JP2004326440A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the display surface of a display unit or the keyboard surface of a body unit from being damaged by the opening and closing lock member of the display unit when opening and closing the display unit. <P>SOLUTION: The display unit 2 comprises a recessed engagement part 7 on the casing side surface, the body unit 1 comprises a rotating lock mechanism 4 having a protruding engagement part 40 engageable with the recessed engagement part 7 of the display unit 2 on the casing side surface. The rotating lock mechanism 4 is supported rotatably by a hinge shaft 5 so that the whole rotating lock mechanism 4 is located below the keyboard surface (the casing upper surface) of the body unit 2 when opening and closing the display unit 2, whereby the contact of the rotating lock mechanism 4 with the display surface of the display unit 2 is prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus in which a display unit is openably and closably attached to a main unit such as a notebook or laptop personal computer (personal computer).
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In an information processing apparatus typified by a notebook-type personal computer, which is designed to be easy to carry, an open / close lock structure is provided to prevent a lid (display unit) from being opened during transportation or the like. As the open / close lock structure, for example, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a key-shaped hook 103 movable in the left-right direction by a slider 105 provided on the display unit 102 or the main unit 101, and the hook 103 A structure having a hole 104 capable of engaging with 103 is common.
[0003]
However, in the opening / closing lock structure shown in FIG. 8, there is a problem that the water leaking from the hole 104 adversely affects the electric circuit board and the hard disk housed in the main unit 101, and the dust 105 accumulates in the hole 105. .
[0004]
In order to solve these problems, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, a concave portion 204 provided on the front side surface of the main unit 201 and a member provided on the same front side surface of the display unit 202 so as to be rotatable in the P direction. An opening / closing lock structure including an opening / closing knob 203 having a hook portion 231 capable of engaging with the concave portion 204 of the main unit 201 has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-149271
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the opening / closing lock structure disclosed in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 10, in the process in which the hook portion 231 and the concave portion 204 are engaged, a portion X near the side end of the main unit 201 (the main unit housing Since the hook portion 231 slides (contacts) with the hook portion 231, there is a problem that the portion X near the side end is damaged or the plating is peeled off.
[0007]
Further, in a notebook-type information processing apparatus having a pen input device, for example, as shown in FIGS. 11A to 11C, a state mainly using a desk (FIG. 11A) In order to be able to change to the two usage forms of the state mainly using (FIG. 11C), the display unit 302 and the main unit 301 are connected by two hinges (not shown) for opening and closing and for tilting. A biaxial hinge structure for connection is adopted.
[0008]
In such an information processing apparatus having a two-axis hinge structure, when the open / close lock structure described in Patent Document 1 (FIG. 9) is employed, as shown in FIG. 12, the display unit 302 is positioned at a predetermined position in the horizontal direction. When the display unit 302 is opened and closed in a state where it is deviated from the position, the opening / closing knob 303 itself and the hook portion 331 come into contact with the keyboard surface (the top surface of the housing) of the main unit 301, and the unit housing is closed. A situation more serious than the above-mentioned problem occurs, for example, the keyboard surface of the main body unit 301 is damaged, and the opening / closing knob 303 itself is broken.
[0009]
Further, in the information processing apparatus having a two-axis hinge structure, even when a general open / close lock structure as shown in FIG. Since there is a possibility that the display unit 302 is closed with the hook (103) and the hole (104) being displaced from each other, that is, the keyboard unit of the unit 301 or the display surface of the display unit 302 may be in contact with each other. The same problem as above occurs.
[0010]
The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and a member for locking the opening and closing of a display unit does not contact a display surface of a display unit or a keyboard surface of the main unit that is openably and closably attached to the main unit. It is an object to provide an information processing device having a structure.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is characterized in that there is no member for opening and closing lock between the display unit and the main unit. The specific configuration is shown below.
[0012]
An information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus comprising: a main unit having an operation unit (keyboard or the like) on an upper surface; and a display unit attached to the main unit so as to be openable and closable. A rotating lock mechanism having an engaging portion provided, an engaging portion provided on a side surface of the housing of the main body unit and capable of engaging with the engaging portion of the display unit; and the rotating lock mechanism. The entirety of the rotation lock mechanism is turned between a state in which the entirety is located below the top surface of the housing of the main unit and a state in which a part of the rotation lock mechanism is located above the top surface of the housing of the main unit. And a movable hinge portion.
