A is in open mode, second link 32 extends to lower case 2 from upper body 1 in a straight line, and the arc with radius of curvature R 2 remains from its end to end, makes stable state be maintained.In the case, even when the interface unit 3 of the main part A that is in open mode (Fig. 9) is being gone up when further crooked in the opposite direction with the side of arrow P, because the second crooked link 32 has the rigidity of height on the direction of case of bending release (the main part A that opens is further crooked), so can produce the power (being called hereinafter, " curve maintenance energy ") of keeping open mode.Therefore, on the main part A that the opens direction further crooked from sweep, promptly on the direction with respect to the convex curved surface (positive curve surface) on recessed curved surface (hogging bending surface), the required power (back-flexing power) of curved major body is better than the required power of curved major body on the direction of arrow P significantly, and this makes and must curved body portion be difficult to.Contraflexure power is determined by the second moment or the Young's modulus of cross section.

By contrast, gone up when crooked in the direction (seeing Figure 13) of arrow P by the power that is better than predetermined force when main part, the central part of second link 32 is bending on the direction that main part A fold by beating, but plastic deformation does not wherein take place.That is, when the power that applies discharged, the central part of second link turned back to formation state by restoring force, and this causes the interface unit 3 of main part A to turn back to open mode.In other words, second link 32 also plays and is used to prevent the main part A effect of crooked means on the direction of arrow P easily of opening.

As shown in Figure 12B, when the interface unit 3 of main part A folded, second interface unit 32 was crooked at connecting portion 3A place, and connecting portion 3A is the central part between upper body 1 and the lower case 2.In the case, be linear flexibly as the cross sectional shape of the connecting portion 3A of the central part of second link 32, thereby the width W 2 that causes connecting portion 3A is greater than the width W before the strain 1 from arc-shaped deformation.The two ends of connecting portion 3A flexibly are out of shape approaches flat shape.

When connecting portion 3A flexibly is out of shape, from second link 32, produce arc and the linear power of turning back to.That is, when the interface unit 3 of main part A folds, 32 bendings of second link, reception simultaneously makes connecting portion turn back to linear power (making width W 2 be returned to the power of width W 1).

In this embodiment, second link 32 is formed by copper coin, and it has the thickness of 0.1mm, the width W 1 of 20mm and the radius of curvature R 1 of 25mm, and the distance L between upper casing part 1 and the lower case 21 is 30mm.

Similar when crooked on the direction of the direction opposite to arrow P with the main part of opening, maximum stress occurs when saltus step.

Therefore, can determine that width W 1 and radius of curvature R 1 make the stress that takes place can not surpass the allowable stress of selecting material when saltus step.

In second link 32 of this embodiment, when opening on the direction of interface unit 3 in arrow P of main part A was crooked, crooked initial force (folding power will be described after a while) F1 was about 0.6[N (newton)].When the interface unit 3 of main part A was folding, the restoring force F2 that makes the interface unit 3 of main part A be returned to open mode was about 1.5[N].In addition, the interface unit 3 required power F3 (" back-flexing power " will be described after a while) of the main part A that further bending is opened on the direction of arrow P are about 2[N].

Second link 32 is as the flexible member of interface unit 3, and described second link 32 has arc section and is provided makes the center O of arc be positioned on the first type surface 1A of upper body 1.As a result, F3 can be used for the power (this is called " back-flexing power ") of back-flexing interface unit, does not use described power F3 usually, and it is better than the required power F1 of the common operating main body of user portion (power (this is called " folding power ") that folding main part is required).

Therefore, when suitably setting folding power F1 or back-flexing power F3, can easily fold the main part A that opens.In addition, interface unit 3 back-flexings of opening can be prevented, and therefore the interface unit 3 that can improve user convenience can be provided.

Figure 22 is the figure of explanation one example to Figure 25, and in described example, the two ends of second link 32 are screwed the corresponding boss 322 of upper body 1 and lower case 2.

Through hole 320 is provided near the center of the arc the two ends on second link, 32 longitudinal directions substantially, and second link 32 is fixed to the front end of the boss 322 on the inner surface that is provided at upper body 1 and lower case 2 by screw 321.In the case, as shown in Figure 23, sphere portion 324 is formed at the front end place of boss 322.Therefore, when bend 323 deformabilitys of second link 32 for stretching (double dot dash line of Figure 23) or folding or when limpening when opening, second link 32 can be in the preceding end in contact of boss 322.When main part is folding, form along sphere portion by the radius of curvature of the sweep of second link 32.At the edge, radius of curvature R 1 is zero (or near right angle), and this causes occurring maximum stress when folding.Therefore, its mean curvature R is along the feasible durability that can improve second link 32 of the structure of sphere portion formation.In addition, as shown in figure 24, when folding or opening upper and lower casing 1 and 2, second connecting elements 32 is also crooked in a longitudinal direction.So, as shown in figure 25, by in the inside of the front end of boss 322, forming R part 325, it toward each other, boss 322 is arranged on the inner surface of upper and lower casing 1 and 2, can prevent that second link 32 touches with the side edge of the front end of boss 322 when upper and lower casing 1 and 2 folds or opens.Therefore, can improve the durability of second link 32.

Next, hereinafter will carry out further describing to the 3rd link 33.

As shown in Figure 13 and Figure 14, in the 3rd link 33, corresponding to the surface (outer surface) of the part of connecting portion 3A at recessed on its length direction (seeing Figure 14) on the predetermined length L, thereby form the 33A of thin portion (it forms folding power and produces member).The thinnest portion (recess; It also forms folding power and produces member) 33B broad ways (depth direction among Figure 13 and Figure 14) is provided in the center of the described thin 33A of portion with linear shape.

By form thin 33A of portion and the thinnest 33B of portion in main part A, the whole thin 33A of portion can be easily crooked on the direction of folding main part A.When main part A was folding, the thin 33A of portion bending narrowed down with the distance of first link 31, and the thin simultaneously 33A of portion expands slightly.Simultaneously, the thinnest 33B of portion is along the Width linear bending that forms the thinnest 33B of portion, and expansion equably.When the extended corner of (before main part A is folding) the thinnest 33B of portion before the 3rd link 33 expansions shown in Figure 13 is called " θ ", in the 3rd link 33 expansion backs (in the folding back of main part A) shown in Figure 14, the extended corner of the thinnest 33B of portion is θ+Δ.

In the folded state of main part A, when upper body 1 was rotated with respect to lower case 2 on the direction of the arrow α shown in Figure 12 B wittingly, the extended corner of the 3rd link 33 became inhomogeneous.When the rotation of having a mind to discharged, it is even that extended corner becomes.That is, when main part A was folding, the thinnest 33B of portion of the 3rd link 33 adjusted the bending position of connecting portion 3A.Therefore, when the thinnest 33B of portion of the 3rd link 33 is not provided, can worry that when main part A was folding, upper body 1 may be rotated arbitrarily with respect to lower case 2 on the direction of arrow α.

As mentioned above, flexible wired parts 35 and second link, 332 overlaids.When the rotation of having a mind to took place, flexible wired parts 35 also were twisted.

Below with reference to the accompanying drawings to above describing.Figure 17 A and 17B are the front views of explanation upper shell position relation between second link and the flexible wired parts when lower house departs from.More specifically, Figure 17 A show flexible wired parts second link near the side on overlapping state, Figure 17 B shows the state (two parts do not overlap each other) of flexible wired arrangements of components on the right side of second link.In Figure 17 A, as mentioned above because flexible wired parts 35 and second link 32 are overlapping, thus when upper shell 1 when lower house 2 revolves the angle that turn 90 degrees in the counterclockwise direction, flexible wired parts 35 are twisted identical angle with second link 32.In Figure 17 B, when upper shell 1 when lower house 2 revolves the angle that turn 90 degrees in the counterclockwise direction, can not expand or shrink by second link 32 that copper coin constitutes, but only distortion.Simultaneously, flexible wired parts 35 are twisted, rotation on second link 32 simultaneously, thus the connector 35A of flexible wired parts 35 is positioned on the degree of depth one side of second link 32.Because flexible wired parts 35 can not expanded or be shunk, so the position of connector 35A is than the low distance beta shown in Figure 17 A.

So in a kind of situation in back, moment of torsion (stress) and tensile stress are applied to flexible wired parts 35.So tensile stress also is applied to connector 35A and 35B, this causes connector 35A and 35B to break away from or be damaged from first printed circuit board (PCB) 15 and second printed circuit board (PCB) 27.In this situation, flexible wired parts may be damaged.Therefore, flexible wired parts 35 are arranged with second link 32 overlapping, to solve the above-mentioned problem of not expecting.

In this structure, when flexible wired parts 35 are arranged on the recessed side of curved portion 323, can reduce the thickness of the overlay structure of second link 32 and flexible wired parts 35.On the other hand, when flexible wired parts 35 are arranged on the protruding side of curved portion 323, can widen the width of flexible wired parts 35.

In addition, when main part A is folding, produce the power that the first and the 3rd link 31 and 33 is returned to linear non-case of bending.Yet, because described restoring force is weaker than the power F2 (hereinafter, being called " restoring force ") that produces from second link 32 significantly, so the folding or tensile force of main part A is almost only determined by second link 32.This uses when main part A is folding and when expansion similarly.That is, in these cases, restoring force also only depends on second link 32.

When main part A opened, first to the 3rd link 31 to 33 was not crooked on straight line, and this non-case of bending is kept by the rigidity of second link 32.That is, when bottom housing 2 during by the holding of user, upper body 1 stays open.Therefore, upper body 1 is crooked on the direction of arrow P, and not crooked on the direction with respect to the direction of arrow P.Therefore, can easily fold main part A.

