JP4090930B2

JP4090930B2 - Device case opening and closing device

Info

Publication number: JP4090930B2
Application number: JP2003100482A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 一吉大嶋; 健二冨沢; 学長谷川
Original assignee: Sugatsune Kogyo Co Ltd
Current assignee: Sugatsune Kogyo Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-04-03
Filing date: 2003-04-03
Publication date: 2008-05-28
Anticipated expiration: 2023-04-03
Also published as: CN1784554A; JP2004308710A; CN100412392C

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、携帯電話機の送話部と受話部、あるいはノートブック型パソコンの入力キーが設けられた本体部と液晶ディスプレーが設けられた表示部のような第１、第２の二つの機器ケースを回動可能に連結する機器ケースの開閉装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
一般に、この種の開閉装置は、第１ケースと第２ケースとが連結部材を介して回動可能に連結されている。すなわち、連結部材は、その一端部が第１ケースに第１ヒンジ軸を介して回動可能に連結され、他端部が第２ケースに第１ヒンジ軸と平行な第２ヒンジ軸を介して回動可能に連結されている。これにより、第２ケースが第１ケースに対し折畳位置と展開位置との間に回動可能に連結されている（例えば、特許文献１参照）。
【０００３】
【特許文献１】
実公平７−１５１８６号公報（第３頁、第１図）
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上記従来の機器ケースの開閉装置においては、第１及び第２ケースと連結部材とが単に回動可能に連結されているだけであるため、第２ケースを第１ケースに対して回動させるときに、第２ケースが中間部材に対して回動するか、中間部材が第１ケースに対して回動するかが定まらない。このため、第２ケースを回動させている途中に第２ケースに対する力の作用方向を変えなければならない事態が発生することがあり、使用者に違和感を抱かせるという問題があった。
【０００５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
この発明は、上記の問題を解決するためになされたもので、第１ケースと、この第１ケースに一端部が第１回動軸線を中心として回動可能に連結された連結部材と、この連結部材の他端部に上記第１回動軸線と平行な第２回動軸線を中心として回動可能に連結された第２ケースとを備え、上記連結部材が上記第１ケースに対して回動するとともに、上記第２ケースが上記連結部材に対して回動することにより、上記第２ケースが上記第１ケースに対して折畳位置と展開位置との間を回動可能である機器ケースの開閉装置において、上記第１ケースと上記連結部材との間には、上記連結部材が上記第２ケースを上記展開位置側から上記折畳位置側へ回動させるように一方向へ所定の初期位置まで回動したときに上記連結部材を上記初期位置に停止させる第１停止手段と、上記連結部材が上記第２ケースを上記折畳位置側から上記展開位置側へ回動させるように他方向へ所定の終端位置まで回動したときに上記連結部材を上記終端位置に停止させる第２停止手段と、上記連結部材が上記初期位置又はその近傍から上記他方向へ回動するのを所定の大きさの阻止力で阻止する第１回動阻止手段と、上記連結部材が上記終端位置又はその近傍から上記一方向へ回動するのを所定の大きさの阻止力で阻止する第２回動阻止手段とが設けられ、上記第２ケースと上記連結部材との間には、上記第２ケースが上記連結部材に対し上記折畳位置側から上記展開位置側へ向かう開方向へ所定の中間位置まで回動したときに上記第２ケースを上記中間位置に停止させる第３停止手段と、上記第２ケースが上記折畳位置又はその近傍から上記開方向へ回動するのを所定の大きさの阻止力で阻止する第３回動阻止手段と、上記第２ケースが上記中間位置又はその近傍から上記折畳位置側へ向う閉方向へ回動するのを所定の大きさの阻止力で阻止する第４回動阻止手段とが設けられ、上記第１回動阻止手段の阻止力が上記第３回動阻止手段の阻止力より大きく設定され、上記第４回動阻止手段の阻止力が上記第２回動阻止手段の阻止力より大きく設定されていることを特徴としている。
この場合、上記第１回動阻止手段が、上記連結部材が上記初期位置に位置しているときに上記連結部材を上記一方向へ回動付勢する第１回動付勢手段であり、上記第２回動阻止手段が、上記連結部材が上記終端位置に位置しているときに上記連結部材を上記他方向へ回動付勢する第２回動付勢手段であり、上記第３回動阻止手段が、上記第２ケースが上記折畳位置に位置しているときに上記第２ケースを上記閉方向へ回動付勢する第３回動付勢手段であり、上記第４阻止手段が、上記第２ケースが上記中間位置に位置しているときに上記第２ケースを上記開方向へ回動付勢する第４回動付勢手段であることが望ましい。
また、上記折畳位置が、上記第２ケースが上記第１ケースに突き当たることによって規制されていることが望ましい。
さらに、上記第２ケースが上記中間位置に位置したときに上記第２ケースが上記第１回動軸線及び上記第２回動軸線と直交する線上に位置するように、上記中間位置が規定されていることが望ましい。
【０００６】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、この発明の実施の形態について図１〜図２６を参照して説明する。
図１〜図１６は、この発明の第１実施の形態を示す。この実施の形態は、この発明を携帯電話機１の送話部が設けられる送話ケース（第１ケース）２と受話部が設けられる受話ケース（第２ケース）３との間に適用したものであり、受話ケース３は、図１（Ａ）及び図５に示す折畳位置と、図１（Ｃ）及び図７に示す通話位置（展開位置）との間を回動可能になっている。折畳位置は、受話ケース３の前面３ａが送話ケース２の前面２ａに突き当たることによって規制されており、受話ケース３の通話ケース２に対する回動角度は０°である。一方、通話位置は、受話ケース３が通話ケース２に対して最も大きく回動したときの位置であり、この実施の形態では折畳位置から１６０°離れた位置に設定されている。通話位置は、後述するように、連結部材４が送話ケース２の第２当接面２５に突き当たることによって規制されている。また、図１（Ｂ）及び図６に示すように、受話ケース３が折畳位置から通話位置側へ向かって所定角度（この実施の形態では１００°）だけ回動した位置に中間位置が設定されている。中間位置は、後述するように、第３当接面３４が連結部材４に突き当たることによって規制されている。
【０００７】
なお、送話ケース２と受話ケース３とは、互いに相対回動可能であるが、説明の便宜上、以下においては送話ケース２が位置固定され、受話ケース３が送話ケース２に対して回動するものとする。
【０００８】
図１及び図２に示すように、送話ケース２は、受話ケース３が折畳位置に回動したときに受話ケース３に突き当たる上ケース半体２Ａと、この上ケース半体２Ａの下に重ねて合わせて固定された下ケース半体２Ｂとを有している。ケース半体２Ａ，２Ｂは、いずれも薄い直方体状をなしている。下ケース半体２Ｂの上ケース半体２Ａと対向する面の長手方向における一端部には、凹部２１が形成されている。この凹部２１と対向する上ケース半体２Ａの長手方向の一端部には、切欠き部２２が形成されている。この切欠き部２２と凹部２１とにより、通話ケース２の長手方向の一端部に長手方向を送話ケース２の短手方向に向けた収容凹部２３が構成されている。
【０００９】
受話ケース３は、それが折畳位置に回動したときに送話ケース２に突き当たる下ケース半体３Ａと、この下ケース半体３Ａの上に重ね合わせて固定された上ケース半体３Ｂとを有している。ケース半体３Ａ，３Ｂは、いずれも薄い直方体状をなしている。上ケース半体３Ｂの上ケース半体３Ａと対向する面の長手方向における一端部には、凹部３１が形成されている。この凹部３１と対向する下ケース半体３Ａの長手方向の一端部には、切欠き部３２が形成されている。この切欠き部３２と凹部３１とにより、受話ケース３の長手方向の一端部に長手方向を受話ケース３の短手方向に向けた収容凹部３３が構成されている。収容凹部３３は、収容凹部２３と平行に配置されている。
【００１０】
送話ケース２と受話ケース３とは、連結部材４を介して回動可能に連結されている。連結部材４は、薄い直方体状をなしており、その長手方向を収容凹部２３，３３の長手方向と同一方向に向けて配置されている。連結部材４の短手方向の一端部と他端部とは、収容凹部２３，３３にそれぞれ挿入されている。連結部材４の短手方向の一端部は、連結部材４の長手方向における両端部に配置された一対の第１ヒンジ５Ａ，５Ａを介して送話ケース２に第１回動軸線Ｌ１（図４参照）を中心として回動可能に連結されている。連結部材４の短手方向の他端部は、連結部材４の長手方向における両端部に配置された第２ヒンジ５Ｂ，５Ｂを介して受話ケース３に第２回動軸線Ｌ２（図４参照）を中心として回動可能に連結されている。第１、第２ヒンジ５Ａ，５Ｂは、それぞれ一個ずつ用い、他の第１、第２ヒンジ５Ａ，５Ｂについてはそれらに代えて単なるヒンジ軸を用いてもよい。
【００１１】
第１、第２回動軸線Ｌ１，Ｌ２は互いに平行であり、収容凹部２３，３３の長手方向とも平行になっている。しかも、第２回動軸線Ｌ２は、図３、図５及び図６に示すように、連結部材４が後述する初期位置に位置しているときには、第１回動軸線Ｌ１に対し受話ケース３の他端側から一端側へ向う方向へずれて配置されており、それにより受話ケース３が中間位置に回動したときに、受話ケース３が第１及び第２回動軸線と直交する線上に位置するようになっている。特に、この実施の形態では、ケース半体３Ａ，３Ｂの突き合せ面が第１及び第２回動軸線と直交する線上に位置するようになっている。
【００１２】
連結部材４は、送話ケース２に対し図５及び図６に示す初期位置と図７に示す終端位置との間を回動可能になっている。初期位置は、図５及び図６に示すように、切欠き部２２を区画する壁面のうちの、ケース２の短手方向に延びる壁面によって構成される第１当接面（第１停止手段）２４に連結部材４が突き当たることによって規制されている。終端位置は、下ケース半体２Ｂの上面（上ケース半体２Ａとの対向面）のうちの、凹部２１と下ケース半体２Ｂの一端縁との間に存する部分に形成された第２当接面（第２停止手段）２５に連結部材４が突き当たることによって規制されている。
【００１３】
受話ケース３は、初期位置に位置している連結部材４に対し、図５に示す第２初期位置と図６に示す第２終端位置との間を回動可能になっている。第２初期位置は、受話ケース３の前面３ａが送話ケース２の前面２ａに突き当たることによって規制されている。一方、第２終端位置は、図６に示すように、上ケース半体３Ｂの下面（下ケース半体３Ａとの対向面）のうちの、凹部３１と上ケース半体３Ｂの一端縁との間に存する部分に形成された第３当接面（第３停止手段）３４が連結部材４に突き当たることによって規制されている。したがって、受話ケース３の第２初期位置及び第２終端位置は、連結部材４が初期位置に位置している限り折畳位置及び中間位置と同一位置である。しかも、受話ケース３は連結部材４が初期位置に位置しているときに限り連結部材４に対して回動するから、受話ケース３の第２初期位置及び第２終端位置は、折畳位置及び中間位置と同一位置である。そこで、以下においては、第２初期位置も折畳位置と称し、第２終端位置も中間位置と称する。受話ケース３の連結部材４に対する回動範囲の一方の限界位置である折畳位置については、受話ケース３を送話ケース２に突き当たらせることによって規制することなく、例えば切欠き部３２を区画する壁面のうちの、ケース３の短手方向に延びる壁面３２ａを連結部材４に突き当たらせることによって規制するようにしてもよい。その場合には、受話ケース３が折畳位置に回動したとき、送話ケース２の前面２ａと受話ケース３の前面３ａとの間には若干の隙間が形成される。
【００１４】
受話ケース３が折畳位置から通話位置まで回転するとき、及び通話位置から折畳位置まで回転するときには、第１、第２ヒンジ５Ａ，５Ｂ及び第１、第２、第３当接面２４，２５，３４の作用により、連結部材４の送話ケース２に対する回転と、受話ケース３の連結部材４に対する回転とが所定の順序で行われるようになっている。すなわち、いま図５に示すように、連結部材４が初期位置に位置し、受話ケース３が折畳位置に位置しているものとする。この状態において、受話ケース３を通話位置側へ回動させようとすると、まず受話部３が連結部材４に対して図５〜図７に示す矢印Ｄ方向（開方向）へ回動する。このとき、連結部材４は、受話ケース３が中間位置に達するまでは、停止状態を維持する。受話ケース３が中間位置に達すると、図６に示すように、第３当接面３４が連結部材４に突き当たる。その結果、受話ケース３が連結部材４に対してそれ以上通話位置側へ回動することができなくなる。したがって、受話ケース３を中間位置からさらに通話位置側へ回動させると、連結部材４が通話ケース２に対して初期位置から終端位置側へ向かって矢印Ｂ方向（一方向）へ回動し始める。そして、図７に示すように、連結部材４が矢印Ｂ方向へ向って終端位置まで回動すると、連結部材４が第２当接面２５に突き当たって停止し、それに伴って受話ケース３も停止する。このとき、受話ケース３は、それ自体の折畳位置から中間位置までの回動と、連結部材４の初期位置から終端位置までの回動とを加算した分だけ送話ケース２に対して回動しており、通話位置に達している。
【００１５】
受話ケース３を通話位置から折畳位置まで回転させる場合には、受話ケース３を図７の矢印Ｃ方向（閉方向）へ押すと、まず連結部材４が送話ケース２に対し終端位置から初期位置側へ向かって矢印Ａ方向（他方向）へ回転する。このとき、受話ケース３は連結部材４に対して回動することがなく、連結部材４と一体になった状態で第１回動軸線Ｌ１を中心として回動する。したがって、連結部材４が図６に示す初期位置に達すると、受話ケース３は中間位置に達している。受話ケース３を中間位置から折畳位置側へ向って矢印Ｃ方向へさらに回動させると、連結部材４が初期位置から矢印Ａ方向へ回動することが阻止されているので、受話ケース３が連結部材４に対して矢印Ｃ方向へ回動する。受話ケース３は、折畳位置まで回動すると、送話ケース２に突き当たって停止する。
【００１６】
次に、受話ケース３及び連結部材４を第１〜第３当接面２４，２５，３４と協働して上記の順序で回動させる第１、第２ヒンジ５Ａ，５Ｂについて説明する。まず、第１ヒンジ５Ａについて説明すると、図８〜図１０に示すように、第１ヒンジ５Ａは、第１ヒンジ部材５１、第２ヒンジ部材５２、ヒンジ軸５３、可動部材５４及びコイルばね（付勢手段）５５を有している。
【００１７】
第１ヒンジ部材５１は、円筒状をなしており、その一端部に底部５１ａを有している。底部５１ａの中央部には、貫通孔５１ｂが形成されている。この貫通孔５１ｂには、ヒンジ軸５３が回動可能に挿通されている。ヒンジ軸５３の一端部には、頭部５３ａが形成されており、この頭部５３ａに底部５１ａが突き当たることにより、第１ヒンジ部材５１がヒンジ軸５３の一端部から抜き出ることが阻止されている。
【００１８】
第２ヒンジ部材５２は、中実の短円柱状をなしており、第１ヒンジ部材５１と対向して配置されている。第２ヒンジ部材５２の中央部には、第１ヒンジ部材５１側の端部に小径孔部５２ａが形成され、逆側の端部に大径孔部５２ｂが形成されている。小径孔部５２ａには、ヒンジ軸５３の他端部が回動不能に圧入されている。これにより、第２ヒンジ部材５２がヒンジ軸５３を介して第１ヒンジ部材５１に回動可能に連結されている。第２ヒンジ部材５２は、ヒンジ軸５３に対して回動可能にしてもよい。その場合には、第１ヒンジ部材５１をヒンジ軸５３に対して回動不能にしてもよい。ヒンジ軸５３の他端部は、小径孔部５２ａを貫通して大径孔部５２ｂに若干突出しており、その突出した部分が図９において想像線で示すように加締められることにより、第２ヒンジ部材５２がヒンジ軸５３の他端部から抜け出ることが阻止されている。
【００１９】
第１、第２ヒンジ部材５１，５２間に位置するヒンジ軸５３の中央部には、可動部材５４が回動可能に、かつヒンジ軸５３の軸線方向へ摺動可能に嵌合されている。可動部材５４は、第１ヒンジ部材５１に回動不能に、かつヒンジ軸５３の軸線方向へ移動可能に連結されている。可動部材５４と第１ヒンジ部材５１の底部５１ａとの間には、コイルスプリング５５が配置されている。このコイルスプリング５５によって可動部材５４が第２ヒンジ部材５２側へ向って付勢されている。
【００２０】
図４に示すように、第１ヒンジ５Ａは、ヒンジ軸５３の軸線を第１回動軸線Ｌ１と一致させた状態で配置されている。そして、第１ヒンジ部材５１が連結部材４の両端面に第１回転軸線Ｌ１と軸線を一致させて形成された支持孔４１に回動不能に嵌合されるとともに、第２ヒンジ部材５２が送話ケース２の第１回転軸線Ｌ１上に形成された支持孔２６に回動不能に嵌合されている。これにより、送話ケース２と連結部材４とが第１ヒンジ５Ａを介して、それも第１回動軸線Ｌ１を中心として回動可能に連結されている。
