JP2000066770A - Folding type electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a folding type electronic equipment capable of almost completely piling up a case body and a main body at the time of folding it without the need of changing the main body even in the case of changing the size of the case body to be a lid. SOLUTION: For this folding type electronic equipment 10 (10A and 10B), a first case body 3 (3A and 3B) to be the lid is freely turnably provided and piled up on the main body 2. A second case body 4 (4A and 4B) is mounted to the main body 2 corresponding to an area where the first case body 3 is projected from the main body 2 when the first case body 3 is piled up on the main body 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a foldable electronic device having a structure which can be folded by providing a housing serving as a lid so as to be rotatable.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A notebook personal computer, for example, is known as an electronic device having a foldable structure. A keyboard and the like are arranged on the upper surface of a main body of this type of electronic device, and various circuits such as a CPU, a memory, and a power supply circuit are built in the main body. A housing serving as a lid is disposed so as to cover the keyboard and the like, and the housing is rotatable by, for example, a hinge provided at a rear end of the main body. A display unit including a flat display panel such as an LCD is provided on a surface of the housing facing the keyboard, and when using the electronic device, the display unit can be viewed by opening the housing. it can. On the other hand, when the electronic device is carried, by closing the housing, portability can be improved and breakage of display means and the like can be prevented (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-283).
No. 063 (Japanese Patent Application No. 9-91935).

[0003]

By the way, in this kind of electronic equipment, from the viewpoint of preventing the display means and the like from being damaged, when the housing is closed (folded), the housing and the main body are almost completely. It is desirable to overlap. Therefore, when the size of the housing is changed by changing the size of the display means, it is necessary to newly design and manufacture not only this housing but also the main body. However, this raises the problem of increasing development costs.

Generally, the size of the display means used in this type of electronic equipment is, for example, from 13 inches diagonal to 1 diagonal.
Even if the size is increased by one in four inches, the display means itself is only increased by several mm in the vertical and horizontal directions.

Therefore, when only the size of the display means is taken into consideration, even if the upper and lower and left and right sizes of the main body and the housing are designed according to the display means having a diagonal size of 13 inches, the size of the main body and the housing is not affected by the housing. It is possible to attach a display means having a size of 14 inches square. According to this method, it is not necessary to newly design and manufacture the main body and the housing even when it is desired to apply a display means that is at least one size larger. However, if the size of the display means is 1
When the size is increased, a driving circuit including an inverter or the like for driving the display means is also increased. It is difficult to incorporate both a display unit and a drive circuit which are both large in a case adapted to a display unit having a diagonal size of 13 inches. Therefore, in practice, the case must be made larger by 10 mm or more in the vertical direction, and it is necessary to newly design and manufacture the case and the main body. On the other hand, when the main body and the housing are designed for a large-sized display means, when a display means one size smaller is incorporated, useless areas exist in the upper and lower parts of the housing, so that the appearance is deteriorated and However, even if the size of the display means is reduced, the size of the electronic device cannot be reduced.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has a feature in that a first housing serving as a lid is rotatably provided so as to be superimposable on a main body. In an electronic device, a second housing is mounted on a main body corresponding to a region where the first housing protrudes from the main body when the first housing is overlaid on the main body.

[0007]

1A and 1B show a notebook personal computer 10 (10A, 10B) as an electronic apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. A keyboard 1 is provided on an upper surface of a main body 2 of the notebook personal computer 10, and various circuits such as a CPU, a memory, and a power supply circuit (not shown) are built in the main body 2. (Music CD, CD-
An opening 8 for loading a medium in a drive for a ROM or the like, an FD drive, or the like is formed.

The first housing 3 (3A, 3B) is rotatably provided by a hinge 9 provided at the rear end (right end in FIG. 1) of the main body 2, and closes the first housing 3. When the keyboard 1 is folded, the keyboard 1 is covered. L
Flat display panel 5 (5A, 5B) such as CD
Are provided on the surface of the first housing 3 facing the main body 2. In this embodiment, the flat display panel 5A has a diagonal size of 14 inches, and the flat display panel 5B has a diagonal size of 13 inches. First case 3
A drive circuit 6 (6A, 6B) having an inverter and the like for driving the flat display panel 5 is disposed in the space below the flat display panel 5. The drive circuit 6A is somewhat larger than the drive circuit 6B.

When the notebook personal computer 10 is used, the keyboard 1 appears and the flat display panel 5 can be viewed by opening the first housing 3. On the other hand, when the notebook personal computer 10 is carried, the first housing 3 is closed (folded) to enhance portability and prevent the flat display panel 5 from being damaged.

