JP2003216305A - Key inputting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a key inputting device whose key operability in its use is satisfactory by ensuring the maximum key space at the time of housing it. <P>SOLUTION: A keyboard part 10 disposed on a device main body 1 is divided into first and second key inputting parts 11 and 12, and those first and second key inputting parts 11 and 12 are rotated to opposite directions by a uniting/ separating mechanism 13 so that the first and second inputting parts 11 and 12 can be united long sideways, and the first and second key inputting parts 11 and 12 are separated so that the first and second key inputting parts 11 and 12 can be overlapped across almost a whole area over the device main body 1. Therefore, the first and second key inputting parts 11 and 12 are separated by the uniting/separating mechanism 13, and overlapped across almost the whole area over the device main body so that the maximum key space can be ensured. In addition, the first and second key inputting parts 11 and 12 are united long sideways by the uniting/separating mechanism 13 in its use so that the key operability can be made satisfactory. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a key input device used in electronic equipment such as a portable information processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a portable information processing device such as a notebook personal computer is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 3, a lid case 3 having a display unit 4 is rotatably attached to a device body 1 having a keyboard unit 2 by a hinge unit 5 so that the keyboard unit 2 and the display unit 4 can be carried when carried.
The lid case 3 is closed by superposing the lid case 3 on the apparatus main body 1 and facing each other, and when the lid case 3 is rotated about the hinge portion 5 and tilted at a predetermined angle to open, the display of the lid case 3 is performed. The keyboard section 2 can be operated while looking at the section 4. In this case, the keyboard section 2
Has a large number of key buttons such as a character key, a numeric keypad, a cursor key, and a function key, and these key buttons are integrally provided on the apparatus main body 1 in a horizontally long key arrangement in consideration of key operability. There is.

[0003]

However, in such a portable information processing apparatus, as shown in FIG. 26, the entire size of the keyboard unit 2 is determined by the size of the apparatus main body 1, and therefore, for example, the apparatus is used. When the main body 1 is of A4 size, the horizontal length of the keyboard unit 2 is limited to the horizontal length of A4 size, and therefore the vertical length of the keyboard unit 2 is the vertical length of the device main body 1. This is shorter than the above, and there is an inconvenience that an empty space is generated in the vertical direction of the keyboard portion 2 on the upper surface of the apparatus body 1.

An object of the present invention is to obtain a maximum key space during storage and good key operability during use.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus main body, a keyboard section arranged on the apparatus main body and divided into first and second key input sections, and the first and second key input sections. By rotating the two in opposite directions,
The second key input unit is combined in a horizontally long state, and the first and second
A key input device, comprising: a second key input unit, which is separated, and an union separation mechanism for stacking the second key input unit over substantially the entire area of the device main body. According to the present invention, the first and second key input sections are rotated in opposite directions by the combination separating mechanism during storage, so that the first and second key input sections are separated to cover almost the entire area of the apparatus main body. They can be overlapped with each other, whereby the maximum key space can be secured, and when the first and second key input sections are rotated in opposite directions by the combination separation mechanism at the time of use, the first and second key input sections can be rotated. It is possible to combine the two-key input section in a horizontally long state, and thereby, it is possible to obtain the one having good key operability.

In this case, as described in claim 2, in the combination separating mechanism, the first and second key inputs are performed immediately before the first and second key input sections are rotated to be combined in a horizontally long state. By translating the parts in a direction of approaching each other, the first and second key input parts can be reliably and accurately formed even when the joint parts of the first and second key input parts are in a concavo-convex key arrangement in which the parts are engaged with each other. It can be satisfactorily engaged with each other to be united. In addition, as described in claim 3, when the first and second key input sections are formed into a concavo-convex key array in which the respective joint sections mesh with each other when they are combined in a horizontally long state,
The keys can be arranged alternately in rows in a state of being combined in a horizontally long state, whereby a keyboard unit in a general key arrangement state can be obtained.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] A first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a portable information processing apparatus will be described below with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those of the conventional example shown in FIGS. 26 and 27 are designated by the same reference numerals for description. In this portable information processing device, as shown in FIG. 1, the keyboard unit 10 has a first key input unit 11 and a second key input unit 11.
It is divided into 12 and these first and second key input sections 11 and 1
2 are combined in the horizontally long state shown in FIG. 3 by the combination separation mechanism 13, and as shown in FIG. 1, the first and second key input sections 1
The structure in which 1 and 12 are separated is the same as that of the conventional example except for this.