Because connecting portion 3A flushes with the rear surface 1B of upper body 1 and the rear surface 2B of lower case 2, so when main part A was folding, the radius of curvature R 3 (seeing Figure 14) of connecting portion 3A equaled half of summation of the thickness of the thickness of upper body 1 and lower case 2 substantially.

Therefore, when main part A was folding, the antenna 34 and the flexible wired parts 35 that are provided among the connecting portion 3A were also crooked.Yet, because radius of curvature R 3 is enough big, so stress does not concentrate in antenna 34 and the flexible wired parts 35.

As a result, for antenna 34 and flexible wired parts 35, there is no need to use parts with long crooked useful life and increased durability.In addition, when main part A folds or opens, as shown in Figure 12 A and Figure 12 B, provide antenna 34 and flexible wired parts 35.

Next, hereinafter will describe fashion housing B in detail referring to Fig. 9 to 15.

As shown in Figure 10,13,14 and 15, fashion housing B comprises: base component 4A; The 4B of outward appearance portion, it covers the outer surface of base component 4A and is made by fashion material (covering), such as natural material (cotton and flax), synthetic fibers (acryl, nylon and urethane fat) or leather substance; The edge twines part 4C, and it is made by forming outward appearance part identical materials, and is arranged on the outer surface of base component 4A, thereby can be connected to outward appearance part 4B.

Base component 4A is formed by the suitable material with flexibility, such as thermoplastic polyester ether elastomer or polyurethane resin.The rear surface part 4D of the upper case portion of the rear surface 1B of formation upper shell 1 and the battery cover part 4E of clad battery 26 form and are integrally formed on the inner surface of base component 4A by ABS resin.That is, base component 4A is formed by the dissimilar materials method of forming.When the back side of base component 4A was installed on upper and lower casing 1 and 2, sweep 4F was arranged on the center of base component 4A to form from upper and lower casing 1 and the 2 flexible ledges that outwards protrude.Hole 332B is formed among the rear surface part 4D of upper case portion, and the rear surface part 4D of upper case portion is fixed to upper shell 1 by tapping screw 331B is driven among the 332B of hole.Engaged claw 4G (four paws) is formed on the battery cover part 4E of base component 4A as engaging element, and is releasably attached to the grappling iron pawl (four paws in Figure 11) that is formed on the lower house part 2.When the inner surface (rear surface of the 4B of outward appearance portion) of base component 4A is installed to main part A, coupling part 3A from sweep 4F separately.

Outward appearance portion 4B (covering) that is arranged on the outer surface of base component 4A is bonded to base component 4A in advance, moves with respect to base component 4A to prevent covering 4B.Then, use line 7A that strip-shaped parts 6 is sewn onto base component 4A and covering 4B, use line 7B that the edge is twined parts 4C and be sewn onto base component 4A and covering 4B.When sewing up edge wound portion part 4C,, need protrude the flat of preset distance L2 from the edge of base component 4A in order to push material by sewing machine and to transmit material.In this embodiment, guaranteed distance L 2.In addition, as mentioned above, sweep is present in the distance L 2, but owing to base component 4A is formed by above-mentioned flexible material, so it becomes smooth when sewing up.

With reference to Figure 15 this embodiment is described.When the back side with base component 4A was installed to main part A, base component 4A protruded from the edge of main part A, and the edge twines part 4C and then drops on the outside.The edge twines part 4C to be represented by double dot dash line before falling.As mentioned above, outstanding edge twines part 4C and has flexibility, thus its housing 1 and 2 bendings up and down.When upper and lower casing 1 and 2 is held in user's hand, thereby twining part 4C, the edge can be out of shape housing 1 and 2 bendings up and down, make the user can not feel that main part A broadens when gripping.Figure 15 shows the user grips lower house 2 in his or her hand state, and user's hand is represented by character " G ".Because the 4B of outward appearance portion contact user's hand G is only arranged, so the user only feels the contact of the 4B of outward appearance portion.So, when the 4B of outward appearance portion is formed by soft material, to compare with the traditional structure that forms by resin (hard material), it can make the user feel softer.

The 4B of outward appearance portion has the first opening 4H, and sound is exported from loud speaker 12 by the described first opening 4H; With the second opening 4J, it forms the position with corresponding video camera 24.As mentioned above, covering 4B is attached to base component 4A, is sewn then.Attached making before sewing up can be stablized suture location and be prevented that outward appearance part 4B from moving (skew) with respect to base component 4A when gripping.So, can prevent that the position deviation when the fashion housing is taken pictures to use camera function owing to the user's handling folding mobile telephone from covering video camera 24.In addition, this structure makes the user can grip folding mobile telephone, should and can not feel well.

And strip-shaped parts 6 is sewn onto at the one end near the end (rear surface of battery cover) of the 4B of outward appearance portion of fashion housing B.Strip-shaped parts 6 has magnetic metal parts 6B at its other end, and protuberance 6C is formed on the center of metal parts 6B.In addition, the mate 4M that wherein has the second permanent magnet 4K is arranged near the other end of outward appearance part 4B (rear surface of receiver), and recess 4L is formed on the center of meshing part 4M.

So, when folding main part A, strip-shaped parts 6 bendings are meshed metal parts 6B with near being arranged on the outward appearance part 4B other end meshing part 4M.At the folded state of main part A, edge wound portion 4C falls to main part A, and strip-shaped parts 6 bendings are meshed metal parts 6B simultaneously with meshing part 4M, thereby makes main part A folding with less clearance.

When main part A was folded, the restoring force F2 of second link 32 opened main part A.But, owing to metal parts 6B is meshed with meshing part 4M, so even can prevent also that when restoring force F2 is applied to main part A main part A from opening.

And the engagement between metal parts 6B and the meshing part 4M can discharge by the front end that lifts strip-shaped parts 6 on the direction of arrow S.That is, the power that applies when recess 4L pulls out, can discharge engagement with protuberance 6C at an easy rate.In engagement, when restoring force F2 was applied to main part A, protuberance 6C only tilted at the radial direction of recess 4L.Therefore, protuberance is not easy to break away from from recess.The power that weight produced of upper shell 1 or lower house 2 just can be kept the folded state of main part A, and not use strip-shaped parts 6 when setting to such an extent that fold less than main part A by the restoring force F2 with second link 32.

Perhaps, recess 4L can be formed among the metal parts 6B of strip-shaped parts 6, and protuberance 6C can be formed on the opposite side of outward appearance part 4B to mesh two parts.

Next, hereinafter will describe operation in detail according to the folding mobile telephone of described embodiment.

In folding mobile telephone with structure referred to above according to this embodiment, when not using folding mobile telephone, fastening strip-shaped parts 6 so that connecting portion 3A keep folding, upper body 1 overlapping lower case 2.On the other hand, when the metal parts 6B of strip-shaped parts 6 and the engagement between the engaging piece 4M are released when using folding mobile telephone, main part A is opened turning back to straightened condition substantially by the restoring force F2 of second link 32, and the open mode of main part is stably kept by the crooked confining force (effect) of second link 32.

Therefore, under the stable open mode of main part A, can carry out and for example make a phone call or answer the call, read mail or operate described operating unit 22 to write literal by display unit 13.In the case, even hold lower case 2 when watching display unit 13 user one, upper body 1 is because the crooked confining force (rigidity) of second link 32 and can be crooked backward.Therefore, the user can only hold folding mobile telephone with one and use it, and can not feel inconvenience.

In addition, when main part A opened, it is maximum that the gap between receiver 11 and the microphone 21 becomes.Under this state, when the ear of receiver being lifted the user and main part A were held in user's hand with answerphone, microphone 21 was positioned near the face, this make the user can hear clearly sound and clearly sound send to the opposing party.In the case, can worry under the state of the ear of receiver 11 being lifted the user that back-flexing power F3 can be applied to main part A so that it is crooked backward.Therefore, when the user further held the rear surface 1B of upper body 1, the user can more make a phone call or answerphone under the stable status.

In Figure 12 A and Figure 12 B, for the main part A that prevents to open is further crooked on the direction of arrow P, the width W 1 of second link 32 can increase, or radius of curvature R 1 can reduce to strengthen the crooked confining force of second link 32.

Simultaneously, when not using folding mobile telephone (Call Waiting state), the folding power stronger than folding power F1 is applied to main part A, make the face toward first type surface 2A of housing 2 of the first type surface 1A of upper body 1, and the metal parts 6B of strip-shaped parts 6 is meshed with engaging piece 4M, and this makes and can make main part A keep folding.When main part A was folding, the slight curving while of sweep 4F of fashion housing B was near the 3rd link 33, and the edge twines parts 4C housing 1 and 2 inclinations up and down.Therefore, be reduced to minimum, and therefore described folding mobile telephone is easy to carry in projected area with respect to the main part on the vertical direction of the first type surface 1A of upper body 1 and lower case 2 and 2A.

Under the folded state of main part A, the 33B of the thinnest portion (recess) of the 3rd link 33 expands (seeing Figure 13), and flattens corresponding to the central part of second link 32 of connecting portion 3A.In the case, the power that discharges extended mode is applied to the thinnest 33B of portion of the 3rd link 33, and the power that makes straightened condition be returned to case of bending is applied to the central part of second link 32.Yet, as indicated above, owing to the metal parts 6B in the strip-shaped parts 6 of first link 31 that is provided in fashion housing B is meshed with engaging piece 4M, so the folded state of main part A is maintained.

Next, hereinafter will describe the operation that fashion housing B is installed to main part A in detail referring to Figure 11 and Figure 13.

