JP2006047650A - Housing and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a housing where the strength of a deformation preventing member provided to prevent excessive deformation by pressure from the outside is enhanced and also which prevents the damage of a main body part caused by the deformation preventing member, and to provide electronic equipment using the housing. <P>SOLUTION: The housing is equipped with 1st and 2nd cover members respectively possessing a main plate part which forms a nearly rectangular surface, side plate parts extended in a direction nearly orthogonal to the main plate part from the outer edge part of the main plate part, and a projecting part constituted by projecting to a side where the side plate part is extended from the main plate part, and constituted by bonding the ends of the side plate parts opposed to each other, and has constitution where the edges of the projecting parts possessed by the 1st and the 2nd cover members abut on each other when pressure higher than predetermined pressure is applied to the respective cover members. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a housing for packaging a small electronic device and an electronic device using the housing.

  Conventionally, as a technology that enables the device to be used even under conditions where the pressure applied to the housing that covers the device is significantly larger than the atmospheric pressure, such as underwater cameras, the front and rear cover members that form a box-shaped housing A technique is disclosed in which a support protrusion is provided as a deformation preventing member that protrudes from one of the main plate portions to the other main plate portion (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In this technique, a gap is provided between the tip of the support protrusion and the main plate portion of the other cover member under normal atmospheric pressure, and the casing is deformed as the water pressure increases in water, and the support is provided. Further distortion deformation of the housing is prevented by the tip of the projection coming into contact with the back surface of the main plate portion of the other cover member.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-15058

  However, in the case of the case described above, the support protrusion extends from the main plate part of one cover member to the vicinity of the main plate part of the other cover member, which is problematic in terms of strength. There has been a problem that the support protrusion is easily broken when it comes into contact with the cover member.

  Also, when water pressure is applied and the housing is deformed and the support protrusion comes into contact with the other cover member, the pressure concentrates on the place where the tip of the support protrusion comes into contact, and the cover member is damaged from the contact place. It sometimes happened.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and enhances the strength of a deformation preventing member provided to prevent excessive deformation due to external pressure, and improves the strength of the main body due to the deformation preventing member. It is an object of the present invention to provide a housing capable of preventing damage and an electronic device using the housing.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the housing according to the first aspect of the present invention is a main plate portion having a substantially rectangular surface, and is substantially orthogonal to the main plate portion from an outer edge portion of the main plate portion. A first side plate portion and a second side plate portion formed by joining end portions of the side plate portions facing each other to each other. When a pressure larger than a predetermined pressure is applied to the first and second cover members, the tips of the protrusions of each cover member abut against each other.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the protrusions of the first and second cover members have substantially the same shape, and the height protruding from the main plate portion of each cover member is: The side plate portion is smaller than a height extending from the main plate portion.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the first and second cover members are made of compressed wood formed by compressing predetermined wood. .

  An electronic apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it is packaged using the casing according to any one of the first to third aspects.

  According to the present invention, a main plate portion having a substantially rectangular surface, a side plate portion extending from the outer edge portion of the main plate portion in a direction substantially orthogonal to the main plate portion, and a side from which the side plate portion extends from the main plate portion. The first and second cover members are each provided with a predetermined pressure on the first and second cover members. When a large pressure is applied, the tips of the protrusions of each cover member are in contact with each other, so that the protrusions as deformation preventing members provided to prevent excessive deformation due to external pressure are provided. A housing capable of increasing strength and preventing damage to the main body due to the protruding portion and an electronic apparatus using the housing can be provided.

  Further, according to the present invention, the protrusions have substantially the same shape, and the height of each cover member protruding from the main plate portion is smaller than the height of the side plate portion extending from the main plate portion. The strength of each protruding portion can be increased by shortening the length of the portion, and the protruding portion is not easily broken even if the pressure changes and the housing is suddenly deformed. In addition, since the tips of the protrusions are in contact with each other, the cover member is not damaged from the contact portion of the tip of the protrusion as in the prior art.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, by using compressed wood as the first and second cover members, it is possible to provide a case with high design and uniqueness. In addition, even with materials that may cause some individual differences in shape, such as compressed wood, the same pressure resistance performance is provided for all cases by providing a protrusion having the above-described configuration. Can be made.