That is, the first and second key input sections 11, 1
As shown in FIG. 1, 2 is formed to have a size substantially equal to a size obtained by dividing the upper surface of the device main body 1 into left and right parts,
The upper surface of the apparatus main body 1 is configured so as to overlap almost the entire area. As shown in FIG. 3, the first and second key input sections 11 and 12 have first and second key input sections 11 and 1, respectively.
When 2 is combined in landscape orientation, character keys, numeric keypad,
A large number of key buttons 14 such as cursor keys and function keys are uniformly arranged in the matrix direction (vertical and horizontal directions).
Further, when the first and second key input portions 11 and 12 are combined in a horizontally long state, the respective joint portions 11a and 12a of the first and second key input portions 11 and 12 which are adjacent to each other so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from each other are Three
As shown in FIG. 3, each key button 14 is formed in a straight line, and these joint portions 11a and 12a are provided with key buttons 14 in the row direction (vertical direction).
Are arranged in series in parallel with each other in a uniform state.

In this case, the first and second key input sections 11, 1
2, the key case 15 is provided, as shown in FIG. A first circuit board 16 is arranged in the key case 15, and a rubber sheet 17 having a plurality of dome-shaped bulged portions 17 a is arranged on the first circuit board 16. Further, on the bulging portion 17a of the rubber sheet 17, the key buttons 14 are arranged so as to project above the key case 15, and a key top 18 is provided above the key buttons 14. . Such first and second
When the key button 14 is pressed from above and the bulging portion 17a is pushed down, the key input portions 11 and 12 elastically deform the bulging portion 17a so that the movable contacts therein become fixed contacts (neither is shown). It is configured to contact and output a key input signal.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the united separating mechanism 13 includes the cylindrical shafts 20 respectively provided at the substantially central portions of the lower surfaces of the first and second key input portions 11 and 12, and the first and second cylindrical shafts 20. , The joint portions 11a, 12 of the second key input portions 11, 12
a slide button 21 provided at one end (lower end in FIG. 3) of a, each tubular shaft 20 is guided by each lateral guide groove 22 provided on both sides of the upper surface of the apparatus main body 1, and The slide button 21 is guided by a vertical guide groove 23 provided in an intermediate portion of the apparatus main body 1, whereby the first and second key input portions 11 and 12 are combined in a horizontally long state, and the first and second key input is performed. It is configured to rotate the parts 11 and 12 by 90 ° to separate them.

That is, the lateral guide groove 22 of the apparatus main body 1
Are formed in long and narrow elongated holes in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 6, each tubular shaft 20 is integrally formed on the lower surface of each key case 15 of the first and second key input portions 11 and 12, and is movable in each lateral guide groove 22 of the apparatus body 1. The flanges 20a provided at the lower ends of the lateral guide grooves 22 abut on the lower surfaces of the edge portions of the lateral guide grooves 22 and are locked in the lateral guide grooves 22 so as not to come out upward. It is configured to slide. A flexible wiring board 24 is inserted into each cylinder shaft 20. One end of each flexible wiring board 24 is connected to the first circuit board 16 inside the key case 15, and the other end is connected to the second circuit board 25 inside the apparatus body 1, whereby the first circuit board 16 and The second circuit board 25 is electrically connected. The first and second key input units 11 and 12
As shown in FIG. 6, each of the key cases 15 is arranged in a point contact state on the apparatus main body 1 by a small projection 19 provided on the lower surface thereof.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, each key case 15 of the first and second key input portions 11 and 12 is provided with a concave portion 15a in which a slide button 21 is arranged in a semicircular shape. In addition, a pair of upper and lower mounting portions 15b are provided so as to overlap each other on each key case 15 at a location corresponding to the recess 15a. The slide button 21 includes a button head portion 21a and a button shaft 21b, and approximately half of the button head portion 21a is arranged in the recess 15a of each key case 15, and in this state, the button shaft 21b is placed above and below each key case 15. The pair of mounting portions 15b are rotatably mounted to connect the pair of mounting portions 15b, and the lower portion of the button shaft 21b is the vertical guide groove 2 of the apparatus body 1.
3, the lower end of the button shaft 21b is provided with a collar portion 21c.
Comes into contact with the lower surface of the edge of the vertical guide groove 23 of the apparatus main body 1,
In this state, it is configured to move along the vertical guide groove 23.