【００２１】
図９及び図１５に示すように、可動部材５４の第２ヒンジ部材５２との対向面には、一対の球体６Ａ，６Ｂがそれぞれの一部を第２ヒンジ部材５２側に突出させた状態で埋設固定されている。一対の球体６Ａ，６Ｂは、第１回動軸線Ｌ１に関して対称に配置されている。つまり、一対の球体６Ａ，６Ｂは、第１回動軸線Ｌ１を中心とする一つの円周上に周方向へ１８０°離れて配置されている。一対の球体６Ａ，６Ｂは、コイルばね５５によって第２ヒンジ部材５２の可動部材５４との対向面に押し当てられている。
【００２２】
一方、第２ヒンジ部材５２の可動部材５４との対向面には、図１１に示すように、一対の凹部７Ａ，７Ｂと、他の一対の凹部８Ａ，８Ｂとが形成されている。凹部７Ａ，７Ｂ；８Ａ，８Ｂは、球体６Ａ，６Ｂが配置された円周と同一の円周上に配置されている。しかも、一対の凹部７Ａ，７Ｂは周方向に１８０°離れて配置され、一対の凹部８Ａ，８Ｂも周方向に１８０°離れて配置されている。
【００２３】
一対の凹部７Ａ，７Ｂ及び他の一対の凹部８Ａ，８Ｂは、球体６Ａ，６Ｂと次のような関係をもって配置されている。すなわち、一対の凹部７Ａ，７Ｂは、連結部材４が終端位置側から初期位置側に向って図５の矢印Ａ方向へ回動させられ、それに伴って球体６Ａ，６Ｂが第２ヒンジ部材５２に対し図１１の矢印Ａ方向へ回動した場合において、連結部材４が初期位置に対して所定角度（例えば１０〜１５°）だけ手前の初期近傍位置まで回動すると、球体６Ａ，６Ｂが一対の凹部７Ａ，７Ｂにそれぞれ入り込み始めるように配置されており、球体６Ａ，６Ｂは、凹部７Ａ，７Ｂの各底面に形成された傾斜面７１，７１（図１２参照）にそれぞれ押圧接触する。しかも、一対の凹部７Ａ，７Ｂは、連結部材４が初期近傍位置から初期位置に達するまでは、球体６Ａ，６Ｂが傾斜面７１，７１上を凹部７Ａ，７Ｂの中心に向って周方向へ摺動するように配置されている。
【００２４】
球体６Ａ，６Ｂが凹部７Ａ，７Ｂの傾斜面７１，７１に接触しているときには、コイルばね５５の付勢力が傾斜面７１，７１及びこれに接触する球体６Ａ，６Ｂにより、第１回動軸線Ｌ１を中心とする回動付勢力に変換される。この回動付勢力によって球体６Ａ，６Ｂが図１１の矢印Ａ方向へ回動付勢され、連結部材４が図５〜図７の矢印Ａ方向へ回動付勢される。したがって、連結部材４は、初期位置と初期近傍位置との間に位置すると、傾斜面７１，７１及び球体６Ａ，６Ｂによって変換されたコイルばね５５の回動付勢力によって初期位置まで自動的に回動させられ、そのまま初期位置に維持される。コイルばね５５、傾斜面７１，７１及び球体６Ａ，６Ｂにより、連結部材４を終端位置側から初期位置側へ向って回動付勢する第１回動付勢手段（第１回動阻止手段）１１が構成されている。第１回動付勢手段１１は、その回動付勢力により、連結部材４が初期位置から終端位置側へ回動するのを阻止する。
【００２５】
一対の凹部８Ａ，８Ｂは、連結部材４が初期位置側から終端位置側に向って図７の矢印Ｂ方向へ回動させられ、それに伴って球体６Ａ，６Ｂが第２ヒンジ部材５２に対し図１１の矢印Ｂ方向へ回動した場合において、連結部材４が終端位置に対して所定角度（例えば１０〜１５°）だけ手前の終端近傍位置まで回動すると、球体６Ａ，６Ｂが一対の凹部８Ａ，８Ｂにそれぞれ入り込み始めるように配置されており、球体６Ａ，６Ｂは、図１２に示すように、凹部８Ａ，８Ｂの各底面に形成された傾斜面８１，８１にそれぞれ押圧接触する。しかも、一対の凹部８Ａ，８Ｂは、連結部材４が終端近傍位置から終端位置に達するまでは、球体６Ａ，６Ｂが傾斜面８１，８１上を凹部８Ａ，８Ｂの中心に向って周方向へ摺動するように配置されている。
【００２６】
球体６Ａ，６Ｂが凹部８Ａ，８Ｂの傾斜面８１，８１に接触しているときには、コイルばね５５の付勢力が傾斜面８１，８１及びこれに接触する球体６Ａ，６Ｂにより、第１回動軸線Ｌ１を中心とする回動付勢力に変換される。この回動付勢力によって球体６Ａ，６Ｂが図１１の矢印Ｂ方向へ回動付勢され、連結部材４が図５〜図７の矢印Ｂ方向へ回動付勢される。したがって、連結部材４は、終端位置と終端近傍位置との間に位置すると、傾斜面８１，８１及び球体６Ａ，６Ｂによって変換されたコイルばね５５の回動付勢力によって終端位置まで自動的に回動させられ、そのまま終端位置に維持される。コイルばね５５、傾斜面８１，８１及び球体６Ａ，６Ｂにより、連結部材４を初期位置側から終端位置側へ向って回動付勢する第２回動付勢手段（第２回動阻止手段）１２が構成されている。第２回動付勢手段１２は、その回動付勢力により、連結部材４が終端位置から初期位置側へ回動するのを阻止する。
【００２７】
次に、第２ヒンジ５Ｂについて説明すると、第２ヒンジ５Ｂの基本的構成は、第１ヒンジ５Ａと同様であり、第２ヒンジ５Ｂは、ヒンジ軸５３の軸線を第２回動軸線Ｌ２と一致させた状態で配置されている。そして、第１ヒンジ部材５１が連結部材４の両端面に第２回転軸線Ｌ２と軸線を一致させて形成された支持孔４２に回動不能に嵌合されるとともに、第２ヒンジ部材５２が送話ケース２の第２回転軸線Ｌ２上に形成された支持孔２７に回動不能に嵌合されている。これにより、受話ケース３と連結部材４とが第２ヒンジ５Ｂを介して、それも第２回動軸線Ｌ２を中心として回動可能に連結されている。
【００２８】
第２ヒンジ部材５２の可動部材５４との対向面には、図１３に示すように、凹部７Ａ，７Ｂ；８Ａ，８Ｂに代わる凹部７Ｃ，７Ｄ；８Ｃ，８Ｄが形成されている。凹部７Ｃ，７Ｄ；８Ｃ，８Ｄは、周方向における配置が凹部７Ａ，７Ｂ；８Ａ，８Ｂのそれと相違している。
【００２９】
すなわち、一方の一対の凹部７Ｃ，７Ｄは、受話ケース３が中間位置側から折畳位置側へ向って図５〜図７の矢印Ｃ方向へ回動させられた場合（このとき、連結部材４は初期位置において停止している。）において、受話ケース３が折畳位置に対して所定角度（例えば１０〜１５°）だけ手前の折畳近傍位置まで回動すると、球体６Ａ，６Ｂが凹部７Ｃ，７Ｄに入り込むように配置されており、球体６Ａ，６Ｂは、図１４に示すように、凹部７Ｃ，７Ｄの底面に形成された傾斜面７２，７２にそれぞれ押圧接触する。しかも、一対の凹部７Ｃ，７Ｄは、受話ケース３が折畳近傍位置から折畳位置に達するまでは、球体６Ａ，６Ｂが傾斜面７２，７２上を凹部７Ｃ，７Ｄの中心に向って周方向へ摺動するように配置されている。
【００３０】
球体６Ａ，６Ｂが凹部７Ｃ，７Ｄの傾斜面７２，７２に接触しているときには、コイルばね５５の付勢力が傾斜面７２，７２及びこれに接触する球体６Ａ，６Ｂにより、第２回動軸線Ｌ２を中心とする回動付勢力に変換される。この回動付勢力によって第２ヒンジ部材５２が図１３の矢印Ｃ方向へ回動付勢され、ひいては受話ケース３が図５〜図７の矢印Ｃ方向へ回動付勢される。したがって、受話ケース３は、折畳位置と折畳近傍位置との間に位置すると、傾斜面７２，７２及び球体６Ａ，６Ｂによって変換されたコイルばね５５の回動付勢力によって折畳位置まで自動的に回動させられ、そのまま折畳位置に維持される。コイルばね５５、傾斜面７２，７２及び球体６Ａ，６Ｂにより、受話ケース３を中間位置側から折畳位置側へ向って回動付勢する第３回動付勢手段（第３回動阻止手段）１３が構成されている。第３回動付勢手段は１３は、その回動付勢力により、受話ケース３が折畳位置から通話位置（展開位置）側へ回動するのを阻止する。
【００３１】
他方の一対の凹部８Ｃ，８Ｄは、受話ケース３が折畳位置側から中間位置側へ向って図５〜図７の矢印Ｄ方向へ回動させられた場合（このとき、連結部材４は初期位置において停止している。）において、受話ケース３が中間位置に対して所定角度（例えば１０〜１５°）だけ手前の中間近傍位置まで回動すると、球体６Ａ，６Ｂが凹部８Ｃ，８Ｄに入り込むように配置されており、球体６Ａ，６Ｂは、図１４に示すように、凹部８Ｃ，８Ｄの底面に形成された傾斜面８２，８２にそれぞれ押圧接触する。しかも、一対の凹部８Ｃ，８Ｄは、受話ケース３が中間近傍位置から中間位置に達するまでは、球体６Ａ，６Ｂが傾斜面８２，８２上を凹部８Ｃ，８Ｄの中心に向って周方向へ摺動するように配置されている。
【００３２】
球体６Ａ，６Ｂが凹部８Ｃ，８Ｄの傾斜面８２，８２に接触しているときには、コイルばね５５の付勢力が傾斜面８２，８２及びこれに接触する球体６Ａ，６Ｂにより、第２回動軸線Ｌ２を中心とする回動付勢力に変換される。この回動付勢力によって第２ヒンジ部材５２が図１３の矢印Ｄ方向へ回動付勢され、ひいては受話ケース３が図５〜図７の矢印Ｄ方向へ回動付勢される。したがって、受話ケース３は、中間位置と中間近傍位置との間に位置すると、傾斜面８２，８２及び球体６Ａ，６Ｂによって変換されたコイルばね５５の回動付勢力によって中間位置まで自動的に回動させられ、そのまま中間位置に維持される。コイルばね５５、傾斜面８２，８２及び球体６Ａ，６Ｂにより、受話ケース３を折畳位置側から中間位置側へ向って回動付勢する第４回動付勢手段（第４回動阻止手段）１４が構成されている。第４回動阻止手段１４は、その回動付勢力により、受話ケース３が中間位置から折畳位置側へ回動するのを阻止する。
【００３３】
第１回動軸線Ｌ１と直交する平面に対する傾斜面７１，８１の傾斜角度は、図１２に示すように、それぞれ角度α１、β１に設定されている。第２回動軸線Ｌ２と直交する平面に対する傾斜面７２，８２の傾斜角度は、図１４に示すように、角度α２，β２にそれぞれ設定されている。角度α１は角度α２より大きく設定されており、角度β２は角度β１より大きく設定されている。したがって、第１回動付勢手段１１の回動付勢力は、第３回動付勢手段１３の回動付勢力より大きくなっており、第４回動付勢手段１４の回動付勢力は、第２回動付勢手段１２の回動付勢力より大きくなっている。
なお、この実施の形態では、α１＝β２に設定され、α２＝β１に設定されているが、第１回動付勢手段１１の回動付勢力を第３回動付勢手段１３の回動付勢力より大きくするとともに、第４回動付勢手段１４の回動付勢力を第２回動付勢手段１２の回動付勢力より大きくする限り、角度α１と角度β２との大小関係、及び角度α２と角度β１との大小関係は、任意に設定してもよい。
【００３４】
上記構成の携帯電話機１において、いま図５に示すように、連結部材４が初期位置に位置し、かつ受話ケース３が折畳位置に位置しているものとする。この状態においては、図１６（Ａ）に示すように、第１ヒンジ５Ａの球体６Ａ，６Ｂが凹部７Ａ，７Ｂに入り込んでいるとともに、第２ヒンジ５Ｂの球体６Ａ，６Ｂが凹部７Ｃ，７Ｄに入り込んでいる。
【００３５】
受話ケース３を通話位置側へ回動させようとすると、第１回動付勢手段１１の回動付勢力が第３回動付勢手段１３の回動付勢力より大きいので、連結部材４が初期位置において停止状態を維持し、まず受話ケース３が第２回動軸線Ｌ２を中心として図５の矢印Ｄ方向へ回動する。つまり、受話ケースが連結部材４に対して中間位置側へ回動する。受話ケース３は、折畳位置から折畳近傍位置まで回動する間は、第３回動付勢手段１３の回動付勢力に抗して回動させられる。受話ケース３が折畳近傍位置と中間近傍位置との間に位置しているときには、球体６Ａ，６Ｂが第２ヒンジ部材５２の可動部材５４との対向面上を摺動しており、それらの間に摩擦抵抗が発生する。したがって、受話ケース３はその摩擦抵抗に抗して回動させられる。勿論、この摩擦抵抗は、第１回動付勢手段１１の回動付勢力より弱いので、連結部材４は初期位置に停止した状態に維持される。
【００３６】
受話ケース３が中間近傍位置に達すると、図１６（Ｂ）に示すように、第２ヒンジ５Ｂの球体６Ａ，６Ｂが凹部８Ｃ，８Ｄの傾斜面８２，８２に押圧接触する結果、受話ケース３が第４回動付勢手段１４の回動付勢力によって中間位置まで自動的に回動させられる。受話ケース３が中間位置に回動すると、図６に示すように、第３当接面３４が連結部材４に突き当たる。したがって、受話ケース３が連結部材４に対し折畳位置側から中間位置側へ向う方向へ回動することができなくなり、連結部材４に対して停止する。
【００３７】
受話ケース３を中間位置から通話位置側へ向ってさらに回動させようとすると、受話ケース３が連結部材４に対して回動不能であるので、連結部材４が第１回動軸線Ｌ１を中心として初期位置から終端位置側へ回動し始め、それに伴って受話ケース３が引き続き通話位置側へ回動する。連結部材４は、初期位置から初期近傍位置まで回動する間（受話ケース３が中間位置から通話位置側へ向って所定角度だけ離れた位置まで回動する間）は、第１回動付勢手段１１の付勢力に抗して回動させられる。連結部材４が初期近傍位置と終端近傍位置との間に位置させられているときには、球体６Ａ，６Ｂが第２ヒンジ部材５２の可動部材５４との対向面上を摺動しており、それらの間には摩擦抵抗が発生する。したがって、連結部材４は、その摩擦抵抗に抗して回動させられる。
【００３８】
連結部材４が終端近傍位置に達すると、図１６（Ｃ）に示すように、第１ヒンジ５Ａの球体６Ａ，６Ｂが凹部８Ａ，８Ｂの傾斜面８１，８１に押圧接触する結果、連結部材４が第２回動付勢手段１２の回動付勢力によって終端位置まで自動的に回動させられる。連結部材４が終端位置に達すると、図７に示すように、連結部材４が第２当接面２５に突き当たって停止する。このとき、連結部材４と一体に回動していた受話ケース３は、通話位置に達している。そして、受話ケース３は、第２回動付勢手段１２の回動付勢力によって通話位置に維持される。
【００３９】
連結部材４が終端位置に位置し、かつ受話ケース３が通話位置に位置している図７に示す状態において、受話ケース３を折畳位置側へ回動させようとすると、第４回動付勢手段１４の回動付勢力が第２回動付勢手段１２の回動付勢力より大きいので、受話ケース３は連結部材４に対して停止状態を維持し、連結部材４が第１回動軸線Ｌ１を中心として終端位置から初期位置側へ回動する。勿論、連結部材４の回動に伴って受話ケース３は送話ケース２に対し通話位置側から折畳位置側へ回動する。連結部材４は、終端位置から終端近傍位置までの間は、第２回動付勢手段１２の回動付勢力に抗して回動させられる。連結部材４は、終端近傍位置と初期近傍位置との間に位置しているときには、球体６Ａ，６Ｂと第２ヒンジ部材５２との間に発生する摩擦抵抗に抗して回動させられる。この摩擦抵抗は、第４回動付勢手段１４の回動付勢力より弱いので、受話ケース３が連結部材４に対して回動することはない。
【００４０】
連結部材４が初期位置近傍に達すると、球体６Ａ，６Ｂが傾斜面７１，７１に押圧接触する結果、連結部材４が第１回動付勢手段１１の回動付勢力によって初期位置まで自動的に回動させられる。すると、図６に示すように、連結部材４が第１当接面２４に突き当たって停止する。このとき、連結部材４と一体に回動した受話ケース３は、中間位置に達している。
【００４１】
受話ケース３を中間位置から折畳位置側へ回動させようとすると、連結部材４が初期位置に停止させられているので、受話ケース３が中間位置から折畳位置側へ回動する。受話ケース３は、中間位置から中間近傍位置まで回動する間は、第４回動付勢手段１４の回動付勢力に抗して回動させられる。受話ケース３は、中間近傍位置と折畳近傍位置との間に位置しているときには、球体６Ａ，６Ｂと第２ヒンジ部材５２との間に発生する摩擦抵抗に抗して回動させられる。受話ケース３が折畳近傍位置に達すると、球体６Ａ，６Ｂが傾斜面７２，７２に押圧接触する結果、受話ケース３が第３回動付勢手段１３の回動付勢力によって自動的に折畳位置まで回動させられるとともに、折畳位置に維持される。これにより、携帯電話機１が図５に示す元の状態に戻る。
【００４２】
このように、携帯電話機１においては、受話ケース３及び連結部材４の回動順序が一定しているから、受話ケース３を回動させている途中に受話ケース３に対する力の作用方向を変えなければならない事態が発生することがなく、使用者に違和感を抱かせるという事態を未然に防止することができる。
【００４３】
次に、図１７〜図２６に示すこの発明の第２実施の形態について説明する。この実施の形態の携帯電話機１′においては、図１７（Ａ）〜（Ｃ）に示すように、受話ケース３が送話ケース２に対し連結部材４を介してほぼ３６０°回動するようになっており、受話ケース３が折畳位置からほぼ１８０°回動した位置が中間位置になっている。受話ケース３を３６０°回動可能にするために、送話ケース２の下ケース半体２Ｂには、凹部２１に代えて切欠き部２８が形成され、受話ケース３の上ケース半体３Ｂには、凹部３１に代えて切欠き部３５が形成されている。図１９に示すように、第１、第２回動軸線Ｌ１，Ｌ２は、送話ケース２及び受話ケース３の長手方向において同一位置に配置されている。
【００４４】
図２１に示すように、受話ケース３の折畳位置は、受話ケース３が送話ケース２に突き当たることによって規制されており、連結部材４の初期位置は連結部材４が切欠き部２２の第１当接面２４に突き当たることによって規制されている。これは、上記実施の形態と同様である。しかし、図２２に示すように、受話ケース３の中間位置は、上ケース半体３Ｂに形成された切欠き部３５を区画する壁面のうち、受話ケース３の短手方向に延びる壁面３５ａ（第３停止手段）が連結部材４に突き当たることによって規制されている。また、図２３に示すように、連結部材４の終端位置（受話ケース３の展開位置）は、下ケース半体２Ｂに形成された切欠き部２８を区画する壁面のうち、送話ケース２の短手方向に延びる壁面（第２停止手段）２８ａに連結部材４が突き当たることによって規制されている。
