JP4572183B2 - Foldable mobile device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a foldable portable device such as a foldable mobile phone, and relates to a structure for switching from a vertically long state to 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. In particular, in terrestrial digital broadcasting, distribution of television moving images at 840 kbps has started. By installing a receiving circuit for digital broadcasting in addition to a transmitting / receiving circuit for a cellular phone in a cellular phone, the reception of the digital broadcast has been realized even in the cellular phone.

  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 disclosed in Patent Document 1, the display unit can be switched between the vertically long state and the 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.

  Also, as shown in Patent Document 2, a foldable portable 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.

It is also known that display units such as display devices, information processing devices, and personal computers can be switched to a desired state by switching from a portrait state to a landscape state or vice versa. Yes. For example, as shown in Patent Document 3, also in the field of liquid crystal displays, there is known one having a support mechanism capable of switching the display unit between a vertically long state and a horizontally long state.
JP 2001-156893 A JP 2003-319043 A JP 2004-78073 A

  By the way, when the folding portable communication device is equipped with a function for switching the display unit from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state like the folding portable communication device of Patent Documents 1 and 2, the user can easily hold the display unit with one hand. There is a desire to switch from a vertically long state to a horizontally long state.

However, in the conventional folder type mobile communication devices, there is also demand for such compact, structure for automatically rotating the display unit is not adopted. Therefore, in order to rotate the display unit while holding the operation unit side with one hand, the display unit must be rotated with one finger. If the display unit is rotated from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state, the display unit and the finger are rotated. Since it may leave, it is not easy.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to enable a display unit to be quickly switched from a vertically long state to a horizontally long state with one hand while holding the second housing. There is.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a structure for rotating the display unit from a vertically long state to a horizontally long state by one touch.

Specifically, in the first invention, a first housing having a display portion on the 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;
A foldable portable device in which 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 is an object.

  The support mechanism is provided with automatic rotating means for rotating the display unit from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state with one touch.

  According to the above configuration, when the user operates the automatic rotation means, the display unit is switched from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state with a single touch, so that the vertically long state with one hand can be held even with the second housing provided with the operation unit. Is easy to rotate from horizontal to horizontal.

  In the second invention, the support mechanism is constituted by a cam mechanism.

  According to the above configuration, since the trajectory of the display unit can be appropriately adjusted by the cam mechanism, the display unit does not come into contact with the hinge part or the bulging part at the lower end of the first housing even if the display screen is kept large. . For this reason, it is not necessary to perform an extra operation such as rotating the display unit while moving it away from the second housing, so that it is easy to rotate with one hand even while holding the second housing. is there.

  In the third aspect of the invention, the cam mechanism is provided in the first casing and extends in the left-right direction and is curved in a convex shape, and is provided in the first casing in the vertical direction. A second guide groove that extends, a first guide pin that is provided on the back surface of the display portion and slidably engages with the first guide groove, and a slidable engagement with the second guide groove that is provided on the back surface of the display portion. And a second guide pin.

  According to the above configuration, the second guide pin of the display unit engages with the second guide groove at the same time as the first guide pin of the display unit slides with the first guide groove engaged by the cam mechanism. Slide in the state. Due to the movement restriction by the cam mechanism, the display unit can be smoothly switched from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state so as not to contact the hinge portion, so that the display unit is rotated while being moved in a direction away from the second housing. It is easy to perform a one-handed rotation operation while holding the second casing, without performing any extra operation such as making it happen.

In the fourth invention, the automatic rotating means is
A rotation biasing elastic member for biasing the display unit from a vertically long state to a horizontally long state;
And a restricting means for restricting rotation of the display unit from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state.

  According to the above configuration, the display unit is urged from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state by the rotation biasing elastic member, and the rotation from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state is restricted by the restricting means. By releasing the restricting means, the display portion urged by the rotation urging elastic member can be switched from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state with a single touch, so that the rotation operation with one hand can be performed while holding the second housing. Easy.

