JP4547354B2 - Foldable mobile communication device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a foldable portable communication device, and more particularly to a device that supports a display unit so as to be switchable between a vertically long state and a horizontally long state.

  In recent years, mobile phones have many functions such as an e-mail transmission / reception function, a digital camera function, a recording / playback function, a television reception function, and a schedule management function as well as a call function.

  On the other hand, the main function of a mobile phone is still a call function, and for its portability, downsizing and weight reduction are important in terms of merchantability. Further, with emphasis on usability, the mobile phone has a vertically long shape with a reduced width.

  If the display unit of the mobile phone is fixed in a vertically long state, when displaying a horizontally long image, it must be reduced so as to enter a vertically long screen, or the entire image must be viewed by a horizontal scroll operation. did not become.

  It is also conceivable to rotate a horizontally long image 90 degrees on the vertically long display unit and view the image. However, the display unit and the operation unit are opened by the first casing and the second casing. In the foldable mobile communication device that appears in the state, the operation unit is also rotated 90 degrees, so that the display shown on the operation key is also viewed 90 degrees rotated, which is different from usual. Since the operation keys are arranged, there is a problem that the input operation becomes extremely difficult.

  Therefore, in order to solve this problem, for example, in the foldable mobile communication device of Patent Document 1, the display unit can be switched from a vertically long state to a horizontally long state while the mobile phone itself is held vertically. 1 is supported on the case. In this foldable portable communication device, a support shaft is provided perpendicular to the display unit at the center of the display unit, and the display unit is rotated 90 degrees around the support shaft.

  However, while suppressing the size and thickness of the mobile phone, the display unit is connected to the first housing and the second housing so that the first housing and the second housing can be opened and closed, and the first housing provided with the display unit. In order to rotate without touching the bulging portion provided at the lower end of the display, it is necessary to take measures such as rounding the lower end of the display portion along a radius around the support shaft, and the display portion is enlarged. There is a problem that can not be.

  Therefore, for example, as shown in Patent Document 2, a foldable mobile communication device having a support mechanism that supports a display unit in a slidable and rotatable manner on a first housing is known. In this foldable mobile communication device, since the display unit is slid up and down and then rotated around the support shaft provided at the center of the display unit, the hinge unit and the first housing are accordingly increased. Contact with the bulging part provided at the lower end can be avoided, and the display part can be enlarged.

For example, as shown in Patent Document 3, in the field of a liquid crystal display, a display device having a support mechanism capable of switching the display unit between a vertically long state and a horizontally long state is known.
JP 2001-156893 A JP 2003-319043 A JP 2004-78073 A

  By the way, terrestrial digital television broadcasting is about to start in earnest in the near future. Unlike conventional analog TV broadcasts, this terrestrial digital TV broadcast can receive so-called interactive services such as participating in quiz programs from the TV and using TV shopping or bank transfer through the TV. .

  When this digital terrestrial television broadcast can be viewed on a mobile phone, it is further necessary to perform key operations on the operation unit while viewing images on the display unit. Normally, since a television image is horizontally long, in order to view a television image as large as possible with a small display portion, the display portion needs to be in a horizontally long state.

  However, the foldable mobile communication device disclosed in Patent Document 2 requires two operations of sliding movement and rotational movement, which cannot be operated with one hand, and has a problem that the operation is complicated.

  Further, the liquid crystal display disclosed in Patent Document 3 is not required to be reduced in size and weight like a mobile phone, and the display portion is not frequently switched between a vertically long state and a horizontally long state. Therefore, there is a problem that the switching mechanism is complicated and the operation is complicated.

  On the other hand, the mobile phone is required to be thin due to its portability, and there is a limit to increasing the support mechanism of the display unit.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and the object of the present invention is to increase the size of the display unit while suppressing the overall size by adding a device to the configuration of the support mechanism of the display unit. An object of the present invention is to easily switch the display unit to a vertically long state or a horizontally long state so that the operation unit can be easily operated while viewing the display unit even in the horizontally long state.

  Another object is to make the portable communication device thin and durable.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the first invention, a first housing having a 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 second housing so as to be freely opened and closed is provided.

And the said display part is supported by the said 1st housing | casing via the support mechanism so that switching operation is possible between a vertically long state and a horizontally long state,
The support mechanism includes a curved left and right guide groove that is provided in the first housing and is curved in a convex shape extending in the left and right direction, and a vertical guide groove that is provided in the first housing and extends in the vertical direction. A first guide pin provided on the back surface of the display unit and slidably engaged with the left-right guide groove; and a second guide pin provided on the back surface of the display unit and slidably engaged with the vertical guide groove;
The first casing is a first casing main body made of a molded product constituting a part of the hinge portion, and is fixed to the first casing main body, and the left and right guide grooves and the vertical guide grooves are fixed. And a guide plate made of a sheet metal formed.