【００４５】
この実施の形態の第１ヒンジ５Ａにおいては、連結部材４が送話ケース２に対して１８０°回動することを可能にするために、図２４に示すように、第２ヒンジ部材５２の可動部材５４との対向面に一対の凹部７Ａ，７Ｂが周方向に１８０°離れて配置されるとともに、一対の凹部８Ａ，８Ｂが周方向に１８０°離れて配置されている。しかも、凹部７Ａ、８Ｂは周方向において同一位置に配置され、凹部７Ｂ，８Ａは周方向において同一位置に配置されている。このような配置を可能にするため、凹部７Ａ，７Ｂが外周側に配置されており、凹部７Ａの内側に凹部８Ｂが配置され、凹部７Ｂの内側に凹部８Ａが配置されている。凹部７Ａ，７Ｂ；８Ａ，８Ｂのこのような配置は、第２ヒンジ５Ｂも同様である。つまり、この実施の形態では、第１、第２ヒンジ５Ａ，５Ｂにおいて同一の第２ヒンジ部材５２が用いられている。ただし、第１ヒンジ５Ａと第２ヒンジ５Ｂとでは、後述するように、凹部７Ａ，７Ｂ；８Ａ，８Ｂと球体６Ａ，６Ｂとの関係が互いに相違している。
【００４６】
凹部７Ａと凹部８Ａとは、螺旋状に延びるガイド溝５２ｃによって連結されており、凹部７Ｂと凹部８Ｂとは、螺旋状に延びるガイド溝５２ｄによって連結されている。これにより、球体６Ａ，６Ｂが凹部７Ａ，８Ａ間及び凹部７Ｂ，８Ｂ間を移動することができるようになっている。ここで、球体６Ａ，６Ｂが凹部７Ａ，８Ａ間及び凹部７Ｂ，８Ｂ間を移動するときには、ガイド溝５２Ｃ，５２Ｄが螺旋状になっているので、球体６Ａ，６Ｂは、可動部材５４に対してその周方向へ移動するのみならず、その径方向にも移動する。球体６Ａ，６Ｂが可動部材５４の径方向へ移動することができるようにするために、図２５に示すように、可動部材５４の第２ヒンジ部材５２と対向する面には、径方向に延びる一対の収容凹部５４ａ，５４ｂが形成されており、各収容凹部５４ａ，５４ｂに球体６Ａ，６Ｂがそれぞれの一部を収容凹部５４ａ，５４ｂから第２ヒンジ部材５２側へ突出させた状態で収容凹部５４ａ，５４ｂの長手方向へ移動可能に収容されている。これにより、球体６Ａが凹部７Ａ，８Ａ間を円滑に移動することができるとともに、球体６Ｂが凹部７Ｂ，８Ｂ間を円滑に移動することができるようになっている。
【００４７】
球体６Ａ，６Ｂと凹部７Ａ，７Ｂ；８Ａ，８Ｂとの関係について述べると、受話ケース３が折畳位置に位置し、かつ連結部材４が初期位置に位置しているときには、図２６（Ａ）に示すように、球体６Ａ，６Ｂが、第１ヒンジ５Ａでは凹部７Ａ，７Ｂにそれぞれ入り込み、第２ヒンジ５Ｂでは凹部８Ａ，８Ｂにそれぞれ入り込んでいる。この結果、球体６Ａ，６Ｂと凹部７Ａ，７Ｂの底面に形成された傾斜面（図示せず）とによってコイルばね５５の付勢力が連結部材４を終端位置側から初期位置側へ向かう一方向（図２１の矢印Ａ方向）へ回動させる回動付勢力に変換される。これから明らかなように、球体６Ａ，６Ｂ、凹部７Ａ，７Ｂの底面に形成された傾斜面及びコイルばね５５によって第１回動付勢手段１１が構成されている。一方、球体６Ａ，６Ｂと凹部８Ａ，８Ｂの底面に形成された傾斜面とによってコイルばね５５の付勢力が受話ケース３を中間位置側から折畳位置側へ向かう閉方向（図２１の矢印Ｃ方向）へ回動付勢する回動付勢力に変換される。よって、球体６Ａ，６Ｂ、凹部８Ａ，８Ｂの底面に形成された傾斜面及びコイルばね５５によって第３回動付勢手段が構成されている。勿論、第１回動付勢手段１１の回動付勢力は、第３回動付勢手段１３の回動付勢力より大きく設定されている。したがって、受話ケース３が折畳位置に位置し、かつ連結部材４が初期位置に位置した状態において、受話ケース３を展開位置側へ回動させると、連結部材４は初期位置に停止した状態を維持し、受話ケース３だけが第１回動軸線Ｌ１を中心として展開位置側へ回動する。
【００４８】
受話ケース３が折畳位置から中間位置まで回動すると、図２２に示すように、壁面３５ａが連結部材４に突き当たり、受話ケース３がそれ以上連結部材４に対して折畳位置側から展開位置側へ向かう方向（開方向）へ回動することができなくなる。受話ケース３が中間位置に回動すると、第２ヒンジ５Ｂの球体６Ａ，６Ｂは、図２６（Ｂ）に示すように、凹部７Ａ，７Ｂにそれぞれ入り込む。その結果、コイルばね５５の付勢力が、球体６Ａ，６Ｂと凹部７Ａ，７Ｂの底面に形成された傾斜面により、受話ケース３を折畳位置側から中間位置側へ向かう開方向（図２２の矢印Ｄ方向）へ回動付勢する回動付勢力に変換される。よって、第２ヒンジ５Ｂの球体６Ａ，６Ｂ、凹部７Ａ，７Ｂの底面に形成された傾斜面、及びコイルばね５５によって第４回動付勢手段１４が構成されている。
【００４９】
受話ケース３を中間位置から展開位置側へさらに回動させようとすると、受話ケース３が連結部材４に対して回動不能であるから、連結部材４が第１回動軸線Ｌ１を中心として初期位置から終端位置側へ向かう一方向（図２２の矢印Ｂ方向）へ回動する。連結部材４は、終端位置まで回動すると、図２３に示すように、壁面２８ａに突き当たって停止する。このときには、受話ケース３が連結部材４と一体に回動しているので、受話ケース３は展開位置に達している。連結部材４が終端位置に回動したときには、第１ヒンジ５Ａの球体６Ａ，６Ｂは、図２６（Ｃ）に示すように、凹部８Ａ，８Ｂに入り込んでいる。その結果、コイルばね５５の付勢力が、球体６Ａ，６Ｂと凹部８Ａ，８Ｂの底面に形成された傾斜面とにより、連結部材４を初期位置側から終端位置側へ向かう他方向（図２３の矢印Ｂ方向）へ回動付勢する回動付勢力に変換される。よって、第１ヒンジ５Ａの球体６Ａ，６Ｂ、凹部８Ａ，８Ｂの底面に形成された傾斜面、及びコイルばね５５によって第２回動付勢手段１２が構成されている。
【００５０】
受話ケース３が展開位置に位置し、かつ連結部材４が終端位置に位置した状態において、受話ケース３を折畳位置側へ回動させようとすると、第４回動付勢手段１４の回動付勢力が第２回動付勢手段１２の回動付勢力より大きく設定されているので、受話ケース３は連結部材４に対して停止した状態を維持し、連結部材４が第１回動軸線Ｌ１を中心として終端位置から初期位置側へ回動する。連結部材４は、初期位置まで回動すると停止する。このとき、連結部材４と一体に回動した受話ケース３は、中間位置に達している。受話ケース３を中間位置から折畳位置側へ回動させると、連結部材４が停止しているので、受話ケース３だけが回動する。受話ケース３は、送話ケース２に突き当たるまで回動して折畳位置に達すると停止する。
【００５１】
携帯電話機１′についての上記以外の構成及び作用は、携帯電話機１の構成及び作用と同様である。例えば、受話ケース３が折畳位置と折畳近傍位置との間に位置しているときには、第３回動付勢手段１３によって折畳位置まで自動的に回動させられる。
【００５２】
なお、この発明は、上記の実施の形態に限定されるものでなく、適宜変更可能である。
例えば、上記の実施の形態においては、凹部７Ａ，７Ｂ，７Ｃ，７Ｄ；８Ａ，８Ｂ，８Ｃ，８Ｄの球体６Ａ，６Ｂが接触する面を一定角度をもって傾斜する面としているが、第１回動付勢手段１１の回動付勢力を第３回動付勢手段１３の回動付勢力より大きくするとともに、第４回動付勢手段１４の付勢力を第２回動付勢手段１２の付勢力より大きくする限り、球体６Ａ，６Ｂが接触する凹部７Ａ〜８Ｄの各面を、その傾斜角度が各部で異なる面にしてもよい。
また、上記の実施の形態においては、第２ヒンジ部材５２に凹部７Ａ〜８Ｄを形成し、可動部材５４に球体６Ａ，６Ｂを設けているが、第２ヒンジ部材５２に球体を設け、可動部材５４に凹部を形成してもよい。さらに、球体６Ａ，６Ｂに代えて、可動部材５４に例えば半球状をなす突起を形成してもよい。
【００５３】
さらに、上記の実施の形態においては、受話ケース３を折畳位置、中間位置及び展開位置（通話位置）のいずれかから回動させる場合、受話ケース３と連結部材４とのいずれか一方が受話ケース３を回動させようとする一方向へ直ちに回動するように構成されているが、受話ケース３と連結部材４とのいずれか他方が違和感を抱かせないような僅かな角度範囲だけ一方向へ回動した後、いずれか一方が一方向へ回動するようにしてもよい。例えば、受話ケース３を通話位置から折畳位置側へ回動させる場合、上記の実施の形態であれば、受話ケース３を回動操作すると直ちに連結部材４が終端位置から初期位置側へ回動する。しかし、僅かな角度であれば、受話ケース３が通話位置側へ回動した後、連結部材４が回動するようにしてもよい。このような回動動作は、次の構成を採用することよってなし得る。
【００５４】
すなわち、上記の実施の形態では受話ケース３の第３当接面３４を連結部材４に突き当てることによって通話位置を規制しているが、このような規制を解除する。すると、受話ケース３は、球体６Ａ，６Ｂが凹部７Ａ，７Ｂに入り込むことによって通話位置側へ回動させられるが、第３当接面３４による規制が無いので、球体６Ａ，６Ｂが凹部７Ａ，７Ｂの底面の中央部（最も深い部分）に移動するまで回動し続け、球体６Ａ，６Ｂが凹部７Ａ，７Ｂの底面の中央部まで移動すると停止する。ここで、凹部７Ａ，７Ｂの中央部の底面の曲率半径を球体６Ａ，６Ｂの半径より大きくしておくと、受話ケース３を停止位置から折畳位置側へ回動させると、球体６Ａ，６Ｂが凹部７Ａ，７Ｂの傾斜面７１に接触するまでの僅かな角度範囲では、連結部材４が回動することなく、受話ケース３が連結部材４に対して回動する。その後、球体６Ａ，６Ｂが傾斜面７１に接触すると、第４回動付勢手段１４が受話ケース３の連結部材４に対する回動を阻止する。したがって、その後は上記の実施の形態と同様に連結部材４が終端位置から初期位置まで回動する。このように回動動作させることは、受話ケース３が通話位置（展開位置）に位置している場合のみならず、折畳位置又は中間位置に位置している場合も同様にして行うことができる。
【００５５】
また、上記の実施の形態においては、送話ケース２を第１ケースとし、受話ケース３を第２ケースとしている関係上、送話ケース２を固定し、受話ケース３を回動させるようになっており、第２ケースたる受話ケース３を折畳位置から通話位置（展開位置）まで回動させる場合には、第２ケース３が連結部材４に対して回動した後、連結部材４が送話ケース２に対して回動し、受話ケース３を通話位置から折畳位置まで回動させる場合には、連結部材４が送話ケース２に対して回動した後、受話ケース３が連結部材４に対して回動するようになっている。しかし、送話ケース２を受話ケースとし、受話ケース３を送話ケースとしてもよい。換言すれば、送話ケース２を第２ケースとし、受話ケース３を第１ケースとしてもよい。そのようにした場合には、送話ケースたる受話ケース３が固定され、受話ケースたる送話ケース２が受話ケース３に対し回動することになる。送話ケース２を折畳位置から通話位置まで回動させるときには、まず連結部材４が受話ケース３に対して回動し、その後送話ケース２が連結部材４に対して回動する。また、送話ケース２を通話位置から折畳位置まで回動させるときには、まず送話ケース２が連結部材４に対して回動し、その後連結部材４が受話ケース３に対して回動する。これから明かなように、送話ケース２を第１ケースとみなす場合と、受話ケース３を第１ケースみなす場合とでは、第２ケース（受話ケース３又は通話ケース２）と連結部材４との回動順序が逆になる。
【００５６】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、この発明によれば、第２ケースと連結部材の回動順序が一定しているから、第２ケースを回動させている途中に第２ケースに対する力の作用方向を変えなければならない事態が発生することがなく、使用者に違和感を抱かせるという事態を未然に防止することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】この発明の第１実施の形態たる携帯電話機を示す図であって、図１（Ａ）は受話ケースを折畳位置に位置させた状態で示す斜視図、図１（Ｂ）は受話ケースを中間位置に位置させた状態で示す斜視図、図１（Ｃ）は受話ケースを通話位置に位置させた状態で示す斜視図である。
【図２】同実施の形態の分解斜視図である。
【図３】同実施の形態の側面図である。
【図４】図３のＸ−Ｘ線に沿う拡大断面図である。
【図５】受話ケースを折畳位置に位置させた状態で示す図４のＸ−Ｘ線に沿う一部省略拡大断面図である。
【図６】受話ケースを中間位置に位置させた状態で示す図５と同様の断面図である。
【図７】受話ケースを通話位置に位置させた状態で示す図５と同様の断面図である。
【図８】同実施の形態において用いられている第１ヒンジを示す正面図である。
【図９】同第１ヒンジの断面図である。
【図１０】同第１ヒンジの分解斜視図である。
【図１１】同第１ヒンジの第２ヒンジ部材を示す平面図である。
【図１２】図１１のＸ−Ｘ線に沿う拡大断面図である。
【図１３】同実施の形態において用いられている第２ヒンジの第２ヒンジ部材を示す平面図である。
【図１４】図１３のＸ−Ｘ線に沿う拡大断面図である。
【図１５】同実施の形態において用いられている第１、第２ヒンジの可動部材を示す平面図である。
【図１６】第１ヒンジの球体と凹部との関係、及び第２ヒンジ部材の球体と凹部との関係を示す図であって、図１６（Ａ）は受話ケースが折畳位置に位置しているときの関係を示し、図１６（Ｂ）は受話ケースが中間位置に位置しているとの関係を示し、図１６（Ｃ）は受話ケースが通話位置に位置しているときの関係を示している。
【図１７】この発明の第２実施の形態たる携帯電話機を示す図であって、図２（Ａ）は受話ケースを折畳位置に位置させた状態で示す斜視図、図２（Ｂ）は受話ケースを中間位置に位置させた状態で示す斜視図、図２（Ｃ）は受話ケースを通話位置に位置させた状態で示す斜視図である。
【図１８】同実施の形態の分解斜視図である。
【図１９】同実施の形態の側面図である。
【図２０】図１９のＸ−Ｘ線に沿う拡大断面図である。
【図２１】受話ケースを折畳位置に位置させた状態で示す図２０のＸ−Ｘ線に沿う一部省略拡大断面図である。
【図２２】受話ケースを中間位置に位置させた状態で示す図２１と同様の断面図である。
【図２３】受話ケースを通話位置に位置させた状態で示す図２１と同様の断面図である。
【図２４】同実施の形態において用いられている第１、第２ヒンジの第２ヒンジ部材を示す平面図である。
【図２５】同実施の形態において用いられている第１、第２ヒンジの可動部材を示す平面図である。
【図２６】第１ヒンジの球体と凹部との関係、及び第２ヒンジ部材の球体と凹部との関係を示す図であって、図２６（Ａ）は受話ケースが折畳位置に位置しているときの関係を示し、図２６（Ｂ）は受話ケースが中間位置に位置しているとの関係を示し、図２６（Ｃ）は受話ケースが通話位置に位置しているときの関係を示している。
【符号の説明】
Ｌ１第１回動軸線
Ｌ２第２回動軸線
１携帯電話機
１′ 携帯電話機
２送話ケース（第１ケース）
３受話ケース（第２ケース）
４連結部材
１１第１回動付勢手段（第１阻止手段）
１２第２回動付勢手段（第２阻止手段）
１３第３回動付勢手段（第３阻止手段）
１４第４回動付勢手段（第４阻止手段）
２４第１当接面（第１停止手段）
２５第２当接面（第２停止手段）
２８ａ壁面（第２停止手段）
３４第３当接面（第３停止手段）
３５ａ壁面（第３停止手段）[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides two first and second device cases such as a transmitter and receiver of a mobile phone, or a main body provided with an input key of a notebook computer and a display provided with a liquid crystal display. The present invention relates to an opening / closing device for a device case that is connected in a rotatable manner.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, in this type of opening / closing device, a first case and a second case are rotatably connected via a connecting member. That is, one end of the connecting member is rotatably connected to the first case via the first hinge shaft, and the other end is connected to the second case via the second hinge shaft parallel to the first hinge shaft. It is connected so that it can rotate. Thereby, the 2nd case is connected with respect to the 1st case so that rotation is possible between a folding position and a deployment position (for example, refer to patent documents 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-15186 (page 3, Fig. 1)
