JP2010152164A - Display device protection structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display device protection structure achieving reduction in thickness of a housing and having protection performance of a display device. <P>SOLUTION: The display device protection structure is equipped with: front members 10, 20 which form the front surface and the side of the housing; a rear member 70 which is coupled to the front members 10, 20 to form the rear surface of the housing opposite to the front surface; the display device 31 which is held inside the housing; and a load path part 50 which is held between the front members 10, 20 and the rear member 70 inside the housing. The load path part 50 is provided with: a front flange 51 which supports the front members 10, 20 from the inside of the housing; a first rear flange 52 which supports the rear member 70 from the inside of the housing; and a web 53 which connects the front flange 51 to the first rear flange 52. The front flange 51 is arranged at a position which does not overlap the display device 31 in the thickness direction for perpendicularly connecting the front surface and the rear surface. The first rear flange 52 is arranged to overlap the display device 31 in the thickness direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a housing structure of a portable electronic device, and more particularly to a protective structure of a display device.

  The functional device built in the portable electronic device may be deformed and destroyed based on external forces such as drop impact, pressing, bending, and twisting. Therefore, the portable electronic device has a casing and an interior part that can withstand external force, and protects the functional device. On the other hand, portable electronic devices include a demand for thinness and small size in order to improve portability. Therefore, portable electronic devices are always required to be thin and compact with sufficient strength to withstand external forces, and improvements are being made.

  In a functional device built in a portable electronic device, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is used as a display device. Since the LCD is based on a glass plate made of a brittle material, it is easily broken based on an external force. Therefore, various studies have been made on portable electronic devices for protecting the LCD with a casing and interior parts. As a technique related to the protection structure of the LCD, Patent Document 1 is cited.

  The portable communication device described in Patent Document 1 includes an LCD frame on which a main LCD unit and a sub LCD unit are mounted, a front case having a first screen for displaying an image of the main LCD unit, and an image of the sub LCD unit. And a rear cover having a second screen to be displayed. This portable communication device is characterized in that, as an LCD protective structure, a rib having a shape in which the tip is in contact with the inner surface of the rear cover and the base is divided into a plurality of parts is formed around the sub LCD unit of the LCD frame. Yes. Such an LCD protection structure can prevent damage to the main LCD unit because the load pressed from the rear cover is distributed by the ribs that are divided into a plurality of roots.

JP 2008-103892 A

  The LCD has a structure in which a liquid crystal material is sandwiched between two glass plates. However, the LCD module in which the display drive driver (IC chip) is mounted on the glass plate has one LCD glass plate on which the display drive driver is mounted. Although the thickness of the glass plate material may be as thin as t0.15 to t0.2 mm, the portion of the LCD with one glass plate is not packaged with a high-rigidity, high-strength resin. Therefore, the part of the LCD where one glass plate is used becomes a weak point in the LCD module. That is, if the LCD with a single glass plate in the LCD module cannot be sufficiently protected, there arises a problem that the LCD module is destroyed based on the external force received in normal use.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a display device protection structure having both a thin casing and a protection performance of a display device (LCD).

  The display device protection structure of the present invention includes a front member that forms a front surface and a side surface of a housing, a rear member that is coupled to the front member and forms a rear surface of the housing that faces the front surface, and an interior of the housing And a load path portion sandwiched between a front member and a rear member inside the housing. The load path portion includes a front flange that supports the front member from the inside of the housing, a rear flange that supports the rear member from the inside of the housing, and a web that connects the front flange and the rear flange. The front flange is disposed at a position where it does not overlap the display device in the thickness direction connecting the front surface and the rear surface vertically. The rear flange is disposed at a position overlapping the display device in the thickness direction.

  Such a display device protection structure avoids the part of the display device located between the front surface and the rear flange in the thickness direction, and receives the load received by the front surface based on external force via the load path. I can tell you. Furthermore, since the front flange is disposed at a position that does not overlap the display device in the thickness direction, the casing can be formed thin.

  The display device protection structure of the present invention can satisfy both the thinning of the casing and the protection performance of the display device (LCD).

  Hereinafter, a display device protection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable electronic device 1 to which the display device protection structure of the present invention is applied. Referring to FIG. 1, the portable electronic device 1 includes a REC unit 2, an MIC unit 3, and a slide unit 4.