  Such an embodiment of the present invention is particularly suitable for use as an exterior material for electronic equipment.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device that is packaged using a housing according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the housing according to this embodiment. The electronic device 1 shown in these drawings is a digital camera that can be used even under conditions where pressure higher than atmospheric pressure is applied from the outside, such as underwater, and various electronic members are provided inside a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 10. Be contained. Various electronic members such as an imaging lens, a shutter button, and a display unit are exposed or formed on the surface of the housing 10.

  More specifically, the housing 10 is formed by joining ends of a front cover 11 and a rear cover 12 which are two cover members. In this sense, one of the front cover 11 and the rear cover 12 is a first cover member, and the other is a second cover member. The housing 10 is formed by injection molding a thermoplastic resin such as polycarbonate, ABS, or polypropylene. Note that the housing 10 may be formed using a thermoplastic resin to which carbon fiber or glass fiber is added.

  The front cover 11 has a main plate portion 11a having a substantially rectangular surface as a main body portion, and a shape that rises and extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the main plate portion 11a along the longitudinal direction of the main plate portion 11a. There are two side plate portions 11b and two side plate portions 11c having a shape that rises and extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the main plate portion 11a along the short direction of the main plate portion 11a. The rear cover 12 also has substantially the same shape as the front cover 11, and has a main plate portion 12a having a substantially rectangular surface, and rises and extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the main plate portion 12a along the longitudinal direction of the main plate portion 12a. There are two side plate portions 12b to be extended, and two side plate portions 12c that rise and extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to the main plate portion 12a along the short direction of the main plate portion 12a.

  The main plate portion 11a of the front cover 11 has an opening 13 that exposes the image pickup unit 21 having the image pickup lens, and has the same shape that protrudes in the vertical direction from the main plate portion 11a on the inner surface facing the rear cover 12 during assembly. Boss-shaped protrusions 111, 112, 113, and 114. The height at which each protruding portion protrudes from the main plate portion 11a is smaller than the height at which the side plate portions 11b and 11c extend from the main plate portion 11a. Cutouts 141 and 151 are formed at predetermined positions of the side plate portions 11b and 11c of the front cover 11, respectively. When the electronic device 1 is assembled, these notches 141 and 151 are combined with notches 142 and 152 that are similarly provided at positions facing the rear cover 12 to form openings 14 and 15, respectively. The protrusions 111, 112, 113, and 114 may be formed so as to have a tapered cross section that becomes wider as the main plate portion 11a is approached.

  The opening 14 exposes the shutter button 22, while the opening 15 is a connection device for connecting to an external device such as a personal computer, for example, a connection terminal such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus), an xD picture card, smart media, or the like. A mounting device for mounting the external storage medium and a jack for inserting a power source are displayed. The opening 15 is fitted with a hermetic lid (not shown) in order to protect the connection device when used underwater.

  The main plate 12a of the rear cover 12 is provided with an opening 16 for displaying a display 23 realized by a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display or the like for displaying image information and character information. A protective member 161 such as tempered glass that protects the internal display portion 23 and transmits the display content of the display portion 23 is attached to the surface of the opening 16. When a gap is generated between the peripheral edge of the protective member 161 and the opening 16, the gap is filled using an appropriate elastic member.

  Boss-like projecting portions 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the same shape projecting vertically from the main plate portion 12a are provided on the inner surface of the main plate portion 12a facing the front cover 11 during assembly. These protrusions 121, 122, 123, and 124 have the same shape as the protrusions 111, 112, 113, and 114 provided on the main plate portion 11 a of the front cover 11. Further, the tip portions of the projecting portions 121, 122, 123, and 124 are disposed at positions facing the tip portions of the projecting portions 111, 112, 113, and 114, respectively. The length is adjusted so that they are separated from each other. These protrusions 121, 122, 123, and 124 can also be formed to have a tapered cross section.

  The side plates 12b and 12c of the rear cover 12 are provided with notches 142 and 152, respectively, for forming the openings 14 and 15 as described above. In addition, an opening for displaying a strobe light emitting unit, an operation input button, and the like can be provided.

  3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. As shown in the figure, the housing 10 includes at least a part of an electronic member that realizes an electronic function of the electronic device 1, and driving related to an imaging process of the electronic device 1 that is a digital camera. The control part 20 which performs control is accommodated. The control unit 20 is realized by using a CPU (Central Processing Unit) having calculation and control functions, a flash memory that stores various information such as a program for starting a predetermined OS (Operation System) and audio data, and the like. .

