JP2021015399A - Electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide electronic equipment that can improve expediency of a device etc., provided on a top surface of a main body enclosure during use, and suppress trouble in use from arising.SOLUTION: Electronic equipment 10 comprises: a hinge mechanism 16 which couples a main body enclosure 12 and a display enclosure 14 together rotatably; a movable plate 22 which is provided on a top surface 12a of the main body enclosure 12, and can rotate around a rotary shaft part 40 provided at a front end part 22b in a direction in which a rear end part 22c moves up and down; a driving mechanism 42 which rotates the movable plate 22 interlocking with rotating operation between the main body enclosure 12 and the display enclosure 14 through the hinge mechanism 16; and a release mechanism 44 which removes the interlocking state between the rotating operation by the driving mechanism 42 and the movable plate 22, and allows the movable plate 22 to rotate in a descent direction when the movable plate 22 at the position where the rear end part 22c is elevated receives predetermined external force in the descent direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to electronic devices.

Electronic devices such as notebook PCs generally have a structure in which a main body housing on which a keyboard device is mounted and a display housing on which a display is mounted are connected by a hinge mechanism. In this type of electronic device, it is desirable that the display (main display) can perform work or the like by making maximum use of the display surface. Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a display (sub-display) is also provided in the main body housing. On this sub-display, for example, tabs that cannot be displayed on the main display, thumbnails of each application, and the like can be displayed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-134051

Usually, a sub-display like the one above does not need to be as large as the main display. Therefore, for example, it is conceivable to provide a small sub-display on the rear side of the keyboard device on the upper surface of the main body housing. However, in the case of such a configuration, the sub-display needs to be arranged along the upper surface of the main body housing in consideration of interference and thinning when the display housing is closed on the main body housing. Then, the small sub-display is installed flat at the back of the upper surface of the main body housing, which is not convenient. On the other hand, the sub-display is expected to be used by touch operation, but it is necessary that the sub-display does not be damaged or malfunction when it receives an excessive load.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and it is possible to improve the convenience of a device or the like provided on the upper surface of the main body housing at the time of use, and to cause a problem at the time of use. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that can be suppressed.

The electronic device according to the first aspect of the present invention is an electronic device, and the first housing, the second housing, the first housing, and the second housing can be rotated. A hinge mechanism connected to the above, a movable plate provided on the upper surface of the first housing and rotatable in a direction in which the rear end portion moves up and down around a rotation shaft portion provided at the front end portion, and the hinge. A drive mechanism that rotates the movable plate in conjunction with a rotation operation between the first housing and the second housing by the mechanism, and the movable plate at a position where the rear end portion is raised. With a release mechanism that allows the movable plate to rotate in the downward direction by releasing the interlocking state between the rotation operation by the drive mechanism and the movable plate when the movable plate receives a predetermined external force in the downward direction. , Equipped with.

According to such a configuration, the movable plate operates in conjunction with the rotation operation of the second housing by the drive mechanism, and the rear end portion moves up and down. As a result, when the electronic device is used, the movable plate is automatically opened in a forward-down tilted posture only by the user opening the second housing and setting the keyboard device and the display in a usable state. Therefore, for example, when a sub-display is provided on the upper surface of the movable plate, the user can see the sub-display behind the keyboard device well and can perform a good touch operation, which is convenient. Is improved. Moreover, the electronic device includes a release mechanism for releasing the interlocking state between the hinge mechanism and the movable plate by the drive mechanism. Therefore, when the display housing is opened and the movable plate is raised, if a predetermined external force is applied in the downward direction in which the movable plate is pressed, the release mechanism operates to release the above-mentioned interlocking state. To do. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the movable plate, the hinge mechanism, the drive mechanism, and the like from being overloaded by an external force and causing damage or malfunction.

The hinge mechanism rotates relative to the hinge housing provided so as to extend between the first housing and the second housing, and between the first housing and the hinge housing. It has a first hinge shaft that is possibly connected, and the drive mechanism has a rotation shaft provided coaxially with the first hinge shaft, and one end of the hinge housing via the rotation shaft. The release mechanism includes an arm member rotatably connected to the body and a drive shaft rotatably connected between the other end of the arm member and the rear end of the movable plate. Can hold the arm member at the maximum rotation position where the other end is moved to the hinge housing side to the maximum, and when the movable plate receives the predetermined external force, the arm member The holding state at the maximum rotation position may be released, and the other end may have a holding member that allows the arm member to rotate in a direction away from the hinge housing.

The holding member is provided on either one of the hinge housing and the arm member and a first magnet provided on one of the hinge housing and the arm member, and can be attracted to the first magnet. It may be configured to have a second magnet or an adsorbed body.