In the fifth invention, the regulating means is
A lock lever for restricting rotation of the display unit;
An elastic member for locking for holding the lock lever at a restricting position for restricting rotation of the display unit;
An automatic rotation button for releasing the restriction by pressing the lock lever against the lock elastic member;

  According to the above configuration, the lock lever is held in the restriction position by the lock elastic member, and the rotation of the display part is restricted. Therefore, the display part is prevented from being erroneously switched from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state during normal use. The On the other hand, by pressing the automatic rotation button, the lock lever is pressed, the holding by the lock elastic member is released, and the restriction on the rotation of the display unit is released, so even while holding the second housing What is necessary is just to press the button for automatic rotation with the hand, and rotation operation with one hand is easy.

  In a sixth aspect of the invention, the lock lever is rotatably attached to the first housing at an intermediate position thereof, and has a restricting collar portion that is locked to the first guide pin at one end thereof. A pressed portion that is pressed by the automatic rotation button is formed at an end.

  According to the above configuration, when the automatic rotation button is pressed, the pressed portion of the lock lever is pressed and the lock lever rotates about its rotation center, and the engagement between the restriction collar and the first guide pin is performed. The rotation restriction on the rotation of the display unit is released. For this reason, the display unit can be switched from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state with a single touch simply by pressing the automatic rotation button, so that it is easy to rotate with one hand even while holding the second housing.

In the seventh invention, an elastic member supporting pin is formed in the first casing,
The rotation biasing elastic member is a tension coil spring having one end attached to the elastic member supporting pin and the other end attached to the first guide pin.

  According to the above configuration, when the display unit is in the vertically long state, the first guide pin moves to the end portion of the first guide groove, and the elastic member for rotation bias constituted by the tension coil spring is pulled most. It becomes a state. When the automatic rotation button is pressed and the restriction by the lock lever is released, the display unit automatically switches to the horizontally long state by the tensile force of the elastic member for rotation bias. Rotating operation with one hand is easy.

In the eighth invention, a reaction force receiving portion is formed in the first casing,
One end of the elastic member for locking is in contact with the reaction force receiving portion, and the other end is a compression coil spring that presses the pressed portion of the lock lever from the side opposite to the automatic rotation button.

  According to said structure, the elastic member for a lock in the compressed state presses the to-be-pressed part of a lock lever, supporting a reaction force by a reaction force receiving part, and hold | maintains a lock lever reliably in a control position. On the other hand, if the automatic rotation button is pressed against the compressive force of the elastic member for locking, the lock lever rotates and the restriction is released, so that the rotation operation can be performed with one hand even while holding the second housing. Is easy.

  In a ninth aspect of the invention, the automatic rotation button is provided on the hinge portion.

According to said structure, since the button for automatic rotation was provided in the hinge part, the press with the finger of the hand holding the 2nd housing | casing is easy. For this reason, it is only necessary to press the automatic rotation button with one finger while holding the second casing with one hand, so that the rotation operation of the display unit is easy. In the tenth invention, the automatic rotation button Is provided with a mechanism for preventing malfunction.

  According to the above configuration, even when the automatic rotation button is accidentally touched or the foldable portable device is dropped, the automatic rotation button does not malfunction, so the display unit does not rotate unintentionally.

  In the eleventh aspect, the folding portable device is a portable communication device.

  According to said structure, the portable communication apparatus with a high commercial value which can be easily operated with one hand is obtained.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, the support mechanism is provided with automatic rotation means for rotating the display unit from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state with one touch, so that the display unit can be quickly placed in the vertically long state with one hand even while holding the second housing. It becomes possible to switch from the horizontal state to the horizontal state.

  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 device according to this embodiment includes a first casing 3 having a liquid crystal display section 2 as a display section on the surface and a second casing having an operation section 4 on the surface. A body 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. 1, 5, and 6, the first housing 3 has a shaft portion (not shown) of the hinge portion 6 inserted in one side on both sides of the lower end portion, and the other will be described later. A first casing body 3b formed with a boss 3a through which the automatic rotation button 35 is inserted, a rectangular dish-shaped back cover 3c covering the first casing body 3b, and a guide plate 16 described later. It has. The first housing body 3b is made of a cast frame made of magnesium alloy or the like, which is a metal molded product. The first housing body 3b has a cam opening 3d. The first housing body 3b may be a high-strength resin molded product.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the liquid crystal display unit 2 and the first housing 3 are shown from the back side, and the first housing 3 has a substantially rectangular plate-like liquid crystal display unit 2 in a vertically long state or a horizontally long state. A cam mechanism 10 is provided as a support mechanism for supporting the switching operation. The cam mechanism 10 is provided in the first housing 3 and extends in the left-right direction and has a curved first guide groove 12 that is curved in a convex shape, and a linear shape that is provided in the first housing 3 and extends in the up-down direction. The second guide groove 14, the first guide pin 13 provided on the back surface of the liquid crystal display unit 2 and slidably engaged with the first guide groove 12, and the second guide provided on the back surface of the liquid crystal display unit 2. A second guide pin 15 slidably engaged with the groove 14 is provided.