  According to the above configuration, the display unit is normally used in a vertically long state when the main function is used, such as during a call or during mail transmission / reception. On the other hand, when watching digital terrestrial television broadcasts or sending and receiving e-mail in English, the display unit is set to the horizontal state so that a large horizontal image is displayed on the display unit. It is used while inputting keys on the operation unit in the array state. Thus, when the display unit is switched to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state, the user needs to perform a switching operation on the display unit supported by the first housing. During this switching operation, the display unit is slid in the left-right direction by the support mechanism so that the first guide pin of the display unit is engaged with the left-right direction guide groove so as to be positioned at the uppermost position in the middle. At the same time, the second guide pin of the display unit slides up and down with the vertical guide groove engaged. The display mechanism is switched to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state while the movement of the display portion is restricted by this support mechanism so as not to contact the hinge portion or the bulging portion at the lower end of the first housing. In addition, by forming the first housing body from a molded product, it is possible to configure a part of a complicated shape and appearance. By configuring the guide plate with sheet metal, it is possible to improve wear resistance and reduce the thickness.

  In a second aspect of the invention, the support mechanism switches between the vertically long state and the horizontally long state of the display unit so that the lower corner portion of the display unit moves along the hinge portion when the display unit is switched. It is configured to guide and support.

  According to the above configuration, the lower end side corner portion of the display unit is switched while being guided and supported by the support mechanism so as to move along the hinge portion. For this reason, since the display unit moves while maintaining a gap between the hinge unit and the display unit, the display unit can be connected to the hinge unit without rounding the lower end of the display unit along the radius around the support shaft as in the past. And no contact with the bulging portion at the lower end of the first housing.

  In the third invention, the support mechanism guides and supports switching of the display unit between the vertically long state and the horizontally long state so that the lower end side corner portion of the display unit moves along the hinge portion with a linear trajectory. In the display unit, the lower end in the vertically long state is formed in a straight line.

  According to the above configuration, the display unit is switched by the support mechanism while the lower end side corner portion is guided and supported so as to move along the hinge portion with a linear trajectory, so the shape of the lower end portion of the display unit Even if it forms linearly, it does not contact a hinge part etc.

  In the fourth aspect of the invention, the center part in the left-right direction in the vertically long state and the horizontally long state of the display unit is located substantially at the center in the left-right direction of the first casing.

  That is, when a support shaft for supporting the display unit on the first housing is provided at the center of the display unit as in the prior art, the left-right central portion is placed in the first housing when the display unit is in the horizontally long state. If it is going to be positioned at the substantially horizontal center, the upper end side of the display unit in the vertically long state needs to be lowered in accordance with the lower end side, and the size of the entire display unit is reduced. However, in the present invention, when the display unit is switched to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state, the support mechanism can also guide the hinge unit and the bulging portion at the lower end of the first housing so as not to come into contact with the display unit. Thus, it is not necessary to provide the support shaft at the center. For this reason, without lowering the upper end side of the display unit in the vertically long state, the display unit is positioned at the center in the left-right direction with respect to the first housing not only in the vertically long state but also in the horizontally long state. It is located in the center in the left-right direction with respect to the operation unit.

  In a fifth aspect of the invention, the vertical guide groove extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge portion. In the sixth invention, the vertical guide groove extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction of the hinge portion. In the seventh invention, the vertical guide groove has a curved shape.

  According to these inventions, the required movement of the display unit is achieved by the shape of the vertical guide groove.

  In the eighth invention, the first housing body is made of a metal molded product.

  According to said structure, the thin 1st housing | casing main body with high rigidity and durability is formed.

  In the ninth invention, the first casing body is made of a resin molded product.

  According to the above configuration, the first casing body that is lightweight and easy to color can be obtained, and if molded with reinforced fiber plastic or the like, the rigidity becomes high and the thickness can be reduced.

  In a tenth aspect of the present invention, a signal line wiring groove for accommodating a signal line for electrically connecting the display unit and the second casing is provided on the back side of the first casing body. It is formed so as to extend to the hinge part side.

  According to the above configuration, the signal line is accommodated in the first casing body in a compact and reliable manner, and the signal line does not get entangled with other members to prevent the switching of the liquid crystal display unit.

  In an eleventh aspect of the invention, a signal line wiring opening having an upper opening is formed between the signal line wiring groove and the peripheral edge of the vertical guide groove.

  According to the above configuration, since the signal line extending from the display portion can be passed from above the signal line wiring opening, the signal line is easily accommodated in the groove for signal line wiring while being connected.

  In a twelfth aspect of the invention, the support mechanism is provided with an elastic member that urges at least the display unit to be in a vertically long state or a horizontally long state.

  According to the above configuration, the elastic member can be switched from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state, from the horizontally long state to the vertically long state, or both by adjusting how the elastic member is biased to the display portion. Assisted by.

