JP2002125022A - Foldable portable telephone - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a foldable portable telephone whose appearance is changeable variously by a simple operation of its owner, etc., to improve the originality and lessen the damage of a liquid crystal display. SOLUTION: An operating body 2 having a dial button 5, etc., and a display body 3 having a liquid crystal display 15 are combined turnably through a hinge 4 to provide a folded state with an operating surface 2a and a display surface 3a closed face to face and a developed state. A decorative panel 14 is removably assembled with at least a decorative surface 3b facing the display surface 3a of the display body through coupling means (19-22), (26-28), thereby constituting an armor. The decorative panel 14 is appropriately selected by the owner.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable telephone, and more particularly, to an operation section main body provided with dial buttons and function buttons and a display section main body provided with a liquid crystal display via a hinge section. The present invention relates to a foldable mobile phone that is rotatably combined between a folded state and an expanded state.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art From the basic form, portable telephones are classified into so-called stick-type portable telephones having a rectangular casing and so-called foldable portable telephones having a casing composed of two parts and being foldable via a hinge mechanism. Is done. The mobile phone is equipped with a liquid crystal display that displays the date, day of the week, time, battery level, etc. when not in use, and displays the caller's telephone number, communication time, etc. during communication. ing. Recent mobile phones are equipped with, for example, e-mail and the like, a telephone directory function, a memo function, various memory functions, and the like, so that the mobile phone is multi-functional, so that a larger liquid crystal display is mounted. Has become.

[0003] By the way, mobile phones are spreading at a tremendous rate, and especially for young people, not only as a mere communication means but also as an indispensable item and a favorite item owned by everyone. Has also become. For this reason, in the past, mobile phones have been provided in a safe form in which the design, color tone, etc. are intended for a wide range of age groups, but in recent years, mobile phones have become more individualized and diversified. Is provided. In addition, mobile phones are used in various places or while walking, and are used for e-mail operations. Many users find this to be more individual, decorative and characteristic. It is used after being devised so as to give a shape.

[0004] In mobile phones, depending on the owner,
For example, by attaching various straps to give appearance characteristics, or by using ringtones as original melody or downloaded appropriate low melody, self-other distinction, originality correspondence is achieved Have been.

[0005]

By the way, since a portable telephone is provided as a product after passing an inspection based on various standards and obtaining a type approval, the portable telephone cannot be modified independently by the owner. It has become. As mentioned above, mobile phones are available in various colors, etc., but the color variations provided by the manufacturer are limited to several types at most due to cost restrictions, and are sufficient to satisfy many customers. It is difficult.

[0006] In a portable telephone, for example, a service such as applying an appropriate color coating or attaching a decorative film according to a customer's request may be provided based on a commercial product by a specific trader. However, such a solution is not general because it has a problem that it takes time and cost, and further, there is a problem that a form that satisfies the customer cannot be obtained.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-252229 discloses a portable telephone in which a cover which can be opened and closed with respect to a telephone body via a hinge mechanism is provided, and a detachable design panel is provided for the cover. Is disclosed. The prior application mobile phone is a so-called stick type mobile phone, and the lid opens and closes an operation unit provided with dial buttons and function buttons, and in a normal state, the design panel of the lid and the display screen of the liquid crystal display Is a structure exposed to the outside.

[0008] According to the prior-art mobile telephone, there is a characteristic that the originality which is not available in the ready-made product can be obtained by selecting the design panel by the owner. In the mobile phone of the prior application, since the design panel is not a part subject to type approval, there is no particular problem in the standard. However, even in such a prior-art mobile phone, there is a problem that the overall impression is not significantly changed by the design panel, and it is difficult for the owner to produce a well-designed design panel, which gives an unsightly impression. .

[0009] As described above, a large-sized liquid crystal display is mounted on a portable telephone, and a large pressure is applied while the portable telephone is carried in a pocket or luggage. In some cases, the glass may be damaged. In a stick type mobile phone such as the above-mentioned prior application mobile phone, since the display screen of the liquid crystal display is exposed, a large pressure load from the front and back sides may cause glass breakage. is there. In a mobile phone, a large pressure is hardly applied during use.

On the other hand, the foldable portable telephone has a structure in which the liquid crystal display is covered with the folded operation portion main body in an unused state, so that the strength is slightly higher than that of the above-mentioned stick type portable telephone. However, the thickness of the housing of such a foldable mobile phone has also been reduced due to the overall reduction in thickness, and glass breakage has sometimes occurred due to a pressure load from the back side.

Therefore, the present invention provides a folding apparatus which can cope with a variety of appearance changes by a simple operation of the owner or the like, thereby improving originality and reducing the occurrence of breakage of the liquid crystal display. It has been proposed for the purpose of providing a mobile phone.

[0012]

A foldable portable telephone according to the present invention, which achieves the above-mentioned objects, comprises an operation section main body provided with dial buttons and function buttons, and a display section main body provided with a liquid crystal display. A hinge unit for rotatably combining the operation unit body and the display unit body into a folded state where the operation surface and the display surface face each other and an expanded state, and coupling means at least on an outer surface of the display unit body facing the display surface. And a decorative panel which is removably assembled through the base member and constitutes an exterior body.

