JP2008206207A - Folding type portable device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily operate an operation unit in an arrangement of information input buttons, etc., which is in a vertically long state which is familiar to a user while seeing a display unit of a horizontally long state, and simultaneously be able to comfortably perform operation of a video game, etc., in a compactly folded state as the horizontally long state of the display unit. <P>SOLUTION: The device is provided with a first cabinet 3 with a liquid crystal display unit 2 on the front face thereof, a second cabinet 5 with an operation unit 4 on the front face thereof, and a hinge unit 6 which supports the first cabinet 3 so as to be able to reverse the front and rear thereof with a vertical axis Y which is vertically prepared to an open and close axis X as a center, while connecting freely foldably the first cabinet 3 and the second cabinet 5 with the open and close axis X as a center. Information input buttons are provided near the hinge unit 6 of the operation unit 43, a function button 32 is provided at a side away from the hinge unit 6, and the function button 32 can be operated while seeing the liquid crystal display unit 2 of the horizontally long state covering the information input buttons in a state where the function button 32 is exposed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a foldable portable device, and more particularly to a device that rotatably supports a display unit thereof.

  In recent years, mobile phones have many functions such as an e-mail transmission / reception function, a digital camera function, a recording / playback function, a television reception function, and a schedule management function as well as a call function.

  When using a predetermined function among these functions, there is a need to view the display unit in a small folded state. In order to meet this need, the hinge part that foldably connects the first casing having the display unit and the second casing having the operation unit can be folded two times. There is a mobile phone with a moving axis.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, in an electronic device in which a main body provided with an operation part and a superposition part provided with a display part are connected so as to cover the operation part when not operated, the superposition part is rotated. An electronic device is disclosed that is provided so as to be capable of rotating up and down around a shaft portion, and provided with a rotation movable portion that is substantially orthogonal to the rotation shaft portion so as to be capable of rotation rotation by 180 degrees around the shaft so that the overlapping portion can be reversed. . In this electronic device, it is known that even in a folded compact form, the display portion can be concealed or exposed by being reversed by reversing the overlapped portion.

  According to Patent Document 2, a liquid crystal monitor unit including a liquid crystal monitor and an operation unit including an operation button can be rotated by a hinge unit, and the rotation between the hinge unit and the liquid crystal monitor unit is performed from 0 degrees to 360 degrees. There has been disclosed a mobile phone with a zoom lens that is provided with a rotatable plate so as to be movable and includes a photographing lens and a plurality of zoom lenses on a central axis of a hinge portion. In this cellular phone with a zoom lens, it is known that a self-portrait can be taken by rotating the liquid crystal monitor unit 90 degrees clockwise, or another person can be photographed by rotating the liquid crystal monitor unit 90 degrees counterclockwise on the rotating plate. ing.

  According to Patent Document 3, a foldable mobile phone including a first rotating shaft for folding both housings and a second rotating shaft provided orthogonal to the first rotating shaft is disclosed. ing. In this foldable mobile phone, when the display unit is inverted 180 degrees and folded, the display unit becomes visible, and the display unit can be viewed without opening / closing operation in a reception state. Since the four-way key and the enter key are provided on the lower side of the display unit, the display unit is viewed in a compact form by flipping the display unit upside down. It is known that it can perform.

  On the other hand, the main function of a mobile phone is still a call function, and for its portability, downsizing and weight reduction are important in terms of merchantability. Emphasizing usability, the mobile phone has a vertically long shape with a reduced width.

  If the mobile phone's liquid crystal display is fixed in the portrait orientation, when displaying a landscape image, it must be reduced so as to enter a portrait screen or the entire image must be viewed by a horizontal scroll operation. I had to.

  In addition, it is conceivable to rotate a horizontally long image by 90 degrees on a vertically long liquid crystal display unit and view the image. However, the liquid crystal display unit and the operation unit include a first housing and a second housing. In a foldable mobile phone that appears in the open state, the operation unit is also rotated 90 degrees, so the display shown on the information input button etc. is also viewed 90 degrees rotated. There is a problem that the input operation becomes extremely difficult because the information input buttons and the like are arranged differently.

  In order to solve this problem, for example, in the foldable mobile phone of Patent Document 4, the liquid crystal display unit can be switched from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state while the mobile phone itself is held vertically. 1 is supported on the case. In this foldable mobile phone, a support shaft is provided perpendicularly to the liquid crystal display unit at the center of the liquid crystal display unit, and the liquid crystal display unit is rotated 90 degrees around the support shaft.

  In the foldable mobile phone of Patent Document 5, it is known that the display content is converted in accordance with the orientation of the display screen by pivotally supporting the liquid crystal display portion on a support portion provided continuously with the base portion of the phone body.

As shown in Patent Document 6, a foldable mobile phone having a support mechanism that supports a liquid crystal display unit in a slidable and rotatable manner on a first housing is known. In this foldable mobile phone, the liquid crystal display unit is slid up and down and then rotated around the support shaft provided at the center of the liquid crystal display unit. Contact with the bulging portion provided at the lower end of the liquid crystal can be avoided, and the liquid crystal display portion can be enlarged.
JP 2003-239943 A JP 2003-309756 A JP 2002-118633 A JP 2001-156893 A JP 2004-64716 A JP 2003-319043 A

  By the way, terrestrial digital television broadcasting is about to start in earnest in the near future. Unlike conventional analog TV broadcasts, this terrestrial digital TV broadcast can receive so-called interactive services such as participating in quiz programs from the TV and using TV shopping or bank transfer through the TV. .