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above-described conventional device case opening and closing device, the first and second cases and the connecting member are simply connected so as to be rotatable, and therefore when the second case is rotated with respect to the first case. In addition, it cannot be determined whether the second case rotates relative to the intermediate member or whether the intermediate member rotates relative to the first case. For this reason, the situation where the direction of the force applied to the second case has to be changed may occur while the second case is being rotated, and there is a problem that the user feels uncomfortable.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and includes a first case, a connecting member having one end connected to the first case so as to be rotatable about a first rotation axis, A second case connected to the other end of the connection member so as to be rotatable about a second rotation axis parallel to the first rotation axis, wherein the connection member rotates relative to the first case. The device case that moves and is rotatable between the folding position and the unfolded position with respect to the first case by rotating the second case with respect to the connecting member. In the opening / closing apparatus of the above, a predetermined initial in one direction is provided between the first case and the connecting member so that the connecting member rotates the second case from the unfolded position side to the folding position side. The connecting member is stopped at the initial position when rotated to the position. A first stopping means for causing the connecting member to move when the second case rotates in a different direction to a predetermined end position so as to rotate the second case from the folding position side to the unfolded position side. A second stopping means for stopping at the end position, a first rotation preventing means for preventing the connecting member from rotating in the other direction from the initial position or the vicinity thereof with a predetermined magnitude of blocking force, and Second rotation blocking means for blocking the connecting member from rotating in the one direction from the end position or the vicinity thereof with a predetermined amount of blocking force is provided, and the second case and the connecting member In the meantime, when the second case rotates to the predetermined intermediate position in the opening direction from the folding position side toward the unfolded position side with respect to the connecting member, the second case is stopped at the intermediate position. The third stop means and the second case A third rotation blocking means for blocking rotation in the opening direction from the folding position or the vicinity thereof with a predetermined amount of blocking force; and the second case is folded from the intermediate position or the vicinity thereof. And a fourth rotation blocking means for blocking the rotation in the closing direction toward the position side with a blocking force of a predetermined magnitude, and the blocking force of the first rotation blocking means is the third rotation blocking The blocking force of the fourth rotation blocking means is set to be larger than the blocking force of the second rotation blocking means.
In this case, the first rotation preventing means is first rotation urging means for urging and urging the connecting member in the one direction when the connecting member is located at the initial position. The second rotation preventing means is second rotation urging means for urging and urging the connecting member in the other direction when the connecting member is located at the terminal position, and the third rotation is provided. The blocking means is third rotation biasing means for biasing the second case in the closing direction when the second case is in the folded position, and the fourth blocking means is It is desirable that the fourth case is a fourth turning biasing means for turning and biasing the second case in the opening direction when the second case is located at the intermediate position.
Moreover, it is desirable that the folding position is regulated by the second case hitting the first case.
Further, the intermediate position is defined such that when the second case is positioned at the intermediate position, the second case is positioned on a line orthogonal to the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis. It is desirable.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
1 to 16 show a first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied between a transmitting case (first case) 2 in which a transmitting portion of the mobile phone 1 is provided and a receiving case (second case) 3 in which a receiving portion is provided. Yes, the receiving case 3 is rotatable between the folding position shown in FIGS. 1A and 5 and the call position (deployed position) shown in FIGS. 1C and 7. The folding position is regulated by the front surface 3a of the receiving case 3 abutting against the front surface 2a of the transmitting case 2, and the rotation angle of the receiving case 3 with respect to the calling case 2 is 0 °. On the other hand, the call position is a position when the receiving case 3 is rotated most with respect to the call case 2, and in this embodiment, is set at a position separated by 160 ° from the folding position. As will be described later, the call position is regulated by the connection member 4 abutting against the second contact surface 25 of the transmission case 2. As shown in FIGS. 1B and 6, the intermediate position is set at a position where the receiving case 3 is rotated from the folding position toward the call position by a predetermined angle (100 ° in this embodiment). Has been. The intermediate position is regulated by the third contact surface 34 abutting against the connecting member 4 as described later.
[0007]
The transmission case 2 and the reception case 3 can be rotated relative to each other. However, for convenience of explanation, the position of the transmission case 2 is fixed and the reception case 3 is rotated with respect to the transmission case 2 below. It shall move.
[0008]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the transmission case 2 includes an upper case half 2A that abuts against the reception case 3 when the reception case 3 rotates to the folding position, and a lower case half 2A. And a lower case half 2B which is overlapped and fixed. Each of the case halves 2A and 2B has a thin rectangular parallelepiped shape. A recess 21 is formed at one end in the longitudinal direction of the surface facing the upper case half 2A of the lower case half 2B. A notch 22 is formed at one end of the upper case half 2 A facing the recess 21 in the longitudinal direction. The cutout portion 22 and the recess portion 21 constitute an accommodation recess portion 23 at one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the call case 2 with the longitudinal direction facing the transversal direction of the transmission case 2.
[0009]
