JP3962322B2 - Portable electronic devices - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone, a portable wireless device, a PHS, a transceiver, and a cordless phone, and more particularly to a portable electronic device provided with a sliding opening / closing mechanism for a pair of housings.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a first casing provided with a liquid crystal display surface and the like, a second casing slidably connected in a state of being arranged below the first casing so as to overlap therewith, and a pair of these casings A portable electronic device having an opening / closing mechanism for performing a sliding operation is known.
[0003]
In the mobile electronic device having such a configuration, by providing a large grip portion in the second housing located on the lower side, a space for the user of the mobile electronic device to hold the second housing with one hand or the like is secured, A structure in which the first casing is slid to perform an opening / closing operation has been generally used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-331332 (FIGS. 6 and 7)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional portable electronic device, when the user of the portable electronic device grasps the portable electronic device, the portable electronic device grasps the first housing together with the second housing, and a smooth slide opening operation cannot be performed. There was a problem.
[0006]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and there is a risk of touching or gripping the casing that is slid when the other casing is slid while holding the one casing. An object of the present invention is to provide a portable electronic device that can realize a smooth slide opening operation.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The portable electronic device according to the present invention is disposed on a first housing and a second housing that are connected to each other by a slide moving unit so as to be openable and closable, on a surface facing the first housing among the outer surfaces of the second housing. An operation section that appears in an operation area when the first casing is slid, and a standing wall section that is formed on an outer peripheral portion of the second casing and covers a part of both side surfaces of the first casing. However, the standing wall portion is not provided in the vicinity of the operation region provided with the operation portion that appears when the first casing is slid .
[0008]
With this configuration, when the device user grips the portable electronic device, only the second housing can be securely gripped, so that the first housing can be touched or smoothly held without sliding. it can.
In addition, since there is no obstacle that restricts the movement of the finger around the key button, the key button operation can be performed smoothly.
[0009]
The portable electronic device of the present invention is characterized in that the standing wall portion is formed by integral molding with the second housing.
[0010]
With this configuration, since the standing wall portion can be formed with a simple structure, the number of parts and the number of assembly steps can be reduced.
[0011]
In the portable electronic device of the present invention, when a user holds the main body of the portable electronic device, a part of the both sides of the first casing is covered with a portion that sandwiches the side surface of the main body of the portable electronic device. It is characterized in that the standing wall portion is provided as a separate part so as to be detachable.
[0012]
With this configuration, it is possible to attach and detach or replace the standing wall parts freely according to the intention of the device user.
[0013]
Furthermore, the portable electronic device of the present invention is characterized in that the standing wall portion is made of a material different from the material constituting the second housing.
[0014]
With this configuration, for example, a material that mainly constitutes the second housing is a light-weight resin material, and only the standing wall portion is a tough metal material, so that parts other than those that are necessary in terms of strength are mass-produced. Since the material can have a low density, the weight of the portable electronic device can be reduced while ensuring the strength.
[0017]
Furthermore, the portable electronic device of the present invention is characterized in that the height of the standing wall portion is provided lower than the other portions in the vicinity of the operation region that appears when the first housing is slid.
[0018]
With this configuration, since the standing wall portion that is an obstacle that restricts the movement of the finger is hardly obstructed around the key button, the key button operation can be performed smoothly.
[0019]
Furthermore, the portable electronic device of the present invention is characterized in that fitting ribs or grooved portions are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the standing wall portion and the outer peripheral surface of the first housing.
[0020]
With this configuration, since the fitting adjustment between the first housing and the second housing can be easily performed, rattling can be prevented with a simple structure.
[0021]
Furthermore, the portable electronic device of the present invention is characterized in that an elastic member is provided on the standing wall structure.
[0022]
With this configuration, since the elastic member cushions against an impact applied to the portable electronic device, an impact absorbing structure can be realized.
[0023]
Furthermore, the portable electronic device of the present invention is characterized in that the standing wall portion has a textured process.