As Figure 11 and shown in Figure 13, at first, the upper shell 1 of main part A sticks on the rear surface part 4D of upper case portion of fashion housing B.Then, fashion housing B extends on the direction of arrow T and makes sweep 4F straight substantially.Extension state on arrow T direction is represented by double dot dash line.Fashion housing B is moving in the opposite direction with the side of arrow T, and the engaged claw 4G that will be formed on simultaneously on the battery housing 4E of fashion housing B is meshed with grapple pawl 2E on being formed on main part A, thus fashion housing B is installed to main part A.

As another kind of method, the upper shell 1 of main part A sticks on the rear surface part 4D of upper case portion of fashion housing B, and main part A is further crooked on the direction of arrow P.Then, on the direction of arrow T, guarantee extra length corresponding to fashion housing B.Subsequently, as mentioned above, fashion housing B is moving in the opposite direction with the side of arrow T, and the engaged claw 4G that will be formed on simultaneously on the battery housing 4E of fashion housing B is meshed with grapple pawl 2E on being formed on main part A, thus fashion housing B is installed to main part A.

In the method, by sweep 4F or the expansion connector spare 3 among the fashion housing B is provided, can easily fashion housing B be attached to main part A or breaks away from from main part A.

When main part A is installed to fashion housing B fully, the edge twines the edge protrusion of part 4C from main part A, and the inner surface of base component 4A can cover the rear surface (with first type surface 1A facing surfaces) of upper shell 1, and the rear surface (with first type surface 2A facing surfaces) that covers lower house 2, and between them without any the gap.

And the battery cover part 4E of fashion housing B is releasably attached on the main part A.Fashion housing B (or battery) can break away from from main part A with the order opposite with fitting operation.

As indicated above, in traditional structure, upper body and lower case are rotated on the central shaft of hinged device.By comparison, in this embodiment of the present invention, two housing departments are connected to each other by flexible interface unit.In addition, in this embodiment, interface unit 3 is not given prominence to from the first type surface 1A of upper body 1 and the first type surface 2A of lower case 2.Therefore, even when the user that longer nail is arranged operates described operating unit, user's nail can not contact with interface unit 3 yet.

In addition, according to this embodiment, owing to do not use conventional hinged device, so the interface unit 3 with smaller size smaller and size can be provided.For the upper and lower portion housing is stayed open, link 3 comprises second link 32 with arc-shaped cross-section.More particularly, when main part A opens, with the center configuration of the arc of second link 32 with first type surface 1A (or first type surface 2A of lower case 2) configuration towards upper body 1.As a result, second link 32 forms with bar shape, and it does not take a lot of spaces and has less thickness and size, and main part A is stayed open.Therefore, this structure makes and can stably carry out various operations and prevent that operability from reducing.

In addition, according to this embodiment, first link 31 connects upper body 1 and lower case 2 continuously.Therefore, can easily obtain homogeneity between upper and lower casing 1 and 2.In addition, fashion housing B is releasably attached to upper shell 1 (structure identical with the battery housing), makes the user optionally to change fashion housing B, and therefore can provide folding mobile telephone according to user's hobby according to its personal like.Certainly, when fashion housing B makes dirty, detachable and clean fashion housing B.Therefore, can make fashion housing B keep clean.

In recent years, developed folding mobile telephone,, and shown predetermined information, for example information of Jie Shouing and temporal information even described second display unit also is exposed to the outer surface of upper body when folding mobile telephone is folding with second display unit.Yet, in this embodiment, in main part A, do not provide second display unit.

In this embodiment, second display unit also can be provided among the rear surface 1B of upper body 1 for example.That is, for example, hyalomere can be provided at the position corresponding to second display unit of fashion housing B, makes the user for example can watch from the character of outside, maybe can form the 3rd opening.

In order to prevent that the third party from watching second display unit, for example, can form and to open housing to cover hyalomere or the 3rd peristome.When the user watched second display unit, the user can open the information of described housing to confirm to show.

Housing department of the present invention and interface unit (sheet shape part and flexible member) are not limited to upper body 1 and the lower case 2 and first to the 3rd link 31 to 33 of embodiment mentioned above.For instance, can use following structure: first bonder terminal that is used to be connected to electronic component is provided at the bottom of two housing departments, serves as the unit; Flexible member, antenna and flexible wired parts (for example, flexible substrate) are provided in the sheet shape part; Second bonder terminal that is used to be connected to first bonder terminal is provided at sheet shape part; When being fixed to sheet shape part with rear surface when two housing departments, first and second bonder terminals are connected to each other.

In this embodiment, fashion housing B can dismantle from main part A.Yet can use following structure: the fashion housing and second link integrally form, and second link is dismantled from main part.

In addition, in this embodiment, main part A (with 180 ° of angles) on straight line opens.Yet in the open mode of main part A, second link 32 can be installed with flat condition, and upper body and lower case are arranged with the angle less than 180 °.In addition, second link 32 can form at a predetermined angle, or can be installed to main part A by case of bending, thereby main part A is with arbitrarily angled the opening less than 180 °.

And, in the above-described embodiments, spring members is used for second link, reliably main part A is stayed open.But when satisfying suitable degree of stability, the spring that is obtained by crooked sheet just at a predetermined angle can be used for second link.Because the spring that has arc in viewgraph of cross-section is applied strong stress, spring members can be used for folding or open unimportant folding mobile telephone of life-span.

The invention is not restricted to the foregoing description, can under the situation that does not depart from the scope of the present invention, carry out various modification of the present invention and change.

Next, hereinafter will describe other embodiments of the invention in detail referring to accompanying drawing.In this embodiment, with that describes as folding mobile telephone terminal installation of the present invention, a kind of folding mobile telephone of Foldable mobile phone.

Fig. 9 is the perspective view of explanation according to the outward appearance of the folding mobile telephone of this embodiment of the invention.Figure 10 is the part decomposition diagram of Fig. 9.Figure 11 is the part decomposition diagram of the main part shown in Figure 10 checked from dorsal part.Figure 12 A and Figure 12 B illustrate respectively according to the open mode of the interface unit of folding mobile telephone of the present invention and the figure of folded state.Figure 13 is the center cross-sectional figure of explanation according to the open mode of folding mobile telephone of the present invention.Figure 14 is the center cross-sectional figure of explanation according to the folded state of folding mobile telephone of the present invention.Figure 15 is the transverse sectional view of explanation according to the lower house part of folding mobile telephone of the present invention.Figure 16 is the block diagram of explanation according to the electrical structure of the main part of folding mobile telephone of the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 9 and Figure 10, comprise as the main part A of master component and be provided at fashion housing B on the outer surface of described main part A according to the folding mobile telephone of this embodiment.

As Fig. 9 to as shown in Figure 16, main part A comprises housing, this housing is made up of upper body 1 and lower case 2 and interface unit 3, described interface unit 3 fixing described upper body 1 and lower case 2, and the connecting portion place bending between upper body 1 and lower case 2.

Upper body 1 is for example held earphone (receiver) 11, serves as the first voice output unit; Loud speaker 12 (seeing Figure 13) serves as the second sound output unit; Display unit 13; The permanent magnet 14 and first printed circuit board (PCB) 15 (seeing Figure 13).In addition, for example, the LCD of the formation display unit 13 that will describe after a while is installed on first printed circuit board (PCB) 15.

Simultaneously, lower case 2 is held for example microphone (microphone) 21, operating unit 22, vibrator units 23 (seeing Figure 13), camera unit 24 (seeing Figure 13), Hall element 25, detachable battery 26 (seeing Figure 13) and second printed circuit board (PCB) 27 (seeing Figure 13).In Figure 13 and Figure 16, transmission/receiving element 271, Date Conversion Unit 272, sound processing unit 273, graphics processing unit 274, information memory cell 275 and control unit 270 are installed above second printed circuit board (PCB) 27.

Upper body 1 and lower case 2 are fixed on the interface unit 3, and flexible connecting portion is got involved therebetween.Interface unit 3 mainly is made up of sheet shape part 31 and flexible member 32, and wherein provides antenna 34 and flexible wired parts (for example, flexible substrate) 35.

Next, assembly in the folding mobile telephone that is included in this embodiment hereinafter will be described in more detail.

Main part A

As indicated above, form by upper body 1 and lower case 2 as the housing of an assembly that forms main part A.Simultaneously, the interface unit 3 as an assembly that forms main part A is connected the end of the lower surface of upper body 1 and the end of the lower surface of lower case 2.The bending of interface unit 3 causes main part crooked at connecting portion 3A place (on the direction and its relative direction of the arrow P of Fig. 9 in Figure 13).

That is, when not using folding mobile telephone, main part A is folding, that is, as shown in Figure 14, upper body 1 bending, one surface towards (with respect to) lower case 2.On the other hand, when using folding mobile telephone, as shown in Fig. 9 and Figure 13, main part A opens, and makes user's face relative with lower case 2 with upper body 1.

(1) upper body 1

Be that the receiver 11 of an earphone is provided in to make sound export from first type surface 1A on the first type surface 1A of upper body 1 relative with lower case 2 under the folded state of main part A.When the folding mobile telephone of normal this embodiment of use, with the opposing party's of user's communication sound from receiver 11 outputs.Simultaneously, in Figure 13, loud speaker 12 is provided on the rear surface 1B of the upper body 1 relative with first type surface 1A, and exports the tinkle of bells from rear surface 1B under the holding state of mail or call.Receiver 11 or loud speaker 12 for example have the first permanent magnet (not shown), coiler part (not shown) and the diaphragm (not shown) that is arranged at wherein.In receiver 11 or loud speaker 12, when electric current passes through coiler part, the diaphragm vibration in first permanent magnet is set, this causes the generation of sound.

Display unit 13 is provided in the part of first type surface 1A of upper body 1, than receiver 11 more near connecting portion 3A.In addition, the first type surface 1A that window frame 13A is formed at upper body 1 goes up with corresponding to display unit 13, and transparent window 13B joins window frame 13A to.Therefore, the user can be from the outside of upper body 1 recognizes (for example) by transparent window 13B and is presented at character on the display unit 13.Display unit 13 can be made up of for example liquid crystal indicator (LCD), and shows for example character, symbol, numeral, image and map.