The reception case 3 includes a lower case half 3A that abuts against the transmission case 2 when it is rotated to the folding position, and an upper case half 3B that is fixed on the lower case half 3A. have. Each of the case halves 3A and 3B has a thin rectangular parallelepiped shape. A recess 31 is formed at one end in the longitudinal direction of the surface facing the upper case half 3A of the upper case half 3B. A notch 32 is formed at one end of the lower case half 3 A facing the recess 31 in the longitudinal direction. The notch 32 and the recess 31 constitute an accommodation recess 33 at one end in the longitudinal direction of the reception case 3 with the longitudinal direction directed in the short direction of the reception case 3. The housing recess 33 is arranged in parallel with the housing recess 23.
[0010]
The transmitting case 2 and the receiving case 3 are connected via a connecting member 4 so as to be rotatable. The connecting member 4 has a thin rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is arranged with its longitudinal direction oriented in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the housing recesses 23 and 33. One end portion and the other end portion of the connecting member 4 in the short direction are inserted into the accommodating recesses 23 and 33, respectively. One end of the connecting member 4 in the short direction is connected to the transmission case 2 via a pair of first hinges 5A and 5A arranged at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 4 (see FIG. 4). (Refer to Fig. 1). The other end portion in the short direction of the connecting member 4 is connected to the receiving case 3 via the second hinge 5B, 5B disposed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 4 (see FIG. 4). Are connected to each other so as to be rotatable. One each of the first and second hinges 5A and 5B may be used, and a simple hinge shaft may be used instead of the other first and second hinges 5A and 5B.
[0011]
The first and second rotation axes L1 and L2 are parallel to each other, and are also parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing recesses 23 and 33. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, when the connecting member 4 is located at an initial position to be described later, the second rotation axis L2 is relative to the first rotation axis L1. The receiving case 3 is arranged so as to be shifted in the direction from the other end side to the one end side, so that when the receiving case 3 rotates to the intermediate position, the receiving case 3 is positioned on a line orthogonal to the first and second rotation axes. It is supposed to be. In particular, in this embodiment, the butting surfaces of the case halves 3A and 3B are positioned on a line orthogonal to the first and second rotation axes.
[0012]
The connection member 4 is rotatable with respect to the transmission case 2 between an initial position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and a terminal position shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the initial position is a first contact surface (first stop means) constituted by a wall surface extending in the short direction of the case 2 among the wall surfaces defining the notch 22. It is regulated by the connecting member 4 abutting against the member 24. The end position is the second position formed on the upper surface of the lower case half 2B (the surface facing the upper case half 2A) between the recess 21 and one end edge of the lower case half 2B. The contact member (second stop means) 25 is regulated by abutting against the connecting member 4.
[0013]
The receiving case 3 can rotate between a second initial position shown in FIG. 5 and a second terminal position shown in FIG. 6 with respect to the connecting member 4 located at the initial position. The second initial position is regulated by the front face 3 a of the receiving case 3 abutting against the front face 2 a of the transmitting case 2. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the second terminal position is formed between the concave portion 31 and one end edge of the upper case half 3B on the lower surface of the upper case half 3B (the surface facing the lower case half 3A). The third abutment surface (third stop means) 34 formed in the portion existing in between is regulated by abutting against the connecting member 4. Therefore, the second initial position and the second terminal position of the reception case 3 are the same positions as the folding position and the intermediate position as long as the connecting member 4 is positioned at the initial position. Moreover, since the receiving case 3 rotates with respect to the connecting member 4 only when the connecting member 4 is located at the initial position, the second initial position and the second terminal position of the receiving case 3 are the folding position and The same position as the intermediate position. Therefore, in the following, the second initial position is also referred to as a folding position, and the second terminal position is also referred to as an intermediate position. The folding position, which is one limit position of the rotation range of the reception case 3 with respect to the connecting member 4, is not restricted by causing the reception case 3 to abut against the transmission case 2, for example, by defining a notch 32. Of the wall surfaces to be performed, the wall surface 32a extending in the short direction of the case 3 may be regulated by abutting against the connecting member 4. In that case, when the reception case 3 is rotated to the folding position, a slight gap is formed between the front surface 2 a of the transmission case 2 and the front surface 3 a of the reception case 3.
[0014]
When the reception case 3 rotates from the folding position to the talking position and when rotating from the talking position to the folding position, the first and second hinges 5A and 5B and the first, second, and third contact surfaces 24, By the action of 25 and 34, the rotation of the connecting member 4 with respect to the transmitting case 2 and the rotation of the receiving case 3 with respect to the connecting member 4 are performed in a predetermined order. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, it is assumed that the connecting member 4 is located at the initial position and the receiving case 3 is located at the folding position. In this state, when the reception case 3 is to be rotated to the call position side, the reception unit 3 first rotates in the direction of arrow D (opening direction) shown in FIGS. At this time, the connecting member 4 maintains the stopped state until the receiving case 3 reaches the intermediate position. When the reception case 3 reaches the intermediate position, the third contact surface 34 abuts against the connecting member 4 as shown in FIG. As a result, the receiving case 3 cannot be rotated further toward the call position with respect to the connecting member 4. Therefore, when the receiving case 3 is further rotated from the intermediate position to the call position side, the connecting member 4 starts to rotate in the arrow B direction (one direction) from the initial position toward the end position side with respect to the call case 2. . Then, as shown in FIG. 7, when the connecting member 4 rotates in the direction of arrow B to the end position, the connecting member 4 abuts against the second abutting surface 25 and stops, and accordingly the receiving case 3 also stops. To do. At this time, the reception case 3 rotates with respect to the transmission case 2 by an amount corresponding to the addition of the rotation from its folding position to the intermediate position and the rotation of the connecting member 4 from the initial position to the end position. It is moving and the call position has been reached.