[0024]
With this configuration, the portable electronic device can be prevented from slipping when gripped, and can be prevented from falling when the portable electronic device is used.
[0025]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0026]
[First Embodiment]
1A and 1B are perspective views showing a slide-type portable electronic device (specifically, in this embodiment, applied to a mobile phone) 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The portable electronic device 1 includes a first housing 2 and a second housing 3 that are divided and connected to each other so as to be slidable, and the first housing 2 is opened from the second housing 3. And an opening (sliding movement) means (not shown). When the switch 4 disposed on the side of the second housing 3 is operated, the first housing 2 is held in a state where the second housing 3 is held. By automatically sliding in the direction (X direction), the key button 3A (operation unit) of the second housing 3 can be made to appear.
[0027]
Around the side surface of the second housing 3, there is integrally provided a wall-like standing wall portion 5 that is formed in a substantially U shape so as to surround the first housing 2, and holds the standing wall portion 5. Thus, the sliding operation between the first and second casings 2 and 3 is performed. Here, the standing wall portion 5 is not formed with respect to the sliding direction (X direction) of the first housing 2, but the first housing 1 is slid with respect to the second housing 3. In order to guide the sliding direction, a guide projection (not shown) is provided, while the second housing 3 is provided with an engagement groove for engaging the guide projection along the slide (X) direction. These constitute a guide mechanism. The guide mechanism is not particularly limited to this configuration.
[0028]
The opening means of the present embodiment that slides the first housing 2 and automatically opens the key buttons 3A of the second housing 3 includes a motor provided inside the second housing 3 and the like. And a pinion provided on the top surface of the second housing 3 that rotates at the back (the back side of the top surface of the top surface on which the key button 3A is provided) and the back surface of the first housing 2 that the pinion meshes with. It is comprised with the slide mechanism provided with the provided rack etc. (all are not shown). Thus, when the switch 4 is pressed, the motor and the pinion rotate, and the first housing 2 to which the rack meshing with the pinion is attached automatically slides relative to the second housing 3. To do.
[0029]
In the present embodiment, the motor and the pinion are provided on the second housing 3 side, while the rack is provided on the first housing 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this. You may provide in a housing | casing. Also, these installation positions are not limited to those of the present embodiment.
[0030]
Moreover, as this opening means, the thing of an appropriate structure is applicable. For example, a method of manually pushing up the first housing 2 can be considered, but various known structures can be applied to the structure and the like.
[0031]
The operation of the electronic portable device according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, the user of the electronic portable device 1 slides the first housing 2 upward by holding the second housing 3 of the portable electronic device 1 shown in FIG. 1A with one hand and pressing the switch 4. (Here, in the case of a manual structure that does not include the switch 4, the first housing 2 is pushed upward and slid by a human finger or the like). Since the standing wall portion 5 is extended from the second housing 3 to the first housing 2 so as to ensure a sufficient range with respect to the position of the finger held by the device user, the user can use the portable electronic device 1. When the hand is held in a natural shape, the second housing 3 is always held.
[0032]
As described above, the portable electronic device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is formed around the side surface of the second housing 3 so as to surround the first housing 2 for the purpose of preventing the slide opening operation. By providing the standing wall 5, when the user holds the portable electronic device 1, it is possible to reliably hold only the second housing 3 (in this case, the second housing 3 is on the non-sliding side). it can. For this reason, when sliding the 1st housing | casing 2, it can prevent that a finger touches the 1st housing | casing 2, grasps, and is caught.
Thereby, the portable electronic device which can perform a smooth slide open | release operation can be provided.
[0033]
[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant description.
[0034]
In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 (B), the standing wall component 6 formed so as to surround the first housing 2 is provided around the side surface of the second housing 3 so as not to disturb the sliding operation. The second embodiment 3 is different from the first embodiment described above in that the second housing 3 is separate and detachable.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 2 (B), the standing wall component 6 is provided with claw portions 61 at both end portions and an intermediate portion, and is fitted into a claw fitting portion 31 provided in the second housing 3 so that The housing 3 is fixed.
