JP2008067022A - Thin structure of mobile communication terminal and mobile communication terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that making a folding mobile phone thin is restricted since a space is provided between a display side casing and an input side casing in order to prevent a screen for protecting a display part provided on the inside surface of the display side casing, from being damaged by keys or the like of the input side casing in a closed state, in the folding mobile phone. <P>SOLUTION: In the input side casing 10, the casing part of an inside surface facing the inside surface of a display side casing 7 in the closed state is made into an integrated constitution part 11 which has keys and key sheets constituted into one body and is made of an elastic member, and side face part 12 etc. other than the inside surface are made of resin. Thus the space between the display side casing 7 and the input side casing 10 in the closed state can be eliminated, and the mobile communication terminal can be made thin since both of the casings can face each other in contact with each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a thin structure of a mobile communication terminal and a mobile communication terminal, and in particular, mobile information processing such as a mobile phone terminal device such as a mobile phone, PHS (Personal Handy-phone System), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), and a laptop computer. The present invention relates to a thinned structure of a portable communication terminal such as a device and a portable communication terminal having the thinned structure.

  In recent years, along with higher functionality and higher performance of mobile communication terminals, there has been a trend toward improving the quality of designs and reducing the thickness of housings. High functionality and high performance of mobile communication terminals will lead to an increase in the amount of mounted components inside the mobile communication terminal. On the other hand, the reduction in the thickness of the casing of the mobile communication terminal brings about a reduction in the component mounting area inside the mobile communication terminal, which is contrary to the increase in the number of internal mounting parts due to the improvement in performance and functions of the mobile communication terminal. For this reason, various researches such as high-density mounting of a substrate or the like mounted inside a mobile communication terminal, efficient placement of internal components of the mobile communication terminal, use of a higher-rigid housing material, and the like are underway. .

  For example, in a mobile phone equipped with an electronic camera unit, even when the electronic camera unit is installed, the size of the case of the mobile phone itself is required to be at least the same as the conventional size. Thinning is achieved, and for this purpose, for example, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) is used as part of a camera circuit module constituting an electronic camera unit.

  However, in this case, data signal and clock harmonics are radiated from the signal wiring arranged at high density of the camera circuit module and propagated to the main circuit board side, for example, reducing the reception sensitivity of the circuit of the wireless communication unit. Or the transmission wave from the wireless communication unit of the main circuit board may enter the camera circuit module, causing adverse effects such as disturbing the video signal by mixing in the output signal of the imaging device as noise, for example. In order to reliably obtain a stable ground potential on the ground wiring of the circuit module, the circuit module and the case are electrically connected by inserting a conductive member between the camera circuit module and the case. Connected to strengthen the ground, and the camera circuit required for soldering the camera circuit module and the housing with lead wires. Most eliminating the gap between the module and the housing, the structure to reduce the size, weight and thickness of the housing has been conventionally proposed (e.g., see Patent Document 1).

  By the way, a first case having a generally thin rectangular parallelepiped shape (hereinafter also referred to as a display side case) having at least a display unit and a receiver for sound generation such as received voice on the inner side, and information input / output on the inner side. And a second casing having a substantially thin rectangular parallelepiped shape (hereinafter also referred to as an input-side casing) provided with at least various keys for recording and a microphone for collecting transmitted voice sound. They are connected to each other by a hinge mechanism so that they can be rotated, and the inner surfaces of each other are in a closed state (folded state), or the inner surfaces of each other are opened by a predetermined angle so that the key can be used. In recent years, foldable mobile phones used in either state have become widespread.

  FIG. 4 shows a partial cross-sectional view of an example of the foldable mobile phone in the closed state. As shown in the figure, an opening 3 for a key 2 is formed in the input housing 1 and the key 2 is loosely fitted in the opening 3 so as to be swingable in the vertical direction in the figure. ing. In general, the key 2 is made of resin. The key 2 is bonded to a key sheet 4 provided in the input housing 1. Generally, the material of the key sheet 4 is rubber, silicon rubber, or the like. In the input side housing 1, there is a key board 5 under the key sheet 4, and a metal dome 6 is provided between the key sheet 4 and the key board 5 immediately below the key 2. The metal dome 6 is deformed and an electrical contact is generated.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the conventional folding type mobile phone, in the closed state (folded state) where the inner side surface of the display side housing 7 is close to and spaced from the inner side surface of the input side housing 1 provided with the key 2. A gap 8 of about several millimeters is provided between the display housing and the input housing. This is because the screen that protects the display unit (mostly a liquid crystal display element (LCD), an organic EL, etc.) provided on the inner surface of the display side casing 7 is damaged by the key 2 of the input side casing 1 or the like. This is to prevent sticking. For this reason, there is a problem that the conventional foldable mobile phone has a limitation in thinning due to the gap 8.

