JP2007184765A - Mobile information terminal and method of assembling same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile information terminal that can improve assembling performance and prevent a flexible cable from being damaged during an assembling operation or when a case is opened and closed, and to provide a method of assembling the same. <P>SOLUTION: The mobile information terminal has such structure that an insertion support 3 for guiding the flexible cable 7 to a component in an operation section case 8 while protecting it and a reception support 2 for holding a hinge unit 3 at a hinge storage section 8a of the operation part case 8 are coupled together in a rotatable and slidable state, and they are easily decoupled with claw portions engaging each other. Consequently, the reception support 2 and insertion support 3 can be incorporated in the operation section case 8 while they are combined, so the operability can be improved. Further, the flexible cable 7 is prevented from being damaged when the mobile information terminal is assembled by the method, and the flexible cable 7 is also prevented from being damaged by lightening the load placed on the flexible cable 7 when the case is opened and closed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable information terminal and an assembling method thereof, and more particularly to a foldable portable information terminal and an assembling method thereof.

  In recent years, a foldable portable information terminal in which a display unit housing on which a liquid crystal screen or the like is disposed and an operation unit housing on which an operation key is disposed is supported by a hinge portion so as to be opened and closed is widely used. In this foldable portable information terminal, since it is necessary to transmit a control signal input with an operation key or the like of the operation unit casing to a liquid crystal screen of the display unit casing, the display unit casing and the operation unit casing Are connected by a flexible cable passing through the inside of the hinge portion.

In addition, in order to improve design, portable information terminals having a structure in which a hinge portion is housed in a housing are also widespread. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a mobile phone that includes a chassis in which a hinge portion is integrally provided as a framework of a first housing and a second housing, and the chassis is made of metal parts. .
JP 2002-51131 A (page 3, FIG. 1)

  Here, in the structure in which the hinge portion is housed in the housing, the first member for guiding the flexible cable to the components in the housing while protecting the flexible cable, and the second member for holding the hinge portion in the housing. However, since these members are conventionally configured as independent parts, when assembling the portable information terminal, for example, a flexible cable is inserted into the first member, and the second member and the hinge are inserted. After assembling the parts, the first member and the second member are separately gripped, and the assembly work is performed by the procedure such as simultaneously incorporating the first member and the second member into an appropriate position of the housing while adjusting the positional relationship between them. There was a problem that assembly was bad.

  In addition, since the above structure is poor in assemblability, at the time of assembly, the flexible cable is entangled with other parts, is in contact with other parts, or an excessive load is easily applied to the flexible cable, and the flexible cable is easily damaged. There was also a problem.

  In addition, when the first member is fixed to the casing, there is a problem that the flexible cable is easily damaged because a load is applied to the flexible cable when the portable information terminal is used (when the casing is opened and closed). It was.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a main object thereof is to provide a portable information terminal and an assembling method thereof that can improve assemblability.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable information terminal and an assembling method thereof that can prevent the flexible cable from being damaged during assembly work or when the portable information terminal is used (when the casing is opened or closed). There is.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a hinge portion is housed in a hinge housing portion of a first housing, and the first housing and the second housing are connected by the hinge portion so as to be opened and closed. In the portable information terminal in which the component in the first housing and the component in the second housing are connected by a flexible cable passing through the hinge housing portion, the hinge portion is a shaft portion serving as a rotation axis. A first member that includes a first slit through which the flexible cable is inserted, and guides the flexible cable to a component in the first housing. And a second member that includes the second slit through which the flexible cable is inserted, and is connected to the first member to hold the shaft portion in the hinge housing portion. The second Are those composed rotatably slidable with respect to member.

  In the present invention, the connecting portion of the first member and the second member includes a claw portion that engages with each other, and the first member and the second member are not detached by the claw portion. It can be set as the structure connected in this way.