The holding member may have an elastic member that urges the arm member in a direction of rotating the arm member toward the maximum rotation position.

The hinge housing may have an accommodating portion for accommodating the arm member so as to be retractable, and the arm member may be accommodated in the accommodating portion at the maximum rotation position.

The rotating shaft portion includes a connecting shaft in which the front end portion of the movable plate and the first housing are connected so as to be relatively rotatable, and the connecting shaft is connected along the upper surface of the first housing. It may be configured to have a slide support portion that is slidably supported.

A display may be provided on the upper surface of the movable plate.

According to the above aspect of the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience of the device or the like provided on the upper surface of the main body housing during use, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of defects during use.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2A is a side view schematically showing a state in which the display housing of the electronic device shown in FIG. 1 is positioned at 0 degrees. FIG. 2B is a side view schematically showing a state in which the display housing shown in FIG. 2A is positioned at 90 degrees. FIG. 2C is a side view schematically showing a state in which the display housing shown in FIG. 2B is positioned at 180 degrees. FIG. 2D is a side view showing a state in which the movable plate is forcibly pushed down by an external force from the state shown in FIG. 2C. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the movable plate of the electronic device shown in FIG. 1 and its peripheral portion. FIG. 4A is an enlarged perspective view of the hinge mechanism and its peripheral portion in a state where the hinge housing is in the 0 degree posture. FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the hinge housing rotated from the state shown in FIG. 4A to the posture of 60 degrees. FIG. 4C is a perspective view of a state in which the movable plate receives an external force from the state shown in FIG. 4B and the release mechanism operates. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the hinge housing shown in FIG. 4C and its peripheral portion as viewed from another angle. FIG. 6A is a side sectional view schematically showing a state of the drive mechanism and the release mechanism in the state shown in FIG. 4C. FIG. 6B is a side sectional view schematically showing a state of the drive mechanism and the release mechanism in the state shown in FIG. 4D. FIG. 7A is a side sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the release mechanism according to the first modification. FIG. 7B is a side sectional view of a state in which the release mechanism operates from the state shown in FIG. 7A to release the interlocking state between the hinge housing and the movable plate, and only the movable plate is lowered. FIG. 8A is a side sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the release mechanism according to the second modification. FIG. 8B is a side sectional view of a state in which the release mechanism operates from the state shown in FIG. 8A to release the interlocking state between the hinge housing and the movable plate, and only the movable plate is lowered.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the electronic device according to the present invention will be described and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device 10 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device 10 is a notebook PC in which a main body housing 12 and a display housing 14 are rotatably connected by a pair of left and right hinge mechanisms 16 and 16.

Hereinafter, the electronic device 10 will be viewed from the user who operates the keyboard device 20 while visually observing the display 18, based on the state in which the display housing 14 is opened from the main body housing 12 to be used as shown in FIG. The front side is referred to as the front side, the back side is referred to as the rear side, the thickness direction of the main body housing 12 is referred to as up and down, and the width direction is referred to as left and right.

The display housing 14 is a thin box-shaped housing, and includes, for example, a display 18 composed of a liquid crystal display. The display 18 is the main display of the electronic device 10.

The main body housing 12 is a thin box-shaped housing that is thicker than the display housing 14. A substrate, a CPU, a memory, a battery device, and the like (not shown) are housed inside the main body housing 12. A keyboard device 20 and a movable plate 22 are provided on the upper surface 12a of the main body housing 12. The keyboard device 20 is not a mechanical type that moves a plurality of key tops up and down as shown in FIG. 1, but may be a software type that is displayed on a touch panel type display (not shown). Reference numeral 20a in FIG. 1 is, for example, a numeric keypad or a touch pad that constitutes a part of the keyboard device 20. These numeric keypads (touch pads) 20a may be omitted. The movable plate 22 is a plate-shaped member provided side by side on the rear side of the keyboard device 20 and rotatably provided with respect to the main body housing 12. The movable plate 22 of the present embodiment has a sub-display 24 on the upper surface thereof, and also functions as an opening / closing lid for a vent 26 (see FIG. 3) provided below, the details of which will be described later.

The main body housing 12 of the present embodiment has a step portion 12b behind the movable plate 22 on the upper surface 12a. The hinge mechanism 16 is provided on the step portion 12b and connects the main body housing 12 and the lower end portion 14a of the display housing 14.

