JP2007060059A - Open/close structure of portable telephone - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an open/close mechanism of portable telephone, having a laterally elongated large screen which is located at a position symmetric with respect to an operating section, when a display section is opened, and requiring only a single stage of open/close operation. <P>SOLUTION: In the opening/closing mechanism where a line 4 is drawn in a direction 45° with respect to the upper outside or lower inside from a point 2 on a side separated by a length of (long side of display section-short side of display section)/2 downward from the corner 3 on the upper side 7, when the display section 10 is closed and a point on that line becomes the center of rotation 1, a guide mechanism of two pins 23 and 24 at the operating section and grooves 13 and 14 at the display section fitted to the pins and is concentric with the center of rotation 1 is provided. A hole is bored in the central portion of rotation and the center of rotation 1 is arranged in the vicinity of the side. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an opening / closing mechanism for a mobile phone.

  Conventional mobile phones mainly use a mechanism that rotates around a horizontal axis above the operation unit to open and close. However, in order to make these large screens, the screen must be made vertically long. On the other hand, you can enjoy TV screens, which have become increasingly important in recent years, browse Internet sites that have screen configurations for PCs, or read e-mails and their attachments. Therefore, it is not suitable to display them on a conventional vertically long screen.

  On the other hand, there is one having a horizontally large screen structure. For example, as in Patent Document 1, there is a type that rotates around a hinge tilted at 45 degrees. In addition, there is a type in which a horizontally long screen is opened by a two-stage operation by a hinge having two degrees of freedom as in Patent Document 2. However, in these devices, the display unit of the screen is asymmetric with respect to the operation unit. For this reason, when the screen is arranged for right-handed use, it is inconvenient for left-handed people. However, producing two types of mobile phones is disadvantageous in terms of cost and distribution. Also, if you try to operate the keys with one hand, gravity will be applied to the screen and a rotating force will work, so it will not be stable simply by placing it on the palm, but you will need to grasp it with some force. In this case, there is a problem that it is difficult to press the operation key.

  In order to solve these problems, there is one that has a horizontally large screen and the display unit opens in a symmetrical position with respect to the operation unit. For example, in Patent Document 3, the display unit is first rotated and opened around the horizontal axis above the operation unit, and then rotated 90 degrees around the vertical axis, thereby forming a horizontal large screen and a symmetrical central position. You can bring it. Also, in Patent Document 4, after first sliding upward, it can be brought to a horizontal large screen and a symmetrical center position by rotating 90 degrees around the vertical axis.

JP-A-2005-71248 JP2003-174495 JP2003-319043 JP-A-2005-147401

However, these mobile phones having a horizontally long and symmetrical screen have a separate member between the display unit and the operation unit, and are configured to open and close via this member.
For this reason, a two-stage opening / closing operation is required, which is troublesome. In addition, since the structure is complicated, there is a problem that it is difficult to reduce the weight and size which are important for a mobile phone.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve these problems in view of the above circumstances, and the invention of claim 1 is characterized in that the display unit has at least two points provided on the upper surface of the operation unit. It is characterized in that it is slidably guided by a pin and a groove on the back surface of the display portion fitted to each pin.

  The invention of claim 2 is the amount of overhang from the left and right sides of the display unit when the display unit is closed or the left and right sides of the operation unit to the left and right sides of the display unit when the display unit is opened on a horizontally long screen. In a mobile phone in which the left and right are equal, the display unit has at least two pins provided on the upper surface of the operation unit, and the display unit has a rotation center that can be opened and closed only by one-step rotation operation. It is characterized in that it is slidably guided by a groove portion on the back surface of the display portion fitted to, and the shape of the groove is concentrically curved around the rotation center 1.

  The invention according to claim 3 is that when the position of the rotation center is the length a of the long side of the display unit and the length of the short side is b, either the upper side or the left or right side when the display unit is closed Take a point on the side that is a distance of (ab) / 2 from the point of intersection with the line, and draw it on the straight line from the point to the upper outside or the lower inside at an angle of 45 degrees to the side. It is characterized by that.

