JP2000312249A - Folding mobile communication unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify a work for positioning two cases at an intermediate opening position. SOLUTION: The communication unit is provided with cases 72, 2 that are pivotally supported in a freely opening/closing way and positioned in a fully opening position and a fully closing position, and provided with a hinge 74 that are interposed between both the cases 72, 2 having two turnable lock members 74a, 74b respectively. A positioning projection 74a2 is provided to an outer circumferential face of the hinge 74, and a positioning recessed part 2a3 that is able to be fitted to the positioning projection 74a2 is provided to a pivoltally and turnably supporting section 2a. The positioning recessed part 2a3 and the positioning projection 74a2 are arranged to the position at which both the cases 72, 2 are placed to the medium opening position between the fully open position and the fully closed position in fitting state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a foldable portable communication device suitable for use in a mobile communication medium such as a portable telephone radio.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the liberalization of the telecommunications business, various types of mobile communication media such as mobile phones have been popularized. Generally, a mobile phone radio in this type of mobile communication medium includes an operation unit (operation key).
There is also known an apparatus having a transmitting section (communication device main body) having a microphone and a microphone, and a receiving section with an antenna having a speaker and a display section.

[0003] Conventionally, this type of portable telephone radio has a structure shown in FIG.
A foldable portable communication device as shown in FIG.
This foldable portable communication device will be described with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 8. In these figures, the foldable portable communication device indicated by reference numeral 71 includes a first housing 72, a second housing 73, and a hinge 74. ing.

[0004] The first housing 72 is composed of a communication housing having an operation key 75 and a microphone (not shown), and is entirely formed of a substantially rectangular box made of plastic. A pair of rotating pivot portions 72a are provided integrally at the pivot end of the first housing 72, each of which is arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval in the hinge axis direction.

[0005] These each time Dokururu branch 72a has two grooves 72a ₂ which opening is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the receiving hole 72a ₁ and the receiving holes 72a ₁ opening to the hinge axis direction. These two grooves 72a ₂ is made of a rectangular cross section groove along the hinge axis direction, respectively circumferential uppermost position and the circle of the receiving holes 72a ₁ in a state where the operation surface of the first housing 72 positioned horizontally It is positioned at the lowest position in the circumferential direction.

The second housing 73 is composed of a communication device housing having a liquid crystal display 76 and a speaker (not shown), and is formed entirely of a substantially rectangular box made of plastic similarly to the first housing 72. ing. And the second housing 73 is
The first housing 72 is pivotally supported via a hinge 74 so as to be openable and closable.

[0007] An antenna 77 is attached to the opposite pivotal end of the second housing 73 so as to expand and contract in a direction perpendicular to the hinge axis direction. A pair of pivoting pivots 73a interposed between the pivoting pivots 72a of the first casing 72 at the pivot-side end of the second casing 73, each of which is arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval in the hinge axis direction. Are provided integrally.

[0008] These each time Dokururu branch 73a, two protrusions 73a ₂ projecting on the inner peripheral surface of the receiving hole 73a ₁ and the receiving holes 73a ₁ opening to the hinge axis direction is provided. These two protrusions 73a ₂ is made of a rectangular cross section of projections along the hinge axis direction, circumferential uppermost position and the circumference each of the receiving hole 73a ₁ in a state in which the display surface were positioned horizontally in the second housing 73 It is positioned at the lowest position in the direction.

The hinge 74 is composed of a pair of hinge units each having two rotatable lock members 74a and 74b, and the receiving holes 72 of both the pivot support portions 72a and 73a.
a ₁ , 73a ₁ . The hinge 74
Is prevented from being detached from both housings 72 and 73 by an E-shaped retaining ring 78.

The locking members 74a and 74b are arranged in parallel at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and are fitted with each other to bring the two housings 72 and 73 into the fully open position (180
° open position) and the fully closed position (both housings 72, 73 can be positioned at a position) to fold the projections 74a ₁ and the recess 74b ₁
Is formed at each open end face, and is formed by a bottomed cylindrical body which presses each open end face against each other by a tension coil spring 79.