The first housing 3 is longer in the vertical direction than the main body 2, and when the first housing 3 is closed, the first housing 3 protrudes from the front edge of the main body 2 (the left end in FIG. 1). . At the front edge of the main body 2, a second housing 4 (4A, 4B) having a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape is mounted. The second housing 4A has a size (in the front-rear direction (FIG. 1) corresponding to the extent of protrusion in the first housing 3A.
The second housing 4B has a size (length in the front-rear direction (horizontal direction in FIG. 1)) according to the extent of protrusion in the first housing 3B.

A speaker 7 is provided in the second housing 4. The speaker 7 is connected to the main body 2 by wiring (not shown).
Is connected to a sound signal output circuit. Since the speaker 7 is provided in the second housing 4, the space of the second housing 4 is effectively utilized, and the equipment accommodation load of the main body 2 when the speaker 7 is accommodated in the main body 2 is reduced. Can be done,
The disadvantage that the sound from the speaker 7 is obstructed by the second housing 4 can be avoided.

The first housing 3A provided with the 14-inch flat display panel 5A and the first housing 3B provided with the 13-inch flat display panel 5B have different vertical lengths. The main body 2 used in each of the personal computer 10A and the personal computer 10B is the same. Even if the main body 2 is the same, the length of the main body with the second housing is set to the first housing depending on whether the second housing 4A or the second housing 4B is mounted thereon. The length can be matched to the length of the body 3A or the first housing 3B. Therefore, the main body 2 can be folded first without any change.
And the main body 2 (the main body with the second housing) can be almost completely overlapped. In addition, since the main body 2 is a common product, the cost of the notebook personal computers 10A and 10B can be reduced.

Further, a relatively thin speaker 7 is employed so that it can be accommodated in any of the accommodation spaces of the second housing 4A and the second housing 4B. Therefore, for example, the personal computer 10A has a speaker and the personal computer 1A has a speaker depending on the difference in the front-back length (depth length) of the second housing 4A and the second housing 4B.
In the case of 0B, it is possible to minimize the functional influence on the device such as the absence of the speaker.

FIGS. 2 and 4 show a notebook personal computer 20 (20A, 20B) as an electronic apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. A keyboard 21 is provided on an upper surface of a main body 22 of the notebook personal computer 20, and a CPU (not shown)
Various circuits such as a memory and a power supply circuit are built in, and an optical disk (music CD, CD-ROM) is provided on a side surface of the main body 2.
Etc.), an opening (not shown) for loading a medium in a FD drive or the like.

The first casing 23 (23A, 23B) is rotatably provided by a hinge 29 provided at the rear end of the main body 22, and is closed (closed) by closing the first casing 23. ), The keyboard 21 and the like can be covered.
Flat display panel 25 (25A,
25B) is provided on the surface of the first housing 23 facing the main body 22. In this embodiment, the flat display panel 25A has a diagonal size of 14 inches, and the flat display panel 25B has a diagonal size of 13 inches. A drive circuit (not shown) having an inverter and the like for driving the flat display panel 25 is disposed in the first housing 23 and in a space below the flat display panel 25.

The main body 22 comprises a box-shaped casing 22a and a cover 22b disposed on the box-shaped casing 22a.
At the front edge of the cover 22b, four projections 31 having screw insertion holes are formed at predetermined intervals, and
Are formed. A protrusion 32 having a screw hole is provided on the upper front edge and the lower front edge of the box-shaped housing portion 22a.
Four 33 are formed at the same intervals as the above-mentioned predetermined intervals. The cover 22b is attached to the box-shaped housing portion 22a by overlapping the protrusion 31 and the protrusion 32 and screwing a screw (not shown).
Can be fixed to

The first housing 23 is longer than the main body 22 in the vertical direction. When the first housing 23 is closed, the first housing 23 protrudes from the front edge of the main body 22. A second housing 2 having a substantially square box shape and an opening on the main body mounting side is provided at a front edge of the main body 22.
4 (24A, 24B) are mounted. Second case 2
4A has a size (length in the front-rear direction) according to the extent of protrusion in the first housing 23A, and the second housing 24B
Has a size (length in the front-rear direction) according to the degree of protrusion in the first housing 23B.

On the upper edge of the rear end of the second housing 24, a locking projection 35 is formed corresponding to the interval between the locking openings 34, and on the lower edge of the rear end, not shown. Screw insertion holes are formed corresponding to the arrangement intervals of the protrusions 33. The locking projection 35 is inserted into the locking opening 34, and a screw is inserted into a screw hole formed on the back surface of the projection 33 from the screw insertion hole of the second housing 24 and screwed into the second housing 24. Body 24 can be fixed to body 22.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a pair of speaker units 37, a switch unit 38, an operating lever unit 39, and a flexible wiring 40 are provided in the second housing 2.
4.

