JP2013225931A - Housing state detector and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect the state of a housing without providing special magnets.SOLUTION: A slide type portable phone includes: multiple housings; a first plate 11, a second plate 12, and a rail guide 13 which connect the multiple housings so that the multiple housings move relative to each other; and wiring 23 movably connected so as to make electric connections between the multiple housings. The wiring 23 is formed by a magnetic material and includes a magnetic sensor detecting the magnetism of the magnetic material resulting from movement of the wiring 23 which are caused by relative movement of the multiple housings.

Description

  The present invention relates to a housing state detection device and an electronic apparatus including a housing having the state detection device.

  In an open / close portable terminal device, an open / close state of a housing is detected by a sensor using a dedicated magnet (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-217142 A

  In order to detect the open / closed state of the housing, it is necessary to provide a dedicated magnet as in Patent Document 1.

  The subject of this invention is detecting the state of a housing | casing, without providing a dedicated magnet.

The housing state detection device according to the first aspect of the present invention provides:
Multiple housings;
A coupling mechanism for coupling the plurality of casings to be relatively movable;
A connecting member that is movably connected to make electrical connection between the plurality of housings;
With
The connecting member is made of a magnetic material,
A magnetic sensor for detecting magnetism of the magnetic body accompanying movement of the connecting member by relative movement of the plurality of housings is provided.

An electronic device according to a second aspect of the present invention is:
The housing includes a housing state detection device according to the first aspect.

  According to the present invention, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated magnet for detecting the state of the housing.

1A and 1B show a configuration of an embodiment of an electronic apparatus to which the present invention is applied, and are a perspective view showing a closed state of a sliding mobile phone and a perspective view showing an open state of the electronic device. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the connection mechanism (slide coupling mechanism) of the housing | casing of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an assembled state of the slide coupling mechanism of FIG. 2 and illustrating a closed state of the housing. It is sectional drawing along the arrow AA of FIG. The figure shows the see-through state of the slide coupling mechanism, and is a diagram (a) showing the closed state and a diagram (b) showing the open state. The top view (a) which showed the closed state similarly, and the top view (b) which showed the open state. The structure of Embodiment 2 to which this invention is applied are shown, the perspective view (a) which showed the closed state of the housing | casing, and the perspective view (b) which showed the open state. The structure of the connection member of Embodiment 3 to which this invention is applied is shown, and the perspective view (a) which showed the closed state of the housing | casing, and the perspective view (b) which showed the connection member of the open state. The top view (a) which showed the closed state similarly, and the top view (b) which showed the open state. It is the center longitudinal cross-sectional view (a) which similarly showed the closed state, and the center longitudinal cross-sectional view (b) which showed the open state. The structure of Embodiment 4 of the electronic device to which this invention is applied are shown, the perspective view (a) which showed the closed state of the folding type mobile phone, and the perspective view (b) which showed the open state. FIGS. 11A and 11B show the see-through state of FIG. 11, and are a diagram showing a closed state and an open state. The top view (a) which showed the closed state similarly, and the top view (b) which showed the open state. It is the side view (a) which similarly showed the closed state, and the side view (b) which showed the open state. It is an enlarged view (a) (b) of the hinge coupling | bond part of FIG. It is a perspective view (a) (b) of the hinge coupling | bond part of FIG.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a slide-type mobile phone as a configuration of an embodiment of an electronic apparatus to which the present invention is applied. 1 is a first casing, 2 is a second casing, 3 is a first operating section, The second operation unit 5 is a display unit.

  As shown in the figure, a second housing 2 is slidably coupled on the first housing 1, and a first operation unit 3 is provided on the first housing 1, so that the second housing 2 is provided. A second operation unit 4 and a display unit 5 are provided on the top.

  FIG. 2 shows a case coupling mechanism (slide coupling mechanism), FIG. 3 shows a closed state of the case with the slide coupling mechanism assembled, and FIG. 4 shows the arrow AA line. FIG. In the figure, 11 is a first plate, 12 is a second plate, 13 is a rail guide, 14 is a torsion spring, 15 is a first fixing pin, and 16 is a second fixing pin.

  As illustrated, the first plate 11 is fixed to the upper half of the upper surface of the first housing 1 and includes a pair of rail portions 11a parallel to the left and right. The pair of left and right rail portions 11a are formed in a U-shaped cross section. The 2nd plate 12 is fixed to the back surface of the 2nd housing | casing 2, and is provided with a pair of slide piece 12a parallel to right and left. The slide piece 12a is slidably attached to the rail guide 13 inserted in the rail portion 11a of the first plate 11.

  The first plate 11, the second plate 12, and the rail guide 13 described above constitute a slide coupling mechanism between the first housing 1 and the second housing 2.

