JP2011238295A - Electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a miniaturized electronic apparatus.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus in one embodiment comprises: a housing; a device mounting section; a pointing device; a mounting member; and an operating section. The housing has an outer face exposed externally and an inner face positioned in the opposite direction of the outer face, and an opening ranging from the outer face to the inner face is provided therein. The device mounting section is provided side by side with the opening in the housing. The pointing device is installed from the inner face direction into the device mounting section. The mounting member is removably fixed from the inner face direction into the housing and covers a part of the pointing device from the inner face direction. The operating section is supported in the mounting member and exposed from the opening.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an electronic apparatus.

  For example, an electronic device such as a portable computer may include a touch pad as a pointing device. An external input button for a click operation is provided in the vicinity of the touch pad.

  Generally, the touch pad and the external input button are provided on a palm rest located on the near side of the keyboard. The external input button is disposed on the front side of the touch pad. In other words, the external input button is disposed in the vicinity of the front end portion of the casing of the portable computer.

  The external input button has a base portion fixed to the housing, a flexible support portion, and an operation portion pushed by the user. The support part connects the base part and the operation part. The operation unit is exposed to the outside by being fitted into an opening provided in the housing. The base is fixed to the housing in the vicinity of the opening, for example, by welding.

JP 2009-117377 A

  Electronic devices such as portable computers are required to be small and thin. However, providing a space for fixing the base of the external input button in the housing may prevent the electronic device from being downsized.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a downsized electronic apparatus.

  An electronic apparatus according to one embodiment includes a housing, a device attachment portion, a pointing device, an attachment member, and an operation portion. The casing has an outer surface exposed to the outside and an inner surface located in a direction opposite to the outer surface, and an opening extending from the outer surface to the inner surface is provided. The device attachment portion is provided in the housing side by side with the opening. The pointing device is attached to the device attachment portion from the direction of the inner surface. The attachment member is detachably fixed to the housing from the direction of the inner surface and covers a part of the pointing device from the direction of the inner surface. The operation portion is supported by the mounting member and exposed from the opening.

1 is a perspective view showing a portable computer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view showing a part of the portable computer according to the first embodiment. 1 is a perspective view showing a part of a portable computer according to a first embodiment from the inside of a housing. Sectional drawing which shows a part of portable computer of 1st Embodiment along the F4-F4 line | wire of FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the device support member and the touchpad device from FIG. 3 excluding them. The perspective view which shows the button unit of 1st Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the button unit of 1st Embodiment from a downward direction. Sectional drawing which shows a part of portable computer which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The top view which expands and shows a part of portable computer which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention The perspective view which shows a part of portable computer of 3rd Embodiment from the inner side of a housing | casing.

  In the following, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this specification, the front side (that is, the user side) is forward, the back side is viewed from the user, the left side is viewed from the user, the left side is viewed from the user, the right side is viewed from the user, and the right side is viewed from the user. The upward direction is defined as the upward direction, and the downward direction as viewed from the user is defined as the downward direction.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a portable computer 1. The portable computer 1 is an example of an electronic device. As shown in FIG. 1, the portable computer 1 includes a main unit 3 and a display unit 4.

  The main unit 3 includes a flat box-shaped housing 10. The housing 10 includes an upper cover 11 and a lower cover 12. The upper cover 11 is attached to the lower cover 12 so as to cover the lower cover 12.

  A keyboard attachment portion 14, a palm rest 15, a concave surface 16, and an opening portion 17 are provided on the outer surface 11 a of the upper cover 11. The outer surface 11a is an example of the outer surface of the housing and is exposed to the outside. A keyboard 18 is supported on the keyboard mounting portion 14. In FIG. 1, only a part of the keyboard 18 is shown.