  The REC unit 2 has a receiver function (receiving function) and a display device inside. The MIC unit 3 has a microphone function (sending function). The slide unit 4 connects the REC unit 2 and the MIC unit 3, and further allows the REC unit 2 and the MIC unit 3 to slide in the longitudinal direction of the portable electronic device 1 (the direction connecting the top side and the bottom side). Have The portable electronic device 1 shown in FIG. 1 shows an open state in which the REC unit 2 and the MIC unit 3 are opened by the slide unit 4. The portable electronic device 1 is in a closed state when the MIC unit 3 is fixed and the REC unit 2 is lowered to a position where it overlaps with the MIC unit 3. In the present specification, the portable electronic device 1 will be described by taking a mobile phone as an example. However, the mobile electronic device 1 is not limited to a mobile phone, and the display device protection structure of the present invention can be applied to any device including a display device. it can.

  FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the REC unit 2 to which the display device protection structure of the present invention is applied from the front side. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the REC unit 2 of FIG. 2 from the rear side. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the REC unit 2 includes a screen 10, a front housing 20, an LCD module 30, an FPC (flexible printed circuit board) 40, a load path portion 50, and a rigidity reinforcing portion 60. And a rear sheet metal casing 70.

  The screen 10 forms the front surface of the REC unit 2 and protects the LCD module 30 inside the REC unit 2. The screen 10 includes a screen 10a and a screen 10b. The screen 10a forms the central part of the screen 10. The user of the portable electronic device 1 can recognize the output information displayed on the LCD module 30 via the screen 10a. The screen 10b forms the top side and the bottom side of the screen 10.

  A square dust-proof cushion 11 is affixed to the inside of the REC unit 2 on the screen 10. The dustproof cushion 11 contacts the front side of the LCD module 30, absorbs an impact between the screen 10 and the LCD module 30, and protects the LCD module 30 from external force.

  The front housing 20 forms the front surface and the side surface of the REC unit 2 together with the screen 10 to protect functional devices such as the internal LCD module 30 and the FPC 40. The front case 20 includes a front sheet metal case 21 and a front resin case 22. The front casing 20 is integrated by embedding the outer peripheral edge of the front sheet metal casing 21 with a front resin casing 22. A method for manufacturing the front housing 20 is illustrated. The front sheet metal casing 21 is formed by press molding of a stainless steel sheet metal. The molten resin in the front resin casing 22 is injected into a resin casing mold in which the front sheet metal casing 21 is installed, and is integrally molded (insert molding). The front housing 20 can be formed by such integral molding.

  The front resin casing 22 has a touch sensor module 22a on the bottom side. The touch sensor module 22a acquires user input via the bottom screen 10b and provides the user input to the FPC 40. The touch sensor module 22a includes a touch sensor FPC, a light emitting LED, and a light guide plate. The touch sensor FPC is connected to the FPC 40.

  The LCD module 30 is held inside a casing including the screen 10, the front casing 20, and the rear sheet metal casing 70, and has a display function of the portable electronic device 1. The LCD module 30 includes an LCD unit 31, a display drive driver 32, a backlight unit 33, and an LCD connection FPC 34.

  The LCD unit 31 is a display device of the portable electronic device 1. The LCD unit 31 is sealed by sandwiching liquid crystals between two glass plates having different areas. The LCD unit 31 functions as a display unit by changing the direction of liquid crystal molecules inside based on the voltage from the display driver 32 and increasing or decreasing the light transmittance from the backlight unit 33. The LCD unit 31 includes a two-glass unit 31a and a single-glass unit 31b. The two-glass portion 31a is a display portion in which two glass plates seal the liquid crystal. The single glass part 31b is a part where two glass plates do not overlap and is only one, and is a part where the display drive driver 32 is mounted. The LCD unit 31 has a polarizing sheet attached to the display surface and the non-display surface of the two-glass unit 31a. The detailed configuration of the two-glass unit 31a is a polarizing sheet-glass-liquid crystal-glass-polarizing sheet. It is.

  The display driver 32 provides a voltage to the LCD unit 31 based on the signal acquired from the LCD connection FPC 34. The display drive driver 32 is mounted on the front side of the single glass part 31b of the LCD part 31 using a COG (Chip On Glass) technique.

