JP2009163768A - Information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent dust from entering the body of an information processing apparatus in the information processing apparatus having a detecting mechanism for detecting opening and closing of a cover having an indicator such as LCD to the apparatus body. <P>SOLUTION: The information processing apparatus has the apparatus body 22, a cover 23 rotated to open and close with respect to the apparatus body 22, and the detecting mechanism 29 for detecting opening and closing of the cover 23. The detecting mechanism 29 is formed by a cam part 33 mounted on a rotating shaft 32 rotated integrally with the cover 23, and a detecting switch 30 mounted on the apparatus body 22 operated through a lever member 35 by the cam part 33 according to the opening and closing of the cover 23 to thereby detect the opening and closing of the cover 23. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, and more particularly to an information processing apparatus having a detection mechanism that detects opening and closing of a cover having a display device such as an LCD with respect to the apparatus main body.

  In recent years, information processing apparatuses typified by personal computers have been diversified according to their uses, and portable information processing called a laptop PC that is portable by reducing size and thickness as one form thereof. A device is provided.

  This type of information processing apparatus is composed of an apparatus main body in which various circuits such as a CPU and a memory, a keyboard, and the like are disposed, and a lid that is rotatably attached to the apparatus main body and incorporates a liquid crystal display device and the like. Has been.

  At the time of carrying, the lid is rotated so as to overlap the apparatus main body, thereby improving portability. Further, when the information processing apparatus is used, the lid is rotated with respect to the apparatus main body to a position where the liquid crystal display device is visually recognized.

  At this time, from the viewpoint of power saving of the battery and the improvement of operability, the power of the liquid crystal display device is automatically turned off when carrying (when the lid overlaps the main body of the device), and the lid is removed. When opened, the liquid crystal display device is automatically turned on. For this reason, this type of information processing apparatus is provided with a detection mechanism that detects opening and closing of the lid.

  1 and 2 show an information processing apparatus 1 that is a conventional example. The information processing apparatus 1 is a portable so-called laptop PC, and roughly includes an apparatus main body 2 and a lid 3.

  The apparatus main body 2 is provided with a cursor operation unit, a keyboard, various circuit boards (central processing unit, various control devices, etc.), interface devices, power supply devices, etc., not shown. On the other hand, a liquid crystal display device 8 is disposed on the lid 3.

  As described above, when the portable information processing apparatus 1 is carried, the lid 3 is rotated so as to overlap the apparatus main body 2, thereby improving portability. Further, when the information processing apparatus 1 is used, the lid 3 is rotated with respect to the apparatus main body 2 until the liquid crystal display device 8 is satisfactorily viewed.

  In addition, the information processing apparatus 1 is provided with a detection mechanism 9 from the viewpoint of power saving of the battery and the improvement of operability. 8 is automatically turned off, and the liquid crystal display device 8 is automatically turned on when the lid 3 is opened.

  Conventionally, the detection mechanism 9 includes an operation unit 13 formed on the lid 3 and a detection switch 10 disposed on the apparatus main body 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the operation portion 13 is formed to protrude from the inner wall 3 a of the lid 3, specifically, the inner wall 3 a near the rotation center of the lid 3. The detection switch 10 is configured such that the switch knob 11 is positioned in an opening 12 formed in a cover member 7 provided in the apparatus main body 2.

  When the lid 3 is closed, the operation unit 13 enters the opening 12 and presses the switch knob 11 so that the detection switch 10 is switched ON / OFF. . Therefore, according to the detection mechanism 9, it is possible to detect the open / closed state of the lid 3 based on the ON / OFF signal output from the detection switch 10, and the liquid crystal display device 8 can be operated when the lid 3 is opened. When activated, the liquid crystal display device 8 can be stopped when the lid 3 is closed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 04-242066 JP-A-10-268971 JP-A-10-301666 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-085320 JP-A-11-004085 JP-A-11-259176

  However, in the detection mechanism 9 used in the conventional information processing apparatus 1, it is necessary to form the opening 12 in the cover member 7 and the operation unit 13 operates the detection switch 10 through the opening 12. is there.