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 showing details of the joint portion between the front cover 11 and the rear cover 12, and FIG. 5 shows the end portions of the side plate portions that serve as joint portions between the front cover 11 and the rear cover 12. It is a partial expansion disassembled perspective view which shows schematic structure. As shown in these drawings, the end portions of the side plate portions 11b and 11c of the front cover 11 are formed with groove portions 11d that circulate around the end portions, while the end portions of the side plate portions 12b and 12c of the rear cover 12 are formed. Is formed so that the protrusion 12d that can be fitted into the groove 11d goes around the end portions of the side plate portions 12b and 12c. On the contrary, protrusions may be formed at the end portions of the side plate portions 11b and 11c of the front cover 11, and groove portions may be formed at the end portions of the side plate portions 12b and 12c of the rear cover 12.

  When the case 10 is assembled, the front cover 11 and the rear cover 12 are joined by fitting the groove 11d and the protrusion 12d. In this joining, an adhesive may be applied to the end portion. Further, after joining the front cover 11 and the rear cover 12, the outer periphery of the joining portion of the two covers may be sealed using a sealing member made of an elastic member or the like.

When the electronic apparatus 1 having the above configuration is used in water, a pressure (water pressure) greater than atmospheric pressure is applied to the housing 10. Since the housing 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, the main plate portions 11a and 12a having a large surface area are most deformed. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the housing 10 is most deformed in the direction in which the pressure P is applied (z-axis direction), and the protrusions 11i and 12i (where i = 1, 2, 3, 4). The tips are in contact with each other. As a result, the thickness h in the z-axis direction of the electronic device 1 is smaller than the thickness h ₀ under atmospheric pressure before the electronic device 1 is deformed by receiving the pressure P.

Thereafter, when the electronic device 1 returns to atmospheric pressure, the pressure received by the housing 10 decreases and returns to its original shape. That is, the thickness in the z-axis direction returns to h _0, and the tip portions of the protruding portions that are in contact with each other are separated from each other again.

  As described above, the housing 10 is deformed under a condition of receiving a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure, but has a pressure resistance performance with respect to a pressure within a predetermined range, and when returning to the atmospheric pressure from the situation again. The original shape can be recovered. Here, the pressure within the predetermined range is such that the housing 10 is not destroyed and does not affect the function of the electronic member including the control unit 20 held inside the housing 10. Although it is at least larger than atmospheric pressure, a more specific value varies depending on various conditions such as the material of the housing 10 and the performance of the electronic device 1.

  By the way, the shape of the projecting portion is not necessarily a boss shape, and may be a rib shape, for example. Moreover, each protrusion should just be arrange | positioned in the most effective position in consideration of the internal structure of the electronic device 1 which consists of an electronic member etc., and the number of the protrusions is also arbitrary.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, the main plate portion having a substantially rectangular surface, the side plate portion extending from the outer edge portion of the main plate portion in a direction substantially orthogonal to the main plate portion, and the main plate portion. A front cover and a rear cover, each of which has a projecting portion projecting to the side plate portion extending from the front end and the end portions of the side plate portions facing each other are joined to each other. When a pressure larger than a predetermined pressure is applied to the body, the deformation preventing member is provided to prevent excessive deformation due to external pressure by adopting a configuration in which the tips of the protrusions of each cover abut against each other. As a result, the strength of the protrusion can be increased.

  Further, according to this embodiment, the projecting portions have substantially the same shape, and the height projecting from the main plate portion of each cover is made smaller than the height at which the side plate portion of each cover extends from the main plate portion of the cover. As a result, the length of each protrusion can be shortened and the strength of each protrusion can be increased. As a result, even if the pressure changes and a sudden deformation occurs in the housing, the protrusion is not easily broken. In addition, since the tips of the protrusions are in contact with each other, the cover member is not damaged from the contact portion of the tip of the protrusion as in the prior art.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail so far, but the present invention is not limited only to this embodiment. For example, the electronic device casing according to the present invention may be realized by using compressed wood (compressed wood). In this case, the wood to be the front cover 11 and the rear cover 12 is formed from a solid material in an uncompressed state. This shaped wood is shaped in the form of a volume previously reduced by compression. In addition, as a solid material, persimmon, persimmon leaf, paulownia, teak, mahogany, cedar, pine, cherry or the like can be used.

