JP4284528B2 - Portable terminal device and hinge part - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a foldable portable terminal device and a hinge portion for joining and holding two casings constituting the portable terminal device via a rotation mechanism.

  Conventionally, a foldable portable terminal device (so-called two-fold cellular phone) that can be opened and closed through a hinge is well known, and is suitable for protecting a display screen and preventing malfunction of an operation key. It has become the mainstream of mobile terminal devices. Many of these foldable portable terminal devices use a hinge device at a portion where a housing including a liquid crystal display screen and a housing where operation keys are arranged are joined.

  On the other hand, such mobile terminal devices are becoming more sophisticated, and in particular, liquid crystal screens are increasingly used for displaying image content including games and receiving TV broadcasts. Conventionally, in mobile terminal devices, a vertically long screen using the distance between the receiver and transmitter is mainstream, but in the case of image display of such usage, it is possible to display on a horizontally long screen. It is desirable in terms of user convenience. However, it is difficult to operate just by making the whole sideways.

  Therefore, a portable terminal device capable of displaying a liquid crystal display screen in both portrait and landscape orientation has been proposed. For example, a foldable mobile terminal that can be used both vertically and horizontally by opening and closing a casing containing liquid crystal vertically and horizontally by providing two orthogonal rotation axes. An apparatus is disclosed (see Patent Document 1).

JP2003-110673A (FIG. 1)

  However, in the case of a mobile terminal device that can be opened and closed in two directions in this way, the rigidity of the joint portion between the sides of each housing is required more than that of a normal folding mobile terminal device. Nevertheless, the joint portion (hinge part) of the mobile terminal device that has been proposed in the past is a structure that combines a vertical shaft and a horizontal shaft, so that the rigidity is insufficient, and the user has a daily life. There was a risk of damage even if used in Therefore, since rigidity that can withstand severe use is required, a structure that can ensure rigidity is required.

  In addition, since the power supply and the control means are housed in one of the housings, the wiring for supplying power to the means housed in the other housing and transmitting / receiving control signals is the hinge. Therefore, it is necessary to supply a power supply and accommodate a wiring structure for transmitting and receiving control signals. And it is necessary to secure the space for it. For this purpose, it is considered that a certain space (space) needs to be secured inside and around the rotating shaft. However, in the above mobile terminal device, it cannot be said that a sufficient space for wiring is assumed due to the structure thereof, and it seems that a problem occurs at the stage of actual design.

  On the other hand, such a portable terminal device desirably has a structure that assumes a case where the casing is used while being opened at a certain angle (for example, when playing a game or watching a TV broadcast).

  Therefore, the present invention provides a portable terminal device and a hinge portion that can ensure the rigidity and the wiring space while maintaining the convenience that the casing can be opened vertically and horizontally by two rotating shafts. Objective. In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal device and a hinge part that can obtain a suitable form when using side-opening such as use of image content.

A mobile terminal device according to the present invention is a mobile terminal device having a first housing, a second housing, and a hinge part for joining the first housing and the second housing, The hinge portion has a first rotation mechanism portion that pivotally pivots the first housing relative to the hinge portion, and a rotation axis that is orthogonal to the rotation axis of the first rotation mechanism portion, A housing having a second rotation mechanism portion that pivotably supports the hinge portion with respect to the second housing, wherein the hinge portion rotates at a predetermined angle in a short direction of the first housing. When being done, it is flush with the back surface of the second housing and has a contact surface for stably supporting the first housing .

  According to the present invention, since the rotation shafts of the respective rotation mechanisms are arranged on different planes, a space for arranging the wiring structure can be secured. The portable terminal device here includes not only a so-called cellular phone but also a portable portable terminal device such as a PDA. When there is a wireless communication function, the wireless communication method is not particularly limited, and the wireless communication function is not essential. Since the liquid crystal display part can be opened both vertically and horizontally, it is equipped with functions that enable effective use of the liquid crystal screen, such as an analog or digital TV tuner function or an execution environment for controlling game software. However, these functions are not necessarily essential.

  According to the present invention, since the hinge portion is provided with a contact surface that is flush with the back surface side of the second housing, the first housing that moves along with the rotation of the hinge portion is predetermined. Stable at an angle of. Therefore, a desirable form can be obtained when a function suitable for use on a flat place such as the ground or a desk is mounted as a TV.

Further, in the mobile terminal device according to the present invention , the first casing is configured such that the hinge section and the second casing are rotated when the hinge section is rotated by a predetermined angle in the lateral direction of the first casing. It has a contact surface that is flush with the back surface. According to the present invention, when the hinge portion is rotated with respect to the second housing or the first housing is rotated with respect to the hinge portion, the operation having the operation portion provided in the second housing is performed. The first casing has a surface that is the same plane as the surface or the back surface thereof, so that it can be stabilized when it is placed in a flat place such as the ground or a desk and opened in the short direction. .