  That is, the first guide groove 12 and the second 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 first guide groove 12 is configured by a curved opening curved in a middle convex shape. The second guide groove 14 includes a peripheral edge portion of a linear opening provided vertically above the uppermost vicinity of the middle convex shape of the first 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. The guide plate 16 is inserted into the through hole with a screw (both not shown) and fastened so as to be positioned at the intermediate portion in the thickness direction of the first housing 3. It is fixed to 3b.

  On the other hand, although not shown in detail, a metal link member is mounted on the back surface of the liquid crystal display unit 2. The first guide pin 13 is provided on one end side of the link member so as to extend vertically to the first housing 3 side. The second guide pin 15 is provided on the other end side of the link member 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.

  The cam mechanism 10 is provided with automatic rotating means 30 for rotating the liquid crystal display unit 2 from a vertically long state to a horizontally long state with one touch. The automatic rotation means 30 includes a rotation urging elastic member 31 that urges the liquid crystal display unit 2 from a vertically long state to a horizontally long state, and a restriction unit 32 that restricts the rotation of the liquid crystal display unit 2 from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state. It has.

  Specifically, the guide plate 16 of the first housing 3 is formed with a spring fixing pin 19 as an elastic member supporting pin on the right side when viewed from the back side. The rotation urging elastic member 31 is constituted by a tension coil spring, and one end is attached to the spring fixing pin 19 and the other end is attached to the first guide pin 13. That is, the rotation biasing elastic member 31 biases the first guide pin 13 to move from the left side to the right side when viewed from the back.

  The regulating means 32 includes a lock lever 33 that regulates the rotation of the liquid crystal display unit 2. The lock lever 33 has a substantially square shape with its distal end bent from a rotation center 33a at an intermediate position, and is rotatably attached to the first housing 3 at the intermediate position. A hook-shaped restricting flange 33 b that is locked to the first guide pin 13 is formed on the distal end side of the lock lever 33. The restriction flange 33b serves to prevent the first guide pin 13 from moving from the left side to the right side when viewed from the back. A guide portion 33c is formed on the distal end side of the restricting collar portion 33b and becomes narrower toward the distal end. On the base end side of the lock lever 33, a bar-shaped pressed portion 33d is formed.

  The restricting means 32 further includes a lock elastic member 34 for holding the lock lever 33 at a restricting position for restricting the rotation of the liquid crystal display unit 2. The lock elastic member 34 is formed of a compression coil spring. A reaction force receiving portion 37 extending downward is formed at the lower end portion of the guide plate 16. The lock elastic member 34 is configured such that one end abuts against the reaction force receiving portion 37 and the other end presses the inner side in the left-right direction of the pressed portion 33 d of the lock lever 33. That is, the lock elastic member 34 biases the pressed portion 33d of the lock lever 33 so that the restricting flange portion 33b locks the first guide pin 13.

  The restricting means 32 further includes an automatic rotation button 35. The automatic rotation button 35 is configured to press the outer side in the left-right direction of the pressed portion 33 d of the lock lever 33 against the lock elastic member 34 to release the restriction. The automatic rotation button 35 is inserted into the left boss portion 3a constituting the hinge portion 6 as viewed from the back. That is, the automatic rotation button 35 is located on the opposite side of the lock elastic member 34 with respect to the pressed portion 33 d of the lock lever 33.

-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.

  When the liquid crystal display unit 2 is in the vertically long state, the liquid crystal display unit 2 is urged from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state by the rotation urging elastic member 31. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, when the liquid crystal display unit 2 is in the vertically long state, the first guide pin 13 moves to the left end as viewed from the back of the first guide groove 12 and is configured by a tension coil spring. The rotation biasing elastic member 31 is in the most pulled state. However, the restriction means 32 restricts the rotation from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state.