  When this digital terrestrial television broadcast can be viewed on a mobile phone, it is further necessary to perform key operations on the operation unit while viewing images on the liquid crystal display unit. Usually, since a television image is horizontally long, in order to view a television image as large as possible with a small liquid crystal display unit, the liquid crystal display unit needs to be in a horizontally long state.

  However, in the inventions of Patent Documents 4 and 5, while suppressing the size and thickness of the mobile phone, the liquid crystal display unit is connected to the first housing and the second housing in a foldable manner, In order to rotate the liquid crystal display unit without contacting the bulging part provided at the lower end of the first housing provided with the liquid crystal display unit, the lower end of the liquid crystal display unit is rounded along a radius around the support shaft. Therefore, there is a problem that the liquid crystal display unit cannot be enlarged.

  The foldable mobile phone described in Patent Document 6 requires two operations, sliding movement and rotational movement, and cannot be operated with one hand, and there is a problem that the operation is complicated.

  Further, as shown in Patent Documents 1 to 3, the casing on the display unit side is folded in a compact form, and as shown in Patent Documents 4 to 6, the display unit is in a horizontally long state, There is a need to perform operations such as games.

  In the invention of the above-mentioned patent document 3, it is also possible to play a video game or the like by looking at the display portion in the horizontally long state while using the four-direction key and the enter key in a compact form in which the display portion is reversed upside down. However, when holding a foldable mobile phone in a horizontally long state, four-way keys and a decision key are arranged on the left side, so these keys cannot be operated with one hand and must be operated with both hands. Further, there is a problem that the information input button cannot be operated in the landscape state.

  The present invention has been made in view of such points, and the object of the present invention is to easily operate the operation unit with the same arrangement of information input buttons and the like as those used in the vertically long state while looking at the horizontally long display unit. At the same time, the display unit is in a horizontally long state in a small folded state so that an operation such as a video game can be comfortably performed.

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a first housing provided with a display portion on the surface,
A second housing having an operation portion on the surface;
The first casing and the second casing are connected to each other so as to be foldable about an opening / closing axis, and the first casing can be turned upside down around a vertical axis provided perpendicular to the opening / closing axis. A hinge part to support,
The display unit is supported by the first casing through a support mechanism so that the display unit can be switched between a vertically long state and a horizontally long state.
The support mechanism is configured to guide and support switching of the display unit between a vertically long state and a horizontally long state so that a lower end side corner portion of the display unit moves along the hinge portion when the display unit is switched. And
In the operation unit, an information input button is provided in the vicinity of the hinge unit, and a function button is provided on the side far from the hinge unit,
The horizontally long display unit with the display facing the front side covers the information input button, and the function button can be operated with the function button exposed.

  According to the above configuration, the display unit is normally used in a vertically long state when the main function is used, such as during a call or during mail transmission / reception. On the other hand, when viewing digital terrestrial television broadcasting or sending and receiving e-mails in English, the information input button is the same as the familiar portrait orientation, with the display area set to the landscape orientation and a large landscape image displayed on the display. It is used while inputting keys on the operation unit in the arrangement state. Thus, when the display unit is switched to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state, the user needs to perform a switching operation on the display unit supported by the first housing. In this switching operation, the display unit is switched while being guided and supported by the support mechanism. Furthermore, since the first casing is supported so that the front and back can be reversed about the vertical axis, the horizontally long display unit is folded with the front and back reversed about the vertical axis, so that the first casing can be folded in a compact form. The display unit is in a horizontally long state, and a video game or the like is played by looking at the horizontally long display unit while inputting keys with one hand at an operation unit that is not covered by the display unit. Further, the display unit is switched by the support mechanism while being guided and supported so that the lower corner portion thereof moves along the hinge portion. For this reason, since the display unit moves while maintaining a gap between the hinge unit and the display unit, the display unit can be connected to the hinge unit without rounding the lower end of the display unit along the radius around the support shaft as in the past. And does not collide with the bulging portion at the lower end of the first housing. Therefore, in any of the vertically long state and the horizontally long state, the first housing is rotated around the vertical axis without bringing the first housing into contact with the hinge portion. In addition, an information input button is provided near the hinge portion of the operation portion, and a function button is provided on the side far from the hinge portion, so that the horizontally long image is displayed on the display portion with the display portion in a state where the front and back are not reversed being in the horizontally long state. In this way, it is used while inputting keys on the operation unit in the arrangement state of the same information input buttons and function buttons as the familiar vertically long state. Fold the first housing in a flipped state so that the horizontally long display is exposed, and then use a function button that is not covered by the display to fold the first case. Broadcast viewing and the like are performed.

Further, the support mechanism is
A curved left and right direction guide groove provided on a guide plate mounted on the first housing and extending in the left and right direction and curving in a convex shape;
A vertical guide groove provided on the guide plate and extending in the vertical direction;
A first guide pin provided on a link member mounted on the back surface of the display unit and slidably engaged with the left-right guide groove;
And a second guide pin that is provided on a link member mounted on the back surface of the display unit and slidably engages with the vertical guide groove.

