JP2003046265A - Portable equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve electric connection between fixed and mobile cases. SOLUTION: The portable equipment comprises a first case 36 having a first hinge bearing section 52, a second case 38 having a second hinge bearing section 54, a hinge shaft 56 that is inserted into the first and second hinge bearing sections, and at least one washer 58 that is inserted between the side of the first hinge bearing section and that of the second one.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mobile device such as a foldable mobile phone.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A foldable mobile phone comprises a fixed casing, a movable casing, and a hinge mechanism for connecting the fixed casing and the movable casing. The movable housing can be opened and closed with respect to the fixed housing by holding the fixed housing in the hand. Similarly, the notebook computer also includes a fixed casing, a movable casing, and a hinge mechanism that connects the fixed casing and the movable casing.

The hinge mechanism of such a portable device has a first hinge bearing portion provided in a fixed casing, a second hinge bearing portion provided in a movable casing, a first hinge bearing portion, and And a hinge shaft inserted into the second hinge bearing portion. Fixed housing (or fixed chassis) and movable housing (or movable chassis) are made of a suitable metal (eg, magnesium)
Made of and acts as a ground. The first hinge bearing portion (or fixed chassis) is made integrally with the fixed housing, and the second hinge bearing portion is made integrally with the movable housing (or movable chassis).

However, since the first hinge bearing portion and the second hinge bearing portion are not always in intimate contact with each other, the resistance in the hinge mechanism is high and it is not possible to form a uniform ground in the casings on both sides. There is a problem. Therefore,
There is a need to improve the connection between fixed and movable housings.

In order to improve the connection between the fixed casing and the movable casing, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 11-68901 discloses that the first metal part is inserted and fixed inside the hinge bearing portion of the movable casing. Disclosed is a structure in which a second metal component, a washer having an axial spring protrusion, and a spring are inserted inside a hinge bearing portion of a housing. The second metal part is urged by the spring towards the first metal part, so that the first metal part and the second metal part are in intimate contact with each other. However, in order to generate a click, the surface of the first metal component and the surface of the second metal component are provided with irregularities. Also, the second metal component contacts the fixed housing via the axial spring protrusion of the washer. In this way, the plurality of metal parts can improve the connection between the fixed housing and the movable housing.

[0006]

According to the invention disclosed in this publication, since many parts are arranged in series, the connection path becomes long and thin, and the resistance is high, and the fixed housing and the movable housing are provided. The electrical connection with the body cannot be fully achieved. Further, since many parts are incorporated in the hinge mechanism, the hinge mechanism becomes complicated and large.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable device capable of improving the electrical connection between the fixed casing and the movable casing.

[0008]

A portable device according to the present invention includes a first casing having a first hinge bearing portion, a second casing having a second hinge bearing portion, and the first casing. A hinge shaft inserted into the hinge bearing portion and the second hinge bearing portion; and at least one washer inserted between a side surface of the first hinge bearing portion and a side surface of the second hinge bearing portion. It is characterized by consisting of.

According to this structure, even when the first hinge bearing portion and the second hinge bearing portion do not come into close contact with each other, the first hinge bearing portion and the second hinge bearing portion are placed between them. The electrical contact is made via at least one washer arranged, and the connection between the fixed housing and the movable housing can be improved.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mobile phone 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The mobile phone 10 has a fixed housing 12,
The movable housing 14 includes the movable housing 14, and the movable housing 14 includes the hinge mechanism 1.
It is connected to the fixed housing 12 by 6 so as to be openable and closable.

FIG. 2 shows a notebook computer 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a perspective view which shows 0. The notebook computer 20 includes a fixed casing 22 and a movable casing 24. The movable casing 24 is connected to the fixed casing 22 by a hinge mechanism 16 so as to be openable and closable.