  Specifically, the elastic member for locking 34 in the compressed state presses the pressed portion 33d of the lock lever 33 while the reaction force is supported by the reaction force receiving portion 37, so that the lock lever 33 is securely in the restricted position. Hold on. For this reason, since the restricting collar 33b is firmly engaged with the first guide pin 13 and the rotation of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is restricted, the liquid crystal display unit 2 is erroneously switched from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state during normal use. Is prevented.

  On the other hand, when the user wants to view a horizontally long image, such as when viewing a digital terrestrial television broadcast 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, for example, the user holds the second casing 5 with the left hand and presses the automatic rotation button 35 against the compressive force of the elastic member 34 for locking with the index finger. Thus, since the automatic rotation button 35 is provided on the hinge portion 6, it is easy to press with the finger of the hand holding the second housing 5.

  As a result, the pressed portion 33d of the lock lever 33 is pressed and the lock lever 33 rotates about its rotation center, and the engagement between the restriction collar portion 33b and the first guide pin 13 is released. Then, the rotation of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is started by the tensile force of the rotation biasing elastic member 31.

  At this time, the cam mechanism 10 causes the first guide pin 13 of the liquid crystal display unit 2 to slide while being engaged with the first guide groove 12, and at the same time, the second guide pin 15 of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is moved to the second state. The sliding movement is performed in the state of being engaged with the guide groove 14. Since the locus of the liquid crystal display unit 2 can be appropriately adjusted by the movement restriction by the cam mechanism 10, the liquid crystal display unit 2 is not swollen at the lower end of the hinge unit 6 or the first housing 3 even when the display screen is kept large. Do not touch the protruding part. The liquid crystal display unit 2 is smoothly switched to the horizontally long state.

  As shown by the white arrow in FIG. 8, when the liquid crystal display unit 2 starts to rotate clockwise as viewed from the surface, the folding force is applied by the tensile force (shown by the black arrow in FIG. 8) of the rotation biasing elastic member 31. The first guide pin 13 located at the left end of the first guide groove 12 as viewed from the back of the mobile phone 1 moves toward the center, and the second guide pin 15 located at the lower end of the second guide groove 14 moves upward. .

  Next, the liquid crystal display unit 2 is immediately switched to the horizontally long state shown in FIG. 4 by the tensile force of the elastic member 31 for biasing rotation. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, the second guide pin 15 that was on the upper side of the second guide groove 14 as viewed from the back of the foldable mobile phone 1 moved to the lower end and was in the middle of the first guide groove 12. The first guide pin 13 moves to the right end.

  As described above, 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. The second guide pin 15 slides up and down in the second guide groove 14.

  For this reason, the liquid crystal display unit 2 can be switched from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state with a single touch simply by pressing the automatic rotation button 35, so that the rotation operation with one hand is easy even while holding the second housing.

  FIG. 10 shows a locus R drawn by the cam mechanism 10 where the center r1 of the chamfered circular arc of the lower corner portion 2b 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.

  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 left corner of the liquid crystal display unit 2 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed from the surface so as to resist the tensile force of the elastic member 31 for urging rotation. Let For example, while holding the second housing 5 with the left hand, the liquid crystal display unit 2 is grasped with the right hand and rotated counterclockwise, and the guide portion 33 c of the restriction collar portion 33 b is locked by the first guide pin 13. The elastic member 34 is pushed back against the compression force of the elastic member 34 and moved to the end of the first guide groove 12. Then, the first guide pin 13 is held again in a state of being hooked on the restricting flange portion 33b and maintained in the vertically long state.

  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 this embodiment, the cam mechanism 10 is provided with the automatic rotation means 30 for rotating the liquid crystal display unit 2 from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state with one touch, so that the second casing 5 The liquid crystal display unit 2 can be quickly switched from the vertically long state to the horizontally long state with one hand even while holding.

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

  In other words, the automatic rotation button 35 may be provided with a malfunction prevention mechanism. For example, the automatic rotation button 35 may be pressed so as not to enter the boss portion 3a. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the liquid crystal display unit 2 from rotating when the automatic rotation button 35 is accidentally touched or dropped.