  The backlight unit 33 includes a light source unit of the LCD module 30 and fixes each unit of the LCD module 30 to one unit. The backlight unit 33 includes a light source unit such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), an LED-FPC, a light guide plate, an optical sheet, and other display function units such as an LCD frame 33a. The LCD frame 33a is a resin member having a square shape in plan view for fixing the LCD module 30 as one member. Since the LCD frame 33a exists only on the outer periphery for the purpose of making the LCD module 30 into one component, it is difficult to sufficiently prevent the LCD part 31 from being deformed and broken. Moreover, LED-FPC is extended so that it may connect with FPC40 of a main circuit.

  The LCD connection FPC 34 is disposed at the bottom end of the single glass portion 31b, and connects the LCD portion 31 and the display drive driver 32 to the FPC 40 of the main circuit. The LCD connection FPC 34 and the LED-FPC described above are turned around the bottom end of the load path portion 50 and connected to the FPC 40.

  The FPC 40 is a main circuit for operating the REC unit 2. The FPC 40 is held between the LCD module 30 and the rear sheet metal casing 70 inside the casing. The FPC 40 is connected to the touch sensor FPC, the LCD connection FPC 34 and the LED-FPC, and further connected to the MIC unit 3.

  The load path section 50 is sandwiched between the front casing 20 and the rear sheet metal casing 70, and can protect the LCD section 31, particularly the single glass section 31b. FIG. 4 is a view showing the front side of the load path portion 50, the rigidity reinforcing portion 60, and the rear sheet metal casing 70. FIG. 5 is a view showing the rear side of the LCD module 30, the load path portion 50, and the rigidity reinforcing portion 60. 4 and 5, the load path portion 50 includes a front flange 51, a first rear flange 52, a web 53, and a second rear flange 54.

  The front flange 51 supports the front casing 20 from the inside of the casing of the REC unit 2. Referring to FIG. 5, the front flange 51 is in contact with the LCD connection FPC 34 and is not in direct contact with the front housing 20. However, the thickness of the LCD connection FPC 34 is about 0.15 mm, and the front flange 51 and the front housing 20 have the same effects as those in contact with each other in terms of load transmission.

  The first rear flange 52 supports the rear sheet metal casing 70 from the inside of the casing of the REC unit 2. Referring to FIG. 5, a single glass portion 31 b serving as a weak point exists on the front side of the first rear flange 52. The first rear flange 52 is not in contact with the LCD module 30.

  The web 53 connects the front flange 51 and the first rear flange 52. The web 53 is preferably coupled to the front flange 51 and the first rear flange 52 vertically. That is, the front flange 51, the first rear flange 52, and the web 53 are a crank shape in which a cross-sectional shape connecting the front side and the rear side is bent at two right angles (the description is based on a crank road. Shows a shape in which two narrow right-angled curves are connected in close proximity and a similar shape). The front flange 51 is in a position that does not overlap with the LDC portion 31 in the direction opposite to the LCD portion 31 with respect to the web 53, that is, in the direction that connects the front side and the rear side vertically (hereinafter referred to as the thickness direction). The first rear flange 52 is in a position overlapping the LCD unit 31 (one glass portion 31b) in the LCD unit 31 side, that is, in the thickness direction. The cross-sectional shape will be described later. Since the front flange 51, the first rear flange 52, and the web 53 have a crank shape, the load path section 50 gives the REC unit 2 a stronger rigidity against loads from the front side and the rear side. Referring to FIG. 5, the web 53 contacts the LCD frame 33a on the bottom side. By contacting the web 53 and the LCD frame 33a, the distance between the front flange 51 and the first rear flange 52 and the single glass portion 31b of the LCD module 30 can be reduced.

  The second rear flange 54 supports the rear sheet metal housing 70. That is, the load path 50 can support the load applied to the front flange 51 from the front side in a distributed manner on the first rear flange 52 and the second rear flange 54.

  The rigidity reinforcing portion 60 is coupled to the rear sheet metal casing 70 and reinforces the rear sheet metal casing 70. Referring to FIG. 4, the rigidity reinforcing part 60 has a flat plate shape. The rigidity reinforcing portion 60 is located at substantially the same height as the first rear flange 52 in the thickness direction. Referring to FIG. 5, the rigidity reinforcing portion 60 does not overlap the first rear flange 52 in the thickness direction, and the LCD module 30 (two glass portions 31a and one glass portion 31b) is disposed on the front side. The rigid reinforcing portion 60 and the rear sheet metal housing 70 are preferably joined together by welding or caulking. When integrated by welding or caulking, the effect of reinforcing the strength of the rear sheet metal casing 70 is further improved. However, the rigid reinforcing portion 60 and the rear sheet metal casing 70 can be coupled with a double-sided tape or the like.