The locking member 74a has a groove 72a on its outer peripheral surface.
It has two protrusions 74a ₂ to be fitted into the _2, Kaidokururu Branch 7
In 2a receiving holes 72a ₁ along the hinge axis direction and is movably accommodated. At the center of the bottom surface of the lock member 74a, a shaft 80 projecting in the hinge axis direction is provided so as to partially expose the shaft 80 to the outside.

The lock member 74b has two concave grooves 74a ₂ (only one of which is shown) on the outer peripheral surface into which the respective projections 73a ₂ of the rotation pivot support 73 are fitted, and a receiving hole 73a of the rotation pivot support 73a. ₁
Is housed so as to be able to advance and retreat along the hinge axis direction, and is rotatably disposed around the shaft 80. The lock member 74b is prevented from being separated from the lock member 74a by the E-shaped retaining ring 81.

[0013] In the foldable portable communication device thus constructed, the two housings 72, 72 are used as shown in FIG.
73 is fully opened by rotating it 180 ° in the circumferential direction from the folded state. At this time, the protrusion 74a of the lock member 74a
Click fitted by ₁ and the locking member recess 74b ₁ and the extension coil springs 79 in 74b, the housings 72 and 73
Is positioned at the fully open position.

When not in use, as shown in FIG. 10, both housings 72 and 73 are turned from the fully opened state and folded. In this case, the recess 74b ₁ in the projections 74a ₁ and the locking member 74b of the locking member 74a is clicked fitted with 180 ° circumferential movement, the housings 72 and 73 are positioned in the fully closed position.

In this type of foldable portable communication device, data communication and the like are performed by connecting the communication device body to an external information terminal. In this case, in order to obtain good reception sensitivity, the communication device main body is arranged near the external information terminal with the antenna 77 standing upright.

[0016]

However, the conventional foldable portable communication device does not have a function of positioning the two housings 72 and 73 at the middle opening position, and therefore, the external information terminal (see FIG. When performing data communication or the like using a not-shown), after rotating both housings 72 and 73 to the middle opening position, a holding member (not shown) is prepared so that the antenna 77 stands up. It is necessary to hold the second housing 73 and the like, and there is a problem that the operation of positioning the two housings 72 and 73 at the middle opening position is complicated.

The prior art is disclosed in both Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-41328 and Japanese Patent No. 2677247 as a "foldable mobile phone", but the above-mentioned problem has not been solved.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is necessary to separately prepare a holding member for erecting an antenna for a communication device when performing data communication or the like using an external information terminal. It is an object of the present invention to provide a foldable portable communication device that does not require and can easily perform the operation of positioning both housings at the middle opening position.

[0019]

To achieve the above object, a foldable portable communication device according to claim 1 of the present invention is provided.
It has two communicator housings, each of which is pivotally supported to be openable and closable with each other and can be positioned at a fully open position and a fully closed position, and two lock members interposed between the two communicator housings and each of which can rotate. A cylindrical hinge that rotates with a corresponding communication device housing of the two communication device housings and advances and retreats in the hinge axis direction with respect to each of the communication device housings. A positioning concave / convex portion that can be fitted to each other between the outer peripheral surface of one of the hinge elements and the pivoting support portion of the communication device housing corresponding to the other hinge element. And a configuration in which each of these positioning concavo-convex portions is arranged at such a position as to position both communication device housings at the middle opening position between the fully open position and the fully closed position in the fitted state. And Aru.

Therefore, when the two communication device housings are positioned at the middle opening position and the hinge is moved in the hinge insertion direction,
The positioning concave portion and the positioning convex portion are fitted to each other, and both communication device housings are positioned at the middle opening position.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the foldable portable communication device according to the first aspect, the two communication device housings are fitted to each other between the end faces of the hinge elements so that the two communication device housings are fully opened and fully closed. The configuration is such that an uneven portion for positioning is provided. Therefore, when the concave and convex portions of each hinge element are fitted with each other, both communication device housings are positioned at the fully open position and the fully closed position.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2
In the foldable communication device described above, the positioning concave portion is provided on the rotation pivot portion of the communication device housing, and the positioning convex portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the hinge element. Therefore, when the two communication device housings are positioned at the middle opening position and the hinge is moved in the hinge insertion direction, the positioning recesses of the communication device housing and the positioning projections of the hinge element are fitted with each other, and both communication devices are engaged. The machine housing is positioned at the middle opening position.

