JP2012186031A - Seal structure of external connector connection port in electronic apparatus, the electronic apparatus, and seal method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure sealability in both a case where an external connector is inserted into an external connector connection port when an external device is used and a case where the external connector connection port is closed by a protection cover when the external device is not used.SOLUTION: A seal member 16 is integrally molded with an external connector connection port 13 provided on an outer surface of a housing 10, and the sealability is secured by pressing the seal member 16 with an external connector 30 and a rib 24 of a protection cover 20 even when the external connector 30 is inserted into the external connector connection port 13 or the external connector connection port 13 is closed by the protection cover 20.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sealing structure of an external connector connection port in a portable electronic device such as a portable information terminal and a portable game machine, an electronic device, and a sealing method.

  For example, a portable electronic device such as a portable information terminal is provided with an external connection terminal portion for connecting to an external device (for example, headphones). The external connection terminal portion is provided on the side surface of the casing of the electronic device, and is usually provided in the external connector connection port into which the external connector plug can be inserted and the external connector connection port. An external connection terminal that is connected to the terminal on the external connector plug side when an external connector plug is inserted into the connector connection port, a protective cover that closes the external connector connection port when not in use and opens it when used, and an external connector connection port And a sealing member (what is called a packing or gasket) that seals between the external connector connection port and the protective cover when the protective cover is closed.

  And this external connection terminal part can connect the terminal by the side of an external connector plug to an external connection terminal by opening a protective cover at the time of use, and inserting an external connector plug in an external connector connection port (insertion port). . On the other hand, the external connector connection port remains open when the external connector plug is not used, so the external connection terminal is protected from intrusion of dust and water by closing the external connector connection port with a protective cover. Be able to.

  6 shows a configuration of a protective cover 120 of a conventional portable information terminal, and FIG. 7 shows a state in which the external connector plug 130 is inserted into the external connector connection port 111 provided on the side surface of the housing 110 with the protective cover 120 removed. Is shown. Then, the user closes the external connector connection port 111 with the protective cover 120. However, moisture or the like may enter from a minute gap. Therefore, normally, a packing (seal member) 115 is attached to the inner surface side of the protective cover 120 by adhesion or the like. Then, the user closes the external connector connection port 111 with the protective cover 120. At this time, the packing 115 is in close contact with the exterior cover provided around the external connector connection port 111. Thereby, sealing performance is ensured.

  By the way, when the packing 115 manufactured as a separate part is attached to the protective cover 120 by adhesion or the like, there is a problem that the number of parts increases and the assembly labor is increased. Further, there is a problem that the sealing performance cannot be secured in a state where the protective cover 120 is opened and the external connector plug 130 is inserted into the external connector connection port 111.

  In this regard, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 disclose a technique in which packing is integrally provided on a housing or a cover by insert molding or two-color molding. When the packing is formed integrally with the housing or the cover, it is possible to solve the problem that the number of parts increases and the assembly labor increases.

  Further, in Patent Document 3, when a sealing member (soft material) is provided in the fitting hole of the female connector, and the male connector is fitted into the fitting hole of the female connector, the female connector and the male connector are fitted. A technique is disclosed in which a gap between a female connector and a male connector is sealed by a seal member that is compressed with the side connector.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-27610 (FIG. 2) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-240801 (FIG. 1) Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-62672 (FIG. 4)

  However, in the techniques of Patent Documents 1 to 3, both when the external connector is inserted into the external connector connection port when the external device is used and when the external connector connection port is closed with the protective cover when the external device is not used. In this case, since the sealing performance is not disclosed, the technology disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 is simply applied to the external connection terminal of an electronic device such as a portable information terminal. There was a problem that the sealing property in use could not be secured.

  In consideration of the above circumstances, the present invention is applicable to both the case where the external connector is inserted into the external connector connection port when the external device is used and the case where the external connector connection port is closed with the protective cover when the external device is not used. A sealing structure of an external connector connection port in an electronic device, an electronic device, and a sealing method that can both secure sealing performance and solve the problem of an increase in the number of parts and an increase in assembly labor. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to solve the above problems, the seal structure of the external connector connection port in the electronic device of the present invention is provided on the outer surface of the housing, and the external connector connection port into which the external connector can be inserted and the external connector connection port are not A protective cover provided so as to be closed when used and opened when used, and formed integrally with the external connector connection port, and the external connector connection port and the protection when the external connector connection port is closed with the protective cover A seal member that seals between the cover and a rib inserted into the external connector connection port in a state of closing the external connector connection port on the inner surface of the protective cover, The external connector connection port and the external connector are pressed by the external connector when the external connector is inserted into the external connector connection port. And sealing between the external connector connection port and the protective cover by being pressed by the rib when the protective cover closes the external connector connection port. And

  In the electronic device of the present invention, the external connector connection port sealing method includes an external connector connection port into which an external connector can be inserted on the outer surface of the housing, and the external connector connection port is closed when not in use. A method for sealing an external connector connection port of an electronic device provided with a protective cover so as to open, wherein the rib is inserted into the external connector connection port when the external connector connection port is closed on the inner surface of the protective cover The external connector is formed by integrally molding a seal member at the external connector connection port, and the external connector is pressed by the external connector when the external connector is inserted into the external connector connection port. While sealing between the connection port and the external connector, when the external connector connection port is closed with the protective cover, Bed by wherein the seal between the said external connector connecting port and the protective cover by pressing the seal member.