Although the mobile phone 10 shown in FIG. 1 and the notebook computer 20 shown in FIG. 2 are examples of the mobile device of the present invention, the mobile device of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example. The mobile device of the present invention can be applied to any mobile electronic device having a hinge mechanism. The present invention will be described below by taking the mobile phone 10 as an example.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the portable telephone 10 with the movable casing 14 closed with respect to the fixed casing 12. When the movable casing 14 and the fixed casing 12 are closed, the movable casing 14 and the fixed casing 12 are urged by an urging means (not shown) so that the mutual angle becomes 0 °.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the portable telephone 10 in which the movable casing 14 is opened with respect to the fixed casing 12. When the movable casing 14 and the fixed casing 12 are opened, the movable casing 14 and the fixed casing 12 are urged by an urging means (not shown) so that the mutual angle becomes 160 °.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, the fixed casing 12 has a push key 30, and the movable casing 14 has a display 32 and an antenna 34. These components are also shown in FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a fixed chassis 36 and a movable chassis 38 which are main parts of the fixed casing 12 and the movable casing 14 of the mobile phone 10. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a fixed front case 40 and a movable front case 42 arranged above the fixed chassis 36 and the movable chassis 38 of FIG. FIG. 7 shows a fixed rear case 44 arranged below the fixed chassis 36 and the movable chassis 38 shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a movable rear case 46. The fixed front case 40, the fixed chassis 36, and the fixed rear case 44 are fixed together by screws 48. Movable front case 42, movable chassis 38, and movable rear case 46
Are fixed together with screws 50.

In FIG. 5, the movable chassis 38 is joined to the fixed chassis 36 by the hinge mechanism 16. The hinge mechanism 16 includes a first hinge bearing portion 52 provided on the fixed chassis 36 and a second hinge bearing portion 52 provided on the movable chassis 38.
And a hinge shaft 56 inserted into the first hinge bearing portion 52 and the second hinge bearing portion 54. The hinge shaft 56 is fitted in the hole provided in the first hinge bearing portion 52 and the hole provided in the second hinge bearing portion 54, so that the movable chassis 38 is fixed.
Rotatably coupled to.

The fixed chassis 36 includes the first hinge bearing portion 5
Made with magnesium together with 2. The movable chassis 38 is integrally made of magnesium together with the second hinge bearing portion 54. In each of the two hinge mechanisms 16, at least one washer 58 formed in an elastically deformable shape is inserted between the side surface of the first hinge bearing portion 52 and the side surface of the second hinge bearing portion 54. .

Since the first hinge bearing portion 52 and the second hinge bearing portion 54 rotate relative to each other, without the washer 58, the side surface of the first hinge bearing portion 52 and the second hinge bearing portion 54. The side surfaces of the fixed chassis 36 and the movable chassis 38 are not in close contact with each other, and the electrical connection between the fixed chassis 36 and the movable chassis 38 is not good. According to the present invention, by inserting a washer 58 formed into an elastically deformable shape (a non-flat shape or a shape having a curved surface), one surface of the washer 58 has the first hinge bearing portion 52. Since it securely contacts the side surface and the other surface of the washer 58 surely contacts the side surface of the second hinge bearing portion 54, the fixed chassis 3
The electrical connection between 6 and the movable chassis 38 can be improved and an excellent ground can be formed.

A printed circuit board 60 is mounted on the fixed chassis 36, and a printed circuit board 62 is mounted on the movable chassis 38. The flexible printed circuit board 64
It passes between the two hinge mechanisms 16 and is connected to the printed circuit board 60 and the printed circuit board 62 by connectors. Fixed front case 40, movable front case 4
2, the fixed rear case 44, and the movable rear case 46,
It has a cover portion that covers the hinge mechanism 16 and the flexible printed circuit board 64.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the fixed chassis 36 and the movable chassis 38 from which the printed circuit board of FIG. 5 has been removed. FIG. 9 shows the fixed chassis 36 and the movable chassis 3 of FIG.
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing No. 8. In FIG. 5, at least one washer 58 is shown as one washer 58 having an elastically deformable shape. However, in FIG. 9, at least one washer 58 is shown as two washers 58 as two washers 58A, 58B.