Next, the operation of such a portable information processing apparatus will be described. First, when the keyboard unit 10 is not used, the slide button 21 of the united separation mechanism 13 is moved to the upper end of the vertical guide groove 23 of the apparatus body 1 as shown in FIG. The key input sections 11 and 12 are separately arranged on the apparatus main body 1. In this state, the cylinder shafts 20 of the united separation mechanism 13 are located substantially in the middle of the lateral guide grooves 22 of the apparatus body 1, and the key buttons 14 of the first and second key input portions 11 and 12 are vertically arranged. Then, the side portions 11b and 12b of the first and second key input portions 11 and 12 come into close contact with each other, and the first and second key input portions 1 and 1
1, 1 and 12 overlap almost all over the apparatus main body 1. As a result, the keyboard unit 10 is stored. In this state,
If the lid case 3 is rotated so as to be superposed on the apparatus main body 1 and closed, the entire apparatus becomes compact and can be carried easily.

When using the keyboard portion 10, the slide button 21 of the united separating mechanism 13 is slid downward along the vertical guide groove 23 in the state shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG.
While the mounting portions 15b of the second key input portions 11 and 12 move downward, the first and second key input portions 11 and 12 rotate in opposite directions about the respective cylinder shafts 20. Along with this, the side portions 11b and 12b of the first and second key input portions 11 and 12
Are separated from each other, and the joint portions 11a and 12a are close to each other. That is, the first key input unit 11 on the left side in FIG. 5 rotates clockwise around the cylinder shaft 20 as the slide button 21 moves downward, and the cylinder shaft 20 moves in the lateral guide groove 22. Move to the left along with and move to the right. Also, the second key input unit 12 on the right side is the slide button 2
Along with the downward movement of 1, the cylinder shaft 20 rotates counterclockwise about the cylinder shaft 20, and the cylinder shaft 20 moves to the right along the lateral guide groove 22 and then to the left.

The slide button 21 is connected to the vertical guide groove 23.
When located at the lower end of the first, as shown in FIG.
90 ° in opposite directions of the key input parts 11 and 12
The cylinder shafts 20 rotate to return to the initial positions of the lateral guide grooves 22 of the apparatus main body 1, respectively, and as shown in FIG. 3, the joint portions 11a and 12a of the first and second key input portions 11 and 12 are They come into close contact with each other and the first and second key input sections 11 and 12 are united in a horizontally long state. In this state, the left end portion of the first key input portion 11 projects leftward from the left end portion of the device body 1, and the right end portion of the second key input portion 12 projects rightward from the right end portion of the device body 1,
As a result, the keyboard section 10 becomes longer than the lateral length of the apparatus main body 1, and in this state, all the key buttons 14 are arranged in the laterally long state. Therefore, by raising the lid case 3 obliquely with respect to the apparatus main body 1, it is possible to satisfactorily perform key operation on the keyboard unit 10 while looking at the display unit 4 of the lid case 3.

As described above, according to this portable information processing apparatus, the first and second key input sections 11 and 12 are rotated in opposite directions by the combination separating mechanism 13 during storage, whereby the first and the second key input sections are rotated. The two-key input sections 11 and 12 can be separated and overlapped over almost the entire area of the apparatus main body 1, whereby the maximum key space can be secured, and the first and second unit-type separating mechanisms 13 can be used at the time of use. By rotating the second key input portions 11 and 12 in opposite directions, the first and second key input portions 11 and 12 can be combined in a horizontally long state, and the horizontal length of the device body 1 Also, the length of the keyboard portion 10 in the lateral direction can be lengthened, and as a result, it is possible to obtain the one with good key operability.