  In a thirteenth aspect, the elastic member is a torsion coil spring having one end fixed to the first guide pin and the other end fixed to the first housing.

  According to said structure, an elastic member is implement | achieved by the structure which is easy and hard to break.

  In the fourteenth aspect, the left and right direction guide grooves, the up and down direction guide grooves, the first guide pins, and the second guide pins are unit-assembled.

  According to the above configuration, by assembling the support mechanism as a unit, the first guide pin and the second guide pin can be accurately placed in each guide groove, and the support mechanism can be easily assembled to the first housing.

  In the fifteenth aspect, the foldable mobile communication device is a mobile phone.

  According to the above configuration, in a mobile phone that is multifunctional and frequently used, it is easy to switch between landscape and portrait states.

  As described above, according to the foldable mobile communication device of the first invention, the first casing is constituted by the first casing body made of a molded product, the guide plate made of sheet metal, and the like. For this reason, the first housing can be made thin and durable. In addition, the first guide pin of the display unit is slid and moved while being engaged with the left and right direction guide grooves, and at the same time, the second guide pin of the display unit is slid and moved while being engaged with the vertical direction guide grooves. . For this reason, the display unit can be switched to a vertically long state or a horizontally long state while the movement of the display unit is restricted, so that the display unit can be enlarged while suppressing the overall size, and contact can be prevented with a simple configuration. It is possible to easily and reliably switch the display unit between the vertically long state and the horizontally long state, and easily operate the operation unit with the same operation key arrangement as the familiar vertically long state while viewing the display unit even in the horizontally long state.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, the display unit is switched between the horizontally long state and the vertically long state while maintaining a gap between the lower corner portion and the hinge portion so as to move along the hinge portion by the support mechanism. Yes. For this reason, even if the shape of the display portion is substantially rectangular, the display portion does not contact the hinge portion or the bulging portion at the lower end of the first housing, so that the display screen can be enlarged.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, the display unit is formed so that the lower end portion in the vertically long state is linear, and the lower end side corner portion is moved along the hinge portion along the linear locus by the support mechanism. In this way, the switching of the display unit between the vertically long state and the horizontally long state is guided and supported. For this reason, since the screen can be enlarged to the vicinity of the lower end of the display unit, a foldable portable communication device having a larger screen and good operability can be obtained.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the display unit is switched while preventing contact by the support mechanism, and the left and right central portions of the display unit in the vertically long state and the horizontally long state are respectively substantially left and right of the first housing. It is located in the center of the direction. For this reason, the display unit can be positioned at the center in the horizontal direction in the horizontal direction as well as in the vertical state while making the screen as large as possible, so that it looks good and the screen is easy to see and easy to operate. A foldable portable communication device is obtained.

  In the fifth to seventh inventions, the vertical guide groove is extended in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge portion, is extended in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction of the hinge portion, or is curved. By having the curved shape, the required movement of the display unit can be easily achieved by selecting the optimum shape.

  According to the eighth aspect, a thin foldable portable communication device having high rigidity and durability can be obtained by using the first casing body as a metal molded product.

  According to the ninth aspect, since the first casing body is a resin molded product, a foldable portable communication device that is lightweight and has a good appearance can be obtained.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the signal line that electrically connects the display unit and the second housing is accommodated in the signal line wiring concave groove on the back side of the first housing body, thereby The wiring of the line can be performed in a compact and reliable manner, and the signal line can be prevented from being entangled with other members and preventing the switching of the display unit.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, since the signal line extending from the display unit is passed from above the opening for signal line wiring, the signal line can be easily accommodated in the groove for signal line wiring while being connected. it can.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the invention, the support mechanism is provided with the elastic member that urges at least the display unit to be in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state, and the switching operation is assisted by the elastic member. For this reason, the user can switch to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state with one touch with only one hand, so that a foldable mobile communication device with better operability can be obtained.

  According to the thirteenth aspect, the elastic member is a torsion coil spring that is simple and difficult to break, one end is fixed to the first guide pin and the other end is fixed to the first housing. For this reason, an inexpensive and good operability support mechanism can be realized.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the support mechanism is unit-assembled so that the first guide pin and the second guide pin can be accurately placed in the guide groove. For this reason, the assembly of the support mechanism becomes extremely easy, the movement thereof becomes smooth, and the rigidity thereof can be improved.

  According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, since the foldable mobile communication device is a mobile phone, a mobile phone having a compact and high commercial value can be obtained, which can be easily switched between a horizontally long or vertically long state and has high operability.

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

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a foldable mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention in a folded state. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the foldable mobile phone with the liquid crystal display unit in a vertically long state in the opened state. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the foldable mobile phone in the middle of switching the liquid crystal display unit between the vertically long state and the horizontally long state. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the foldable mobile phone when the liquid crystal display unit is in the horizontally long state in the opened state.

