JP2011114533A - Foldable mobile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a foldable mobile terminal in which large screen display panels can be mounted on two casings thereof respectively and the size of each of the casings is small. <P>SOLUTION: This foldable mobile terminal includes a first casing 2 having a display 1 and a second casing 4 superimposed on the display 1 of the first casing 2 and having a display 3 on the front surface side opposite to the first casing 2 side. One ends of first and second support portions 5, 6 are rotatably coupled to right and left end portions of the first casing 2 via first and second hinges 7, 8 respectively. Center portions of the first and second support portions 5, 6 are rotatably coupled to right and left side surfaces of the second casing 4 via third and fourth hinges 9, 10 respectively. A core 11 pierces through the second casing 4 and the third and fourth hinges 9, 10 to couple the first support portion 5 and the second support portion 6. The third and fourth hinges 9, 10 are arranged along a direction parallel to a direction where the first and second hinges 5, 6 are arranged. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a foldable portable terminal that can be unfolded from a state in which two housings are overlapped and can be overlapped again.

  A portable terminal typified by a mobile phone or a portable information terminal generally includes two casings connected to each other, one casing having a display surface provided with a liquid crystal panel and the like, and the other casing. The housing has an operation surface on which operation buttons and the like are arranged. Recently, however, mobile terminals that employ a display panel such as a touch panel have also appeared on the operation surface, increasing the added value (for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, the form of a portable terminal has two casings connected by a hinge shaft so that it can be folded (folding type), and two casings are stacked and connected by a slide hinge. There is a type (sliding type) that makes the other casing slidable.

JP 2000-172395 A

  Conventionally, when a display panel is mounted on each of two housings of a portable terminal, there are advantages and disadvantages in mounting in both the folding type and sliding type forms described above. In particular, there has been a problem in developing a large-screen two-screen display terminal.

  That is, in the case of the folding type, since the hinge mechanism is simple, it is relatively easy to secure a large display panel mounting area in each of the connected casings.

  However, the mounting area of the display panel faces each other when the two casings are folded around the hinge but faces each other when they are opened (hereinafter referred to as an inner surface). is there. For this reason, when it is desired to display on the front surface side of the terminal when the two housings are folded, it is necessary to prepare a new display panel on the front surface. As a result, the thickness is required, which is a factor that increases the housing size.

  On the other hand, in the case of the sliding mechanism, the mounting area of the display panel is on the surface of each casing that is exposed to the user side when the other casing is slid and expanded from the state where the other casing is overlapped on one casing. Therefore, since the display panel of the other casing is always exposed to the front surface before and after the slide, even if the display panel of the one casing is hidden by the other casing, Display on the screen side. However, since the structure of the slide hinge is complicated, the one casing needs an area overlapping with the other casing. As a result, it was difficult to secure a large display panel mounting area extending to the outer periphery of the casing in the one casing.

  The present invention is intended to provide a foldable portable terminal capable of solving the problems of the background art described above. An example of the purpose is to enable a large-screen display panel to be mounted on each of the two casings of the foldable portable terminal and to reduce the casing size.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, a first housing having a first display panel is stacked on the first display panel of the first housing, and is opposite to the first housing side. And a second housing having a second display panel on the front surface side.

In the mobile terminal of this aspect, one end is rotatably connected to both end portions of the first housing by the first and second hinges, and the central portion is both side surfaces of the second housing. First and second support portions rotatably connected to each of the third and fourth hinges;
A core that passes through the second housing and the third and fourth hinges and connects the first support portion and the second support portion;

  The rotation axes of the third and fourth hinges are arranged along a direction parallel to the direction in which the first and second hinges are arranged.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to mount a large-screen display panel on each of the two casings of the foldable portable terminal and to reduce the casing size.

It is a figure which shows the basic composition of the mobile telephone terminal by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the support structure of the 2nd housing | casing shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the structure and movement in the hinge part between the 2nd housing | casing shown in FIG. 1, and a support part. It is a figure explaining the opening / closing operation | movement of the housing | casing of the mobile telephone terminal by one Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, a mobile phone terminal will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the following example as long as it is a device in which two casings having a display panel are connected so as to be foldable. It can be applied to personal computers, electronic books, portable information terminals, etc.

(Description of configuration)
FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration of a mobile phone terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A is a front view of the entire terminal, FIG. 1B is a side view of the terminal viewed from the arrow A in FIG. 1A, and FIG. 1C is a terminal viewed from the arrow B in FIG. FIG. 1D is a side view of the terminal as viewed from the arrow C in FIG.

  As shown in these drawings, the mobile phone terminal according to the present embodiment is a foldable type, and includes a first casing 2 on which the display 1 is mounted and a second casing 4 on which the display 3 is mounted. . The displays 1 and 3 are mounted on the surfaces of the casings 2 and 4 that face the user when the two casings 2 and 4 are opened as shown in FIG. The display 1 and the display 3 each have a touch panel mechanism.