[Second Embodiment] Next, referring to FIGS. 8 to 18, a second embodiment of the present invention applied to a portable information processing apparatus.
An embodiment will be described. In this case, FIGS.
The same parts as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. This portable information processing device has a keyboard unit 1
0 key buttons 14 are arranged alternately in each row, and the union separation mechanism 30 has a structure slightly different from that of the first embodiment.
Other than this, the structure is almost the same as that of the first embodiment.
That is, the keyboard unit 10 is the same as in the first embodiment.
It is divided into first and second key input sections 11 and 12, and these first and second key input sections 11 and 12 are combined by the combination separation mechanism 30 in the horizontally long state shown in FIG. 10, and as shown in FIG. , The first and second key input units 11 and 12 are separated.

In this case, the first and second key input sections 11, 1
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the reference numeral 2 is formed to have a size substantially equal to a size obtained by dividing the upper surface of the apparatus main body 1 into two parts in the left and right, and is configured so as to overlap substantially the entire upper surface of the apparatus main body 1. There is. Also, this keyboard unit 10
As shown in FIG. 10, first and second key input units 11 and 12
When combined into a landscape orientation, a large number of key buttons such as character keys, numeric keys, cursor keys, function keys, etc.
4 are arranged in the matrix direction (vertical and horizontal directions), and the key buttons 14 are arranged alternately in each row. As a result, when the first and second key input sections 11 and 12 are combined in the horizontally long state, as shown in FIG. 17, the first and second key input sections 11 and 12 adjacent to each other so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from each other. The joint portions 11a and 12a are arranged in a concavo-convex shape in which the key buttons 14 mesh with each other.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16, the uniting / separating mechanism 30 is provided substantially at the center of the lower surfaces of the first and second key input portions 11 and 12, and the lateral guide grooves 3 of the apparatus main body 1 are provided.
1 and the first and second key input portions 11 and 1 that move along the vertical guide groove 23 of the apparatus body 1 and the cylindrical shaft 20 that moves along the first axis.
Slide button 21 for rotating 2 and this slide button 21
One end is attached to each of the first end and the second end
The first attached to each of the key input sections 11 and 12,
It has a structure including the second connecting arms 32 and 33.

That is, the first and second connecting arms 32, 3
Of the three, the first connecting arm 32 has one end rotatably attached to the button head 21a of the slide button 21 and the other end joined to the first key input unit 11 as shown in FIG. It is rotatably attached to the end (the upper right end in FIG. 14) where 11a and side 11b intersect. As shown in FIG. 12, one end of the second connecting arm 33 has the slide button 2
It is rotatably attached to the button head portion 21a of No. 1 and the other end is rotatable to the end portion (the upper left end portion in FIG. 14) where the joint portion 12a of the second key input portion 12 and the side portion 12b intersect. Is attached to.

In this case, the vertical guide groove 23 of the apparatus main body 1
As shown in FIG. 14, the first and second connecting arms 32,
The length 33 is slightly longer than that of the first embodiment. In addition, each lateral guide groove 31 of the apparatus main body 1 has elongated holes 31a elongated in the left-right direction and these elongated holes 3 respectively.
The first and second key input sections 11 and 12 are separated from each other as shown in FIG. When the side portions 11b and 12b of the second key input portions 11 and 12 are in close contact with each other, the cylindrical shafts 20 are located in the inclined hole portions 31b.

The operation of such a portable information processing apparatus will be described. First, when the keyboard unit 10 is not used, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG.
The slide button 21 of 0 is moved to the upper end of the vertical guide groove 23 of the apparatus main body 1, and the slide button 21 of the united separation mechanism 30 is arranged above the first and second key input sections 11 and 12. Then, the first and second connection arms 32 and 33 pull up the first and second key input portions 11 and 12 of the keyboard portion 10, and the respective cylinder shafts 20 are inclined hole portions of the respective lateral guide grooves 31 of the apparatus body 1. 31b, whereby the first and second key input units 11 and 12 are separated and arranged on the apparatus main body 1.
In this state, the key buttons 14 of the first and second key input sections 11 and 12 are arranged vertically, and the first and second key input sections 11 and
The side portions 11b and 12b of 12 closely contact each other, and the first and second key input portions 11 and 12 overlap substantially the entire area of the apparatus main body 1. As a result, the keyboard unit 10 is stored. In this state, if the lid case 3 is rotated so as to be superposed on the apparatus main body 1 and closed, the entire apparatus becomes compact and can be carried easily, as in the first embodiment.