  The rigidity reinforcing part 60 includes a spacer 61. Referring to FIG. 4, the spacer 61 is attached to the front side of the rigidity reinforcing portion 60. The spacer 61 supports the backlight unit 33 on the rear side of the LCD module 30 and protects the LCD module 30 from external force. Although the FPC 40 is not shown in FIG. 5, the spacer 61 supports the backlight unit 33 via the FPC 40.

  The rear sheet metal housing 70 is coupled to the front housing 20 to form a rear surface of the housing. The rear sheet metal casing 70 can be formed by press molding of a stainless steel sheet metal. A state in which the front housing 20 and the rear sheet metal housing 70 are fitted together is referred to as an assembly housing.

  The rear sheet metal housing 70 includes a bulge portion 71. Referring to FIG. 4, the bulge portion 71 is a portion that swells to the outside of the casing of the REC unit 2 in the rear sheet metal casing 70. A space inside the housing based on the swelling of the bulge portion 71 includes a load path portion 50 that protects the LCD portion 31 and a rigidity reinforcing portion 60 that reinforces the rear sheet metal housing 70. The front side of the bulge part 71 is a part that is supported by the first rear flange 52 and the second rear flange 54, and is a part that the rigidity reinforcing part 60 is coupled to. The thickness of the space in the thickness direction of the bulge portion 71 is the same as the combined thickness of the rigidity reinforcing portion 60 and the spacer 61. Therefore, the front side of the spacer 61 and the surface not including the bulge portion 71 of the rear sheet metal housing 70 are on the same plane. Since the display device protection structure of the present invention is included in the bulge portion 71 in a range where the portion for protecting the LCD portion 31 (particularly the single glass portion 31a) is limited, the entire structure of the portable electronic device 1 (REC unit 2) is included. The thickness can be minimized.

  6 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the REC unit 2 shown in FIG. A more detailed configuration will be described with reference to FIG. Referring to FIG. 6, the screen 10, the front sheet metal casing 21, the LCD module 30, the FPC 40, the load path section 50, the rigidity reinforcing section 60, and the rear sheet metal casing 70 are included.

  The LCD unit 31 of the LCD module 30 and the front sheet metal casing 21 are located at substantially the same height in the thickness direction. The LCD connection FPC 34 led out from the end of the single glass part 31 b is formed to contact the inner surface of the front sheet metal casing 21. The touch sensor module 22a is sandwiched between the load path section 50 and the screen 10 (screen 10b) via the LCD connection FPC 34.

  The front flange 51 of the load path portion 50 supports the inner surface of the front sheet metal casing 21 via the LCD connection FPC 34. The first rear flange 52 supports the inner surface of the rear sheet metal housing 70 via the FPC 40. That is, the load path portion 50 is mounted between the front sheet metal casing 21 and the rear sheet metal casing 70 without a clearance. The web 53 of the load path portion 50 is in contact with the bottom side surface (LCD frame 33a) of the LCD module 30. Thereby, the contact location of the front flange 51 and the front sheet metal housing | casing 21 and the contact location of the 1st rear flange 52 and the bulge part 71 come closer to the one glass part 31b. That is, the single glass part 31 b is located between the screen 10 and the front sheet metal casing 21 and the first rear flange 52 in the thickness direction. Further, the load path portion 50 has a second rear flange 54 supporting the inner surface of the bulge portion 71 via the LCD connection FPC 34 on the bottom side. Between the front flange 51 and the second rear flange 54, a part that gradually inclines and a part that is parallel to the bulge part 71 are included.

  The display device protection structure of the present invention includes a plurality of clearances, a clearance 81, a clearance 82, and a clearance 83 for protecting the LCD unit 31, particularly the single glass unit 31b.

  The clearance 81 is located between the screen 10 and the single glass part 31b, and is sufficiently secured by the dustproof cushion 11 so that the screen 10, the single glass part 31b, and the display drive driver 32 do not come into contact with each other. The dustproof cushion 11 is in contact with the outer peripheral edge of the two-glass portion 31a and is compressed.