Provide the permanent magnet 14 that is used for housing at (interface unit 3 near) near the lower end of upper body 1.

As shown in Figure 16, receiver 11, loud speaker 12 and display unit 13 are installed on first printed circuit board (PCB) 15 electrically to be connected to control unit 270.

(2) lower case 2

Be provided in as the microphone 21 of microphone and operating unit 22 on the first type surface 2A of main part A lower case 2 relative when folding with the first type surface 1A of upper body 1.

Microphone 21 is provided at the end place near lower case, described end be with towards the relative other end of connecting portion 3A one end.

Operating the user's of described operating unit 22 finger F is represented by the double dot dash line among Figure 13.The operation that user-operable operating unit 22 is made a phone call or hung up the telephone with execution, regulate the operation of operation from operation, input character, symbol or the numeral of the volume of the tinkle of bells of receiver 11 or loud speaker 12 outputs, actuated camera unit 24 and switch to the operation of style use patterns.Different with correlation technique, in this embodiment, in cross-sectional view, have cylindrical shape substantially and be not provided at finger the place ahead of user upward to outstanding articulated section.Therefore, even for example when user's nail is longer, the user also can easily operate described operating unit 22.

When receiving a calling, vibrator units 23 comes into operation to notify the user to receive described calling.

Camera unit 24 is provided on the rear surface 2B (seeing Figure 13) relative with first type surface 2A of lower case 2, and can be parallel from the battery 26 of lower case 2 dismounting, and camera unit 24 can be caught the image of the object at the rear side place that is positioned at operating unit 22.The incident light from described object of being caught by camera unit 24 passes set of lenses and by photo-electric conversion element, for example CCD (charge coupled device) converts the signal of telecommunication to from light signal, thereby produces image information.In Figure 16, described image information is by handling the graphics processing unit of describing 274 after a while, and then is presented on the display unit 13 as image.

Therefore, camera unit 24 and display unit 13 are connected to graphics processing unit 274, and by a scheduled operation, the image information that is obtained by camera unit 24 is stored in after a while with in the information memory cell of describing 275.In addition, except this image information, information memory cell 275 (for example can be stored the outer image information of information about telephone number, acoustic information, the image information except that the image of catching, the image information that is received) with about the mail that sends or receive or the information of the current character that writes.

Hall element 25 is the unit in magnetic field that are used to detect the permanent magnet 14 of housing, is provided on second printed circuit board (PCB) 27 with relative with permanent magnet 14 when main part A is folding.

Because Hall element 25 is configured near permanent magnet 14 places that are used for housing when main part A is folding, thus its magnetic field of detecting permanent magnet 14 detection signal is outputed to control unit 270, this will describe after a while.On the other hand, when main part A opened, the permanent magnet 14 that is used for housing separated from Hall element 25.In the case, Hall element 25 can not detect the magnetic field of permanent magnet 14, makes it can not produce detection signal.

That is, when Hall element 25 detected the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 14 that is used for housing, main part A was in folded state.On the other hand, when Hall element 25 detected magnetic field less than the permanent magnet 14 that is used for housing, main part A was in open mode.In the folding mobile telephone of this embodiment, when shell was folding, no image was presented on the display unit 13 that is in holding state, thus consumed power not.In addition, at folded state, the lighting unit (not shown) that is used to throw light on can be not luminous.On the other hand, when shell is opened, for example mark of the electric field strength that receives of indication, information, temporal information and be presented on the display unit 13 about the information of incoming call about battery levels, lighting unit is opened with luminous.

When Hall element 25 detects the magnetic field of permanent magnet 14 of housing, be necessary to detect reliably folded state, even when occurrence positions departs between the apparent surface of direction of rotation or last two housing parts 1 of longitudinal direction (directions X of Figure 19) and 2, or when very little gap (clearance) between housing parts, occurring.Promptly, folded state at main part A, when detecting because the position deviation between the apparent surface of two housing parts 1 on direction of rotation or the longitudinal direction and 2, or when very little gap and the housing parts 1 and 2 that causes are opened between the apparent surface of housing parts, backlight liquid crystal display is opened, and causes power consumption.When the device of only working under folded state is provided, the position deviation between the housing parts 1 and 2 that device when work produces or open the use that may hinder folding mobile telephone.

In this embodiment, determine the amount of the position deviation between the apparent surface of two housing parts 1 on direction of rotation or the longitudinal direction and 2 in advance, Hall element 25 is arranged in such position with the permanent magnet 14 that is used for housing, even it makes that Hall element 25 also can detect the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 14 that is used for housing when position deviation or very little gap occurring between the apparent surface.

Figure 18 a to 21 shows the layout between Hall element 25 and the magnet 14, even this also can detect folded state when occurring position deviation or very little gap between two housing parts 1 and 2 the apparent surface on direction of rotation reliably.

In this arrangement, Hall element 25 is arranged near connecting portion 3A with the permanent magnet 14 that is used for housing.More specifically, at the folded state of main part A, than the center line Y of main part A, Hall element 25 is arranged more close connecting portion 3A with the permanent magnet 14 that is used for housing.Preferably, than radius of curvature R 1, Hall element 25 and the permanent magnet 14 that is used for housing are arranged more close connecting portion 3A, and two housing parts 1 and 2 depart from direction of rotation each other herein, and radius of curvature R 1 is half of radius of curvature R 2.

Figure 18 a is the schematic diagram that the explanation main part gets folded state, and Figure 18 b is the right side schematic diagram of Figure 18 a.Figure 19 is the explanation upper casing part departs from the state of Δ X at directions X from the lower case part a schematic diagram.Figure 20 be the explanation under the upper body folded state in the schematic diagram of the state that on the P direction, rotates on the center O.Figure 21 is explanation has the state in very little gap between the leading section at housing parts when main part is a folding schematic diagram.

In Figure 19, the position that some A1 has pointed out the Hall element 25 of this embodiment.The position that some B1 has pointed out the permanent magnet that is used for housing 14 of this embodiment.Be arranged in the example of the position that is different from present embodiment as wherein permanent magnet 14 and Hall element 25, for example, point A2 has pointed out the position of the Hall element arranged at the front end of upper casing part 1, and some B2 has pointed out the position of the permanent magnet 14 arranged on the position relative with the position A2 of Hall element when two housing parts fold.

At this moment, on the directions X as longitudinal direction, upper casing part 1 departs from Δ X with lower case 2.In this situation, the distance L 1 between some A1 and the some B 1 equals the distance L 2 between an A2 and the some B2.Therefore, when housing departed from directions X, regardless of the position (Δ X=L1=L2) of Hall element and permanent magnet, the gap between Hall element and permanent magnet always occurred.

Figure 20 shows upper body 1 is rotated Δ P on the direction of arrow with respect to lower case 2 on the axle center O state.In this situation, the distance L 3 between some A1 and the some B1 is less than the distance L 4 between an A2 and the some B2.That is, when when between two housing parts, position deviation occurring on the direction of rotation, because the close pivot O of some A1 and B1 (L3＜L4), so the gap between Hall element and the permanent magnet can be reduced to minimum.

Figure 21 shows the folded state of housing parts, and wherein upper body 1 goes up in axle O and rotates Δ R with respect to lower case 2 on the direction of arrow, and has occurred very little gap between the front end of housing parts.In this situation, the distance L 5 between some A1 and the some B1 is less than the distance L 6 between an A2 and the some B2.That is, when when between two housing parts, position deviation occurring on the direction of rotation, because the close pivot of some A1 and B1 (L5＜L6), so the gap between Hall element and the permanent magnet can be reduced to minimum.

As mentioned above, in this embodiment, permanent magnet and Hall element are arranged near the link, even this makes by when folding main part makes housing parts overlapped, owing to when institute's externally applied forces causes position deviation between housing parts, also can detect the folded state of main part reliably.By this method, at the folded state of housing, detection is opened less than housing, therefore is used for backlight liquid crystal display and can open, and this causes having prevented non-essential power consumption.When the device of only working under folded state is provided, the use of folding mobile telephone can not disturbed by the position deviation between the housing parts that produces in device work or when opening.In addition,, can use the more weak permanent magnet of magnetic force, and therefore prevent being inserted in the infringement of the magnetic card between the housing parts according to present embodiment.

And, in order to enlarge Hall element 25, can increase the Hall element 25 and permanent magnet 14 areas or the quantity that are used for housing with respect to the detection range in the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 14 that is used for housing.

Vibrator units 23, operating unit 22, microphone 21, camera unit 24, Hall element 25 and battery 26 are installed on second printed circuit board (PCB) 27 electrically to be connected to control unit 270.

As shown in Figure 16, control unit 270 is connected to transmission/receiving element 271, Date Conversion Unit 272 and information memory cell 275, also is connected to vibrator units 23, operating unit 22, Hall element 25 and display unit 13 to control these unit.Control unit 270 is also connected to battery 26.

Transmission/receiving element 271 is connected to antenna 34, and handles the data that received by antenna 34 so that described data are outputed to Date Conversion Unit 272.Date Conversion Unit 272 is connected to sound processing unit 273, and sound processing unit 273 is connected to receiver 11, loud speaker 12 and microphone 21.

Date Conversion Unit 272 will become voice data by transmission/receiving element 271 with the data transaction that control unit 270 sends from antenna 34, and described voice data is outputed to sound processing unit 273.Simultaneously, 273 pairs of described voice datas of sound processing unit are decoded with the generation voice signal, and described voice signal is outputed to receiver 11 or loud speaker 12.Then, receiver 11 or loud speaker 12 outputs are corresponding to the sound of the voice signal that sends from sound processing unit 273.

