JP4444160B2 - Foldable mobile communication device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a foldable mobile communication device, and more particularly to its external shape.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a foldable mobile communication device can freely rotate a first housing having a display unit such as a liquid crystal, a second housing having an operation unit, and the first housing and the second housing. The hinge part couple | bonded with. In this foldable communication device, when making a call, both casings are opened and the telephone number of the other party is input while confirming on the display unit to make a call. In addition, when mailing, the characters to be input are similarly opened while being confirmed on the display unit and transmitted. Furthermore, when not using the foldable portable communication device, both cases are closed, and the display unit is carried in a state where the display unit is not damaged or the input button is not pressed carelessly.

  When both cases are closed, the display unit and the operation button slightly protruding from the surface of the operation unit face each other and are closed. Therefore, both cases need to be closed with a certain gap. For this reason, a protrusion is provided on a part of the surface of the first housing or the second housing to ensure a gap.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, in order to improve the operability of the operation button, the interval between the installation surface of the operation button and the facing surface is widened, and a protrusion is provided so as to eliminate contact with components attached to the inner surface and the inner surface. Are listed.

  Further, Patent Document 2 includes a first housing having a display unit, a second housing having an operation unit, and a hinge unit that foldably opens and closes the first housing and the second housing. In the foldable mobile communication device provided, a projection protruding higher than the surface height of the operation unit is provided between the open / close end opposite to the hinge unit and between the hinge unit and the open / close end, respectively, and the panel of the display unit and the operation unit It is described that the panel of the display unit is prevented from being damaged by contact with the top surface of the key.

Patent Document 3 discloses a foldable portable terminal in which a pair of casings are connected to each other in a closed state that overlaps each other and an open state that is spaced apart from each other so as to be rotatable around one rotational axis. A rib-like convex portion is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the housing so as to be positioned outside the outer peripheral edge of the other housing in a state of overlapping with the other housing. It is described that.
JP 2002-132418 A (FIG. 1) JP2003-264617A (FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2002-300408 (FIG. 2)

  The foldable portable communication devices of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 of the prior art are configured so that the buttons are higher than the button installation surface and do not contact the facing surface in consideration of the operability of the buttons. However, when both cases of the foldable mobile communication device are closed, the gap on the side becomes large and the appearance is poor, and the height of the product is increased by the height of the button, which is inconvenient to carry. There is a problem that there is.

  On the other hand, the foldable mobile communication device of Patent Document 3 is configured to be positioned outside the outer peripheral edge of the other casing in a state where the outer peripheral edge of one casing overlaps the other casing. The gap on the side is hidden. However, the width of the other housing is larger than that of the first housing, which is not preferable in terms of design, and the overall size is large, which is inconvenient to carry.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object of the present invention is to devise the structure of the first casing so that the first casing when the folding portable communication device is closed. The object is to make the appearance good by making the gap between the mating surfaces of the body and the second housing inconspicuous.

In order to achieve the above object, a foldable mobile communication device according to the present invention includes a first housing having a liquid crystal display portion on the surface, a second housing having an operation portion on the surface, and the first housing. A hinge portion that folds and connects the housing and the second housing so as to be freely opened and closed;
The first casing hides a gap formed on a mating surface between the first casing and the second casing when the first casing and the second casing are folded on the outer periphery. A protruding line is provided for the purpose.

  According to said structure, when the 1st housing | casing and the 2nd housing | casing are folded, the 1st housing | casing and the 2nd housing | casing by the protruding item | line provided in the outer periphery of the 1st housing | casing Since the gap formed on the mating surface is hidden, the gap between the two housings can be reduced.

  In the foldable portable communication device of the present invention, preferably, the ridge is provided over substantially the entire outer periphery of the surface having the liquid crystal display portion of the first casing.

  According to the above configuration, when the first casing and the second casing are folded, the gap between the mating surfaces of the first casing and the second casing is the liquid crystal of the first casing. Since it is hidden by the ridge provided over substantially the entire outer periphery of the surface having the display portion, this gap can be reduced over the entire periphery.

Further, according to the foldable mobile communication device of the present invention, the first casing having the liquid crystal display section, the second casing having the operation section on the surface, the first casing and the second casing. A hinge part that connects the body with a horizontal axis so that it can be folded and opened,
The first housing includes a hinge portion side end portion and a first housing body having a liquid crystal display portion, and the first housing body is provided with the horizontal axis provided at the hinge portion side end portion. A foldable mobile communication device that is supported so that it can be reversed up and down around a vertical axis perpendicular to the
The mating surface of the first housing body and the second housing when the first housing and the second housing are folded around the outer periphery of the surface having the liquid crystal display portion of the first housing body. Convex strips are provided for hiding the gaps formed in the.