Even with one washer 58, the electrical connection between the fixed chassis 36 and the movable chassis 38 can be improved as described above. However, in the case of one washer 58, since the first hinge bearing portion 52 and the second hinge bearing portion 54 rotate relative to each other, the space between the washer 58 and the side surface of the first hinge bearing portion 52 is increased. , And there is sliding between the washer 58 and the sides of the second hinge bearing portion 54, and the magnesium first hinge bearing portion 52 and the second hinge bearing portion 52 during long use of the mobile phone. 5
4 is easy to wear.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9,
The two washers 58A and 58B are connected to the first hinge bearing portion 5
The second washer 58B is disposed between the side surface of the second hinge bearing portion 54 and the side surface of the second hinge bearing portion 54, and holds one washer 58A so as not to rotate with respect to the first hinge bearing portion 52 and the other washer 58B.
Is held so as not to rotate with respect to the second hinge bearing portion 54, the washer 58A and the first hinge bearing portion 5
It is possible to eliminate sliding between the two side surfaces and between the washer 58B and the side surface of the second hinge bearing portion 54, and thus, the magnesium first hinge bearing portion 52 and the magnesium second hinge bearing portion. It is possible to prevent the wear of 54. The two washers 58A and 58B slide with respect to each other, but there is no problem since these washers are made of a metal that is hard to wear, such as spring steel, phosphor bronze, or beryllium.

FIG. 10 shows the first and second hinge bearing portions 52, 54 before attaching the washers 58A, 58B of FIG. 9 to the respective hinge bearing portions 52, 54. In FIG. 11, the washers 58A and 58B are attached to the respective hinge bearing portions 5.
2 shows the first and second hinge bearing parts 52, 54 after they have been attached to 2, 54.

FIG. 12 is a view showing one of the two washers 58A and 58B, that is, 58B. Figure 13 shows two washers 5
It is a figure which shows the other 58A of 8A and 58B. 12
As shown in (A) and (B), the washer 58B is basically a flat washer having an annular shape. The washer 58B has a detent claw 58X formed at a predetermined position in the circumferential direction.

As shown in FIG. 13 (A), the washer 58A basically has a ring shape.
As shown in (B), the washer 58A basically consists of a thin plate and is curved in a dogleg shape. Therefore, when a force is applied to the washer 58A, the washer 58A elastically deforms so as to approach a flat shape. The first bearing portion 52 and the second bearing portion 54 are arranged to apply such a force. The washer 58A has a detent claw 58Y formed at a predetermined position in the circumferential direction.

In FIGS. 9 to 11, washers 58A are shown.
Is attached to the outer surface of the second hinge bearing portion 54.
At that time, the non-rotating pawl 58X is attached to the second hinge bearing portion 5.
The washer 58A is the second
The hinge bearing portion 54 is held so as not to rotate. The washer 58B is attached to the inner surface of the first hinge bearing portion 52. At that time, the detent claw 58Y is arranged on the neck portion of the outer periphery of the first hinge bearing portion 52, and the washer 58B is held so as not to rotate with respect to the first hinge bearing portion 52.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 11, the second hinge bearing portion 54 is brought closer to the first hinge bearing portion 52,
And when both are aligned, two washers 58A, 58
B is the first hinge bearing portion 52 and the second hinge bearing portion 54.
Is disposed between the first hinge bearing portion 5 and the hinge shaft 56.
The fitting of the hinge mechanism 16 is completed by fitting into the holes provided in 2 and the holes provided in the second hinge bearing portion 54.

In this way, the electrical connection between the fixed casing 12 and the movable casing 14 can be improved.
For example, the resistance of the hinge mechanism 16 can be set to several tens Ω or less. As a result, the noise of the mobile phone is reduced, the rattling of the chassis is reduced, and the operation of the device is stabilized.