  The palm rest 15 is provided in front of the keyboard attachment portion 14. The concave surface 16 and the opening 17 are provided side by side at substantially the center of the palm rest 15. The concave surface 16 is recessed from the palm rest 15. A sheet 19 is affixed to the concave surface 16. The surface of the sheet 19 is slippery.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view showing the vicinity of the opening 17 of the portable computer 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the button member 21 and the fingerprint reading unit 22 are exposed from the opening 17. The button member 21 is used for a click operation. The fingerprint reading unit 22 is an optical sensor, for example, and is used for fingerprint authentication.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the display unit 4 is connected to the rear end of the main unit 3 via a pair of hinge portions 24. The display unit 4 rotates between the closed position and the open position with the hinge portion 24 as a fulcrum. In the closed position, the display unit 4 lies on the main unit 3. In the open position, the display unit 4 stands from the rear end of the main unit 3.

  The display unit 4 includes a flat box-shaped display housing 27 and a display module 28. The display module 28 is a liquid crystal display, for example, and is accommodated in the display housing 27.

  A display opening 27 a is provided on the front surface of the display housing 27. The display opening 27 a exposes the screen 28 a of the display module 28 to the outside of the display unit 4.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the concave surface 16 from the inside of the housing 10. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the main unit 3 along the line F4-F4 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, a device support member 31 is attached to the inner surface 11 b of the upper cover 11.

  The inner surface 11b of the upper cover 11 is an example of an inner surface of the housing, and is located in a direction opposite to the outer surface 11a. As shown in FIG. 4, the opening 17 is provided from the outer surface 11 a to the inner surface 11 b of the upper cover 11.

  The device support member 31 supports the touch pad device 32. The touch pad device 32 is an example of a pointing device. The touch pad device 32 includes, for example, an electrostatic sensor, and senses a finger movement on the sheet 19. The touch pad device 32 is operated by a user's finger moving on the sheet 19.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the device support member 31 and the touch pad device 32 from FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, a device attachment portion 35 is provided on the upper cover 11. The device attachment portion 35 is provided side by side with the opening portion 17.

  The device mounting portion 35 has a flat sticking surface 36 that faces the inside of the housing 10. The device attachment portion 35 is a part of the upper cover 11 including the concave surface 16 and the pasting surface 36.

  The touch pad device 32 is attached to the pasting surface 36 of the device attachment portion 35 from the direction of the inner surface 11b. The touch pad device 32 is affixed to the affixing surface 36 by, for example, a double-sided tape.

  A button unit 40 including a button member 21 is attached to the upper cover 11. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the button unit 40. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the button unit 40 from below. The button unit 40 includes a button member 21 and an attachment member 41.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the attachment member 41 is detachably fixed to the upper cover 11 from the direction of the inner surface 11b. A pair of bosses 43 adjacent to the device mounting portion 35 are provided on the inner surface 11b. The pair of bosses 43 are respectively arranged in the left direction and the right direction of the device mounting portion 35. The attachment member 41 is screwed to the boss 43 by a pair of screws 44, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the attachment member 41 is fixed to the upper cover 11, so that the attachment member 41 covers a part of the touch pad device 32 from the direction of the inner surface 11 b. In other words, the attachment member 41 covers a part of the device attachment portion 35 and is overlapped with the touch pad device 32 and fixed to the upper cover 11.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the attachment member 41 extends from one end portion 35 a of the device attachment portion 35 to the other end portion 35 b so as to cover a part of the device attachment portion 35. As shown in FIG. 4, when the attachment member 41 is fixed to the upper cover 11, the touch pad device 32 is sandwiched between the device attachment portion 35 and the attachment member 41.

  The attachment member 41 is a plate material made of a metal material. The attachment member 41 has a first surface 46, a second surface 47, and a reinforcing portion 48. The first surface 46 faces the touch pad device 32. The second surface 47 is located in the direction opposite to the first surface 46.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the attachment member 41 has a first edge portion 49 and a second edge portion 50. The attachment member 41 is provided with a plurality of insertion holes 51 (shown in FIG. 4) and a recess 52. The recess 52 is an example of a first erroneous mounting prevention unit. The second edge 50 is located in the opposite direction of the first edge 49.

  The reinforcing portion 48 protrudes from the second surface 47. The reinforcing portion 48 extends along the first edge portion 49 of the mounting member 41 in the direction in which the mounting member 41 extends. The plurality of insertion holes 51 are arranged along the second edge portion 50 of the attachment member 41, respectively.

