JP2002252069A - Hinge connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the stress added to a flat cable. SOLUTION: A hinge connector 11 to be rotatably mounted on the first and the second hinge parts 81a, 81b, 83a, 83b of the first and the second cases 81, 83, has the mutually rotatable first and second members 21, 22, 31, 32 and a flat cable (FPC) 41 introduced into their inside, and the first and the second members 21, 22, 31, 32 have the first and the second rotating guide parts 21b, 22b and the first and the second retaining parts 22a, 32a to retain the flat cable 41, and the flat cable 41 has the first and the second engaging parts 41a, 42a to be engaged with the first and the second retaining parts 22a, 32a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable telephone, a PD
A (Personal Digital Assistants), a hinge connector attached to a hinge of an electronic device having a folding function such as a notebook personal computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional electronic device, for example, FIG.
There is a foldable mobile phone in Conventional Technique 1 shown in FIG. 0 and a foldable mobile phone in Conventional Technique 2 shown in FIG. Note that the foldable mobile phones shown in FIGS. 30 and 31 both show a state in which the outer lid is removed.

[0003] The prior art 1 shown in FIG.
Will be described at the same time. In such a kind of electronic device, the board 20 mounted on the keyboard-side housings 201, 201 'on which the keyboard is mounted is provided.
3, 203 'and the LCD-side housing 20 on which the LCD is mounted.
In order to connect the 5,205 'substrates 207, 207', FPCs (Flat Printed Circuits) 209, 209 'are employed as flat cables.

In the electronic devices according to the prior arts 1 and 2, F
FPC209, to fix PC209, 209 '
Both ends of the 209 'are connected only by the connectors 210 and 210'. The FPCs 209, 209 'are hinged to the hinge portions 211, 21 of the housings 205, 205' in a wound state.
1 '.

[0005] As another prior art, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2729581 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 2926212 disclose hinge connectors used in electronic equipment.

In the conventional hinge connector, flexible FPCs 209 and 209 'having a thin and flexible structure in which a circuit is formed only on one side in order to prevent bending stress.
You are using

[0007]

However, in the electronic devices of the prior arts 1 and 2, the FPCs 209 and 20
Since both ends of the FPCs 209 and 209 'are connected only by the connectors 210 and 210' in order to fix the electronic device 9 ', each time the electronic device is repeatedly folded and opened, the FP is released.
C209 and 209 'are stressed and the connector 21
0, 210 ', or FPC 209, 20
There is a problem that the conductor 9 'is disconnected.

Further, the FPCs 209 and 209 'are
There is a problem in appearance that the portions located at the hinge portions 211 and 211 'can be seen from the gaps of the FPCs 209 and 209'.
5,205 'need to be accommodated in the hinge portions 211, 211'.

Further, Patent Publication No. 2729581
In the structure of the hinge connector disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JP-A-Heisei, 2-92663, the hinge connector and the connector on the board side are fixed to the housing and the board, respectively. When this occurs, there is a possibility that the connector cannot be fitted, or even if the connector is fitted, stress may be generated in the soldering portion and the hinge rotating portion.

In the conventional hinge connector, thin and flexible FPCs 209 and 209 'provided with a circuit only on one side are used in order to prevent bending stress. Therefore, it is necessary to pass many signal lines in a small space. For this reason, the FPCs 209 and 209 'having a circuit on one side cannot satisfy the specifications, and it is necessary to adopt an FPC having circuits formed on both sides in order to pass a multi-core signal line in a limited space. However, there is a problem that the flexibility is inferior because the FPC has a large dimension.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a structure in which stress is not applied even when folding and opening are repeated, to avoid displacement of the FPC, to reduce the size, and to hide the FPC from the outside in the electronic device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hinge connector.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hinge connector which is excellent in flexibility and can prevent slack.