2A to 2C are side views schematically showing an opening / closing operation of the display housing 14 and the movable plate 22 of the electronic device 10 shown in FIG. 1 with respect to the main body housing 12. FIG. 2D is a side view of the movable plate 22 in a state where the movable plate 22 is forcibly pushed down by an external force F from the state shown in FIG. 2C. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the movable plate 22 of the electronic device 10 shown in FIG. 1 and its peripheral portion. In FIGS. 2A to 2D, hatching or the like showing a cross section is omitted in order to ensure the legibility of the drawings. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the display housing 14 in a closed state as shown in FIG. 2A, but the display housing 14 is not shown.

As shown in FIGS. 2A to 3, on the upper surface 12a of the main body housing 12, a storage recess 28 and a step portion 12b are sequentially provided on the rear side of the keyboard device 20. Further, the main body housing 12 has an extending portion 29 provided on the rear side of the step portion 12b so as to project to the rear side of the hinge mechanism 16. The extension portion 29 may not be provided.

The storage recess 28 is a shallow bathtub-shaped recess in which a part of the upper surface 12a is recessed, and can store the movable plate 22 at the closed position shown in FIG. 2A. The movable plate 22 is housed in the storage recess 28, and its upper surface 22a (sub-display 24) is flush with or slightly lower than the upper surface 12a of the main body housing 12.

The main body housing 12 is provided with a blower fan 30 below the storage recess 28, and fins 32 are provided on the extending portion 29. The fin 32 is connected to a heating element such as a CPU via, for example, a heat pipe (not shown). The blower fan 30 sucks outside air into the main body housing 12 through the vent 26 formed on the upper surface 28a of the storage recess 28, and is provided on the rear surface 12c of the main body housing 12 via the fins 32 (not shown). Exhaust to the outside from the exhaust port. The vent 26 has, for example, a configuration in which a plurality of slits extending in the front-rear direction are arranged to the left as shown by a broken line in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 2A to 3, the hinge mechanism 16 includes a hinge housing 34, a main body shaft 36, and a display shaft 38. Although FIG. 3 illustrates a configuration in which the left and right hinge mechanisms 16 have a symmetrical structure, the left and right hinge mechanisms 16 may have the same structure.

The hinge housing 34 is a rectangular tubular member provided so as to extend between the main body housing 12 and the display housing 14. The main body shaft 36 is a shaft that rotatably connects the main body housing 12 and the hinge housing 34. One end of the main body shaft 36 is rotatably connected to the main body housing 12, and the other end is rotatably supported by the hinge housing 34. One end of the main body shaft 36 may be rotatably supported by the main body housing 12, and the other end may be rotatably connected to the hinge housing 34. The display shaft 38 is a shaft that rotatably connects the display housing 14 and the hinge housing 34. One end of the display shaft 38 is rotatably connected to the display housing 14, and the other end is rotatably supported by the hinge housing 34. One end of the display shaft 38 may be rotatably supported by the display housing 14, and the other end may be non-rotatably connected to the hinge housing 34.

As described above, the hinge mechanism 16 has a biaxial structure having two hinge shafts, a main body shaft 36 and a display shaft 38. The hinge mechanism 16 rotates synchronously between the main body shaft 36 and the display shaft 38 via a gear mechanism (not shown). That is, the rotation angle of the display housing 14 is the total value of the rotation angles of the main body shaft 36 and the display shaft 38. Therefore, the hinge housing 34 rotates by half the rotation angle of the display housing 14. Specifically, when the display housing 14 rotates from the 0 degree position shown in FIG. 2A to the 90 degree position shown in FIG. 2B, the hinge housing 34 rotates from the 0 degree position to the 45 degree position.

The main body shaft 36 is connected to the main body housing 12 by a step portion 12b, and is arranged below the upper surface 29a of the extending portion 29. The display shaft 38 moves from a position below the upper surface 29a (see FIG. 2A) to a position above the upper surface 29a (see FIGS. 2B and 2C) as the hinge housing 34 rotates.