In the mobile terminal device according to the present invention , when the second rotation mechanism unit rotates the hinge unit in the short direction of the first housing, the contact surface and the back surface of the second housing are the same. It has a locking mechanism that locks the rotation of the hinge at an angle that becomes a plane .

In this invention, the hinge part is provided with the latching mechanism which latches rotation of the 2nd rotation mechanism part with respect to a 2nd housing | casing at a desired angle. The locking mechanism of the hinge part is a well-known technique, and those using a cam mechanism are well known, but the cylinder is urged toward the contact point between the hinge part and the casing by an elastic member inside the hinge part. In addition, it suffices if there is a locking portion for locking the housing at a specific angle at the tip of the cylinder, and it is not limited to a specific mechanism. The same applies to the locking portion, and it is known that the locking portion is locked by the notch of the abutting member, but is not particularly limited to a specific structure. For example, a structure in which a locking groove is provided at one end and a projection that fits into the other at once is raised.
According to the present invention, the rotation of the first casing is locked at a position where the grounding surface of the first casing is collinear with the second casing. When used in various places, the shape can be maintained, and more stable use can be performed.

Further, the hinge part according to the present invention is a hinge part that joins the first casing and the second casing of the portable terminal device and holds the first casing and the second casing so as to be openable and closable. The first rotation mechanism unit that pivotally supports the casing and a rotation axis that is orthogonal to the rotation axis of the first rotation mechanism unit and that is orthogonal to the rotation axis of the first rotation mechanism unit. When the first casing is pivoted in the short direction by the second rotating mechanism section that is pivotally movable, and the second rotating mechanism section is flush with the back surface of the second casing , And a contact surface for stably supporting the first housing . According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a hinge portion necessary for providing the mobile terminal device according to the present invention.

  According to the present invention, a portable terminal device and a portable terminal device are provided that maintain both the convenience of being able to open the casing vertically or horizontally by two rotating shafts, while ensuring both rigidity and wiring space. A hinge part for joining and holding two cases can be obtained.

  At the same time, the present invention provides a portable terminal device and a hinge part that can be grounded in a more stable form and can maintain the state when using a horizontal opening such as the use of image content as described above. Can be obtained.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the structure of the portable terminal device 4 regarding this Embodiment is demonstrated.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable terminal device 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A shows a state opened in the longitudinal direction (longitudinal direction), and FIG. 1B shows a state opened in the lateral direction (lateral direction). The first casing 1 and the second casing 2 are held in a joined state by the hinge portion 3. The first housing 1 of the present embodiment has at least a liquid crystal display unit 11, a transmitter unit 12, and a camera (imaging) unit 13 that is used for making a so-called videophone as well as normal photographing. The second housing 2 has at least an operation unit 21 and a receiving unit 22 on which operation keys are arranged. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, which will be described later, the hinge portion 3 and the first housing 1 are pivotally supported by a first rotation mechanism portion 31 serving as a hinge mechanism. On the other hand, the second casing 2 is similarly pivoted to the hinge portion 3 by the second rotation mechanism portion 32. The first rotation mechanism unit 31 and the second rotation mechanism unit 32 are arranged in planes having different rotation axis directions (not forming the same plane) and orthogonal to each other (that is, straight lines passing through the rotation axes). Is in a so-called twisted position and is orthogonal). When the first casing 1 and the second casing 2 are stacked (in a folded state), the surface having the display unit 11 and the surface having the operation unit 21 are in contact with each other. It does not appear. As a result, the liquid crystal display unit 11 (sending unit 12) and the operation unit 21 (receiving unit 22) are protected.

  Here, the first casing 1 is rotated with respect to the hinge portion 3 with the first rotation mechanism portion 31 as an axis, thereby opening and closing in the vertical direction (longitudinal direction). Further, when the hinge 3 is rotated with respect to the second housing 2 with the second rotation mechanism 32 as an axis, the first housing 1 joined to the hinge 3 also moves with the rotation of the hinge 3. Open and close in the horizontal direction.