  The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that the center of rotation is located in the vicinity of one of the left and right sides of the display unit when the display unit is closed.

  The invention of claim 5 is characterized in that a hole is provided in the rotation center rotating portion and a cable is accommodated therein.

In the invention according to claim 1, the display unit is movable to an arbitrary position with respect to the operation unit. That is, the position of the display unit when closed can be determined to an arbitrary position. Moreover, since the movement of the display part when the shell is closed can be freely selected, the feeling when opening and closing can be changed.
In the invention according to claim 2, most of the surface of the display unit can be used as a horizontally large screen. For this reason, when you enjoy watching TV, browsing Internet sites that have a screen structure for PCs, reading e-mails and their attachments, or playing games, the source of information is often horizontally long. Not only is the mobile phone easier to see in landscape orientation, but these information sources have a large amount of information, so a large screen is effective.

  Furthermore, since the display unit is located at a target position with respect to the operation unit, when the user operates the operation unit with one hand while looking at the screen, the screen is located directly above the operation keys, so that it is easy to change eyes.

  In addition, in the case of the type that is greatly overhanging only on one side, gravity is applied to the one with the screen and the rotating force works, so it is not stable simply by placing it on the palm, it is necessary to grip with some force However, in the case of the present invention, the rotational force does not work and it is stable just by placing it on the palm and the operation key can be easily pushed.

  The above is a feature common to mobile phones having a horizontally long and symmetrical screen, but in addition to them, the present invention is particularly excellent in operability during opening and closing. That is, in the case of the conventional technique, in order to bring the display unit to a position symmetrical to the operation unit, two steps of operation are necessary and troublesome. However, in the case of the present invention, the display unit is brought to the target position by only one step of rotation operation. The operability is very good.

Furthermore, the invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the position of the rotation center can be freely determined.
In other words, if the condition of claim 3 or claim 4 is to be satisfied, the position of the center of rotation must be placed near either the left or right side of the display when the display is closed. In this case, since the rotating part usually uses a pin structure, the center position cannot be brought to the very side.

  On the other hand, in the case of the present invention, since the rotational motion is defined by a guide mechanism located at a position away from the center, the center position can be freely determined without any restriction such as providing a pin. It is also possible to satisfy the condition of claim 4.

In addition, since the guide mechanism is integrated with the display unit or the operation unit, other parts are unnecessary and the structure is simple. The invention according to claim 4 and claim 5 saves space for the operation keys. It has the feature that it can be taken widely.

  As shown in Equation (3), which will be described later, the space h of the operation key increases as the value of c decreases, that is, as the center of rotation is positioned outside the left and right side surfaces of the display unit when the display unit is closed. In addition, when the cable connecting the display unit and the operation unit is passed through the rotation center, the rotation center including the hole through which the cable passes needs to be positioned in the vicinity of the side, but a rotating slide mechanism is adopted. In this case, since there is no obstacle such as a pin at the center of rotation, it is sufficient that there is a space for passing a small hole, and the center of rotation can be easily positioned in the vicinity of the side.

  Using a simple guide mechanism, a mobile phone opening and closing mechanism that can open the display unit to a symmetrical position with only one rotation operation has been realized.

1 to 6 are drawings according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the mobile phone 100 in a closed state. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the mobile phone 100 in an opened state. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

  The mobile phone 100 includes a display unit 10 that displays character information and image information and an operation unit 20 that performs input for operating the mobile phone 100. The display unit 10 includes a screen 11 and a small speaker 12. The position of the speaker 12 is provided at a position that becomes upward when the display unit is opened. The size of the screen is as large as possible in the display unit except for the peripheral edge and the speaker space. Therefore, when the display unit is opened, a horizontally large screen is displayed.