  Hereinafter, the outline of the compression process of wood will be described. First, wood shaped from solid wood is left in a high-temperature and high-pressure steam atmosphere for a predetermined time. Thereby, the wood absorbs moisture excessively and softens. Thereafter, the wood is placed in a predetermined position between the two molds in the same water vapor atmosphere as when softened, and the wood is sandwiched by these molds to apply a compressive force.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a state when wood is placed at a predetermined position between two metal molds and compressed in the same steam atmosphere. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view (corresponding to a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 7) showing the wood before compression and two molds. The wood 31 shown in these drawings becomes a prototype of the front cover 11 by being compressed, and the main plate portion 31a, the side plate portions 31b and 31c, and the boss-like projecting portions 311, 312, 313, and 314 are formed. Has been taken. These protrusions 311, 312, 313 and 314 have a tapered cross section in which the thickness in the horizontal direction in FIG. 8 increases as approaching the main plate portion 31 a, and the base end portion connected to the main plate portion 31 a has an R shape. Eggplant. Further, the height of each protruding portion protruding from the main plate portion 31a is about twice the height at which the side plate portions 31b and 31c rise from the main plate portion 31a and extend.

  The upper mold frame 41 that applies a compressive force to the wood 31 from above the wood 31 during compression rises from the main plate portion 31a of the wood 31 to the side plate portions 31b and 31c and forms a convex portion that fits into the curved inner surface. 410, and notch parts 411, 412, 413, and 414 of the same shape for fitting and compressing the protruding parts 311, 312, 313, and 314 (notch parts 413 and 414 are not shown). If the radius of curvature of the curved surface 31ac that curves from the main plate portion 31a to the side plate portion 31c of the inner surface of the wood 31 is RI, and the radius of curvature of the curved surface that contacts the curved surface 31ac of the convex portion 410 is RA, these two radii of curvature are assumed. Has a relationship of RI> RA. Although not shown, the curvature radius of the curved surface that curves from the main plate portion 31a to the side plate portion 31b among the inner side surfaces of the wood 31 is larger than RA. Further, the diameters of the notches 411, 412, 413, and 414 are slightly smaller than the diameters of the protrusions 311, 312, 313, and 314.

  On the other hand, the lower mold frame 51 that applies a compressive force to the wood 31 from below the wood 31 at the time of compression is a recess that fits the curved outer surface rising from the main plate portion 31a of the wood 31 to the side plate portions 31b and 31c. 510. The curvature radius of the curved surface 31ac that curves from the main plate portion 31a to the side plate portion 31c in the outer surface of the wood 31 is RO, and the curvature radius of the curved surface that contacts the outer surface of the curved surface 31ac in the recess 510 is RB. There is a relationship of RO> RB between the radii of curvature. Although not shown, the curvature radius of the curved surface that curves from the main plate portion 31a to the side plate portion 31b in the outer surface of the wood 31 is also larger than RB.

  In FIG. 9, after the softened wood 31 is placed at a predetermined position, the wood 31 is sandwiched and compressed between two molds so that at least one of the molds is brought close to the other mold. It is a figure which shows a state, and is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which has the cut surface same as FIG. In this state, a compressive force is applied to the main plate portion 31a of the wood 31 in the direction in which the grain G overlaps, that is, the direction substantially perpendicular to the fiber direction L. Further, a compressive force is applied to the side plate portions 31b and 31c in a direction in which the grain G overlaps, that is, a direction substantially orthogonal to the fiber direction L, and a compressive force is also applied in a direction along the grain G. Further, a compressive force that compresses at least in the height direction (vertical direction in FIG. 9) is applied to the protrusions 311, 312, 313, and 314. A compressive force is applied obliquely upward to the outer side surfaces of the curved portion between the main plate portion 31a and the side plate portion 31b and the curved portion between the main plate portion 31a and the side plate portion 31c, while the inner side surfaces thereof. A compressive force is applied diagonally downward.

  After leaving for a predetermined time in the state shown in FIG. 9, the front cover 11 shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 10 is released by releasing the high-temperature and high-pressure steam atmosphere and separating the upper mold frame 41 and the lower mold frame 51 to release the compression. Is completed. The thickness of the compressed wood 31, that is, the front cover 11 is about 1/2 to 1/3 of the thickness of the uncompressed wood 31 formed from a solid material. Moreover, the diameter of each protrusion part is about 1/2 before compression. As a result, the fiber density of the wood 31 after compression processing is increased, and high strength is imparted. The compression process of the rear cover 12 is the same.