According to the foldable portable telephone of the present invention configured as described above, a characteristic appearance is created by the decorative panel constituting the outer surface of the display unit main body in the folded unused state. According to the foldable mobile phone, a large number of decorative panels having different colors, patterns, patterns, textures, etc. are prepared, and these decorative panels are provided by the owner or the like according to the mood, clothes, and action schedule of the day. It is appropriately selected and assembled to the display unit main body. Further, according to the foldable mobile phone, for example, when a large pressing force is applied for some reason in the folded state, the mechanical rigidity of the display unit body is increased by assembling the decorative panel, so that the liquid crystal display is used. The occurrence of breakage of the vessel is also reduced.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. A foldable mobile phone (hereinafter, simply referred to as a mobile phone) 1 shown in the drawings as an embodiment includes an operation unit main body 2 and a display unit having a substantially thin box shape having substantially the same size as shown in FIG. Body 3,
The basic structure of the operation unit body 2 and the hinge unit 4 rotatably combined on one side facing the display unit body 3 is substantially the same as that of a conventional mobile phone. The mobile phone 1 is characterized in that a decorative panel 14 is detachably attached to the outer surface of the display unit main body 3 so as to obtain a distinctive appearance, as will be described in detail later.

The portable telephone 1 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, the operation section main body 2 and the display section main body 3 are carried in a folded state such that they are overlapped with each other via the hinge section 4. The mobile phone 1 is used in a state where the operation unit main body 2 and the display unit main body 3 are expanded via the hinge part 4 as shown in FIG.

The mobile phone 1 includes a control circuit unit, a radio transmission / reception circuit unit, a dial transmission circuit unit, a call circuit unit, a ringer circuit unit, and a power supply, although details are omitted, inside the operation unit body 2 and the display unit body 3. A circuit section, a memory section, a liquid crystal driver circuit section, and the like are built in. The mobile phone 1 houses a chargeable secondary battery pack in the operation unit main body 2 and supplies power to each unit. In the mobile phone 1,
Although not shown, an external connection terminal, a volume dial, and the like are provided on a side surface of the operation unit main body 2.

The operation unit main body 2 has an operation surface 2a on one main surface facing the display unit main body 3 in the folded state. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation surface 2a has a ten key or the like which also has a function of inputting characters and the like. , A jog dial 6 for selecting various functions, and various function buttons 7 such as a power / talk button, a symbol switching button, and a memory call button. The operation main body 2 is provided with a transmission section 8 having a built-in microphone (not shown) located on a free end side of the operation surface 2a facing the hinge section 4.

The operation body 2 has a side face on the side of the transmitting section 8,
Although not described in detail, a charging terminal unit 9 for charging the secondary battery pack is provided. The operation main body 2 is provided with an antenna unit 10 that houses a telescopic rod antenna on the side surface on the hinge unit 4 side. The antenna unit 10 may have a light-emitting element built in at the tip of the rod antenna, and when a call is received by the setting operation of the display function, the light-emitting display may be performed until the end of the call.

The display unit main body 3 has a main surface facing the operation unit main body 2 in the folded state, and a main surface thereof which is described later.
Are arranged to form a display surface 3a, and the other main surface facing the display surface 3a is a decorative surface 3b to which a decorative panel 14 described later is assembled. Display unit body 3
Is the decorative surface 3 with respect to the inner case 11 on the display surface 3a side.
The entire outer case 12 on the b side is combined to form a thin box shape. The display unit main body 3 has a recess 13 which will be described in detail later formed on the decorative surface 3 b side of the outer case 12.
The decorative panel 14 is assembled so as to close the recess 13. Although not described in detail, a large rectangular opening is formed in the display surface 3a of the inner case 11, and the display unit body 3 incorporates a liquid crystal display 15 having a large display surface.

The liquid crystal display 15 performs a predetermined display in a state where, for example, the operation main body 2 and the display main body 3 are unfolded in order to save power. The liquid crystal display 15 displays, for example, the date, the day of the week, the current time, the charge amount of the secondary battery pack, and the like in an unused state like the conventional mobile phone. The liquid crystal display 15 displays the presence or absence of an incoming call, for example, in a function setting state of an answering machine service or an incoming call notification service. Liquid crystal display 15
Displays the received electronic mail information and functions as a screen for creating electronic mail information.

As shown in FIG. 2, the display section main body 3 is provided with a transmitting section 8 having a built-in speaker (not shown) located on a free end side of the display surface 3a facing the hinge section 4. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the display unit main body 3 is provided with an incoming call display unit 17 located between the hinge unit 4 of the decorative surface 3 b and the recess 13. Although not shown in detail, a plurality of display openings are formed in the width direction of the decorative surface 3b of the incoming call display unit 17, and a plurality of light emitting elements 18 are arranged inside the outer case 12 corresponding to each display opening. Be done. The incoming call display section 17 displays the light emitting element 1 by an output from the ringer circuit section when an incoming call is received while the power is on.
8 lights up to perform an optical incoming call display. Incoming call display 17
Alternatively, each of the light emitting elements 18 may be controlled to blink at the same time, or may blink sequentially at a predetermined timing to perform a moving optical incoming call display.