In addition, 273 pairs of sound that received by microphone 21 of sound processing unit are encoded with the generation voice data, and the voice data that is produced is outputed to Date Conversion Unit 272.Date Conversion Unit 272 converts the voice data of input to communication data, and described communication data is outputed to transmission/receiving element 271.271 pairs of communication datas that receive of transmission/receiving element are handled and by use antenna 34 treated data are sent as radio wave.

(3) interface unit 3

Interface unit 3 bendings when main part A is folding, and main part A when opening interface unit 3 stretch.Promptly, interface unit 3 has flexibility, and comprise and be used to use connecting portion 3A upper body 1 and lower case 2 and fixing sheet shape part, and comprise flexible member, described connecting portion 3A is for getting involved the central part between upper body 1 and the lower case 2, this flexible member has enough restoring forces and rigidity turning back to straightened condition (state before crooked) from case of bending, and is fixed to upper body 1 and lower case 2.

As shown in Figure 13, the interface unit 3 of this embodiment comprises first link 31, second link 32 and the 3rd link 33.In them, first link 31 and the 3rd link 33 form sheet shape part, and second link 32 forms flexible member.

In addition, second link 32, antenna 34 and flexible wired parts 35 are provided in the gap between first link 31 and the 3rd link 33.One end of antenna 34 (power supply unit 34A) is connected to the power supply unit of second printed circuit board (PCB) 27, and the other end of antenna 34 extends to upper body 1.The flexible wired parts 35 and second link 32 with linearity configuration are overlapping, and make the one end be connected to first printed circuit board (PCB) 15 by connector 35A and the other end is connected to second printed circuit board (PCB) 27 by connector 35B.

As indicated above, first link 31 constitutes connecting portion 3A and upper body 1 and lower case 2 and the 3rd link 33 is linked together being used for.Exactly, first link 31 of this embodiment form connecting portion 3A the surface (its institute towards the first type surface 1A of direction and upper body 1 and the first type surface 1B of lower case 2 towards direction identical), and be connected to the outer surface of upper body 1 and the outer surface of lower case 2 (also being used as the outer surface of upper body 1 and lower case 2).

Provide second link 32 with across in upper body 1 and lower case 2.Second link 32 is formed by the foil (for example, carbon tool steel or stainless steel) with flexible and rigidity.

The 3rd link 33 integrally is connected to the rear surface 2B of lower case 2, thereby and is installed to first link 31 and covers second link 32 and flexible wired parts 35.

In addition, first link 31 and the 3rd link 33 form by having flexible suitable material, for example thermoplastic polyester ether elastomer or polyurethane resin.In addition, the material that forms first link 31 and the 3rd link 33 is not limited to material mentioned above.For instance, as long as it has flexibility and rigidity, any material all can be used for the first and the 3rd link 31 and 33.

The upper body 1 that formation is formed by first link 31 and the first type surface 1A of lower case 2 and the inner surface 1D of 2A and the material (for example ABS resin) of 2D are different from the material that forms first type surface 1A and 2A.That is, upper body 1 and lower case 2 form by the different material method of forming (for example, the insert moulding method) is whole, to be used for the whole product with kinds of materials that forms.

Why upper body 1 and lower case 2 hereinafter will be described by first link, the 31 integrally formed reasons of the different material method of forming and interface unit 3.

As shown in Figure 13 and Figure 14, by tapping screw 331A being driven in the hole 332A among the inner surface 2D that is formed at lower case 2, and the 3rd link 33 is fixed to circuit board 27.Tapping screw tightens with the situation that obtains predetermined axial force (clamping force) with the predetermined clamping force square under, when hole 332A allow that shear stress is more weak the time, hole 332A is damaged.

Be known that usually the allowable shearing stress of ABS resin is stronger than thermoplasticity polyesterether elastomer.Therefore, in this embodiment, the hole 332A that is provided among the inner surface 2D (it for example is connected to operating unit 22) of lower case 2 is formed by ABS resin, and it prevents when tightening screw the damage to hole 332A.

Yet when the first type surface 1A that is connected to upper body 1 and window frame 13A were formed by thermoplastic polyester ether elastomer, transparent window 13B bonded to window frame 13A regularly by adhesive tape, because thermoplastic polyester ether elastomer has more weak bonding force usually.In the case, for example, when folding mobile telephone dropped, transparent window 13B can separate from window frame 13A.

From then on viewpoint, in this embodiment, in order to solve problem referred to above, the upper body 1 that is formed by thermoplastic polyester ether elastomer and the outer surface 1A and the 2A (in fact, being formed by first link 31) of lower case 2 form with the window frame 13A integral body that is formed by ABS resin.In addition, the outer surface and first link 31 that form upper and lower shell body portion 1 and 2 by integral body can form radius of curvature R 1 (referring to Figure 13) in the coupling part between first link 31 and upper and lower shell body portion 1 and 2, obtain the homogeneity between the upper and lower shell body portion 1 and 2 and first link 31 thus.More specifically, the main part A that opens, is not formed radius of curvature, thereby the gap occurred between upper and lower shell body portion 1 and 2 when these parts are not whole formation by the situation of further palintrope in these parts.This gap causes obtaining homogeneity.In addition, water may be by this gap infiltration, and therefore for the mobile telephone terminal that does not have a water resisting property, formation is not preferred separately.

First link 31 is also nonessential by the different material method of forming and upper body 1 and lower case 2 whole formation.For instance, the inner surface of the outer surface of first link 31, upper body 1 and lower case 2 and upper body 1 and lower case 2 can be formed separated from each other, and interface unit 3 can pass through the inner surface that mechanical couplings member (for example, screw or bonding agent) integrally is fixed to upper body 1 and lower case 2.In addition, even by same material (for example at upper body 1 and lower case 2 and first link 31, when thermoplastic polyester ether elastomer) forming, by the appropriate method except that method mentioned above, the 3rd link 33 also can be fixed to upper body 1 and lower case 2, or transparent window 13B also can be fixed to window frame 13A.

Next, mainly referring to Figure 12 A and Figure 12 B, hereinafter will describe second link 32 of the flexible member that forms interface unit 3 in detail.

Figure 12 A and Figure 12 B are the figure of second link 32 of the interface unit 3 of explanation main part A.Figure 12 A is the figure of open mode of the interface unit 3 of explanation main part A, and Figure 12 B is the figure of folded state of the interface unit 3 of explanation main part A.

To as shown in Figure 14, second link 32 is a thin plate as Figure 12 A, and it extends to lower case 2 from upper body 1 in a straight line, and has the curved portion 323 in the cross section of arcuate shape in cross sectional view.Curved portion 323 has width W 1 and radius of curvature R 2.The first type surface 1A that is centered close to upper body 1 of curvature R2 (or first type surface 2A of lower case 2) locates, and (Figure 12 A) represented by an O in this center.In addition, second link 32 has through hole 320 (seeing Figure 22) basically in the center of arc near its two ends, and is fixed to the front end of the boss 322 that is provided with on the inner surface of upper and lower shell body portion 1 and 2 by screw 321.

As shown in Figure 12 A, when the interface unit 3 of main part A is in open mode, second link 32 extends to lower case 2 from upper body 1 in a straight line, and the arc with radius of curvature R 2 remains from its end to end, makes stable state be maintained.In the case, even when the interface unit 3 of the main part A that is in open mode (Fig. 9) is being gone up when further crooked in the opposite direction with the side of arrow P, because the second crooked link 32 has the rigidity of height on the direction of case of bending release (the main part A that opens is further crooked), so can produce the power (being called hereinafter, " curve maintenance energy ") of keeping open mode.Therefore, in the further crooked direction of the main part A that opens (promptly, direction with respect to the convex curved surface (positive curve surface) on recessed curved surface (hogging bending surface)) on, the required power (back-flexing power) of curved major body is better than the required power of curved major body on the direction of arrow P significantly, and this makes and must curved body portion be difficult to.Contraflexure power is determined by the second moment or the Young's modulus of cross section.

By contrast, gone up when crooked in the direction (seeing Figure 13) of arrow P by the power that is better than predetermined force when main part, the central part of second link 32 is bending on the direction that main part A fold by beating, but plastic deformation does not wherein take place.That is, when the power that applies discharged, the central part of second link turned back to formation state by restoring force, and this causes the interface unit 3 of main part A to turn back to open mode.In other words, second link 32 also plays and is used to prevent the main part A effect of crooked means on the direction of arrow P easily of opening.

As shown in Figure 12B, when the interface unit 3 of main part A folded, second interface unit 32 was crooked at connecting portion 3A place, and connecting portion 3A is the central part between upper body 1 and the lower case 2.In the case, be linear flexibly as the cross sectional shape of the connecting portion 3A of the central part of second link 32, thereby the width W 2 that causes connecting portion 3A is greater than the width W before the strain 1 from arc-shaped deformation.

When connecting portion 3A flexibly is out of shape, from second link 32, produce arc and the linear power of turning back to.That is, when the interface unit 3 of main part A folds, 32 bendings of second link, reception simultaneously makes connecting portion turn back to linear power (making width W 2 be returned to the power of width W 1).

In this embodiment, second link 32 is formed by copper coin, and it has the thickness of 0.1mm, the width W 1 of 20mm and the radius of curvature R 1 of 25mm, and the distance L between upper casing part 1 and the lower case 21 is 30mm.

Similar when crooked on the direction of the direction opposite to arrow P with the main part of opening, maximum stress occurs when saltus step.

Therefore, can determine that width W 1 and radius of curvature R 1 make the stress that takes place can not surpass the allowable stress of selecting material when saltus step.