  According to said structure, when the 1st housing | casing and the 2nd housing | casing are closed so that a liquid crystal display part may become an inner side, the convex provided in the outer periphery of the surface which has a liquid crystal display part of a 1st housing | casing main body. Since the gap hides the gap formed on the mating surfaces of the two casings, the gap between the two casings can be reduced.

  Further, the first casing main body has a liquid crystal display portion on the outer periphery of the surface and the outer periphery of the surface on the opposite side of the surface of the first housing having the liquid crystal display portion.

  According to the above configuration, the first casing and the second casing are provided on both surfaces of the first casing, both when the liquid crystal display unit is closed so as to be inside and when it is closed so as to be outside. Since the gaps formed on the mating surfaces of the two casings are hidden by the protruding ridges, it is possible to reduce the gap between the casings even when the liquid crystal display unit is on either the front or back side.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said protruding item | line is provided over the substantially whole region of the said outer periphery.

  According to said structure, it becomes possible to make the clearance gap between both housing | casing small over substantially the whole outer periphery of a 1st housing | casing main body.

  Further, when the first casing body can be turned upside down, the first casing body is located on the mating surface side of the hinge-side end of the first casing with the second casing. It is preferable that a hinge-side ridge is provided so as to be continuous with the ridge.

  According to the above configuration, since the ridges of the first casing main body are continuous with the hinge-side ridges, the gap at the mating surface can be reduced over a wide range of the outer periphery of the first casing, and the first Since the ridges are continuous on the mating surface of the case and the second case, the appearance is better.

  Further, a protrusion may be provided on the outer periphery of only the surface opposite to the surface having the liquid crystal display portion of the first housing.

  According to said structure, when the 1st housing | casing and the 2nd housing | casing are closed so that a liquid crystal display part may become an outer side, the protruding item | line provided in the outer periphery of the surface which has a liquid crystal display part of a 1st housing | casing As a result, the gap formed on the mating surfaces of the two casings is hidden, so that the gap between the two casings can be reduced.

  In the foldable mobile communication device of the present invention, it is preferable that the ridge is integrally formed with a molded product forming the first housing.

  According to the above configuration, the number of parts can be reduced, the cost can be reduced, and the protrusions are difficult to peel off from the first casing, so that the strength against dropping or the like can be increased.

  In the foldable mobile communication device of the present invention, it is preferable that the ridge is attached as a separate part from the molded product forming the first housing.

  According to the above configuration, since the material and shape can be selected, the degree of freedom in design is increased, and if a material having high strength is used, the strength against dropping or the like can be increased.

  In the foldable portable communication device of the present invention, it is preferable that the protrusion made of a separate part is made of a rubber-containing plastic resin.

  According to said structure, elastomers, such as TPE (Thermoplastic-Elastomer) and TPEE (Thermoplastic-Polyester-Elastomer), are used as rubber-containing plastic resin, The aesthetics of a product improve.

  Further, the cross-sectional shape of the ridge may be any of a rectangle, a trapezoid, and a substantially semicircle.

  According to said structure, the freedom degree of design increases by selecting suitably the cross section of a protruding item | line, and the strength with respect to fall etc. can also be raised.

  Furthermore, in the foldable portable communication device of the present invention, a contact portion is provided at a position opposite to the hinge portion on the surface of the second casing so as to protrude, and the first casing When the first housing and the second housing are folded, the contact portion may contact the first housing.

  According to the above configuration, since the contact portion and the hinge portion are separated from each other, in order to avoid contact between the operation button of the operation portion and the first housing, the first housing and the second housing are used. It is necessary to keep a large gap with the body, and this also increases the gap, but the gap becomes inconspicuous due to the ridges.

  You may comprise the said protruding item | line so that it may contact | abut on the surface of a 2nd housing | casing, when the 1st housing | casing and a 2nd housing | casing are closed.

  According to said structure, since the convex part provided in the 1st housing | casing contact | abuts the surface of the 2nd housing | casing at the time of folding, the 1st housing | casing bends with respect to a 2nd housing | casing. Is prevented.

  As described above, according to the foldable mobile communication device of the present invention, first, when the first casing and the second casing are folded by the ridges provided in the first casing. In addition, a gap formed on the mating surface between the first casing and the second casing is hidden. For this reason, in the folded state, it is possible to reduce the gap in the mating surface, and it can be excellent in aesthetics.