[0013]

According to the present invention, a first housing having a first hinge portion and a second housing having a second hinge portion are provided with the first and second housings. A first circuit board mounted on the first housing and an electronic device mounted on the second housing mounted on the electronic device hinged to each other by a hinge portion so as to be rotatable with each other. A second circuit board connected to each other and attached to the first and second hinge portions so as to be rotatable around a common axis of the first and second hinge portions. A member, a second member rotatably assembled around the one axis common to the first member, and assembled to the first member, and an intermediate portion introduced inside the member, which is spirally wound in a spiral shape and disposed. And both ends protrude out of the first and second members. A first rotation guide portion rotatably engaged with the second member, a first storage portion for storing the flat cable, and a first storage portion for storing the flat cable. A first holding portion for holding the flat cable, wherein the second member has a second rotation guide portion rotatably engaged with the first rotation guide portion; A second storage section for storing the cable,
A second holding portion that holds the flat cable, wherein the flat cable has a first engaging portion that engages with the first holding portion, and a second engaging portion that engages with the second holding portion. 2
And a hinge connector comprising:

[0014]

According to the present invention, the bent portion, which is the intermediate portion of the flat cable, is stored and held in the first and second members, and the first and second members are connected to the first and second housings in the first and second housings. When the flat cable is pulled out from the hinge connector by being stored in the first and second hinge portions, the hinge connector and the flat cable are held.

With the above structure, a structure can be provided in which stress is not applied even when the folding and opening are repeated, and the circuit of the board is pulled out from the hinge connector by the flat cable, so that the displacement of the fitting portion between the connector and the mating connector is avoided. Is done.

Also, the circuit can be miniaturized by drawing out the circuit with a flat cable, and the miniaturized hinge connector can be inserted into the first and second hinge portions provided in the first and second housings, so that it can be externally provided. The flat cable can be hidden.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of an electronic apparatus according to the present invention will be described. 1 to 5 (A) to
(D) shows a hinge connector used for an electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5A to 5D, a hinge connector 11 attached to an electronic device is common to a pair of first members 21 and 22 and the first members 21 and 22. A pair of second members 31, 32, which are assembled to the first members 21, 22 so as to be rotatable about one axis, and an intermediate portion inside the first and second members 21, 22, 31, 32. FPC as a flexible flat cable introduced
(Flat printed circuit) 41.

Incidentally, in the first embodiment,
In addition to the FPC 41, a flexible FFC (flexible flat cable) can be employed. Therefore, the FPC 41 and the FFC are collectively referred to as a flat cable.

The dimension of the pair of first members 21 and 22 in the axial direction is set to be shorter than the dimension of the pair of second members 31 and 32 in the axial direction. The shape of the outer peripheral surface around the axis of the pair of first members 21 and 22 is substantially circular.

As is apparent from FIGS. 3 and 4, the outer peripheral surfaces of the pair of second members 31 and 32 around the axes are substantially circular, and the outer peripheral surfaces of the main members are outside. Projections 31e, 32 slightly projecting in the direction
e.

A first connector 43 is mounted on one end of the FPC 41. First connector 43
Are connected to the circuit of the FPC 41. On one surface of the other end of the FPC 41, a second connector 44 is mounted. The second connector 44 is connected to a circuit of the FPC 41.

The portion indicated by reference numeral 41e in FIG.
A terminal portion (not shown) of the first connector 43 is a conductive portion connected by solder. A portion indicated by reference numeral 41f in FIG. 2 is a conductive portion to which a terminal portion (not shown) of the second connector 44 is connected by solder.

The first connector 43 is removably connected to the mating connector 51 mounted on the board 55 shown in FIG. The second connector 44 is removably connected to a mating connector mounted on a board (not shown). In addition,
At both ends of the FPC 41, a connector for connection between boards may be mounted depending on the type of the mating connector.

First and second members 21, 22, 31, 3
Reference numeral 2 denotes a hinge assembly which is divided into two parts in one plane direction including one axis, and is made by resin molding. The hinge assembly is assembled with the FPC 41
First and second engagement portions 41a, 42a formed on
And hold it.

The FPC 41 is formed by winding the first and second members 2 at a middle portion in the longitudinal direction in a state of being spirally bent and wound.
The first and second members 21, 22, 31, and 32 are disposed inside the first, second, 31, 32, and both end portions protrude outward from the first and second members 21, 22, 31, 32.

More specifically, the hinge assembly will be described. The first member 2 is an assembly having a structure in which two members are combined.
As shown in FIGS. 6 (A) to 6 (E) to 7 (A) to 7 (E), each of the second members 31 and 3
2 has first semicircular first rotation guide portions 21b and 22b rotatably engaged with the second rotation guide portion 21b.