  According to the above configuration, the second guide pin of the display unit is engaged with the vertical guide groove at the same time as the first guide pin of the display unit is slid with the support mechanism engaged with the horizontal guide groove. Slide in the state. Due to the movement restriction by the support mechanism, the display unit is switched to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state so that the lower end side corner portion moves along the hinge portion.

  Further, the support mechanism is provided with an elastic member that urges the display unit to be at least in a vertically long state or a horizontally long state, and the elastic member has one end fixed to the first guide pin and the other end fixed to the first guide pin. A torsion coil spring fixed to the guide plate is desirable.

  According to the above configuration, the user can also switch to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state with one touch with only one hand. By using a torsion coil spring, an inexpensive and smooth support mechanism can be realized.

  Further, it is desirable that the elastic member is disposed so as to be compressed most in the vicinity of the uppermost point of the left-right guide groove.

  According to the above configuration, the elastic force of the elastic member urges the display unit to change from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state, and urges the display unit to change from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state.

  In addition, a stepped portion that is lower than other portions is formed on the opening periphery of the surface on the opposite side to the display portion of the left-right direction guide groove, and the opening on the surface opposite to the display portion of the up-down direction guide groove is formed. A stepped portion that is lower than the other portions is formed at the periphery, and annular portions are formed at the tips of the first and second guide pins, respectively, and the annular portions slide on the stepped portions, respectively. It is desirable to configure so as to.

  According to the above configuration, the first and second guide pins are prevented from being removed from the guide groove, and the display unit is slidably engaged so as not to be detached from the first housing.

  Further, a cam opening in which the support mechanism is arranged is opened on the display unit side of the first housing, and a cable insertion through for inserting an electric cable is inserted into the opening / closing shaft and the vertical shaft. Holes are respectively formed, one end of the electric cable passing through the cam opening is connected to the substrate on the back of the display unit, and the other end passing through the cable insertion through hole is connected to the substrate on the second housing side. Thus, it is desirable that the first casing and the second casing are electrically connected.

  Moreover, the display unit may include a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display.

  With the above configuration, an appropriate display is selected in consideration of cost, image quality, and the like.

  Furthermore, a mobile phone is an example of a folding portable device.

  With the above configuration, a video game is played while the display unit is in a horizontally long state in a folded state, and a mobile phone is used in various arrangement variations.

  As described above, according to the foldable mobile phone of the present invention, the first casing and the second casing are connected to each other by the hinge portion so that the first casing and the second casing can be folded around the opening / closing axis. While supporting the 1 case so that front and back can be reversed, the display unit is supported on the first case via a support mechanism so as to be switchable between a vertically long state and a horizontally long state. For this reason, it is possible to easily operate the operation unit with the same arrangement of information input buttons as the familiar vertical state while looking at the display unit in the horizontal state, and the display unit is set in the horizontal state in a small folded state. However, it is possible to comfortably perform operations such as video games. In addition, the display unit is supported by the first casing through a support mechanism so that the display unit can be switched between a vertically long state and a horizontally long state, and the lower end side corner portion of the display unit extends along the hinge portion when the display unit is switched. The guide is supported to move. For this reason, it is not necessary to round off the lower end of the display part greatly, the display part can be enlarged while suppressing the overall size, and the display part can be easily switched to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state, or the hinge part can be reversed. Without touching, the operation unit can be easily operated with the same arrangement of information input buttons and the like as in the vertically long state that is familiar to the user while viewing the display unit in the horizontal state. In addition, the first guide pin of the display unit is slid and moved while being engaged with the left and right direction guide grooves, and at the same time, the second guide pin of the display unit is slid and moved while being engaged with the vertical direction guide grooves and displayed. The portion is switched to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state so that the lower end side corner portion moves along the hinge portion. For this reason, it is possible to easily and reliably switch the display unit to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state while preventing contact with a simple configuration. In addition, an information input button is provided in the vicinity of the hinge part of the operation part, a function button is provided on the side far from the hinge part, and the first casing is folded in a state of being inverted so that the horizontally long display part is exposed. I made it. Therefore, it is possible to comfortably operate a video game or the like in a compact form using the function buttons not covered with the display unit while looking at the display unit in the horizontally long state.

  Further, by assembling the support mechanism as a unit, the first guide pin and the second guide pin can be accurately arranged in the guide groove.

  In addition, by providing a torsion coil spring having one end fixed to the first guide pin and the other end fixed to the guide plate, the support mechanism can be switched to a vertically long state or a horizontally long state with one touch only with one hand. A foldable portable device having a smooth support mechanism can be obtained.

  Further, the elastic member is arranged so as to be compressed most near the uppermost point of the left and right guide groove, so that the display unit can be easily switched from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state and from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state. it can.

  Further, a stepped portion is formed on the opening peripheral edge of the surface opposite to the display portion of the left and right direction guide grooves and the vertical direction guide groove, and the annular portions at the tips of the first and second guide pins are slid on the stepped portions. At the same time, the first and second guide pins are prevented from coming off from the guide grooves. For this reason, it can prevent that a display part remove | deviates from a 1st housing | casing.