The recess 13 is provided on the display surface 3 as shown in FIG.
This is formed on the outer side surface of the outer case 12 as a large rectangular concave portion occupying almost the entire area of “a”. As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of first fitting holes 19a and 19b are formed in the recessed portion 13 on the incoming display portion 17 side so as to be spaced apart in the width direction. Each of the first fitting holes 19a and 19b is open from the inner wall of the recess 13 to the bottom wall as shown in FIG. The concave portion 13 is formed with a pair of second fitting holes 20a and 20b which are located on both sides of a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction and are opposed to each other. These second fitting holes 20a, 20b also
As shown in FIG. 2B, the recess 13 is opened from the inner wall to the bottom wall.

A pair of mounting holes 21a and 21b are formed in the recess 13 on the free end side and separated in the width direction. Each of the mounting holes 21a and 21b is formed of a circular hole, and is fitted in a state where the press-fitting bushes 22a and 22b are prevented from coming off. Each of the press-fitting bushes 22a and 22b is formed in a cylindrical shape having a through hole by, for example, rubber or synthetic rubber. The press-fit bosses 28 of the decorative panel 14 are press-fitted into the through holes of the press-fit bushes 22a and 22b as described later. In addition, the press-fit bush 22 is provided in the outer case 1.
When molding No. 2, it may be integrated by an insert molding method.

The recess 13 is formed with a finger-hanging recess 23 which is located at a substantially central portion on the free end side and has an inner peripheral wall cut out. The finger hooking concave portion 23 functions as a guide for inserting a fingertip or an appropriate jig when the decorative panel 14 attached to the concave portion 13 is detached as described later, and peeling it off.

The decorative panel 14 is a panel base 2 made of resin.
4 and a decorative film 25 integrated on the surface of the panel base 24. The decorative panel 14
The panel base 24 is formed of an appropriate synthetic resin material into an outer shape substantially equal to the opening shape of the recessed portion 13. The panel base 24 has a certain degree of shock absorbing function even when the mobile phone 1 is dropped by mistake.
A somewhat elastic synthetic resin material is used. On the panel base 24, an outer peripheral standing wall having a height substantially equal to the depth of each part of the recessed portion 13 is formed along the outer peripheral edge, and the entire body is gently curved toward the outer peripheral side in four directions with the substantially central portion as the top. It is formed with a curved surface.

The decorative panel 14 has a pair of first fitting projections 26a, 26b on the outer peripheral portion of the panel base 24 corresponding to the first fitting holes 19a, 19b on the side of the recess 13 respectively.
Are integrally formed. Each first fitting projection 26a, 2
6b is integrally protruded from the outer peripheral edge of the panel base 24 on the hinge portion 4 side in a state where the decorative panel 14 is assembled to the recessed portion 13 in the width direction. As shown in FIG. 5A, the first fitting projections 26a and 26b have a substantially L-shaped cross section whose tip projects from the inner surface toward the hinge portion 4.

The decorative panel 14 has a second fitting hole 20 on the side of the recess 13 on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the panel base 24.
a and a pair of second fitting projections 2 corresponding to 20b, respectively.
7a and 27b are integrally formed. As shown in FIG. 5B, the second fitting projections 27a and 27b also have a substantially L-shaped cross section with the tip protruding laterally from the inner surface.

In the decorative panel 14, a pair of press-fit bosses 28a and 28b are integrally formed on the other end side of the panel base 24 so as to correspond to the press-fit bushes 22a and 22b of the display unit main body 3, respectively. The press-fit bosses 28a and 28b
As shown in (C), each of the protrusions has a cylindrical protrusion, and has an outer diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of the through holes of the press-fit bushes 22a and 22b. The press-fit bosses 28a, 28b are press-fitted into the opposing press-fit bushes 22a, 22b when the decorative panel 14 is assembled to the recess 13 as described later. The press-fit bosses 28a and 28b are tightly press-fitted into the through holes due to their cylindrical shape and material properties of the press-fit bushes 22a and 22b.

In the decorative panel 14, a panel base 24 is formed by molding the resin material described above into a cavity of a molding die and curing the resin material into a predetermined shape.
At that time, the decorative film 25 formed and cut into a predetermined shape
Is previously set in the cavity as an in-mold material, and molding is performed. The decorative panel 14 has a decorative film 25 integrated with the surface of the panel base 24 when the material resin is cured to form the panel base 24. The decorative film 25 may be a film material of an appropriate color such as red or blue, a film material on which an appropriate pattern such as a photograph or a landscape, a psychedelic pattern or a painting is printed, or a wood grain, a stone grain, a metallic tone or a pearl. A film material having a material feeling such as tone is used.

The decorative panel 14 can be manufactured at a low cost from the above-described configuration, and a plurality of decorative films 25 having different colors and patterns are provided to the customer as a set. The decorative panel 14 is sold in a shop as an optional part, but a plurality of the decorative panel 14 may also be sold as a set here.

In the decorative panel 14 described above, the panel base 24 and the decorative film 25 are integrated by a molding die, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Since the decorative panel 14 has a simple shape and a flat surface, for example, a decorative material is integrally joined to the surface of the panel base 24 by an appropriate method such as hot pressing. Is also good. The decorative panel 14 includes, for example, the decorative film 2 described above as a decorative material.
In addition to the above, a material that is not used at all in a conventional mobile phone, such as leather of an animal or the like, cloth, or the like, may be joined. For example, the decorative panel 14 may be provided in a shop by performing an original cosmetic material joining service in accordance with an order from a customer.