The first members 21 and 22 include an FPC.
First holding portions 21a and 22a having flat surfaces are formed so as to hold the first engagement portion 41a of 41. First
Holding portions 21a and 22a are portions slightly depressed from the mating surface where the first members 21 and 22 are combined.

Second members 31 and 3 composed of two assemblies
2 are respectively shown in FIGS. 8A to 8E and FIG.
As shown in (A) to (E), the first rotation guide portion 2
It has semicircular second rotation guide portions 31b and 32b rotatably engaged with 1b and 22b, and second storage portions 31c and 32c for storing the FPC 41.

The second members 31 and 32 include an FPC.
Second holding portions 31a and 32a having flat surfaces are formed so as to hold the second engagement portion 42a of 41. Second
The holding portions 31a and 32a are portions slightly depressed from the mating surface where the first members 31 and 32 are combined.

The semicircular first rotation guide portions 21b, 2
2b have a substantially circular outer peripheral surface when combined with each other. The semicircular second rotation guide portions 31b and 32b are combined to have a substantially circular outer peripheral surface.

The first rotation guide portions 21b, 22b are fitted inside the second rotation guide portions 31b, 32b, so that the first and second members 21, 22, 31,.
32 are mutually rotatable.

In this embodiment, the first and second holding portions 22a and 32a are formed on both the pair of first and second members 21, 22, 31, and 32. Alternatively, the first holding portion 22a may be formed only on the first member 22 on one side of the hinge assembly, and the second holding portion 32a may be formed only on the second member 32.

The FPC 41 is formed by winding the intermediate portion at least once and spirally forming the first and second members 2.
The first and second storage sections 21c of 1, 22, 31, and 32,
22c, 31c, 32c, and FPC4
1 have first and second members 21, 22, 31, 3
2 protrudes outside. First engaging portion 4 of FPC 41
1a is sandwiched and engaged between the first holding portions 21a and 22a, and the second engaging portion 42a is connected to the second holding portions 31a and 32a.
a. The first and second holding portions 22a,
32a are the first and second engaging portions 41a of the FPC 41,
It is formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the portion including 41b.

One side of the FPC 41 is connected to the first holding section 21.
a, 22a are uniaxially passed through cutout portions of the first closed end walls 21g, 22g formed in the first and second holding portions 21a, 22a, and are led out to the outside. It extends in the direction. The penetrating portion of the FPC 41 is sealed at the first closed end walls 21g and 22g with a sealing material such as a resin or an adhesive that seals the cutout portion.

The other side of the FPC 41 is
a, 32a penetrate the cutout portions of the second closed outer walls 31g, 32g formed in the second holding portions 31a, 32a around the axis and radially outward, and are led out to the outside. The second closed outer walls 31g and 32g are sealed in cutout portions. That is, the FPC 41 has a portion extending from the hinge connector 11 in a direction parallel to a common axis and a portion extending by bending the axis in a direction orthogonal to the axis.

FIGS. 10 to 13 show a state after the hinge connector 11 is assembled. 10 is a front view in FIG. 1, FIG. 11 is a rear view in FIG. 1, FIG. 12 is a right side view in FIG. 1, and FIG. 13 is a left side view in FIG.

FIGS. 14 to 16 show the hinge connector 11.
Shows a specific example in a state where is attached to a mobile phone. FIG. 17 shows the first housing 8 of the electronic device before assembling the hinge connector 11 shown in FIG. 1 into the electronic device.
The first and second housings 83 are shown in an exploded state. The following description is based on the premise that the electronic devices described below are cellular phones as in the prior arts 1 and 2 described with reference to FIGS.

Referring to FIGS. 14 to 17, a first housing 81 on which an LCD-side substrate 80 is mounted in an electronic device.
Has a pair of first hinge portions 81a and 81b projecting at a predetermined interval on one side surface. The second housing 83 on which the keyboard-side board 85 is mounted has a pair of second hinge portions 83a and 83b protruding at a predetermined interval on one surface.

The pair of first hinge portions 81a and 81b are
The pair of first hinge portions 81a and 81b are located inside the pair of second hinge portions 83a and 83b so as to be adjacent to the pair of first hinge portions 81a and 81b, respectively. The first housing 81 and the second housing 83 are provided with first and second hinge portions 81a, 81b, 83a,
83b are hinged so as to be rotatable with each other.