  In a folding cellular phone, in order to prevent a specific key (for example, a positioning button) of the input-side housing from contacting the display portion of the display-side housing in the closed state, the specific key is projected into the recessed portion. A cellular phone having a structure in which a protrusion is provided at a height position that does not contact the display portion even in a closed state is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 2).

JP 2004-193082 A JP 2006-067635 A

  However, the invention described in Patent Document 1 is a structure in which a functional unit such as a camera circuit module and a housing are brought into close contact with a conductive member to achieve electrical connection and to achieve a thin shape. The problem of the limitation of thinning due to the presence of a gap between the two housings when the telephone is closed cannot be solved. The invention described in Patent Document 2 is an invention in which the touch of a specific key such as a positioning button is maintained so that the specific key does not touch the display portion even in the closed state. The problem of the limitation of thinning due to the presence of a gap between two cases at the time cannot be solved.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and a thinned structure for thinning a mobile communication terminal when folded without depending on the internal mounting of the mobile communication terminal as much as possible, and a mobile communication terminal having the thinned structure The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, the first invention provides a first housing having at least a display section on the inner surface, and a second housing having at least various keys for input / output on the inner surface. The one side ends of the body are rotatably coupled by a hinge mechanism, the closed state in which the inner side surfaces of the first and second casings are opposed to each other, and the first and second casings A thinned structure of a foldable mobile communication terminal used in either an open state in which inner surfaces are widened by a predetermined angle, and a second housing that faces the inner surface of the first housing in a closed state The top surface portion, which is the housing portion on the inner side surface of the body, is formed as an integrated component portion in which at least the top surface portion and the key are integrated and made of an elastic body. It is characterized by closely facing.

  In the present invention, in the closed state in which the inner surfaces of the first and second housings face each other, the housing portion on the inner surface of the second housing that faces the inner surface of the first housing. Since a certain top surface part is an integral component part that is composed of at least the top surface part and the key and is made of an elastic body, the inner surface of the first housing can be prevented from being damaged when closed. As a result, the gap between the first housing and the second housing can be eliminated in the closed state, and the inner side surface and the top surface portion of the first housing can be in close contact with each other.

  In order to achieve the above object, the second invention provides a first casing having at least a display portion provided on the inner surface, and at least various keys for input / output provided on the inner surface. And a closed state in which the respective one side end portions of the two housings are rotatably coupled by a hinge mechanism so that the inner side surfaces of the first and second housings face each other, and the first and second housings A thinned structure of a foldable portable communication terminal used in either an open state in which inner side surfaces of a body are widened by a predetermined angle, and is a first structure facing the inner side surface of a first housing in a closed state. The top surface portion, which is the housing portion on the inner side surface of the two housings, is integrated into at least the top surface portion and the key and made of an elastic body, and the inside of the integrated configuration portion and the second housing Reinforcing portions that are stiffer than the integral components are formed on the inner side of each of the side surfaces of the first casing, Characterized in that to close opposed to the surface portion.

  In the present invention, the top surface portion which is the housing portion of the inner surface of the second housing facing the inner surface of the first housing in the closed state is integrated with at least the top surface portion and the key, and the elastic body. And a reinforcing portion having rigidity higher than that of the integrated component is formed on the inside of the integrated component and on the inner side of the side surface of the second casing. The rigidity of the component can be ensured.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a third aspect of the present invention, the plurality of keys of the first and second aspects partially protrude from the housing surface of the second casing and are in contact with the plurality of keys. The key sheet, the plurality of metal domes provided for each key whose key is deformed via the key sheet when the key is pressed, and the deformation of the metal dome provided corresponding to the pressed key A key board on which a circuit that electrically connects keys corresponding to a metal dome is mounted is a thin structure of a mobile communication terminal built in the second housing, and the integrated component includes a plurality of keys. The key sheet and the top surface portion are integrally formed, and a groove portion for distinguishing between adjacent keys is formed around each of the plurality of keys of the integral component portion.