Therefore, when the display housing 14 is in the 0-degree position (see FIG. 2A), the hinge mechanism 16 has a 0-degree posture in which the axes 36 and 38 are arranged in the front-rear direction and the hinge housing 34 is housed in the step portion 12b. Become. In the hinge mechanism 16, when the display housing 14 is in the 90-degree position (see FIG. 2B), the axes 36 and 38 are lined up in a posture tilted 45 degrees with respect to the vertical direction, so that the hinge housing 34 is in a 45-degree posture. , The display shaft 38 projects upward from the upper surface 29a. In the hinge mechanism 16, when the display housing 14 is in the 180-degree position (see FIG. 2C), the axes 36 and 38 are arranged in the vertical direction, so that the hinge housing 34 stands up in a 90-degree posture. Therefore, at the 180-degree position, the display shaft 38 is located completely above the upper surface 29a, and the display housing 14 is smoothly rotated onto the upper surface 29a. The names such as 0 degree position (0 degree posture), 90 degree position (45 degree posture), 180 degree position (90 degree posture) depend on the structure of the main body housing 12, the display housing 14, or the hinge mechanism 16. Of course, the angle position may be slightly deviated from the exact angle position indicated by the angle number, but in the present embodiment, it is referred to as a 0 degree position or the like for convenience.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the movable plate 22 is a plate-shaped member that can rotate in the direction in which the rear end portion 22c moves up and down around the rotation shaft portion 40 provided on the front end portion 22b. The movable plate 22 has a sub-display 24 on the upper surface 22a. The sub-display 24 is, for example, a touch panel type liquid crystal display. The electronic device 10 includes a drive mechanism 42 and a release mechanism 44.

The rotating shaft portion 40 is rotatably and slidably connected between the front end portion 22b of the movable plate 22 and the main body housing 12. The rotating shaft portion 40 has a connecting shaft 40a projecting from each of the left and right side surfaces of the front end portion 22b of the movable plate 22, and a slide supporting portion 40b that slidably supports the connecting shaft 40a in the front-rear direction. The connecting shaft 40a is a pin-shaped member. The slide support portion 40b is an elongated hole formed on the left and right inner wall surfaces of the storage recess 28, and the connecting shaft 40a can slide along the front-rear direction. The connecting shaft 40a may be provided on the main body housing 12 side, and the slide support portion 40b may be provided on the movable plate 22 side.

FIG. 4A is an enlarged perspective view of the hinge mechanism 16 and its peripheral portion in a state where the hinge housing 34 is in the 0 degree posture. FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the hinge housing 34 rotated to a 60-degree posture from the state shown in FIG. 4A. FIG. 4C is a perspective view of a state in which the movable plate 22 receives an external force F from the state shown in FIG. 4B and the release mechanism 44 operates. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the hinge housing 34 and its peripheral portion shown in FIG. 4C as viewed from another angle. In FIGS. 4A-5B, the movable plate 22 illustrates only the surrounding frame. FIG. 6A is a side sectional view schematically showing a state of the drive mechanism 42 and the release mechanism 44 in the state shown in FIG. 4C. FIG. 6B is a side sectional view schematically showing a state of the drive mechanism 42 and the release mechanism 44 in the state shown in FIG. 4D.

As shown in FIGS. 4A to 6B, the drive mechanism 42 rotates the movable plate 22 in conjunction with the rotation operation of the display housing 14 by the hinge mechanism 16, specifically, the rotation operation of the hinge housing 34. It is a mechanism to make it. The drive mechanism 42 includes an arm member 42a, a drive shaft 42b, and a rotation shaft 42c. In the present embodiment, a configuration in which a drive mechanism 42 and a release mechanism 44 are provided in each of the left and right hinge mechanisms 16 is illustrated (see FIG. 3), but the drive mechanism 42 and the release mechanism 44 are left and right hinge mechanisms 16 respectively. It may be provided only in. The hinge mechanism 16, the drive mechanism 42, and the release mechanism 44 may be provided at three or more locations. The hinge mechanism 16 may be composed of one long hinge housing 34 extending to the left and right. In this case, the drive mechanism 42 and the release mechanism 44 may be provided at appropriate positions in the hinge housing 34.

The arm member 42a is a rod-shaped member arranged along the vertical direction in the state shown in FIG. 4B. The arm member 42a is housed in the concave accommodating portion 34a formed on the front surface of the hinge housing 34 in the state shown in FIG. 4B, and the tip end portion (upper end portion) protrudes upward from the accommodating portion 34a. The base end portion (lower end portion) of the arm member 42a is connected to the hinge housing 34 in the accommodating portion 34a via a rotation shaft 42c. The accommodating portion 34a has a shape capable of accommodating most of the arm member 42a except for the tip end portion. The tip of the arm member 42a is slightly tilted forward in the state shown in FIG. 4B, and is connected to the movable plate 22 via the drive shaft 42b.

The drive shaft 42b is a shaft in which the tip end portion of the arm member 42a and the rear end portion 22c of the movable plate 22 are connected so as to be relatively rotatable. The display shaft 38 is arranged at a position between the drive shaft 42b and the main body shaft 36. The straight line connecting the axes of the axes 36, 38, and 42b in order has a substantially boomerang shape.