  For this reason, there is a possibility that dust may enter the inside of the apparatus main body 2 from the opening 12, and if this adheres to an electronic component or a drive unit, there is a possibility that proper circuit operation or drive processing cannot be performed. It was. Further, the presence of the operation unit 13 in the vicinity of the liquid crystal display device 8 that is the position most often viewed by the operator during operation is problematic in terms of design.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus that can prevent the intrusion of dust and improve the aesthetic appearance.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention is characterized by the following measures.

The invention described in claim 1
An apparatus main body equipped with an apparatus for performing information processing;
A lid body that is pivotally supported by the apparatus main body and is opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body; and
In an information processing apparatus having a detection mechanism for detecting opening and closing of the lid,
The detection mechanism is
A cam portion that is coaxially provided on a rotation shaft that rotates integrally with the lid, and rotates together with the rotation shaft;
It is provided in the apparatus main body, and is configured by a detection switch that is operated directly or indirectly by the cam portion by opening / closing the lid body and detects opening / closing of the lid body. .

  According to the said invention, a cam part operates a detection switch directly or indirectly by opening and closing of a cover body, and it can detect opening and closing of a cover body by this. At this time, the cam portion for operating the detection switch is provided coaxially with the rotation shaft serving as the rotation center of the lid that rotates relative to the apparatus main body, and rotates together with the rotation shaft.

  As a result, the detection switch can be cam-operated at the axial end portion of the rotation shaft, and there is no need to provide an opening in the apparatus main body or an operation portion on the inner wall of the lid. Therefore, it is possible to prevent dust from entering the apparatus main body and improve the aesthetic appearance.

The invention according to claim 2
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
A lever member for transmitting the displacement of the cam portion to the detection switch is disposed between the cam portion and the detection switch.

  According to the above invention, the lever member is disposed between the cam portion and the detection switch, and the displacement of the cam portion is transmitted to the detection switch by the lever member, so that the detection switch can be disposed at any position. Can have a degree.

The invention according to claim 3
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
A cover member arranged to cover the internal device on the apparatus main body is configured to cover the detection mechanism.

  According to the above invention, the configuration in which the detection mechanism is covered by using the cover member arranged to cover the internal device on the apparatus main body is reduced in the number of parts compared to the configuration in which the detection mechanism is covered with another member. Product cost can be reduced. Further, since the detection mechanism can be covered more reliably, the intrusion of dust can be prevented more reliably.

The invention according to claim 4
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The detection switch is a switch for starting and stopping a display device provided on the lid.

  According to the said invention, a display apparatus can be started and stopped reliably with opening and closing of a cover body.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the detection switch can be cam-operated at the axial end portion of the rotation shaft, and an opening is provided in the apparatus main body, and an operation portion is provided on the inner wall of the lid. Since it is not necessary, it is possible to prevent dust from entering the apparatus main body and to improve the aesthetic appearance.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to give a degree of freedom to the position of the detection switch.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, since the number of parts and the product cost can be reduced as compared with the configuration in which the detection mechanism is covered with another member, the detection mechanism can be covered more reliably. Intrusion of dust can be prevented more reliably.

  According to the invention of claim 4, the display device can be reliably started and stopped as the lid is opened and closed.

FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of a detection mechanism of an information processing apparatus that is a conventional example. FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing the vicinity of a detection mechanism of an information processing apparatus as an example of the prior art. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the detection mechanism of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing the vicinity of the detection mechanism of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

  3 to 5 show an information processing apparatus 20 that is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the detection mechanism 29 of the information processing apparatus 20 (a perspective view with the cover member 27 removed). FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the detection mechanism 29 of the information processing apparatus 20. Further, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the information processing apparatus 20. In any figure, the state which the cover body 23 was opened is shown.