[0013]
According to the information processing apparatus of the present invention, since the rotation lock mechanism is disposed on the main body unit side, the weight of the rotation lock mechanism, and the operation of the rotation lock mechanism accompanying the release of the open / close lock by the user, The rotation lock mechanism does not substantially occur above the upper surface (keyboard surface) of the housing of the main unit. Thus, it is possible to solve the problems such as the generation of scratches and plating peeling due to the contact between the display surface of the display unit and the rotation lock mechanism when the display unit is opened and closed.
[0014]
An information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus including a main unit having an operation unit (such as a keyboard) on an upper surface thereof and a display unit openably and closably attached to the main unit. An engaging portion provided on the side surface of the housing of one of the units, and an engaging portion provided on the side surface of the housing of the other unit of the two units and engaging with the engaging portion on the side surface of the housing of the one unit; A rotation lock mechanism having an engagement portion capable of performing rotation, a state in which the entire rotation lock mechanism is located below the upper surface of the housing of the main body unit or outside the display surface of the display unit, and A hinge portion that enables the rotation lock mechanism to rotate when a part of the dynamic lock mechanism is positioned between the upper surface of the housing of the main unit and the display surface of the display unit; Urging means (for example, a torsion spring) for urging the rotation lock mechanism so that the entire rotation lock mechanism is located below the upper surface of the housing of the main body unit or outside the display surface of the display unit. It is characterized by having.
[0015]
According to the information processing apparatus of the present invention, when the engaging portion provided on one of the main unit and the display unit and the engaging portion provided on the other unit are not engaged, the rotation Since the dynamic lock mechanism is biased so as not to be located between the display unit and the main unit, there is no restriction on the design of the part (main unit or display unit) where the rotary lock mechanism is provided, and the display unit is opened and closed. Thus, problems such as scratches and plating peeling due to contact between the display surface of the display unit or the keyboard surface of the main unit and the rotation lock mechanism can be solved.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
FIGS. 1 to 3 are perspective views showing the overall configuration of an embodiment of the information processing apparatus of the present invention. 1 shows a use state (when the display unit is open), FIG. 2 shows an unlocked state when not used (when the display unit is closed), and FIG. 3 shows a locked state when not used (when the display unit is closed). I have.
[0018]
The information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a main unit 1 and a display unit 2. The main body unit 1 and the display unit 2 include a biaxial hinge mechanism 3 having a horizontally movable (tilt) hinge 31 for the display unit 2 and a vertically movable (open / close display unit) hinge 32 for the display unit 2. The display unit 2 is tiltable / openable / closable with respect to the main unit 1.
[0019]
A keyboard 11 and a touch pad 12 are provided on the upper surface of the housing of the main unit 1. The display unit 2 has a shape that covers the upper surface (keyboard surface) of the housing of the main unit 1, and a display 21 such as an LCD is provided on a surface facing the upper surface of the housing of the main unit 1.
[0020]
A concave portion 10 is provided substantially at the center of the side surface of the main body unit 1 (the side surface on the front side of the apparatus), and the rotation lock mechanism 4 is disposed in the concave portion 10. The rotation lock mechanism 4 has a convex engagement portion 40. As shown in FIG. 7, mountain-shaped (triangular) projecting pieces 41, 41 composed of two inclined surfaces 41 a, 41 b are integrally formed on both sides of the distal end portion of the convex engaging portion 40. The concave portion 10 of the main unit 1 is large enough to accommodate the entire rotation lock mechanism 4 (excluding the convex engaging portion 40).
[0021]
A concave engaging portion 7 (which will be described in detail later), which can engage with the convex engaging portion 40, is provided at substantially the center of the side surface of the housing of the display unit 2 (the side surface on the front side of the device). I have.
[0022]
As shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 4, the rotation lock mechanism 4 is rotatably supported by the main unit 1 via the hinge shaft 5 and the bearing holes 10a of the main unit 1. The hinge shaft 5 is inserted into the through hole 4 a of the rotation lock mechanism 4 and is fixed to the rotation lock mechanism 4. Therefore, the hinge shaft 5 also rotates with the rotation of the rotation lock mechanism 4.