  The operation unit 20 includes an operation key 21 and a small microphone 22. Place the microphone down. The lens of the camera may be attached to the back of the operation unit 20 or the display unit 10 as necessary.

3 to 6 are views showing the structure of the guide mechanism of the display unit 10 and the operation unit 20. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the operation unit 20 as viewed from the surface, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the display unit 10 as viewed from the back side. The cross-sectional shape of the display unit is as shown in FIG.
On the surface of the operation unit 20, there are a pin 23 and a pin 24 as shown in FIG. The pins 23 and 24 have a T-shaped cross section as shown in FIG.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, there are a groove portion 13 and a groove portion 14 on the back surface of the display unit 10, and the groove shape is concentrically curved around the rotation center 1, and the display unit 10 rotates 90 degrees at both ends thereof. When it is opened and closed, it is in a position to become a stopper.

  The cross-sectional shape is T-shaped as shown in FIG. The pin 23 and the groove 13 are fitted to each other. The shape of the T-shape serves to guide the display unit 10 and the operation unit 20 to slide at a certain distance without being separated from each other when fitted.

An appropriate gap is provided between the pin and the groove so that it rotates smoothly but has no play. The relationship between the pin 24 and the groove 14 is the same as described above. FIG. 3 shows a state at the time of the fitting.
Although a minimum of two guide mechanisms are required, the number of fitting parts may be increased in order to improve the integrity of the display part 10 and the operation part 20. In this case, since the force applied to each fitting portion is reduced, the dimensions of the projection and the recess can be reduced, so that the thickness required for fitting the display portion and the operation portion can be reduced. It is also possible to make the entire film thinner.

  The hole 15 of the display unit 10 shown in FIG. 6 and the hole 25 of the operation unit 20 shown in FIG. 4 are spaces provided at or near the center of rotation 1 and between the display unit 10 and the operation unit 20 as shown in FIG. A cable 30 for exchanging signals and power can be accommodated.

  The display unit 10 and the operation unit 20 rotate 90 degrees each time the mobile phone is used. Therefore, it is better to make the cable resistant to twisting. For example, it is not necessary to have a structure in which a large number of strands are bundled together like a normal cable, but it may be separated. Or the flexible printed wiring used for the hinge part in the prior art is also included in the concept of this cable.

  Next, the display unit 10 and the operation unit 20 are completely overlapped with the display unit 10 closed, and the display unit 10 is closed by rotating the display unit 10 by 90 degrees and closing the right side 6 and the display unit. The distance between the right side 5 of the display unit 10 at the time (in this case, the display unit 10 and the operation unit 20 have the same shape and coincide with the right side of the operation unit), that is, the right overhang amount e A condition for equalizing the left overhang amount d defined similarly will be described. At this time

      d = e = (ab) / 2 (1)

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the display unit 10 and the operation unit 20 when the display unit 10 is closed have the same shape and are exactly overlapped. It is good also as a hang amount. On the other hand, in the case of FIGS. 11 and 12, which will be described later, since the display unit and the operation unit are different in shape, d and e in this case are overhang amounts from the left and right sides of the display unit when the display unit is closed. .
In the following description, for the sake of convenience, the rotation direction of the display unit when opened will be described with an example of right rotation. In the case of left rotation, the following explanation should be interpreted in reverse.

  In FIG. 1, the vertical length of the display unit 10 is a, and the horizontal length is b (where a> b). The upper right corner, which is the intersection of the upper side 7 and the right side 5 with the display unit 10 closed, is set to 3. Let 2 be the point from corner 3 down to length (ab) / 2 along right side 5. Draw a straight line 4 through point 2 in the upper right or lower left direction. The angle formed by the straight line 4 and the right side 5 is 45 degrees. An arbitrary point on the straight line 4 is the rotation center 1 to be obtained. Let c be the distance from right side 5 to center of rotation 1. The sign of c is positive from the right side toward the inside and negative toward the outside. The distance c can be arbitrarily determined, but the value causes a difference in the size and position of the space through which the cable 30 connecting the display unit and the operation unit can be passed. There is also a difference in the allowance for overlapping with the operation unit 20 when the display unit 10 is opened. The following description is based on each example.