  The recess 52 is provided so as to enter the inside of the attachment member 41 from the second edge 50. The recess 52 is arranged at a position shifted from the center of the mounting member 41 in the direction in which the mounting member 41 extends.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the button member 21 is attached to the attachment member 41. The button member 21 includes a base portion 55, a plurality of support portions 56, a pair of operation portions 57, and a sensor cover 58. As shown in FIG. 6, the button member 21 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 61 and ribs 62. The rib 62 is an example of a second erroneous mounting prevention unit.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the base portion 55 is fixed to the attachment member 41 at a position overlapping the touch pad device 32. The base portion 55 is disposed along the second edge portion 50 of the mounting member 41. The protruding portion 61 protruding from the base portion 55 is inserted into the insertion hole 51 of the mounting member 41. The base portion 55 is fixed to the mounting member 41 by melting the protruding portion 61 inserted into the insertion hole 51.

  The support portion 56 extends from the base portion 55 toward the opening portion 17. As shown in FIG. 7, the support portion 56 overlaps a part of the attachment member 41. The support portion 56 has flexibility and is elastically deformed by an external force.

  The operation unit 57 is provided at the tip of the support unit 56. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 57 and the sensor cover 58 are fitted in the opening 17 and are exposed to the outside of the housing 10. When the operation unit 57 is pushed, the operation unit 57 is displaced by elastic deformation of the support unit 56.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the switch substrate 65 is attached to the device support member 31 so as to face the operation unit 57. When the pressed operation portion 57 is displaced, the projection 57a of the operation portion 57 operates the switch 65a mounted on the switch board 65.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the sensor cover 58 extends from the base portion 55 and is provided between the pair of operation portions 57. A slit 58 a is provided in the sensor cover 58. The sensor cover 58 covers the fingerprint reading unit 22. The fingerprint reading unit 22 is exposed to the outside through the slit 58a.

  The rib 62 is provided on the edge portion 55 a of the base portion 55. The edge 55 a is located in the opposite direction of the support portion 56. The rib 62 is disposed at a position corresponding to the recess 52 of the mounting member 41. The rib 62 protrudes from the base portion 55 in the same direction as the protruding portion 61.

  The rib 62 fits into the recess 52 of the mounting member 41 when the protruding portion 61 is inserted into the insertion hole 51 of the mounting member 41 from the direction of the second surface 47 before the protruding portion 61 is melted. The rib 62 interferes with the attachment member 41 when the protruding portion 61 is inserted into the insertion hole 51 from the direction of the first surface 46. In other words, the recess 52 of the attachment member 41 fits into the rib 62 only when the protrusion 61 is inserted into the insertion hole 51 of the attachment member 41 from the direction of the second surface 47.

  The button member 21 is formed so as to be attached to the attachment member 41 from the direction of the second surface 47. When the button member 21 is about to be attached to the attachment member 41 from the first surface 46, the rib 62 interferes with the attachment member 41. For this reason, the attachment mistake of the button member 21 is prevented.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the cushioning material 68 is fixed to the mounting member 41. The buffer material 68 is affixed to the reinforcement part 48 of the attachment member 41, for example with a double-sided tape. As the buffer material 68, for example, synthetic rubber, non-woven fabric, or sponge is used.

  The cushioning material 68 is sandwiched between the mounting member 41 and the support portion 56. When the operation part 57 is pushed and displaced, when the external force applied to the operation part 57 is released, the elastically deformable support part 56 returns to the original position. At this time, the cushioning material 68 receives the support portion 56.

  According to the portable computer 1 configured as described above, the attachment member 41 covers the touch pad device 32 and part of the device attachment portion 35 and is fixed to the upper cover 11. The base 55 of the button member 21 is fixed to the attachment member 41 that is overlaid on the touchpad device 32. Thereby, a space for fixing the base portion 55 of the button member 21 to the housing 10 in the vicinity of the opening portion 17 becomes unnecessary, and the portable computer 1 can be miniaturized.