In second link 32 of this embodiment, when opening on the direction of interface unit 3 in arrow P of main part A was crooked, crooked initial force (folding power will be described after a while) F1 was about 0.6[N (newton)].When the interface unit 3 of main part A was folding, the restoring force F2 that makes the interface unit 3 of main part A be returned to open mode was about 1.5[N].In addition, the interface unit 3 required power F3 (" back-flexing power " will be described after a while) of the main part A that further bending is opened on the direction of arrow P are about 2[N].

Second link 32 is as the flexible member of interface unit 3, and described second link 32 has arc section and is provided makes the center O of arc be positioned on the first type surface 1A of upper body 1.As a result, F3 can be used for the power (this is called " back-flexing power ") of back-flexing interface unit, does not use described power F3 usually, and it is better than the required power F1 of the common operating main body of user portion (power (this is called " folding power ") that folding main part is required).

Therefore, when suitably setting folding power F1 or back-flexing power F3, can easily fold the main part A that opens.In addition, interface unit 3 back-flexings of opening can be prevented, and therefore the interface unit 3 that can improve user convenience can be provided.

Figure 22 is the figure of explanation one example to Figure 25, and in described example, the two ends of second link 32 are screwed the corresponding boss 322 of upper body 1 and lower case 2.

Through hole 320 is provided near the center of the arc the two ends on second link, 32 longitudinal directions substantially, and second link 32 is fixed to the front end of the boss 322 on the inner surface that is provided at upper body 1 and lower case 2 by screw 321.In the case, as shown in Figure 23, sphere portion 324 is formed at the front end place of boss 322.Therefore, when bend 323 deformabilitys of second link 32 for stretching (double dot dash line of Figure 23) or folding or when limpening when opening, second link 32 can be in the preceding end in contact of boss 322.When main part is folding, form along sphere portion by the radius of curvature of the sweep of second link 32.At the edge, radius of curvature R 1 is zero (or near right angle), and this causes occurring maximum stress when folding.Therefore, its mean curvature R is along the feasible durability that can improve second link 32 of the structure of sphere portion formation.In addition, as shown in figure 24, when folding or opening upper and lower casing 1 and 2, second connecting elements 32 is also crooked in a longitudinal direction.So, as shown in figure 25, by in the inside of the front end of boss 322, forming R part 325, it toward each other, boss 322 is arranged on the inner surface of upper and lower casing 1 and 2, can prevent that second link 32 touches with the side edge of the front end of boss 322 when upper and lower casing 1 and 2 folds or opens.Therefore, can improve the durability of second link 32.

Next, hereinafter will carry out further describing to the 3rd link 33.

As shown in Figure 13 and Figure 14, in the 3rd link 33, corresponding to the surface (outer surface) of the part of connecting portion 3A at recessed on its length direction (seeing Figure 14) on the predetermined length L, thereby form the 33A of thin portion (it forms folding power and produces member).The thinnest portion (recess; It also forms folding power and produces member) 33B broad ways W (depth direction among Fig. 4 and Fig. 5) is provided in the center of the described thin 33A of portion with linear shape.

By form thin 33A of portion and the thinnest 33B of portion in main part A, the whole thin 33A of portion can be easily crooked on the direction of folding main part A.When main part A was folding, the thin 33A of portion bending narrowed down with the distance of first link 31, and the thin simultaneously 33A of portion expands slightly.Simultaneously, the thinnest 33B of portion is along the Width linear bending that forms the thinnest 33B of portion, and expansion equably.When the extended corner of (before main part A is folding) the thinnest 33B of portion before the 3rd link 33 expansions shown in Figure 13 is called " θ ", in the 3rd link 33 expansion backs (in the folding back of main part A) shown in Figure 14, the extended corner of the thinnest 33B of portion is θ+Δ.

In the folded state of main part A, when upper body 1 was rotated with respect to lower case 2 on the direction of the arrow α shown in Figure 12 B wittingly, the extended corner of the 3rd link 33 became inhomogeneous.When the rotation of having a mind to discharged, it is even that extended corner becomes.That is, when main part A was folding, the thinnest 33B of portion of the 3rd link 33 adjusted the bending position of connecting portion 3A.Therefore, when the thinnest 33B of portion of the 3rd link 33 is not provided, can worry that when main part A was folding, upper body 1 may be rotated arbitrarily with respect to lower case 2 on the direction of arrow α.

As mentioned above, flexible wired parts 35 and second link, 332 overlaids.When the rotation of having a mind to took place, flexible wired parts 35 also were twisted.

Below with reference to the accompanying drawings to above describing.Figure 17 A and 17B are the front views of explanation upper shell position relation between second link and the flexible wired parts when lower house departs from.More specifically, Figure 17 A show flexible wired parts second link near the side on overlapping state, Figure 17 B shows the state (two parts do not overlap each other) of flexible wired arrangements of components on the right side of second link.In Figure 17 A, as mentioned above because flexible wired parts 35 and second link 32 are overlapping, thus when upper shell 1 when lower house 2 revolves the angle that turn 90 degrees in the counterclockwise direction, flexible wired parts 35 are twisted identical angle with second link 32.In Figure 17 B, when upper shell 1 when lower house 2 revolves the angle that turn 90 degrees in the counterclockwise direction, can not expand or shrink by second link 32 that copper coin constitutes, but only distortion.Simultaneously, flexible wired parts 35 are twisted, rotation on second link 32 simultaneously, thus the connector 35A of flexible wired parts 35 is positioned on the degree of depth one side of second link 32.Because flexible wired parts 35 can not expanded or be shunk, so the position of connector 35A is than the low distance beta shown in Figure 17 A.

So in a kind of situation in back, moment of torsion (stress) and tensile stress are applied to flexible wired parts 35.So tensile stress also is applied to connector 35A and 35B, this causes connector 35A and 35B to break away from or be damaged from first printed circuit board (PCB) 15 and second printed circuit board (PCB) 27.In this situation, flexible wired parts may be damaged.Therefore, flexible wired parts 35 are arranged and second link 32, to solve the above-mentioned problem of not expecting.

In this structure, when flexible wired parts 35 are arranged on the recessed side of curved portion 323, can reduce the thickness of the overlay structure of second link 32 and flexible wired parts 35.On the other hand, when flexible wired parts 35 are arranged on the protruding side of curved portion 323, can widen the width of flexible wired parts 35.

In addition, when main part A is folding, produce the power that the first and the 3rd link 31 and 33 is returned to linear non-case of bending.Yet, because described restoring force is weaker than the power F2 (hereinafter, being called " restoring force ") that produces from second link 32 significantly, so the folding or tensile force of main part A is almost only determined by second link 32.This uses when main part A is folding and when expansion similarly.That is, in these cases, restoring force also only depends on second link 32.

When main part A opened, first to the 3rd link 31 to 33 was not crooked on straight line, and this non-case of bending is kept by the rigidity of second link 32.That is, when bottom housing 2 during by the holding of user, upper body 1 stays open.Therefore, upper body 1 is crooked on the direction of arrow P, and not crooked on the direction with respect to the direction of arrow P.Therefore, can easily fold main part A.

Because connecting portion 3A flushes with the rear surface 1B of upper body 1 and the rear surface 2B of lower case 2, so when main part A was folding, the radius of curvature R 3 (seeing Figure 14) of connecting portion 3A equaled half of summation of the thickness of the thickness of upper body 1 and lower case 2 substantially.

Therefore, when main part A was folding, the antenna 34 and the flexible wired parts 35 that are provided among the connecting portion 3A were also crooked.Yet, because radius of curvature R 3 is enough big, so stress does not concentrate in antenna 34 and the flexible wired parts 35.

As a result, for antenna 34 and flexible wired parts 35, there is no need to use parts with long crooked useful life and increased durability.In addition, when main part A folds or opens, as shown in Figure 12 A and Figure 12 B, provide antenna 34 and flexible wired parts 35.

Next, hereinafter will describe fashion housing B in detail referring to Fig. 9 to 15.

As shown in Figure 10,13,14 and 15, fashion housing B comprises: base component 4A; The 4B of outward appearance portion, it covers the outer surface of base component 4A and is made by fashion material (covering), such as natural material (cotton and flax), synthetic fibers (acryl, nylon and urethane fat) or leather substance; The edge twines part 4C, and it is made by forming outward appearance part identical materials, and is arranged on the outer surface of base component 4A, thereby can be connected to the 4B of outward appearance portion.

Base component 4A is formed by the suitable material with flexibility, such as thermoplastic polyester ether elastomer or polyurethane resin.The rear surface part 4D of the upper case portion of the rear surface 1B of formation upper shell 1 and the battery cover part 4E of clad battery 26 form and are integrally formed on the inner surface of base component 4A by ABS resin.That is, base component 4A is formed by the dissimilar materials method of forming.When the back side of base component 4A was installed on upper and lower casing 1 and 2, the center abnormity that sweep 4F is arranged on base component 4A became from upper and lower casing 1 and the 2 flexible ledges that outwards protrude.Hole 332B is formed among the rear surface part 4D of upper case portion, and the rear surface part 4D of upper case portion is fixed to upper shell 1 by tapping screw 331B is driven among the 332B of hole.Engaged claw 4G (four paws) is formed on the battery cover part 4E of base component 4A as engaging element, and is releasably attached to the grappling iron pawl (four paws in Figure 11) that is formed on the lower house part 2.When the inner surface (rear surface of the 4B of outward appearance portion) of base component 4A is installed to main part A, coupling part 3A from sweep 4F separately.