  Further, by providing a liquid crystal display as the display unit, a thin and inexpensive folding portable device can be obtained.

  Further, by providing an organic EL display as the display unit, high luminance can be obtained with low power, and a foldable portable device that is excellent in terms of visibility, response speed, life, and power consumption can be obtained.

  Furthermore, by using the foldable mobile device as a mobile phone, a mobile phone with a high commercial value that can be used with various arrangements of display units can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 10 show a foldable mobile phone as a foldable mobile device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The foldable mobile phone 1 of the present embodiment has a first housing 3 provided with a liquid crystal display unit 2 as a display unit on the side that becomes the surface when opened, and a side that becomes the surface when opened. And a second housing 5 having an operation unit 4. The first casing 3 and the second casing 5 are connected to each other by a hinge portion 6 so as to be foldable. As a result, the foldable mobile phone 1 can be switched between the folded state shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, 9 and 10 or the open state shown in FIGS. 4 to 8.

  On the operation unit 4 of the second housing 5, the information input button 31 for inputting numbers, characters and the like on the hinge unit 6 side and the function of the folding cellular phone 1 on the side far from the hinge unit 6 are selected. And a function button 32 that serves as a direction key (cross key) and a determination key during a video game. This information input button 31 is arranged so that key input can be performed when the folding cellular phone 1 is held vertically, and a display is provided on the surface thereof. By operating the information input button 31 and the function button 32, many functions of the foldable mobile phone 1 can be used. A conversation microphone unit 7 is provided below the operation unit 4 of the second housing 5.

  A pair of bulging portions 5a constituting a part of the hinge portion 6 are formed to bulge vertically at both the left and right ends of the second housing 5 on the hinge portion 6 side. An opening / closing axis X is provided in the bulging portion 5a, and the first casing 3 and the second casing 5 are foldably connected around the opening / closing axis X.

  The first housing 3 includes a support portion 3a at a lower end thereof, which is sandwiched between the pair of bulging portions 5a and through which the opening / closing axis X of the hinge portion 6 is inserted.

  The support portion 3a is provided with a vertical axis Y perpendicular to the opening / closing axis X. The first housing 3 includes a first housing body 3b that is supported by the support portion 3a so as to be able to be turned upside down around the vertical axis Y. A hinge portion 6 is formed by the support portion 3a, the bulging portion 5a, the opening / closing axis X, the vertical axis Y, and the like.

  Although not shown in detail, the opening / closing axis X is formed of a metal member, and an elastic member is provided inside the opening / closing axis X on the one bulging portion 5a side at a predetermined angle with respect to the second casing 5. It is easy to hold the first housing 3. A cable insertion through hole (not shown) for inserting the electric cable 21 (shown in FIGS. 11 to 13) is formed inside the opening / closing axis X on the other bulging portion 5a side. The vertical axis Y is also formed of a metal member, and the shaft member 9 appears on the drawing. A cable insertion through hole (not shown) is also formed in the shaft member 9. The vertical axis Y supports the liquid crystal display unit 2 so that it can be reversed only within a predetermined angle. The electric cable 21 is inserted through the cable insertion through-holes of the opening / closing axis X and the vertical axis Y, and the first casing 3 and the second casing 5 are electrically connected.

  The liquid crystal display unit 2 has a substantially rectangular plate shape in which the lower end in the vertically long state is formed in a straight line, and a rectangular liquid crystal display 2 a is provided so as to occupy most of the surface of the liquid crystal display unit 2. ing. A speaker unit 8 for conversation is provided on the upper end side of the liquid crystal display unit 2 in the vertically long state. On the back side (back side) of the liquid crystal display unit 2, a rear liquid crystal 11 for displaying time and the like is provided so that time can be seen in the folded state. Each corner of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is rounded off from the viewpoint of design or safety, including the lower end side corner 2b.

  In the foldable mobile phone 1 of the present embodiment, when the liquid crystal display unit 2 faces the front side, the user can observe the liquid crystal display 2a of the liquid crystal display unit 2 while viewing the liquid crystal display 2a. The information input button 31 and the function button 32 of the operation unit 4 in the state arrangement can be operated.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, a cam opening 3 d is formed on the upper left side of the surface side (the liquid crystal display unit 2 side) of the first housing 3. Inside the cam opening 3d, a cam mechanism 10 is provided as a support mechanism that supports the liquid crystal display unit 2 so that the liquid crystal display unit 2 can be switched between a vertically long state and a horizontally long state. 14 and 15, the cam mechanism 10 includes a curved left and right guide groove 12 provided in the first housing 3 and extending in the left and right direction and curved in a middle convex shape. A linear vertical guide groove 14 provided in one housing 3 and extending in the vertical direction; and a first guide pin 13 provided on the back surface of the liquid crystal display unit 2 and slidably engaged with the horizontal guide groove 12. And a second guide pin 15 provided on the back surface of the liquid crystal display unit 2 and slidably engaged with the vertical guide groove 14.