  In order to achieve the above object, the fourth invention is characterized in that the integral component portion is formed of a transparent member and the reinforcing portion is colored. In this invention, the user can see the reinforcement part currently colored through the transparent member.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first housing having at least an indicator on the inner surface and at least various keys for input / output on the inner surface. And a closed state in which the respective one side end portions of the two housings are rotatably coupled by a hinge mechanism so that the inner side surfaces of the first and second housings face each other, and the first and second housings In a foldable mobile communication terminal used in either an open state in which inner side surfaces of a body are widened by a predetermined angle, a housing of a second housing that faces the inner surface of the first housing in a closed state A top surface portion that is a body portion and a key are integrated, and an integrated configuration portion that is configured by an elastic body is provided, and in a closed state, the inner surface of the first housing and the top surface portion are in close contact with each other. It is characterized by doing.

  In the present invention, in the closed state in which the inner surfaces of the first and second housings face each other, the housing portion on the inner surface of the second housing that faces the inner surface of the first housing. Since a certain top surface part is an integral component part in which at least the top surface part and the key are integrated and made of an elastic body, the foldable mobile phone that closely contacts the inner surface of the first housing and the top surface part when closed. A communication terminal can be obtained.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first housing having at least an indicator on the inner surface and at least various keys for input / output on the inner surface. And a closed state in which the respective one side end portions of the two housings are rotatably coupled by a hinge mechanism so that the inner side surfaces of the first and second housings face each other, and the first and second housings In a foldable mobile communication terminal used in either an open state in which inner side surfaces of a body are widened by a predetermined angle, a housing of a second housing that faces the inner surface of the first housing in a closed state It has an integrated component part that is made up of an elastic body and the top surface part, which is a body part, and a key, and is located on the inner side of the integrated component part and the inner side of the side surface part of the second casing, respectively. A highly rigid reinforcing part is formed, and the inner surface and the top surface of the first housing are closely opposed to each other when closed. Characterized by a state.

  According to the present invention, since the rigidity of the top surface portion can be ensured by the reinforcing portion, a foldable mobile communication terminal is obtained in which the inner surface of the first housing and the top surface portion that is somewhat rigid face each other in the closed state. Can do.

  Here, the above-mentioned integral component part is composed of a transparent member, and the reinforcing part may be colored. In this case, the user of the foldable portable communication terminal can see the reinforcing portion colored through the transparent member.

  According to the present invention, the housing on the inner surface of the second housing facing the inner surface of the first housing in the closed state in which the inner surfaces of the first and second housings face each other. When the top surface portion that is a portion is integrated with at least the top surface portion and the key and is made of an elastic body, the space between the inner side surface of the first housing and the top surface portion when closed Since the gap is eliminated and the two can be closely opposed to each other, the mobile communication terminal can be thinned.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the reinforcing portion having rigidity higher than that of the integrated component is formed on the inner side of the integrated component and on the inner side of the side surface of the second casing. Since the rigidity can be ensured, the strength of the casing of the mobile communication terminal can be ensured.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the integrated component portion is made of a transparent member, and the reinforcing portion is colored, thereby realizing a design that creates a sense of depth, making the mobile communication terminal thinner and a new design image. Can be provided.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view of an embodiment of a portable communication terminal according to the present invention. In the figure, the same components as in FIG. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a foldable mobile phone, and the display-side casing 7 has the same configuration as the conventional one, but is characterized by the configuration of the input-side casing 10. That is, the input side housing 10 is the same as the conventional one in that the key substrate 5 and the metal dome 6 are disposed inside, but the inner side surface facing the inner side surface of the display side housing 7 in the closed state. The housing portion (hereinafter also referred to as the top surface portion) is an integrated component portion 11 made of an elastic body in which a key and a key sheet are integrated, and the other side surface portion 12 and the like are made of resin. It is characterized by its body.