  In the present invention, a hinge portion is housed in the hinge housing portion of the first housing, and the first housing and the second housing are connected to each other by the hinge portion so that the hinge housing portion can be opened and closed. A component in the first housing and a component in the second housing are connected by a flexible cable passing through the hinge, and the hinge portion includes a shaft portion serving as a rotation shaft and an auxiliary portion assisting the shaft portion. The auxiliary portion includes a first slit through which the flexible cable is inserted, a first member that guides the flexible cable to components in the first housing, and a second member through which the flexible cable is inserted. A second member that is connected to the first member and holds the shaft portion in the hinge housing portion, and the first member rotates with respect to the second member. It is not slidable A method for assembling a portable information terminal, wherein at least the flexible cable, the first member, and the second member are preliminarily attached before the hinge portion is incorporated into the hinge housing portion of the first housing. It is a combination.

  In the present invention, the first step of assembling the auxiliary portion by inserting the flexible cable through the first slit and the second slit, connecting the first member and the second member, and A second step of combining the second casing, the shaft portion, and the auxiliary portion, and a third step of dropping the combined member into the hinge storage portion of the first casing. It can be.

  Further, in the present invention, a claw portion that engages with each other is provided at the connecting portion of the first member and the second member, and in the first step, the claw portion causes the first member and the first member to be engaged with each other. It can also be set as the structure connected so that it may not remove | deviate from said 2nd member.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the first member and the second member can be incorporated into the first housing with the above structure, the assemblability of the portable information terminal can be improved. .

  Further, by adopting the above structure and assembling method, it is possible to prevent the flexible cable from being damaged when the portable information terminal is assembled or when the portable information terminal is used (when the casing is opened or closed).

  According to the portable information terminal and the assembling method of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  The first effect of the present invention is that the assemblability of the portable information terminal can be improved. The reason is that the hinge portion is composed of a shaft portion serving as a rotating shaft and an auxiliary portion that assists the shaft portion, and the auxiliary portion includes a slit through which the flexible cable is inserted, and protects the flexible cable. A second member for holding the shaft portion in the first housing by being connected to the first member, and a first member for guiding the components in the housing of the first member and a slit through which the flexible cable is inserted. The first member is configured to be slidable with respect to the second member, and a claw portion that engages with each other is provided at the connecting portion of the first member and the second member. This is because the first member and the second member can be incorporated into the first casing in a state where they are not easily detached.

  The second effect of the present invention is that damage to the flexible cable can be prevented. The reason is that the flexible cable can be incorporated into the first housing in a state in which the flexible cable is inserted and the first member and the second member are connected. This is because it does not contact the cable or load the flexible cable. In addition, since the second member is connected to the first member so as to be able to rotate and slide, the load is not applied to the flexible cable when the portable information terminal is used (when the casing is opened / closed). Because you can.

  As shown in the prior art, conventionally, a first member for guiding a flexible cable to a component in the housing while protecting the flexible cable and a second member for holding the hinge portion in the housing are independent. Since it was configured as a part, there was a problem that assembly was poor. In addition, because the assemblability is poor, the flexible cable is easily damaged during assembly. If the first member is fixed to the housing, the flexible cable is damaged when the portable information terminal is used (when the housing is opened / closed). There was also a problem of end.

  Since the above problem is caused by the fact that the first member and the second member are configured as separate parts, in the present invention, the first member and the second member are rotated and slid. The above-mentioned problem is solved by providing a claw portion that can be connected to each other and engaging each other at the connecting portion of the first member and the second member so as not to be easily detached. The specific configuration will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  In order to describe the above embodiment in detail, a portable information terminal and an assembling method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the assembly structure of the portable information terminal of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the temporary fixing hinge of the portable information terminal of this embodiment. 3 is a perspective view showing a rotational sliding structure of the temporary fixing hinge, and FIG. 4 is a plan view and a sectional view showing an engaging structure of the temporary fixing hinge.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a portable information terminal of this embodiment includes a display unit housing 5 in which a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display device, and the like are arranged, and key operation units such as numeric keys and special keys. For electrically connecting the operation unit casing 8 on which an operation unit substrate on which a control circuit, a communication circuit, and the like are formed, and the components arranged in the display unit casing 5 to the operation unit substrate. A hinge portion (hinge serving as a rotation axis) that interconnects wiring (hereinafter, flexible wiring is collectively referred to as a flexible cable 7) and the display unit housing 5 and the operation unit housing 8 are opened and closed. The unit 4 (corresponding to the shaft portion in the claims) and the temporary fixing hinge 1 (corresponding to the auxiliary portion in the claims) for assisting the hinge unit 4, the hinge unit 4 and the temporary fixing hinge 1 in the operation unit housing 8. The bracket 9 to be fixed is a main component. .