  Second, in the foldable portable communication device in which the first casing body is supported so as to be able to be turned upside down around a vertical axis perpendicular to the horizontal axis provided at the hinge side end, the first casing Even when the second housing is closed, the first housing body can rotate around the horizontal axis, so it is easy to bend, but if the ridges are in contact with the second housing, The rotation around the horizontal axis can be reduced. For this reason, in the folded state, the gap can be reduced and the appearance can be improved, and the deflection can be reduced, so that the quality can be improved.

  Thirdly, when designing the product, it is desirable to make the gap as small as possible in the state where the first housing and the second housing are folded. There is a problem that the button and the liquid crystal display part come into contact with each other by applying some force when carrying, but according to the foldable mobile communication device of the present invention, a design that allows a large gap to be taken by the ridges provided in the first housing Therefore, it is possible to prevent such a problem from occurring.

  Fourth, by providing a protrusion on the outer periphery of the surface of the first housing body where the liquid crystal display unit is located, the liquid crystal display unit is exposed even when the surface is placed down with the liquid crystal display unit exposed. It is possible to protect.

  Fifth, by making the ridges separate from the first housing, the degree of freedom in design can be increased, the aesthetics of the product can be improved, and the strength against dropping or the like can be increased.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

−Folding mobile phone configuration−
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an open state of a foldable mobile phone as a foldable mobile communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the liquid crystal display unit of the foldable mobile phone of FIG. 1 is closed so as to be on the inner surface.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the mobile phone 1 of the present embodiment includes a first casing 3 having a liquid crystal display unit 2, a second casing 5 having an operation unit 4 on the surface, and the first casing 3. 1 is provided with a hinge section 6 that folds and connects the first casing 3 and the second casing 5 to each other.

  The first casing 3 includes a first hinge portion 6a serving as a hinge-side end portion in a U-shape in plan view that is open on the lower side, and a rectangular shape having a liquid crystal display portion 2 supported by the first hinge portion 6a. And a first housing body 3a having a shape. The liquid crystal display unit 2 has a rectangular liquid crystal screen, and on the upper side of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is provided a receiver unit 8 on which a user's ear is applied during a call.

  The second casing 5 is provided with an operation unit 4 on the inner surface when the cellular phone 1 is closed. The operation unit 4 is provided with a plurality of operation buttons 9. Below the operation unit 4 is provided a transmitter 10 for picking up a user's conversation during a call. A rectangular parallelepiped second hinge portion 6b is formed to bulge from the surface above the operation portion 4.

  The hinge section 6 includes a first hinge section 6a on the first casing 3 side and a second hinge section 6b on the second casing 5 side. That is, the first hinge portion 6a and the second hinge portion 6b are connected by the horizontal axis X so that the lower end portion of the first hinge portion 6a sandwiches both sides of the second hinge portion 6b. In this way, the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 are configured to be foldable to open and close around a horizontal axis X.

  Further, the first hinge portion 6a is provided with a vertical axis Y extending perpendicular to the axial direction of the horizontal axis X. That is, the first casing 3 and the second casing 5 are configured to be foldable and openable about the horizontal axis X, and the first casing body 3a is centered on the vertical axis Y. It is configured to be reversible.

  The speaker portion 12 is provided at the tip of the second hinge portion 6b, that is, the portion that becomes the surface side when the second housing 5 is viewed from the surface side. Thus, the speaker unit 12 appears in the appearance both when the first casing 3 and the second casing 5 are opened and closed.

  A contact sheet 11 as a contact portion protrudes between the transmitter 10 and the operation button 9 in the second housing 5. In the present embodiment, the contact sheet 11 has a long and thin appearance extending in the left-right direction, the cross section thereof is substantially circular, and the height from the surrounding surface is about 1.2 mm.

  As a feature of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, the ridges 13 having a substantially circular cross section are continuously provided over the entire inner periphery and outer periphery of the first housing body 3a. The height of the ridge 13 is, for example, 0.7 to 1 mm, and the first casing 3 and the second casing when the first casing 3 and the second casing 5 are folded. 5 is configured so as to hide the gap formed on the mating surface.

-Action-
Next, the operation of the mobile phone 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, telephone communication and mail input are performed with the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 opened.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2, when the telephone or e-mail is finished, the mobile phone 1 is brought into a closed state in which the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 are rotated about the horizontal axis X. Stored in a bag or pocket.

