JP2009267550A - Portable electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable electronic apparatus in which a hinge can be coupled to a reinforcing case even when the reinforcing case is covered with a waterproof case. <P>SOLUTION: The portable electronic apparatus is provided with: a first enclosure formed by combining a front case 10 and a rear case 11; a second enclosure; the reinforcing case 13 housed in the first enclosure and reinforcing the first enclosure; the waterproof case 14 housed in the first enclosure and incorporated into the inner surface of the first enclosure so as to cover the reinforcing case 13; a dual-axis hinge 29 coupled to the second enclosure and incorporated into the waterproof case 14 from the inside of the first enclosure and the outside of the waterproof case 14; a fastening screw 30 for co-fastening the dual-axis hinge 29 and the waterproof case 14 to the reinforcing case 13; and a rubber seal 35 wound around the same. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable electronic device, and more particularly to a portable electronic device in which two housings are connected by a hinge.

  In recent years, portable electronic devices such as mobile phones include a folding type, a biaxial hinge type, and the like. In a foldable portable electronic device, two casings are connected by a uniaxial hinge, and one casing can be opened and closed with respect to the other casing by the uniaxial hinge. In a biaxial hinge type portable electronic device, two housings are connected by a biaxial hinge having two axes orthogonal to each other, and one housing has one axis of the biaxial hinge with respect to the other housing. The casing can be opened and closed about the center, and one casing can be reversed back and forth with respect to the other casing about the other axis of the biaxial hinge.

The hinge is unitized separately from the casing, and is assembled to the casing by screws or the like. For example, in Patent Document 1, the biaxial hinge unit (7) is covered with a part (31a, 32a) and a cover (33, 34) of two casings (1, 4), and the two casings are It is connected by a biaxial hinge unit.
JP 2006-10025 A

When the hinge is directly coupled to the housing, there is a problem in strength. Therefore, a reinforcing case made of metal or other high-rigidity material is separately accommodated in the housing, and the hinge is coupled.
On the other hand, in order to waterproof portable electronic devices, a waterproof case made of rubber or the like is accommodated in a casing, and a reinforcing case is covered with the waterproof case together with a circuit board or the like.
However, if the reinforcing case is covered with a waterproof case, the hinge cannot be directly coupled to the reinforcing case.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to enable the hinge to be coupled to the reinforcing case even when the reinforcing case is covered with a waterproof case.

In order to solve the above problems, according to the invention according to claim 1,
A first housing;
A second housing;
A reinforcing case housed in the first housing and reinforcing the first housing;
A waterproof case housed in the first housing and assembled to the inner surface of the first housing covering the reinforcing case;
A hinge that is coupled to the second housing and is assembled to the waterproof case from the outside of the waterproof case inside the first housing;
There is provided a portable electronic device comprising: a fastening member that fastens the hinge and the waterproof case together with the reinforcing case.

According to the invention of claim 2,
The waterproof case has a metal case main body, and a seal part integrally molded on an edge portion of the metal case main body,
A groove is recessed in the inner surface of the first housing, the groove surrounds the reinforcing case, and the seal portion is fitted into the groove,
2. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the metal case body is fastened to the reinforcing case by the fastening member together with the hinge.

According to the invention of claim 3,
A flexible hose routed through the hinge from the first housing to the second housing;
The portable electronic device according to claim 2, wherein an opening is formed in the metal case main body, and the flexible hose communicates with the opening.

According to the invention of claim 4,
A flexible hose that is routed through the hinge from the first housing to the second housing and integrally molded with the seal portion,
The portable electronic device according to claim 2, wherein an end portion of the flexible hose is opened inside the seal portion.

According to the invention of claim 5,
The portable electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the hinge is a biaxial hinge.

  According to the present invention, the hinge can be coupled to the reinforcing case by the fastening member from the outside of the waterproof case, and the waterproof case can be secured by covering the reinforcing case with the waterproof case.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, although various technically preferable limitations for implementing the present invention are given to the embodiments described below, the scope of the invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the portable electronic device 1. The portable electronic device 1 is a mobile phone, a personal computer, a digital camera, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), an electronic notebook, a portable wireless device, or other portable electronic devices.

  In the portable electronic device 1, the first housing 2 is connected to the second housing 4 by the biaxial hinge portion 3. A display unit 5 having a liquid crystal display, an electroluminescence display or other thin display 50 (shown in FIG. 3), a transparent display window 51 (shown in FIG. 2), and the like is provided on the front surface of the first housing 2. Yes. An operation unit 6 such as a numeric keypad is provided on the front surface of the second housing 4.