In the first and second members 22, 32 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first and second holding portions 22a, 22
2a, the first and second engaging portions 41 of the FPC 41
a, 42a are placed, and the hinge connector 11 is manufactured by combining the first and second members 21 and 31. Also,
First and second hinge portions 81a, 81b, 83a, 83
One axis of b is used in common.

The first and second housings 81 and 83 correspond to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the damper member 86 is connected by fitting one axis formed on one of the first and second hinge portions 81b and 83b into a common hole 81f. In addition,
The holes formed in the second hinge portion 83b are not shown.

In the hinge connector 11, the first rotation guides 21b and 22b are connected to the second rotation guides 31a and 31a.
The FPC 41 is rotated once so as to be wound in a spiral shape in a state where the FPC 32 is aligned with the second hinge 32b, and is aligned with the first and second hinge portions 81a, 81b, 83a, 83b.

Here, the union of the first members 21 and 22 fits into the holes 81g and 83g having one axis formed in one of the first and second hinge portions 81a and 83a. At this time, the F extending outward from the first members 21 and 22
The end of the PC 41 is inserted into a notch 91 formed near the first hinge 81a.

As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the connector 43 is formed by folding the FPC 41 and connecting it to the mating connector 51 mounted on the LCD-side substrate 80.
Is connected to a mating connector (not shown) provided on the board 85 on the keyboard side.

The hinge connector 11 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the first and second hinge portions 81a, 81
b, 83a, and 83b are rotatably fitted around one axis common to the holes 81f, 81g, and 83g.
And a substrate 85 mounted on the second housing 83 are connected to each other.

Further, as shown in FIG. 22, a lid 87 is mounted on the first housing 81. Such a hinge connector includes first and second hinge portions 81a, 81b,
83a and 83b are detachably held. And the first
Of the first and second hinge portions 81a,
Since it is fitted into the holes 81g, 83g of 83a, it becomes a fixed portion, and the second members 31, 32 become rotating portions.

By the way, in this embodiment,
In order to prevent bending stress, a thin FPC41 with a circuit formed only on one side and a flexible structure is used. However, due to miniaturization of electronic equipment and addition of functions, many signals can be stored in a small space. You need to pass through the line.
For this reason, in order to pass a multi-core signal line in a limited space, it is necessary to employ the FPC 41 having a circuit formed on both sides, but the FPC 41 itself has a large size, so that the flexibility is inferior. Therefore, the FPC 41 described below is employed as a countermeasure for this. FIG. 23 shows an FPC 41 in which two sheets are superimposed. Referring to FIG. 23, two FPCs 41 are overlapped and a part thereof is adhered to an adhesive and adhered. 2
The FPCs 41A and 41B are joined by an adhesive at least in the first and second engaging portions 41a and 42a.

The two FPCs 41A and 41B are connected to each other at the first and second engagement portions 41a and 42a.
FPC 41B located on the inner peripheral side of the dimension in the longitudinal direction of FPC 41A located on the outer peripheral side of 41A, 41B
Are short dimensions in the longitudinal direction.

When the FPCs 41A and 41B have the same dimensions, a portion 41B-1 of the FPC 41B on the inner peripheral side is greatly sagged at the time of bending as shown in FIG. By setting the dimension in the longitudinal direction of the FPC 41B located on the inner peripheral side shorter than the dimension in the direction, the sag is eliminated when spirally wound as shown in FIG.

As a specific example, two FPCs 41A,
Although described with reference to 41B, it goes without saying that two or more FPCs can be employed.

FIGS. 26 to 28 show a second embodiment of the hinge connector used in the electronic apparatus according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 26 to FIG.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a pair of first members 121 and 122, and a pair of second members 131 assembled to the first members 121 and 122 so as to be rotatable around one axis common to the first members 121 and 122. , 132 and the first and second members 121, 12
2, 131, 132 and an FPC 141 as a flexible flat cable with an intermediate portion introduced.

The dimension of the first members 121 and 122 in the uniaxial direction is set to be shorter than the dimension of the second members 131 and 132 in the uniaxial direction. The shape of the outer peripheral surface around the axis of the first members 121 and 122 is substantially circular. The shape of the outer peripheral surface around the axis of the second members 131 and 132 includes a substantially circular main body portion,
Projection portions 131e and 132e slightly project outward from the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion.