The invention described in claim 4 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2
In the foldable portable communication device described above, the positioning concave portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the hinge element, and the positioning convex portion is provided on the turning pivot of the communication device housing. Therefore, when the two communication device housings are positioned at the middle opening position and the hinge is moved in the hinge insertion direction, the positioning recess of the hinge element and the positioning projection of the communication device housing engage with each other, and both communication devices are engaged. The machine housing is positioned at the middle opening position.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the foldable portable communication device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the middle opening position is set to a position where the communication device housings are at right angles to each other. There is a configuration to do. Therefore, when the hinges are moved while the two communication device housings are positioned at the middle opening position, the positioning recesses and the positioning projections are fitted to each other, and the communication device housings are at right angles to each other. It is positioned at a degree position.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the foldable portable communication device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, at least one of the two communication device housings is provided in the positioning recess. In this configuration, a cam surface is provided to apply a moving force to the hinge in a direction such that the positioning projection releases the fitted state by rotating the housing. Therefore, when the communication device housing in the positioning state at the middle opening position is rotated, the cam surface in the positioning recess presses the positioning projection, and the hinge releases the positioning state of the communication device housing. Move in the direction.

[0026]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
This will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded cross-sectional view illustrating a foldable portable communication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are both foldable portable communication devices according to the first embodiment of the present invention at a middle opening position. FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views of a main part showing an unlocked state and a locked state of the communication device housing, and FIGS. 4A and 4B show a communication device housing (second communication device) in the foldable portable communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a pivoting support portion of the housing and a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a lock of the two communication device housings at the middle opening position of the foldable portable communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. (Positioning) is a perspective view showing a state. In these figures and below, members that are the same as or equivalent to those in FIGS. 1 to 5, the foldable portable communication device denoted by reference numeral 1 includes a first housing 72, a second housing 2, and a hinge 74.

The second housing 2 is composed of a communication device housing having a liquid crystal display 76 and a speaker (not shown), and is entirely formed of a substantially rectangular box made of plastic similarly to the second housing 73 of the related art. Is formed. The second housing 73 is pivotally supported by the first housing 72 via a hinge 74 so as to be openable and closable.

At the opposite end of the second housing 2 on the anti-pivot side, an antenna 77 that expands and contracts in a direction perpendicular to the hinge axis direction is attached. The first housing 7 is provided at the pivot end of the second housing 2.
A pair of rotating pivots 2a are provided integrally between the two pivoting pivots 72a and are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals in the hinge axis direction.

[0029] These each time Dokururu branch 2a has a receiving hole 2a ₁ which opens to the hinge axis direction. Each pivot support 2
The a, two positioning projections 2a ₂ that protrudes to the inner circumferential surface of the receiving hole 2a ₁ is provided. Both positioning projections 2a ₂
Consists sectional substantially rectangular projection along the hinge axis direction, respectively and circumferentially uppermost position of the receiving hole 2a ₁ in a state in which the display surface of the second housing 2 positioned horizontally circumferential lowermost position It is positioned.

Further, the receiving hole 2a ₁ is formed in the rotating pivot 2a.
The inner circumferential surface and two positioning recess 2a ₃ opening to the hinge withdrawal side opening end surface is provided for. Both positioning recess 2a ₃ consists recess planar trapezoidal shape cut out openings in the periphery of the receiving hole 2a _1, are positioned circumferentially 90 ° position of each positioning projection 2a _2. This allows
If the hinge 74 is moved in the hinge insertion direction a ₁ and the positioning recess 2a ₃ and the positioning projection 74a ₁ are fitted to each other, such that each housing 72, is perpendicular (φ = 90 °) to each other It is positioned at the middle opening position.

[0031] Within each positioning recess 2a _3, the hinge 74 the moving force in a direction such that the positioning protrusions 74a ₂ by the rotation of the second housing 2 with respect to the first housing 72 to release the fitting state cam surface 2a ₄ are formed to be assigned to. That is, the cam surface 2a _4, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), is formed by the inclined surface as the positioning recesses 2a ₃ extends toward the hinge insertion side of the receiving bore 2a ₁ to the opening end face of the hinge pull side ing.