The decorative panel 14 is not a member that constitutes the basic structure of the mobile phone 1, but is a component that can be retrofitted as an optional component like a flap or the like.
Therefore, the makeup panel 14 does not affect the certification standard of the mobile phone 1 at all, and can be freely replaced by the owner. The decorative panel 14 is not only an optional part for changing the appearance, but also has an effect of reducing damage to the liquid crystal display 15 as described later.

The decorative panel 14 configured as described above
Are assembled to the display unit main body 3 such that the first fitting projection 26 is inserted into the first fitting hole 19 facing the first fitting projection 19 in a state perpendicular to the decorative surface 3b. In the decorative panel 14, the first fitting protrusion 26 is rotated around the inserted first fitting protrusion 26 toward the display unit main body 3 as a fulcrum, as shown in FIG. The tip of the portion 26 enters the first fitting hole 19 and is locked.

In the decorative panel 14, the second fitting projection 27 is fitted into the interior of the decorative panel 14 without abutting against the opening edge of the recess 13 by rotating the central portion so as to bend slightly. Combine. In the decorative panel 14, by returning to the initial state by releasing the bending force in a state in which the second fitting projection 27 is located at the position corresponding to the second fitting hole 20 facing the second fitting projection 27, FIG. 2), the second fitting projection 27 is locked in the second fitting hole 20.

In the decorative panel 14, the press-fit boss 28 is located at the free end side in a position corresponding to the through-hole of the press-fit bush 22 opposed thereto. In the decorative panel 14, by pressing strongly on the free end side, FIG.
The press-fit boss 28 is press-fit into the through-hole of the press-fit bush 22 as shown in FIG.

In the decorative panel 14, the first fitting portion 26 is locked by the first fitting hole 19 on the hinge portion 4 side by the above-described operation, and the second fitting portions 27 are formed on both sides of the central portion. The press-fitting boss 28 is held by the press-fitting bush 22 at the free end side, and is assembled to the recessed portion 13. Decorative panel 1
Reference numeral 4 is assembled on the outer surface of the display unit main body 3 so as to close the recessed portion 13 in this manner to form an exterior body.

In the decorative panel 14, the display unit body 3
In this state, the finger hooking recess 23 is opened with a slight gap between the inner surface on the free end side and the peripheral wall of the recess 13. Decorative panel 1
In 4, the press-fitting boss 28 in the press-fitting state is pulled out from the press-fitting bush 22 by forcing the fingertip or the like into the finger-holding concave portion 23 and strongly lifting the fingertip upward. In this state, the second fitting portion 27 comes out of the second fitting hole 20 by lifting the decorative panel 14 by rotating the free end while bending the central portion in this state. The decorative panel 14 is connected to the first fitting hole 19 through the first fitting hole 19.
By pulling out the fitting portion 26, the detachment from the display portion main body 3 is performed.

In the portable telephone 1, the operation section main body 2 and the display section main body 3 are provided in advance by forming a resin material having a predetermined color tone. In the mobile phone 1, for example, a plurality of decorative panels 14 are supplied to a customer as optional parts. In the mobile phone 1, an appropriate makeup panel 14 is selected by the owner, and is assembled on the outer surface of the display unit main body 3 by the above-described operation. In the mobile phone 1, the decorative panel 14, which is a feature of the mobile phone 1, constitutes the exterior body of the display unit main body 3, thereby giving great satisfaction to the owner. In the mobile phone 1, the owner appropriately replaces the makeup panel 14 according to the mood of the day or the like, thereby realizing a usage that matches the so-called TPO.

In the mobile phone 1, the display unit main body 3 in which the decorative panel 14 appropriately selected for the decorative surface 3b is assembled to the standard operating unit main body 2 via the hinge unit 4, The appearance is greatly different from the standard product. In the mobile phone 1, since the operation unit main body 2 is generally gripped and the decorative surface 3b of the display unit main body 3 is used while facing outward, the color tone and the design of the decorative panel 14 are conspicuous even in the use state. become.
Therefore, in the mobile phone 1, the originality is sufficiently exhibited not only when the mobile phone is used but also when the mobile phone 1 is used.
Give the owner great satisfaction.

In the portable telephone 1, as described above, the display is made by the coupling structure of the fitting structure of the fitting holes 19, 20 and the fitting projections 26, 27 and the press-fitting structure of the press-fit bush 22 and the press-fit boss 28. A configuration in which the decorative panel 14 is assembled to the body 3 is adopted. In the mobile phone 1, the decorative panel 14 is attached to and detached from the display unit main body 3 by an extremely simple operation by the owner, as described above, by such a coupling structure. Note that the mobile phone 1
In the above, a press-fit boss may be formed on the display unit body 3 side and a press-fit bush may be provided on the decorative panel side, but the above-described configuration is preferable in order to increase the cost of the decorative panel.

In a portable telephone, for example, if the decorative panel is assembled only by the fitting structure of the fitting hole and the fitting projection, the display body is bent to make the decorative panel 14 flexible.
It is necessary to make a gap between them and to pry an appropriate jig into the gap to deform the fitting projection. In such a mobile phone, the replacement operation of the decorative panel is extremely difficult for many owners, and the display unit main body and the decorative panel are damaged by the jig by the forcible operation, and even the fitting convex portion or the decorative panel is damaged. Problems such as breakage are likely to occur.

