JP2011210271A - Electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic device which is constituted so that the rotating direction of a hinge mechanism can be easily visually confirmed.SOLUTION: The electronic device includes: a body; a display panel; a hinge mechanism; and an index. The hinge mechanism connects the display panel to the body and rotatably supports the panel. The index is provided in part of the hinge mechanism rotated with the display panel to indicate the rotating direction of the display panel.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device including a hinge mechanism that can invert a display panel between a state in which a display surface is turned down with respect to a main body and a state in which the display panel is superimposed on the back.

  2. Description of the Related Art There is a portable electronic device that includes a hinge mechanism that pivotally connects a display panel to a main body around two axes that intersect perpendicularly. In such an electronic device, a cable wired between the main body side and the display panel side is passed through or around the hinge mechanism. Therefore, it is necessary to limit the rotation angle of the display panel with respect to the main body.

  The electronic device described in Patent Document 1 includes a undulation shaft that undulates and rotates in a direction in which the display panel superimposed on the main body is erected, and an inversion shaft that inverts the display panel that is erected by this axis. . The hinge device for limiting the rotation angle is applied to the reversing shaft and includes an over-rotation prevention mechanism. The over-rotation prevention mechanism includes a rotation member, a first abutment locking mechanism, and a second abutment locking mechanism. Even when the display panel is rotated in any direction, the rotating member is sandwiched between the first abutting locking mechanism and the second abutting locking mechanism. With this structure, the display device can be rotated by 180 ° in any rotation direction.

JP 2004-197862 A

  However, the hinge device described in Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which an over-rotation prevention mechanism is incorporated in the hinge device. Therefore, when the display panel is reversed, it cannot be distinguished in appearance whether it can be rotated further. Further, when the display panel is inverted, the user operates by grasping the outer periphery of the display panel.

  Therefore, in the case of an electronic device having a small display panel such as a mobile phone, the rotational torque applied to the hinge device when the display panel is excessively rotated is small, so that the hinge device does not break. However, if the display panel is large like a notebook type portable computer, the rotational torque applied to the hinge device when the display panel is excessively rotated is large in proportion to the size of the display panel. May be damaged.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an electronic apparatus having a configuration in which the rotation direction of the hinge mechanism can be easily visually confirmed on the appearance.

  An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body, a display panel, a hinge mechanism, and an index. The hinge mechanism connects the display panel to the main body and supports the display panel so as to be rotatable. The indicator is provided on a part of the hinge mechanism that is turned together with the display panel, and indicates the turning direction of the display panel.

  According to one embodiment of the electronic apparatus according to the present invention, since the display device has an indicator for displaying the direction in which the display panel can be rotated, the direction in which the display panel is rotated is easily understood, and the display panel can be reversed. It can be done smoothly.

1 is a perspective view showing an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view which expanded the periphery of the hinge mechanism shown by the F2 arrow in FIG. The perspective view which looked at the periphery of the hinge mechanism of the electronic device shown in FIG. 1 from the back of the main body. The perspective view of the hinge mechanism of the electronic device shown in FIG. The disassembled perspective view of the hinge mechanism shown in FIG. The perspective view which expanded the periphery of the hinge mechanism in the state in which the display surface of the display panel of the electronic device shown in FIG. Sectional drawing of the engaging part and receiving part which are shown along the F7-F7 line | wire in FIG. The perspective view which expanded the periphery of the hinge mechanism of the state which rotated the display panel about 90 degrees centering on the rotating shaft from the state shown in FIG. The perspective view which looked at the periphery of the hinge mechanism in the state in which the back of the display panel of the electronic device shown in FIG. The perspective view which looked at the state which piled up the display panel of the electronic device shown in FIG.

  An electronic apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 by taking a notebook portable computer as an example. The electronic device 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a main body 2, a display panel 3, a hinge mechanism 4, an engaging portion 5, and a receiving portion 6. The display panel 3 can be reversed from a state in which one surface is faced down to the main body 2 so as to be superposed on the other side. For convenience in the present embodiment, the right, left, and front sides are defined as front, the back side is defined as rear, and the up and down directions are defined in the vertical direction when viewed from the user side with the main body 2 placed on a table or the like.