When using the keyboard portion 10, the slide button 21 of the united separating mechanism 30 is slid downward along the vertical guide groove 23 in the state shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. At this time, first, as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the first and second connecting arms 32 and 33 push down the first and second key input portions 11 and 12, and center the respective one end portions on the slide button 21 side. While rotating 90 ° respectively, the respective cylinder shafts 20 of the first and second key input portions 11 and 12 move along the inclined hole portions 31b of the respective lateral guide grooves 31. For this reason, the first and second key input units 11 and 12 also move in the directions away from each other while moving downward. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the first and second key input portions 11 and 12 are separated from each other, and the left end portion and the lower end portion of the first key input portion 11 project to the outside of the device main body 1, In addition, the right end portion and the lower end portion of the second key input unit 12 are in a state of protruding to the outside of the device body 1.

After that, when the slide button 21 is further moved to the lower side, as shown in FIGS.
The key input parts 11 and 12 are the first and second connection arms 32 and 3.
In the state of being spread by 3, the cylinder shafts 20 are rotated about the respective cylinder shafts 20 in opposite directions, the side portions 11b and 12b of the first and second key input portions 11 and 12 are separated from each other, and the joint portions 11 are separated from each other.
a and 12a approach each other. That is, the first key input unit 11 on the left side in FIG. 16 rotates clockwise around the cylinder shaft 20 as the slide button 21 moves downward, and the cylinder shaft 20 moves in the lateral guide groove 31. After moving to the left side along the long hole portion 31a, it moves to the right side. In addition, the second key input unit 12 on the right side rotates counterclockwise around the cylinder shaft 20 as the slide button 21 moves downward, and the cylinder shaft 20 is extended by the length of the lateral guide groove 31. After moving to the right along the hole 31a, it moves to the left.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the slide button 21 is positioned below the vertical guide groove 23, and the respective cylinder shafts 20 are respectively arranged in the respective lateral guide grooves 3 of the apparatus main body 1.
When returning to the substantially middle position of the first long hole portion 31a, the first, second
The key input portions 11 and 12 are rotated 90 ° to be in a sideways state, and the joint portions 11a and 12a of the first and second key input portions 11 and 12 are moved by the first and second connecting arms 32 and 33. Oppose with a slight distance. In this state, when the slide button 21 further moves downward and is located at the lower end of the vertical guide groove 23, the slide button 21 is moved to the first and second key input portions 11 as shown in FIGS. , 12, the first and second connecting arms 32, 33 are pivoted about each one end on the slide button 21 side and are attracted to each other, whereby the first and second key input portions 11 are connected. , 12 are attracted to each other and united in a horizontally long state.

At this time, the first and second key input sections 1
Each of the cylindrical shafts 1 and 12 has the elongated hole portion 31 of each lateral guide groove 31.
Guided in a, the joint portions 11a and 12a of the first and second key input portions 11 and 12 move close to each other in a parallel state. Therefore, even if the key buttons 14 of the joint portions 11a and 12a are arranged in a concavo-convex shape, the key buttons 14 can be reliably and satisfactorily engaged with each other without damaging each other.
The first and second key input units 11 and 12 can be combined in a horizontally long state. In this state, as in the first embodiment,
The left end portion of the first key input unit 11 projects leftward from the left end portion of the device body 1, and the right end portion of the second key input unit 12 projects rightward from the right end portion of the device body 1, whereby the keyboard unit 10 is moved. The length is longer than the horizontal length of 1, and in this state, all the key buttons 14 are arranged in the horizontal state. Therefore, by raising the lid case 3 obliquely with respect to the apparatus main body 1, it is possible to satisfactorily perform key operation on the keyboard unit 10 while looking at the display unit 4 of the lid case 3.