[0023]
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a torsion spring (torsion coil spring) 6 is provided at one end of the hinge shaft 5. The torsion spring 6 is a member for urging the rotation lock mechanism 4 in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5. One end of the torsion spring 6 is bent 5 a of the hinge shaft 5 in a state of being fitted to the end of the hinge shaft 5. Has been caught on. The other end of the torsion spring 6 is in contact with the inner wall surface of the housing of the main unit 1 (FIG. 5).
[0024]
The rotation lock mechanism 4 having the above configuration is in a state where the entire rotation lock mechanism 4 is located below the upper surface (keyboard surface) of the housing of the main unit 1 (FIGS. 1 and 5A, B) and a state where a part of the rotation lock mechanism 4 is located above the upper surface of the main unit 1 (a state shown in FIGS. 3 and 5C and 5D). It is possible. Further, the rotation lock mechanism 4 is in a state in which the convex engaging portion 40 is not engaged with the concave engaging portion 7 of the display unit 2 (in a free state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). Is always held by the torsion spring 6 at a position below the upper surface of the main unit 1.
[0025]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the display unit 2 is provided with a concave portion 20 at a position substantially corresponding to the concave portion 10 of the main unit 1 at substantially the center of the side surface of the housing (the side surface on the front side of the device). . The concave portion 20 is provided with an opening 20a, and the concave engaging portion 7 is arranged inside the opening 20a (FIG. 7). The opening 20a is a rectangular through hole through which the convex engagement portion 40 of the rotation lock mechanism 4 can pass, and when the rotation lock mechanism 4 is turned upward (the state shown in FIG. 3). ), Provided at a position where the convex engagement portion 40 can enter. The recess 20 has a size capable of accommodating a part of the rotation lock mechanism 4 (a part protruding from the upper surface of the housing of the main unit 1).
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 7, the concave engaging portion 7 arranged on the display unit 2 includes a pair of left and right lock members 70, 70, a lock case 72, and the like. Each lock member 70 is integrally formed with lock claws 71, 71.
[0027]
The tip of each lock claw 71 has a mountain shape (triangle) composed of two inclined surfaces 71a and 71b, and the outer inclined surface 71a is the inclined surface 41a (the front surface side) of the above-described convex engagement portion 40. ) And at a corresponding angle. Further, the inner inclined surface 71b is inclined at an angle corresponding to the inclined surface 41b (the rear side) of the convex engagement portion 40.
[0028]
The lock members 70, 70 are provided so as to be slidable in a direction (left-right direction) orthogonal to the rotation direction of the rotation lock mechanism 4, so that the pair of left and right lock claws 71, 71 also move in the direction of the arrow in FIG. It is possible to slide.
[0029]
A compression coil spring 8 is disposed between the inner surface 70a of each lock member 70 and the inner surface 72a of the lock case 72. When the compression coil springs 8, 8 are in a free state (non-compressed state), they are left and right. The distance L1 between the tips of the lock claws 71, 71 is smaller than the distance between the ends of the left and right protrusions 41, 41 of the convex engagement portion 40, and the roots (inclined surfaces) of the left and right lock claws 71, 71 The distance L2 between the start of the inclination of 71a and 71a) is set to be larger than the width dimension of the distal end portion 42 of the convex engagement portion 40.
[0030]
Next, the opening / closing operation of the display unit 2 and each operation of the rotation lock mechanism 4 and the concave engaging portion 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, 5 and 7.
[0031]
First, as shown in FIG. 1, when the display unit 2 is opened and in use, the rotation lock mechanism 4 is located below the upper surface (keyboard surface) of the housing of the main unit 1 by the torsion spring 6 (see FIG. 1). (FIG. 5 (A), (B)).
[0032]
Next, when the display unit 2 is locked when not in use or when being transported, the display unit 2 is rotated toward the main unit 1 and overlapped with the main unit 1 to close the display unit 2 as shown in FIG. To In the process of closing the display unit 2 in this manner, the rotation lock mechanism 4 arranged on the main unit 1 is positioned below the upper surface (keyboard surface) of the housing of the main unit 1 by the torsion spring 6. Is securely held, so that the rotation lock mechanism 4 does not contact the display surface of the display unit 2 (the surface on which the display 21 is formed). Therefore, problems such as damage to the display surface of the display unit 2 and peeling of the plating of the casing do not occur.