  In addition, the display unit housing 5 includes a joint unit that houses the hinge unit 4 and the temporary fixing hinge 1 and has an insertion hole 6 for drawing the flexible cable 7 into the display unit housing 5. 8 includes a hinge storage portion 8a and an opening for rotatably storing the joint portion, and a screw port for fastening the bracket 9 with a screw 10.

  In the present embodiment, the hinge housing portion 8a is provided in the operation portion housing 8, but the hinge housing portion may be provided in the display portion housing 5. In this embodiment, the hinge unit 4 and the temporary fixing hinge 1 are basically housed in the housing. However, the present invention is also applicable to a structure in which these are formed outside the housing. In addition, the display unit is arranged in the display unit case 5 and the operation unit is arranged in the operation unit case 8. However, the components arranged in each case are arbitrary. It is also possible to make changes such as arranging a display unit provided with operation means such as a touch panel on the body or providing other components (for example, a digital camera unit). In addition, the flexible cable 7 only needs to be connectable to the parts disposed in the display unit housing 5 and the operation unit housing 8 at both ends, and the central portion can pass through the temporary fixing hinge 1 and the like. The shape, material, etc. are not limited, and a circuit may be formed on the flexible cable 7.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the temporary fixing hinge 1 is a first member (hereinafter referred to as an insertion support 3) for guiding the flexible cable 7 to the inside and guiding it to the operation unit board of the operation unit housing 8. ) And a second member (hereinafter referred to as a receiving support 2) for holding the hinge unit 4 inside the operation unit housing 8 together with the insertion support 3.

  The receiving support 2 includes a slit 2a through which the flexible cable 7 passes and a receiving port 2b through which the insertion support 3 is inserted. The receiving port 2b has a claw 2c provided with an annular projection on the inner peripheral surface thereof. ing. The insertion support 3 has a slit 3a through which the flexible cable 7 passes and an insertion portion 3b for insertion into the receiving support 2. The insertion portion 3b has a claw 3c provided with an annular projection on the outer peripheral surface thereof. is doing. In addition, the receiving support 2 and the insertion support 3 have a basic shape that is a cylindrical shape having the rotation axis of the hinge unit 4 as a central axis, and at least one of them is flexible and reversibly expands and contracts in the radial direction. It is configured.

  When the insertion support 3 is inserted into the insertion port 3 b of the insertion support 3 into the reception port 2 b of the reception support 2, the reception support 2 expands in the radial direction (or the insertion support 3 contracts in the radial direction), and the nail of the reception support 2 2c engages with the claw 3c of the insertion support 3, and the insertion support 3 can rotate in the direction of arrow A while sliding against the receiving support 2, as shown in FIG. To).

  In FIG. 2, the insertion support 3 is inserted inside the receiving support 2. However, the receiving support 2 and the insertion support 3 may be configured to be slidably connected to each other. It is good also as a structure which inserts the receiving support 2 inside, or arrange | positions the 3rd member connected with both between the receiving support 2 and the insertion support 3 between them.

  Next, the engagement structure of the claw 2c and the claw 3c will be described with reference to FIG. 4A is a plan view of the temporary fixing hinge in a state in which the receiving support 2 and the insertion support 3 are coupled together, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX ′. 4 (c) is an enlarged view of a Y portion (a portion surrounded by a broken line in the drawing) of the cross section.

  As shown in FIG. 4C, the surface on the insertion portion 3b side of the claw 2c of the receiving port 2b and / or the surface on the receiving port 2b side of the claw 3c of the insertion portion 3b are inclined at a predetermined angle. Formed, when the insertion portion 3b is inserted into the receiving port 2b from the Z ′ direction, the receiving port 2b of the receiving support 2 expands in the radial direction, or the insertion portion 3b of the insertion support 3 contracts in the radial direction, Alternatively, by both of them, the claw 3c of the insertion support 3 gets over the claw 2c of the receiving support 2, and both are connected.