  A torsion spring 14 is connected between the first plate 11 and the second plate 12. As shown, the torsion spring 14 is L-shaped with its torsion coil portions facing both ends in a right angle direction, and one end is locked to a first fixing pin 15 fixed to the first plate 11, and the like. The end is locked to the second fixing pin 16 fixed to the second plate 12.

  The torsion spring 14, the first fixing pin 15, and the second fixing pin 16 constitute a connection mechanism between the first housing 1 and the second housing 2.

  FIG. 5 shows a see-through state of the slide coupling mechanism. That is, FIG. 5A shows a closed state. In the closed state as shown in the drawing, the torsion spring 14 is positioned on the first plate 11 to the right with respect to the first fixing pin 15. A second fixing pin 16 for the second plate 12 is positioned below the second fixing pin 16. The above closed state is maintained by the bias of the torsion spring 14.

  5B shows an open state. In the open state as shown, the torsion spring 14 has a torsion coil portion positioned above the first fixing pin 15 on the first plate 11. The second fixing pin 16 for the second plate 12 is located on the right side. The above open state is maintained by the biasing of the torsion spring 14. Then, the torsion spring 14 is assisted by the bias from the closed state to the open state, and is also assisted by the torsion spring 14 from the transition from the open state to the closed state.

  Next, FIG. 6 shows the planar state of FIG. 5, FIG. 6 (a) shows the closed state, and FIG. 6 (b) shows the open state. In this embodiment, the second fixing pin 16 is shown. Is made of a magnetic material. And the magnetic sensor 17 which detects the magnetism of the 2nd fixing pin 16 by a magnetic body in the illustration right corner part of the 1st plate 11 is arrange | positioned.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6A, in the closed state, the torsion spring 14 has a torsion coil portion located on the right side with respect to the first fixing pin 15 on the first plate 11, and below that. Since the second fixing pin 16 with respect to the second plate 12 is positioned, the magnetic sensor 17 at the right corner of the first plate 11 in the figure cannot detect the magnetism of the second fixing pin 16 by the magnetic material.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 6B, in the open state, the torsion spring 14 has a torsion coil portion located above the first fixing pin 15 on the first plate 11 and to the right. Since the second fixing pin 16 with respect to the second plate 12 is positioned, the magnetic sensor 17 at the right corner of the first plate 11 in the figure detects the magnetism of the second fixing pin 16 by the magnetic material.

  As described above, according to the slide type mobile phone of the embodiment, the second fixing pin 16 is made of a magnetic material, and the magnetic sensor 17 for detecting the magnetism of the second fixing pin 16 by the magnetic material is provided, whereby a dedicated magnet is provided. It is possible to detect the open / closed state of the first casing 1 and the second casing 2 without providing the.

(Embodiment 2)
7 shows the configuration of the second embodiment to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 7A shows a closed state, and FIG. 7B shows an opened state. In the second embodiment, a torsion spring is shown. 14 is made of a magnetic material. And the magnetic sensor 17 which detects the magnetism of the torsion spring 14 by a magnetic body is arrange | positioned at the illustration left corner part of the 1st plate 11, for example.

  Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7A, in the closed state, the torsion spring 14 has a torsion coil portion located on the right side of the first fixing pin 15 on the first plate 11, and below that. Since the second fixing pin 16 with respect to the second plate 12 is positioned, the magnetic sensor 17 at the right corner of the first plate 11 in the drawing cannot detect the magnetism of the torsion spring 14 by the magnetic material.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7B, in the open state, the torsion spring 14 is located on the first plate 11 with the torsion coil portion positioned above the first fixing pin 15 and to the right. Since the second fixing pin 16 with respect to the second plate 12 is positioned, the magnetic sensor 17 at the left corner of the first plate 11 detects the magnetism of the torsion spring 14 by the magnetic material.

  In addition, the position of the magnetic sensor 17 should just be in the range over the full length which the magnetism of the torsion spring 14 by a magnetic body reaches in FIG.7 (b). Further, since the first fixing pin 15 for the first plate 11 and the second fixing pin 16 for the second plate 12 are also magnetized by the contact with the torsion spring 14 by the magnetic material, the position of the magnetic sensor 17 is determined by the magnetic material. In addition to the range over the entire length that the torsion spring 14 can reach, the second fixing pin 16 may be included, that is, within the hatched range A shown in FIG.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the third embodiment to which the present invention is applied. As in the first and second embodiments, 11 is a first plate, 11a is a rail portion, 12 is a second plate, 12a is a slide piece, 13 is a rail guide, 21 is a first connector, 22 is a second connector, and 23 is a wiring.