  The attachment member 41 is made of a metal material. For this reason, the attachment member 41 stacked on the touch pad device 32 can be thinned, and the portable computer 1 can be thinned. The material of the mounting member 41 is not limited to metal as long as it has sufficient rigidity.

  The attachment member 41 is detachably fixed to the upper cover 11. For this reason, the order of attaching the attachment member 41 to the upper cover 11 can be set flexibly. For example, even if the attachment member 41 is disposed so as to cover the device attachment portion 35, the touch pad device 32 can be attached to the attachment surface 36 of the device attachment portion 35. Furthermore, even if the button unit 40 is damaged, the attachment member 41 can be removed from the upper cover 11 and the button unit 40 can be replaced.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. At this time, components having the same functions as those of the portable computer 1 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the portable computer 1 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, a component insertion hole 71 is provided in the device mounting surface 35 between the concave surface 16 and the pasting surface 36.

  The touch pad device 32 is attached to the concave surface 16 of the device attachment portion 35 from the direction of the outer surface 11a. The touch pad device 32 is attached to the concave surface 16 by, for example, a double-sided tape.

  The touch pad device 32 has a plurality of electronic components 72. The electronic component 72 is various components such as a connector. The electronic component 72 is inserted into a component insertion hole 71 that opens in the concave surface 16.

  A sheet 73 is attached to the touch pad device 32 from the direction of the outer surface 11a. The sheet 73 covers the touch pad device 32 and has a slippery surface. The touch pad device 32 senses finger movement on the sheet 73.

  According to the portable computer 1 configured as described above, the touch pad device 32 is attached to the device attachment portion 35 from the direction of the outer surface 11a. Thus, even when the touch pad device 32 is attached to the concave surface 16 exposed to the outside of the housing 10, the same attachment member 41 as in the first embodiment can be used.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. At this time, components having the same functions as those of the portable computer 1 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view showing the vicinity of the device mounting portion 35 of the portable computer 1 according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the button member 75 is exposed from the opening 17.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the device mounting portion 35 from the inside of the housing 10. As shown in FIG. 10, the button member 75 has a base portion 55, a plurality of support portions 56, and a pair of operation portions 57. The button member 75 is provided with a protruding portion 61 and a rib 62. The button member 75 is different from the button member 21 of the first embodiment in that it does not have the sensor cover 58.

  Even the button member 75 having the above-described configuration can be attached to the attachment member 41 in the same manner as the button member 21 of the first embodiment.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the pointing device is not limited to a touch pad. For example, a touch panel may be used as the pointing device. Furthermore, the attachment member, the support portion, and the operation portion may be integrally formed.

  The contents of the claims at the beginning of the application of Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-091552, which is the original application, will be added below.

[1] A housing having an outer surface exposed to the outside and an inner surface located in a direction opposite to the outer surface, and having an opening extending from the outer surface to the inner surface;
A device mounting portion provided alongside the opening in the housing;
A pointing device attached to the device attachment portion from the direction of the inner surface;
An attachment member that is removably fixed to the housing from the direction of the inner surface and covers a part of the pointing device from the direction of the inner surface;
A button member attached to the attachment member;
Comprising
The button member is
A base fixed to the mounting member;
A flexible support extending from the base toward the opening;
An operation portion provided at a tip of the support portion and exposed to the outside of the housing by being fitted into the opening;
An electronic device characterized by comprising:

[2] The electronic apparatus according to [1], wherein the base is fixed to the attachment member at a position overlapping the pointing device.

[3] The electronic device according to [2], wherein the mounting member is made of metal.

[4] Further comprising a cushioning material fixed to the mounting member,
The electronic device according to [2], wherein the support portion of the button member overlaps with a part of the attachment member, and the cushioning material is sandwiched between the attachment member.

[5] The mounting member includes: a first surface facing the pointing device; a second surface positioned in a direction opposite to the first surface; and a reinforcing portion protruding from the second surface. And extending from one end of the device mounting portion to the other end so as to cover a part of the device mounting portion,
The electronic device according to [2], wherein the reinforcing portion extends in a direction in which the attachment member extends.