  A foldable mobile phone 1 as a foldable mobile communication device of the present embodiment includes a first casing 3 having a liquid crystal display section 2 as a display section on the surface and a second operation section 4 on the surface. A housing 5 and a hinge portion 6 that folds and connects the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 so as to be freely opened and closed are provided. Thus, the foldable mobile phone 1 can be switched between the folded state shown in FIG. 1 and the open state shown in FIGS.

  The operation unit 4 of the second casing 5 is provided with a plurality of operation keys 7. The operation keys 7 are arranged so that key input can be performed when the foldable mobile phone 1 is held vertically, and a display is provided on the surface thereof. By operating this operation key 7, many functions of the foldable mobile phone 1 are used. The second casing 5 is provided with a microphone 9 for conversation.

  The liquid crystal display unit 2 and the operation unit 4 are configured to appear when the first housing 3 is opened from the folded state with respect to the second housing 5. Therefore, in this foldable mobile phone 1, regardless of whether the liquid crystal display unit 2 is in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state, the user operates the operation unit 4 in the same vertical state while looking at the liquid crystal display 2 a of the liquid crystal display unit 2. The key 7 can be operated.

  The liquid crystal display unit 2 is provided with a rectangular liquid crystal display 2 a so that a lower end portion in a vertically long state is formed in a straight line and occupies most of the surface of the liquid crystal display unit 2. A speaker unit 8 for conversation is provided on the upper end side of the liquid crystal display unit 2 in the vertically long state. In addition, each corner | angular part of the liquid crystal display part 2 is rounded off from a design or safety viewpoint including the lower end side corner part 2b. A rear liquid crystal 11 for displaying time and the like is provided on the upper rear side of the liquid crystal display unit 2 so that the time and the like can be seen in the folded state.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 10, the first casing 3 includes a cam mechanism 10 as a support mechanism that supports the substantially rectangular plate-like liquid crystal display unit 2 so as to be switchable between a vertically long state and a horizontally long state. Is provided. The first casing 3 includes a first casing body 3b in which a boss portion 3a into which a shaft portion (not shown) of the hinge portion 6 is inserted on both sides of the lower end portion, and the first casing. A rectangular dish-shaped back cover 3c (not shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 for illustration) covering the main body 3b and a guide plate 16 described later are provided.

  The first housing body 3b is made of a cast frame made of magnesium alloy or the like, which is a metal molded product. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a cam opening 3d is formed in the first casing body 3b.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the cam mechanism 10 includes a curved left and right guide groove 12 provided in the first housing 3 and extending in the left and right direction and curved in a convex shape, and a first housing. A linear vertical guide groove 14 provided in the body 3 extending in the vertical direction, a first guide pin 13 provided on the back surface of the liquid crystal display unit 2 and slidably engaged with the horizontal guide groove 12, and a liquid crystal display And a second guide pin 15 provided on the back surface of the portion 2 and slidably engaged with the guide groove 14 in the vertical direction.

  That is, the left-right direction guide groove 12 and the up-down direction guide groove 14 are formed in the guide plate 16 fixed to the first housing body 3b. The guide plate 16 is made of a sheet metal such as stainless steel. The left-right guide groove 12 is configured by a curved opening curved in a convex shape, and the center portion of the left-right direction guide groove 12 is offset to the right side of the first housing 3 when the folding cellular phone 1 is viewed from the back. Has been. The vertical guide groove 14 is composed of a peripheral edge portion of a linear opening provided vertically above the uppermost vicinity of the middle convex shape of the horizontal guide groove 12. Stepped portions 12a and 14a that are lower than the other portions are formed on the peripheral edge of the opening on the opposite side of the liquid crystal display portion 2 of the guide grooves 12 and 14. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the guide plate 16 is inserted into the through hole 16 a and fastened with screws 17 so as to be positioned at the middle portion in the thickness direction of the first housing 3. It is fixed to the first housing body 3b. Thus, the second guide pin 15 corresponding to the support shaft provided perpendicular to the conventional liquid crystal display unit is positioned on the upper right side of the first housing 3 when viewed from the back of the foldable mobile phone 1. Is provided offset.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a metal link member 18 is attached to the back surface of the liquid crystal display unit 2. The link member 18 includes a plate-like attachment portion 18b provided with a through-hole 18a for fastening or positioning on the back surface of the liquid crystal display portion 2, and a distal end portion 18c continuous in an L shape from the attachment portion 18b. And have. The first guide pin 13 is provided at one end side of the link member 18, that is, at the tip of the attachment portion 18 b so as to extend vertically to the first housing 3 side. The second guide pin 15 is provided at the other end side of the link member 18, that is, at the end portion of the tip end portion 18c so as to extend vertically to the first housing 3 side. Circular slide portions 13 a and 15 a are formed at the tips of the guide pins 13 and 15. The slide portions 13a and 15a slide on the step portions 12a and 14a, respectively. Thus, the guide pins 13 and 15 are prevented from being detached from the guide grooves 12 and 14, and the liquid crystal display unit 2 is slidably engaged so as not to be detached from the first housing 3.