  Here, in the conventional folding portable terminal device, it was possible to join each side of each housing. In the mobile terminal device 4 according to the present embodiment, since it opens and closes in two directions as described above, it cannot be joined using one side of each housing due to the structure, and a member such as the hinge portion 3 is not provided. Necessary. Although it does not specifically limit in which position the 1st housing | casing 1, the 2nd housing | casing 2, and the hinge part 3 are joined, the 1st housing | casing 1 was rotated and opened to the vertical direction In this case, when seen from the user side, the right arm (right corner) is joined, so that the dominant arm can be easily opened laterally for the right hand user. Also, considering the key arrangement, the direction key (scroll key) is positioned above the numeric keypad when opened in the vertical direction, and the direction key (scroll key) is opened when opened in the horizontal direction. It is located on the left side of the numeric keypad. For example, it is convenient when a user plays a game in a state where the user opens sideways. Although details of the operation unit 21 are not described here, for example, a key shape that can be easily operated by the user in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction may be considered.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the portable terminal 4 including the hinge part 3. In the present embodiment, the hinge portion 3 includes a first rotation mechanism portion 31, a second rotation mechanism portion 32, a cable 33 that conducts the first casing 1 and the second casing 2, and a space formed therein. The protective member 34 (substantially the hinge part 3) which is a housing | casing (protective case) which has fixed thickness in order to protect the cable 33 accommodated in is comprised. Various wiring structures that connect the first casing 1 and the second casing 2 exist between the first rotating mechanism section 31 and the second rotating mechanism section 32. In this wiring structure, there is a cable 33 used for supplying power and transmitting control signals. Further, in order to ensure control and power feeding between the first casing 1 and the second casing 2, the cable wire is usually inserted through a hole provided in the rotation shaft inside the rotation mechanism section. However, it may be conducted by a terminal provided on the rotating shaft. The cable wire 33 is protected by the presence of the protection member 34 and can withstand loads in various directions applied to the hinge portion 3.

  FIG. 3 is a view showing a closed state and a state where a predetermined angle is opened in the lateral direction, as viewed from the side. 3A is a closed state as viewed from the side where the hinge portion 3 is provided, FIG. 3B is a closed state as viewed from the opposite side, and FIG. . The first housing 1 has a back surface (hereinafter referred to as a back surface) of the surface having the operation unit 21 of the second housing 2 when the first housing 1 is opened at a predetermined angle in the lateral direction. ) And the housing side contact surface 14 having an angle so as to be located on the same plane. As will be described later, the surface having the operation unit 21 of the second housing 2 is a surface to be grounded when placed on a place such as a desk. Therefore, since it is preferable that the liquid crystal display unit 11 has an angle of about 120 degrees with respect to the surface of the second housing 2 having the operation unit 21, the housing-side ground surface 12 with respect to the first housing 1. The inclination is formed at about 120 degrees. Similarly, the hinge part side contact surface 35 having the same inclination is also formed in the hinge part 3.

  FIG. 4 shows the structure of the first rotation mechanism 31 or the second rotation mechanism 32. FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view when the rotation mechanism is attached. Locking mechanisms are provided inside the respective rotation mechanism portions in order to lock the rotation of the housing at an appropriate position. Although there are various shapes as the structure of the locking mechanism of the hinge part 3, a cam mechanism is employed here. Each locking mechanism includes a bearing portion 311, a cam portion 312, a rotating shaft 313, a rotation stop member 314 (not shown), a spring 315 that is an elastic member, a disc portion 316, and a washer 317. The rotating shaft 313 is inserted through a spring 315, a cam portion 312, a disc portion 316, and a washer 317 in this order, and the cam portion 312 is urged toward the bearing portion 311 by the spring 315 to contact the bearing portion 311. It touches. A locking groove 318 is formed in the cam portion 312, and a protrusion 319 that fits with the bearing portion 311 is formed. The rotating shaft 313 is fixed to the hinge portion 3 and the bearing portion 311 is fixed to the housing.