[0036]
In addition, since this standing wall component 6 is a separate component from the 2nd housing | casing 3, it can also be comprised with the material different from the material which comprises the 2nd housing | casing 3, for example, comprises the 2nd housing | casing 3. While a lightweight resin material is used for the material to be used, a strong metal material may be used for the standing wall component 6 to improve the strength.
Moreover, in the above description, as a fixing method of the second housing 3 and the standing wall component 6, it is configured to be fixed by fitting the claw portion 61 and the claw fitting portion 31, but in addition to this, a screw, an adhesive, It can be similarly implemented by using an appropriate method or means such as press-fitting.
[0037]
As described above, according to the second embodiment, by forming the standing wall component 6 as a separate component from the second housing 3, only the standing wall component 6 is selected according to the preference of the user of the portable electronic device 1. Can be realized.
Further, if various types of standing wall parts 6 according to the user's preference are prepared, they can be appropriately exchanged and used appropriately according to the purpose and application. For example, since the standing wall component 6 can be made of a tough material such as metal, the strength against external force can be improved.
[0038]
[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant description.
[0039]
In the portable electronic device 1 according to the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 (A), the standing wall portion 7 arranged in a state of projecting upward along the outer periphery on the second housing 3 includes: The configuration is different from the standing wall portion 5 of the first embodiment described above in that it is not formed in the surrounding portion (operation region) facing the front side region that is the installation region of the key button 3A. Yes.
[0040]
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3A, the user of the portable electronic device 1 slides the first housing 2 in the tip (upward) direction opposite to the front direction. After that, the key button 3 </ b> A in the operation area exposed in the second housing 3 can be operated with a finger (for example, thumb) of the hand holding the second housing 3. At this time, since the standing wall portion 7 is eliminated around the operation area facing the key button 3A, the finger operation is greatly performed over a wide range in which the operated finger comes out of the second housing 3. Even when it is performed, since the obstacle that prevents the movement of the finger does not occur, the operability is greatly improved.
[0041]
Thus, since there is no standing wall part 7 around the key button 3A, the portable electronic device which can operate the key button 3A smoothly can be provided. In addition, although the standing wall part 7 has an angular shape in FIG. 3A, it is gripped with a shape suitable for the shape of the finger or with a finger by adding a round shape (or chamfering etc.) to the periphery. It is also possible to increase the strength of the standing wall portion 7 by adopting a shape adapted to the above, or by forming a round shape having a thickness.
[0042]
In the above description, the surrounding wall portion of the standing wall portion 7 where the key button 3A is desired has been completely eliminated, but in addition, the projecting portion is so low as not to lose the operability of the key button 3A. If it is a standing wall or the like, it is possible to project the entire surface around the outer periphery of the second housing 3 facing the key button 3A, or to the front (lower) side surface along the outer periphery of the second housing 3. It is also possible to project only.
[0043]
Accordingly, it is possible to ensure the function of protecting the first housing 2 of the portable electronic device while ensuring the operability of the key button 3A. In other words, it is possible to prevent a trouble that only the second housing 3 side is intended to be gripped, but the first housing 2 is gripped with a finger or the like, and the smooth slide opening operation cannot be performed. Become.
[0044]
As a modification of the third embodiment, the upright wall portion 7 in FIG. 3A may be formed upside down on the first housing 2 side. That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the standing wall portion 7 is arranged in a state of protruding downward along the outer periphery on the first housing 2, and the standing wall portion 7 is arranged on the first housing 2 side. You may comprise so that it may not form in the surrounding part (operation area | region) including the near side area | region which is an installation area | region of 2 A of key buttons (operation part). However, it is preferable that the standing wall portion 7 is located at a location that is not covered with a finger when the second housing 3 of the housing that is not slid is gripped. Alternatively, it is preferable to provide a gap that allows a finger to enter between the standing wall 7 and the second housing 3.