  According to the sealing structure and the sealing method of the present invention, it is possible to easily provide a sealing function with a simple configuration without increasing the number of parts or increasing the labor of assembly.

  Moreover, the sealing performance of the external connector connection port can be ensured by the common seal member when both the external connector connection port is used and when it is not used.

  Further, the impact on the external connector due to the drop in the inserted state of the external connector can be mitigated, and the impact resistance can be improved.

It is sectional drawing which shows the state which opened the protective cover in the external connection terminal part of the portable information terminal containing the seal structure of embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the inner surface side of the said protective cover. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state (in use) of an external connector plug inserted into an external connector connection port in the external connection terminal portion. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a part of portable information terminal provided with the said connection terminal part. It is AA arrow sectional drawing of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the conventional protective cover. It is a perspective view which shows the state at the time of the external connector connection of the conventional portable information terminal.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a protective cover is opened in an external connection terminal portion of a portable information terminal including the seal structure of the embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an inner surface side of the protective cover, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the external connector plug is inserted into the external connector connection port (a state in use) in the external connection terminal portion, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a partial configuration of the portable information terminal including the connection terminal portion. FIG. 5 and FIG. 5 are cross-sectional views taken along line AA in FIG.

  The electronic device D is a portable information terminal, and includes a housing 10 and a protective cover 20 as shown in FIG. An external connector connection port 13 into which an external connector plug 30 (external connector: see FIG. 3) can be inserted is provided on the outer side surface of the housing 10. The external connector connection port 13 opens into a protective cover mounting recess 11 provided on the outer surface of the housing 10. The external connector connection port 13 has an external connector plug 30 and an external connector plug 30 housing 31. An external connection terminal (not shown) that is connected to a terminal (not shown) on the external connector plug 30 side when the is inserted is provided.

  The protective cover 20 is formed by integrally molding the inner surface material 22 on the inner surface of the outer surface cover material 21, and does not fall off to the hook 12 provided in the protective cover mounting recess 11 of the housing 10 by the arm 23 extending to the inner surface material 22. So that it is held. The protective cover 20 is mounted from the outside to the protective cover mounting recess 11 using the flexibility of the arm 23 and the play of the arm 23 and the hook 12. The protective cover can close the external connector connection port 13 when attached (when the external connector connection port 13 is not used). Moreover, the protective cover 20 opens the external connector connection port 13 by being removed from the protective cover mounting recess 11. Thereby, the external connector connection port 13 becomes a usable state (a state in which the external connector 30 can be inserted into the external connector connection port 13).

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the external connector connection port 13 is closed by the protective cover 20 (when mounted in the protective cover mounting recess 11), the inner surface material 22 of the protective cover 20 A rectangular tube-like rib 24 to be inserted is projected. A guide slope 24 c is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the tip of the rib 24 to improve the insertability with respect to the inner periphery of the seal member 16 described later. Further, on the inner surface of the protective cover 20, an engaging portion 25 that locks with an engaging portion (not shown) on the housing 10 side when the protective cover 20 is mounted in the protective cover mounting recess 11 of the housing 10 protrudes. It is installed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an exterior cover 14 is provided at the opening edge of the external connector connection port 13, and a cutout 15 is formed in the exterior cover 14. An annular seal member 16 made of soft resin or rubber (for example, silicon resin) is integrally formed with the casing 10 in the notch 15 by insert molding or two-color molding.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the seal member 16 is arranged in an outward direction perpendicular to the insertion direction Y of the external connector 30 by the outer periphery of the housing 31 of the external connector 30 when the external connector 30 is inserted into the external connector connection port 13. When pressed, the space between the external connector connection port 13 and the external connector 30 is sealed, and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the protective cover 20 is mounted at a position to close the external connector connection port 13. In this case, the outer periphery of the rib 24 is pressed outward in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction Y of the rib 24 to serve as a seal between the external connector connection port 13 and the protective cover 20.

Next, the operation will be described.
When inserting the external connector plug 30 into the external connector connection port 13, first, as shown in FIG. 1, the protective cover 20 is opened, and the external connector plug 30 is inserted into the opened external connector connection port 13 in this state. By doing so, the terminal on the external connector plug 30 side can be connected to the external connection terminal provided inside the external connector connection port 13. At this time, since the outer periphery of the housing 31 of the external connector plug 30 presses the annular seal member 16 outward, the sealing performance between the external connector plug 30 and the external connector connection port 13 can be ensured. .

  Further, in this state, the annular seal member 16 that contacts the outer periphery of the external connector plug 30 serves as a cushion, so that the impact on the external connector plug 30 due to dropping can be reduced, and the impact resistance is improved. Can improve the performance.