  With reference to FIG. 2, the 1st housing | casing 2 and the biaxial hinge part 3 are demonstrated. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the first housing 2 and the like with the first housing 2 disassembled.

  The first housing 2 includes a front case 10 and a rear case 11. The front case 10 and the rear case 11 are combined, and the front case 10 and the rear case 11 are coupled by screws 12 at the four corners of the front case 10 and the rear case 11. Note that the front case 10 and the rear case 11 may be joined by a claw, a rivet, or an adhesive.

  A reinforcing case 13 and a waterproof case 14 are accommodated in the first housing 2. The reinforcing case 13 is made of a metal or other highly rigid material. The reinforcing case 13 is abutted against the inner surface of the front case 10, and a display 50 (shown in FIG. 3) is mounted between the reinforcing case 13 and the inner surface of the front case 10. The reinforcing case 13 and the front case 10 are coupled by screws 17. Since the front case 10 and the rear case 11 are made of resin and the rigidity of the front case 10 and the rear case 11 is low, the display, the circuit board, the front case 10 and the rear case 11 are reinforced by a metal reinforcing case 13. Note that the reinforcing case 13 and the front case 10 may be joined by a claw, a rivet, or an adhesive.

  The waterproof case 14 includes a metal case main body 15 that forms a skeleton, and a waterproof seal portion 16 that covers the entire periphery of the edge portion of the metal case main body 15. The waterproof seal portion 16 is made of rubber or other elastic material. The waterproof seal portion 16 is integrally formed with the metal case main body 15 so as to wrap around the edge portion of the metal case main body 15 by an insert molding method.

  The waterproof case 14 is assembled to the inner surface of the front case 10 so as to cover the reinforcing case 13 from the rear side. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, a groove 18 is formed on the inner surface of the front case 10 and around the reinforcing case 13. As shown in FIG. 2, the groove 18 is formed over the entire circumference of the reinforcing case 13, and the reinforcing case 13 is surrounded by the groove 18.

  In a state where the waterproof case 14 is abutted against the inner surface of the front case 10, as shown in FIG. 3, the edge portion of the waterproof case 14, that is, the waterproof seal portion 16 is fitted in the groove 18. Thereby, the waterproof seal part 16 is slightly compressed. Since the waterproof seal portion 16 is fitted over the entire groove 18, it is possible to prevent water from entering the waterproof case 14.

  As shown in FIG. 3, ribs 19 project from the inner surface of the rear case 11 and at positions corresponding to the edge portions of the waterproof case 14. When the front case 10 and the rear case 11 are brought into contact with each other, the top portion of the rib 19 comes into contact with the edge portion of the waterproof case 14, and the waterproof seal portion 16 is pushed into the groove 18 by the rib 19. For this reason, the waterproof seal portion 16 is difficult to be removed from the groove 18.

  Two retaining holes 20 are formed in the metal case body 15 of the waterproof case 14. The retaining hole 20 is formed in the lower part of the metal case main body 15, that is, near the connecting portion with the second housing 4.

  Two female screw-shaped screw holes 21 are formed in the lower portion of the reinforcing case 13, that is, near the connecting portion with the second housing 4. The screw hole 21 corresponds to the set hole 20.

  The biaxial hinge part 3 shown in FIG. 1 accommodates the biaxial hinge 29 shown in FIG. 2 inside the cover. The first housing 2 and the second housing 4 are connected by a biaxial hinge 29.

  The biaxial hinge 29 includes rotating members 22, 24, 26 and pivots 23, 25. The rotating member 22 is a bracket, and the rotating member 22 is fixed to the second housing 4. The pivot 23 is connected to the rotating member 22 in parallel to the width direction of the first casing 2 and the second casing 4. The rotating member 24 is rotatably connected to the pivot 23, and the rotating member 24 is rotatable around the pivot 23 with respect to the rotating member 22. The pivot 25 is perpendicular to the pivot 23 and is connected to the pivot member 24. The rotation member 26 is rotatably connected to the pivot 25, and the rotation member 26 is rotatable around the pivot 25 with respect to the rotation member 24.

  The rotating member 26 is a bracket, and the rotating member 26 is attached to the waterproof case 14 and the reinforcing case 13 as follows.