[0045]
With this configuration, the same effect as that obtained in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 3A in which the standing wall portion 7 is disposed in a state of protruding upward along the outer periphery of the upper surface of the second housing 3 is obtained. be able to.
Further, in this modified example, in FIG. 3B, the second housing 3 is held by fingers other than the palm and the thumb, the thumb is placed on the standing wall 7 in this state, and the first housing 2 is slid upward. By doing so, the key button 3A appears, and the key operation can be immediately performed with the thumb. That is, there is an effect that a series of movements of sliding the first housing 2 and operating the key button 3A together with the key button 2A can be quickly performed with only one finger (for example, thumb) movement.
[0046]
[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant description.
[0047]
In the fourth embodiment, the rib 81 is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the standing wall 8 and the rib 22 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the first housing 2, which is different from the first embodiment described above. It is different.
[0048]
The rib 81 and the rib 22 are configured such that when the first housing 2 is completely stored in a predetermined position with respect to the second housing 3 (hereinafter referred to as “overlapping state”), the ribs Both projecting positions are adjusted so as to engage with each other. When the first housing 2 is stored in a superposed state with respect to the second housing 3, these ribs come into contact / contact state. A sound can be generated.
Therefore, this click sound causes troubles such as forcing the slide mechanism portion to be damaged or damaged due to the pushing force, for example, trying to forcefully push back from the position of the overlapped state toward the storage (front side) direction. It is comprised so that it can prevent.
[0049]
Note that at least one of the rib 81 and the rib 22 may be made of a material having a large frictional force, such as rubber, and fixed. If comprised in this way, when the 1st housing | casing 2 is accommodated to the position of the superposition | polymerization state with respect to the 2nd housing | casing 3, a certain amount of reaction force can be generated in the finger | toe which operates. It can be confirmed that one housing 2 has returned to a predetermined position.
[0050]
Note that the rib 81 and the rib 22 described above may be both formed, or only one of them may be formed. Further, as shown in FIG. 4C, a configuration in which a grooved portion 32 that engages (or fits) with the rib 22 on the outer peripheral surface of the first housing 2 is formed in the standing wall portion 8. It may be.
[0051]
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the rib 81 and the rib 22 are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the standing wall portion 8 and the outer peripheral surface of the first housing 2 facing the upright wall portion 8. If the first housing 2 is put in the overlapped position, the first housing 2 is temporarily fixed from the second housing 3, so that the first housing 2 is unnecessarily rattled, It is possible to prevent the rattle from moving back and forth.
[0052]
Further, as shown in FIG. 4C, when the grooved portion 32 that engages (or fits) with the rib 22 on the outer peripheral surface of the first housing 2 is provided in the standing wall portion 8. The engagement (or fitting) operation of the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 and the adjustment operation of the engagement state can be easily performed. In addition, with such a configuration, after both the housings are assembled in the engaged state, the engagement (or fitting) operation when the first housing 2 slides with respect to the second housing 3 is ensured. Therefore, a portable electronic device with a simple structure and less play can be provided.
[0053]
[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant description.
[0054]
The fifth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that an elastic member 51 is provided on the upper edge of the standing wall 5.
The elastic member 51 has a feeling when a finger, palm, or the like touches the upper edge of the standing wall 5, particularly when operating the key button 3 </ b> A of the second housing 3, for example, discomfort due to pressing or locking. This is not only to reduce the feeling of pressure, but also to provide a good soft feel, and is made of an appropriate soft resin such as a silicone resin or other synthetic resin.
[0055]
In addition, this elastic member 51 may be configured to be fixed to the upper edge portion of the standing wall portion 5, considering wear due to long-term use or deterioration due to ultraviolet rays when used outdoors, etc. You may comprise so that attachment or detachment (exchange) is possible. For example, in order to be detachable, it is possible to realize a configuration in which a narrowed holding portion is provided at the opening edge portion and the holding portion is held between the upper edge portion of the standing wall portion 5.