In a portable telephone, for example, if the decorative panel is assembled only by the press-fit structure of the press-fit bush and the press-fit boss, the press-fit boss may gradually come out of the press-fit bush during use. In such a mobile phone, not only does the decorative panel rise from the display unit main body and impair the external appearance, but also the problem occurs that the decorative panel falls off and is lost or damaged. Further, in such a mobile phone, when the press-fitting between the press-fitting bush and the press-fitting boss is increased, the attaching / detaching operation of the decorative panel becomes difficult.

In the portable telephone 1, the decorative panel 14 assembled to the decorative surface 3b extends to the back of the liquid crystal display 15, as shown in FIG. As a result, the mechanical rigidity is improved. In the mobile phone 1, the decorative panel 14 is provided with a gentle curved surface so that the concave portion 1 is formed.
3 has a structure in which a gap is formed with the bottom wall. Therefore, in the mobile phone 1, even when a large pressure in the thickness direction is applied to the display unit main body 3 at the time of carrying or the like, the buffer due to the elastic deformation of the gap of the decorative panel 14 and the mechanical operation of the display unit main unit 3 are prevented. The occurrence of glass breakage or the like of the liquid crystal display 15 is reduced by the strength.

In the portable telephone 1, as described above, the panel base 24 and the decorative film 2 integrated with the surface thereof are provided.
Although the decorative panel 14 composed of No. 5 was used, the present invention is not limited to the decorative panel 14 having such a configuration. For the mobile phone 1, for example, a single panel panel 24 formed of an appropriately colored synthetic resin material may be used as the decorative panel 14.

The mobile phone 1 may use a single decorative panel 14 made of a transparent or translucent synthetic resin material. In the mobile phone 1, when a transparent decorative panel 14 is used, as shown by a dashed line in FIG. 1, a decorative sheet made of a photograph or an appropriate sheet is provided in a gap formed between the decorative panel 14 and the concave portion 13. The seat 29 is mounted. In the mobile phone 1, the decorative sheet 29 is seen through the decorative panel 14.

In the portable telephone 30 shown in FIGS. 6 to 11 as a second embodiment of the present invention, the incoming call display section 17 is disposed in the recessed section 13 and the decorative panel 14 is provided with the incoming call display section 17. And has a feature in that it can be assembled to the display unit main body 3 while covering the main body. Mobile phone 30
By skillfully using the decorative panel 14 as a light guide member, an extremely varied optical incoming call display is performed to further improve originality. In addition,
The mobile phone 30 has the first configuration described above for other configurations.
Since the mobile phone 1 is almost the same as the mobile phone 1 of the embodiment, the detailed description thereof will be omitted by assigning the same reference numerals to the corresponding parts.

The mobile phone 30 has a plurality of light emitting elements 18 arranged on the hinge 4 side of the recess 13 and arranged in the width direction.
Are built in the display unit main body 3, and as shown in FIG. 7, a horizontally long rectangular display opening 31 is formed on the bottom wall of the recessed portion 13 corresponding to the light emitting elements 18, and further, the display opening 3 is formed.
The incoming display unit 17 is formed by fitting the light guide member 32 into the inside 1. As described above, when there is an incoming call, the light-emitting element 18 is driven to emit display light from the light-emitting surface 18a of the incoming-call display unit 17, and this display light is incident on the light guide member 32 to illuminate the display opening 31. .

The light guide member 32 is made of a transparent or colored translucent acrylic resin or polycarbonate resin having a large light transmission characteristic, and is attached to the display opening 31 by bonding or the like. When molding the outer case 12, the light guide member 32 may be integrally molded by, for example, a two-color molding method.

In the portable telephone 30, the light guide member 32
The display light of the light-emitting element 18 is guided into the decorative panel 14 via the display panel, and the display structure formed on the decorative panel 14 and described later in detail provides a variety of light-emitting displays. The decorative panel 14 has a common basic configuration including a panel base 24 and a decorative film 25 integrated on the surface thereof. The panel base 24 is formed of, for example, a transparent or colored translucent acrylic resin or polycarbonate resin having a large light transmission characteristic.

The decorative film 25 has an appropriate color tone or pattern printed on the surface of a transparent base material and has a light-shielding property as a whole, and corresponds to the incoming call display section 17 as shown in FIGS. A display pattern 33 composed of a punched pattern is formed at the site. The display pattern 33 may be provided at an appropriate position on the decorative film 25 since the display light emitted from the incoming display unit 17 is guided into the panel base 24 as described later.

In the portable telephone 30, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 7, the display light emitted from the light emitting element 18 is guided into the light guide member 32, and the panel base of the decorative panel 14 is passed through the light guide member 32. The light is guided into 24. Mobile phone 30
In, the display pattern 33 is brilliant when the display light guided into the panel base 24 is exposed from the display pattern 33. In the mobile phone 30, by setting the display pattern 33 to an appropriate shape, an incoming call display with a variety of originality and a variety of changes that is not restricted by the shape of the incoming call display section 17 configured as a standard product can be performed.

In the portable telephone 30, by providing the display pattern 33 at a position different from that of the incoming call display section 17, it is possible to display an incoming call at a different position for each decorative panel 14. In the mobile phone 30, for example, illustrations and photographs of animals, night scenes, and the like are printed on the makeup film 25, and a distinctive incoming call display is performed by illuminating the eyes and an appropriate place as the display pattern 33.