  As shown in the figure, the first connector 21 attached to the lower end of the first plate 11 and the second connector 22 attached to the lower end of the second plate 12 are connected by a wiring 23 made of a flexible substrate. The first connector 21 is connected to a substrate (not shown) of the first operation unit 3 of the first housing 1. The second connector 22 is connected to the second operation unit 4 and the display unit 5 (not shown) of the second housing 2.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, in the closed state, the wiring 23 is folded back and extends downward on the lower side of the first plate 11. Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, in the open state, the first connector 21 and the second connector 22 overlap the lower side of the first plate 11 and the second plate 12, and wiring is performed on the first plate 11. 23 is folded in half.

  Next, FIG. 9 shows the planar state of FIG. 8, FIG. 9 (a) shows the closed state, FIG. 9 (b) shows the open state, and FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b) The center longitudinal section is shown.

  In the third embodiment, an insulating coating made of an insulating flexible material mixed with magnetic powder is formed around the wiring 23. Then, a magnetic sensor 24 for detecting the magnetism of the insulating coating by the magnetic material of the wiring 23 is disposed on, for example, the central portion of the first plate 11.

  Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 9A, in the closed state, the wiring 23 is folded back and extends downward on the first plate 11, so that the magnetic sensor 24 on the central portion of the first plate 11 shown in FIG. The magnetism of the insulation coating by the magnetic material of the wiring 23 cannot be detected.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, in the open state, the wiring 23 is folded in two on the first plate 11, so that the magnetic sensor 24 on the center of the first plate 11 is The magnetism of the insulation coating by the magnetic material of the wiring 23 is detected.

  As described above, according to the slide type mobile phone of the third embodiment, the insulating coating made of the insulating flexible material mixed with the magnetic powder is formed around the wiring 23 connecting the first plate 11 and the second plate 12. By providing the magnetic sensor 24 for detecting the magnetism of the insulating coating by the magnetic material of the wiring 23, it is possible to detect the open / closed state of the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 without providing a dedicated magnet.

  Note that the position of the magnetic sensor 24 is as shown in FIGS. 9B and 10B from above the wiring 23 that is folded back and extends downward in the open state shown in FIGS. 9A and 10A. As long as the wiring 23 is in a folded state in the open state shown in FIG. 9, that is, it may be in the hatched range B shown in FIGS.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 11 shows a foldable mobile phone as a configuration of Embodiment 4 of the electronic apparatus to which the present invention is applied. 31 is a first housing, 32 is a second housing, 33 is an operation unit, and 35 is a display unit. It is.

  As shown in the figure, a second housing 32 is rotatably hinged to the first housing 31, an operation unit 33 is provided on the first housing 31, and a display unit 35 is provided on the second housing 32. Is provided.

  FIG. 12 shows the hinge coupling of the housing, FIG. 12 (a) shows a closed state, FIG. 12 (b) shows an open state, and FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b) are plan views thereof. Is shown. In the figure, 41 and 42 are hinge bosses, 43 and 44 are hinge shafts, and 45 is a wiring.

  As shown in the drawing, the second housing 32 is rotatably assembled to hinge shafts 43 and 44 respectively provided on the outer surfaces of the two hinge bosses 41 and 42 provided along the upper side of the first housing 31. ing. A wiring 45 made of a flexible substrate is disposed between the left hinge boss 41 and the hinge bosses 41 and 42.

  One end of the wiring 45 is connected from the left hinge boss 41 to a substrate (not shown) of the operation unit 33 of the first housing 31, and a substrate (not shown) of the display unit 35 of the second housing 32 is connected between the hinge bosses 41 and 42. Is connected to the other end. Moreover, the wiring 45 is arranged in a loop shape between the hinge boss 41 on the left side and the hinge bosses 41 and 42 as shown in FIG. 14 and an enlarged view of FIG.

  In the fourth embodiment, an insulating coating made of an insulating flexible material mixed with magnetic powder is formed around the wiring 45. Then, as shown in FIG. 16, a magnetic sensor 46 illustrated in a hatched area for detecting the magnetism of the insulating coating by the magnetic material of the wiring 45 is disposed between the hinge bosses 41, 42 of the first housing 31.

  Here, FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of the hinge coupling portion of FIG. 14. In the closed state, as shown in FIG. 16 (a), the wire 45 has a loop diameter between the hinge bosses 41 and. It is getting smaller. In the open state, as shown in FIG. 16 (b), the wire 45 has a large winding diameter between the hinge bosses 41 and 42.

  For this reason, the magnetic sensor 46 is disposed on the upper surface between the hinge bosses 41 and 42 of the first housing 31 to detect the open / closed state of the housing.

  Accordingly, in the closed state, as shown in FIG. 16A, the winding diameter of the loop of the wiring 45 is small between the hinge bosses 41 and 42, so the magnetic sensor 46 on the upper surface between the hinge bosses 41 and 42. Cannot detect the magnetism of the insulation coating by the magnetic material of the loop separated upward because the winding diameter of the wiring 45 is small.