[0033]
When the display unit 2 is locked, the rotation lock mechanism 4 is turned upward against the elastic force of the torsion spring 6 as shown in FIG.
[0034]
As a result of this pivoting operation, when the distal end of the convex engaging portion 40 enters the opening 20a, first, the left and right locking surfaces 41a, 41a of the convex engaging portion 40 are locked by the front inclined surfaces 41a, 41a, as shown in FIG. The outer inclined surfaces 71a, 71a of the claws 71, 71 are pushed, and the left and right lock claws 71, 71 are opened outward (toward each other) against the elastic force of the compression coil springs 8, 8.
[0035]
Next, when the tops of the respective projecting pieces 41, 41 of the convex engaging portion 40 exceed the tops of the respective lock claws 71, 71, the left and right lock claws 71, 71 are moved by the elastic force of the compression coil springs 8, 8. While being pressed inward (directions approaching each other), the inclined surfaces 41 b, 41 b on the back side of the convex engaging portion 40 and the inclined surfaces 71 b, 71 b inside the lock claws 71 come into contact with each other. Thereafter, when the compression coil springs 8, 8 return to the original state (free state), the inclined surfaces 41b, 41b on the back side of the convex engagement portion 40 are inclined inside the respective lock claws 71. Is locked. As a result, the protrusion 40 is prevented from coming off, and a locked state (a state shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 7) is obtained.
[0036]
In the locked state, the convex engagement portion 40 and the lock claw 71 are locked so that the lock is not released by the rotational force (restoring force of the torsion spring 6) urged by the torsion spring 6 against the rotation lock mechanism 4. It is necessary to appropriately select each tip shape and each elastic force of the torsion spring 6 and the compression coil spring 8.
[0037]
Next, when the rotation lock mechanism 4 is rotated downward from the above-described locked state (FIG. 3), the distal end portion of the convex engagement portion 40 retreats from the concave engagement portion 7. By the movement of the convex engaging portion 40, the inclined surfaces 71b, 71b inside the left and right lock claws 71, 71 are pushed by the inclined surfaces 41b, 41b on the rear side of the convex engaging portion 40, and the left and right lock claws 71 are pushed. , 71 open outward (in a direction away from each other) against the elastic force of the compression coil springs 8, 8.
[0038]
When the tops of the projections 41, 41 of the convex engagement portion 40 exceed the tops of the lock claws 71, 71, the engagement between the projection engagement portion 40 and the concave engagement portion 7 is released and the lock is released. Is released. When the engagement between the convex engaging portion 40 and the concave engaging portion 7 is released, the rotation lock mechanism 4 is urged by the elastic force (restoring force) of the torsion spring 6 in a direction opposite to the locking direction. As a result, the state immediately shifts to a state in which the rotation lock mechanism 4 is located below the upper surface (keyboard surface) of the housing of the main unit 1. Therefore, even when the display unit 2 is opened after the lock is released, the rotation lock mechanism 4 does not come into contact with the display surface of the display unit 2, and the display surface of the display unit 2 is damaged or the casing is plated. There is no problem such as peeling.
[0039]
In the above embodiment, when the convex engagement portion 40 of the rotation lock mechanism 4 and the concave engagement portion 7 on the display unit 2 side are not engaged, the rotation lock is performed by the urging force of the torsion spring 6. Although the mechanism 4 is configured to be located below the upper surface (keyboard surface) of the housing of the main unit 1, the present invention is not limited to this, and the rotation lock mechanism 4 is disposed on the main unit 1 side. When the rotation lock mechanism 4 is provided, if the rotation lock mechanism 4 can rotate to a position below the upper surface (keyboard surface) of the housing of the main unit 1 due to its own weight, It is also possible to omit the torsion spring 6.
[0040]
In the above embodiment, the rotation lock mechanism 4 having the convex engaging portion 40 is provided on the main unit 1, and the concave engaging portion 7 capable of engaging with the convex engaging portion 40 is provided on the display unit 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and has the opposite configuration, that is, a configuration in which a rotation lock mechanism having a convex engagement portion is provided in the display unit 2 and a concave engagement portion is provided in the main body unit 1. You may. In this case, a torsion spring similar to that shown in FIG. 4 is provided on the hinge shaft of the rotation lock mechanism, and when the convex engagement portion and the concave engagement portion are not engaged, the torsion spring is used. The entire structure of the dynamic lock mechanism is biased outward from the display surface of the display unit.