In the portable telephone 30, as shown in FIG. 8, the light guide projection 34 may be integrally formed on the panel base 25 of the decorative panel 14. As shown in FIG. The light guide projection 34 is integrally formed on the inner surface of the panel base 25 as a projection having substantially the same shape as the opening of the display opening 31 formed in the recess 13. The light guide convex portion 34 has an end surface 34a formed in a rough surface.

The decorative panel 14 configured as described above
In the state where the light guide projection 34 is assembled to the recess 13 by the above-described operation, the light guide projection 34 is fitted into the display opening 31 as shown in FIG. The decorative panel 14 includes a light guide convex portion 34.
The end face 34a is directly opposed to the light emitting surface 18a of the light emitting element 18. Therefore, the decorative panel 14 performs more efficient incoming call display by reducing the leakage of the display light from the light emitting element 18. Further, the decorative panel 14 has a roughened surface structure of the end surface 34a, so that the panel substrate 24
The display light is guided in a uniform state inside, and the display pattern 33 shines evenly and uniformly.

The portable telephone 30 has the decorative panel 14 in which the decorative film 25 is integrated on the surface of the panel base 24 as described above. However, as shown in FIG. May be assembled in the recess 13. The light guide panel member 35 is made of a transparent or colored translucent synthetic resin material.
4 and is assembled to the display section main body 3 by forming a gap between the concave section 13 and the bottom wall.
The light guide panel member 35 has, for example, transparency,
Although the light transmittance is slightly lowered, in order to impart elasticity in a range where the color tone of the decorative sheet piece 36 and the see-through of the design are not impaired, the decorative sheet piece 36 may be formed of an elastomer material or a transparent resin containing rubber.

In the portable telephone 30, the decorative sheet piece 36 is removably loaded into the recess 13 by using a gap formed on the inner surface with the light guide panel member 35, so that the display unit body is further provided. As a result, the decorative face 3a can be diversified. The decorative sheet piece 36 has an appropriate color tone or pattern printed on the surface of a transparent base material, and has a light-shielding property as a whole, and a display pattern 37 formed of a punched pattern is formed at a portion corresponding to the incoming display section 17. Have been. In the mobile phone 30, one light guide panel member 35 and a plurality of decorative sheet pieces 36 are provided to the customer as a set or provided as optional parts.

The decorative sheet piece 36 may be integrated with the inner surface of the light guide panel member 35 when the light guide panel member 35 is formed. Further, the decorative sheet piece 36 has a relatively simple shape corresponding to the concave portion 13, and the owner can cut out a photograph, a seal, or the like and appropriately form the cutout. Therefore, in the decorative panel 14 described above, a cutout pattern indicating the outer shape and the corresponding position of the incoming call display section 17 may be prepared in a plurality of sets and provided to the customer.

According to the portable telephone 30, the display light emitted from the light emitting element 18 is transmitted through the light guide member 32 to the recess 13.
The light is guided into the light guide panel member 35 and is selected by the display pattern 37 of the decorative sheet piece 36 mounted in the recess 13. According to the mobile phone 30,
The display light that has passed through the display pattern 37 is applied to the light guide panel member 3.
By expanding the inside of 5 to the surroundings and exposing from the surface,
A characteristic incoming call display corresponding to the shape of the display pattern 37 on the light guide panel member 35 and the surroundings gradually become blurred is performed.

In the portable telephone 30, the light guide panel member 38 shown in FIG. 10 may be assembled in the recess 13. The light guide panel member 38 is also formed of a transparent or translucent synthetic resin material, and a pattern piece attaching portion 39 is integrally formed on an inner surface of a portion facing the incoming display portion 17 in a state where the light guide panel member 38 is assembled to the display portion main body 3. ing. The pattern piece attaching portion 39 is formed of a horizontally long rectangular concave portion, and a strip-shaped decorative pattern piece 40 is mounted therein. The light guide panel member 38 includes the pattern piece attaching portion 3.
Although not shown, a decorative film having an appropriate color tone, pattern, or the like may be integrally bonded to the surface or the inner surface excluding the formation region of No. 9.

As shown in FIG. 11, the decorative pattern piece 40 is a horizontally long rectangular piece having substantially the same shape as the opening of the mounting portion.
For example, by printing an appropriate color tone, the ground portion 41 is printed.
Are light-shielded, and a display pattern 42 made of a blank pattern is formed. The decorative pattern piece 40 is formed of not only a single display pattern but also a plurality of star patterns as shown in FIG.
May be formed. The plurality of display patterns 42 have the same number as the number of the light-emitting elements 18 and may be, for example, a lunar shape, a circular shape, a running animal shape, or an appropriate figure such as a moiré pattern. In the mobile phone 30, such a decorative pattern piece 40 is used and a plurality of light emitting elements 18 are used.
Is controlled so as to be turned on and off at appropriate timing, so that a plurality of display patterns 42 sequentially shine and an incoming call display that makes the user feel a movement is performed.

The decorative pattern piece 40 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
The display pattern 42 may be formed by a plurality of character strings as shown in FIG. The optical display of a character pattern is generally performed by selectively shining each segment. It is difficult to provide. Although the mobile phone 30 cannot be converted into an appropriate character by using the above-described decorative pattern piece 40, the mobile phone 30 performs a light emission display of a character pattern that has never been adopted in a conventional mobile phone. In addition, the form of the light emission display of the incoming call by the makeup pattern piece 40 is
It is needless to say that the present invention is also applied to each display pattern of the decorative panel 14 described above.