[0015]
When rotating the receiving case 3 from the talking position to the folding position, when the receiving case 3 is pushed in the direction of arrow C (closed direction) in FIG. It rotates in the direction of arrow A (the other direction) toward the position side. At this time, the receiving case 3 does not rotate with respect to the connecting member 4, and rotates around the first rotation axis L 1 while being integrated with the connecting member 4. Therefore, when the connecting member 4 reaches the initial position shown in FIG. 6, the receiving case 3 reaches the intermediate position. When the receiving case 3 is further rotated in the direction of arrow C from the intermediate position toward the folding position, the connecting member 4 is prevented from rotating in the direction of arrow A from the initial position. It rotates in the direction of arrow C with respect to the connecting member 4. When the reception case 3 rotates to the folding position, the reception case 3 hits the transmission case 2 and stops.
[0016]
Next, the first and second hinges 5A and 5B that rotate the receiving case 3 and the connecting member 4 in the above order in cooperation with the first to third contact surfaces 24, 25, and 34 will be described. First, the first hinge 5A will be described. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the first hinge 5A includes a first hinge member 51, a second hinge member 52, a hinge shaft 53, a movable member 54, and a coil spring (attached). Force means) 55.
[0017]
The first hinge member 51 has a cylindrical shape and has a bottom 51a at one end thereof. A through hole 51b is formed at the center of the bottom 51a. A hinge shaft 53 is rotatably inserted into the through hole 51b. A head 53 a is formed at one end of the hinge shaft 53, and the bottom 51 a abuts against the head 53 a to prevent the first hinge member 51 from being pulled out from one end of the hinge shaft 53. Yes.
[0018]
The second hinge member 52 has a solid short cylindrical shape and is disposed to face the first hinge member 51. In the central portion of the second hinge member 52, a small-diameter hole portion 52a is formed at the end portion on the first hinge member 51 side, and a large-diameter hole portion 52b is formed at the opposite end portion. The other end portion of the hinge shaft 53 is press-fitted in the small diameter hole portion 52a so as not to rotate. Accordingly, the second hinge member 52 is rotatably connected to the first hinge member 51 via the hinge shaft 53. The second hinge member 52 may be rotatable with respect to the hinge shaft 53. In that case, the first hinge member 51 may be made unrotatable with respect to the hinge shaft 53. The other end portion of the hinge shaft 53 passes through the small-diameter hole portion 52a and slightly protrudes into the large-diameter hole portion 52b, and the protruding portion is crimped as indicated by an imaginary line in FIG. The hinge member 52 is prevented from coming out of the other end of the hinge shaft 53.
[0019]
A movable member 54 is fitted in a central portion of the hinge shaft 53 located between the first and second hinge members 51 and 52 so as to be rotatable and slidable in the axial direction of the hinge shaft 53. The movable member 54 is connected to the first hinge member 51 so as not to rotate and to be movable in the axial direction of the hinge shaft 53. A coil spring 55 is disposed between the movable member 54 and the bottom 51 a of the first hinge member 51. The movable member 54 is urged toward the second hinge member 52 by the coil spring 55.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 4, the first hinge 5 A is arranged with the axis of the hinge shaft 53 aligned with the first rotation axis L 1. The first hinge member 51 is non-rotatably fitted in the support hole 41 formed on the both end surfaces of the connecting member 4 so that the first rotation axis L1 and the axis coincide with each other, and the second hinge member 52 is fed. The talk case 2 is non-rotatably fitted in a support hole 26 formed on the first rotation axis L1. Thereby, the transmission case 2 and the connecting member 4 are connected via the first hinge 5A so as to be rotatable about the first rotation axis L1.
[0021]
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 15, the pair of spheres 6 A and 6 B protrudes toward the second hinge member 52 on the surface of the movable member 54 facing the second hinge member 52. It is buried and fixed. The pair of spheres 6A and 6B are disposed symmetrically with respect to the first rotation axis L1. That is, the pair of spheres 6A and 6B are disposed 180 degrees apart in the circumferential direction on one circumference centered on the first rotation axis L1. The pair of spheres 6 A and 6 B is pressed against the surface of the second hinge member 52 facing the movable member 54 by the coil spring 55.
[0022]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, a pair of recesses 7A and 7B and another pair of recesses 8A and 8B are formed on the surface of the second hinge member 52 facing the movable member 54. The recesses 7A and 7B; 8A and 8B are arranged on the same circumference as the circumference on which the spheres 6A and 6B are arranged. Moreover, the pair of recesses 7A and 7B are disposed 180 degrees apart in the circumferential direction, and the pair of recesses 8A and 8B are also disposed 180 degrees apart in the circumferential direction.
[0023]
The pair of recesses 7A and 7B and the other pair of recesses 8A and 8B are arranged with the following relationship with the spheres 6A and 6B. That is, in the pair of recesses 7A and 7B, the connecting member 4 is rotated in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 5 from the terminal position side to the initial position side, and the spheres 6A and 6B are moved to the second hinge member 52 accordingly. On the other hand, when the connecting member 4 is rotated to a position near the initial position by a predetermined angle (for example, 10 to 15 °) with respect to the initial position when the connection member 4 is rotated in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 11, the spheres 6A and 6B are paired. It arrange | positions so that it may each enter into the recessed parts 7A and 7B, and the spherical bodies 6A and 6B each press-contact with the inclined surfaces 71 and 71 (refer FIG. 12) formed in each bottom face of the recessed parts 7A and 7B. Moreover, until the connecting member 4 reaches the initial position from the initial vicinity position, the pair of recesses 7A and 7B slides on the inclined surfaces 71 and 71 toward the center of the recesses 7A and 7B in the circumferential direction. It is arranged to move.
[0024]
When the spheres 6A and 6B are in contact with the inclined surfaces 71 and 71 of the recesses 7A and 7B, the biasing force of the coil spring 55 is caused by the inclined surfaces 71 and 71 and the spheres 6A and 6B contacting the first rotation axis. It is converted into a rotational biasing force centered on L1. Due to this rotational biasing force, the spheres 6A and 6B are rotationally biased in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 11, and the connecting member 4 is rotationally biased in the direction of arrow A in FIGS. Therefore, when the connecting member 4 is positioned between the initial position and the initial vicinity position, the connecting member 4 is automatically rotated to the initial position by the rotational biasing force of the coil spring 55 converted by the inclined surfaces 71 and 71 and the spheres 6A and 6B. It is moved and maintained at the initial position as it is. First rotation biasing means (first rotation blocking means) for biasing the connecting member 4 from the terminal position side toward the initial position side by the coil spring 55, the inclined surfaces 71, 71 and the spherical bodies 6A, 6B. 11 is configured. The first turning biasing means 11 prevents the connecting member 4 from turning from the initial position to the end position by the turning biasing force.
[0025]
In the pair of recesses 8A and 8B, the connecting member 4 is rotated in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 7 from the initial position side to the terminal position side, and accordingly, the spheres 6A and 6B are illustrated with respect to the second hinge member 52. 11, when the connecting member 4 is rotated to a position near the front end by a predetermined angle (for example, 10 to 15 °) with respect to the end position, the spheres 6A and 6B are paired with the pair of recesses 8A. 8B, the spheres 6A and 6B are in press contact with the inclined surfaces 81 and 81 formed on the bottom surfaces of the recesses 8A and 8B, respectively, as shown in FIG. In addition, the pair of recesses 8A and 8B is such that the spheres 6A and 6B slide on the inclined surfaces 81 and 81 toward the center of the recesses 8A and 8B in the circumferential direction until the connecting member 4 reaches the end position from the position near the end. It is arranged to move.
[0026]
When the spheres 6A and 6B are in contact with the inclined surfaces 81 and 81 of the recesses 8A and 8B, the biasing force of the coil spring 55 is caused by the inclined surfaces 81 and 81 and the spheres 6A and 6B contacting the first rotation axis. It is converted into a rotational biasing force centered on L1. Due to this rotational biasing force, the spheres 6A and 6B are rotationally biased in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 11, and the connecting member 4 is rotationally biased in the direction of arrow B in FIGS. Therefore, when the connecting member 4 is positioned between the end position and the position near the end, the connecting member 4 is automatically rotated to the end position by the rotational biasing force of the coil spring 55 converted by the inclined surfaces 81 and 81 and the spheres 6A and 6B. It is moved and maintained at the end position as it is. A second turning biasing means (second turning preventing means) for biasing the connecting member 4 from the initial position side toward the end position side by the coil spring 55, the inclined surfaces 81, 81 and the spherical bodies 6A, 6B. 12 is configured. The second turning biasing means 12 prevents the connecting member 4 from turning from the terminal position to the initial position side by the turning biasing force.
[0027]
Next, the second hinge 5B will be described. The basic configuration of the second hinge 5B is the same as that of the first hinge 5A, and the second hinge 5B has the axis of the hinge shaft 53 aligned with the second rotation axis L2. It is arranged in the state of letting. The first hinge member 51 is non-rotatably fitted in the support holes 42 formed on the both end surfaces of the connecting member 4 so that the second rotation axis L2 and the axis coincide with each other, and the second hinge member 52 is fed. The talk case 2 is non-rotatably fitted in a support hole 27 formed on the second rotation axis L2. Thereby, the receiving case 3 and the connecting member 4 are connected via the second hinge 5B so as to be rotatable about the second rotation axis L2.
[0028]
On the surface of the second hinge member 52 facing the movable member 54, as shown in FIG. 13, concave portions 7C, 7D; 8C, 8D are formed in place of the concave portions 7A, 7B; 8A, 8B. The concave portions 7C and 7D; 8C and 8D are different from the concave portions 7A and 7B and 8A and 8B in the circumferential arrangement.
[0029]
That is, one pair of recesses 7C and 7D is provided when the receiving case 3 is rotated from the intermediate position side to the folding position side in the direction of arrow C in FIGS. Is stopped at the initial position), the spheres 6A and 6B are recessed 7C when the receiving case 3 is rotated to a position near the folding position by a predetermined angle (for example, 10 to 15 °) with respect to the folding position. , 7D, and the spheres 6A, 6B are in press contact with inclined surfaces 72, 72 formed on the bottom surfaces of the recesses 7C, 7D, respectively, as shown in FIG. In addition, the pair of recesses 7C and 7D are arranged in the circumferential direction so that the spheres 6A and 6B are on the inclined surfaces 72 and 72 toward the center of the recesses 7C and 7D until the reception case 3 reaches the folding position from the position near the folding. It is arranged so as to slide.
[0030]
When the spheres 6A, 6B are in contact with the inclined surfaces 72, 72 of the recesses 7C, 7D, the biasing force of the coil spring 55 is caused by the inclined surfaces 72, 72 and the spheres 6A, 6B contacting the second rotation axis. It is converted into a rotational biasing force centered on L2. Due to this turning biasing force, the second hinge member 52 is turned and biased in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 13, and as a result, the receiving case 3 is turned and biased in the direction of arrow C in FIGS. Therefore, when the reception case 3 is located between the folding position and the folding vicinity position, the reception case 3 is automatically moved to the folding position by the rotational biasing force of the coil spring 55 converted by the inclined surfaces 72 and 72 and the spheres 6A and 6B. And is kept in the folded position as it is. Third rotation biasing means (third rotation blocking means) for biasing the receiving case 3 from the intermediate position side toward the folding position side by the coil spring 55, the inclined surfaces 72, 72 and the spheres 6A, 6B. ) 13 is configured. The third turning biasing means 13 prevents the receiving case 3 from turning from the folding position to the call position (deployment position) side by the turning biasing force.
[0031]
The other pair of recesses 8C and 8D are provided when the receiving case 3 is rotated from the folding position side to the intermediate position side in the direction of arrow D in FIGS. When the reception case 3 is rotated to a position near the intermediate position by a predetermined angle (for example, 10 to 15 °) with respect to the intermediate position, the spheres 6A and 6B enter the recesses 8C and 8D. As shown in FIG. 14, the spheres 6A and 6B are in press contact with inclined surfaces 82 and 82 formed on the bottom surfaces of the recesses 8C and 8D, respectively. In addition, the pair of recesses 8C and 8D is configured so that the spheres 6A and 6B slide on the inclined surfaces 82 and 82 in the circumferential direction toward the center of the recesses 8C and 8D until the receiving case 3 reaches the intermediate position from the intermediate vicinity position. It is arranged to move.
[0032]
When the spheres 6A and 6B are in contact with the inclined surfaces 82 and 82 of the recesses 8C and 8D, the biasing force of the coil spring 55 is caused by the inclined surfaces 82 and 82 and the spheres 6A and 6B contacting the second rotation axis. It is converted into a rotational biasing force centered on L2. Due to this turning biasing force, the second hinge member 52 is turned and biased in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 13, and as a result, the receiving case 3 is turned and biased in the direction of arrow D in FIGS. Therefore, when the reception case 3 is positioned between the intermediate position and the intermediate vicinity position, the reception case 3 is automatically rotated to the intermediate position by the rotational urging force of the coil spring 55 converted by the inclined surfaces 82 and 82 and the spheres 6A and 6B. It is moved and maintained at the intermediate position as it is. A fourth rotation biasing means (fourth rotation blocking means) for biasing the receiving case 3 from the folding position side toward the intermediate position side by the coil spring 55, the inclined surfaces 82, 82 and the spheres 6A, 6B. ) 14 is configured. The fourth rotation preventing means 14 prevents the receiving case 3 from rotating from the intermediate position to the folding position by the rotation biasing force.