  A spring fixing pin 19 is provided below the guide plate 16 so as to extend vertically to the liquid crystal display unit 2 side. A torsion coil spring 20 as an elastic member is fixed to the spring fixing pin 19. Both ends 20a and 20b of the torsion coil spring 20 are formed in a ring shape, and one end 20a is rotatably fitted on the outer periphery of the first guide pin 13 and the other end 20b is rotatably fitted on the outer periphery of the spring fixing pin 19. It has been. Thus, the torsion coil spring 20 is supported so as to be swingable to the left and right around the spring fixing pin 19, and the elastic force urges the liquid crystal display unit 2 to change from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state. It arrange | positions so that it may urge to become a landscape state from a state. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the torsion coil spring is in the vicinity when the first guide pin 13 comes closest to the spring fixing pin 19 (when the second guide pin 15 is positioned at the upper end of the vertical guide groove 14). Reference numeral 20 denotes a maximum deflection angle, and the first guide pin 13 is displaced in either the left or right direction from there to urge the liquid crystal display unit 2 to be in a vertically long state or a horizontally long state.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the left-right guide groove 12, the up-down direction guide groove 14, the first guide pin 13, the second guide pin 15, and the torsion coil spring 20 are configured to be unit-assembleable. The assembled cam mechanism 10 can be attached to the first housing 3 by attaching the guide plate 16 to the first housing body 3b. The guide pins 13 and 15 and the torsion coil spring 20 which are movable parts of the cam mechanism 10 move in the cam opening 3d of the first casing.

  5 to 7, the signal line 21 has one end connected to the back surface of the liquid crystal display 2a and the other end passing through the hinge shaft insertion hole 6a of the hinge portion 6 on the second housing 5 side. By being connected to a substrate (not shown), the liquid crystal display unit 2 and the second casing 5 are electrically connected. In the state where the guide plate 16 is fixed to the first housing body 3b, the upper part is opened and a signal line wiring opening 23 is formed. On the back side of the first housing body 3b, a signal line wiring groove 24 for accommodating the signal line 21 is formed so as to extend from the cam opening 3d side to the hinge portion 6 side. The signal line 21 is accommodated in the signal line wiring concave groove 24 so as not to hinder the movement of the cam mechanism 10 even when the liquid crystal display unit 2 is switched to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state.

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

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, when the foldable mobile phone 1 is not used or in a standby state, the first casing 3 and the second casing 5 are closed and in a folded state.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 2, when the first casing 3 and the second casing 5 are opened, the liquid crystal display unit 2 and the operation unit 4 appear. The liquid crystal display unit 2 is in a vertically long state during normal telephone calls or mail transmission / reception, and is used while inputting keys on the operation unit 4.

  On the other hand, when viewing a horizontally long image such as when viewing digital terrestrial television broadcasting or creating or reading a mail in English, the user rotates the liquid crystal display unit 2 to switch from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state.

  First, the user rotates the liquid crystal display unit 2 clockwise against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 20 as viewed from the surface, and moves the lower end corner 2b to the position shown in FIG. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the second guide pin 15 located at the lower end of the vertical guide groove 14 as viewed from the back of the foldable mobile phone 1 moves to the upper end, and the left and right guide grooves 12 The first guide pin 13 at the left end moves to the center.

  Next, when the maximum deflection angle of the torsion coil spring 20 is exceeded, the liquid crystal display unit 2 is assisted by the urging force and switched to the horizontally long state shown in FIG. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the second guide pin 15 located at the upper end of the vertical guide groove 14 as viewed from the back of the foldable mobile phone 1 moves to the lower end, and the left and right guide grooves 12 The first guide pin 13 located at the center moves to the right end.

  Thus, the cam mechanism 10 causes the first guide pin 13 of the liquid crystal display unit 2 to slide in the left-right direction so that the first guide pin 13 of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is located at the uppermost position in the middle in the left-right direction. The second guide pin 15 slides in the vertical guide groove 14 in the vertical direction.

  FIG. 15 shows a locus R drawn by the cam mechanism 10 where the center r <b> 1 of the chamfered arc of the lower corner portion 2 b is restricted by the cam mechanism 10. At this time, since the lower end side corner portion 2b is rounded, the lowermost end portion at the time of switching the rounded portion is a linear locus L1 maintaining a certain clearance S with the hinge portion 6. It is guided and supported so as to move. For this reason, since the liquid crystal display unit 2 does not move below the locus L1, even if the lower end of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is not rounded along the radius around the support shaft as in the prior art, The liquid crystal display unit 2 does not contact the hinge unit 6.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5 and the like, the signal line 21 is securely accommodated in the signal line wiring concave groove 24, so that the switching of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is not hindered by other members.