In each of the mobile phones 1 and 30 described above, the concave portion 13 is formed in the decorative surface 3b of the display unit main body 3,
The decorative panel 14 is closed by closing the recess 13.
However, the first fitting hole 19 and the first fitting projection 26, the second fitting hole 20 and the second fitting projection 27, and the press-fit bush 22 and the press-fit boss 28 are connected to each other. Assemble. The mobile phone 50 shown in FIGS. 12 to 14 as a third embodiment of the present invention has a configuration in which a decorative panel 53 is attached to a recess 51 formed in the display unit main body 3 by a slide operation described in detail below. Has features.

In the mobile phone 50, the display unit 3
As shown in FIG. 12, the concave portion 51 formed on the decorative surface 3b is closed on the hinge portion 4 side, but is opened to the side surface on the free end side. Recess 5
In FIG. 1, slide guide projections 52a, 52b are integrally formed on the inner wall in the width direction as shown in FIG. Each of the slide guide projections 52a and 52b is formed in a rail shape over the entire area from the open end 51a to the base end.

Although not shown, a first fitting hole is formed in the recess 51 so as to be located substantially at the center on the hinge part 4 side and span the inner wall and the bottom wall, and the open end 51a is formed. A second fitting hole is also formed at a substantially central part of the bottom surface wall so as to open to the bottom wall. The recess 51 is formed in the display unit main body 3 in a size including the incoming call display unit 17, similarly to the above-described mobile phone 30.

The decorative panel 53 has an outer shape sufficient to close the recessed portion 51 and the open end 51a, and is formed to have a gently curved surface with the substantially central portion as the vertex toward the outer peripheral portion. Although not described in detail, the decorative panel 53 is made of a panel base and a decorative film having an appropriate color tone and a pattern integrated on the surface thereof similarly to the decorative panel 14 described above. Further, the decorative panel 53 may be a single member formed of a transparent or translucent synthetic resin material, a panel in which a decorative film is integrated with the inner surface, or a panel having the above-described configurations.

As shown in FIG. 14, the decorative panel 53 has an L-shaped cross-section by protruding the tip from the open end 51a to the inner surface at one end, which is the insertion side when combined with the recess 51, as described later. A first fitting protrusion 54 having a shape of a bar is integrally provided. Although not described in detail, the decorative panel 53 has a similar second fitting projection 55 integrally formed on the inner surface on the other end side. When the decorative panel 53 is assembled to the recess 51, the first fitting projection 54 fits into the first fitting hole and the second fitting projection 55 fits into the second fitting projection. It is fixed by fitting into the hole.

As shown in FIG. 14, the decorative panel 53 has slide guide recesses 56a along both sides in the longitudinal direction.
56b is formed over the entire area. Each of the slide guide recesses 56a and 56b has a sectional shape substantially equal to the sectional shape of the slide guide protrusions 52a and 52b. The decorative panel 53 is inserted into the concave portion 51 from the open end 51a with the one end on which the first fitting convex portion 54 protrudes as the insertion side. As shown in FIG. 13, as shown in FIG. 13, the slide panel recesses 56 a and 56 b are fitted into the slide guide protrusions 52 a and 52 b and pushed in, so that the decorative panel 53 is easily assembled to the recess 51.

The decorative panel 53 has an insertion end portion having a concave portion 51.
, The first fitting projection 54 fits into the first fitting hole and is locked. In this state, the second fitting projection 55 on the other end side of the decorative panel 53 has the open end 5.
On the side of 1 a, it is fitted and locked in the second fitting hole, and is assembled to the concave portion 51.

The decorative panel 53 is slid to the open end 51a side with a relatively strong force, so that the first fitting projection 54 and the second fitting projection 55 are elastically displaced. It comes out of the first fitting hole and the second fitting hole. The decorative panel 53 is taken out from the open end 51a of the concave portion 51 by a guide structure including the slide guide concave portions 56a and 56b and the slide guide convex portions 52a and 52b.

In the portable telephone 50, the user can more easily replace the decorative panel 53 with the display unit main body 3 by performing the attaching / detaching operation of the decorative panel 53 by the slide operation. In the mobile phone 50, the outer peripheral portion of the display unit main body 3 borders the decorative panel 53, so that the color tone and the pattern formed on the decorative panel 53 are emphasized. In the mobile phone 50, the outer peripheral portion of the display unit main body 3 prevents the decorative panel 53 from being damaged from an impact such as a drop. Mobile phone 50
, The outer peripheral portion of the display unit body 3 and the decorative panel 53
Since there is no step with the outer peripheral edge of the, the occurrence of catching or the like is prevented.

The mobile phone 50 has a slide guide recess formed on the side of the recess 51 and a decorative panel 5.
A structure in which a slide guide projection is formed on the third side may be used. The mobile phone 50 may have a structure in which a slide guide recess is formed on the bottom wall of the recess 51 and rib-shaped slide guide protrusions are formed along both sides of the decorative panel 53. A combination guide structure is employed.

In each of the portable telephones 1, 30, and 50 described above, the concave portions 13 and 51 are formed on the decorative surface 3b of the display unit main body 3.
Panel 1 which is formed and selected by the owner or the like
4 and 53 are assembled, but the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. According to the present invention, it is a matter of course that a similar concave portion may be formed on the outer surface of the operation portion main body 2 facing the operation surface 2a, and the decorative panel may be detachably combined with the concave portion. It is.