  That is, the left and right direction guide grooves 12 and the up and down direction guide grooves 14 are formed on a metal guide plate 16 mounted on the first housing 3. The left-right direction guide groove 12 is configured by a peripheral edge portion of a curved opening curved in a convex shape, and its center portion is offset to the left side of the first housing 3 when the foldable mobile phone 1 is viewed from the surface. Are arranged. The vertical guide groove 14 is formed by a peripheral edge portion of a linear opening provided vertically above the uppermost portion of the middle convex shape of the horizontal guide groove 12. Stepped portions 12a and 14a that are lower than the other portions are formed on the peripheral edge of the opening on the opposite side of the liquid crystal display portion 2 of the guide grooves 12 and 14. The guide plate 16 is inserted into the through-hole 16a with a screw (not shown) and fastened so as to be positioned at the middle portion in the thickness direction of the first housing 3, so that the first housing main body is fastened. It is fixed to 3b. Thus, the second guide pin 15 corresponding to the support shaft provided perpendicular to the conventional liquid crystal display unit is positioned on the upper left side of the first housing 3 when viewed from the surface of the foldable mobile phone 1. Is provided offset.

  On the other hand, a metal link member 18 is mounted on the back surface of the liquid crystal display unit 2. The link member 18 includes a plate-like attachment portion 18b provided with a through-hole 18a for fastening or positioning on the back surface of the liquid crystal display portion 2, and a distal end portion 18c continuous in an L shape from the attachment portion 18b. And have. The first guide pin 13 is provided at one end side of the link member 18, that is, at the tip of the attachment portion 18 b so as to extend vertically to the first housing 3 side. The second guide pin 15 is provided at the other end side of the link member 18, that is, at the end portion of the tip end portion 18c so as to extend vertically to the first housing 3 side. These guide pins 13 and 15 are tapered to such an extent that the tips are inserted into the guide grooves 12 and 14, and the guide pins 12 and 14 are inserted into the guide grooves 12 and 14 in this state, and then crimped at the tips, Annular portions 13a and 15a are formed. The annular portions 13a and 15a slide on the step portions 12a and 14a, respectively. Thus, the guide pins 13 and 15 are prevented from being detached from the guide grooves 12 and 14, and the liquid crystal display unit 2 is slidably engaged so as not to be detached from the first housing 3.

  A spring fixing pin 19 is provided below the guide plate 16 so as to extend vertically to the liquid crystal display unit 2 side. A torsion coil spring 20 as an elastic member is fixed to the spring fixing pin 19. Both ends 20a and 20b of the torsion coil spring 20 are formed in a ring shape, and one end 20a is rotatably fitted on the outer periphery of the first guide pin 13 and the other end 20b is rotatably fitted on the outer periphery of the spring fixing pin 19. It has been. Thus, the torsion coil spring 20 is supported so as to be swingable to the left and right around the spring fixing pin 19, and the elastic force urges the liquid crystal display unit 2 to change from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state. It arrange | positions so that it may urge to become a landscape state from a state. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, when the first guide pin 13 comes closest to the spring fixing pin 19 (when the second guide pin 15 is positioned at the upper end of the vertical guide groove 14), the torsion coil spring 20 is at its maximum. When the first guide pin 13 is displaced in either the left or right direction from the deflection angle, the liquid crystal display unit 2 is urged so as to be in a vertically long state or a horizontally long state.

  The left-right guide groove 12, the vertical guide groove 14, the first guide pin 13, the second guide pin 15, and the torsion coil spring 20 are configured so that they can be assembled into a unit. It is designed to be attached to the housing 3. The guide pins 13 and 15 and the torsion coil spring 20 which are movable parts of the cam mechanism 10 move in the cam opening 3d of the first casing.

  Although not shown in detail, the electric cable 21 has one end passing through the cam opening 3d connected to the substrate on the back of the liquid crystal display 2a, and the other end passing through the vertical axis Y and the opening / closing axis X being the second housing. It is connected to the substrate on the body 5 side.

-How to use a folding mobile phone-
Next, a method of using the foldable mobile phone 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  First, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, when the foldable mobile phone 1 is not used or in a standby state, the first casing 3 and the second casing 5 are closed and folded. It is in.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4, when the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 are opened, the liquid crystal display unit 2 and the operation unit 4 appear. The liquid crystal display unit 2 is in a vertically long state during normal telephone calls or mail transmission / reception, and is used while inputting keys on the operation unit 4.

  On the other hand, when viewing a horizontally long image such as when viewing digital terrestrial television broadcasts or creating or reading e-mail in English, as shown in FIG. 6, the user rotates the liquid crystal display unit 2 clockwise to start from a vertically long state. Switch to landscape mode.

  For this switching, first, the user rotates the liquid crystal display unit 2 clockwise as viewed from the surface against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 20, and moves the lower end corner 2b to the position shown in FIG. Let At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, the second guide pin 15 located at the lower end of the vertical guide groove 14 as viewed from the front side of the foldable mobile phone 1 moves to the upper end, and at the right end of the left-right direction guide groove 12. The existing first guide pin 13 moves to the center.

  Next, when the maximum deflection angle of the torsion coil spring 20 is exceeded, the liquid crystal display unit 2 is switched to the horizontally long state while being assisted by the biasing force. At this time, as shown in FIG. 13, the second guide pin 15 located at the upper end of the vertical guide groove 14 as viewed from the front surface side of the foldable mobile phone 1 moves to the lower end, and at the center of the left-right direction guide groove 12. The existing first guide pin 13 moves to the left end.