  The main body 2 has a housing 20 that forms an outer shell, and incorporates a circuit board on which a CPU and the like are mounted, a storage medium, and the like. A keyboard 8, which is an example of an input device, is provided on the upper portion of the housing 20. The display panel 3 includes a liquid crystal display 31 and a digitizer 32. The liquid crystal display 31 is an example of a display device, and the display unit is viewed through the display surface 31 a of the display panel 3. The liquid crystal display 31 may be a plasma display, organic electroluminescence, a surface conduction electron-emitting device display, or the like.

  The digitizer 32 is an example of an input device that can perform an input operation in association with an image displayed on the display unit of the liquid crystal display 31. Instead of the digitizer 32, a touch panel may be stacked on the display unit of the liquid crystal display 31. Here, the display panel 3 on the side opposite to the display surface 31a facing the display unit is referred to as a back surface 31b.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the hinge mechanism 4 has a turning shaft 41, a turning shaft 42, and a turning support member 43, and connects the main body 2 and the display panel 3. The swivel shaft 41 is disposed at a center position in the width direction near the rear part of the main body 2 and supports the display panel 3 so as to be pivotable about an axis A extending in a direction rising from the upper surface of the main body 2. A base plate 411 for coupling to the main body 2 is attached to the lower end of the pivot shaft 41. The base plate 411 has a stopper 412 that limits the rotation angle of the turning support member 43 around the turning shaft 41.

  The rotating shaft 42 supports the display panel 3 so as to be rotatable about the axis B in a direction in which the rotating shaft 42 is superimposed on the main body 2 and rises with respect to the main body 2. Further, the rotation shaft 42 has a sufficient rotational frictional resistance for holding the display panel 3 in its posture at an arbitrary rotation position. The axis B is disposed along one side of the rear side of the display panel 3 in a state of being superimposed on the main body 2. The rotating shaft 42 has an arm 421 extending in the radial direction from the axis B. The arm 421 is fixed inside the display panel 3.

  The turning support member 43 includes a body 431, a support arm 432, and a hinge cover 433. The lower portion of the body portion 431 is connected to the turning shaft 41. The body portion 431 is formed in a cylindrical shape along the axis A of the turning shaft 41 and has a locking piece 434 extending in the radial direction of the axis A from the lower end. When the display panel 3 is rotated around the pivot axis 41, the locking piece 434 has a position where the display surface 31a is directed to the front side which is the keyboard 8 side, and the display surface 31a is turned to the keyboard 8 side. At the position, that is, at the position where the display surface 31 a is directed rearward and the back surface 31 b is directed toward the keyboard 8, the stopper 412 abuts.

  The support arm 432 extends along the axis B from the upper portion of the trunk portion 431 and forms a T shape together with the trunk portion 431. Rotating shafts 42 are respectively attached to the end portions of the supporting arms 432. The supporting arms 432 between the rotating shafts 42 are opened upward so as to be punched along the axis B. . A cable extending from the circuit board inside the main body 2 and connected to the liquid crystal display 31 and the digitizer 32 is passed through the trunk 431 and the support arm 432.

  The hinge cover 433 is formed in a bowl shape that covers the trunk portion 431 and the support arm 432 of the turning support member 43 from above. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the assembled state of the hinge mechanism 4, a skirt 437 that hangs down on the operation surface side 435 facing the display surface 31a and a skirt that hangs down on the non-operation surface side 436 on the opposite side. The part 438 is buried in the main body 2. The housing 20 of the main body 2 has a cover 21 that covers the skirt portions 437 and 438 of the hinge cover 433 flush with the upper portion of the main body 2 after the hinge mechanism 4 is incorporated into the main body 2.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the engaging portion 5 is provided in the middle of the support arm 432 that is located radially away from the turning shaft 41 along the axis B of the rotating shaft 42, and is parallel to the axis A. It extends in such a direction as to interfere with the main body 2 in a direction toward the main body 2. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the engaging portion 5 includes a core member 51 formed integrally with the trunk portion 431 and the support arm 432 of the turning support member 43, the operation surface side 435 of the hinge cover 433, and the non-operation. The leg portions 52 and 53 extend integrally from the surface side 436, respectively.

  The core material 51 is integrally formed with a conductive member, for example, an alloy of aluminum or zinc, together with the body portion 431 and the support arm 432. The leg portion 52 on the operation surface side 435 and the leg portion 53 on the non-operation surface side 436 respectively have protrusions 521 and 531 that protrude in the direction of turning about the turning shaft 41.