The rotating shaft 42c is a shaft in which the base end portion of the arm member 42a and the hinge housing 34 are connected so as to be relatively rotatable. The rotating shaft 42c is installed in the accommodating portion 34a (see FIG. 5). The rotating shaft 42c is arranged coaxially with the main body shaft 36 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B).

Therefore, the arm member 42a is coaxially rotatable with the hinge housing 34 about the rotation shaft 42c as the rotation center. Most of the arm member 42a is housed in the accommodating portion 34a at the maximum rotation position (see FIGS. 4B and 6A) that has been moved to the hinge housing 34 side to the maximum, and is substantially integrated with the hinge housing 34. Form the appearance. The arm member 42a is at the minimum rotation position (see FIGS. 4C, 5 and 6B) that is maximally moved relative to the hinge housing 34 in the direction away from the hinge housing 34, and is in the same position as in the 0-degree posture.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 6B, the release mechanism 44 is a mechanism that releases the interlocking state of the movable plate 22 and the hinge housing 34 by the drive mechanism 42 depending on the situation. The release mechanism 44 has holding members 44a and 44b (see FIG. 5).

The holding member 44a is a member (adsorbed body) capable of adsorbing to a magnet provided on the forward-facing inner surface of the accommodating portion 34a or a magnet such as an iron plate. The holding member 44b is a magnet or an adsorbed body provided on the back surface of the arm member 42a. The holding members 44a and 44b can be adsorbed to each other. Therefore, at least one of the holding members 44a and 44b needs to be a magnet.

In a normal state where no external force F (see FIG. 2D) is applied to the movable plate 22, the holding members 44a and 44b are attracted to each other (see FIG. 6A). Therefore, the arm member 42a rotates integrally with the hinge housing 34 in a state of being housed in the housing portion 34a of the hinge housing 34. That is, the holding members 44a and 44b also function as a part of the drive mechanism 42 that substantially links the rotation of the arm member 42a and the rotation of the hinge housing 34.

On the other hand, in an emergency when an external force F is applied to the movable plate 22 while the hinge housing 34 is rotated at an angle larger than the 0 degree posture (see FIGS. 2B and 2C), the holding members 44a and 44b are attracted. The state is released. Therefore, the arm member 42a rotates about the rotation shaft 42c in a direction away from the hinge housing 34. That is, the arm member 42a rotates relative to each other, leaving the hinge housing 34, and falls forward (see FIG. 6B). As a result, when an external force F is applied to the movable plate 22, the release mechanism 44 releases the interlocking state between the movable plate 22 and the hinge housing 34 by the drive mechanism 42.

Next, the operation of the electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

First, at the 0 degree position where the display housing 14 is closed on the upper surface 12a of the main body housing 12, the main body shaft 36 and the display shaft 38 are aligned in the front-rear direction and the hinge housing 34 is laid down sideways, as shown in FIG. 2A. It becomes the 0 degree posture of. In this state, the arm member 42a is housed in the housing portion 34a of the hinge housing 34, and is integrated with the hinge housing 34 under the suction action of the holding members 44a and 44b. Therefore, since the arm member 42a looks substantially integrally with the hinge housing 34, deterioration of appearance quality can be suppressed. At this time, the drive shaft 42b at the tip of the arm member 42a is located in the storage recess 28. The connecting shaft 40a is in the most advanced position in the slide support portion 40b. Therefore, the movable plate 22 is housed in the storage recess 28 in a horizontal posture along the front-rear direction, and does not interfere with the closing operation of the display housing 14. Therefore, the electronic device 10 has a thin plate shape in which the upper surface 29a of the extending portion 29 to the back surface (here, the upper surface) of the display housing 14 are formed substantially flush with each other.

When the display housing 14 is rotated from the 0 degree position in the opening direction, the hinge housing 34 rotates at a rotation angle that is 1/2 of the rotation angle of the display housing 14. At this time, the hinge housing 34 rotates around the main body shaft 36. The arm member 42a rotates integrally with the hinge housing 34 about a rotation shaft 42c coaxial with the main body shaft 36. Therefore, the drive shaft 42b swivels around the main body shaft 36 (rotating shaft 42c), and the rear end portion 22c of the movable plate 22 is pulled upward while being pulled backward.

When the display housing 14 is at the 90-degree position shown in FIG. 2B, the hinge housing 34 and the arm member 42a are in a 45-degree posture facing diagonally upward from the main body shaft 36. Therefore, the movable plate 22 is in a front-down inclined posture in which the rear end portion 22c is moved upward about the connecting shaft 40a of the front end portion 22b (see FIG. 2B).