In the above embodiment, the dogleg-shaped washer 58A and the flat washer 58B are used, but such a combination is not always necessary. For example, the two washers 58 can be both V-shaped washers. Further, the shape of the washer 58 is not limited to the shape deformed in a dogleg shape, but may be another elastically deformable shape, for example, a shape deformed into a corrugated plate.

14 to 16, one washer 58 is provided on the side surface of the first hinge bearing portion 52 and on the second hinge bearing portion 5.
4 shows an example of the washer 58 when the washer 58 is arranged between the washer 58 and the side surface of No. 4. In FIG. 14, the washer 58 basically has a ring shape and is curved in a dogleg shape. In this case, there is no detent for stopping rotation.

In FIG. 15, the washer 58 is basically in the shape of an annular ring, and is curved with a round curved surface.

In FIG. 16, the washer 58 is basically ring-shaped and curved in a corrugated plate shape.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The electrical connection between the fixed housing and the movable housing can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a notebook computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a mobile phone in which a movable casing is closed with respect to a fixed casing.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the mobile phone in a state where the movable casing is opened with respect to the fixed casing.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a fixed and movable chassis that is a main part of a fixed casing and a movable casing of the mobile phone.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a fixed front case and a movable front case arranged above the fixed chassis and the movable chassis of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a fixed rear case and a movable rear case arranged below the fixed chassis and the movable chassis of FIG.

8 is a perspective view showing a fixed chassis and a movable chassis from which the printed circuit board of FIG. 5 has been removed.

9 is an exploded perspective view showing the fixed chassis and the movable chassis of FIG. 8. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing first and second hinge bearing portions before attaching the washers of FIG. 9 to the respective hinge bearing portions.

11 is a diagram showing the first and second hinge bearing parts after the washers of FIG. 9 are attached to the respective hinge bearing parts.

FIG. 12 is a view showing one of two washers,
(A) is a plan view and (B) is a side view.

FIG. 13 is a view showing the other of the two washers,
(A) is a plan view and (B) is a side view.

14A and 14B are views showing another example of a washer, FIG. 14A is a plan view, and FIG. 14B is a side view.

15A and 15B are views showing another example of a washer, FIG. 15A is a plan view, and FIG. 15B is a side view.

16A and 16B are views showing another example of a washer, FIG. 16A is a plan view, and FIG. 16B is a side view.

[Explanation of symbols] 10 ... Mobile phone 12 ... Fixed housing 14 ... Movable housing 16 ... Hinge mechanism 20 ... Laptop 36 ... Fixed chassis 38 ... Movable chassis 52 ... First hinge bearing portion 54 ... Second hinge bearing portion 56 ... Hinge shaft 58 ... Washer 58A, 58B ... washers

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 3J105 AA02 AA07 AA15 AB50 AC06                       BB51                 4E360 AB13 AB42 BB02 BB17 BB22                       BB28 EC14 ED04 ED23 ED28                       GA32 GB26 GB46 GC03 GC04                       GC14                 5K023 AA07 BB26 DD08 PP01 PP11

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A first casing having a first hinge bearing portion, a second casing having a second hinge bearing portion, and the first casing.
Hinge shaft inserted into the second hinge bearing part and the second hinge bearing part, and at least one washer inserted between the side surface of the first hinge bearing part and the side surface of the second hinge bearing part. A mobile device comprising: 2. The first housing includes a first chassis made of magnesium integrally with the first hinge bearing portion, and the second housing includes the second hinge bearing portion. The portable device of claim 1, comprising a second chassis integrally made of magnesium, the at least one washer being made of a highly elastic metal. 3. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the at least one washer comprises two washers that contact each other. 4. The mobile device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the two washers is formed in a shape having a curved surface. 5. One of the two washers is held against rotation with respect to the first hinge bearing portion, and the other of the two washers is prevented from rotation with respect to the second hinge bearing portion. The mobile device according to claim 1, wherein the mobile device is held.