  In this manner, the first guide pin 13 of the liquid crystal display unit 2 slides in the left-right direction guide groove 12 by the cam mechanism 10, and at the same time, the second guide pin 15 of the liquid crystal display unit 2 moves up and down. Slide inside.

  FIG. 16 shows a locus drawn by the point C2 on the line connecting the vertex C1 of the lower end side corner 2b and the second guide pin 15 due to movement restriction by the cam mechanism 10. At this time, the lower end side corner portion 2b describes a locus L1 in which the vertex C1 enters the region of the hinge portion 6, but actually, the lower end side corner portion 2b is rounded, so that the rounded portion is chamfered. At the time of switching, the lowermost end portion is guided and supported so as to move along a linear locus L2 with a certain gap S between the hinge portion 6 and the lower end portion. For this reason, since the liquid crystal display unit 2 does not move below the locus L2, even if the lower end of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is not rounded along the radius around the support axis as in the prior art, The liquid crystal display unit 2 does not contact the hinge unit 6.

  Even in the horizontally long state shown in FIG. 6, the central portion in the left-right direction of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is located substantially at the center in the left-right direction of the first housing 3. Then, the display 2a is set so that a horizontally long image is displayed in large size, and a key is inputted by the operation unit 4 to participate in a quiz program from the television or to use television shopping or bank transfer through the television.

  Further, when returning from the horizontally long state to the vertically long state, contrary to the above, the lower corner portion 2b on the right side of the liquid crystal display portion 2 is counterclockwise as viewed from the surface so as to resist the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 20. When the torsion coil spring 20 exceeds its maximum deflection angle, the liquid crystal display unit 2 returns to the vertically long state of FIG. 4 while being assisted by the biasing force.

  Next, the case where the liquid crystal display unit 2 is used with the front and back reversed will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 4, the liquid crystal display unit 2 with the first housing 3 opened is rotated 180 degrees around the vertical axis Y (shaft member 9) and turned upside down (shown in FIG. 5). Next, as shown in FIG. 10, the first housing is folded around the opening / closing axis X.

  In this state, a normal television reception function or a digital camera function is used.

  The other use example will be described. First, the liquid crystal display unit 2 in FIG. 6 on the front side and in the horizontally long state is rotated 180 degrees about the vertical axis Y as shown in FIG. Invert.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the first housing 3 is folded around the opening / closing axis X. Then, the horizontally long liquid crystal display 2a can be seen with the function buttons 32 exposed. In this state, the user can use the function button 32 while viewing a horizontally long image to make simple input or read e-mail in English when viewing a terrestrial digital television broadcast. In particular, when a video game is played while looking at a horizontally long screen, it is convenient because the function button 32 can be used with one hand in a very compact form.

  After use, the first casing 3 is opened to the state shown in FIG. 8, and the first casing 3 is rotated about the vertical axis Y to reverse the front and back to the state shown in FIG. After returning to the state shown in FIG. 4, the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 are folded into the standby state shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. In addition, after returning the liquid crystal display part 2 to the vertically long state from the state of FIG. 8 to the state of FIG. 5, the first housing 3 is rotated about the vertical axis Y to reverse the front and back, and the state of FIG. It is good. In either case, the cam mechanism 10 causes the lower end side corner portion 2b of the liquid crystal display portion 2 to move along the hinge portion 6. Therefore, even if the liquid crystal display portion 2 is rotated about the vertical axis Y, the liquid crystal The display part 2 does not contact the bulging part 5a.

-Effect of the embodiment-
Therefore, according to the foldable mobile phone 1 according to the present embodiment, the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 are foldably connected to each other about the opening / closing axis X by the hinge portion 6, and the vertical axis Y is The first casing 3 is supported at the center so that it can be reversed, and the liquid crystal display unit 2 is supported by the first casing 3 via the cam mechanism 10 so that the switching operation can be performed between the vertically long state and the horizontally long state. . For this reason, it is possible to easily operate the operation unit 4 with the same information input buttons 31 and the like as in the vertically long state that is familiar to the user while viewing the display 2a of the liquid crystal display unit 2 in the horizontally long state, and the liquid crystal is in a small folded state. With the display unit 2 in the landscape state, operations such as video games can be comfortably performed.

  Further, the liquid crystal display unit 2 is supported by the first housing via the cam mechanism 10 so as to be switchable between a vertically long state and a horizontally long state, and the lower end corner of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is switched when the liquid crystal display unit 2 is switched. The part 2 b is guided and supported so as to move along the hinge part 6. For this reason, it is not necessary to greatly round the lower end of the liquid crystal display unit 2, the liquid crystal display unit 2 can be enlarged while suppressing the overall size, and the liquid crystal display unit 2 can be easily switched between the vertically long state and the horizontally long state, Even if the operation unit 4 is not touched, the operation unit 4 can be easily operated with the same arrangement of the information input buttons 31 and the like as in the vertically long state familiar to the user while viewing the liquid crystal display unit 2 even in the horizontally long state.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the cam mechanism 10 performs the switching operation of the liquid crystal display unit 2 while preventing contact, so that the central portion in the left-right direction of the liquid crystal display unit 2 in the vertically long state and the horizontally long state is set in the first housing. The body 3 is positioned substantially in the center in the left-right direction. For this reason, the liquid crystal display 2 can be positioned at the center in the left-right direction as a whole, not only in the vertically long state but also in the horizontally long state, while making the liquid crystal screen as large as possible. Since the left and right balance is good, the foldable mobile phone 1 is easy to hold with one hand and has good operability.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, since the support mechanism is comprised by the cam mechanism 10, it guides so that the liquid-crystal display part 2 may move along the hinge part 6 reliably, and a liquid crystal display part 2 will be contacted. The liquid crystal display unit 2 can be switched while preventing.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the liquid crystal display part 2 is formed so that the lower end part in a vertically long state may become linear form, The lower end side corner part 2b is the hinge part 6 with the linear locus | trajectory L2 by the cam mechanism 10. The liquid crystal display unit 2 is guided and supported for switching between the vertically long state and the horizontally long state. For this reason, since the liquid crystal screen can be enlarged to the vicinity of the lower end portion in the vertically long state of the liquid crystal display unit 2, the foldable mobile phone 1 having a larger screen and good operability can be obtained.