When the display housing 14 is further rotated in the opening direction from the 90-degree position, the hinge housing 34 and the arm member 42a are also rotated in the direction in which the display shaft 38 is further raised. For example, when the display housing 14 is set to an angle position of about 120 degrees when a general notebook PC is used, the rear end portion 22c of the movable plate 22 rises further from the 90 degree position, and at the same time. It is moving further backwards.

When the display housing 14 is at the 180-degree position shown in FIG. 2C, the hinge housing 34 and the arm member 42a are in a 90-degree posture with the main body shaft 36 as the center of rotation. Therefore, the movable plate 22 is in a position where the rear end portion 22c is raised most and slides most rearward.

As described above, since the electronic device 10 is provided with the drive mechanism 42, the movable plate 22 rotates in conjunction with the rotation operation of the display housing 14. That is, when the user opens the display housing 14 to a desired angle position during use of the electronic device 10, the movable plate 22 is automatically opened in a forward-down inclined posture. Therefore, while using the keyboard device 20, the user can see the sub-display 24 behind the keyboard device 20 well and can perform a good touch operation (see also FIG. 1). Further, in this state, the vent 26 is open. Therefore, the blower fan 30 can efficiently take in the outside air from the vent 26, and the cooling efficiency of the electronic device 10 is improved. At this time, since the vent 26 is located on the back side of the movable plate 22, it is hardly visible to the user who uses the electronic device 10 (see FIG. 1), and the appearance quality is not impaired. Moreover, the movable plate 22 gradually slides backward as it rotates in the opening direction. Therefore, even when the movable plate 22 is opened, the gap between the rear end portion 22c of the movable plate 22 and the front surface of the display housing 14 does not expand, and the deterioration of the appearance quality is further suppressed. it can.

Moreover, the electronic device 10 includes a release mechanism 44 that releases the interlocking state between the hinge housing 34 and the movable plate 22 by the drive mechanism 42. Therefore, when the display housing 14 is opened as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C and the movable plate 22 receives a force equal to or higher than a predetermined external force F in the downward direction, the release mechanism 44 operates. The interlocking state between the hinge housing 34 and the movable plate 22 is released, and the movable plate 22 is allowed to descend. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2D, only the arm member 42a rotates forward and falls down, leaving the hinge housing 34, and the movable plate 22 descends. As a result, it is possible to prevent the movable plate 22, the hinge mechanism 16, the drive mechanism 42, and the like from being damaged or malfunctioned due to an excessive load due to the external force F. Since the release mechanism 44 has a configuration utilizing the attractive force of the magnet, the configuration can be simple and can be realized at low cost.

Further, in the hinge mechanism 16 and the drive mechanism 42 of the present embodiment, the hinge housing 34 rotates at a rotation angle of 1/2 of the rotation angle of the display housing 14, and the movable plate 22 is used as the hinge housing 34. It is raised by using the rotating motion of. That is, the electronic device 10 is provided with a time difference mechanism in which the movable plate 22 rotates while being delayed from the rotation operation when the rotation operation of the display housing 14 starts. As a result, the movable plate 22 rises at a large rotation angle before the display housing 14 rises, and the rear end portion 22c of the movable plate 22 interferes with the display housing 14 to cause the display housing 14 to rise. It is possible to prevent the rotation operation from becoming unsmooth.

When the display housing 14 at the 180-degree position shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D is rotated in the closing direction, it operates in the opposite direction to the opening operation described above. That is, as the display housing 14 rotates in the closing direction, the movable plate 22 advances while the rear end portion 22c gradually descends. Then, at the 0 degree position, the initial state shown in FIG. 2A is restored again. At this time, when the display housing 14 is closed to the 0 degree position from the state shown in FIG. 2D, the holding members 44a and 44b are attracted again, and the hinge housing 34 and the movable plate 22 are interlocked by the drive mechanism 42. Recover. Therefore, when the release mechanism 44 operates, the user can restore the drive mechanism 42 again by simply closing the display housing 14, which is highly convenient.

FIG. 7A is a side sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the release mechanism 46 according to the first modification, showing the state of the drive mechanism 42 and the release mechanism 46 when the hinge housing 34 is in the 90-degree posture. ing. FIG. 7B is a side sectional view of a state in which the release mechanism 46 operates from the state shown in FIG. 7A to release the interlocking state between the hinge housing 34 and the movable plate 22, and only the movable plate 22 is lowered.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the release mechanism 46 includes an elastic member that urges the arm member 42a toward the maximum rotation position as a holding member instead of the holding members 44a and 44b. The elastic member of the present embodiment is, for example, a torsion coil spring 46a provided around the axis of the rotating shaft 42c. As the elastic member, a coil spring or the like may be used instead of the torsion coil spring 46a.