  Two through holes 27 are formed in the rotating member 26. The through hole 27 corresponds to the set hole 20 and the screw hole 21. The rotating member 26 is combined from the outside of the waterproof case 14 to the outside of the metal case body 15 inside the first housing 2, and the screw hole 21, the retaining hole 20, and the through hole 27 overlap. The fastening screw 30 is passed through the through hole 27 and the retaining hole 20, and the fastening screw 30 is screwed into the screw hole 21. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the fastening screw 30 is a step screw. In other words, the diameter of the upper shaft portion 32 of the fastening screw 30 is larger than the diameter of the lower shaft portion 31, the lower shaft portion 31 is threaded, and the upper shaft portion 32 is not threaded. The upper shaft portion 32 is passed through the stop hole 20 and the through hole 27, and the seat surface 34 of the head portion 33 is in contact with the rotating member 26 around the through hole 27, and rotates between the head portion 33 and the reinforcing case 13. The lower shaft portion 31 is screwed into the screw hole 21 between the moving member 26 and the metal case body 15. Thereby, the rotating member 26 and the metal case main body 15 are fastened together with the reinforcing case 13 by the fastening screw 30. A ring-shaped rubber seal 35 is wound around the upper shaft portion 32, and the rubber seal 35 enters the retaining hole 20, and the rubber seal 35 is sandwiched between the upper shaft portion 32 and the reinforcing case 13. This prevents flooding.

  In the mobile electronic device 1 as described above, the user can fold or unfold the mobile electronic device 1 by rotating the first housing 2 around the pivot 23 with respect to the second housing 4. Can do. In addition, the user can turn the first casing 2 upside down by rotating the first casing 2 about the pivot 25 with respect to the second casing 4. Since the first housing 2 and the second housing 4 are connected by the biaxial hinge 29, the form of the portable electronic device 1 can be changed in various ways by folding, unfolding, front-back inversion, and the like.

  According to the present embodiment, the rotating member 26 of the biaxial hinge 29 is assembled from the outside of the waterproof case 14, and the rotating member 26 and the waterproof case 14 are reinforced by the fastening screw 30 and the rubber seal 35 wound around the fastening screw 30. Since it is fastened together with the case 13, the biaxial hinge 29 can be coupled to the reinforcing case 13 and the waterproof property inside the waterproof case 14 can be secured.

  In particular, since the rotating member 26 of the biaxial hinge 29 is assembled to the metal case main body 15, the strength of the coupling / fastening can be ensured.

<Second Embodiment>
A portable electronic device according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Since the portable electronic device in the second embodiment is provided in substantially the same manner as the portable electronic device 1 in the first embodiment, different parts will be described in detail below. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component of the portable electronic device 1 of 1st Embodiment, and the component of the portable electronic device in 2nd Embodiment corresponding to it.

  In 2nd Embodiment, the fitting part 40 is formed in the metal case main body 15, and the metal case main body 15 and the fitting part 40 are united. Therefore, the fitting portion 40 is made of the same metal material as that of the metal case body 15. The fitting portion 40 is formed on the lower end surface of the metal case body 15, that is, so as to protrude downward from the end surface near the connecting portion with the second housing (not shown in FIGS. 5 to 7). Yes. The fitting portion 40 is an annular protrusion, and an opening 41 is formed in the fitting portion 40, and the opening 41 communicates from the outside to the inside of the waterproof case 14.

The fitting portion 40 is fitted into the end portion of the flexible hose 43. This flexible hose 43 is led to the inside of the second casing through the biaxial hinge (only the rotating member 26 is shown in FIG. 5). A signal cable (not shown in FIGS. 5 to 7) is passed through the flexible hose 43, and the signal cable is wired from the inside of the waterproof case 14 to the second housing.
Except for what has been described above, the components of the portable electronic device 1 of the first embodiment and the corresponding components of the portable electronic device of the second embodiment are provided in the same manner.

  In the present embodiment, since the opening 41 is formed in the metal case main body 15, the first casing can be reduced in thickness and size. Further, since the fitting portion 40 is fitted into the flexible hose 43, waterproofness can be ensured.

<Third Embodiment>
The portable electronic device in 3rd Embodiment is demonstrated using FIGS. 8-10. Since the portable electronic device in the third embodiment is provided in substantially the same manner as the portable electronic device 1 in the first embodiment, different parts will be described in detail below. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component of the portable electronic device 1 of 1st Embodiment, and the component of the portable electronic device in 3rd Embodiment corresponding to it.