  In FIG. 1, the center of rotation 1 and the holes 15 and 25 are arranged inside the right side 5 and the wall of the hole does not protrude outside the right side 5, that is, the shape of the right side is a straight line. Yes. In this case, the overlap g between the display unit 10 and the operation unit 20 in FIG.

g = (a−b) / 2 + 2c (2)

Thus, the larger the distance c between the right side 5 and the rotation center, the larger. Then, the space h where the operation key 21 is arranged is

h = a−g = (a + b) / 2-2c (3)
And becomes smaller as c becomes larger. Therefore, if the operation key portion is to be enlarged, the distance c needs to be reduced.
On the other hand, when the holes 15 and 25 for the cable are provided at the center of rotation, if the radius is r and the minimum wall thickness between the holes 15 and 25 and the right side 5 is f,

c = r + f (4)
In order to reduce c, the radius r and the minimum thickness f of the holes 15 and 25 may be reduced, and the rotation center 1 may be disposed in the vicinity of the right side 5.
The above is an example in which the shape of the groove portions 13 and 14 of the display portion is concentrically curved with respect to the rotation center 1. May be. However, in this case, since the hole 15 of the display unit and the hole 25 of the operation unit are relatively displaced during the rotation, it is necessary to take measures such as providing a margin for the size of the hole.

7 and 8 are drawings according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the cellular phone 200 in a closed state, and FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the opened state.
As shown in FIG. 7, the rotation center 1 is shifted to the right side of FIG. That is, the rotation center 1 is on the straight line 4 and at the same time in the vicinity of the right side 5 in the left-right direction. In the example of FIG. 7, the rotation center 1 is located slightly outside the right side 5. At this time, when the holes 215 and 225 for passing the cable 230 are provided, the outer periphery 240 of the wall of the hole protrudes outside the right side surface 5.

  In this case, in the expression (3), c is smaller than that in the first embodiment (in this case, c is minus), so that the space h in which the operation keys of the operation unit 220 are arranged becomes larger than that in the first embodiment.

9 and 10 are drawings according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the cellular phone 300 in a closed state, and FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the opened state.
As shown in FIG. 9, the center of rotation 1 has moved further to the right than FIG. However, the rotation center 1 is on the straight line 4. In this case, the cable 330 is located away from the right side 5 and shows an example in which the display unit 310 and the operation unit 320 are connected in a U shape. In this case, the cable may be protected by passing it through a pipe that is not shown, which is easy to twist. You can also put a strap through the U-shaped hole. In this case, since the value of c is further smaller (larger toward the minus side) than in the second embodiment, the space h in which the operation keys of the operation unit 320 are arranged is larger than that in the second embodiment.

11 and 12 are drawings according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 11, the shapes of the display unit 410 and the operation unit 420 are different. For example, the operation unit has the same size as the conventional one, and this corresponds to the case where the display unit is sufficiently larger than the conventional one.
The vertical length of the display unit is a, and the horizontal length is b (where a> b). The upper right corner, which is the intersection of the upper side and the right side when the display unit 410 is closed, is set to 3. Let 2 be the point that descends to the length (ab) / 2 along the right side 5 when the display is closed from corner 3. Draw a straight line 4 through point 2 in the upper right or lower left direction. The angle formed by the straight line 4 and the right side surface 5 is 45 degrees. The point on the straight line 4 is the center of rotation 1 to be obtained.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the distance between the sides of the left and right display units 410 with the display unit 410 closed and the left and right sides of the display unit 410 when the display unit 410 is opened, that is, the left overhang amount d The right overhang amount e becomes equal. However, in the present embodiment, since the shape of the operation unit 420 is different from the shape of the display unit 410, the positions of the left and right sides of the operation unit can be freely determined with respect to the display unit. For example, when obtaining the left-right symmetry between the operation unit when the display unit is opened and the display unit, the distance between the left and right sides of the operation unit and the left and right sides when the display unit is closed, i.e., i in FIG. And j should be equal. As shown in FIG. 12, i and j may be different in size, but in this case, they become asymmetrical.