  The receiving part 6 is recessed from the upper surface of the main body 2, and the display surface 31a faces the keyboard 8 and the back surface 31b of the display panel 3 opposite to the surface on which the display surface 31a is provided is the keyboard. In a state of directly facing 8, the engaging portion 5 is disposed at a position to receive the engaging portion 5. Specifically, they are provided on the right side and the left side of the turning shaft 41 as viewed from the user side. Each receiving portion 6 has a pocket 61 into which the engaging portion 5 is fitted, and an approach 62 for allowing the engaging portion 5 to enter the pocket 61 from behind.

  The approach 62 is inclined so that the engaging portion 5 runs up toward the pocket 61. The pocket 61 has a fitting recess 63 into which the protrusions 521 and 531 provided on the leg portions 52 and 53 enter, and a grounding terminal 64 exposed upward. This terminal 64 comes into contact with the tip of the core material 51 of the engaging portion 5 housed in the receiving portion 6. The core material 51 is electrically connected to a ground of a component provided inside the display panel 3 via a support arm 432, a rotation shaft 42, and an arm 421.

  When the core material 51 is in contact with the terminal 64, the components inside the display panel 3 can be effectively installed. The terminal 64 is not only exposed from the bottom of the pocket 61 as in the present embodiment, but may be a position that is electrically connected to the core material 51 of the engaging portion 5 fitted into the receiving portion 6. Therefore, it may be provided so as to be exposed from any surface as long as it is inside the receiving portion 6.

  Thus, since the engaging portion 5 is in the state of riding on the receiving portion 6, the display panel extends in the in-plane direction along the display surface 31 a in a direction in which the side on which the engaging portion 5 is provided approaches the main body 2. 3 can be prevented from tilting. Furthermore, since it has the protrusions 521 and 531 at the end of the engaging portion 5 and is fitted to the receiving portion 6, the in-plane direction along the display surface 31a in the direction in which the engaging portion 5 side is separated from the main body 2. Inclination of the display panel 3 is also suppressed.

  In addition, on the skirt portions 437 and 438, a first index 71 and a second index 72 that indicate directions in which the turning support member 43 can be rotated with respect to the base plate 411 are displayed. The first index 71 is the display surface when the display panel 3 is viewed from the display surface 31a side as shown in FIGS. The direction in which 31a is directed to the left is indicated by an arrow. The second index 72 indicates a second turning direction opposite to the first turning direction, in this embodiment, a direction in which the display surface 31a is directed to the right when viewed from the display surface 31a side.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the first index 71 and the second index 72 are provided at one place on each of the operation surface side 435 and the non-operation surface side 436 of the hinge cover 433. The first index 71 on the operation surface side 435 and the first index 71 on the non-operation surface side 436 deviate from the two-fold symmetry position around the pivot axis 41, that is, deviate from the 180 ° position. Are arranged in a positional relationship. The second index 72 is arranged in a positional relationship that is symmetrical twice with respect to the first index 71 around the turning axis 41, that is, a positional relationship of 180 °.

  The housing 20 and the cover 21 cover the skirt portions 437 and 438 of the hinge cover 433 and have a display window 73 through which the first index 71 and the second index 72 can be viewed. As shown in FIG. 6, the display window 73 allows the first index 71 to be viewed with the display surface 31 a facing the keyboard 8 as shown in FIG. 6, and the back surface 31 b faces the keyboard 8 as shown in FIG. 9. The second index 72 is peeped in the state. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 10, the display window 73 has the first index 71 and the second index 72 so that the first index 71 or the second index 72 can be seen even when the main body 2 is viewed from the rear. Similar to the positional relationship in which the second indicators 72 are disposed, they are disposed in a positional relationship deviating from 180 °.

  In the electronic device 1 configured as described above, when the display panel 3 is reversed from the state shown in FIG. 6 to the state shown in FIG. 9 or from the state shown in FIG. 9 to the state shown in FIG. The user who was doing can visually confirm the state in which the engaging part 5 of the turning support member 43 is fitted in the receiving part 6. Therefore, since the direction in which the display panel 3 can be rotated can be intuitively determined from structural features that can be visually observed, the display panel 3 can be operated without imposing an excessive load on the pivot 41. The reversing operation can be performed smoothly. Furthermore, since the electronic device 1 of the present embodiment includes the display window 73 and indicates the direction in which the display panel 3 can be rotated with an arrow, it is easy to understand the direction in which the display panel 3 is rotated.