On the surface of one end of the FPC 141, FIG.
A first connector 4 similar to the first connector 43 shown in FIG.
3 is mounted. On one surface of the other end of the FPC 141, a second connector 44 similar to the second connector 44 shown in FIG. 1 is mounted.

The portion indicated by reference numeral 141e in FIGS. 26 to 28 is a conductive portion to which a terminal portion (not shown) of the first connector 43 is connected by soldering. In addition, the portion indicated by reference numeral 141f in FIGS.
A terminal portion (not shown) of the second connector 44 is a conductive portion connected by solder.

The first connector 43 is fitted to a mating connector 51 mounted on a board similar to the board 55 shown in FIG.
Connect detachably. The second connector 44 is removably connected to a mating connector mounted on a board (not shown). Note that both ends of the FPC 141 may be mounted with a board-to-board connection connector depending on the type of mating connector.

First and second members 121, 122, 13
Reference numeral 1132 denotes a hinge assembly which is divided into two parts in one plane direction including one axis, and is made by resin molding. The hinge assembly is F
First and second engaging portions 14 formed on PC 141
1a and 142a are sandwiched and held.

The FPC 141 has a middle portion in the longitudinal direction bent in a spiral shape and wound twice to be disposed inside the first and second members 121, 122, 131, and 132, and has both ends at the both ends. First and second members 121 and 12
2, 131, 132 project outside.

More specifically, the hinge assembly will be described. The first member 1 is composed of an assembly having a two-piece structure.
As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, each of the first and second guides 21 and 122 has semicircular first rotation guides 121b and 122b that rotatably engage with the second members 131 and 132. I have.

The first members 121 and 122 have F
First holding portions 121a and 122a having flat surfaces are formed so as to hold the first engagement portions 141a of the PC 141. The first holding unit 121a includes a first member 121,
The first holding portion 122a is a part slightly depressed from the mating surface where the first members 121 and 122 are mated.

The second members 31, 3 each composed of a two-body assembly
2 are first rotation guide portions 121b and 122, respectively.
The second rotation guide portions 131b and 132b have a semicircular shape and are rotatably engaged with the FPC 141b. The second storage portions 131c and 132c store the FPC 141.

The second members 131 and 132 have F
Second holding portions 131a and 132a having flat surfaces are formed so as to hold the second engagement portions 142a of the PC 141. The second holding part 132a includes the first member 131,
132 is a part slightly depressed from the mating surface to be combined.

The semicircular first rotation guide portion 121b,
122b have a circular outer peripheral surface by being combined with each other. The semicircular second rotation guide portions 131b and 132b are combined to have a circular outer peripheral surface.

First rotation guides 121b, 122b
Are fitted inside the second rotation guide portions 131b, 132b, so that the first and second members 121,
122, 131, and 132 can be rotated relative to each other.

In this embodiment, the first
The first and second holding portions 122a and 132a are formed on both of the first and second members 121, 122, 131 and 132, and the first member 12 on one side of the hinge assembly is formed.
2, the first holding part 122a is attached to one of the second members 1
The second holding portion 132a may be formed only in the portion 32.

The FPC 141 is formed by spirally winding the intermediate portion at least twice and forming the first and second members 1 and 2.
21, 122, 131, 132, are disposed in the first and second storage sections 121 c, 122 c, 131 c, 132 c, and both ends of the FPC 141 are outside the first and second members 121, 122, 131, 132. Projecting to The first engaging portion 141a of the FPC 141 is engaged between the first holding portions 121a and 122a, and the second engaging portion 142a is engaged between the second holding portions 131a and 132a. I do.

First and second holding parts 122a, 132a
Are the first and second engaging portions 141a, 141 of the FPC 141.
It is formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the portion including 41b.

One side of the FPC 141 is the first holding unit 1
22a to the first holding portion 122a formed on the first holding portion 122a.
Of the closed end wall 122g is uniaxially passed through the cutout portion and is led out to the outside. The penetrating portion of the FPC 141 is sealed on the first closed end wall 122g with a sealing material such as a resin or an adhesive for sealing the cutout portion.

Further, the other side of the FPC 141 penetrates the cutout portion of the second closed outer wall 132g formed in the second holding portion 132a from the second holding portion 132a around the axis and radially outward. While being led to the outside, and sealed by a cutout portion of the second closed outer wall 132g. That is, the FPC 141 extends outward from the hinge connector 111 in a direction parallel to each other.