As described above, also in this portable information processing apparatus, as in the first embodiment, the united separation mechanism 3 is stored at the time of storage.
By separating the first and second key input sections 11 and 12 by 0 and overlapping them on almost the entire area of the apparatus main body 1,
The maximum key space can be secured, and the first and second key input sections 1 can be used by the combination separating mechanism 30 at the time of use.
By combining 1 and 12 in a horizontally long state, the horizontal length of the keyboard unit 10 can be made longer than the horizontal length of the device main body 1, whereby a key operation property can be obtained. Besides, even if the key buttons 14 of the respective joining portions 11a and 12a of the first and second key input portions 11 and 12 are arranged in a concavo-convex shape that meshes with each other, the joining portions 11a and 12a can be separated by the union separation mechanism 30. The first and second key input portions 11 and 12 can be reliably and satisfactorily engaged with each other so that the first and second key input portions 11 and 12 can be combined in a horizontally long state. Therefore, when the keyboard portion 10 is combined in a horizontally long state, the keys are alternately arranged in each row. They can be arranged, and thus can be used as the keyboard unit 19 of a general key arrangement.

[Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a portable information terminal such as a pocket computer will be described with reference to FIGS. Also in this case, the same parts as those of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. This portable information terminal has a keyboard unit 40 and a display unit 4.
1, and these are foldably connected by a connecting member 42, and the keyboard unit 40 is detachably attached to the connecting member 42 and the display unit 41.

That is, as shown in FIG. 19, the display unit 41 is a palm-sized vertically long unit case 43.
The display unit 44 is provided on almost one surface of the unit case 43 (the surface of the paper in FIG. 19), and a plurality of switch buttons 45 are provided below the display unit 44 on this one surface. It has a special structure. Further, the keyboard unit 40 includes a keyboard portion 47 on the device body 46, and the device body 46 and the display unit 41 are configured to overlap each other via the keyboard portion 47. The keyboard part 47 is divided into first and second key input parts 11 and 12 as in the first embodiment, and these first and second key input parts 11 and 12 are combined and separated.
24, and the first and second key input sections 11, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 22.
12 are configured to separate.

In this case, the first and second key input sections 11, 1
As shown in FIG. 22, 2 is formed to have a size substantially equal to the size of the upper surface of the device main body 46 which is divided into upper and lower parts, and is configured to overlap substantially the entire area of the upper surface of the device main body 46. Further, in the united separation mechanism 13, as in the first embodiment, the cylindrical shaft 20 provided in the first and second key input portions 11 and 12 has the lateral guide groove 22 of the device body 46 (see FIG. 19).
And in FIG. 22, it is formed in the vertical direction. ), And the slide buttons 21 attached to the first and second key input portions 11 and 12 are formed in the vertical guide groove 23 ((in FIG. 19 and FIG. 22, a horizontal direction is formed. .) To slide the first, second
The key input units 11 and 12 are rotated to be separably united.

By the way, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the connecting member 42 for connecting the keyboard unit 40 and the display unit 41 is rotatable at one end to the unit case 43 of the display unit 41 by the connecting shaft 42a. The other end of the keyboard unit 4 is attached to the device body 46 of the keyboard unit 40 by a pair of connecting pins 42b in a rotatable and detachable manner.
0 and the display unit 41 are foldably connected, and the keyboard unit 40 is detachable.

Further, the keyboard unit 40 and the display unit 41 are, as shown in FIG.
It is configured to be detachably attached by 49. That is, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the connector cap 50 is detachably attached to the side surface of the device body 46 of the keyboard unit 40,
The device body 4 at a location corresponding to the connector cap 50
A connector portion 48 is provided in the interior of the connector 6. The connector portion 48 is attached to the second circuit board 25 in the device body 46. Further, as shown in FIG. 24, a connector portion 49 to which the connector portion 48 is detachably attached is provided on the lower side portion of the unit case 43 of the display unit 41.

In such a portable information terminal, when the keyboard portion 47 is not used, first, as shown in FIG. 22, the keyboard unit 40 is detached from the connecting member 42, and in this state, the united separating mechanism 13 slides. The button 21 is moved to the left end of the vertical guide groove 23 (formed in the horizontal direction in the figure) of the apparatus main body 46, and the keyboard portion 10 is moved.
The first and second key input sections 11 and 12 of the device are separated from each other on the apparatus main body 46 and overlapped with each other, so that the keyboard section 47
Can be stored. At this time, the side portions 11b and 12b of the first and second key input portions 11 and 12 are in close contact with each other,
The first and second key input sections 11 and 12 overlap substantially the entire area of the apparatus main body 46. 19 and 20 in this state.
As shown in FIG.
When the keyboard unit 40 and the display unit 41 are bent and overlapped by the connecting member 42 as shown in FIG. 21, the entire device becomes compact and can be carried easily.