  The clearance 82 is located between the LCD module 30 and the first rear flange 52 so as not to contact the LCD module 30 and the first rear flange 52.

  The clearance 83 is located between the LCD module 30 (including the FPC 40) and the rigid reinforcing portion 60, and is provided by the spacer 61 so that the LCD module 30 (including the FPC 40) and the rigid reinforcing portion 60 do not contact each other.

  Such a display device protection structure of the present invention can satisfy both the thickness reduction of the portable electronic device 1 and the protection performance of the LCD unit 31 (single glass unit 31a). First, details of the protection structure of the LCD unit 31 against external force will be described. As described above, in the LCD part 31, the single glass part 31b is most easily broken. Therefore, the most unfavorable external force for protecting the LCD part 31 is a load applied from the front side of the screen 10 to the rear side of the REC unit 2 in the vicinity of the single glass part 31b which is a weak point of the LCD part 31. It is. The display device protection structure of the present invention applies the load applied from the screen 10 side based on the load path portion 50 adjacent to the LCD module 30 to the front sheet metal housing 21 → LCD connection FPC 34 → front flange 51 → web 53 → first. The path of the bulge portion 71 of the rear flange 52 → FPC 40 → rear sheet metal casing 70 and the front sheet metal casing 21 → LCD connection FPC 34 → front flange 51 → second rear flange 54 → LCD connection FPC 34 → bulge of the rear sheet metal casing 70 To the path of the unit 71. That is, the display device protection structure of the present invention can constitute a load path that bypasses the single glass portion 31b with respect to the load applied to the screen 10 from the front side. Further, the load applied to the top-side screen 10 where the front sheet metal housing 21 does not exist directly below is as follows: dustproof cushion 11 → outer peripheral edge of the two-glass portion 31a → inside the LCD module 30 → FPC 40 → spacer 61 → stiffness reinforcing portion 60 → It is transmitted through the path of the bulge part 71 of the rear sheet metal casing 70. Also in this case, the single glass part 31b does not serve as a load path, and the outer peripheral edge of the relatively strong two glass part 31a in the LCD part 31 serves as a load path. The part 31b can be protected. The two glass portions 31 a are sandwiched between the screen 10, the front casing 20, and the rear sheet metal casing 70 via the dustproof cushion 11 and the spacer 61.

  In the display device protection structure, the clearance 81, the clearance 82, and the clearance 83 around the single glass portion 31b have an effect of bypassing the load, that is, an effect of protecting the single glass portion 31b. That is, when the screen 10 is bent based on the load received from the front side, the clearance 81 can prevent the screen 10 from contacting the single glass portion 31b. Similarly, when the LCD module 30 is pushed down based on the load received from the front side, the clearance 82 between the LCD module 30 and the first rear flange 52, the LCD module 30 (FPC 40), and the rigid reinforcing portion 60. The clearance 83 between them can prevent contact between the members. In particular, since the first rear flange 52 exists in the vicinity immediately below the thickness direction of the single glass portion 31 b, the bulge portion 71 directly below the single glass portion 31 b can be pushed down based on the load received from the screen 10. This has an effect that the clearance 82 and further the clearance 83 are reliably ensured by the first rear flange 52. On the other hand, the clearance 82 and the clearance 83 are also secured by pushing down the bulge portion 71 based on the load received by the rigid reinforcing portion 60 from the front side. While the clearance 81, the clearance 82, and the clearance 83 around the single glass portion 31b are maintained, the deformation of the single glass portion 31b is separated from the deformation of the entire REC unit 2, and thus the single glass portion 31b is reliably protected.

  Further, in the display device protection structure of the present invention, the member that protects the single glass portion 31b is robust and has sufficient rigidity. The load path portion 50 has a crank shape in which two flanges are connected by a web 53, and has high bending rigidity. Since the bulge portion 71 is prevented from bending deformation by the rigidity reinforcing portion 60, the bulge portion 71 is more rigid than the simply planar rear sheet metal casing 70. Furthermore, since the bulge part 71 is united and integrated with the rigid reinforcement part 60, a curvature change (bending) is further suppressed. In other words, the display device protection structure of the present invention maintains a plurality of clearances surrounding the single glass portion 31b even based on the rigidity of the load path portion 50, the rigidity reinforcing portion 60, and the bulge portion 71, and maintains the single glass. The load is transmitted around the part 31b. As described above, the display device protection structure of the present invention can suppress the deformation of the single glass portion 31b and prevent the breakage of the entire REC unit 2 due to the external force.