  The shape of the 1st guide groove 12 and the 2nd guide groove 14 is not restricted to the said embodiment. For example, the second 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. As described above, by selecting the optimal shapes of the first guide groove 12 and the second guide groove 14, the required movement of the liquid crystal display unit 2 can be easily achieved. For example, the first guide groove 12 can be formed in an arc shape by adjusting the inclination angle of the second guide groove 14. For this reason, the switching operation of the liquid crystal display unit 2 becomes smooth. Moreover, by inclining the 2nd guide groove 14, the guide plate 16 can be cut diagonally, and the part can be reduced in weight and compactness.

  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 2b of the liquid crystal display unit 2 may be adjusted by the shape of the first 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 first guide groove 12 is provided, but two first guide grooves 12 may be provided. In this case, the second guide groove 14 is provided on the link member 18 in the second first guide groove in the second guide groove 14. 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 first guide groove 12, the second guide groove 14, the first guide pin 13, and the second guide pin 15 are unit-assembled. However, the first guide groove 12 may be assembled without unit assembly. And the second 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 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 that case, the cam mechanism 10 and the automatic rotation means 30 may be arranged so as to be reversed left and right.

  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. An organic EL display emits light by itself, consumes less power, has a wider viewing angle than a liquid crystal display, and does not require a backlight, and thus can be thinned.

  In the above embodiment, the foldable portable device is a mobile phone, but it may be a portable device such as a PC, a mobile tool, an electronic dictionary, a calculator, a copying machine, or the like. Further, it may be a portable communication device such as PHS or PDA.

  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 portable device having a support mechanism that supports a display unit such as a mobile phone so that the 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 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 a rear view which shows the liquid crystal display part in a vertically long state, a cam mechanism, and an automatic rotation means. It is a rear view in which a liquid crystal display part shows a liquid crystal display part in a switching process, a cam mechanism, and an automatic rotation means. It is a rear view which shows the liquid crystal display part in a horizontally long state, a cam mechanism, and an automatic rotation means. It is explanatory drawing which looked at the locus | trajectory of the lower end side corner part of a 1st housing | casing from the back side. FIG. 11 is a view corresponding to FIG. 10 according to another embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Foldable mobile phone (foldable mobile device)
2 Liquid crystal display (display)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 1st housing | casing 4 Operation part 5 2nd housing | casing 6 Hinge part 12 1st guide groove 13 1st guide pin 14 2nd guide groove 15 2nd guide pin 19 Spring fixing pin (pin for elastic member support)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 Automatic rotation means 31 Elastic member for rotation bias 32 Restriction means 33 Lock lever 33b Restriction collar 33d Pressed part 34 Elastic member for lock 35 Automatic rotation button 37 Reaction force receiving part

Claims (2)

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 a foldable portable device that is supported by the first housing via a support mechanism so as to be switchable between a vertically long state and a horizontally long state,
The support mechanism is
A guide plate provided in the first housing;
A curved first guide groove provided on the guide plate, extending in the left-right direction and curved in a convex shape;
A second guide groove provided in the guide plate and extending in the vertical direction;
A first guide pin provided on the back surface of the display unit and slidably engaged with the first guide groove;
A second guide pin provided on the back surface of the display unit and slidably engaged with the second guide groove;
One end is attached to an elastic member supporting pin provided on the guide plate, the other end is attached to the first guide pin, and a tension coil spring that biases the rotation of the display unit;
A locking lever that is rotatably attached to a rotation center provided on the guide plate at an intermediate position, and that is formed at one end thereof with a restricting hook portion that is engaged with the first guide pin, and that restricts rotation of the display portion; ,
An elastic member for locking for holding the lock lever at a restricting position for restricting rotation of the display unit;
An automatic rotation button that releases the restriction by pressing the lock lever against the elastic member for locking;
A reaction force receiving portion is formed on the guide plate,
One end of the elastic member for locking contacts the reaction force receiving portion, and the other end presses an intermediate point between the pressed portion of the lock lever and the rotation center from the opposite side to the automatic rotation button. A folding portable device characterized by being a compression coil spring . The foldable portable device according to claim 1,
A guide portion that narrows toward the distal end is formed on the distal end side of the restriction collar portion, and the guide portion is urged by the compression coil spring so as to be disposed on the first guide groove. A foldable portable device characterized by

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