When the keyboard unit 47 is used, first, as shown in FIG. 22, the keyboard unit 4 is used.
0 is removed from the connecting member 42, and in this state, the slide button 21 of the united separation mechanism 13 is inserted into the vertical guide groove 2 of the apparatus main body 46.
3 to the right end of the first and second key input section 11,
24 is rotated by 90 ° in opposite directions, and as shown in FIG. 24, the joining portions 11 of the first and second key input portions 11 and 12 are joined together.
a and 12a are brought into close contact with each other, and the first and second key input sections 11,
12 is combined in a horizontally long state. At this time, the end portions of the first and second key input portions 11 and 12 project outward from the end portions of the device body 46, so that the keyboard portion 47 becomes slightly longer than the device body 46. In this state, the connector portion 48 of the keyboard unit 40 and the connector portion 49 of the display unit 41 are engaged with each other, so that the keyboard unit 40 and the display unit 41 are attached to each other and are electrically connected to each other. . As a result, the keyboard unit 4 can be seen while looking at the display unit 44 of the display unit 41.
7 can be operated by good keys.

As described above, also in this portable information terminal device, as in the first embodiment, the united separation mechanism 13 at the time of storage.
Thus, the first and second key input sections 11 and 12 can be separated and overlapped over almost the entire area of the apparatus main body 46,
As a result, the maximum key space can be secured, and the first and second keys are separated by the uniting / separating mechanism 13 during use.
The key input parts 11 and 12 can be rotated to be combined in a horizontally long state, whereby the keyboard part 47 can be made longer than the device main body 46, and in particular, the keyboard unit 40 and the display unit 41 can be removed. Therefore, even if the keyboard unit 40 is formed in a vertically long shape, the keyboard unit 40 can be attached to the display unit 41 in a horizontally long state, whereby a key operation and a user-friendly one can be obtained. You can

In the first to third embodiments described above, the slide buttons 21 of the united separation mechanisms 13 and 30 have the device main bodies 1 and 4 respectively.
The vertical guide groove 23 of FIG. 6 is simply moved to the upper and lower end portions of the vertical guide groove 23. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. Two
A configuration may be employed in which an engaging recess 51 with which the collar portion 21c provided at the lower end portion of 1b is releasably engaged is provided. According to this structure, when the slide button 21 is located at each end of the vertical guide groove 23, the flange portion 21c of the button shaft 21b is engaged with the engagement recess 5 by the flange portion 21c.
Since the position of the slide button 21 can be regulated by engaging with 1, the first and second key input portions 11 and 12 can be locked in either the combined state or the separated state.

Further, in the above-mentioned first to third embodiments, the slide button 21 of the united separation mechanism 13, 30 is configured to be manually operated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a motor, an electromagnetic solenoid or the like may be used as a drive source. Use the keyboard part 10, 47
Alternatively, the slide button 21 may be automatically moved by the key operation to rotate the first and second key input sections 11 and 12. Furthermore, in the above-described first to third embodiments,
The first and second key input sections 11 of the keyboard sections 10, 47,
12 is a rubber sheet 17 arranged on the first circuit board 16.
It has a structure in which a plurality of bulged portions 17a are formed and the key button 14 is arranged on these bulged portions 17a, but the structure is not limited to this, and it can be moved, for example, via a spacer having an opening on the circuit board. A key sheet having a structure in which contact sheets are laminated may be used. Further, in the first to third embodiments, the case where the invention is applied to a portable information processing device such as a notebook personal computer or a pocket computer has been described, but the invention is not limited to this, and an electronic notebook, an electronic dictionary, and a portable telephone are provided. It can also be widely applied to electronic devices such as mobiles.

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention, the keyboard portion arranged on the main body of the apparatus has the first and second keyboard portions.
The first and second key input sections are divided into key input sections, and the first and second key input sections are rotated in opposite directions by a combination separation mechanism to combine the first and second key input sections in a horizontally long state. Since the two key input sections are separated and overlapped over almost the entire area of the apparatus main body, the first and second key input sections are separated by the combination separating mechanism during storage and overlapped over almost the entire area of the apparatus main body. By so doing, the maximum key space can be secured, and by combining the first and second key input parts in the horizontally long state by using the combination separating mechanism at the time of use, it is possible to obtain the one with good key operability. .