In the foldable portable communication device thus constructed, the positioning of the two housings 72, 2 at the middle opening position is performed as follows. First, as shown in FIG. 2, the two housings 72 and 2 are positioned at the middle opening position. At this time, the positioning projections 74a ₂ is positioned in the circumferential direction open position of the positioning recess 2a ₃ (hinge withdrawal side opening position of the receiving hole 2a _1).

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, operated to move the hinge insertion direction a ₁ until the hinge 74 and the positioning protrusions 74a ₂ and the positioning recess 2a ₃ is fitted to each other. In this manner, as shown in FIG. 5, each of the housings 72 and 2 can be positioned at the middle opening position such that they are at a right angle to each other (φ = 90 °).

Thereafter, when the casing 2 is rotated with respect to the first casing 72 in the fully opened or fully closed direction, the pivoting support 2a is rotated.
Of the cam surface 2a ₄ presses the positioning protrusion 74a ₂ on the hinge counter-insertion direction a _2, hinge 74 is positioning projections 74a ₂
And moves in a direction to release the engagement state between the positioning recess 2a _3. In this case, the movement of the hinge 74 may be performed by applying a moving force to the hinge 74 by manually hinge counter-insertion direction a _2.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, since both the housings 72 and 2 can be reliably positioned at the middle opening position, data communication or the like is performed using an external information terminal (not shown). Holding member (not shown) as in the prior art
This eliminates the need to hold the second housing 73 and the like so that the antenna 77 stands up.

In this embodiment, both housings 72,
The positioning of 2 at the fully open / fully closed position is performed in the same manner as in the prior art. That is, the position to fully open position both housings 72, are in the full open direction both bodies 72, until it clicks fitting the recess 74b ₁ in the projections 74a ₁ and the locking member 74b of the locking member 74a Rotate.

On the other hand, to position the both housings 72, in the fully closed position, and the recess 74b ₁ in the projections 74a ₁ and the locking member 74b of the locking member 74a is fitted clicks moves 180 ° in the circumferential direction The two housings 72 and 2 are rotated in the fully closed direction until they match.

Further, in this embodiment, the locking member 74a, a case has been described in which each of the outer peripheral surface of the 74b provided protruding portions 74a ₂ and grooves 74b _2, the present invention is not limited to this, the second embodiment grooves 74a ₃ to the outer peripheral surface of the lock member 74a as shown in FIG. 6 in the form and the recess 74a ₄
The provided groove 74b ₃ on the outer peripheral surface of the lock member 74b, 7
It is provided 4b ₄ the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0039] In the figure, the rotating pivot portion 62a of the first housing 62, a pair of positioning protrusion 62a ₂ projecting on the inner peripheral surface of the receiving hole 62a ₁ is provided. Both of these positioning projections 62a ₂ is made of a rectangular cross section of projections along the hinge axis direction, the circumferential direction intermediate second position of the receiving hole 62a _1, respectively in a state in which position the operating surface of the first housing 62 horizontally It is positioned in.

The pair of positioning projections 6 protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the receiving hole 63a ₁ are formed on the pivotal support 63a of the second housing 63.
3a ₂ and 63a ₃ are provided. Positioning projection 63
a ₂ is made rectangular section projections along the hinge axis direction, circumferential uppermost position and circumferential lowermost position of the receiving hole 63a _1, respectively in a state in which position the display surface of the second housing 63 horizontally It is positioned in.

The positioning projection 63a _3, the positioning projection 63a ₂ of the cross-sectional size (width, height) made from a cross-sectional rectangular projections along the hinge axis direction have a smaller cross-sectional size, the second housing 63 It is positioned in the circumferential direction central two-position between the two positioning projections 63a ₂ in a state in which position the display surface horizontally.

[0042] the outer peripheral surface of the lock member 74a is positioning groove 7 which positioning projections 63a ₃ of the convex portion 62a ₂ and the rotation pivot portion 63 of Kaidokururu branch 62a are fitted respectively
4a ₃ and the positioning recesses 74a ₄ are provided.

The positioning recesses 74a ₄ is made concave planar trapezoidal shape cut out hinge insertion side outer circumferential edge are positioned circumferentially 90 ° position of the positioning recesses 73a _3. Thus, when the positioning projection 63a ₃ and the positioning recesses 74a ₄ are fitted to each other, each housing 62,
63 are positioned at intermediate opening positions such that they are at right angles to each other.