  Further, even when the display panel 3 is rotated in the wrong direction, the engagement portion 5 and the engagement portion 5 are located at a position sufficiently separated in the radial direction from the outer diameter of the pivot shaft 41 with respect to the axis A of the pivot shaft 41. Since the receiving portion 6 is in contact with the receiving portion 6, the rotational torque is not directly applied to the turning shaft 41. That is, the mechanism that is provided between the base plate 411 and the body portion 431 of the turning support member 43 and restricts the rotation range of the turning shaft 41 does not receive an excessive load. The mechanism that is provided on the turning shaft 41 and restricts the rotation range of the turning shaft 41 is replaced by the engaging portion 5 and the receiving portion 6 and can be omitted.

  In the above-described embodiment, the engaging portion 5 protrudes from the turning support member 43, and the receiving portion 6 is recessed in the main body 2. The relationship between the engaging part 5 and the receiving part 6 is not limited to this. For example, the engaging portion 5 is recessed on the edge of the display panel 3 on the extension of the rotation shaft 42 that is separated from the rotation shaft 42 between the rotation shaft 41 and the rotation shaft 42. The receiving portion 6 is provided so as to protrude from the main body 2 at a position corresponding to this. In the case of a combination in which the engaging portion 5 is recessed and the receiving portion 6 protrudes, the corresponding number of the engaging portion 5 and the receiving portion 6 is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, a total of two engaging portions 5 are provided for each projecting receiving portion 6, one at a bilaterally symmetrical position around the pivot axis 41.

  Further, instead of providing the protrusions 521 and 531 provided on the leg portions 52 and 53 of the engaging portion 5, it is supported between the main body 2 and the display panel 3 at a position symmetrical to the engaging portion 5 around the turning shaft 41. A mechanism may be provided. By providing the support mechanism without the protrusions 521 and 531, it is possible to prevent the display panel 3 from tilting in the direction opposite to the engaging portion 5 around the turning shaft 41.

  Hereinafter, the invention described in the scope of claims of the present application will be appended.

[1]
A main body with an input device on the top surface;
A display panel having a display surface and a back surface opposite to the display surface;
A hinge mechanism for connecting the display panel to the main body, wherein the display panel is pivotally supported around an axis rising from an upper surface of the main body, and an axis along one side of the display panel is centered. A pivot shaft that rotatably holds the display panel in a direction that stands up with respect to the main body from a state of being superimposed on the main body, and a pivot shaft that supports the pivot shaft and the pivot shaft. And a hinge mechanism having a turning support member that is turned along with the turning of the turning shaft,
An engaging portion provided in the turning support member;
An electronic device, comprising: a receiving portion that is provided in the main body and receives the engaging portion when the display surface faces the input device side or when the back surface faces the input device side. .

[2]
The engaging portion protrudes from the turning support member in a direction along the axis of the turning shaft,
The electronic device according to [1], wherein the receiving portion is recessed from an upper surface of the main body.

[3]
The receiving portion has a grounding terminal exposed inside,
The electronic device according to [2], wherein the engaging portion is made of a conductive member and is electrically connected to the terminal in a state of entering the receiving portion.

[4]
The engaging portion has a protrusion that protrudes in a direction of turning about the turning axis,
The electronic device according to [2], wherein the receiving portion has a fitting recess into which the protrusion enters.

[5]
The swivel support member includes a barrel formed in a cylindrical shape along the axis of the swivel axis, and a support arm extending from the trunk along the axis of the rotation shaft,
The electronic device according to [1], wherein the engagement portion extends from the support arm toward the main body.

[6]
The swivel support member includes a body portion formed in a cylindrical shape along the axis of the swivel shaft, a support arm extending from the body portion along the axis of the rotation shaft, and an upper opening of the body portion And a hinge cover that covers the support arm,
The electronic device according to [1], wherein the engaging portion extends from the hinge cover toward the main body.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic device, 2 ... Main body, 3 ... Display panel, 4 ... Hinge mechanism, 8 ... Keyboard (input device), 31a ... Display surface, 41 ... Turning axis, 42 ... Turning axis, 43 ... Turning support member, 71 ... 1st index, 72 ... 2nd index, 73 ... Display window, 411 ... Base plate, 412 ... Stopper, A ... Axis (of pivot axis), B ... Axis (of pivot axis).