  At this time, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the operation button 9 of the second housing 5 protrudes from the surface of the second housing 5 due to the operability, so that the cellular phone 1 is closed. At this time, the inner side surface of the first housing 3 and the operation button 9 on the surface of the second housing 5 approach each other, but the contact sheet 11 prevents the contact.

  In the vicinity of the contact sheet 11, the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 are in contact with each other, so that there is almost no bending. On the other hand, the first hinge portion 6a is rotatable about the horizontal axis X, and the first casing body 3a is rotatable about the vertical axis Y. When pressed, bending toward the inside tends to occur in the vicinity of the mating surface between the first hinge portion 6a and the first housing body 3a.

  For this reason, in the mobile phone 1 including the hinge portion 6 having the horizontal axis X and the vertical axis Y as in the present embodiment, in the vicinity of the mating surface between the first hinge portion 6a and the first housing body 3a. In order to prevent the inside of the first housing 3 from coming into contact with the operation button 9, the height of the contact sheet 11 is kept high. As a result, the gap between the first casing 3 and the second casing 5 becomes large, and the appearance tends to be very poor.

  However, in the mobile phone 1 of the present embodiment, the protrusions 13 are provided on the inner and outer peripheries of the liquid crystal display unit 2, so that the gaps on the side surfaces can be reduced, and the first casing 3. The gap between the mating surfaces when the first casing 5 and the second casing 5 are closed is made inconspicuous so that the appearance can be improved.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the liquid crystal display unit 2 appears in a state where the first casing body 3a is closed with the vertical axis Y being inverted, and the mobile phone 1 is set in the horizontally long state. There are cases where a TV broadcast is received or a picture is taken with a built-in digital camera.

  Also in this case, since the protrusion 13 is provided on the side where the liquid crystal display unit 2 of the first casing body 3a is not provided, the first casing 3 and the second casing 5 The gap between the mating surfaces when the is closed can be reduced, and the gap can be made inconspicuous so that the appearance can be improved.

-Modification 1 of embodiment-
In the said embodiment, although the protruding item | line 13 was made into the thing of the minimum height which can make the clearance gap between the 1st housing body 3a and the 2nd housing | casing 5 small, the protruding item | line 13 is used. The first housing 3 and the second housing 5 may be high enough to come into contact with the surface of the second housing 5 when the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 are closed.

  As a result, the ridges 13 come into contact with the second housing 5, the first housing body 3 a can be prevented from being bent, the backlash hardly occurs, and the quality of the mobile phone 1 can be improved. .

  In particular, when shooting with the built-in digital camera in the landscape state, the first housing body 3a plays a role of receiving a reaction force when the camera switch is pressed. At this time, since the mobile phone 1 of this modification has the horizontal axis X and the vertical axis Y, the first casing body 3a is easily bent in the vertical direction, but the ridge 13 is the second casing. 5 can prevent the first casing body 3a from bending in the vertical direction. Therefore, the ease of use of the mobile phone 1 when photographing can be greatly improved.

  Further, when the ridge 13 having such a height is provided, the ridge 13 on the surface of the first casing body 3a where the liquid crystal display unit 2 is provided is in a state in which the liquid crystal display unit 2 is exposed when folded. The liquid crystal display unit 2 can be protected even when the surface is placed below.

-Modification 2 of embodiment-
In the above embodiment, the protrusions 13 are provided only on the outer periphery of the first casing body 3a. However, as shown in FIG. 10, the second casing 5 of the first hinge portion 6a of the first casing 3 is provided. A hinge portion-side ridge 14 may be provided on the mating surface side so as to be continuous with the ridge 13 of the first housing body 3a. In this case, since the ridges 13 of the first housing body 3a are continuous with the hinge-side ridges 14, the gap on the mating surface can be reduced over substantially the entire outer periphery of the first housing 3. In addition, since the ridges 13 and 14 are continuous, the appearance is further improved.

  Furthermore, when the first housing 3 is opened, the ridges 13 provided on the first housing body 3a and the hinge-side ridges 14 of the first hinge portion 6a are continuous. It will be good.

—Modification 3 of Embodiment—
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the protruding item | line 13 was comprised integrally with the molded product which forms the 1st housing | casing 3, a protruding item | line was affixed with the molded product which forms the 1st housing | casing 3 by separate components. It may be attached. In this case, since the material and shape can be selected, the degree of freedom in design is increased and the strength against dropping or the like can be increased. This separate part may be made of rubber-containing plastic resin. Elastomers such as TPE (Thermoplastic-Elastomer) and TPEE (Thermoplastic-Polyester-Elastomer) can be used as the rubber-containing plastic resin, thereby improving the aesthetics of the product.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention may be configured as follows with respect to the above embodiment.