  On the other hand, when the external connector connection port 13 is not used, the external connector plug 30 is removed from the external connector connection port 13, the protective cover 20 is mounted in the protective cover mounting recess 11, and the external connector connection port 13 is closed. At this time, since the outer periphery of the rib 24 of the protective cover 20 presses the annular seal member 16 outward, the sealing performance between the protective cover 20 and the external connector connection port 13 can be ensured.

  Thus, the sealing performance is ensured by the common seal member 16 both when the external connector plug 30 is inserted into the external connector connection port 13 and when the external connector connection port 13 is closed by the protective cover 20. can do.

  Further, in order to exhibit sealing performance, the annular seal member 16 provided in the external connector connection port 13 between the outer periphery of the external connector plug 30 and the outer periphery of the rib 24 of the protective cover 20 is connected to the external connector plug 30 or the rib. 24 is pressed outward in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction Y. Thereby, compared with the case where sealing performance is exhibited by pressing the sealing member 16 in the insertion direction Y, the problem that the protective cover 20 and the external connector plug 30 are difficult to attach due to the reaction force from the sealing member 16 is easily removed. The problem becomes difficult. Therefore, once the external connector plug 30 and the rib 24 are inserted into the external connector connection port 13, a stable sealing effect can be surely exhibited, and the insertion failure of the external connector plug 30 and the mounting failure of the protective cover 20 can be achieved. Can be avoided.

  Further, since the seal member 16 is integrally formed in the notch 15 provided at the opening peripheral edge of the external connector connection port 13, the seal member 16 is peeled off or displaced as the external connector plug 30 is detached or the protective cover 20 is detached. Can be prevented, and stable sealing performance can be maintained.

  Further, since the annular seal member 16 is formed integrally with the external connector connection port 13 of the housing 10 by insert molding or two-color molding, the seal member as a separate part is bonded to the protective cover 20 as shown in FIG. Unlike the case where it is attached by, for example, it is possible to easily provide a sealing function with a simple configuration without increasing the number of parts and increasing the labor of assembly.

  In addition, in order to solve the subject of this application of ensuring the sealing performance of the external connector connection port 13 both when the external device is used and when not used, the external connector connection port 13 is integrated with the external connector connection port 13. There are four seal members 16, a protective cover 20, and ribs 24 projecting from the inner surface of the seal member 16.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described mobile phone as a mobile information terminal, PHS (Personal Handyphone System), PDA (Personal Data Assistant, Personal Digital Assistant), for example, a game machine. It can also be applied to tablet PCs or notebook PCs.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Housing | casing 11 Protective cover installation recessed part 12 Hook 13 External connector connection port 14 Exterior cover 15 Notch 16 Seal member 20 Protective cover 21 Outer cover material 22 Inner surface material 23 Arm 24 Rib 24c Guide slope 25 Engagement part 30 External connector plug ( External connector)
31 Housing 110 Housing 111 External connector connection port 115 Packing 120 Protective cover 130 External connector plug D Electronic device Y Insertion direction

Claims (6)

An external connector connection port provided on the outer surface of the housing and into which an external connector can be inserted;
A protective cover provided to close the external connector connection port when not in use and to open when used;
A seal member that is molded integrally with the external connector connection port and seals between the external connector connection port and the protective cover when the external connector connection port is closed with the protective cover;
On the inner surface of the protective cover, a rib that is inserted into the external connector connection port in a state in which the external connector connection port is closed protrudes.
The seal member seals between the external connector connection port and the external connector by being pressed by the external connector when the external connector is inserted into the external connector connection port, and the protective cover A seal structure for an external connector connection port in an electronic device, wherein the space between the external connector connection port and the protective cover is sealed by being pressed by the rib when the external connector connection port is closed.   2. The seal structure for an external connector connection port in an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the external connector and the rib press the seal member in a direction substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction thereof.   The seal structure of the external connector connection port in the electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the seal member is formed in an annular shape, and the rib is formed in a cylindrical shape that fits into the seal member.   The exterior of the electronic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the seal member is integrally formed with an exterior cover provided at an opening edge of the external connector connection port. Connector connection seal structure.   An electronic apparatus comprising the seal structure for an external connector connection port according to any one of claims 1 to 4. An external connector connection port through which an external connector can be inserted is provided on the outer surface of the housing, and a protective cover is provided so that the external connector connection port is closed when not in use and opened when in use. A sealing method of
On the inner surface of the protective cover, a rib is inserted to be inserted into the external connector connection port when the external connector connection port is closed,
A seal member is formed integrally with the external connector connection port,
When the external connector is inserted into the external connector connection port, the seal member is pressed by the external connector to seal between the external connector connection port and the external connector, while the protective cover covers the external connector A method of sealing an external connector connection port in an electronic apparatus, wherein when the connection port is closed, the seal member is pressed by the rib to seal between the external connector connection port and the protective cover.

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