  In the open state, as shown in FIG. 16 (b), the winding diameter of the loop of the wiring 45 is large between the hinge bosses 41 and 42, so the magnetic sensor 46 on the upper surface between the hinge bosses 41 and 42. Detects the magnetism of the insulating coating by the magnetic material of the loop approaching immediately above the winding diameter of the wiring 45 is increased.

As described above, according to the foldable mobile phone of the fourth embodiment, the insulating coating made of the insulating flexible material mixed with the magnetic powder is formed around the wiring 45 connecting the first casing 31 and the second casing 32. Then, by providing the magnetic sensor 46 for detecting the magnetism of the insulating coating by the magnetic material of the wiring 45, the open / closed state of the first housing 31 and the second housing 32 can be detected without providing a dedicated magnet.

(Modification)
As described above, in the embodiment, the material is a magnetic body. However, for example, a configuration of a magnetic body that becomes an electromagnet by flowing a current through the wiring to magnetize the covering portion may be used.

(Other variations)
In the above embodiments, the cellular phone is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a PDA, a notebook computer, a wearable computer, a calculator, an electronic dictionary, and the like are composed of a plurality of cases and can be relatively moved. It can be used for all electronic devices.
In the embodiment, the casing is opened and closed in the vertical direction, but the casing may be opened and closed in the horizontal direction.

In addition to the slide type and the foldable type, a cycloid hinge for assembling the casing so as to be rotatable in a plane may be provided.
Further, the spring member may be a coil spring.
Further, the shape of the housing and the connection member, the configuration of the coupling mechanism and the connection mechanism, and the like are arbitrary, and it is needless to say that other specific detailed structures can be appropriately changed.

(Appendix 1)
Multiple housings;
A coupling mechanism for coupling the plurality of casings to be relatively movable;
A connection mechanism connected to assist relative movement between the plurality of housings,
At least a part of the connection mechanism is made of a magnetic material,
An apparatus for detecting a state of a casing, comprising: a magnetic sensor that detects magnetism of the magnetic body accompanying movement of the connection mechanism by relative movement of the plurality of casings.

(Appendix 2)
2. The housing state detection according to claim 1, wherein the connection mechanism includes a spring member that assists relative movement of the plurality of housings, and a fixing pin that attaches the spring member to the housing. apparatus.

(Appendix 3)
The housing state detection device according to appendix 1 or 2, wherein the coupling mechanism is a slide coupling mechanism that slidably couples the plurality of housings.

(Appendix 4)
The casing state detection device according to appendix 2 or 3, wherein the spring member is a torsion spring.

(Appendix 5)
Multiple housings;
A coupling mechanism for coupling the plurality of casings to be relatively movable;
A connection member movably connected to make electrical connection between the plurality of housings,
The connecting member is made of a magnetic material,
An apparatus for detecting a state of a casing, comprising: a magnetic sensor that detects magnetism of the magnetic body as the connecting member moves due to relative movement of the plurality of casings.

(Appendix 6)
The apparatus for detecting a state of a housing according to appendix 5, wherein the connecting member is a wiring.

(Appendix 7)
The housing state detection device according to appendix 5 or 6, wherein the connection mechanism is a slide coupling mechanism that slidably couples the plurality of housings.

(Appendix 8)
The casing state detection device according to appendix 5 or 6, wherein the coupling mechanism is a hinge coupling mechanism that couples the plurality of casings rotatably.

(Appendix 9)
An electronic apparatus comprising a housing including the state detection device according to any one of appendices 1 to 8.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st housing | casing 2 2nd housing | casing 3 1st operation part 4 2nd operation part 5 Display part 11 1st plate 12 2nd plate 13 Rail guide 14 Torsion spring 15 1st fixing pin 16 2nd fixing pin 17 Magnetic sensor 21 first connector 22 second connector 23 wiring 24 magnetic sensor 31 first housing 32 second housing 33 operation unit 35 display unit 41 hinge boss 42 hinge boss 43 hinge shaft 44 hinge shaft 45 wiring 46 magnetic sensor

Claims (5)

Multiple housings;
A coupling mechanism for coupling the plurality of casings to be relatively movable;
A connecting member that is movably connected to make electrical connection between the plurality of housings;
With
The connecting member is made of a magnetic material,
An apparatus for detecting a state of a casing, comprising: a magnetic sensor that detects magnetism of the magnetic body as the connecting member moves due to relative movement of the plurality of casings.   The housing state detection device according to claim 1, wherein the connection member is a wiring.   The housing state detection device according to claim 1, wherein the connection mechanism is a slide coupling mechanism that slidably couples the plurality of housings.   The housing state detection device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism is a hinge coupling mechanism that rotatably couples the plurality of housings.   An electronic apparatus comprising the housing including the state detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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