[0056]
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, by providing the elastic member 51 on the standing wall 5, it is possible to provide a portable electronic device with an effect such as shock absorption with a simple structure.
In the above description, the structure in which the elastic member 51 is applied to the standing wall portion 5 has been described as an example, but in addition to this, for example, the standing wall component 6 which is a separate component as in the second embodiment shown in FIG. The same applies to the case where the elastic member 51 is provided.
[0057]
[Sixth Embodiment]
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant description.
[0058]
The sixth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the embossing process 52 is performed on the standing wall portion 5.
[0059]
The embossing process 52 is generally a small unevenness (for example, embossing or satin processing, etc.) in an area where a user is expected to hold with a finger or the like, for example, in the vicinity of the middle part of the left and right side surfaces as shown in FIG. ), Or by a writhing process, which can increase the frictional force to give an anti-slip effect, and can guide the user to the handicapped position etc. It is configured.
[0060]
As described above, the embossing process 52 is applied to the standing wall portion 5 to prevent slipping when the portable electronic device is gripped. Therefore, a portable electronic device having a simple structure and having an effect of preventing falling during device operation is provided. be able to.
In the above description, the structure in which the embossing process 52 is performed on the standing wall portion 5 has been described as an example. However, in addition, the embossing process is performed on the standing wall component 6 as in the second embodiment shown in FIG. The same applies to the case where the above is applied.
[0061]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention is arranged on the first housing and the second housing connected to be openable and closable by the slide moving means, and the outer surface of the second housing on the surface facing the first housing. An operation section that appears in an operation area when the first casing is slid, and a standing wall section that is formed on an outer peripheral portion of the second casing and covers a part of both side surfaces of the first casing. In the vicinity of the operation area provided with the operation portion that appears when the first housing is slid, the standing wall portion is not provided, so that the other housing is held while holding one housing. It is possible to provide a portable electronic device having an effect that a smooth slide opening operation can be realized without touching or gripping the other housing to be slid when sliding.
In addition, since there is no obstacle that restricts the movement of the finger around the key button, the key button operation can be performed smoothly.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1A and 1B show a portable electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a completely closed polymerization state, and FIG. 1B shows a state when the device is opened; It is a perspective view.
2A and 2B show a portable electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a state in which the standing wall part is assembled, and FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view with the standing wall part removed. FIG.
FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a portable electronic device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing a modification of the third embodiment.
4A and 4B show a portable electronic device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 4A is a front view thereof, FIG. 4B is a front view showing a polymerization state, and FIG. It is a schematic block diagram shown.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portable electronic device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portable electronic device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Portable electronic device 2 1st housing | casing 2A Key button (operation part)
22 Rib 3 Second housing 3A Key button (operation unit)
31 Pawl fitting portion 32 Groove cutting portion 4 Switch 5 Standing wall portion 51 Elastic member 52 Embossing 6 Standing wall component 61 Pawl portion 7 Standing wall portion 8 Standing wall portion 81 Rib

Claims (7)

A first housing and a second housing connected to each other by a slide moving means so as to be opened and closed;
An operation unit that is disposed on the outer surface of the second housing and facing the first housing, and an operation area appears when the first housing is slid.
A standing wall portion formed on an outer peripheral portion of the second casing and covering a part of both side surfaces of the first casing;
The portable electronic device, wherein the standing wall portion is not provided in the vicinity of the operation region provided with the operation portion that appears when the first casing is slid.   The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the standing wall portion is formed by integral molding with the second housing.   The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the standing wall portion is detachably provided as a separate component from the second housing.   The portable electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the standing wall portion is made of a material different from a material constituting the second housing.   The mobile phone according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a fitting rib or a groove cutting portion is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the standing wall portion and an outer peripheral surface of the first housing. Electronics.   The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein an elastic member is provided on the standing wall portion.   The portable electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the standing wall portion is subjected to embossing.

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