  The second housing 4 is supported between the two support portions 5 and 6. The first support portion 5 is connected to the left end portion of the first housing 2 by the first hinge portion 7, and the second support portion 6 is second to the right end portion of the first housing 2. Are connected by hinge portions 8. Further, the first support portion 5 is connected to the left side surface of the second housing 4 by a third hinge portion 9 at a substantially central portion. The second support portion 6 is connected to the right side surface of the second housing 4 by a fourth hinge portion 10 at a substantially central portion. Thereby, the second housing 4 between the two support portions 5 and 6 is rotatable around the third and fourth hinge portions 9 and 10.

  FIG. 2B is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the portion surrounded by the dotted line in FIG. As shown in this figure, the second housing 4 and the first and second support portions 5 and 6 are disposed inside the second housing 4, and the third and fourth hinge portions 9, They are connected by a core 11 that passes through the inside of 10. Therefore, the first and second support portions 5 and 6 can move in conjunction with each other while supporting the second housing 4.

  FIG. 3A is a view of the movement of the first support portion 5 and the second housing 4 as viewed from the direction of the arrow B in FIG. FIG. 3B is an enlarged front view of a peripheral portion of the hinge portion 9 that couples the first support portion 5 and the second housing 4. FIG. 3C is a perspective view showing components of the hinge portion 9. As shown in these drawings, the hinge portion 9 is formed by stacking two cylindrical structures 9a through which the core 11 can pass, and one structure 9a is coupled to the support portion 5 and the other structure. An object 9 a is coupled to the second housing 4. Further, the first support portion 5 and the second housing 4 are structured to perform reverse rotation operations. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, when the first support portion 5 moves counterclockwise, the second housing 4 rotates clockwise. Such a movement can be realized by utilizing the fact that adjacent gears rotate in reverse. For example, the first gear is provided on the rotation shaft of the first hinge portion 7 that is interlocked with the movement of the first support portion 5, the second gear is meshed with the first gear, and the rotation of the second gear is changed to the third gear. What is necessary is just to transmit to the structure by the side of the housing | casing 4 of the hinge part 9. FIG.

  Although the hinge portion 9 is shown as a representative in FIG. 3, the structure and movement of the hinge portion 10 are the same as the hinge portion 9.

Next, the configuration of each part of the mobile phone terminal according to the present embodiment will be described.
The first housing 2 is a lower housing of the mobile phone terminal, and has a display 1 having a touch panel function. The first housing 2 is coupled to the first and second hinge portions 7 and 8. For this reason, the second casing 4 is moved around the hinges 7 and 8 and moved over the first casing 2, or the second casing 4 is moved from the overlapping state to the first casing 4. The operation | movement which spaces apart from the housing | casing 2 is enabled.

"Second housing 4"
The second housing 4 is a lower housing of the mobile phone terminal, and has a display 3 having a touch panel function. The left side surface of the second housing 2 is coupled to the first support portion 5 via the third hinge portion 9, and the right side surface of the second housing 2 is connected to the fourth hinge portion 10. It couple | bonds with the 2nd support part 6 via. As a result, the second housing 2 can rotate between the support portions 5 and 6.

"First support 5"
The first support portion 5 is coupled to the first housing 2 through the first hinge portion 7. As a result, the first support portion 5 is moved around the first hinge portion 7 so as to be stacked on the first housing 2, or the first support portion 5 is moved from the overlapped state to the first support portion 5. The operation of separating from one housing 2 is enabled.

  The first support portion 5 is also coupled to the second housing 4 via the third hinge portion 9. Thereby, the 1st support part 5 and the 2nd housing | casing 4 enable rotation movement mutually. In this rotational movement, when viewed from the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1A, when the first support portion 5 moves counterclockwise, the second housing 4 operates clockwise. Or if the 1st support part 5 moves clockwise, the 2nd housing | casing 4 will operate | move counterclockwise.

"Second support 6"
The second support portion 6 is coupled to the first housing 2 via the second hinge portion 8. Thereby, the second support portion 6 is moved around the second hinge portion 8 and overlapped on the first casing 2, or the second support portion 6 is moved from the overlapped state to the second support portion 6. The operation of separating from one housing 2 is enabled.

  Further, the second support portion 6 is also coupled to the second housing 4 via the fourth hinge portion 10. Thereby, the 2nd support part 6 and the 2nd housing | casing 4 are enabling rotation movement mutually. In this rotational movement, when viewed from the direction of arrow D in FIG. 1A, when the second support portion 6 moves clockwise, the second housing 4 moves counterclockwise. Or if the 2nd support part 6 moves counterclockwise, the 2nd housing | casing 4 will operate | move clockwise.