  In the above embodiment, the first guide pin 13 of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is slid and moved while being engaged with the left-right direction guide groove 12, and at the same time, the second guide pin 15 of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is moved in the vertical direction guide. The liquid crystal display unit 2 is switched to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state so that the lower end side corner portion 2 b moves along the hinge portion 6 while being slid and moved in a state of being engaged with the groove 14. For this reason, the liquid crystal display unit 2 can be easily and reliably switched to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state while preventing contact with a simple configuration.

  In addition, an information input button 31 is provided in the vicinity of the hinge portion 6 of the operation portion 4, a function button 32 is provided on the side far from the hinge portion 6, and the first is set in a state of being inverted so that the horizontally long liquid crystal display portion 2 is exposed. The case 3 can be folded. For this reason, it is possible to comfortably perform operations such as video games in a compact form using the function buttons 32 not covered with the liquid crystal display unit 2 while looking at the horizontally long liquid crystal display unit 2.

  Further, by providing a liquid crystal display as the display unit, a thin and inexpensive folding portable device can be obtained.

  Furthermore, by using a foldable mobile phone as the foldable mobile device, it is possible to obtain a foldable mobile phone having a high commercial value that can be used in various arrangements of display units.

  In the above embodiment, the cam mechanism 10 is provided with the torsion coil spring 20 that urges the liquid crystal display unit 2 to be in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state, and the torsion coil spring 20 assists the switching operation. For this reason, the user can switch to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state with one hand only with one touch.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the torsion coil spring 20 is a torsion coil spring that is simple and hard to break, one end is fixed to the first guide pin 13 and the other end is fixed to the spring fixing pin 19 of the first housing 3. For this reason, the cheap and smooth cam mechanism 10 is realizable.

  In the above embodiment, the cam mechanism 10 is unit-assembled so that the first guide pin 13 and the second guide pin 15 can be accurately placed in the guide grooves 12 and 14. For this reason, the cam mechanism 10 can be easily assembled, and the cam mechanism 10 is made of a metal member, so that the movement can be smooth and the rigidity can be improved.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention may be configured as follows with respect to the above embodiment.

  That is, the shape of the left-right direction guide groove 12 and the up-down direction guide groove 14 is not restricted to the said embodiment. For example, the shape as shown in FIG. Even in this case, the lowermost end portion of the rounded chamfered lower end side corner portion 2b is guided and supported so as to move along a linear locus L2 with a constant gap S between the lower end side corner portion 2b and the hinge portion 6.

  In the above embodiment, the cam mechanism 10 guides and supports the liquid crystal display unit 2 so that the lower end side corner portion 2b moves along the linear locus L2 along the hinge portion 6, but is curved. You may make it move along a locus. In this case, the locus L2 of the lower end side corner portion 2b of the liquid crystal display unit 2 may be adjusted by the shape of the left and right direction guide groove 12. This makes it possible to provide a camera or the like at the bulging portion between the lower end portion of the first housing 3 and the hinge portion 6, and in this case also, the lower end side corner of the liquid crystal display portion 2 is provided at the bulging portion. It can prevent that the part 2b contacts.

  In the above embodiment, only one guide groove 12 in the left-right direction is provided, but two guide grooves 12 may be provided. In this case, the second right and left direction guide groove having a tightly inclined middle convex is provided above the vertical direction guide groove 14, and the second left and right direction guide groove provided on the link member 18 is provided in the second left and right direction guide groove. What is necessary is just to move a 1st guide pin. For example, the second left-right direction guide groove may be provided on the locus drawn by the point C2 shown in FIG. In this way, the liquid crystal display unit 2 can be switched smoothly and firmly supported so that the liquid crystal display unit 2 can withstand the force of separating the liquid crystal display unit 2 from the first housing 3. Can do.

  In the above embodiment, the torsion coil spring 20 is arranged to be urged when the liquid crystal display unit 2 is switched between the vertically long state and the horizontally long state, but only when the liquid crystal display unit 2 is in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state. You may make it preferentially energize.

  In the above embodiment, the cam mechanism 10 is switched from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state when the liquid crystal display unit 2 is viewed from the front surface, but may be switched counterclockwise.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the center portion in the left-right direction in the vertically long state and the horizontally long state of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is positioned at the substantially center in the left-right direction of the first housing 3. Good.