  That is, in the said embodiment, although the protruding item | line 13 is provided over the substantially whole region of the outer periphery of both surfaces of the 1st housing body 3a, the outer periphery of only the side with the liquid crystal display part 2 of the 1st housing body 3a is provided. The ridge 13 may be provided over substantially the entire area. According to this configuration, a priority is given to when the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 are folded, and the gap between the mating surfaces of the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 is the first. Since the cover 3 is hidden by the ridges 13 provided over substantially the entire outer periphery of the surface having the liquid crystal display unit 2 of the single casing 3, this gap can be reduced over the entire periphery.

  On the other hand, the ridges 13 may be provided over substantially the entire outer periphery only on the side of the first housing body 3a where the liquid crystal display unit 2 is not present. In this case, the liquid crystal display unit 2 of the first housing 3 is provided with priority given to when the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 are closed so that the liquid crystal display unit 2 faces outward. Since the gaps formed on the mating surfaces of the housings 3 and 5 are hidden by the ridges 13 provided over substantially the entire outer periphery of the surface, the gap between the housings 3 and 5 can be reduced over the entire circumference. It becomes possible.

  In the above embodiment, the ridge 13 having a substantially circular cross section is provided on the outer periphery of the first housing body 3a. However, the cross section may be substantially rectangular or substantially trapezoidal. The shape can be arbitrarily selected in terms of touch, strength, appearance, and the like.

  In the above embodiment, the first casing body 3a having the liquid crystal display unit 2 can be turned upside down around the vertical axis Y of the first hinge unit 6a. However, the liquid crystal display unit 2 cannot be turned upside down. When the housing 3 and the second housing 5 are closed, they may always be on the inner surface. In this case, it is preferable to provide protrusions only on the outer periphery on the side where the liquid crystal display unit 2 is present.

  In the above embodiment, the ridges are provided over substantially the entire area of the first housing body 3a. However, for example, the ridges may be provided only on the side surfaces where the gaps between the mating surfaces are conspicuous.

  As described above, the present invention is useful for a foldable mobile communication device including a hinge portion that foldably connects a first housing and a second housing so as to be opened and closed.

It is a perspective view which shows the open state of the foldable mobile telephone which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the foldable mobile telephone of a closed state so that a liquid crystal display part may exist in an inner surface. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the foldable mobile phone of FIG. 2. It is the IV-IV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the VV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the foldable mobile telephone of the state closed so that a liquid crystal display part may exist in an outer surface. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the foldable mobile phone of FIG. 6. It is the VIII-VIII sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the IX-IX sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows when a liquid crystal display part exists in the surface in the open state of the foldable mobile telephone which concerns on the modification 2 of embodiment of this invention. FIG. 11 is a view corresponding to FIG. 10 when the liquid crystal display unit is on the back surface.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mobile phone 2 Liquid crystal display part 3 1st housing | casing 3a 1st housing | casing main body 4 Operation part 5 2nd housing | casing 6 Hinge part 6a 1st hinge part 6b 2nd hinge part 11 Contact sheet 13 Projection 14 Hinge on the hinge side X Horizontal axis Y Vertical axis

Claims (1)

A first casing having a liquid crystal display section, a second casing having an operation section on the surface, and a hinge section for connecting the first casing and the second casing so that the first casing and the second casing can be folded and opened freely. And
The first casing includes a hinge side end and a first casing body having the liquid crystal display,
The first housing body is a foldable portable communication device supported so as to be able to be reversed up and down around a vertical axis perpendicular to the horizontal axis provided at the end on the hinge part side,
The mating surface of the first housing body and the second housing when the first housing and the second housing are folded around the outer periphery of the surface having the liquid crystal display portion of the first housing body. front ridge is provided to hide the gap formed,
A back-side ridge is provided on the outer periphery of the surface opposite to the surface having the liquid crystal display portion of the first housing body,
The front side ridge and the back side ridge are provided over substantially the entire area of the outer periphery,
On the side of the mating surface of the first casing with respect to the hinge section on the hinge section side, a ridge on the hinge section is provided so as to be continuous with the ridge on the first casing body. A foldable portable communication device characterized by the above.

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