"Core 11"
The core 11 is a rod-like structure that penetrates the third hinge portion 9, the second housing 4, and the fourth hinge portion 10, and the first and second support portions 5 and 6 are interlocked with each other. It is possible to move. Further, at least both ends of the core 11 passing through the third and fourth hinge portions 9 and 10 are arranged in parallel to the arrangement direction of the first and second hinge portions 7 and 8. Therefore, the rotation axes of the third and fourth hinge portions 9 and 10 are also located along a direction parallel to the arrangement direction of the first and second hinge portions 7 and 8. The part of the core 11 located in the second housing 4 may be bent so as to avoid the components in the second housing 4.

  Since the portable terminal of this example as described above is a foldable type, the mechanism of the hinge portions 7, 8, 9, 10 can be made relatively simple, and the large display 1 that extends to the outer peripheral edges of the housings 2, 4 , 3 can be implemented.

(Description of operation)
Next, the operation of the housing according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 4 shows an operation in which the cellular phone terminal according to the present embodiment is changed from the closed state (the state where the display is on the front surface) to the open state (the two displays are both directed toward the user side). Yes. This figure is a view seen from the direction of arrow D in FIG.

  In the state shown in FIG. 4A, the mobile phone terminal is in a closed state. That is, the display 1 on the upper surface of the first casing 2 (lower casing) is hidden by the second casing 4 (upper casing), and the display 3 on the second casing 4 is the front of the terminal. It faces the surface side.

  From this state, as shown in FIG. 4B, the second support portion 6 is rotated clockwise around the second hinge portion 8 as an axis. At this time, since the second support portion 6 is rotated clockwise, the second housing 4 is centered on the fourth hinge portion 10 and is opposite to the rotation direction of the second support portion 6 (counterclockwise). Rotate around). 4 (c), FIG. 4 (d), and FIG. 4 (e) are sequentially moved as shown in FIG. f) state is reached.

  The state of FIG. 4 (f) is a diagram in which the mobile phone terminal is completely open. The state of FIG. 4F is when the first and second support portions 5 and 6 reach a predetermined angle with respect to the display panel mounting surface of the first housing 2. In this state, both the display 1 on the first housing 2 and the display 3 on the second housing 4 are favorably directed toward the user side of the terminal.

  The movement of the housing from the closed state to the open state of the mobile phone terminal has been described above, but the movement of the housing from the open state to the closed state is opposite to the above-described movement.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4E from the state of FIG. 4F, the second support portion 6 is rotated counterclockwise around the second hinge portion 8 as an axis. At this time, since the second support portion 6 is rotated counterclockwise, the second casing 4 is centered on the fourth hinge portion 10 and is opposite to the rotation direction of the second support portion 6 (clockwise). Rotate around). 4 (a), FIG. 4 (c), and FIG. 4 (b) sequentially show the movements of the opening and rotation of the second housing 4 that are linked to each other, while FIG. ) State.

  FIG. 4A shows a diagram in which the mobile phone terminal is completely closed. In this state, the display 1 on the upper surface of the first casing 2 (lower casing) is hidden by the second casing 4 (upper casing), and the display 3 on the second casing 4 is hidden by the terminal. It will be in the state facing the front side.

  According to the embodiment as described above, even when the folding portable terminal is closed, the portable terminal can be used because the display panel is on the front surface of the upper housing. When the operation is performed from the closed state to the open state, the upper casing is inverted, and the display panel of the upper casing appears on the same side as the display panel of the lower casing, so that it can be used as a two-screen portable terminal. Is possible. Further, when the open state is changed to the closed state, the upper casing rotates again and the display panel comes to the front surface side of the terminal. Therefore, the display in the closed state and the display in the open state can be optimally performed with only two display panels.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,3 Display 2 1st housing | casing 4 2nd housing | casing 5 1st support part 6 2nd support part 7 1st hinge part 8 2nd hinge part 9 3rd hinge part 9a Cylindrical shape Structure 10 Fourth hinge portion 11 Core

Claims (4)

A foldable mobile terminal,
A first housing having a first display panel;
A second casing overlaid on the first display panel of the first casing and having a second display panel on the opposite side of the first casing;
One end is rotatably connected to both ends of the first casing by each of the first and second hinges, and the center is third and fourth hinges on both side surfaces of the second casing. First and second support portions rotatably connected by each of
A core penetrating the second housing and the third and fourth hinges to connect the first support part and the second support part;
The folding portable terminal, wherein rotation axes of the third and fourth hinges are arranged along a direction parallel to a direction in which the first and second hinges are arranged. The foldable portable terminal according to claim 1,
The second casing is centered on the third and fourth hinge portions in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the first and second support portions around the first and second hinges. A foldable portable terminal characterized by being rotatable. The foldable mobile terminal according to claim 2,
In a state where the second casing is overlaid on the first casing, the first display panel is hidden by the second casing, and the second display panel is exposed to the front side. And
In a state where the first and second support portions are rotated from the first housing to a predetermined angle around the first and second hinges, the second display panel displays the first display. A foldable portable terminal characterized by being directed to the same side as the panel. In the foldable portable terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The foldable portable terminal, wherein the first and second display panels have a touch panel function.

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