  The operation of the rotation mechanism unit will be described using the first rotation mechanism unit 31 as an example. When the hinge portion 3 is rotated with respect to the first housing 1, the cam portion 312 in the first rotation mechanism portion 31 rotates in conjunction with the rotation shaft 313, but the cam portion 312 is a bearing portion by a spring 315. Since it is biased in the 311 direction, it is always in contact with the bearing portion 311, and usually the first housing 1 is the hinge portion 3 (second housing 2) because the disk portion 316 functions as a resistor. Is held at an arbitrary position. However, when the rotation proceeds, the rotation is locked when the protrusion 319 of the bearing portion 311 is fitted in the locking groove 318 of the cam portion 312, and the housing is fixed. When a load is further applied in the rotation direction, the protrusion 319 is detached from the locking groove 318 again, and the housing is held at an arbitrary position. The first rotating mechanism 31 and the second rotating mechanism 32 have substantially the same structure, but the first casing 1 is rotated in the vertical direction by rotating the rotation shaft of the first rotating mechanism 31. When the door is opened, and when the hinge 3 (second housing 2) is rotated and opened in the lateral direction by the rotation of the rotation shaft of the second rotation mechanism 32, the usage is assumed. In addition, the position at which the rotation is locked is also different. For this reason, the locking grooves 318 are formed at different positions in the respective rotation mechanism portions. The position where the locking groove 318 is formed will be described later.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the cam portion 312 included in the first rotation mechanism portion 31. First, the use in the vertical direction is often for the purpose of using a voice call function or an e-mail function. In this case, the first casing 1 is opened about 160 degrees in the vertical direction with respect to the second casing 2. It is desirable to be locked at two locations when the first casing 1 is completely closed, that is, when the angle is 0 degree ((in the portable terminal device 4 of the present embodiment, By opening the first casing 1 about 180 degrees with respect to the second casing 2, at least the angle formed by the transmitter section 12, the first rotation mechanism section 31, and the receiver section 22 is about 160 degrees. ing)). Therefore, the first rotation mechanism 31 has a locking groove 318 at the portion where the cam portion 312 contacts the bearing portion 311 when the housing is closed, and the first housing 1 and the second housing 31 are based on this position. A locking groove 318 </ b> B is formed at a portion where the cam portion 312 contacts the bearing portion 311 when the housing 2 is opened at about 160 degrees.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the cam portion 322 included in the second rotation mechanism portion 32. Next, usage in the horizontal direction will be described. On the other hand, the portable terminal device 4 is a multimedia-compatible device, and is assumed to be used for TV viewing, videophone and games. In this case, since the portable terminal device 4 is operated sideways, the first casing 1 is opened sideways by the second rotating shaft 32. In the case of viewing TV broadcasts, it is desirable to place it in the state as shown in FIG. 3C, so that the back surface of the second housing 2 and the housing side contact surface 14 of the first housing 1 are on the same surface. It is desirable to be locked with. When used as a game machine, the rotation of the first housing 1 is locked at a position where the liquid crystal display unit 11 in the first housing and the operation unit 21 in the second housing are parallel to each other. It is desirable.

  For the above-described purpose, the second rotation mechanism portion 32 is locked at three places, the locking groove 328A, the locking groove 328B, and the locking groove 328C so as to lock the first housing 1 in two stages. Grooves are formed. That is, the locking groove 328A is a locking position when the housing is closed, and the locking groove B is for watching TV broadcast while the mobile terminal device 4 according to the present invention is grounded, and shooting of the camera unit 13 in the videophone. It is the 1st latching | locking part which latches rotation of the 1st housing | casing 1 in a suitable position when performing etc. The locking groove 328 </ b> C is a second locking portion that locks at a suitable position when a game is played on the mobile terminal device 4 according to the present invention. As a rule of thumb, since the liquid crystal display unit 11 is preferably held at a position of about 120 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction, the locking groove 328B is formed at a position of about 120 degrees from the locking groove 328A. Here, for example, a charging terminal is provided on the side surface in the longitudinal direction of the second housing 2 so that a TV can be viewed and a videophone can be viewed at this angle even in a charged state, and a charging base corresponding to the charging terminal is prepared. It is conceivable to devise.

  When the liquid crystal display unit 11 and the operation unit 21 are parallel, the liquid crystal display unit 11 of the first housing 1 is at a position of about 180 degrees with respect to the operation unit 21 of the second housing 2 in FIG. It is considered that it is preferable to be locked. Accordingly, the locking groove 328C is formed at a position of about 180 degrees from the locking groove 328A. Regarding the angle, since the feeling of use is subjective, the angle is not limited to a specific angle, and the locking groove 328 can be provided at another angle. In addition, more locking grooves 328 can be formed.

  The operation of the mobile terminal device 4 according to the present invention based on this structure will be described. First, utilization when using a voice call function or an e-mail function will be described. As described above, in this case, the first casing 1 is opened in the vertical direction, that is, by the rotation of the first rotation mechanism unit 31. The locking grooves 318 in the locking mechanism of the first rotation mechanism 31 are two of 318A and 318B. When a load is applied in the rotation direction from the state locked by the locking grooves 318A, the first The casing 1 is opened in the vertical direction. During this time, the cam portion 312 is urged toward the joint portion between the first housing 1 and the hinge portion 3 by the elastic member of the locking mechanism, and the first housing 1 can be held at an arbitrary position. When the rotation further proceeds, the first housing 1 is held when the protrusion is fitted in the locking groove 318B, that is, in a state where the first housing 1 is opened by a predetermined angle.