  Even in the horizontally long state shown in FIG. 4, the central portion in the left-right direction of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is positioned substantially in the center in the left-right direction of the first housing 3. Then, a setting is made so that a horizontally long image is displayed large on the liquid crystal display 2a, and a user enters a quiz program from the TV while inputting keys on the operation unit 4, or uses TV shopping or bank transfer through the TV. .

  In addition, after use, contrary to the above, the lower corner 2b on the right side of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed from the surface so as to resist the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 20, When the torsion coil spring 20 exceeds the maximum deflection angle, the liquid crystal display unit 2 returns to the vertically long state while being assisted by the biasing force.

  Then, the first housing 3 and the second housing 5 are folded to be in a standby state.

-Effect of the embodiment-
Therefore, according to the foldable mobile phone 1 according to the present embodiment, the first housing 3 is constituted by the first housing body 3b made of a molded product, the guide plate 16 made of sheet metal, and the like. For this reason, the 1st housing | casing 3 can be made thin and durable. In addition, the first guide pin 13 of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is slid in a state where the first guide pin 13 is engaged with the left-right direction guide groove 12, and at the same time, the second guide pin 15 of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is engaged with the vertical direction guide groove 14. The slide is moved in the state. For this reason, the liquid crystal display unit 2 can be switched to a vertically long state or a horizontally long state while the movement of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is restricted. Therefore, the liquid crystal display unit 2 can be enlarged while maintaining the overall size and can be contacted with a simple configuration. The liquid crystal display unit 2 can be easily and surely switched to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state while preventing the occurrence of the trouble. Can be easily operated.

  According to the above embodiment, the cam mechanism 10 causes the liquid crystal display unit 2 to be in a horizontally long state or a vertically long state while maintaining a gap S between the hinge portion 6 so that the lower end side corner portion 2b moves along the hinge portion 6. To switch to. For this reason, even if the shape of the liquid crystal display part 2 is made into a substantially rectangular shape, the liquid crystal display part 2 does not contact the hinge part 6 or the bulging part at the lower end of the first housing 3, so that the screen can be enlarged. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the liquid crystal display unit 2 is formed so that the lower end portion in the vertically long state is linear, and the lower end side corner portion 2b is along the hinge portion 6 along the linear locus L1 by the cam mechanism 10. The liquid crystal display unit 2 is guided and supported to switch between the vertically long state and the horizontally long state. For this reason, since the screen can be enlarged to the vicinity of the lower end in the vertically long state of the liquid crystal display unit 2, the foldable mobile phone 1 having a larger screen and better operability can be obtained.

  In the above-described embodiment, the cam mechanism 10 is used to switch the liquid crystal display unit 2 while preventing contact, and the left and right central portions of the liquid crystal display unit 2 in the vertically long state and the horizontally long state are respectively connected to the first casing 3. Is located at the center in the left-right direction. For this reason, the liquid crystal display unit 2 can be positioned at the center in the left-right direction as a whole, not only in the portrait orientation but also in the landscape orientation while making the screen as large as possible. A foldable mobile phone 1 is obtained.

  In the above embodiment, the first casing body 3b is a metal molded product, so that the thin foldable mobile phone 1 having high rigidity and durability can be obtained.

  In the above embodiment, the signal line 21 that electrically connects the liquid crystal display unit 2 and the second casing 5 is accommodated in the signal line wiring concave groove 24 on the back side of the first casing body 3b. The signal line 21 can be wired compactly and reliably, and the signal line 21 can be prevented from being entangled with other members and preventing the liquid crystal display unit 2 from being switched.

  In the above embodiment, since the signal line 21 extending from the liquid crystal display unit 2 is passed from above the signal line wiring opening 23, the signal line 21 can be easily accommodated in the concave groove 24 for signal line connection. can do.

  In the above-described embodiment, the cam mechanism 10 is provided with the torsion coil spring 20 that urges the liquid crystal display unit 2 to be in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state, and the torsion coil spring 20 assists the switching operation. For this reason, the user can switch to the vertically long state or the horizontally long state with one hand only with one touch.

  In the above-described embodiment, the torsion coil spring 20 is a torsion coil spring that is simple and hard to break, one end 20 a is fixed to the first guide pin 13, and the other end 20 b is fixed to the spring fixing pin 19 of the first housing 3. For this reason, the cheap and smooth cam mechanism 10 is realizable.