  Next, the effect of thinning by the display device protection structure of the present invention will be described. Referring to FIG. 6, the front flange 51 of the load path portion 50 is disposed so as not to overlap the LCD portion 31 in the thickness direction, so that the thickness is not increased in order to protect the single glass portion 31 b. . Furthermore, since the display device protection structure of the present invention limits the object to be protected by the LCD module 30 to the single glass part 31b which is a weak point, the structure for protecting the display device is within the range of the bulge part 71 in the thickness direction. include. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the thickness of the portion that protects the single glass portion 31b and to form the other main thickness of the portable electronic device 1 (REC unit 2) thin.

  Note that the display device protection structure of the present invention may be configured such that the load path portion 50 is omitted, the rigidity reinforcing portion 60 is formed in a crank shape, and the front sheet metal casing 21 is supported. However, in this case, it is necessary to form the FPC 40 so as to avoid the rigidity reinforcing portion 60. In the present invention, the rigidity reinforcing portion 60 may be omitted, and the first rear flange 52 of the load path portion 50 may be expanded and replaced. In this case, since the first rear flange 52 and the bulge portion 71 cannot be integrated by caulking or the like, it does not contribute to the rigidity reinforcement of the bulge portion 71, but the rigidity of the load path portion 50 is increased due to the extension of the first rear flange 52. To increase. Further, the rigidity reinforcing portion 60 can be omitted, and the rigidity of the bulge portion 71 can be increased by making the bulge portion 71 a plurality of steps instead of one step.

  The superiority of the display device protection structure of the present invention will be described by taking a portable electronic device having a display device protection structure different from the present invention as an example. FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a portable electronic device 100 different from the present invention. The cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 7 corresponds to the periphery of the single glass portion 31b of FIG. 6 of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, the portable electronic device 100 includes a screen 110, a front sheet metal casing 120, an LCD module 130, and an LCD protective bezel 140.

  The screen 110 corresponds to the screen 10 of the present invention. The front sheet metal casing 120 corresponds to the front sheet metal casing 20 of the present invention. The LCD module 130 corresponds to the LCD module 30 of the present invention, and includes a single glass portion 131 and an LCD connection FPC 133.

  The LCD protective bezel 140 covers the entire area other than the non-display surface on the rear side of the LCD module 130, the three side surfaces (thick surfaces), and the display area on the front side, and has a U-shaped cross-sectional shape. The single glass portion 131 is protected. The LCD protective bezel 140 is made of stainless steel sheet metal. For the LCD protective bezel 140, a method of protecting the single glass portion 131 with a magnesium alloy frame is also conceivable. However, a magnesium alloy frame that requires a minimum thickness of 0.5 mm or more cannot be used in recent thin portable electronic devices that have advanced to specifications that cannot be used even with a thickness of 0.5 mm. Therefore, the LCD protective bezel 140 is formed of a stainless steel plate having a thickness of t0.3 mm or less as a member that is thinner than the magnesium alloy frame and has rigidity to protect the single glass portion 131. Further, the LDC protection component bezel 140 is provided with an opening 141 through which the LCD connection FPC 133 is inserted.

  The protective structure of the display device shown in FIG. 7 can protect the single glass portion 131. However, the display device protection structure using the LCD protection bezel 140 is insufficient in reducing the thickness of the portable electronic device 1 targeted by the present invention. This is because the total thickness of the LCD protective bezel 140 that covers the entire LCD module 130 includes the thickness of the stainless steel sheet that protects the display surface and the non-display surface of the LCD module 130. Note that if the thickness of the LCD protective bezel 140 mounted on both sides of the LCD module 30 is reduced and reduced to t0.1 mm, the rigidity of the entire LCD protective bezel 140 is lowered, and the protective function of the single glass portion 131 is not realized. . Furthermore, the problem of the LCD protective bezel 140 in the performance of the protective structure of the single glass part 131 will be described. The LCD connection FPC 133 connected to the main circuit is led out from the end portion of the single glass portion 131. For this reason, the LCD protective bezel 140 that secures rigidity with the U-shaped cross-sectional shape cannot maintain the U-shaped cross-sectional shape as long as the LCD connection FPC 133 is derived, and the opening 141 needs to be provided. The opening 141 is a single glass portion 131 which is a weak point of the LCD module 130 and is not preferable because it causes a reduction in rigidity of the LCD protective bezel 140.