  By the way, each protrusion may be bonded separately after the original shape of the front cover 11 and the rear cover 12 is cut out from a solid material. Moreover, the notch for forming the various members and various interfaces, the notches for forming the openings, and the grooves and protrusions at the end of the side plate are adapted to the case of cutting the wood 31 from the solid material. It may be formed, or may be formed by cutting or the like after the wood 31 is cut out. Further, these openings may be formed by cutting, drilling or the like after the compression step.

  As described above, in the case of a casing formed using compressed wood and an electronic device using the casing as an exterior material, as in the case of using a thermoplastic resin, the protruding portion as a deformation preventing member It is possible to increase the strength of the housing, and it is possible to prevent the casing from being damaged due to the protruding portion.

  In particular, when wood is used as a raw material, it is possible to provide a product with high design and individuality by making use of individual differences of wood. Furthermore, in this case, even the texture and scratches caused by repeated use become unique personalities, and the user can be more familiar.

  In addition, when forming a housing | casing using wood, you may bake the surface of the wood after compression processing. By firing the surface of the wood in this way, irregularities are generated in the grain portion of the surface, so that the effects of hygroscopicity and anti-slip can be obtained from the beginning of use. In addition, since the carbonized layer obtained by firing becomes a conductor and becomes an electromagnetic shield material that is much lighter than metal, it is suitable as a small housing for electronic equipment.

  Further, the compressed wood may be impregnated with a synthetic resin. Thereby, the intensity | strength of a housing | casing can be raised further, without impairing the gentle moisture which appeals to the outstanding hygroscopic property and human sensitivity as a natural material of wood.

  By the way, the housing | casing which concerns on this invention is applicable to various electronic devices. As such an electronic device, in addition to a digital camera, a portable communication terminal such as a mobile phone or PHS or PDA, a portable audio device that outputs a sound by mounting a voice recording medium such as an MD or CD or a cassette tape, IC recorders, portable televisions, portable radios, remote controls for various home appliances, digital video, and the like can be given. Moreover, the housing according to the present invention may be applied to a silver salt camera, or may be applied to devices other than electronic devices.

  Thus, the present invention can include various embodiments and the like not described herein, and various design changes and the like can be made without departing from the technical idea specified by the claims. It is possible to apply.

It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the electronic device which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the housing | casing which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. It is an expanded partial sectional view of FIG. 3 which shows the junction part of a front cover and a rear cover. It is a partial expansion disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the side part of a front cover and a rear cover. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the state change before and behind the pressure of the housing | casing which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the compression process of the timber in one embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the outline | summary of the compression process of the timber in one embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state at the time of the wood compression in one embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the front cover completed by the process of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic device 10 Housing | casing 11 Front cover 11a, 12a, 31a Main board part 11b, 11c, 12b, 12c, 31b, 31c Side board part 11d Groove part 12d Protrusion part 12 Rear cover 13, 14, 15, 16 Opening part 20 Control part 21 Imaging unit 22 Shutter button 23 Display unit 31 Wood 31ac Curved surface 41 Upper mold frame 51 Lower mold frame 111, 112, 113, 114, 121, 122, 123, 124, 311, 312, 313, 314 Protruding part 141, 142, 151 , 152 Notch 161 Protective member 410 Convex part 411, 412, 413, 414 Notch part 510 Concave part

Claims (4)

A main plate portion having a substantially rectangular surface, a side plate portion extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the main plate portion from an outer edge portion of the main plate portion, and a protruding portion protruding from the main plate portion to a side where the side plate portion extends. Each having a first cover member and a second cover member formed by joining end portions of the side plate portions facing each other,
A housing characterized in that when a pressure larger than a predetermined pressure is applied to the first and second cover members, the tips of the protrusions of each cover member abut against each other.   The protrusions of the first and second cover members have substantially the same shape, and the height of each cover member protruding from the main plate portion is smaller than the height of the side plate portion extending from the main plate portion. The housing according to claim 1. The first and second cover members are
The casing according to claim 1 or 2, comprising compressed wood formed by compressing predetermined wood.   An electronic apparatus characterized by being packaged using the casing according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images