  In the above embodiment, the liquid crystal display unit 2 has the liquid crystal display 2a, but may have an organic EL display. The organic EL display can obtain high luminance with low power, and is excellent in terms of visibility, response speed, life, and power consumption.

  In the above embodiment, the foldable mobile device is a foldable mobile phone, but may be a foldable mobile device such as a PHS, PDA, PC, electronic dictionary, or calculator. In short, the first housing and the second housing are connected to each other so that the first housing and the second housing can be folded around the opening / closing axis, and the first housing is turned upside down around the vertical axis provided perpendicular to the opening / closing axis. Any foldable portable device provided with a hinge portion that can be supported is acceptable.

  In addition, the above embodiment is an essentially preferable illustration, Comprising: It does not intend restrict | limiting the range of this invention, its application thing, or a use.

  As described above, the present invention is useful for a foldable mobile device such as a foldable mobile phone having a support mechanism that supports the display unit so that the display unit can be switched to a vertically long state or a horizontally long state.

It is a top view which shows the folding type mobile telephone concerning embodiment of this invention in a folding state. It is a side view which shows the folding type mobile telephone concerning embodiment of this invention in a folding state. It is a perspective view which shows the folding type mobile telephone concerning embodiment of this invention in a folding state. It is a perspective view which shows the foldable mobile telephone which has the liquid crystal display part in the vertically long state, and faces the surface side in the open state. It is a perspective view which shows the foldable mobile telephone which has the liquid crystal display part in the vertically long state, and faces the back side in the open state. It is a perspective view which shows the foldable mobile telephone which the liquid crystal display part is in a horizontally long state in the open state, and has faced the surface side. It is a perspective view which shows the folding-type mobile telephone in the middle of switching the liquid crystal display part which has faced the surface side in the open state to a vertically long state or a horizontally long state. It is a perspective view which shows the foldable mobile telephone which has a liquid crystal display part in a horizontally long state, and faces the back side in the open state. It is a perspective view which shows the foldable mobile telephone which has a liquid crystal display part in a horizontally long state and faces the surface side in the closed state. It is a perspective view which shows the foldable mobile telephone which has the liquid crystal display part in the vertically long state and faces the surface side in the closed state. It is a front view which shows the cam mechanism of a vertically long state, and its periphery. It is a front view which shows the cam mechanism of the switching process, and its periphery. It is a front view which shows the cam mechanism of a landscape state, and its periphery. It is the perspective view which looked at the cam mechanism from diagonally backward. It is the perspective view which looked at the cam mechanism from diagonally forward. It is explanatory drawing which shows the locus | trajectory of the lower end side corner part of a 1st housing | casing. FIG. 17 is a view corresponding to FIG. 16 according to another embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Foldable mobile phone (foldable mobile device)
2 Liquid crystal display (display)
2b Lower end side corner portion 3 First housing 4 Operation portion 5 Second housing 6 Hinge portion 10 Cam mechanism 12 Left and right direction guide groove 13 First guide pin 14 Vertical direction guide groove 15 Second guide pin 31 Information input button 32 Function buttons X Open / close axis Y Vertical axis

Claims (7)

A first housing having a display portion on a surface;
A second housing having an operation portion on the surface;
The first casing and the second casing are connected to each other so that the first casing and the second casing can be folded around an opening / closing axis, and the first casing can be turned upside down around a vertical axis provided perpendicular to the opening / closing axis. A hinge part to support,
The display unit is supported by the first casing through a support mechanism so that the display unit can be switched between a vertically long state and a horizontally long state.
The support mechanism is configured to guide and support switching of the display unit between a vertically long state and a horizontally long state so that a lower end side corner portion of the display unit moves along the hinge portion when the display unit is switched. And
In the operation unit, an information input button is provided in the vicinity of the hinge unit, and a function button is provided on the side far from the hinge unit,
A folding type characterized in that the display unit in a horizontally long state with a display facing the front side covers the information input button, and the function button can be operated with the function button exposed. Mobile device. In the foldable portable device according to claim 1,
The support mechanism is
A curved left and right direction guide groove provided on a guide plate mounted on the first housing and extending in the left and right direction and curving in a convex shape;
A vertical guide groove provided on the guide plate and extending in the vertical direction;
A first guide pin provided on a link member mounted on the back surface of the display unit and slidably engaged with the left-right guide groove;
A second guide pin provided on a link member mounted on the back surface of the display unit and slidably engaged with the vertical guide groove;
The foldable portable device, wherein the support mechanism is provided with an elastic member that urges the display unit to be at least in a vertically long state or a horizontally long state. The foldable portable device according to claim 2,
The foldable portable device, wherein the elastic member is a torsion coil spring having one end fixed to the first guide pin and the other end fixed to the guide plate. In the foldable portable device according to claim 3,
The foldable portable device, wherein the elastic member is disposed so as to be compressed most near the uppermost point of the left-right guide groove. In the foldable portable device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The foldable portable device, wherein the display unit includes a liquid crystal display. In the foldable portable device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The said display part is equipped with the organic electroluminescent display, The foldable portable apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The foldable portable device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A foldable portable device characterized by being a mobile phone.

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