To assemble the hinge connector according to this embodiment, the first rotation guide portion 122b of the first member 122 and the second rotation guide portion 132b of the second member 132 are fitted together. Second holding unit 13
The second engaging portion 142a of the FPC 141 is placed on 2a. Next, the hinge connector 111 is completed by fitting the first members 121 and 122 and further fitting the second members 131 and 132 together.

In this hinge connector, as shown in FIG. 29, the first holding portion 122a and the second holding portion 132
By setting “a” near the tangent line on the inner periphery of the hinge connector 111, the rotation diameter of the FPC 141 increases,
It can be stored in a large internal space without stressing the interior.

[0072]

As described above, according to the electronic apparatus of the present invention, the bent portion, which is the intermediate portion of the FPC, is stored and held in the first and second members, and the first and second members are held. Are stored in the first and second hinge portions provided in the first and second housings, so that the hinge connector and the FPC are held by the first and second holding portions that pull out the FPC from the hinge connector. As a result, a structure in which stress is not applied even when folding and opening are repeated is obtained.

Further, by pulling out the circuit of the board from the hinge connector by the FPC, it is possible to avoid the displacement of the fitting portion between the connector and the mating connector.

Further, the hinge connector has no fitting portion and can be miniaturized by drawing out the circuit by the FPC. By fitting the miniaturized hinge connector into the first and second hinge portions, the hinge connector can be externally provided. The FPC can be hidden from view.

Further, the F stored in the hinge connector
Since no adhesive is used only for the PC portion, the same flexibility as that of the single-sided FPC can be obtained. Furthermore, by making the inner peripheral side shorter than the outer peripheral side of the FPC, the inner peripheral side FPC has a structure that does not sag during bending, so that good flexibility can be obtained.

Further, in the hinge connector, the first holding portion and the second holding portion are set near the tangent line on the inner periphery to achieve the F
The rotating diameter of the PC becomes large, and the FPC can be stored in a large internal space without stress.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a hinge connector used for an electronic device according to the present invention together with a mating connector.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the hinge connector shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the hinge connector shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the hinge connector shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 (A) shows an FPC connected to the hinge connector shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram for schematically explaining a state in which is engaged, FIG.
Is a front view, (C) is a left side view of (B), and (D) is (B).
FIG.

6A is a plan view showing one first member of the hinge connector shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 6B is a front view of FIG. 6A, FIG. 6C is a left side view of FIG. (D) is a right side view of (B), and (E) is a bottom view of (B).

7A is a plan view showing the other first member in the hinge connector shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 7B is a front view of FIG. 7A, FIG. 7C is a left side view of FIG. (D) is a right side view of (B), and (E) is a bottom view of (B).

8 (A) is a plan view showing one second member in the hinge connector shown in FIG. 1, (B) is a front view of (A), (C) is a left side view of (B), (D) is a right side view of (B), and (E) is a bottom view of (B).

9 (A) is a plan view showing the other second member in the hinge connector shown in FIG. 1, (B) is a front view of (A), (C) is a left side view of (B), (D) is a right side view of (B), and (E) is a bottom view of (B).

FIG. 10 is a front view of the hinge connector shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the hinge connector shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a right side view of the hinge connector shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a left side view of the hinge connector shown in FIG. 1;

14 is a perspective view of an electronic device to which the hinge connector shown in FIG. 1 is attached.

15 is a front view of the electronic device shown in FIG.

16 is a right side view of the electronic apparatus shown in FIG.

17 is an exploded perspective view showing main parts of first and second housings of the electronic device before assembling the hinge connector shown in FIG. 1;

18 is a perspective view showing a state before assembling the first and second housings of FIG. 17 and fitting a damper member to a hinge portion.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a state before the hinge connector is assembled from the state of FIG. 18;

20 is a perspective view showing a state after the hinge connector is assembled from the state of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view showing the hinge connector and the electronic device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a state after the hinge connector and the electronic device shown in FIG. 21 are assembled.

FIG. 23 shows an F that is also used in the hinge connector shown in FIG. 1;
It is the perspective view which showed other specific examples of PC.

24 is a side view of a state in which the first and second engagement portions of the FPC shown in FIG. 23 are spirally wound as FPCs having the same dimensions.