  In the above embodiment, the cam mechanism 10 is unit-assembled so that the first guide pin 13 and the second guide pin 15 can be accurately placed in the guide grooves 12 and 14. For this reason, the cam mechanism 10 can be assembled very easily, and the cam mechanism 10 is made of a metal member, so that the movement is smooth and the rigidity thereof can be improved.

  In the above-described embodiment, since the foldable mobile communication device is the mobile phone 1, the mobile phone 1 can be easily switched between the horizontally long and the vertically long state, has high operability, is compact, and has a high commercial value.

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

  That is, the shape of the left-right direction guide groove 12 and the up-down direction guide groove 14 is not restricted to the said embodiment. For example, the vertical guide groove may extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge portion 6 as in the above embodiment, but as shown in FIG. It may be extended in an inclined direction or may have a curved shape. Even in this case, the lowermost end portion of the rounded chamfered lower end side corner portion 2b is guided and supported so as to move along a linear locus L2 with a constant gap S between the lower end side corner portion 2b and the hinge portion 6. Thus, by selecting the optimal shapes of the left and right direction guide grooves 12 and the vertical direction guide grooves 14, the required movement of the liquid crystal display unit 2 can be easily achieved.

  In the said embodiment, although the 1st housing body 3b was comprised with the metal molded product, you may comprise with a resin molded product. As a result, a first casing body that is lightweight and easy to color can be obtained, and the foldable mobile phone 1 can be lightweight and have a good appearance. Moreover, if it molds with a reinforced fiber plastic etc., the 1st housing | casing main body with high rigidity is also realizable, and thickness reduction is easy.

  In the above-described embodiment, the cam mechanism 10 guides and supports the liquid crystal display unit 2 so that the lower end side corner portion 2b moves along the linear locus L1 along the hinge portion 6. You may make it move along a locus. In this case, the locus of the lower end side corner portion 2b of the liquid crystal display unit 2 may be adjusted by the shape of the left and right direction guide groove 12. This makes it possible to provide a camera or the like at the bulging portion between the lower end portion of the first housing 3 and the hinge portion 6, and in this case also, the lower end side corner of the liquid crystal display portion 2 is provided at the bulging portion. It can prevent that the part 2b contacts.

  In the above embodiment, only one guide groove 12 in the left-right direction is provided, but two guide grooves 12 may be provided. In this case, the second right and left direction guide groove having a tightly inclined middle convex is provided above the vertical direction guide groove 14, and the second left and right direction guide groove provided on the link member 18 is provided in the second left and right direction guide groove. What is necessary is just to move a 1st guide pin. In this way, the liquid crystal display unit 2 can be switched smoothly and firmly supported so that the liquid crystal display unit 2 can withstand the force of separating the liquid crystal display unit 2 from the first housing 3. Can do.

  In the above embodiment, the left and right direction guide grooves 12, the up and down direction guide grooves 14, the first guide pins 13 and the second guide pins 15 are unit-assembled. And the vertical guide groove 14 are integrally provided on the guide plate 16 of the first housing 3, and the first guide pin 13 and the second guide pin 15 are integrally provided on the back surface of the liquid crystal display unit 2, and are caulked, fastened, etc. Therefore, the slide portions 13a and 15a may be provided later.

  In the above embodiment, the torsion coil spring 20 is arranged to be urged when the liquid crystal display unit 2 is switched between the vertically long state and the horizontally long state, but only when the liquid crystal display unit 2 is in the vertically long state or the horizontally long state. You may make it preferentially energize.

  In the above embodiment, the cam mechanism 10 is switched from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state when the liquid crystal display unit 2 is viewed from the front surface, but may be switched counterclockwise.

  In the above-described embodiment, the center portion in the left-right direction in the vertically long state and the horizontally long state of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is positioned at the substantially center in the left-right direction of the first housing 3, but may be offset to either the left or right.

  In the said embodiment, although the liquid crystal display part 2 as a display part had the liquid crystal display 2a, you may have an organic EL display.

  In the above embodiment, the foldable mobile communication device is a mobile phone, but may be a PHS, a PDA, a game machine having a communication function, or the like.

  In addition, the above embodiment is an essentially preferable illustration, Comprising: It does not intend restrict | limiting the range of this invention, its application thing, or a use.

  As described above, the present invention is useful for a foldable mobile communication device having a support mechanism that supports a liquid crystal display unit such as a mobile phone so that the liquid crystal display unit can be switched to a vertically long state or a horizontally long state.