  In the third embodiment, an opening 45 is formed on the inner surface of the waterproof seal portion 16 and closer to the connecting portion with the second housing (not shown in FIGS. 8 to 10). A flexible hose 44 is formed in the waterproof seal portion 16, and the flexible hose 44 and the waterproof seal portion 16 are integrated. The flexible hose 44 is molded at the same time as the waterproof seal portion 16, and the flexible hose 44 and the waterproof seal portion 16 are made of the same material. The flexible hose 44 and the waterproof seal part 16 are made of rubber or other elastic material.

The flexible hose 44 extends from the lower end surface of the waterproof seal portion 16, that is, from the end surface near the connecting portion with the second housing. The hollow of the flexible hose 44 communicates with the inside of the waterproof case 14 through the opening 45 at one end of the flexible hose 44. The flexible hose 44 is guided to the inside of the second housing through the biaxial hinge (only the rotating member 26 is shown in FIG. 8). A signal cable (not shown in FIGS. 8 to 10) is passed through the flexible hose 44, and the signal cable is wired from the inside of the waterproof case 14 to the second housing.
Except for what has been described above, the components of the portable electronic device 1 of the first embodiment and the corresponding components of the portable electronic device of the third embodiment are provided in the same manner.

  In this embodiment, since the flexible hose 44 is integrated with the waterproof seal part 16, the number of parts can be reduced, and the waterproofness of the part is further enhanced.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various improvements and design changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  In each of the above embodiments, the hinge that is tightened to the waterproof case 14 and the reinforcing case 13 and connected to the second housing 4 is the biaxial hinge 29 having two pivots 23 and 25. It may be a hinge. For example, the rotation member 24 and the rotation member 26 are fixed or integrated, and the hinge is a uniaxial hinge.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the fastening member was the screw 30, it may be a rivet. For example, a rivet having a head is passed through the through hole 27, the retaining hole 20, and the hole 21 (however, the hole 21 may not have a female screw shape), and the head of the rivet is rotated around the through hole 27. The tip of the rivet protruding from the hole 21 may be caulked by being hooked on the member 26.

It is the perspective view which showed the portable electronic device in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the disassembled perspective view which showed the 1st housing | casing etc. of the said portable electronic device. It is sectional drawing which showed the principal part of said 1st housing | casing. It is sectional drawing which showed the principal part of said 1st housing | casing. It is the disassembled perspective view which showed a part of 1st housing | casing of the portable electronic device in 2nd Embodiment. It is the disassembled perspective view which showed the principal part of the waterproof case and flexible hose accommodated in said 1st housing | casing. It is sectional drawing which showed the principal part of said 1st housing | casing. It is the disassembled perspective view which showed a part of 1st housing | casing of the portable electronic device in 3rd Embodiment. It is the perspective view which divided and showed the waterproof case accommodated in said 1st housing | casing in the metal part and the elastic member part. It is sectional drawing which showed the principal part of said 1st housing | casing.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Portable electronic device 2 1st housing | casing 4 2nd housing | casing 13 Reinforcement case 14 Waterproof case 15 Metal case main body 16 Waterproof seal part 18 Groove 29 Biaxial hinge 30 Fastening screw 41 Opening 43, 44 Flexible hose

Claims (5)

A first housing;
A second housing;
A reinforcing case housed in the first housing and reinforcing the first housing;
A waterproof case housed in the first housing and assembled to the inner surface of the first housing covering the reinforcing case;
A hinge that is coupled to the second housing and is assembled to the waterproof case from the outside of the waterproof case inside the first housing;
And a fastening member that fastens the hinge and the waterproof case together with the reinforcing case. The waterproof case has a metal case main body, and a seal portion integrally molded on an edge portion of the metal case main body,
A groove is recessed in the inner surface of the first housing, the groove surrounds the reinforcing case, and the seal portion is fitted into the groove,
The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the metal case body is fastened to the reinforcing case by the fastening member together with the hinge. A flexible hose routed through the hinge from the first housing to the second housing;
The portable electronic device according to claim 2, wherein an opening is formed in the metal case body, and the flexible hose communicates with the opening. A flexible hose that is routed through the hinge from the first housing to the second housing and integrally molded with the seal portion,
The portable electronic device according to claim 2, wherein an end portion of the flexible hose is opened inside the seal portion.   The portable electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the hinge is a biaxial hinge.

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