Claims (13)

The body,
A display panel;
A hinge mechanism for connecting the display panel to the main body and rotatably supporting the display panel;
An electronic device, comprising: an indicator that is provided in a part of the hinge mechanism that is swung together with the display panel and indicates a swiveling direction of the display panel. The index includes a first index indicating a first turning direction of the display panel and a second index indicating a second turning direction opposite to the first turning direction. Item 15. An electronic device according to Item 1. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first index and the second index are arranged at positions symmetrical with respect to an axis that enables the display panel to turn. The hinge mechanism has a rotation shaft that holds the display panel so as to be rotatable in a direction in which the hinge is raised with respect to the main body from a state in which the hinge mechanism is overlapped with the main body about an axis along one side of the display panel A pivot shaft that supports the display panel so as to be pivotable in the first pivot direction and the second pivot direction about an axis rising from the upper surface of the main body, and the pivot shaft with respect to the pivot axis. A swivel support member that is supported in a crossed state and swivels together with the display panel around the swivel axis;
The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the index is provided on the turning support member. The main body is in a portion covering the range where the index is provided, when the display panel is in a position where the display surface faces the main body, and in a position where the display panel faces the display surface toward the main body. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display window that allows the index to be viewed in some cases. The main body has an input device on an upper surface facing the display panel,
The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the display window is located between the hinge mechanism and the input device. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the index is an arrow. The first index is provided on a part of the hinge mechanism facing the display surface,
The second indicator is provided on a part of the hinge mechanism opposite to the display surface,
The main body has at least one display window in a portion covering a part of the hinge mechanism in a range where the index is provided;
The display window makes the first indicator visible when the display panel is in a position where the display surface faces the main body, and the display panel positions the display surface opposite to the main body. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second index is visible when the second index is present. The first indicator is provided on a part of the hinge mechanism facing the display surface and a part of the hinge mechanism deviating from a line-symmetrical position around an axis for turning the display panel;
The said 2nd parameter | index is provided in a part of said hinge mechanism of the line symmetrical position with respect to the said 1st parameter | index centering on the axis center which rotates the said display panel. Electronic equipment. The main body has an input device on an upper surface facing the display panel,
The display window is provided on each of the input device side and the opposite side with respect to the hinge mechanism, and allows the first indicators or the second indicators to be simultaneously visible. The electronic device according to claim 9. The hinge mechanism includes a turning support member that turns together with the display panel, a base plate that is fixed to the main body, and a stopper that is provided on the base plate and limits a rotation angle of the turning support member. Item 15. An electronic device according to Item 1. A main body with an input device on the top surface;
A display panel having a display surface;
A hinge mechanism that couples the display panel to the main body, a pivot shaft that rotatably holds the display panel around an axis along one side of the display panel, and an axis that rises from the upper surface of the main body A hinge mechanism having a pivot shaft for pivotally supporting the display panel around the center, and a pivot support member for supporting the pivot shaft and the pivot shaft so as to intersect each other;
A first indicator that is provided on the swivel support member in a range covered by a portion extending from the main body and indicates a first swivel direction of the display panel around the swivel axis;
A second turn opposite to the first turning direction provided at a position symmetrical to the first index around the turning axis of the turning support member in a range covered by a portion extending from the main body A second indicator of direction;
An electronic device comprising: An electronic device comprising a main body, a display panel, and a hinge mechanism for reversing the display panel with respect to the main body around a pivot axis,
A first indicator that is provided in a part of the hinge mechanism that is swung together with the display panel and that indicates a first swiveling direction of the display panel around the swivel axis;
A second indicator provided in a part of the hinge mechanism that is swung together with the display panel and indicating a second swiveling direction opposite to the first swiveling direction;
Provided in a portion extending from the main body toward the hinge mechanism so as to cover the first index and the second index, and the display surface of the display panel faces the main body. A display window that allows the second indicator to be viewed when the display surface of the display panel faces away from the main body,
An electronic device comprising:

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