It is a perspective view which shows the folding type mobile telephone concerning embodiment of this invention in a folding state. It is a perspective view which shows the foldable mobile phone in a state where the liquid crystal display unit is in the vertically long state in the opened state. It is a perspective view which shows the folding-type mobile telephone in the middle of switching a liquid crystal display part to a vertically long state or a horizontally long state. It is a perspective view which shows a foldable mobile telephone when a liquid crystal display part is in a horizontally long state in the open state. It is a rear view of a foldable mobile phone in a state where the liquid crystal display unit is in a vertically long state. It is a rear view of the foldable mobile phone in a switching process of the liquid crystal display unit. It is a rear view of a foldable mobile phone in a state where the liquid crystal display unit is in a horizontally long state. It is a front view which shows the cam mechanism of a vertically long state, and its periphery. It is a front view which shows the cam mechanism of the switching process, and its periphery. It is a front view which shows the cam mechanism of a landscape state, and its periphery. It is the perspective view which looked at the cam mechanism from the back side. It is the perspective view which looked at the cam mechanism from the surface side. It is the perspective view which looked at the 1st case body from the surface side. It is the perspective view which looked at the 1st case body from the back side. It is explanatory drawing which shows the locus | trajectory of the lower end side corner part of a 1st housing | casing. FIG. 16 is a view corresponding to FIG. 15 according to another embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Foldable mobile phone (foldable mobile communication device)
2 Liquid crystal display (display)
2b Lower end side corner portion 3 First housing 3b First housing body 4 Operation portion 5 Second housing 6 Hinge portion 10 Cam mechanism (support mechanism)
12 Horizontal guide groove 13 First guide pin 14 Vertical guide groove 15 Second guide pin 16 Guide plate 20 Coil spring (elastic member)
20a One end 20b The other end 21 Signal line 23 Signal line wiring opening 24 Signal line wiring concave groove

Claims (11)

A first housing having a display portion on a surface;
A second housing having an operation portion on the surface;
A hinge portion that folds and connects the first housing and the second housing so as to be freely opened and closed;
The display unit is supported by the first casing through a support mechanism so as to be switchable between a vertically long state and a horizontally long state.
The support mechanism includes a curved left and right guide groove that is provided in the first housing and is curved in a convex shape extending in the left and right direction, and a vertical guide groove that is provided in the first housing and extends in the vertical direction. A first guide pin provided on the back surface of the display unit and slidably engaged with the left-right guide groove; and a second guide pin provided on the back surface of the display unit and slidably engaged with the vertical guide groove;
The first casing is a first casing main body made of a molded product constituting a part of the hinge portion, and is fixed to the first casing main body, and the left and right guide grooves and the vertical guide grooves are fixed. and a guide plate made of sheet metal bets are formed,
On the back side of the first housing body, a signal line wiring groove for accommodating a signal line for electrically connecting the display unit and the second housing extends to the hinge portion side. Formed into
A foldable portable communication device characterized in that a signal line wiring opening having an upper opening is formed between the groove for signal line wiring and the periphery of the guide groove in the vertical direction . In the foldable portable communication device according to claim 1,
The support mechanism is configured to guide and support switching of the display unit between a vertically long state and a horizontally long state so that a lower end side corner portion of the display unit moves along the hinge portion when the display unit is switched. A foldable portable communication device characterized by being made. In the foldable portable communication device according to claim 1 or 2,
The support mechanism guides and supports switching between the vertically long state and the horizontally long state of the display unit so that the lower end side corner portion of the display unit moves along the hinge portion with a linear trajectory,
The foldable mobile communication device characterized in that the display unit has a lower end in a vertically long state formed in a straight line. In the foldable portable communication device according to claim 3,
A foldable portable communication device, wherein a center portion in the left-right direction in the vertically long state and the horizontally long state of the display unit is positioned substantially in the center in the left-right direction of the first housing. In the foldable portable communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The foldable portable communication device, wherein the vertical guide groove extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the hinge portion. In the foldable portable communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The foldable portable communication device, wherein the vertical guide groove extends in a direction inclined with respect to an axial direction of the hinge portion. In the foldable portable communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The foldable mobile communication device, wherein the vertical guide groove has a curved shape. The foldable portable communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ,
The folding portable communication device according to claim 1, wherein the support mechanism is provided with an elastic member that urges the display unit to be at least in a portrait state or a landscape state. The foldable mobile communication device according to claim 8 ,
The foldable portable communication device, wherein the elastic member is a torsion coil spring having one end fixed to the first guide pin and the other end fixed to the first housing. A first housing having a display portion on a surface;
A second housing having an operation portion on the surface;
A hinge portion that folds and connects the first housing and the second housing so as to be freely opened and closed;
The display unit is supported by the first casing through a support mechanism so as to be switchable between a vertically long state and a horizontally long state.
The first housing includes a first housing body made of a molded product constituting a part of the hinge portion, and a guide plate fixed to the first housing body,
A signal line that electrically connects the display unit and the second housing is housed on the back side of the first housing body,
A signal line wiring opening having an upper opening is formed between a portion of the first casing body in which the signal line is accommodated and an upper end of the guide plate. Mobile communication device. The foldable portable communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The first casing body is made of a metal molded product or a resin molded product.
A foldable portable communication device characterized by that.

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