In this case, the uniting / separating mechanism is arranged such that the first and second key input sections rotate just before the first and second key input sections are united in the horizontally long state.
Even if the joint portions of the first and second key input portions are in a concavo-convex key arrangement in which the joint portions of the first and second key input portions are engaged with each other, the first and second key input portions are moved by moving the second key input portions in parallel. Can be surely and satisfactorily engaged and united. In addition, the first and second key input portions are arranged in a horizontally arranged state in which the respective joint portions are formed into a concave and convex key array so that the respective keys are combined in the horizontally long state. The rows can be arranged in a staggered manner, which makes it possible to obtain a keyboard unit in a general key arrangement state.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a first example in which the present invention is applied to a portable information processing device.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state in which a keyboard unit is stacked and stored on the apparatus body in the embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a case where the first and second key input parts of the keyboard part of FIG. 1 are rotated to be combined in a horizontally long state for use.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the operating position of the united separation mechanism in the state of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the operating position of the uniting and separating mechanism in the state where the first and second key input units are uniting or separating.

6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part taken along the line AA of FIG.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part taken along the line BB of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a second example in which the present invention is applied to a portable information processing device.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state in which a keyboard unit is stacked and stored on the apparatus body in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the operating position of the united separation mechanism in the state of FIG.

10 is a plan view of a case where the first and second key input sections of the keyboard section of FIG. 8 are rotated to be combined into a horizontally long state for use.

11 is a plan view showing the operating position of the united separation mechanism in the state of FIG.

12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part taken along the line C-C in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a plan view when the slide button of the united separation mechanism is moved slightly downward in the state of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the operating position of the united separation mechanism in the state of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a state in which the first and second key input sections are in the process of being combined or separated by the combination separation mechanism.

16 is a plan view showing the operating position of the united separation mechanism in the state of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a state immediately before the first and second key input sections are combined by the combination separation mechanism.

18 is a plan view showing the operating position of the united separation mechanism in the state of FIG.

FIG. 19 is a third example in which the present invention is applied to a portable information terminal.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the embodiment in which the keyboard unit and the display unit are connected and unfolded in a state where the keyboard unit is separated and overlapped on the apparatus body.

FIG. 20 is a side view of FIG.

FIG. 21 is a side view showing a state where the keyboard unit shown in FIG. 20 is superposed on the display unit.

FIG. 22 is a plan view showing a state where the keyboard unit is removed from the display unit.

FIG. 23 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part taken along the line DD of FIG.

FIG. 24 is a plan view showing a state where the keyboard unit is connected to the display unit in a state where the first and second key input portions of the keyboard portion of FIG. 22 are rotated to be combined in a horizontally long state.

FIG. 25 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a modified example including a mechanism for locking a slide button in the united separation mechanism.

FIG. 26 is a plan view showing a conventional portable information processing device.

FIG. 27 is a side view of FIG. 26.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,46 Device body 10,47 Keyboard part 11 First key input section 11a, 12a joint 12 Second key input section 13, 30 combined separation mechanism 14 key button 20 cylinder axis 21 slide button 22, 31 Horizontal guide groove 23 Vertical guide groove 31a long hole 31b Inclined hole 32 first connecting arm 33 Second connecting arm

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus main body, a keyboard section arranged on the apparatus main body and divided into first and second key input sections, and the first and second key input sections are rotated in opposite directions. Thus, the first and second key input sections are combined in a horizontally long state, and the first and second key input sections are separated, and a combination separation mechanism is provided to overlap substantially the entire area of the apparatus main body. A key input device characterized by the above. 2. The uniting / separating mechanism moves the first and second key input units in parallel in a direction in which they approach each other immediately before the first and second key input units rotate and unite in a horizontally long state. The key input device according to claim 1, wherein the key input device is operated. 3. The first and second key input sections are arranged in a concavo-convex key arrangement in which respective joint sections mesh with each other when they are combined in a horizontally long state. Key input device.