[0033]
The inclination angles of the inclined surfaces 71 and 81 with respect to the plane orthogonal to the first rotation axis L1 are set to angles α1 and β1, respectively, as shown in FIG. The inclination angles of the inclined surfaces 72 and 82 with respect to the plane orthogonal to the second rotation axis L2 are set to angles α2 and β2, respectively, as shown in FIG. The angle α1 is set larger than the angle α2, and the angle β2 is set larger than the angle β1. Therefore, the rotation biasing force of the first rotation biasing means 11 is larger than the rotation biasing force of the third rotation biasing means 13, and the rotation biasing force of the fourth rotation biasing means 14 is The rotation biasing force of the second rotation biasing means 12 is larger.
In this embodiment, α1 = β2 and α2 = β1 are set. However, the rotation urging force of the first rotation urging unit 11 is used as the rotation of the third rotation urging unit 13. As long as it is larger than the urging force and the rotation urging force of the fourth rotation urging means 14 is larger than the rotation urging force of the second rotation urging means 12, the magnitude relationship between the angle α1 and the angle β2, and The magnitude relationship between the angle α2 and the angle β1 may be set arbitrarily.
[0034]
In the mobile phone 1 having the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 5, it is assumed that the connecting member 4 is in the initial position and the receiving case 3 is in the folded position. In this state, as shown in FIG. 16 (A), the spheres 6A and 6B of the first hinge 5A enter the recesses 7A and 7B, and the spheres 6A and 6B of the second hinge 5B become the recesses 7C and 7D. It has entered.
[0035]
If the receiving case 3 is to be turned to the talking position side, the turning biasing force of the first turning biasing means 11 is greater than the turning biasing force of the third turning biasing means 13, so that the connecting member 4 is The stop state is maintained at the initial position, and first, the receiving case 3 rotates in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 5 about the second rotation axis L2. That is, the receiving case rotates to the intermediate position side with respect to the connecting member 4. The reception case 3 is rotated against the rotation urging force of the third rotation urging means 13 while rotating from the folding position to the position near the folding. When the reception case 3 is located between the folding vicinity position and the intermediate vicinity position, the spheres 6A and 6B slide on the surface of the second hinge member 52 facing the movable member 54, and Friction resistance is generated between them. Therefore, the reception case 3 is rotated against the frictional resistance. Of course, since this frictional resistance is weaker than the rotational biasing force of the first rotational biasing means 11, the connecting member 4 is maintained in a state stopped at the initial position.
[0036]
When the answering case 3 reaches a position near the middle, as shown in FIG. 16B, the spheres 6A, 6B of the second hinge 5B come into press contact with the inclined surfaces 82, 82 of the recesses 8C, 8D. Is automatically rotated to an intermediate position by the rotation urging force of the fourth rotation urging means 14. When the receiving case 3 rotates to the intermediate position, the third contact surface 34 abuts against the connecting member 4 as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the receiving case 3 cannot rotate with respect to the connecting member 4 in the direction from the folding position side to the intermediate position side, and stops with respect to the connecting member 4.
[0037]
If the receiving case 3 is further rotated from the intermediate position toward the talking position side, the receiving case 3 cannot be rotated with respect to the connecting member 4, and therefore the connecting member 4 is centered on the first rotation axis L1. Then, the receiving case 3 starts to rotate from the initial position to the terminal position side, and accordingly, the receiving case 3 continues to rotate to the call position side. During the rotation of the connecting member 4 from the initial position to the position near the initial position (while the receiving case 3 is rotated from the intermediate position toward the call position to a position separated by a predetermined angle), the first rotation bias is applied. It is rotated against the urging force of the means 11. When the connecting member 4 is positioned between the initial vicinity position and the terminal vicinity position, the spheres 6A and 6B slide on the surface of the second hinge member 52 facing the movable member 54, and A frictional resistance is generated between them. Therefore, the connecting member 4 is rotated against the frictional resistance.
[0038]
When the connecting member 4 reaches the position near the terminal end, as shown in FIG. 16C, the spheres 6A and 6B of the first hinge 5A come into press contact with the inclined surfaces 81 and 81 of the recesses 8A and 8B. Is automatically rotated to the end position by the rotation biasing force of the second rotation biasing means 12. When the connecting member 4 reaches the terminal position, the connecting member 4 hits the second contact surface 25 and stops as shown in FIG. At this time, the reception case 3 that has been rotated integrally with the connecting member 4 has reached the call position. Then, the reception case 3 is maintained at the call position by the rotation urging force of the second rotation urging means 12.
[0039]
In the state shown in FIG. 7 in which the connecting member 4 is located at the terminal position and the receiving case 3 is located at the talking position, if the receiving case 3 is turned to the folding position side, the fourth turn is attached. Since the turning urging force of the urging means 14 is larger than the turning urging force of the second turning urging means 12, the receiving case 3 remains in a stopped state with respect to the connecting member 4, and the connecting member 4 turns to the first turning. It rotates from the end position to the initial position side about the axis L1. Of course, the receiving case 3 rotates from the talking position side to the folding position side with respect to the transmitting case 2 as the connecting member 4 rotates. The connecting member 4 is rotated against the rotational urging force of the second rotational urging means 12 from the terminal position to the terminal vicinity position. When the connecting member 4 is located between the end vicinity position and the initial vicinity position, the connecting member 4 is rotated against the frictional resistance generated between the spheres 6A and 6B and the second hinge member 52. Since this frictional resistance is weaker than the rotation urging force of the fourth rotation urging means 14, the receiving case 3 does not rotate with respect to the connecting member 4.
[0040]
When the connecting member 4 reaches the vicinity of the initial position, the spheres 6A and 6B are pressed against the inclined surfaces 71 and 71. As a result, the connecting member 4 is automatically moved to the initial position by the rotation biasing force of the first rotation biasing means 11. Is rotated. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the connecting member 4 hits the first contact surface 24 and stops. At this time, the reception case 3 rotated integrally with the connecting member 4 has reached the intermediate position.
[0041]
When the reception case 3 is to be rotated from the intermediate position to the folding position, the connection member 4 is stopped at the initial position, so that the reception case 3 is rotated from the intermediate position to the folding position. The reception case 3 is rotated against the rotation urging force of the fourth rotation urging means 14 while rotating from the intermediate position to the intermediate vicinity position. When the reception case 3 is located between the intermediate vicinity position and the folding vicinity position, the reception case 3 is rotated against the frictional resistance generated between the spheres 6A and 6B and the second hinge member 52. When the reception case 3 reaches a position near the folding, the spherical bodies 6A and 6B are pressed against the inclined surfaces 72 and 72, so that the reception case 3 is automatically folded by the rotation urging force of the third rotation urging means 13. While being rotated to the tatami position, the fold position is maintained. Thereby, the mobile phone 1 returns to the original state shown in FIG.
[0042]
As described above, in the mobile phone 1, since the rotation order of the reception case 3 and the connecting member 4 is constant, the direction of the force acting on the reception case 3 must be changed while the reception case 3 is being rotated. It is possible to prevent a situation in which the user has a sense of incongruity without causing a situation that must be performed.
[0043]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 17 to 26 will be described. In the mobile phone 1 ′ of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 17A to 17C, the receiving case 3 is rotated about 360 ° with respect to the transmitting case 2 via the connecting member 4. Thus, the position where the reception case 3 is rotated by approximately 180 ° from the folding position is the intermediate position. In order to allow the receiving case 3 to be rotated by 360 °, a cutout portion 28 is formed in the lower case half 2B of the transmitting case 2 in place of the concave portion 21, and the upper case half 3B of the receiving case 3 is formed. Is formed with a notch 35 instead of the recess 31. As shown in FIG. 19, the first and second rotation axes L 1 and L 2 are arranged at the same position in the longitudinal direction of the transmitting case 2 and the receiving case 3.
[0044]
As shown in FIG. 21, the folding position of the reception case 3 is regulated by the reception case 3 hitting the transmission case 2, and the initial position of the connection member 4 is the first position of the notch 22 of the notch 22. It is regulated by abutting against one abutment surface 24. This is the same as the above embodiment. However, as shown in FIG. 22, the intermediate position of the reception case 3 is the wall surface 35a (the first wall surface) extending in the short direction of the reception case 3 among the wall surfaces that define the notch portion 35 formed in the upper case half 3B. 3 stop means) is restricted by hitting the connecting member 4. Further, as shown in FIG. 23, the terminal position of the connecting member 4 (deployment position of the receiving case 3) is the position of the transmitting case 2 among the wall surfaces defining the notch 28 formed in the lower case half 2B. It is regulated by the connecting member 4 abutting against a wall surface (second stopping means) 28a extending in the short direction.
[0045]
In the first hinge 5A of this embodiment, the second hinge member 52 is movable as shown in FIG. 24 in order to allow the connecting member 4 to rotate 180 ° with respect to the transmission case 2. A pair of recesses 7A and 7B are arranged 180 ° apart in the circumferential direction on the surface facing the member 54, and a pair of recesses 8A and 8B are arranged 180 ° apart in the circumferential direction. Moreover, the recesses 7A and 8B are disposed at the same position in the circumferential direction, and the recesses 7B and 8A are disposed at the same position in the circumferential direction. In order to enable such an arrangement, the recesses 7A and 7B are disposed on the outer peripheral side, the recess 8B is disposed inside the recess 7A, and the recess 8A is disposed inside the recess 7B. The arrangement of the recesses 7A and 7B; 8A and 8B is the same for the second hinge 5B. That is, in this embodiment, the same second hinge member 52 is used in the first and second hinges 5A and 5B. However, in the first hinge 5A and the second hinge 5B, as will be described later, the relationship between the recesses 7A, 7B; 8A, 8B and the spheres 6A, 6B is different from each other.
[0046]
The recess 7A and the recess 8A are connected by a guide groove 52c extending in a spiral shape, and the recess 7B and the recess 8B are connected by a guide groove 52d extending in a spiral shape. Thereby, the spherical bodies 6A and 6B can move between the recesses 7A and 8A and between the recesses 7B and 8B. Here, when the spheres 6A, 6B move between the recesses 7A, 8A and between the recesses 7B, 8B, since the guide grooves 52C, 52D are spiral, the spheres 6A, 6B It moves not only in the circumferential direction but also in the radial direction. In order to enable the spherical bodies 6A and 6B to move in the radial direction of the movable member 54, the surface of the movable member 54 facing the second hinge member 52 extends in the radial direction, as shown in FIG. A pair of receiving recesses 54a and 54b is formed, and the receiving recesses 54a and 54b are configured so that the spheres 6A and 6B protrude from the receiving recesses 54a and 54b toward the second hinge member 52. 54a and 54b are accommodated so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction. Thereby, while the spherical body 6A can move smoothly between the recessed parts 7A and 8A, the spherical body 6B can move smoothly between the recessed parts 7B and 8B.
[0047]
The relationship between the spheres 6A and 6B and the recesses 7A and 7B; 8A and 8B will be described. When the receiving case 3 is in the folded position and the connecting member 4 is in the initial position, FIG. As shown, the spheres 6A and 6B enter the recesses 7A and 7B in the first hinge 5A, respectively, and enter the recesses 8A and 8B in the second hinge 5B, respectively. As a result, the urging force of the coil spring 55 is caused in one direction (from the terminal position side to the initial position side) by the urging force of the coil spring 55 by the inclined surfaces (not shown) formed on the bottom surfaces of the spherical bodies 6A and 6B and the recesses 7A and 7B. It is converted into a rotation biasing force that rotates in the direction of arrow A in FIG. As is clear from this, the first rotation urging means 11 is configured by the inclined surfaces formed on the bottom surfaces of the spheres 6A and 6B, the recesses 7A and 7B, and the coil spring 55. On the other hand, the urging force of the coil spring 55 is closed by the spheres 6A, 6B and the inclined surfaces formed on the bottom surfaces of the recesses 8A, 8B in the closing direction (arrow C in FIG. 21) toward the reception case 3 from the intermediate position side to the folding position side. Is converted into a rotating biasing force that biases the rotation in the direction). Therefore, the third rotation urging means is configured by the spherical surfaces 6A and 6B, the inclined surfaces formed on the bottom surfaces of the recesses 8A and 8B, and the coil spring 55. Of course, the rotation urging force of the first rotation urging means 11 is set larger than the rotation urging force of the third rotation urging means 13. Therefore, when the receiving case 3 is rotated to the unfolded position side in a state where the receiving case 3 is located at the folding position and the connecting member 4 is located at the initial position, the connecting member 4 is stopped at the initial position. Only the receiving case 3 is rotated to the deployment position side about the first rotation axis L1.