In this way, the release mechanism 46 is constantly urged to a position where the arm member 42a is accommodated in the accommodating portion 34a. Therefore, when the display housing 14 rotates in the opening direction from the 0 degree position shown in FIG. 2A, the arm member 42a also rotates integrally with the hinge housing 34 by the urging force of the torsion coil spring 46a. That is, the torsion coil spring 46a also functions as a part of the drive mechanism 42 that substantially links the rotation of the arm member 42a and the rotation of the hinge housing 34. Then, as shown in FIG. 2D, when the movable plate 22 receives an external force F, the arm member 42a rotates forward against the urging force of the torsion coil spring 46a. That is, the interlocking state between the hinge housing 34 and the movable plate 22 by the drive mechanism 42 is released by the release mechanism 46. In this configuration example, when the external force F with respect to the movable plate 22 is released, the arm member 42a is again housed in the housing portion 34a of the hinge housing 34 by the urging force of the torsion coil spring 46a, and the interlocking state by the drive mechanism 42 is restored. To do.

The release mechanism 46 may be used in combination with the release mechanism 44 described above, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIGS. 7A and 7B. Then, normally, the arm member 42a is attracted and fixed to the hinge housing 34 by the action of the release mechanism 44. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the movable plate 22 from rattling up and down in a normal state, for example, when the sub-display 24 is touch-operated. Moreover, after the release mechanisms 44 and 46 are operated, if the external force F with respect to the movable plate 22 is released, the arm member 42a is housed in the housing portion 34a of the hinge housing 34 again, and the holding members 44a and 44b are also attracted to each other.

FIG. 8A is a side sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the release mechanism 48 according to the second modification, showing the state of the drive mechanism 42 and the release mechanism 48 when the hinge housing 34 is in the 90-degree posture. ing. FIG. 8B is a side sectional view of a state in which the release mechanism 48 operates from the state shown in FIG. 8A to release the interlocking state between the hinge housing 34 and the movable plate 22, and only the movable plate 22 is lowered.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the releasing mechanism 48 has an engaging recess 48a, an engaging pin 48b, and a coil spring 48c. The engaging recess 48a is a hemispherical recess provided on the side surface of the arm member 42a. The engaging pin 48b is provided so as to be able to come and go from the hole 34b opened in the inner side surface of the accommodating portion 34a of the hinge housing 34. The tip of the engaging pin 48b is hemispherical and can be engaged with the engaging recess 48a. The base end of the engaging pin 48b is located in the hole 34b and is constantly urged by the coil spring 48c in the direction of protruding from the hole 34b.

As described above, the releasing mechanism 48 mechanically fixes the arm member 42a and the hinge housing 34 by the releasing mechanism 46 utilizing the attractive force of the magnet by the engaging action of the engaging pin 48b and the engaging recess 48a. It was realized in. Therefore, the engaging recesses 48a, the engaging pins 48b, and the like function as holding members instead of the holding members 44a and 44b. That is, the engaging recess 48a, the engaging pin 48b, and the like substantially function as a part of the drive mechanism 42 that interlocks the rotation of the arm member 42a with the rotation of the hinge housing 34.

Therefore, in the releasing mechanism 48, the engaging pin 48b normally engages with the engaging recess 48a, and the arm member 42a is integrally fixed to the hinge housing 34. Then, as shown in FIG. 2D, when the movable plate 22 receives the external force F, the engaging pin 48b retracts and the engaging state between the engaging pin 48b and the engaging recess 48a is released. The arm member 42a rotates forward. As a result, the interlocking state of the hinge housing 34 and the movable plate 22 by the drive mechanism 42 is released by the release mechanism 46. In this configuration example, when the display housing 14 is closed to the 0 degree position from the state shown in FIG. 2D, the engaging pin 48b engages with the engaging recess 48a again, so that the display housing 14 can be moved with the hinge housing 34 by the drive mechanism 42. The interlocking state with the plate 22 is restored.

The fixing of the arm member 42a and the hinge housing 34 may be configured by a mechanical means other than the configuration utilizing the engaging action of the engaging pin 48b and the engaging recess 48a. For example, a release mechanism in which a claw-shaped latch is provided on the tip end side of the arm member 42a and a receiving portion that can be engaged with and detached from the claw-shaped latch is provided on the hinge housing 34 side may be used.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and of course, it can be freely changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

In the above, the hinge mechanism 16 having a biaxial structure has been illustrated, but a hinge mechanism having a uniaxial structure may be used. In the case of a hinge mechanism having a uniaxial structure, for example, the display shaft 38 is omitted, the hinge housing 34 and the display housing 14 are integrally configured, and the drive mechanism 42, the release mechanism 44, and the like are provided around the main body shaft 36. It is good to provide it. Further, in the case of a hinge mechanism having a uniaxial structure, for example, the main body shaft 36 is omitted, and the hinge housing 34 and the main body housing 12 are integrally formed, and the drive mechanism 42 and the release mechanism 44 are formed around the display shaft 38. Etc. should be provided.