As shown in FIG. 5, the information processing apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment is a portable so-called laptop PC. The information processing apparatus 20 is generally composed of an apparatus main body 22 and a lid body 23.
The apparatus main body 2 is provided with a cursor operation unit 24, a keyboard 26, various circuit boards (not shown) (central processing units, various control devices, etc.), interface devices, power supply devices, and the like. On the other hand, the lid 23 is provided with a liquid crystal display device 28 and the like.

  Then, the lid body 23 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow B1 in FIG. 5 so as to overlap the apparatus main body 22 when being carried, thereby improving portability when not in use. Further, when the information processing apparatus 20 is used, the lid body 23 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow B2 in FIG. 5 to a position where the liquid crystal display device 28 can be seen well.

  In the present embodiment, the apparatus main body 22 and the lid body 23 are configured to be supported by bearings 25 provided on both sides of the joining position. That is, the lid body 23 is configured to rotate in the directions of arrows B1 and B2 with respect to the apparatus main body 22 by the bearing portion 25.

  On the other hand, also in the information processing apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment, the detection mechanism 29 is provided from the viewpoint of saving battery power and improving operability. The detection mechanism 29 automatically turns off the power of the liquid crystal display device 28 when the cover body 23 is in a state of being overlapped with the apparatus main body 22 (when not in use), and the information processing apparatus 20 opens the cover body 23. The power of the liquid crystal display device 28 is automatically turned on during use.

Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the detection mechanism 29 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
The detection mechanism 29 generally includes a detection switch 30, a cam portion 33, a lever member 35, and the like. The detection switch 30 is a switch that is switched ON / OFF by operating the switch knob 31, and is disposed on a circuit board 39 disposed in the apparatus main body 22.

  A control circuit for starting / stopping the liquid crystal display device 28 is mounted on the circuit board 39, and the detection switch 30 is directly disposed on the circuit board 39. In this way, by directly joining the detection switch 30 to the circuit board 39, the response can be improved, and wiring required when the detection switch 30 is provided separately from the circuit board 39 is unnecessary. It can be. In the configuration of the present embodiment, the circuit board 39 is disposed at a deep position with respect to the front portion (upper part in the drawing) of the apparatus main body 22.

  The cam portion 33 is integrally provided at the end portion (the end portion in the arrow X1 direction in FIG. 3) of the rotation shaft 32. The cam portion 33 is configured to be coaxial with the rotation center axis of the rotation shaft 32. Further, the cam shape of the cam portion 33 is configured such that the maximum lift amount is smaller than the radius of the rotation shaft 32. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the cam portion 33 is configured to be located inside the outer peripheral circle of the rotation shaft 32 in a side view.

  The rotation shaft 32 on which the cam portion 33 is formed is configured to rotate integrally with the lid body 23. Therefore, the cam portion 33 is also configured to rotate integrally with the rotation of the lid body 23. When the lid 23 is rotated in the direction of arrow B1 in FIG. 5 and closed, the operation portion 34, which is the region where the lift amount of the cam portion 33 is the largest, moves downward (upper side portion 36 of the lever member 35 described later) The pressing operation is performed in the direction indicated by the arrow Z1 in FIG.

  The lever member 35 is a plate spring-like member, and one end thereof (the end in the direction of arrow X2 in FIG. 3) is fixed to the apparatus main body 22. That is, the lever member 35 is configured to be fixed in a cantilever shape.

  Further, the lever member 35 has a substantially Z shape, and an upper side portion 36 is formed at an upper portion thereof, and a lower side portion 37 is formed at a lower portion thereof. As described above, the upper side portion 36 is configured to tend to be the operation portion 34 of the cam portion 33. Further, the lower side portion 37 is configured to face the switch knob 31 of the detection switch 30 described above.

  Therefore, when the upper side portion 36 is pressed by the operating portion 34 of the cam portion 33 as described above, the lever member 35 is elastically deformed in the direction of the arrow Z1 in FIG. 4, and the lower side portion 37 presses the switch knob 31. . Thus, when the lid body 23 is closed, the cam portion 33 operates the detection switch 30 via the lever member 35, and detects the open / closed state of the lid body 23 based on the output signal from the detection switch 30. Can do.