  In the case of viewing TV broadcast or using it in a game, the first casing 1 is opened in the horizontal direction, that is, by the rotation of the second rotation mechanism unit 32. In this case, the locking grooves 328 in the locking mechanism in the second rotation mechanism portion 32 are three of 328A, 328B, and 328C, and are locked in the folded state, that is, as shown in FIG. From the state, when the load is applied in the rotation direction, the first housing 1 is opened in the lateral direction. Also in this case, as in the case where the second casing 2 is opened in the vertical direction, the cam portion 322 is biased toward the joint portion between the second casing 2 and the hinge portion 3 by the elastic member in the locking mechanism. The hinge portion 3 can be held at an arbitrary position with respect to the second housing. When the first casing 1 (hinge part 3) is rotated about 120 degrees from the closed state, that is, when the protrusion 329 is engaged with the locking groove 328B, the first casing (hinge part 3) is shown in FIG. 3 (c). In this case, it is conceivable to use the mobile terminal device 4 by placing it on the ground or a desk. Therefore, the first housing 1 and the hinge portion 3 are provided with a housing side contact surface 14 and a hinge portion side contact surface 35, and are placed as a whole including the back surface of the second housing 2. Since the housing side contact surface 14 and the hinge portion side contact surface 35 are inclined so as to be flush with the back surface of the second housing 2 when the housing is opened about 120 degrees, the portable terminal according to the present invention. The device 4 is grounded in a stable state.

  Here, when a load is further applied in the rotation direction, the first housing 1 is further opened in the lateral direction. When the first casing 1 is rotated about 180 degrees from the closed state, that is, when the protrusion 329 is fitted with the locking groove 328C, the first casing 1 is held as shown in FIG. In this case, the liquid crystal display unit 11 provided in the first housing 1 and the operation unit 21 of the second housing 2 are held in parallel, and the portable terminal device 4 according to the present invention is suitable for use in games and the like. Retained in form.

It is a perspective view of the portable terminal device concerning this invention. It is sectional drawing of a hinge part. It is the figure which represented the closed state and the state opened predetermined angle to the horizontal direction seen from the side surface. It is a disassembled perspective view of the locking mechanism of a rotation mechanism part. It is sectional drawing of a latching mechanism. It is sectional drawing which shows arrangement | positioning of the locking groove of a 1st rotation mechanism part. It is sectional drawing which shows arrangement | positioning of the locking groove of a 2nd rotation mechanism part. It is a figure of the state which the housing | casing of the portable terminal device concerning this invention closed. It is a figure when the 1st housing | casing 1 is opened about 180 degree | times to the horizontal direction.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st housing | casing 11 Liquid crystal display part 12 Transmission part 13 Camera part 14 Housing | casing side contact surface 2 2nd housing | casing 21 Operation part 22 Reception part 3 Hinge part,
31 1st rotation mechanism part 311, 321 Bearing part 312, 322 Cam part 313, 323 Rotating shaft 314, 324 Rotation stop member 315, 325 Spring 316, 326 Disc part 317, 327 Washer 318, 318A, 318B, 328, 328A 328B, 328C Locking groove 319, 329 Protrusion 32 Second rotation mechanism part 35 Hinge part side grounding surface

Claims (4)

A first housing;
A second housing;
A portable terminal device having a hinge part that joins the first casing and the second casing,
The hinge portion is a first rotation mechanism portion that pivotally fixes the first housing with respect to the hinge portion, and
A housing having a rotation axis that is orthogonal to a rotation plane different from the rotation axis of the first rotation mechanism section, and having a second rotation mechanism section that pivotally supports the hinge section relative to the second casing. Body,
The hinge portion is coplanar with the back surface of the second casing when rotated by a predetermined angle in the lateral direction of the first casing, and stably supports the first casing. A portable terminal device having a contact surface for performing   The first casing is flush with the back surface of the hinge and the second casing when the hinge is rotated by a predetermined angle in the short direction of the first casing. The mobile terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the mobile terminal device has a contact surface.   The second rotation mechanism unit is configured such that when the hinge unit is rotated in the short direction of the first housing, the contact surface and the back surface of the second housing are at the same plane. The portable terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism that locks rotation of the hinge portion. A hinge portion that holds the first housing and the second housing of the portable terminal device so as to be openable and closable,
A first rotation mechanism that pivotally pivots the first housing relative to the hinge;
A second rotation mechanism section that has a rotation axis that is orthogonal to the rotation axis of the first rotation mechanism section and that is orthogonal to the second housing, and that pivots the hinge section relative to the second housing;
When the first casing is rotated in the lateral direction by the second rotation mechanism, the first casing is flush with the back surface of the second casing and stably supports the first casing. And a contact surface for the hinge part.

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