Outward appearance portion 4B (covering) that is arranged on the outer surface of base component 4A is bonded to base component 4A in advance, moves with respect to base component 4A to prevent covering 4B.Then, use line 7A that strip-shaped parts 6 is sewn onto base component 4A and covering 4B, use line 7B that the edge is twined parts 4C and be sewn onto base component 4A and covering 4B.When sewing up edge wound portion part 4C,, need protrude the flat of preset distance L2 from the edge of base component 4A in order to push material by sewing machine and to transmit material.In this embodiment, guaranteed distance L 2.In addition, as mentioned above, sweep is present in the distance L 2, but owing to base component 4A is formed by above-mentioned flexible material, so it becomes smooth when sewing up.

With reference to Figure 15 this embodiment is described.When the back side with base component 4A was installed to main part A, base component 4A protruded from the edge of main part A, and the edge twines part 4C and then drops on the outside.The edge twines part 4C to be represented by double dot dash line before falling.As mentioned above, outstanding edge twines part 4C and has flexibility, thus its housing 1 and 2 bendings up and down.When upper and lower casing 1 and 2 was held in user's hand, 4C can be out of shape housing 1 and 2 bendings up and down thereby the edge twines part, made the user can not feel the main part A that broadens when gripping.Figure 15 shows the user grips lower house 2 in his or her hand state, and user's hand is represented by character " G ".Because the 4B of outward appearance portion contact user's hand G is only arranged, so the user only feels the contact of the 4B of outward appearance portion.So, when the 4B of outward appearance portion is formed by soft material, to compare with the traditional structure that forms by resin (hard material), it can make the user feel softer.

The 4B of outward appearance portion has the first opening 4H, and sound is exported from loud speaker 12 by the described first opening 4H; With the second opening 4J, it forms the position with corresponding video camera 24.As mentioned above, covering 4B is attached to base component 4A, is sewn then.Attached making before sewing up can be stablized suture location and be prevented that outward appearance part 4B from moving (skew) with respect to base component 4A when gripping.So, can prevent that the position deviation when the fashion housing is taken pictures to use camera function owing to the user's handling folding mobile telephone from covering video camera 24.In addition, this structure makes the user can grip folding mobile telephone, should and can not feel well.

And strip-shaped parts 6 is sewn onto at the one end near the end (rear surface of battery cover) of the 4B of outward appearance portion of fashion housing B.Strip-shaped parts 6 has magnetic metal parts 6B at its other end, and protuberance 6C is formed on the center of metal parts 6B.In addition, the mate 4M that wherein has the second permanent magnet 4K is arranged near the other end of outward appearance part 4B (rear surface of receiver), and recess 4L is formed on the center of meshing part 4M.

So, when folding main part A, strip-shaped parts 6 bendings are meshed metal parts 6B with near being arranged on the outward appearance part 4B other end meshing part 4M.At the folded state of main part A, edge wound portion 4C falls to main part A, and strip-shaped parts 6 bendings are meshed metal parts 6B simultaneously with meshing part 4M, thereby makes main part A folding with less clearance.

When main part A was folded, the restoring force F2 of second link 32 opened main part A.But, owing to metal parts 6B is meshed with meshing part 4M, so even can prevent also that when restoring force F2 is applied to main part A main part A from opening.

And the engagement between metal parts 6B and the meshing part 4M can discharge by the front end that lifts strip-shaped parts 6 on the direction of arrow S.That is, the power that applies when recess 4L pulls out, can discharge engagement with protuberance 6C at an easy rate.In engagement, when restoring force F2 was applied to main part A, protuberance 6C only tilted at the radial direction of recess 4L.Therefore, protuberance is not easy to break away from from recess.The power that weight produced of upper shell 1 or lower house 2 just can be kept the folded state of main part A, and not use strip-shaped parts 6 when setting to such an extent that fold less than main part A by the restoring force F2 with second link 32.

Perhaps, recess 4L can be formed among the metal parts 6B of strip-shaped parts 6, and protuberance 6C can be formed on the opposite side of outward appearance part 4B to mesh two parts.

Next, hereinafter will describe operation in detail according to the folding mobile telephone of described embodiment.

In folding mobile telephone with structure referred to above according to this embodiment, when not using folding mobile telephone, fastening strip-shaped parts 6 so that connecting portion 3A keep folding, upper body 1 overlapping lower case 2.On the other hand, when the metal parts 6B of strip-shaped parts 6 and the engagement between the engaging piece 4M are released when using folding mobile telephone, main part A is opened turning back to straightened condition substantially by the restoring force F2 of second link 32, and the open mode of main part is stably kept by the crooked confining force (effect) of second link 32.

Therefore, under the stable open mode of main part A, can carry out and for example make a phone call or answer the call, read mail or operate described operating unit 22 to write literal by display unit 13.In the case, even hold lower case 2 when watching display unit 13 user one, upper body 1 is because the crooked confining force (rigidity) of second link 32 and can be crooked backward.Therefore, the user can only hold folding mobile telephone with one and use it, and can not feel inconvenience.

In addition, when main part A opened, it is maximum that the gap between receiver 11 and the microphone 21 becomes.Under this state, when the ear of receiver being lifted the user, when main part A was held in user's hand with answerphone, microphone 21 was positioned near the face, this make the user can hear clearly sound and clearly sound send to the opposing party.In the case, can worry under the state of the ear of receiver 11 being lifted the user that back-flexing power F3 can be applied to main part A so that it is crooked backward.Therefore, when the user further held the rear surface 1B of upper body 1, the user can more make a phone call or answerphone under the stable status.

In Figure 12 A and Figure 12 B, for the main part A that prevents to open is further crooked on the direction of arrow P, the width W 1 of second link 32 can increase, or radius of curvature R 1 can reduce to strengthen the crooked confining force of second link 32.

Simultaneously, when not using folding mobile telephone (Call Waiting state), the folding power stronger than folding power F1 is applied to main part A, make the face toward first type surface 2A of housing 2 of the first type surface 1A of upper body 1, and the metal parts 6B of strip-shaped parts 6 is meshed with engaging piece 4M, and this makes and can make main part A keep folding.When main part A was folding, the slight curving while of sweep 4F of fashion housing B was near the 3rd link 33, and the edge twines parts 4C phase upper and lower casing 1 and 2 inclinations.Therefore, be reduced to minimum, and therefore described folding mobile telephone is easy to carry in projected area with respect to the main part on the vertical direction of the first type surface 1A of upper body 1 and lower case 2 and 2A.

Under the folded state of main part A, the 33B of the thinnest portion (recess) of the 3rd link 33 expands (seeing Figure 13), and flattens corresponding to the central part of second link 32 of connecting portion 3A.In the case, the power that discharges extended mode is applied to the thinnest 33B of portion of the 3rd link 33, and the power that makes straightened condition be returned to case of bending is applied to the central part of second link 32.Yet, as indicated above, owing to the metal parts 6B in the strip-shaped parts 6 of first link 31 that is provided in fashion housing B is meshed with engaging piece 4M, so the folded state of main part A is maintained.

Next, hereinafter will describe the operation that fashion housing B is installed to main part A in detail referring to Figure 11 and Figure 13.

As Figure 11 and shown in Figure 13, at first, the upper shell 1 of main part A sticks on the rear surface part 4D of upper case portion of fashion housing B.Then, fashion housing B extends on the direction of arrow T and makes sweep 4F straight substantially.Extension state on arrow T direction is represented by double dot dash line.Fashion housing B is moving in the opposite direction with the side of arrow T, and the engaged claw 4G that will be formed on simultaneously on the battery housing 4E of fashion housing B is meshed with grapple pawl 2E on being formed on main part A, thus fashion housing B is installed to main part A.

As another kind of method, the upper shell 1 of main part A sticks on the rear surface part 4D of upper case portion of fashion housing B, and main part A is further crooked on the direction of arrow P.Then, on the direction of arrow T, guarantee extra length corresponding to fashion housing B.Subsequently, as mentioned above, fashion housing B is moving in the opposite direction with the side of arrow T, and the engaged claw 4G that will be formed on simultaneously on the battery housing 4E of fashion housing B is meshed with grapple pawl 2E on being formed on main part A, thus fashion housing B is installed to main part A.

In the method, by sweep 4F or the expansion connector spare 3 among the fashion housing B is provided, can easily fashion housing B be attached to main part A or breaks away from from main part A.

When main part A is installed to fashion housing B fully, the edge twines the edge protrusion of part 4C from main part A, and the inner surface of base component 4A can cover the rear surface (with first type surface 1A facing surfaces) of upper shell 1, and the rear surface (with first type surface 2A facing surfaces) that covers lower house 2, and between them without any the gap.

And the battery cover part 4E of fashion housing B is releasably attached on the main part A.Fashion housing B (or battery) can break away from from main part A with the order opposite with fitting operation.

As indicated above, in traditional structure, on housing and lower case are not rotated on the central shaft of hinged device.By comparison, in this embodiment of the present invention, two housing departments are connected to each other by flexible interface unit.In addition, in this embodiment, interface unit 3 is not given prominence to from the first type surface 1A of upper body 1 and the first type surface 2A of lower case 2.Therefore, even when the user that longer nail is arranged operates described operating unit, user's nail can not contact with interface unit 3 yet.

In addition, according to this embodiment, owing to do not use conventional hinged device, so the interface unit 3 with smaller size smaller and size can be provided.For the upper and lower portion housing is stayed open, link 3 comprises second link 32 with arc-shaped cross-section.More particularly, when main part A opens, with the center configuration of the arc of second link 32 with first type surface 1A (or first type surface 2A of lower case 2) configuration towards upper body 1.As a result, second link 32 forms with bar shape, and it does not take a lot of spaces and has less thickness and size, and main part A is stayed open.Therefore, this structure makes and can stably carry out various operations and prevent that operability from reducing.