[0048]
When the reception case 3 is rotated from the folding position to the intermediate position, as shown in FIG. 22, the wall surface 35 a hits the connecting member 4, and the receiving case 3 is further extended from the folding position side with respect to the connecting member 4. It becomes impossible to turn in the direction (opening direction) toward the side. When the reception case 3 rotates to the intermediate position, the spheres 6A and 6B of the second hinge 5B enter the recesses 7A and 7B, respectively, as shown in FIG. As a result, the energizing force of the coil spring 55 causes the receiving case 3 to open from the folding position side to the intermediate position side by the inclined surfaces formed on the bottom surfaces of the spheres 6A and 6B and the recesses 7A and 7B (see FIG. 22). It is converted into a rotation urging force that urges rotation in the direction of arrow D). Therefore, the fourth rotation urging means 14 is configured by the spherical bodies 6A and 6B of the second hinge 5B, the inclined surfaces formed on the bottom surfaces of the recesses 7A and 7B, and the coil spring 55.
[0049]
If the receiving case 3 is further rotated from the intermediate position to the unfolded position side, the receiving case 3 cannot be rotated with respect to the connecting member 4, so that the connecting member 4 is initially set around the first rotation axis L1. It rotates in one direction (arrow B direction in FIG. 22) from the position toward the end position. When the connecting member 4 is rotated to the end position, as shown in FIG. 23, the connecting member 4 abuts against the wall surface 28a and stops. At this time, since the receiving case 3 is rotated integrally with the connecting member 4, the receiving case 3 has reached the deployed position. When the connecting member 4 is rotated to the terminal position, the spheres 6A and 6B of the first hinge 5A enter the recesses 8A and 8B as shown in FIG. As a result, the biasing force of the coil spring 55 causes the connecting member 4 to move from the initial position side to the terminal position side in the other direction (FIG. 23) by the spherical bodies 6A and 6B and the inclined surfaces formed on the bottom surfaces of the recesses 8A and 8B. It is converted into a rotation urging force that urges rotation in the direction of arrow B). Therefore, the second rotation urging means 12 is configured by the spheres 6A and 6B of the first hinge 5A, the inclined surfaces formed on the bottom surfaces of the recesses 8A and 8B, and the coil spring 55.
[0050]
In a state where the receiving case 3 is located at the unfolded position and the connecting member 4 is located at the end position, if the receiving case 3 is to be turned to the folding position side, the fourth turning biasing means 14 is turned. Since the urging force is set to be larger than the rotation urging force of the second rotation urging means 12, the receiving case 3 maintains a stopped state with respect to the connection member 4, and the connection member 4 is in the first rotation axis. Rotate from the end position to the initial position side with L1 as the center. The connecting member 4 stops when it rotates to the initial position. At this time, the reception case 3 rotated integrally with the connecting member 4 has reached the intermediate position. When the reception case 3 is rotated from the intermediate position to the folding position side, since the connecting member 4 is stopped, only the reception case 3 is rotated. The reception case 3 rotates until it reaches the transmission case 2 and stops when it reaches the folding position.
[0051]
Other configurations and operations of the mobile phone 1 ′ are the same as those of the mobile phone 1. For example, when the reception case 3 is located between the folding position and the position near the folding, the receiving case 3 is automatically rotated to the folding position by the third rotation biasing means 13.
[0052]
In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, It can change suitably.
For example, in the above embodiment, the surfaces that contact the spheres 6A and 6B of the recesses 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D; 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D are inclined at a certain angle. The urging force of the urging means 11 is made larger than the urging force of the third urging urging means 13 and the urging force of the fourth urging urging means 14 is urged by the second urging urging means 12. As long as the force is greater than the force, the surfaces of the recesses 7A to 8D with which the spheres 6A and 6B come into contact may be surfaces with different inclination angles.
In the above embodiment, the recesses 7A to 8D are formed in the second hinge member 52 and the spheres 6A and 6B are provided in the movable member 54. However, the spheres are provided in the second hinge member 52 and the movable member is provided. A recess may be formed in 54. Furthermore, instead of the spheres 6A and 6B, for example, a hemispherical protrusion may be formed on the movable member 54.
[0053]
Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when the receiving case 3 is rotated from any of the folding position, the intermediate position, and the unfolded position (calling position), either the receiving case 3 or the connecting member 4 receives the call. The case 3 is configured to immediately rotate in one direction in which the case 3 is to be rotated, but only one slight angular range in which the other of the receiving case 3 and the connecting member 4 does not feel uncomfortable. After turning in the direction, either one may turn in one direction. For example, when the receiving case 3 is rotated from the talking position to the folding position side, in the above embodiment, the connecting member 4 is immediately rotated from the terminal position to the initial position side when the receiving case 3 is rotated. To do. However, if the angle is a slight angle, the connecting member 4 may be rotated after the receiving case 3 is rotated to the call position side. Such a rotation operation can be achieved by adopting the following configuration.
[0054]
That is, in the above embodiment, the call position is regulated by abutting the third contact surface 34 of the receiving case 3 against the connecting member 4, but such regulation is released. Then, the reception case 3 is rotated to the talking position side when the spheres 6A and 6B enter the recesses 7A and 7B. However, since there is no restriction by the third abutting surface 34, the spheres 6A and 6B have the recesses 7A and 7B. It continues to rotate until it moves to the center (the deepest part) of the bottom surface of 7B, and stops when the spheres 6A, 6B move to the center of the bottom surfaces of the recesses 7A, 7B. Here, if the radius of curvature of the bottom surface of the central portion of the recesses 7A and 7B is set larger than the radius of the spheres 6A and 6B, the spheres 6A and 6B are rotated when the receiving case 3 is rotated from the stop position to the folding position side. In a slight angle range until the contact surface contacts the inclined surface 71 of the recesses 7 A and 7 B, the receiving case 3 rotates with respect to the connecting member 4 without rotating the connecting member 4. Thereafter, when the spheres 6 A and 6 B come into contact with the inclined surface 71, the fourth rotation urging means 14 prevents the reception case 3 from rotating with respect to the connecting member 4. Therefore, thereafter, the connecting member 4 rotates from the terminal position to the initial position as in the above embodiment. The pivoting operation can be performed in the same manner not only when the reception case 3 is located at the call position (deployment position) but also when the reception case 3 is located at the folding position or the intermediate position. .
[0055]
In the above embodiment, the transmission case 2 is fixed and the reception case 3 is rotated because the transmission case 2 is the first case and the reception case 3 is the second case. When the receiving case 3 as the second case is rotated from the folding position to the talking position (deployed position), the connecting member 4 is sent after the second case 3 is rotated with respect to the connecting member 4. When the receiving case 3 is rotated with respect to the talking case 2 and the receiving case 3 is turned from the talking position to the folding position, the receiving case 3 is connected to the connecting case 4 after the connecting member 4 is rotated with respect to the transmitting case 2. 4 to rotate. However, the transmission case 2 may be a reception case and the reception case 3 may be a transmission case. In other words, the transmission case 2 may be the second case and the reception case 3 may be the first case. In such a case, the reception case 3 as a transmission case is fixed, and the transmission case 2 as a reception case rotates with respect to the reception case 3. When the transmitting case 2 is rotated from the folding position to the talking position, the connecting member 4 is first rotated with respect to the receiving case 3, and then the transmitting case 2 is rotated with respect to the connecting member 4. When the transmitting case 2 is rotated from the talking position to the folding position, the transmitting case 2 is first rotated with respect to the connecting member 4, and then the connecting member 4 is rotated with respect to the receiving case 3. As will be apparent, when the transmission case 2 is regarded as the first case and when the reception case 3 is regarded as the first case, the rotation of the second case (the reception case 3 or the communication case 2) and the connecting member 4 is performed. The order of movement is reversed.
[0056]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since the rotation order of the second case and the connecting member is constant, the direction of the force acting on the second case is changed during the rotation of the second case. It is possible to prevent a situation in which the user has a sense of incongruity without the occurrence of a situation that needs to occur.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a mobile phone according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 (A) is a perspective view showing a receiving case positioned in a folded position, and FIG. FIG. 1C is a perspective view showing the reception case in a state where the reception case is positioned at the call position. FIG.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the same embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the same embodiment;
4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG.
5 is a partially omitted enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG. 4 showing the receiving case in a folded position.
6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5, showing the reception case in an intermediate position. FIG.
7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5, showing the receiving case positioned at the call position. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a front view showing a first hinge used in the embodiment;
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the first hinge.
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the first hinge.
FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a second hinge member of the first hinge.
12 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line XX in FIG.
FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a second hinge member of the second hinge used in the embodiment.
14 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line XX in FIG.
FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a movable member of first and second hinges used in the embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the relationship between the sphere of the first hinge and the recess, and the relationship between the sphere of the second hinge member and the recess, and FIG. 16 (A) shows that the receiving case is located at the folding position; FIG. 16B shows the relationship when the reception case is located at the intermediate position, and FIG. 16C shows the relationship when the reception case is located at the call position. ing.
FIGS. 17A and 17B are views showing a mobile phone according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a receiving case in a folded position, and FIG. FIG. 2C is a perspective view showing the reception case in a state where the reception case is positioned at the call position. FIG.
FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the same embodiment.
FIG. 19 is a side view of the same embodiment;
20 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG.
FIG. 21 is a partially omitted enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 20 showing the reception case in the folded position.
22 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 21, showing the receiving case in an intermediate position. FIG.
FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 21, showing the receiving case positioned at the call position.
FIG. 24 is a plan view showing a second hinge member of the first and second hinges used in the embodiment.
FIG. 25 is a plan view showing the movable members of the first and second hinges used in the embodiment.
FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the relationship between the sphere of the first hinge and the recess, and the relationship between the sphere of the second hinge member and the recess, and FIG. 26 (A) shows that the receiving case is located at the folding position. 26 (B) shows the relationship when the reception case is located at the intermediate position, and FIG. 26 (C) shows the relationship when the reception case is located at the call position. ing.
[Explanation of symbols]
L1 1st rotation axis
L2 Second rotation axis
1 Mobile phone
1 'mobile phone
2 Transmission case (first case)
3 Reception case (second case)
4 connecting members
11 First rotation urging means (first blocking means)
12 Second rotation biasing means (second blocking means)
13 Third rotation biasing means (third blocking means)
14 Fourth turning biasing means (fourth blocking means)
24 1st contact surface (1st stop means)
25 Second contact surface (second stop means)
28a Wall surface (second stopping means)
34 3rd contact surface (3rd stop means)
35a Wall surface (third stop means)

Claims

A first case, a connection member having one end connected to the first case so as to be rotatable about a first rotation axis, and a second member parallel to the first rotation axis at the other end of the connection member; And a second case pivotably connected about a pivot axis, wherein the connecting member rotates relative to the first case, and the second case rotates relative to the connecting member. By doing so, in the opening and closing device of the device case in which the second case is rotatable between the folding position and the unfolded position with respect to the first case,
Between the first case and the connecting member, the connecting member is rotated in one direction to a predetermined initial position so as to rotate the second case from the deployed position side to the folding position side. A first stopping means for stopping the connecting member at the initial position, and a predetermined terminal position in the other direction so that the connecting member rotates the second case from the folding position side to the unfolded position side. Second stop means for stopping the connecting member at the terminal position when the connecting member is rotated to the end position, and the connecting member rotating from the initial position or the vicinity thereof to the other direction with a predetermined amount of blocking force. First rotation blocking means for blocking and second rotation blocking means for blocking the connecting member from rotating in the one direction from the end position or the vicinity thereof with a predetermined blocking force are provided. ,
Between the second case and the connecting member, when the second case rotates to the predetermined intermediate position in the opening direction from the folding position side to the unfolded position side with respect to the connecting member. A third stopping means for stopping the second case at the intermediate position; and a third stopping means for preventing the second case from rotating from the folding position or its vicinity in the opening direction with a predetermined amount of blocking force. A rotation prevention means, and a fourth rotation prevention means for preventing the second case from turning in the closing direction toward the folding position from the intermediate position or the vicinity thereof with a predetermined amount of blocking force. Is provided,
The blocking force of the first rotation blocking unit is set larger than the blocking force of the third rotation blocking unit, and the blocking force of the fourth rotation blocking unit is set larger than the blocking force of the second rotation blocking unit. A device case opening and closing device.

The first rotation preventing means is first rotation urging means for urging and urging the connecting member in the one direction when the connecting member is located at the initial position. The movement preventing means is second rotation urging means for urging and urging the connection member in the other direction when the connection member is located at the terminal position, and the third rotation prevention means , Third rotation urging means for urging and urging the second case in the closing direction when the second case is located at the folding position, and the fourth blocking means is the second prevention means. 2. The device case according to claim 1, wherein the second case is a fourth rotation biasing unit that biases the second case in the opening direction when the two cases are positioned at the intermediate position. Switchgear.

The device case opening and closing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the folding position is restricted by the second case abutting against the first case.

The intermediate position is defined such that when the second case is positioned at the intermediate position, the second case is positioned on a line perpendicular to the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis. The opening / closing apparatus of the apparatus case in any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by these.