[6] The mounting member is provided with an insertion hole and a first erroneous mounting preventing portion,
The base portion of the button member is provided with a protruding portion to be inserted into the insertion hole, and a second erroneous attachment preventing portion,
The first erroneous attachment preventing portion is fitted with the second erroneous attachment preventing portion only when the protruding portion is inserted into the insertion hole from the direction of the second surface [5. ] Is an electronic device.

[7] A housing having an outer surface exposed to the outside and an inner surface located in a direction opposite to the outer surface, and provided with an opening extending from the outer surface to the inner surface;
A device mounting portion provided in the casing alongside the opening, and a pointing device is mounted;
An attachment member that is removably fixed to the housing from the direction of the inner surface and covers a part of the device attachment portion from the direction of the inner surface;
A flexible support extending from the mounting member toward the opening;
An operation portion provided at a tip of the support portion and exposed to the outside of the housing by being fitted into the opening;
An electronic apparatus comprising:

[8] Further comprising a button member including the support portion and the operation portion,
The button member has a base fixed to the mounting member;
The electronic device according to [7], wherein the support portion extends from the base portion toward the opening.

[9] The electronic device according to [7], wherein the pointing device is attached to the device attachment portion from the direction of the inner surface and is sandwiched between the device attachment portion and the attachment member.

[10] The electronic device according to [7], wherein the pointing device is attached to the device attachment portion from the direction of the outer surface.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Portable computer, 10 ... Housing | casing, 11a ... Outer surface, 11b ... Inner surface, 17 ... Opening part, 21 ... Button member, 32 ... Touchpad device, 35 ... Device attachment part, 41 ... Attachment member, 55 ... Base part, 56 ... support part, 57 ... operation part.

Claims (11)

A housing having an outer surface exposed to the outside and an inner surface located in a direction opposite to the outer surface, and provided with an opening extending from the outer surface to the inner surface;
A device mounting portion provided alongside the opening in the housing;
A pointing device attached to the device attachment portion from the direction of the inner surface;
An attachment member that is removably fixed to the housing from the direction of the inner surface and covers a part of the pointing device from the direction of the inner surface;
An operation unit supported by the mounting member and exposed from the opening;
An electronic apparatus comprising: A button member including the operation unit;
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the button member is attached to the attachment member at a position overlapping the pointing device.   The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the attachment member is made of metal. Further comprising a cushioning material fixed to the mounting member,
The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the button member includes a flexible support portion that overlaps a part of the attachment member and sandwiches the buffer material between the button member and the attachment member. . The mounting member includes a first surface facing the pointing device, a second surface located in a direction opposite to the first surface, and a reinforcing portion protruding from the second surface, Extending from one end of the device mounting portion to the other end so as to cover a part of the device mounting portion,
The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the reinforcing portion extends in a direction in which the attachment member extends. The mounting member is provided with an insertion hole and a first erroneous mounting prevention portion,
The button member is provided with a protruding portion to be inserted into the insertion hole and a second erroneous mounting preventing portion,
The first erroneous attachment preventing portion fits into the second erroneous attachment preventing portion only when the protruding portion is inserted into the insertion hole from the direction of the second surface. 5. The electronic device according to 5. A housing provided with an opening,
An attachment member attached to the housing from the direction of the inner surface of the housing so as to be overlaid on a component attached to the housing;
An operation unit supported by the mounting member and exposed from the opening;
An electronic device comprising A button member including the operation unit;
The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the button member includes a base portion fixed to the attachment member, and a support portion extending between the operation portion and the base portion.   The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the component is attached to the housing from a direction of the inner surface of the housing, and is sandwiched between the housing and the attachment member.   The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the component is attached to the housing from a direction of the outer surface of the housing. A housing provided with an opening,
Components attached to the housing;
An operating portion having a first portion attached to the housing at a position overlapping the component, and a second portion extending from the first portion and exposed from the opening;
An electronic device comprising

Images