  Further, after the receiving support 2 and the insertion support 3 are connected, the receiving port 2b of the receiving support 2 and / or the insertion portion 3b of the inserting support 3 immediately return to the original state, and the inner peripheral surface of the receiving port 2b is inserted. The claw 3c of the part 3b or the claw 2c of the receiving port 2b and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion part 3b are fitted in a sliding state.

  Further, the surface of the receiving port 2b opposite to the insertion portion 3b of the claw 2c and the surface of the insertion portion 3b opposite to the receiving port 2b of the claw 3c are substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction (or reversely tapered). Therefore, even if the insertion support 3 is pulled in the Z direction, the claw 2c of the receiving port 2b and the claw 3c of the inserting portion 3b are engaged, and the inserting portion 3b is pulled out from the receiving port 2b. The connected state can be maintained without any problems.

  In this way, the receiving support 2 and the insertion support 3 can be connected so as to be slidable by a simple operation of pushing the insertion portion 3b into the receiving port 2b, and the claw 2c and the claw 3c are engaged. Accordingly, the receiving support 2 and the insertion support 3 can be made difficult to come off, so that the temporary fixing hinge 1 can be easily assembled. Moreover, since a fixed insertion feeling can be confirmed with the nail | claw 2c and the nail | claw 3c, the temporary fixing hinge 1 can be assembled reliably.

  The shape of the claw 2c and the claw 3c is not limited to the configuration shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, and the receiving support 2 and the insertion support 3 are not easily detached and can be connected so as to be slidable in the direction of arrow A. For example, one of the claw 2c or the claw 3c may be continuously formed in an annular shape, and the other may be formed in pieces (for example, formed at four locations on the circumference). Further, instead of forming claws on both sides, an annular groove may be provided on the inner peripheral surface of the receiving support 2, and this groove may be engaged with the claw 3 c of the insertion support 3. It is possible to modify the groove by providing a groove and engaging the groove with the claw 2c of the receiving support 2. FIG. 2 shows a structure in which the insertion support 3 is rotated 360 ° with respect to the receiving support 2. However, a portion where the shape of the nail is changed or a stopper is formed so that the rotation operation stops at that portion. It may be. Further, in FIG. 4, a constant interval (play) is provided between the claw 2c and the claw 3c so as to operate against a load in the Z direction that occurs when the portable information terminal is used or the like. The interval between the claw 2c and the claw 3c is arbitrary, and the claw 2c and the claw 3c may be brought close to each other.

  Next, the assembly process of the portable information terminal of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, the receiving support 2 is inserted into the insertion hole 6 of the bonding portion so that the direction of the slit of the bonding portion and the direction of the slit 2a of the receiving support 2 substantially coincides (arrow S1). At that time, the receiving support 2 is joined by giving flexibility to at least one of the joining portion of the display housing 5 or the receiving support 2 and making the outer diameter of the receiving support 2 slightly larger than the inner diameter of the joining portion. It can be securely fixed to the part.

  Next, the crank portion of the flexible cable 7 is passed through the slit 2a of the receiving support 2 (arrow S2), and the insertion support 3 and the receiving support 2 are connected so that the flexible cable 7 passes through the slit 3a. Is assembled (arrow S3). At that time, at least one of the receiving support 2 or the insertion support 3 is made flexible so that the outer diameter of the insertion portion 3b of the insertion support 3 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the receiving port 2b of the receiving support 2. The support 3 can be securely fixed to the receiving support 2.

  Thereafter, the hinge unit 4 is inserted into the insertion hole 6 in the joint portion of the display unit housing 5 (arrow S4), and the joint portion in which the hinge unit 4, the flexible cable 7, the receiving support 2 and the insertion support 3 are assembled is operated. The portable information terminal is assembled by dropping it into the hinge storage portion 8a of the housing 8 from above (arrow S5), dropping the bracket 9 thereon and fixing it with the screw 10 (arrow S6).