  The display device protection structure of the present invention is superior to the structure shown in FIG. 7 because both the thinning and the protection performance can be satisfied. Unlike the LCD protective bezel 140, the front flange 51 of the load path portion 50 of the present invention is in a position that does not overlap the LCD portion 31 in the thickness direction. For this reason, the thickness including the LCD module 30 of the REC unit 2 based on the display device protection structure of the present invention does not include the thickness of the front flange 51 and can be formed thinner than the configuration shown in FIG. is there.

  Referring to FIG. 6, first rear flange 52 and rigidity reinforcing portion 60 are in positions that overlap with LCD module 30 (LCD portion 31) in the thickness direction. However, the first rear flange 52 and the rigid reinforcing portion 60 do not exist on the entire surface of the rear sheet metal housing 70 and are limited to the bulge portion 71. The bulge portion 71 is not applied to the entire surface of the rear sheet metal casing 70. Therefore, the main thickness of the REC unit 2 is the screen 10, the dustproof cushion 11, the LCD module 30, the FPC 40, and the rear sheet metal housing 70. The display device protection structure of the present invention is more than the LCD protection bezel 140 of FIG. It is possible to make the entire REC unit 2 thinner.

  Next, the effectiveness of the display device protection structure of the present invention for the portable electronic device 1 having a slide mechanism will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the portable electronic device 1 has a mechanism in which the REC unit 2 and the MIC unit 3 freely slide in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus. Therefore, there is necessarily a clearance between the REC unit 2 on which the display device is mounted and the MIC unit 3 disposed on the rear side so as not to contact each other during the slide movement. Further, there is a case where an assist spring that makes the slide movement self-supporting is incorporated in the slide mechanism so that the user does not have to operate with a finger or a hand in the entire stroke range of the slide operation. Also in this case, the clearance between the REC unit 2 and the MIC unit 3 includes spring mounting, and the clearance between the units further increases. When the portable electronic device 1 having a slide mechanism is placed on a desk or the like with the front side (display surface side) of the REC unit 2 facing upward and a load is applied to the screen, the entire REC unit 2 is connected to the MIC unit 3. Deformation that sinks into the clearance between. This subsidence deformation continues until the rear surface of the REC unit 2 comes into contact with the MIC unit 3, and the magnitude of the deformation increases. The subsidence deformation of the REC unit 2 may cause deformation of the LCD module 30 incorporated therein, which may lead to destruction.

  However, in the display device protection structure of the present invention, the single glass portion 31b is displaced (moved to the rear side) with respect to the sink of the REC unit 2 that occurs in the portable electronic device 1 having the slide mechanism. However, since it does not follow the deformation (shape change) of the REC unit 2, the single glass portion 31b is not broken based on the external force during normal use. This is because the display device protection structure of the present invention constitutes a load path that bypasses the single glass part 31b, maintains a plurality of clearances surrounding the single glass part 31b, and the parts of the protective structure are sufficient. It is based on having a certain rigidity.

  Further, the deformation of the portable electronic device on which the display device is mounted is not only a problem of the portable electronic device 1 with the slide mechanism specification, but is generally applicable to a thin portable electronic device. The display device protection structure of the present invention is not limited to the portable electronic device 1 having a slide mechanism specification, and other device specifications, for example, an integrated type in which the REC unit 2 and the MIC unit 3 are not separated, or the REC unit 2 and the MIC unit 3. The present invention can also be applied to a hinge mechanism (clam shell) or the like that is folded.