[0073]

As described in detail above, according to the foldable portable telephone according to the present invention, a large number of decorative panels prepared with different colors, patterns, patterns, textures, etc. can be prepared by the owner. Since it is configured such that it can be selected according to preference and can be detachably assembled to the display unit main body, it is possible to create a form with rich originality by extremely simple correspondence. In addition, according to the foldable mobile phone, even when a large pressing force is applied in the folded state when not in use, the display unit main body is assembled with the decorative panel, thereby increasing the thickness and increasing the mechanical rigidity. Thereby, damage to the liquid crystal display is reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a mobile phone shown as an embodiment of the present invention with a decorative panel removed.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the mobile phone in a state where an operation unit main body and a display unit main body are developed.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the mobile phone in a state where an operation unit main body and a display unit main body are folded.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the mobile phone in a state where an operation unit main body and a display unit main body are folded.

5A and 5B are main part longitudinal sectional views for explaining a connection structure between a display unit main body and a decorative panel of the mobile phone; FIG. 5A is a connection structure on a base end side, and FIG. FIG. 3C shows a joint structure of the free end portion.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a mobile phone shown as a second embodiment of the present invention with a decorative panel removed.

FIG. 7 is an essential part longitudinal cross sectional view for explaining a configuration of an incoming call display section in the mobile phone.

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of an essential part for explaining a configuration of another incoming call display section.

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view of an essential part for explaining the configuration of another incoming call display section.

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view of an essential part for explaining a configuration of another incoming call display section.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a display pattern piece mounted on a decorative panel.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the mobile phone shown as the third embodiment of the present invention in a state where an operation unit main body and a display unit main body are folded.

FIG. 13 is an essential part longitudinal cross sectional view for explaining a connection structure between a display portion main body and a decorative panel in the mobile phone.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a main part of a decorative panel provided in the mobile phone.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 mobile phone, 2 operation unit body, 2a operation surface, 3
Display unit body, 3a display surface, 3b decorative surface, 4 hinge unit, 5 dial unit, 6 jog dial, 7 function buttons, 11 inner case, 12 outer case, 13
Recessed portion, 14 decorative panel, 15 liquid crystal display, 17 incoming call display portion, 18 light emitting element, 19 first fitting hole, 20
2nd fitting hole, 22 press-fitting bush, 24 panel base, 25 decorative film, 26 first fitting projection, 27
2nd fitting convex part, 28 press-fit boss, 29 decorative sheet, 30 mobile phone, 31 display opening, 32 light guide member, 33 display pattern, 34 light guide convex part, 35 light guide panel member, 36 decorative sheet piece, 37 display pattern, 38 light guide decorative panel, 39 pattern piece mounting part,
40 display pattern piece, 41 light shielding portion, 42 display pattern, 50 mobile phone, 51 concave portion, 52 guide convex portion, 53 decorative panel, 54 first fitting convex portion, 55
Second fitting convex portion, 56 guide concave portion

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Koichi Takagaki 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Takashi Ikenaga 6-35, Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation F term (reference) 4E360 AA02 AB03 AB12 AB42 BA02 BA08 BA15 BC03 BC04 BC06 BC07 CA04 CA08 EA18 EC05 ED03 ED13 ED14 ED23 ED27 EE02 FA08 GA06 GA12 GA51 GB26 GC08 5K023 AA07 BB01 BB27 DD06 DD08 EE02 MM02 QQ05 RR08 5K067 AA21 AA33 BB04 FF23 KK17

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An operation unit main body provided with dial buttons and function buttons; a display unit main body provided with a liquid crystal display; and an operation surface and a display surface facing each other. A hinge part rotatably combined with the folded state and the expanded state, and a makeup which is detachably attached to at least an outer surface facing the display surface of the display unit body via coupling means to constitute an exterior body. A foldable mobile phone comprising a panel. 2. The display unit main body-side coupling means includes at least a first fitting portion formed at one end in a length direction;
A second fitting portion formed on both sides of a substantially central portion, and a press-fitting bush attached to the other end, wherein the connecting means on the decorative panel side is provided at least on one end side in the length direction. The first formed corresponding to the first fitting portion
, A second fitting piece formed on both sides of the substantially central portion corresponding to the second fitting portion, and a press-fit boss formed on the other end side corresponding to the press-fit bush. The foldable mobile phone according to claim 1, comprising: 3. The decorative panel according to claim 1, wherein the decorative panel comprises a panel base formed of a transparent or translucent material, and a decorative film integrated on the front side or the inner side of the panel base. The foldable mobile phone according to claim 1. 4. The foldable mobile phone according to claim 3, wherein the decorative panel is formed of a transparent or translucent synthetic resin material or elastomer material having somewhat elasticity. 5. A concave portion having an opening shape substantially the same as the outer shape of the transparent or translucent decorative panel is formed on an outer surface of the display portion main body. 2. The folding mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein a color tone, a pattern, or a pattern of the display sheet mounted in a gap formed between the panel and the recess is seen through. 6. The concave portion formed on the outer side surface of the display portion main body comprises a concave portion closed on the hinge portion side and open on a free end side on a side surface, from the open side of the concave portion. The foldable mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the decorative panel is assembled via slide guide means formed between opposing side walls.