  The case where the display unit rotates around the rotation center 1 has been described above, but the other cases will be described below. Since the display unit is guided by the two pins of the operation unit and the groove unit of the display unit, various movements with respect to the operation unit are possible depending on the shape of the groove unit. For example, even if the start point and the end point are the same, it is possible to change the feeling during opening and closing by changing the route on the way. However, in this case, since the center of rotation is not fixed, it is necessary to take measures such as enlarging the hole through which the cable passes.

  The present invention can be used not only for the mobile phone described above, but also for a portable information terminal in which character information and image information are viewed on the display unit by inputting with an operation key while holding the operation unit with one hand. For example, PDF and a portable personal computer correspond to this.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the cellular phone in the closed state showing the first embodiment of the present invention. Plan view at the time of opening A-A line sectional view in FIG. Top view of the operation unit Sectional view along line BB in Fig. 4 Top view when viewing the display from the back Plan view when the mobile phone is closed in the second embodiment Plan view at the time of opening Plan view when the mobile phone is closed in the third embodiment Plan view at the time of opening Plan view when the cellular phone is closed in the fourth embodiment Plan view at the time of opening

Explanation of symbols

1 Rotation center 2 Point 3 Corner 4 Straight line 5 Right side 6 when the display unit is closed Right side 7 when the display unit is opened 7 Upper side 10 when the display unit is closed Display unit 11 Screen 12 Speaker 13 Groove unit 14 Groove unit 15 Hole 20 Operation portion 21 Operation key 22 Microphone 23 Pin 24 Pin 25 Hole 30 Cable 100 Mobile phone 200 Mobile phone 210 of Example 2 Display portion 215 Hole 220 Operation portion 225 Hole 230 Cable 240 The outer periphery of the outer wall of the hole (display portion, operation Part)
a Length of the long side of the display
b Length of short side of display
c Distance from the right side to the center of rotation when the display is closed (plus sign towards the inside, minus sign towards the outside)
d Left overhang amount from the left side when the display unit is closed or the left side of the control unit to the left side when the display unit is opened
e Right side overhang amount from the right side when the display unit is closed or the right side of the operation unit to the right side when the display unit is opened
f Minimum thickness between the right side of the display or operation unit and the hole
r Hole radius

Claims (5)

  An opening / closing mechanism for a mobile phone, wherein the display unit is slidably guided by at least two pins provided on the upper surface of the operation unit and a groove on the back surface of the display unit fitted to each pin.   The amount of overhang from the left and right sides of the display unit when the display unit is closed or the left and right sides of the operation unit to the left and right sides of the display unit when the display unit is opened on the landscape screen is equal In a cellular phone, the display unit has a rotation center that can be opened and closed only by one-step rotation operation, and the display unit has at least two pins provided on the upper surface of the operation unit, and the back surface of the display unit that is fitted to each pin An opening / closing mechanism for a mobile phone, characterized in that the groove is slidably guided by the groove portion and the shape of the groove is concentrically curved about the rotation center 1.   When the position of the center of rotation is the length a of the long side of the display unit and the length of the short side is b, downward from the intersection of the upper side and the left or right side when the display unit is closed ( a point on a side that is a distance of ab) / 2, and is on a straight line drawn from the point to the outside or below at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the side. The opening and closing mechanism of the mobile phone according to claim 2   4. The opening / closing mechanism for a mobile phone according to claim 2, wherein the rotation center is located in the vicinity of either the left or right side of the display unit when the display unit is closed. 5. The opening / closing mechanism for a mobile phone according to claim 2, wherein a hole is provided in the rotation center rotating portion, and a cable is accommodated therein.

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