In addition, according to this embodiment, first link 31 connects upper body 1 and lower case 2 continuously.Therefore, can easily obtain homogeneity between upper and lower casing 1 and 2.In addition, fashion housing B is releasably attached to upper shell 1 (structure identical with the battery housing), makes the user optionally to change fashion housing B, and therefore can provide folding mobile telephone according to user's hobby according to its personal like.Certainly, when fashion housing B makes dirty, detachable and clean fashion housing B.Therefore, can make fashion housing B keep clean.

In recent years, developed folding mobile telephone with second display unit.Even described second display unit also is exposed to the outer surface of upper body when folding mobile telephone is folding, and shows predetermined information, for example information of Jie Shouing and temporal information.Yet, in this embodiment, in main part A, do not provide second display unit.

In this embodiment, second display unit also can be provided among the rear surface 1B of upper body 1 for example.That is, for example, hyalomere can be provided at the position corresponding to second display unit of fashion housing B, makes the user for example can watch from the character of outside, maybe can form the 3rd opening.

In order to prevent that the third party from watching second display unit, for example, can form and to open housing to cover hyalomere or the 3rd peristome.When the user watched second display unit, the user can open the information of described housing to confirm to show.

Housing department of the present invention and interface unit (sheet shape part and flexible member) are not limited to upper body 1 and the lower case 2 and first to the 3rd link 31 to 33 of embodiment mentioned above.For instance, can use following structure: first bonder terminal that is used to be connected to electronic component is provided at the bottom of two housing departments, serves as the unit; Flexible member, antenna and flexible wired parts (for example, flexible substrate) are provided in the sheet shape part; Second bonder terminal that is used to be connected to first bonder terminal is provided at sheet shape part; When being fixed to sheet shape part with rear surface when two housing departments, first and second bonder terminals are connected to each other.

In this embodiment, fashion housing B can dismantle from main part A.Yet can use following structure: the fashion housing and second link integrally form, and second link is dismantled from main part.

In addition, in this embodiment, main part A (with 180 ° of angles) on straight line opens.Yet in the open mode of main part A, second link 32 can be installed with flat condition, and upper body and lower case are arranged with the angle less than 180 °.In addition, second link 32 can form at a predetermined angle, or can be installed to main part A by case of bending, thereby main part A is with arbitrarily angled the opening less than 180 °.

And, in the above-described embodiments, spring members is used for second link, reliably main part A is stayed open.But when satisfying suitable degree of stability, the spring that is obtained by crooked sheet just at a predetermined angle can be used for second link.Because the spring that has arc in viewgraph of cross-section is applied strong stress, spring members can be used for folding or open life-span and important folding mobile telephone.

The invention is not restricted to the foregoing description, can under the situation that does not depart from the scope of the present invention, carry out various modification of the present invention and change.

Though described the present invention according to various specific and preferred embodiments, the technical staff will understand and can do various modifications and change under the prerequisite that does not break away from the spiritual and category of the present invention.

This application case advocates to apply for 2003-371759 number of on October 31st, 2003, the right that applies for 2004-133463 number of on April 28th, 2004 and apply for the 2004-133462 Japanese patent application case on April 28th, 2004, and its whole disclosed contents are incorporated herein by reference.

Industrial applicibility

According to the present invention, interface unit has can be crooked and connect two housing parts (parts) and not Use the structure of hinged device. Described interface unit is so that can stay open predetermined angle with two connecting portions Degree. In addition, interface unit be so that can allow in two connecting portions one crooked on a direction, but Prevent that it is crooked on its opposite direction. Interface unit of the present invention can be applicable to little collapsible electronics The company of device (for example mobile phone, PDA, portable PC and have notebook PC than light weight) Meet section, i.e. the articulated section.

Reference numeral

A: main part

B fashion housing

1: upper body

1A: first type surface

1B: rear surface

1C: side surface

1D: inner surface

101: main part

107: display unit

108: permanent magnet

11: earphone (receiver)

112: camera unit

113: Hall element

12: loudspeaker

126: window frame

127: transparent part

128: core

13: display unit

13A: window frame

13B: transparent part

14: permanent magnet

15: the first printed circuit board (PCB)s

2: lower case

2A: first type surface

2B: rear surface

2C: side surface

2D: inner surface

2E: grapple pawl

21: microphone (microphone)

22: operating unit

23: vibrator units

24: camera unit

25: Hall element

26: battery

27: the second printed circuit board (PCB)s

270: control unit

271: transmission/receiving element

272: Date Conversion Unit

273: sound processing unit

274: graphics processing unit

275: information memory cell

3: interface unit

3A: coupling part

31: sheet shape part, first link

31A: flange part

32: flexible member, second link

320: through hole

321: screw

322: boss

323: sweep

324: spherical part

The 325:R part

326: retainer

321: retainer

33: the three links

33A: thin part

33B: the thinnest part

331,331A, 331B: tapping screw

332,332A, 332B: hole

34: antenna

34A: power supply unit

35: flexible wired parts

35A, 35B: connector

4: outward appearance portion

4A: first opening

4B: second opening

4C: engaging piece

5: frame section

5A: slit

51: the edge grip portions

6: strip-shaped parts

6A: hook

6B: metal parts

C: protuberance

Claims (16)

1, interface unit, it comprises:

Have flexible sheet shape part, two housing parts are fixed thereon with predetermined gap; With

Flexible member, it has enough restoring forces and rigidity so that case of bending is returned to non-case of bending, and is attached on the described sheet shape part with across described two housing parts.

2, according to the interface unit of claim 1,

Wherein said flexible member is the thin plate with arcuate shape cross section.

3, according to the interface unit of claim 2,

Wherein said flexible member is attached to described two housing parts, and the recess of described flexible member is towards the folding direction of described two housing parts.

4, according to the described interface unit of arbitrary claim in the claim 1 to 3,

Wherein said sheet shape part has folding power and produces member, is used to produce folding power, to keep the folded state of described housing parts in the central area substantially corresponding to the described gap between described two housing parts.

5, according to the described interface unit of arbitrary claim in the claim 1 to 4,

Wherein said sheet shape part comprises retainer, and described retainer bending is with the folded state of described two housing parts of temporary transient maintenance.

6, little electronic installation, it comprises:

Two housing parts; With

According to the described interface unit of arbitrary claim in the claim 1 to 5, it connects described two housing parts collapsibly.

7, according to the electronic installation of claim 6, it further comprises:

Display unit, it is provided among of described two housing parts; With

Operating unit, it is provided in another housing parts,

Wherein, when described two housing parts were in folded state, described display unit and described operating unit were opposite each other.

8, folding portable terminal device comprises:

Link has flexibility and connects two housing parts, is separated with predetermined gap between between them,

Flexible member has enough restoring forces and rigidity case of bending being returned to non-case of bending, and attachedly comes across described two housing parts;

Flexible attachment components is electrically connected described two housing parts,

Wherein, described flexible member and flexible attachment components overlap each other in the position of described link.

9, folding portable terminal installation according to Claim 8,

Wherein, described flexible member has the sweep of concave cross section shape.

10, according to the folding portable terminal installation of claim 9,

Wherein, described flexible attachment components is arranged on the recess of described bending part.

11, according to the folding portable terminal installation of claim 9,

Wherein, described flexible attachment components is arranged on the protuberance of described bending part.

12, folding portable terminal device, it comprises:

Link has flexibility and connects two housing parts, is separated with predetermined gap between between them,

Permanent magnet is arranged on an end of one in described two housing parts, and faces with another housing parts; And

Hall element detects the magnetic field of described permanent magnet, and is arranged on an end of described another housing parts, faces with a described housing parts, thereby arranges when facing with each other relative with described permanent magnet when described two housing parts.

13, folding portable terminal device, it comprises:

The fashion housing, it covers the outer surface and the collapsible coupling part that is connected described two housing parts of two housing parts, and can arbitrarily change,

Wherein, screw holding portion inner surface that the part of the described fashion housing that comes from cover described two housing parts one is set protrudes;

A plurality of engaged claws are arranged on another the inner surface of other part of described fashion housing that covers in described two housing parts, thus their front end on the rightabout of a described housing parts relatively;

The grapple pawl is meshed with described engaged claw, thereby is arranged on described another housing parts corresponding to described engaged claw; And

After described screw holding portion was screwed in the described housing parts, described fashion housing extended with respect to described another housing parts described engaged claw and grapple pawl is meshed, and described fashion housing is installed thus.

14, folding portable terminal device, it comprises:

The fashion housing, it covers the outer surface and the collapsible coupling part that is connected described two housing parts of two housing parts, and can arbitrarily change,

Wherein, described fashion housing comprises:

Base component has than by described coupling part two sizes that housing parts is big connected to one another; And

Covering covers the outer surface of described base component at least;

Described base component has the edge and twines part, and described edge winding part protrudes into the outside from the edge of described two housing parts; And

Thereby described edge twines part can be out of shape to described two housing parts.

15, folding portable terminal device, it comprises:

The fashion housing, it covers the outer surface and the collapsible coupling part that is connected described two housing parts of two housing parts, and can arbitrarily change,

Wherein, described fashion housing comprises:

Strip-shaped parts is arranged on an end of the outer surface of described fashion housing;

First metal parts is arranged on the front end of described strip-shaped parts;

Second metal parts is arranged on the other end of the outer surface of described fashion housing, and is meshed with described first metal parts; And

Permanent magnet is arranged in described first metal parts and second metal parts at least one so that described first metal parts and the second metal parts magnetic are coupled; And

Described first metal parts and second metal parts have recess and the protuberance that is engaged with each other respectively.

16, folding portable terminal device, it comprises:

Link has flexibility and connects two housing parts, is separated with predetermined gap between between described two housing parts,

Flexible member has enough restoring forces and rigidity case of bending being returned to non-case of bending, and attachedly strides across described two housing parts;

Base component has covering in its surface,

Wherein, described base component is installed to described two housing parts, and separate from described link its rear surface.

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