In the above, the hinge mechanism 16 in which the two axes (main body axis 36 and display axis 38) rotate synchronously has been illustrated. However, the hinge mechanism 16 may be configured such that one of the main body shaft 36 and the display shaft 38 selectively rotates according to the rotation angle of the display housing 14, for example. In this configuration, the hinge mechanism 16 may include, for example, a rotation shaft selection mechanism in which either the main body shaft 36 or the display shaft 38 selectively rotates for each rotation angle range of the display housing 14. As this rotating shaft selection mechanism, for example, a known configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5986156 can be applied. In the hinge mechanism 16 provided with the rotation axis selection mechanism, for example, only the display shaft 38 rotates between the display housing 14 from the 0 degree position to the 30 degree position and from the 120 degree position to the 180 degree position. On the other hand, for example, from the 30-degree position to the 120-degree position, only the main body shaft 36 rotates, thereby moving the movable plate 22 up and down.

In the above, the movable plate 22 illustrates the configuration having the sub-display 24, but the sub-display 24 may not be provided. In this case, the movable plate 22 functions as an opening / closing lid for the vent 26. Further, the vent 26 may be omitted. In this case, the movable plate 22 functions as a support plate for the sub-display 24.

10 Electronic equipment 12 Main body housing 14 Display housing 16 Hinge mechanism 18 Display 20 Keyboard device 22 Movable plate 24 Sub-display 34 Hinge housing 34a Accommodating part 36 Main body shaft 38 Display shaft 40 Rotating shaft part 42 Drive mechanism 42a Arm member 42b Drive Shaft 42c Rotating shaft 44,46,48 Release mechanism 44a, 44b Holding member

Claims (7)

It ’s an electronic device,
The first housing and
The second housing and
A hinge mechanism that rotatably connects the first housing and the second housing,
A movable plate provided on the upper surface of the first housing and rotatable in a direction in which the rear end portion moves up and down around a rotation shaft portion provided at the front end portion.
A drive mechanism that rotates the movable plate in conjunction with a rotation operation between the first housing and the second housing by the hinge mechanism.
When the movable plate at the position where the rear end portion is raised receives a predetermined external force in the descending direction, the rotating operation by the drive mechanism and the interlocking state with the movable plate are released, and the movable plate is released. A release mechanism that allows the rotation of the
An electronic device characterized by being equipped with. The electronic device according to claim 1.
The hinge mechanism rotates relative between the hinge housing provided so as to extend between the first housing and the second housing, and between the first housing and the hinge housing. With a first hinge shaft, which is capable of connecting,
The drive mechanism includes a rotation shaft provided coaxially with the first hinge shaft, an arm member whose one end is rotatably connected to the hinge housing via the rotation shaft, and the arm. It has a drive shaft that rotatably connects the other end of the member and the rear end of the movable plate.
The release mechanism can hold the arm member at the maximum rotation position where the other end is moved to the hinge housing side to the maximum, and when the movable plate receives the predetermined external force. It is characterized by having a holding member that releases the holding state of the arm member at the maximum rotation position and allows the other end portion to rotate the arm member in a direction away from the hinge housing. Electronics. The electronic device according to claim 2.
The holding member is provided on either one of the hinge housing and the arm member and a first magnet provided on one of the hinge housing and the arm member, and can be attracted to the first magnet. An electronic device having a second magnet or an adsorbed body. The electronic device according to claim 2 or 3.
The holding member is an electronic device having an elastic member that urges the arm member in a direction of rotating the arm member toward the maximum rotation position. The electronic device according to any one of claims 2 to 4.
The hinge housing has an accommodating portion for accommodating the arm member so as to be retractable.
The arm member is an electronic device that is accommodated in the accommodating portion at the maximum rotation position. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The rotating shaft portion includes a connecting shaft in which the front end portion of the movable plate and the first housing are connected so as to be relatively rotatable, and the connecting shaft is connected along the upper surface of the first housing. An electronic device having a slide support portion that is slidably supported. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
An electronic device characterized in that a display is provided on the upper surface of the movable plate.

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