  Finally, incidental effects of the display device protection structure of the present invention will be described. As a feature of the present invention, the LCD unit 31 and the front sheet metal casing 21 are located at substantially the same height in the thickness direction. For this reason, the LCD-connected FPC 34 can be formed in contact with the front sheet metal housing 21 without difficulty. This does not cause the FPC 40 to divide between the front sheet metal casing 21 and the rear sheet metal casing 70, and allows the load path 50 mounted between the inner surfaces of the casing to be a single component. . Single componentization leads to simplification of the protective structure and the effect of increasing component rigidity. In the load path portion 50, the front flange 51 supports the front sheet metal housing 21, and the first rear flange 52 and the second rear flange 54 support the bulge portion 71. This is a three-point constraint, and the load path portion 50 is stably fixed by the assembly housing. In addition, the load path portion 50 also has an effect as a forming guide in extending and turning the LCD connection FPC 34 and the LED-FPC to the bottom side.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable electronic device 1 to which the display device protection structure of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the REC unit 2 to which the display device protection structure of the present invention is applied from the front side. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the REC unit 2 of FIG. 2 from the rear side. FIG. 4 is a view showing the front side of the load path portion 50, the rigidity reinforcing portion 60, and the rear sheet metal casing 70. FIG. 5 is a view showing the rear side of the LCD module 30, the load path portion 50, and the rigidity reinforcing portion 60. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the REC unit 2 shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a portable electronic device 100 different from the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Portable electronic device 2 REC unit 3 MIC unit 4 Slide unit 10 Screen 11 Dust-proof cushion 20 Front case 21 Front sheet metal case 22 Front resin case 22a Touch sensor module 30 LCD module 31 LCD part 31a Two glass parts 31b One piece Glass unit 32 Display driver 33 Backlight unit 33a LCD frame 34 LCD connection FPC
40 FPC
50 Load path portion 51 Front flange 52 First rear flange 53 Web 54 Second rear flange 60 Rigid reinforcing portion 61 Spacer 70 Rear sheet metal casing 71 Bulge section 100 Portable electronic device 110 Screen 120 Front casing 130 LCD module 131 Single glass Part 133 LCD connection FPC
140 LCD protective bezel 141 opening

Claims (8)

A front member forming a front surface and a side surface of the housing;
A rear member coupled to the front member and forming a rear surface of the housing facing the front surface;
A display device held inside the housing;
A load path portion sandwiched between the front member and the rear member inside the housing;
Comprising
The load path portion is
A front flange that supports the front member from the inside of the housing;
A rear flange that supports the rear member from the inside of the housing;
A web connecting the front flange and the rear flange;
With
The front flange is disposed at a position that does not overlap the display device in a thickness direction that vertically connects the front surface and the rear surface,
The rear flange is disposed at a position overlapping the display device in the thickness direction. The display device protection structure according to claim 1,
The rear member is
Comprising a bulge that bulges outside the housing;
The rear flange supports the bulge portion from the inside of the housing. The display device protection structure according to claim 2,
It further comprises a flat plate-shaped rigid reinforcing portion that is coupled inside the bulge portion and inside the housing and reinforces the rear member,
The rigidity reinforcing portion does not overlap the rear flange in the thickness direction, and supports the display device from the rear surface side via a spacer,
The thickness in the thickness direction of the space inside the housing based on the swelling of the bulge portion is the same as the thickness in the thickness direction in which the rigidity reinforcing portion and the spacer are combined. A display device protection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The display device is
Two glass plates with different areas are equipped with an LCD part that sandwiches and seals the liquid crystal,
The LCD unit is
The two glass plates that seal the liquid crystal with the two glass plates;
A single glass part in which the two glass plates do not overlap and are only one part; and
Including
The single glass portion is located between the front surface and the rear flange in the thickness direction,
A first clearance is included between the single glass portion and the front surface,
A display device protection structure, wherein a second clearance is included between the single glass portion and the rear flange. The display device protection structure according to claim 4,
The front member is
Including a D-shaped dustproof cushion to be affixed to the front surface inside the housing;
The dustproof cushion is in contact with the outer peripheral edge of the two-glass part,
The two-glass portion is sandwiched between the front member and the rear member via the dustproof cushion and the spacer. A display device protection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The web is vertically coupled to the front flange and the rear flange. The display device protection structure according to claim 3,
The rigid reinforcement portion is connected to the bulge portion by welding or caulking. A display device protection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
FPC that is held inside the casing and is a main circuit of the display device;
LCD connection FPC for connecting the display device and the FPC;
Comprising
The FPC is sandwiched between the rear member and the rear flange,
The LCD connection FPC is sandwiched between the front member and the front flange.

Images