  Incidentally, as described above, in the detection mechanism 29 according to the present embodiment, the detection switch 30 is operated using the cam portion 33 provided at the end portion (the end portion in the X1 direction) of the rotating shaft 32 at the same time as the same. It is configured. Further, the cam shape of the cam portion 33 is configured to be located inside the outer circumference circle of the rotation shaft 32 in a side view.

  With this configuration, there is no need to provide an opening in the apparatus main body 22 as in the prior art, and there is no need to provide an operating portion on the inner wall of the lid 23 as in the prior art. That is, in the state seen from the side as shown in FIG. 4, since the cam portion 33 does not protrude from the rotation shaft 32, the rotation shaft 32 can be covered by the cover member 27.

  For this reason, in this embodiment, a U-shaped portion 38 is formed in the cover member 27, and the cam portion 33 is positioned in the U-shaped portion 38. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent dust from entering the apparatus main body 22 and to improve the beauty of the information processing apparatus 20.

  In this embodiment, the detection switch 30 is not directly operated by the cam portion 33 but the operation force is transmitted through the lever member 35. With this configuration, it is possible to separate the arrangement position of the cam portion 33 from the arrangement position of the detection switch 30, and the degree of freedom is provided in the arrangement position of the cam portion 33 and the arrangement position of the detection switch 30. Can be made.

  In particular, in the information processing apparatus 1 that is desired to be small and thin as in the present embodiment, it may be difficult to place the cam portion 33 and the detection switch 30 close to each other. However, it is possible to reduce the size and thickness of the information processing apparatus 1 by providing the cam portions 33 and the detection switches 30 with a degree of freedom as described above. Note that the lever member 35 is not necessarily used when the cam portion 33 and the detection switch 30 can be disposed close to each other in relation to other components.

  Further, as described above, in this embodiment, the cover member 27 is used as a member that covers the cam portion 33. The cover member 27 is conventionally disposed at a position close to the lid body 23 of the apparatus main body 22.

  A U-shaped portion 38 is formed on the cover member 27 and the operation portion 34 is covered with the U-shaped portion 38. By adopting this configuration, the number of parts and the product cost can be reduced as compared with the configuration in which the cam portion 33 (detection mechanism 29) is covered with another member other than the cover member 27. Moreover, since the cam part 33 (detection mechanism 29) can cover the detection mechanism more reliably, the intrusion of dust can be prevented more reliably.

  In the above-described embodiment, a laptop personal computer has been described as an example of the information processing apparatus. However, the application of the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration for opening and closing the lid with respect to the apparatus main body. The present invention can be widely applied to such information processing apparatuses (for example, portable DVD players and navigation systems).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Information processing apparatus 22 Apparatus main body 23 Cover body 24 Cursor operation part 25 Bearing part 27 Cover member 28 Liquid crystal display device 29 Detection mechanism 30 Detection switch 32 Rotating shaft 33 Cam part 34 Operation part 35 Lever member 38 U-shaped part

Claims (4)

An apparatus main body equipped with an apparatus for performing information processing;
A lid body that is pivotally supported by the apparatus main body and is opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body; and
In an information processing apparatus having a detection mechanism for detecting opening and closing of the lid,
The detection mechanism is
A cam portion that is coaxially provided on a rotation shaft that rotates integrally with the lid, and rotates together with the rotation shaft;
An information processing apparatus provided in the apparatus main body and configured by a detection switch that is operated directly or indirectly by the cam portion by opening and closing the lid body and detects opening and closing of the lid body . The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
An information processing apparatus characterized in that a lever member for transmitting a displacement of the cam portion to the detection switch is disposed between the cam portion and the detection switch. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
An information processing apparatus, wherein a cover member disposed on the apparatus main body so as to cover an internal device covers the detection mechanism. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the detection switch is a switch for starting and stopping a display device provided on the lid.

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