[0041]
In the above embodiment, the rotation lock mechanism is provided with the convex engagement portion. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The convex engagement portion that can be engaged may be provided in a unit (display unit or main unit) in which the rotation lock mechanism is not provided.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the engaging portion is provided on the side surface of the housing of the display unit, while the engaging portion of the display unit is engaged on the side surface of the housing of the main unit. A rotation lock mechanism having a possible engagement portion is provided so that when the display unit is opened and closed, the entire rotation lock mechanism is located below the upper surface (keyboard surface) of the housing of the main unit. This prevents the rotation lock mechanism from touching the display surface of the display unit when opening and closing the display unit, causing problems such as damage to the display surface of the display unit and peeling of plating on the housing. No longer.
[0043]
According to the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the rotation lock mechanism is arranged in one of the main unit and the display unit, and the engagement portion of the rotation lock mechanism and the engagement portion provided in the other unit Is not engaged, the rotation lock mechanism is biased so as not to be located between the display unit and the main unit. Therefore, when the display unit is opened and closed, the display surface of the display unit or the main unit is not operated. The rotation lock mechanism does not come into contact with the keyboard surface, and problems such as damage to the display surface of the display unit or the keyboard surface of the main unit, and peeling of plating on the housing do not occur.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention in use.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the embodiment of the present invention in an unused state (when the display unit is closed) and in an unlocked state.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the embodiment of the present invention in an unused state (when the display unit is closed) and in a locked state.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure of a rotation lock mechanism used in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a rotation state of a rotation lock mechanism.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a main part showing a positional relationship between a hinge shaft of the rotation lock mechanism and a torsion spring.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of a concave engaging portion used in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of an open / close lock structure provided in the information processing apparatus.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing another example of the open / close lock structure provided in the information processing apparatus.
FIG. 10 is a side view showing another example of the opening / closing lock structure.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the entire structure of an information processing apparatus having a biaxial hinge structure.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a problem that occurs when the display unit is opened and closed in the information processing apparatus having the biaxial hinge structure.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 body unit 10 recess 10 a bearing hole 11 keyboard 12 touch pad 2 display unit 20 recess 20 a opening 21 display 3 biaxial hinge mechanism 31 hinge part (for display unit tilt)
32 Hinge (for opening and closing the display unit)
4 Rotation Lock Mechanism 40 Convex Engagement Part 41 Projection Pieces 41a, 41b Inclined Surface 5 Hinge Shaft (Hinge Part)
6 torsion spring (biasing means)
7 Recessed engaging portion 70 Lock member 71 Lock claws 71a, 71b Inclined surface 72 Lock case 8 Compression coil spring

Claims (2)

In an information processing apparatus including a main unit having an operation unit on an upper surface and a display unit openably and closably attached to the main unit,
An engaging portion provided on a side surface of the housing of the display unit;
A rotation lock mechanism provided on a side surface of the housing of the main body unit and having an engagement portion capable of engaging with the engagement portion of the display unit;
A state in which the entirety of the rotation lock mechanism is located below the upper surface of the housing of the main unit, and a state in which a part of the rotation lock mechanism is located above the upper surface of the housing of the main unit. An information processing apparatus, comprising: a hinge portion that allows the rotation lock mechanism to rotate. In an information processing apparatus including a main unit having an operation unit on an upper surface and a display unit openably and closably attached to the main unit,
An engagement portion provided on a housing side surface of one of the display unit and the main unit;
A rotation lock mechanism provided on a housing side surface of the other unit of the two units and having an engagement portion capable of engaging with an engagement portion of the housing side surface of the one unit;
A state in which the entirety of the rotation lock mechanism is located below the upper surface of the housing of the main body unit or outside the display surface of the display unit; A hinge portion that allows the rotation lock mechanism to rotate, between a state where the rotation lock mechanism is positioned between the upper surface and the display surface of the display unit;
Urging means for urging the rotation lock mechanism so that the entire rotation lock mechanism is located below the upper surface of the housing of the main unit or outside the display surface of the display unit. An information processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.

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