25 is a side view of the FPC shown in FIG. 23 in a state where the first and second engagement portions are spirally wound as FPCs having different dimensions.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the hinge connector used for the electronic device according to the present invention.

FIG. 27 is an exploded perspective view of the hinge connector shown in FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which the hinge connector shown in FIG. 26 is being assembled.

FIG. 29 is a sectional view of the hinge connector shown in FIG. 26;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing an electronic apparatus according to the related art 1.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing an electronic apparatus according to the related art 2.

[Explanation of symbols]

11, 111 Hinge connector 21, 22, 121, 122 First member 21b, 22b, 121b, 122b First rotation guide portion 22a, 122a First holding portion 31, 32, 131, 132 Second member 31b , 32b, 131b, 132b Second rotation guide portions 31c, 32c, 131c, 132c Second storage portions 32a, 132a Second holding portions 41, 41A, 41B, 209, 209 'FPC 41a, 141a First Engaging portions 42a, 142a Second engaging portion 81 First housing 81a, 81b First hinge 83 Second housing 83a, 83b Second hinge 201, 201 'Housing 203, 203' , 207, 207 'Substrate 205, 205' LCD-side housing 211, 211 'Hinge

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Noriyuki Konishi 1-21-2 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masao Higuchi 1-21-2 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5K023 AA07 BB03 DD08 NN06

Claims (9)

[Claims] A first housing having a first hinge portion;
A second housing having a second hinge portion attached to an electronic device hinged to each other by the first and second hinge portions so as to be rotatable with each other;
A first circuit board mounted on the first housing and a second circuit board mounted on the second housing are connected to each other, and around a common axis of the first and second hinge portions. A hinge connector rotatably attached to the first and second hinge portions, wherein a first member and a first member assembled to the first member so as to be rotatable around the one axis common to the first member. 2 and a flat cable in which an intermediate portion introduced inside is spirally wound with flexibility and arranged, and both end portions protrude outward from the first and second members. A first rotation guide portion rotatably engaged with the second member, a first storage portion for storing the flat cable, and a first storage portion for holding the flat cable. And a second holding member, wherein the second member is A second rotation guide portion rotatably engaged with the rotation guide portion, a second storage portion for storing the flat cable, and a second holding portion for holding the flat cable. The flat cable includes a first engaging portion that engages with the first holding portion, and a second engaging portion that engages with the second holding portion. Hinge connector. 2. The hinge connector according to claim 1, wherein said hinge connector is detachably held by said first and second hinge portions. 3. The hinge connector according to claim 1, wherein the first and second holding portions are formed in a shape corresponding to a shape of a portion including the first and second engagement portions. Features hinge connector. 4. The hinge connector according to claim 1, wherein a first end of both ends of the flat cable is opposite to the second member of the first member from the first holding portion. Through the first closed end wall in the uniaxial direction, and is led to the outside, and extends in the penetrating direction, and is sealed to the first closed end wall at the penetrated portion. The other second end of the two ends of the flat cable is connected to the second holding portion from the second holding portion.
A part of the second closed outer wall of the member is penetrated around the axis and radially outward, and is led out to the outside;
3. A hinge connector, wherein the hinge connector is sealed on a part of the closed outer wall of the hinge connector. 5. The hinge connector of claim 4, wherein the second end is externally bent in a direction parallel to the common axis and opposite to a direction in which the first end extends. And a hinge connector extending in the uniaxial direction. 6. The hinge connector according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the flat cables are overlapped, and a plurality of the flat cables are connected at least in the first and second engaging portions. A hinge connector which is joined. 7. The hinge connector according to claim 6, wherein a length in a longitudinal direction of the flat cable positioned on an outer peripheral side of the flat cable wound in a spiral shape between the first and second engagement portions. A length of the flat cable located on the inner peripheral side in the longitudinal direction is reduced. 8. The hinge connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second members is a hinge assembly that is divided into two parts in a plane direction including the one axis. First and second holding portions are respectively formed at least integrally with each other, and the first and second engagement portions of the flat cable are separated in a state where the hinge assembly is divided. A hinge connector characterized by being pinched and held. 9. The flat cable according to claim 1, wherein the flat cable is connected to the mating connector mounted on the first and second circuit boards such that the mating connector can be connected to and detached from the mating connector. It has a first connector mounted on one surface of one end and a second connector mounted on one surface of the other end of the two ends of the flat cable. And hinge connector.