  The material of the integrated component portion 11 of the input side housing 10 is an elastic body such as rubber or silicon rubber. Here, the operation surfaces (key tops) of the plurality of keys of the integrated component 11 are on the same plane, and each of the plurality of metal domes 6 provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of keys of the integrated component 11 is provided. A groove 13 is provided at a corresponding position so as to surround the periphery of the metal dome 6.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of an example of the integrated component 11. In the figure, a portion 14 surrounded by a plurality of grooves 13 formed in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction is an area indicating a key position. By printing the name of the key or the like on this portion 14, The corresponding key can be identified. Although FIG. 2 shows an example in which the number of keys is six, the number of keys is not limited to this, and the position of the groove 13 and the position of the groove 13 corresponding to the number of keys and the number of keys are not limited thereto. Of course, the number will also change.

  In this way, it is possible to distinguish the arbitrary key position of the integrated component 11 by the groove 13 and press down the arbitrary key position to deform the integrated component 11 of the key position part downward, When the metal dome 6 immediately below the key position portion is pressed, the metal dome corresponding to the position of another key adjacent to the pressed key position is also pressed together with the deformation of the integrated component 11. I'm trying not to get it.

  Thus, even when the inner surface of the display-side housing 7 and the integrated component 11 constituting the inner surface of the input-side housing 10 are in close contact with each other in the closed state, the integrated component 11 is an elastic body. The display unit on the inner side surface of the display side housing 7 is not scratched by the unit 11. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the inner side surface of the display side housing 7 and the input side housing 10 are integrated as shown in FIG. The component 11 can be brought into a close contact state, the existing gap 8 can be eliminated, and the mobile phone can be made thinner.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 shows a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a portable communication terminal according to the present invention. In the figure, the same components as those in FIG. The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is a foldable mobile phone as in FIG. 1, and the display-side casing 7 has the same configuration as the conventional one, but is characterized by the configuration of the input-side casing 15. In the input side housing 10 shown in FIG. 1, the side surface portion 12 is made of resin, but the integrated component portion 11 of the housing portion (top surface portion) that faces the display side housing 7 in the closed state is an elastic body. , Compared to an existing case made entirely of resin, the case rigidity may be reduced and the strength as the case may not be maintained.

  Therefore, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the casing rigidity is higher than that in the embodiment of FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the input side casing 15 is configured such that the casing (top surface) on the inner side facing the inner side of the display side casing 7 is an integrated key and key sheet when closed. 1 is the same as that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 except that the other side portions 12 and the like are casings made of resin. And the point which insert-molded the plate-shaped and highly rigid reinforcement part 18 in the inner surface of the side part 12 has the characteristics.

  The reinforcing portion 18 is made of, for example, a sheet metal (SUS material), and an opening 19 is formed at a position corresponding to the metal dome 6. In addition, a groove portion 17 is provided so as to surround the metal dome 6 at a position corresponding to each of the plurality of metal domes 6 provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of keys of the integrated component portion 16. As a result, any key position can be distinguished, and any key position of the integrated component 16 is pressed down so that the metal dome 6 immediately below the key position is integrated via the opening 19 of the reinforcing portion 18. When pressed by the component 16, the metal dome corresponding to the position of another key adjacent to the pressed key position is not pressed together.

  In the present embodiment, the integrated component 16 is formed of a transparent member (a clear material having a transmittance of 92% or more), and the reinforcing portion 18 is colored, thereby creating a design that creates a sense of depth. It has been subjected. However, in this case, it is necessary to make the display surface of the LCD or the like showing the key visible even when the reinforcing portion 18 is colored.

  According to the present embodiment, even when the inner surface of the display-side housing 7 and the integrated component 16 constituting the inner surface of the input-side housing 15 are in close contact with each other in the closed state, the integrated component 16 is an elastic body. Therefore, the integrated component 16 does not damage the display portion on the inner side surface of the display-side housing 7. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the inner side surface and the input side of the display-side housing 7 are closed when closed. The integrated component 16 of the housing 15 can be brought into a close contact state, the existing gap 8 can be eliminated, the mobile phone can be thinned, and the desired housing can be provided by the reinforcing portion 18. Body rigidity can be ensured. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, since the integrated component 16 is made of a transparent member (clear material) and the reinforcing portion 18 is colored, a design that produces a sense of depth can be realized.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a foldable mobile phone has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is also applicable to a portable information processing apparatus such as a notebook computer having a foldable structure. it can. In addition, when the integrated components 11 and 16 are fairly flexible elastic bodies, the adjacent switches are not pressed together, so that the grooves 13 and 17 may not be provided.