The speaker unit 37 includes a speaker body 37a, a front cover 37b disposed on the front side of the speaker body 37a, and a speaker body 37a.
And a back cover 37c for fixing to the housing 24. The back cover 37c has a substantially elliptical through-path 3
A circular opening 37e corresponding to 7d and a circular portion on the back surface of the speaker is formed. The through passage 37d is connected to the second housing 2
4, a sound path for guiding sound from the rear side of the speaker to the front side of the second housing 24 is formed by fitting to the back surface side of the substantially elliptical through path 24 a formed in 4. . The bass reflex effect by the sound path can improve the reproduction sound quality.

The switch unit 38 is connected to the printed circuit board 3.
8a, switch 3 provided on printed circuit board 38a
8b, 38c, 38d, 38e, 38f, and 38g, and a switch cover 38h having four covers for individually covering the switches 38d, 38e, 38f, and 38g.

Each cover of the switch cover 38h is located on the surface of the housing through four openings 24b formed in the second housing 24. The switch 38c is a slide switch, and is operated by a slide operation member 42 attached to the opening 24c of the second housing 24. The switches 38c to 38g are, for example, switches for playing a music CD loaded in a disk driver (not shown) of the main body 22. The switch 38c is for ON / OFF switch, the switch 38d is for play, 38e is for stop, and 38f is for back. And 38g are for forward.

The switch 38b is connected to the operating lever unit 3.
9 is provided at a position corresponding to 9. Operating lever unit 3
9 comprises an operating lever 39a and a winding spring 39b.
The operating lever 39a is provided to be rotatable vertically about a horizontal axis (not shown) formed on the back surface of the second housing 24, and is urged clockwise in the figure by a winding spring 39b. When the operation lever 39a rotates counterclockwise against the bias of the winding spring 39b, the operation lever 39a
Moves downward, and pushes the operating piece of the switch 38b (ON). On the other hand, the operating lever 39a is
When it is rotated clockwise by the bias of 9b, the operation protrusion moves upward, and the pressing of the switch 38b against the operating piece is released (OFF).

The operating lever 3 is provided on the upper surface of the second housing 24.
An opening 24d is formed corresponding to the mounting position of 9a. The opening 24d is provided with a hook 23a (see FIGS. 2 and 4) that is slidably provided in the upper edge of the first housing 23 (a front edge in a folded state).
Also corresponds to the mounting position. Therefore, the first housing 23
Is closed (when folded), the hook 23a enters the opening 24d to lock the first housing 23, and pushes down the operation protrusion of the operation lever 39a. When the operation protrusion is pushed down, the operation piece of the switch 38b is pushed.

The switch 38b is turned on / off so that, for example, during operation of the main body, the suspend /
It controls resume and turns off / on the backlight of the flat display panel 25 and the like. Also,
When the main unit is not operating, turning on the main power switch is invalid /
Control the validity. That is, when the main body is not operating and the first housing 23 is closed (the switch 38b is ON),
Unintentional main power switch ON due to vibration or contact
Is performed, the main power switch ON is invalidated.

A connector (not shown) is provided on the back side of the printed circuit board 38a, and a connector of the speaker body 37a can be connected to this connector. One end of the flexible wiring 40 is connected to the printed circuit board 38a, and the other end of the flexible wiring 40 is connected to a circuit in the main body 22 through an opening 36 formed in the front edge of the main body 22. I have. The ON / OFF of each switch is transmitted to a circuit in the main body via the flexible wiring 40, and a sound signal from a sound signal output circuit in the main body is supplied to the speaker main body 37a.

The depth of the second housing 24A is relatively large. A flexible block 45 having a size substantially corresponding to the depth is provided between the front edge of the main body 22 and the back cover 37c.
And is provided between them. On the other hand, the depth of the second housing 24B is small. A flexible sheet 46 having a thickness substantially corresponding to the depth is provided between the flexible sheet 46 and the front edge of the main body 22.

Rubber projections 47 are attached to two places on the lower surface of the second housings 24A and 24B, and the rubber projections 47 come into contact with a desk or the like on which the personal computer 20 is placed. Here, if the rubber projection is provided on the lower surface of the main body 22 in a configuration in which a detachable floppy driver, a battery, and the like are provided on the lower surface of the main body 22, the arrangement is subject to positional restrictions. As described above, if the rubber projection 47 is provided on the lower surface of the second housing 24, such a restriction is not required.

A first housing 23A provided with a 14-inch flat display panel 25A and a first housing 23 provided with a 13-inch flat display panel 25B.
Of the personal computer 20A and the personal computer 20A,
B, the main body 22 used for each is the same. Even if the main body 22 is the same, the length of the main body with the second housing is changed to the first housing depending on whether the second housing 24A or the second housing 24B is mounted thereon. The length can be matched to the length of the body 23A or the first housing 23B. Therefore, the first housing 23 and the main body 22 (the main body with the second housing) can be almost completely overlapped when the main body 22 is folded without being changed. In addition, by using the main body 22 as a common product in this way, the notebook personal computer 20 can be used.
A and 20B can be reduced in cost.