[0044] In the positioning recess 74a _4, the housings 6
Cam surface positioning projections 63a ₃ by the rotation of at least one of the housing is imparted to the hinges 74 the moving force in a direction to release the fitting state of the 2,63 (not shown) is formed Have been.

[0045] On the outer peripheral surface of the locking member 74b, the positioning groove 74b ₃ that both positioning projections 63a ₂ of Kaidokururu branches 63a, 63a ₃ are fitted respectively, 74b ₄ are provided.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the case where the second housing is rotated to position the two housings at the fully open, fully closed or middle opening position, etc., has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, the first housing may be turned, or both the housings may be turned.

[0047]

As described above, according to the present invention, the outer peripheral surface of one hinge element and the pivotal support of the communication device housing corresponding to the other hinge element can be fitted to each other. Since the positioning projections and depressions are arranged at such a position that the two communication device housings are positioned at the middle opening position between the fully opened position and the fully closed position in the fitted state. When the two communication device housings are positioned at the middle opening position and the hinge is moved in the hinge insertion direction, the positioning concave portion and the positioning convex portion engage with each other, and the both communication device housings are at the middle opening position. Positioned.

Therefore, when data communication or the like is performed using the external information terminal, it is not necessary to hold the communication device housing or the like so that the antenna is erected by the holding member as in the conventional case. Can be easily performed at the middle opening position.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded sectional view showing a foldable portable communication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part showing an unlocked state of both communication device housings at a middle opening position of the foldable portable communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an essential part cross-sectional view showing a locked state of both communication device housings at a middle opening position of the foldable portable communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view taken along line AA, respectively, showing a pivoting support portion of a communication device housing in the foldable portable communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a locked state of both housings at a middle opening position of the foldable portable communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a foldable portable communication device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional foldable portable communication device.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a locked state of both housings at a fully opened / closed position of the conventional foldable communication device.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a locked state of both communication device housings at the fully open position of the foldable portable communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a locked state of both communication device housings at the fully closed position of the foldable portable communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Foldable portable communication apparatus 2 Second housing 2a Rotating pivot 2a ₁ Receiving hole 2a ₂ Positioning convex 2a ₃ Positioning concave 2a ₄ Cam surface 72 First housing 72a Rotating pivot 72a ₁ Receiving hole 72a ₂ Positioning concave groove 74 Hinge 74a Locking member 74a ₁ Positioning projection 74a ₂ Positioning projection 74b Locking member 74b ₁ Positioning concave 74b ₂ Positioning concave groove 77 Antenna 79 Tension coil spring

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. Each is pivotally supported so as to be openable and closable with each other,
Two communicator housings that can be positioned at the fully open position and the fully closed position; and a hinge interposed between the two communicator housings and each having two rotatable lock members. The two lock members are cylindrical hinge elements that rotate together with the respective communication device housings of the two communication device housings and move forward and backward in the hinge axis direction with respect to each of the communication device housings. Positioning concave and convex portions, which can be fitted to each other, are provided between the outer peripheral surface of one of the hinge elements and the pivotal support of the communication device housing corresponding to the other hinge element. The folding portion, wherein the concave and convex portions are arranged at a position such that the two communication device housings are positioned at a middle opening position between the fully open position and the fully closed position in the fitted state. Type portable communication device. 2. An uneven portion is provided between end surfaces of the hinge elements to fit each other to position the communication device housing at a fully open position and a fully closed position. 2. The foldable portable communication device according to 1. 3. The positioning recess according to claim 1, wherein the positioning recess is provided on a pivot support portion of the communication device housing, and the positioning projection is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the hinge element. 2. The foldable portable communication device according to 2. 4. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the positioning concave portion is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the hinge element, and the positioning convex portion is provided on a rotating pivot of the communication device housing. 2. The foldable portable communication device according to 2. 5. The foldable portable communication device according to claim 1, wherein the middle opening position is a position where the communication device housings are at right angles to each other. . 6. The positioning projection is moved into the positioning recess by the rotation of at least one of the two communication device housings so as to release the fitted state. The foldable portable communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a cam surface for applying a force to the hinge is formed.