It is a fragmentary sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic perspective view of an example of the integral part of the principal part of this invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view of other embodiments of the present invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the conventional folding type mobile phone.

Explanation of symbols

5 Key board 6 Metal dome 7 Display side case 10, 15 Input side case 11, 16 Integrated component part 12 Side face part 13, 17 Groove part 18 Reinforcement part 19 Opening part

Claims (7)

The one end of each side of the first housing having at least the display on the inner surface and the second housing having at least various keys for input / output on the inner surface is rotated by a hinge mechanism. A closed state in which the inner side surfaces of the first and second housings are opposed to each other, and an open state in which the inner side surfaces of the first and second housings are widened by a predetermined angle. It is a thin structure of a foldable mobile communication terminal used in either state,
The top surface portion, which is the housing portion of the inner surface of the second housing that faces the inner surface of the first housing in the closed state, is integrated with at least the top surface portion and the key, and is elastic A thin structure for a portable communication terminal, characterized in that the structure is an integral component composed of a body, and the inner surface of the first housing and the top surface are in close contact with each other in the closed state. The one end of each side of the first housing having at least the display on the inner surface and the second housing having at least various keys for input / output on the inner surface is rotated by a hinge mechanism. A closed state in which the inner side surfaces of the first and second housings are opposed to each other, and an open state in which the inner side surfaces of the first and second housings are widened by a predetermined angle. It is a thin structure of a foldable mobile communication terminal used in either state,
The top surface portion, which is the housing portion of the inner surface of the second housing that faces the inner surface of the first housing in the closed state, is integrated with at least the top surface portion and the key, and is elastic A reinforcing part having a rigidity higher than that of the integrated component part is formed on the inside of the integrated component part and on the inside of the side surface part of the second casing. A thin structure of a portable communication terminal, wherein an inner side surface of one housing and the top surface portion are closely opposed to each other. A plurality of the keys partially protrude from the housing surface of the second casing, and a key sheet that is in contact with the plurality of keys, and when the key is pressed, the keys are deformed via the key sheet. A plurality of metal domes provided for each key, and a circuit that electrically connects the keys corresponding to the metal dome by deformation of the metal dome provided corresponding to the pressed key. The key board is a thin structure of the mobile communication terminal built in the second housing,
In the integrated component, a plurality of the keys, the key sheet, and the top surface are integrally formed, and a groove for distinguishing adjacent keys is provided around each of the keys of the integrated component. The thin structure of a portable communication terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the structure is formed.   The thin structure of a portable communication terminal according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the integrated component is made of a transparent member, and the reinforcing portion is colored. The one end of each side of the first housing having at least the display on the inner surface and the second housing having at least various keys for input / output on the inner surface is rotated by a hinge mechanism. A closed state in which the inner side surfaces of the first and second housings are opposed to each other, and an open state in which the inner side surfaces of the first and second housings are widened by a predetermined angle. In the foldable mobile communication terminal used in either state,
The top surface portion, which is the housing portion of the inner surface of the second housing that faces the inner surface of the first housing in the closed state, and the key are integrated with each other, and is formed of an elastic body. A portable communication terminal, comprising: a component, wherein in the closed state, the inner surface of the first housing and the top surface are in close contact with each other. The one end of each side of the first housing having at least the display on the inner surface and the second housing having at least various keys for input / output on the inner surface is rotated by a hinge mechanism. A closed state in which the inner side surfaces of the first and second housings are opposed to each other, and an open state in which the inner side surfaces of the first and second housings are widened by a predetermined angle. In the foldable mobile communication terminal used in either state,
An integrated configuration in which the top surface portion, which is the housing portion of the inner surface of the second housing that faces the inner surface of the first housing in the closed state, is integrated with the key and is made of an elastic body. And a reinforcing portion having rigidity higher than that of the integrated component is formed on the inside of the integrated component and on the inner side of the side surface of the second casing. A portable communication terminal characterized in that an inner surface of a housing and the top surface portion are in close contact with each other.   The mobile communication terminal according to claim 6, wherein the integrated component is made of a transparent member, and the reinforcing portion is colored.

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