As the speaker unit 37, a relatively thin one is employed, and the second housing 24A and the second
Of the housing 24B. Therefore, due to the difference in the depth length of the second casing 24, for example, the personal computer 20A has a speaker and the personal computer 20B does not have a speaker.

Further, since the second housing 24 accommodates the speaker unit 37, the switch unit 38, and the like, the space inside the second housing 24 is effectively utilized, and the burden of housing the equipment in the main body 22 is reduced. Can be. And the second
Since the switch can be operated on the front side of the housing 24, it is possible to perform a music CD or the like even when the first housing 23 is closed (folded).

Foldable electronic devices include not only notebook personal computers but also so-called mobile devices and electronic organizers. Further, a speaker,
In addition to switches and printed boards, sensors, connectors, chip components, and the like can be provided.

In the first and second embodiments, the first housing is configured to rotate around a horizontal (horizontal) horizontal axis.
A configuration (horizontal opening) in which the first housing is rotated around a vertical (front-rear direction) horizontal axis may be employed. Further, although the second housing is attached to the front edge of the main body, a configuration in which the second housing is provided at the rear end of the main body may be employed. Further, the first housing may be connected to the second housing via a hinge. A configuration in which a housing is attached may be used.

As shown in the first and second embodiments,
An opening for loading a medium in a CD drive, an FD drive, or the like is preferably formed in a side surface of the main body.
This opening may be provided at the front edge of the main body. In the case where the opening is provided at the front edge of the main body, the second housing may be attached to the main body in a detachable (including openable and closable) manner. Of course,
Even when the opening is not provided at the front edge of the main body, the second housing may be removably (removably opened and closed) mounted on the main body.

[0035]

According to the present invention, when the size of the first housing is changed, the second housing corresponding to the size may be attached to the main body, and the size of the main body is changed. Without this, it is possible to realize substantially complete overlap between the first housing and the main body (the main body with the second housing) when folded. That is, in two or more types of electronic devices having different sizes of the first housing, the cost can be reduced by using the main body as a common product. Further, since electrical equipment such as a speaker, a switch, a sensor, a connector, a chip component, a printed circuit board, and a cord is provided in the second housing and the electrical equipment can be connected to an electric circuit in the main body, the space in the second housing is Can be effectively utilized, and the equipment accommodation burden on the main body side can be reduced. Further, when a speaker is provided as an electric device in the second housing, a sound path for guiding sound from the rear side of the speaker to the front side is formed in the second housing. It is possible to obtain the bass reflex effect by the road and improve the reproduction sound quality. Further, a hook is provided in the first housing, a hole for inserting the hook is provided in the second housing, and a switch as the electric device is provided in the second housing near the hole. When the body is overlaid on the main body, the hook is locked in the hole and the switch is operated by being pushed by the hook, so that the space inside the second housing is effectively utilized, Various controls can be performed by detecting whether the state is the folded state or the opened state.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view (partial cross section) of an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A shows an electronic device having a 14-inch flat display, and FIG. 1
Each of the electronic devices includes a 3-inch flat display.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an electronic device (including a 14-inch size flat display) according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a second housing in FIG. 2 and electric equipment and the like arranged in the housing.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an electronic apparatus (including a 13-inch flat display) according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a perspective view showing a second housing in FIG. 4 and electric equipment and the like arranged in the housing.

[Description of Signs] 2 Body 3 First Case 4 Second Case 5 Flat Display Panel 6 Drive Circuit 7 Speaker 22 Body 23 First Case 23a Hook 24 Second Case 24a Through Path 24d Opening 25 Flat display panel 37 Speaker unit 37d Penetration path 38 Switch unit 39 Operating lever unit

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An electronic device in which a first housing serving as a lid is rotatably provided so as to be superimposable on a main body. When the first housing is superimposed on the main body, the first housing becomes the main body. A foldable electronic device, wherein a second housing is attached to a main body corresponding to an area that protrudes from the foldable electronic device. 2. The foldable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the second housing is provided at a front edge of the main body. 3. The foldable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein display means is provided on the first housing. 4. A driving circuit for driving the display means, comprising:
The foldable electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the foldable electronic device is provided in a case. 5. The folding type according to claim 1, wherein an electric device is provided in the second housing, and the electric device is connected to an electric circuit in the main body. Electronics. 6. A speaker as the electric device in the second housing, and a sound path for guiding sound from the rear side of the speaker to the front side is formed in the second housing. The foldable electronic device according to claim 5. 7. A hook is provided in the first housing, a hole in which the hook is inserted is provided in the second housing, and a switch as the electric device is provided in the second housing near the hole. 6. The switch according to claim 5, wherein the hook is locked in the hole when the first housing is overlapped with the main body, and the switch is operated by being pushed by the hook. Electronic devices.