  In the above description, the receiving support 2 is inserted into the insertion hole 6, the flexible cable 7 is passed through the slit 2 a, and the insertion support 3 is fitted therein to assemble the temporary fixing hinge 1. Alternatively, the temporary fixing hinge 1 may be assembled into the insertion hole 6 after the temporary fixing hinge 1 is assembled.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the temporary fixing hinge 1 is connected to the insertion support 3 for protecting / guiding the flexible cable 7 and the insertion support 3 to connect the hinge unit 4 in the housing (operation unit housing). The receiving support 2 for holding the cable, and the receiving support 2 and the insertion support 3 are each provided with a claw that engages with each other so as to be rotatably slidable. The receiving support 2 and the insertion support 3 can be dropped into the operation unit casing 8 in a connected state, and assemblability can be greatly improved. Further, since the flexible cable 7 may be dropped into the operation unit housing 8 in a state where the flexible cable 7 is incorporated in the temporary fixing hinge 1, the flexible cable 7 may be tangled with other parts, contacted with other parts, No load is applied, and the flexible cable 7 can be prevented from being damaged. Furthermore, the insertion support 3 can be rotated while sliding against the receiving support 2, and the insertion support 3 rotates in accordance with the bending of the flexible cable 7 when the portable information terminal is used (when the casing is opened / closed). Therefore, no load is applied to the flexible cable 7, and damage to the flexible cable 7 can be prevented.

  The present invention is not limited to a mobile phone, and may be applied to any device having a folding structure in which two housings are connected by a hinge, for example, a portable computer such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), a game machine, and the like. Can do.

It is a perspective view which shows the assembly structure of the portable information terminal which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the temporary fix | stop hinge of the portable information terminal which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the rotation sliding structure of the temporary fix | stop hinge of the portable information terminal which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is the top view and sectional drawing which show the engagement structure of the temporary fix | stop hinge which concerns on one Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Temporary fixing hinge 2 Receiving support 2a Slit 2b Receiving port 2c Claw 3 Insertion support 3a Slit 3b Insertion part 3c Claw 4 Hinge unit 5 Display part housing | casing 6 Insertion hole 7 Flexible cable 8 Operation part housing | casing 8a Hinge accommodating part 9 Bracket 10 screw

Claims (5)

A hinge portion is housed in the hinge housing portion of the first housing, the first housing and the second housing are connected to each other by the hinge portion so as to be openable and closable, and a flexible cable that passes through the hinge housing portion. In the portable information terminal to which the component in the first casing and the component in the second casing are connected,
The hinge portion is composed of a shaft portion serving as a rotation shaft and an auxiliary portion that assists the shaft portion,
The auxiliary portion includes a first slit through which the flexible cable is inserted, a first member that guides the flexible cable to components in the first housing, and a second slit through which the flexible cable is inserted. A second member that is connected to the first member and holds the shaft portion in the hinge housing portion;
The portable information terminal, wherein the first member is configured to be rotatable and slidable with respect to the second member. The connecting portion of the first member and the second member includes a claw portion that engages with each other,
The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the first member and the second member are connected by the claw portion so as not to be detached. A hinge portion is housed in the hinge housing portion of the first housing, the first housing and the second housing are connected to each other by the hinge portion so as to be openable and closable, and a flexible cable that passes through the hinge housing portion. The component in the first casing and the component in the second casing are connected,
The hinge portion is composed of a shaft portion serving as a rotation shaft and an auxiliary portion that assists the shaft portion,
The auxiliary portion includes a first slit through which the flexible cable is inserted, a first member that guides the flexible cable to components in the first housing, and a second slit through which the flexible cable is inserted. A second member that is connected to the first member and holds the shaft portion in the hinge housing portion;
The first member is a method of assembling a portable information terminal configured to be rotatable and slidable with respect to the second member,
Before assembling the hinge part into the hinge housing part of the first casing, at least the flexible cable, the first member, and the second member are combined in advance. Assembly method. A first step of assembling the auxiliary part by inserting the flexible cable through the first slit and the second slit, connecting the first member and the second member, and
A second step of combining the second casing, the shaft portion, and the auxiliary portion;
4. A method for assembling a portable information terminal according to claim 3, further comprising a third step of dropping a combined member into the hinge housing portion of the first casing. A claw portion that engages with each other is provided at the connecting portion of the first member and the second member,
5. The method of assembling a portable information terminal according to claim 4, wherein, in the first step, the first member and the second member are connected by the claw portion so as not to come off.

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